May/June 2022

A piece of modelling clay is transferred from a small measuring cylinder into a large measuring cylinder whose diameter is twice as large. The reading on the small measuring cylinder decreases by $20\,\text{cm}^3$. By how much does the reading on the large cylinder increase?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A force $F$ acts on an object, and the object travels a distance $d$ in the same direction as the force. What is the work done on the object?

Energy, work and power

A rectangular tank contains a liquid with mass $92\,\text{kg}$. The base area of the tank is $0.23\,\text{m}^2$. What pressure does the liquid exert on the base of the tank?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a reservoir deep behind a dam. What does the pressure at X depend on?

Pressure

The list below contains three properties of different states of matter. 1 They cannot be compressed to a large extent. 2 They are able to flow. 3 They always fill their container completely. Which of these properties apply to liquids?

Kinetic particle model of matter

At room temperature, thermometers P and Q show the same reading. Thermometer Q’s bulb is covered with gauze and placed in a beaker of water at room temperature. Air at room temperature is then blown across the bulbs of both thermometers. Which statement gives the correct description and explanation of the result?

Transfer of thermal energy

What change occurs to the volumes of liquid metal and solid metal when they are heated at constant pressure?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates a liquid-in-glass thermometer. A student wants to verify the position of the upper fixed point on this thermometer. What ought she to do?

Thermal properties and temperature

A glass holds a cold drink on a warm, humid day. Water begins to appear on the outside surface of the glass. What is the term for the effect that causes the water to form?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a convection current produced when a block of ice is put into a beaker containing water at room temperature. Which row gives the correct comparison of the temperatures and densities at water points P and Q?

Transfer of thermal energy

The outer surface of one of two identical shiny metal containers is coated with dull black paint. Both containers hold equal masses of hot water at the same temperature. Why does the dull black container cool faster?

Transfer of thermal energy

A speed-time graph for a train is shown below. Which parts of the graph indicate that the train is moving?

Motion

The diagram presents a wave. Which row is correct?

General properties of waves

A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches the waves move past. She observes that five full wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. Determine the frequency of this wave.

General properties of waves

A card is positioned in front of a plane mirror with its label facing the mirror, as illustrated. The label is shown as "Ci". What will the observer see the image of the label produced by the mirror look like?

Light

An object is set up in front of a converging lens. The lens has a focal length $f$. At which labelled position should the object be placed so that a real image is formed which is smaller than the object?

Light

Which section of the electromagnetic spectrum does a television remote controller use?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which statement makes the correct comparison between radio waves and X-rays?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Point X is positioned close to a bar magnet, as shown. Which arrow shows the direction of the magnetic field of the bar magnet at point X?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student records how many iron pins an electromagnet lifts when the power supply is switched on. She then records how many pins are lifted when the power supply is switched off. She repeats the experiment with cores made from different materials. The results are shown. Which core is made of soft iron?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates a charged plastic rod and an uncharged metal sphere. The metal sphere is hung from an insulating thread. The plastic rod is then brought near the metal sphere. Which row is correct?

Electrical quantities

A large battery has several pieces of information printed on its label. One of these pieces of information is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery. What is the e.m.f. of the battery?

Electrical quantities

A man is standing beside a railway line. A train moving at $40\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ takes $2.0\,\text{s}$ to go past the man. How long is the train?

Motion

The circuit diagram shown is being used to find the resistance of resistor Z. Which meter combination is correct for determining the resistance of resistor Z?

Electric circuits

The diagram displays the circuit-symbol for an electrical component. Which component is shown by the symbol?

Electric circuits

What benefit does wiring lamps in parallel give in a lighting circuit?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit containing six identical lamps connected to a battery. Which lamps are the brightest?

Electric circuits

What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

Electrical safety

Which transformer is able to convert a $240\ \text{V a.c.}$ input to a $15\ \text{V a.c.}$ output?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagrams illustrate the field patterns around a straight wire that carries a current perpendicular to the page, directed out of the page. Which pattern shows the magnetic field produced by the current in the wire?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A coil carrying current in a magnetic field undergoes a turning effect. Three suggestions for making the turning effect larger are listed. Which suggestions are correct?

