Arima Central Secondary

CAPE PHYSICS

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT LABS

UNIT 1

MARKING SCHEMES

(2024-2025)

Mrs. S. Hope-Bello
Lab Title Aim Skill
# ORR MM AI PD
1 Compound Pendulum To determine the acceleration due to gravity
using a compound pendulum
 
2 Static Equilibrium To determine how the force required to maintain
equilibrium of a suspended mass depends on the
angle between the line of action and the force and

the horizontal
3 Expansion of Water To design a laboratory experiment to investigate
how the volume of water changes with 
temperature.
4 Hooke’s Law To determine the density of water by immersing a
mass suspended by a spring into a beaker of  
water.
5 Ideal Gas To determine the number of molecules, present in
a sample of gas 
6 Velocity of Sound in Air Describe an experiment using the inference
apparatus below to allow for the velocity of 
sound to be determined
7 Simple Harmonic Motion To investigate how the period of oscillation of a
mass suspended from a chain of springs depends 
on the number of springs in the chain.
8 Young’s Modulus To find the Young’s Modulus for wood

9 Stoke’s Law To find the Viscosity of oil

Investigative Project
Thermal  
Investigative Project
Stealth  
Lab # 1 Compound Pendulum
Lab # 2 Static Equilibrium
Skill: ORR
Aim: To determine how the force required to maintain equilibrium of a suspended mass depends on the
angle between the line of action of the force and the horizontal.

Apparatus: 2 retort stands with clamps

Mass
g- clamps
string
newton meters
protractor
ruler
set-square

Diagram:

Method: 1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram

2. Using the protractor measure the angle θ
3. Take the reading of F off the newton-meter
4. Change the height of the bosses above the bench and adjust the separation of the
stands to give new values of θ and F.
NB The section AB must remain horizontal
5. Repeat step 4 until there are six sets of results
 mg
Calculations: The equation that relates F and θ is F= +k
sinθ
where m is the mass of the load, k is a constant and g is the acceleration of free fall. Use the
value of g to be 9.81 ms-2.

1. Using the equation plot an appropriate graph and determine the gradient and the y-
intercept.
2. Hence determine the values for m and k. Include appropriate units.

Discussion: 1. Theory
2. Precautions
3. Limitations/Sources of Errors

Conclusion: Statement to answer aim.

Lab # 3 Expansion of Water
Skill: P&D
It is predicted that the average temperature of the Earth will increase by a few degrees over the next few
hundred years. One consequence of this is that sea levels will rise due to
i. Melting of the Antarctic Ice Cap,
ii. Expansion of water in the oceans.
For Scientists to estimate how much the levels will rise, it is necessary to know how much expansion will
occur for a given rise in temperature.
Design a Laboratory experiment to investigate how the volume of a fixed mass of water changes with
temperature. It is known that the increase in volume per degree rise in temperature is very small.
You should make use of the flask and capillary tubing shown in the diagram below.

Glass capillary tubing

Rubber stopper

Glass flask

You may assume that the following equipment is available in addition to standard equipment which may be
found in a school science laboratory.
Top pan balance, Micrometer screw gauge, Vernier calipers, Metre rule, Microscope with scale,
Thermocouple thermometer, Measuring cylinder, Oscilloscope, Low voltage power supply, Signal generator,
Water bath, Ammeter, Mercury in glass thermometer, stopwatch.
In your account, you should pay particular attention to
a) How the initial volume of water would be accurately measured (you may assume that the density of
water at the starting temperature is known),
b) The method of accurately measuring the increase in volume of the water for a given temperature rise,
c) The precautions which should be taken to ensure that the water is at a uniform temperature when
measurements are made.
LAB #4 HOOKE’S LAW
Skills: MM & AI
Aim: to determine the density of water by immersing a mass suspended by a spring into a beaker
of water
a) Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1. The pointers A and B should be attached to each
end of the spring. Pointer A should also be attached to the paper clip. Pointer B should be
attached to the mass holder. The total mass of the holder and the masses should be 200 g.

b) Record the reading from pointer B.

Reading from pointer B = ________________________ m

c) Add a further mass of 100 g (0.98 N weight) to the mass holder and record the new reading
from pointer B.
 New reading from pointer B =______________________ m
d) Hence determine the extension of the spring when an additional force of 0.98 N is applied to
the spring.

Extension in spring when force of 0.98 N added = _________________ m

e) Use the Vernier calipers to measure the diameter of one of the masses.

Diameter = _________________________ m

f) Put all of the masses onto the mass holder so that the spring supports a total mass of 300 g.
This mass should remain constant for the rest of the experiment. Place a beaker of water under
the mass. Adjust the position of the boss so that part of the mass is immersed in the water.

g) Make and record measurements to determine the depth d of the submerged part of the mass

and the length l between the pointers over a suitable range.

Results:

TABLE SHOWING THE LENGTH (l) BETWEEN POINTERS AND THE DEPTH (d) OF THE
MASS IN WATER

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Data Analysis
(a) Hooke’s law can be expressed in the form F=kx where F is the force required to produce
an extension x, and k is the spring constant. Use your answers from (b) to determine a
value for k. You may assume that the spring obeys Hooke's law.
(b) Determine the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of the diameter of the mass.
(c) Calculate the cross-sectional area A, in m2, of the mass. Ignore the slot that is cut into
the mass.

(d) Plot a graph of I against d

(e) Determine the gradient of this line.

−ρ Agd
(f) Theory suggests that I and d are related by the equation l = k +c

where ρw is the density of water, g is the acceleration of free fall and c is a constant. You
may assume that g = 9.8 m s-2. Use your answer from (e) together with the values of A, g
and k to determine a value for the density of water.

(g) An accurate measurement of d is not possible with the apparatus that has been
supplied. State one difficulty that you had when making this measurement and suggest one
improvement that you would make if additional materials were available.
 LAB #4 CRITERIA FOR MARKING
1 MARK EACH
A&I

a) Accurate read off on vertical axis for gradient

b) Accurate read off on horizontal axis for gradient
c) Correct calculation of gradient
d) Appropriate number of significant figures for gradient
e) Correct sign for gradient
f) Correct interpretation of gradient
g) Correct determination of diameter of mass
h) Correct determination of Cross-sectional Area A
i) Correct calculation of ρw from gradient
j) Suitable units for ρw stated
k) Suitable statement of difficulty in making measurement
l) Suitable statement of improvement to be made
TOTAL

LAB #4 CRITERIA FOR MARKING

1 MARK EACH
M&M

a) Spring and pointers correctly assembled

b) 50 cm rule positioned to allow for easy and accurate readings of pointer
c) Reading of pointer B taken when static
d) Pointer B read from position of no parallax
e) Proper use of Vernier calipers to measure diameter of brass mass
f) Diameter of brass mass measured in more than one direction
g) Correct read off on Vernier caliper
h) Brass mass properly attached to pointer
i) Satisfactory method for varying depth of immersion
j) Depth of immersion correctly measured
k) Apparatus carefully dismantled
l) Clean workspace before leaving lab
 TOTAL

Lab # 5 Ideal Gas

Lab # 8 Young’s Modulus of Wood
Skill: AI

Lab # 9 Stoke’s Law

Skill: AI