May/June 2021

The diagram depicts a stone with an irregular shape. Which property of the stone can be determined by lowering it into a measuring cylinder that is half-filled with water?

Density

A student thinks that energy could be transferred to a small iron block at rest on a smooth table in a number of different ways. He offers these suggestions. 1. Heat it. 2. Shine light onto it. 3. Pass a current through it. Which of these suggestions are correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

Two men, X and Y, attempt to shift two identical heavy boxes, P and Q. Man X attempts to push box P across the floor, but it remains stationary because something is blocking its path. Man Y raises box Q from the floor to a shelf. Which man performs the greater amount of work on his box, and which box receives the greatest increase in energy?

Energy, work and power

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The area of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure is produced on the table by the book?

Pressure

A mercury barometer is used for measuring atmospheric pressure. Which distance provides a reading for the atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

The temperature of the air inside a sealed bottle rises. Which row shows the changes that happen to the trapped air?

Thermal properties and temperature

Tiny pollen grains are floating in water. A bright light is directed from the side. When viewed with a microscope, little points of light can be seen moving in an irregular, jerky way. What are the moving points of light?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Why is a small space left between adjacent metal rails on a railway track?

Thermal properties and temperature

Every thermometer depends on a physical property that varies as temperature changes. Which property would be unsuitable for use in a thermometer?

Thermal properties and temperature

Object Y has a higher thermal capacity than object Z. What consequence follows from this?

Thermal properties and temperature

Two students perform two different experiments to compare how well different metals conduct thermal energy. In experiment 1, the bar is heated for one minute and the length of wax strip that melts is recorded. In experiment 2, the bar is heated and the time taken for the pin to fall off is recorded. How do these two measurements change when a better conductor of thermal energy is tested?

Transfer of thermal energy

Two stones with different weights are released at the same time from a table. Air resistance is to be ignored. What occurs, and for what reason?

Motion

In what substances does convection transfer thermal energy?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram shows a wave travelling along a rope. What type of wave is this, and which labelled arrow indicates the wavelength of the wave?

General properties of waves

The diagrams illustrate water waves in three separate situations. The arrows indicate the direction in which the waves move. What does each diagram illustrate?

General properties of waves

The diagram represents a thin beam of light striking a glass-air boundary. Part of the light travels out along the glass surface and part of it is reflected back into the glass. Which row is correct?

Light

An object is positioned in front of a thin converging lens. The diagram illustrates the paths taken by two rays from the top of the object. An image of the object is produced on a screen to the right-hand side of the lens. In what ways does this image differ from the object?

Light

A student is asked to state two applications of four different kinds of electromagnetic radiation. In which row are both applications correct?

Electromagnetic spectrum

The diagrams show the waves generated by four sound sources. Each diagram uses the same scale. Which sound has the greatest frequency?

Sound

Diagram 1 displays a small compass needle with its poles labelled. No magnetic materials are close to it. Diagram 2 shows a bar magnet with its poles labelled. The compass needle is positioned at point P. In what direction will the N pole of the compass needle point?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

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

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student uses a cloth to rub a plastic rod. The rod is left with a positive charge. What change has occurred to the rod?

Electrical quantities

A distance-time graph showing a journey on a motorway is given. Calculate the average speed for the journey.

Motion

The circuit diagram depicts a cell joined to an ammeter and two resistors. The potential difference across the cell is $6.0\,\text{V}$. The resistors have resistances of $3.0\,\Omega$ and $5.0\,\Omega$. What is the current in the circuit?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates an electrical circuit. Which row states what happens as the temperature increases?

Electric circuits

Diagram 1 illustrates a resistor in a circuit. Diagram 2 shows a second resistor, identical to the first, connected in parallel with it. What is the total resistance of the two resistors?

Electric circuits

The current in a lamp connected by itself to the mains supply is $0.60\,\text{A}$. A table decoration contains three of these lamps arranged in parallel. Which rating of fuse is suitable to protect this circuit?

Electric circuits

A solenoid is connected to a very sensitive ammeter. A rod is pushed into one end of the solenoid. The ammeter indicates that a small electric current flows in the solenoid while the rod is moving. Which rod is being inserted?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates a transformer. The primary coil has $460$ turns and the secondary coil has $24$ turns. The voltage across the primary coil is $230\,\text{V}$. What is the voltage across the secondary coil?

Electromagnetic effects

A class is planning a d.c. motor. To produce a larger turning effect, three proposals are given. 1. Increase the current in the motor coil. 2. Use a stronger magnet in the motor. 3. Add more turns to the coil. Which proposals will increase the turning effect?

Electromagnetic effects

A proton has a charge of $e$. What are the charges of an electron and of a neutron?

