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Density
Question Paper 1
Level IGCSE
Subject Physics
Exam Board CIE
Topic General Physics
Sub-Topic Density
Paper Type Alternative to Practical
Booklet Question Paper 1

Time Allowed: 44 minutes

Score: /36

Percentage: /100
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1 The class is carrying out an experiment to determine the density of glass.

Each student has a test-tube, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

glass test-tube

Fig. 2.1

(a) (i) • Measure the length l of the test-tube shown in Fig. 2.1.

l = .......................................................... cm

• Measure the external diameter d of the test-tube.

d = .......................................................... cm
[1]

(ii) A student uses two wooden blocks to help him to measure the diameter d of the test-tube.

Describe his method. You may draw a diagram. Include one precaution which could be
taken to ensure that the value of d is as reliable as possible.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]
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(iii) Assuming that the test-tube is an approximate cylinder, calculate a value for its
external volume V1 using the equation V1 = πd l.
2

V1 = ................................................... cm3 [1]

(b) The test-tube is completely filled with water and then the water from the test-tube is poured
into a measuring cylinder.

(i) Read and record the volume V2 of the water as shown in Fig. 2.2.

cm3
100

80

60

40

20

Fig. 2.2

V2 = .................................................. cm3 [1]

(ii) Describe briefly how you would read the measuring cylinder to obtain a reliable value for
the volume of water. You may add to Fig. 2.2 to illustrate your explanation.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) Calculate the volume V3 of the glass, using the equation V3 = V1 – V2.

V3 = .................................................. cm3 [1]

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(c) One student uses a balance to measure the mass m of the test-tube, as shown in Fig. 2.3.

test-tube

Fig. 2.3

(i) Calculate the density ρ of the glass, using the equation ρ = m .

V3

ρ = .......................................................... [2]

(ii) Other students are using a balance which only measures to the nearest gram.

Record the mass m of the test-tube to the nearest gram.

m = ....................................................... g [1]

(d) The precision of the balance does not affect the accuracy of this experiment.

State one possible source of inaccuracy in the experiment. Explain what effect this inaccuracy
would have on the value obtained for ρ.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 12]
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2 The IGCSE students are carrying out measurements in order to determine the density of water
using two methods.

(a) Method 1

Fig. 1.1 shows an empty measuring cylinder on a balance and Fig. 1.2 shows the measuring
cylinder containing water.

cm3 cm3
100 100

80 80

measuring
60 60
cylinder

40 40

20 20
balance

40:68 g 113:60 g
Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2

(i) Read and record the mass m1 of the empty measuring cylinder.

m1 = ................................................. g

(ii) Read and record the mass m2 of the measuring cylinder and water.

m2 = ................................................. g

(iii) Read and record the volume V1 of water, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

V1 = ............................................. cm3

(iv) Calculate a value ρ1 for the density of water using your readings from (a)(i), (ii) and (iii)
m – m1
and the equation ρ1 = 2 . Give an appropriate unit.
V1

ρ1 = ....................................................
[3]
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(b) Method 2

In this method, a test-tube is floated in the water left in the measuring cylinder from Method 1
and the change in water level is measured.

cm3
test-tube 100

cotton 80

60

40

15:47 g 20

Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4

(i) Read and record the mass m3 of the test-tube, as shown in Fig. 1.3.

m3 = ....................................................

(ii) The test-tube is carefully lowered, by means of a piece of cotton, into the measuring
cylinder until it floats as shown in Fig. 1.4. Read and record the new water level V2 in the
measuring cylinder.

V2 = ....................................................

(iii) Using your results from (a)(iii) and (b)(ii), calculate V3, the change in the water level,
where V3 = (V2 – V1).

V3 = ....................................................
m3
(iv) Calculate and record a value ρ2 for the density of water using the equation ρ2 = .
V3

ρ2 = ....................................................
[3]
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(c) Calculate an average value ρAV for the density of water using your results from (a)(iv) and
(b)(iv).

ρAV = ............................................... [1]

(d) Suggest a precaution that should be taken in Method 1 to ensure that the volume reading is
as accurate as possible.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(e) Suggest a possible source of experimental inaccuracy in Method 2, other than with the
volume reading.

State and explain the effect that this would have on your value for ρ2.

suggestion ................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

effect and explanation ...............................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 10]
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3 An IGCSE student is taking measurements of a sample of modelling clay. She has moulded the
sample of modelling clay into a cube, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

h
modelling clay

d
w

Fig. 1.1

(a) (i) On Fig. 1.2, measure the height h and width w of the piece of modelling clay.

Fig. 1.2

h = ................................................. cm

w = ................................................. cm

(ii) On Fig. 1.3, measure the depth d of the piece of modelling clay.

Fig. 1.3

d = ................................................. cm

(iii) Calculate the volume VA of the modelling clay using the equation VA = hwd.

VA = ............................................... cm3
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(iv) The mass m of the piece of modelling clay is shown in Fig. 1.4.

Calculate the density ρ of the modelling clay using the equation ρ = m .

VA

58.6 g

Fig. 1.4

ρ = ......................................................
[3]

(b) The student moulds the piece of modelling clay into a spherical shape.

Draw a diagram to show how you would use two rectangular blocks of wood and a rule to
measure the diameter of the sphere of modelling clay.

[1]
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(c) The student pours water into a measuring cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1.5.

cm3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
water
30

20
10

Fig. 1.5

(i) Record the volume V1 of water shown in Fig. 1.5.

V1 = .................................................. [1]

(ii) On Fig. 1.5, show clearly the line of sight required to take the reading of V1. [1]

(d) The student uses a piece of string to lower the sample of modelling clay into the measuring
cylinder until it is completely covered with water. The new volume reading V2 is 84 cm3.

Calculate the volume VB of the modelling clay using the equation VB = (V2 – V1).

VB = .................................................. [1]

(e) The student suggests that the volume of the modelling clay should not change when the
shape is changed.

Assuming that the experiment has been carried out with care, suggest two reasons why the
values VA and VB may not be the same.

1. ...............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 9]
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4 The IGCSE class has been asked to determine the density of an object.

One student is finding the volume of the object using a measuring cylinder containing water
in which the object is to be placed.

The measuring cylinder containing only water is shown in Fig. 4.1.

The measuring cylinder after the object has been placed in the water is shown in Fig. 4.2.

cm3 cm3
100 100

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 measuring cylinder 60

50 50

40 40

30 30
object
20 20

10 10

Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4.2

(a) (i) Read and record the volume V1 of the water in the measuring cylinder shown in
Fig. 4.1.

V1 = ............................................

(ii) Read and record the volume V2 of the water in the measuring cylinder shown in
Fig. 4.2.

V2 = ............................................
[2]
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(b) The student then uses a balance to measure the mass m of the object, as shown in
Fig. 4.3.

114 g

Fig. 4.3

Calculate the density of the object using the equation

m
density = ––––––– .
(V2 – V1)

density = ........................................[2]

(c) Suggest a possible practical cause of inaccuracy in this method.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 5]