1

5
1 A train of mass 5.6 × 10 kg is at rest in a station.

At time t = 0 s, a resultant force acts on the train and it starts to accelerate forwards.

The graph is the distance-time graph for the train for the first 120 s.

(a) (i) Use the distance-time graph to determine the average speed of the train during the
120 s.

average speed = .............................................. [1]

(ii) Use the distance-time graph to determine the speed of the train at time t = 100 s.

speed = .............................................. [2]

 2

(iii) Describe how the acceleration of the train at time t = 100 s differs from the acceleration
at time t = 20 s.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [2]
2
(b) (i) The initial acceleration of the train is 0.75 m / s .

Calculate the resultant force that acts on the train at this time.

resultant force = .............................................. [2]

(ii) At time t = 120 s, the train begins to decelerate.

State what is meant by deceleration.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 8]

2 A student determines the speed of three cars on a straight road.

The student measured the time for the cars to travel 50 m.

(a) The table shows the measurements.

car distance travelled / m time taken / s

A 50 3.2

B 50 4.0

C 50 3.6
 3

(i) Without calculation, identify the fastest car and the slowest car.

Complete the table.

car

the fastest car

the slowest car

[2]

(ii) Calculate the speed of car B.

speed = ............................................................. m / s [3]

(b) (i) Estimate the time, in minutes, for car C to travel 5000 m.

estimated time = ............................ minutes [2]

(ii) Explain why your answer in (b)(i) may not be the same as the actual time taken for the
car to travel 5000 m.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 8]

3 A woman drives a car from town A to town B. She stops at a garage during her journey.

The distance-time graph for the journey is shown on the graph.

 4

(a) (i) Determine the total time for the whole journey.

time = ................................................. h [1]

(ii) Determine the time for which the car is not moving.

time = ................................................. h [1]

(iii) Determine the distance between town A and town B.

distance = ........................................ km [1]

(iv) Calculate the average speed of the car between 0 and 0.75 h.

average speed = ..........................km / h [3]

(b) The speed of the car before stopping at the garage is different from its speed after stopping
at the garage.

Describe this difference in speed and explain how the graph shows it.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 8]

4 A rifle fires a bullet of mass 0.020 kg vertically upwards through the air. As it leaves the rifle, the
speed of the bullet is 350 m / s.

(a) Calculate
 5

(i) the kinetic energy of the bullet as it leaves the rifle,

kinetic energy = .............................................. [3]

(ii) the maximum possible height that the bullet can reach.

maximum height = .............................................. [2]

(b) The actual height reached by the bullet is less than the value calculated in (a)(ii).

(i) Explain, in terms of the forces acting on the bullet, why this is so.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) As the bullet rises through the air, its kinetic energy decreases.

State what happens to this energy.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [2]

[Total: 9]

5 A diver climbs some steps on to a fixed platform above the surface of the water in a swimming-pool.

He dives into the pool. The figure below shows the diver about to enter the water.
 6

8.0 m

The mass of the diver is 65 kg. The platform is 8.0 m above the surface of the water.

(a) Calculate

(i) the increase in the gravitational potential energy of the diver when he climbs up to the
platform.

increase in gravitational potential energy = ....................................................... [1]

(ii) the speed with which the diver hits the surface of the water. Ignore any effects of air
resistance.

speed = ....................................................... [4]

 7

(b) In another dive from the same platform, the diver performs a somersault during the descent.
He straightens, and again enters the water as shown in the figure above.

Discuss whether the speed of entry into the water is greater than, less than or equal to the
speed calculated in (a)(ii). Ignore any effects of air resistance.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 8]

6 The diagram shows a plastic cup. The cup contains sand, an electric heater and a thermometer.

The power of the heater is 50 W. The mass of the sand in the cup is 550 g. The initial temperature
of the sand is 20 °C. The heater is switched on for 2.0 minutes. The temperature is recorded until
the temperature stops increasing. The highest temperature recorded by the thermometer is 33 °C.

(a) Calculate the energy supplied by the heater.

energy = .............................................. [2]

(b) Calculate a value for the specific heat capacity of the sand, using your answer to (a) and the
data in the question.

specific heat capacity = .............................................. [3]

 8

(c) Explain why the specific heat capacity of sand may be different from the value calculated in
(b).

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

7 Water is held behind a dam in a hydroelectric power scheme.

The water is released from the dam and falls a vertical height of 410 m at a rate of 480 kg / s.

