MJ22 P52 Q1 Magnetic Launcher "Rail Gun" Metal Bar

9702/52/M/J/22: Two parallel cylindrical conductors each have a small cross‑sectional area A. A thin metal bar connects the two conductors, as shown in Fig. 1.1. The metal bar has a square cross‑section with sides of length y. For each conductor, the distance between its end C and the centre of the metal bar is L. The distance between the centres of the conductors is x.

The ends C are connected to a power supply and the current I in the conductors is measured.

It is suggested that I is related to L by the relationship

\(\dfrac{e}{I} = \dfrac{2PL}{A} + \dfrac{Qx}{y^2} \)

where E is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the power supply, and P and Q are constants.

Plan a laboratory experiment to test the relationship between I and L. Draw a diagram showing the arrangement of your equipment. Explain how the results could be used to determine values for P and Q.

Sample work sheet for planning before actually writing the solutions on the lines:

Sample solutions for practical Paper 5 variant 2 Question 1 May/June 2022 Cambridge A Level Physics.

SP22 P5 Q1 Mutual Inductance of Two Coils

 9702/5/SP/22: A circular coil P carrying an alternating current produces a changing magnetic field. When a second similar coil Q is placed with its centre a distance x from the centre of coil P, as shown in Fig. 1.1, an electromotive force (e.m.f.) E is induced in coil Q.

It is suggested that E is related to x by the relationship \(E = IZe^{–kx}\) where I is the current in coil P, and k and Z are constants.

Plan a laboratory experiment to test the relationship between E and x.

Draw a diagram showing the arrangement of your equipment.

Explain how the results could be used to determine values for k and Z.

Sample solutions for practical Paper 5 Question 1 Specimen Paper 2022 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.