Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

On a displacement–time graph, the gradient of the tangent gives:

Accepted Answer

the instantaneous velocity

Answer

the distance travelled

Answer

the displacement

Answer

the acceleration

Question 2

A straight line has gradient 0.8 and passes through (60, 70). The graph uses a false origin, so the y-intercept is found by calculation. It is:

Accepted Answer

22

Answer

70

Answer

118

Answer

1.17

Question 3

A cracked beaker should be:

Accepted Answer

replaced before use

Answer

used carefully

Answer

used for hot liquids only

Answer

taped and used

Question 4

A clear workspace also helps accuracy because:

Accepted Answer

you can read instruments and record data without disturbance

Answer

it removes all errors

Answer

it makes readings larger

Answer

instruments work better in mess

Question 5

To improve accuracy in measuring the focal length of a lens, you could:

Accepted Answer

use a distant object and darken the room to see the image clearly

Answer

use a bright room

Answer

use a cracked lens

Answer

move the lens randomly

Question 6

Two values of a constant are 2.40 and 2.52. The stated percentage uncertainty is 5%. The percentage difference (relative to the mean) and the conclusion are:

Accepted Answer

4.9%; the relationship is supported

Answer

4.9%; the relationship is not supported

Answer

9.8%; the relationship is not supported

Answer

0.12%; the relationship is supported

Question 7

Running in the laboratory is dangerous because:

Accepted Answer

you may collide with people carrying apparatus

Answer

it is slower

Answer

it improves experiments

Answer

it wastes energy

Question 8

When setting up a metre rule to measure the extension of a spring, the rule should be:

Accepted Answer

vertical and fixed close to the pointer

Answer

loose

Answer

horizontal

Answer

far away from the spring

Question 9

Measurements: length 1.00 ± 0.01 m (1%), time 2.0 ± 0.2 s (10%). The most significant source of uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

the time

Answer

the length

Answer

neither

Answer

both equally

Question 10

Two values of a constant are 2.40 and 2.60. Their percentage difference relative to their mean is:

Accepted Answer

8%

Answer

0.2%

Answer

4%

Answer

20%

Question 11

To measure the current through a resistor, the ammeter must be connected:

Accepted Answer

in series with the resistor

Answer

in parallel with the resistor

Answer

across the battery only

Answer

anywhere

Question 12

A column heading such as 'length / cm' means:

Accepted Answer

the values in the column are lengths in centimetres

Answer

the column is in metres

Answer

length divided by a constant

Answer

the length is unknown

Question 13

Before hanging loads on a spring, you should check that:

Accepted Answer

the clamp stand is stable and won't topple

Answer

the loads are as heavy as possible

Answer

the floor is wet

Answer

the spring is hot

Question 14

An improvement should be:

Accepted Answer

specific and linked to a limitation

Answer

vague, like 'be more careful'

Answer

to repeat the same method

Answer

unrelated to the experiment

Question 15

Repeated readings of a quantity are 2.31, 2.35, 2.33. The mean is:

Accepted Answer

2.33

Answer

2.35

Answer

2.31

Answer

6.99

Question 16

A limitation of measuring a falling ball's time with a stopwatch over 1 m is:

Accepted Answer

the time is very short, so reaction time causes a large uncertainty

Answer

the metre rule is too long

Answer

gravity varies

Answer

the ball is too big

Question 17

If you don't understand a step in a circuit diagram, the best action is to:

Accepted Answer

ask the instructor to explain it

Answer

add extra components

Answer

connect it to the mains

Answer

leave the component out

Question 18

When drawing a conclusion, you should also comment on:

Accepted Answer

the reliability of the data and the uncertainties

Answer

the length of the method

Answer

the weather

Answer

the colour of the apparatus

Question 19

Error bars on a graph show:

Accepted Answer

the uncertainty in each plotted value

Answer

the scale

Answer

the gradient

Answer

the units

Question 20

In T = 2pi lg, g = 4pi^2lT^2. If l has 0.5% and T 2% uncertainty, the uncertainty in g is:

Accepted Answer

4.5%

Answer

2%

Answer

2.5%

Answer

1.5%

Question 21

A graph of v against t has gradient 2.5 m/s^2. The acceleration is:

Accepted Answer

2.5 m/s^2

Answer

0.4 m/s^2

Answer

25 m/s^2

Answer

5 m/s^2

Question 22

In a resistance experiment, the wire heating up as current flows is a limitation because:

Accepted Answer

its resistance changes with temperature

Answer

it makes the wire longer

Answer

it is not a limitation

Answer

it reduces the current to zero

Question 23

If the y-intercept is needed but a false origin is used, you should find c by:

Accepted Answer

substituting a point on the line into y = mx + c

Answer

assuming it is zero

Answer

measuring with a ruler

Answer

reading where the line hits the left edge

Question 24

Absolute uncertainty has:

Accepted Answer

the same units as the measurement

Answer

no units

Answer

units of percent

Answer

units of time always

Question 25

Repeated readings of a quantity are 0.52, 0.50, 0.54, 0.52. The mean is:

Accepted Answer

0.52

Answer

0.5

Answer

2.08

Answer

0.54

Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs — Physics (page 10)

226. On a displacement–time graph, the gradient of the tangent gives:

227. A straight line has gradient 0.8 and passes through (60, 70). The graph uses a false origin, so the y-intercept is found by calculation. It is:

228. A cracked beaker should be:

229. A clear workspace also helps accuracy because:

230. To improve accuracy in measuring the focal length of a lens, you could:

231. Two values of a constant are 2.40 and 2.52. The stated percentage uncertainty is 5%. The percentage difference (relative to the mean) and the conclusion are:

232. Running in the laboratory is dangerous because:

233. When setting up a metre rule to measure the extension of a spring, the rule should be:

234. Measurements: length 1.00 ± 0.01 m (1%), time 2.0 ± 0.2 s (10%). The most significant source of uncertainty is:

235. Two values of a constant are 2.40 and 2.60. Their percentage difference relative to their mean is:

236. To measure the current through a resistor, the ammeter must be connected:

237. A column heading such as 'length / cm' means:

238. Before hanging loads on a spring, you should check that:

239. An improvement should be:

240. Repeated readings of a quantity are 2.31, 2.35, 2.33. The mean is:

241. A limitation of measuring a falling ball's time with a stopwatch over 1 m is:

242. If you don't understand a step in a circuit diagram, the best action is to:

243. When drawing a conclusion, you should also comment on:

244. Error bars on a graph show:

245. In T = 2pi lg, g = 4pi^2lT^2. If l has 0.5% and T 2% uncertainty, the uncertainty in g is:

246. A graph of v against t has gradient 2.5 m/s^2. The acceleration is:

247. In a resistance experiment, the wire heating up as current flows is a limitation because:

248. If the y-intercept is needed but a false origin is used, you should find c by:

249. Absolute uncertainty has:

250. Repeated readings of a quantity are 0.52, 0.50, 0.54, 0.52. The mean is:

More Physics chapters