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Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

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Question 12

A student determines the internal diameter ddd of a cylindrical vial by measuring the height hhh of a water column inside it when different volumes VVV of water are added.

a.

Describe how the student should read the scale of a measuring cylinder to avoid a line-of-sight (parallax) error.

[2]
b.

The student plots a graph of V/cm3V / \text{cm}^3V/cm3 on the yyy-axis against h/cmh / \text{cm}h/cm on the xxx-axis and draws a straight line of best fit. The line of best fit passes through the points (1.0,5.0)(1.0, 5.0)(1.0,5.0) and (13.0,59.0)(13.0, 59.0)(13.0,59.0). Calculate the gradient GGG of this line, including its unit.

[2]
c.

The internal diameter ddd of the cylindrical vial is given by the equation:

d=kG d = k \sqrt{G} d=kG​

where k=1.13 cmk = 1.13\text{ cm}k=1.13 cm. Calculate ddd to 2 significant figures.

[2]
d.

Suggest one practical reason why the calculated value for ddd is only an approximation.

[1]
Markscheme

Physical quantities and measurement techniques Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Physical quantities and measurement techniques

164 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics Physical quantities and measurement techniques, covering Physical quantities and measurement techniques. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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