A spring A of force constant 6.0 Nm-1 is connected in series with a spring B of force constant 3.

0
Nm-1. One end of the combination is securely anchored and a force of 0.60N is applied to the
other end.
(a) By how much does each spring extend?
(b) What is the force constant of the combination?
(c) What is the total elastic potential energy stored in the system?

A string supports a solid iron object of mass 0.180 kg totally immersed in a liquid of density 800 kg
m-3. If the density of iron is 8000 kg m-3, calculate:
(a) the upthrust acting on the object;
(b) the tension in the string
An ice cube of sides 2.0cm floats in a cup of tea. One of its faces is 0.20 cm above the surface of
the tea in the cup. Calculate the density of the tea if the density of ice is 920 kg m-3.

A parachutist of mass 80kg descends vertically at a constant velocity of 3.0 m s-1. Taking the
acceleration of free fall as 10 ms-2, what is
(a) the net force acting on him?
(b) the upward force acting on him?

(a) A man throws a ball of mass 3.0 kg with a speed of 5.0 ms-1. If his hand is in contact with the
ball for a time interval of 0.20 s while throwing the ball, find the average force he exerts on the ball.
(b) If the man throws 4 balls in 2 seconds, find the average force exerted by him in one second.
(c) If the balls thrown by the man hit a wall and bounce back with speed 3.0 ms-1, find the average
force exerted by the wall on the balls.
(a) F = Kaxa
0.6= 6(xa)
Extension for spring a, xa=0.100mF= kbxb
0.6=3(xb)
Extension for spring b, xb=0.200m
(b) Total Extension = 0.10 +0.20 = 0.300m
F = kx, 0.6 = k(0.3)
k = 2 Nm-1
(c) Total elastic P.E. stored = (1/2)keffx2 = (1/2)(2)(0.3)2= 0.090 J
Upthrust = Vρg = (0.180/8000)(800)(9.81)= 0.177N(b)
Tension = (0.180)(9.81) – 0.177 = 1.59N
Weight of ice = Weight of liquid displaced
Viceρiceg = Vteaρteag
(0.020)3(920) = (0.020)2(0.018)ρtea
ρtea=1.02 X 103 kg m-3

(a) Net force is 0. Because the parachutist is at constant velocity. The gravitational force acting on him equals the
resistance force acting on him(air resistance).(b)
m1g = F1
(80)(10) = F1
F1=800N

(a)<F>= Δp/Δt = (3)(5)/(0.20)= 75N

(b)<F><t>= Δ in momentum in one collision x collision frequency

<F>(1) = 3.0 (5.0 – 0) X (4/2)
<F> = 30N

(c) Δ in momentum of ball per collision = 3.0 (-3.0 – 5.0) = -24 kg m s-1

<F> = -24 X (4/2) = -48 N

Average force exerted by wall on ball is 48N

An object of mass 1.5 kg is sliding with a velocity of 3.0 m s-1 on a frictionless surface towards another object which is
stationary and has a mass of 2.0 kg. This head-on collision is completely inelastic. If the duration of the collison is
0.050 s, find the average force that is exerted between the objects during the collision.

By COM,
m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2)v
(1.5)(3.0) = (1.5 + 2.0)v
v = 1.29 m s-1
By Newton 2nd‘s Law, < F >Δt = Δp

Consider 1.5 kg mass:

< F >(0.050) = (1.5)(1.29 – 3.0)
< F > = -51.3 N

Consider 2.0 kg mass:

< F >(0.050) = (2.0)(1.29 – 0)
< F > = 51.6 N

A particle which moves from rest is acted upon by two forces: a constant forward force and a retarding force which
is directly proportional to its velocity. Which one of the following statements about the subsequent motion of the
particle is true?

1. Its velocity increases from zero to a maximum.

2. Its acceleration increases from zero to a maximum.

3. Its velocity increases from zero to a maximum and then decreases.

4. Its acceleration increases from zero to a maximum and then decreases.

The net force on the particle decreases as the velocity increases. When the retarding force is equal to the constant
forward force, the net force becomes zero. The velocity of the particle is at the maximum.

Answer:1

An aircraft in level flight is moving with a constant velocity relative to the ground. The resultant force acting on the
aircraft is equal to:

1. the weight of the aircraft

2. the resultant of the air resistance and the thrust of the engine

3. the resultant of the air resistance and the weight of the aircraft

4. zero

An object traveling at constant velocity implies that it has zero acceleration. Therefore, the resultant force acting on
it is zero.

Answer: 4

A steady stream of balls, each of mass 0.40 kg and speed 15 ms-1, hits a vertical wall at right angles. After hitting the
wall, the balls rebound with the same speed.

Given that 600 balls hit the wall every 10 seconds, calculate the average force acting on the wall. (You may assume
that the incident and rebounded balls do not collide.)

⟨F⟩=Nd(mv)dt=600(0.40)(−15−15)10=−720N⟨F⟩=Nd(mv)dt=600(0.40)(−15−15)10=−720N

is the average force acting on the balls by the wall. By Newton’s 3rd law, the average force acting on the wall is 720N.
Answer: 4
A ball falls vertically and bounces on the ground.

The following statements are about the forces acting on the ball while it is in contact with the ground. Which
statement is correct?

1. The force that the ball exerts on the ground is always equal to the weight of the ball.

2. The force that the ball exerts on the ground is always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the
force that the ground exerts on the ball.

3. The force that the ball exerts on the ground is always less than the weight of the ball.

4. The weight of the ball is always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force that the ground
exerts on the ball.

By Newton’s 3rd law, the two interacting forces will act on different bodies but not on the same body.

Answer: 2

A man is standing on a beam which is resting on the ground. Which of the following pair forms an action-reaction
pair of forces?

