PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2009

SEC 4 EXPRESS / 5 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)

SCIENCE (PHYSICS)
5116/2
Name

: _________________________

Date

: 11/08/2009

Index No

: _________________________

Duration : 1 h 15min

Class

: _________________________

Marks

/65

Additional Materials needed:

2 sheets writing paper

Read these instructions first

Write your name, index number and class in the spaces provided and on all separate answer
paper used.
Write in dark blue or black pen in the spaces provided on the Question Paper.
You may use a pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
Section A
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided on the question paper.

Section B
Answer two questions.
Write your answers on the lined pages provided and/or separate answer paper.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
.
FOR EXAMINERS USE
Section A
Section B

Total
Setter: Ms. Shaikha
This paper consists of __8__ printed pages, inclusive of this cover page.

Section A
Answer ALL the questions.

1. The graph below shows how the velocity of a stone varies from the moment it is thrown
vertically upwards until it is caught.

(a) Explain what is happening to the stone when its velocity is negative.

[1]

(b) At what time does the stone reach its highest point?

[1]

(c) Calculate the maximum height of the stone above the point from which it is thrown.

[2]

(d) Use the graph to determine the value of the acceleration of the stone. Show your
working.
[2]

2. (a) Calculate the kinetic energy of a car of mass 1500 kg moving at 9 m/s.

[2]

(b) The cars engine is switched off. Calculate the height the car could rise up a hill before
coming to a rest, if there is no energy loss due to friction. (Assume gravitational acceleration,
g = 10 m/s2).

[2]

(c) What is the form of energy the car possesses when it comes to a rest on the hill?

[1]

3. (a) Name the main process for transfer of thermal energy in water.

[1]

(b) The figure below shows two kettles, A and B. In kettle A, the heating element is placed
near the base while in kettle B, the heating element is placed near the top of the kettle.

(i) Explain why the water at the bottom of kettle B remains cold.

[1]

(ii) Explain how the water gets heated uniformly in kettle A.

[3]

4. State two differences between evaporation and boiling.

[2]

5. Use the kinetic model of matter to explain why the rate of evaporation of water increases:
(a) when the surface area of water increases.

[1]

(b) when there is a breeze.

[1]

(c) when the temperature of the water is higher.

[1]

6. The figure below shows components in the electromagnetic spectrum in order of

decreasing frequency.
decreasing frequency
Gamma

Ultraviolet

Infra-red

rays

rays

radiation

Microwaves

Radio
waves

Two components have not been named.

(a) Complete the figure by adding the names of these components.

[1]

(b) Microwaves have a frequency of 15 GHz. What does this mean?

[1]

(c) Hence calculate the wavelength of microwaves.

[2]

(d) What are the types of electromagnetic radiations emitted by

(i) a candle flame?

[1]

(ii) a fluorescent lamp?

[1]

7. The figure shows a ray incident normally at the point P which is on the hypotenuse face of
the glass prism. The refractive index of the glass is 1.60.

(a) Calculate the critical angle for the glass.

[2]

(b) State and explain what happens to the ray at point Q.

[2]

(c) Draw the subsequent path of the ray until it emerges from the prism.

[1]

8. When a piece of dry polythene is rubbed with a dry cloth, the polythene acquires a
negative charge while the cloth acquires a positive charge. Explain, in terms of the gain and
loss of electrons, why this happens.

[2]

9. The figure below shows the V/I (voltage-current) characteristic graphs for two electrical
components, P and Q, at constant temperature.

(a) Which component obeys Ohms law? Explain your answer.

[2]

(b) P and Q are connected in series with a current of 0.4 A. Use the figure to determine the
potential difference across
(i) P

[1]

(ii) Q

[1]

(iii) the series combination of P and Q?

[1]

10. The figure below shows an electromagnet made by winding insulated copper wire
around a U-shaped core.

(a) Why is the copper wire insulated?

[1]

(b) Name a suitable material for the core. Give a reason for your choice.

[2]

(c) What are the poles of the electromagnet at the ends X and Y?

[1]

(d) State two uses of electromagnets.

[2]

Section B
Answer any two questions.
Write your answers on the separate answer paper provided.

11. The diagram below shows an engine pulling an oil tanker.

(a) The maximum volume of oil that the tanker can carry is 25 m3. Assuming that the density
of oil is 740 kg/m3, calculate the mass of oil in a tanker at full capacity.

[2]

(b) The mass of an empty tanker is 3000 kg. Hence, calculate the weight of the full tanker.
[2]
(c) Calculate the pressure that the full tanker exerts on the tracks if the contact area between
the tankers wheels and the tracks is 0.86 m2.

[2]

(d) The train (engine and tanker) moves over a rusty section of the tracks. They travel at a
constant velocity of 15 m/s. The engine pulls the tanker with a force of 750 kN. State the size
of the frictional force acting on the train, and explain how you obtained your answer.

[3]

(e) Explain why the body of the tanker should be as close to the ground as possible.

[1]

12. (a) Sound is propagated by longitudinal waves, through a series of compressions and
rarefactions. Any medium which has particles that can vibrate will transmit sound. However,
sound waves travel at different speeds in different media. For example, its speed in air
varies between 300 m/s to 330 m/s. The wave properties of a sound will affect its
characteristics such as pitch and loudness.
(i) Explain the meaning of compression.

[1]

(ii) Explain the meaning of rarefaction.

[1]

(iii) Is the speed of sound in humid air likely to be higher or lower than that in dry air?
Explain your answer.
(iv) Explain the difference between sound waves from notes of different pitch.

[2]
[1]

(v) Explain the difference between sound waves from notes of the same pitch but
different loudness.

[2]

(b) The figure below shows a device that is used to measure the depth of the sea beneath a
ship. Sound waves are given out by the transmitter. When sound waves hit an object, some
of the sound is reflected back to the receiver. The time taken is used to measure the
distance to the bottom of the sea.

The speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s. The time between the sound being transmitted to
the bottom of the sea and being detected by the receiver is 2.4s. Calculate the distance
between the ship and the bottom of the sea.

[3]

13. (a) The circuit diagram below shows a 4.0 resistor X and a 6.0 resistor Y connected
to a 9.0 V battery.

Calculate
(i) the current in the 4.0 resistor,

[2]

(ii) the current in the 6.0 resistor,

[2]

(iii) the current through the battery,

[1]

(iv) the resistance of X and Y in parallel,

[2]

(v) the power supplied by the battery.

[2]

(b) An electric heater connected to the mains supply draws a current of 7 A. Under normal
working conditions, what will be the current in
(i) the neutral wire,
(ii) the earth wire?

[1]
-- End of Paper