8. In the circuit shown in Figure 8.

1, resistors R1 and R2 represent the heating elements in a heater using mains

supply. Both resistors are immersed in water.

heater

S
~ 220 V a.c.

Figure 8.1
water
R2 R1

The heater can be operated in two modes, namely, heating and keeping warm, and it is controlled by the
switch S. The power consumed by the heater in the heating mode is 550 W and in the mode of keeping
warm is 88 W. The mains voltage is 220 V a.c.

(a) In which mode is the heater operating when switch S is open ? (1 mark)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) Find the resistance of R1. (2 marks)

(c) When switch S is closed, calculate the current passing through resistor R2. (3 marks)

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2012-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 *(d) What is the peak value of the sinusoidal current flowing through the heater when switch S is closed ?
(2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2012-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 9. Read the following description about the ‘shaver supply unit’ in bathrooms and answer the questions that
follow.

The danger of electric shock is particularly high in bathrooms. Normal electric socket outlets
should not be installed in bathrooms. As electric shavers and toothbrushes are becoming
popular these days, a special unit, called ‘shaver supply unit’ is now common in bathrooms to
provide electricity just for these low power consumption electric appliances (Figure 9.1).

The shaver supply unit consists of a transformer in which the secondary is not earthed and is
completely isolated from the 220 V a.c. mains supply connecting to the primary. It can be used
with 220 V or 110 V shavers.

Shaver supply unit

Live

220 V a.c. 220 V

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

110 V

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Figure 9.1

Neutral
Panel of shaver
supply unit

(a) Explain why the chance of electric shock is high in bathrooms. (2 marks)

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2012-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (b) Explain what would happen if the human body touches

(i) the live wire of the mains supply in the primary circuit; (2 marks)

(ii) one of the conducting wires in the shaver circuit outlet. (2 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

*(c) What is the turns ratio of the primary coil to the secondary coil of the transformer so as to provide
110 V ? (1 mark)

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2012-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 10. You are given a long conducting wire, a pair of slab-shaped magnets on steel yoke and a light-beam
galvanometer for detecting small currents. With the aid of a diagram, describe an experiment to investigate
TWO factors affecting the e.m.f. induced in a conductor when it moves in a magnetic field. (7 marks)

light-beam
galvanometer

conducting
wire

slab-shaped magnets
on steel yoke

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2012-DSE-PHY 1B–18 18
 *4. An electron moving with speed 1.2 × 107 m s−1 enters a square region ABCD with a uniform magnetic field
of 0.01 T pointing into the paper as shown in Figure 4.1. The electron describes a quarter circle from A to
C and it emerges from C with the same speed. Neglect the effects of gravity.
A B
electron
P

Figure 4.1 uniform magnetic field

pointing into the paper

D C

(a) (i) Find the magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the electron at point P on its path. (2 marks)
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Indicate in Figure 4.1 the direction of the electron’s acceleration at the point P. (1 mark)

(b) Although the electron accelerates due to the magnetic force, explain why it emerges from the
magnetic field with the same speed. (2 marks)

(c) Deduce the speed of the electron when entering the magnetic field such that it would describe a semi-
circle from A to D instead. (2 marks)

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2013-DSE-PHY 1B–8 8
 10. (a) In the circuit shown in Figure 10.1, a 12 V battery of negligible internal resistance is connected with a
thermistor R and a resistor of resistance 120 Ω. The graph shows the variation of the thermistor’s
resistance with temperature.

