Oct/Nov 2018

A pendulum is started swinging and its motion is timed. The interval recorded for 20 full swings is $30\ \text{s}$. What is the time for one full swing of the pendulum?

Motion

Which device is intended to transform chemical energy into kinetic energy?

Energy, work and power

A man is ascending a ladder. Which two quantities can be used to work out the useful power produced by the man?

Energy, work and power

A manometer is used to determine the pressure of gas in a metal container. What is the pressure inside the container?

Pressure

A manometer is used to find the pressure of a gas supply. Which alteration results in a larger value of height $h$?

Pressure

When a liquid evaporates, the molecules with the greatest energy leave first. The temperature of the liquid that is left changes. Which row states where these molecules leave from and describes how the temperature changes?

Thermal properties and temperature

Diagram 1 illustrates apparatus used to observe smoke particles. Diagram 2 illustrates the random motion of a smoke particle. Why do smoke particles move in a random way?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Two electricity pylons are 60 m apart. An engineer installs a cable measuring 62 m between the pylons. Why does the engineer select a cable that is longer than the gap between the two pylons?

Forces

A sample of ice is heated gradually while its temperature is recorded. A graph of temperature plotted against time is then drawn. Which row states what happens to the thermal energy and to the temperature in section X?

Thermal properties and temperature

A prism is placed in the path of part of the Sun’s radiation. The diagram shows the spectrum produced by the radiation. At which point on the screen does infra-red radiation arrive?

Electromagnetic spectrum

On a chilly day, a polished metal rod feels colder to the touch than a black plastic rod. Which statement gives the reason for this observation?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagrams show distance-time graphs for four bodies. Which body is travelling with increasing speed?

Motion

A boat rises and falls again and again as a water wave travels past it. What is the name for the number of up-and-down movements of the boat in one unit of time?

General properties of waves

Plane water waves move from a shallow area into a deeper area. Their speed is higher in the deeper water. Which diagram shows the wave pattern in the deeper water?

General properties of waves

A parallel beam of light falls on a plane mirror. Which diagram shows the way the beam is reflected by the mirror?

Light

The diagram depicts a parallel, cylindrical light beam of diameter $d$ striking a thin converging lens. A screen is positioned at a distance of two focal lengths $2f$ from the lens. Which diagram indicates the size of the light patch formed on the screen?

Light

Different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different applications. Four statements about parts of the spectrum are shown below. Which statements are correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A woman listens to the first note from a clarinet. She then hears a second note with a higher pitch and a smaller loudness. Which row compares the frequency and the amplitude of these two notes?

Sound

The diagram illustrates a bar magnet together with four plotting compasses. Which compass indicates the direction of the magnetic field produced by the magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Iron is used for the core of a transformer, and steel is used to make a bar magnet. Which statement gives the reason for these uses of iron and steel?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A plastic rod P carrying a negative charge is positioned above a plastic rod Q carrying a positive charge. In which directions do the electrostatic forces act on rod P and on rod Q?

Electrical quantities

The diagrams illustrate the scales on three ammeters. Which ammeters indicate the same current reading?

Electrical quantities

A runner covers $300\ \text{m}$ at an average speed of $3.0\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. She then covers a further $300\ \text{m}$ at an average speed of $6.0\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. What is her average speed over the whole distance of $600\ \text{m}$?

Motion

An ammeter and a voltmeter are used to determine the resistance of a component in a circuit. In what way are the ammeter and the voltmeter connected?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit containing a power supply and four components. What is component N?

Electric circuits

Two lamps are wired in parallel. Which switches need to be closed for both lamps to light?

Electric circuits

The circuit diagram depicts a variable potential divider. As the slider is shifted from P towards Q, what effect does this have on the voltmeter reading and on the lamp’s brightness?

Electric circuits

A fuse or a circuit-breaker may be used to protect electrical cables from large currents that could lead to overheating. If a fuse is fitted, where should it be placed, and if a circuit-breaker is fitted, where should it be placed?

