Oct/Nov 2024

The diagram depicts a rectangular metal sheet beside two rulers. What is the area of the metal sheet?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A motor changes $24\,\text{J}$ of energy in $60\,\text{s}$. What is the motor’s power output?

Energy, work and power

An artist creates four sculptures that have circular bases and sets them on sand. Each sculpture has the same weight and volume. Which sculpture is the least likely to sink into the sand?

Pressure

A certain mass of water is heated until it turns into an equal mass of steam. Which row shows the changes in volume and density of the water?

Density

The diagram shows gas particles moving within a sealed container. These gas particles strike the container walls. The temperature of the gas is raised. What happens to the average speed of the gas particles, and what happens to the number of collisions made by the gas particles with the walls of the container?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A metal object is heated intensely in an oven. What happens to the object's volume and the internal energy stored within it?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which row gives the description of melting?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A beaker containing water is heated, and thermal energy is transferred through the water by convection. What change occurs in the water’s density as it is heated, and what movement does the water make?

Transfer of thermal energy

Waves move across the water’s surface. What is meant by the amplitude of the wave?

General properties of waves

What is the name of the effect when water waves change direction as they travel from shallow water into deep water?

General properties of waves

The ray diagram illustrates image formation when light is reflected by a plane mirror. Which lines show the light rays?

Light

The diagram displays the speed-time graph of an object. In which section does the object have the greatest acceleration?

Motion

Which diagram shows the way a converging lens forms an image of an object on a screen?

Light

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

Light

Which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for satellite television and for security marking?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A ship’s horn produces a sound. The captain aboard the ship hears an echo from a cliff $4.0\ \text{s}$ later. The speed of sound is $340\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate the distance from the ship to the cliff.

Sound

A bar magnet is placed beside a steel bar. Some of the magnetic field lines produced by the magnet are shown. Which poles are correct for the magnet, and would the steel bar attract or repel the bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Which line about electrical conduction in metals is right?

Electrical quantities

The diagram illustrates three wires, P, Q and R. Each one is made from the same metal. Which sequence shows the wires arranged by resistance, from the smallest to the largest?

Electrical quantities

A $60\ \text{W}$ lamp is running at normal brightness for $2.0$ minutes. How much energy is transferred by the lamp?

Energy, work and power

What is meant by a thermistor?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates a circuit with two identical resistors joined to a battery. Current is measured at X and at Y. Which row is correct?

Electric circuits

An object starts to fall near the Earth’s surface. Air resistance may be neglected. Which statement about the object’s acceleration is correct?

Motion

The mains voltage is $120\ \text{V}$. Which fuse ought to be installed in an electric kettle with a power rating of $1.5\ \text{kW}$?

Electrical safety

The diagrams illustrate a strong magnet and a weak magnet being moved into one coil of wire at different speeds. Which arrangement produces the greatest electromotive force (e.m.f.), and which arrangement produces the smallest e.m.f.?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagrams illustrate a current-carrying wire, with an arrow indicating the direction of the current. Which diagram shows the magnetic field created by the current?

Electromagnetic effects

Which materials are most suitable for constructing a transformer?

Electromagnetic effects

Which diagram shows the arrangement of a neutral atom?

The nuclear model of the atom

In the diagram, five atoms are shown in a radioactive substance. Each atom emits an $^{{4}}_{{2}}\alpha$-particle. Atom 1 is the first one to emit a particle. Atom 3 is the second one to emit a particle. Which atom will emit the next particle?

Radioactivity

The diagram depicts a radioactive source, a thick aluminium sheet, and a radiation detector. The radiation detector gives a reading above the background reading. Which type of radiation is the source emitting and the detector detecting?

Radioactivity

The radioactive isotope caesium $^{{137}}_{{55}}\text{Cs}$ has a half-life of 30 years. If the starting mass is $30\,\text{g}$, what mass of the isotope is still present after 90 years?

Radioactivity

Which sequence lists the planets in the correct order?

The Earth and the Solar System

Which row gives the correct description of the Sun and the Milky Way?

Stars and the Universe

Which quantity is equal to gravitational force?

Mass and weight

What is the Milky Way’s approximate diameter?

Stars and the Universe

The dimensions of a concrete building block are shown. The block has a mass of $15\,000\,\text{g}$. What is the density of the block?

Density

What does the moment of a force measure?

Forces

Two identical containers, P and Q, are each partially filled with unequal amounts of sand. The centre of gravity of each container is marked $X$. Which container is the more stable, and why is it more stable?

Mass and weight

The diagram shows a steel sphere moving down through a cylinder of oil. Which row shows what happens to the steel sphere and what happens to the oil as the steel sphere falls?

Motion

A moving object is stopped by a frictional force of $30\,\text{N}$ acting over a distance of $5.0\,\text{m}$. The diagram shows the energy transferred between stores (from the store of kinetic energy to the store of internal energy). Calculate the energy transferred by this force and state the way in which the energy is transferred.

Energy, work and power

A student uses three different measuring cylinders to measure the volumes of three liquids. The table gives the volumes noted by the student. Which of the readings have been recorded correctly?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Which of the following statements about power is correct?

