May/June 2021

The quantities below are listed. acceleration displacement force length mass velocity What is the number of these quantities that are vectors?

Motion

A closed gas syringe contains a constant mass of gas. The piston is shifted so that the gas volume becomes twice as large. The temperature of the gas remains unchanged. What happens to the pressure of the gas?

Kinetic particle model of matter

Which formula for pressure is correct?

Pressure

A diver at a depth $d$ in sea-water experiences a total pressure of $2P$, where $P$ denotes atmospheric pressure. At what depth does the pressure become $4P$?

Pressure

The work done on a body by a force $F$ is found by multiplying $F$ by a quantity $q$. What is $q$?

Work

A set of solar panels has a combined area of $12\,\text{m}^2$. For every $1.0\,\text{m}^2$ of panel surface, the Sun provides $0.85\,\text{kJ}$ of energy in $1.0\,\text{s}$. The panels operate at $16\%$ efficiency. What power do they generate?

Power

One end of a copper rod is heated. Which statement explains how heat transfer takes place in the copper?

Conduction

The diagram illustrates a clinical thermometer. Which factor influences the thermometer's sensitivity?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which row gives the correct information for a thermocouple thermometer?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

What does the term heat capacity of a body mean?

Specific heat capacity

Which statement about water is true?

States of matter

A student measures the circumference of a football. Which instrument provides a reading equal to the football’s circumference?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

In a ripple tank, a water wave refracts as it travels from deeper water into water of less depth. What happens to the wave’s speed and to its frequency as it enters the shallower water?

General properties of waves

As illustrated, light is refracted from a liquid into air. The refractive index for light travelling from air into the liquid is $1.4$. What is the angle of incidence in the liquid?

Refraction of light

A ray of red light travelling through air enters a semi-circular block. Which diagram shows both the partial reflection and the refraction of this ray?

Refraction of light

Which statement correctly describes human vision?

Thin lenses

White light passes into a prism and produces a spectrum. The rays in air are marked. Which diagram shows the way the prism disperses the white light?

Dispersion of light

Sound from a ship is reflected back from a cliff. A sailor on the ship hears an echo $4.0\,\text{s}$ after the sound is emitted. The speed of sound in air is $320\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. How far away is the ship from the cliff?

Sound

The X end of a metal rod attracts the North pole of a compass needle. Which statement about the rod is correct?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

Which diagram illustrates the pattern and direction of the electric field lines near a positive charge?

Electrical charge

A positively charged rod is brought near an insulated metal sphere. The sphere is connected to earth, as shown. The earth connection is then taken away and afterwards the rod is removed. Which diagram shows the charges on the sphere after the rod has been removed?

Electrical charge

The diagram illustrates an electrostatic precipitator. It is used to remove dust from air. What occurs at the negative grid?

Electrical charge

A train departs from a station at time $t = 0$. The graph illustrates how the distance between the train and the station changes with time. Which statement about the train’s motion between time $t_1$ and $t_2$ is correct?

Motion

A $100\,\text{W}$ lamp is left on for five hours each day over three weeks. Each unit of electricity costs $\$0.24$. What is the cost of using the lamp for this period?

Power

The details printed on the rear of an electric room heater are: rating $220$-$240\,\text{V}$ $\sim 50\,\text{Hz}$ $4.2\,\text{A}$ What fuse rating would be appropriate for this room heater?

Electrical safety

An illustrated horizontal rectangular wire coil WXYZ is placed between the poles of a magnet. A current flows through the coil in the direction indicated. Which statement is correct?

Forces on a current-carrying conductor

What energy transfer occurs in an electric kettle?

Energy

The diagram shows a current-carrying conductor placed between the poles of a magnet, and the force on the wire is downward. Four possible changes are given. Which pair of changes, if applied together, still makes the force act downwards?

Forces on a current-carrying conductor

In an alternating current (a.c.) generator, a magnet turns close to a coil of wire. The induced electromotive force (e.m.f.) across the coil is shown on an oscilloscope screen. Which trace is obtained when the magnet slows down?

Electromagnetic induction

A student uses a transformer to power a filament lamp from a $230\text{ V}$ a.c. supply. The lamp’s maximum voltage rating is $6.0\text{ V}$. What occurs when the circuit is switched on?

The transformer

Which of the following statements about nuclear fusion is correct?

