May/June 2023

Which unit is used to measure weight?

Mass and weight

Which row about the change of energy in the energy store has to be correct?

Energy, work and power

A rock with weight $50\,\text{N}$ drops through a vertical height of $7.0\,\text{m}$ from rest. What is the change in the gravitational potential energy store of the rock?

Energy, work and power

A child ascends a staircase four times. The duration of each ascent is noted. Which time is measured when the child’s useful power is at its greatest?

Energy, work and power

A woman’s weight is $600\,\text{N}$. She is standing on a level floor. The area of contact between her feet and the floor is $0.050\,\text{m}^2$. What pressure does she apply to the floor?

Pressure

Gases, liquids and solids consist of tiny particles. Which row shows the particles’ relative spacing?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which of the following statements about evaporation of water are correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which surface is the least effective absorber of infrared radiation?

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

A student has sketched a diagram showing the directions of a light ray as it reflects from a plane mirror. What are the correct names for the lines shown?

Light

An object O is positioned at point P close to a thin converging lens. The diagram shows three rays from the top of O passing through the lens. Each point F is one focal length from the centre of the lens. Each point $2F$ is two focal lengths from the centre of the lens. The object O is then moved to point Q on the diagram. Which type of image is formed when the object O is at point Q?

Light

The graph shows how a vehicle moves. What distance does the vehicle cover in $400\ \text{s}$?

Motion

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

Light

Which of the following statements is correct?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Student X uses a starting pistol, causing both smoke and sound. Student Y is positioned $100\,\text{m}$ away and observes the smoke as soon as it appears. The speed of sound in air is $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What is the time delay between student Y seeing the smoke and hearing the sound?

Sound

A piece of unmagnetised soft iron is held near a strong permanent magnet, as shown. What polarity is induced at end X of the soft iron, and in what direction does the magnetic force act on the soft iron?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A cloth is used to rub a plastic rod. As electrons transfer between the two objects, both end up charged. The rod gains a negative charge. Which diagram shows the way the rod becomes negatively charged and also indicates the cloth’s final charge?

Electrical quantities

Which particles move to produce a current in a copper wire?

Electrical quantities

Four students sketch a circuit diagram for the apparatus used to determine the resistance of resistor $R$. Which circuit is correct?

Electric circuits

A bicycle battery is wired in parallel with its lamp and bell. The circuit contains two switches, $S_1$ and $S_2$. The cyclist shuts $S_1$ so that the lamp comes on. She then also shuts $S_2$ so that the bell rings. What change occurs in the current from the battery and in the power output of the battery when the cyclist shuts $S_2$?

Electric circuits

Which symbol shows an electric heater?

Electric circuits

A student assembles the circuit illustrated. Which switches need to be closed for the bell to ring without the lamp lighting?

Electric circuits

The diagram shows a distance-time graph of an object moving in a straight line. What is the average speed from X to Y?

Motion

A double-insulated electrical appliance has to be connected to the electricity supply in a safe way. Which statement is correct?

Electrical safety

A simple electric generator produces an electromotive force (e.m.f.). Which change would raise the induced e.m.f.?

Electromagnetic effects

In the diagram, a vertical wire carrying a current $I$ is positioned between the poles of a magnet. What direction does the magnetic field force act on the wire?

Electromagnetic effects

What is one benefit of transmitting electricity at a high voltage?

Electrical quantities

In what way do atoms form positive and negative ions?

The nuclear model of the atom

The nucleus of element $X$ is shown as $^{56}_{26}X$. Which option is an isotope of element $X$?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which of the following statements about the random decay of the nuclei in a sample of uranium-238 is correct?

Radioactivity

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

Radioactivity

Which planet in our Solar System lies closest to the Sun, and what type of planet is it?

The Earth and the Solar System

The Sun is made up mainly of two elements. Which two elements are they?

Stars and the Universe

A space rocket goes to the Moon. The acceleration of free fall is larger on Earth than it is on the Moon. How do the space rocket’s mass and weight on the Moon compare with their values on Earth?

