Feb/March 2018

A student needs to determine the volume of a small piece of rock with an irregular shape. He has the following apparatus at his disposal. Which apparatus should the student use to determine the volume of the small piece of rock?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A ball is stationary at the top of a hill. It rolls down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, the ball collides with a wall and comes to rest. Which energy changes occur?

Energy, work and power

A man hauls a truck through a distance of $20\,\text{m}$, as illustrated in the three diagrams. Which statement about the work done against gravity is correct?

Energy, work and power

Which energy source is used in a nuclear power station to produce electrical energy?

Radioactivity

Two beakers are each filled to an equal depth, with one containing water and the other containing oil. Water has a density of $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$, while oil has a density of $920\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. At which position is the pressure highest?

Pressure

A water manometer is attached to a gas supply. A gas leak occurs, causing the pressure of the gas supply to decrease. What change occurs to the water level at $P$ and what change occurs to the water level at $Q$?

Pressure

Inside a cylinder fitted with a tap is a fixed mass of gas $X$. A piston seals the gas and is free to slide either towards or away from the tap. After the tap is opened, the piston shifts a small distance to the right, in the direction of the tap. What can be deduced about the pressure of gas $X$?

Pressure

Which quantity remains unchanged when the temperature increases?

Thermal properties and temperature

A thermometer has a low thermal capacity. Why does this give it an advantage?

Thermal properties and temperature

During an experiment, a thermometer is put into a test-tube containing hot liquid. The liquid's temperature is noted every half minute. The table presents the results. What temperature is the substance's melting point?

Thermal properties and temperature

A teacher shows a class an experiment. A boiling tube is partly filled with water, and a few ice cubes are held at the base of the tube. The teacher then heats the boiling tube in the arrangement shown until the water at the top reaches boiling point. The ice remains unmelted. What does this show?

Transfer of thermal energy

The speed-time graph shows the motion of a car moving along a straight, level road. Which statement best describes the car’s motion?

Motion

A hot metal plate is positioned close to a cold metal plate. Infra-red radiation transfers thermal energy between the two plates. Which colour would make the cold plate’s temperature rise most slowly?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which row gives one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal wave?

General properties of waves

An object is positioned in front of a plane mirror, as illustrated. A student looks at the object's image in the mirror from point P. At what location does she see the image?

Light

Light travels through a prism as illustrated. The ray is deflected and a spectrum of colours is formed. Which term is used to describe the formation of the spectrum of colours?

Light

What type of waves are emitted by a television remote controller?

Electromagnetic spectrum

The amplitude and frequency of a sound wave both get smaller. What effect does this have on the sound heard?

Sound

An electromagnet is used to take a splinter out of an eye. Which material is the splinter made of?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which diagram illustrates the magnetic field surrounding a bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A metal conductor is attached to a battery. Which statement describes the current in the metal conductor?

Electrical quantities

A student assembles the circuit shown in order to measure three quantities. 1 the current in the circuit 2 the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the cell 3 the potential difference across the lamp How many ammeters and how many voltmeters are required?

Electric circuits

An athlete covers 300 metres uphill at a constant speed of $3.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. She then straight away covers the same distance downhill at a constant speed of $6.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What is her average speed for the 600 metre journey?

Motion

A car headlamp has a current of $3.0\,\text{A}$ when it is connected to a $12\,\text{V}$ battery. What is the resistance of the lamp when it is illuminated?

Electrical quantities

The diagram represents a circuit with a cell, an ammeter, a lamp and a variable resistor. The resistance of the variable resistor is increased. What effect does this have on the ammeter reading, and what effect does it have on the brightness of the lamp?

Electric circuits

Diagram 1 shows two identical lamps arranged in series with a cell. Diagram 2 shows the same two lamps arranged in parallel with an identical cell. Which statement is correct?

Electric circuits

A circuit includes four ammeters and three resistors of different values. Which ammeter indicates the greatest reading?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates how the coil, armature and contacts are set up in a relay. Which diagram shows this setup when no current flows in the coil?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram shows a magnetic field. What produces this field?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates a simple rotating d.c. electric motor. Which alteration causes the motor to turn faster?

Electromagnetic effects

The symbol for an isotope of sodium is $^{23}_{11}\text{Na}$. Which row shows the composition of a neutral atom of this sodium isotope?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which diagram shows a nucleus of $^{3}_{1}\text{H}$?

The nuclear model of the atom

While measuring emissions from a radioactive rock that has been brought into the laboratory, a teacher says that background radiation has to be included. What is meant by this background radiation?

Radioactivity

Which of the statements is correct?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

The graph indicates how the percentage of a radioactive isotope remaining changes with time. A student finds the initial emission rate of this isotope to be 40 emissions per second. How long does it take for the emission rate to drop to 5000 emissions per second?

Radioactivity

The diagram depicts a bird flying through the air. It is moving horizontally towards the right. In which direction does air resistance act on the bird?

Forces

A measuring cylinder holds $30\,\text{cm}^3$ of a liquid. Additional liquid is poured in until the surface reaches the $50\,\text{cm}^3$ mark. The balance reading rises by $30\,\text{g}$. What is the density of the liquid?

