CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter P1
Self-assessment questions 13 h / cm d / cm d2 / cm2
1  robably 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 300 Ω, 400 Ω,
P 1.0 18.0 324
500 Ω. They cover the whole range with 2.5 28.4 807
roughly equal differences.
4.0 35.8 1280
2
5.5 41.6 1730
a b
7.0 47.3 2240
9.0 53.6 2870

14 a
d2 / cm2
3000 +
3  eft-hand diagram indicates systematic error.
L
Right-hand diagram indicates random error. +
2000
4  ero error as pointer does not indicate zero
Z +
when load = 0; scale incorrectly calibrated +
1000
5 1 mm at either end = ±2 mm; but if several +
measurements are required end-to-end and +
the tape measure is not long enough, this will 0
0 2 4 6 8 10
increase the uncertainty. This assumes the tape h / cm
measure is drawn tightly but does not stretch
in length.
b gradient = 320 cm; y-intercept = 0 cm2
6 ±0.5 °C or ±1.0 °C approx.
7 Between ±0.2 cm and ±1 cm If T is proportional to m, then T = km
8 Between ±0.2 s and ±0.5 s Two values of k are 4.6 = 5.1 and 6.3 = 5.25
0.9 1.2
9 average = (20.6 + 20.8)/2 = 20.7 ± 0.1
a 
 he % difference in the k values is
T 0.15 × 100
b average = (20 + 30 + 36)/3 = 29 ± 8 5.1
= 2.9%
c average = (0.6 + 1.0 + 0.8 + 1.2)/4 = 0.9 ± 0.3
15 The percentage difference in the T value is
d average = (20.5 + 20.5)/2 = 20.5 ± 0.1 0.2 × 100 = 4.3%
4.6
10 ±0.8%
 he criterion is that the % difference in the k
T
±5.7% or 6%
11 a  values should be less than the % difference in
b  he pendulum is moving during
T the raw data for proportionality to be shown.
measurement. This has been shown, so the data is consistent
with a proportional relationship.
12 ±0.25 V

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
1 © Cambridge University Press 2020
 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

16 Two values of k = t2
r
are 3.41 and 3.0. Exam-style questions
1 D[1]
They differ by about 14%. The percentage
uncertainty in r is 3%. Since the % uncertainty 2 B[1]
in the k values is larger than the % uncertainty 3 25.8 ± 3.3 cm or better 26 ± 3 cm[1]
a 
in the readings, the data is not consistent with
a proportional relationship. b 2.80 ± 0.18 cm or better 2.8 ± 0.2 cm[1]
17 a 
3.0 ± 0.6 m c 
24.0 ± 0.1 g[1]
b 1.0 ± 0.6 m 4 a 
1.1 ± 0.1 V[1]

c 0.40 ± 0.12 m (±30%) 0.7 ± 0.1 V[1]

d 10(.0) ± 1.5 m s−1 (±15%) b If R = kl then the two values of k are
0.0440 Ω cm−1 and 0.0467 Ω cm−1[1]
e 1.0 ± 0.8 m2 (±80%) The criterion is that if the resistance
f 2.0 ± 0.8 m (±40%) is proportional to length, then the
percentage difference in the values of k is
g 1.4 ± 0.4 m2 (±25%) less than the percentage uncertainty in the
18 150 ± 15 m s−1 value of V.[1]
19 A
 s in Table P1.8 and the metre rule may not Percentage difference in k values
be vertical when measuring the height of the = 00..044
27
= 0.6%[1]
table (use a plumb line hanging down next to
the rule to ensure it is vertical) or make sure Percentage uncertainty in lowest value of
the 0 mark on the rule is at the end (add on or V is 14%, so the data is consistent with R
subtract any zero error). proportional to l.[1]
5 Apart from taking only two readings, which is
20 See Table P1.9.
not enough, it is difficult to:
21 a This is likely to be ±1°C or ±2°C
• Release the ball without giving it an initial
b  easure the reading on the thermometer
M velocity[1]
initially and then when the bulb is half
• Start the stopwatch as the ball is released[1]
covered by your fingers. Then repeat the
temperature reading with the fingers • Stop the stopwatch exactly as the ball
completely covering the bulb. Calculate crosses the line[1]
the rise in temperature in both cases. If the • Release the ball exactly on the line[1]
ratio of the rise in temperature when fully
covered to the rise in temperature when • Measure small times that are not much
half covered is 2, within the uncertainty larger than reaction times[1]
of the readings, then the temperature rise • Avoid the balling rolling to the side of
is proportional to the area. the track[1]
c  he temperature of the fingers might
T • Measure the distance without introducing
be different in different places. Keep the parallax error.[1]
fingers in a constant temperature room Suggested improvements:
for some time or use a bag containing hot • Take readings at about five values of s
water to wrap half around or fully around and plot a graph of T2 against s.[1]
the thermometer, instead of the fingers.
• Take a video of the ball rolling down the
 he fingers might not grip the bulb very tightly.
T ramp with a timer in the background and
Use the palm of the hand to completely wrap play it back frame by frame[1]
around the bulb.
• Use a metal ball, held to an electromagnet
 he thermometer takes time to give the final
T at the same start position each time,
reading. Wait for some time until the reading is turning off the magnet to start the ball.[1]
steady and does not increase in a time of 5 minutes.
• Use longer distances.[1]

