Paper 1 Practicals

Question 1

Describe the force extension practical

Answer 1

• set up a clamp stand with a clamp
• suspend spring from clamp
• use a second clamp and boss to fix a meter ruler alongside the spring
• (eye level with bottom of the spring) measure the initial displacement of the spring
• attatch mass holder to bottom of the spring
• eye level with bottom of the spring, measure new displacement , and calculate the spring extention (new-initial displacement )
• repeat with different mass hangers , record extentions

Question 2

What are possible sources of inaccuracy ?

Answer 2

• not clamping the ruler verticle
• paralax error
• holding the ruler instead of fixing

Question 3

How would you increase the accuracy ?

Answer 3

when taking readings , make sure you are eye leve with the ruler

Question 4

How would you increase the accuracy ?

Answer 4

when taking readings , make sure you are eye leve with the ruler

Question 5

Why are more readings taken?

Answer 5

to identify any anomolous results
to reduce the effect of random error

Question 6

How could you reduce the effect of random errors?

Answer 6

• repeat some measurments
• ignore anomalities , calculate the mean/average