May/June 2024

The diagram shows a magnified illustration of the end of a metre ruler. It is being used to measure the length of a small feather. What is the length of the feather?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Diagram 1 shows the apparatus used to observe smoke particles. Diagram 2 shows the way in which a smoke particle moves at random. What causes the smoke particles to move randomly?

Kinetic particle model of matter

How can a temperature measured in degrees Celsius ($^\circ\text{C}$) be changed into a temperature measured in kelvin (K)?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates a frictionless piston located within a cylinder. The air in the cylinder is heated. The piston moves in the direction indicated. Which statement about the air in the cylinder is correct?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which quantity goes up when the temperature of a copper block is raised?

Thermal properties and temperature

A textbook defines a thermal process as ‘molecules with greater energy leave the surface of a liquid, causing the liquid to cool’. Which process is being described?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Under what situation is radiation the principal way that energy is transferred?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram shows a wave. Which row states the wavelength and amplitude of the wave?

General properties of waves

Which row gives the description of a seismic P-wave?

General properties of waves

Which diagram illustrates waves diffracting?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates a ray of light travelling through glass and striking the boundary between the glass and air. What occurs if the angle of incidence is increased to a value greater than the critical angle for the glass?

Light

The diagram illustrates two objects, X and Y, hanging from springs that are identical. Each spring stretches by a different amount. Which row compares the mass and the weight of the two objects?

Mass and weight

The wavelength of a red light with frequency $430 \times 10^{12}\ \text{Hz}$ is $700 \times 10^{-9}\ \text{m}$. What could be true for blue light?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Infrared is a helpful form of electromagnetic radiation. However, too much exposure to infrared may lead to damaging effects. Which row shows a use and a harmful effect of infrared?

Electromagnetic spectrum

The table presents information about the hearing ranges of several different animals. Which animal’s hearing range is most like that of a human?

Sound

Which statement correctly describes ultrasound?

Sound

Which diagram shows the arrangement and direction of the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which material conducts electricity well?

Electrical quantities

What does electric current mean, and how is an ammeter connected in a circuit so that it measures the current through a resistor?

Electric circuits

What unit is used to measure the potential difference (p.d.) between two points in an electrical circuit?

Electrical quantities

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

Electric circuits

The metal casing of an electrical appliance is connected to earth. What is the reason for this?

Electrical safety

A plastic bottle holds $750\,\text{cm}^3$ of oil. The diagram shows the bottle's mass being measured first when it is full and then when it is empty. What is the density of the oil?

Density

A student pushes a magnet into a coil, as illustrated. The voltmeter records the size of the electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced in the coil. Which quantity does not influence the size of the induced e.m.f.?

Electromagnetic effects

A student builds a small d.c. motor. The teacher provides the following equipment: battery; ammeter; voltmeter; coil of wire; magnets; resistor. The student may also use any other equipment if he wants to. Which pieces of equipment have to be used?

Electromagnetic effects

In a simple model of the atom, tiny particles move in orbits around a central nucleus. Which row is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

What charge does a proton carry, and what charge does a neutron carry?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radon isotope is radioactive. It undergoes decay by releasing an $\alpha$-particle. What change occurs to the nucleus of a radon atom when the $\alpha$-particle is emitted?

Radioactivity

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

The nuclear model of the atom

A box is used to store radioactive sources. Which material would be the most suitable choice for lining the box so that radiation does not escape?

Radioactivity

The Earth is a planet which completes one orbit around the Sun in roughly 365 days. What does this allow us to explain?

The Earth and the Solar System

The radius of Venus’s orbit around the Sun is $110 \times 10^{6}\ \text{km}$. The radius of Earth’s orbit around the Sun is $150 \times 10^{6}\ \text{km}$. The speed of light is $0.30 \times 10^{6}\ \text{km s}^{-1}$. When Venus and Earth are at their nearest separation, how much time does light need to travel from Venus to Earth?

The Earth and the Solar System

Which three principal forms of radiation does the Sun emit?

Electromagnetic spectrum

The extension-load graph for a spring is shown. The spring’s natural length is $15.0\,\text{cm}$. After an object with unknown weight is hung from the spring, its length becomes $16.4\,\text{cm}$. What is the weight of the object?

Forces

What does the term light-year mean?

Stars and the Universe

A student is finding the position of the centre of gravity of a piece of card. The diagram displays the equipment available. It is not drawn to scale. Which item of equipment is unnecessary?

Forces

A cyclist brings his bicycle to a halt by applying the brakes. Which row about energy stores is correct?

Energy, work and power

A man exerts a force of $40\,\text{N}$ to move a box across the floor. What power is needed to move the box $4.0\,\text{m}$ in $3.0\,\text{s}$?

Energy, work and power

Four identical submarines P, Q, R and S are moved from one depth to another in water with constant density. The starting and ending depths of each submarine are shown. Which row gives the correct change in pressure between the initial depth and the final depth for each submarine?

Pressure

A list of terms for changes of state is shown below. 1 boiling 2 solidification 3 condensation 4 evaporation Which two terms refer to the same change of state?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Four athletes complete two laps of a track. The table gives their times at the end of each lap. Which athlete completes the second lap in the shortest time?