Mass and weight

Which of the following statements about the Milky Way is correct?

Stars and the Universe

A shopkeeper puts rice into a pan suspended from a spring balance and notes the reading. A customer then buys some pasta. The shopkeeper sees that the spring balance reading, when the pan contains only pasta, is the same as when it contained only rice. Which quantity has to be the same for the rice and for the pasta?

Mass and weight

A student is finding the density of an irregularly shaped stone. The stone is carefully placed into a measuring cylinder that is already part-filled with water. Which other apparatus is needed for the student to work out the density of the irregularly shaped stone?

Density

Four objects are in motion. Which object has no resultant force acting on it?

Forces

The diagram depicts a uniform metre rule. Its centre is the pivot point. A load of $4.0\ \text{N}$ is hung from the rule at the $5\ \text{cm}$ mark. The rule is supported by a string at the $30\ \text{cm}$ mark. The rule is balanced. What upward force does the string exert on the rule?

Forces

A metal plate with an irregular shape is hung freely from a point P and is shown in equilibrium. Point Q lies vertically beneath P. Which statement about the location of the centre of gravity of the metal plate is correct?

Mass and weight

Which single apparatus is used to determine the volume of a solid cube, and which single apparatus is used to determine the volume of an amount of liquid?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

The diagram illustrates the energy stores in a mobile (cell) phone and the way energy moves between those stores. What term describes the transfer of chemical energy?

Energy, work and power

A resistive force of $50\,\text{N}$ stops a moving object over a distance of $5.0\,\text{m}$. How much work is done by the force?

Energy, work and power

Which two physical quantities are needed to calculate the power developed by a student running up a flight of steps?

Energy, work and power

A marble block in the shape of a rectangular prism measures $1\,\text{m}$ by $1\,\text{m}$ by $5\,\text{m}$ and has a weight of $125\,000\,\text{N}$. It is kept with its longest face on the ground, as shown in diagram 1. What is the difference in the pressure exerted on the ground by the block when it is stored as in diagram 2 instead of diagram 1?

Pressure

Four students give descriptions of the term ‘absolute zero’ in a lesson about the particle model. Which student is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

At the liquid’s surface, the molecules with greater energy are able to leave the liquid and move into the atmosphere. What name is given to this process?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A teacher adds some cold water to a test-tube. She grips the lower end of the test-tube while heating the upper end. The water near the top comes to the boil, yet she keeps holding the test-tube because the lower part stays cold. What conclusion about water can be drawn from this experiment?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram illustrates a wave. What are the amplitude and wavelength of this wave?

General properties of waves

A light ray falls on a plane mirror and is reflected. Which angle is always the same size as the angle of reflection?

Light

The diagram depicts two diverging light rays travelling through a lens and leaving it as parallel rays. Which labelled distance represents the focal length of the lens?

Light

The speed-time graph shows a brief journey. Which distance-time graph shows the same journey?

Motion

A beam of light comprises yellow and blue light. It is incident on a glass prism. Which diagram is correct?

Light

The two devices illustrated operate using different kinds of electromagnetic waves. Which waves are used by these devices?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A boy shouts and then hears an echo reflected from a tall building $2.2\,\text{ s}$ later. The speed of sound in air is $330\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. How far away from the boy is the building?

Sound

The magnetic field around a bar magnet can be shown using magnetic field lines. Which diagram correctly shows two magnetic field lines?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A plastic rod is rubbed using a dry cloth. It ends up positively charged. Why does the rod become positively charged?

Electrical quantities

Which statement correctly describes electric current in a conductor?

Electrical quantities

Which circuit would be used to find the resistance of a resistor?

Electric circuits

A lamp has a rating of $12\,\text{V}$, $2.0\,\text{A}$ and is left switched on for $60\,\text{s}$. What amount of energy is transferred?

Energy, work and power

The circuit diagram shows a battery linked to two resistors. Four ammeters, each labelled, are placed in the circuit. Which ammeter has the greatest reading?

