Q1.

4 Fig. 4.1 shows a pin. Fig. 4.2 shows a person pushing the pin into a wall.

top surface
of the pin

Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4.2

(a) (i) The area of the top surface of the pin is 1.8 cm2. The person applies a force of 50 N.

Calculate the pressure exerted on the top surface of the pin.

pressure = ............................................. N / cm2 [3]

(ii) The area of the top surface of the pin is 500 times larger than the area of the point.
Calculate the value of the pressure exerted by the point on the wall.

pressure = ............................................. N / cm2 [1]

(b) Fig. 4.3 shows a simple device for measuring atmospheric pressure.

space

mercury column
760 mm

mercury

Fig. 4.3

(i) State the name given to the device shown in Fig. 4.3.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State what, if anything, is in the space at the top of the tube, above the mercury column.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Fig. 4.3 shows normal atmospheric pressure. Suggest a possible value for the height of
the mercury column when atmospheric pressure decreases. Include the unit.

reading = ......................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2019 0625/31/M/J/19

 Q2.
2 A soldier wears boots, each having an area of 0.016 m2 in contact with the ground.

The soldier weighs 720 N.

(a) (i) Write down the equation that is used to find the pressure exerted by the soldier on the
ground.

(ii) Calculate the pressure exerted by the soldier when he is standing to attention, with both
boots on the ground.

pressure = ...............................................................
[2]

(b) The soldier is crossing a sandy desert.

Explain, stating the relevant Physics, why this soldier is at an advantage over another soldier
who has the same weight but smaller feet.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) The soldier’s unit is sent to a cold country, and on one occasion he has to cross a frozen lake.

Suggest one way that the soldier can reduce the risk of the ice breaking under his weight.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 5]
 Q3.
4 (a) A man squeezes a pin between his thumb and finger, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

finger
pinhead
pin
thumb

Fig. 6.1

The finger exerts a force of 84 N on the pinhead.

The pinhead has an area of 6.0 × 10–5 m2.

(i) Calculate the pressure exerted by the finger on the pinhead.

pressure = ................................................ [2]

(ii) State the value of the force exerted by the pin on the thumb.

................................................. [1]

(iii) Explain why the pin causes more pain in the man’s thumb than in his finger.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [2]
(b) The density of the water in a swimming pool is 1000 kg / m3. The pool is 3 m deep.

(i) Calculate the pressure of the water at the bottom of the pool.

pressure = ................................................ [2]

(ii) Another pool has the same depth of water, but has twice the area.

State the pressure of the water at the bottom of this pool.

pressure = ................................................ [1]

[Total: 8]