Q1.

(a) Calculate the weight of an ice cube that has volume 4.0 × 10–6 m3

density of ice = 920 kg m–3

weight = ____________________ N
(2)

(b) The diagram shows the ice cube floating in a beaker of water.

When the ice cube is placed in the beaker, it displaces a volume of water causing the
water level to rise.
The weight of water displaced is equal to the weight of the ice cube.

Calculate the volume of water displaced by the ice cube.

density of water = 1000 kg m–3

volume = ____________________ m3
(1)

Page 1 of 30
 (c) The ice cube in the diagram is replaced by another cube also with volume 4.0 × 10–6 m3
This cube is made of ice containing a small piece of iron.
The mass of water now displaced is 3.9 × 10–3 kg

Calculate the volume of the piece of iron.

density of iron = 7800 kg m–3

volume = ____________________ m3
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q2.
(a) State Hooke’s law for a material in the form of a wire and state the conditions under
which this law applies.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) A length of steel wire and a length of brass wire are joined together. This combination is
suspended from a fixed support and a force of 80 N is applied at the bottom end, as
shown in the figure below.

Each wire has a cross-sectional area of 2.4 × 10–6 m2.

length of the steel wire = 0.80 m

length of the brass wire = 1.40 m
the Young modulus for steel = 2.0 × 1011 Pa
the Young modulus for brass = 1.0 × 1011 Pa

Page 2 of 30
 (i) Calculate the total extension produced when the force of 80 N is applied.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Show that the mass of the combination wire = 4.4 × 10–2 kg.

density of steel = 7.9 × 103 kg m–3

density of brass = 8.5 × 103 kg m–3

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(7)

(c) A single brass wire has the same mass and the same cross-sectional area as the
combination wire described in part (b). Calculate its length.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Page 3 of 30
Q3.
(a) Define the density of a material.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, consists of 70% by volume of copper and 30% by
volume of zinc.

density of copper = 8.9 × 103 kg m–3

density of zinc = 7.1 × 103 kg m–3

(i) Determine the mass of copper and the mass of zinc required to make a rod of brass
of volume 0.80 × 10–3 m3.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Calculate the density of brass.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 5 marks)

Q4.
Figure 1 shows an archer with a compound bow.

Figure 1

The force F required to bend the bow and the corresponding displacement d of the arrow are
measured.
Figure 2 shows the plot of F against d.

Page 4 of 30
 Figure 2

(a) A novice pulls the string back so that the arrow is displaced by 0.20 m. An experienced
archer pulls it back further so that the displacement is 0.40 m.

Suggest an advantage that this extra displacement gives to the experienced archer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Estimate the elastic energy stored in the bow when the arrow is displaced by 0.50 m.

energy stored ____________________ J

(3)

Page 5 of 30
 (c) Calculate the maximum possible speed of an arrow of mass 3.5 × 10–2 kg when it is
released from a bow that stores 58 J of elastic energy.

maximum possible speed ____________________ m s–1

(3)

(d) State and explain the effect of air resistance on the motion of the arrow after it has been
released from the bow.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
A climber falls 2.3 m before being stopped by his climbing rope that is secured above him.
The weight of the climber is 840 N.

(a) Calculate the loss in gravitational potential energy of the climber.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

loss in potential energy ______________________ J

(2)

Page 6 of 30
(b) The figure below shows a force-extension graph for the rope being used.

(i) Use the figure above to find the stiffness of the rope when it is being used with
forces up to 350 N. Give the appropriate unit.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

stiffness ______________________

unit ______________________
(4)

(ii) Use the figure above to determine the energy stored in the rope when it is stretched
by 0.25 m.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

energy ______________________ J
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 7 of 30
Q6.
A manufacturer of springs tests the properties of a spring by measuring the load applied each
time the extension is increased. The graph of load against extension is shown below.

(a) State Hooke’s law.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Calculate the spring constant, k, for the spring. State an appropriate unit.

spring constant ____________________ unit __________

(3)

Page 8 of 30
(c) Use the graph to find the work done in extending the spring up to point B.

work done ____________________ J

(3)

(d) Beyond point A the spring undergoes plastic deformation.

