1.

B
[1]

2. D
[1]

3. (a) line of best fit is not straight / line of best fit does not go through origin; 1

(b) smooth curve;

that does not go outside the error bars; 2
Ignore extrapolations below n = 1.

(c) (i) absolute uncertainty in diameter D is 0.08cm;

0.08
2
giving a relative uncertainty in D of 2 1.26 = 0.13 or 13%; 2
Award [2] if uncertainty is calculated for a different ring number.

(ii) it is possible to draw a straight line that passes through the

origin (and lies within the error bars);
or
D2
the ratio of n is constant for all data points; 1

(iii) gradient = k;
calculation of gradient to give 0.23 (accept answers in
range 0.21 to 0.25);
evidence for drawing or working with lines of maximum
and minimum slope;
answers in the form k = 0.23 0.03; 4
Accept an uncertainty in k in range 0.02 to 0.04.
First marking point does not need to be explicit.

2
(iv) cm ; 1
[11]

4. (a) line of best fit is not straight / line of best fit does not go through origin; 1

(b) smooth curve;

that does not go outside the error bars; 2
Ignore extrapolations below n = 1.

IB Questionbank Physics 1
 (c) we can re-write the suggested relation as log D = log c + p log n;
now we can plot a graph of log D versus log n;
the slope of the (straight line) graph is equal to p; 3
Accept logs in any base.

(d) (i) absolute uncertainty in diameter D is 0.08cm;

0.08
2
giving a relative uncertainty in D of 2 1.26 = 0.13 or 13%; 2
Award [2] if uncertainty is calculated for a different ring number.

(ii) it is possible to draw a straight line that passes through the

origin (and lies within the error bars);
or
D2
the ratio of n is constant for all data points; 1

(iii) gradient = k;
calculation of gradient to give 0.23 (accept answers in
range 0.21 to 0.25);
evidence for drawing or working with lines of maximum
and minimum slope;
answers in the form k = 0.23 0.03; 4
Accept an uncertainty in k in range 0.02 to 0.04.
First marking point does not need to be explicit.

2
(iv) cm ; 1
[14]

5. D
[1]

6. B
[1]

7. D
[1]

8. (a) (i) the graph is not linear/a straight line (going through the
error bars) / does not go through origin; 1

IB Questionbank Physics 2
 1
(ii) 7.7 m s ; (N.B. line is drawn for candidate, answer must be correct) 1

0.3

(b) (i) % uncertainty in v = 0.7 = 3.9%;
doubles 3.9% (allow ECF from (a)(ii)) to obtain %
2
uncertainty in v (= 7.8%);
absolute uncertainty (= [0.078 59.3]) = 4.6;
2 2
(= 5 m s ) 3
or
calculates overall range of possible value as 7.4 8.0; (allow ECF)
2
squares values to yield range for v of 54.8 to 64; (allow ECF)
so error range becomes 9.2 hence 4.6; (must see this value to
2 sig fig or better to award this mark)

1
(ii) correct error bars added to first point ( 2 square) and
last-but-one point (2.5 squares); (judge by eye) 1

(iii) a straight-line/linear graph can be drawn that goes through origin; 1

(iv) uses triangle to evaluate gradient; (triangle need not be

shown if read-offs clear, read-offs used must lie on
candidates drawn line)
to arrive at gradient value of 1.5 0.2; (unit not required)
2
recognizes that gradient of graph is a and evaluates
1

a = 1.2 0.2 ( m 2 s 1 ); 3
or
candidate line drawn through origin and one data point read;
2 2 2
correct substitution into v = a ; (a does not need to be
evaluated for full credit)
1

a = 1.2 0.2( m 2 s 1 );
1
Award [2 max] if line does not go through origin allow 2 square.
Award [1 max] if one or two data points used and no line drawn.

2
(v) k = 9.4 m s ; (allow ECF from (b)(iv)) 1
[11]

9. (a) smooth curve through all the error bars; 1

IB Questionbank Physics 3
 (b) (i) the graph is not linear/a straight line (going through the
error bars) / does not go through origin; 1

1
(ii) 7.7 m s ; 1
1
Accurate reading from their graph to within 2 square.
Allow ECF from (a).

