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1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

Question Paper

Course Cambridge O Level Physics

Section 1. Motion, Forces & Energy
Topic 1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques
Difficulty Hard

Time Allowed 50
Score /40
Percentage /100

Page 1 of 10

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Question 1a
A student uses a stopwatch in a timing experiment.
Fig. 1.1 shows the stopwatch readings.

Calculate the time interval between the two readings.

time interval = ...................................................... s

[2 marks]

Question 1b
A device has a light-emitting diode (LED) that flashes briefly at regular intervals.
Describe how to determine accurately the average time for each interval, using a stopwatch.
[4 marks]

Page 2 of 10

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Question 2a
A student places 8 similar coins in a pile, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

The height of the pile of coins is 2.4 cm.

Calculate the average thickness of one coin.
average thickness = .................................................. cm
[2 marks]

Page 3 of 10

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Question 2b
Fig. 1.2 shows the pile of coins, a measuring cylinder and a beaker containing some water.

Describe how the student can measure the volume of one of the coins using the set-up shown in Fig. 1.2.
[4 marks]

Page 4 of 10

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Question 3a
An object of weight W is suspended by two ropes from a beam, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1
The tensions in the ropes are 45.6 N and 81.1 N, as shown.

Using a scale of 1 cm = 10 N, make a scale drawing to show the resultant force of the two tensions.
Clearly label the resultant force.
[4 marks]

Page 5 of 10

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Question 3b
Using your scale diagram from part (a), find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

magnitude of resultant force = ....................................

direction of resultant force = ....................................
[2 marks]

Question 3c
State the value of W.

W = ....................................
[1 mark]

Question 3d
State another vector quantity other than a type of force.
[1 mark]

Question 4a
State the definition of a vector quantity.
[1 mark]

Page 6 of 10

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Question 4b
Extended Only

A list of vector quantities and their SI units are given in the following table.

Quantity SI unit
weight
m/s
N m/s
gravitational field strength

Complete the information missing from the table.

[4 marks]

Page 7 of 10

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Question 4c
Extended Only

A horizontal force of 136 N to the right, and a vertical downward force of 54 N act on an object perpendicularly to one
another.
By use of a scale diagram (not by calculation) determine the magnitude of the resultant force.

magnitude of resultant force = ....................................

[4 marks]

Question 4d
Using the information from part (c), determine the direction of the resultant force.

direction of resultant force = .................................... from the horizontal

[2 marks]

Page 8 of 10

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Question 5a
A bucket of water hangs from a rope attached to a pole as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1
The tension force, T = 31 N and the ropes are perpendicular to one another.

Calculate the magnitude of the downward force acting on the bucket of water.

magnitude of downward force = ....................................

[4 marks]

Page 9 of 10

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Question 5b
State the name of the downward force acting on the bucket.
[1 mark]

Question 5c
Weight is a vector quantity. Name one other vector quantity.
[1 mark]

Question 5d
The bucket has a mass of 0.65 kg.
Calculate the mass of the water in the bucket.
[3 marks]

Page 10 of 10

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