(a) Calculate the rate at which energy is transferred by the falling water.

rate of energy transfer = .............................................. [3]

(b) The power scheme supplies a current of 270 A at a voltage of 6000 V.

Calculate the efficiency of the power scheme.

efficiency = .............................................. % [3]

[Total: 6]

8 A student is studying elephants.The diagram shows an elephant.

 9

(a) The student measures the elephant and records the values, as shown in the table.

Complete the table by adding a suitable unit for each measurement. Choose the units from
those shown in the box.

2 2 2
m kg cm mm g m cm mg mm

measurements value unit

mass of elephant 4000

height of elephant 3.0

average area of an elephant’s foot 0.125

[2]

(b) Using information from the table in (a):

(i) calculate the weight of the elephant

weight = .............................................. N [3]

 10

(ii) calculate the pressure the elephant exerts on the ground when it is standing on four
feet. Include a unit.

pressure = .............................................. [4]

[Total: 9]

9 All the sides of a plastic cube are 8.0 cm long. The diagram shows the cube, (not to scale).

The mass of the cube is 0.44 kg.

(a) Explain what is meant by mass.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) (i) Calculate the density of the plastic from which the cube is made.

density = ............................................................. [2]

 11

(ii) The density of one type of oil is 850 kg / m3.

State and explain whether the cube floats or sinks when placed in a container of this
oil.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(c) On the Moon, the weight of the cube is 0.70 N.

(i) Calculate the gravitational field strength on the Moon.

gravitational field strength = ................................................... [2]

(ii) In a laboratory on the Moon, the plastic cube is held stationary, using a clamp, in a
3
beaker of the oil of density 850 kg / m .

The arrangement is shown in the diagram.

The lower face of the cube is 3.0 cm below the surface of the oil.

Use your answer to (c)(i) to calculate the pressure due to the oil on the lower face of
the cube.

pressure = .......................................................... [2]

 12

[Total: 8]

10 The diagram shows the top view of a rectangular paddling pool of constant depth. The pool is filled
with sea water.

3
(a) The volume of the sea water in the pool is 264 m .

Calculate the depth of the pool.

depth = .............................................. [3]

5
(b) The mass of the sea water in the pool is 2.70 × 10 kg.

Calculate the density of the sea water. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

density = .............................................. [2]

(c) Calculate the pressure due to the sea water at the bottom of the pool.

pressure = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 7]
 13

11 A cube of side 0.040 m is floating in a container of liquid. The diagram shows that the surface of
the liquid is 0.028 m above the level of the bottom face of the cube.

The pressure of the air above the cube exerts a force on the top face of the cube. The valve is
closed.
3
(a) The density of the liquid in the container is 1500 kg / m .

Calculate:

(i) the pressure due to the liquid at a depth of 0.028 m

pressure = .............................................. [2]

(ii) the force on the bottom face of the cube caused by the pressure due to the liquid.

force = .............................................. [2]

(b) The valve is opened and liquid is pumped into the container. The surface of the liquid rises a
distance of 0.034 m.

The cube remains floating in the liquid with its bottom face 0.028 m below the surface of the
liquid.
 14

(i) Calculate the work done on the cube by the force in (a)(ii).

work done = .............................................. [2]

(ii) Suggest one reason why this is not an efficient method of lifting up the cube.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 7]

12 The figure shows a uniform, rectangular slab of concrete ABCD standing upright on the ground.
The slab has height 0.60 m, width 0.30 m and mass 18 kg. A force of 40 N acts horizontally to the
left at B.

A B
40 N

0.60 m

D C
0.30 m

(a) (i) Calculate the weight W of the concrete slab.

W = ....................................................... [1]
 15

(ii) The thickness of the slab is 0.040 m.

Calculate the pressure exerted by the slab on the ground.

pressure = ....................................................... [2]

(b) (i) On the figure, draw and label an arrow to show the weight W of the slab acting at its
centre of mass. [1]
(ii) Calculate the moment of the 40 N force about point D.

moment = ....................................................... [2]

(iii) Calculate the moment of W about point D.

moment = ....................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]
 16

13 The diagram shows a woman pushing a trolley across the floor.

trolley

120 N 90 N

The total weight of the trolley and boxes is 900 N.