The nuclear model of the atom

The nuclide symbol for the isotope strontium-90 is $^{90}_{38}\text{Sr}$. Which statement is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which statement concerning $\alpha$-particles and $\gamma$-rays is correct?

Radioactivity

In Diagram 1, a sealed plastic bottle contains a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball. Diagram 2 shows the same bottle after shaking. Diagram 3 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken once more until the broken glass is in tiny pieces. The mass of the bottle and its contents in Diagram 1 is $m_1$. The mass of the bottle and its contents in Diagram 2 is $m_2$. The mass of the bottle and its contents in Diagram 3 is $m_3$. Which statement gives the correct relationship between $m_1$, $m_2$ and $m_3$?

Mass and weight

The graph illustrates the activity of a radioactive source across a time interval. What is the half-life of the source?

Radioactivity

On Mars, the acceleration of free fall $g$ is $3.7\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. Determine the weight of a $2.0\,\text{kg}$ mass on Mars?

Mass and weight

An empty flask has a mass of $34\,\text{g}$. A volume of $20\,\text{cm}^3$ of liquid is poured into the flask. The combined mass of the flask and the liquid is $50\,\text{g}$. Calculate the density of the liquid.

Density

A solid object is shown resting on a flat surface, with two forces acting on it. What is the resultant force acting on the object?

Forces

A graph showing extension against load for a spring is given. The spring’s natural length is $17.0\,\text{cm}$. After an object is hung from the spring, its length becomes $19.2\,\text{cm}$. What is the weight of the object?

Forces

In which situation is no work done and no energy transferred?

Energy, work and power

Which item of apparatus is best suited to measure the mass of a pencil sharpener?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

This question concerns four ways of generating electrical energy. Which method is described correctly?

Electromagnetic effects

Two men, X and Y, each attempt to move identical heavy boxes, P and Q. Man X tries to push box P across the floor, but the box stays still because something blocks its path. Man Y raises box Q from the floor up onto a shelf. Which man does the greatest amount of work on his box, and which box receives the greatest increase in energy?

Energy, work and power

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The part of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What pressure is applied to the table by the book?

Pressure

The diagrams depict three containers, P, Q and R, each holding the same liquid. In every container, the liquid has the same depth. Which statement correctly describes the pressure of the liquid at the base of the container?

Pressure

While a person is having a shower, water can be seen forming on the inside surface of the bathroom window, even though the window is quite far from the shower. Which statement accounts for this observation?

Thermal properties and temperature

Tiny pollen grains are floating in water. A strong light is directed in from the side. Under a microscope, the tiny points of light can be observed moving in an irregular, jerky way. What are the moving points of light?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A hole is made by drilling through a metal plate. What happens to the plate's length and to the hole's diameter when the plate is cooled?

Thermal properties and temperature

A liquid-in-glass thermometer contains alcohol as the liquid. Which characteristic of alcohol is used to measure temperature?

Thermal properties and temperature

Object Y has a higher thermal capacity than object Z. What consequence does this have?

Thermal properties and temperature

The table shows several examples of convection together with an explanation of why each convection happens. Which row is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

A cyclist measures his speed and the distance covered during a journey. He then graphs the data against time for various parts of his journey. Which graph represents a section when he is travelling at constant speed?

Motion

For which situation is radiation the principal means by which energy is transferred?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which diagram illustrates waves undergoing diffraction?

General properties of waves

Which statement correctly describes the image of an object produced by a plane mirror?

Light

An object is positioned in front of a thin converging lens. The diagram illustrates the paths followed by two rays from the top of the object. A screen to the right of the lens shows an image of the object. In what ways does this image differ from the object?

Light

The table gives details of various colours of light. From the data, what is the frequency of orange light?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Sound is the transfer of energy from a source that is oscillating. Which statement describes the way in which sound energy is transferred?

Sound

The diagrams show the waves generated by four sound sources. The scales are identical in all the diagrams. Which sound has the greatest frequency?

Sound

Each of two metal rods has one end marked with paint. In turn, the painted ends are brought close to the N pole and then the S pole of a bar magnet. The rods are made from iron, aluminium or magnetised steel. The table presents the observations. What are rod 1 and rod 2 made from?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

On a bench beneath three electromagnets are three separate piles of small nails, P, Q and R. One group of nails is copper, another is soft iron and the third is steel. Diagram 1 illustrates what happens when the electromagnets are switched on. Diagram 2 illustrates what happens after the electromagnets are switched off. Which row correctly names the materials from which the nails are made?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student rubs a cloth on a plastic rod. The rod ends up positively charged. What has occurred to the rod?

