The figure below shows a toy car in different positions on a racing track.

1.

(a) The toy car and racing track can be modelled as a closed system.

Why can the toy car and racing track be considered ‘a closed system’?

✓) one box.
Tick (✓

The racing track and the car both have gravitational potential
energy.

The racing track and the car are always in contact with each other.

The total energy of the racing track and the car is constant.

(1)

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(b) The car is released from rest at position A and accelerates due to gravity down the track to
position B.

mass of toy car = 0.040 kg

vertical height between position A and position B = 90 cm

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Calculate the maximum possible speed of the toy car when it reaches position B.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Speed = _______________ m/s

(5)

The figure above is repeated below.

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 (c) At position C the car’s gravitational potential energy is 0.20 J greater than at position B.

How much kinetic energy does the car need at position B to complete the loop of the track?

Give a reason for your answer.

✓) one box.
Tick (✓

Less than 0.20 J

Exactly 0.20 J

More than 0.20 J

Reason ____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

The diagram below shows a cyclist riding along a flat road.

2.

(a) Complete the sentence.

Choose answers from the box.

chemical elastic potential gravitational potential kinetic

As the cyclist accelerates, the _______________________ energy store in

the cyclist’s body decreases and the _______________________ energy of

the cyclist increases.

(2)

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(b) The mass of the cyclist is 80 kg. The speed of the cyclist is 12 m/s.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the cyclist.

Use the equation:

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Kinetic energy = ______________________ J

(2)

(c) When the cyclist uses the brakes, the bicycle slows down.

This causes the temperature of the brake pads to increase by 50 °C.

The mass of the brake pads is 0.040 kg.
The specific heat capacity of the material of the brake pads is 480 J/kg °C.

Calculate the change in thermal energy of the brake pads.

Use the equation:

change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Change in thermal energy = ______________________ J

(2)

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 (d) How is the internal energy of the particles in the brake pads affected by the increase in
temperature?

Tick one box.

Decreased

Increased

Not affected

(1)
(Total 7 marks)

The image below shows a student before and after a bungee jump.
3.
The bungee cord has an unstretched length of 20 m.

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(a) For safety reasons, it is important that the bungee cord used is appropriate for the student’s
weight.

Give two reasons why.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The student jumps off the bridge.

Complete the sentences to describe the energy transfers.

Use answers from the box.

elastic potential gravitational potential kinetic sound thermal

Before the student jumps from the bridge he has a store of

_____________________ energy.

When he is falling, the student's store of _____________________

energy increases.

When the bungee cord is stretched, the cord stores energy as

_____________________ energy.
(3)

(c) At the lowest point in the jump when the student is stationary, the extension of the bungee
cord is 35 metres.

The bungee cord behaves like a spring with a spring constant of 40 N / m.

Calculate the energy stored in the stretched bungee cord.

Use the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Energy = __________________________ J
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

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 The photograph below shows a theme park ride called AquaShute.
4.

(a) Riders of the AquaShute sit on a sled and move down a slide.

There is a layer of water between the sled and the slide.

How does the layer of water affect the friction between the sled and the slide?

✓) one box.
Tick (✓

The friction is decreased.

The friction is increased.

The friction is not affected.

(1)

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(b) The mass of one rider is 62.5 kg.

The height of the slide is 16.0 m.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the rider at the top of the slide.

Use the equation:

gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Gravitational potential energy = _______________ J

(2)

(c) At the bottom of the slide the speed of the rider is 12 m/s.

The mass of the rider is 62.5 kg.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the rider at the bottom of the slide.

Use the equation:

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Kinetic energy = _______________ J

(2)

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(d) When a rider reaches the bottom of the slide, the sled decelerates and stops.

Give two factors that will affect how far the sled will move before it stops.

1 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

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Mark schemes
(a) the total energy of the racing track and the car is constant.
1. 1

(b) Ep = 0.040 × 9.8 × 0.90

allow a correct substitution of an incorrectly/not
converted value of h
1

Ep = 0.3528 (J)
this answer only
1

0.3528 = 0.5 × 0.040 × v2

allow a correct substitution of a calculated Ep
1

allow a correct rearrangement using a calculated Ep

1

v = 4.2 (m/s)
allow an answer consistent with their calculated Ep
1

(c) more than 0.20 J

1

(because) the car needs to be moving at the top of the loop

or
(because) the car needs to be moving to complete the loop
or
not all Ek at B will be transferred to Ep at C
this mark is dependent on scoring the first mark
allow energy dissipated to the surroundings
1
[8]

(a) chemical
2. 1

kinetic
1
in this order only

(b) Ek = 0.5 × 80 × 122

1

Ek = 5760 (J)
1
an answer of 5760 (J) scores 2 marks

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 (c) E = 0.040 × 480 × 50
1

E = 960 (J)
1
an answer of 960 (J) scores 2 marks

(d) increased
1
[7]

(a) any two from:

3.
• bungee rope may snap
• rope may extend too much
• student may land in the river
2

(b) gravitational potential

correct order only
1

kinetic
1

elastic potential
1

(c) ½ × 40 × 352
1

24 500 (J)
accept 25 000 (J) (2 significant figures)
1
allow 24 500 (J) with no working shown for 2 marks
[7]

(a) the friction is decreased

4. 1

(b) Ep = 62.5 × 9.8 × 16.0

1

E p = 9800 (J)
1

(c) Ek = 0.5 × 62.5 × 122

1

Ek = 4500 (J)
1

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(d) Any two from:
• speed (at bottom of slide)
• friction (between sled and ground)
allow mass/weight of rider (and sled)
allow surface type
• air resistance
2
[7]

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