Feb/March 2016

A student wants to determine the volume of a small stone with an irregular shape. A ruler and a measuring cylinder partly filled with water are available. Which apparatus is required?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A worker in a factory must raise a box onto a shelf. Which action would mean the worker does the smallest amount of work?

Energy, work and power

Which of the following is a non-renewable energy resource?

Energy, work and power

The diagram shows a straightforward mercury barometer. Which labelled length is used to determine atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

A tower is built on a table by stacking identical toy bricks on top of each other. Which graph represents the relationship between the pressure $P$ exerted by the tower on the table and the weight $W$ of the tower?

Pressure

The table shows the melting points and boiling points for four substances of different kinds. At $0\,^{\circ}\text{C}$, which substance is in the liquid state?

Thermal properties and temperature

Air trapped in a closed syringe is compressed gradually by pushing the piston in. The air temperature does not change. Which statement about the air is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which measured quantity determines the thermal capacity of a solid object?

Thermal properties and temperature

To set out a temperature scale on a thermometer, standard temperatures called fixed points are required. Which one of the following is a fixed point on the Celsius scale?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates electricity cables being installed on a warm day. As shown, the cables are hung with slack between the poles. Why are the cables hung with slack?

Thermal properties and temperature

A cotton sheet is pressed using a hot electric iron. In what way does energy pass through the iron’s metal base to the sheet?

Transfer of thermal energy

A ball is released from a table top. Air resistance can be ignored. Which row gives the ball’s velocity and acceleration at point X?

Motion

One plastic cup is inserted inside another. A small spacer holds the two cups apart. Hot water is then poured into the inner cup, and a lid is placed over the top, as shown. Which statement is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

A water wave in a shallow tank travels through an opening in a barrier. What happens to the wave speed, and what happens to the wavelength, as the wave passes through the opening?

General properties of waves

Which option is a unit used for wavelength?

General properties of waves

Which diagram shows correctly a ray of light reflected from a plane mirror?

Light

A ray of white light is incident on a glass prism. Which ray diagram shows the path of the ray as it travels through the prism and leaves from the other side?

Light

A sound wave moves from point X to point Y. Which diagram shows how the air molecules move, because of the sound wave, in the space between X and Y?

Sound

Sound wave P has a larger amplitude and a longer wavelength in air than sound wave Q. How does the loudness and pitch of P compare with the loudness and pitch of Q?

Sound

In which pair are both substances magnetic?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates the magnetic field surrounding two bar magnets. Which diagram indicates the poles of the magnets?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

What produces an electromotive force (e.m.f.)?

Electromagnetic effects

A speed-time graph for a car is shown in the diagram. Which area shows the distance the car travels during acceleration?

Motion

The table shows four different resistance wires. Each one is made from the same metal. Which wire has the least resistance?

Electrical quantities

Each of the four lamps is labelled $240\,\text{V}$. In which circuit will all four lamps shine with normal brightness?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a $40\,\Omega$ resistor and a $60\,\Omega$ resistor arranged in parallel. What is the combined resistance between points P and Q?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a potential divider connected to voltmeters P and Q. The resistance of the variable resistor is reduced. Which row indicates the change in the reading on each voltmeter?

Electric circuits

Following some construction work in a house, an exposed live wire with no insulation is sticking out from a wall. What is the greatest hazard?

Electrical safety

A current flows through a coil that is placed in a magnetic field, and the coil feels a turning force. Which device makes use of this effect?

Electromagnetic effects

A magnet is hung from a spring so that it may move freely within a fixed coil. The coil is linked to a sensitive centre-zero galvanometer. The magnet moves up and down slowly and repeatedly. What will the galvanometer indicate?

Electromagnetic effects

A nucleus of element $X$ is shown as $^{56}_{26}X$. Which one is an isotope of element $X$?

The nuclear model of the atom

The charge of a proton is $e$. What charge does an electron have, and what charge does a neutron have?

The nuclear model of the atom

A scientist performs an experiment with a sealed source that emits $\beta$-particles. The distance travelled by the $\beta$-particles in air is about $30\,\text{cm}$. Which precaution would best protect the scientist from the radiation?

Radioactivity

Which quantities are expressed in the same unit?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which row provides the description of $\alpha$-particles and of $\gamma$-rays?

Radioactivity

An object with mass $10\,\text{kg}$ keeps five identical bags of rice in balance on a uniform beam. Two additional bags, each identical to the first five, are then placed with them. The mean position of the bags on the beam stays the same. What mass is required now to balance the bags?

Forces

The diagram represents a cuboid block constructed from a metal with density $2.5\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$. What is the mass of the block?

