May/June 2022

A copper wire is labelled with a length $0.50\,\text{m}$ and a diameter $0.50\,\text{mm}$. Which instruments would be most suitable for measuring the length and the diameter of the wire accurately?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A load is pulled by a rope connected to a motor. The resultant force applied by the rope to the load is shown in the diagrams. For every diagram, the load travels in the direction of the force shown and takes $10\,\text{s}$ to move $1.0\,\text{m}$. In which diagram does the motor do work at the greatest power?

Power

In $1.0\,\text{s}$, the energy received per unit area by a set of solar panels is $120\,\text{J m}^{-2}$. During $1.0\,\text{s}$, the set of solar panels changes $720\,\text{J}$ of light energy into $120\,\text{J}$ of useful electrical energy. What is the total surface area of the panels, and what is the efficiency of the system?

Efficiency

A $1000\,\text{W}$, $240\,\text{V}$ electrical device is turned on. What amount of energy does it use in $5.0\,\text{minutes}$?

Power

A building has walls made from wood and steel. What term describes the transfer of thermal energy through the walls?

Conduction

In a liquid-in-glass thermometer, a liquid column measures $2.0\,\text{cm}$ in length at $0\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. When the thermometer is heated to $100\,^{\circ}\text{C}$, the column increases in length by $10.0\,\text{cm}$. Starting from P, what is the length of the liquid column at $30\,^{\circ}\text{C}$?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

In many situations, a thermocouple is used rather than a liquid-in-glass thermometer to measure temperature. Which property of a thermocouple is a major advantage?

Thermal properties and temperature

A liquid-in-glass thermometer has a bulb filled with a liquid that expands into a narrow capillary tube. The liquid inside the thermometer is changed to a different liquid with the same volume, but this new liquid expands more for the same increase in temperature. The capillary tube is kept the same length. How does the new thermometer compare with the old thermometer?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which symbol is normally used, and what is the unit, for the heat capacity of an object?

Specific heat capacity

Which row states the particle arrangement and the forces between particles in a solid?

Particle model

A sea wave meets a cliff face. The crest of the wave reaches the cliff once every $6.0\,\text{s}$. The horizontal separation between a crest and the neighbouring trough of the wave is $4.5\,\text{m}$. Calculate the speed of the wave.

General properties of waves

A driver is travelling a car at uniform velocity along a road. The driver notices a hazard and then applies the brakes. What happens to the car’s motion while it covers the thinking distance and while it covers the braking distance?

Motion

A sound wave is refracted when it travels from air into water. Which quantities are altered?

General properties of waves

An object is seen through a thin converging lens. The diagram illustrates the routes of two rays travelling from the top of the object to an eye. How is the image different from the object?

Thin lenses

A beam of white light passes into a prism, as illustrated. Which row is correct?

Dispersion of light

Which waves are excluded from the electromagnetic spectrum?

Electromagnetic spectrum

A man is positioned between two tall buildings, P and Q. His distance from P is $50\,\text{m}$ and from Q is $200\,\text{m}$. He blows a horn. The first echo from building P is heard, and then $1.0\,\text{s}$ later he hears the first echo from building Q. What speed of sound is obtained from this information?

Sound

The speed of sound varies in the three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Which row indicates the medium in which sound is fastest and the medium in which sound is slowest?

Sound

State one application of ultrasound.

Sound

What material is used for the core of an electromagnet?

Magnetic effect of a current

Two metal spheres are supported on insulating stands. Sphere X starts off uncharged, and sphere Y starts off positively charged. A metal rod, held using an insulating handle, is then put into contact with X and Y as shown. What charge will X have and what charge will Y have after the rod has been in contact with them?

Electrical charge

Which device makes use of static electrical charges?

Electrical charge

The diagram shows the Moon moving in its orbit around the Earth. Which arrow shows the direction of the resultant force acting on the Moon at the instant shown?

Circular motion

A copper rod that starts off uncharged is positioned in a uniform electric field $E$. The rod lies parallel to the field. Which diagram illustrates the charges induced on the rod?

Electrical charge

The diagram illustrates a simple electric circuit. Which row gives the charge of an electron and the direction in which electrons flow through the resistor?

Electrical charge

A camera flash is operated, and a charge of $1.5\,\text{C}$ passes through the flash lamp in $0.0030\,\text{s}$. The mean voltage across the flash lamp is $3600\,\text{V}$. Calculate the electrical energy supplied to the flash lamp and the mean power supplied.

