A-Level AQA Physics Bulk Properties of Solids: Figure 5 shows a strip of steel

Question

Figure 5 shows a strip of steel of rectangular cross-section clamped at one end. The strip extends horizontally over the edge of a bench.

A mass m is suspended from the free end of the strip. This produces a vertical displacement y.
A student intends to measure y with the aid of a horizontal pin fixed to the free end of the steel strip. 
She positions a clamped vertical ruler behind the pin, as shown in Figure 6.

Explain a procedure to avoid parallax error when judging the reading indicated by the position of the pin on the ruler.
You may add detail to Figure 6 to illustrate your answer.

It can be shown that 
$$ y = \frac{4mgL^3}{Ewt^3} $$
where:
$L$ is the distance between the free end of the unloaded strip and the blocks
$w$ is the width of the strip and is approximately 1 cm
$t$ is the thickness of the strip and is approximately 1 mm
$E$ is the Young modulus of the steel.

A student is asked to determine $E$ using the arrangement shown in Figure 5 with the following restrictions:
- only one steel strip of approximate length 30 cm is available
- $m$ must be made using a 50 g mass hanger and up to four additional 50 g slotted masses.
- the experimental procedure must involve only one variable.
- a graphical method must be used to get the result for $E$.

Explain what the student must do to determine $E$.

Figure 5 shows a strip of steel of rectangular cross-section clamped at one end - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 3

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 5 shows a strip of steel of rectangular cross-section clamped at one end - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 3

Explain a procedure to avoid parallax error when judging the reading indicated by the position of the pin on the ruler.

Explain what the student must do to determine $E$.

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