Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2012 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 3

1 The units of all physical quantities can be expressed in terms of SI base units. Which pair contains quantities with the same base units? A force and momentum B pressure and Young modulus C power and kinetic energy D mass and weight

Mark scheme: B

More questions on SI units

2 Two physical quantities P and Q are added. The sum of P and Q is R, as shown. R P Q Which quantity could be represented by P and by Q? A kinetic energy B power C speed D velocity Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Scalars and vectors

3 A 1.5 V cell supplies 0.20 A to a lamp for seven hours before the lamp goes out. What is a sensible estimate for the initial chemical energy content of the cell? A 1 × 102 J B 1 × 104 J C 1 × 106 J D 1 × 108 J

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Energy conservation

4 Three of these quantities have the same unit. Which quantity has a different unit? energy A distance B force C power × time D rate of change of momentum

Mark scheme: C

More questions on Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion

5 A cathode-ray oscilloscope displays a square wave, as shown in the diagram. The time-base setting is 0.20 ms per division. What is the frequency of the square wave? A 8.3 Hz B 830 Hz C 1300 Hz D 1700 Hz Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Characteristics of alternating currents

6 What will reduce the systematic errors when taking a measurement? A adjusting the needle on a voltmeter so that it reads zero when there is no potential difference across it B measuring the diameter of a wire at different points and taking the average C reducing the parallax effects by using a marker and a mirror when measuring the amplitude of oscillation of a pendulum D timing 20 oscillations, rather than a single oscillation, when finding the period of a pendulum

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Errors and uncertainties

7 In an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall g, the time t taken for a ball to fall through distance s was measured. The uncertainty in the measurement of s is estimated to be 2 %. The uncertainty in the measurement of t is estimated to be 3 %. The value of g is determined using the equation g = 2 s . t 2 What is the uncertainty in the calculated value of g? A 1 % B 5 % C 8 % D 11 % Space for working

Mark scheme: C

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8 A bicycle brakes so that it undergoes uniform deceleration from a speed of 8 m s–1 to 6 m s–1 over a distance of 7 m. If the deceleration of the bicycle remains constant, what further distance will it travel before coming to rest? A 7 m B 9 m C 16 m D 21 m

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Equations of motion

9 A ball is released from rest above a horizontal surface. It bounces once and is caught. Which graph represents the variation with time t of the velocity v of the ball? A B C D v v v v 0 0 00 00 00 t t t t Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Equations of motion

10 A mass on the end of a spring bounces up and down as shown, after being released at time t = 0. distance up 0 0 time t distance down Which graph shows how the velocity varies with time? velocity up A 0 0 time t velocity up B 0 0 time t velocity up C 0 0 time t velocity up D 0 0 time t Space for working

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Simple harmonic oscillations

11 The diagram shows two spherical masses approaching each other head-on at an equal speed u. One is of mass m and the other of mass 2m. 2m m u u Which diagram, showing the situation after the collision, is not consistent with the principle of conservation of momentum? A B 2m m 2m m u 5 u 2 u 3 u 3 3 6 C D 2m m 2m m u 2 u 3 u 6 3 the spheres stick together Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Linear momentum and its conservation

12 A molecule of mass m travelling at speed v hits a wall in a direction perpendicular to the wall. The collision is elastic. What are the changes in the kinetic energy and in the momentum of the molecule caused by the collision? change in change in momentum kinetic energy A 0 0 B 0 mv 2 C 2mv 0 D mv 2 0

Mark scheme: C

More questions on Linear momentum and its conservation

13 The IKAROS satellite has mass 320 kg and moves through space using a solar sail of area 20 m2. The average solar wind pressure is 1.0 × 10–5 N m–2. What is the acceleration of the satellite caused by the solar wind? A 3.1 × 10–8 m s–2 B 6.3 × 10–7 m s–2 C 3.2 × 10–3 m s–2 D 6.4 × 10–2 m s–2 Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion

14 The graph shows the momentum of a cyclist over a period of 8.0 s. 400 momentum / kg m s–1 300 200 100 0 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 time / s At time 4.0 s, she applies the brakes. What is the resultant force on the cyclist during the period when the brakes are applied? A 55 N B 200 N C 270 N D 450 N Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion

15 A hailstone, initially stationary at the base of a cloud, falls vertically towards the Earth. The diagram shows the magnitudes and directions of the forces acting on the hailstone as it starts to drop. gravitational upthrust U viscous force W force V Which diagram shows the magnitudes and directions of these forces when the hailstone attains a terminal (constant) speed in the air (of uniform density)? A B W U V W U V C D W U V W U V Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Equilibrium of forces

