CLAREMONT HIGH SCHOOL

PHYSICAL SCIENCES
PAPER 1: PHYSICS

GRADE 11 TIME: 2 HOURS

MAY 2024 MARKS: 100

EXAMINER: J Quinn

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This Examination Paper consists of EIGHT questions.

2. Write the name of your subject teacher at the top of your ANSWER SHEET.
For example: TT, KT, TF or JQ.

3. Answer ALL the questions.

4. Start each new question at the top of a page.

5. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.

6. Leave one line open between subsections of questions. For example,

between 5.1 and 5.2.

7. Non-programmable calculators may be used. Appropriate mathematical

instruments may be used.

8. Show ALL formulae and substitutions in ALL calculations.

9. Consult the data sheet(s) provided.

10. Use black or blue ink only for your answers, other than sketches and diagrams
where a sharp pencil must be used.

11. Round off our FINAL numerical answers to a minimum of TWO decimal places.

12. Write neatly and legibly.

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QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the
answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.8), e.g. 1.9 D.

1.1 The unit of the physical quantity, force, expressed in base units is:

A kg.m.s-1

B kg.m2.s-2

C kg.m.s2

D kg.m.s-2 (2)

1.2 Two connected blocks of mass m and 2m respectively are placed on a

frictionless horizontal surface. Forces F and 2F pull them in opposite
directions as shown in the diagram.

Which of the following statements correctly describes the motion of the

blocks?

A Both blocks remain stationary.

B Both blocks move at a constant velocity to the right.

C Both blocks accelerate uniformly to the right.

D The two blocks will have different accelerations in opposite (2)

directions.

1.3 The driver of a car places a book on the level surface of the seat next to him.
He observes that the book is sliding towards the front of the car. At this
instant, the car is probably…

A Moving forward and slowing down.

B Moving forward at a constant speed.

C Moving backwards and slowing down.

D Moving backwards at a constant speed. (2)

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1.4 The acceleration on earth due to gravity is g. What is the acceleration due to
gravity on a planet of twice the mass of earth and half its diameter?

A ½g

B 2g

C 4g

D 8g (2)

1.5 Two objects, A and B, with masses 20 kg and 40 kg respectively are placed
0,001 m apart. In this position A exerts a force of F on B. The magnitude of
the force that B exerts on A, under these conditions is:

A ½F

B F

C 2F

D 4F (2)

1.6 Two very small identical spheres X and Y carry the same charge. They are a
fixed distance apart and repel each other with a force F. A third identical
uncharged sphere Z on an insulated handle, touches sphere X and then
sphere Y and is then removed. After this process, the force between X and Y
will be:

A ⅜F

B ¼F

C ½F

D ¾F (2)

1.7 The electric field strength at a point is:

A Zero, except when a charge is placed at that point.

B The force per unit charge at that point.

C The work done to move a charge from infinity to that point.

D Equal to the charge at that point. (2)

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1.8 The diagram below shows two identical small charged spheres M and N.
They have the same charge and are hung from identical insulated threads
from a fixed point O. At the equilibrium position, angles x and y are equal to
each other. If the charge on M is doubled, then in the new equilibrium
position of the system, angle x will be:

A Half angle y

B Double angle y

C Four times angle y

D Equal to angle y (2)

[16]

QUESTION 2 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

2.1 A metal ring is suspended from the middle of a light string attached to hooks
at A and B in the ceiling. The string makes equal angles of 12° with the
ceiling as shown in the diagram. The tension in the string is 120 N.

2.1.1 Define the term equilibrant. (2)

2.1.2 Are the forces acting on the ring in equilibrium? Give a reason for
your answer. (2)

2.1.3 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to show all the forces acting on (3)
the ring.

2.1.4 Calculate the mass of the ring. (6)

[13]

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QUESTION 3 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

A railway truck, fully laden with coal (total mass of 5000 kg), rests on a horizontal
track with the handbrake engaged (fig.1).
In order to offload the coal, the track is tilted to an angle of 20° to the horizontal.
The tailgate can now be opened to release the coal while the truck remains
stationary (fig 2).