1. Contact force on man due to beam and the gravitational force on beam due to Earth.

2. Weight of man and the gravitational force on Earth due to man.

3. Contact force on man due to beam and weight of man.

4. Gravitational force on man due to Earth and gravitational force on beam due to Earth.

Action reaction pair needs to fulfil the following:

• has the same magnitude,
• acts along the same line but in opposite direction,
• acts on a different object,
• of the same type.
Thus only option 2 meets the above criteria. Option 4 is not correct because they act in the same direction.
Answer: 2
A lorry and a motorcycle with different masses are involved in a head on collision, after which they
travel in the opposite direction. The speeds of the lorry and the motorcycle before the collision are
10.0 m s-1 and 13.0 m s-1 respectively, and after the collision are 5.0 m s-1 and 28.0 m s-
1 respectively.

Which of the following statements about the collision is true?

1. Motorcycle experienced a larger force than lorry during the collision.
2. Magnitudes of impulses experienced by lorry and motorcycle during the collision are the
same.
3. Individual momentums of lorry and motorcycle are conserved.
4. Total kinetic energy of lorry and motorcycle is conserved.
During collision, the impulse experienced by two bodies are the same according to Newton’s third law.

Answer: 4
A mass of 0.20 kg is suspended from the roof of a lift by a light thread. The thread is cut while the lift is ascending
upwards at 3.0 m s-2. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the 0.20 kg mass at the instant the thread is
cut?

1. 0 m s-2

2. 3.0 m s-2

3. 9.8 m s-2

4. 12.8 m s-2

When the string is cut, the only acceleration acting on the mass is due to gravity which is equal to 9.81 m s-2.

Answer: 3

A large box is pushed across a horizontal ground at constant speed. If the push is
removed, the box will
1. stop at once.
2. start to slow down to a stop.
3. continue to travel at constant speed.
4. continue to travel at constant speed before slowing down to a stop
Friction must be present initially to balance the pushing force, so that the box moves with constant speed. Once the
pushing force is removed, friction will cause the box to slow down to a stop.

Answer: 2

A 50cm3 block of lead and a 50cm3 block of copper are completely under water. Each is
suspended by a thread so that they both are at the same height in an aquarium filled with
water. The volume of the aquarium is 300 [Link] of the following is true?
1. The buoyant force is greater on the lead than on the copper
2. The buoyant force is greater on the copper than on the lead
3. The buoyant force is the same on both blocks
4. More information is needed

Buoyant force or upthrust = volume of water displaced x density of water x g.

Since the volume of water displaced is the same in each case, the upthrust is the same.
Answer: 3

Two people are carrying a 2 m long couch with a mass of M=20kg level with the horizontal by lifting it from it
ends. The center of mass of the couch is 1 m from each end. While it is being carried, another person with a mass
m of 60 kg sits on the couch 0.5 m from one end. How much force will each person carrying the couch have to
exert upwards in order to continue carrying the couch levelly?
The couch above is in equilibrium : Rotational equilibrium and translational equilibrium.

Taking moments about the left point,

Anti-clockwise moments about left point = Clockwise moments about right point

FBy right person(2) = FWeight of person on couch(0.5) + FWeight of couch(1)

FBy right person(2) = (60)(9.8)(0.5) + (20)(9.8)(1)

FBy right person = 490/2

FBy right person = 245 N

Taking moments about the right point,

Clockwise moments about right point = Anti-clockwise moments about left point

FBy left person(2) = FWeight of person on couch(1.5) + FWeight of couch(1)

FBy left person(2) = (60)(9.8)(1.5) + (20)(9.8)(1)

FBy left person = 539 N

Answer: 245N and 539N

A submarine is in equilibrium in a fully submerged position. What causes the upthrust on the submarine?

1. The air exerts a greater upward force on the submarine than the weight of the steel.

2. The air in the submarine is less dense than the sea water.

3. There is a difference in water pressure acting on the top and bottom of the submarine.

4. The submarine displaces its own volume of water.

Upthrust occurs because the pressure in a fluid increases with increasing depth.
Answer: 3
A 5.00 kg object moves at 15.0 ms-1. It collides perfectly inelastically with a 10.0 kg object which was at rest. How
much kinetic energy is lost in the collision?

Let
m1 be the 5.00 kg object
m2 be the 10.00 kg object
mf be the 15.0 kg object(result of the collision)Using conservation of momentum,
m1u1 + m2u2 = mfv
5.00(15.0) + 10.0(0) = 15.0(v)
v = 5.00 ms-1Loss of kinetic energy = ½m1u12 – ½mfv2
= ½(5.00)(15.0)2 – ½(15.0)(5.00)2
= 375 J

Answer: 375 J

a) State Newton’s second law of motion.

b) A 80.0 kg man is parachuting and experiencing a downward acceleration of 2.5 m s-2. The mass of the parachute
is 10.0 kg. Calculate the upward force exerted on the system (parachute and man) by the air.

c) Upon reaching the ground, the man uses a pellet gun and fires one pellet per second with a speed of 483 m s -
1
perpendicularly onto a wall. The pellet is stopped by the wall and the mass of each pellet is 2.14 g.
i) Find the initial momentum of each pellet.

ii) If each pellet is in contact with the wall for 1.25 ms, calculate the average force exerted on the wall by each
pellet while in contact.

iii) Discuss qualitatively, what happens to the average force exerted on the wall by each pellet while in contact if
the contact time is increased.

a) Newton’s second law of motion states that the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to
the net external force on the body, and the change in momentum is in the direction of the force.

b) By Newton’s second law of motion,

W – F = ma
(80 + 10)(9.81) – F = (80 + 10.0)(2.5)
F = (80 + 10.0)(9.81 – 2.5)
= 657.9
= 660 Nc)

i) Initial momentum = mv
= 2.14 x 10-3 x 483
= 1.0 kg m s-1ii) By Newton’s second law of motion,
force on each bullet by wall = [ (0 – 1.033) / (1.25 x 10-3)]
= -826.896 NBy Newton’s third law of motion,
force on wall by each pellet = 826.896 N
= 830 N

iii) According to Newton’s second law of motion, if contact time is increased, the average force exerted on the wall
by each pellet while in contact will decrease.
A crane is used to raise a weight of 200 N at a constant speed through a vertical height of 8.0 m in 4.0 s.
The efficiency of the crane is 20%. What is the electrical power needed to be supplied to the crane?