Electrical safety

Which electrical device makes use of the turning effect on a current-carrying coil when it is placed in a magnetic field?

Electromagnetic effects

A wire is situated in a strong magnetic field. As a current flows through the wire, it moves upwards, as shown. The current is then reversed. In what direction does the wire move?

Electromagnetic effects

Which diagram shows the structure of a neutral atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

Every nucleus of nuclide X has 10 protons and 22 nucleons altogether. Which notation is the correct one for this nuclide?

The nuclear model of the atom

The diagram illustrates the routes taken by three different kinds of radiation X, Y and Z. Which row correctly names X, Y and Z?

Radioactivity

Which physical quantity is measured in newtons?

Forces

A sample of a radioactive isotope gives out 9600 $\alpha$-particles each second. After 40 hours, the emission rate has decreased to 600 $\alpha$-particles per second. What is the half-life of this isotope?

Radioactivity

Four identical steel blocks are put on a balance. The balance shows $220\ \text{N}$. What is the mass of one steel block?

Mass and weight

The volume of a liquid is $0.040\ \text{m}^3$ and its mass is $30\,000\ \text{g}$. What is the density of the liquid?

Density

Graphs of the unstretched lengths and extension–load relationship are given for four different springs. When a load of $5.0\ \text{N}$ is attached to each spring, which spring has the greatest length?

Forces

A car travels on a flat road. The diagram shows all the horizontal forces acting on the car. Which statement is correct?

Forces

Which force and distance combination gives the smallest moment around a pivot?

Forces

A pendulum is started and its motion is timed. The measured time for 20 full oscillations is $30\,\text{s}$. What is the time for one full oscillation of the pendulum?

Motion

Which device is intended to change chemical energy into kinetic energy?

Energy, work and power

Which two physical quantities are needed to determine the power developed by a student as they run up a flight of steps?

Energy, work and power

A simple mercury barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure. Which height is measured in order to determine the atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

The particles in a gas, inside a container with fixed volume, receive more energy. What effect does this have on the gas?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A manometer is used to measure the pressure of a gas supply. Which alteration results in a larger value of height $h$?

Pressure

Choices

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A metal lid fitted to a glass jar is hard to loosen. The jar is then put in a warm oven until the jar and the lid have reached the same temperature. After that, the lid can be unscrewed without difficulty. Which property explains this?

Thermal properties and temperature

Two cold metal containers X and Y each contain the same mass of hot water at the same initial temperature. Both containers are well insulated. Container X has a larger thermal capacity than container Y. Compare the final temperatures of the water in X and in Y.

Thermal properties and temperature

A prism lets some of the Sun’s radiation pass through it. The diagram displays the radiation spectrum. At which point on the screen does the infra-red radiation arrive?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which statement about convection is not correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

The graph illustrates how the speed of an object changes with time. At which point on the graph does it travel the greatest distance in each second?

Motion

What does the frequency of a water wave mean?

General properties of waves

Plane water waves move from a shallow area into deeper water. They travel faster in the deeper water. Which diagram shows the wave pattern in the deeper water?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates two plane mirrors set at $90^\circ$ to each other. A ray of light strikes one of the mirrors. It is reflected from both mirrors before it arrives at a screen. At which labelled point does the ray hit the screen?

Light

Which diagram illustrates the formation of a real image from an object O positioned in front of a converging lens?

Light

Different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are employed for different functions. Here are four statements about regions of the spectrum. Which of these statements are correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which of the following statements about ultrasound is correct?

Sound

An iron bar PQ is positioned near a bar magnet. Which diagram shows end P as an induced north pole?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates a bar magnet resting on a smooth horizontal surface. A length of soft-iron wire is positioned parallel to the magnet. The wire is then let go. What happens?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A negatively charged plastic rod P is positioned above a positively charged plastic rod Q. In which directions do the electrostatic forces act on rod P and on rod Q?

Electrical quantities

The diagrams display the ammeter readings in a series circuit before and after the circuit switch has been closed. What is the current in the circuit when the switch is closed?

