Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2019 · Paper 53 · Question 1

A student is investigating the bending of a loaded wooden strip. Fig. 1.1 shows a rectangular strip of width b and thickness t overhanging the edge of a bench. A length L of the strip is unsupported. b t L P bench strip Fig. 1.1 A load of mass M is positioned at point P. This causes the unsupported part of the strip to bend with a deflection s, as shown in Fig. 1.2. bench s Fig. 1.2 (not to scale) It is suggested that the relationship between s and L is E = 4MgL3 bst 3 where g is the acceleration of free fall and E is the Young modulus of the wood. Design a laboratory experiment to test the relationship between s and L. Explain how your results could be used to determine a value for E. You should draw a diagram, on page 3, showing the arrangement of your equipment. In your account you should pay particular attention to: • the procedure to be followed • the measurements to be taken • the control of variables • the analysis of the data • any safety precautions to be taken. 3 Diagram 4 [15]

Read automatically from the paper; the printed page above is exact.