Density

The diagram illustrates a rod that is not balanced. Two loads X and Y may be shifted along the rod. The rod rotates clockwise, as indicated. Which action could allow the rod to balance?

Forces

A box is being raised by a fork-lift truck. The weight of the box is $3000\,\text{N}$. The force applied by the fork-lift truck to the box is $3500\,\text{N}$ acting vertically upwards. What is the resultant vertical force on the box?

Forces

The diagram illustrates a ball suspended from a string. The ball moves from point W to point Z and then returns to point W. Which statement about the ball is true?

Motion

The diameter of a copper wire is estimated to be about $0.3\,\text{mm}$. Which instrument ought to be used to measure the diameter of the wire more accurately?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A weight-lifter lifts a $2000\ \text{N}$ load by a vertical distance of $2.0\ \text{m}$ in $0.80\ \text{s}$. What useful power is developed in this action?

Energy, work and power

A wind turbine produces $54\ \text{kW}$ of useful power from an input of $180\ \text{kW}$ of wind power. Which calculation shows the percentage efficiency of the turbine?

Energy, work and power

A force is applied over an area to create a pressure. Which alterations give the same pressure?

Pressure

Several identical toy bricks are stacked to form a tower on a table. Which graph represents the relationship between the pressure $P$ exerted by the tower on the table and the weight $W$ of the tower?

Pressure

Gases are compressible, whereas liquids are not. Which statement accounts for this difference?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a fixed amount of gas enclosed in a cylinder. The piston is moved inwards gradually, so the gas is compressed. The gas temperature remains constant. Which graph shows how the pressure and volume of the gas are related?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which quantity determines the thermal capacity of a solid object?

Thermal properties and temperature

To set out a temperature scale on a thermometer, standard temperatures known as fixed points are required. Which of these is a fixed point on the Celsius scale?

Thermal properties and temperature

In an experiment, a liquid is heated at a steady rate. Its temperature rises and then finally stays the same. Which statement about this experiment is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

One end of a copper rod is heated. By what method is thermal energy transferred through the copper rod?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which of the following is a unit for acceleration?

Motion

Two plastic cups are stacked with one inside the other. A small spacer holds the cups apart. Hot water is then added to the inner cup and a lid is fitted on top, as illustrated. Which statement is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which of the following is a unit used for wavelength?

General properties of waves

Which diagram shows correctly a ray of light that has been reflected by a plane mirror?

Light

Which diagram illustrates how a converging lens is used as a magnifying glass?

Light

A sound wave moves from point X to point Y. Which diagram shows how the air molecules move, because of the sound wave, in the area between X and Y?

Sound

The speed of sound in air is $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Which row shows typical values for the speed of sound in a liquid and in a solid?

Sound

In which pair are both materials magnetic?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

What methods can be used to demagnetise a magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

What generates an electromotive force (e.m.f.)?

Electromagnetic effects

The table shows four different resistance wires. All four are made from the same metal. Which wire has the least resistance?

Electrical quantities

An object starts from rest and drops towards Earth. As it falls, air resistance acts on the object. In time, the air resistance becomes constant. Which account of the object’s motion at successive stages is correct?

Motion

Which circuit shows the direction of the conventional current $I$ and the movement of electrons?

Electric circuits

Each of the four lamps is marked $240\,\text{V}$. In which circuit do all four lamps shine at normal brightness?

Electric circuits

A battery charger is connected to a $230\,\text{V}$ a.c. mains supply. It is then used to charge a $6.0\,\text{V}$ d.c. battery. Inside the charger are diodes and a transformer. What is the purpose of these components?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a potential divider linked to two voltmeters P and Q. The resistance of the variable resistor is reduced. Which row shows what happens to the reading on each voltmeter?

Electric circuits

Following some renovation work in a house, a live wire without insulation is left sticking out of a wall. What is the biggest danger?

Electrical safety

An electron enters a uniform magnetic field. The arrow indicates the electron’s initial direction of motion. The magnetic field is directed into the plane of the page (away from you). In what direction does a force act on the electron as it enters the magnetic field?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates an a.c. generator. At the instant the coil moves through the position shown, the output voltage is $+10\,\text{V}$. At what point does the output voltage change to $-10\,\text{V}$?

Electromagnetic effects

Scattering of $\alpha$-particles by a thin metal foil provides evidence for the nuclear model of an atom. Why are $\alpha$-particles used instead of neutrons?

