CCHM 2026 Physics P3 QP

Name: Class: Class Register Number: PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 SECONDARY 4 PHYSICS 6091/03 Paper 3 Practical Test Wednesday 19 August 2026 1 hour 50 minutes Candidates answer on the Question Paper. Additional Materials: As listed in the Confidential Instructions. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, class and register number clearly in the spaces provided at the top of this page. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Answer all questions. All of your answers should be written in this Question Paper; scrap paper must not be used. Graph paper is provided in this Question Paper. Additional sheets of graph paper should be used only if it is necessary to do so. You will be allowed to work with the apparatus for a maximum of 55 minutes for each section. You are expected to record your observations as soon as they are made. An account of the method of carrying out the experiment is not required. The use o f an approved scientific calculator is expected, where appropriate. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. For Examiner’s Use 1 2 3 Total This document consists of 12 printed pages and 2 blank pages. [Turn over

2 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 Section A 1 Buoyant force is the upward force that a fluid exerts on any object that is submerged in it. In this experiment, you will investigate the effect of buoyant force acting on an object. You are provided with: • a retort stand with boss and clamp • a cork with a pin • a metre rule with a hole at the 50 cm mark • a slotted mass attached to a string with a loop at the end • a metal bob attached to a 30 cm string with a loop at the end • a 250 cm3 plastic beaker • a measuring cylinder • a shared electronic balance Note: Use the same metre rule for both Question 1 and Question 2. (a) Measure and record: (i) the mass M of the metal bob, (ii) the mass m of the slotted mass. M = ……………………….. [1] m = ……………………….. [1] (b) Measure and record the volume V of the metal bob. V = ……………………….. [1] (c) Calculate the buoyancy force B acting on the metal bob by water, using the following equation. B = ρ V g, where ρ is the density of water 1 g/cm3, V is the volume of the metal bob in cm3, g is the gravitational strength 0.010 N/g. B = ……………………….. [1]

3 [Turn over 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 (d) Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1. Fig 1.1 Hang the slotted mass on the left. While keeping the metal bob on the right completely immersed in water, balance the rule by adjusting the length p and q. Measure and record the length p and q. p = q = [1] (e) It is suggested that the buoyancy force B can also be calculated using the equation: B = Mg - mg ( p q ) where g = 0.010 N/g. (i) Use your values of M, m, p and q to calculate another value for the buoyancy force B. B = .................................................. [1] beaker cork p q metre rule

4 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 (ii) Explain whether your experimental result in (c) agrees with the suggestion in (e)(i). Support your explanation with experimental data. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………….. [2] (f) Describe one significant source of error in the experimental procedure for (d). Suggest an improvement that could be made to the experimental procedure to address this source of error. source of error ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. improvement for source of error ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [2] [Total: 10]

5 [Turn over 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 2 In this experiment, you will determine a value for the acceleration due to gravity, g, using a pendulum. You are provided with: • retort stand with a top and bottom clamp • split cork • a metal bob with a string attached • stopwatch • metre rule Note: Use the same metre rule for both Question 1 and Question 2. (a) Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.1. Adjust length L so that it is approximately 50 cm. Fig. 2.1 (side view) (i) Measure and record the value of L in metres. L = ……………………….. [1] (ii) Adjust the bottom clamp up or down until x is approximately 11 cm. The length x is measured from the centre of the rod on the bottom clamp to the middle of the pendulum bob as shown in Fig 2.1. Ensure that the rod on the bottom clamp is horizontal, and that it just touches the string. Tighten the clamp, measure and record this value of x in metres. x = ……………………….. [1]

6 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 (iii) Move the bob 5 to 10 cm from its vertical position away from the rod, as shown in Fig. 2.2, and release it so that it swings freely. When the string touches the rod, start the stopwatch. The next time the string touches the rod, count this as one oscillation. Fig. 2.2 (front view) Determine an accurate value for the period T of the oscillation. T = ……………………….. [2]

7 [Turn over 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 (b) A student claims that T is related to L and x by the equation T2 = π2 g (√L + √x) where T = period of the pendulum, x is the distance of the pendulum from the rod, L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Plan an experiment to investigate the student’s claim. In your plan, you should: ● describe how you will perform the experiment ● state one key variable to control ● draw a table, with column headings to show how to display the range of readings ● sketch the graph that you would obtain, assuming the student’s claim about T2 is correct ● explain how to determine g if the student’s claim is correct. ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………............ ………………………………………………………………………………………………....... [6] [Total: 10]

8 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 BLANK PAGE

9 [Turn over 2026 Preliminary Exam/CCHMS/Secondary 4/Physics/6091/03 Section B 3 In this experiment, you will investigate how