Cambridge International AS & A Level · P5 · structured
Choose the right time interval
A2 practical 4: choose logger events and sensor settings · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.
- Demand
- demanding
- Marks
- 6
- Topics
- 2
- Answer
- Complete
Constructed data for a 0.0400 m flag give blocked durations 0.0800 s and 0.0500 s with midpoint separation 0.600 s. Determine both speeds and acceleration. Explain why the 0.300 m gate separation must not be divided by the 0.0500 s blocked time. For a motion sensor resolving a motion feature lasting 0.20 s, propose a sample interval and one alignment/range check.
- (a)
Calculate speeds and acceleration.
3 marks - (b)
Explain why the two distances cannot be interchanged.
1 mark - (c)
Specify motion-sensor acquisition.
2 marks
Ready to self-mark?Reveal the detailed answer guide
(a)
Calculate speeds and acceleration.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
0.500, 0.800 m s^-1 and 0.500 m s^-2.
(b)
Explain why the two distances cannot be interchanged.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
Blocked time measures flag transit through one beam; gate spacing needs an inter-gate interval.
(c)
Specify motion-sensor acquisition.
Identify what the question is testing, organise the response into distinct mark-earning points, and make every conclusion traceable to a physical principle or to the evidence supplied.
- 1
E.g.0.02 s sampling for ten samples per0.20 s; aligned clear target within sensor range, timestamps/settings saved.
Complete marking guidance
Use these worked steps alongside the part-by-part answers. They explain the method and mark allocation; they do not add extra marks.
- Two speeds from flag length/blocked duration: 2 marks.
- Acceleration from speed difference/midpoint separation: 1 mark.
- Distinguish flag event from transit between gates: 1 mark.
- Reasonable sample interval with explicit temporal-resolution rationale: 1 mark.
- Correct range/minimum-distance/alignment check and record actual timestamps/settings: 1 mark.
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