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This question is about an experiment to measure the wavelength of microwaves - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 3

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This question is about an experiment to measure the wavelength of microwaves. A microwave transmitter T and a receiver R are arranged on a line marked on the bench.... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about an experiment to measure the wavelength of microwaves - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 3

Step 1

State the phase difference between the sets of waves superposing at R when the ammeter reading is a minimum.

96%

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Answer

The phase difference between sets of waves superposing at R when the ammeter reading is a minimum is 180 degrees. This indicates that the waves are out of phase.

Step 2

Explain why the minimum reading is not zero when the distance x is measured.

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Answer

The minimum reading is not zero due to the phenomenon of standing waves resulting from the superposition of the incident and reflected microwaves. When reflections occur, there are points of constructive and destructive interference, leading to non-zero readings.

Step 3

Describe a procedure that the student could use to make sure that M is parallel to the marked line before measuring each value of x.

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Answer

To ensure that M is parallel to the marked line, the student can use the following procedure:

  1. Use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure the distance from the edges of the metal sheet M to the marked line at both ends of M.
  2. Adjust M until both measurements are equal, ensuring that M is parallel to the marked line.
  3. Optionally, place a right-angle tool or level against the edge of M to visually confirm its orientation.
  4. Once confirmed, take the measurement of x.

Step 4

Determine the maximum gradient Gmax of a line that passes through all the error bars.

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Answer

The maximum gradient GmaxG_{max} can be calculated by drawing a line of best fit through the highest data points while ensuring that it accounts for all error bars. Using data points from the graph, the maximum gradient is found to be approximately 2.3 × 10².

Step 5

Determine the minimum gradient Gmin of a line that passes through all the error bars.

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Answer

The minimum gradient GminG_{min} is determined by plotting a line of best fit that includes all the lowest data points and takes into account the error bars. From the data, the minimum gradient is approximately 2.5 × 10².

Step 6

Determine λ using your results for Gmax and Gmin.

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Answer

Using the formula ( \lambda = \frac{(G_{max} + G_{min})}{2} ) and substituting the values: ( \lambda = \frac{(2.3 × 10^2 + 2.5 × 10^2)}{2} = 2.4 × 10^2 ) Thus, the wavelength (\lambda) is approximately 2.4 × 10² m.

Step 7

Determine the percentage uncertainty in your result for λ.

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Answer

The percentage uncertainty can be calculated using the formula: [ \text{percentage uncertainty} = \left(\frac{\text{uncertainty}}{\lambda}\right) \times 100 ] Substituting the values, if the uncertainty is 0.025 m: [ \text{percentage uncertainty} = \left(\frac{0.025}{2.4 × 10^2}\right) \times 100 \approx 0.0104% ]

Step 8

Explain how the graph in Figure 4 can be used to obtain the value of y.

99%

104 rated

Answer

The graph in Figure 4 can be used to obtain the value of y by determining the y-intercept of the line of best fit. The y-intercept corresponds to the constant value in the equation that describes the relationship between the variables, indicating the distance y.

Step 9

Add a tick (✓) in each row of Table 1 to identify the effect on the results you would obtain for Gmax, Gmin, λ and y.

96%

101 rated

Answer

If the data for n = 13 had not been plotted:

  • GmaxG_{max}: Reduced ✓
  • GminG_{min}: Reduced ✓
  • λ: Not affected ✓
  • y: Not affected ✓
    This indicates that the absence of the n=13 data affects the maximum and minimum gradients but not λ and y.

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