May/June 2023

A student wants to measure the circumference of a football directly. Which instrument would be most suitable to use?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A constant frictional force acts on a moving object for a brief period, so the object's momentum decreases. Which expression is used to calculate the time during which the force acts?

Momentum

A large stone is pushed onto a lorry by means of a ramp. The ramp has length $l$. The stone is raised through a height of $h$. The stone has mass $m$. Its weight is $W$. Which expression is equal to the useful work done on the stone?

Work

The diagram depicts a candle that is burning. Which energy store is linked to the burning candle?

Energy

An African elephant has a mass of $6000\,\text{kg}$, and the area of each of its four feet is $0.20\,\text{m}^2$. The gravitational field strength $g$ is $9.8\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What is the average pressure exerted by the elephant when it is standing still on all four feet on level ground?

Pressure

Which row shows the shape and volume of a liquid at a fixed temperature?

States of matter

Which row compares, for a solid and a liquid, the forces between the particles and the distances between the particles?

Particle model

A partially completed statement about latent heat is shown below. Latent heat is the ............ needed to overcome the bonds between molecules and change the ............ of a substance. Which words should be placed in gap 1 and gap 2 to complete the sentence correctly?

Melting, boiling and evaporation

A cold solid is put above a hot solid. Thermal energy moves from the hot solid into the cold one. What explains this?

Conduction

A house is going to be insulated thermally so that thermal energy loss is reduced and fuel costs are lowered. Which type of thermal insulation recovers the installation cost in the shortest time?

Transfer of thermal energy

The diagram illustrates two divergent light rays from an object O after reflection in a plane mirror. In which position is the image formed?

Reflection of light

Which equation includes two vector quantities?

Momentum

As shown, light falls on a mirror at an angle of $45^\circ$. The mirror may be turned about an axis into the page through point X. It is then rotated until the light is reflected back along its original path. Through what angle is the mirror rotated?

Reflection of light

A light ray strikes a plastic block in air with angle of incidence $i$. The plastic has refractive index $n$. When the ray reaches X, it is refracted along the plastic-air boundary. Which equation is correct?

Refraction of light

The diagram illustrates white light entering a prism. What occurs at point X, and what colour is the light that reaches the screen at point Z?

Dispersion of light

Which row identifies a part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength longer than visible light and a part with a frequency greater than visible light?

Electromagnetic spectrum

Sound moves at different speeds through different states of matter. Which sequence shows the three states of matter in order of sound speed from slowest to fastest?

Sound

The diagrams show bar magnets together with a range of non-magnetic and demagnetised metal bars arranged in different ways. In which arrangement do the bars repel?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

A student uses a wooden clamp and a stand to support a bar magnet so that it hangs freely. The diagrams indicate that: in experiment 1, the student places a bar magnet beside the suspended magnet; in experiment 2, the student places an iron bar beside the suspended magnet; in experiment 3, the student places a steel bar beside the suspended magnet. In which experiments does the suspended magnet move?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

During an electrostatics experiment, a plastic rod is rubbed using a cloth. The cloth acquires a negative charge. Which diagram indicates the charge on the rod and states how charge moves?

Electrical charge

Object X is at rest and has a positive charge. It is acted on by a force because of the field created by object Y. The arrows indicate the direction of the field produced by Y. Which statement about the direction of the force acting on X is correct?

Electrical charge

The diagram shows a battery made from three $1.5\,\text{V}$ cells. What is one advantage of arranging the cells like this?

Electromotive force and potential difference

Two forces of $6.0\,\text{N}$ and $8.0\,\text{N}$ act in the arrangement shown. Which diagram illustrates the resultant $R$ of these two forces?

Forces

A potential divider is made from a light-dependent resistor (LDR) and a resistor linked to a $6.0\,\text{V}$ battery. The output is $3.0\,\text{V}$. What resistance does the LDR have?

Action and use of circuit components

Three students each give one effect of connecting lamps in parallel instead of in series. Which students are correct?

Series and parallel circuits

As wire XY is moved downwards between the poles of a magnet that is not moving, an e.m.f. is induced across X and Y. Which action would induce an e.m.f. across X and Y in the opposite direction?