1. 2.0 kW

2. 20 kW

3. 4.0 kW

4. 5.0 kW

Power output = mgh/t

Efficiency = output/input
input = output /efficiency
= 200 x (8/4) / 0.20
= 2000 W Answer: 1
A rescue plane is flying horizontally with a speed of 50 m s-1 and at an altitude of 200 m above the sea when it drops
a warning flare.

Neglecting air resistance and assuming that the plane does not change its course, speed or altitude, how far from
the plane is the flare when it hits the water?

The flare will be released with the same horizontal velocity of 50 m s-1. Since there is no acceleration in the horizontal
direction, the flare will be directly below the position of the plane when it hits the water. Answer: 200 m

A boy throws a ball vertically upwards. The ball falls back into his hand 2.0 seconds later. Neglecting air resistance,
what is the speed at which the ball leaves his hand?

Taking upward motion as positive,

s = ut + ½ at2
0 = u(2) + ½ (-9.81)(22)
u = ½ (9.81)(2)
u = 9.81 m s-1

A ball was kicked over a 8.0m wall as shown below with a velocity u at an angle of 50° above the horizontal. At the
highest point of the trajectory, the ball managed to just go over the wall. It landed into a depression 2.0 m deep.

a) Express the initial horizontal velocity and initial vertical velocity in terms of u.

b) Calculate the initial speed of the ball

c) Calculate the vertical velocity of the ball vy just before it hits the depression.

d) Hence, or otherwise, calculate the velocity of the ball v just before it hits the depression, and the angle it makes
below the horizontal.

e) Calculate the time of flight

a) ux = u cos 50°
uy = u sin 50°b) Taking upwards and rightwards as positive, consider the ball at its highest point of its trajectoryvy2 –
uy2 + 2aysy
0 = (u sin 50°)2 + 2(-9.81)(8.0)
u = 16.355
u = 16 m s-1
c)
vy2 – uy2 + 2aysy
vy2 = (16.355 x sin 50°)2 + 2(-9.81)(-2.0)
vy2 = 196.2
vy = -14.007
vy = -14 m s-1
d) v2 = vx2 + vy2
v2 = (16.355 cos 50°) + (-14.007)2
v = 17.513
v = 17 m s-1
tan θ = (vy / vx)
tan θ = (14.007 / 16.355 cos 50°)
θ = 53.111°
θ = 53°
The velocity of the ball is 17 m s-1 at an angle of 53° below the horizontal.
e) vy = uy + ayt
-14.007 = (16.335 x sin 50°) + (-9.81)
t = 2.7049
t = 2.7 s

The acceleration-time graph of an object moving in a straight line is as shown. The object started its motion from
rest.

At which point is the body moving with the largest speed?

Area under acceleration-time graph = change in velocity of the [Link] point 2, the area under the graph is the
largest.
Answer: 2

1) A rifle is aimed horizontally at a target 30 m away. The bullet hits the target 1.9 cm below the aiming point.
Calculate
a) the bullet’s time of flight. [62 ms]
b) its speed as it emerges from the rifle. [480 ms-1]
2) A skier leaves a slope at 20⁰ above the horizontal with a speed of 10 ms-1. The horizontal landing surface is 3 m
below the slope.
a) At what horizontal distance from the launching point does she land? [11.3 m]
b) At what impact velocity will she land? [12.6 ms-1, 41.8⁰ below the horizontal]
3) A small ball rolls horizontally off the edge of a tabletop that is 1.2m high. It strikes the floor at a point 1.52m
horizontally away from the edge of the table. Calculate
a) The time for the ball to remain in the air. [0.50 s]
b) Speed of the ball at the instant it leaves the table. [3.04 ms-1]
4) You throw a ball with a speed of 25.3 m s-1 at an angle of 42.0 degrees above the horizontal directly towards a
wall. The wall is 21.8 m from the release point of the ball
a) How long is the ball in the air before it hits the wall? [1.16 s]
b) How far above the release point does the ball hit the wall? [13.0 m]
c) What are the horizontal and vertical components of its velocity as it hits the wall? [18.8 ms-1, 5.55 ms-1]
5) In the 1991 World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, Mike Powell jumped 8.95 m, breaking the 23-year long
jump record by a full 5 cm. Assuming that Powell’s speed on takeoff was 9.5 ms-1 (about equal to that of a sprinter)
and that g is 9.80 ms-2 in Tokyo. How much less was Powell’s horizontal range than the maximum possible range
(neglect the effects of air resistance) for a particle launched at the same speed of 9.5 ms-1? [0.25 m]
6) A home run is hit in such a way that the baseball just clears a wall 21 m high, located 130 m from the home plate.
The bat hits the ball when the ball is 1m above the ground. The ball is hit at an angle of 35⁰ to the horizontal, and air
resistance is negligible. Find
a) The initial speed of the ball. [41.7 ms-1]
b) The time it takes the ball to reach the wall. [3.81 s]
c) The velocity of the ball when it reaches the wall. [55.6 ms-1]
7) A rock is projected 20⁰ above the horizontal at 5 ms-1 from a cliff 50 m above ground.
Find
a) The horizontal distance from the base of the cliff that the rock lands. [15.8 m]
b) The impact velocity. [31.7 ms-1]
8) A soccer ball is kicked from the ground with an initial speed of 19.5 ms-1 at an upward angle of 45⁰. A player 55 m
away in the direction of the kick starts running to meet the ball at that instant. What must be his average speed if he
is to meet the ball just before it hits the ground? Neglect air resistance. [5.78 ms-1]
9) A ball rolls horizontally off the top of a stairway with a speed of 1.52 ms-1. The steps are 20.3 cm high and 20.3 cm
wide. Which step does the ball hit first? [3rd step]
10) During a tennis match, a player serves the ball at 23.6 ms-1, with the centre of the ball leaving the racquet
horizontally 2.37 m above the court surface. The net is 12m away and 0.90 m high. When the ball reaches the net,
a) Does the ball clear it? [yes]
b) What is the distance between the centre of the ball and the top of the net? [0.2 m]
Suppose that, instead, the ball is served as before but now it leaves the racquet at 5 degrees below the horizontal.
When the ball leaves the net?
c) Does the ball clear it? [no]
d) What now is the distance between the centre of the ball and the top of the net? [0.85m]
11) a) A body is projected from the ground level at an angle of 50⁰ above the horizontal has an initial speed of 40 ms-
1. How long will it be before it hits the ground? [61.8 s]
b) A body is projected at an angle of 30⁰ below the horizontal from the top of a building 170 m high. Its initial speed
is 40 ms-1. How long will it take before striking the ground? What is the velocity of the body just before it touches
the ground? [4.19 s, 61.3 ms-1]
12) a) A football is kicked at a speed of 20 m s-1 at a launch angle of 45⁰. Find its range assuming negligible air
resistance. [40.8 m]
b) A stunt driver leaves a ramp at an angle of 30⁰ and lands at the same height after travelling a horizontal distance
of 36 m. What was his take-off speed? [20.2 ms-1]