Explain the meaning of the term plastic deformation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) When the spring reaches an extension of 0.045 m, the load on it is gradually reduced to
zero. On the graph above sketch how the extension of the spring will vary with load as the
load is reduced to zero.
(2)

(f) Without further calculation, compare the total work done by the spring when the load is
removed with the work that was done by the load in producing the extension of 0.045 m.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 9 of 30
Q7.
The diagram below shows a tower crane that has two identical steel cables. The length of each
steel cable is 35 m from the jib to the hook.

(a) Each cable has a mass of 4.8 kg per metre. Calculate the weight of a 35 m length of one
cable.

weight = ____________________ N
(2)

(b) The cables would break if the crane attempted to lift a load of 1.5 × 106 N or more.
Calculate the breaking stress of one cable.

cross-sectional area of each cable = 6.2 × 10−4 m2

breaking stress = ____________________ Pa

(2)

Page 10 of 30
(c) When the crane supports a load each cable experiences a stress of 400 MPa. Each
cable obeys Hooke’s law. Ignore the weight of the cables.

Young modulus of steel = 2.1 × 1011 Pa

(i) Calculate the weight of the load.

weight = ____________________ N
(2)

(ii) The unstretched length of each cable is 35 m.

Calculate the extension of each cable when supporting the load.

extension = ____________________ m
(3)

(iii) Calculate the combined stiffness constant, k, for the two cables.

stiffness constant = ____________________ Nm–1

(2)

(iv) Calculate the total energy stored in both stretched cables.

energy stored = ____________________ J

(2)
(Total 13 marks)

Page 11 of 30
Q8.
(a) State Hooke’s law for a material in the form of a wire.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) A rigid bar AB of negligible mass, is suspended horizontally from two long, vertical
wires as shown in the diagram. One wire is made of steel and the other of brass.
The wires are fixed at their upper end to a rigid horizontal surface. Each wire is 2.5 m
long but they have different cross-sectional areas.

When a mass of 16 kg is suspended from the centre of AB, the bar remains horizontal.

the Young modulus for steel = 2.0 × 1011 Pa

the Young modulus for brass = 1.0 × 1011 Pa

(i) What is the tension in each wire?

______________________________________________________________

(ii) If the cross-sectional area of the steel wire is 2.8 × 10–7 m2, calculate the
extension of the steel wire.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iii) Calculate the cross-sectional area of the brass wire.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iv) Calculate the energy stored in the steel wire.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(7)

Page 12 of 30
 (c) The brass wire is replaced by a steel wire of the same dimensions as the brass wire.
The same mass is suspended from the midpoint of AB.

(i) Which end of the bar is lower?

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Calculate the vertical distance between the ends of the bar.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Q9.
The table below shows the results of an experiment where a force was applied to a sample of
metal.

(a) On the axes below, plot a graph of stress against strain using the data in the table.

Strain 10.0
0 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
/ 10–3 0

Stress
0 0.90 2.15 3.15 3.35 3.20 3.30 3.50 3.60 3.60 3.50
/108 Pa

(3)

Page 13 of 30
 (b) Use your graph to find the Young modulus of the metal.

answer = ______________________ Pa
(2)

(c) A 3.0 m length of steel rod is going to be used in the construction of a bridge. The tension
in the rod will be 10 kN and the rod must extend by no more than 1.0mm. Calculate the
minimum cross-sectional area required for the rod.

Young modulus of steel = 1.90 × 1011 Pa

answer = ______________________ m2
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q10.
A load of 4.0 N is suspended from a parallel two-spring system as shown in the diagram.

The spring constant of each spring is 20 N m–1. The elastic energy, in J, stored in the system is

A 0.1

B 0.2

C 0.4

D 0.8
(Total 1 mark)

Page 14 of 30
Q11.
As part of a quality check, a manufacturer of fishing line subjects a sample to a tensile test. The
sample of line is 2.0 m long and is of constant circular cross-section of diameter 0.50 mm.
Hooke’s law is obeyed up to the point when the line has been extended by 52mm at a tensile
stress of 1.8 × 108 Pa.
The maximum load the line can support before breaking is 45 N at an extension of 88 mm.