Electromotive force and potential difference

Which unit is used for potential difference (p.d.), and what instrument is used to measure p.d.?

Electromotive force and potential difference

Four circuits are shown in the diagrams. In each circuit, there are three $100\,\Omega$ resistors. Which circuit has the lowest total resistance?

Series and parallel circuits

A metal kettle is connected to a mains socket using a plug that has a suitable fuse fitted. The kettle’s cable becomes damaged, and the fuse blows. Why does the fuse blow?

Electrical safety

When the magnet is pushed into the coil of wire as illustrated, the sensitive ammeter shows a small positive reading. Which change must make the reading larger?

Electromagnetic induction

The diagram represents a model power-line circuit that includes two transformers and a lamp at the output. What is the voltage at the input?

The transformer

Electrical power is carried by cables over long distances at very high voltages. What effects does a high-voltage transmission system have?

Electrical quantities

The diagram shows a beam of electrons just before it moves into a magnetic field. The magnetic field points into the page. In which direction are the electrons deflected as they enter the magnetic field?

Forces on a current-carrying conductor

An object's mass $m$ is connected to its weight $W$ and the gravitational field strength $g$. Which equation represents this relationship?

Mass and weight

In the Geiger-Marsden experiment, alpha-particles are directed at a thin gold sheet. The majority of alpha-particles travel straight through the thin gold sheet. A small number are deflected. What may be inferred from this experiment?

The nuclear model of the atom

A plastic cube, with density $\rho$, is compressed until every edge is reduced to one-half of its initial length. What is the density of the cube’s material after compression?

Density

There are four glass objects, each with a square base of equal area. Which object is the least stable?

Centre of gravity

A fixed mass of gas occupies a volume $V_1$ at an initial pressure of $p_1$. It then expands while the temperature stays constant until its volume becomes $V_2$ and its pressure is $p_2$. Which statement about the gas pressure and volume is incorrect?

Particle model

A stone is falling through air at terminal velocity. What does the change in the stone’s gravitational potential energy equal?

Work

Water in a river is made to rotate a turbine as the water moves downstream. How is this kind of power source described?

Energy resources

An object is acted on by a force of $3.0\,\text{N}$ and another force of $4.0\,\text{N}$. What is the greatest possible resultant of these two forces?

Forces

The natural length of an elastic spring is $30\,\text{cm}$. When a load of $6.0\,\text{N}$ is attached to the spring, its length becomes $66\,\text{cm}$. That $6.0\,\text{N}$ load is then taken off, and the spring goes back to its original length. A load of $2.0\,\text{N}$ is now attached to the spring. What is the spring’s new length?

Elastic deformation

A barometer is a device that measures atmospheric pressure. In one kind of barometer, the height of a liquid column in a tube is measured. In which diagram does the height $h$ show atmospheric pressure?

Pressure

A manometer is filled with mercury of density $14\,000\,\text{kg m}^{-3}$. It is linked to a gas supply, and the difference between the mercury levels is $72\,\text{mm}$. Atmospheric pressure is $100\,\text{kPa}$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the pressure of the gas supply?

Pressure

Which device delivers a continuous, steady energy output for the longest period?

Energy

A rope connected to a motor pulls a load. The diagrams show the resultant force applied by the rope to the load. For every diagram, the load moves in the same direction as the force arrow and takes $10\,\text{s}$ to travel $1.0\,\text{m}$. In which diagram does the motor produce the greatest power?

Power

A kettle receives $600\,\text{kJ}$ of electrical energy. From this energy, $45\,\text{kJ}$ is passed to the surroundings and $15\,\text{kJ}$ is used in heating the kettle casing. The energy left over is transferred to the water. What is the efficiency of the kettle?

Efficiency

By what process is heat energy transferred across the vacuum of space from the Sun to the Moon’s surface?

Radiation

A metal cube holds boiling water. Every vertical side of the cube is either a different colour or has a different surface texture. Matching thermometers are placed at equal distances from each vertical side. Next to which side would a thermometer show the highest temperature?