Thermistor resistance
Thermistor’s resistance
300

250

R 200

Resistance /Ω
12 V
A 150

120 Ω 100

B 50

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

0
Figure 10.1 0 10 20 30 40 50

Temperature / o C

(i) Find the resistance of the thermistor R at 25 °C. (1 mark)

(ii) What is the potential difference VAB across A and B at 25 °C ? (2 marks)

(b) Kelly wants to confirm the above calculation by measuring VAB

using a voltmeter of about 1 kΩ resistance. She finds that the
reading registered is slightly different from the value found in R
12 V
(a) despite making careful measurements. Explain why this is
so. Suggest how the accuracy of the measurement could be A voltmeter
improved. (3 marks)
V
120 Ω

B
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2013-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (c) (i) The potential difference VAB is used to drive an electronic switch connected across AB to turn on
a fan if temperature rises above a certain value such that VAB is 6.0 V or above. Using the
information provided in the graph, find the minimum temperature needed to keep the fan on.
Show your working. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

12 V R

A
To electronic
switch
120 Ω

(ii) Without using additional components, complete the new circuit diagram below to illustrate how
the circuit can be modified to turn on a heating device when temperature falls below a certain
value. Explain the action of the circuit. No calculation is required. (3 marks)

12 V

To electronic
switch

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2013-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17
 11. Figure 11.1 shows two identical small metal spheres X and Y suspended by insulating threads of the same
length. Each sphere has a mass of 1.0×10−5 kg and each carries a positive charge of 3.1 nC (1 nC = 10−9 C).
The separation d of the spheres is 10 cm. The size of the spheres is negligible compared with their
separation, therefore they can be treated as point charges.
1
Take = 9 × 109 N m 2 C − 2 . (g = 9.81 m s−2)
4π ε 0

Figure 11.1
Diagram NOT drawn to scale

X Y
d =10 cm

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) Find the angle between the threads. (3 marks)

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2013-DSE-PHY 1B–18 18
 (b) Point P is vertically below the fixed point O and it is 10 cm from each sphere.

(i) Indicate the direction of the resultant electric field at P due to these two charged spheres.(1 mark)
O

Figure 11.2

X Y
d =10 cm

10 cm 10 cm

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

*(ii) Calculate the electric potential at point P. The electric potential at infinity is taken to be zero.
(2 marks)

(iii) A neutral metal sphere of finite size is now placed at P. State whether the separation d would
increase, decrease or remain unchanged due to the presence of this sphere. (1 mark)

Separation d .

END OF PAPER

Sources of materials used in this paper will be acknowledged in the Examination Report and Question Papers
published by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority at a later stage.

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2013-DSE-PHY 1B–19 19
 8. Electricity generated from power plants are transmitted at a high voltage through overhead cables in suburban
areas.

(a) Each overhead cable consists of 40 strands of identical transmission lines bundled together.

a strand of
transmission line of
an overhead cable

(i) One single strand of transmission line has a cross-sectional area of 1.3 × 10–5 m2 and resistivity
2.6 × 10–8 Ω m. Find the resistance per km of a single strand of transmission line. (2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Explain why the resistance per km of an overhead cable is much smaller than that of a single strand of
transmission line. Estimate the resistance per km of an overhead cable. (2 marks)

(iii) Hence, explain why a bird can stand with both feet on a high-voltage cable without getting an electric
shock. (2 marks)

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2015-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 *(b) Electrical power of 180 MW is transmitted at a voltage of 400 kV through an overhead cable.

(i) Calculate the current carried by the overhead cable. (2 marks)

(ii) Show that less than 0.1% of the electrical power is lost after transmitted through a total of 10 km of
overhead cable. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(iii) As the voltage drop across this overhead cable is negligible, a voltage of 400 kV at the cable’s end is
stepped down by an ideal transformer with turns ratio 12 :1.

(I) Find the secondary voltage from the transformer. (1 mark)

(II) State ONE factor leading to energy loss in a practical transformer and suggest the corresponding
measure for improvement. (2 marks)

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2015-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15
 9. Figure 9.1 shows a set-up for demonstrating one of Faraday’s discoveries. A light metal rod is free to rotate
about point P while its lower end just touches some conducting liquid in a metallic container.