0.3

(c) (i) % uncertainty in v = 0 .7 = 3.9%;
doubles 3.9% (allow ECF from (b)(ii)) to obtain %
2
uncertainty in v (= 7.8%);
absolute uncertainty (= [0.078 59.3]) = 4.6;
2 2
(= 5 m s ) 3
or
calculates overall range of possible value as 7.4 8.0; (allow ECF)
2
squares values to yield range for v of 54.8 to 64; (allow ECF)
so error range becomes 9.2 hence 4.6; (must see this value to
2 sig fig or better to award this mark)

1
(ii) correct error bars added to first point ( 2 square) and
last-but-one point (2.5 squares); (judge by eye) 1

(iii) a straight-line/linear graph can be drawn that goes through origin; 1

(iv) uses triangle to evaluate gradient; (triangle need not be

shown if read-offs clear, read-offs used must lie on
candidates drawn line)
to arrive at gradient value of 1.5 0.2; (unit not required)
2
recognizes that gradient of graph is a and evaluates
1
2 1
a = 1.2 0.2 ( m s ); 3
or
candidate line drawn through origin and one data point read;
2 2 2
correct substitution into v = a ; (a does not need to be
evaluated for full credit)
1
2 1
a = 1.2 0.2( m s );
1
Award [2 max] if line does not go through origin allow 2 square.
Award [1 max] if one or two data points used and no line drawn.

2
(v) k = 9.4 m s ; (allow ECF from (c)(iv)) 1
IB Questionbank Physics 4
 [12]

10. A
[1]

11. D
[1]

12. B
[1]

13. (a) reads off R and T values correctly for at least two different coordinates
on line;
shows RT not constant / other sensible test e.g. R halves, T does
not double;
hence hypothesis not supported; 3
Award [0] for bald unsupported conclusion.

b
=
(b) (i) lg R a + T is in the form of an equation of a straight line;
the points can be joined by a straight line / graph is a straight line; 2

(ii) draws straight line through all error bars (judge by eye);
evidence of use of line to determine gradient;
b: gradient in range 1500 to 1700;
a: intercept in range 1.7 to 2.3; 4
Award [2 max] for solutions where a and b are found
using data points (i.e. no line used)

IB Questionbank Physics 5
 1570
(iii) correctly substitutes derived values into equation, e.g. 2.0 + 260
correct calculation from equation, e.g. R = 11000 ; 2
or
1 1

T 260 (= 0.00385) and uses straight line to give correct
value for lg R;
R = 11000 ( 2000) ;
[11]

14. (a) reads off R and T values correctly for at least two different coordinates
on line;
shows RT not constant / other sensible test e.g. R halves, T does
not double;
hence hypothesis not supported; 3
Award [0] for bald unsupported conclusion.

b
(b) (i) lg R = a + T is in the form of an equation of a straight line;
the points can be joined by a straight line / graph is a straight line; 2

(ii) draws straight line through all error bars (judge by eye);
evidence of use of line to determine gradient;
b: gradient in range 1500 to 1700;
a: intercept in range 1.7 to 2.3; 4
Award [2 max] for solutions where a and b are found
using data points (i.e. no line used)

1570
(iii) correctly substitutes derived values into equation, e.g. 2.0 + 260
correct calculation from equation, e.g. R = 11000 ; 2
or
1 1

T 260 (= 0.00385) and uses straight line to give correct
value for lg R;
R = 11000 ( 2000) ;
[11]

IB Questionbank Physics 6
15. A
[1]

16. D
[1]

17. (a) two error bars in the correct position;

two error bars of the correct length; (allow a square-length each
side of the data points judge by eye and allow for the thickness
of the line drawn) 2

(b) suitable curve that goes through the two error bars;
and through (0,0); 2

(c) a straight line cannot be drawn through the error bars and through
the origin;
so height is not directly proportional to the diameter;
(and) height is proportional to energy; 3

IB Questionbank Physics 7
 (d)

(i) correct line of best-fit for theory 1;

correct line of best-fit for theory 2;
For theory 2 accept a straight line that goes through all
the error bars but not through the origin. 2