Electromagnetic induction

An a.c. voltage appears on an oscilloscope screen. The Y-gain is set at $2.0\,\text{V cm}^{-1}$. What is the maximum value of the voltage?

Uses of an oscilloscope

The findings from a scattering experiment indicate that most of an atom’s matter is concentrated in a very small nucleus. What is being scattered in this experiment?

The nuclear model of the atom

Atoms P and Q are isotopes of one and the same element. In what way does the makeup of an atom of P differ from that of an atom of Q?

The nucleus

An atom’s nucleus emits an alpha-particle. How are the proton number and nucleon number affected?

The three types of emission

The diagram illustrates how paper thickness is checked during manufacture. If the sheet is excessively thick, fewer beta-particles are able to reach the detector. Why are beta-particles chosen for this use?

The three types of emission

A tritium sample has a mass of $32\,\text{mg}$. The half-life of tritium is $12$ years. What mass of the tritium sample decays over $36$ years?

Half-life

The Moon requires $27$ days to complete one orbit around the Earth. The mean radius of the Moon's orbit is $3.8 \times 10^8\,\text{m}$. What is the Moon's average orbital speed?

Circular motion

A speed-time graph showing the car’s journey is given. Which distance-time graph represents the journey?

Motion

Which nuclear reaction occurs in stable stars?

Stars

On Earth, the gravitational field strength is $9.8\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. On Mars, the gravitational field strength is $3.7\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. The difference between an object’s weight on Earth and the weight of that same object on Mars is $25\,\text{N}$. What is the mass of the object?

Mass and weight

A student measures the density of a solid metal cube. Which items of equipment does the student need?

Density

The diagram illustrates the only two horizontal forces acting on a trolley, which is accelerating at $0.12\,\text{m s}^{-2}$. Calculate the mass of the trolley.

Balanced and unbalanced forces

A variable force stretches a spring to several different lengths. The graph shows how the force magnitude changes with the length by which the spring is stretched. What is the spring constant $k$ of the spring?

Elastic deformation

A horizontal beam of uniform density is balanced in equilibrium and is pivoted at its right-hand end. A $60\,\text{N}$ force acts vertically upward on the beam, as shown. What is the beam’s weight?

Turning effect of forces

During an experiment, a ball is rolled along a curved track that is about half a metre long. Which measuring device should be used to measure the length accurately?

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A load-extension graph for a spring is displayed. Which point marks the limit of proportionality for the spring, and what is the spring constant of the spring equal to?

Elastic deformation

A uniform beam is supported at its centre by a pivot. An object with weight $40\,\text{N}$ is positioned on the beam $20\,\text{cm}$ to the left of the pivot, as illustrated. Which force and location will keep the system in balance?

Turning effect of forces

A worker pulls a rope with a force $P$ over a distance $d$ in the same direction as the force, as illustrated. As a result, a block of weight $W$ rises vertically by a height $h$. What amount of work is done by the worker?

Work

A battery is connected in a circuit to light a lamp. What energy store does the battery have?

Energy

Which property is shared by both liquids and gases?

States of matter

In one experiment, the volume of a gas in a cylinder is recorded while the gas pressure is increased. The readings obtained are listed below. Pressure $P/\text{Pa}$: $1.0\times10^5$, $2.0\times10^5$, $3.0\times10^5$, $4.0\times10^5$ Volume $V/\text{m}^3$: $20\times10^{-5}$, $10\times10^{-5}$, $6.0\times10^{-5}$, $4.0\times10^{-5}$ Suggest a possible explanation for these results?

Particle model

The diagrams illustrate instances of thermal expansion. P: liquid expanding in a thermometer Q: a tight lid expanding on a glass container R: long metal beams expanding as they support a roof In which diagrams is thermal expansion useful?

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Which statement about copper helps to explain why it is a better conductor of thermal energy than glass?

Conduction

Which statement gives the way thermal energy is moved through a liquid by convection?

Convection

What characteristics describe the image produced by a vertical plane mirror?