(a) Calculate

(i) the value of the Young modulus,

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) the breaking stress (assuming the cross-sectional area remains constant),

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iii) the breaking strain.

______________________________________________________________
(5)

(b) Sketch a graph on the axes below to show how you expect the tensile stress to vary with
strain. Mark the value of stress and corresponding strain at

(i) the limit of Hooke’s law,

(ii) the breaking point.

(4)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 15 of 30
Q12.
A load of 3.0 N is attached to a spring of negligible mass and spring constant 15 N m–1.

What is the energy stored in the spring?

A 0.3 J

B 0.6 J

C 0.9 J

D 1.2 J
(Total 1 mark)

Q13.
The table contains information on four wires. It shows the stiffness of each wire and the
maximum strain energy stored in the wire when extended to the breaking point.

Assume each wire has the same initial dimensions and obeys Hooke’s law.

Which wire extends the least before reaching the breaking point?

Maximum strain
Stiffness / N m–1
energy / J

A 4.0 1

B 9.0 1

C 16 3

D 25 3

(Total 1 mark)

Q14.
A steel wire has a cross-sectional area 0.5 mm2. The Young modulus of steel is 2.0 × 1011 Pa.
Assume the wire obeys Hooke’s law.

What load must be suspended from the wire to produce an extension which is 0.1% of the
original length?

Page 16 of 30
 A 40 N

B 50 N

C 100 N

D 200 N
(Total 1 mark)

Q15.
What is the name given to a material that breaks without deformation when a force is applied to
it?

A Plastic

B Brittle

C Stiff

D Elastic
(Total 1 mark)

Page 17 of 30
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) (use of ρ = M/V)
M = 4.0 × 10–6 × 920 = 3.68 × 10–3 (kg) ✔
weight = 3.68 × 10–3 × 9.81 = 3.6 × 10–2 (N) ✔
Ecf for second mark
1 sig.fig. -1 mark
1
1

(b) V = 3.68 × 10–3/1000 = 3.7 (3.68) × 10–6 m3 ✔

Ecf 5.1 from mass calculation
1

(c) THREE FROM:

any mass divided by 7800 ✔
V × 7800 + (4.0 × 10–6 –V) × 920 = 3.9 × 10–3 ✔
6880 V = 3.9 × 10–3 −3.68 × 10–3 ✔
V = 3.2 × 10–8 m3 ✔
Ignore mass value if awarding first mark
1
1
1
(MAX 3)
[6]

Q2.
(a) Hooke’s law: the extension is proportional to the force applied (1)
up to the limit of proportionality or elastic limit
[or for small extensions] (1)
2

(b) (i) (use of E = gives) ΔLs = (1)

= 1.3 × 10–4 (m) (1) (1.33 × 10–4 (m))

ΔLb = = 4.7 × 10–4 (m) (1) (4.66 × 10–4 (m))

total extension = 6.0 × 10–4 m (1)

(ii) m = ρ × V (1)
ms = 7.9 × 103 × 2.4 × 10–6 × 0.8 = 15.2 × 10–3 (kg) (1)
mb = 8.5 × 103 × 2.4 × 10–6 × 1.4 = 28.6 × 10–3 (kg) (1)
(to give total mass of 44 or 43.8 × 10–3 kg)
7

(c) (use of m = ρAl gives) l = (1)

Page 18 of 30
 = 2.2 m (1) (2.16 m)

(use of mass = 43.8 × 10–3 kg gives 2.14 m)

2
[11]

Q3.

