Sample Questions for Paper 3 of the SPM Examination

Part A

Answer all the questions

1 An experiment is carried out to determine the acceleration of a trolley that is moving

down an inclined plane.

In this experiment, the ticker tape is used to determine the trolley’s velocity.
The ticker timer that is used makes 50 ticks per second.
Starting from the first clearly marked tick, the tape that is obtained is cut into six cuttings,
each comprising 10 ticks. The tapes are as follows:

(a) Based on the description of the experiment, state

(i) the variable that is manipulated
[1 mark]
(ii) the variable that responds
[1 mark]
(iii) the variable that is kept constant
[1 mark]

(b) Based on the measurement l for the first cutting, calculate the velocity v for the first
cutting. This is the average velocity for the time t = 0.1 second.

[4 marks]

1
 (c) Based on the given diagram, record the value l for five other cuttings and calculate the
corresponding velocity v. Tabulate the your results for l and v in the spaces provided
below:

t/s l / cm v / cm s-1
0.1
0.3
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.1

(d) Based on your table, draw the graph of v against t on the graph paper provided.
[5 marks]

(e) From your graph, determine k, which is the gradient of the graph whose value equals
the acceleration a.
[1 mark]

2
A student carries out an experiment to study the relationship between the image distance v
and magnification M. The student uses a converging lens with a focal length of f for this
experiment.
The student uses different image distances, v, and records the corresponding magnification
M. Then, the student plots the graph of v against M, as shown in the above figure.
(a) Based on the graph in the above figure,
(i) state the relationship between v and M
[1 mark]

(ii) what is the magnification when v = 45 cm?

[Show how you determine the magnification M]
[2 marks]

(iii) calculate the gradient of the graph, k

[2 marks]

(b) By using the gradient value that is obtained in (a)(iii), find an equation that links v and
M.
[2 marks]

(c) Derive an equation that links v, M and f.

[3 marks]

(d) What is the focal length f, of the lens?

[1 mark]

(e) State one precautionary step that is taken in this experiment.

[1 mark]

3
Part B
Answer any one question.

1 A mother carries her son to a swimming pool and notices that her son’s feet look shorter
when they are under water.

Based on the above observation:

(a) State one suitable inference that can be made
(b) State one appropriate hypothesis for an investigation
(c) Describe an experimental framework to test your hypothesis. In your description,
state clearly the following items :
(i) Aim of the experiment
(ii) Variables of the experiment
(iii) Operational definition of the variable
(iv) List of apparatus and materials
(v) Apparatus set-up
(vi) Method of controlling the manipulated variable
(vii) Method of measuring the responding variable
(viii) Repetition of the experiment
(ix) Tabulation of the data
(x) Analysis of the data
[12 marks]

4
2 A car driver finds that the pressure of his car tyres is different if he measures the tyre
pressure before and after a long journey.

Based on the above observation:

(a) State one suitable inference that can be made
(b) State one appropriate hypothesis for an investigation
(c) Describe an experimental framework to test your hypothesis. In your description,
state clearly the following items:
(i) Aim of the experiment
(ii) Variables of the experiment
(iii) Operational definition of the variables
(iv) List of apparatus and materials
(v) Apparatus set-up
(vi) Method of controlling the manipulated variable
(vii) Method of measuring the responding variable
(viii) Repetition of the experiment
(ix) Tabulation of the data
(x) Analysis of the data
[12 marks]