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Length & Time

Question Paper 3

Level IGCSE
Subject Physics
Exam Board CIE
Topic General Physics
Sub-Topic Length & Time
Paper Type Alternative to Practical
Booklet Question Paper 3

Time Allowed: 72 minutes

Score: /60

Percentage: /100
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1 A student is measuring some small glass spheres.

(a) The student has a 30 cm rule and two rectangular blocks of wood.

In the space below, draw a diagram to show clearly how you would arrange the
apparatus to measure the diameter of one of the spheres.

[2]
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(b) The student then determines the average volume of a glass sphere by a displacement
method. She pours some cold water into a measuring cylinder and records the volume
V of the water, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

cm3
100

80

60

40

20

Fig. 4.1

(i) On Fig. 4.1, show clearly the line of sight that you would use to obtain an accurate
volume reading. [2]

(ii) Using Fig. 4.1, record the volume V of water in the measuring cylinder.

V = ....................................... [1]

(iii) The student carefully puts 15 of the glass spheres into the measuring cylinder. The
new water level reading is 78 cm3.

Calculate the volume V1 of one sphere.

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

[Total: 6]
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2 (a) The IGCSE class has a range of apparatus available. Here is a list of some of the
apparatus.

ammeter

barometer

beaker

electronic balance

manometer

measuring cylinder

metre rule

newtonmeter (spring balance)

stopwatch

tape measure

thermometer

voltmeter

Complete Table 5.1 by inserting the name of one piece of apparatus from the list that is
the most suitable for measuring each quantity described.

Table 5.1

quantity to be measured most suitable apparatus

volume of water

a distance of about 50 m

the force required to lift a laboratory stool

the mass of a coin

the pressure of the laboratory gas supply

[5]
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(b) The IGCSE class is carrying out a lens experiment. This involves using an illuminated
object, a screen and a lens.

Firstly, the distance between the illuminated object and the lens is measured with a
metre rule. Next, a clearly focused image is obtained on the screen.

(i) Explain briefly how you would avoid a parallax (line-of-sight) error when using the
metre rule.

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

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

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

(ii) State a precaution that you would take to ensure that the image is well focused.

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

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

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

[Total: 7]
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3 The IGCSE class is investigating a pendulum.

The apparatus is shown in Fig. 5.1.

clamp

pendulum bob

bench

Fig. 5.1

(a) On Fig. 5.1, measure the length l of the pendulum.

l = .................................................. [1]

(b) The diagram is drawn 1/5th actual size.

Calculate the actual length L of the pendulum.

L = .................................................. [2]
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(c) A student places a metre rule on the bench so that the 50.0 cm mark is vertically below
the centre of the pendulum bob. Describe how you would judge that the 50.0 cm mark is
vertically below the centre of the pendulum bob. You may draw a diagram.

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

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

(d) The student pulls the pendulum bob to one side until it is vertically above the 52.0 cm
mark on the rule. He has moved the pendulum bob a horizontal distance d = 2.0 cm.

He releases the pendulum bob, then measures the time t taken for 12 complete swings
of the pendulum. He repeats the procedure using a range of d values. The values of d
and t are shown in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1

d/ t/ T/

2.0 17.4

3.0 17.6

4.0 17.2

5.0 17.3

6.0 17.5

(i) Calculate the period T of the pendulum for each value of d. Enter the values in the
table. The period T is the time taken for one complete swing of the pendulum. [2]
(ii) Complete the column headings in the table. [1]

(e) Using the evidence in the table, describe the effect on the period T of increasing the
distance d. Justify your answer by reference to your results.

description .......................................................................................................................

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

justification .......................................................................................................................

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

..........................................................................................................................................
[2]
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(f) Suggest why the student measures the time taken for twelve swings of the pendulum
rather than for one swing.

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

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

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

[Total: 10
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4 Table 5.1 shows some measurements taken by three IGCSE students. The second column
shows the values recorded by the three students. For each quantity, underline the value most
likely to be correct.

The first one is done for you.

Table 5.1

quantity measured recorded values

the mass of a wooden metre rule 0.112 kg
1.12 kg
11.2 kg
the diameter of a test tube 0.15 cm
1.5 cm
15 cm
the volume of a coffee cup 10 cm3
100 cm3
1000 cm3
the area of a computer keyboard 0.07 m2
0.70 m2
7.0 m2
the current in a 1.5 V torch lamp at normal 0.12 A
brightness 12 A
120 A
the circumference of a 250 cm3 beaker 2.3 cm
23 cm
230 cm
[5]

[Total: 5]
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5 The IGCSE class is investigating the swing of a loaded metre rule.

The arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 5.1.

pivot at 10 cm mark

metre rule

load at 90 cm mark

Fig. 5.1

A student displaces the rule a small distance to one side and allows it to swing. The time t
taken for 10 complete swings is recorded. She calculates the time T taken for one swing. She
repeats the procedure using different values of the distance d.

The readings are shown in the Table 5.1.

Table 5.1

0.900 18.4 1.84

0.850 17.9 1.79

0.800 17.5 1.75

0.750 17.1 1.71

0.700 16.7 1.67

(a) Complete the column headings in the table. [3]

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(b) Explain why the student takes the time for ten swings and then calculates the time for
one swing, rather than just measuring the time for one swing.

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

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

(c) The student tries to find a relationship between T and d. She first suggests that T × d is
a constant.

(i) Calculate the values of T × d and enter the values in the final column of the table.

(ii) State whether or not the results support this suggestion and give a reason for your
answer.

Statement .................................................................................................................

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

Reason .....................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................
[2]
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6 An IGCSE student is making measurements as accurately as possible in order to determine
the density of glass.

Fig. 1.1 shows a glass test-tube drawn actual size.

Fig. 1.1

(a) (i) Use your rule to measure, in cm, the external diameter d of the test-tube.

d = ....................................... cm
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(ii) Use your rule to measure, in cm, the length x of the test-tube.

x = ............................................

(iii) Draw a labelled diagram to show how you would use two rectangular blocks of wood
and your rule to measure the length x of the test-tube as accurately as possible.

[4]

(b) The mass m of the test-tube is 31.2 g.

(i) Calculate the external volume Ve of the test-tube using the equation

πd 2X .
Ve =
4

Ve = ............................................
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(ii) The student then fills the test-tube with water and pours the water into a measuring
cylinder. Fig. 1.2 shows the measuring cylinder.

cm3
100

90

80

70

60

50

40
water
30

20

10

Fig. 1.2

Record the volume reading Vi from the measuring cylinder. This is the internal
volume of the test-tube.

Vi = ............................................

(iii) Calculate the density ρ of the glass from which the test-tube is made using the
equation

m
ρ= .
(Ve − Vi)

ρ = ....................................... [4]

[Total: 8]
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7 The IGCSE class is investigating the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum.

Fig. 1.1 shows the set-up.

bob
d
floor
one complete
oscillation

Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2

(a) (i) On Fig. 1.1, measure the vertical distance d from the floor to the bottom of the
pendulum bob.

d = ......................................................

(ii) Fig. 1.1 is drawn one twentieth actual size. Calculate the actual distance x from
the floor to the bottom of the pendulum bob. Enter this value in the top row of
Table 1.1.

The students displace the pendulum bob slightly and release it so that it swings. They
measure and record in Table 1.1 the time t for 20 complete oscillations of the pendulum
(see Fig. 1.2).

Table 1.1

x / cm t/s T/s T 2 / s2

20.0

20.0 19.0

30.0 17.9

40.0 16.8

50.0 15.5

[4]
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(b) (i) Calculate the period T of the pendulum for each set of readings. The period is the
time for one complete oscillation. Enter the values in Table 1.1.

(ii) Calculate the values of T 2. Enter the T 2 values in Table 1.1.

(c) Use your values from Table 1.1 to plot a graph of T 2 / s2 (y-axis) against x / cm (x-axis).
Draw the best-fit line.

[5]
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(d) State whether or not your graph shows that T 2 is directly proportional to x. Justify your
statement by reference to the graph.

statement .........................................................................................................................

justification .......................................................................................................................

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

[Total: 10]
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8 An IGCSE student has carried out a timing experiment using a simple pendulum. She plotted
a graph of T 2/s2 against l /m. T is the time for one swing of the pendulum and l is the length
of the pendulum. The graph is shown below.

T 2 / s2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.1
l /m

(a) (i) Determine the gradient G of the graph. Show clearly on the graph how you obtained
the necessary information.

G = ......................................................

(ii) Calculate the acceleration g of free fall using the equation

2
g = 4π .
G

g = ...............................................m/s2

(iii) The student could have calculated the acceleration of free fall g from just one set of
readings. State the purpose of taking sufficient readings to plot a graph.

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

.............................................................................................................................. [5]
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(b) The student next studies the relationship between the mass m of the pendulum and the
time for one swing T. The readings are shown in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1

m /g T /s

50 1.58

100 1.60

150 1.61

200 1.57

250 1.59

(i) Suggest two variables that must be kept constant to make the experiment a fair
test.

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

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

(ii) Study the readings in the table and complete the following sentence.

Within the limits of experimental accuracy, the readings show that the mass m of

the pendulum ....................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 8]