(ii) theory 1
1 1

either d againsth3 /d againsth4 should produce a straight line;

theory 1 graph has a straight line that goes through the origin and
all the error bars; 2
[11]

IB Questionbank Physics 8
18. (a) two error bars in the correct position;
two error bars of the correct length; (allow a square-length each
side of the data points judge by eye and allow for the thickness
of the line drawn) 2

(b) suitable curve that goes through the two error bars;
and through (0,0); 2

(c) a straight line cannot be drawn through the error bars and through
the origin;
so height is not directly proportional to the diameter;
(and) height is proportional to energy; 3

(d) the gradient of the line gives the value of the power coefficient/exponent/
1 1
lg d = 3 lg h + constant and lg d = 4 lg h + constant;
gradient of data line = 0.33 (0.02) ;
gradient of max and gradient of min = 0.37 (0.02) and 0.29(0.02);
some conclusion as to why this supports theory 1 e.g. therefore
the uncertainties do not allow for n = 0.25 so data supports theory 1; 4
[11]

19. D
[1]

20. B
[1]

0.01

21. (a) (i) percentage uncertainty in distance = 0.75 1.3%;
percentage uncertainty in v = (5 + 1.3 =) 6.3 %;
1
absolute uncertainty in n = 6 point is (0.40 0.063 =) 0.025 m s ; 3

(ii) overall length of error bar drawn correct to within half a

small square; 1
Consistent with (a) (i).

IB Questionbank Physics 9
 (b) any reasonable smooth curve/straight-line passing through error bars

v n
(c) tests for n or v ;
v v
n = 0.12 for n = 2 and n = 0.085 for n = 4; (both needed)
hypothesis incorrect because two values should be equal. 3

(d) (if v n )v 2 n ;
2
graph of v against n is a straight-line;
that goes through the origin; 3
[11]

22. B
[1]

0.01

23. (a) (i) percentage uncertainty in distance = 0. 75 1.3%;
percentage uncertainty in v = (5 + 1.3 =) 6.3 %;
1
absolute uncertainty in n = 6 point is (0.40 0.063 =) 0.025 m s ; 3

IB Questionbank Physics 10
 (ii) overall length of error bar drawn correct to within half a
small square; 1
Consistent with (a) (i).

(b) any reasonable smooth curve/straight-line passing through error bars

v n
(c) tests for n or v ;
v v
n = 0.12 for n = 2 and n = 0.085 for n = 4; (both needed)
hypothesis incorrect because two values should be equal. 3

(d) lg v = 0.5lg n +constant;

large triangle greater than half line used / uses two sets of points
at least 0.4 (in lg n) apart;
read-off and substitution correct;
determines gradient = 0.50 0.05 ; 4
[12]

24. D
[1]

IB Questionbank Physics 11
25. A
[1]

26. (a) (i) no

the graph is not linear / not a straight line; 1

(ii) a straight horizontal line through the initial points along the T axis;
a smooth curve through the remaining points (T = 4.4 K to 7.0 K); 2
The straight line and curve do not need to be joined.

(b) R = 0 ; 1
Do not apply unit mark.

(c) (i) 4.2 4.4 K; 1

(ii) 4.3 K;
0.1 (K); 2
Allow ECF from (c)(i).

(iii) more sensitive thermometer / thermometer with a finer

graduated scale / by taking resistance measurements at
smaller temperature intervals; 1
Award [0] for electronic digital thermometer only.

(d) the data are for low temperatures well below room temperature;
no reason to assume the trend will continue to room temperature;
the data shows R varying sharply at TC and another such transition
might take place below room temperature;
mercury is a liquid at room temperature; 2 max
Award any other sensible answer.
[10]

27. (a) (i) no

the graph is not linear / not a straight line; 1

(ii) a straight horizontal line through the initial points along the T axis;
a smooth curve through the remaining points (T = 4.4 K to 7.0 K); 2
The straight line and curve do not need to be joined.

(b) R = 0 ; 1
Do not apply unit mark.

IB Questionbank Physics 12
 (c) (i) 4.2 4.4 K; 1

(ii) 4.3 K;
0.1 (K); 2
Allow ECF from (c)(i).