3.1 Draw a labelled free body diagram of all the forces acting on the truck in
figure 2. Just before the coal is released. (3)

3.2 Calculate the frictional force that is preventing the truck from sliding down
the track in figure 2. (3)

3.3 If this frictional force, in 3.2, is the maximum static frictional force. Calculate
the coefficient of static friction between the truck and the track it is on.
(4)

3.4 What will happen to the truck if the track is tilted more (the angle is
increased)? Explain your answer. (2)
[12]

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QUESTION 4 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

A rocket (mass 20 000 kg) is accelerating at 25 m.s-2 upwards while launching into
space.The rocket's propulsion system consists of exhaust gases, which are pushed
out of an outlet at its base.

4.1 Explain, with reference to an appropriate law of Newton, how the escaping (3)
exhaust gases exert an upward force on the rocket.

4.2 State Newton’s second law of motion in words (2)

4.3 An astronaut of 80 kg is carried in the rocket. Determine the resultant force

acting on the astronaut. (2)

4.4 Briefly explain why the astronaut feels “heavier” while the rocket is being
launched. (2)
[9]

QUESTION 5 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

In the diagram below, trolley A with a mass of 0,78 kg is connected to mass piece B
with mass 0,1 kg by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley. A frictional
force of 0,1 N acts on the trolley as it moves on the surface.

5.1 Calculate the acceleration of the trolley. (6)

5.2 Calculate the tension force acting on the mass piece. (2)
[8]

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QUESTION 6 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

6.1 Lona has won a trip to the Moon in a science competition. The spaceship,
mass m, is on its way to the Moon from the Earth. The mass of the Earth is
given as Me and the mass of the Moon is given as Mm. The centre of the
Moon is a distance r from the centre of the Earth. At a certain distance x
from the Earth the spaceship experiences no resultant force.

6.1.1 State Newton’s Universal Gravitational law in words. (2)

6.1.1 Taking into account the Earth and Moon only, formulate an equation
which indicates that the distance x from Earth is independent of the
mass of the spaceship.

(Hint: Start by using Newton’s law of universal gravitation to find the

forces between the Earth and the spaceship; and the Moon and the
spaceship. A final manipulation to make x the subject of your
formula is not needed) (5)

6.1.2 On his way to the moon Lona is sent provisions by Irfaan using
space capsules. However, Irfaan’s calculations are incorrect and
two identical space capsules end up drifting in empty space.

The distance between the two capsules is 30 m and the

gravitational force between them is 2 x 10-7 N. Calculate the mass
of each of the capsules. (4)

6.2 A lift of mass 300 kg is initially at rest on the ground floor of a building.
Passengers with an unknown mass climb into the lift and the lift accelerates
upwards at 1,5 m.s-2.The cable supporting the lift applies a constant force of
7500 N. Ignore air friction.

6.2.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram of all the forces acting on the lift. (2)

6.2.2 Calculate the mass of the passengers in the lift. (6)

6.2.3 If the cable broke and the lift was free falling, what would the
apparent weight of the passengers be? (2)
[21]

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QUESTION 7 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

Three point charges are placed in close proximity to each other. The charges and
distances are indicated in the following diagram:

7.1 State Coulomb’s law in words. (2)

7.2 Calculate the net electrostatic force acting on Q2. (8)

[10]

QUESTION 8 (START ON A NEW PAGE)

Balloon A and Balloon B obtain similar charges by rubbing them with animal fur.
Each acquires an excess of 25 billion (25 x 109) electrons.

8.1 If the mass of each balloon is 1 g, calculate the distance between the
centres of the balloons if Balloon A is levitating above Balloon B. Assume
the balloons act as point charges. (6)

8.2 Define the term electric field. (2)

8.3 Calculate the electric field strength of the charge of Balloon A at Balloon
B’s position as it is levitating above it. (3)
[11]

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