1
1
2
Is mass a scalar or a vector, and is acceleration a scalar or a vector?
mass
acceleration
A
scalar
scalar
B
scalar
vector
C
vector
scalar
D
vector
vector
The diameter and the length of a thin wire, approximately 50 cm in length, are measured as precisely
as possible.
What are the best instruments to use?
3
diameter
length
A
micrometer
rule
B
micrometer
vernier calipers
C
rule
tape
D
vernier calipers
rule
A student walks at a constant speed. He takes 100 s to walk 160 paces. The length of each pace
is 0.80 m.
How far does the student walk in 50 s?
A
64 m
B
80 m
C
128 m
D
256 m
2
4
The mass of a stone is found on Earth using a pan balance. The weight of the stone is found
using a newton meter.
pan balance
newton meter
stone
stone
Are the readings the same or different on the Moon?
5
reading on
pan balance
reading on
newton meter
A
different
different
B
same
different
C
different
same
D
same
same
The table shows the weights and masses of four objects on different planets.
On which planet is the gravitational field strength the largest?
weight / N
mass / kg
A
2.0
20
B
4.0
30
C
6.0
40
D
8.0
50
3
6
Four forces act at a point as shown.
2N
8N
4N
2N
What is the size of the resultant force?
A
7
B
0N
C
4N
D
6N
8N
A student drops, from rest, a table-tennis ball in air.
What happens to the velocity and to the acceleration of the ball during the first few seconds after
release?
8
velocity
acceleration
A
decreases
decreases
B
decreases
increases
C
increases
decreases
D
increases
increases
The mass and volume of four different objects are plotted as shown.
Which object has the smallest density?
mass / g
20
10
A
B
C
D
5
10
0
0
volume / cm3
4
9
Newton’s third law involves two quantities which are equal in size and opposite in direction.
What is the unit for these two quantities?
A
J
B
m / s2
C
N
D
W
10 When a car turns a corner at speed, it risks toppling over. Two factors affecting the stability of a
car are the height of its centre of mass and the distance between its front wheels.
Which factors make the car most stable?
centre of
mass
distance
between front
wheels
A
high
small
B
high
large
C
low
small
D
low
large
11 A cyclist travels along a horizontal track at constant speed.
The work done by the cyclist is equal to
A
the change in kinetic energy.
B
the force of air resistance.
C
the force of friction in the bicycle.
D
the thermal energy (heat) produced.
12 A 2.0 kg mass has 300 J of kinetic energy.
What is the speed of the mass?
A
8.7 m / s
B
12 m / s
C
17 m / s
D
24 m / s
5
13 The diagram shows a simple model of the braking system of a car. A force of 20 N is applied to
piston P. As a result, there is a force F on piston Q.
piston Q
F
20 N
piston P
oil
Piston P has an area of 5.0 cm2 and piston Q has an area of 25 cm2.
What is the force F ?
A
4.0 N
B
C
20 N
100 N
D
500 N
14 The diagrams show liquids in containers.
Which column of liquid exerts the greatest pressure on the base of its container?
density of liquid
A
B
C
D
paraffin
water
water
paraffin
0.8 g / cm3
1.0 g / cm3
1.0 g / cm3
0.8 g / cm3
15 A solid bar is heated at one end.
How is thermal energy transferred to the other end of the bar?
A
Heated molecules move along the bar, carrying energy to the other end.
B
Heated molecules move along the bar, giving energy to others along the bar.
C
Heated molecules stay completely still, but give energy to other molecules.
D
Heated molecules vibrate more rapidly and pass energy to other molecules.
6
16 The tubes inside solar heating panels use the Sun’s radiation to warm water.
Why are the tubes painted black?
A
Black surfaces absorb radiation well.
B
Black surfaces conduct heat well.
C
Black surfaces emit radiation well.
D
Black surfaces reflect radiation well.
17 Why is there a constriction in a clinical thermometer?
A
to give the thermometer a smaller temperature range
B
to make the thermometer more sensitive
C
to prevent the mercury breaking the bulb when it expands
D
to stop the mercury from going back to the bulb
18 In a liquid-in-glass thermometer, the liquid column is 2.0 cm long at 0 °C and it expands 10.0 cm
when heated to 100 °C.
2.0 cm
10.0 cm
P
100 °C
0 °C
Measuring from P, how long is the liquid column at 30 °C?
A
B
2.3 cm
3.0 cm
C
5.0 cm
19 Which substance in the table is liquid at 20 °C?
melting point
/ °C
boiling point
/ °C
A
–218
–183
B
–39
357
C
44
280
D
119
444
D
7.0 cm
7
20 In which situation do sound waves not travel?
A
from a satellite in space to Earth
B
from a ship to a submarine
C
from an explosion underground to the surface
D
through a balloon filled with helium gas
21 A wave in a ripple tank passes from a deeper to a shallower region and refracts.
Which wave properties decrease as the wave enters the shallow region?