Radiation

In a liquid-in-glass thermometer, the liquid column is $2.0\,\text{cm}$ in length at $0^\circ\text{C}$. When the thermometer is heated to $100^\circ\text{C}$, the column length increases by $10.0\,\text{cm}$. If the measurement is taken from P, what is the length of the liquid column at $30^\circ\text{C}$?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

A liquid-in-glass thermometer is made up of a bulb that contains a liquid, and this liquid expands into a narrow capillary tube. In the thermometer, the liquid is swapped for another liquid of the same volume that undergoes a larger expansion for the same increase in temperature. The capillary tube stays the same length. How does the new thermometer compare with the old thermometer?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

The label on a piece of copper wire shows: length $0.50\,\text{m}$ and diameter $0.50\,\text{mm}$. Which instruments would be the most appropriate for measuring the wire’s length and diameter accurately?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Steam at $110^\circ\text{C}$ condenses on a surface, forming water droplets at $100^\circ\text{C}$. What occurs after the steam makes contact with the surface?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

Which sequence gives the states of matter arranged by increasing expansion, from the least to the greatest, for the same increase in temperature?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which row gives the description of boiling and evaporation of a liquid?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

A hairdryer is blown over the surface of water in a beaker so that the water evaporates. What would make the rate of evaporation of the water increase?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

The diagram shows a ray PQ being reflected by mirror X towards a parallel mirror Y. The reflected ray, RS, is parallel to PQ. Which statement is correct?

Reflection of light

An object is seen through a thin converging lens. The diagram shows the paths taken by two rays from the top of the object to an eye. In what ways does the image differ from the object?

Thin lenses

Violet and indigo light have the shortest wavelengths in the visible-light spectrum. In order of increasing wavelength, which three colours come immediately after indigo?

Dispersion of light

A sound wave travels through a substance. The diagram indicates the positions of the molecules of the substance at one moment. What kind of wave is a sound wave, and what is at X?

Sound

A man is located between two tall buildings, P and Q. He is $50\,\text{m}$ from P and $200\,\text{m}$ from Q. He sounds a horn. The first echo he hears comes from building P, and then $1.0\,\text{s}$ later he hears the first echo from building Q. What speed of sound is obtained from this information?

Sound

State one use of ultrasound.

Sound

The graph presents the speed-time graph of a parachutist who leaves a plane but does not open his parachute straight away. At what point does he open his parachute?

Motion

A positively charged rod is brought close to a neutral metal sphere placed on an insulating stand. How is the charge distributed on the sphere?

Electrical charge

Two metal spheres are fixed on insulating stands. Sphere X starts off uncharged and sphere Y starts off positively charged. A metal rod, which is held using an insulating handle, is brought into contact with X and Y as shown. What charges do X and Y have after the rod has been placed in contact with them?

Electrical charge

The diagram illustrates a basic electric circuit. Which row gives the electron’s charge and the direction in which electrons move through the resistor?

Electrical charge

A charge of $0.40\,\text{C}$ flows through a resistor in $1.0\,\text{s}$. Over $2.0\,\text{s}$, the resistor produces $20\,\text{J}$ of thermal energy. What is the potential difference across the resistor?

Electromotive force and potential difference

The diagram illustrates a simple electric circuit. Which meter is used to measure the current in resistor $R_2$?

Circuit diagrams and circuit components

When a camera flash is used, a charge of $1.5\,\text{C}$ passes for $0.0030\,\text{s}$ through the flash lamp. The mean voltage across the flash lamp is $3600\,\text{V}$. Calculate the electrical energy delivered to the flash lamp and the average power delivered.

Electromotive force and potential difference

The diagram illustrates an electric circuit. Which lamps are lit when switch $S_1$ is closed and $S_2$ is open?

Series and parallel circuits

The diagram illustrates a hairdryer. Which statement gives the reason that the hairdryer does not need an earth wire?

Electrical safety

A left hand can be used to determine the direction of the force when a current-carrying conductor is at right angles to a magnetic field. Which quantities are indicated by the directions of fingers P, Q and R?

Forces on a current-carrying conductor

When a magnet is pushed into the coil of wire shown, the sensitive ammeter gives a small positive reading. Which change would have to make the reading larger?

Electromagnetic induction

A passenger of mass $60\,\text{kg}$ steps into a lift that is not moving. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What force is exerted by the lift floor on the passenger when the lift accelerates upwards at $2.0\,\text{m s}^{-2}$?

Mass and weight

Electrical power is carried by cables across long distances at very high voltages. What effects result from using a high voltage transmission system?

Uses of electricity

The diagram shows the Moon moving in its orbit around the Earth. Which arrow shows the direction of the resultant force acting on the Moon at the instant shown?

Circular motion

A measuring cylinder that contains water is placed on a balance. A stone is then lowered into the water. The diagram shows the readings on the balance and the measuring cylinder. What is the stone’s density?