Motion

Copper melts at $1100^\circ\text{C}$. What is this melting point in kelvin?

Thermal properties and temperature

A liquid that is at room temperature occupies a flask and a glass tube up to level X. The flask is then put into ice, and the liquid level in the tube moves to level Y. Why does the level move to level Y?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which row gives the correct description of water’s state at the temperatures shown?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A liquid is undergoing evaporation. It is not boiling. Which statement about the liquid at a particular instant is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A student is stirring a hot liquid in a pan using a spoon. Which row states what material the spoon should be made of so that the student’s hand does not get burned?

Transfer of thermal energy

All objects emit thermal radiation. Through which mediums can thermal radiation travel?

Transfer of thermal energy

A circular pond has a radius of $3.0\,\text{m}$. Circular waves are generated at the centre of the pond. From the centre to the edge of the pond, there are $10$ complete waves, and it takes $5.0\,\text{s}$ for all $10$ waves to arrive at the edge. Determine the wavelength and the frequency of the waves.

General properties of waves

In what way does the vibration direction of a longitudinal wave relate to its propagation direction, and which wave example is longitudinal?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows a ray of light being reflected by a mirror. Which row gives the correct names for $x$, $y$ and $Z$?

Light

A converging lens produces an image of an object positioned in front of it. What are the features of the image?

Light

A racing car has an on-board computer installed. Each time the car crosses the starting line, the computer measures the distance covered during the next two seconds. Which data set indicates that the car is speeding up over those two seconds?

Motion

When white light passes through a prism, it can be separated into its component colours. What is the name of this process?

Light

Exposure to some parts of the electromagnetic spectrum at excessive levels can have harmful effects on people. Which parts cause mutation of cells in the body, skin burns and internal heating of body cells?

Electromagnetic spectrum

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

Sound

The frequency of a sound wave rises from $31\,000\,\text{Hz}$ to $32\,000\,\text{Hz}$. What type of wave is this, and what would it be heard as by a human with normal hearing?

Sound

Small compasses are used to find the direction of a magnetic field. Which diagram shows the direction in which the compass needles point when they are placed near the N and S poles of a bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A metal bar is positioned within a current-carrying coil, as shown in diagram 1. A small current flows through the coil. The bar supports a few nails, as shown in diagram 2. If there is no current in the coil, the nails fall away. Which row is correct?

Electromagnetic effects

A resistor of resistance $R$ carries a current $I$. The potential difference (p.d.) across it is $V$. Which equation shows the power $P$ dissipated in the resistor?

Electric circuits

A student investigates how well four materials conduct electricity: • aluminium • iron • plastic • silver Which of these materials are good electrical conductors?

Electrical quantities

This question concerns the potential difference (p.d.) across, and the current in, a variable resistor. The resistance of the variable resistor is increased. Which statement is correct?

Electric circuits

Diagram 1 shows a resistor placed in a circuit. Diagram 2 shows an identical resistor joined in parallel with the first resistor. What is the total resistance of the two resistors in diagram 2?

Electric circuits

Which row gives the gravitational field strength on the Earth and the definition of velocity?

Motion

In a mains electric circuit, where should a fuse be connected?

Electrical safety

Which graph does not display the correct pattern for the force $F$ that produces the turning effect on the coil in a d.c. motor?

Electromagnetic effects

Which statement regarding the structure of an atom is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Four statements concerning the isotopes of a particular element are given. Which statement about the isotopes has to be correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

Which factors contribute to a person’s annual dose of ionising radiation?

Radioactivity

The emissions from a radioactive source travel through a sheet of lead that is $10\ \text{mm}$ thick. Which type of radiation is released by the source, and how is this radiation affected by an electric field?

Radioactivity

Radioactive waste is frequently combined with liquid glass. The mixture then hardens and is kept in steel drums. Why is this method used to store radioactive waste?

Radioactivity

Which planet is classified as a rocky planet?

The Earth and the Solar System

What causes the phases of the Moon?

The Earth and the Solar System

What does the Universe consist of?

Stars and the Universe

Which of the following statements about the weight of an object is correct?

Mass and weight

Which gases make up most of the Sun?

Stars and the Universe

The diagram presents a load-extension graph for a steel spring. When no load is attached, the spring has a length of $2.0\,\text{cm}$. Which load makes the spring’s length $6.0\,\text{cm}$?

Forces

Which force acting between two solid surfaces resists motion?

Forces

A box with mass $2.0\,\text{kg}$ and weight $20\,\text{N}$ is taken up to the top of a staircase. How is the work done against gravity on the box worked out?

Energy, work and power

Four submarines are underwater. The density of fresh water is $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$ and the density of sea water is $1020\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. Which submarine is acted on by the largest pressure from the water?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates the changes in state, 1, 2, 3 and 4, between solids, liquids and gases. Which processes are 2 and 3?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A student wants to determine the volume of a small stone with an irregular shape. A ruler and a measuring cylinder that contains some water are available. Which apparatus is required?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A pollen grain placed in a beaker of stationary water is observed using a microscope. Which diagram is most likely to represent the movement of the pollen grain?