The nuclear model of the atom

A nucleus of the radioactive nuclide $^{218}_{84}\text{Po}$ first undergoes $\alpha$-decay and then $\beta$-decay. After both decays have occurred, what are the nucleon (mass) number and proton (atomic) number of the nuclide produced?

Radioactivity

A scientist performs an experiment with a sealed source that emits $\beta$-particles. The distance travelled by the $\beta$-particles in air is around $30\,\text{cm}$. Which precaution would be the most effective for protecting the scientist from the radiation?

Radioactivity

A concrete post is taken to the summit of a very high mountain. Because the gravitational field there is a little weaker than it is at the base, what change does this weaker field produce in the mass and in the weight of the post at the summit?

Mass and weight

Which row gives the properties of $\alpha$-particles and of $\gamma$-rays?

Radioactivity

The diagram represents a cuboid block formed from a metal with density $2.5\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$. Its dimensions are $10\,\text{cm} \times 2.0\,\text{cm} \times 2.0\,\text{cm}$. What mass does the block have?

Density

The diagram illustrates an object travelling around a circular path at constant speed in the direction indicated. A force acts on the object so that it remains on the circular path. When the object is at the position shown, in which labelled direction does this force act?

Motion

A spring follows Hooke’s law. Which graph is produced when the spring’s extension is plotted against the load applied?

Forces

What is the value of a vector quantity?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

The table lists four energy sources and shows whether the source’s energy comes from the Sun. Which row is correct?

Energy, work and power

A student is carrying out an investigation into volume and density. The student has a box, as shown in Fig. 1.1, together with a balance, a rule and some dry sand.

Density

A student uses a bar magnet to tell an unlabelled magnet apart from an iron bar.

Simple phenomena of magnetism

On Fig. 11.1, finish drawing the missing circuit symbols.

Electric circuits

The three ionising radiation types are alpha, beta and gamma.

Radioactivity

The three students leave school together and head to a bridge. They stay together on the bridge for three minutes, then each one returns to school separately. The distance-time graphs for student A, student B and student C are shown in Fig. 2.1.

Motion

Fig. 3.1 shows a see-saw. When it is not being used, the see-saw is horizontal. A small child is seated on one seat of the see-saw. This produces a turning effect about point P.

Forces

Fig. 4.1 depicts a balloon positioned beside a window on a bright, warm day. Fig. 4.2 illustrates how the balloon’s volume varies over the course of the day.

Kinetic particle model of matter

Fig. 5.1 illustrates a wave-powered generator that converts the motion of sea waves into electricity. The diagram labels these parts: chamber, incoming waves, air, turbine and generator, with the waves causing the water to rise and fall.

Energy, work and power

State what this line is called.

Light

Fig. 7.1 depicts a room containing a heater. Fig. 7.2 depicts the ceiling, which is made from an insulating material, with layers labelled: aluminium foil, foam with air trapped inside, aluminium foil.

Transfer of thermal energy

To work out the speed of sound in air, some students could use an echo method. Describe one suitable method and include the measurements they need to make.

Sound

Different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different purposes.

Electromagnetic spectrum

A driving instructor tells a student to bring the car to a halt in the shortest possible time. Fig. 1.1 gives the speed-time graph for the car’s motion from the instant the instruction is issued.

Motion

An isotope of iodine, $^{131}_{53}\text{I}$, undergoes $\beta$-emission to form an isotope of xenon (Xe).

Radioactivity

State the name of the logic gate shown.

Electric circuits

Fig. 2.1 depicts a hammer being used to hammer a nail into a block of wood. The mass of the hammer head is $0.15\,\text{kg}$. When the hammer head strikes the nail, its speed is $8.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. The duration of contact between the hammer head and the nail is $0.0015\,\text{s}$. After the impact, the hammer head comes to rest.

Momentum

On Fig. 3.1, sketch a graph of extension against load for a spring that follows Hooke’s law.

Energy, work and power

The Sun is the source of solar energy. Tick the box beside the resources whose energy also comes from the Sun: coal, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind.

Transfer of thermal energy

A student performs an experiment to investigate how the pressure $p$ and the volume $V$ of a fixed mass of gas are related. The table shows four of her measurement sets.

Kinetic particle model of matter

Fig. 6.1 shows the waveform of a sound wave. The wave moves with constant speed.

Sound

Explain what total internal reflection means.

Light

Fig. 8.1 illustrates 3 lamps together with a fuse linked to a power supply. The e.m.f. of the supply is $220\,\text{V}$. Each lamp is marked $220\,\text{V}, 40\,\text{W}$. The fuse is rated at $2.0\,\text{A}$.

Electric circuits

State what the direction of an electric field means.

Electrical quantities