Data Analysis Worksheet [101 marks]

1.
[Maximum mark: 9]
In an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall a student ties two different
blocks of masses m1 and m2 to the ends of a string that passes over a frictionless pulley.

The student calculates the acceleration a of the blocks by measuring the time taken by
! "!
the heavier mass to fall through a given distance. Their theory predicts that 𝑎 = 𝑔 !! #!"
! "
! #!
and this can be re-arranged to give 𝑔 = 𝑎 !! "!" .
! "

In a particular experiment the student calculates that a = (0.204 ±0.002) ms–2 using m1
= (0.125 ±0.001) kg and m2 = (0.120 ±0.001) kg.
(a.i)
Calculate the percentage error in the measured value of g.
[3]

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([Link])
Deduce the value of g and its absolute uncertainty for this experiment.
[2]

(b.i)
There is an advantage and a disadvantage in using two masses that are almost equal.
State and explain the advantage with reference to the magnitude of the acceleration that
is obtained.
[2]

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([Link])
There is an advantage and a disadvantage in using two masses that are almost equal.
State and explain the disadvantage with reference to your answer to (a)(ii).
[2]

2.
[Maximum mark: 9]
In an investigation a student folds paper into cylinders of the same diameter D but
different heights. Beginning with the shortest cylinder they applied the same fixed load
to each of the cylinders one by one. They recorded the height H of the first cylinder to
collapse.

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They then repeat this process with cylinders of different diameters.
The graph shows the data plotted by the student and the line of best fit.

"
Theory predicts that H = 𝑐𝐷# where c is a constant.
(a)
Suggest why the student’s data supports the theoretical prediction.
[2]

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(b)
Determine c. State an appropriate unit for c.
[3]

(b)
Determine c. State an appropriate unit for c.
[3]

5
(c)
Identify one factor that determines the value of c.
[1]

3.
[Maximum mark: 6]
A student investigates the electromotive force (emf) ε and internal resistance r of a cell.

The current I and the terminal potential difference V are measured.

For this circuit V = ε - Ir .

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The table shows the data collected by the student. The uncertainties for each
measurement
are shown.

The graph shows the data plotted.

(a)
The student has plotted error bars for the potential difference. Outline why no error
bars are shown for the current.
[1]

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(b)
Determine, using the graph, the emf of the cell including the uncertainty for this value.
Give your answer to the correct number of significant figures.
[3]

(c)
Outline, without calculation, how the internal resistance can be determined from this
graph.
[2]

4.
[Maximum mark: 4]

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A student uses a Young’s double-slit apparatus to determine the wavelength of light
emitted by a monochromatic source. A portion of the interference pattern is observed
on a screen.

The distance D from the double slits to the screen is measured using a ruler with a
smallest scale division of 1 mm.

The fringe separation s is measured with uncertainty ± 0.1 mm.

The slit separation d has negligible uncertainty.

$%
The wavelength is calculated using the relationship 𝜆 = &
.

(a)
When d = 0.200 mm, s = 0.9 mm and D = 280 mm, determine the percentage uncertainty
in the wavelength.
[2]

(b)
Explain how the student could use this apparatus to obtain a more reliable value for λ.
[2]

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5.
[Maximum mark: 5]
An experiment is conducted to determine how the fundamental frequency f of a
vibrating wire varies with the tension T in the wire.

The data are shown in the graph, the uncertainty in the tension is not shown.

(a)
Draw the line of best fit for the data.
[1]

It is proposed that the frequency of oscillation is given by f2 = kT where k is a constant.

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(bi)
Determine the fundamental SI unit for k.
[1]

(bii)
Write down a pair of quantities that, when plotted, enable the relationship f2 = kT to be
verified.
[1]

(biii)
Describe the key features of the graph in (b)(ii) if it is to support this relationship.
[2]

6.
[Maximum mark: 9]
A magnetized needle is oscillating on a string about a vertical axis in a horizontal
magneticfield B. The time for 10 oscillations is recorded for different values of B.

