9702 Physics June 2025 Question Paper 31

1 In this experiment, you will investigate the oscillation of masses on springs.

You have been provided with masses and springs.

Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1. boss wooden rod stand bench mass S double spring spring 100 g mass hanger and 100 g mass Fig. 1.1

(a) ● Ensure the bottoms of both masses are at the same level.

● Pull both masses down through a short distance and release them at the same time.

● Watch the oscillations of the masses. The masses initially oscillate in phase, then out of phase and then back in phase.

● The number of oscillations of mass S from release until the masses are back in phase for the first time is n0.

Determine and record n0.

n0 = [2]

(b) (i) ● Add a mass of 30 g to mass S. The added mass is M.

● Record M.

M = ● Repeat (a). The number of oscillations of mass S from release until the masses are back in phase for the first time is n.

● Determine and record n.

n = [1]

(ii) Calculate N, where N = n0 – n.

N = [1] , ,

(c) Vary M by changing the number of 10 g masses added to mass S and determine n. Do not use M = 0.

Repeat until you have five sets of values of M and n.

Record your results in a table. Include values of N. Also include values of N 3 to three significant figures.

[8]

(d) (i) Plot a graph of N 3 on the y-axis against M on the x-axis. [3]

(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit. [1]

(iii) Determine the gradient and y-intercept of this line.

gradient = y-intercept = [2] , , , ,

(e) It is suggested that the quantities N and M are related by the equation N 3 = PM + Q

where P and Q are constants.

Using your answers in (d)(iii), determine the values of P and Q.

Give appropriate units.

P = Q = [2]

[Total: 20] , , You may not need to use all of the materials provided. , ,

2 In this experiment, you will investigate the behaviour of paper on water.

You have been provided with two sheets of tracing paper.

(a) ● On one of the sheets of tracing paper, draw two identical rectangles as shown in Fig. 2.1 where c = 4.0 cm and d = 6.0 cm. The orientation of the rectangles must be as shown in Fig. 2.1.

● Add labels A and B to the rectangles, as shown in Fig. 2.1. A long side of tracing paper short side of tracing paper B d d c c Fig. 2.1

● Use the scissors to cut out the rectangles.

● Take measurements to determine the average value of d.

d = cm [1]

(b) (i) ● When A is placed flat on the surface of the water in one of the bowls, the shape will curl up as shown in Fig. 2.2. Two edges of the paper will curl and then meet. edge edge Fig. 2.2

The time between placing A on the water and the two edges meeting is TA.

● Place A flat on the water.

● Determine TA.

TA = ● Remove A from the water and place it in the empty bowl.

[2]

(ii) Estimate the percentage uncertainty in your value of TA. Show your working.

percentage uncertainty = % [1]

(c) (i) ● Repeat the procedure in (b)(i) for B. The time between placing B on the water and the two edges meeting is TB.

TB = ● Remove B from the water.

● Compare your values of TA and TB. Record the longer time.

longer time = [1] , ,

(ii) The quantity W is given by W = longer time shorter time .

Calculate W.

W = [1]

(iii) Justify the number of significant figures that you have given for your value of W [1]

(d) Repeat (a), (b)(i), (c)(i) and (c)(ii) using new rectangles with c = 4.0 cm and d = 9.0 cm.

d = cm

TA = TB = longer time = W = [3] , ,

(e) It is suggested that the relationship between W and d is W 2 = kd

where k is a constant.

Using your data, calculate two values of k.

first value of k = second value of k = [1]

(f) It is suggested that the percentage uncertainty in the values of k is 20%.

Using this uncertainty, explain whether your results support the relationship in (e) [1] , ,

(g) (i) Describe four sources of uncertainty or limitations of the procedure for this experiment.

For any uncertainties in measurement that you describe, you should state the quantity being measured and a reason for the uncertainty. 1 2 3 4 [4]

(ii) Describe four improvements that could be made to this experiment. You may suggest the use of other apparatus or different procedures. 1 2 3 4 [4]

[Total: 20] , ,