16 Four beams of the same length each have three forces acting on them. Which beam has both zero resultant force and zero resultant torque acting? A B 30 N 50 N 36 N 70 N 50 cm 30 cm 50 cm 30 cm 90 N 106 N C D 28 N 35 N 42 N 70 N 50 cm 30 cm 50 cm 30 cm 63 N 112 N Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Turning effects of forces

17 The diagrams show the forces acting on different bodies. Which body cannot be in equilibrium? A B C D

Mark scheme: A

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18 A car travelling with speed 28 m s–1 leaves a motorway on an exit road. The end of the exit road is 22 m higher than the motorway. If only the force of gravity is considered, what will be the speed of the car at the end of the exit road? A 7.3 m s–1 B 19 m s–1 C 21 m s–1 D 24 m s–1 Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

19 A piston in a gas supply pump has an area of 400 cm2 and it moves a distance of 25 cm during one stroke. The pump moves the gas against a fixed pressure of 3000 Pa. How much work is done by the piston during one stroke? A 30 J B 3.0 × 103 J C 3.0 × 105 J D 3.0 × 107 J

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Density and pressure

20 A transformer has the following input and output. potential current / A difference / V input 11 000 28 output 240 1200 What is the efficiency of the transformer? A 0.94 % B 1.0 % C 11 % D 94 % Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Energy conservation

21 The diagram shows a hydroelectric power station. The reservoir is linked to the turbines by a pipe of uniform cross-sectional area. Water flows from the reservoir, through the pipe and through the turbines at a constant rate. reservoir X turbine house Y Which statement about the change of energy of the water as it moves from X to Y is correct? A It gains both gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. B It loses gravitational potential energy and gains elastic potential energy. C It loses gravitational potential energy and gains kinetic energy. D It loses both elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy. Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

22 Which row correctly describes the ordering and motion of the molecules in water and in ice when both are at a temperature of 0 °C? ordering motion A a regular pattern molecules in both ice of molecules in ice and water have the but not in water same average speed B a regular pattern molecules in ice of molecules in ice travel more slowly but not in water than those in water C a regular pattern molecules in ice of molecules in both travel more slowly ice and water than those in water D a regular pattern molecules in both ice of molecules in both and water have the ice and water same average speed

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Kinetic theory of gases

23 The diagram shows a rectangular block of mass 8.2 kg immersed in sea water of density 1.10 × 103 kg m–3. 2.00 m 2.20 m What is the difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces of the block? A 2.2 × 102 Pa B 2.2 × 103 Pa C 1.8 × 104 Pa D 2.3 × 104 Pa Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Density and pressure

24 A trolley is held at rest between two steel springs. P Q Each spring has an unstretched length of 0.10 m. Spring P has spring constant 60 N m–1. Spring Q has spring constant 120 N m–1. Spring P has an extension of 0.40 m. What is the extension of spring Q? A 0.10 m B 0.20 m C 0.30 m D 0.80 m

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Elastic and plastic behaviour

25 A lift is supported by two steel cables, each of length 10 m and diameter 0.5 cm. The lift drops 1 mm when a man of mass 80 kg steps into the lift. What is the best estimate of the value of the Young modulus of the steel? A 2 × 1010 N m–2 B 4 × 1010 N m–2 C 2 × 1011 N m–2 D 4 × 1011 N m–2 Space for working

Mark scheme: C

More questions on Stress and strain

26 The diagram shows an air-filled pipe open at both ends. The length of the pipe is 1.00 m and the lower surface of the inside of the pipe is covered with a layer of fine sand. 1.00 m sand When a source of sound of a single frequency is put near one end of the pipe, the air in the pipe is found to resonate and a pattern in the sand shows that a standing wave containing three nodes is formed within the pipe. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1. What is the frequency of the sound? A 330 Hz B 495 Hz C 990 Hz D 1320 Hz

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Stationary waves

27 A stationary sound wave is formed in a measuring cylinder by blowing across the top, as shown. Which statement is correct? A The fundamental frequency of the stationary wave decreases when some water is added to the cylinder. B The stationary wave in the cylinder is caused by the superposition of two waves moving in opposite directions. C The stationary wave in the cylinder is polarised. D The stationary wave will have an antinode at the bottom of the cylinder. Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Stationary waves

28 Diffraction can be observed when a wave passes an obstruction. The diffraction effect is greatest when the wavelength and the obstruction are similar in size. For waves travelling through air, what is the combination of wave and obstruction that could best demonstrate diffraction? A microwaves passing a steel post B radio waves passing a copper wire C sound waves passing a human hair D visible light waves passing a gate post