The mass M of the largest stone which can be moved by water of a flowing river is assumed to be
M = kvrpgs, where
k = dimensionless constant
v = velocity of water flow
p = density of water
g = acceleration due to gravity
and r, s are dimensionless exponents.
Find value of r.
Comparing the base units of LHS and RHS of the equation:
Units of LHS = kg
Units of RHS = (ms-1)r(kg m-3)(ms-2)s
= m(r-3+s)s(-r-2s) kgr – 3 + s = 0 —– Eqn 1
-r -2s = 0 —– Eqn 2
Solving Eqn 1 and 2, r = 6
The relationship between four physical quantities z, p, q and t, is given by
z2 = p + qt, where t is the time in seconds.
If q has the units m s-1, then p must have the units
1. m s-1
2. m s-2
3. m s
4. m
z2 = p + qt
units of qt → ms-1s = m
Hence, units of p is also m
Answer: 4

a) (i) By Newton’s Second law of motion, the resultant force F acting on a constant mass m is given by F = ma,
where a is the acceleration of the mass.
A student expresses the unit for mass as N s2m-1. Explain why its inappropriate to express mass in this unit.
ii) A student defines speed as “distance travelled per second”. Explain clearly why this statement is technically
wrong. Hence, write down the correct definition for this speed.
b) In an experiment to measure the diameter of a uniform wire using a micrometer screw gauge, a student fails to
notice that with the gauge fully closed, the reading is not zero.
i) State and explain clearly whether the omission introduces a random error or a systematic error into the readings
of the diameter.
ii) State the effect(s), if any, the omission has on the precision and accuracy of the readings.
c) A spinning ball moving with a speed v in air of density ρ experiences a difference in pressure Δp on its sides. This
causes its path of motion to e deflected.
i) By comparing the powers of the base units, suggest a possible relationship between the difference in pressure
Δp and the quantities v and ρ.
ii) Suggest a reason why the relationship that you have found in (c)(i) may not be physically correct.

a) i) Mass is a base quantity and has the base unit, kg. It is not a derived quantity and so it is inappropriate to express
the unit for mass as N s2m-1. Furthermore, the defining equation for mass is not force per unit acceleration.
ii) Distance is a physical quantity while second is a unit. The physical quantity speed should be defined in terms of
quantities, and not a mixture of a quantity and a unit. The correct definition for speed is the distance travelled per
unit time.
b) i) The omission introduces a systematic error (zero error). This is because there is a constant error in one direction
only, that is, it constantly causes the readings to be either larger or smaller than the true value.
b) ii) It causes the readings to be precise but not accurate.
c) i) Let Δp = kpxvy, where k,x and y are dimensionless constants.
units of Δp = units of kpxvy
(kg)(m s-2)(m-2) = (kg m-3)x(m s-1)y
kg m-1s-2 = kgxm-3x+ys-y
By comparing powers,
x = 1 and y = 2
ii) An equation that is dimensionally correct may be physically incorrect because there might be missing coefficients
in the equation, or there might be terms which are missing.

Which of the following statements about the thermodynamic scale is not correct?
1. It is also known as the Kelvin scale.
2. It is a shifted scale from the Celsius scale by a value of 273.16.
3. One degree change in the thermodynamic scale is equivalent to one degree change in the Celsius scale.
4. The zero value of the thermodynamic scale represents the minimum internal energy of all substances.
The value should be 273.15, not 273.16. Answer: 2
A fixed mass of an ideal gas loses 2190 J of heat and expands under a constant pressure of 11 kPa
from a volume of 25 x 10-3 m3 to a volume of 50 x 10-3 m3.
What is the change in the internal energy of the gas?
1. -1920 J
2. -2470 J
3. 1920 J
4. 2470 J
From the first law of thermodynamics,
ΔU = Q + W
Q = -2190 J
W = – P(Vi – VF
= -11 x 103 (50 x 10-3 – 25 x 10-3)
= -275 J
ΔU = -2190 – 275
= -2465 J
= -2470 J (corrected to 3 s.f.)
Answer: 2
Why is the specific latent heat of fusion of any substance always less than its specific
latent heat of vaporization?
Answer 1:
In the melting process, molecules need only to break down the structure into a less-ordered arrangement of
molecules (bonds are still present between the molecules, they are just weakened). In vaporisation however, the
bonds are completely broken and this process requires a greater amount of energy than melting requires.
Answer 2:
As a solid melts into a liquid, its volume does not increase substantially and very little energy is required to do work
against the atmospher as a result of this small volume increase. As a liquid vaporises into a gas, the increase in
volume is very much larger and a lot more energy is required to do work against the atmosphere due to the large
expansion. Hence a greater amount of energy is required for vaporisation compared to fusion.

