Feb/March 2023

A measuring cylinder is filled with water. The diagrams show the measuring cylinder before and after some water is transferred into a beaker. What volume of water has been poured into the beaker?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which power station causes the highest atmospheric pollution per unit of energy generated?

Energy, work and power

A $500\,\text{N}$ weight is lifted through a vertical distance of $5\,\text{cm}$. What amount of work is done by the force?

Energy, work and power

Which unit is used for power?

Energy, work and power

The diagram illustrates a rectangular block of weight $16\,\text{N}$. It is resting on a horizontal surface. What is the pressure at the base of the block caused by its weight?

Pressure

A piston encloses a mass of gas in a cylinder. At the start, the piston is positioned halfway along the cylinder’s length. The piston is then pushed towards the cylinder’s open end. The gas temperature stays constant. What happens to the gas density and the gas pressure when the piston is moved?

Pressure

Which statement explains what happens to air particles when air is heated?

Kinetic particle model of matter

What occurs when the temperature of a liquid rises?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Convection can transfer thermal energy in which states of matter?

Transfer of thermal energy

A transverse wave travels along a rope. The diagram shows the rope’s position at a specific instant. Which two labelled points are separated by one wavelength?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates a ray of light reflected by a plane mirror. Which row correctly identifies the angles of incidence and reflection?

Light

The diagram illustrates the speed-time graph for a car. Which row gives the car’s motion at point X and at point Y?

Motion

Blue light has a usual wavelength of $5.0 \times 10^{-7}\,\text{m}$ and a frequency of $0.60 \times 10^{15}\,\text{Hz}$. Which row shows a usual wavelength and frequency for red light?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which diagram illustrates the effect when a beam of white light passes through a prism?

Light

A TV station sends out a signal to a television receiving dish. The television includes an on/off indicator light. A remote control turns the television on and changes the indicator light from red to green. Which electromagnetic wave used in these actions has the greatest wavelength?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A sound wave has a wavelength of $0.024\,\text{m}$. Determine the frequency of this sound wave and state whether humans can hear it.

Sound

The diagram shows a bar magnet lying still on a smooth horizontal surface. A piece of soft-iron wire is positioned parallel to the magnet. The wire is let go. What happens?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A man crosses a carpet. By friction with the carpet, he becomes negatively charged. What occurs when he touches a metal object that is connected to the Earth?

Electrical safety

A laboratory has a standard wire with a known resistance. It also has other wires made from the same material as the standard wire, but with different lengths and diameters. Which wire would certainly have a resistance lower than that of the standard wire?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates a circuit. Which energy transfers take place?

Electric circuits

X, Y and Z are lamps. In which of these lamps does a current flow?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit. Which alteration makes the bulb in the circuit brighter?

Electric circuits

A ball is released in a vacuum from a point $4.0\,\text{m}$ above the surface of Mars. When the ball is at a height of $2.0\,\text{m}$, its acceleration is $3.8\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. What is the acceleration of the ball when it is $1.0\,\text{m}$ above the surface of Mars?

Motion

The current in a kettle is 10\,A, and a 13\,A fuse protects the kettle. The kettle owner changes the 13\,A fuse to a 3\,A fuse. What occurs when the kettle is switched on?

Electrical safety

A wire is pulled downward at right angles to the magnetic field. Three alterations are proposed. Which of these changes would make the electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced in the wire larger?

Electromagnetic effects

In an experiment, a wire is positioned above a compass needle as illustrated. An electric current is then turned on in the wire, causing the compass needle to deflect. Which row gives the explanation for this effect and also states what occurs when the current is reversed?

Electromagnetic effects

As time passes, the magnets in an electric motor become weaker. Which row gives two methods for keeping the motor operating at its initial speed?

Electromagnetic effects

A rechargeable battery contains lithium. The lithium is present as positive lithium ions. In what way is a lithium ion different from a lithium atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

An iron nuclide is written as $^{56}_{26}\text{Fe}$. Which of the following statements about the nucleus of this iron nuclide are correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

What does the term artificial source of background radiation mean?

Radioactivity

A sample of a radioactive isotope begins with an emission rate of 128 counts per minute and has a half-life of 4 days. After how many days will the emission rate decrease to 32 counts per minute?

Radioactivity

Roughly how much time does the Moon need to complete a single orbit around the Earth?

The Earth and the Solar System

The mass of the Sun is $2.0 \times 10^{30}\,\text{kg}$. Which element makes up most of that mass?

Stars and the Universe

Two objects are put on a balance, one on either side, as shown. Which properties of the objects can be compared by using the balance?

Mass and weight

The star closest to the Sun is Proxima Centauri, which is 4.2 light years away. Which statements are correct?

Stars and the Universe

A swimming pool with a rectangular shape measures $50\,\text{m}$ in length and $25\,\text{m}$ in width. The water in it is $2\,\text{m}$ deep. The density of the water is $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. What is the mass of the water in the pool?