Energy, work and power

In what position would a person apply the least pressure to the ground?

Pressure

What name is given to the change of state when steam at $100^\circ\text{C}$ turns into water at $100^\circ\text{C}$?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A fixed mass of air is enclosed in a cylinder that has a moveable piston. The piston is gradually pushed inward. What happens to the pressure and the volume of the enclosed air?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates electricity cables being installed on a warm day. As shown, the cables hang between the supporting pylons. Why are the cables not pulled tighter so that they are higher above the ground?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which diagram illustrates the overall particle movement and the temperature change as a liquid evaporates?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A vacuum flask has a vacuum between its double walls. Which modes of thermal transfer are reduced by the vacuum?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram illustrates a transverse wave. Which distance is equal to one wavelength?

General properties of waves

The diagram shows a wave before reflection from a barrier. Which labelled part of the diagram represents a wavefront?

General properties of waves

The diagram illustrates a ray of light as it moves from air into glass. Which row indicates the angle of refraction and the normal?

Light

The diagram illustrates how the speed of a falling object varies with time. Which row gives the object’s motion between X and Y, and between Y and Z?

Motion

The diagram shows rays of light travelling through a converging lens. Which labelled arrow shows the focal length of the lens?

Light

The diagram illustrates a thin beam of white light being spread out by a glass prism to form a visible spectrum. Which statement describes how the frequency and wavelength of the light change when viewed from P to Q across the spectrum?

Light

At the beginning of the Universe, gamma radiation was present. As time has passed, this radiation has moved into the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum. What effect has this change had on the radiation’s wavelength and speed?

Electromagnetic spectrum

What must happen to sound waves for an echo to be produced, and what is the nature of sound waves?

Sound

The diagram illustrates what occurs when a bar PQ is moved close to a permanent magnet that is placed on a balance. What might bar PQ be?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A voltage-time graph can be used to display direct current (d.c.). Which graph shows the correct waveform for a d.c. supply?

Electrical quantities

A resistor has a potential difference (p.d.) of $100\,\text{V}$ across it and a current of $5.0\,\text{mA}$ flows through it. What is the resistance of the resistor?

Electrical quantities

The diagram displays the information label on an electric kettle. What is the current value when the kettle is heating water?

Electrical quantities

Which circuit can be used to determine the resistance of the thermistor?

Electric circuits

A student constructs a battery by joining five cells, as shown. What is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery?

Electrical quantities

The speed-time graph shows a journey. In what way does the graph indicate that the distance covered in section X of the journey is larger than the distance covered in section Y?

Motion

The diagram displays the safety label fitted to an electric oven. This oven is connected to a mains electric circuit. A fuse is included in the circuit to safeguard the cabling and stop overheating if a fault occurs. At what point should the fuse be fitted, and what current rating should it have?

Electrical safety

A straight wire remains at rest between the poles of a magnet. It is positioned perpendicular to the magnetic field. Which action would not induce an e.m.f. in the wire?

Electromagnetic effects

The diagram depicts a wire suspended vertically between the poles of a magnet. A current flows through the wire in the direction indicated. The wire is pushed into the plane of the page, away from the observer. When the current is reversed, in which direction does the wire move?

Electromagnetic effects

A coil carrying a current in a magnetic field is subjected to a turning effect. Students are asked how this turning effect could be made larger. Three suggestions are given. Which suggestions will make the turning effect larger?

Electromagnetic effects

A student gives three examples of naturally occurring background radiation sources. Which of the examples are correct?

Radioactivity

A student is investigating the rate at which ionising radiation is released by a radioactive substance. He positions a detector at various distances from the radioactive source. The table displays how the source count rate changes with distance $d$. Which type of ionising radiation is the substance emitting?

Radioactivity

Radioactive decay leads to the release of $\alpha$-particles, $\beta$-particles and $\gamma$-radiation. Which kinds of emission cause a nucleus to become that of a different element?

Radioactivity

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of $120\ \text{minutes}$. It gives off radiation at a rate of $100$ particles per second. After how much time will the emission rate decrease to $25$ particles per second?

Radioactivity

The diagram shows a section of a solar system. Which row correctly names the bodies P, Q and R?

The Earth and the Solar System

Which statement about the Sun is incorrect?

Stars and the Universe

Which row includes two correct statements about the mass and the weight of an object?

Mass and weight

Which statement regarding the Milky Way galaxy is correct?

Stars and the Universe

What equipment is used to determine the density of an irregularly shaped stone?

Density

The diagram illustrates a force $F$ acting at $90^\circ$ to a bar, at a distance $d$ from point $P$. Which pair of changes would lead to the greatest increase in the moment of the force $F$ about the point $P$?

Forces

A child with a weight of $420\,\text{N}$ is seated on a swing, with her feet touching the ground. The child has an upward force from the ground of $130\,\text{N}$ and an upward force from the swing of $290\,\text{N}$. Determine the resultant force acting on the child.

Forces

A builder raises one concrete block from the ground up onto a platform. The weight of a single block is $170\,\text{N}$. What is the useful work done against gravity for one block?

