A Level AQA Physics 3 hours 15 questions

Structured Questions

Use of SI Units & Their

Prefixes
SI Units / Powers of Ten / Estimating Physical Quantities

Easy (5 questions) /49 Scan here to return to the course

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Medium (5 questions) /59

Hard (5 questions) /54

Total Marks /162

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Easy Questions
1 (a) Scientists around the world use the same internationally agreed system of units. These
are called the fundamental (base) SI units and are listed in Table 1.

Table 1

Quantity Name Symbol

length

kilogram

ampere

temperature K

amount of substance mol

luminous intensity candela cd

Complete the missing quantities, names and symbols in Table 1.

Answer

One mark for each correct column:

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 Quantity Name Symbol

length metre m

mass kilogram kg

time second s

current ampere A

temperature Kelvin K

amount of substance mole mol

luminous intensity candela cd

[1 mark] [1 mark] [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

(b) Use the equation linking kinetic energy and speed to write 1 joule in SI unit.

Answer

kinetic energy [J] = mass [kg] × (speed)2 [m s–1]2 [1 mark]

1 Joule = kg m2 s–2 [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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(c) Use the equation Charge = Current × Time to write 1 coulomb in SI units.

Answer

Charge [C] = Current [A] × Time [s] [1 mark]

1 Coulomb = 1 A s [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(d) Use the equation Energy = Charge × Potential Difference to write 1 volt in SI units.

Answer

Energy [J] = Charge [C] × Potential Difference [V] [1 mark]

V = [J] [C]–1 = [kg m2 s–2] [A s]–1

1 Volt = 1 kg m2 s–3 A–1 [1 mark]

[Total: 2 marks]

Recall that potential difference is defined as the energy transferred per unit charge,
hence the units ‘J C–1’
(2 marks)

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2 (a) Write the following measurements in standard form:

9.3 MJ = __________ J

7.4 kW = __________ W

10 mm = __________ m

5.3 nC = __________ C

Answer

3 MJ = 9.3 × 106 J [1 mark]

7.4 kW = 7.4 × 103 W [1 mark]

10 mm = 1.0 × 10–2 m [1 mark]
5.3 nC = 5.3 × 10–9 C [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

Remember that standard form is written in the form a × 10n where a is a number
and n is the number of zeros if the number were written in full
(4 marks)

(b) Complete the names of the unit prefixes and their corresponding multiplier in Table 2.

Table 2

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 Unit prefix Multiplier

10–9

milli

109

1012

deci

kilo

10–6

Answer

One mark for each correct column:

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 Unit prefix Multiplier

nano 10–9

milli 10–3

Giga 109

Tera 1012

deci 10–1

kilo 103

micro 10–6

[1 mark] [1 mark]

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(c) Calculate how many times bigger 1 GJ is than 1 µJ.

Answer

1 GJ = 1 × 109 J [1 mark]
1 µJ = 1 × 10–6 J [1 mark
1 × 109 = 1 × 1015 [1 mark]
1 × 10−6

[Total: 3 marks]

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 Notice in this last part the units disappeared? That’s because we are now looking at
a ratio of how many times bigger something is, and ratios do not have units.
(3 marks)

(d) Calculate how many times smaller 1 nHz is than 1 kHz.

Answer

1 nHz = 1 × 10–9 Hz [1 mark]

1 kHz = 1 × 103 Hz [1 mark]
×
1 10−9
= 1 × 10–12 [1 mark]
×
1 103

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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3 (a) State the SI base unit for temperature.

Answer

Kelvin (K) [1 mark]

[Total: 1 mark]
(1 mark)

(b) Convert the following:

300 K to Celsius (ºC) = ............................ ºC

–70 ºC to Kelvin (K) = ............................ K

150 ºC to Kelvin (K) = ............................ K

Answer

Using the conversion: temperature (K) = temperature (ºC) + 273 K

300 – 273 = 27 ºC [1 mark]

–70 + 273 = 203 K [1 mark]

150 + 273 = 423 K [1 mark]
OR

Correctly states conversion factor; 273 K [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

(c) The temperature unit of Fahrenheit (ºF) is commonly used in the U.S.A.

9
Use the equation T ( °F =
)

5
T °C
( ) + 32 to convert the following into ºF:

50 ºC = ............................ ºF

–24 ºC = ............................ ºF

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 Answer

9
T °F = × 50°C + 32 = 122 °F [1 mark]
⎛ ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎜ ⎟
5
( )

⎝ ⎠

9
T °F = × − 24°C + 32 = − 11. 2 = − 11 °F [1 mark]
⎛ ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎜ ⎟
5
( )

⎝ ⎠

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(d) Wein’s law states that black-body radiation from stars with different surface
temperatures will peak at different wavelengths. The absolute temperature at any peak
wavelength is defined by the equation:

2 . 9 × 10−3
T = λ max

Where:

λ max is the peak emission wavelength (m)

T is the absolute temperature (K)

Our Sun has a peak wavelength in the visible range at around 500 nm.