Density

In the diagram, a uniform solid rectangular block has weight $50\,\text{N}$ and is pivoted at point $P$. Its height is $40\,\text{cm}$, while its base measures $8.0\,\text{cm}$ across. Which horizontal force $F$ is just sufficient to cause the block to begin turning about $P$?

Turning effect of forces

The centre of mass of a solid rectangular block lies at its midpoint. A small heavy weight is available. For which arrangement is the centre of mass positioned lowest?

Centre of gravity

The graph illustrates the relationship between the force applied and the extension of a spring. Which point shows the limit of proportionality?

Elastic deformation

Fig. 1.1 presents a model of the human arm. In this model, the rubber band stands for the muscle that lifts part XY of the arm upward. A mass is hung from XY, as shown in Fig. 1.2. The weight of section XY is negligible, and the model is in equilibrium.

Turning effect of forces

Fig. 2.1 illustrates a wind turbine.

Energy resources

Define the term latent heat of fusion.

Melting, boiling and evaporation

A red light ray and a blue light ray, both travelling parallel, enter a glass prism.

Refraction of light

Fig. 5.1 depicts a basic d.c. motor fitted in a toy car.

The d.c. motor

A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is used to detect how bright the light is in a room.

Electric circuits

Fig. 7.1 presents a toy helicopter. It can hover and move through the air.

Motion

A water manometer is shown in Fig. 8.1.

Pressure

Table 9.1 gives the details of seven different nuclides.

Radioactivity

Fig. 1.1 shows a waterskier being pulled sideways across the water surface. The waterskier has a mass of 60 kg. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $10\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$.

Mass and weight

Fig. 2.1 depicts a long cardboard tube, closed at both ends, containing many tiny metal pieces. The tube is rotated into a vertical position so that the pieces drop from one end to the other. As they fall, their temperature rises. While they are falling, gravitational potential energy from the metal pieces is changed into other energy forms.

Specific heat capacity

Fig. 3.1 depicts a syringe fixed upright in a wooden block and sealed at one end. A plunger can slide freely within the syringe. Air is trapped in the syringe. The air in the syringe exerts pressure on the syringe walls.

Pressure

In Fig. 4.1, a ray of white light is incident on a glass prism. Because of refraction, the white light splits into different colours.

Refraction of light

Fig. 5.1 shows a student connecting a battery, thermistor X and resistor Y in parallel. The e.m.f. of the battery is $E$. The current in X is $I$. The resistance of Y is larger than the resistance of X.

Series and parallel circuits

Fig. 6.1 shows part of a toy containing two permanent magnets shaped as rings. A plastic rod goes through the centre of both magnets. The upper magnet can slide up and down freely on the plastic rod. The magnetic poles on the lower magnet are shown in Fig. 6.1.

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

Fig. 7.1 presents the speed-time graph of a car moving along a straight horizontal road.

Motion

Fig. 8.1 displays a ripple tank together with the crests of the water wave formed in it. The wave has frequency $2.0\,\text{Hz}$ and amplitude $3.0\,\text{mm}$.

General properties of waves

Thorium-229 is a radioactive isotope that is used in several medical applications involving alpha-particles and beta-particles.

Radioactivity

A student is looking at how the temperature of a fixed amount of water changes when hotter water is added. $160\,\text{cm}^3$ of water at $20\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ is poured into a glass measuring cylinder. Fig. 1.1 shows the measuring cylinder.

Thermal properties and temperature

A student carries out an investigation into the resistance of two resistors. Fig. 2.1 illustrates the apparatus used to determine the current $I$ through resistor X and the potential difference $V$ across it.

Series and parallel circuits

A student sends two parallel light rays, ray 1 and ray 2, toward one side of a transparent plastic block, as shown in Fig. 3.1. The block is resting on a sheet of paper.

Refraction of light

A student finds the diameter of a thin wire. The apparatus provided is: • thin wire, $2.0\,\text{m}$ long • wire cutters • ruler

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A student is working out the thickness of the glass in a test-tube.

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A student studies the cooling of hot water in a beaker. Before the investigation starts, the student measures the room temperature. The room temperature is $24.0^\circ\text{C}$.

Consequences of thermal energy transfer

Three students, A, B and C, are measuring how fast sound travels through air.

Sound

A student examines how the resistance of a filament lamp varies as the current through it is changed.

Circuit diagrams and circuit components