Electric circuits

Two lamps are connected in parallel. Which switches have to be closed for both lamps to light?

Electric circuits

The graph shows the motion of a car. What distance has the car travelled from $0$ to $5\,\text{s}$?

Motion

Which of the following statements about electrical safety is correct?

Electrical safety

A student investigates the output voltage induced across a coil of wire by a bar magnet. At what point will the induced voltage be at its greatest value?

Electromagnetic effects

Which device does not make use of the magnetic effect of a current?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram illustrates electricity being sent from a power station to homes many kilometres away. Two transformers are marked X and Y. What are the types of transformers X and Y?

Electromagnetic effects

Which diagram shows the arrangement of the charged particles in an atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

The table gives the composition of three different nuclei. Which nuclei are isotopes of the same element?

The nuclear model of the atom

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

Radioactivity

Which row gives one harmful effect and one beneficial effect of ionising radiation on living organisms?

Radioactivity

Which statement about the Solar System is correct?

The Earth and the Solar System

The graph illustrates the energy given out by the Sun at various wavelengths. Most of the energy comes from just three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, marked P, Q and R. Which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are P and R?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which statement concerning mass or weight is incorrect?

Mass and weight

An astronomer detects redshift in the light from a distant galaxy. Which statement about redshift is correct?

Stars and the Universe

Which two measurements have to be known to work out the density of a material?

Density

Two boys are seated on a see-saw. The see-saw is balanced and stays level. What determines the moment of each boy about the pivot?

Forces

A uniform metre rule is balanced on a pivot at the $50\,\text{cm}$ mark. A mass of $25\,\text{g}$ is put at the $30\,\text{cm}$ mark on the rule. What is the smallest mass that could be added to the rule so that equilibrium is restored?

Forces

Beam XY is uniform, has a length of $100\,\text{cm}$ and a weight of $4.0\,\text{N}$. It is supported on a pivot placed $60\,\text{cm}$ from end X. An $8.0\,\text{N}$ load is suspended from the beam at a point $10\,\text{cm}$ from end X. Balance is maintained by a force $F$ applied to the beam $80\,\text{cm}$ from end X. What is the size of force $F$?

Forces

Three toys for children, X, Y and Z, all have the same size and shape. The weights inside them are placed at different positions, so the location of each toy’s centre of gravity is different. The centre of gravity of each toy is labelled P. Which toy is the most stable, and which toy is the least stable, when they are balanced in the positions shown?

Mass and weight

Which apparatus is used to measure the length of a copper rod that is approximately $2\,\text{cm}$ long?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A bicycle braking system shifts energy from a kinetic energy store into an internal energy store. A motor changes energy from a chemical energy store (battery) into a kinetic energy store. What makes these energy transfers possible?

Energy, work and power

A toy car is displaced by $2.4\,\text{m}$ under a force of $460\,\text{N}$. How much energy is transferred?

Energy, work and power

A motor vehicle engine produces a large amount of power. Which statement is correct?

Energy, work and power

A cube of solid material measures $0.50\,\text{m}$ along each edge and has a mass of $120\,\text{kg}$. It rests on the ground with one face in contact. What pressure is exerted by the cube on the ground?

Pressure

What is the minimum possible temperature (absolute zero), and what happens to the energy of particles at this temperature?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which statement is correct about the particles of a substance after condensation?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The diagram illustrates a flask that is intended to minimise the escape of thermal energy from a hot liquid. Which methods of thermal energy transfer are the silvered walls meant to reduce?

Transfer of thermal energy

A drop of water from a tap lands on the surface of water that has a constant depth. Water waves then travel outward across the water surface. Which statement is correct?

General properties of waves

An optical image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object. Which row states the other characteristics of the optical image formed?

Light

The diagram illustrates a scale drawing that is only partly finished for an upright object positioned $3\,\text{cm}$ in front of a thin converging lens with focal length $2\,\text{cm}$. What is the nature of the image produced by this lens?

