May/June 2017

A micrometer is used to determine the diameter of a uniform wire. What action is taken to obtain an accurate answer?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

An astronaut journeys to the International Space Station. Which row shows how his mass and his weight compare with their values on Earth?

Mass and weight

The graph illustrates how the extension of a piece of copper wire changes as the load applied to it increases. What information is presented by the graph?

Elastic deformation

A beam of uniform density is mounted so that it can turn about its midpoint. Three weights, placed as shown, keep the beam in equilibrium. What is the value of $d$?

Turning effect of forces

The work done by a force on a body is found by multiplying the force by a quantity. Which quantity?

Work

A small motor is rated at an input power of $10\,\text{W}$ and operates for $5.0\,\text{minutes}$. How much electrical energy is supplied to the motor during this period?

Power

A small hydroelectric power station channels water away from a river. Each second, $20\,\text{kg}$ of water passes through a pipe and drops through a vertical height of $15\,\text{m}$. The efficiency of the power station is $0.60$ (60%). The gravitational field strength is $g = 10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the power output?

Power

Two cylindrical vessels are connected together and filled with water, as illustrated. How does the pressure at point X compare with the pressure at points Y and Z?

Pressure

A water manometer is used to determine the pressure of a gas in a cylinder. The density of water is $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$ and the gravitational field strength is $g = 10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the gas pressure in the cylinder, measured above atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

Four beakers each have the same volume of water, but the water is at two different temperatures. The beakers are left in the open air. In which beaker does the water evaporate most quickly?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

A fixed mass of gas changes in volume while its temperature remains constant. Which diagram shows how the gas pressure varies with volume?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A car’s acceleration and top speed increase when it uses an engine with a smaller mass and a larger driving force. Of the underlined quantities, how many are vectors?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A material is made of particles that are packed closely together and move at random by sliding past one another. The particles’ average speed is increasing gradually. Which description best fits the material?

States of matter

The table gives the melting points and boiling points of several elements. Which element remains liquid across the widest temperature range?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

Several ice cubes are removed from a freezer and warmed in a container. Temperature and time readings are plotted on the graph. Which temperature is $0^\circ\text{C}$?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

The mercury-in-glass thermometer illustrated uses a linear scale. When the temperature is $100^\circ\text{C}$, $h$ is $28\,\text{cm}$. When the temperature is $80^\circ\text{C}$, $h$ is $24\,\text{cm}$. What is the value of $h$ at a temperature of $0^\circ\text{C}$?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

The diagram shows a clinical thermometer. What feature in the diagram indicates that this is a sensitive thermometer?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

A glass jar has a metal lid that is fitted on tightly. Hot water is poured over the lid to make it easier to open. Which physics property accounts for this?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which of these waves are longitudinal in nature?

General properties of waves

Light moving through glass strikes a glass-air boundary. The angle of incidence of the light is larger than the critical angle. Which arrow indicates the direction of the light after it strikes the boundary?

Refraction of light

A ray of light is incident on the upper face of a glass block at an angle of $15^\circ$ as illustrated. The refractive index of glass is $1.5$. What is the refraction angle $r$?

Refraction of light

A wall poster of the electromagnetic spectrum is on display in a laboratory. One section of the electromagnetic spectrum has been torn off this wall poster by accident. Which part is missing?

Electromagnetic spectrum

In the diagram, the resultant $R$ of a $3.0\,\text{N}$ force and a $4.0\,\text{N}$ force applied at a single point is shown. The angle separating the $3.0\,\text{N}$ force and the $4.0\,\text{N}$ force may take any value from $0^\circ$ to $90^\circ$. Which value of $R$ cannot occur?

Forces

What kind of wave is used to transmit television signals to a satellite?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A ship at rest on the surface of the sea transmits sound pulses straight down towards the seabed. Any pulse reflected back from the seabed is detected $1.0\,\text{s}$ after transmission. A whale passes beneath the boat and a pulse is detected $0.60\,\text{s}$ after transmission. The speed of sound in sea water is $1500\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What is the whale’s height above the seabed?

Sound

A plastic ball carrying charge is stationary. Which fields are present in the area around the ball? ( Ignore the magnetic field of the Earth. )

Electrical charge

What evidence shows that a metal bar is a permanent magnet?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

Electrical apparatus is shielded from magnetic fields by placing the apparatus inside a box. Which material is the box constructed from?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

A shoe acquires a positive charge by friction as it is rubbed against a carpet. What happens while the shoe is being charged?

Electrical charge

In a thunderstorm, a lightning flash happens when charge moves between a cloud and the Earth. On average, $20\,\text{C}$ of charge is transferred in each flash, and there are three flashes each minute. What is the average current between the cloud and the Earth during the thunderstorm?

