IGCSE Physics Quiz - Pendulum & Time Measurement

Question 1

Why do we measure multiple oscillations of a pendulum instead of just one?

Accepted Answer

To reduce random errors and get a more accurate average

Question 2

A pendulum completes 20 oscillations in 40 seconds. What is the average time for one oscillation?

Accepted Answer

2.0 s

Question 3

The formula for calculating average time for one oscillation is:

Accepted Answer

Total time ÷ number of oscillations

Question 4

A pendulum swings 10 times in 15 seconds. What is its time period?

Accepted Answer

1.5 s

Question 5

To find the average speed of a toy car over a small distance, you should:

Accepted Answer

Measure total distance and divide by time taken

Question 6

A car travels 2 meters in 4 seconds. What is its average speed?

Accepted Answer

0.5 m/s

Question 7

Which of the following improves the accuracy of timing a pendulum?

Accepted Answer

Count 50 swings and take the total time

Question 8

What is the best method to measure a small time interval accurately?

Accepted Answer

Measure several events and average

Question 9

Which of the following is an oscillation?

Accepted Answer

A child swinging on a swing

Question 10

If 30 oscillations take 60 seconds, then 1 oscillation takes:

Accepted Answer

2.0 s

Question 11

What is the benefit of timing multiple oscillations?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the effect of human error in start/stop timing

Question 12

Which of the following quantities is needed to calculate the period of a pendulum?

Accepted Answer

Number of oscillations and total time

Question 13

A student finds that 10 swings of a pendulum take 12.5 seconds. What's the period?

Accepted Answer

1.25 s

Question 14

When using a pendulum to determine time intervals, which assumption is made?

Accepted Answer

Each oscillation takes the same time

Question 15

To calculate average speed, you must know:

Accepted Answer

Distance and time

Quiz IGCSE Physics – 1 Motion, forces, and energy – 1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques – 3 Determine an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of oscillation of a pendulum)