EDITION ONE

PHYSICS
WITH ENGINEER A.J
PAST PAPERS
NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
DEFORMATION
 QUESTIONS FROM PAPER 2
Q1. The figure below shows a weight of 4.0 N attached to a spring. The unstretched length of the
spring is 8.0 cm. With the 4.0 N weight attached to the spring the length becomes 14 cm. The spring
is with in limit of proportionality.

a. Define limit of proportionality.

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b. The additional 2.0 N weight is added to the spring. Calculate the new length of the spring.

New length of the spring: ___________________. [3]

c. Describe how the apparatus shown in the above figure is use to plot an extension-load graph.

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Q2. The figure below shows how the length of a spring varies as the force applied to it increases.
(J2013 P2 Q1)

a. Determine the length of unstretched spring.

Length = ___________________.

b. Explain how the graph shows that the limit of proportionality is not reached.

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c. The spring is attached to a mass M of 0.20 kg and placed on a frictionless surface, as shown
in Figure below.

The apparatus is placed on the floor of a car.

When the car accelerates uniformly in the direction shown, the spring extends.

i. State what is meant by uniform acceleration.

ii. The extension of the spring is 9.0 cm. Using the graph given above determine the
horizontal force on M.

Force = _____________________.

iii. Determine the acceleration of M.

Acceleration = ______________________.

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Q3. A student hangs various masses from the end of a spring and determines the extension
produced. Fig. 2.1 shows the spring hanging vertically on its own and with an unknown mass X at one
end. (J2016 P2 Q2)

a. The student plots a graph of the extension of the spring against the mass hanging on the
spring. Fig. 2.2 shows the student’s graph.

At point P on the graph, the line begins to curve.

State the name of point P.

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b. Using Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2, determine the mass X.

Mass of the block _________________.

c. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg.

Calculate the weight of X.

Weight of the block ____________________.

d. An identical spring is used with the original spring, as shown in Fig. 2.3.
Together they support the mass X.

State and explain how the extension in Fig. 2.3 compares with the extension in Fig. 2.1.

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Q4. The figure below shows a spring hanging from wooden rod with a load attached to te lower end of
the spring.

a. On the figure of the spring above

i. the length of the spring [1]
ii. the position of the ruler used to measure the length l. [1]
iii. Where you would position your eye to determine the reading for the bottom of the spring. [1]
b. The load is varied and a series of reading of 𝑙 and the load 𝐹 are taken. The readings are
recorded in the table given below.
Length (cm) Load (F in Newtons)
7.5 1.0
22.6 5.0
15.2 3.0
18.6 4.0
11.6 2.0
26.7 6.0

Question is continued on the next page.

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c. Plot the reading of the table keeping length on y axis against F on x axis. Draw the line of best
fit.

d. Explain why the line does not pass through the origin. [1]

e. State and explain whether length is directly proportional to F. [1]

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f. The student then plots the graph of extension e of the spring against F.
i. Explain what is meant by the extension of the spring. [1]

Ii Use your graph to find the value of e for a load of 5.5 N. [2]

iii. On the axes below, sketch a graph of e against F. [1]