Diagram NOT drawn to scale

Figure 9.1

A uniform magnetic field pointing into the paper is applied over the region ABCD containing part of the rod.
When switch S is closed, the rod ‘kicks’ out and leaves the liquid surface.
(a) State the direction (to the left / to the right / into the paper / out of the paper) that the rod ‘kicks’ and
describe the subsequent motion of the rod. (3 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) When switch S is closed, the initial moment about point P that makes the rod ‘kick’ out is 7.2 × 10–4 N m.
Assume that the magnetic force acts at the midpoint of the part of the rod within the magnetic field.
(i) Calculate the magnetic force acting on the rod at that instant. (2 marks)

(ii) Hence, find the strength B of the magnetic field if the current flowing through the rod is 3.2 A when
the circuit is closed. (2 marks)

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2015-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (c) Now the uniform magnetic field is removed and a bar magnet is placed underneath the container as shown
in Figure 9.2. The rod is held tilted at an angle to the vertical but with its lower end still in the conducting
liquid.

observer’s eye

Diagram NOT drawn to scale

Figure 9.2

(i) Sketch on Figure 9.2 the field lines around the rod due to the bar magnet. (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) After closing switch S and the rod is released from rest, describe its subsequent motion viewed from
above. (1 mark)

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2015-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17
 7. (a) The circuits in Figure 7.1 each contains two resistors connected in series with a 6 V battery of negligible
internal resistance. The resistors in circuit I are 10 k each while those in circuit II are 100  each.
6V 6V

circuit I circuit II
Figure 7.1
10 k 10 k 100  100 

V V
RV = 10 k RV = 10 k

A voltmeter of internal resistance RV = 10 k is used to measure the potential difference across one of the
resistors as shown.

(i) What would be the respective voltmeter readings ? (3 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) In fact, the potential difference across each resistor before connecting the voltmeter is 3 V in both
circuits. Explain why this voltmeter gives a relatively inaccurate value for circuit I. Hence state the
general principle of selecting a suitable voltmeter for such measurement. (2 marks)

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2016-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (b) Circuit III shows a possible method for measuring resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter. The
internal resistances of the voltmeter and the ammeter are RV and RA respectively and their readings Vm and
V
Im give the measured resistance Rm  m . The true resistance value of the resistor is R.
Im

RV
Figure 7.2 circuit III V

R RA
A

(i) State which reading(s), Vm, Im or both, do(es) NOT give the true voltage across the resistor and/or the
true current passing through the resistor. Hence write down an equation relating RA, Rm and R.
(2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Find the percentage error associated with Rm when measuring the resistance of this resistor.
Given: RV =10 kΩ, RA = 1 Ω and R = 10 Ω. (2 marks)

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2016-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 8. Read the following passage about lightning and answer the questions that follow.

thundercloud

lightning lightning
d
induced charges current
ground

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Lightning occurs when charges accumulate in the clouds to such an extent that the electric field in
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

the atmosphere is strong enough to cause the air to lose its insulating properties. The threshold
electric field for ‘breakdown’ to occur is about 3 × 105 V m1 above which electrons or ions in the
atmosphere can pass through the air between clouds and the ground or between clouds and clouds.
The peak current of a typical lightning bolt can reach about 30000 A. How the charges are
separated and accumulated in the clouds is not fully understood yet. In most cases, negative
charges are at the base of the cloud and positive charges are induced on the ground.

(a) (i) What is the meaning of ‘breakdown’ in the passage ? (1 mark)

*(ii) The thundercloud’s base and the ground can be modeled as two parallel plates with opposite charges.
If the negative charges distributed at the cloud’s base are about d = 2 km from the ground, find the
potential difference between the cloud and the ground when the electric field in the atmosphere just
reaches the threshold of ‘breakdown’. (2 marks)

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2016-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 A lightning detector having a small square coil inside is placed at point O which is 1.5 km from the lightning
bolt. The coil and the lightning’s direction are in the same vertical plane as shown. Assume that the lightning
current flows vertically upwards to the thundercloud from the ground.

