CHIJ ST.

NICHOLAS GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Practical R4: 2020 GCE O-Level Q1 and Q2

Name: ………………………….…..…..( ) Class: 4……. Date: ……………

Duration: 55 minutes Total marks: 20

1 In this experiment, you will investigate the effect of a frictional load on an electric
motor.

(a) Set up the circuit shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

Fix the motor to the bench using the piece of Blu-Tack, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.2

(i) With the switch open, record the voltmeter reading V0.

V0 = 4.85 V (4.50 V to 5.00 V) [1]

(ii) Check that the shaft of the motor is free to spin by rotating it a few times by
hand.

Close the switch.

Record the potential difference V1 across the motor and the current I1 in the
circuit.
V1 = 2.55 V [1]
I1 = 0.15 A [1]

Precision of 5 V voltmeter to 0.05 V

Precision of 1 A ammeter to 0.01 A

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 (iii) Open the switch.

Calculate the input power P1 to the motor using the equation shown.

P1 = V1 I 1

P = 2.55 x 0.15 = 0.38 W

P1 = 0.38 W [1]
Correct calculation, unit and expressed to 2 s.f.
(b) Close the switch.

Use the wooden rod to press gently on the shaft of the motor, as shown in Fig.
1.3.

Fig. 1.3

Press down on the wooden rod until the shaft just stops spinning.

(i) Record the potential difference V2 across the motor and the current I2 in
the circuit.

V2 = 0.10 V
I2 = 0.33 A
Lower voltage and higher current than (a)(i) [1]
Open the switch.

(ii) Calculate the resistance R of the motor using the equation shown.

V2
R=
I2

R = 0.10/0.33 = 0.30 
R = 0.30  [1]
Correction calculation, unit and expressed to 2 s.f.

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(c) Some of the input energy to the motor (a)(iii) is wasted at thermal energy in the
coil of the motor.

The proportion Q of the energy wasted in this way is given by the equation
shown.

I1R
Q=
V1

Calculate Q.

Q = (0.15 x 0.30)/2.55 = 0.0176

Q = 0.018 [1]
Correction calculation with no unit, accept 2 to 3 s.f.

(d) A student uses the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.4 to determine the minimum force
F that the rod exerts on the shaft of the motor to stop it spinning.

Fig. 1.4

Describe how F may be determined using the apparatus in Fig. 1.4.

Raise the boss until the motor stop spinning and

measure the length l of the stretched spring. [1]

Use the slotted masses to extend the spring to the same

length l. The minimum force F is 10 times the total mass
used (in kg). [1]

(e) Suggest a change to the apparatus in Fig. 1.4 so that F can be

measured directly.

Replace the spring with a spring balance/force-meter. [1]

3
 [Total: 10]

2 In this experiment, you will investigate the effect of a spinning mass.

You are provided with:

1 N mass-hangar and four 1 N weights stop watch
half-metre rule stand, boss and clamp
length of string attached to a wooden rod

Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.1.

Ensure that the weight is directly above the base of the stand so that it does not topple
over.

Adjust the position of the boss so that the bottom of the 5 N weight is approximately 2
cm above the base of the stand.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1 shows the weight and the string in the equilibrium position.

(a) Measure

the height h of the top of the weight above the base of the stand in the equilibrium
position.

h = 7.1 cm
the length j of one side of the string.

j = 31.0 cm
the distance k between the two points where the string is attached to the rod.

k = 12.1 cm

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 Reasonable values with correct precision and unit.

(b) Rotate the weight clockwise when viewed from above until h increases by 10 mm.
Release the weight and immediately start the stopwatch.
The time for the string to be first fully unwind is t.

Determine an accurate value for t.

t1/s t1/s t1/s tave/s

4.88 4.90 4.95 4.91

t = 4.91 s (4.60 s to 5.20 s) [1]

Taking average with at least 2 readings. [1]

(c) The rate of which gravitational potential energy is transferred by the spinning
weight can be calculated using the equation

W ∆h
P=
t

where W is the weight on the string and h is the change in h.

Calculate P1 using your value of t from (b).

5 ×0.010
P 1=
4.91
¿ 0.010 W

correct substitution [M1]

correct calculation and unit. [A1]
(d) Remove three weights rom the mass-hanger, Repeat (b) and (c) to obtain an new
value, P2.

t1/s t1/s t1/s tave/s

3.99 4.20 4.14 4.11

t = 4.11 s
2× 0.010
P2=
4.11
¿ 0.049 W

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 Lower t and P with correct calculation. [1]

(e) Plan an experiment to investigate the relationship between P and W.

Your plan should include

 a list of the quantities that remain constant,

 a description of how you would perform the experiment,
 a sketch of the graph that you would plot using preliminary observations.
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.1
2. Carry out steps (b) and (c) to obtain values of t and P for
W = 5.0 N.
3. Measure h and repeat steps (b) and (c) to obtain another
4 sets of t and P for W = 1.0 N, 2.0 N, 3.0 N and 4.0 N.
Removing one 1N weight from the mass hanger each
time. [1]
4. Ensure that h, k and j are kept constant throughout the
experiment. These are the controlled variables. [1]
5. Tabulate W/N, t1/s, t2/s, t/s and P.
(Note not required for this planning as not asked for)
W/N t1/s t2/s t/s P/W
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
∆h
6. Plot a graph of P against W, where gradient=
t [1]
Note: This is the expected
P/W relationship based on your 2
sets of results.
As W increases, t increases,
∆h
ratio of t decreases, hence
gradient decreases.

W/N
0

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7. Correct sketch of graph for suggested relationship for
preliminary investigation [1]