ON21 P52 Q2 GM Tube Radiation

9702/52/O/N/21: A Geiger–Müller (G–M) tube is a device that can detect beta-radiation. A student places paper between a radioactive source emitting beta-radiation and a G–M tube, as shown in Fig. 2.1. The G–M tube is connected to a rate-meter which records the count rate R. The thickness t of the paper is measured in two different places using a micrometer. The student repeats the experiment for different thicknesses of paper.

It is suggested that R and t are related by the equation \(R =R_0 e^{-\mu t} \) where \(R0\) is the count rate without any paper and μ is a constant.

Sample solutions for practical Paper 5 variant 2 Question 2 October/November 2021 Cambridge A Level Physics.

MJ21 P51 Q2 Glider Collision

 9702/51/M/J/21: A student investigates the collision of two gliders A and B on a linear air-track. A card is attached to glider B, as shown in Fig. 2.1. Glider B has a mass M. A mass m is added to glider B. Glider A travels at a constant velocity u towards the stationary glider B. The gliders then collide and move together towards the light gate. The card passes through the light gate which is connected to a data logger. The student records the velocity v of the two gliders from the data logger.

The student changes the mass m and repeats the experiment. It is suggested that v and m are related by the equation \(Au = (M + m + A)v\) where A is the mass of glider A.

Sample solutions for practical Paper 5 variant 1 Question 2 May/June 2021 Cambridge A Level Physics.

FM21 P52 Q2 Glider Collision Speed

 9702/52/F/M/21: A student investigates the collision of two gliders A and B on a linear air-track, as shown in Fig. 2.1. The light gate is connected to a timer. A card of length L is attached to glider B. The mass of glider B and the card is m. Glider B is initially at rest.

The student releases glider A so that it travels at a constant velocity u towards the stationary glider B. The gliders collide and then separate. The card on glider B passes through the light gate. The student records the time t for the card to pass through the light gate from the timer.

The student changes the mass of glider B and repeats the experiment.

It is suggested that the velocity v of glider B as it passes through the light gate and m are related by the equation

\(v = \dfrac{2uA}{m + A} \)

where A is the mass of glider A.

Solutions for practical Paper 5 variant 1 Question 2 February/March 2021 Cambridge A Level Physics.

FM21 P52 Q1 Oscillating Cylinder in Liquid

 9702/52/F/M/21: A student investigates the vertical oscillations of a solid cylinder which floats in cooking oil. Fig. 1.1 shows a cylinder of radius r. The student places the cylinder of mass m in the oil. The cylinder is displaced vertically from its equilibrium position and released so that it oscillates. The period T of the oscillations is determined. A number of cylinders of different mass are available.

It is suggested that the relationship between T and m is 

\(T = 2 \sqrt{\dfrac{\pi m}{\sigma K r^2}} \)

where σ is the density of the oil and K is a constant. 

Design a laboratory experiment to test the relationship between T and m. Explain how your results could be used to determine a value for K.

Solutions for practical Paper 5 variant 1 Question 1 February/March 2021 Cambridge A Level Physics.