Diagram NOT drawn

to scale
square coil
upward
lightning ×O
1.5 km
current

ground
(b) (i) State the direction of the magnetic field (to the left / to the right / into paper / out of paper) produced
at point O by the lightning current. Estimate the magnetic field strength’s peak value at O. (3 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Explain why within the very short duration of lightning an induced current first flows in the coil in a
certain direction and then reverses. Your answer should include the directions of the induced current
in the coil. (3 marks)

(iii) Among the physical quantities related to lightning, electric field in the atmosphere, lightning
current and magnetic field due to lightning, suggest which one can be monitored so as to give
fore-warning of lightning. Explain your choice. (2 marks)

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2016-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 8. A student uses the following apparatus to measure the resistance of a tungsten filament light bulb.

a battery, a switch, a variable resistor, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a light bulb

(a) Figure 8.1 shows an incomplete circuit for the experiment. The ‘+’ symbol represents the positive terminal
of the ammeter.
Use suitable circuit symbols to complete the circuit, and mark the positive terminal of the voltmeter
with ‘+’. (3 marks)

+
A

Figure 8.1
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The table below and Figure 8.2 show the results obtained.

Voltage across the light bulb V / V 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Current I / mA 0 76 112 126 133 139 170 226 273

300

250

200
current I / mA

150

Figure 8.2
100

50

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
voltage across the light bulb V / V

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2017-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (b) Briefly explain the variation of the resistance of the light bulb with the voltage across the light bulb.
(2 marks)

(c) The student claims that since the resistance of the light bulb is not a constant, the equation R = V/I cannot
be used to calculate the resistance of the light bulb. Briefly explain why his claim is wrong. (1 mark)

(d) Determine the resistance of the light bulb at V = 0.1 V and 2.5 V. (3 marks)
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(e) It is given that the cross-sectional area of the tungsten filament in the light bulb is 1.66 × 10−9 m2, and the
resistivity of tungsten at room temperature is about 5.6 × 10−8 Ω m. Estimate the length of the tungsten
filament in the light bulb using the appropriate resistance found in (d). (3 marks)

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2017-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 9. (a) Two long straight current carrying wires, P and Q, are parallel to each other and lie on the plane of the
paper as shown in Figure 9.1. The currents in the wires, IP and IQ, flow in the same direction.

wire P wire Q

Figure 9.1 IP IQ

left right

(i) State the direction (to the left / to the right / into the paper / out of the paper) of the magnetic field at Q
due to P. (1 mark)

(ii) In Figure 9.1, draw the direction of the magnetic force acting on Q due to P. (1 mark)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(iii) Show that the magnitude of the magnetic force per unit length Fl acting on Q due to P is
µ0 I P I Q
Fl = ,
2π r
where µ0 is the permeability of free space and r is the separation between the two wires. (3 marks)

(iv) For the magnetic force acting on Q due to P and the magnetic force acting on P due to Q, if IP ≠ IQ ,
briefly explain whether the two forces are equal in magnitude. (2 marks)

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2017-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (b) Figure 9.2 shows a metal slinky spring.

Figure 9.2

(i) If a direct current passes through the spring, briefly explain whether the spring will be compressed or
stretched due to magnetic force. (2 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) A student suggests that the spring will be compressed and stretched alternately due to magnetic force
when an alternating current passes through. Briefly explain why he is wrong. (1 mark)

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2017-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 8. (a) Figure 8.1 shows the schematic diagram of an electric heater which can operate in two modes, namely,
‘heating’ and ‘keeping warm’. The heating elements of resistances 4R and R are connected to the mains
supply via a 3-way switch with its two poles tied together. That is, both poles can be connected to one of
the three pairs of terminals X, Y or Z.
3-way switch
4R
X
metal case Y
of electric Z
heater
R
Figure 8.1 X
Y
Z
fuse
mains supply
∼

(i) To which pairs of terminals, X, Y or Z, should the switch connect to when the heater is in ‘heating’
mode ? (1 mark)

The power consumed by the heater in ‘heating’ mode is 800 W.

