May/June 2016

The diagram presents a magnified sketch of the end of a metre rule. It is being used to measure a small feather. How long is the feather?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A coal-fired power station produces electricity. The coal is burned, and the energy given out is used to heat water until it boils. The steam from the water causes the generator to rotate, which produces electricity. What terms describe the energy stored in the coal and the energy of the generator when it is moving?

Energy, work and power

Four different children each run up the same staircase. Which child has the greatest useful power when climbing the stairs?

Energy, work and power

The diagram depicts three vases, each having the same base area. In every vase, the water is the same depth. Which statement correctly describes the water pressures at points $P$, $Q$ and $R$?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. When atmospheric pressure rises, which distance becomes greater?

Pressure

Which statement correctly describes evaporation?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A gas is kept in a sealed container at fixed volume. Its temperature rises. As a result, the pressure of the gas rises. What happens to the gas molecules during this increase in pressure?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A substance transfers thermal energy (heat) to the surroundings at a constant rate. The graph illustrates how the substance’s temperature varies with time. What might the section $PQ$ of the graph show?

Thermal properties and temperature

A student wants to verify the upper fixed point and the lower fixed point on a thermometer with a Celsius scale. She has four beakers $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$. Beaker $P$ holds a mixture of ice and salt. Beaker $Q$ holds a mixture of ice and water. Beaker $R$ holds boiling salt solution. Beaker $S$ holds boiling water. Which two beakers should she choose to check the fixed points?

Thermal properties and temperature

The same amount of thermal energy is transferred to two solid objects X and Y. The rise in temperature of object X is larger than the rise in temperature of object Y. Which statement accounts for this?

Thermal properties and temperature

A liquid is heated in a beaker. As the liquid’s temperature rises, its density changes. This results in energy being carried through the liquid. How does the density change, and what is this energy transfer process?

Transfer of thermal energy

A train sets off from a station and covers $60\ \text{km}$ in $20\ \text{minutes}$. What is the train's average speed?

Motion

A rod consists of one half glass and one half copper. Four pins A, B, C and D are fixed to the rod with wax. The rod is heated at its midpoint, as illustrated. The pins drop away once the wax has melted. Which pin drops off first?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which row identifies the nature of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?

General properties of waves

A house sits at the foot of a hill and receives radio waves. The hill has made the waves reach the house by causing them to be

General properties of waves

The ray diagram illustrates the image of an object produced by a converging lens. What is the lens’s focal length?

Light

The diagram illustrates the dispersion of white light by a prism. Which row could be right for the colours observed at X, at Y and at Z?

Light

Why is ultrasound not audible to humans?

Sound

One sound wave has a particular amplitude and a particular frequency. A second sound wave is less loud and has a lower pitch than the first sound wave. The second wave possesses

Sound

Which statement about a magnet is correct?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student wants to produce a permanent magnet. She has one iron rod and one steel rod. Which rod ought she choose to make the permanent magnet, and is this rod a hard magnetic material or a soft magnetic material?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The circuit diagram shows two meters X and Y, connected in the correct way. Which row shows the unit for the quantity measured by X and the unit for the quantity measured by Y?

Electrical quantities

Two runners compete in a race. The graph illustrates how each runner’s speed varies with time. What does the graph indicate about the runners at time $t$?

Motion

A polythene rod is rubbed using a cloth. Both the rod and the cloth become electrically charged because electrons transfer between them. The rod ends up with a negative charge. Which diagram shows the way the rod becomes negatively charged, and the final charge on the cloth?

Electrical quantities

What is the purpose of a relay?

Electric circuits

The circuit diagram below includes three ammeters X, Y and Z. Which ammeter records the greatest reading?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates part of a circuit that is used to turn street lamps on and off automatically. In the evening, darkness falls. Which row shows what happens to the resistance of the light-dependent resistor (LDR) and to the potential difference (p.d.) across it?

Electric circuits

A domestic circuit contains a $30\ \text{A}$ fuse. Its purpose is to safeguard the wiring when the current in the circuit becomes too large. In which wire is the $30\ \text{A}$ fuse placed, and what happens when it works?

Electric circuits

A powerful electromagnet is used to pull in pins. What occurs when the current in the coil is halved?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram depicts a transformer. The input voltage is $240\ \text{V}$. What is the output voltage?

Electromagnetic effects

What is the number of neutrons in a nucleus of the nuclide $^{{37}}_{{17}}\text{Cl}$?

The nuclear model of the atom

One particular element has a number of isotopes. Which statement concerning these isotopes is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive nucleus gives out either an $\alpha$-particle or a $\beta$-particle. What products result from these two kinds of radioactive emission?