Energy, work and power

Students are asked to give examples of water being used to store energy. Three examples are shown. Which examples describe water being used to store energy?

Energy, work and power

A student is using a ruler to determine the volume of water in a tank. She measures the lengths EF and FG. Which other length does she also need to measure?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

How are the power of a motor, the force produced by the motor, the distance through which the force moves, and the time taken related?

Energy, work and power

How can pressure be defined?

Pressure

A fixed mass of gas is enclosed in a cylinder fitted with a piston. The gas volume is gradually decreased while the temperature remains constant, and no gas particles leave the cylinder. Which statement is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

The air temperature increases from $10^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $40^{\circ}\text{C}$. What is the temperature change, in kelvin?

Thermal properties and temperature

Which effect is not caused by thermal expansion?

Thermal properties and temperature

On a very hot summer day, the water level in a pond decreases. Which statement accounts for this?

Thermal properties and temperature

The diagram illustrates a vacuum flask used to keep a liquid hot. In what way is thermal energy transferred through the vacuum?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagrams show two transverse waves X and Y, drawn to the same scale. Which row is correct?

General properties of waves

Which row gives one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal wave?

General properties of waves

A ray of light is reflected by a plane mirror. Which angle is the angle of reflection?

Light

Which of the following statements is correct?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A thin converging lens produces an image. What sort of image is this, and can it be projected onto a screen?

Light

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

Light

Which row gives the correct comparison between microwaves and ultraviolet?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A sound pulse is emitted from the underside of a boat. It passes through the water, then bounces off the seabed. The echo returns to the boat $1.3\,\text{s}$ after the pulse was emitted. The seabed lies $1000\,\text{m}$ beneath the boat. From this information, what is the speed of sound in the water?

Sound

The diagram depicts three small compasses placed close to a bar magnet. Which compasses indicate the direction of the magnetic field produced by the bar magnet?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

A negatively charged rod is moved near an isolated, uncharged metal sphere. What charges appear on sides P and Q of the sphere?

Electrical quantities

The diagram represents a simple circuit. The ammeter shows $2.0\,\text{A}$ and the voltmeter shows $6.0\,\text{V}$. What is the resistance of the wire?

Electric circuits

A lamp has a rating of $240\,\text{V}$, $0.40\,\text{A}$. It runs at normal brightness for $1.0\,\text{min}$. How much energy is transferred by the lamp?

Electrical quantities

The diagram shows a torch with two cells, a switch and a lamp. Which circuit diagram correctly represents the torch?

Electric circuits

Which symbol shows a device containing a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field?

Electromagnetic effects

A stone is dropped from the top of a cliff and falls freely. Air resistance can be ignored. Which graph shows how the stone’s acceleration changes with time during its fall?

Motion

The diagram illustrates a three-core cable linking a three-pin socket to an electric fire with a metal frame. The socket’s earth, live and neutral terminals are marked E, L and N respectively. A switch is included in the circuit. Where is the switch connected?

Electric circuits

A student carries out an investigation into electromagnetic induction. She brings the N pole of a magnet rapidly towards a coil of wire. The sensitive voltmeter shows a reading. What can she do to obtain a larger reading on the sensitive voltmeter?

Electromagnetic effects

The current in a straight wire X is directed into the page. Which diagram shows the form of the magnetic field pattern surrounding the wire?

Simple phenomena of magnetism

What is increased by a step-up transformer?

Electromagnetic effects

While a radioactive rock sample is being tested for emissions in the laboratory, a teacher points out that background radiation has to be allowed for. What does this background radiation mean?

Radioactivity

How does the ionising effect and penetrating ability of $\alpha$-particles compare with those of $\beta$-particles and $\gamma$-rays?

Radioactivity

Half-life is ......1...... needed for the ......2...... of a sample of a radioactive isotope to halve. Which words correctly fill gaps 1 and 2?

Radioactivity

Radioactive materials have to be handled safely. Which of the following is not a safety procedure?

Radioactivity

The Solar System has eight major planets. Which is the correct sequence for three of the major planets, beginning with the one that is farthest from the Sun?

The Earth and the Solar System

The diagram illustrates a radio signal that travels from the Earth, is reflected by Pluto, and then returns to the Earth. The distance between the Earth and Pluto is $0.00050$ light-years. What is the time taken for the radio signal to return to the Earth after being sent?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Which of the following statements about weight is correct?

Mass and weight

The Milky Way is a ......1...... containing roughly one hundred ......2...... stars. Which words correctly fill gaps 1 and 2?

Stars and the Universe

A student applies the equation $\rho = \dfrac{m}{V}$. Which row gives the correct meaning of these symbols?

Density

At what point does the weight of an object seem to act?

Mass and weight

Loads are added to a spring, causing it to stretch. Which diagram shows the load-extension graph for the spring?

Forces

The diagram shows a force of $12\,\text{N}$ applied to push a box up a slope. The box travels $8.0\,\text{m}$ along the slope, and its vertical rise is $2.5\,\text{m}$. How much work is done in pushing the box from the bottom to the top of the slope?

Energy, work and power

Which energy resource is not renewable?

Energy, work and power