Physics · May / June 2022 · Paper 61 · Question 4
0625
As printed in the paper
The question as text
A student investigates the force required to break different beams made from a mixture of sand and cement. All the beams have the same cross‑section. Plan an experiment to investigate the force required to break the beams. Fig. 4.1 shows the set‑up. triangular blocks load beam bench Fig. 4.1 The following apparatus is available: • a selection of beams made from different ratios of sand and cement and of various lengths • triangular blocks to support the beams • a metre rule • a selection of loads. You can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory. The student takes all the necessary safety precautions. You are not required to write about safety precautions. In your plan, you should: • explain briefly how to carry out the investigation (you may add to the diagram if it helps your explanation) • state the key variables to keep constant • draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how to display your readings (you are n required to enter any readings in the table) • explain how you would use the readings to reach a conclusion.
Read automatically from the paper; the printed page above is exact.
Show the answer and mark scheme
MP1
identify variable under test
either distance between supports / length of beam OR composition of beam (proportion of sand / cement)
MP2
increase load until beam breaks (and record load)
MP3
repeat for (at least 2 more) different beams or (2 more) different lengths
MP4
constant variable identified (in relation to variable under test)
distance between supports
position of load
composition of beam (if not independent variable)
same length of beam (if not independent variable)
MP5
table with columns for distance / length or composition, and (maximum) load with units required for load and
distance / length
MP6
conclusion
compare breaking load with variable under test OR
plot a graph of load against length
MP7
additional point
any one from:
at least 5 sets of results
repeats of individual tests and average
(rough initial test then) adding small loads near breaking load
carefully place loads on beam
NOTE: The principle to apply here is ‘could I draw a significantly better line, using these points, under examination conditions?’ If the answer is definitely ‘yes’, do not award the mark.
NOTE:
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