Unit 6: Practical Skills in Physics II - Mark scheme

Question Answer Mark

number
1(a)  2.860 (1) 1
1(b)  2.858 cm (four sig figs. Allow ecf from (a)) (1) 1

1(c) 4πr 3 3
 Use of V  (1)
3
m
 Use of   (1)
V
 Density = 8.020 g cm-3 must be to 4 SF allow ecf from (b) (1)
Example of calculation
4π1.429 3 cm 3
V = 12.223 cm3
3
98.00g
= = 8.018 g cm-3
12.223cm 3
1(d)  Calculates % uncertainty in diameter from (b) (1) 2
 % uncertainty in density = 0.4 (accept 0.42 or 0.37 if half-
range is used) (1)

Example of calculation
Uncertainty in diameter = 2.858-2.854 = 0.004
% uncertainty in diameter = 0.004/2.858 × 100 = 0.14%
% uncertainty in volume and density = 3 × 0.14 = 0.42
Total for Question 1 7

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Question Answer Mark
number
2(a)  metre rule shown vertical with set square on floor (1) 1

2(b)(i)  The resolution of the stopwatch is 0.01 seconds (1) 2

 But there is a human reaction time when starting and stopping
the stopwatch (1)

2(b)(ii)  v = 0.59 m s-1 (1) 1

Example of calculation
2h
v= = 2 × 0.885/3.0
t
v = 0.59 m s-1

2(b)(iii)  Calculates value of momentum (1) 1

Example of calculation
P = 0.96 kg × 0.59 m s-1 = 0.57 kg m s-1
2(c)(i)  Momentum = 0.88 kg m s-1 (1) 1

Example of calculation
p = 0.030 × 9.81 × 3.0
= 0.88 kg m s-1
2(c)(ii)  External forces acting 1
Or friction acting (1)
Total for Question 2 7

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Question Answer Mark
number
3(a)  Circuit showing power supply unit (psu), heater, ammeter in 5
series and voltmeter in parallel with heater (1)

 Measure the p.d., current and mass of block (and heater) (1)

 Measure initial and final temperature and corresponding time

interval (1)

 Use of E = VIt (1)

 Use of c= ΔE/m Δθ (1)

Example of circuit

3(b)  Not all energy from the heater is supplied to the block 2
Or some energy transferred to/from surroundings (1)

 energy transfer to cancels/equals energy transfer from the

surroundings (by using same temperature difference
below/above surroundings) (1)
Total for Question 3 7

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Question Answer Mark
number
4(a)(i)  3.5 mm should have the same number of SF as other values in (1) 2
column
 There are no repeat readings (1)

4(a)(ii) Any two from 2

 Distance between coils (1)
 Potential difference (across first coil) power supply (1)
 Frequency of ac supply (1)

4(a)(iii)  0.01 V (1) 1

4(a)(iv)  Because the final digit fluctuates (1) 1
4(a)(v)  Would need to take some repeat readings (1)
 Consider how close together in value (1) 2

4(b)  There is a value of V when t = 0 (1) 1

4(c)  Plot ln V against t (1) 2
 Should be a straight-line graph if the relationship is exponential (1)
Total for Question 4 11

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Question Answer Mark
number
5(a)  Record background count (rate) (1) 3
 Place thick aluminium/thin lead between source and detector
Or Distance greater than 25 cm between source and detector (1)
 Count rate detected above background (1)

5(b) Any two from 2

 Point source away from people (1)
 Invert source within lead container (1)
 Use tongs to handle source (1)
 Use tongs to handle lead sheets/ensure source held (1)

5(c)(i)  The count is a large number for small distances so percentage errors 1
will be smaller (1)
5(c)(ii)  There is a larger variation in count over smaller distances (1) 1
5(d)(i)  Calculates count rate per minute or per second or per 30 s (1) 7
 Subtract background count (1)
 Count rate C1/2 to at least 3SF (1)
 Axes labelled for suitable graph and with correct units (1)
 Suitable scales (1)
 Points plotted (1)
(1)
 Line of best fit

Example of table
Time
for C-background C0.5 / C-0.5
d / cm Count count / s C min -1
min-1 min-0.5 /min0.5
5 1163 30 2326 2268 47.62352 0.0210
6 897 30 1794 1736 41.66533 0.0240
7 586 30 1172 1114 33.37664 0.0300
9 793 60 793 735 27.11088 0.0369
11 559 60 559 501 22.38303 0.0447
13 469 60 469 411 20.27313 0.0493

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5(d)(ii)  Use of large triangle to determine gradient (1) 4
 k = 280 (allow 260 – 300) (1)
 Unit: cm min-0.5 (1)
 x (y intercept) = 1.0 cm (allow 0.6 – 1.2) (1)

Example of calculation
(10.0 – 0)/(0.040 – 0.004) = 280 cm min-0.5

Total for Question 5 18

178 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics

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