MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Answers to Questions in Practical Workbook Chapter 3
Note: Answers are not given to questions dependent on student results.
Answers to questions in the Practical Workbook have been written by the author.
Practical 3: Density
Part B: Density of an irregularly shaped object
Evaluation
2 Make sure your eye is level with the bottom of the meniscus.
3 Any loss of water will affect the reliability of the volume measurements.
Part C: Density of a liquid
Analysis
2 Graph should be a straight line through the origin.
3 Graph should show a large triangle, to give the largest possible values for m2 − m1 and V2 −
V1. The gradient should be close to 1 g cm−3 or 1000 kg m−3, depending on the units for m
and V. Units are not required.
4 The gradient should equal the calculated value of density.
5 Mass is directly proportional to volume.
6 Take more readings, so the line of best fit on your graph is based on more plotted points.
Repeat all readings and calculate average values.
Exam-style questions
1 (a) mass and volume
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(b) Use the equation density =
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(c) Use a known number of spheres. Use an electronic balance to measure their mass.
(Alternatively, measure the mass of a measuring cylinder containing water, m1; add the
spheres to the cylinder and measure the new mass, m2; then subtract m1 from m2 to
find the mass of the spheres.)
Use the displacement method to find the volume of the spheres: record the volume of
water, V1, in a measuring cylinder; add the spheres and record the new volume, V2; then
subtract V1 from V2 to find the volume of the spheres.
Repeat this process at least five times, using different numbers of spheres.
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Calculate density using the equation density =
$%&'!(
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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Answers to Questions in Practical Workbook Chapter 3
(d) Any one from:
take care not to splash the water when adding spheres to the measuring cylinder
repeat all readings and calculate average values.
2 Brief description should include:
• use one of the four materials to create various shapes of different sizes
• fill glass beaker about ¾ full of water and place each object, one at a time, in the
water
• record whether the shape sinks or floats, and observe the waterline, i.e., how low in
the water the object is if it floats
Control variables include:
• same volume of water, same temperature of water
Test her theory? With a material that floats, e.g., polystyrene, and for a given shape,
estimate how much of the object is above the water line.
Table of results should have headings:
Material, shape, size (large or small), float or sink.
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