(iii) more sensitive thermometer / thermometer with a finer

graduated scale / by taking resistance measurements at
smaller temperature intervals; 1
Award [0] for electronic digital thermometer only.

(d) the data are for low temperatures well below room temperature;
no reason to assume the trend will continue to room temperature;
the data shows R varying sharply at TC and another such transition
might take place below room temperature;
mercury is a liquid at room temperature; 2 max
Award any other sensible answer.
[10]

28. D
[1]

29. A
[1]

30. (a) line going through each error bar; 1

(b) (i) line does not go through (0,0)/origin so no; 1

Watch for ECF from (a).

(ii) line is curved / gradient not constant so no; 1

(c) line drawn to find intercept on y-axis;

4.2(0.1)m; 2

IB Questionbank Physics 13
 (d) large (at least half of line) triangle from straight line portion of graph;
1
slope = 0.012(0.001)(m s );
volume per second=area slope;
3 1
(0.022 m s ) 3
Alternatively for [2 max].
determines height difference over time range within 0 and 120 s;
1.8 [differencein heights]
volume per second = time between heights ;
3 1
(0.022 m s )

3 3
(e) (850 0.022) = 19 m or (850 0.02) = 17 m ; 1

(f) graph starts at same point but half initial gradient by eye;
1
line always lower than original by eye and ending about 4 way down y-axis;
Original line need not be shown. Allow ECF from (c) if the curve
begins at (0, 3.5).

2
[11]

31. (a) line going through each error bar; 1

(b) (i) line does not go through (0,0)/origin so no;

Watch for ECF from (a).

(ii) line is curved / gradient not constant so no; 1

IB Questionbank Physics 14
 (c) line drawn to find intercept on y-axis;
4.2(0.1)m; 2

(d) large (at least half of line) triangle from straight line portion of graph;
1
slope = 0.012(0.001)(m s );
volume per second=area slope;
3 1
(0.022 m s ) 3
Alternatively for [2 max].
determines height difference over time range within 0 and 120 s;
1.8 [differencein heights]
volume per second = time between heights ;
3 1
(0.022 m s )

3 3
(e) (850 0.022) = 19 m or (850 0.02) = 17 m ; 1

(f) (i) states equation ln h = ln k + n ln t; (accept use of log10)

plot of ln h versus ln t will give straight line if hypothesis is true; 2

(ii) equates gradient/slope to n; 1

Award the equation ln h = ln k + n ln t only once in either
(f)(i) or (f)(ii).

IB Questionbank Physics 15
 (g) graph starts at same point but half initial gradient by eye;
1
line always lower than original by eye and ending about 4 way down y-axis;
Original line need not be shown. Allow ECF from (c) if the curve
begins at (0, 3.5).

2
[14]

32. B
[1]

33. B
[1]

1
34. (a) both error bars of 5 m s drawn correctly; 1

(b) a straight line cannot be drawn through the error bars; Accept the error
bar comment with a straight line drawn on graph.
that goes through the origin; 2

2 2
(c) (i) 500 (m s ); 1

IB Questionbank Physics 16
 v 2 v
2
2
(ii) v v ;
5
2 2
v = 27 2 27 ;
2 2 2 2 2
v ()300(m s ) or ()270 (m s ); 3
or
percentage error/uncertainty in v = (18.5 =) 19%;
2
percentage of error/uncertainty in v = 37%;
2 2 2 2
absolute error ()300 (m s ) or ()270 (m s )
Answer must be to one or two significant figures.

(d)

use of gradient triangle over at least half of line;

gradient = 640 (40);
= k to give k = 640 = 25(1);
2
1 1 1

unit of k is kg m or m s N ;
2 2 1 2
4
Do not penalize omission of factor of 1000 for missing y-axis
label if already penalized in (c). Treat as ecf.
[11]

35. D
[1]

IB Questionbank Physics 17
36. A
[1]

1
37. (a) both error bars of 5 m s drawn correctly; 1

(b) a straight line cannot be drawn through the error bars; Accept the error
bar comment with a straight line drawn on graph.
that goes through the origin; 2

2 2
(c) (i) 500 (m s ); 1

v 2 v
2
2
(ii) v v ;
5
2 2
v = 27 2 27 ;
2 2 2 2 2
v ()300(m s ) or ()270 (m s ); 3
or
percentage error/uncertainty in v = (18.5 =) 19%;
2
percentage of error/uncertainty in v = 37%;
2 2 2 2
absolute error ()300 (m s ) or ()270 (m s )
Answer must be to one or two significant figures.

