Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

The absolute uncertainty in a reading from a metre rule with mm divisions is usually taken as:

Accepted Answer

pm 1 mm (or ±0.5 mm per end judged)

Answer

pm 0.01 mm

Answer

pm 1 cm

Answer

pm 1 m

Question 2

Data are said to support a hypothesis if:

Accepted Answer

the results agree with what the hypothesis predicts, within uncertainty

Answer

they are perfect

Answer

there are no data

Answer

they are different

Question 3

Using the same line, the value of x when y = 16 is:

Accepted Answer

7

Answer

9

Answer

14

Answer

8

Question 4

A physical hazard in a falling-mass experiment is:

Accepted Answer

the mass falling on someone's foot

Answer

chemical burns

Answer

infection

Answer

radiation

Question 5

To plot a reliable straight-line graph, you should normally take at least:

Accepted Answer

5 or 6 sets of readings

Answer

2 readings

Answer

1 reading

Answer

100 readings always

Question 6

In y = mx + c, m is the:

Accepted Answer

gradient

Answer

x-intercept

Answer

area

Answer

y-intercept

Question 7

In finding the Young modulus, the most significant uncertainty usually comes from:

Accepted Answer

the diameter of the wire

Answer

the mass of the loads

Answer

the value of g

Answer

the length of the wire

Question 8

A frayed mains lead on a lab heater should be:

Accepted Answer

reported and not used

Answer

wrapped with paper

Answer

used only for short times

Answer

used carefully

Question 9

Why should you not crowd around a demonstration with high-voltage equipment?

Accepted Answer

to avoid accidental contact and allow the teacher to move safely

Answer

it breaks the equipment

Answer

it's boring

Answer

it improves accuracy

Question 10

A straight line passes through (0.1, 0.4) and (0.6, 1.65). Its gradient is:

Accepted Answer

2.5

Answer

2.75

Answer

-2.5

Answer

0.4

Question 11

Only the apparatus needed for the current experiment should be:

Accepted Answer

on the bench

Answer

in your bag

Answer

on the floor

Answer

in the sink

Question 12

A limitation of timing a single swing of a pendulum by hand is:

Accepted Answer

reaction time is large compared with the period

Answer

the clamp is too tight

Answer

the string is too strong

Answer

the pendulum is too heavy

Question 13

When using a radioactive source for the first time, you should:

Accepted Answer

follow the instructor's demonstration of safe handling

Answer

point it at others

Answer

pocket it

Answer

handle it bare-handed

Question 14

Before using a stopwatch, you should:

Accepted Answer

check that it starts, stops and resets correctly

Answer

wind it backwards

Answer

drop it to test it

Answer

set it to an hour

Question 15

A relationship containing a constant, e.g. F = kx, is supported when:

Accepted Answer

the calculated k values agree within experimental uncertainty

Answer

k doubles each time

Answer

k changes randomly

Answer

k is negative

Question 16

Wearing safety goggles protects against:

Accepted Answer

flying fragments and splashes

Answer

electric shock

Answer

radiation from sources

Answer

noise

Question 17

If you are unsure how to use a new piece of apparatus, you should:

Accepted Answer

ask the lab instructor

Answer

watch a video later

Answer

guess and try it

Answer

skip the experiment

Question 18

If the mean of repeated readings is 6.25 s and the half range is 0.15 s, the percentage uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

2.4%

Answer

0.15%

Answer

4.2%

Answer

15%

Question 19

The main hazard when handling a radioactive source is:

Accepted Answer

exposure to ionising radiation

Answer

electric shock

Answer

cuts

Answer

burns from heat

Question 20

A Bunsen burner on a crowded bench is dangerous because:

Accepted Answer

nearby paper or clothing can catch fire

Answer

it is quieter

Answer

it gives more light

Answer

it burns less fuel

Question 21

Taking only two readings to determine a relationship is poor because:

Accepted Answer

you can't tell whether the relationship is linear or spot anomalies

Answer

two readings are too many

Answer

two points always give a curve

Answer

graphs need no points

Question 22

Two values of a constant are 0.48 and 0.50. The stated percentage uncertainty is 6%. The percentage difference (relative to the mean) and the conclusion are:

Accepted Answer

4.1%; the relationship is supported

Answer

4.1%; the relationship is not supported

Answer

8.2%; the relationship is not supported

Answer

0.02%; the relationship is supported

Question 23

When a student is swinging a mass on a string, others should:

Accepted Answer

stand well clear of the path of the mass

Answer

stand close to measure

Answer

stand in front of it

Answer

try to catch it

Question 24

A voltmeter shows a reading when not connected. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

a zero error that must be corrected or recorded

Answer

the voltmeter is an ammeter

Answer

the battery is flat

Answer

a correct reading

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 5)

101. The absolute uncertainty in a reading from a metre rule with mm divisions is usually taken as:

102. Data are said to support a hypothesis if:

103. Using the same line, the value of x when y = 16 is:

104. A physical hazard in a falling-mass experiment is:

105. To plot a reliable straight-line graph, you should normally take at least:

106. In y = mx + c, m is the:

107. In finding the Young modulus, the most significant uncertainty usually comes from:

108. A frayed mains lead on a lab heater should be:

109. Why should you not crowd around a demonstration with high-voltage equipment?

110. A straight line passes through (0.1, 0.4) and (0.6, 1.65). Its gradient is:

111. Only the apparatus needed for the current experiment should be:

112. A limitation of timing a single swing of a pendulum by hand is:

113. When using a radioactive source for the first time, you should:

114. Before using a stopwatch, you should:

115. A relationship containing a constant, e.g. F = kx, is supported when:

116. Wearing safety goggles protects against:

117. If you are unsure how to use a new piece of apparatus, you should:

118. If the mean of repeated readings is 6.25 s and the half range is 0.15 s, the percentage uncertainty is:

119. The main hazard when handling a radioactive source is:

120. A Bunsen burner on a crowded bench is dangerous because:

121. Taking only two readings to determine a relationship is poor because:

122. Two values of a constant are 0.48 and 0.50. The stated percentage uncertainty is 6%. The percentage difference (relative to the mean) and the conclusion are:

123. When a student is swinging a mass on a string, others should:

124. A voltmeter shows a reading when not connected. This indicates:

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

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