Oct/Nov 2017

A student finds the volume of a cork. First, he pours some water into a measuring cylinder and then adds one glass ball. Next, he places the cork and then a second, identical glass ball into the water, as illustrated below. Diagram 1 shows the initial water level. Diagram 2 shows the water level after one glass ball has been added. Diagram 3 shows the water level after the cork and the second glass ball have been added. What is the volume of the cork?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A pendulum bob moves from W, passing through X and Y, to Z and then returns to W. Which statement is correct?

Motion

A student runs up a flight of stairs. Which piece of information is not required to calculate the rate at which the student is doing work against gravity?

Energy, work and power

What is a manometer used for?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. Which length is measured to determine atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

A pollen grain in a beaker containing still water is observed with a microscope. Which diagram is most likely to represent the movement of the pollen grain?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a rubber toy containing air. When a child sits on the toy, its volume gets smaller. The temperature of the air inside the toy stays the same. How does the air pressure in the toy change, and why?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A strip of iron and a strip of brass are joined tightly together along their full length. This paired arrangement is called a bimetallic strip. When the bimetallic strip is heated, it bends as shown. It is then cooled and returns to a straight shape. What causes the bimetallic strip to become straight again?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates an electric heater used to warm a beaker of water and a matching beaker that contains oil. Each is heated for one minute. The temperature of the water and the temperature of the oil rise steadily. The increase in the oil’s temperature is much larger than the increase in the water’s temperature. Why is this?

Thermal properties and temperature

The air temperature inside a cold room is $15^{\circ}\text{C}$. To warm the room, a heater containing water at $50^{\circ}\text{C}$ is used. Through which process is most of the thermal energy passed through the air in the room?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which of the following statements about convection currents is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

The graph illustrates the way the speed of a car changes over a time interval of $10\,\text{s}$. What distance does the car cover in the $10\,\text{s}$?

Motion

The diagram shows a wave moving along a rope. Which labelled arrow shows the wave’s wavelength?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows plane wavefronts of a water wave just before it reaches a solid barrier. Which diagram shows where the wavefronts are after reflection from the barrier?

General properties of waves

The diagram depicts an object placed in front of a plane mirror. A ray of light from the object strikes the mirror. Through which point does the reflected ray pass, and at which point is the image of the object produced?

Light

Which ray diagram illustrates a converging lens producing a real image of the small object O?

Light

Visible light, X-rays and microwaves are all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which statement about these waves is correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Space contains a vacuum. Waves arriving from stars are used to give information about the stars. Which kind of waves do not give information about stars?

Sound

A student is positioned $180\,\text{m}$ away from a vertical, flat cliff and strikes two pieces of wood together to produce a brief, loud sound. A timer shows that the echo is heard $1.5$ seconds after the wood is struck together. Using this information, what is the speed of sound?

Sound

A train of steel nails and a train of iron nails are suspended from a strong magnet. The trains are then taken off the magnet carefully. What happens to the trains?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The north pole of a bar magnet is brought, one after the other, close to each end of a rod X. One end of the rod is repelled by the north pole, whereas the other end is attracted towards the north pole. The same experiment is done again using the bar magnet and a different rod Y, but this time both ends of the rod are attracted towards the north pole. What materials could rods X and Y be made of?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student carries out an investigation into the electrostatic charges on three objects, P, Q and R. The student puts object P on the insulated pan of a balance and records the balance reading. Next, the student holds object Q a short distance above object P and records the balance reading. Lastly, the student holds object R the same short distance above object P and records the balance reading. The student’s results are shown. Which row gives charges that could account for these results?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates how the speed of a falling object varies over time. Which row describes the object's motion from X to Y, and from Y to Z?

Motion

What equation is used to work out resistance?

Electrical quantities

A student sets up a circuit using a power supply, a lamp and an ammeter. In what part of the circuit should the ammeter be placed?

Electric circuits

Two $3.0\,\Omega$ resistors are arranged in parallel. Which statement about the total resistance is correct?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a potential divider circuit. What effect does moving the slider have on the voltmeter reading?

Electric circuits

The diagram depicts a circuit in which a fixed resistor is connected in series with a thermistor and an ammeter. Which row indicates how a change in temperature affects the thermistor’s resistance and the current in the circuit?

Electric circuits

An appliance is connected to a mains supply. The circuit also has a switch and a fuse. Which circuit diagram shows the fuse in the correct location?