IB Questionbank Physics 18
 (d)

use of gradient triangle over at least half of line;

gradient = 640 (40);
= k to give k = 640 = 25(1);
2
1 1 1

unit of k is kg
2m2 1
or m s N ;
2
4
Do not penalize omission of factor of 1000 for missing y-axis
label if already penalized in (c). Treat as ecf.
[11]

38. C
[1]

39. C
[1]

40. B
[1]

41. C
[1]

IB Questionbank Physics 19
42. D
[1]

43. B
[1]

v2
44. (a) h = 2g ;
225

= 20 11m; 2
Award [1 max] for 91 m or 91.25 m (candidate adds cliff height incorrectly).

(b) time to reach maximum height = 1.5 s;

time to fall 91 m = 4.3 s;
total time = 5.8 s; 3
Answer can be alternatively expressed as 3.0 (to return to hand)
+ 2.8 (to fall 80 m).
or
1
2
use of s = ut + 2 at ;
2 2
80 = 15t + 5t or 80 = 15t 5t ;
t = 5.8s;
[5]

v2
45. (a) h = 2g ;
225

= 20 11m; 2
Award [1 max] for 91 m or 91.25 m (candidate adds cliff height incorrectly).

IB Questionbank Physics 20
 (b) time to reach maximum height = 1.5 s;
time to fall 91 m = 4.3 s;
total time = 5.8 s; 3
Answer can be alternatively expressed as 3.0 (to return to hand)
+ 2.8 (to fall 80 m).
or
1
2
use of s = ut + 2 at ;
2 2
80 = 15t + 5t or 80 = 15t 5t ;
t = 5.8s;
[5]

46. D
[1]

47. D
[1]

48. B
[1]

49. B
[1]

50. A
[1]

2
51. (a) 11 m s ; 1

(b) v = 236;
236

a = 8 29.5(m s );
2
4 5
(F = 1.1 10 29.5) = 3.2 10 N; 3
Award [2 max] for omission of initial speed (answer is 390 kN).

IB Questionbank Physics 21
 (c) phase 1 distance 88 m / phase 2 distance 1296 m;
total 1400 m; 2
Watch for significant figure penalty in this question (1384 m).
1
2
Award [1 max] for 2 at substituted correctly for first phase, if
no distances evaluated and answer incorrect.
Award [1 max] for correct addition of incorrect phase 1 and/or 2 distance(s).
[6]

52. B
[1]

53. C
[1]

54. B
[1]

55. A
[1]

56. C
[1]

57. B
[1]

58. A
[1]

IB Questionbank Physics 22
 1
59. (a) (i) reasonable curve drawn up to 15 m s that does not go through zero; 1
Expect smooth single-line within one square of each correctly plotted
point.
(ii) shape of curve wrong / curve does not go through zero; 1
(iii) 5% = 30;
correct drawing of error bar; 2

1
(b) (i) when vin = 14 m s , Pout = 570 (20) kW;
Pin = 1250 (50) kW;
1
Allow 2 a square.
570
0.46 or 46 % ;
efficiency = 1250 3
(ii) the efficiency decreases;
for a given increase in velocity the increase in Pout gets smaller;
whereas the increase in theoretical Pin gets larger;
or
as the Pout graph starts to flatten / OWTTE;
the Pin graph steepens; 3

(c) advantage:
wind is renewable so no resources used up / wind is free / no chemical
pollution / carbon dioxide emission / does not add to the enhanced
greenhouse effect;
disadvantage:
expensive initial/capital costs / large land area needed / visual / noise pollution
/ winds unpredictable/not constant / affect on birds; 2
Award any other suitable advantage or disadvantage.
[12]

IB Questionbank Physics 23