Reflection of light

Which row gives the descriptions of acceleration, displacement, distance and speed?

Motion

A light ray enters a block of transparent material, as illustrated. The angles marked are $35^\circ$ and $60^\circ$. What is the refractive index of the transparent material?

Refraction of light

The diagrams illustrate light travelling through a semi-circular glass block and then striking its straight edge. Which diagram represents refraction with an angle $i$ equal to the glass’s critical angle?

Refraction of light

Which radioactive isotope can be used to detect cracks or flaws in metal components?

Radioactivity

Ultrasound is a form of sound wave that a healthy human ear cannot hear. Which range of frequencies includes only ultrasound?

Sound

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

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

The diagram displays a bar magnet together with four labelled arrows. Which arrow indicates the direction of the magnetic field at the point where that arrow is placed?

Simple magnetism and magnetic fields

A shoe gains a positive charge through friction when it is rubbed against a carpet. What occurs as the shoe is charging?

Electrical charge

A metal conductor is joined across the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Which row shows the direction in which the particles that move through the conductor travel, and what are they called?

Electrical current

Three identical cells are connected in parallel to a resistor. Why is it better to use three cells in parallel instead of one cell?

Series and parallel circuits

A student possesses three $15\,\Omega$ resistors. She joins the resistors in a variety of different arrangements. What is the lowest resistance and what is the highest resistance of the arrangements that the student can make?

Series and parallel circuits

What is the magnitude of the resultant of the two forces shown?

Forces

In the circuit diagram, a variable resistor $R$ is connected in parallel with the lower part of a potential divider. The resistance of $R$ rises. What change occurs in the two voltmeter readings $V_1$ and $V_2$?

Electric circuits

A microwave oven has a power consumption of $1500\,\text{W}$. One $1.0\,\text{kWh}$ of electrical energy costs $24$ cents. What is the cost of operating the microwave oven for $10$ minutes?

Power

A coil of wire placed above a magnet is released. As the coil moves downward over the magnet, an e.m.f. is induced across the coil. Which factor does not influence the magnitude of the e.m.f. induced across the coil?

Electromagnetic induction

What of the following is supported by the results of the alpha-particle scattering experiment?

The nuclear model of the atom

An isotope of cobalt is shown by the notation $^{59}_{27}\text{Co}$. What particles are present in this nucleus?

The nucleus

Gold’s only stable isotope, Au, contains 79 protons and 118 neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. How many electrons are there in a neutral atom of this isotope?

The atom

A sample of a radioactive isotope that has a very long half-life is positioned beside a detector. Sheets made from different materials are placed, one after another, between the radioactive sample and the detector. The background count rate is subtracted from the detector readings, and the corrected count rates are then entered in the table. Which types of radiation are emitted by the radioactive sample?

The three types of emission

In a fission reactor, which particle makes a uranium-235 nucleus split apart?

Fission and fusion

What function do moderators have in nuclear reactors?

Fission and fusion

In which part of the electromagnetic spectrum is the Sun’s energy output greatest?

Electromagnetic spectrum

On the distance-time graph, the curved line represents how a toy car moves. The straight line is the tangent to the curve at $10\,\text{s}$. Determine the speed of the toy car at $10\,\text{s}$.

Motion

Four of the stages in the life cycle of a star, up to the point when it becomes a red giant, are shown. W The inward pull of gravitational attraction is exactly matched by an outward force from its centre. X Gravitational collapse inside the star causes the temperature to rise. Y The star increases in size. Z Most of the hydrogen has changed into helium. What is the correct sequence of these stages, beginning with the earliest?

Stars

The diagrams illustrate four balances, W, X, Y and Z. On Earth, the scales of all four balances are calibrated to measure mass. Which of the balances still measure mass accurately when they are used on the Moon?

Mass and weight

A spacecraft transports a probe to Mars, where the gravitational field strength is $3.7\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. On Mars, the probe has a weight of $370\,\text{N}$. On Earth, the gravitational field strength is $9.8\,\text{N kg}^{-1}$. What are the mass and the weight of the probe on Earth?