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Calculate the current drawn from the 220 V mains supply when the heater is in ‘heating’ mode.
(2 marks)

(iii) Find the power consumed by the heater in the mode of ‘keeping warm’. (3 marks)

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2018-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (b) Figure 8.2 shows a simplified domestic circuit connected to an electrical appliance via a fuse, a meter M, a
residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) and a switch.
metal case
of appliance
fuse M switch
X
L
RCCB
Figure 8.2
N
Y

(i) What physical quantity does the meter M record ? (1 mark)

(ii) An RCCB is a kind of safety device that cuts off the supply automatically whenever there is a small
difference between the currents in the live (L) and neutral (N) wires. State, in each of the following
situations, which device(s) will respond (i.e. the fuse blows and/or the RCCB cuts off the supply).
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(1) A short circuit occurs between points X and Y. (1 mark)

(2) A short circuit occurs between point Y and the metal case of the appliance. (1 mark)

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2018-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 9. (a) P
uniform
magnetic
field B

L v resistor
Figure 9.1

Figure 9.1 shows a metal rod PQ of length L moving with constant velocity v across a uniform magnetic
field B pointing out of the paper. An e.m.f. ξ is induced across rod PQ as it cuts the field lines. When the
rod is connected to a resistor outside the field, a current I flows in the circuit.

(i) Indicate the direction of I in Figure 9.1. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain why an external force F is required to maintain the uniform motion of rod PQ. Find F in
terms of the physical quantities given. (3 marks)
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(iii) This set-up works as a generator. By considering the mechanical power input by external force F to Answers written in the margins will not be marked.
the set-up, show that ξ = BLv. (2 marks)

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2018-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (b) At a certain place the Earth’s magnetic field runs along the S-N direction such that the field lines make an
angle θ with the horizontal as shown in Figure 9.2(a).
X
mast
Earth’s magnetic field N
NORTH W

Y
θ
E
horizontal
Figure 9.2(a) S Figure 9.2(b)

A ship with a vertical aluminium mast sails at sea along a straight course to the west as shown in
Figure 9.2(b). As a result, an e.m.f. is induced across the mast XY.
(i) Explain why it is only the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field that is cut by the mast
which gives rise to this induced e.m.f. (1 mark)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Given: length of mast XY = 20 m
speed of the ship = 6 m s−1
Earth’s magnetic field = 50 µT
θ = 30°
Referring to (a)(iii), calculate the e.m.f. induced across XY and state whether the distribution of free
electrons along the mast is more at end X, more at end Y or uniform along XY. (3 marks)

(iii) Suppose X and Y are connected by a cable running side-by-side with the mast so that they form a
complete circuit. Explain whether there will be a current passing through it. (2 marks)

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2018-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 7. You are provided with a battery (of fixed e.m.f. ξ and internal resistance r), a variable resistor (with several
known resistance values R to be selected), a switch, a voltmeter (assumed ideal) and a few connecting wires.

+ V −

(a) With the aid of a circuit diagram, describe the procedure of an experiment to study how the terminal
voltage V delivered by the battery depends on the resistance R connected to it. State ONE precaution of
the experiment. (5 marks)

(b) Describe the variation of V with R and express V in terms of ξ, r and R. (2 marks)

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2019-DSE-PHY 1B–12 12
 8. Figure 8.1 shows a household electrical wiring circuit. The mains cable (containing live wire L and
neutral wire N) is connected to a consumer unit via a kilowatt-hour meter M. At the consumer unit, the wires
branch out into a number of parallel circuits.

Consumer unit

M fuse K

30A 15A
To 220 V N
Earth
mains supply
L

Kitchen unit
Figure 8.1

mains socket Lighting set L1

(front view)

X Y Z
Lighting set L2

(a) Indicate on Figure 8.1 how the mains socket should be connected to wires X, Y and Z. (1 mark)
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(b) Lighting sets L1 and L2 of power ratings 300 W and 450 W respectively are connected in parallel to the
branch with fuse K.

