0793226427 phy1503 exam
Practice
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022
PHY1503
Physics Practical Work I
100 Marks
Duration: 2 Hours
Welcome to the PHY1503 practical post-test.
This paper consists of 6 pages, including the cover page.
Instructions:
Use of non-programmable scientific calculators is permissible.
Please answer ALL questions
Some useful equations are provided on the last page
First Examiner: Miss L Menzi ss
Exam practice 2022 to
2025 079 322 6427
1
, Question 1 [15]
A student investigated the coefficient of restitution of the collision of a glider with the spring
bumper of an air track, using an experimental setup illustrated in the figure below.
After plotting a graph of 𝑥2 vs 𝑥1 the following results were obtained:
Slope m 0.934
Error on slope 3.508 × 10-3
y-intercept c 1.386 × 10-2 m
Error in y-intercept 4.684 × 10-3 m
Correlation coefficient r (%) 100.0
a) What is represented by the slope and the y-intercept of the graph? (3)
b) Use this data to determine the coefficient of restitution as well as the error on the
coefficient of restitution. (5)
c) Comment on the accuracy and precision of the results in the above table. (4)
d) Comment on the elasticity of the collision. Motivate your reasoning. (3)
Question 2 [10]
Consider the following figure of a simple pendulum.
a) Sketch the above figure in your answer book, and indicate all forces acting on the pendulum
bob in all five positions. (5)
b) Consider a simple pendulum consisting of a mass 𝑚 suspended from a fixed point by a string
of length 𝐿, and a period 𝑇. Explain what equation you would use (rewrite in straight line
2
Practice
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022
PHY1503
Physics Practical Work I
100 Marks
Duration: 2 Hours
Welcome to the PHY1503 practical post-test.
This paper consists of 6 pages, including the cover page.
Instructions:
Use of non-programmable scientific calculators is permissible.
Please answer ALL questions
Some useful equations are provided on the last page
First Examiner: Miss L Menzi ss
Exam practice 2022 to
2025 079 322 6427
1
, Question 1 [15]
A student investigated the coefficient of restitution of the collision of a glider with the spring
bumper of an air track, using an experimental setup illustrated in the figure below.
After plotting a graph of 𝑥2 vs 𝑥1 the following results were obtained:
Slope m 0.934
Error on slope 3.508 × 10-3
y-intercept c 1.386 × 10-2 m
Error in y-intercept 4.684 × 10-3 m
Correlation coefficient r (%) 100.0
a) What is represented by the slope and the y-intercept of the graph? (3)
b) Use this data to determine the coefficient of restitution as well as the error on the
coefficient of restitution. (5)
c) Comment on the accuracy and precision of the results in the above table. (4)
d) Comment on the elasticity of the collision. Motivate your reasoning. (3)
Question 2 [10]
Consider the following figure of a simple pendulum.
a) Sketch the above figure in your answer book, and indicate all forces acting on the pendulum
bob in all five positions. (5)
b) Consider a simple pendulum consisting of a mass 𝑚 suspended from a fixed point by a string
of length 𝐿, and a period 𝑇. Explain what equation you would use (rewrite in straight line
2