Electrical safety

An electric current flows in a straight wire in a direction into the page. As a result, a magnetic field is produced around the wire. Every field line is a circle, although only one field line is drawn. Which row gives the description of the magnetic field?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A current-carrying wire is positioned within a magnetic field. The field exerts a force on the wire. Which action does not alter the direction of the force?

Electromagnetic effects

The chlorine isotopes $^{35}_{17}\text{Cl}$ and $^{37}_{17}\text{Cl}$ show identical chemical behaviour. What is the reason for this?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source gives off three kinds of radiation R, S and T. The diagram shows an experimental arrangement used to investigate the penetrating abilities of R, S and T. What types of radiation are R, S and T?

Radioactivity

A piece of metal is hung from a spring, causing it to stretch. What is the name of the force that causes the spring to stretch?

Mass and weight

What does the term half-life of a radioactive isotope mean?

Radioactivity

The graph illustrates the way weight changes with mass on planet P and on planet Q. An object has a weight of $400\,\text{N}$ on planet P. The object is then moved to planet Q. Which row is right?

Mass and weight

What information is required to determine the density of a regularly shaped block?

Density

A student carries out an experiment by suspending different loads from a spring. The diagrams show the spring’s length with the different loads attached. Which row shows the correct extensions of the spring?

Forces

A car mechanic is attempting to undo a wheel nut. He exerts a force on the end of a spanner (wrench) at right-angles to the spanner. Which method gives the greatest turning effect on the nut?

Forces

The diagrams display four table lamps placed on a table. The centre of mass of each lamp is marked X. Which lamp is the most stable?

Forces

A student carries out an investigation into the rate at which oil flows through a funnel. The diagrams illustrate the setup and show the volume of oil in the measuring cylinder at the beginning of the experiment, and again after one minute. What is the rate of flow of oil through the funnel over the one minute?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A load is hung from the lower end of a spring. A student pulls the load downward from its equilibrium position and then lets it go. The load moves up and down and finally stops. Which row states the type of energy transferred to the apparatus, and the form of energy into which this has been changed when the load has come to rest?

Energy, work and power

A student goes up a staircase. Which piece of information is not required in order to calculate the rate at which the student is doing work against gravity?

Energy, work and power

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. One of its faces has dimensions of $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. This face is touching a table. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure does the book exert on the table?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a basic mercury barometer. Which length is measured to determine atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

A pollen grain placed in a beaker of water that is not moving is observed using a microscope. Which diagram shows the movement of the pollen grain that is most likely?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a rubber toy containing air. When a child sits on the toy, the toy’s volume gets smaller. The temperature of the air inside the toy remains constant. How does the air pressure in the toy change, and why?

Pressure

Which row shows the fixed points on the Celsius scale?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates an electric heater being used to warm a beaker of water and an identical beaker that contains oil. Both are heated for one minute. The temperature of the water and the temperature of the oil rise steadily. The rise in temperature of the oil is much larger than that of the water. Why is this?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which statement correctly describes the direction of a change of state?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Three cups are all produced from the same insulating material. Each cup contains the same volume of hot tea. In which cup does the tea lose heat most rapidly, and in which cup does it lose heat most slowly?

Transfer of thermal energy

The graph shows the movement of a vehicle. What distance does the vehicle travel in $400\,\text{s}$?

Motion

What makes a balloon full of hot air rise?

Density

A wave travels across the surface of water. What is the wavelength of this wave?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows plane wavefronts of a water wave that is just about to hit a solid barrier. Which diagram shows the position of the wavefronts after reflection from the barrier?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows an object O placed in front of a thin converging lens with focal length $f$. At which point will a sharp image of the object be produced by the lens?

Light

The diagram illustrates light moving from glass into air. What is the angle of refraction for this ray of light?

Light

Which device is intended to generate a form of electromagnetic wave?

Electromagnetic spectrum

What does ultrasound mean?

Sound

A student discovers that sound takes $0.33$ seconds to travel $100$ metres. Using this information, what is the speed of sound?

Motion

A chain of steel nails and a chain of iron nails are suspended from a strong magnet. Both chains are then gently taken off the magnet. What occurs to the chains?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The two circuits are arranged as shown. The iron rods are positioned near each other and can move. What happens to the width of the gap at X when switch S is closed?