Fission and fusion

During a single radioactive decay, radium-226 changes into radon-222, as shown, $^{226}_{88}\text{Ra} \rightarrow ^{222}_{86}\text{Rn}$. Which other particles are emitted?

The three types of emission

The count rate detected from a radioactive source reduces from $4000$ counts per minute to $500$ counts per minute in $72$ minutes. What is the half-life of the source?

Half-life

A coin is dropped from rest and moves down through the air until it attains a steady speed. The diagram shows two forces P and Q, and together they produce a resultant force on the coin. How does force P change, and how does the resultant force change, before the coin attains steady speed?

Balanced and unbalanced forces

Which particles are located in the nucleus of an atom?

The nucleus

A satellite is shown orbiting the Earth along a circular path at a constant speed. Which arrow indicates the direction of the force acting on the satellite?

Circular motion

At the Earth’s surface, which row states the mass and the weight of an object? [gravitational field strength $g = 10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$]

Mass and weight

A measuring cylinder initially contains $100\,\text{cm}^3$ of liquid paraffin, and water is then poured in. (The density of paraffin is $0.80\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$, while the density of water is $1.0\,\text{g cm}^{-3}$.) When the water has been added, the paraffin level increases to $150\,\text{cm}^3$. The paraffin and water do not mix. What is the final total mass of liquid in the measuring cylinder?

Density

A horizontal beam is hinged at X. A mass of $200\,\text{g}$ is placed on the beam, as shown. The beam’s centre of mass is $50\,\text{cm}$ from the beam’s right-hand end. The beam stays balanced. Determine the mass of the beam.

Centre of gravity

At what point on the graph does an elastic solid reach the limit of proportionality?

Elastic deformation

A student measures the circumference of a football. Which instrument provides a reading equal to the football’s circumference?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

At what point on the graph is the limit of proportionality of an elastic solid?

Elastic deformation

A spring is suspended with a weight of $2.0\,\text{N}$ attached, and this causes an extension of $6.0\,\text{cm}$. The $2.0\,\text{N}$ weight is then taken away, and an $8.0\,\text{N}$ weight is hung from the spring instead. The spring does not go beyond its limit of proportionality. What is the spring's new extension?

Elastic deformation

An object is situated at a depth $d$ beneath the surface of a liquid with density $\rho$. Which expression does the pressure acting on the object depend on?

Pressure

The diagram indicates the dimensions of a box with mass $M$ and weight $W$ resting on a table. What pressure is exerted on the table by the box?

Pressure

Which graph represents the link between the pressure and the volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature?

Kinetic particle model of matter

A force $F$ does work on a body, and the work is found by multiplying $F$ by a quantity $q$. What does $q$ represent?

Work

A girl raises an object with mass $1.0\,\text{kg}$ from the floor and places it on a ledge that is $2.0\,\text{m}$ above the floor. How much potential energy does the object gain? [gravitational field strength $g = 10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$]

Energy

Heat is applied to one end of a copper rod. Which statement describes the process by which heat is transferred through the copper?

Conduction

Which heat transfer processes do not need a medium?

Radiation

The list below gives four physical properties. mass resistance voltage volume How many of these properties can be used to measure temperature?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A coin is released from rest and moves downward through the air until it reaches a steady speed. The diagram shows two forces, $P$ and $Q$, acting on the coin so that there is a resultant force. Before the coin attains constant speed, what happens to force $P$ and what happens to the resultant force?

Balanced and unbalanced forces

The diagram illustrates a clinical thermometer. Which factor influences the thermometer's sensitivity?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which statement correctly describes the thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which row states the shape of a liquid and how its molecules are arranged?

States of matter

Air in a sealed container with a fixed volume is heated up. The air pressure rises. In what way do the air molecules produce this rise in pressure?

Particle model

A beam of red light travelling in air enters a semi-circular block. Which diagram illustrates the ray’s partial reflection and refraction?

Refraction of light

An object with height $1.5\,\text{cm}$ stands in front of a converging lens with focal length $2.0\,\text{cm}$. The setup is illustrated on the full-scale ray diagram. What linear magnification does the lens produce?

Thin lenses

In which optical instrument is the separation between the object and the lens smaller than the focal length of the lens?

Thin lenses

Which two waves form the electromagnetic spectrum?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A sound produced on a ship is reflected off a cliff. A sailor on the ship hears an echo $4.0\,\text{s}$ later. The speed of sound in air is $320\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. How far away from the cliff is the ship?

