Name: …………………………………………………….

Form: …………

BGS Physics Department

Year 10 Physics
Examination 2023
Equipment: You will need a pen, pencil, ruler and calculator.

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total: 90 marks
Instructions:
• Candidates should answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.
• Where necessary, assume g = 10 N/kg on Earth.

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90 Grade Target

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Q1.

Alpha and beta particles may be emitted by unstable nuclei.

(a) (i) When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, its atomic (proton) number
(1)
A increases by 1
B stays the same
C decreases by 2
D decreases by 4

(ii) When an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, its mass (nucleon) number
(1)
A increases by 1
B stays the same
C decreases by 2
D decreases by 4

(b) Compared to a beta particle, an alpha particle

(1)
A causes less ionisation
B has less charge
C has less mass
D has less penetrating power

(c) Describe how a teacher should measure the activity of a radioactive source using
a Geiger-Muller detector.
(4)
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Total = 7 marks

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Q2.

A teacher uses this apparatus to demonstrate radioactivity to his students.

(a) The teacher needs to take some safety precautions.

Put one tick ( ) on each row to show whether the safety precaution is needed or not.
Two have been done for you.
(2)

(b) The teacher uses this method to investigate radioactivity.

• place the detector 10 cm from the radioactive source

• record the count with different absorbent materials between the source and the detector
• repeat the investigation using a different radioactive source
• also repeat the investigation without a source
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The table shows his results.

(i) State why the teacher keeps the distance constant between the source and the detector.
(1)
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(ii) Explain why there is a reading when no source is used.

(2)
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(iii) Explain what type of radiation strontium-90 emits.

(3)
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(iv) Barium-133 and strontium-90 both have a half-life of over 10 years.

Suggest why isotopes with a much shorter half-life are not suitable for this investigation.
(1)
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Total = 9 marks
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Q3.

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Total = 9 marks

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Q4. An electric kettle is connected to the 230 V mains supply.
The power of the kettle is 960 W.

(a) (i) A power of 960 watts is the same as

(1)
A 960 joules per coulomb
B 960 joules per second
C 960 newtons per metre
D 960 newtons per second

(ii) State the equation linking power, current and voltage.

(1)

(iii) Show that the current in the kettle is about 4 A.

(2)

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(b) The 960 W kettle is earthed and fitted with a fuse.
(i) Explain how this can protect the person using the kettle if there is a fault.
(3)
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(ii) Another kettle has twice as much power.

It is connected to the same mains supply.
Which of these fuse ratings should be used for this kettle?
(1)
A 1A
B 3A
C 5A
D 13 A

(c) A student has a pack of fuses labelled 2 A.

Explain how she could use one of these fuses to check that the label is correct.
You may draw a circuit diagram to help your answer.
(3)

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Total = 11 marks
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Q5.

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Total = 9 marks

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Q6. This question is about the motion of a ball.
(a) A ball is at rest on a trapdoor.
Complete the diagram to show the forces acting on the ball.
Label the forces.
(3)

(b) The trapdoor swings open and the ball falls to the ground.
The ball does not bounce when it hits the ground.

Show that the final speed of the ball at the instant before it hits the ground is about 5 m/s.

(3)

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(c) The graph shows how the distance travelled by the ball changes with time.

(i) Determine the time taken for the ball to hit the ground.
(1)
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(ii) State the equation relating average speed, distance moved and time taken.
(1)

(iii) Calculate the average speed of the ball after 0.40 s.

(1)

average speed = ........................................................... m/s

(iv) Explain how the graph shows that the ball accelerates when it falls.
(3)
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Total = 12 marks
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Q7.

The Apollo 15 mission landed on the Moon in 1971.

The astronaut David Scott dropped a hammer and a feather.
They were released from rest at the same time and from the same height.
The hammer and the feather landed at the same time.

(a) The graph shows how the velocity of the hammer changed with time.

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(i) Use the graph to calculate the acceleration due to gravity on the Moon.

Give the unit.

(3)

Acceleration = ........................................................... Unit ...........................................................

(ii) Use the graph to calculate the height the hammer was dropped from.
(2)

Height = ........................................................... m

Total = 5 marks

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Q8.

The diagram shows a skier of mass 80kg skiing down a very steep slope.

The skier starts from rest at point T.

The force of gravity accelerates him down the slope.
When he reaches point B his kinetic energy is 4.0 × 104 J.

(a) State the equation linking kinetic energy (KE), mass and velocity
(1)

(b) Calculate the velocity of the skier at B

(4)

velocity = ………………………….. m/s

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(c) State the gravitational potential energy of the skier at T.
You should assume there is no friction on the slope and air resistance is negligible.
(1)

GPE = …………………………. J

(d) State the equation linking gravitational potential energy (GPE), mass, g and height
(1)

(e) Calculate the height of the slope.

(3)

height = ……………………………… m

Total = 10 marks

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Q9.

The diagram shows a man pulling a child on a sledge.

The acceleration of the sledge is 1.5 m/s2. The mass of the child and sledge is 38 kg.

(i) State the equation linking force, mass and acceleration.

(1)

(ii) Calculate the force needed to produce this acceleration.

(2)

force = ............................................... N

(iii) Suggest a reason why the force exerted on the sledge by the man must be greater than the force
calculated.
(1)
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Total = 4 marks

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Q10.

The diagram shows a box attached to a parachute, falling at constant velocity.

(a) State the name for this constant velocity.

(1)
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(b) Explain, in terms of forces, why the box and parachute fall at constant velocity.
(4)
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Total = 5 marks
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Q11.

This question is about heating water.

(a) Liquid water boils and becomes a gas at 100 °C.
Describe the differences between the arrangement and motion of particles in a liquid and in a gas.
You may include a diagram in your answer.
(3)

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(b) A teacher uses a kettle to heat water. During heating the kettle supplies 23 100J of energy.
(i) State the equation relating change in thermal energy, mass, specific heat capacity and change in
temperature.

(1)

(ii) The mass of water in the kettle is 1.1 kg and its initial temperature is 20 °C.
Calculate the final temperature of the water after it has been heated.
[the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg °C]
(4)

final temperature = ........................................................... °C

(c) The teacher measures the final temperature of the water after heating it for 2 minutes.
Name a piece of equipment the teacher could use to measure the temperature of the water.
(1)
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Total = 9 marks

END OF QUESTIONS
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