(a) density = (1)

1

(b) (i) volume of copper = × 0.8 ×10–3 (= 0.56 × 10–3 m3)

(volume of zinc = 0.24 × 10–3 m3)

mc (= ρcVc) = 8.9 × 103 × 0.56 × 10–3 = 5.0 kg (1) (4.98 kg)

mz = × 0.8 × 10–3 × 7.1 × 103 = 1.7 (kg) (1)

(allow C.E. for incorrect volumes)

(ii) mb (= 5.0 +1.7) = 6.7 (kg) (1)

(allow C.E. for values of mc and mz)

ρb = = 8.4 × 103 kg m–3 (1)

(allow C.E. for value of mb)

[or ρb = (0.7 × 8900) + (0.3 × 7100) (1) = 8.4 × 103 kg m–3 (1)]
max 4
[5]

Q4.
(a) arrow gains more energy / aiming is more reliable / arrow travels faster or further

B1
1

(b) Attempt to calculate area under curve

M1
37.5 scores zero

Area of 1 large square = 5 J

C1

Value between 75 and 85 J

A1
3

(c) Equating energy to ½ mv2

Page 19 of 30
 C1

v2 = 3.3 × 103

C1

v = 57.6 m s−1

A1
3

(d) opposes motion of arrow / arrow has to do work on air

B1

range reduced / arrow slows down / ke of arrow reduced

B1

falls less (in same time)

2 max
[9]

Q5.
(a) 840 × 2.3

C1

1900 (J)/1930 (J)

A1
2

(b) (i) uses gradient

C1

data extraction correct –350 N, 0.3 m

C1

1170

A1

N m–1

B1
4

(ii) uses area

B1

6.5 to 7.0 squares or 1 square is equivalent to

5 J/area is ½ base × height

B1

Page 20 of 30
 32.5 to 35 (J)

B1
3
[9]

Q6.
(a) Force proportional to extension

up to the limit of proportionality (accept elastic limit) dependent upon award of

first mark
Symbols must be defined
Accept word equation
allow ‘F=kΔL (or F ∝ ΔL) up to the limit of proportionality ’ for
the second mark only
allow stress ∝ strain up to the limit of proportionality’ for
the second mark only
2

(b) Gradient clearly attempted / use of k=F / ΔL

k = 30 / 0.026 = 1154
or 31 / 0.027 = 1148

correct values used to calculate gradient with appropriate 2sf answer given (1100 or
1200)
1100 or 1200 with no other working gets 1 out of 2

OR 1154 ± 6 seen
Do not allow 32/0.0280 or 33/0.0290 (point A) for second
mark.

AND load used >= 15 (= 1100 or 1200 (2sf) )

32 / 0.028 is outside tolerance. 32/0.0277 is just inside.

Nm−1 / N / m (newtons per metre) (not n / m, n / M, N / M)

3

(c) any area calculated or link energy with area / use of 1 / 2FΔL
(or 0.001 Nm for little squares)

35 whole squares, 16 part gives 43 ± 1.0

OR equivalent correct method to find whole area

0.025 Nm per (1cm) square × candidates number of squares and correctly

evaluated
OR (= 1.075) = 1.1 (J) (1.05 to 1.10 if not rounded)
3

(d) permanent deformation / permanent extension

Allow: ‘doesn’t return to original length’; correct reference to
‘yield’ e.g. allow ‘extension beyond the yield point’
do not accept: ‘does not obey Hooke’s law’ or ‘ceases to
obey Hooke’s law’,
1

(e) any line from B to a point on the x axis from 0.005 to 0.020

Page 21 of 30
 straight line from B to x axis (and no further) that reaches x axis for 0.010<=ΔL<=
0.014
2

(f) work done by spring < work done by the load

Accept ‘less work’ or ‘it is less’ (we assume they are referring
to the work done by spring)
1
[12]

Q7.
(a) (W = mg)
= 4.8 × 35 × 9.81
=1600 (1648 N)
Allow g=10 : 1680 (1700 N)
g = 9.8 1646 N
max 1 for doubling or halving.
Max 1 for use of grammes
2

(b) (stress = tension / area)

For first mark, forgive absence of or incorrect doubling /
halving.