A
frequency only
B
speed only
C
frequency and wavelength
D
speed and wavelength
22 A ray of light is incident on the surface of a glass block, as shown in the diagram below.
air
glass
45°
x
The refractive index of the glass is 1.5.
The light ray changes direction when entering the glass.
What is the angle x through which the ray moves?
A
30°
B
28°
C
17°
D
15°
8
24 A ray of light travels from X to Y along an optical fibre. The angle of incidence at Y is greater than
the critical angle.
In which direction does the ray of light travel after reaching point Y?
A
B
optical fibre
Y
C
D
X
25 One end of a rod picks up the N-pole of a bar magnet when in position 1.
The same end of the rod picks up the S-pole of the bar magnet when in position 2.
position 1
position 2
rod
rod
P
N
magnet
S
S
magnet
N
bench
Which material is the rod made from and what is the pole at end P of the rod when in position 1?
material
pole at P
A
iron
N-pole
B
iron
S-pole
C
steel
N-pole
D
steel
S-pole
9
26 A metal ring screens a piece of equipment from a magnetic field.
magnetic
field
equipment
metal ring
Which metal should be used for the ring, and why?
metal
reason
A
copper
the metal carries the field lines around the equipment
B
copper
the metal is non-magnetic
C
iron
the metal carries the field lines around the equipment
D
iron
the metal is non-magnetic
27 The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern of a current in a solenoid.
solenoid
K
L
M
When the current in the solenoid is increased, where is there an increase in the magnetic field
strength?
A
K, L and M
B
K and L only
C
M and L only
D
M only
10
28 The diagram shows a circuit.
cells
+ –
–
+
lamp
lamp
Which circuit diagram shows this circuit?
A
B
C
D
29 A charge of 7.5 C flows through a resistor in 5.0 s. A student has ammeters with different ranges
that he can use to measure the current in the resistor.
Which ammeter range is the most appropriate?
A
0-1A
B
0-2A
C
0-5A
D
0 - 40 A
30 Three identical cells are connected in parallel to a resistor.
What is the advantage of using three cells in parallel, rather than using a single cell?
A
Each cell produces more energy.
B
Each cell supplies more charge.
C
Each cell takes longer to run down.
D
The total electromotive force (e.m.f.) is larger.
11
31 When the flash on a camera is used, a charge of 1.5 C flows through the flash-tube in 0.0030 s.
The average voltage across the flash-tube is 3600 V.
What is the electrical energy supplied to the flash-tube and what is the average power supplied?
energy / J
power / W
A
2400
7.2
B
2400
800 000
C
5400
16.2
D
5400
1.8 × 106
32 A 1.0 m length of wire of cross-sectional area 0.40 mm2 has a resistance of 2.0 Ω.
What is the resistance of a 0.50 m length of wire, of the same material, with a cross-sectional
area of 0.80 mm2 ?
A
0.5 Ω
B
1.0 Ω
C
4.0 Ω
D
8.0 Ω
D
75 Ω
33 The diagram shows three resistors in parallel.
15 Ω
30 Ω
30 Ω
What is the combined resistance?
A
7.5 Ω
B
15 Ω
C
30 Ω
12
34 In which circuit is the voltmeter reading 7.2 V?
A
B
3.0 Ω
4.0 Ω
12 V
12 V
5.0 Ω
6.0 Ω
V
C
D
2.0 Ω
2.0 Ω
12 V
12 V
4.0 Ω
6.0 Ω
V
35 The diagram shows the information found on an electric kettle.
240 V
600 W
50 Hz
700 cm3
What is the frequency of the electrical supply used to power the kettle?
A
50 Hz
V
B
240 V
C
600 W
D
700 cm3
V
13
1
The diagram shows four identical spheres placed between two wooden blocks on a ruler.
sphere
wooden block
0
5
10
15
cm
What is the diameter of one sphere?
A
2
3
B
1.0 cm
2.0 cm
C
D
3.0 cm
4.0 cm
What does the area under a speed-time graph represent?
A
acceleration
B
average speed
C
deceleration
D
distance travelled
A car travels 100 km. The journey takes two hours. The highest speed of the car is 80 km / h, and
the lowest speed is 40 km / h.
What is the average speed for the journey?
A
4
40 km / h
B
50 km / h
C
60 km / h
D
120 km / h
The diagram shows a uniform beam being used as a balance. The beam is pivoted at its centre.