A flask contains 300 g of water at 80°C. Initially, the flask is at thermal equilibrium with the water. 40
g of ice at 0°C is added to the water in the flask. After some time, when all the ice had melted, the
temperature of the flask and its contents was found to be 50°C.
a) Neglecting any heat lost to the surroundings, show that
Qflask = 0.040lf – 29400, where
Qflask is the heat lost by the flask and lf is the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.
(Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg-1K-1
b) A further 65 g of ice was then added to the flask. After all the ice had melted, it was noted that the
temperature of the flask and its contents was 20°C.
Q’flask, the heat lost by the flask after 65 g of ice was added was found to be related to lf, the specific
latent heat of fusion of ice by the expression
Q’flask = 0.065lf – 37380
i) Explain why the heat lost by the flask is the same for both situations in a) and b).
ii) Hence, find lf, the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

(a)Heat gained by the ice for melting = 0.04 lf

Heat gained by the melted ice to raise its temperature from 0°C to 40°C = 0.04 x 4200 x (50 – 0)
Heat lost by the water in the flask = 0.3 x 4200 x (80 – 50)
Heat lost by the flask = mf x cf x (80 – 50), where mf and cf is the mass and specific heat capacity of the flask
[Link] gained = Heat lost
0.04 lf + 0.04 x 4200 x (50 – 0) = 0.3 x 4200 x (80 – 50)+ mf x cf x (80 – 50)
Qf = mf x cf x (80 – 50) – 0.3 x 4200 x (80 – 50)
Qf = 0.04lf – 29400 J
b) i) The temperature change is the same for both situations, hence the heat lost by the flask will be the same.
ii) 0.040lf – 29400 = 0.065lf – 37380
lf = 3.19 x 105 J kg-1
In an experiment with a continuous flow calorimeter to find the specific heat capacity of a liquid, an
input power of 60 W produced a rise in temperature of 10 K in the liquid. When the power was doubled,
the same temperature rise was achieved by making the rate of flow of the liquid three times faster.
The power lost to the surroundings in each case was
1. 20 W
2. 30 W
3. 40 W
4. 50 W
E = mcΔθ + heat lost
Pt = mcΔθ + heat lost
60t = mcΔθ + heat lost —- eqn 1
120t = 3mcΔθ + heat lost —- eqn 2 (3m because rate of flow of liquid is 3 times faster)
Solving eqn 1 and eqn 2,
heat lost = 30W
Answer: 2
a) (i) The First Law of Thermodynamics is in agreement with the Principle of Conservation of Energy. Give
a word equation stating the First Law of Thermodynamics.
(ii) A student suggests that when heat is supplied to a system, the temperature will always increase. Give
an example to show when the statement is not true.
b) When a system is taken from state a to state b in the diagram below along the path acb, 90.0 J of heat
flows into the system and 60.0 J of work is done by the system.

i) Show that the increase in internal energy for path acb is 30 J.

ii) Explain why the increase in internal energy for path acb is the same as adb.
iii) Hence calculate the amount of heat that flows into the system for path adb if 15.0 J of work is done by
the system.
iv) If the increase in internal energy from a to d is 8.0 J, find the amount of heat absorbed in the process
db.
v) When the system is returned from b to a along the curved path, the value of the work done on the
system is 35.0 J.
State whether the system gained or lost heat and calculate this amount of heat exchanged with the
system?
c) i) State one assumption that can be made when a gas is assumed to be ideal.
ii) A rubber sphere has a fixed internal volume of 0.0120 m3 and is kept at a temperature of 25°C. What is
the amount of air in moles, that need to be supplied into the sphere to increase its pressure from 2.62 x
105 Pa to 3.23 x 105 Pa, without a change in temperature? (You may assume that air is an ideal gas.)
iii) Show that the internal energy of one molecule of air at a temperature of 25°C is 6.17 x 10-21 J. Assume
that the air behaves as a mono-atomic ideal gas.
iv) Hence, calculate the increase in internal energy of the air in the rubber sphere as a result of the increase
in pressure at constant temperature.
a) i) The First Law of Thermodynamics states that internal energy is a function of state and the increase in internal
energy of a system is equal to the sum of the heat supplied to the system and the work done on the [Link])
Examples: Object expands at constant temperature when heat is supplied OR Answer stating changes of phase
(melting or boiling.b)
i) ΔU = Q + WD = 90 + (-60)= 30.0 J
ii) Internal energy is a function of state (path independent). OR Initial state and final state are the same for both
paths.
iii) ΔU for path acb is same for path adb (ΔU is path independent)
hence, 30 = Q + (-15)
Therefore Q = 45 Jiv) From a to d to b
ΔUab = ΔUad + ΔUdb
30 = 8 + ΔUdb
ΔUdb
From d to b,
1st Law: ΔU = Q + WD
22 = Q + 0
Q = 22 J

v) From a to b, ΔU = 30 (increase in internal energy)

