O-LevelPhysicsForces5054/21 · May/June 2016 · Q36 Marks

Fig. 3.1 shows a thin sheet of plastic. A student tries to measure the thickness of the sheet with a ruler, but the sheet is too thin to measure accurately. [Figure 3.1 (not to scale)] The student measures the mass of the sheet and obtains the value 0.12 g.

(a)(i)State what is meant by mass.[1]
(a)(ii)The student is told that the density of the plastic is 0.91 g/cm³. Calculate the volume of the plastic sheet.[2]
(a)(iii)The student measures the length and width of the sheet. The readings obtained are: length of sheet = 3.0 cm width of sheet = 2.0 cm Calculate the thickness of the sheet.[2]
(b)State a measuring instrument that can be used to measure the thickness of the sheet accurately.[1]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[B1] amount of matter/substance/material or the ability of an object to resist a change in its state of motion (when a force is applied)
[C1] (V=) M/D in any form numerical or algebraic
[A1] 0.13(19) cm³
[C1] V/(l x w) in any form numerical or algebraic
[A1] 0.022 cm
[B1] micrometer (screw gauge) or calipers

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