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The graph shows the variation with B of the time for 10 oscillations together with the
uncertainties in the time measurements. The uncertainty in B is negligible.

(a)
Draw on the graph the line of best fit for the data.
[1]
(b.i)
Write down the time taken for one oscillation when B = 0.005 T with its absolute
uncertainty.
[1]

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([Link])
A student forms a hypothesis that the period of one oscillation P is given by:
𝐾
𝑃=
√𝐵
where K is a constant.
Determine the value of K using the point for which B = 0.005 T.
State the uncertainty in K to an appropriate number of significant figures.
[3]

([Link])
State the unit of K.
[1]

(c)
'
The student plots a graph to show how P2 varies with ( for the data.

Sketch the shape of the expected line of best fit on the axes below assuming that the
)
relationship 𝑃 = is verified. You do not have to put numbers on the axes.
√(

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[2]
(d)
State how the value of K can be obtained from the graph.
[1]

7.
[Maximum mark: 6]
An experiment to find the internal resistance of a cell of known emf is to be set. The
following equipment is available:

(a)
Draw a suitable circuit diagram that would enable the internal resistance to be
determined.
[1]

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(b)
It is noticed that the resistor gets warmer. Explain how this would affect the calculated
value of the internal resistance.
[3]

(c)
Outline how using a variable resistance could improve the accuracy of the value found
for the internal resistance.
[2]

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8.
[Maximum mark: 9]
A student carries out an experiment to determine the variation of intensity of the light
with distance from a point light source. The light source is at the centre of a transparent
spherical cover of radius C. The student measures the distance x from the surface of the
cover to a sensor that measures the intensity I of the light.

The light source emits radiation with a constant power P and all of this radiation
is transmitted through the cover. The relationship between I and x is given by
𝑃
𝐼=
4𝜋(𝐶 + 𝑥)+
(a)
This relationship can also be written as follows.
1
= 𝐾𝑥 + 𝐾𝐶
√𝐼
,
Show that 𝐾 = 25-.

[1]

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 '
The student obtains a set of data and uses this to plot a graph of the variation of with
√.
x.

(b.i)
Estimate C.
[2]

([Link])
Determine P, to the correct number of significant figures including its unit.
[4]
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(c)
'
Explain the disadvantage that a graph of I versus / " has for the analysis in (b)(i) and
(b)(ii).
[2]

9.
[Maximum mark: 6]
To determine the acceleration due to gravity, a small metal sphere is dropped from rest
and the time it takes to fall through a known distance and open a trapdoor is measured.

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The following data are available.
Diameter of metal sphere = 12.0 ± 0.1 mm
Distance between the point of release and the trapdoor = 654 ± 2 mm
Measured time for fall = 0.363 ± 0.002 s
(a)
Determine the distance fallen, in m, by the centre of mass of the sphere including
an estimate of the absolute uncertainty in your answer.
[2]

(b)
Using the following equation
2 × distance fallen by centre of mass of sphere
acceleration due to gravity =
(measured time to fall)2

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calculate, for these data, the acceleration due to gravity including an estimate of the
absolute uncertainty in your answer.
[4]

10.
[Maximum mark: 5]
(a)
In a simple pendulum experiment, a student measures the period T of the pendulum
many times and obtains an average value T = (2.540 ± 0.005) s. The length L of the
pendulum is measured to be L = (1.60 ± 0.01) m.
0," 1
Calculate, using 𝑔 = 2 " , the value of the acceleration of free fall, including
its uncertainty. State the value of the uncertainty to one significant figure.
[3]

(b)

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In a different experiment a student investigates the dependence of the period T of a
2
simple pendulum on the amplitude of oscillations θ. The graph shows the variation of 2
$
with θ, where T0 is the period for small amplitude oscillations.

