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Date May 2017 Marks available 3 Reference code 17M.3.SL.TZ1.2
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 1
Command term State and Calculate Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

In a simple pendulum experiment, a student measures the period T of the pendulum many times and obtains an average value T = (2.540 ± 0.005) s. The length L of the pendulum is measured to be L = (1.60 ± 0.01) m.

Calculate, using g = 4 π 2 L T 2 , the value of the acceleration of free fall, including its uncertainty. State the value of the uncertainty to one significant figure.

[3]
a.

In a different experiment a student investigates the dependence of the period T of a simple pendulum on the amplitude of oscillations θ. The graph shows the variation of T T 0 with θ, where T0 is the period for small amplitude oscillations.

The period may be considered to be independent of the amplitude θ as long as T T 0 T 0 < 0.01 . Determine the maximum value of θ for which the period is independent of the amplitude.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

g = 4 π 2 × 1.60 2.540 2 = 9.7907

Δ g = g ( Δ L L + 2 × Δ T T ) =  « 9.7907 ( 0.01 1.60 + 2 × 0.005 2.540 ) = » 0.0997

OR

1.0%

hence g = (9.8 ± 0.1) «m s−2» OR Δ= 0.1 «m s−2»

 

For the first marking point answer must be given to at least 2 dp.
Accept calculations based on

g max = 9.8908

g min = 9.6913

g max g min 2 = 0.099 0.1

[3 marks]

a.

T T 0 = 1.01

θmax = 22 «º»

 

Accept answer from interval 20 to 24.

[2 marks]

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 1: Measurements and uncertainties » 1.2 – Uncertainties and errors
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