May/June 2019

A digital stop-clock is used to record time in minutes and seconds. When the stop-clock is started, its display shows 00:50 (that is, 00 minutes 50 seconds). It is then stopped when the display shows 02:10. What is the minimum possible time that could have passed between starting and stopping the stop-clock?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A machine is highly efficient. What is meant by this?

Energy, work and power

A motor raises an object vertically. In which case is the power output greatest?

Energy, work and power

Four identical submarines P, Q, R and S are moved from one depth to a deeper or shallower depth in water of uniform density. The starting and ending depths of each submarine are shown in the diagram. Which row gives the correct change in pressure from the starting depth to the ending depth of each submarine?

Pressure

The diagram shows a stone hanging from a string below the surface of a liquid. The liquid exerts a pressure on the stone. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

Pressure

Why is it easy to compress a gas into a reduced volume?

Kinetic particle model of matter

As a liquid evaporates, some of its molecules leave the liquid. The temperature of what is left changes. What happens to the temperature, and from where do the molecules leave?

Kinetic particle model of matter

What occurs when a metal block is heated?

Thermal properties and temperature

A night storage heater has a large block of material that is heated by electricity during the night. In the daytime, the block cools and gives out thermal energy to the room. Which thermal capacity and which night-time temperature rise will result in the greatest amount of energy being stored in the block?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates the changes of state P, Q, R and S that take place in solids, liquids and gases as they gain or lose thermal energy. What is the name of change R?

Kinetic particle model of matter

In which situation does thermal conduction not take place?

Transfer of thermal energy

A long-distance runner wants to work out her average speed for a race. Which calculation should she use?

Motion

The kettle's metal surface is hot. What happens to the cool air around the kettle when it comes into contact with the hot kettle?

Transfer of thermal energy

Ultrasound is employed in a hospital to scan a patient. It refracts at the boundary between muscle and bone since it moves at a higher speed in bone. Which change happens as the ultrasound passes from muscle into bone?

Sound

The diagram illustrates a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork remains upright in water. Transverse waves move across the water from X to Y. In what direction do the waves cause the cork to move?

General properties of waves

A plane mirror has an object positioned $30\ \text{cm}$ in front of it. Which statement describes the image formed by the object?

Light

The diagram illustrates light striking a glass–air boundary. The ray’s angle of incidence $i$ is larger than the critical angle. Which line indicates the route taken by the light after it reaches the boundary?

Light

The diagram illustrates radiation from a lamp travelling through a prism. Which type of radiation is at P?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A pulse of sound is sent out from the bottom of a boat. It passes through the water and is reflected by a shoal of fish. The sound returns to the boat after 1.2 s. The speed of sound in the water is $1500\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate how far below the bottom of the boat the shoal of fish is.

Sound

Which interval is approximately right for the range of audio frequencies that a healthy human ear can detect?

Sound

What makes soft iron suitable for the core of an electromagnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

An iron ball rolling on a horizontal wooden table passes close to the north pole of a bar magnet resting on the table. Which diagram shows the most likely route of the ball, when viewed from above the table?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A dense metal ball descends straight down through air, passing four equally spaced points J, K, L and M. The intervals of time for the ball to move from one point to the next are recorded. At which point is the ball's speed largest, and which interval of time is the smallest?

Motion

Diagram 1 displays two thin strips of plastic that are uncharged. Diagram 2 displays the same strips after they have been rubbed with a dry cloth. Which row states the charge on the strips after rubbing, and the force acting between the strips after rubbing?

Electrical quantities

A voltmeter and an ammeter are used to determine the resistance of a resistor. Which diagram shows the voltmeter and the ammeter connected correctly?

Electric circuits

A student arranges four circuits. In which circuit is a heater connected in series with a fuse?

Electric circuits

The diagram depicts a circuit that includes a d.c. power supply, a motor and a variable resistor. Three ammeters, X, Y and Z, indicate the current in separate parts of the circuit. Ammeter X has a reading of 4.0 A. Which statement is correct?

Electric circuits

A lamp is to be connected in a circuit so that the potential difference (p.d.) across it may be changed from 0 to 6 V. Which circuit would be the most suitable?

Electric circuits

An electric heater is connected to the mains supply by means of a fused plug. The current in the heater is $10\,\text{A}$. The cable fitted to the heater is rated at $15\,\text{A}$. The fuses that can be chosen are rated at $1\,\text{A}$, $3\,\text{A}$, $5\,\text{A}$ and $13\,\text{A}$. Which fuse should be chosen?

