Planning an experiment: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Edexcel International A Level Physics past-paper questions on P.1.1 Planning an experiment, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 152 questions on Planning an experiment, as a list

June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the resolution of the balance. (1)
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain one technique he should use to determine accurate values for these lengths. (2)
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): The student checked that the angle between the side of length a and the side of length b was a right angle. He did not have a set square or an instrument to mea
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (3 marks): The student marked the track at the rest position of the sphere. The student then marked the track at the start position of the sphere. She used a metre rule to
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why starting from the maximum resistance is safer than starting from the minimum resistance. (2)
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): The student used the metre rule to determine the distance L between the level of the water and the top of the transparent cylinder. Explain how to reduce a sour
June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (2 marks): The student connected the loudspeaker to a signal generator. She set the frequency f of the signal generator to its lowest value. The student gradually increase
June 2025, Unit 6, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe two safety precautions the student should take when using electrolytic capacitors in a circuit. (2)
June 2025, Unit 6, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student moved the switch to position A to charge the 680 µF electrolytic capacitor. She moved the switch to position B to connect the capacitor to another c
June 2025, Unit 6, Q2(a) (6 marks): The student used temperatures ranging from 0°C to 100 °C. Devise a method the student could use to estimate a value for absolute zero. Your method should includ
June 2025, Unit 6, Q3(a) (2 marks): The student used a micrometer screw gauge to measure the thickness of one glass slide. She recorded a single measurement as 1.21 mm. Explain why a micrometer sc
June 2025, Unit 6, Q3(b) (2 marks): For each value of w the student recorded the potential difference V across the solar cell. Explain one variable she should control in this investigation. (2)
June 2025, Unit 6, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two techniques the student should use when timing oscillations. (2)
June 2025, Unit 6, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): The student used vernier calipers to measure d. Explain one technique he should use to determine an accurate value for d. (2)
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q1(c) (3 marks): Describe a method the student could use to determine the acceleration a of the toy car. (3)
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (4 marks): Describe a method the student could use to determine an accurate value for the maximum force a beam can support. You should include the use of any additional ap
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Identify a health and safety issue with your method and how the issue may be dealt with. (2)
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest what the student should do to control the background light during the investigation. (1)
January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two other variables the student should control during this investigation. (2)
January 2025, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): The student used the immersion heater to heat the water in the beaker. Identify one health and safety issue and how it should be dealt with. (2)
January 2025, Unit 6, Q1(b) (3 marks): The student determined the temperature θ of the fixed volume of air. Describe an accurate method to determine a single value of θ. (3)
January 2025, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): Complete the circuit diagram for the circuit the student could use in this investigation. (2)
January 2025, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): The student placed a light sensor a distance from the filament bulb. The light sensor measured X, the light received, in lux, from the filament bulb. She predic
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q14(a) (3 marks): Draw a circuit diagram the student could use for this investigation. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q16(a) (1 mark): Give one safety precaution the student should take during the experiment. (1)
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student repeated the measurements of d at different orientations and calculated the mean. Explain another technique she should use to determine an accurate
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe how the student should determine a value for the density of steel. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (4 marks): The student placed the steel sphere in a transparent tube filled with the liquid. She arranged the transparent tube as shown. Not to scale rubber bung transpare
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the circuit the student should use for this investigation. (2) X Y R sealed box
October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): The student filled the tall beaker with water. He used a metre rule to measure the depth h1 of the water. Describe an accurate method to determine a single valu
October 2024, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): The student varied the temperature of the diode from room temperature to 100 °C using the apparatus shown. wires connected to circuit thermometer beaker diode w
October 2024, Unit 6, Q1(b) (2 marks): The student connected the diode in the circuit shown. 6 V A 100 Ω 1 kΩ V He used the ammeter to measure the current as he varied the temperature of the diode. E
October 2024, Unit 6, Q2(a)(iii) (3 marks): The student measured the time for multiple oscillations and calculated the mean. Describe three other techniques she should use to obtain an accurate value for
October 2024, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): The student modified the apparatus to investigate damped oscillations of the mass‑spring system. She placed a circular piece of card between the masses to act a
October 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a) (2 marks): The student used digital calipers to measure a. Explain one technique she should use to measure a. (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(i) (4 marks): Identify two health and safety issues and how they should be dealt with. (4)
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe a method the student could use which would not include a force meter. You should include the use of additional apparatus. (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State one control variable for this investigation. (1)
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why it is necessary to control this variable. (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): The student added water to the transparent tube to change the length s of the air column. Describe a method to determine a single value of s as accurately as po
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student repeated the measurement of d at different positions and orientations and calculated the mean. Explain another technique she should use to determine
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (2 marks): The student formed the wire into a loop. She used the circuit below to determine the resistance between two points, X and Y, on the loop. fixed resistor A V loo
