IB Physics HL S2.1 Exploring and Designing Question Bank

Practise IB Physics HL S2.1 by designing defensible investigations with quantified controls, uncertainty planning and evidence-based method choices.

Exam points

formulate a research question and hypothesis, then select variables and a reproducible investigation method
justify controls, ranges, sampling and risk management when designing a practical investigation
use pilot observations to refine the method and explain how data quality will be assessed

Covered syllabus points

S2.1.1—Exploring S2.1.2—Designing investigations S2.1.3—Controlling variables

[Maximum number: 1]

A student wants to verify the relation $T=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$ between the period T of a simple pendulum and the length L of the pendulum, where g is the acceleration of free fall. The student operates a stopwatch to measure one oscillation and a millimeter ruler to measure the length of the pendulum.

State, for this experiment,

one variable that must be controlled,

[Maximum number: 1]

A group of students uses pressurized air to move a piston that forces a nail into a block of wood. A gauge is used to measure the pressure P of compressed air above atmospheric pressure. The nail enters the wood perpendicular to its surface.

Figure for Question S2.1 Exploring and designing question 2 — IB Physics HL

The students use a ruler to measure the length of the nail which remains above the surface of the wood as shown. The depth of the nail inside the wood is d. All necessary length measurements are recorded using a ruler with uncertainty $\pm 1 \mathrm{~mm}$ .

The students systematically increase the pressure and calculate d.

Table for Question S2.1 Exploring and designing question 2 — IB Physics HL

State one variable that needs to be controlled when collecting the data.

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Covered syllabus points

S2.1 Exploring and designing question 1

S2.1 Exploring and designing question 2