Sound

Students are asked about the uses of ultrasound. Three proposed uses for ultrasound are: P cleaning jewellery, Q tanning on a sunbed, R obtaining an image of an unborn baby. Which proposals are correct?

Sound

The diagrams illustrate the forces acting on four identical solid blocks. Every arrow stands for a force of $20\ \text{N}$. Which blocks are in equilibrium?

Balanced and unbalanced forces

The X end of a metal rod attracts the North pole of a compass needle. Which statement about the rod is correct?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

A positively charged rod is brought near an insulated metal sphere. The sphere is earthed as shown. The earth connection is then removed, and after that the rod is taken away. Which diagram shows the charges on the sphere after the rod is removed?

Electrical charge

A circuit is shown in the diagram. The ammeter can be set to four different ranges. Which range setting would give a reading close to the midpoint of the range?

Electrical current

In which case is the current $1.0\,\text{A}$?

Electrical current

Which graph represents the current-voltage relationship for a filament lamp?

Resistance

A $100\,\text{W}$ lamp is turned on for five hours each day over three weeks. The price of one unit of electricity is $\$0.24$. What is the cost of running the lamp for this period?

Power

A three-pin mains plug includes a fuse. A double-insulated device is attached to the plug by a cable. Which part of the plug is not linked to the cable?

Electrical safety

A trolley fitted with a strong magnet moves down a ramp at a steady speed. As it goes through a coil, as shown, an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is induced in the coil. A graph showing e.m.f. against time is drawn. The investigation is carried out again using different coils and a steeper ramp. On the steeper ramp, the trolley travels at a larger steady speed. Which graph is obtained with the coil having the fewest turns and the steepest ramp? Every graph is on the same scale.

Electromagnetic induction

A student uses a transformer to power a filament lamp from a $230\,\text{V}$ a.c. supply. The lamp’s maximum voltage rating is $6.0\,\text{V}$. What occurs when the circuit is switched on?

The transformer

What is an alpha-particle made up of?

The three types of emission

A student gives three changes that affect a car’s stopping distance. Which change or changes make the stopping distance longer?

Motion

A radioactive source has its count rate decrease from $4000$ counts per minute to $500$ counts per minute over $72\,\text{minutes}$. What is the half-life of the source?

Half-life

The diagram illustrates a satellite moving around a planet at constant speed. In which direction does the resultant force on the satellite act?

Circular motion

The gravitational field strength in space is lower than at the Earth’s surface. A rocket is used to send a satellite from the Earth’s surface into space. How do the mass and the weight of the satellite change as the satellite moves farther from the Earth’s surface and into space?

Mass and weight

Air is enclosed in a cylinder by means of a piston. The piston is pushed inwards, causing the air volume to decrease. At the starting volume, the density of the air in the syringe is $0.0012\ \text{g cm}^{-3}$. What is the density of the air in the syringe at the final volume?

Density

Some forces act at varying distances from a pivot. Which diagram shows the force that creates the greatest moment about the pivot?

Turning effect of forces

The diagram illustrates a wooden play tower for children. Which alteration to the tower would make it more stable?

Centre of gravity

An aircraft is travelling at a fixed height. The combined effect of air drag and the force from the aircraft’s engines produces a force on the aircraft of 36 kN due north, as shown in Fig. 1.1. The wind exerts a force of 12 kN towards the east. Fig. 1.1 (not to scale) shows an aircraft with an arrow of 36 kN pointing north and an arrow of 12 kN pointing east. A north direction arrow is shown.

Balanced and unbalanced forces

Table 10.1 gives information about the type and some properties of alpha, beta and gamma emissions. Fig. 10.1 shows surgical instruments sealed inside plastic bags, with the bags placed in thin plastic boxes. A conveyor belt carries the boxes near to a cobalt-60 source, which sterilises the instruments. The cobalt-60 source is a radioactive isotope of cobalt that gives out gamma-radiation. Fig. 10.2 shows an alpha-particle moving close to the nucleus of a gold atom.

Radioactivity

Fig. 2.1 shows a hollow metal cube that is filled with boiling water. The temperature of the four vertical surfaces is the same, but each surface has a different colour or texture. Fig. 2.1 shows a metal cube with one shiny white face, a thermal radiation sensor and a meter. A thermal radiation sensor is kept at the same distance from each face, and the meter reading is used to measure the thermal radiation emitted by each one.