2
The area of each wheel in contact with the ground is 8.0 cm . The trolley has four wheels.

Calculate the pressure on the ground due to the total weight of the trolley and boxes. Include the
correct unit in your answer.

pressure on the ground = ............................... unit ........................... [5]

[Total: 5]

14 The diagram shows a balloon filled with helium that is used to lift measuring instruments to a great
height above the Earth’s surface.
 17

(a) Explain, in terms of momentum, how the atoms of helium produce a force on the wall of the
balloon.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]
5
(b) At ground level, the pressure of the helium in the balloon is 1.0 × 10 Pa. The volume occupied
3
by the helium is 9.6 m .

The balloon is released and it rises quickly through the atmosphere. The volume occupied by
the helium increases, but the temperature of the helium may be assumed to stay constant.

(i) Explain, in terms of the helium atoms in the balloon, why the pressure in the balloon is
smaller than at ground level.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [2]
3
(ii) Calculate the pressure of the helium when it occupies a volume of 12 m .

pressure = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 7]

15 A beaker contains water at room temperature. The diagram shows the beaker placed on a tripod
above a Bunsen burner.
 18

The Bunsen burner is lit and the temperature of the water begins to increase.

(a) The water is evaporating.

(i) Describe one difference between evaporation and boiling.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) State and explain what happens to the rate at which the water evaporates as its
temperature increases.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(b) After a few minutes, the water reaches its boiling point temperature. The water continues to
gain energy from the Bunsen burner.

(i) State what happens to the temperature of the water in the beaker.

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]
 19

6
(ii) The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water is 2.3 x 10 J / kg. After the water reaches
its boiling point, it takes 12 minutes for 0.095 kg of water to boil away.

Calculate the average rate at which energy is being supplied to the water by heating.

rate of energy supplied = ................................................. [3]

[Total: 7]

16 A teacher fills a copper can with solid wax and heats the can. She continues heating once the wax
has melted and stops heating when the wax is boiling.

Describe the molecular structure of the wax in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion
of its molecules when it is a solid and when it is a gas.

solid wax ..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

wax as a gas ............................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [6]

[Total: 6]

17 The diagram shows a cylinder and piston.

3
The volume of gas in the cylinder is 3400 cm .
5
The pressure of the gas in the cylinder is 0.90 × 10 Pa.
 20

(a) The piston is moved to the left and fixed in a new position. The pressure of the gas in the
5
cylinder increases to 2.5 × 10 Pa. Assume that the temperature of the gas does not change.

Calculate the new volume of the gas.

volume = .............................................. [3]

(b) The gas in the cylinder is now heated. The piston remains fixed in the same position as in (a).

State and explain, in terms of molecules, any change in the pressure of the gas.

statement ..........................................................................................................................

explanation .......................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 6]

18 The diagram shows workers pouring liquid metal.

 21

(a) The metal changes from hot liquid to cool solid.

Describe what happens to the arrangement, separation and motion of the atoms as the metal
changes from hot liquid to cool solid.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) The workers cool their tools in water. They spill some water onto the floor but later the floor is
dry.

Explain what happens to the water. State the name of the process.

explanation .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

process ............................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 6]
3
19 A bowl contains 500 cm of water at a temperature of 5.0 °C. The bowl of water is placed in a freezer
for several hours. When the bowl is removed from the freezer, it contains ice at a temperature of
3
–18.0 °C. The density of water is 1000 kg / m .

(a) Calculate the mass of water in the bowl when it is placed in the freezer.

mass = .............................................. [2]

 22

(b) The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). The specific heat capacity of ice is
5
2100 J / (kg °C). The specific latent heat of fusion of water is 3.3 × 10 J / kg.

Calculate the energy given out as the water cools from 5.0 °C to ice at –18.0 °C.

energy = .............................................. [5]

[Total: 7]

20 The diagram shows a kitchen tap that supplies instant boiling water.

Cold water passes over an electric immersion heater inside the tap.

The boiling point of water is 100 °C.

(a) The immersion heater is powered by the mains at a voltage of 230 V. When the tap is opened,
the heater switches on and the current in the heater is 13 A.

Calculate the thermal energy produced by the heater in 60 s.

thermal energy = .............................................. [2]

 23

(b) The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C). The cold water that enters the tap is at
22 °C.