= (0.5 ×) 1.5 × 106 / 6.2 × 10−4 OR = 1.5 × 106 / (2 ×) 6.2 × 10−4

= 1.2 × 109 (1.21 GPa)
Forgive incorrect prefix if correct answer seen.
2

(c) (i) (weight = stress × area)

max 1 mark for incorrect power of ten in first marking point

= 400 ×(106 ) × 6.2 × 10−4 (= 248 000 N)

max 1 mark for doubling or halving both stress and area

( × 2 = ) 5.0 × 105 (496 000 N)

Forgive incorrect prefix if correct answer seen.Look out for
YM ÷ 400k Pa which gives correct answer but scores zero.
2

(ii) OR correct substitution into a correct equation (forgive incorrect

doubling or halving for this mark only
OR alternative method:
strain = stress / E
then ΔL = L × strain

If answer to 4ci is used, it must be halved, unless area is

doubled, for this mark

Page 22 of 30
 Any incorrect doubling or halving is max 1 mark.
Allow 0.07
3

(iii)

OR correct substitution into F=kΔL ecf ci and cii (answer 4c(i)

÷ answer 4c(ii) )
Allow halving extension for force on one cable

= 7.4(4)× 106 (Nm−1)

Correct answer gains both marks
2

(iv)
Correct answer gains both marks

= ½ × 496 000 × 6.667 × 10−2 OR ½ × 7.4(4) × 106 × (6.667 × 10−2 )2

ecf ci, cii, ciii

= 1.6(5) × 104 (J)

Forgive incorrect prefix if correct answer seen.
Doubling the force gets zero.
2
[13]

Q8.
(a) extension proportional to the applied force (1)
up to the limit of proportionality
[or provided the extension is small] (1)
2

(b) (i) 8 × 9.81 = 78 (5) N (1)

(allow C.E. in (ii), (iii) and (iv) for incorrect value)

(ii) (use of E = gives) 2.0 x 1011 = (1)

ΔL = 3.5 × 10–3 m (1)

(iii) similar calculation (1)

to give AS = 5.6 × 10–7 m2 (1)
[or AB = 2AS (1) and correct answer (1)]

(iv) (use of energy stored = ½ Fe gives) energy stored

= ½ × 78.5 × 3.5 × 10–3 (1)
= 0.14 J (1)
7

(c) (i) end A is lower (1)

Page 23 of 30
 (ii) = ½ 3.5 × 10–3 = 1.8 × 10–3 m (1) (1.75 × 10–3 m)
2
[11]

Q9.
(a)

Suitable scale on both axes (eg not going up in 3s) and > ½ space used

≥ points correct (within half a small square)

line is straight up to at least stress = 2.5 × 108 and curve

is smooth beyond straight section
3

(b) understanding that E = gradient (= Δy/Δx)

allow y/x if line passes through origin

= 1.05 × 1011 (Pa) (allow 0.90 to 1.1) ecf from their line in (a)
if answer outside this range and uses a y value ≥ 2

when values used from table;

• two marks can be scored only if candidates line passes

through them

• one mark only can be scored if these points are not on their line
2

(c) correct rearrangement of symbols or numbers ignoring incorrect

powers of ten, eg A =

correct substitution in any correct form of the equation,

eg =
allow incorrect powers of ten for this mark

Page 24 of 30
 = 1.6 × 10–4 (1.5789) (m2)
3
[8]

Q10.
B
[1]

Q11.
(a) (i) strain = 0.026 (1)
E = 6.92 × 109 Pa (1)

(ii) A = 1.96 × 10–7 (m2) (1)

stress = 230 × 108 Pa (1)

(iii) breaking strain = 0.044 (1)

5

(b)

shape overall (1)

(i) straight line (1)

0 to (0.026, 1.8) (1)

(ii) curve (1)

to (0.044, 2.3) (1)
max 4
[9]

Q12.
A
[1]

Q13.
B
[1]

Q14.

Page 25 of 30
 C
[1]

Q15.
B
[1]

Page 26 of 30
Examiner reports

Q1.
This question involved use of the density formula.

(a) The majority of students (74.4%) had few problems with this calculation. Of those
who did, conversion from mass to weight was the common problem.