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Diffraction

29 A health inspector is measuring the intensity of a sound. Near a loudspeaker, his meter records an intensity I. This corresponds to an amplitude A of the sound wave. At another position, the meter gives an intensity reading of 2I. What is the corresponding amplitude of the sound wave? A A B 2 A C 2A D 4A 2 Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Progressive waves

30 The diagram shows two parallel plates. The plates are charged so that there is an electric field between them. P, Q and R are points which are 4 1 , 2 1 and 4 3 of the distance from the top plate to the bottom plate. P Q R What is the electric field strength at point P? A the same as that at point Q B twice that at point R C half that at point R D one third that at point Q

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Uniform electric fields

31 A positive charge of 2.6 × 10–8 C is in an electric field of constant field strength 300 000 V m–1. How much work must be done on the charge in order to move it a distance of 4.0 mm in the opposite direction to the direction of the field? A 3.1 × 10–5 J B 2.0 × 10–3 J C 3.1 × 10–2 J D 2.0 J Space for working

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Uniform electric fields

32 Which values of current and resistance will produce a rate of energy transfer of 16 J s–1? current / A resistance / Ω A 1 4 B 2 8 C 4 1 D 16 1

Mark scheme: C

More questions on Potential difference and power

33 A copper wire is stretched so that its diameter is reduced from 1.0 mm to a uniform 0.5 mm. The resistance of the unstretched copper wire is 0.2 Ω. What will be the resistance of the stretched wire? A 0.4 Ω B 0.8 Ω C 1.6 Ω D 3.2 Ω

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Resistance and resistivity

34 Four statements about potential difference or electromotive force are listed. 1 It involves changing electrical energy into other forms. 2 It involves changing other energy forms into electrical energy. 3 It is the energy per unit charge to move charge right round a circuit. 4 It is the work done per unit charge by the charge moving from one point to another. Which statements apply to potential difference and which apply to electromotive force? potential difference electromotive force A 1 and 3 2 and 4 B 1 and 4 2 and 3 C 2 and 3 1 and 4 D 2 and 4 1 and 3 Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Potential difference and power

35 The diagram shows a four-terminal box connected to a battery and two ammeters. 1 3 A A 2 4 The currents in the two meters are identical. Which circuit, within the box, will give this result? A B C D 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 4 Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Practical circuits

36 In the circuit below, P is a potentiometer of total resistance 10 Ω and Q is a fixed resistor of resistance 10 Ω. The battery has an e.m.f. of 4.0 V and negligible internal resistance. The voltmeter has a very high resistance. X P Y 4.0 V V Q The slider on the potentiometer is moved from X to Y and a graph of voltmeter reading V is plotted against slider position. Which graph is obtained? A B V V 4 4 2 2 0 0 X slider position Y X slider position Y C D V V 4 4 2 2 0 0 X slider position Y X slider position Y Space for working

Mark scheme: B

More questions on Potential dividers

37 The diagram shows a resistor network. The potential difference across the network is V. R1 R3 I R2 Is the equation shown below correct for the network? V = I (1/R1 + 1/R2 + R3) A Yes, it correctly combines two series resistors with one parallel resistor, and correctly uses Ohm’s Law. B Yes, it correctly combines two parallel resistors with one series resistor, and correctly uses Ohm’s Law. C No, because it should read V = I ÷ (1/R1 + 1/R2 + R3). D No, because the terms 1/R2 and R3 have different units and cannot be added. Space for working

Mark scheme: D

More questions on Practical circuits

38 A nuclear isotope emits radiation which is detected by a Geiger-Müller tube held at a distance of about 10 cm from the radioactive source. The radiation is stopped completely by a 2 mm thick sheet of lead. What can be deduced from this information about the emission from the isotope? A It could be alpha and beta radiation, but not gamma radiation. B It could be alpha and gamma radiation, but not beta radiation. C It could be beta and gamma radiation, but not alpha radiation. D It could be alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

Mark scheme: A

More questions on Atoms, nuclei and radiation

39 What remains constant during β-emission from a number of identical nuclei in a substance? A energy of the β-particles B neutron number of the nuclei C nucleon number of the nuclei D proton number of the nuclei Space for working

Mark scheme: C

More questions on Radioactive decay

40 The graph of neutron number against proton number represents a sequence of radioactive decays. nucleus X 134 neutron number 133 132 131 nucleus Y 130 129 81 82 83 84 85 proton number Nucleus X is at the start of the sequence and, after the decays have occurred, nucleus Y is formed. What is emitted during the sequence of decays? A one α-particle followed by one β-particle B one α-particle followed by two β-particles C two α-particles followed by two β-particles D two β-particles followed by one α-particle Space for working

Mark scheme: B

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