Mass and weight

A student measures the density of a liquid. Which apparatus does the student use?

Density

Newton’s third law refers to a pair of forces. Which row indicates whether the two forces are the same type and whether they act on one object?

Forces

The stopping distance of a car is made up of the thinking distance plus the braking distance. Which factors influence the braking distance?

Friction

As illustrated in Fig. 1.1, an aircraft tows a glider along a runway. Fig. 1.2 displays the glider’s speed during the initial 12 s of the motion.

Motion

Carbon-14 is one isotope of carbon, and its radioactive decay has a half-life of 6000 years.

Radioactivity

Table 11.1 gives the information for eight planets in the solar system, including each one’s mean distance from the Sun, orbital period, and average surface temperature.

The Solar System

In a safety test, a car with mass 1100 kg is moving at 10 m/s when it hits a van of mass 3000 kg that is stationary. After the collision, the car and the van continue together with velocity v. Fig. 2.1 illustrates the car and van before and after the collision. The total momentum of the car and van is conserved during the collision.

Momentum

Fig. 3.1 presents a circuit that includes three resistors, a 12 V power supply and an ammeter.

Series and parallel circuits

A student forces a drawing pin into a wooden board, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

Pressure

Fig. 5.1 illustrates the particles (molecules) present in a sample of liquid water.

Thermal properties and temperature

The virtual reality headset in Fig. 6.1 includes a display and a lens, as shown in Fig. 6.2. For the lens, the display acts as the object. The lens works like a magnifying glass and produces a virtual image of the display.

Thin lenses

As it moves through the opening in a barrier, a water wave in a ripple tank undergoes diffraction.

General properties of waves

A filament lamp is positioned above a polished metal surface, as shown in Fig. 8.1.

Electrical safety

Fig. 9.1 depicts a basic a.c. generator.

Electromagnetic induction

Fig. 1.1 presents the speed-time graph of a car moving along a straight horizontal road.

Momentum

Astronomers use light-years to measure vast distances in space.

Stars

Fig. 2.2 depicts a rider using an electric scooter. Inside the scooter are a battery and a motor that turns the rear wheel.

Energy

A fixed mass of gas is enclosed in a glass tube by a seal at one end and a mercury column. The mercury can move freely along the tube. The tube is turned slowly from the vertical in Fig. 3.1 to the horizontal in Fig. 3.2. As this happens, the gas volume increases while its temperature stays constant.

Particle model

Fig. 4.1 illustrates the atoms in a sample of iron at one particular moment, with the temperature below the melting point.

Specific heat capacity

Water waves are examples of transverse waves.

General properties of waves

Fig. 6.1 presents an electric circuit that contains a filament lamp, a resistor R, a $12\,\text{V}$ battery and five meters.

Resistance

Ultraviolet radiation forms one part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Refraction of light

Fig. 8.1 illustrates a step-down transformer that is used to run an electric bell.

The transformer

A radioactive source gives out $\alpha$-particles, $\beta$-particles and $\gamma$-radiation.

Radioactivity

The beaker is made from a special type of glass. Suggest why it is appropriate for this experiment.

Specific heat capacity

A student studies a thermistor with the circuit shown in Fig. 2.1.

Resistance

A student is investigating a falling mass, using the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.1.

Motion

A student fixes a propeller to an electric motor that is powered by a $0$ to $12\,\text{V}$ d.c. power supply, as shown in Fig. 4.1. The air set in motion by the propeller exerts a force on the balance. Plan an experiment to investigate how this force changes with the voltage of the power supply. The apparatus available is: an electric motor, an electronic balance, a power supply, a propeller, a voltmeter. You may also use other apparatus and materials that are normally found in a school laboratory.

Forces

A student uses three different methods to find the capacity of a drinks cup. The capacity of a cup is the greatest volume of liquid it can contain.

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

A student studies the effective resistance of various combinations of resistors and lamps in circuits.

Resistance

A student uses a converging lens to examine the image it produces.

Thin lenses

A student carries out an investigation into how long ice cubes take to melt when they are put into a beaker of hot water.

Conduction