(i) State one advantage of connecting L1 and L2 in parallel instead of in series to the branch. (1 mark)

(ii) If fuses marked 3 A, 5 A, 10 A and 13 A are available, which one is the most suitable to be fuse K ?
Explain your choice. (3 marks)

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2019-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (c) The kitchen unit includes the following electrical appliances:

rating effective time of operation

at rated value per day

a refrigerator 220 V, 500 W 8 hours

an electric kettle 220 V, 2000 W 0.5 hour
an induction cooker 220 V, 3000 W 2 hours

How much should be paid per day to run these appliances if 1 kW h of electrical energy costs $0.9 ?
(3 marks)
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2019-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 9. A rectangular coil PQRS of 20 turns, each having an area of 0.005 m2, is placed in a uniform magnetic field B
of strength 0.3 T pointing into the paper as shown in Figure 9.1.

× × × × × × ×
uniform magnetic field B
× × × × × × ×
P Q
× × × × × × ×
Figure 9.1 × × × × × × ×
× × × × × × ×
S R
× × × × × × ×
× × × × × × ×

(a) The strength of the magnetic field decreases uniformly to zero within 0.5 s.

(i) Explain why a current would be induced in the coil. (2 marks)

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*(ii) Calculate the change in total magnetic flux linkage through the coil and the value of the induced
e.m.f. ξ in the coil. (3 marks)

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2019-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (b) Now the coil is rotated uniformly about an axis through 180° as shown in Figures 9.2(a) and 9.2(b)
within 0.5 s.
uniform magnetic field B × × × × × × ×
× × × × × × ×
× × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
P Q S R
× × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
× × × × × × × × × × × × × × axis
× × × × × × × 180° × × × × × × ×
S R P Q
× × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
× × × × × × × × × × × × × ×

Figure 9.2(a) Figure 9.2(b)

(i) State the value of the change in total magnetic flux linkage through the coil in this case (1 mark)
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(ii) At the moment when the coil rotated through 90°, would the induced current flow in the direction
PQRS, PSRQ or is there no induced current in the coil ? (1 mark)

(c) Figure 9.3 shows a thin rectangular aluminium plate suspended by a long string. The plate is partly
inside a uniform magnetic field provided by a strong magnet.

aluminium plate × × × × ×
uniform magnetic field
Figure 9.3 × × × × ×
suddenly shifted to the right
× × × × ×
× × × × ×
× × × × ×

The magnet, which is not in contact with the plate, is suddenly shifted to the right.

(i) On Figure 9.3, draw a small circle at the location where eddy currents are induced on the
aluminium plate. Use an arrow to indicate the direction of current. (2 marks)

(ii) Describe the subsequent motion of the aluminium plate, if any. (1 mark)

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2019-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 7. Read the following passage about eddy currents and answer the questions that follow.

Eddy currents are induced by changing magnetic fields. They flow in closed loops in conductors like
swirling eddies in a stream, perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. They are commonly applied
in braking known as 'eddy braking'.
The heating effect of eddy currents is used in induction heating devices, such as induction cookers. The
resistance felt by the eddy currents in a conductor causes Joule heating. However, for applications like
motors and transformers, this heat is considered as a waste of energy and as such, eddy currents need to be
minimized.
Eddy currents can be removed by cracks or slits in the conductor, which prevent the current loops from
circulating. This means that eddy currents can be used in detecting defects in materials. The magnetic field
produced by the eddy currents is measured, where a change in the field reveals the presence of an irregularity
in the material.