June 2024, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): State two safety precautions the student should take when connecting and using the circuit. (2)
June 2024, Unit 6, Q1(b) (3 marks): The student used the switch in position 1 to charge the capacitor. The student changed the switch to position 2 to discharge the capacitor through the motor. As
June 2024, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): The student used a metre rule to measure L and a stopwatch to measure t. He adjusted the water tap to give a constant flow of water. Describe a method to determ
June 2024, Unit 6, Q3(a) (3 marks): The student used a stopwatch to determine the time period T of the rotational oscillations. Describe how the student should determine an accurate value for T. (
June 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): The student used a micrometer screw gauge to measure the thickness t of the plastic protractor. Explain one technique she should use when measuring t. (2)
June 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student determined a value of t as 1.41 mm. Explain why a micrometer screw gauge is an appropriate instrument for this measurement. Your answer should inclu
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(a) (2 marks): The student used a micrometer to measure the diameter of the wire. Describe how the student should • check that the wire is uniform • check that the wire has a
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): The student kept his feet away from the apparatus so that the masses could not fall on his feet. Explain one other safety precaution. (2)
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Each time the student added more mass, Δx increased by a few mm. Explain why he should measure Δx using a vernier scale, instead of a metre rule. (2)
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the resolution of the balance. (1)
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (2 marks): The student used vernier calipers to measure the thickness y of the stack of paper. Explain one technique he should use to determine an accurate value for y. (2
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): The motor was connected in a circuit including a battery and a switch. The student connected additional components to determine the power of the motor. Complete
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(i) (4 marks): Describe how she should measure a single value of the height gained as accurately as possible. You should include the use of any additional apparatus needed. (4
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (2 marks): Identify a health and safety issue caused by using a laser and how this issue may be dealt with. (2)
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): The student used a metre rule to measure the distance between adjacent minima. Describe how the student should determine an accurate value for the distance betw
January 2024, Unit 6, Q1(a) (3 marks): The student gave the mass a small vertical displacement and released it. She used a stopwatch to determine the time period T of the oscillations. Describe how t
January 2024, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): The student used the hot plate to heat the water until it boiled. He moved the glass beaker onto the heatproof mat to allow the water to cool. Identify one safe
January 2024, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): The student suggested that the relationship between the temperature θ of the water and time t is –bt θ = θ0e where θ0 is the initial temperature of the water an
January 2024, Unit 6, Q3(a) (3 marks): Describe an accurate method to measure a single value of x using a 30 cm ruler. You should include any additional apparatus. (3)
January 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): The student used vernier calipers to measure the diameter d. Explain one technique she should use to measure d. (2)
January 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student estimated that the thickness t of the centre of the lens was approximately 5 mm. Explain the most appropriate instrument the student should use for
October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): Identify a suitable measuring instrument for these measurements. (1)
October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (4 marks): Describe how the student could determine accurate values of x and R. (4)
October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (4 marks): The student had a metre rule and a stopwatch. Describe how the student could determine accurate values for d and v. (4)
October 2023, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): Describe one safety issue and how it should be dealt with. (2)
October 2023, Unit 6, Q1(b) (2 marks): Complete the circuit diagram for this investigation. (2) copper wire
October 2023, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): The student used a stopwatch to determine T. Describe a method, using the pendulum, to obtain a value for H. Your method should use a suitable graph. (6)
October 2023, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain one technique she should use to measure t. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (4 marks): The student balanced the ruler on a pivot as shown, and recorded the position of the centre of gravity of the ruler. centre of gravity ruler bench pivot The stu
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain the purpose of the convex lens. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The power supply provided a constant 12 V potential difference across the filament bulb. Describe two more ways to keep the light intensity incident on the sola
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Add to the diagram to show how an ammeter and a voltmeter should be connected in the circuit. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a reason for using a fixed resistor in the circuit. (1)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Give two reasons why vernier calipers are more appropriate for these measurements than a transparent ruler. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): Identify a health and safety issue and how it may be dealt with. (2)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q1(a) (3 marks): Describe a simple method to determine the volume flow rate of the water moving out of the tube. (3)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q1(c) (3 marks): Describe how the student could investigate how f varies with the volume flow rate of the water. (3)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q1(d) (2 marks): The student disconnected the water tank and oscilloscope from the water flow device. The student placed the water flow device in a river to monitor the flow of
June 2023, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): State two safety precautions for this investigation. (2)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q2(b)(ii) (6 marks): Devise a plan to obtain the data required to test the validity of this relationship. (6)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q3(a) (3 marks): Describe an accurate method to determine a single value of d using a 15 cm ruler. You should include any additional apparatus. (3)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe two other techniques she should use to determine T. (2)
June 2023, Unit 6, Q4(b) (2 marks): The student estimated that the diameter of the test tube was approximately 2 cm. Explain why vernier calipers are a suitable instrument to measure the diameter.