Electrical current

For what reason are batteries sometimes constructed from several identical cells connected in parallel?

Series and parallel circuits

A cylinder made from conducting material has resistance $R$. A second cylinder, also made from the same material, is twice as long and has half the cross-sectional area. What resistance does the second cylinder have?

Resistance

A student employs a transformer to power a filament lamp from a $230\,\text{V}$ a.c. supply. The lamp is rated for a maximum voltage of $6.0\,\text{V}$. What happens when the circuit is switched on?

The transformer

The diagram presents the car’s distance-time graph. The car is moving on a straight road that slopes uphill. Which quantity for the car remains constant and is greater than zero?

Motion

Which row is correct for nuclear fission and for nuclear fusion?

Fission and fusion

A resultant force acts on an object and makes it travel along a straight line. The graph shows how the resultant force changes with time. Which graph is the speed-time graph for the object?

Motion

A skydiver leaves an aeroplane and, after a few seconds, attains terminal velocity without deploying his parachute. Why does he attain terminal velocity?

Balanced and unbalanced forces

A satellite moves around the Earth in a circular orbit. Which two quantities are always directed the same way as each other?

Circular motion

A satellite moves in a circular orbit around a planet. Which statement is correct?

Circular motion

The diagram depicts a wooden block placed on an inclined board. Which arrow indicates the direction of the gravitational force on the block?

Mass and weight

A car travels on a straight horizontal road, speeding up at $5.0\,\text{m s}^{-2}$ until its velocity becomes $20\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ after $4.0\,\text{s}$. Over this interval, the car's total displacement is $40\,\text{m}$. Which quantity is a scalar?

Motion

At the Earth’s surface, the gravitational field strength is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. At the Martian surface, the gravitational field strength is $3.8\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. A robot vehicle has a weight of $2000\,\text{N}$ on Earth. What would the weight of the robot vehicle be on Mars?

Mass and weight

A diagram presents a rectangular block whose dimensions are $5.0\,\text{cm}$, $4.0\,\text{cm}$ and $3.0\,\text{cm}$. Its density is $2.5\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$. Calculate the mass of the block.

Density

The graph illustrates how the extension of a length of copper wire changes as the load on it increases. What information does the graph give?

Elastic deformation

The diagram presents a load-extension graph for a wire. Which point marks the limit of proportionality?

Elastic deformation

A small motor has an input power rating of $10\,\text{W}$ and is operated for $5.0\,\text{minutes}$. How much electrical energy is supplied to the motor over this period?

Power

A student whose mass is $60\,\text{kg}$ ascends a set of steps. The student moves $2.0\,\text{m}$ horizontally and rises $1.5\,\text{m}$ vertically. Take the gravitational field strength $g$ to be $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the work done against the force of gravity?

Work

Which energy source is not renewable?

Energy resources

In a coal-fired power station, coal is burned, releasing thermal energy (heat). This thermal energy is then used to generate electrical energy. What is the sequence in which the energy moves through the parts of the power station?

Energy

Two glass containers, each holding a different liquid, are positioned beside one another. Point P is at a depth $h$ below the liquid surface in one container. Point Q is at a depth $h$ below the liquid surface in the other container. What causes the pressure at P to be different from the pressure at Q?

Pressure

A water manometer is used to determine the pressure of a gas in a cylinder. The density of water is $1000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$, and the gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the gas pressure in the cylinder, measured above atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

The diagram illustrates the resultant $R$ produced by two forces of $3.0\,\text{N}$ and $4.0\,\text{N}$ applied at one point. The angle between the $3.0\,\text{N}$ force and the $4.0\,\text{N}$ force may take any value between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$. Which value of $R$ cannot occur?

Forces

A constant amount of gas is contained in a cylinder fitted with a movable piston. At first, the gas has pressure $p_1$ and volume $V_1$. The temperature is maintained unchanged. The piston is then shifted so that the pressure changes to $p_2$ and the volume changes to $V_2$. Which equation is correct?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A substance is made up of particles that are packed close together and move randomly past one another. The particles’ average speed is increasing steadily. Which description best fits the substance?

States of matter

A few ice cubes are removed from a freezer and warmed in a container. Temperature and time readings are plotted on the graph. At what temperature is $0\,^\circ\text{C}$?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

An ice-cube tray contains $30\,\text{g}$ of water. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is $3.3 \times 10^5\,\text{J kg}^{-1}$. Calculate the thermal energy that must be removed from the water at $0\,^\circ\text{C}$ so that it becomes ice at $0\,^\circ\text{C}$.

