IB Physics HL S1.1 Experimental techniques Questions

SLSL HLHL

Practise IB Physics HL S1.1 by designing measurements, propagating uncertainty and evaluating complex experimental evidence.

16 questions in this syllabus scope, with question parts counted together.

Exam points & syllabus

Exam points

Explain radiation monitoring through film darkening over time and distinguish radiation types using filters.
Identify the ethical consequence of a stated treatment risk or of withholding treatment; use the supplied complications and benefits.
Justify the stated imaging safety choice by linking X-rays to ionization and possible harm to the developing fetus.
Match measuring instruments to both scale and resolution: a sufficiently long ruler for wire length and a micrometer or caliper for diameter.
Choose an additional mass or equilibrium-temperature measurement that completes the stated calorimetry experiment.
Read measurement precision from the displayed mass digits and use the stated accepted division or half-division convention.
Control reading bias: use the mirror to reduce parallax and subtract the signed closed-jaw reading when correcting a caliper zero error.

Covered syllabus points

S1.1.1—Safety and ethics S1.1.2—Measurement variables

Exam points

Explain how photographic film darkens with radiation to monitor exposure over time; filters distinguish radiation types.
Use the stated treatment risks to identify an ethical trade-off between complications and untreated cancer spreading or causing pain.
For the stated fetal-imaging comparison, link X-rays to ionization and possible tissue harm; moving images alone earns no credit.

[Maximum number: 4]

This question is about the use of radioactive isotopes.

(a)

Radiologists working with radioactive sources wear a film badge. Discuss the function of a film badge.

[ 3 ]

(b)

One of the side effects of the use of Sr -89 is the reduction of white blood cells in the body, leaving the patient prone to infections. Outline one ethical implication of the choice between using Sr-89 to treat bone cancer and not carrying out treatment.

[ 1 ]

Exam points

Use the mirror behind an analogue pointer to avoid parallax when reading its scale.
For the stated calorimetry setup, identify a required mass or final equilibrium temperature; an extra incorrect measurement can lose the mark.
For a 462 mm wire, specify a half-metre or metre ruler, or millimetre-graduated tape; a bare ruler is insufficient.
Measure the thin wire diameter with a micrometer or vernier caliper rather than a ruler.
Read mass precision from the displayed decimal places: 1.427 g indicates 0.001 g; the stated scheme also accepts half a division.
Subtract the closed-jaw zero reading from the caliper reading: 20.6 - (-0.3) gives a diameter of 20.9 mm.

[Maximum number: 2]

A student determines the resistivity $\rho$ of a metal that is in the form of a cylindrical wire. The student makes the following measurements:

\text { Length } L \text { of the wire }=(462 \pm 2) \mathrm{mm}

Readings for the diameter d of the wire:

\text { Resistance } R \text { of the wire }=13.7 \Omega \pm 1.5 \%

(a)

Suggest suitable instruments for the measurement of

[ 2 ]

(i)

$\quad L$

[ 1 ]

(ii)

[ 1 ]

Question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)