Density

An object moves upwards at constant speed in water. Three vertical forces act on it: the weight $W$, the drag force $D$, and the upward force $U$. Which diagram shows the size and direction of the vertical forces acting on the object?

Forces

Which force generates heating when it is in contact with a moving object?

Forces

The metre rule is in equilibrium at its midpoint. It still stays balanced when a $3.0\,\text{N}$ load is suspended from the $40\,\text{cm}$ mark and another load is suspended from the $80\,\text{cm}$ mark. Determine the weight of the second load.

Forces

A student records the length of a spring. She then hangs different weights from the spring. For each weight, she measures the spring’s length. Her results are given in the table. What extension does the spring have when a weight of $3.0\,\text{N}$ is attached to it?

Forces

Which list includes two scalar quantities and two vector quantities?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

The relationship for determining the change in gravitational potential energy of an object is $\Delta E_p = Y \times Z \times \Delta h$, with $\Delta E_p$ representing the change in gravitational energy and $\Delta h$ representing the change in height. Which row identifies the quantities $Y$ and $Z$?

Energy, work and power

A machine takes in $200\ \text{W}$ of power and produces a useful output energy of $1\ \text{kJ}$ in $6$ minutes. What is the machine’s efficiency?

Energy, work and power

State the unit used for power.

Energy, work and power

The diagram depicts a rectangular block with weight $16\ \text{N}$. It is placed on a level surface. What pressure is exerted at the base of the block by its weight?

Pressure

An oil tank has a base area of $2.5\ \text{m}^2$ and is filled with oil to a depth of $1.2\ \text{m}$. The oil has a density of $800\ \text{kg m}^{-3}$. What force does the oil exert on the base of the tank?

Pressure

A gas sample is enclosed in a rigid container. When the gas temperature is raised, the pressure rises. Which statement is not correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

What occurs when the temperature of a liquid rises?

Thermal properties and temperature

A metal bar, which is a good thermal conductor, is heated at one end. By which main method is thermal energy transferred along the bar?

Transfer of thermal energy

A transverse wave travels along a rope. The diagram shows the rope’s shape at one instant in time. Which two labelled points are separated by one wavelength?

General properties of waves

A boundary separates transparent plastic from air. Light passes into the air only when the angle labelled $\theta$ in the diagram is larger than $36^{\circ}$. What is the refractive index of the plastic?

Light

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

Motion

A thin converging lens has focal length $f$. An object O is positioned to the left of the lens, as shown. Where is the image produced, and how does its size compare with that of the object?

Light

Which diagram illustrates what occurs when a ray of white light travels through a prism?

Light

A television (TV) station sends out a signal to a television receiving dish. The television includes an on/off indicator light. A remote control turns the television on and changes the indicator light from red to green. Which electromagnetic wave involved in these actions has the greatest wavelength?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A student writes down a list of some wave applications. 1 medical imaging of soft tissue 2 sterilisation of water 3 using sonar to determine ocean depths Which applications use ultrasound waves?

Sound

The diagram depicts a bar magnet stationary on a smooth horizontal surface. A length of soft-iron wire is positioned parallel to the magnet. The wire is let go. What occurs?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which diagram illustrates the electric field pattern and direction surrounding a positive point charge?

Electrical quantities

A laboratory contains a standard wire whose resistance is known. It also contains other wires, all made from the same material as the standard wire, but with different lengths and diameters. Which wire would certainly have a resistance lower than that of the standard wire?

Electrical quantities

The graph illustrates how the current in a circuit component is related to the potential difference (p.d.) across it. It includes one straight part and one curved part. How does the resistance of the component change in these two parts as the current increases?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates a section of a circuit. What is the total resistance of the resistors?

Electric circuits

The diagram illustrates a circuit containing two resistors and a battery. The voltmeter shows $6.0\,\text{V}$. Determine the potential difference across the $30\,\Omega$ resistor.

Electric circuits

Four objects travel along a straight line. The table gives the distance each object covers in every second of its motion. Which object is travelling with constant non-zero acceleration?

Motion

A wire is moved downward at right angles to the magnetic field. Three possible changes are listed below. 1 The speed of the movement of the wire is increased. 2 The magnetic field strength is decreased. 3 The direction of the magnetic field is reversed. Which of these changes increase the electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced in the wire?

Electromagnetic effects

A wire is moved through a magnetic field. As a result, an induced current is produced in the wire. This induced current then acts with the magnetic field, creating a force on the wire. What is the direction of this force?

Electromagnetic effects

A $100\%$ efficient step-down transformer has primary voltage $V_p$ and primary current $I_p$. Which row compares the secondary voltage with $V_p$ and the secondary current with $I_p$?

Electromagnetic effects

The way $\alpha$-particles are scattered by a thin metal foil provides evidence for the nuclear model of the atom. Why are $\alpha$-particles chosen instead of neutrons?

The nuclear model of the atom

The nuclide of iron is shown by the symbol $^{56}_{26}\text{Fe}$. Which of the following statements about the nucleus of this iron nuclide are correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radioactive isotope sample has an initial emission rate of 128 counts per minute and a half-life of 4 days. How much time will pass before the emission rate decreases to 32 counts per minute?