Electrical quantities

Two stones with different weights are dropped at the same time from a table. Air resistance can be neglected. What happens, and why?

Motion

A student assembles a circuit containing a resistor X. The ammeter shows a reading of $2.0\,\text{A}$. The voltmeter shows a reading of $6.0\,\text{V}$. She must make a circuit whose total resistance is $10\,\Omega$. Which resistor should she connect in series with the circuit?

Electric circuits

The diagram depicts a circuit that includes a battery, an ammeter, three switches $S_1$, $S_2$ and $S_3$, together with three identical lamps. When only switch $S_1$ is closed, the ammeter shows a reading of $0.04\,\text{A}$. Which row gives the incorrect ammeter reading for the switch conditions shown?

Electric circuits

Two $10\,\Omega$ resistors are joined in series and then arranged in parallel. What is the total resistance for each arrangement?

Electric circuits

The label on the rear of a television shows: $220$-$240\,\text{V}$, $\sim 50\,\text{Hz}$, $0.6\,\text{A}$. Which fuse is most suitable for protecting the circuit?

Electric circuits

A solenoid is linked to a very sensitive ammeter. A rod is pushed into one end of the solenoid. The ammeter indicates a small electric current in the solenoid while the rod is in motion. Which rod is being inserted?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates a transformer. The primary coil contains $550$ turns and receives an input voltage of $22\,000\,\text{V}$. The secondary coil has $115$ turns. What is the output voltage?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram shows a d.c. motor. Which two changes, when made together, will always cause the coil to rotate more slowly?

Electromagnetic effects

A proton carries a charge of $e$. What charge does an electron have, and what charge does a neutron have?

The nuclear model of the atom

The proton numbers and nucleon numbers for four nuclides are listed as: $^{231}_{88}\text{Ra}$, $^{232}_{90}\text{Th}$, $^{238}_{92}\text{U}$, $^{239}_{94}\text{Pu}$. Which statement is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

One radioactive atom decays by releasing a $\beta$-particle. Which row is correct?

Radioactivity

Diagram 1 depicts a sealed plastic bottle that contains a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball. Diagram 2 depicts the same bottle once it has been shaken. Diagram 3 depicts the same bottle after it has been shaken again, until the shattered glass has broken into very small fragments. The mass of the bottle and its contents in diagram 1 is $m_1$. The mass of the bottle and its contents in diagram 2 is $m_2$. The mass of the bottle and its contents in diagram 3 is $m_3$. Which statement states the correct relationship between $m_1$, $m_2$ and $m_3$?

Mass and weight

The graph shows how the activity of a radioactive source changes over time. What half-life does the source have?

Radioactivity

An astronaut wants to find out how much she would weigh on a variety of moons. On Earth, she measures her mass as $82\,\text{kg}$. She looks up the values of $g$ on different moons and uses these values to work out her weight. The outcomes are shown. Which weight has been worked out correctly?

Mass and weight

A measuring cylinder holds $40\,\text{cm}^3$ of water. A stone with mass $94\,\text{g}$ is lowered into the water until it is completely submerged, as shown. Calculate the density of the stone.

Density

A toy car moves down a sloping ramp at constant speed. Which statement about the forces acting on the car is correct?

Forces

The extension-load graph for a spring is shown. The spring’s original unstretched length is $17.0\,\text{cm}$. When an object is hung from the spring, its length becomes $19.2\,\text{cm}$. What is the weight of the object?

Forces

An object is dropping through a vacuum. Which transfer of energy is occurring?

Energy, work and power

The diagram shows a plastic rod next to a ruler. What is the rod’s length?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Energy resources are often used to rotate a generator and produce electrical energy. Electrical energy can be produced from which resource without needing a generator to rotate?

Energy, work and power

Two men, X and Y, attempt to shift two identical heavy boxes, P and Q. Man X pushes box P across the floor, but it stays still because something blocks its path. Man Y raises box Q from the floor onto a shelf. Which man does the greatest amount of work on his box, and which box gains the most energy?

Energy, work and power

A book has a mass of $400\,\text{g}$. The area of the book touching a table measures $0.10\,\text{m} \times 0.20\,\text{m}$. 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 device used to measure atmospheric pressure. What is the name of this device?

Pressure

A car tyre contains air. The air temperature inside the tyre increases. The volume of the air in the tyre stays constant. Students are asked to suggest how this temperature increase will influence the motion of the air molecules. Which suggestions are correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Tiny pollen grains are floating in water. A bright light is directed from the side. Viewed under a microscope, little points of light appear to move in a random, jerky way. What are these moving points of light?