Electric circuits

An athlete travels at a speed of $8\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ for $10\,\text{s}$, then moves at $6\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ for $12\,\text{s}$. Which calculation would find the athlete’s average speed in $\text{m s}^{-1}$?

Motion

A student is investigating the resistance of a lamp. Which row shows how the meters should be connected?

Electric circuits

A lamp is connected in a circuit so that the potential difference across it can be changed from $0$ to $12\,\text{V}$. Which circuit is suitable?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a circuit. Which statement describes and explains how the circuit operates?

Electric circuits

Which component uses a small direct current (d.c.) in one circuit to switch on a much larger current in another circuit?

Electric circuits

A fuse or a circuit-breaker may be used to protect electrical cables against large currents that might make them overheat. If a fuse is fitted, at what point should it be connected, and if a circuit-breaker is fitted, at what point should it be connected?

Electrical safety

The diagram depicts a horizontal wire placed between the two magnetic poles of a U-shaped magnet. The U-shaped magnet rests on a balance. When the switch is closed, the balance reading falls. The experiment is repeated three more times, each time with the changes listed below. Which of these changes would make the balance reading increase?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram represents a coil of wire positioned between the poles of a magnet. The coil contains 20 turns of insulated wire. It is joined to a variable resistor and a power supply. How can the turning effect on the coil be increased?

Electromagnetic effects

Which diagram illustrates the structure of a neutral atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

The isotope lithium-7 is written in nuclide notation as $^7_3\text{Li}$. How many neutrons are present in one atom of lithium-7?

The nuclear model of the atom

The diagram illustrates the routes taken by three different kinds of radiation X, Y and Z as they pass through 2 mm of plastic, 10 mm of aluminium and 50 mm of lead. Which row correctly identifies X, Y and Z?

Radioactivity

Which physical quantity is expressed in newtons?

Forces

Samples from four different radioactive isotopes all emit radiation at the same rate. Over time, the emission rates fall for every sample. Which isotope sample shows the largest reduction in rate?

Radioactivity

An object hangs from a spring balance on the Earth. The same object hangs from that same spring balance on another planet. Which statement accounts for the difference between the two readings?

Mass and weight

The diagram displays four blocks made from different metals. Each block has a mass of $12\,\text{g}$. Which metal has the greatest density?

Density

Which option is an example of a force?

Forces

A car is travelling on a flat road. The diagram shows every horizontal force acting on the car. Which statement is right?

Forces

Point $X$ is the centre of mass of a lamina shaped as a triangle with sides of equal length. The top part of the triangle is removed along the dotted line shown. What is the effect on the centre of mass, $X$?

Momentum

A pendulum is started and its motion is timed. The measured time for $20$ complete swings is $30\,\text{s}$. What is the time taken for one complete swing of the pendulum?

Motion

Which device is intended to convert chemical energy into kinetic energy?

Energy, work and power

A weight is suspended from a rope. In which situation does the force do the greatest amount of work on the weight?

Energy, work and power

A liquid in a dish evaporates, causing the temperature of the liquid that remains to change. Which row is right?

Transfer of thermal energy

Diagram 1 shows the apparatus used to observe smoke particles. Diagram 2 illustrates the random motion of a smoke particle. Why do the smoke particles move in a random way?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which row gives the order of thermal expansion for solids, liquids and gases from smallest to largest?

Thermal properties and temperature

Steam at $100\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ changes into water at $100\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. What happens to the average distance between the water molecules, and what happens to their average speed?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A prism allows some of the Sun’s radiation to pass through it. The diagram displays the spectrum of the radiation. At which point on the screen does the infra-red radiation arrive?

Electromagnetic spectrum

One end of a polished metal rod is heated, and the opposite end soon becomes hot. Which statement explains why the opposite end soon becomes hot?

Transfer of thermal energy

A girl rides her bicycle. The diagram illustrates how her speed varies with time during part of her journey. In which labelled section is her speed constant?

Motion

Which statement concerning waves is correct?