Electromagnetic effects

The speed-time graph shows the motion of an object. What is the object's average speed?

Motion

Which circuit could be used to measure the resistance of resistor $R$?

Electric circuits

A wire has resistance $R$. A second wire is made from the same metal and is twice as long and has twice the diameter of the first wire. What is the resistance of the second wire?

Electrical quantities

The circuit diagram includes a $4.0\ \Omega$ resistor and an $8.0\ \Omega$ resistor connected to a $6.0\ \text{V}$ battery. What is the potential difference (p.d.) across the $4.0\ \Omega$ resistor?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a motor and a light-dependent resistor (LDR) arranged in a circuit. Which change reduces the current in the motor so that it rotates more slowly?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a circuit in which a fixed resistor is connected in series with a thermistor and an ammeter. Which row indicates the effect of a temperature change on the thermistor's resistance and on the current in the circuit?

Electric circuits

An appliance is linked to a mains supply. Its circuit also includes a switch and a fuse. Which circuit shows the fuse placed in the correct position?

Electrical safety

The diagram depicts a bar magnet and a coil of wire. In every experiment, the bar magnet is moved at the same speed. In which case is the greatest electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced?

Electromagnetic effects

Diagram 1 illustrates a wire that is carrying an electric current. The wire is positioned between the poles of a magnet. The current and the magnetic field together exert an upward force on the wire, as indicated. In diagram 2, both the magnetic poles and the current are reversed. In diagram 2, which way does the force act on the wire?

Electromagnetic effects

A nuclide of radon-222 is written as $^{222}_{86}\text{Rn}$. In the nucleus of this nuclide, how many protons are present and how many neutrons are present?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source gives out three kinds of radiation, R, S and T. The diagram shows an experimental arrangement designed to investigate the penetrating ability of R, S and T. What are the identities of radiations R, S and T?

Radioactivity

A piece of metal is hung from a spring, causing it to extend. What is the name of the force that extends the spring?

Mass and weight

The half-life of a radioactive source is $0.5$ hours. A detector placed close to the source records $6000$ counts per second. Assume background radiation is negligible. What reading will the detector give after $1.5$ hours?

Radioactivity

The graph illustrates the way weight changes with mass on planet P and on planet Q. An object has a weight of $400\,\text{N}$ on planet P. The object is then moved to planet Q. Which row is correct?

Mass and weight

What information is required to determine the density of a regularly shaped block?

Density

The diagram represents an aircraft moving along a straight horizontal path at constant speed. $W$ represents the weight of the aircraft. $L$ represents the lift (upward force) caused by air flowing over the wings. $T$ represents the thrust force produced by the engine. $D$ represents the air resistance (drag). The directions of these forces are shown on the diagram. How are the forces related to one another?

Forces

A beam that is pivoted carries a load $P$ at one end and a load $Q$ at the opposite end. The beam’s weight may be neglected. The beam is in equilibrium. Which row gives possible values for $P$ and for $Q$?

Forces

In every diagram, a metal plate has four parallel forces acting on it. No other forces act on the plates. Which diagram shows the plate in equilibrium?

Forces

A measuring cylinder contains water. A small metal block is lowered slowly into the water and then taken out. Next, a piece of plastic is fixed to the metal block, and the block is once more lowered slowly into the water. The diagrams show the measuring cylinder at each stage of this process. What is the volume of the plastic piece?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A toy car that has no motor is travelling at high speed around a track. The toy car goes through a vertical loop, as shown. Which row states the changes in the car’s kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy at the position shown?

Energy, work and power

A student climbs a staircase. Which piece of information is not required to work out the rate at which the student is doing work against gravity?

Energy, work and power

The diagram depicts a simple mercury barometer. Which length is measured to determine atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

A polystyrene cube with mass $5.0\,\text{kg}$ is set on a horizontal surface. The pressure exerted by the cube is $89\,\text{N m}^{-2}$. What is the length of one side of the cube?

Pressure

A pollen grain in a beaker containing still water is observed using a microscope. Which diagram shows the pollen grain’s most likely movement?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram shows a rubber toy containing air. A child sits on the toy, causing its volume to decrease. The temperature of the air inside the toy remains constant. How does the pressure of the air in the toy change, and why?