Kinetic particle model of matter

When a thermometer is put into hot water, the liquid level inside it goes up. What causes this to happen?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which statement provides the correct description of condensation?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Object Y has a higher thermal capacity than object Z. What is the effect of this?

Thermal properties and temperature

In which states of matter does convection play an important role in thermal transfer?

Transfer of thermal energy

Two stones with different weights are dropped together from a table. Ignore air resistance. What happens, and why does it happen?

Motion

Solar heating panels include pipes through which water flows and which absorb radiation from the Sun. Which surface texture and colour should the pipes have so that the water temperature increases at the fastest rate?

Transfer of thermal energy

A child is bouncing up and down on a trampoline. The instructor tells her to bounce at a greater frequency. What is meant by the instructor?

Motion

Light waves are sent through an opening. The diagrams illustrate two possible results. Which row gives the correct answer?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows a ray of light incident on a plane mirror. Through which point does the reflected ray pass?

Light

A body is positioned in front of a thin converging lens. The diagram shows the routes of two rays from the top of the body. An image of the body is produced on a screen to the right of the lens. In what ways does this image differ from the body?

Light

The diagram illustrates the usual wavelengths (in metres) of radio waves, microwaves and X-rays in the electromagnetic spectrum. In which region are the waves used in TV remote controllers located?

Electromagnetic spectrum

The diagrams show the waves generated by four sound sources. The scale is identical in each diagram. Which sound has the greatest frequency?

Sound

Which statement about ultrasound is correct?

Sound

A bar magnet attracts two steel bolts and lifts them. Which diagram shows the magnetic poles induced in the bolts?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which diagram represents the magnetic field surrounding a bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A cyclist travels $300\,\text{m}$ up a slope in $50\,\text{s}$. She then comes back down the slope in $25\,\text{s}$. What is the average speed for the entire journey?

Motion

A student rubs a plastic rod using a cloth. The rod ends up positively charged. What has taken place on the rod?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates a circuit made up of a cell, two resistors, a switch and a voltmeter. With the switch open, the voltmeter shows $1.5\,\text{V}$. With the switch closed, the voltmeter shows $2.0\,\text{V}$. What is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the cell?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a circuit with four switches, $S_1$, $S_2$, $S_3$ and $S_4$. Which three switches have to be closed for the heater to operate?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit. What change is seen in the voltmeter and ammeter readings when the thermistor’s temperature rises?

Electric circuits

A very sensitive ammeter is linked to a solenoid. One end of the solenoid has a rod pushed into it. As the rod moves, the ammeter indicates a small electric current in the solenoid. Which rod is being inserted?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram depicts a transformer in which the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil. Which row is correct?

Electromagnetic effects

In Diagram 1, a wire carries an electric current into the page and lies between the poles of a magnet. A force acts on the wire towards the bottom of the page. Diagram 2 shows what happens after the current is reversed and the magnet is rotated through $90^\circ$. In which direction does the force act after these changes?

Electromagnetic effects

A proton has charge $e$. What charge does an electron have, and what charge does a neutron have?

The nuclear model of the atom

Sodium-23 is written in nuclide notation as $^{23}_{11}\mathrm{Na}$. How many protons does a nucleus of sodium-23 contain?

The nuclear model of the atom

A student is investigating the count rate of a radioactive substance. How should he correct his reading to account for the background count?

Radioactivity

Diagram 1 shows a sealed plastic bottle that contains a hollow glass sphere and a steel ball. Diagram 2 shows the same bottle after shaking. Diagram 3 shows the same bottle after it has been shaken again until the broken glass has become very small pieces. In diagram 1, the mass of the bottle and its contents is $m_1$. In diagram 2, the mass of the bottle and its contents is $m_2$. In diagram 3, the mass of the bottle and its contents is $m_3$. Which statement states the correct relationship between $m_1$, $m_2$ and $m_3$?

Mass and weight

The graph illustrates the activity of a radioactive source over a span of time. What is the half-life of the source?

Radioactivity

The table lists the weight of a $15.0\,\text{kg}$ mass on several different planets. Which planet has a gravitational field strength of $11.1\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$?

Mass and weight

The tank illustrated has dimensions $5.0\,\text{m} \times 4.0\,\text{m} \times 4.0\,\text{m}$. It is filled completely with water of density $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. What is the mass of the water in the tank?

Density

A train moves at a steady speed on a straight track. Which statement about the resultant force acting on the train is correct?

Forces

A spring’s extension-load graph is displayed. The spring’s unstretched length is $17.0\,\text{cm}$. After an object is hung from the spring, its length becomes $19.2\,\text{cm}$. What is the weight of the object?

Forces

A stream runs out of a lake and travels down the side of a hill. Which option best describes the change in energy stores?

Energy, work and power