Light

The speed-time graph represents the motion of an object. How far does the object move at constant speed?

Motion

A thin beam of white light travels through a prism and is split into a spectrum. Which row is correct?

Light

Which row corresponds to a region of the electromagnetic spectrum and one of its uses?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A ship blows its horn when it is $790\,\text{m}$ away from a cliff. A passenger on board hears the echo $4.8\,\text{s}$ afterwards. What is the speed of the sound?

Sound

Which row states the metal used for the core of an electromagnet and gives one property of that electromagnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A plastic rod and a dry cloth are initially uncharged. The rod is then rubbed with the cloth, and both objects become charged. The rod ends up negatively charged because some charged particles move from the cloth to the rod. What charge does the cloth acquire, and which particles are transferred during the charging process?

Electrical quantities

A source with electromotive force (e.m.f.) $12\,\text{V}$ is connected across a $3\,\Omega$ resistor. Which ammeter would be the most appropriate for measuring the current in the resistor?

Electric circuits

The charge for electrical energy is $\$0.25$ for every unit of $1\,\text{kW h}$. A $2200\,\text{W}$ heater is turned on for $48$ minutes. What is the cost of using it?

Energy, work and power

The diagram illustrates six different electrical circuit components. Which circuit symbol does the diagram not include?

Electric circuits

The circuit diagram includes three switches and four lamps P, Q, R and S. Which switches have to be closed so that only lamps P and R are lit?

Electric circuits

An electric heater has a metal frame. The heating element is linked to the live and neutral wires of an a.c. supply, while the metal frame is connected to the earth wire. Which row shows the correct arrangement for the fuse and the switch?

Electrical safety

A rock drops from a cliff onto a beach. The effect of air resistance on the rock can be ignored. Which row gives the rock's acceleration and speed while it is falling?

Motion

Which electrical device makes use of the turning effect caused by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field?

Electromagnetic effects

Four appliances each use an electric current to function. Which appliance makes use of the magnetic effect of the current?

Electromagnetic effects

A student builds four different transformers. She records how many turns are on the primary coil and the secondary coil. She classifies each transformer as step-up or step-down. Which row gives the correct classifications?

Electromagnetic effects

In what way is electricity transferred across long distances, and what is the reason for using this method?

Electrical quantities

An atom of an element includes electrons, neutrons and protons. Which particles are located in the nucleus?

The nuclear model of the atom

A chlorine nuclide is represented by the symbol $^{{35}}_{{17}}\text{Cl}$. What is the nucleon number for this chlorine nuclide?

The nuclear model of the atom

Name one major source of background radiation.

Radioactivity

The graph illustrates the radioactive decay curve for a substance. What is the half-life of this substance?

Radioactivity

Which table row concerning the orbits of the Earth and the Moon is correct?

The Earth and the Solar System

Which statement correctly describes a galaxy?

Stars and the Universe

Two rectangular blocks are made from different materials. Four methods are proposed for comparing their two masses. Which methods provide a comparison of the two masses?

Mass and weight

Light arriving from faraway stars is redshifted. What does redshift mean?

Light

A measuring cylinder that contains $50\,\text{cm}^3$ of water is placed on a balance. A solid object is then added to the cylinder, and the water level increases to $75\,\text{cm}^3$. What is the density of the object?

Density

A cyclist is moving in a straight line on a level road at constant speed. A constant driving force $F$ acts on the cyclist in the forward direction indicated. Which statement about the size of the frictional forces acting on the cyclist is correct?

Forces

A beam is turned about a pivot at P. A force acts on the beam. Which distance is multiplied by the force to determine the moment of the force about P?

Forces

The diagram depicts an unbalanced rod. The two loads X and Y are able to be shifted along the rod. The rod rotates clockwise, as illustrated. Which action could cause the rod to become balanced?

Forces

An electric table lamp with a lamp shade needs to stay stable and not be easy to tip over. Which statement is correct?

Forces