Radioactivity

A cup holds a hot liquid. Part of the liquid evaporates. What happens to the mass, and what happens to the weight, of the liquid in the cup?

Mass and weight

A measurement is recorded every 10 minutes for the number of emissions per second from a radioactive source. The table lists the measurements. Time / min: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Number of emissions per second: 800, 560, 400, 280, 200, 140, 100 What is the half-life of the source?

Radioactivity

An object has a mass of $50\ \text{kg}$. On Earth, the gravitational field strength is $10.0\ \text{N kg}^{-1}$. On a distant planet, the gravitational field strength is $4.0\ \text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the object's weight on Earth, and what is its weight on the distant planet?

Mass and weight

A student wants to find the density of an irregularly-shaped stone. He first measures the mass of the stone. He then places the stone into a measuring cylinder that contains water. The diagrams illustrate the measuring cylinder before and after the stone is put into it. How should the student work out the density of the stone?

Density

Which option gives an example of a force?

Forces

The diagram shows an object with weight $W$ and an object with weight $Z$ in balance on a uniform metre rule. Which equation linking $W$, $Z$, $a$ and $b$ is correct?

Forces

A skier travels from the base of a ski slope to the summit and increases her gravitational potential energy by $10\,000\,\text{J}$. She then goes back down the slope. When she reaches the bottom, her kinetic energy is $2000\,\text{J}$. How much energy is dissipated in overcoming friction and air resistance during the descent?

Energy, work and power

The diagram gives a magnified view of the end of a metre rule. It is used to measure the length of a small feather. What length does the feather have?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which energy source is used to heat water until it becomes steam in power stations?

Energy, work and power

Inside a factory, two men X and Y attempt to move two identical heavy boxes, P and Q. Man X tries to push box P across the floor. It stays still because something is blocking it. Man Y raises box Q from the floor up onto a shelf. Which man does the greatest amount of work on the box, and which box receives the greatest amount of energy?

Energy, work and power

A T-shaped girder is resting on the ground at position X. It is then flipped over to position Y. What happens to the force on the ground, and what happens to the pressure on the ground?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a basic mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance gets larger?

Pressure

A liquid is undergoing evaporation. It is not at its boiling point. Which statement about the liquid is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram represents a quantity of gas trapped in a cylinder beneath a piston. The piston may be shifted to the left or to the right. The gas temperature remains constant. Which row gives the effect of moving the piston slowly in the direction indicated in the table?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which statement explains what occurs when ice at $0^\circ\text{C}$ begins melting and turns into water?

Kinetic particle model of matter

What does the term fixed points of the scale of a liquid-in-glass thermometer mean?

Thermal properties and temperature

A liquid at room temperature is used to fill a flask and a glass tube up to level X. The flask is then put into ice, and the liquid level in the tube drops to level Y. Why does the level drop?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which process uses convection?

Transfer of thermal energy

The graph illustrates the variation of a van's speed with time during part of its journey. In which labelled section is the van decelerating?

Motion

A rod is composed of one half glass and one half copper. Four pins A, B, C and D are fixed to the rod using wax. The rod is heated at the centre, as shown. The pins drop off when the wax melts. Which pin drops off first?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which row identifies the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?

General properties of waves

Radio waves are picked up by a house at the base of a hill. They can arrive there because the hill has caused them to be bent

General properties of waves

The diagram depicts a ray of light travelling through air and striking a glass block. Part of the light is refracted, and part is reflected. Two angles $p$ and $q$ are labelled on the diagram. Which row states the angle of incidence and indicates whether the ray undergoes total internal reflection?

Light

Visible light has an approximate frequency of $5.0 \times 10^{14}\,\text{Hz}$. $M$ and $N$ are two further forms of electromagnetic radiation. The frequency of $M$ is $5.0 \times 10^{6}\,\text{Hz}$. The frequency of $N$ is $5.0 \times 10^{15}\,\text{Hz}$. What types of radiation are $M$ and $N$?

Electromagnetic spectrum

What is the approximate hearing range of a healthy human ear?

Sound

A singer produces two notes. The first note has a greater loudness and a lower pitch than the second note. Which statement about the two notes is correct?

Sound

Two nickel bars are positioned near the N-pole of a bar magnet. The nickel bars are magnetised. Which row gives the pole induced at $P$, the pole induced at $Q$, and the nature of the magnetic force between $P$ and $Q$?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student wants to produce a permanent magnet. She has an iron rod and a steel rod. Which rod should she choose to make the permanent magnet, and does this rod count as a hard magnetic material or a soft magnetic material?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Two meters are fitted into a circuit so that the current in a component and the potential difference across that component can be measured. Which meters are used, and how are they connected to the component?