2"2$
The period may be considered to be independent of the amplitude θ as long as 2$
<
0.01. Determine the maximum value of θ for which the period is independent of the
amplitude.
[2]

11.
[Maximum mark: 10]
The equipment shown in the diagram was used by a student to investigate the variation
with volume, of the pressure p of air, at constant temperature. The air was trapped in a
tube of constant cross-sectional area above a column of oil.

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The pump forces oil to move up the tube decreasing the volume of the trapped air.
(a)
The student measured the height H of the air column and the corresponding
air pressure p. After each reduction in the volume the student waited for some time
before measuring the pressure. Outline why this was necessary.
[1]

(b)
'
The following graph of p versus 3 was obtained. Error bars were negligibly small.

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 4
The equation of the line of best fit is 𝑝 = 𝑎 + 3.

Determine the value of b including an appropriate unit.

(c)
Outline how the results of this experiment are consistent with the ideal gas law at
constant temperature.
[2]

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(d)
The cross-sectional area of the tube is 1.3 × 10–3 m2 and the temperature of air is 300 K.
Estimate the number of moles of air in the tube.
[2]

(e)
The equation in (b) may be used to predict the pressure of the air at extremely large
'
values of 3. Suggest why this will be an unreliable estimate of the pressure.

[2]

12.
[Maximum mark: 8]
24
A radio wave of wavelength 𝜆 is incident on a conductor. The graph shows the variation
with wavelength 𝜆 of the maximum distance d travelled inside the conductor.

(a)
Suggest why it is unlikely that the relation between d and 𝜆 is linear.
[1]

For 𝜆 = 5.0 x 105 m, calculate the

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([Link])
percentage uncertainty in d 2.
[1]

The graph shows the variation with wavelength 𝜆 of d 2. Error bars are not shown
and the line of best-fit has been drawn.

A student states that the equation of the line of best-fit is d 2 = a + b𝜆. When d 2 and 𝜆 are
expressed in terms of fundamental SI units, the student finds that a = 0.040 x 10–4 and b
= 1.8 x 10–11.
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(c.i)
State the fundamental SI unit of the constant a and of the constant b.

[2]

([Link])
Determine the distance travelled inside the conductor by very high
frequency electromagnetic waves.
[2]

13.
[Maximum mark: 8]
A radio wave of wavelength 𝜆 is incident on a conductor. The graph shows the variation
with wavelength 𝜆 of the maximum distance d travelled inside the conductor.

27
(a)
Suggest why it is unlikely that the relation between d and 𝜆 is linear.
[1]

For 𝜆 = 5.0 x 105 m, calculate the

28
([Link])
percentage uncertainty in d 2.
[1]

The graph shows the variation with wavelength 𝜆 of d 2. Error bars are not shown
and the line of best-fit has been drawn.

A student states that the equation of the line of best-fit is d 2 = a + b𝜆. When d 2 and 𝜆 are
expressed in terms of fundamental SI units, the student finds that a = 0.040 x 10–4 and b
= 1.8 x 10–11.
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(c.i)
State the fundamental SI unit of the constant a and of the constant b.

[2]

([Link])
Determine the distance travelled inside the conductor by very high
frequency electromagnetic waves.
[2]

14.
[Maximum mark: 7]

The circuit shown may be used to measure the internal resistance of a cell.

30
(a)
An ammeter and a voltmeter are connected in the circuit. Label the ammeter with
the letter A and the voltmeter with the letter V.
[1]

(b)
In one experiment a student obtains the following graph showing the variation
with current I of the potential difference V across the cell.

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Using the graph, determine the best estimate of the internal resistance of the cell.
[3]

The ammeter used in the experiment in (b) is an analogue meter. The student
takes measurements without checking for a “zero error” on the ammeter.
(c.i)
State what is meant by a zero error.
[1]

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([Link])
After taking measurements the student observes that the ammeter has a positive zero
error. Explain what effect, if any, this zero error will have on the calculated value of the
internal resistance in (b).
[2]

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