(a) (i) In Figure 7.1, a permanent magnet with north pole facing downwards is held stationary. A metal sheet
moves past the magnet (the direction of movement is not shown) and eddy currents are induced as
shown. Briefly explain why eddy currents are induced and state whether the metal sheet is moving
forward, backward, towards the left or towards the right. (2 marks)

stationary
backward magnet

left~?
tf~right
·~
Figure 7.1 forward

(ii) State the energy changes in the process in which the metal sheet is slowing down to stop. (2 marks)

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2021-DSE-PHY 18-16 16
 (iii) Although eddy braking has the advantage of being contactless, traditional frictional braking cannot be
totally replaced by eddy braking. Why? (1 mark)

(b) An induction cooker of rating '220 V, 2000 W' operates for 15 minutes. How much should be paid if
1 kW h of electrical energy costs $1.1 ? (2.marks)

(c) State a method to minimize eddy currents produced in the iron cores of motors and transformers. (1 mark)

(d) Eddy currents can be used to detect defects in materials. When there is a crack in a material, how would
the magnetic field due to eddy currents change? Explain briefly. (2 marks)

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2021-DSE-PHY I B-17 17 I Go on to the next page>

 8. 0-10 rnA
R (1 kO)
A.-----t A t----,B

s (10 kQ)
,_____........,.c
Figure 8.1 D
~

y~ p X
t----oQ

Figure 8.1 shows a circuit for measuring the resistance of resistor X connected across P and Q. The resistance
of resistorS is 10 kO. The internal resistance of the 9 V cell and that of the ammeter are negligible.

(a) When the switch is closed, the ammeter reads 8.5 rnA.

(i) What is the p.d. between A and B? (2 marks)

(ii) Find the current passing through resistorS. (2 marks)

(iii) Indicate on Figure 8.1 the direction of current in each of the three branches via C. (2 marks)

(iv) Deduce the p.d. across resistor X Hence, find the resistance of X (3 marks)

(b) State the purpose of connecting resistor R in series with the ammeter. (1 mark)

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2021-DSE-PHY 113-18 18
 7. Read the following passage about magnetic field patterns and answer the questions that follow.

Iron filings are tiny pieces of iron nearly in powder form. Since iron is ferromagnetic, a magnetic field
would induce each piece of iron filings to become a ‘tiny bar magnet’. The south pole of each of these
‘tiny bar magnets’ attracts the north poles of neighbouring iron filings. The magnetic field pattern is
displayed as iron filings align themselves with the field lines.
The figure below shows such a pattern displayed on a cardboard with two identical bar magnets placed
underneath. A plotting compass placed at the bottom of the figure points to the top as shown.

top × P
Top view of
a plotting compass
left right
tip (N)
bottom needle
A B

tail (S)

plotting compass
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) (i) State the polarity of the respective poles at A and B of the bar magnets. (1 mark)

A:

B:

(ii) If the compass is moved to P, towards what direction (top, bottom, left or right) would it be pointing ?
(1 mark)

(iii) In obtaining such field patterns experimentally, one is advised to place the magnets underneath the
cardboard. Why ? (1 mark)

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2022-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (b) You are given a bar magnet (with polarities marked), 8 small plotting compasses, a pencil and a piece of
white paper as shown in Figure 7.1

plotting compasses

Figure 7.1 N

pencil
S bar magnet
paper

(i) Describe, with the aid of a diagram, how you would use the apparatus given to trace several field lines
around the bar magnet. Neglect the Earth’s magnetic field. (5 marks)

Top view
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

N S

(ii) Suggest ONE advantage of using a plotting-compass method over an iron-filing method in studying
magnetic fields. (1 mark)

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2022-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 8. (a) A student sets up the circuit in Figure 8.1 to find the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of a filament light
bulb.

low-resistance ammeter
A

P
S
Figure 8.1

PQ is a variable resistor in the circuit with sliding contact S. The bulb and a high-resistance voltmeter are
missing in the circuit.

(i) Use suitable circuit symbols to complete the circuit. (1 mark)

(ii) How would the brightness of the light bulb change when contact S is adjusted from P to Q ? (1 mark)
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) The graph below represents the I-V characteristic of this light bulb which has a rated voltage of 20 V.

I/A
0.6
0.5
0.4
Figure 8.2 0.3
0.2
0.1

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 V/V

(i) Find the resistance of the bulb when working under its rated voltage. (2 marks)

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2022-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (ii) Explain why the resistance of the bulb varies with the applied voltage V. (2 marks)

(c) The bulb L in (b) and a 40 Ω resistor are connected in series with a 20 V battery of negligible internal
resistance as shown in Figure 8.3.

