Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

The 'pre-given' percentage uncertainty in an experiment is used to:

Accepted Answer

decide whether differences between results are significant

Answer

calculate the mean

Answer

choose the units

Answer

plot the graph

Question 2

The main hazard when using a mains-powered heater is:

Accepted Answer

electric shock and burns

Answer

infection

Answer

radiation sickness

Answer

noise

Question 3

The percentage difference between two values k1 and k2 is usually calculated as:

Accepted Answer

k1 - k2 mean 100%

Answer

k1k2

Answer

k1 + k22 100%

Answer

k1 - k2 100%

Question 4

A percentage uncertainty has:

Accepted Answer

no units

Answer

units of metres

Answer

units of seconds

Answer

the same units as the measurement

Question 5

Suggesting 'use a computer' is a poor modification unless you state:

Accepted Answer

what sensor is used, what it measures, and how

Answer

the brand of computer

Answer

nothing

Answer

the price

Question 6

Readings of VI: 10.1, 9.9, 10.0, 10.2 Ω (uncertainty ±0.3 Ω). This supports:

Accepted Answer

V proportional to I (constant resistance)

Answer

resistance increasing

Answer

no relationship

Answer

V inversely proportional to I

Question 7

A modification to reduce reaction-time error described clearly is:

Accepted Answer

time 20 oscillations instead of 1, then divide by 20

Answer

count quickly

Answer

time faster

Answer

use better reactions

Question 8

Repeated readings: 0.52, 0.50, 0.54, 0.52. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

pm 0.02

Answer

pm 0.52

Answer

pm 0.04

Answer

pm 0.01

Question 9

A lab rule says 'one person at a time' at the radioactive source because:

Accepted Answer

it reduces unnecessary radiation exposure to others

Answer

the source is weak

Answer

there is limited space only

Answer

it is faster

Question 10

The mean of 12.1, 12.3 and 12.2 s (excluding the anomaly 15.8 s) is:

Accepted Answer

12.2 s

Answer

12.3 s

Answer

13.1 s

Answer

15.8 s

Question 11

Instructions say 'repeat for five different lengths between 20 cm and 100 cm'. A sensible set is:

Accepted Answer

20, 40, 60, 80, 100 cm

Answer

100, 100, 100, 100, 100 cm

Answer

5, 10, 15, 20, 25 cm

Answer

20, 21, 22, 23, 24 cm

Question 12

When a liquid is boiling vigorously, nearby students should:

Accepted Answer

keep back in case it spits or the container breaks

Answer

add cold water quickly

Answer

look directly over it

Answer

touch the beaker

Question 13

Repeated readings: 48, 52, 50, 49. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

pm 2

Answer

pm 49.8

Answer

pm 4

Answer

pm 1

Question 14

To extend a Hooke's law investigation to answer a new question, you could:

Accepted Answer

test springs of different materials or arrangements (series/parallel)

Answer

repeat the same readings only

Answer

stop the experiment

Answer

use the same spring with one load

Question 15

A measurement is (0.84 pm 0.02). The percentage uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

2.38%

Answer

42%

Answer

23.8%

Answer

2%

Question 16

In measuring resistivity, rho = RAL, using diameter d: the term with the largest effect is often:

Accepted Answer

d^2 (diameter)

Answer

L (length)

Answer

none

Answer

R always

Question 17

Stools should be:

Accepted Answer

tucked under the bench when not in use

Answer

left in walkways

Answer

used as tables for apparatus

Answer

stacked on benches

Question 18

If one of three repeated readings is anomalous, you should:

Accepted Answer

repeat the measurement and exclude the anomaly from the mean if confirmed

Answer

include it in the mean anyway

Answer

delete all readings

Answer

double it

Question 19

A graph of v^2 against s for a falling object has gradient 19.6 m/s^2. The value of g is:

Accepted Answer

9.8 m/s^2

Answer

4.9 m/s^2

Answer

19.6 m/s^2

Answer

39.2 m/s^2

Question 20

A line of best fit should:

Accepted Answer

pass as close as possible to as many points as possible, with points balanced either side

Answer

always pass through the origin

Answer

pass through the first and last points only

Answer

join every point dot-to-dot

Question 21

Values of k: 1.20 and 1.32. Percentage difference relative to the mean is about:

Accepted Answer

9.5%

Answer

4.8%

Answer

1.2%

Answer

12%

Question 22

A variable resistor (rheostat) in a circuit should be set initially to:

Accepted Answer

its maximum resistance

Answer

zero resistance

Answer

disconnected

Answer

half way always

Question 23

For y = kx, the relationship is supported if:

Accepted Answer

xy is constant

Answer

y - x is constant

Answer

x + y is constant

Answer

yx is constant

Question 24

Which student is acting most sensibly?

Accepted Answer

one who asks how to use a new voltmeter before connecting it

Answer

one who uses it as an ammeter

Answer

one who connects it randomly

Answer

one who opens the meter

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 (page 4)

76. The 'pre-given' percentage uncertainty in an experiment is used to:

77. The main hazard when using a mains-powered heater is:

78. The percentage difference between two values k1 and k2 is usually calculated as:

79. A percentage uncertainty has:

80. Suggesting 'use a computer' is a poor modification unless you state:

81. Readings of VI: 10.1, 9.9, 10.0, 10.2 Ω (uncertainty ±0.3 Ω). This supports:

82. A modification to reduce reaction-time error described clearly is:

83. Repeated readings: 0.52, 0.50, 0.54, 0.52. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

84. A lab rule says 'one person at a time' at the radioactive source because:

85. The mean of 12.1, 12.3 and 12.2 s (excluding the anomaly 15.8 s) is:

86. Instructions say 'repeat for five different lengths between 20 cm and 100 cm'. A sensible set is:

87. When a liquid is boiling vigorously, nearby students should:

88. Repeated readings: 48, 52, 50, 49. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

89. To extend a Hooke's law investigation to answer a new question, you could:

90. A measurement is (0.84 pm 0.02). The percentage uncertainty is:

91. In measuring resistivity, rho = RAL, using diameter d: the term with the largest effect is often:

92. Stools should be:

93. If one of three repeated readings is anomalous, you should:

94. A graph of v^2 against s for a falling object has gradient 19.6 m/s^2. The value of g is:

95. A line of best fit should:

96. Values of k: 1.20 and 1.32. Percentage difference relative to the mean is about:

97. A variable resistor (rheostat) in a circuit should be set initially to:

98. For y = kx, the relationship is supported if:

99. Which student is acting most sensibly?

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

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