PHYSICS ASSIGNMENT
1 Fig. 1.1 shows how the length of a spring varies as the force applied to it increases.
2.0
force / N
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
length of spring / cm
Fig. 1.1
(a) Determine the length of the unstretched spring.
length = ................................................... [1]
(b) Explain how the graph shows that the limit of proportionality is not reached.
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3
(c) The spring is attached to a mass M of 0.20 kg and placed on a frictionless surface, as
shown in Fig. 1.2.
M spring car accelerates in
this direction
frictionless
surface
Fig. 1.2 (not to scale)
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 a uniform acceleration.
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(ii) The extension of the spring is 9.0 cm.
Using Fig. 1.1, determine
1. the horizontal force on M,
force = .................................................. [1]
2. the acceleration of M.
acceleration = .................................................. [2]
4
2 Fig. 2.1 shows apparatus used to investigate the turning effect of a force.
newton meter
pivot uniform metre rule
20 cm
40 cm
4.0 N
Fig. 2.1
The uniform metre rule is freely pivoted at its centre.
The newton meter is 20 cm from the pivot and a 4.0 N weight is 40 cm from the pivot.
The metre rule is in equilibrium.
(a) State the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium.
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(b) Calculate the reading on the newton meter.
reading = .................................................. [2]
(c) The weight of the metre rule is 1.2 N.
Calculate the size of the force exerted on the metre rule by the pivot.
force = .................................................. [2]
5
3 Fig. 3.1 shows a glass tube dipped into mercury. A vacuum pump is connected to the top of
the tube and switched on. The mercury rises up the tube and stops.
to vacuum
pump
P
glass tube
0.76 m
Q R
mercury
Fig. 3.1
(a) Three points on Fig. 3.1 are labelled P, Q and R.
State which two of these points are at atmospheric pressure.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) The density of mercury is 13 600 kg / m3 and the gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg.
Calculate the pressure due to the column of mercury of length 0.76 m.
pressure = .................................................. [2]
(c) State and explain what happens if the mercury in the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.1 is
replaced with water.
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6
4 (a) Fig. 4.1 shows a laboratory thermometer.
& 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
liquid
Fig. 4.1
(i) State the range of the thermometer shown in Fig. 4.1.
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(ii) Describe how Fig. 4.1 shows that the thermometer has a linear scale.
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(iii) The manufacturer of the thermometer changes the design to make a more sensitive
thermometer.
Fig. 4.2 shows part of the scale on the original thermometer.
On Fig. 4.3, draw a more sensitive scale.
part of the scale
on the original
thermometer
Fig. 4.2
your scale showing
a more sensitive
thermometer
Fig. 4.3 [1]
(b) State one other property, apart from volume or expansion, which can be used to
measure temperature.
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7
5 Fig. 5.1 shows a ray of light that enters a semicircular glass block at A.
At B, some of the light is reflected and some light leaves the glass and travels along the
surface.
0.10 m
41°
glass block
Fig. 5.1
(a) State the name of the angle of incidence marked 41°.
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(b) Rays of light are incident at B with different angles of incidence.
(i) On Fig. 5.2a, the angle i1 is less than 41°.
Draw the path taken by the ray of light after B.
(ii) On Fig. 5.2b, the angle i2 is greater than 41°.
Draw the path taken by the ray of light after B.
B B
i1 i2
Fig. 5.2a Fig. 5.2b [2]
(c) The speed of light in the glass block is 2.0 × 108 m / s.
The diameter of the glass block is 0.10 m.
Calculate the time taken for the light to travel from A to B.
time = .................................................. [2]
8
5 A small boat travels with a velocity of 4.0 m / s due north in an area of still water.
(a) State what is meant by velocity.
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(b) The boat travels from the area of still water into an area where the velocity of the water is
2.0 m / s towards the north-east, as shown in Fig. 5.1.
( YHORFLW\
RIZDWHU
PV
YHORFLW\RI
ERDWLQVWLOO
ZDWHU
PV
VWLOO
ZDWHU
Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)
Combining the initial velocity of the boat with the velocity of the water gives the resultant
velocity of the boat.
In the space on the page opposite, draw a vector diagram to show the resultant velocity.
Use your diagram to find the size and direction of the resultant velocity.
9
size of resultant velocity = ...............................................................
direction of resultant velocity = ...............................................................
[4]
10
6 Fig. 6.1 shows apparatus used when determining the specific heat capacity of aluminium.
power meter 1
supply
meter 2
thermometer
electrical heater
aluminium block
Fig. 6.1
Meter 1 and meter 2 are electrical meters.
(a) State the quantities measured by meter 1 and by meter 2.
meter 1: .....................................................................................................................................
meter 2: .....................................................................................................................................
[1]
(b) The following results are obtained in the experiment:
initial temperature of block = 18 °C
final temperature of block = 40 °C
mass of block = 0.85 kg
energy supplied to heater = 17 000 J
11
Assuming that no heat is lost from the block during the experiment, calculate the specific heat
capacity of aluminium.
specific heat capacity = .......................................................... [2]
(c) In practice, some heat is lost from the block and the air above it becomes hot.
(i) Describe and explain the process by which the hot air moves away from the block.
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(ii) Suggest how to reduce the loss of heat from the block in the experiment.
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12
7 A collector views a postage stamp of height 1.5 cm through a lens. The lens is 2.0 cm from the
stamp. The image has a linear magnification of 3.0.
The stamp, the image of the stamp and the position of the lens are shown full scale in Fig. 3.1.
image
viewed
from this
side of the
lens
image of stamp
stamp
1 cm
position
of lens
Fig. 7.1 (full scale)
A ray of light from the top of the stamp to the lens is shown on Fig. 7.1.
(a) State the type of lens used.
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) State what is meant by linear magnification.
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(c) (i) On Fig. 7.1, complete the path of the ray from the top of the stamp after it passes through
the lens. [1]
(ii) Use your drawing to determine the focal length of the lens.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) On Fig. 7.1, draw two additional rays from the top of the stamp to show how the image is
formed. [1]
13
8 A garden pond contains a small fountain. An electric pump in the water causes the water to rise
above the surface of the pond, as shown in Fig. 8.1.
ZDWHUIRXQWDLQ
SRQG
ZDWHULQOHW
SLSH
HOHFWULF
SXPS
Fig. 8.1
(a) The pressure of the water in the pond increases with depth.
(i) Explain what is meant by pressure.
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(ii) Explain why the pressure below the surface of the water increases with depth.
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(iii) State the unit of pressure.
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(b) Describe the energy changes that occur within the pump.
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14
(c) A volume of 0.78 m3 of water passes through the pump in one hour. The density of water is
1000 kg / m3.
(i) Calculate the mass of water that passes through the pump in one hour.
mass = .......................................................... [2]
(ii) The water rises 1.5 m. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg.
Calculate the useful work done in one hour raising the water to the top of the fountain.
work done = .......................................................... [2]
(iii) Calculate the minimum power output of the pump.
power = .......................................................... [2]
(d) Describe an experiment to check that the density of water is 1000 kg / m3.
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15
9 A sound wave travels through air.
(a) Explain what is meant by the wavelength of a wave.
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(b) Fig. 9.1 represents air molecules in the sound wave at one instant.
A B
Fig. 9.1
(i) Describe the motion of a molecule of air due to the sound.
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(ii) State one difference between the motion of molecule A and the motion of molecule B.
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(c) Describe an experiment that shows that a medium is needed to transmit sound waves. Draw
a labelled diagram of the apparatus.
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END OF ASSIGNMENT