20 V

Figure 8.3
40 Ω
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

L

The current I in the circuit and the voltage V across the bulb is related by I = 0.5 − 0.025V.

(i) Add a straight line on Figure 8.2 to determine the current I. (2 marks)

(ii) Hence estimate the power consumed by bulb L. (2 marks)

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2022-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 9. A square metal loop WXYZ of side length 0.10 m is inserted with a constant velocity v into a uniform magnetic
field of flux density 0.03 T. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of the loop as shown in Figure 9.1.
The resistance of each side of the metal loop is 0.15 Ω.
W X

× × × × ×
×Z × × × Y× uniform magnetic field
Figure 9.1 × × × × × of 0.03 T into the paper
× × ×v × ×
× × × × ×
× × × × ×

When the metal loop is entering the magnetic field, a current of 0.01 A flows in the loop.

(a) On Figure 9.1, indicate the direction of this current. (1 mark)

*(b) Find v. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(c) (i) Find the potential difference VYZ between Y and Z. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain whether VYZ is equal to the induced e.m.f. across YZ. (1 mark)

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2022-DSE-PHY 1B–18 18
 7. (a) A straight metallic wire of length 0.20 m and cross-sectional area 8.0 × 10−7 m2 has a resistance of 0.50 Ω.
Find the resistivity, in Ω m, of the material that the wire is made of. (2 marks)

(b) Four such metallic wires in (a) are joined together to form a square coil CDEF. The coil is connected to a
circuit consisting of a 1.5 V cell of negligible internal resistance and two identical resistors R1 and R2, each
of 2.0 Ω, as shown in Figure 7.1.

1.5 V

R1 (2.0 Ω) N R2 (2.0 Ω)
M O
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

1
Figure 7.1 2
S
C F 3

D E

(i) To which terminal (1, 2 or 3) should switch S be connected in order to have a maximum current flowing
through side CF of the coil ? (1 mark)

(ii) With S connected to terminal 2, find the equivalent resistance across MN. (2 marks)

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2023-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14
 (iii) With S connected to terminal 2, is the potential difference across R2 greater than, smaller than or equal
to that across R1 ? (1 mark)

(iv) With S connected to terminal 1, what is the power dissipated by the coil ? Give your reason. (2 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2023-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 8. A student conducts an experiment to study the force on a straight current-carrying wire placed between the poles
of a magnet providing a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the wire. An adjustable power source is
connected to the wire which is held horizontally by an insulated support placed on an electronic balance. The
variation of the magnetic force on the wire is registered by the balance.

conducting wire
L
B
magnet
magnet
observer
Figure 8.1 S
N
A
support
electronic power
balance source

−
OFF ON
ammeter

(a) On Figure 8.1, mark the positive (+) and negative (−) terminals of the ammeter. (1 mark)

(b) Figure 8.2 shows the side view of the wire AB seen by the observer. On the figure, draw the magnetic field
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

provided by the magnet and indicate the directions of the current I and magnetic force FB on the wire.
(3 marks)

straight conducting wire

A B
Figure 8.2

cross-section of
the magnetic pole

(c) Complete the table below to indicate how each of the factors listed would affect the magnitude of the
magnetic force FB (increase, decrease or unchanged). (3 marks)

magnetic force FB
using a stronger magnet of the same dimensions
using another support such that the position of
the horizontal wire is slightly lowered
using a longer wire while the current is kept unchanged

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2023-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16
 (d) The graph below is plotted by using the experimental data obtained.

balance reading / g

3.0
×
×
×
2.0
×
×
×
1.0
×

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 current / A

(i) Describe the corresponding experimental procedures to be carried out. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Describe how the balance reading varies with the current as revealed by the graph. (1 mark)

(iii) Explain why the graph does not pass through the origin when the current is zero. (1 mark)

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2023-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page