Calculate the rate at which water at its boiling point emerges from the tap.

rate = .............................................. [4]

[Total: 6]

21 In a laboratory at normal room temperature, 200 g of water is poured into a beaker. A thermometer
placed in the water has a reading of 22 °C.

Small pieces of ice at 0 °C are added to the water one by one. The mixture is stirred after each
addition until the ice has melted. This process is continued until the temperature recorded by the
thermometer is 0 °C.

The total mass of ice added to the water is found to be 60 g.

(a) The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J / (g °C).

Calculate the thermal energy lost by the water originally in the beaker.

thermal energy = .............................................. [2]

(b) Assume that all the thermal energy lost by the water originally in the beaker is transferred to
the ice.

Calculate the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

specific latent heat of fusion of ice = .............................................. [2]

 24

(c) Suggest a reason for any inaccuracy in the value of the specific latent heat of fusion of ice
calculated in (b). Assume the temperature readings and the values for the mass of the water
and the mass of the ice are accurate.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

22 An electric kettle contains 600 g of water at 20 °C. The heater in the kettle operates at 240 V. The
specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / (kg °C).

The current in the heater is 12 A.

(a) Calculate the time taken for the temperature of the water to rise to 100 °C.

time = .......................................................... [4]

(b) State one assumption you made in your calculation in (a).

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]
3 3
23 A sample of sand has a volume of 0.050 m . The density of the sand is 1900 kg / m . The specific
heat capacity of the sand is 1500 J / (kg °C).

(a) Calculate the mass of the sample of sand.

mass = ..................................................... [2]

 25

(b) Calculate the thermal capacity of the sample of sand.

thermal capacity = ..................................................... [2]

[Total: 4]

24 The diagram shows two similar metal cans. The only difference is the surface. Can A has a dull
black surface and can B has a shiny white surface.

(a) A student fills each can with hot water. The initial temperature of the water is 85 °C.

The student records the temperature of the water in each can every 30 seconds for 10 minutes.

Suggest which can of water will cool more quickly. Give a reason for your answer.

suggestion ........................................................................................................................

reason ...............................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Suggest and explain two changes to can B that reduce thermal energy loss to the surroundings.

change 1............................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

change 2 ...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]

[Total: 6]
 26

25 An electrical heater is placed on the floor of a room in a house. The heater is switched on.

The heater has a power of 1.5 kW. The air in the room has a mass of 65 kg. The specific heat
capacity of air is 720 J / (kg °C).

(a) Calculate the time it takes for this heater to raise the temperature of the air in the room from
8.0 °C to 15.0 °C.

time = .............................................. [4]

(b) State two reasons why the time calculated in (a) is smaller than the actual time taken to raise
the temperature of the air in the room from 8.0 °C to 15.0 °C.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 6]

26 A student investigates the thermal energy lost from two metal cans, X and Y. The cans are identical
apart from their outside colour.

The student pours the same volume of hot water into each can and seals each can. The student
records the temperature of the water in each can at regular time intervals for a period of 35 minutes.

The equipment is shown in the diagram.

 27

The results of the investigation are shown in the graph.

(a) For can X, use the graph to determine the drop in temperature of the water

(i) in the first five minutes

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) in the last five minutes.

................................................................................................................................ [1]
 28

(b) Explain why the water cools at a greater rate during the first five minutes of the experiment,
compared with the last five minutes.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The outside of one can is dull black and the outside of the other is shiny white.

State the colour of can Y. ..................................................................................................

Explain your answer. ........................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 6]

27 A cup made from plastic, containing a hot drink, is shown in the diagram.

(a) State the term given to materials that reduce the transfer of thermal energy.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
 29

(b) The hot drink gradually cools.

Describe and explain two processes by which thermal energy is transferred from the hot drink.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [5]

[Total: 6]
 30

28 The diagram shows a cross-section of the inside of a vacuum flask containing a cold liquid. The
walls of the vacuum flask are made of glass.

The vacuum flask is being used to keep a liquid cool on a hot day.

Explain how the labelled features of the vacuum flask keep the liquid cool by reducing thermal
energy transfer. Include the names of the processes involved.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [5]

[Total: 5]

29 The figure shows a domestic hot water system.

 31

to taps
metal
storage
water tank

jacket heater

from
water
supply

The heater is placed at the bottom of the storage tank.

(a) Explain how the water at the top of the storage tank becomes hot. Include the word
density in your answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) State the name given to this process.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 4]