Electromagnetic effects

A model of an atom is made up of tiny particles moving around a central nucleus. Where in an atom is the positive charge located?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source has a half-life of $0.5\ \text{hours}$. A detector close to the source gives a reading of $6000$ counts per second. Background radiation may be ignored. What will the detector reading be $1.5\ \text{hours}$ later?

Radioactivity

A spring balance works through the compression of a spring. It is calibrated on the Earth in grams. A beam balance works by comparing standard masses with the unknown mass being measured. The same unknown mass is weighed using each balance on the Earth and on the Moon. The gravitational field strength on the Earth is larger than that on the Moon. How would the results on the Earth differ from those on the Moon?

Mass and weight

Which of the following statements about the radioactive decay of a substance is correct?

Radioactivity

A measuring cylinder initially holds $30\,\text{cm}^3$ of a liquid. Further liquid is then added until the level comes to the $50\,\text{cm}^3$ mark. The reading on the balance goes up by $30\,\text{g}$. Determine the density of the liquid.

Density

What apparatus would be the most suitable for an experiment to draw an extension-load graph for a spring?

Forces

As illustrated, a beam turns about a pivot at one end. The beam has a weight of $6.0\,\text{N}$, and this weight acts at point X, which is $40\,\text{cm}$ from the pivot. A $4.0\,\text{N}$ force is exerted on the beam so that it stays balanced in a horizontal position. In what direction, and at what point, is the $4.0\,\text{N}$ force exerted?

Forces

The diagrams illustrate the forces acting on four objects in motion. Which object is travelling at a constant speed?

Forces

A mass is suspended vertically from a spring. The mass is lifted up to point P and then let go. The mass then moves back and forth repeatedly between point P and a lower point Q. Which energies alternately rise and fall during the oscillations?

Energy, work and power

A piece of modelling clay is transferred from a small measuring cylinder into a large measuring cylinder whose diameter is twice as large. The level reading on the small measuring cylinder decreases by $20\,\text{cm}^3$. What increase is shown on the reading of the large cylinder?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A force does work when it moves an object along the line of action of the force. Which change to the force and the distance would always lead to a greater amount of work done?

Energy, work and power

The table gives the weights and base areas of four metal blocks. Which block produces the greatest pressure on its base?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a deep reservoir created by a dam. What does the pressure at $X$ depend on?

Pressure

One state of matter is made up of molecules that travel rapidly in random directions and are free to move about. The molecules’ average speed is falling. Which state of matter is this?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Tiny pollen particles are held in water as a suspension. Under a microscope, the pollen particles appear to move around in an irregular manner. What is the cause of this motion?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a liquid-in-glass thermometer. Which physical property of the thermometer is used to measure temperature?

Thermal properties and temperature

An engineer studies how the temperature of the oil in a car engine rises when it is first switched on. Which row is correct?

Transfer of thermal energy

A glass holds an iced drink on a warm, humid day. Water begins to appear on the outside surface of the glass. What is the name of the effect that causes the water to appear?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram depicts solar water panels fitted on the roof of a house. The panels take in energy from the Sun so that the water in the metal pipes is heated. Which row states how energy is transferred from the Sun and then through the metal of the pipes?

Transfer of thermal energy

Four beakers, each with the same volume of water at $10^\circ\text{C}$, are left outdoors in direct sunlight on a hot day. Apart from their surface colour and texture, the four beakers are the same. Which beaker will heat up the quickest?

Transfer of thermal energy

Which quantity is used to determine how far an object in motion has travelled?

Motion

The diagram illustrates a wave. Which row is correct?

General properties of waves

A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches the waves move past. She observes that five complete wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. What is the frequency of this wave?

General properties of waves

A student looks at images in a plane mirror with one eye. The objects are arranged on the line XY. Which objects produce images visible to the eye at E?

Light

An object is positioned in front of a converging lens. The lens has a focal length $f$. At which labelled position should the object be placed so that a real image is formed which is smaller than the object?

Light

Microwaves, green light and infrared are three forms of electromagnetic radiation. In what sequence should they be arranged by wavelength, starting with the shortest wavelength and ending with the longest?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which statement makes the correct comparison between radio waves and X-rays?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Each of the three diagrams shows a pair of magnets. In which diagrams do the two magnets pull towards each other?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

The diagram illustrates the magnetic fields surrounding three objects, P, Q and R, positioned near one another. Which row indicates the nature of each object?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Iron filings are lifted by an electromagnet. The current in the electromagnet is turned off and the filings drop onto a plastic bench. A plastic comb is rubbed with a woollen cloth and then held just above the iron filings. A number of the filings leap up and cling to the comb. Which statement gives the correct explanation for the final observation?

