5

2 A student investigates the discharge of capacitors in the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1.

CA CB

Fig. 2.1

The capacitors have capacitances CA and CB.

The student closes the switch to charge the capacitors.

The switch is opened and a stop-watch is started. The capacitors discharge through the resistor of
resistance R. At a fixed time t the voltmeter reading V is recorded.

The experiment is repeated for different values of CA and CB.

For each combination of CA and CB, the combined capacitance C is calculated.

It is suggested that C and V are related by the equation

_ t
V = I0Re CR

where I0 is the initial current in the resistor.

1
(a) A graph is plotted of lnV on the y-axis against C on the x-axis.

Determine expressions for the gradient and y-intercept.

gradient = ...............................................................

y-intercept = ...............................................................
[1]

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(b) Values of CA, CB and V are given in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

CA / 10– 4 F CB / 10– 4 F 1 / 104 F–1 V/V ln (V / V)

C

2.2 2.2 2.45 ± 0.05

2.2 3.3 2.75 ± 0.05

2.2 5.6 3.05 ± 0.05

3.3 3.3 3.10 ± 0.05

3.3 5.6 3.50 ± 0.05

5.6 5.6 3.85 ± 0.05

The relationship between C, CA and CB is

1 CA + CB
= .
C CACB

1
Calculate and record values of C / 104 F–1 and ln (V / V) in Table 2.1.

Include the absolute uncertainties in ln (V / V). [2]

1
(c) (i) Plot a graph of ln (V / V) against C / 104 F–1.

Include error bars for ln (V / V). [2]

(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line on your graph. Label
both lines. [2]

(iii) Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your
answer.

gradient = ......................................................... [2]

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Diagram

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level
* 8 4 6 4 8 3 4 9 6 0 *

PHYSICS 9702/52
Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation October/November 2023

1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 30.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 8 pages.

DC (PQ/SG) 313503/2
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1.40

1.35

In (V / V)

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.05

1.00

0.95

0.90

0.85
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
1 4 –1
C / 10 F

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 8

(iv) Determine the y-intercept of the line of best fit. Do not include the absolute uncertainty.

y-intercept = ......................................................... [1]

(d) (i) Using your answers to (a), (c)(iii) and (c)(iv), determine the values of R and I0. Include
appropriate units.

Data: t = (30 ± 1) s

R = ...............................................................

I0 = ...............................................................
[3]

(ii) Determine the percentage uncertainty in R.

percentage uncertainty in R = ..................................................... % [1]

(e) The experiment is repeated with the same value of t. Determine the combined capacitance C
that gives a value of V of 1.20 V.

C = ...................................................... F [1]

[Total: 15]
To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

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 2

1 Two identical beakers, each of mass M, are attached to each other using string and suspended
from a pulley, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

pulley

string

surface
beakers h

Fig. 1.1 (not to scale)

The beakers are held at rest at a height h above a surface. Cooking oil of volume V is added to
one of the beakers.

The beakers are released so that the beaker with the oil begins to fall. The speed of the beaker as
it reaches the surface is z.

It is suggested that z is related to V by the relationship

2h 2M 1
= +
z2 abV b
where a and b are constants.

Plan a laboratory experiment to test the relationship between z and V.

Draw a diagram showing the arrangement of your equipment.

Explain how the results could be used to determine values for a and b.

In your plan you should include:

● 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.

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