Transfer of thermal energy

A steel rod that is very hot is cooled by dropping it into cold water, as shown in Fig. 3.1. Fig. 3.1 depicts a steel rod being put into a container of water.

Specific heat capacity

Fig. 4.1 illustrates a wave on a rope, while Fig. 4.2 illustrates a wave on a spring. In each case, the arrows show the direction of travel. Fig. 4.1 is a transverse wave on a rope. Fig. 4.2 is a longitudinal wave on a spring, with point X shown.

General properties of waves

Fig. 5.1 presents part of the ray diagram for a lens acting as a magnifying glass. Three rays travel from the top of object O. The points marked F are one focal length away from the lens. Fig. 5.1 shows a converging lens, and the rays are labelled R.

Thin lenses

A student raises a metal bar upwards through the space between the poles of a magnet, as illustrated in Fig. 6.1. Fig. 6.1 illustrates a metal bar moving upwards between the N and S poles of a magnet, with an ammeter connected. As the bar moves, the connected ammeter shows a small positive reading.

Electromagnetic induction

Fig. 7.1 illustrates two circuit components: a thermistor and an LDR. Fig. 7.2 presents a battery connected to a diode, an ammeter and a resistor. Fig. 7.3 gives the current-voltage graph for the diode.

Electromotive force and potential difference

Fig. 8.1 shows a horse standing still with its rider, just before they jump over two fences. Fig. 8.2 gives a side view of the horse.

Centre of gravity

Fig. 9.1 shows the current-voltage graph for a filament lamp. Fig. 9.2 gives an unfinished circuit diagram of the circuit the student uses to collect the readings for the graph.

Resistance

State how a scalar quantity differs from a vector quantity.

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Fig. 10.1 illustrates a water wave travelling from shallow water into deep water. The wavefronts drawn indicate the crests of the wave.

General properties of waves

A detector is positioned a few centimetres from a very radioactive source that emits beta-particles, as illustrated in Fig. 11.1.

Radioactivity

A car is moving towards a set of traffic lights. At time $t = 0$, the lights switch to red. Fig. 2.1 illustrates how the car’s speed varies with time.

Motion

Fig. 3.1 shows a small brick suspended from a newton meter. The newton meter reading is $3.0\,\text{N}$.

Turning effect of forces

During a demonstration, a teacher sets out a loud ticking clock, two hollow tubes A and B, a barrier, and a smooth surface. The clock serves as the sound source. Fig. 4.1 shows tube A and the clock, both kept in fixed positions to the left of the barrier.

Sound

Fig. 5.1 illustrates a way of making sandpaper with static electricity. Glue is sprayed onto paper that is moving. The sticky paper then travels between two metal plates. One plate is positive and the other is negative. An electric field exists between the plates.

Electrical charge

When a filament lamp is connected to a $12\,\text{V}$ supply, its power input is $20\,\text{W}$.

Electrical quantities

Fig. 7.1 shows part of a simple d.c. electric motor. The motor is linked to a battery, and the battery's positive terminal is connected to terminal A.

The d.c. motor

Fig. 8.1 illustrates a potential divider circuit that includes the two resistors $R_1$ and $R_2$.

Circuit diagrams and circuit components

Fig. 9.1 illustrates how energy is converted in a mobile phone.

Efficiency

A student studies how the resistance $R$ of wires with different lengths depends on their length $l$. Resistance is given by the equation: $R = \frac{V}{I}$ where $V$ is the voltage and $I$ is the current. The student is given several lengths of wire made from the same material. He sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 1.1.

Resistance

In Fig. 2.1, a student is determining the focal length of a convex lens, and the apparatus has been arranged as shown.

Thin lenses

A student studies how insulation affects the rate at which hot water cools. She pours $200\,\text{cm}^3$ of hot water into a beaker, as shown in Fig. 3.1. She leaves it for a brief period. She then starts a stop-watch and notes the water temperature. This is the time $t = 0$.

Consequences of thermal energy transfer

A student studies the magnetic field in the space between two strong magnets. She arranges the magnets as shown in Fig. 4.1.

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

A student is studying how the potential difference (p.d.) $V$ across a fixed resistor $R$ varies when extra resistance is introduced into the circuit.

Electromotive force and potential difference

A student is measuring the acceleration of a trolley as it rolls down a ramp.

Motion

A student determines the focal length $f$ of a convex lens.

Thin lenses

A student uses a plotting compass to trace the shape of the magnetic field around a straight conductor carrying a current.

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields