MCQs / Physics / Experimental Skills and Data Analysis

Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs — Physics (page 12)

405 multiple-choice questions on Experimental Skills and Data Analysis from Physics, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

276. A graph should use at least what fraction of the grid in each direction?

  1. one quarter only
  2. none
  3. about half or more
  4. one tenth

Answer: C) about half or more

Explanation: Good use of space. SLO P-11-N-11 · Application

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277. A graph of R against L for a wire has gradient 20 Ω/m. The wire's area is 1.0 10^-7 m^2. Its resistivity is:

  1. 20 Ω m
  2. 2.0 10^8 Ω m
  3. 2.0 10^-6 Ω m
  4. 5.0 10^-9 Ω m

Answer: C) 2.0 10^-6 Ω m

Explanation: rho = gradient A. SLO P-11-N-21 · Application

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278. Measuring a length that has two ends judged against a mm scale gives an uncertainty of about:

  1. pm 1 cm
  2. pm 5 mm
  3. pm 1 mm
  4. pm 0.1 mm

Answer: C) pm 1 mm

Explanation: ±0.5 mm at each end. SLO P-11-N-12 · Application

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279. Asking for help with unfamiliar equipment is better than guessing because:

  1. it wastes time
  2. teachers dislike questions
  3. it prevents damage, injury and wrong results
  4. guessing is always right

Answer: C) it prevents damage, injury and wrong results

Explanation: Better outcome. SLO P-11-N-05 · Application

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280. A graph of T^2 against l for a pendulum has gradient 4.04 s^2/m. The value of g is:

  1. 39.9 m/s^2
  2. 0.41 m/s^2
  3. 4.04 m/s^2
  4. 9.77 m/s^2

Answer: D) 9.77 m/s^2

Explanation: g = 4pi^2/4.04. SLO P-11-N-21 · Application

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281. A straight line passes through (10, 80) and (50, 20). Its gradient is:

  1. -0.667
  2. -1.5
  3. 0.4
  4. 1.5

Answer: B) -1.5

Explanation: Gradient = Delta yDelta x = 20 - 8050 - 10 = -1.5. SLO P-11-N-16 · Application

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282. A limitation of measuring the diameter of a wire at only one point is that:

  1. it is too accurate
  2. the micrometer breaks
  3. the wire becomes thicker
  4. the wire may not be uniform

Answer: D) the wire may not be uniform

Explanation: Measure at several points. SLO P-11-N-25 · Understanding

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283. To find the thickness of a sheet of paper accurately with a ruler, you should:

  1. fold it once
  2. measure one sheet with a ruler
  3. estimate by eye
  4. measure the thickness of 100 sheets and divide by 100

Answer: D) measure the thickness of 100 sheets and divide by 100

Explanation: Reduces uncertainty. SLO P-11-N-08 · Application

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284. In a specific heat capacity experiment, a significant source of uncertainty is:

  1. heat lost to the surroundings
  2. the units of temperature
  3. the mass of the block
  4. the colour of the block

Answer: A) heat lost to the surroundings

Explanation: Often dominant. SLO P-11-N-26 · Understanding

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285. The main hazard when stretching a wire to breaking point is:

  1. radiation
  2. the wire whipping and loads falling
  3. chemical spillage
  4. infection

Answer: B) the wire whipping and loads falling

Explanation: Wear goggles. SLO P-11-N-04 · Application

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286. A line of best fit does NOT have to:

  1. follow the trend
  2. be drawn carefully
  3. pass through any particular point
  4. be smooth

Answer: C) pass through any particular point

Explanation: Not even the origin. SLO P-11-N-15 · Application

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287. When the graph is expected to curve, you should:

  1. only take readings at the ends
  2. take fewer readings
  3. take more readings where the curve changes most rapidly
  4. join points with straight lines

Answer: C) take more readings where the curve changes most rapidly

Explanation: Captures the shape. SLO P-11-N-08 · Application

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288. Which statement about hypotheses is correct?