From b back to a, ΔU = -30 (decrease in internal energy)

1st Law: ΔU = Q + WD
-30 = Q + 35
Q = -65 J

65 J of heat is released.

c) i) Any one of these

intermolecular forces between molecules is negligible

collisions between molecules (and with walls of container) are elastic
volume of molecules negligible compared to volume occupied by gas
ii) PV = nRT
Hence, Δn = ΔPV / (RT)= (3.23 – 2.62) x 105 x 0.0120 / (8.31)(25 + 273.15)= 0.30 mol

iii) U = 3/2 NKT

= 3/2 (1)(1.38 x 10-23)(25 + 273.15)= 6.17 x 10-21

iv) Total U = internal energy of 1 molecule x number of moles x Avogadro’s constant

= (6.17 x 10-21)(0.30)(6.02 x 1023)= 1.1 x 103 J

The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water at 20°C is appreciably greater than the value at 100°C. This is
because
1. the specific latent heat at 20°C includes the energy necessary to raise the temperature of one
kilogram of water from 20°C to 100°C.
2. more work must be done in expanding the water vapour against atmospheric pressure at 20°C
than at 100°C.
3. the molecules in the liquid are more tightly bound to one another at 20°C than at 100°C.
4. the root mean square speed of the vapour molecules is slower at 20°C than at 100°C.

Specific latent heat of vaporisation is the amount of energy to change a substance from liquid phase to gaseous
phase without a change in temperature. Therefore, it is more difficult to have a phase change at 20°C compared to
that at 100°C as the molecules in the liquid at 20°C are more tightly bound to one another.
Answer: 3
An ideal gas, contained in a cylinder by a frictionless piston, is allowed to expand from volume V1,
at pressure p1, to volume V2, at pressure p2. Its temperature is kept constant throughout. The work
done by the gas is
1. positive because the volume has increased
2. zero because intermolecular forces are negligible in an ideal gas.
3. zero because it has been kept at constant temperature and so its internal energy is
unchanged.
4. negative because the pressure has decreased and so the force on the piston has been
diminishing.
During expansion at constant temperature, the work done on the gas is negative as the gas
expands. Therefore, the work done by the gas is positive.
Answer: 1

a) State two quantities which increase when the temperature of a given mass of gas is
increased at constant volume.
b) A car tyre of volume 1.0 x 10-2 m3 contains air at a pressure of 300 kPa and a temperature
of 17°C. The mass of one mole of air is 2.9 x 10-2 kg.
Assuming that the air behaves as an ideal gas, calculate
i) n, the amount, in mol, of air
ii) the mass of air
iii) the density of the air
c) Air containing oxygen and nitrogen molecules. State, with a reason, whether each of the
following quantities are the same for oxygen and nitrogen molecules in air at a given
temperature.
i) Average kinetic energy
ii) Root mean square speed
a) Any two of the following:
Pressure, Average kinetic energy, Root mean square speed, internal energy
b) i) pV = nRT
n = {[(1.0 x 10-2)(300 x 103)]/(8.31 x 290)}
n = 1.24 molii) Mass of air = 1.24 x 2.9 x 10-2
Mass of air = 3.6 x 10-2 kgiii) Density = (3.6 x 10-2) / (1.0 x 10-2)
Density = 3.6 kg m-3c)
i) Same because they are at the same temperature.
ii) Different because the mass of the molecules are different.

Two containers of volume 4.0 m3 and 6.0 m3 contain an ideal gas at pressure 100 Pa and 50 Pa
respectively. Their temperatures are equal. They are joinged by a tube of negligible volume. The gas
flows from one container to the other with no change in temperature. The final pressure will be
1. 70 Pa
2. 75 Pa
3. 80 Pa
4. 150 Pa
Initially, na = PaVa / RTa, nb = PbVb / RTb
Final: naf = PfVf / RTf

Since na + nb = naf + nbf

PaVa + PbVb = PfVf
100(4) + 50(6) = Paf(6 +4)
Pf = 70 Pa.

Answer: 1
a) i) Define power
ii) Hence, derive the equation P = Fv, where P is power, F is force and v is speed.
b) A motorized bicycle has a maximum of 0.23 hp, horse power. 1 hp = 746 W.

i) Along a horizontal road AB, the cyclist travels at a constant maximum speed of 33 km h-1. Calculate the
total frictional force exerted on the system (bicycle and cyclist), if the efficiency of the motor is 60%.
ii) The cyclist then travels along a road BC inclined at 10° to the horizontal. Is it possible for the cyclist to
move up the slope at the same constant speed of 33 km/h? Explain your answer.
iii) If the cyclist is to travel along the road inclined at 10° at the same constant speed of 33 km/h,
calculate the new power required in hp (horse power) of the motor. The total frictional force acting on
the system is now 0.8 times that in b)i), and the total mass of the system is 90 kg.
a) i) Power is defined as the rate of doing [Link]) P = dW/dt
P = d(Fx)/dt, where F is a constant force acting on a body and x is the displacement along the direction of the force.
Since force is constant, P = F (dx/dt)
P = Fv
b) i) Since P = Fv,
60/100 x 0.23 x 746 = F x (33 x 103/3600)
F = 11.231 N
Since speed is constant, the forward driving force F is equal to the total frictional force f acting on the system. Hence,
f = 11.2 N.
b) ii) No, it is not possible. This is because part of the power has to be used to do work against gravitational force.
b) iii) P = (f + mgsin 10°)v
P = [(0.8 x 11.231) + (90 x 9.81 x sin 10°)] x (33 x 103/3600)
P = 1487.7 W
P = 1487.7 / 746 Hp
P = 2.0 hp