A 1.0 N weight is attached to one end of the beam. An empty pan weighing 0.2 N is attached to
the other end of the beam.
beam
pivot
1.0 N
pan (0.2 N)
How many 0.1 N weights must be placed on the pan in order to balance the beam?
A
5
B
8
C
10
D
12
14
5
A metal block has the dimensions shown. Its mass is 1000 g.
5 cm
10 cm
2 cm
What is the density of the metal?
6
A
 5 × 10 
3

 g / cm
 1000 × 2 
B
 2 × 5 × 10 
3
 g / cm

 1000 
C
 1000 × 2 
3
 g / cm

5
×
10


D
 1000 
3
 g / cm

 2 × 5 × 10 
The diagrams show four identical objects. Each object is acted on by only the three forces shown.
Which object accelerates to the right, with the smallest acceleration?
A
B
20 N
10 N
30 N
20 N
10 N
30 N
C
D
10 N
20 N
30 N
10 N
20 N
30 N
15
7
Different weights are hung from a spring. The diagram shows the original length of the spring,
and the lengths when different weights are added.
15 cm
25 cm
35 cm
20 N
W
The extension of the spring is directly proportional to the weight hung from it.
What is the weight of W?
A
8
30 N
B
35 N
C
40 N
D
Which source of energy involves the splitting of heavy atoms?
A
chemical energy
B
geothermal energy
C
hydroelectric energy
D
nuclear energy
45 N
16
9
A cyclist travels down a hill from rest at point X, without pedalling.
The cyclist applies his brakes and the cycle stops at point Y.
X
hill
Y
Which energy changes have taken place between X and Y?
A
gravitational potential → kinetic → thermal (heat)
B
gravitational potential → thermal (heat) → kinetic
C
kinetic → gravitational potential → thermal (heat)
D
kinetic → thermal (heat) → gravitational potential
10 The diagram shows a stone suspended under the surface of a liquid from a string. The stone
experiences a pressure caused by the liquid.
string
stone
liquid
What would increase the pressure on the stone?
A
decreasing the surface area of the stone
B
increasing the mass of the stone
C
lowering the stone deeper into the liquid
D
using a liquid with a lower density
17
11 The diagram shows a simple mercury barometer, used to measure atmospheric pressure.
P
L
mercury
Atmospheric pressure decreases.
Which row states what happens to the pressure at point P and what happens to the level L?
pressure at P
level L
A
decreases
falls
B
decreases
rises
C
stays the same
falls
D
stays the same
rises
12 Puddles of rain water remain after a storm. The water in the puddles gradually evaporates.
How does the evaporation affect the temperature of the water remaining in the puddle, and how
does it affect the average speed of the remaining water molecules in the puddle?
temperature of
water in puddle
average speed of
water molecules
in puddle
A
decreases
decreases
B
decreases
increases
C
increases
decreases
D
increases
increases
18
13 The diagram represents moving gas molecules in a sealed container of fixed volume.
container
gas
molecule
The temperature of the gas is now increased.
What happens to the pressure of the gas, and what happens to the speed of the gas molecules?
pressure
of gas
speed of
molecules
A
increases
increases
B
increases
unchanged
C
unchanged
increases
D
unchanged
unchanged
14 The thermometer in the diagram has no scale.
stem
bulb
Where must the bulb be placed so that 0 °C can be marked on the stem?
A
in a freezer
B
in pure boiling water
C
in pure cold water
D
in pure melting ice
19
15 Two metal blocks X and Y are at room temperature. Each block is heated so that its temperature
rises by 10 °C.
The blocks are now allowed to cool back to room temperature.
Block Y has a greater thermal capacity than block X.
Which block needs more thermal (heat) energy to heat it up by 10 °C and which block loses more
thermal (heat) energy as it cools back to room temperature?
more energy
heating
cooling
A
X
X
B
X
Y
C
Y
X
D
Y
Y
16 The diagram shows a vacuum flask used to keep liquid hot.
vacuum
hot liquid
How does thermal energy pass through the vacuum?
A
conduction only
B
convection only
C
radiation
D
conduction and convection
20
17 A cupboard is placed in front of a heater. Air can move through a gap under the cupboard.
wall
cupboard
heater
air moves through gap
floor
Which row describes the temperature, and the direction of movement, of the air in the gap?
air temperature
air direction
A
cool
away from the heater
B
cool
towards the heater
C
warm
away from the heater
D
warm
towards the heater
21
18 The diagrams show two water waves P and Q that are travelling at the same speed on the
surface of a pond. The diagrams are to the same scale.
P
Q
Which wave has the greater amplitude and which wave has the greater frequency?
greater amplitude
greater frequency
A
P
P
B
P
Q
C
Q
P
D
Q
Q
19 The diagrams represent water waves in a tank.
Which diagram represents a wave that changes speed?
