Experimental Skills and Data Analysis MCQs

Question 1

The main hazard when heating water to boiling is:

Accepted Answer

scalding from hot water or steam

Answer

electric shock always

Answer

infection

Answer

radiation

Question 2

If the percentage difference is less than the percentage uncertainty, the conclusion is that:

Accepted Answer

the results are consistent with the relationship

Answer

the relationship is disproved

Answer

the experiment is invalid

Answer

the uncertainty is too small

Question 3

Choosing scales such as 1, 2, 5 or 10 units per large square makes:

Accepted Answer

plotting and reading values easier

Answer

the gradient zero

Answer

the graph more accurate automatically

Answer

the false origin unnecessary

Question 4

A thermometer reads from −10 °C to 110 °C. For a cooling experiment from 90 °C, the range of temperatures that can be recorded is limited by:

Accepted Answer

how far the liquid cools in the time available

Answer

the thermometer's colour

Answer

the thermometer range only

Answer

nothing

Question 5

A thermometer is graduated in 1 °C divisions. The absolute uncertainty in a reading is about:

Accepted Answer

pm 0.5 °C

Answer

pm 10 °C

Answer

pm 0.01 °C

Answer

pm 5 °C

Question 6

Hypothesis: 'The period of a pendulum does not depend on its mass.' The data show the same period for 50 g, 100 g and 200 g bobs. This:

Accepted Answer

supports the hypothesis

Answer

proves the opposite

Answer

disproves the hypothesis

Answer

is irrelevant

Question 7

Points (10, 50) and (30, 40) lie on a line. Its y-intercept is:

Accepted Answer

55

Answer

50

Answer

45

Answer

60

Question 8

When describing a modification, you should explain:

Accepted Answer

how it overcomes a stated limitation

Answer

only what it costs

Answer

nothing more

Answer

who suggested it

Question 9

Testing equipment before the experiment is important because:

Accepted Answer

faulty equipment gives wrong results and may cause injury

Answer

it wastes time

Answer

equipment is always perfect

Answer

it makes the experiment harder

Question 10

Coordinates read from a graph should be written:

Accepted Answer

with appropriate units and precision

Answer

to ten significant figures

Answer

as fractions only

Answer

without units

Question 11

If the y-intercept of a graph expected to pass through the origin is not zero, it suggests:

Accepted Answer

a systematic error

Answer

random error only

Answer

perfect data

Answer

a false origin

Question 12

Measurements should span the largest possible range because:

Accepted Answer

it shows the trend more clearly and reduces the effect of uncertainties on the gradient

Answer

it hides anomalies

Answer

it is quicker

Answer

it uses less equipment

Question 13

A line has gradient 3 and passes through (2, 10). Its y-intercept is:

Accepted Answer

4

Answer

16

Answer

6

Answer

10

Question 14

Ten oscillations take (15.0 pm 0.2) s. The absolute uncertainty in one period is:

Accepted Answer

pm 0.02 s

Answer

pm 2 s

Answer

pm 0.002 s

Answer

pm 0.2 s

Question 15

The line of best fit is used to:

Accepted Answer

find the gradient and intercept and to see the relationship

Answer

replace the data table

Answer

hide anomalies

Answer

change the units

Question 16

A simple pendulum should be clamped:

Accepted Answer

firmly between two small wooden blocks (split cork) at the top

Answer

by holding it in your hand

Answer

by tying it loosely to a pencil

Answer

to a moving object

Question 17

Repeated readings: 2.31, 2.35, 2.33. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

Accepted Answer

pm 0.02

Answer

pm 0.01

Answer

pm 0.04

Answer

pm 2.33

Question 18

Water and electrical equipment should be kept:

Accepted Answer

well apart on the bench

Answer

side by side

Answer

in the same tray

Answer

together for convenience

Question 19

If results contradict a hypothesis, a scientist should:

Accepted Answer

check the experiment, and if the results are confirmed, revise the hypothesis

Answer

always keep the hypothesis

Answer

change the data

Answer

ignore the results

Question 20

If you see another student doing something unsafe, you should:

Accepted Answer

tell the teacher

Answer

move their apparatus yourself

Answer

ignore it

Answer

join them

Question 21

When two quantities are multiplied or divided, the uncertainties in the result are found by:

Accepted Answer

adding their percentage uncertainties

Answer

multiplying their uncertainties

Answer

adding their absolute uncertainties

Answer

ignoring uncertainties

Question 22

A false origin is often marked by:

Accepted Answer

a zig-zag break on the axis or a clearly labelled starting value

Answer

a red dot

Answer

nothing ever

Answer

a circle

Question 23

To reduce heat loss in a specific heat capacity experiment, you could:

Accepted Answer

insulate the block with lagging

Answer

remove the insulation

Answer

heat it outdoors

Answer

use a larger heater only

Question 24

A single experiment that agrees with a hypothesis:

Accepted Answer

supports it but does not prove it

Answer

is useless

Answer

proves it for ever

Answer

disproves it

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 7)

151. The main hazard when heating water to boiling is:

152. If the percentage difference is less than the percentage uncertainty, the conclusion is that:

153. Choosing scales such as 1, 2, 5 or 10 units per large square makes:

154. A thermometer reads from −10 °C to 110 °C. For a cooling experiment from 90 °C, the range of temperatures that can be recorded is limited by:

155. A thermometer is graduated in 1 °C divisions. The absolute uncertainty in a reading is about:

156. Hypothesis: 'The period of a pendulum does not depend on its mass.' The data show the same period for 50 g, 100 g and 200 g bobs. This:

157. Points (10, 50) and (30, 40) lie on a line. Its y-intercept is:

158. When describing a modification, you should explain:

159. Testing equipment before the experiment is important because:

160. Coordinates read from a graph should be written:

161. If the y-intercept of a graph expected to pass through the origin is not zero, it suggests:

162. Measurements should span the largest possible range because:

163. A line has gradient 3 and passes through (2, 10). Its y-intercept is:

164. Ten oscillations take (15.0 pm 0.2) s. The absolute uncertainty in one period is:

165. The line of best fit is used to:

166. A simple pendulum should be clamped:

167. Repeated readings: 2.31, 2.35, 2.33. Using half the range, the absolute uncertainty is:

168. Water and electrical equipment should be kept:

169. If results contradict a hypothesis, a scientist should:

170. If you see another student doing something unsafe, you should:

171. When two quantities are multiplied or divided, the uncertainties in the result are found by:

172. A false origin is often marked by:

173. To reduce heat loss in a specific heat capacity experiment, you could:

174. A single experiment that agrees with a hypothesis:

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

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