Density

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

Forces

The diagram illustrates a uniform metre rule in equilibrium about its centre point. What is the weight $W$ positioned at the $20\,\text{cm}$ mark?

Forces

A wooden plank is balanced in equilibrium on two rocks that are positioned on opposite sides of a narrow stream. Three forces $P$, $Q$ and $R$ act on the plank. What relationship exists between the magnitudes of the forces?

Forces

What instrument is used to measure the diameter of a thin metal wire accurately?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A ball with mass $0.16\,\text{kg}$ is travelling forwards at a speed of $0.50\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. A second ball has mass $0.10\,\text{kg}$ and is at rest. The first ball collides with the second ball. After the collision, the second ball travels forwards at a speed of $0.50\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What is the speed of the first ball after the collision?

Momentum

A ball is stationary at the summit of a hill. It then rolls downhill. When it reaches the bottom of the hill, the ball strikes a wall and comes to rest. Which energy changes take place?

Energy, work and power

A student rides a bicycle on a level road at a speed of $5.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. The combined mass of the student and bicycle is $120\,\text{kg}$. The student uses the brakes and comes to rest. The braking distance is $10\,\text{m}$. What is the average braking force?

Energy, work and power

A water manometer is linked to a gas supply. If gas escapes through a leak and the pressure of the gas supply decreases, what change occurs to the water level at P, and what change occurs to the water level at Q?

Pressure

A submarine lies $20\,\text{m}$ below the sea surface. The pressure caused by the water at this depth is $P$. On another day, the submarine lies $26\,\text{m}$ below the surface of fresh water. The density of sea water is $1.3$ times the density of fresh water. What is the pressure caused by the fresh water at a depth of $26\,\text{m}$?

Pressure

A cylinder fitted with a tap holds a constant mass of gas X. The gas is enclosed by a piston that is free to move either towards or away from the tap. When the tap is opened, the piston shifts a little to the right, in the direction of the tap. What may be inferred about the pressure of gas X?

Pressure

Liquid evaporates from a beaker. What happens to the temperature of the liquid that is left behind, and how does this temperature change influence the rate of evaporation?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which quantity remains unchanged when temperature rises?

Thermal properties and temperature

A thermocouple is employed to measure temperature. What is one advantage of choosing a thermocouple rather than a liquid-in-glass thermometer?

Thermal properties and temperature

A copper block has a mass of $2.0\,\text{kg}$. It absorbs $12\,000\,\text{J}$ of thermal energy. The specific heat capacity of copper is $385\,\text{J}\,\text{kg}^{-1}\,^{\circ}\text{C}^{-1}$. What temperature increase does the copper experience?

Thermal properties and temperature

A parachutist is descending through the air at terminal velocity. Which of the following statements about the parachutist is correct?

Forces

A teacher shows a class an experiment. A boiling tube contains water, and some ice cubes are held at the base of the tube. The teacher then heats the boiling tube in the position shown until the water at the top starts boiling. The ice does not melt. What does this show?

Transfer of thermal energy

A metal cup is lined with plastic. Hot water is poured into the cup, and a hand is used to hold it. Which statement about how thermal energy is transferred from the water to the hand is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which row gives one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal wave?

General properties of waves

A wave travels through a gap, and diffraction makes it spread out. Which wave spreads out the most?

General properties of waves

An object is positioned in front of a plane mirror, as shown. A student observes the object’s image in the mirror from point P. At what position does she observe the image?

Light

In diamond, light travels at $1.24 \times 10^8\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. State the refractive index of diamond.

Light

Which statement gives the description of monochromatic light?

Light

As both the amplitude and the frequency of a sound wave fall, what change is heard in the sound?

Sound

A sound wave is moving through water. What could be one possible speed of the wave?

Sound

An electromagnet is used to take a splinter out of an eye. What material is the splinter made from?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The curved graph line represents the motion of a car. What is the acceleration of the car at the time of $4.0\text{ s}$?

Motion

A metal conductor is attached to a battery. Which statement describes the current in the metal conductor?

Electrical quantities

In an electric circuit, $40\,\text{C}$ of electric charge passes a point in $5.0\,\text{s}$. What is the current in the circuit?

Electrical quantities

A resistor carries a current of $5.0\,\text{A}$. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor is $24\,\text{V}$. How much energy is transferred in the resistor in $1.0\,\text{minute}$?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates a circuit. Switch S is closed. Which lamps will light up?

Electric circuits

A circuit includes four ammeters and three resistors of different values. Which ammeter gives the greatest reading?

Electric circuits

The diagrams illustrate pairs of circuits that include logic gates. In which diagram does the lower circuit in the pair not operate in the same manner as the upper circuit?

Electric circuits

A current in a coil creates a magnetic field around the coil, as illustrated. The potential difference across the coil is made larger and its direction is reversed. What happens to the magnetic field?

Electromagnetic effects

An isotope of sodium is represented by $^{23}_{11}\text{Na}$. Which row shows the make-up of a neutral atom of this sodium isotope?