(b) As with the previous question, this was well answered. The only common issue was
the use of weight rather than mass in the density formula.

(c) Students found this question very challenging and only a small minority (4.3%)
managed to come up with complete solutions. Setting up an expression that enabled
the volume of iron to be calculated is clearly a procedure that is unfamiliar to many
students. A reasonable proportion did appreciate that a mass needed to be divided
by the density of iron and picked up the first mark, but got no further because they
did not appreciate that the volume of the ice is less than the volume of the cube
because part of the volume is occupied by the piece of iron.

Q2.
Hooke’s law, in part (a), was generally known to candidates although many did not state
the condition under which it applied. Many introduced temperature into the argument.

The calculation in part (b) was usually correct with comparatively few candidates adding
the two lengths or adding the values of the Young moduli to perform just one calculation.
Questions on density, similar to those in part (b) (ii), are usually done well, and this
question was no exception. Full marks were quite common in part (b).

Part (c) also proved to be relatively easy with the large majority of candidates obtaining
the correct answer. Those who failed were usually those who tried to tackle it from a
Young modulus point of view.

Q3.
This is the first time since this Specification was introduced that a question on density has
been set. The examiners were pleased to find that the majority of candidates seemed to
understand the topic very well and gained full marks. Unfortunately, candidates who gave
density as ρ = mass × volume were, because of the nature of the question, penalised
quite heavily, but they could however earn marks for calculating the volume in part (b)(i)
and adding the masses together in part (ii).

Q4.
Most candidates recognise that the expert archer would be providing the arrow with extra
kinetic energy which would increase the speed or the range of the arrow. A small number
of candidates recognised that the energy stored was the area under the graph in (b); this
meant that most gained no marks for treating the graph as if it were linear.

Many redeemed themselves in (c) by equating the kinetic energy to 58 J and correctly
finding the speed – a minority failed to take the square root of the value that they had
found or else ignore the factor 2.

There were many good answers to (d) with nearly all candidates recognising that air
resistance opposes the arrow’s motion; the idea that the air resistance eventually reaches

Page 27 of 30
 horizontal equilibrium was a common mistake and there were several discussions of the
arrow reaching a horizontal ‘terminal speed‘.

Q5.
Most candidates correctly answered the calculation in (a), with the most common error
being the introduction of a spurious factor of g. Nearly all candidates successfully
completed the graph work in part (b).

Q6.
(a) This question was well answered. Some left out ‘up to limit of proportionality’ and
some put ‘elastic limit’ - though this was forgiven. Some gave the equation only in
symbols, and this was not sufficient.

Again, with recall questions, not enough students are learning definitions and laws,
producing instead vague descriptions rather than precisely memorised statements.
E.g.
‘Hooke’s law is the extension of a spring when a force is applied.’

(b) There were quite a few mistakes with units here; ‘Nm’, ‘Nm-2 ’and ‘Pa’ were all
common incorrect units. In calculating the gradient, the point labelled ‘A’ was often
used. However, at this point, the line had clearly ceased to be straight and thus the
answer fell outside the range of tolerance.

(c) For calculating the work done up to point B, there was much use of ½ FL = ½ × 38
× 0.045, and sometimes simply 38 × 0.045, rather than an attempt to sum up the
area under the line. Many estimates of the area were wildly inaccurate due to the
approach being too approximate, counting some areas twice or missing bits out.

Summing the area under a curve is a technique that students must practise.

(d) Most candidates got this correct. A few said words to the effect of ‘no longer obeys
Hooke’s law’, which was not sufficient.

(e) There were many careless graphs drawn here, with the line not drawn exactly
parallel, and this lost a mark. This means that some very straightforward marks are
needlessly dropped by many candidates. In order to ensure that a line is parallel,
students should be encouraged to make a quick measurement of the distance
between the lines at a couple of points.

It would also appear that many students elect to sketch with a pen and are then
reluctant to scribble out their line and replace it with a more accurate one. For
diagrams only, please encourage students to use an HB pencil; this will show up
perfectly well on the scans that are seen by the examiners.

