5054/42 · May/June 2024
Download PDFA student investigates the resistance of a diode when different currents flow through it. The student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 1.1.


The student connects a voltmeter into the circuit to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across the diode. On Fig. 1.1, draw the symbol for a voltmeter connected to measure the p.d. across the diode.
The student: • uses a connecting lead to connect the terminals X and Y together • closes the switch • records the voltmeter reading • records the ammeter reading • opens the switch and removes the connecting lead. Fig. 1.2 shows the readings on the voltmeter and the ammeter. Record the readings shown in Fig. 1.2 in the top row of Table 1.1.
Calculate the resistance of the diode using the equation: Record your answer in the top row of Table 1.1 to an appropriate number of significant figures.
The student: • connects a resistor between terminals X and Y • closes the switch • records the voltmeter reading in Table 1.1 • records the ammeter reading in Table 1.1 • opens the switch and removes the resistor • repeats this procedure for resistors of and . Complete Table 1.1 by inserting the missing values.
As the resistance between terminals X and Y is changed, the current in the circuit changes. Examine the results shown in Table 1.1. Describe how the change in current affects: the voltage across the diode
the resistance of the diode.
A student sets up a circuit using the diagram shown in Fig. 1.1. The student finds that, when the connecting lead is connected across the terminals X and Y and the switch is closed, the ammeter does not give a reading. The ammeter is not broken. Suggest the error that the student has made while assembling the circuit.
A student investigates the rate of cooling of hot water in a test-tube under different conditions.




The student: • arranges a test-tube as shown in Fig. 2.1 • pours of cold water into a beaker • pours hot water into the test-tube until it is approximately one-third full • lowers the test-tube into the beaker of cold water until the level of the hot water in the test-tube is below the level of the cold water in the beaker as shown in Fig. 2.2 • places a thermometer into the test-tube • waits for approximately before measuring the temperature and starting a stop-watch. The student measures the temperature of the hot water in the test-tube. The thermometer reading is shown in Fig. 2.3 Read the thermometer and record the temperature in Table 2.1 at time .
The student measures the temperature of the hot water every for a further . The readings are shown in Table 2.1. Complete the column headings by adding appropriate units.
Complete the time column.
Describe in detail one precaution that the student must take to make sure that the temperature measurements are as accurate as possible.
The student repeats the procedure in (a) and (b) but with of warm water instead of cold water in the beaker as shown in Fig. 2.4. The student's readings with warm water are shown in Table 2.1. One of the student's readings for warm water recorded in Table 2.1 is anomalous. Identify the anomalous temperature reading and explain how you decided that the reading is anomalous.
Use the temperature readings in Table 2.1 to calculate the temperature decrease of the hot water in the test-tube after cooling for in both the beaker of cold water and the beaker of warm water.
Use your answers to (d)(ii) to decide how the temperature of the water in the beaker affects the rate of cooling of hot water in the test-tube. State your conclusion.
Suggest one improvement to the experimental procedure described in (a) and (b) that allows a more valid comparison to be made between the two rates of cooling.
A student investigates the balancing of a metre rule which has a load of mass fixed to it at the mark. The student: • places a pivot under the mark of the rule • places another load of mass on the rule • adjusts the position of the load with mass until the rule is as close to balanced as possible as shown in Fig. 3.1. Fig. 3.2 shows the position of the mass when the rule is balanced.


Take readings from the rule and use them to determine the position of the centre of the mass on the rule.
Calculate the distance from the centre of the mass to the mark on the rule. Record your answer on the answer line and in Table 3.1 on page 12.
Calculate the value of . Record your answer on the answer line and in Table 3.1 on page 12.
It is difficult to balance the rule exactly. Describe a technique that the student uses to make sure that the value of is as accurate as possible.
The student repeats the procedure in (a) for values of mass from to and records all the readings in Table 3.1. On the grid provided in Fig. 3.3 on page 13, plot a graph of on the -axis against on the -axis. The axes do not need to start from the origin . Draw the straight line of best fit.
Calculate the gradient of your line. Show all working and indicate on the graph the values you use.
The mass of the load fixed to the rule can be determined using the equation: Use your value of from (d)(i) to calculate the mass of the load fixed to the rule.
Suggest why this method of determining the mass of the fixed load is unsuitable if a movable load of mass is used.
A student has a converging (convex) lens and needs to determine its focal length. Plan an experiment that will enable the student to measure an accurate value for the focal length of the lens. The focal length of a lens can be calculated using the equation: where is the distance between an object and the lens and is the distance between the focussed image of the object and the lens. Fig. 4.1 shows some of the apparatus available. The lamp is connected to a power supply and can be switched on and off as required. Write a plan for the experiment. In your plan you should: • list any additional apparatus needed • draw a diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus, labelling and • explain briefly how to do the experiment • state the steps taken to obtain a sharp, focussed image • explain how to use your readings to determine .