Melting, boiling and evaporation

The bulbs in all four thermometers shown contain mercury. Which thermometer has the greatest sensitivity?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

A metal box has four distinct surfaces: dull black, shiny black, dull silver and shiny silver. The box is filled with boiling water so that all four surfaces are at the same temperature. A sensor measures the amount of radiation from each surface. Which surface emits the least radiation and which surface emits the most radiation?

Radiation

The diagram illustrates a water wave in a ripple tank as it is refracted at the boundary between region P and region Q. In what ways does the wave in region P differ from the wave in region Q?

General properties of waves

The graph illustrates how the height of a water wave changes with distance along the wave. Which graph represents a wave with twice the amplitude, half the frequency, and the same speed?

General properties of waves

A narrow beam of yellow and green light is split as it goes through a prism. Which ray diagram shows this correctly?

Dispersion of light

Which kind of wave is used to transmit television signals to a satellite?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A micrometer is being used to measure the diameter of a uniform wire. What must be done to make the answer accurate?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

What evidence shows that a metal bar is a permanent magnet?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

Which method will demagnetise a bar magnet?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

Electrical apparatus is shielded from magnetic fields by enclosing the apparatus in a box. What material is the box made of?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

The circuit shown remains switched on for $1.0$ minute. What amount of charge passes through the $3.0\,\Omega$ resistor?

Electrical current

The readings from an ammeter and a voltmeter are used to determine the resistance of resistor $R$. In which circuit are the ammeter and voltmeter positioned correctly?

Action and use of circuit components

A thermistor and a light-dependent resistor (LDR) are joined in series. A potential difference (p.d.) of $6.0\,\text{V}$ is applied across the pair, as shown. The thermistor has a resistance of $6000\,\Omega$ in a cold room and $1000\,\Omega$ in a warm room. The LDR has a resistance of $2000\,\Omega$ in dim light and $500\,\Omega$ in bright light. Under which conditions is the p.d. across the LDR equal to $2.0\,\text{V}$?

Series and parallel circuits

What effect does a split-ring commutator have?

The d.c. motor

The N-pole of a magnet is pushed into a solenoid, producing an e.m.f. by induction. What would cause the induced e.m.f. to increase?

Electromagnetic induction

What material is used to make the core of a transformer?

The transformer

Which row gives the correct information for nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Fission and fusion

The diagram illustrates a distance-time graph for a car. The car is moving on a straight road uphill. Which quantity for the car remains constant and is greater than zero?

Motion

How does the proton number (atomic number) of a nucleus change when it emits an alpha-particle?

The three types of emission

The diagram presents a speed-time graph for an object that is accelerating uniformly. What distance is travelled during the first $4.0\,\text{s}$?

Motion

A hanging basket is attached to a wall using a bracket. The basket has a weight of $80\,\text{N}$. The bracket has a weight of $20\,\text{N}$. What is the magnitude of the upward force applied by the wall to the bracket?

Balanced and unbalanced forces

A train with a mass of $240\,000\,\text{kg}$ is moving at $60\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. When the brakes are used, it slows down for $10\,\text{minutes}$ before stopping completely. What is the average resultant force?

Forces

A car moves round a horizontal circular track at constant speed. Which statement describes the forces acting on the car?

Circular motion

The diagram depicts a block of wood positioned on a sloping board. Which arrow indicates the direction of the gravitational force acting on the block?

Mass and weight

Fig. 1.1 illustrates the directions of four forces acting on a racing car while it moves along a horizontal straight line. In Fig. 1.1, the arrows are labelled force A (upwards), force B(to the right), force C (downwards) and force D (to the left).

Balanced and unbalanced forces

On Fig. 10.1, draw the two reflected rays and mark the image position.

General properties of waves

A student places a thermistor in series with a battery and an ammeter, then uses the thermistor’s resistance to work out the temperature.

Thermal properties and temperature

Fig. 2.1 shows a student seated on a chair. Fig. 2.2 shows that same student with his chair leaning slightly backwards.

Pressure

Fig. 3.1 shows a metal coffee cup resting on a metal warming plate. A small electrical heater is fitted inside the warming plate, making the plate hotter than the coffee.

Transfer of thermal energy

Fig. 4.1 shows a converging lens, an object O and the image I formed by the lens.

Thin lenses

Fig. 5.1 depicts a circuit made from three resistors.

Series and parallel circuits

Fig. 6.1 illustrates a $240\,\text{V}$ a.c. mains supply linked to a television and two lamps. Under normal operation, each lamp receives $40\,\text{W}$ of power, while the television receives $120\,\text{W}$.