Electrical safety

A bar magnet is positioned close to a coil of wire, and the coil is attached to a sensitive voltmeter. The N-pole of the magnet is pushed rapidly towards the coil. The voltmeter gives a reading of $+10\,\text{mV}$. The N-pole of the magnet is then pulled slowly away from the same end of the coil. The voltmeter reading is noted. Which voltmeter reading is possible?

Electromagnetic effects

Four small compasses are arranged around a solenoid. A current is then switched on in the solenoid. Which diagram shows the compass needles’ possible new directions?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The nuclides shown below are represented as follows. $^{6}_{3}E\qquad ^{7}_{3}G\qquad ^{6}_{4}L\qquad ^{7}_{5}M$ Which two nuclides are isotopes of one another and belong to the same element?

The nuclear model of the atom

A student measures the radiation level produced by a radioactive substance. He positions a detector very near to the substance. He places various absorbers between the radioactive substance and the detector. The student’s results are shown below. These results have been corrected to allow for background radiation. Absorber and counter reading (counts per minute): - none: $95$ - thin paper: $52$ - few mm of aluminium: $52$ - several cm of lead: $12$ Which types of radiation are being emitted by the substance?

Radioactivity

An arrow moves in a horizontal straight line at a steady speed. In which direction does the weight act?

Mass and weight

The nuclei in the atoms of a substance are undergoing random change and giving out radiation. What is occurring in the substance?

Radioactivity

Two rectangular blocks are made from different materials. Four possible methods are proposed for comparing the two masses. Which of these methods can be used to compare the two masses?

Mass and weight

The diagrams illustrate four solid blocks, together with their dimensions and masses. Which block has the highest density?

Density

A $20\,\text{kg}$ mass is kept at rest by a rope that runs over a frictionless pulley. What is the tension $T$ in the rope?

Forces

A spring hangs from a stand. Masses are then attached and the extensions are recorded. Which graph represents extension plotted against load?

Forces

A bar made of wood is fixed at its midpoint so that it can turn freely. Two equal forces $F$ act on the bar. In which diagram is the turning effect largest?

Forces

Diagram 1 illustrates a measuring cylinder that contains water. A metal weight, with a cork fastened to it by a thread, is suspended above the water. Diagram 2 illustrates the apparatus once the weight has been lowered into the water. Diagram 3 illustrates the apparatus after both the weight and the cork have been submerged. Find the volume of the cork.

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A machine is highly efficient. What does this imply?

Energy, work and power

An object is falling due to gravity. What occurs to the object's gravitational potential energy and to its kinetic energy?

Energy, work and power

A student is comparing four different electric motors. He records how long each motor needs to raise either a heavy load or a light load by a vertical distance of $1\,\text{m}$. He carries out the same measurement for the remaining three motors. The table presents his results. Which motor has the greatest power?

Energy, work and power

The diagram depicts a stone hanging from a string below the surface of a liquid. The stone is subject to a pressure due to the liquid. What would make the pressure on the stone greater?

Pressure

A sample of mercury is warmed. In which states of matter does its volume increase as its temperature increases?

Thermal properties and temperature

As water evaporates, what leaves the water’s surface?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The resistance of a resistor changes in direct proportion to temperature, as the graph shows. Which statement is correct?

Electrical quantities

A night storage heater includes a large block of material that is heated electrically during the night. In the daytime, the block cools and gives out thermal energy to the room. Which thermal capacity and which night-time temperature rise would result in the greatest amount of energy being stored by the block?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which row gives the description of condensation?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The outer metal surface of a kettle is hot. What occurs to the cooler air around the kettle when it touches the hot kettle?

Transfer of thermal energy

A car is moving at constant speed. Which pair of graphs shows how the car’s distance travelled and its speed each change with time?

Motion

Vacuum flasks often have silver-coated walls to help keep the contents inside hot. Why are the walls silvered?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagrams present displacement-time graphs for four waves. Each graph uses the same scale. Which wave has the greatest amplitude and the greatest frequency?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork stays floating upright in water. Transverse waves move across the water from X to Y. In which direction do the waves cause the cork to move?

General properties of waves

What conditions must be satisfied for light to undergo total internal reflection?

Light

Which diagram illustrates the dispersion of white light through a glass prism?

Light

The diagram illustrates radiation from a lamp travelling through a prism. What type of radiation is present at P?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A sound pulse is generated at the base of a boat. It travels through the water and is reflected by a shoal of fish. The sound returns to the boat after $1.2\,\text{s}$. The speed of sound in the water is $1500\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. How far below the bottom of the boat is the shoal of fish?