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the resolution of the ohmmeter. (1)
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(i) (4 marks): Describe how the student could determine an accurate value for the thickness of the graphite pencil shading. The method should use a suitable graph. (4)
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Identify a health and safety issue for the student and how it may be dealt with. (2)
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(c)(i) (2 marks): To determine an accurate value for the speed of sound, the student would need to use other apparatus. Explain what other apparatus the student would need. (2)
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): The value of l0 was 5.2 cm. Explain why a metre rule is an appropriate instrument for this measurement. (2)
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student added a load to the spring and measured the stretched length l of the spring, as shown. support spring l metre rule load Describe two techniques the
January 2023, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): Identify one safety issue and how it may be dealt with. (2)
January 2023, Unit 6, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State one variable that should be controlled for this experiment. (1)
January 2023, Unit 6, Q2(a)(ii) (6 marks): The student used a stopwatch to determine T for different values of M. Devise a plan to test the validity of the relationship between T2 and M. The method shoul
October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe a method to measure u and v. (3)
October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(e) (2 marks): The student suggested repeating the investigation using a glass rod instead of a plastic beam. Explain a safety issue that would be caused by using a glass rod.
October 2022, Unit 6, Q1(a) (2 marks): Describe one safety issue and how it should be dealt with. (2)
October 2022, Unit 6, Q1(b) (3 marks): The distance r between the two coils varied between 2 cm and 10 cm. Explain why using Vernier calipers would be better than a metre rule to measure r. You shoul
October 2022, Unit 6, Q1(c) (3 marks): When the a.c. power supply was switched on, an e.m.f. E was induced across coil B. The variation in E is shown on the oscilloscope screen below. one division Th
October 2022, Unit 6, Q2(b) (4 marks): A student investigates the relationship between V and t. Describe how the student could obtain an accurate set of values for V and t to test this relationship.
October 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain one measuring technique he should use. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q1(d) (4 marks): The surfaces of the coins are uneven, which introduces a systematic error. Describe an alternative method the student could have used to determine the average v
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (2 marks): The student determined R using a circuit that included an ammeter and a voltmeter. Draw a circuit the student could have used. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(b) (3 marks): She varied I by varying the distance d between the LDR and a filament bulb. Describe a method the student could have used to obtain accurate values for R and d.