Electrical quantities

Four circuits have been arranged. In which circuit is the meter measuring the potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor?

Electric circuits

A man is standing beside a railway track. A train moving at $40\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ takes $2.0\,\text{s}$ to go past the man. What is the length of the train?

Motion

A resistor has a potential difference (p.d.) of $12\,\text{V}$ across it, with a current of $0.60\,\text{A}$ flowing through it. What is the resistance of this resistor?

Electrical quantities

Which circuit has been labelled correctly?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates an electric circuit. $I_X$ represents the current in resistor X. $I_Y$ represents the current in resistor Y. Which statement describes the current supplied by the power supply?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a battery linked to a potential divider and two lamps, P and Q. The slider on the potential divider is shifted from end X to end Y of the resistor. Which row indicates the effect on the brightness of each lamp?

Electric circuits

What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

Electrical safety

The National Grid is used to transmit electrical power from power stations to homes. At which section of the National Grid is the voltage at its highest?

Electrical quantities

Which transformer is able to convert a $240\ \text{V}$ a.c. input to a $15\ \text{V}$ a.c. output?

Electromagnetic effects

The coils in two electric motors are the same size, but motor 1 is seen to rotate faster than motor 2. Three suggestions are given to account for this observation. Which suggestions provide a possible explanation for this observation?

Electromagnetic effects

Which statement describes two atoms that are isotopes of one element?

The nuclear model of the atom

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

Radioactivity

An object is transferred from point X to point Y. The acceleration of free fall at X is not the same as that at Y. Which statement about the object at Y is correct?

Mass and weight

Certain nuclei are unstable. They give out radiation and become nuclei of another element. What is this process known as?

Radioactivity

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

Density

A spaceship moves towards a planet and then goes past it. What is the force of gravity between the spaceship and the planet able to do?

Forces

The beam is hinged at one end, as the diagram shows. Its weight is $6.0\,\text{N}$, and this weight acts at point X, which is $40\,\text{cm}$ from the pivot. A force of $4.0\,\text{N}$ is applied to the beam so that it stays balanced horizontally. In what direction, and at what position, is the $4.0\,\text{N}$ force applied?

Forces

What conditions must an object satisfy to be in equilibrium?

Forces

A tennis ball is released from position 1. It moves straight down until it strikes a hard surface at position 2. What energy changes occur between position 1 and position 2?

Energy, work and power

A lump of modelling clay is transferred from a small measuring cylinder into a large measuring cylinder with twice the diameter. The reading on the small measuring cylinder decreases by $20\,\text{cm}^3$. By how much does the reading on the large cylinder increase?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

What is the meaning of the power of an engine?

Energy, work and power

A force of $14\,\text{N}$ acts on the head of a nail. This produces a pressure of $25\,\text{N mm}^{-2}$ at the nail tip. What is the cross-sectional area of the nail tip?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates a deep reservoir created by a dam. What does the pressure at X depend on?

Pressure

The characteristics of two states of matter are shown below. State 1: The molecules travel rapidly and in an irregular way. The molecules are far apart. State 2: The molecules only vibrate around fixed positions. The molecules are packed closely together. What are states 1 and 2?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A gas in a container is cooled, while its volume stays the same. Which row shows how the gas pressure and the average kinetic energy of the gas particles change?

Kinetic particle model of matter

An engine’s iron cylinder has to be inserted into a section of aluminium. The iron cylinder’s outside diameter $M$ is a little greater than the diameter $N$ of the hole in the aluminium. What is the most suitable way to make the cylinder fit into the aluminium?

Thermal properties and temperature

A solid in a sealed container is heated until it melts completely. Which diagram shows the shape and volume of the solid before heating and after heating?

Kinetic particle model of matter

On a warm, humid day, a glass holds a drink with ice in it. Water begins appearing on the outside surface of the glass. What is the name of the process by which this water forms?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which situation involves thermal energy being transferred mainly by convection?

Transfer of thermal energy

A metal container has the form of a hollow cube. Its four sides each have a different surface finish. Which side is the most effective emitter of radiation?