General properties of waves

Plane water waves move from a shallow area into a deeper area. They travel faster in the deeper water. Which diagram represents the wave pattern in the deeper water?

General properties of waves

A plane mirror is positioned so that it makes an angle of $45^\circ$ with a table. A ray of light, travelling initially parallel to the table, strikes the mirror. What angle does the reflected ray form with the table?

Light

A thin converging lens has an object positioned $20\ \text{cm}$ in front of it. The scale diagram shows the lens producing a real, inverted image. Which row states the focal length of the lens and the image distance from the lens?

Light

Various sections of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for different purposes. Four statements about parts of the spectrum are given below. Which are correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which row states the characteristics of sound waves and identifies the effect responsible for producing an echo of a sound?

Sound

Which diagram illustrates the pattern and direction of the magnetic field lines surrounding a bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates a section of a circuit that includes an ammeter, a voltmeter and a resistor $R$. The ammeter and the voltmeter are placed in the correct positions for finding the resistance of $R$. Which expression gives the value of $R$?

Electric circuits

A negatively charged plastic rod P is positioned above a positively charged plastic rod Q. In what directions do the electrostatic forces act on rod P and on rod Q?

Electrical quantities

Which row gives the meaning of the quantity e.m.f. and the unit used to measure it?

Electrical quantities

A boy covers $400\,\text{m}$ at an average speed of $4.0\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. He covers the first $200\,\text{m}$ in $40\,\text{s}$. How long does he take to cover the second $200\,\text{m}$?

Motion

Diagram 1 shows a voltmeter that is not connected to any circuit. It gives a small reading, known as a zero error, because it has not been set correctly. Diagram 2 shows the same meter being used to measure the p.d. across a resistor in a circuit. What is the p.d. across the resistor?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a potential divider used to vary the brightness of a lamp. What occurs as the slider on the potential divider is moved to the right?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows three identical resistors joined to a battery. Which row shows the readings that the three ammeters could give?

Electric circuits

A $4\,\Omega$ resistor and a $2\,\Omega$ resistor are joined to a $12\,\text{V}$ battery in a circuit. What current flows through the $2\,\Omega$ resistor?

Electric circuits

A fuse or a circuit-breaker may be used to protect electrical cables against large currents that could lead to overheating. If a fuse is used, where should it be placed, and if a circuit-breaker is used, where should it be placed?

Electrical safety

A wire carries an electric current and is situated within a magnetic field. Because of the current, a force acts on the wire. Which statement is correct?

Electromagnetic effects

Which diagram illustrates the pattern and direction of the magnetic field produced by a current in a straight wire?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which diagram shows the arrangement of a neutral atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

What particles make up a carbon nucleus, $^{12}_{6}\text{C}$?

The nuclear model of the atom

The diagram illustrates the trajectories of three different kinds of radiation $X$, $Y$ and $Z$. Which row correctly names $X$, $Y$ and $Z$?

Radioactivity

Which quantity is expressed in newtons?

Forces

The count rate from a sample of a radioactive isotope is recorded over 80 minutes. What is the half-life of the isotope?

Radioactivity

On Mars, the acceleration due to free fall is $3.7\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. What weight does a $100\,\text{g}$ mass have on Mars?

Mass and weight

A student performs experiments to determine the mass and volume of four rock samples. The graph displays the findings. Which pair are samples of the same type of rock?

Density

Each of four objects has two forces acting on it. Which object is in equilibrium?

Forces

A car travels on a level road. The diagram shows all the horizontal forces acting on the car. Which statement is correct?

Forces

In the diagram, an aluminium sheet has uniform thickness. Four notable points on the aluminium sheet are marked P, Q, R and S. How can the centre of mass be determined?

Forces

The diagram shows a section of a micrometer screw gauge. What is the least reading that can be obtained with this micrometer screw gauge?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

An object, starting from rest, is released from a height of $12.0\text{ m}$. Its gravitational potential energy decreases by $565\text{ J}$ as it drops to the ground. Frictional forces are negligible. What is its speed on impact with the ground?

Energy, work and power