Pressure

Which property is not suitable for measuring temperature?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates an electric heater heating a beaker of water and an identical beaker that contains oil. Each is heated for one minute. The water temperature and the oil temperature both rise steadily. The rise in the oil’s temperature is much larger than the rise in the water’s temperature. Why does this happen?

Thermal properties and temperature

Why is the heating coil in a domestic immersion heater positioned at the bottom of the tank?

Transfer of thermal energy

A plane wave in a shallow water tank with uniform depth strikes a small gap in a barrier at right angles. What occurs once the wave has passed through the gap?

General properties of waves

A car starts from rest and covers a distance of $100\,\text{m}$ in $10\,\text{s}$. Which speed-time graph shows the motion of this car?

Motion

The diagram shows plane wavefronts of a water wave just before they hit a solid barrier. Which diagram shows where the wavefronts are after reflection from the barrier?

General properties of waves

The figure depicts a ray of light in glass. The ray meets a boundary with air. A faint ray of light has been left out of the figure. Which statement is correct?

Light

A beam of light enters a transparent block. It is refracted inside the block and then reaches the top surface of the block at the critical angle. Which diagram shows the angle of refraction $r$ and the critical angle $c$ correctly?

Light

Which of these statements about radio waves is correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which forms of thermal energy transfer occur because of electromagnetic waves?

Transfer of thermal energy

In air, the speed of sound is $330\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. In air, ultraviolet waves travel at $3.0\times10^8\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. Which row shows a possible frequency and speed for an ultrasound wave in air?

Sound

The diagram depicts the Earth and the space around it. Sound cannot travel through which labelled region?

Sound

A chain of steel nails and a chain of iron nails are suspended from a strong magnet. The chains are then carefully taken away from the magnet. What happens to the chains?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates an electromagnet. Which material is part X made of?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

In what unit is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a battery measured?

Electrical quantities

The diagram shows the speed-time graph for a bicycle journey. During which part is the bicycle moving at a constant speed?

Motion

The diagram displays a circuit symbol for a component that may be used as an input transducer. Which graph indicates how the component’s resistance changes with its chosen input variable?

Electrical quantities

Which statement is incorrect for two identical lamps connected in parallel?

Electric circuits

Only one ammeter in the circuit gives a wrong reading. Which ammeter gives the wrong reading?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit containing a fixed resistor in series with a thermistor and an ammeter. Which row indicates how a change in temperature affects the thermistor's resistance and the current in the circuit?

Electric circuits

An appliance is connected to the mains supply, and the circuit also includes a switch and a fuse. Which circuit shows the fuse placed in the correct position?

Electrical safety

An electrical device needs a voltage of $5.0\,\text{V}$ to function normally. The mains supply voltage is $250\,\text{V}$. Which row shows a transformer that gives an output voltage allowing the device to work normally when it is connected to the mains supply?

Electromagnetic effects

A magnetic field exists around a straight wire that carries current. Which diagram shows the magnetic field pattern most accurately around the wire?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which row gives the charge of an electron and says whether electrons are found within the nucleus of an atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

The element sodium, symbol Na, has a proton number of $11$. Which symbol could represent a sodium nuclide?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source gives out three forms of radiation, R, S and T. The diagram illustrates an experiment arranged to investigate the penetrating ability of R, S and T. What are the identities of the radiations R, S and T?

Radioactivity

A piece of metal is hung from a spring, causing it to stretch. What is the name of the force responsible for stretching the spring?

Mass and weight

Radioactive iodine-131 releases $\beta$-particles and possesses a half-life of $8$ days. It decays into xenon-131. Which statement about this decay is correct?

Radioactivity

The graph illustrates how weight changes with mass on planet P and on planet Q. An object has a weight of $400\,\text{N}$ on planet P. The object is then moved to planet Q. Which row is correct?

Mass and weight

What is required to determine the density of a regularly shaped block?

Density

A cart is acted on by a forward force of $500\,\text{N}$. It also experiences a backward force of $200\,\text{N}$. No other forward or backward forces act on the cart. What is the resultant force on the cart?

Forces

The diagram represents a beam with a pivot, a load $P$ at one end and a load $Q$ at the opposite end. The pivot may be shifted to the left or to the right, and the loads may be made larger or smaller. The weight of the beam may be neglected. Which combination of pivot position and loads makes the beam balanced in equilibrium?

Forces

The lamp in the diagram is quite unstable and can topple easily. Which row shows changes that would certainly make the lamp more stable?

Forces