Electric circuits

A large stone is released from a bridge into a river. Air resistance may be neglected. Which row gives the acceleration and the speed of the stone while it is falling?

Motion

A wire has a given electrical resistance. Its diameter and length may be altered. Which pair of changes has to make the resistance of the wire increase?

Electrical quantities

$P$ and $Q$ are the circuit symbols used for two electrical components. What components do $P$ and $Q$ stand for?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates two resistors linked in a circuit. What might be the total resistance of this resistor arrangement?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates part of a circuit that is used to turn street lamps on and off automatically. As evening falls, it becomes dark. Which row indicates what happens to the resistance of the light-dependent resistor (LDR) and to the potential difference (p.d.) across it?

Electric circuits

A domestic circuit has a $30\,\text{A}$ fuse fitted. It safeguards the wiring when the current in the circuit becomes too large. In which wire is the $30\,\text{A}$ fuse placed, and what happens to it when it operates?

Electrical safety

A strong electromagnet is used to pull pins towards it. What happens if the current in the coil is reduced to half?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram represents a transformer. The input voltage has a value of $240\,\text{V}$. What output voltage is produced?

Electromagnetic effects

A neutral atom is made up of electrons moving around a nucleus. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus. Which statement about the atom has to be correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

The following symbols show five nuclides. $^{{35}}_{{17}}X$ (nuclide 1), $^{{37}}_{{17}}X$ (nuclide 2), $^{{38}}_{{18}}X$ (nuclide 3), $^{{81}}_{{35}}X$ (nuclide 4), $^{{81}}_{{37}}X$ (nuclide 5) Which pair of nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which row gives the nature and one property of all $\beta$-particles?

Radioactivity

A cup holds a hot liquid. Part of the liquid evaporates. What happens to the liquid’s mass, and what happens to the liquid’s weight in the cup?

Mass and weight

The graph illustrates how the decay rate of a radioactive source varies over time. What is the activity at $8$ days?

Radioactivity

A boy throws a stone. After leaving the boy’s hand, the stone travels straight upwards. Air resistance is negligible. How should the force acting on the stone be described immediately after it leaves the boy’s hand?

Forces

The diagrams display the dimensions and masses of four regular solid shapes. Each shape is made from a different metal. Which metal has the greatest density?

Density

A car moves along a straight road. The speed-time graph for this trip is shown. During which labelled section of the trip is the resultant force on the car zero?

Forces

The diagrams display four objects A, B, C and D. On each diagram, the centre of mass $M$ is shown. Which object is not in equilibrium?

Forces

A skier goes from the foot of a ski slope up to the summit and gains $10000\ \text{J}$ of gravitational potential energy. She then skis back down the slope. When she reaches the bottom, her kinetic energy is $2000\ \text{J}$. How much energy is dissipated in overcoming friction and air resistance as the skier moves down the slope?

Energy, work and power

The diagram presents a magnified sketch of the end of a metre rule. It is used to measure how long a small feather is. What is the length of the feather?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which energy source is renewable and can be depended on to be available at all times?

Energy, work and power

Two workers are placing cans onto a shelf in a shop. Each worker lifts the same number of identical cans onto that same shelf from the same starting height. Worker P takes $3.0$ minutes to lift the cans. Worker Q takes $4.0$ minutes to lift the cans. Which statement about the workers is correct?

Energy, work and power

The diagram depicts four solid blocks made from the same metal. Each block has the same thickness and is placed on a bench, as shown. Which block of metal exerts the greatest pressure on the bench?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. Atmospheric pressure rises. Which distance gets larger?

Pressure

What is responsible for the random, zig-zag movement (Brownian motion) of smoke particles suspended in air?

Kinetic particle model of matter

An airtight bottle with fixed volume contains air. Sunlight warms the air inside the bottle. What happens to the average speed of the air molecules in the bottle, and to the average distance between them?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The melting points listed for ethanol and mercury are given here. Ethanol: $-114\ ^\circ\text{C}$. Mercury: $-39\ ^\circ\text{C}$. Which one, or both, of these liquids would be suitable for use in a liquid-in-glass thermometer to measure temperatures of $-50\ ^\circ\text{C}$ and $-120\ ^\circ\text{C}$?

Thermal properties and temperature

A jug containing water is at room temperature. Several ice cubes, each at a temperature of $0\ ^\circ\text{C}$, are dropped into the water and they start to melt immediately. What happens to the temperature of the water, and what happens to the temperature of the ice cubes while they are melting?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which quantity corresponds to the thermal capacity of a beaker?

