Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

When points show a lot of scatter about a straight line, it suggests:

Accepted Answer

large random errors

Answer

a perfect experiment

Answer

no errors

Answer

a systematic error only

Question 2

The half-range method is appropriate when:

Accepted Answer

readings are repeated and vary randomly

Answer

data are invented

Answer

only one reading is taken

Answer

readings are all identical

Question 3

In a lens experiment, a significant source of uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

judging the position of the sharpest image

Answer

the speed of light

Answer

the colour of the screen

Answer

the mass of the lens

Question 4

A graph of p against 1V is a straight line through the origin. The conclusion is:

Accepted Answer

pressure is inversely proportional to volume (Boyle's law)

Answer

volume is constant

Answer

pressure is constant

Answer

pressure is proportional to volume

Question 5

To improve the measurement of a wire's resistance, you could:

Accepted Answer

use a small current to avoid heating and switch off between readings

Answer

use a very large current

Answer

leave the current on for a long time

Answer

use a thicker connecting lead only

Question 6

When choosing points to calculate a gradient, the points should be:

Accepted Answer

far apart on the line and easy to read

Answer

very close together

Answer

outside the plotted range

Answer

the anomalous points

Question 7

To test pV = k, you calculate pV for each reading. The relationship is supported if:

Accepted Answer

all values of pV are equal within uncertainty

Answer

pV halves each time

Answer

pV is zero

Answer

pV doubles each time

Question 8

A digital balance reads 0.3 g with nothing on it. You should:

Accepted Answer

press tare (zero) before weighing

Answer

use a different unit

Answer

subtract 3 g

Answer

ignore it

Question 9

In the graph of 1I against R above, the y-intercept is:

Accepted Answer

rmathcalE

Answer

r

Answer

-r

Answer

1mathcalE

Question 10

Before connecting a voltmeter, check that its positive terminal is connected:

Accepted Answer

towards the positive side of the supply

Answer

towards the negative side

Answer

to earth

Answer

to nothing

Question 11

A line passes through (100, 2.40) and (200, 2.90). Its y-intercept is:

Accepted Answer

1.90

Answer

2.90

Answer

0.005

Answer

2.40

Question 12

Data for length range from 1.20 m to 1.80 m. A good false origin on the length axis is:

Accepted Answer

1.20 m (or 1.2 m)

Answer

0 m

Answer

1.80 m

Answer

10 m

Question 13

Taking only two readings is a limitation because:

Accepted Answer

it is not enough to establish a reliable trend

Answer

it improves accuracy

Answer

it is too many

Answer

it removes uncertainty

Question 14

To measure the p.d. across a lamp, the voltmeter must be connected:

Accepted Answer

in parallel with the lamp

Answer

between two lamps

Answer

in series with the battery

Answer

in series with the lamp

Question 15

Asking for help shows:

Accepted Answer

responsibility and good laboratory practice

Answer

poor results

Answer

lack of interest

Answer

weakness

Question 16

Reading the instructions or manual is helpful, but if it is unclear you should:

Accepted Answer

ask the instructor

Answer

skip those steps

Answer

make up your own method

Answer

give up

Question 17

Two parallel lines of equal length (with gap) represent:

Accepted Answer

a capacitor

Answer

a cell

Answer

a fuse

Answer

a resistor

Question 18

Before heating water in a beaker on a tripod, you should check that:

Accepted Answer

the tripod and gauze are stable and the beaker is not cracked

Answer

the beaker is sealed

Answer

the burner is at full flame

Answer

the water is frozen

Question 19

Repeating readings does NOT remove:

Accepted Answer

systematic errors such as a zero error

Answer

variations

Answer

random errors

Answer

anomalies

Question 20

Hypothesis: 'resistance increases with temperature'. The data show resistance rising steadily as temperature increases. A prediction for a higher temperature is:

Accepted Answer

a higher resistance, following the trend

Answer

a lower resistance

Answer

zero resistance

Answer

the same resistance

Question 21

A conclusion should:

Accepted Answer

state what the evidence shows, referring to the data and graph

Answer

state only the hypothesis

Answer

repeat the method

Answer

ignore the data

Question 22

To reduce parallax error when reading a spring's extension, you could:

Accepted Answer

attach a pointer to the spring and read at eye level

Answer

use a curved ruler

Answer

read from below

Answer

close one eye only

Question 23

The gradient of a charge–time graph gives:

Accepted Answer

current

Answer

voltage

Answer

energy

Answer

resistance

Question 24

When setting up a resonance tube, the tuning fork should be held:

Accepted Answer

just above the open end, without touching the tube

Answer

inside the water

Answer

touching the tube

Answer

far from the tube

Question 25

To read a value from a graph, you should:

Accepted Answer

read from the line of best fit, not from individual data points

Answer

estimate without the graph

Answer

use the table only

Answer

use the nearest data point

Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs — Physics (page 15)

351. When points show a lot of scatter about a straight line, it suggests:

352. The half-range method is appropriate when:

353. In a lens experiment, a significant source of uncertainty is:

354. A graph of p against 1V is a straight line through the origin. The conclusion is:

355. To improve the measurement of a wire's resistance, you could:

356. When choosing points to calculate a gradient, the points should be:

357. To test pV = k, you calculate pV for each reading. The relationship is supported if:

358. A digital balance reads 0.3 g with nothing on it. You should:

359. In the graph of 1I against R above, the y-intercept is:

360. Before connecting a voltmeter, check that its positive terminal is connected:

361. A line passes through (100, 2.40) and (200, 2.90). Its y-intercept is:

362. Data for length range from 1.20 m to 1.80 m. A good false origin on the length axis is:

363. Taking only two readings is a limitation because:

364. To measure the p.d. across a lamp, the voltmeter must be connected:

365. Asking for help shows:

366. Reading the instructions or manual is helpful, but if it is unclear you should:

367. Two parallel lines of equal length (with gap) represent:

368. Before heating water in a beaker on a tripod, you should check that:

369. Repeating readings does NOT remove:

370. Hypothesis: 'resistance increases with temperature'. The data show resistance rising steadily as temperature increases. A prediction for a higher temperature is:

371. A conclusion should:

372. To reduce parallax error when reading a spring's extension, you could:

373. The gradient of a charge–time graph gives:

374. When setting up a resonance tube, the tuning fork should be held:

375. To read a value from a graph, you should:

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