Transfer of thermal energy

The graph illustrates how a car moves. Which row gives the correct description of this motion?

Motion

In the diagram, a wave is shown. Which row is the correct one?

General properties of waves

A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches waves go by. She observes that five complete wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. What is the frequency of this wave?

General properties of waves

A light ray travels from air into a sheet of glass and then emerges from the opposite side, as shown. Which two angles are equal to one another?

Light

An object is positioned in front of a converging lens whose focal length is $f$. At which labelled location must the object be set so that a real image is formed and the image is smaller than the object?

Light

Which statement gives the correct comparison between radio waves and X-rays?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Student 1 and student 2 are separated by $170\,\text{m}$, as illustrated. Student 1 sets off a starting pistol. Student 2 receives the sound two times: first along the direct path and then after it reflects from the wall. The speed of sound in air is $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What is the time gap between the two sounds being heard?

Sound

A student tries to create a permanent magnet by striking metal bars of identical size while they are in the same magnetic field. In which situation would the strongest permanent magnet be formed?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A student puts object X on a balance. The student then brings magnet Y near object X, followed by magnet Z, and notes the balance readings. The gap between Y and X is the same as the gap between Z and X. The diagram displays the outcomes of the experiment. Which statement accounts for the results?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A girl uses a cloth to rub a plastic rod. After that, the plastic rod repels an object carrying a positive charge. Which row gives the correct answer?

Electrical quantities

Which circuit shows a meter being used correctly to measure the current through a resistor?

Electric circuits

A man is standing beside a railway line. A train moving at $40\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ needs $2.0\,\text{s}$ to go past the man. What is the length of the train?

Motion

A resistor is connected in series with a battery. The resistance of the resistor is $20\ \Omega$. The potential difference (p.d.) of the battery is $4.0\ \text{V}$. What current flows through the resistor?

Electric circuits

The circuit diagram shown includes a cell. What other components are present in the circuit?

Electric circuits

Two $4\ \Omega$ resistors are joined in parallel. What is the total resistance between X and Y?

Electric circuits

Which statement concerning identical lamps connected in a parallel circuit is not correct?

Electric circuits

What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

Electrical safety

The description sets out the currents in three separate circuits. In circuit P, the current remains constant at $0.52\ \text{A}$ in a single direction. In circuit Q, the current varies continuously from $0.25\ \text{A}$ to $0.35\ \text{A}$, but it always flows the same way. In circuit R, the current reaches a maximum value of $0.52\ \text{A}$ and reverses direction at regular intervals. Which of the circuits have a direct current?

Electrical quantities

Which transformer is able to convert a $240\ \text{V}$ a.c. input to a $15\ \text{V}$ a.c. output?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates a wire suspended from a metal loop P and extending down into a mercury bath. The wire is hanging vertically between the N and S poles of a magnet. The loop P is then attached to the positive terminal of a battery, while the mercury is linked to the negative terminal. The wire moves out of the page. In which direction does the wire move when P is connected to the negative terminal of the battery and the mercury is connected to the positive terminal?

Electromagnetic effects

Atoms of an element may occur as different isotopes. In what way do atoms of different isotopes of the same element differ?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive source has a half-life of 0.5 hours. A detector positioned close to the source gives a reading of 6000 counts per second. Ignore background radiation. What is the detector reading after 1.5 hours?

Radioactivity

Two different objects, P and Q, are given to four students. Every student measures the mass of P and the weight of Q. The outcomes are shown in the table. Which row shows a possible outcome?

Mass and weight

Which statement describes why radioactive materials must be handled with care?

Radioactivity

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

Density

A beam is hinged at one end, as illustrated. The beam has a weight of $6.0\,\text{N}$, and this weight acts at point X, which is $40\,\text{cm}$ from the pivot. A force of $4.0\,\text{N}$ is applied to the beam so that it stays balanced horizontally. In which direction is the $4.0\,\text{N}$ force applied, and at what point is it applied?

Forces

The diagram depicts two identical bars with negligible weight. The forces acting on each bar are shown. Which bars are in equilibrium?

Forces

Four objects have different base areas, and their centres of mass are located at different positions. Which object is the most stable?

Forces

What form of energy is stored when a spring is stretched?

Energy, work and power