Thermal properties and temperature

A student proposes some applications for containers made from good thermal conductors and for containers made from poor thermal conductors. In which row are both proposed applications correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

An object travels at a steady speed for a period of time, and then starts to speed up. Which distance-time graph represents this motion?

Motion

A rod has one half made from glass and the other half made from copper. Four pins A, B, C and D are held on the rod using wax. The rod is heated at its centre, as illustrated. The pins drop away once the wax melts. Which pin drops away first?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which row indicates the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?

General properties of waves

Radio waves are picked up at a house located at the foot of a hill. The waves reach the house because the hill has made them

General properties of waves

The diagram shows an object placed in front of a plane mirror. At which labelled position is the image of the object produced?

Light

White light is incident on a glass prism. The light emerging from the opposite side is split into colours. Which row correctly describes what happens?

Light

What range of wave frequencies contains only sounds that a human with normal hearing can detect?

Sound

A candle flame is positioned in front of a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker generates a sound wave, which makes the air particles oscillate. These oscillating air particles cause the candle flame to oscillate in the same direction as the air particles. Which row identifies the direction of vibration of the candle flame, and the nature of sound waves?

Sound

Which statement concerning magnetism is correct?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student wants to produce a permanent magnet. She has both an iron rod and a steel rod. Which rod should she select to make the permanent magnet, and is this rod a hard magnetic material or a soft magnetic material?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A flexible electrical cable has a central conductor surrounded by outer insulation. Which two materials would be suitable for making the cable?

Electrical quantities

For $15$ minutes, a car has an average speed of $60\,\text{km h}^{-1}$. What distance does the car cover in this time?

Motion

The diagram depicts a battery connected to two resistors. Four students each measure separately the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery, the current in the resistors, and the potential difference (p.d.) across resistor $R$. Their readings are given in the table below. Which row contains values with the correct units?

Electrical quantities

Why are the lamps in a household lighting circuit connected in parallel instead of in series?

Electric circuits

In the diagram, a cell is connected to two $6.0\,\Omega$ resistors. The currents $I_1$, $I_2$ and $I_3$ are marked. Which row gives the correct comparison of $I_2$ and $I_3$ with $I_1$?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows part of a circuit that is used to turn street lamps on and off automatically. In the evening, darkness falls. Which row shows how the resistance of the light-dependent resistor (LDR) changes and how the potential difference (p.d.) across the LDR changes?

Electric circuits

A domestic circuit has a $30\,\text{A}$ fuse. It safeguards the wiring when the current in the circuit becomes too large. In which wire is the $30\,\text{A}$ fuse fitted, and what happens when it functions?

Electrical safety

A powerful electromagnet is used to attract pins. What occurs when the current in the coil is reduced to half its original value?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates a transformer. The primary coil contains 800 turns, while the secondary coil contains 40 turns. An input voltage of $240\,\text{V}$ is supplied. What output voltage is obtained?

Electromagnetic effects

A proton and a neutron are both near a positively charged nucleus. In what way, if any, does the nucleus’s charge influence the proton and the neutron?

The nuclear model of the atom

The four statements below concern isotopes of a particular element. Which of these statements about the isotopes has to be correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Radioactive materials must be handled with care. Which safety precaution does not lower the risk for people using a radioactive material?

Radioactivity

A heavy object is let go near the Earth's surface and drops freely. Air resistance may be ignored. Which statement about the object's acceleration caused by gravity is correct?

Motion

A specimen of a radioactive isotope begins with an emission rate of 128 counts per minute and has a half-life of 4 days. How much time will pass before the emission rate decreases to 32 counts per minute?

Radioactivity

A cup holds a hot liquid. Part of the liquid evaporates. What happens to the mass and what happens to the weight of the liquid in the cup?

Mass and weight

Diagram 1 illustrates a measuring cylinder with water inside. Diagram 2 shows that same measuring cylinder and water after $10$ identical solid glass spheres have been placed in it. Each sphere has a mass of $10\,\text{g}$. What is the density of the glass used to make the spheres?

Density

A feather is falling through the air. Its speed downward remains constant. Which statement about the feather is correct?

Forces

The diagram depicts an L-shaped piece of card hanging freely from a pin at B. If the card is displaced, it moves back and forth and then settles in the position shown. At which labelled point is the centre of mass of the card?

Mass and weight

A skier travels from the foot of a ski slope to the top, increasing her gravitational potential energy by $10000\ \text{J}$. She then skis back down the slope. When she reaches the bottom, her kinetic energy is $2000\ \text{J}$. What amount of energy is dissipated in work done against friction and air resistance as the skier descends the slope?

Energy, work and power