Sound

An observer is positioned at the finish line for a $100\,\text{m}$ race. He wants to measure the winner’s time. He begins his stop-watch the moment he sees the smoke from the starting gun, rather than when he hears the bang. What is the reason for doing this?

General properties of waves

A soft iron bar is situated a great distance from any magnetic field. How may the bar’s material be described?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

An iron ball on a wooden table that is horizontal rolls close to the north pole of a bar magnet that is resting on the table. Which diagram shows the path the ball is most likely to follow, viewed from above the table?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A heavy metal ball drops straight down through air, passing four levels J, K, L and M that are equally spaced. The time intervals for it to travel from one level to the next are recorded. At which level is the ball’s speed the greatest, and which time interval is the shortest?

Motion

Diagram 1 shows two thin strips of plastic that are initially uncharged. Diagram 2 shows those same strips after being rubbed with a dry cloth. Which row gives the charge on the strips after rubbing, and the force between the strips after rubbing?

Electrical quantities

An ammeter and a voltmeter are used to find the resistance of a resistor. Which circuit diagram shows the ammeter and the voltmeter connected correctly?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit. Which component is connected in parallel with the thermistor?

Electric circuits

The circuit diagram shows a relay used to control a mains lamp. The two ammeters are marked P and Q. The variable resistor is there to change the current in the relay coil. The mains lamp turns on when the current in the relay coil is large enough. The graph shows how the reading on ammeter Q varies as the reading on ammeter P increases. What is the smallest current required in the relay coil to turn on the mains lamp?

Electric circuits

A lamp is to be connected in a circuit so that the potential difference (p.d.) across it can be adjusted from $0$ to $6\,\text{V}$. Which circuit would be the most suitable?

Electric circuits

Which components are intended to improve the safe operation of a mains electrical supply?

Electrical safety

A bar magnet is placed close to a solenoid. The coil is connected to a galvanometer. The magnet is pushed into the coil of wire and is then kept still inside the coil. Which graph shows how the induced electromotive force (e.m.f.) changes with time?

Electromagnetic effects

A wire XY is placed between the poles of a magnet. The diagram shows the upward force acting on wire XY when an electric current flows in the direction XY as illustrated. Three trials are carried out with this apparatus.

Electromagnetic effects

A basic model of the atom contains tiny particles moving around a central nucleus. Which row is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which statement describes the meaning of the half-life of a radioactive isotope?

Radioactivity

Which row includes two statements that are correct about an object's mass and its weight?

Mass and weight

The diagram depicts a lead-lined box for keeping radioactive sources. Why is the interior of the box lined with lead?

Radioactivity

The table shows estimated values for the acceleration due to gravity and the atmospheric pressure on three planets. A body has a mass of $10\,\text{kg}$ on Earth. Which statement about the body’s weight is correct?

Mass and weight

The density of a metal is $8.0\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$. A solid cube with a mass of $1.0\,\text{kg}$ is made from this metal. What is the length of each side of the cube?

Density

Which object is at equilibrium?

Forces

A spring is hung from a stand. Loads are then added, and the extensions are measured. Which graph shows the result of plotting extension against load?

Forces

A wooden bar is mounted on a pivot at its midpoint, so that it can turn freely. Two equal forces $F$ act on the bar. Which diagram shows the greatest turning effect?

Forces

The diagram depicts a measuring cylinder containing liquid. What volume reading does the liquid in the cylinder show?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A machine is extremely efficient. What is meant by this?

Energy, work and power

A body is raised against gravity. Which equation represents the work done on the body?

Energy, work and power

The diagram illustrates a simple mercury barometer. A modification is made, and the vertical height $h$ of the column rises. Which modification produces this rise?

Pressure

The diagram depicts a stone hanging from a string below the liquid’s surface. The liquid exerts a pressure on the stone. What change would make the pressure on the stone greater?

Pressure

Which one of the statements below is correct?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

On a very warm summer day, the water level in a pond drops. Which statement explains this?

Transfer of thermal energy

The following three statements refer to a liquid-in-glass thermometer with a Celsius scale. Which of them are correct?

Thermal properties and temperature

A night storage heater has a large block of material that is heated by electricity overnight. In the daytime, the block cools, giving out thermal energy to the room. Which thermal capacity and which rise in temperature during the night would result in the greatest amount of energy being stored in the block?

Thermal properties and temperature

A student carries out an investigation into the melting point of a pure substance. She warms the substance gradually and records its temperature when melting begins and again when melting is complete. Which statement is correct?