Electrical quantities

Fig. 7.1 illustrates a metal rod positioned between the poles of a magnet.

Electromagnetic induction

A doctor may select either of two isotopes, $^{131}_{53}\text{I}$ and $^{125}_{53}\text{I}$, for injection into a patient. These isotopes release radiation from deep within the body. The radiation is picked up outside the body and gives information that helps the doctor determine what is wrong with the patient. The isotope $^{131}_{53}\text{I}$ changes into a stable isotope of xenon by emitting a beta-particle $(\beta)$ and a gamma ray $(\gamma)$.

The three types of emission

Electricity can be produced from different energy sources.

Energy

A car starts from rest and moves in a straight line. Over the first 14 s, its acceleration is constant, and the car attains a speed of 25 m/s.

Motion

The current in a metal wire and the potential difference (p.d.) across it are measured. Fig. 10.1 presents a graph of current plotted against p.d. for the wire.

Resistance

A source of background radiation is cosmic rays. Cosmic rays that enter the Earth’s atmosphere are called primary cosmic rays. Most of these rays are fast-moving protons or fast-moving alpha-particles. The Earth’s magnetic field together with the Earth’s atmosphere reduces how many primary cosmic rays reach the Earth’s surface.

Radioactivity

A swing is formed by fastening rope loosely to the branch of a tree, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1. A child moves backwards and forwards several times, beginning at the highest point A.

Energy

Fig. 3.1 shows a car brake pedal linked to a brake cylinder. A force $F$ is applied to the brake, and this creates a moment around the pivot. When the brake is pressed, a force of 80 N acts on the piston.

Turning effect of forces

Fig. 4.1 presents the apparatus used to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal. The electric heater is turned on and delivers 17000 J of thermal energy (heat) to the metal block. Its temperature increases from $16\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $38\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. The block has a mass of 850 g. No energy is lost from the metal.

Specific heat capacity

When a sample of a solid is heated, it melts into a liquid and then changes into a gas.

Particle model

Explain the difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave. You may include a diagram, if you want, to support your explanation.

Sound

Fig. 7.1 shows a section of a d.c. electric motor.

The d.c. motor

Fig. 8.1 illustrates charges on a rod and a cloth.

Electrical charge

Fig. 9.1 is a view from above of a man in a room looking at a mirror.

Reflection of light

A strip of paper is fixed to a small toy car. As the toy car travels, it drags the strip of paper through a timer. The timer places a dot on the paper every $0.020\,\text{s}$. Fig. 1.1 shows part of the strip with the first four dots. The first dot made on the paper is marked A.

Motion

A student explores how water flows through a hole in the base of a straight-sided plastic bottle. A small circular hole is drilled in the bottom of the bottle. A scale is marked on the side of the bottle, as shown in Fig. 2.1. The bottle is clamped in position and set above a sink. The student pours in water and removes the bung from the bottom. He starts the stopwatch as the water level passes one of the marks on the scale and stops it when the water level reaches P, a point a few centimetres above the base of the bottle. The water level drops through a distance $h$.

Pressure

In Fig. 3.1, the lines AB and CD are mirrors. A student traces a light ray that is reflected by both mirrors. Two optics pins, $P_1$ and $P_2$, are set on the ray that strikes mirror AB. Two further optics pins, $P_3$ and $P_4$, are set on the ray after it has been reflected by mirror CD.

Reflection of light

A student finds the resistance $R$ of a resistor. Fig. 4.1 presents the circuit used.

Resistance

A student determines the acceleration of free-fall $g$ by dropping a metal ball from a height of 1.000 m onto the floor and timing the interval $t$ taken to reach it. Fig. 1.1 shows the ball together with a metre rule held vertically in a clamp.

Motion

A student studies a series circuit that contains two different lamps P and Q. For full brightness, both lamps require a working voltage of 2.5 V. She assembles the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1. The student then connects a voltmeter into the circuit to measure the potential difference (p.d.) across lamp P.

Series and parallel circuits

A student examines how three different insulating materials affect the cooling of hot water in a beaker. The apparatus available is: thermometer; stopwatch; 250 cm$^3$ glass beaker; 250 cm$^3$ measuring cylinder; cardboard; cotton wool; cloth; boss, clamp and stand. Hot water is also supplied. Write a plan for the experiment.

Transfer of thermal energy

An object is positioned between a lamp and a screen. A student examines how the height of the shadow formed by the object on the screen varies. The apparatus is shown in Fig. 4.1. The object is a square piece of white card. Each side has length $H$. The object is fixed to a pin and held up by a cork, as shown in Fig. 4.2.

Light