Radioactivity

Several scientists are working in a laboratory. They are carrying out experiments using sources that emit ionising radiation. Each scientist is issued with a set of safety rules. Three of these rules are shown. Which safety rules protect against the effects of ionising radiation?

Radioactivity

What data are required to work out the average orbital speed of a satellite orbiting a planet?

Motion

Roughly how long does the Moon take to complete one orbit around the Earth?

The Earth and the Solar System

The energy produced by stable stars comes from nuclear reactions. What type of reaction takes place in the Sun?

Radioactivity

As the car’s speed rises, the drag force also rises. When the speed is $20\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, the total drag force is $400\,\text{N}$. The car has a mass of $1200\,\text{kg}$ and a constant driving force of $700\,\text{N}$. Which of the following statements about the car’s acceleration at $20\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ is correct?

Forces

The Hubble constant $H_0$ is determined by two quantities: the speed $v$ at which a galaxy is moving away from the Earth and the distance $d$ of the galaxy from the Earth. What relation connects $v$ and $d$, and what is the present estimate of $H_0$?

Stars and the Universe

A swimming pool with a rectangular shape measures $50\,\text{m}$ in length and $25\,\text{m}$ in width. Water fills it to a depth of $2\,\text{m}$. The water has a density of $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. Calculate the mass of water in the pool.

Density

An object moves upwards vertically at a steady speed through water. Three vertical forces act on it: the weight $W$, the drag force $D$, and the upward force $U$. Which diagram shows the directions and sizes of the vertical forces acting on the object?

Forces

Two boys who have the same weight are seated on one side of a see-saw, as illustrated. On the opposite side sits their father, whose weight is $1000\,\text{N}$. The see-saw is in balance and is used in a way that makes it move up and down. In one stage of the motion, the father moves downward by a distance of $40\,\text{cm}$. During that same time, the boy closest to the pivot moves upward by $20\,\text{cm}$, while the other boy moves upward by $80\,\text{cm}$. What is the weight of each boy?

Forces

A student measures the length of a spring. Next, she hangs different weights on the spring. For each weight, she records the spring’s length. Her results are shown in the table. What is the extension of the spring when a weight of $3.0\,\text{N}$ is attached to it?

Forces

When a force acts on a body for a period of time, its momentum is changed. Which action would increase the change in momentum?

Momentum

Fig. 1.1 depicts two strips of staples.

Density

Fig. 10.1 depicts two wire coils, P and Q, each placed in its own circuit. Their ends lie close together, but they do not make contact.

Electromagnetic effects

Americium-241 is a radioactive nuclide, and a nucleus of americium-241 is written in nuclide notation as $^{241}_{95}\text{Am}$.

Radioactivity

Give, in the correct sequence, the names of the three planets nearest to the Sun.

The Earth and the Solar System

Use the graph to find the spring length when the student applies a load of $8.0\,\text{N}$ to the spring.

Forces

Fig. 3.1 gives the distance-time graph for a cyclist. The trip is split into two parts, PQ and QR.

Motion

Fig. 4.1 illustrates some gas at room temperature inside a cylinder fitted with a piston that can move. The gas is trapped and cannot leave the cylinder.

Kinetic particle model of matter

This question concerns work, energy stores and energy transfers.

Energy, work and power

Fig. 6.1 illustrates how the displacement of a transverse wave changes with time.

General properties of waves

State three properties of the image of the book formed by the plane mirror.

Light

State how friction between the cloth and the rod gives the plastic rod a positive charge.

Electrical quantities

Fig. 9.1 depicts an electric kettle.

Electrical quantities

Determine the speed and direction of the boat relative to the river bank, using either a scale diagram or calculation.

Motion

Calculate the average orbital speed of Mars in km/s.

Stars and the Universe

Fig. 2.1 depicts a ship carrying containers. The diagram labels the ship, the containers and the water.

Forces

State the law of conservation of energy.

Energy, work and power

Fig. 4.1 shows a metal pan resting on an electric hotplate. The pan holds 200 cm$^3$ of water. The diagram is labelled "water", "metal pan" and "hotplate". The pan is heated. The water temperature in the pan rises.

Transfer of thermal energy

Fig. 5.1 displays a semicircular transparent plastic block. Fig. 5.2 gives a full-size drawing of a lens together with an object O. The point labelled F marks the location of a principal focus of the lens. Fig. 5.3 presents a simplified eye diagram showing rays from a distant object and the route taken by the rays inside the eye of a person with short sight. The diagram labels "lens" and "retina". Fig. 5.4 shows an uncorrected eye.

Light

Explain what compression and rarefaction mean.

Sound

Define potential difference (p.d.) in words.

Electric circuits

Fig. 8.1 shows a flat coil positioned horizontally inside a magnetic field. The diagram marks N, S, coil, axis, and points A and B. The coil is linked to a cell, and the coil rotates.

Electromagnetic effects

Explain what nuclear fission means.

Radioactivity