Physics · May / June 2022 · Paper 62 · Question 4
0625
As printed in the paper
The question as text
A student investigates insulators. Plan an experiment to list insulating discs in order from best insulator to worst insulator. The following apparatus is available: • five discs made from different insulating materials • a thermometer • a stop-watch • a heated metal cylinder (see Fig. 4.1) • a second metal cylinder with a hole for the thermometer (see Fig. 4.1). electrical heater metal cylinder heated metal cylinder insulating disc thermometer Fig. 4.1 You can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory. In your plan, you should: • explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation • state the key variables that you would control • draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table) • explain how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.
Read automatically from the paper; the printed page above is exact.
Show the answer and mark scheme
method:
MP1
place disc between heated cylinder and metal cylinder / set up apparatus as shown in diagram
MP2
measure the time for lower cylinder to reach a certain temperature (rise) / measure the temperature (rise) reached in a certain time.
MP3
repeat with the other discs
MP4, MP5
key variables:
any two from:
thickness of disc
temperature of heated cylinder
initial temperature of lower cylinder
initial temperature of the disc
voltage/current/power of heater
time (of heating) (if temperature change is measured) OR temperature change (if time of heating is measured) MP6
table:
table with columns for (material of) disc, time / temperature difference (depending on MP2) with units in the headings only
MP7
conclusion:
(draw a graph/bar chart to) compare temperatures reached (in a certain time) / heating times (for a given temperature rise)
with the material of the insulator – the disc with the lowest (final) temperature (difference) / takes the longest time, is the best insulator
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: –
If candidate’s scale consists of actual readings at equal intervals this will produce a perfect straight line. The only mark available in this case is the first (axes right way round and labelled) So maximum 1.
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