Thermal properties and temperature

A person is holding an empty beaker made of glass and pouring hot water into it. Why does it take a few seconds before his hand begins to feel hot?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram shows a speed-time graph for a car. Which row describes the car's motion at point X and at point Y?

Motion

The metal surface of a kettle is hot. What occurs to the cool air outside the kettle as it touches the hot kettle?

Transfer of thermal energy

A student has drawn a diagram to illustrate two different properties of a water wave. The arrows indicate the directions of the waves. Which two wave properties are shown in the diagram?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork floats vertically in water. Transverse waves pass through the water from X to Y. In what direction do the waves cause the cork to move?

General properties of waves

A student sketches a ray diagram to illustrate how a light ray is reflected by several mirrors. Which reflection has not been drawn correctly?

Light

Light passes through a glass block. What path does the light take?

Light

The diagram illustrates radiation from a lamp travelling through a prism. Which kind of radiation is present at P?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A sound pulse is generated at the underside of a boat. It moves through the water and is reflected by a shoal of fish. After $1.2\,\text{ s}$, the sound returns to the boat. The speed of sound in the water is $1500\,\text{ m s}^{-1}$. Determine the depth of the shoal of fish below the bottom of the boat.

Sound

Which statement concerning ultrasound is correct?

Sound

A metal bar is put inside a current-carrying coil, as shown in diagram 1. A small current flows in the coil. The bar is able to support several nails, as shown in diagram 2. When the current in the coil is switched off, the nails fall away. Which row is correct?

Electromagnetic effects

An iron ball on a horizontal wooden table rolls close to the north pole of a bar magnet that is resting on the table. Which diagram is most likely to show the ball’s path, viewed from above the table?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A dense metal ball moves straight down through air past four equally spaced levels J, K, L and M. The time intervals for it to travel from one level to the next are recorded. At which level is the ball’s speed greatest, and which of the times is the shortest?

Motion

Diagram 1 displays two thin plastic strips that are uncharged. Diagram 2 displays the same strips after they have been rubbed using a dry cloth. Which row gives the charge on the strips after rubbing, and the force acting between them after rubbing?

Electrical quantities

A battery contains chemical potential energy. The battery is linked to a resistor. As the battery becomes discharged, what happens to its chemical energy?

Energy, work and power

The diagram represents a circuit containing a lamp, an electric bell and three switches $S_1$, $S_2$ and $S_3$. Neither the lamp nor the bell has a fault. The bell is sounding, but the lamp remains unlit. Which switches are shut?

Electric circuits

A student is planning a lighting circuit for a dolls’ house. He arranges two different circuits. In each circuit, there is a $12\text{ V}$ power supply and three identical lamps. Each lamp is intended to shine at normal brightness when it is connected on its own to a $12\text{ V}$ supply. Which statement is correct?

Electric circuits

A lamp is to be placed in a circuit so that the potential difference (p.d.) across it may be changed from $0$ to $6\text{ V}$. Which circuit would be the most suitable?

Electric circuits

A basic wiring diagram for an electric cooker is shown. Why is there a wire that connects the cooker’s metal case to earth?

Electrical safety

In an experiment, a wire is positioned above a compass needle, as shown. An electric current is then switched on in the wire, and the compass needle moves away from its original position. Which row gives the reason for this and then states what occurs when the current is reversed?

Electromagnetic effects

Which device depends on the magnetic effect produced by an electric current?

Electromagnetic effects

Which statement about atomic structure is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which description of $\gamma$-radiation is correct?

Radioactivity

An object with a mass of $600\,\text{kg}$ is situated on the planet Mars. The acceleration due to gravity on Mars is $4.0\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. What weight does the object have on Mars?

Mass and weight

A radioactive element undergoes $\alpha$-decay. Which statement is incorrect?

Radioactivity

Two objects are set on a balance, one on each side. Using the balance, which properties of the objects can be compared?

Mass and weight

X, Y and Z are three solid objects with regular shapes. Their dimensions and masses are shown in the diagrams. Which objects have equal density?

Density

A car begins from rest on a long straight road. The engine of the car exerts a constant driving force. The diagram illustrates the horizontal forces acting on the car. The resistive forces are proportional to the car’s speed. Why does the car finally attain a maximum speed?

Forces

A spring is hung from a stand. Extra loads are placed on it and the extensions are recorded. Which graph shows the outcome of plotting extension versus load?

Forces

A wooden bar is hinged at its middle so that it may turn without resistance. Two equal forces $F$ act on the bar. In which diagram is the turning effect largest?

Forces