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(e)(i) (1 mark): Identify one control variable in this investigation. (1)
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(e)(ii) (1 mark): State how this variable can be controlled. (1)
June 2022, Unit 6, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the resolution of the thermometer in °C. (1)
June 2022, Unit 6, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State another control variable that would allow him to compare the specific heat capacities for the two liquids. (1)
June 2022, Unit 6, Q2(a) (6 marks): The time taken for the amplitude of one pendulum to change from zero to a maximum and back to zero again is P. It is suggested that the relationship between P a
June 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (4 marks): She made one measurement in cm using Vernier calipers and one measurement in mm using digital calipers. The photographs show the measurements. Explain why the d
January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): The light gate was connected to a data logger. The data logger recorded the time taken for the card to pass through the light gate. Describe how the student cou
January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): The student built a circuit to vary the power of the bulb. The student used an ammeter and voltmeter to determine the power of the bulb. Draw a circuit diagram
January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student could determine θ using a metre rule. (2)
January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(b) (1 mark): Describe how the student could check that the bracket was horizontal. (1)
January 2022, Unit 6, Q1(b) (2 marks): The student suggested placing the apparatus in a beaker of boiling water and allowing the water to cool. Boiling water is a hazard. Explain one other reason why
January 2022, Unit 6, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): State two techniques that should be used to ensure the measurement of θ is as accurate as possible. (2)
January 2022, Unit 6, Q2(a) (6 marks): The student had a large number of copper tubes of different lengths x. He predicted that the magnet would fall with constant acceleration a inside the copper tu
January 2022, Unit 6, Q3(a) (2 marks): State two precautions that should be taken when using this source. (2)
January 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): The student measured the height h1 of the start line from the bench using a metre rule. State two precautions she should take to ensure the measurement is as ac
October 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student was able to vary the temperature θ of the thermistor for this investigation. (2)
October 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (4 marks): Describe a method to determine the maximum force the nylon fishing line can withstand before breaking. (4)
October 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(b) (2 marks): Identify one safety issue with this investigation and how it may be dealt with. (2)
October 2021, Unit 6, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Identify two other control variables for this investigation. (2)
October 2021, Unit 6, Q2(b) (6 marks): A student suggests that an approximate relationship between T and h is given by π 2 2 = g (2l − h) T Devise a plan to test the validity of the relationship usin
October 2021, Unit 6, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain the most appropriate instrument the student should use to measure d. (2)
June 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): To determine the density of acetate, the student needed to take measurements. Complete the table below. (1) Quantity to be measured Measuring instrument Resolut
June 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (4 marks): Describe a method to determine an accurate value for the density of acetate. (4)
June 2021, Unit 6, Q2(a) (6 marks): Devise a plan to determine the value of L using a graphical method. You should include a circuit diagram and any additional apparatus required. (6)
June 2021, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): The student had a set of Vernier calipers and a micrometer screw gauge, as shown in the photograph. State, with a reason, which of these measuring instruments s
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q16(a) (1 mark): State a suitable measuring instrument to measure the diameter of the sample. (1)
January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (5 marks): The air track is a long metal tube with holes along its length. Air from a blower enters the tube and escapes through the holes, minimising friction between the
January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(c) (1 mark): The teacher explained that for the resultant force to be directly proportional to acceleration, the total mass of the system must be kept constant. Describe how
January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (5 marks): Describe a method he could have used to take the measurements. Your answer should include a diagram. (5)
January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (3 marks): The student could use a digital multimeter. OFF V~ 1000 750 V 200 200 20 µ 200 A 2000 2000 µ m 200 20 m m 200 m 2000 k 10 A 200 Ω 20 k 2000 200 10A DC Va mA 750
January 2021, Unit 6, Q2(a) (3 marks): Draw an appropriate circuit diagram for this investigation. (3)
January 2021, Unit 6, Q2(b) (1 mark): State one safety precaution the student should take. (1)
January 2021, Unit 6, Q2(c) (6 marks): The student had a stopwatch. Describe how the student should determine an accurate value for the total capacitance of the capacitors. (6)
January 2021, Unit 6, Q4(a) (2 marks): The students need to make measurements to determine the volume of the transparent material. The external diameter of the container is approximately 10 cm. Stude
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q15(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the top rubber band should be placed a short distance below the surface of the oil. (2)
October 2020, Unit 6, Q2 (6 marks): A student wrote the following plan to investigate the distance travelled by alpha particles in air. Place the Geiger-Müller tube in front of the source. Measure
October 2020, Unit 6, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State an additional component required in the circuit that would allow this relationship to be investigated. (1)
October 2020, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State the most appropriate measuring instrument for the student to use to measure the width a and the length b of the slot. (1)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (4 marks): Draw a labelled diagram showing how she could carry out this investigation using school laboratory apparatus. (4)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (2 marks): Identify one safety issue with this investigation and how it may be dealt with. (2)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): Describe a method the student could use to determine the density of the salt solution. (3)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q4(e) (3 marks): The students repeated the experiment with a much larger mass and determined that the efficiency of the motor was decreased. Describe how they should collect and
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q5(a) (2 marks): A teacher is given a sample of the same material with diameter 1 mm. Justify the teacher’s decision that it would be safe for her students to determine the brea
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q16(a) (3 marks): Describe how the diameter of the wire should have been determined. (3)
June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the resolution of the measuring instrument shown in the photograph. (1)
June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why this device is suitable to measure the diameter of the metal sphere. (2)
June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q2(a) (4 marks): Describe what the student should do to obtain the data to plot the force-extension graph. (4)
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q12(a) (2 marks): State the additional measurements the student should take. (2)

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