Kinetic particle model of matter

How are temperatures measured in kelvin ($T$) related to temperatures measured in degrees Celsius ($\theta$)?

Thermal properties and temperature

In a well-known experiment, a scientist demonstrated that stirring water in an insulated tub causes its temperature to rise. What conclusion can be drawn from this experiment?

Energy, work and power

When solids are heated, they expand, and when they are cooled, they contract. Which example shows expansion being used in a helpful way rather than as an undesirable effect?

Thermal properties and temperature

A rod consists of aluminium for half its length and glass for the other half. One pin is fixed to each end of the rod using wax. The rod is then heated at its centre. A pin drops off once the wax has melted. Which statement is correct?

Thermal properties and temperature

In countries with a hot climate, houses are often coated in white paint. Why is this done?

Transfer of thermal energy

What is the term for the distance between one crest in a transverse wave and the next crest?

General properties of waves

Waves travelling along the surface of water move from deep water into shallow water. Which diagram shows the correct route of the waves in the shallow water?

General properties of waves

The diagram depicts a thin converging lens whose principal focuses are $F_1$ and $F_2$. A small light source is positioned at $F_1$. A beam of light from the source travels through the lens. Which statement accurately describes the beam of light leaving the lens?

Light

A student comes across the following relationship in his physics book: $i = r$. What topic is he reading about?

Light

A car moves along a road at a steady speed. Which option correctly describes the car’s speed-time graph?

Motion

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

Electromagnetic spectrum

The table shows the wavelengths of three electromagnetic waves. Which row correctly names P, Q and R?

Electromagnetic spectrum

What is the approximate range of frequencies that a healthy human ear can hear?

Sound

A student strikes two wooden blocks together in front of a wall and works out that the speed of sound is $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. The interval between the student striking the blocks and hearing the echo is $0.59\,\text{s}$. What distance separates the student from the wall?

Sound

The diagram illustrates part of the magnetic field between two bar magnets. Which statement about the ends of the magnets is correct?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Diagrams 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an experiment used to compare two magnets 1 and 2. Which row accounts for the balance readings?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which voltage–time graph represents an a.c. voltage?

Electrical quantities

A resistor carries a current $I$ for a duration $t$. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor is $V$. What quantity is given by the product $IVt$?

Energy, work and power

A student is designing a circuit so that a fan switches on as the temperature rises. Which component must she use in her circuit?

Electric circuits

Four statements concerning safety in the design of electrical products are given. Which ones are correct?

Electrical safety

Four objects are travelling along a straight line. The distance of each object from a fixed point on the line is plotted against time. Which object is decelerating?

Motion

A transformer is fitted with 400 turns on its primary coil and is connected to the $240\,\text{V}$ mains supply. It has two secondary coils for supplying different sections of a television. Secondary coil 1 contains 2500 turns and secondary coil 2 contains 20 turns. Which row is correct?

Electromagnetic effects

A class is planning a d.c. motor. To produce a larger turning effect, three suggestions are put forward. Which suggestions would help to increase the turning effect?

Electromagnetic effects

Which statement concerning the structure of an atom is correct?

The nuclear model of the atom

A nuclide of strontium is written as $^{90}_{38}\text{Sr}$. Which row shows the number of electrons and where they are found in an atom of $^{90}_{38}\text{Sr}$?

The nuclear model of the atom

A radiation detector in a laboratory is being used to measure background radiation. Which row shows the readings and their cause?

Radioactivity

The nuclei of the atoms in a substance are changing at random and emitting radiation. What is occurring in the substance?

Radioactivity

What is the most secure way to keep a radioactive source stored?

Radioactivity

Which row gives an explanation for the Sun’s apparent daily movement across the sky and for the sequence of Moon phases?

The Earth and the Solar System

The closest star to the Sun lies 4 light-years away. A spaceship moves at 0.1% of the speed of light. What is the total time needed for a trip from the Sun to the star and then back to the Sun again?

Motion

In which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum is most of the Sun’s energy emitted?

Electromagnetic spectrum

An object is moved from the Earth to the Moon. The acceleration of free fall is $9.8\,\text{m s}^{-2}$ on the Earth and is $1.6\,\text{m s}^{-2}$ on the Moon. Which row shows the mass and the weight of the object on the Moon compared with on the Earth?

Mass and weight

What is the Milky Way’s approximate diameter?

Stars and the Universe

The diagram shows a quantity of liquid in a measuring cylinder. The liquid has a mass of $16\,\text{g}$. Calculate the density of the liquid.

Density

One force is applied to an object, and the object's volume remains unchanged. Which statement is correct?

Forces

Four electric motors each do an equal amount of work when they raise a weight of $10\,\text{N}$ over the same distance. The time intervals taken by each motor to raise the weight are shown. What is the time taken by the motor that produces the greatest power?

Energy, work and power

Which row shows how the pressure under the surface of a liquid varies with the depth below the surface and with the liquid’s density?

Pressure

During which process does a gas change into a liquid?

Kinetic particle model of matter