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
2 © Cambridge University Press 2020
 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

• Have a groove down the middle of the 7 i 127 cm[1]

a 
track.[1] ii 3 cm[1]
• Always view from directly above the 2%[1]
mark on the track when using a rule.[1]
iii 4.7 s[1]
• (Maximum [8] marks: [4] for the
problems, and the other [4] for solutions/ iv 0.1 s[1]
improvements.) 2%[1]
6 a 
Values for m correct and to the same b When l = 40 cm, v = 27 cm s−1;
i 
number of significant figures, or one when l = 60 cm, v = 38 cm s−1[1]
more than data[1]
ii Two sig. figs, as this was the lower of
Values for T correct and to the same the number of sig. figs for s (3 sig. figs)
number of significant figures, or one and t (2 sig. figs)[1]
more than data[1]
c i  = sl = 3.175 and 3.167; the percentage
k
Mass / g T20 / s m /g 0.5
T/s difference in k values is 0.26%[1]
20 12.2 4.5 0.610 This is less than the percentage
uncertainty in s = 2%, so the data is
50 15.0 7.1 0.750
consistent with s proportional to l.[1]
100 18.7 10.0 0.935
ii v2/l = 59 and 24[1]
150 21.8 12.2 1.090 Percentage difference 130% much
200 24.5 14.1 1.225 larger than percentage uncertainty
in v and so not consistent[1]
190 24.0 13.8 1.200
 ee comments for experiment 2, plus the
d, e S
1.4
difficulty of measuring to the middle
1.2 of the trolley for l and s (measure from
1.0 end of trolley and add on half the
0.8
length of a trolley found separately),
T/s difficulties that may occur as the toy car
0.6
hits the straight section (have a slightly
0.4 curved join), and difficulties with the
0.2 car not running straight (have wheels in
0.0
grooves)[8]
0 5 10 15
   (Marks: [1] for each sensible source of
m / g 0.5
uncertainty, to a maximum of [4]; and
b  ensible axes used and labelled with
S [1] for each sensible improvement, to a
quantity and unit[1] maximum of [4])
All points plotted to within half a 8 a 
Average value of voltage was 5.9 V and
small square[1] uncertainty is ±0.2 or possibly 0.3 V
All points close to line[1] Percentage uncertainty is between 3%
Line of best fit correct[1] and 5%[1]
b i  0.42 °C V−2[1]
c  radient drawn with more than half
G
and 0.35 °C V−2[1]
length of drawn line; value between
0.062 and 0.064[1] ii Two sig. figs, as V was measured to 2
sig. figs and θ was measured to 3 sig.
y-intercept between 0.30 and 0.32[1]
figs. Choose the lower number.[1]
d  = value given for y-intercept with
C iii 
Percentage difference in values of
unit s, e.g. 0.31 s[1] k is 18%. This is larger than the 5%
k = value given for gradient with uncertainty in V (which is larger than
unit, e.g. 0.063 s g−0.5[1] the percentage uncertainty in the value
of θ). Thus, the data is not consistent
with the suggested relationship.[1]

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
3 © Cambridge University Press 2020
 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

c Only two voltage readings is not enough.[1] d Clean the wires first.[1]
The voltmeter reading fluctuates because Use a car battery.[1]
of contact resistance.[1] Use a metal whose resistance changes
The voltmeter reading fluctuates because little with temperature.[1]
of a change in mains voltage.[1] Use more than two voltages and plot a
The voltmeter reading falls because graph of θ against V2. or Calculate more
the resistance of the wire changes as it than two values of k.[1]
heats up.[1] Stir well and take the highest reading on
The temperature increases after the switch the thermometer after switching off.[1]
is turned off (while heat passes from the (Maximum of [4] marks)
resistor to the water).[1]
(Maximum of [4] marks)

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
4 © Cambridge University Press 2020