The nuclear model of the atom

The radioactive isotope of hydrogen decays by beta emission into the isotope $^{3}_{2}\text{He}$. What is the nuclide notation of the hydrogen isotope?

Radioactivity

While measuring the emissions from a radioactive rock that has been brought into the laboratory, a teacher says that background radiation has to be considered. What does background radiation mean?

Radioactivity

The diagram depicts a bird in flight. The bird is moving horizontally towards the right. In which direction does air resistance act on the bird?

Forces

When solid caesium-137 decays by emitting a $\beta$-particle, solid barium-137 is produced, and this then emits a $\gamma$-ray. The barium-137 does not undergo any further decay. Caesium-137 has a half-life of 33 years. A pure block of caesium-137 has a mass of $2.0\,\mu\text{g}$. The diagram shows a radiation detector placed $5\,\text{cm}$ from the block. The detector gives a count rate of 2000 counts/second. Which statement is incorrect?

Radioactivity

On the Moon, the gravitational field strength is $1.6\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. An astronaut has a mass of $75\,\text{kg}$. Calculate the astronaut’s weight on the Moon.

Mass and weight

A measuring cylinder holds $30\,\text{cm}^3$ of a liquid. More of the liquid is poured in until the liquid surface is at the $50\,\text{cm}^3$ mark. The balance reading rises by $30\,\text{g}$. Find the density of the liquid.

Density

A stone with mass $0.12\,\text{kg}$ is launched from a catapult. Its velocity changes from $0$ to $5.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ over $0.60\,\text{s}$. What is the average resultant force acting on the stone during the launch?

Forces

Rod XY is uniform and has a weight of $2.0\,\text{N}$; its length is $80\,\text{cm}$. The rod is supported by a thread attached $20\,\text{cm}$ from end X. A $5.0\,\text{N}$ weight is hung from end X. A student places a $6.0\,\text{N}$ weight on the rod so that equilibrium is obtained. How far from end X is the $6.0\,\text{N}$ weight?

Forces

A wooden plank is balanced in equilibrium on two rocks positioned on opposite banks of a narrow stream. Three forces $P$, $Q$ and $R$ act on the plank. What is the relationship between the sizes of the forces?

Forces

A student has a stack of A4 paper for his computer printer. Fig. 1.1 gives the dimensions of the paper stack. Fig. 1.1 (not to scale) shows a rectangular pile with length 30.0 cm, width 20.0 cm and height 5.0 cm.

Density

A teacher demonstrates electromagnetic induction with the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 10.1. The labels shown are spring, magnet with poles S and N, coil and centre-zero millivoltmeter.

Electromagnetic effects

Describe and explain how the rod acquires a negative charge.

Electrical quantities

Fig. 12.1 illustrates a radioactive source positioned near a radiation detector and counter. The detector is able to detect $\alpha$, $\beta$ and $\gamma$ radiation. The radioactive source emits only $\beta$-particles.

Radioactivity

A group of cyclists is competing on a track.

Motion

Fig. 3.1 displays the load-extension graphs for two springs, A and B. The vertical axis gives load in N, while the horizontal axis shows extension in mm. The two straight-line plots are labelled spring A and spring B.

Forces

Fig. 4.1 illustrates a hydroelectric system that generates electrical energy. The labels shown are reservoir, pipe, power station and water.

Energy, work and power

Fig. 5.1 shows a sealed glass bottle with air trapped inside it. A cap closes the bottle, and the labels shown are cap and air.

Pressure

A thermometer is used to find the temperature inside a room in a house.

Transfer of thermal energy

Fig. 7.1 illustrates a light ray undergoing refraction as it moves from air into glass. The labels include ray of light, normal, air, glass, and angles marked w, x, y and z.

General properties of waves

A student builds an electrical circuit and sketches part of the circuit diagram, as shown in Fig. 8.1. The diagram includes a power supply, lamp A, lamp B and connecting wires.

Electric circuits

Fig. 9.1 shows the seven principal sections of the electromagnetic spectrum. The sections labelled are radio waves, microwaves, infra-red radiation, visible light, ultraviolet, one section left unnamed, and gamma rays.

Electromagnetic spectrum

Define acceleration as the rate at which velocity changes.

Motion

State three factors that influence the magnitude of the deflection.

Electromagnetic effects

ought to be stored.

Radioactivity

Explain why the object’s gravitational potential energy (g.p.e.) increases.

Energy, work and power

Complete the statement by inserting the missing words in the blank spaces. The moment of a force about a pivot is equal to ................ multiplied by ................

Forces

Fig. 4.1 shows a cold plastic spoon that has just been put into hot liquid in a cup.

Transfer of thermal energy

Fig. 5.1 illustrates the setup used to watch the motion of smoke particles suspended in air inside a box. Lamp light enters the box through a window in one side, and a microscope mounted above a window in the top is used to view the smoke particles.

Kinetic particle model of matter

State which radiation occupies each of the regions labelled A, B, C and D in Fig. 6.1.

Light

Calculate the speed of the light wave in water.

Light

Calculate the current in the lamp while it is working normally.

Electrical quantities

Fig. 9.1 presents current-potential difference graphs for a resistor and a lamp.

Electric circuits