Experimental questions classwork [15 marks]
1. [Maximum mark: 8] 23M.3.HL.TZ1.1
A student attaches one end of a copper wire to an oscillator operating at a fixed
frequency. The other end of the wire passes over a pulley to weights that hang
vertically. The first harmonic standing wave is established by using the slider to
change the length of the wire. The procedure is repeated for different weights.
The mass m of the weights and the wavelength λ of the wave are related by
μf 2 2
m = λ
g
where μ is a constant, f is the frequency of the wave and g = 9.8 m s−2 .
(a) Deduce the unit of μ in terms of fundamental SI units. [1]
Markscheme
−2
» kg × m−1
kg×m s
[μ] = « s
−2 2
×m
Accept kg/m.
Do not accept g m−1.
(b) The graph shows the data obtained by the student, plotted to
show the variation of m with λ2.
(b.i) Draw the line of best fit for these data. [1]
Markscheme
straight line through all error bars ✓
(b.ii) Identify the evidence for a systematic error in the data. [1]
Markscheme
line does not go through the origin «and all error bars» ✓
(b.iii) Suggest a possible reason for the systematic error. [1]
Markscheme
mass of tray of weights neglected/friction at pulley/friction at
slider/thickness of slider/zero off-set error ✓
Do not allow vague answers like friction neglected / error in length measurement.
(b.iv) Calculate the gradient of the graph. [2]
Markscheme
large enough triangle Δm ≥ 50 g✓
answer in range 0.210 − 0.240 «kg m−1» ✓
Accept answers in g m−2.
Do not allow ECF from MP1.
(c) The percentage uncertainty of the gradient is 6.0 %. The
frequency f of the wave is (60.0 ± 2.0 %) Hz.
Estimate, using the answer to (b)(iv), μ for the string. Include the
percentage uncertainty of μ in your answer. [2]
Markscheme
» = 6.229 × 10−4 «kg × m−1»
g×gradient
μ=« f
2
percentage uncertainty = 6.0 + 2 × 2.0 = 10 % ✓
Accept μ in the range 5.7 to 6.6.
Allow answer in g m−1 .
Allow ECF from (b).
2. [Maximum mark: 7] 23M.3.HL.TZ1.2
A student wants to verify the relation T = 2π√ L
g
between the period T of a
simple pendulum and the length L of the pendulum, where g is the acceleration
of free fall. The student operates a stopwatch to measure one oscillation and a
millimeter ruler to measure the length of the pendulum.
(a) State, for this experiment,
(a.i) one variable that must be controlled, [1]
Markscheme
mass OR diameter OR material of bob OR « initial » amplitude/angle ✓
Do not allow statements about rulers, stopwatches, string, number of oscillations, constant gravity.
(a.ii) the main source of error in T. [1]
Markscheme
student’s reaction time «in starting and stopping stopwatch» /
starting/stopping stopwatch ✓
(b) To determine T more precisely, the student measures the total
time for 20 oscillations and divides by 20.
Suggest why this is preferable to measuring the time for just
one oscillation. [2]
Markscheme
it reduces «the random» error/uncertainty ✓
by a factor of 20 «compared to that in a single period measurement» ✓
For MP1, allow increasing accuracy/precision.
Award [0] for answers related to number of trials, 20 measurements of one period.
(c.i) The student plots a graph with L on the horizontal axis. State the
variable that must be plotted on the vertical axis in order to
obtain a line of best fit that is straight. [1]
Markscheme
T2 ✓
(c.ii) Calculations using the data of the experiment show that g =
9.71622 m s−2 with a percentage uncertainty of 8 %. Determine
the value of g that can be obtained from this experiment.
Include the absolute uncertainty in g to one significant figure. [2]
Markscheme
g = 9.7 «m s−2» ✓
Δg = 0.8 «m s−2» ✓
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024