A mass of 0.050 kg is attached to one end of a piece of elastic cord of unstretched length 0.50 m. The force
constant of the cord is 40 N m-1. The mass is rotated steadily on a smooth table in a horizontal circle of
radius 0.70 m. What is the approximated speed of the mass?
F=mv2/r —- Eqn 1
F = kx, where k is the force constant of the cord, x is the extension of the cord
F = (0.40)(0.20) —- Eqn 2Solving Eqn 1 and 2,
v = 11 m s-1

A 0.500 kg stone is moving in a vertical circular path attached to a string that is 75.0 cm long. The stone
is moving around the path at a constant frequency of 2.20 rev s-1. At the moment the stone is overhead,
the stone is released. What is the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the stone when it leaves the
circular path? Answer: 10.4 m s-1, horizontal

A 30.0 kg child swings on a rope with a length of 4.00 m that is hanging from a tree. At
the bottom of the swing the child is moving at a speed of 4.00 m s-1. What is the tension in
the rope? Answers: 414 N
A storage battery, used for emergency lighting in the even of a power cut operates on 24V. The
battery has negligible internal resistance and is rated at 140 ampere-hour.
(a) What is the total energy stored by the battery?
(b) What external resistance would have to be connected to the battery if it were to be discharged
in 14 hours?
(c) What power output is the battery giving at this rate of discharge?

(a) E=QV = 24 (140 X 3600) = 12.1 X 106 J

(b) Discharged in 14 hour, I = 140/14 = 10A
R = V/I= 24/10= 2.4 Ω
(c) P = V2/R == 242/2.4= 240 W

The resistivity of the human body is low as compared to the resistivity of the human skin (given as
3.0 X 104 Ω m for dry human skin). For a layer of dry human skin 0.5mm thick, and cross sectional
area of 1.0 cm2, determine the resistance of the skin.

R=ρ(L/A)
=(3.0 X 104)[(0.5 X 10-3)/(1.0 X 10-4)]
= 1.5 X 105Ω

In a particular cathode ray oscilloscope, the measured current of the electron beam is 20.0 µA. How many
electrons strike the oscilloscope screen every minute?

(a) I = Q/t
20.0 X 10-6 = Q / 60
Q = 1.20X10-3 C
Number of electrons = (1.20 X 10-3 / 1.602 X 10-19)
= 7.50 X 1015 electrons per minute

(a) How many joules are there in a kWh?

(b) A television set rated at 80W is operated from 8pm to midnight. How much energy is this in kWh and in
MJ?
(a)1 kWh = 1000 X 3600= 3.6 X 106J
(b)P = 80 X 4 = 320W= 0.32 kWh= 0.32(3.6 X 106)=1.15 X 106J

A cell of e.m.f. 9.00V and internal resistance of 0.50 Ω is connected to a 8.50 Ω resistor.
(a) Explain what is meant by an e.m.f. of 9.00 V?
Calculate
(b) i) the current in the circuit,
ii) the p.d across the 8.50 Ω resistor,
iii) the output efficiency of the circuit

(a) An e.m.f. of 9.00V means that 9.00 J of electrical energy is converted from other forms of energy per unit charge
supplied round a complete circuit.
(b)i) =I(8.50) + I(0.50)
I=9/9 =1A
ii)R=V/I
8.50=V/I
V=8.50V
iii) Efficiency = [8.50/(8.50+0.50)] X 100%= 94.4%
A row of 15 decorative lights, connected in series, is connected to a power supply. When
the supply is switched on, the lights do not work. The owner uses a voltmeter to test the
circuit. When the voltmeter is connected across the third bulb in the row of lights, a
reading of zero is obtained.
Which of the following cannot be the only fault in the circuit?
1. The filament of the third bulb has broken
2. The fuse in the mains transformer has blown
3. The filament of one of the other bulbs has broken
4. There is a break in the wire from the supply to the transformer

If the filament of the 3rd bulb is broken, it is essentially an open circuit (no current is flowing)
Hence, the voltmeter should read the value of the emf, and should not be zero.
Answer: 1

The terminal voltage of a battery is observed to change when the battery supplies a current
to an external resistor.
What quantities are needed to calculate the change in voltage?
1. the battery’s e.m.f. and its internal resistance
2. the battery’s e.m.f. and the current
3. the current and the external resistance
4. the current and the internal resistance of the battery

When no current passes through the external resistor, the terminal voltage of a battery is
given by the e.m.f. of the battery.
When a current passes through the external resistor, the terminal voltage of a battery is
given by the potential difference across the external resistor = IR = ϵ–Ir.
From the above equation, we can see that the change in voltage is −Ir.
Answer: 4

3 is not the answer as you will need the ϵϵ in addition to the current and external resistance
to calculate the change in voltage.
Assuming the Earth to be a uniform sphere rotating about an axis through the poles, the
apparent weight of a body at the Equator compared with it’s apparent weight at the poles
would be
1. greater, because the angular velocity of the Earth is greater at the Equator
than at the pole
2. greater, because the weight at the Equator is given by the sum of the
gravitational attraction of the Earth and the centripetal force due to the
circular motion of the body
3. smaller, because the gravitational attraction of the Earth must provide both
the weight and the centripetal force due to the circular motion of the body
4. smaller, because the gravitational attraction at the pole is greater than that
at the Equator

The Earth spins about the axis through which its poles pass. A person at the Equator
undergoes circular motion while a person at the poles does not.
Answer: 3

a) The Moon is orbiting at a certain height above the Earth. The Earth exerts a force of
1.99 x 1020 N on the Moon.
Given: mass of the Earth = 5.98 x 1024 kg
mass of the Moon = 7.35 x 1022 kg
radius of the Earth = 6.38 x 106 m
i) Find the height above the Earth’s surface where the Moon is orbiting.
ii) Using Newton’s Second Law of motion, calculate the linear velocity of the Moon.
iii) Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the Moon.
b) Most artificial satellites are placed in Low Earth Orbits (LEO), at a height typically
around 200 km – 1200 km above the Earth’s surface. A 700 kg satellite is in the Low
Earth Orbit at a height of 1200 km above the Earth’s surface.
i) What is the change in gravitational potential energy of the satellite before it is launched
and when it is in orbit?
ii) Calculate the period of the satellite. Express your answer in hours.
iii) Satellites in LEO are used in telecommunications. State one difference between the
LEO and geostationary satellites, and an advantage of using LEO satellites in
telecommunications.