(f) The majority of candidates understood that the area underneath the unloading line
was less than for the loading. However, a significant number of candidates thought
that the work done would be the same since ‘energy is conserved’.

Q7.
(a) Most were successful but a significant number did not multiply by g, perhaps not
understanding the difference between weight and mass.

(b) A common error was to not half the force (or double the area). However, a high
percentage did realise that you had to do more than simply substitute the numbers

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 given.

(c) (i) Most correctly calculated the load on one of the cables but many did not
realise they needed to double their result to get the complete load.

(ii) A lot of rounding errors were evident. 0.06 recurring was often rounded to 0.06
rather than 0.067. Many used their value for weight but did not halve it. Some
candidates therefore lost a mark because even though they got the correct
answer, they had not halved that weight and this was a physics error.

(iii) Many did not understand that they should use the weight and the extension
previously calculated. Many thought that the total load divided by the
extension of one cable would give only half of the total stiffness constant. This
is not the case because the extension of each cable is the same.

Q8.
Responses to part (a) were extremely disappointing. The impression gained by examiners
was that many candidates had not heard of Hooke’s Law because they attempted to state
it in terms of current and voltage. Others, realising that it had something to do with solids,
attempted an answer in terms of a wire returning to its original shape and length when the
force was removed. It should be pointed out that merely stating F e gained no credit
unless the symbols were defined. Of those candidates who gave the correct version of
Hooke’s Law, most failed to gain the second mark by not giving the condition under which
it was valid, i.e. up to the limit of proportionality. Validity up to the elastic limit was not
accepted.

The calculation in part (b) was carried out quite successfully and many completely correct
answers were obtained. The usual error occurred in part (i) in not realising that the tension
due to the 16 kg was shared equally between the two wires. Others did not multiply by g,
or used g = 10 m s–2, which was not acceptable. The data sheet gives g = 9.81 m s–2 and
this is the value which was required. Incorrect answers to part (i) were allowed to be
carried forward into the remaining parts of the section. However, if the force in part (ii) was
given as 16 kg or 8 kg, without conversion into a force (i.e. Newtons), then it was
considered as a Physics error and both marks were lost.

The majority of candidates deduced (or guessed) that end A of the bar would be lower
than end B, although some of the convoluted answers required significant interpretation to
know which end of the bar candidates were talking about. The calculation in part (ii) was
usually carried out correctly.

Q9.
In part (a), suitable scales were chosen by nearly all candidates and points were plotted
very accurately by all but a few. From knowledge of material properties, it is sensible to
assume that the first section of the graph should be a straight line. However, many
candidates drew a curve for the first part. After this, any suitable best fit line was accepted
if it was smooth.

Part (b) was generally done very well, with most choosing points on their line correctly and
using suitably large values. A few candidates wrongly used the ultimate tensile stress
divided by the corresponding strain.

Most candidates were very successful on the calculation in part (c). The main problem
was arithmetic errors and mistakes on powers on ten. It is a good idea to make even high
ability students practice plenty of these questions when revising.

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Q11.
In part (a)(i) there were many good answers with the calculation clearly set out and the
answer quoted correctly to 2 significant figures and with the correct unit. Some candidates
incorrectly attempted to calculate the stress for a force of 45N while others had difficulty in
converting from mm to m in determining the strain. In part (a)(ii) about 25% of the
candidates could not calculate correctly the cross-sectional area of the wire since they
used the diameter and not the radius, or they failed to convert the radius from mm to m.
Most candidates were able to calculate correctly the value for the breaking strain.

The sketch graph in part (b) was often carelessly drawn. Sketch graphs gaining full marks
showed a straight line up to the limit of Hooke's law followed by a curved region up until
the breaking point. The nature of the curved region of the graph was treated generously in
the marking. Most candidates marked correctly their values of stress and corresponding
strain on the axes.

Q13.
42.7% of students selected the correct answer, showing a greater competency for
manipulation of formulae when numerical data has been provided.

Q15.
91% of students selected the correct answer.

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