Edexcel IGCSE Physics Experimental Skills

Practise Edexcel IGCSE Physics experimental skills by measuring variables, drawing graphs, fitting curves and evaluating conclusions.

[Maximum number: 3]

This question is about liquid nitrogen.

(a)

A teacher uses this method to find the density of liquid nitrogen.
- measure the mass of a container
- pour liquid nitrogen into the container
- measure the total mass of the container and the liquid nitrogen
- read the volume of the liquid nitrogen from the scale on the side of the container

[ 3 ]

(i)

Give a safety precaution the teacher should take when pouring the liquid nitrogen.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

State the name of the apparatus that the teacher should use to measure the mass of the container.

[ 1 ]

(iii)

The table shows the teacher's results.

Table for Question (iii) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Calculate the mass of liquid nitrogen in the container.
mass $=\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots . . \mathrm{g}$

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 9]

A student investigates how the strength of the magnetic field from a solenoid changes with distance from the end of the solenoid.

The diagram shows the solenoid connected to a power supply.

Figure for Question 9 Experimental skills question 2 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

(a)

The student uses a device called a Hall probe, which can be placed anywhere in the magnetic field to measure its strength at that point.

Design a suitable method for the investigation.
Your answer should include
- any extra measuring equipment needed
- details of the independent variable, dependent variable and any control variables

You may include a diagram to help your answer.

[ 5 ]

(b)

The graph shows the results of the student's investigation.

Strength of magnetic field in arbitrary units

Figure for Question (b) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

The student suggests that the relationship linking the strength of the magnetic field and the distance from the end of the solenoid is

\text { strength of magnetic field × (distance) }{ }^{3}=\text { constant }

Use readings from the graph to deduce whether the results of the student's investigation support this relationship.

[ 4 ]

Marking points:
- any pair of readings from the graph
- correct substitution into formula and constant found
- different pair of readings used correctly to find a constant
- statement that the results do not agree with the conclusion

Example:
$\text{when distance}=10\ \mathrm{cm},\quad \text{magnetic field strength}=17$ $17\times10^{3}=17000$ $\text{when distance}=50\ \mathrm{cm},\quad \text{magnetic field strength}=4$ $4\times50^{3}=500000$

Conclusion:

The constants are different, so the results disagree with the conclusion.

Accept:
- idea that the constants are the same, so results agree with the conclusion

[Maximum number: 9]

Diagram 1 shows the apparatus a student uses to investigate the bending of a wooden strip.

Part of the wooden strip is clamped to a table.
A load is fixed to the free end of the wooden strip, causing it to bend.

Diagram 1

The free end of the wooden strip is positioned a length, L , beyond the edge of the table, as shown in diagram 1.

The weight of the load causes the end of the wooden strip to move down through a height, h.

A student investigates how the length, L , affects the height, h .

(a)

This is the student's method for the investigation.
- clamp the wooden strip so that $\mathrm{L}=20 \mathrm{~cm}$
- fix the load to the end of the wooden strip, as shown in diagram 1
- measure the height, h

The student repeats this method for different values of L.

[ 6 ]

(i)

Give the independent and dependent variables in the investigation.
independent variable
dependent variable

[ 2 ]

(ii)

Give two control variables in the investigation.

1

2

[ 2 ]

(iii)

Suggest how the student could accurately measure the height, h .

[ 2 ]

(b)

The table shows the results of the investigation.

Table for Question (b) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

[ 3 ]

(i)

Draw the curve of best fit.

Figure for Question (i) — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

[ 1 ]

(ii)

The student concludes that h is directly proportional to L .

Evaluate the student's conclusion.

[ 2 ]

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

9 Experimental skills question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

9 Experimental skills question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

9 Experimental skills question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)