(a) i) F = G(MEMM/r2)
r = 3.8382 x 108 m
Height above Earth’s surface = 3.8382 x 108 – 6.38 x 106
= 3.77 x 108 m
ii) By Newton’s second law of motion,
Fg = F c
v = (GME/r)1/2
v = 1.02 x 103 m/s

iii) a = v2/r
a = 2.71 x 10-3 m s-2
b) i) Change in GPE = Uo – Us, where o is orbit, s is surface
= m(ϕo – ϕs)
= 6.93 x 109 J
ii) By Newton’s second law of motion,
Fg = mrω2
Fg = mr(2π/T)2
T = 6566s
T = 1.82 hrs.
iii)LEO satellites have a shorter orbital period as compared to geostationary satellites
which have a period of 24 hrs.

LEO satellites are nearer to the Earth and so the resolution of the images received will be
higher.

In discussing electric fields, the terms ‘electric field strength’, ‘electric potential’ and
‘potential gradient’ are used.
Which statement about these terms is correct?
1. Electric potential and potential gradient are both scalar quantities.
2. Electric field strength at a point is the work done in bringing unit positive
charge from infinity to the point.
3. The potential gradient at a point is numerically equal to the electric field
strenght at that point.
4. Unit potential gradient exists between any two points, if one joule of work is
done in transporting one coulomb of charge between the points.

Answer: 3

A +3.0 C point charge is initially stationary at a point X in a uniform electric field of strength
5.0 V m-1. It is then moved within the field 3.0 m parallel to the field and then 4.0 m
perpendicular to the field lines to point Y as shown in the diagram below.

1. 5.0 J
2. 45.0 J
3. 75.0 J
4. 105.0 J
There is no work done by the field when the charge moves perpendicularly to the field lines.
(No change in potential when moving perpendicularly to field lines)
Hence, work done by the field = Fd = qEd = (3.0)(5.0)(3.0) = 45J

Answer: 2

Sound from a small loudspeaker L reaches a point X by two paths which differ in length by
1.8m. When the frequency of the sound is gradually increased, the resultant intensity at X
reaches a maxima when the frequency is 1000 Hz.
Given the velocity of sound is 360 m s-1, at what next higher frequency will a maximum be
detected?
1. 1200 Hz
2. 1400 Hz
3. 1600 Hz
4. 1800 Hz
Path difference = 1.8m
Given f = 1000 Hz, v = 360 m s-1
And since a maximum is detected at X,

Path difference = nλ
1.8 = n x (360/1000)
n=5

Thus, for the next maximum to be produced, n’ = n +1 = 6

n’λ’ = 1.8
λ’ = 0.30m

So, the frequency f’ that produce λ’ = (360/0.30) = 1200 Hz

Answer: 1

A parallel beam of white light (range of wavelengths from 4.5 x 10-7 m to 7.5 x 10-7 m) is
incident normally on a diffraction grating. Red light in the second order spectrum is
observed to be diffracted through an angle of 60° from the direction of the incident beam.
How many lines per metre are there on the grating?
1. 5.8 x 105
2. 9.6 x 105
3. 11.6 x 105
4. 19.2 x 105

d sin θ = mλ
Most deviated wavelength is 7.5 x 10-7 m, m = 2 and θ = 60
Therefore, d = 1.7 x 10-6 m
In one metre, number of lines is 1/1.7x 10-6 = 5.8 x 105
Answer: 1
A taut wire is set into resonance with a node at either end and another single node at the
centre of the wire. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
1. The wavelength of the wave on the wire is equal to the length of the wire.
2. All points to one side of the centre vibrate in phase with one another.
3. Any two points on either side of the centre have a phase difference of 90°.
4. Two points equidistant from the centre on either side of the centre have the
same amplitude of vibration.

Any two points either side of the centre have a phase difference of 180°.
Answer: 3

A small pipe opened at both ends is partially submerged in water as shown below.
A tuning fork vibrating at frequency 850 Hz is placed over the top of the pipe. The pipe is
slowly raised until the first loud sound is heard when the length of pipe above water is L.
The experiment is repeated with another tuning fork of unknown frequency f and first loud
sound is heard when the length of pipe above the water is 2L.

What is the value of f? You may assume the speed of sound is 340 m s-1.
1. 2550 Hz
2. 1700 Hz
3. 425 Hz
4. 213 Hz

¼λ = L for 1st resonance for both frequency

v = fλ
since v is constant, therefore f inversely proportional to λ and λ proportional to L.
Hence, f inversely proportional to L.
f2 / f1 = L1 / L2
f2 / f1 = 1/2
f2 = 425 Hz
Answer: 3
Which of the following statements about semiconductors is true?
1. The empty energy bands overlap with the bands containing electrons so that
current can be conducted.
2. When an external electric field is applied, both conduction electrons and
holes move in the same direction to contribute to current flow.
3. At temperatures above 0K, some free electrons in the energy gap are free to
conduct electricity.
4. As temperature increases, the resistivity of the material drops.

For option 1: The valence and conduction bands overlap only for conductors.
For option 2: When an electric field is applied, electrons and holes should move in opposite
directions.
For option 3: There should not be any free electrons in the energy gap.
For option 4: As temperature rises, resistivity drops.
Answer: 4