Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

The half-range uncertainty gives a better estimate than the instrument precision when:

Accepted Answer

the spread of repeated readings is larger than the instrument's smallest division

Answer

readings are identical

Answer

only one reading is taken

Answer

the spread is smaller than the smallest division

Question 2

Wires crossing without a dot in a circuit diagram:

Accepted Answer

are not connected

Answer

form a junction

Answer

are shorted

Answer

are connected

Question 3

For V = mathcalE - Ir, the y-intercept of the V–I graph is:

Accepted Answer

mathcalE

Answer

-r

Answer

0

Answer

r

Question 4

In the pendulum graph of T^2 against l, the gradient equals:

Accepted Answer

4pi^2g

Answer

g

Answer

2pi g

Answer

g4pi^2

Question 5

A line passes through (0, 2) and (10, 22). Reading at x = 4 gives y =

Accepted Answer

10

Answer

6

Answer

8

Answer

12

Question 6

Values of eF for a spring are 0.020, 0.021, 0.020, 0.032 m/N. The last value suggests:

Accepted Answer

the spring may have passed its limit of proportionality (or an anomaly)

Answer

the relationship holds perfectly

Answer

the spring got stiffer

Answer

the load was zero

Question 7

Interpolation means:

Accepted Answer

reading a value from the graph within the range of the data

Answer

drawing the axes

Answer

plotting the points

Answer

reading beyond the data range

Question 8

Instructors prefer students to ask questions because:

Accepted Answer

it reduces accidents and improves learning

Answer

it's a rule without reason

Answer

questions are graded down

Answer

they want to slow you down

Question 9

Values of st^2 for a falling ball are 4.9, 4.8, 5.0 m/s^2. This supports s = kt^2 with g about:

Accepted Answer

9.8 m/s^2

Answer

19.6 m/s^2

Answer

2.45 m/s^2

Answer

4.9 m/s^2

Question 10

A graph of length l (y-axis) against load F for a spring has a y-intercept equal to:

Accepted Answer

the unstretched length

Answer

the extension

Answer

the elastic limit

Answer

the spring constant

Question 11

When reading points for a gradient, they should be:

Accepted Answer

points on the line (not data points unless they lie on it)

Answer

the first and last data points always

Answer

points off the graph

Answer

anomalous points

Question 12

A graph of T^2 against l is a straight line through the origin. This supports the hypothesis that:

Accepted Answer

T propto l

Answer

T is independent of l

Answer

T propto l^2

Question 13

To calculate a gradient accurately, the triangle used should be:

Accepted Answer

large, covering at least half the line

Answer

as small as possible

Answer

outside the graph

Answer

one grid square

Question 14

A quantity that is squared or cubed in the formula:

Accepted Answer

has its percentage uncertainty multiplied by 2 or 3

Answer

has its uncertainty halved

Answer

has no uncertainty

Answer

is always negligible

Question 15

A graph of force F against extension x is a straight line through the origin with gradient 250 N/m. The conclusion and constant are:

Accepted Answer

F propto x with spring constant 250 N/m

Answer

F propto x with k = 0.004 N/m

Answer

F independent of x

Answer

F propto x^2 with k = 250

Question 16

The hazard symbol of a black flame on yellow/orange or red diamond indicates:

Accepted Answer

a flammable substance

Answer

radiation

Answer

biohazard

Answer

high voltage

Question 17

Data points that lie close to the predicted line throughout the range:

Accepted Answer

strongly support the relationship

Answer

show only random error

Answer

are meaningless

Answer

prove it wrong

Question 18

Groups at neighbouring benches should:

Accepted Answer

work without reaching into each other's space

Answer

share hot plates by passing them

Answer

swap apparatus constantly

Answer

lean across benches

Question 19

A diagram should be drawn:

Accepted Answer

neatly in pencil with a ruler for straight lines

Answer

freehand without labels

Answer

in thick marker

Answer

in pen with no labels

Question 20

A limitation should be stated as:

Accepted Answer

a specific problem with the procedure that affects the results

Answer

'human error' without explanation

Answer

'the equipment was bad'

Answer

'we ran out of time'

Question 21

When is it WRONG to use a false origin?

Accepted Answer

when you need to show that the line passes through the origin

Answer

when all values are large

Answer

when data start far from zero

Answer

when values are close together

Question 22

To improve the accuracy of timing a falling ball, you could:

Accepted Answer

use light gates connected to an electronic timer

Answer

drop it from a lower height

Answer

guess the time

Answer

use a slower stopwatch

Question 23

A crowded workbench is hazardous because:

Accepted Answer

apparatus can be knocked over or fall

Answer

it makes experiments faster

Answer

it improves accuracy

Answer

it keeps things warm

Question 24

Repeated readings: 1.24, 1.30, 1.26. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

pm 0.03

Answer

pm 0.06

Answer

pm 0.015

Answer

pm 1.27

Question 25

A metre rule is used to measure lengths from 10 cm to 90 cm. The range is:

Accepted Answer

80 cm

Answer

90 cm

Answer

100 cm

Answer

10 cm

Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs — Physics

1. The half-range uncertainty gives a better estimate than the instrument precision when:

2. Wires crossing without a dot in a circuit diagram:

3. For V = mathcalE - Ir, the y-intercept of the V–I graph is:

4. In the pendulum graph of T^2 against l, the gradient equals:

5. A line passes through (0, 2) and (10, 22). Reading at x = 4 gives y =

6. Values of eF for a spring are 0.020, 0.021, 0.020, 0.032 m/N. The last value suggests:

7. Interpolation means:

8. Instructors prefer students to ask questions because:

9. Values of st^2 for a falling ball are 4.9, 4.8, 5.0 m/s^2. This supports s = kt^2 with g about:

10. A graph of length l (y-axis) against load F for a spring has a y-intercept equal to:

11. When reading points for a gradient, they should be:

12. A graph of T^2 against l is a straight line through the origin. This supports the hypothesis that:

13. To calculate a gradient accurately, the triangle used should be:

14. A quantity that is squared or cubed in the formula:

15. A graph of force F against extension x is a straight line through the origin with gradient 250 N/m. The conclusion and constant are:

16. The hazard symbol of a black flame on yellow/orange or red diamond indicates:

17. Data points that lie close to the predicted line throughout the range:

18. Groups at neighbouring benches should:

19. A diagram should be drawn:

20. A limitation should be stated as:

21. When is it WRONG to use a false origin?

22. To improve the accuracy of timing a falling ball, you could:

23. A crowded workbench is hazardous because:

24. Repeated readings: 1.24, 1.30, 1.26. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

25. A metre rule is used to measure lengths from 10 cm to 90 cm. The range is:

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