A
B
barrier
barrier
C
D
barrier
deeper
water
shallower
water
22
21 Radiation from the Sun is dispersed by a prism. The prism does not absorb any of the radiation.
Four identical thermometers are placed, one at each of the labelled positions.
In which position does the thermometer show the greatest rise in temperature?
prism
radiation from
the Sun
A
B red light
C violet light
D
22 A scientist tries to direct a ray of light in a glass block so that no light escapes from the top of the
block.
However, some light does escape.
light escaping
from top of block
top of block
glass block
X
ray of
light
The scientist changes angle X and stops the light escaping from the top.
Which row in the table describes the change to angle X and the name of the effect produced?
change to angle X
name of effect produced
A
decrease
total internal reflection
B
decrease
total internal refraction
C
increase
total internal reflection
D
increase
total internal refraction
23 A quiet sound is produced by a loudspeaker. The loudness of the sound is increased.
Which property of the sound wave is increased?
A
amplitude
B
frequency
C
speed
D
wavelength
23
24 A man holding a starting pistol stands 640 m away from a spectator.
640 m
spectator
The spectator hears the sound of the starting pistol 2.0 s after seeing the flash from the pistol.
Using this information, what is the speed of sound in air?
A
160 m / s
B
C
320 m / s
640 m / s
D
1280 m / s
25 Which group contains only non-ferrous metals?
A
aluminium, brass, iron
B
brass, copper, lead
C
copper, iron, steel
D
copper, lead, steel
26 An electromagnet with a soft-iron core is connected to a battery and an open switch. The soft-iron
core is just above some small soft-iron nails.
electromagnet
soft-iron core
soft-iron nails
The switch is now closed, left closed for a few seconds, and then opened.
What do the soft-iron nails do as the switch is closed, and what do they do when the switch is
then opened?
as switch is closed
as switch is opened
A
nails jump up
nails fall down
B
nails jump up
nails stay up
C
nails stay down
nails jump up
D
nails stay down
nails stay down
[Turn over
24
27 A student has wires of different lengths and different diameters. The wires are all made of the
same metal.
The student measures the resistance of one wire.
Which wire has a greater resistance than the wire he has measured?
A
a shorter wire with a larger diameter
B
a shorter wire with the same diameter
C
a wire of the same length with a larger diameter
D
a wire of the same length with a smaller diameter
28 The circuit diagram shows a 4.0 Ω resistor and an 8.0 Ω resistor connected to a 6.0 V battery.
6.0 V
4.0 Ω
8.0 Ω
What is the potential difference (p.d.) across the 4.0 Ω resistor?
A
0.5 V
B
2.0 V
C
4.0 V
D
6.0 V
25
29 Diagram 1 shows two thin, uncharged strips of plastic.
Diagram 2 shows the same strips after they have been rubbed with a dry cloth.
strips
of plastic
diagram 1
diagram 2
Which row describes the charge on the strips after rubbing, and the force between the strips after
rubbing?
charge on strips
force between strips
A
opposite
attraction
B
opposite
repulsion
C
the same
attraction
D
the same
repulsion
26
30 The diagram shows a circuit which includes an uncharged capacitor and a switch.
Y
X
switch
capacitor
The switch can be moved between position X and position Y.
What happens to the capacitor when the switch is moved to position X, and what happens when
the switch is then moved to position Y?
switch at X
switch at Y
A
capacitor charges
capacitor charges
B
capacitor charges
capacitor discharges
C
capacitor discharges
capacitor charges
D
capacitor discharges
capacitor discharges
31 Two 5.0 Ω resistors are connected as shown in the diagram.
5.0 Ω
5.0 Ω
What is the total resistance of this combination?
A
less than 5.0 Ω
B
5.0 Ω
C
more than 5.0 Ω but less than 10.0 Ω
D
10.0 Ω
27
32 The diagram shows a 10 Ω resistor and a 20 Ω resistor connected in a potential divider circuit.
10 Ω
12.0 V
20 Ω
V
What is the reading on the voltmeter?
A
4.0 V
B
C
6.0 V
D
8.0 V
12.0 V
33 In the circuit shown, only one of the fuses has blown, but none of the lamps is lit.
Which fuse has blown?
power
supply
A
B
C
D
28
35 The diagram shows a flat, rectangular coil placed between the poles of a magnet.
There is a current in the coil that makes it turn in the direction shown in the diagram.
coil
direction
of turning
N
S
current
Which change would make the coil turn in the opposite direction?
A
decreasing the current in the coil
B
increasing the number of turns on the coil
C
reversing both the direction of the current in the coil and the poles of the magnet
D
reversing only the direction of the current in the coil