  1. A hypothesis cannot be changed
  2. A hypothesis must be testable by experiment
  3. A hypothesis needs no data
  4. A hypothesis is always true

Answer: B) A hypothesis must be testable by experiment

Explanation: Testability. SLO P-11-N-22 · Understanding

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289. Readings in a table should be recorded to:

  1. the nearest 100
  2. as many decimal places as possible
  3. the precision of the measuring instrument
  4. no decimal places always

Answer: C) the precision of the measuring instrument

Explanation: Consistent precision. SLO P-11-N-08 · Application

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290. A straight line has gradient -1.5 and passes through (20, 50). The graph uses a false origin, so the y-intercept is found by calculation. It is:

  1. 2.5
  2. 20
  3. 80
  4. 50

Answer: C) 80

Explanation: c = y - mx = 50 - (-1.5)(20) = 80. SLO P-11-N-20 · Understanding

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291. Two students get very similar results using different equipment. Their results are:

  1. random
  2. systematic
  3. reproducible
  4. anomalous

Answer: C) reproducible

Explanation: Agreement between methods. SLO P-11-N-09 · Application

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292. A prediction from data can be made by:

  1. interpolating or extrapolating from the trend line
  2. using only the first reading
  3. ignoring the graph
  4. guessing

Answer: A) interpolating or extrapolating from the trend line

Explanation: Use the relationship. SLO P-11-N-22 · Understanding

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293. To reduce the most significant uncertainty in a wire's diameter, you should:

  1. use a micrometer and average several readings along the wire
  2. use a metre rule
  3. estimate by eye
  4. measure once

Answer: A) use a micrometer and average several readings along the wire

Explanation: Better instrument and repeats. SLO P-11-N-26 · Understanding

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294. For V = mathcalE - Ir, plotting V against I gives a gradient of:

  1. r
  2. -r
  3. 1r
  4. mathcalE

Answer: B) -r

Explanation: Compare with y = mx + c. SLO P-11-N-17 · Understanding

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295. A straight line passes through (1.0, 2.2) and (4.0, 3.4). Its gradient is:

  1. 0.85
  2. -0.4
  3. 0.4
  4. 2.5

Answer: C) 0.4

Explanation: Gradient = Delta yDelta x = 3.4 - 2.24.0 - 1.0 = 0.4. SLO P-11-N-16 · Application

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296. A rectangle with an arrow through it represents:

  1. a fuse
  2. a fixed resistor
  3. a cell
  4. a variable resistor

Answer: D) a variable resistor

Explanation: Rheostat. SLO P-11-N-07 · Application

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297. To extend an investigation of a resistor to answer a new question, you could:

  1. repeat at the same temperature only
  2. use a different ammeter only
  3. remove the resistor
  4. measure how its resistance varies with temperature

Answer: D) measure how its resistance varies with temperature

Explanation: New relationship. SLO P-11-N-27 · Understanding

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298. Hot apparatus should be placed:

  1. directly on paper
  2. on plastic trays
  3. on a heat-proof mat away from the edge
  4. near leads

Answer: C) on a heat-proof mat away from the edge

Explanation: Prevent burns and fires. SLO P-11-N-02 · Application

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299. Calculated values of a 'constant' differ by 20%, and the estimated uncertainty is 5%. Conclusion:

  1. the uncertainty is too big
  2. the relationship is not supported (or there are unaccounted errors)
  3. the constant is exact
  4. the relationship is supported

Answer: B) the relationship is not supported (or there are unaccounted errors)

Explanation: Difference exceeds uncertainty. SLO P-11-N-23 · Understanding

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300. A student times 20 oscillations and gets 31.2 s. The time for one oscillation is:

  1. 1.56 s
  2. 3.12 s
  3. 624 s
  4. 0.64 s

Answer: A) 1.56 s

Explanation: 31.2/20. SLO P-11-N-08 · Application

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