Angels International College

You may not need to use all of the materials provided.

1 In this experiment, you will investigate how the motion of a pendulum bob is affected by the
height of the bob above the bench.

(a) (i) Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1.

clamp

thread

bob

x
bench

Fig. 1.1

The distance h from the point of suspension to the bench should be as large as
possible.

The distance x between the centre of the bob and the bench should be approximately
5 cm.

(ii) Measure and record distance h.

Throughout this experiment, do not change the distance h.

h = .................................

(iii) Measure and record distance x.

x = .................................
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For
(b) Displace the bob a small distance to the left. Release the bob and watch the movement. Examiner’s
Use
The time the bob takes for each complete swing, first to the right and then back to the
left, as shown in Fig. 1.2, is T.

Fig. 1.2

By timing several of these complete swings, determine an accurate value of T.

T = .................................

[Turn over
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For
(c) Keeping h constant, change x and repeat (a)(iii) and (b) until you have six sets of values Examiner’s
for x and T. Include values for T 2 in your table of results. Use

(d) (i) Plot a graph of T 2 on the y-axis against x on the x-axis.

(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit.

(iii) Determine the gradient and y-intercept of this line of best fit.

gradient = .................................

y-intercept = .................................
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For
Examiner’s
Use

[Turn over
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For
(e) The quantities T and x are related by the equation Examiner’s
Use
T 2 = A – Bx

where A and B are constants.

Use your answers to (d)(iii) to determine the value of A .

B
Give an appropriate unit.

A
B = .................................
 Page 2 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper
GCE AS/A LEVEL – October/November 2010 9702 33

1 (a) (ii) Value of raw h to the nearest mm (unit needed). h > 20 cm. [1]

(b) Evidence of repeat times: of one swing repeated several times or the time for a number
of swings recorded at least once (not fixed time and count n). [1]
Value of 0.5 < T < 3 s.

(c) Six sets of readings of x and T scores 5 marks, five sets scores 4 marks etc. [5]
Incorrect or no trend then –1 (Correct trend x increases, T2 decreases). SH –1.
Write a ringed total next to the table.

Maximum value of x at least h/2. [1]

Column headings (x / m, x / mm, T / s, T2/s2). [1]

Must have x and T2 columns.
Each column heading must contain a quantity and a unit.
Ignore any units in the body of the table.
There must be some distinguishing mark between the quantity and the unit (solidus is
expected but accept, for example, x (m)).

Consistency of presentation of raw readings. [1]

All values of raw x must be given to the nearest mm and all values of raw time to the
same number of d.p. (either 1 or 2).

Significant figures. [1]

Significant figures for T2 must be the same as, or one more than, the least number of
significant figures used in the raw time data. Also if raw time is given to the nearest
hundredth of a second accept one less significant figure in T2.

Correct calculation of T2. Do not allow t2. [1]

© UCLES 2010
Page 3 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper
GCE AS/A LEVEL – October/November 2010 9702 33

(d) (i) Axes: [1]

Sensible scales must be used. No awkward scales (e.g. 3:10).
Scales must be chosen so that the plotted points occupy at least half the graph
grid in both x and y directions.
Scales must be labelled with the quantity which is being plotted. Ignore units.
Scale markings should be no more than three large squares apart.

All observations must be plotted on the grid. [1]

Write a ringed total of plotted points.
Ring and check a suspect plot.
Work to an accuracy of half a small square.
Do not accept blobs (points with diameter > 0.5 small square).

(ii) Line of best fit. [1]

Judge by balance of at least 5 points about the candidate’s line.
There must be an even distribution of points either side of the line along the full
length.
Line must not be kinked. Do not allow lines thicker than half a small square.

Quality. [1]
Scatter of points must be less than ± 1 cm (to scale) in the x (cm) direction of a
straight line. All points in table must be plotted (at least 5) for this mark to be
awarded.

(iii) Gradient. [1]

Negative sign must be seen on answer line consistent with graph.
The hypotenuse of the triangle must be at least half the length of the drawn line.
Both read-offs must be accurate to half a small square.

Intercept. [1]
Either:
Check correct read-off from a point on the line and substitution into y = mx + c.
Read off must be accurate to half a small square. Allow ecf of gradient value.
Or:
Check read-off of intercept directly from the graph.

A y − intercept
(e) Value of = (Expect value to be approximately equal to h). [1]
B − gradient

Unit for A/B correct (e.g. m) consistent with value. [1]

Allow candidate’s value 0.5 h < A/B < 1.5 h.

[Total: 20]

© UCLES 2010