Calculate the absolute temperature of the Sun in ºC.

Answer

Convert the wavelength into m:

λ max = 500 nm = 500 × 10−9 m [1 mark]

Calculate the absolute temperature of the Sun in K:

2 . 9 × 10−3
T = 500 × 10−9
= 5800 K [1 mark]

Convert the temperature to ºC:

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 temperature (K) = temperature (ºC) + 273 K

T °C
( ) = T K − 273 K
( )

T °C
( ) = 5800 − 273 = 5527 °C [1 mark]
[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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4 (a) UV rays travel at the speed of light and at a frequency of 900 × 1012 Hz.

Use the equation wavelength = velocity ÷ frequency to calculate the wavelength of the UV
ray in nm.

Answer

c
Using the equation in the question λ = (where c is the speed of light = 3 × 108 m s–1)
f

3 × 108
λ= = 3.33 × 10–7 m [1 mark]
900 × 1012

33 × 10–7 m = 333 × 10–9 m = 333 nm [1 mark]

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(b) UV rays travel from the Sun to the Earth in 500 ms.

State the relevant SI base unit for time and convert the given value to its base unit.

Answer

The SI base unit for time is seconds (s) [1 mark]

500 ms = 500 × 10–3 s = 0.5 s [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]

Be careful not to mistake m in this context for metres!

(2 marks)

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(c) Convert 1 year into seconds in standard form.

Answer

1 year = 60 s (1 minute) × 60 min (1 hour) × 24 hours (1 day) × 365 days (1 year) =

31536000 s [1 mark]
1 year = 31 536 000 = 3.2 × 107 s [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(d) A light year is the distance light travels in a year.

Use the equation distance = speed × time to calculate the value of 1 light year in km.

Answer

1 year = 31 536 000 s (from part c)

distance = (3 × 108) × 31 536 000 = 9.4608 × 1015 m [1 mark]

9.4608 × 1015 m = 9.5 × 1012 km (2 s. f.) [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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5 (a) Use the equation linking force and acceleration to write 1 Newton in SI units.

Answer

Force [N] = Mass [kg] × Acceleration [m s–2] [1 mark]

N = kg m s–2 [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(b) Use the equation Pressure = Force ÷ Area to write 1 Pascal in SI units.

Answer

Force ⎡⎢⎣ N ⎤⎥⎦

Pressure [Pa] = [1 mark]
Area ⎡⎢⎣ m 2 ⎤⎥⎦

N = kg m s–2 (from part a)

⎡
⎢ kg m s −2 ⎤⎥⎦
[Pa] =
⎣

⎢ m2 ⎥
⎡ ⎤
[1 mark]
⎣ ⎦

1 Pascal = kg m–1 s–2 [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]

Recall that
(3 marks)

(c) A ballet dancer applies a pressure of 1.7 × 104 Pa on an area of 0.3 m2 of a floor.

Use the equation Force = Pressure × Area to calculate the force applied in kN.

Answer

Force = (1.7 × 104 Pa) ×3 m2 = 5100 N [1 mark]

5100 N = 5.1 kN [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]

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 (2 marks)

(d) Write the following forces in order of decreasing magnitude:

1 MN, 1 mN, 1 pN, 1 TN

Answer

One mark for each correct position:

From largest to smallest:

1 TN (1 × 1012 N) [1 mark]
1 MN (1 × 106 N) [1 mark]

1 mN (1 × 10-3 N) [1 mark]
1 pN (1 × 10-12 N) [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

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Medium Questions
Charge
1 (a) Use the equation Capacitance = to write 1 Farad [F] in SI base
Potential Dif f erence
units.

Answer

Charge ⎡⎢⎣ C ⎤⎥⎦

Capacitance [F] =
Potential Dif f erence ⎡⎢⎣ V ⎤⎥⎦

Convert 1 C to SI units

Charge [C] = Current [A] ´ Time [s]

C = A s [1 mark]
Convert 1 V to SI units

Potential difference V = J C–1 = [kg m2 s–2] [A s]–1

V = kg m2 s–3 A–1 [1 mark]

Simplify units

A s ⎤⎥⎦
⎡

1F= = kg–1 m–2 s4 A2 [1 mark]

⎢
⎣

⎢ kg m 2 s −3 A −1 ⎥
⎡ ⎤
⎣ ⎦

[Total: 3 marks]

The derivation of the SI base units for potential difference is from its definition
‘Joules per coulomb of charge’
(3 marks)

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(b) A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 75μF is connected to a 5 kV power supply.

Using the equation Charge = Potential difference × Capacitance, calculate the charge
between the plates in mC.

Answer

Conversions:

Potential difference = 5 kV = 5 × 103 V [1 mark]

Capacitance = 75 µF = 75 × 10–6 F [1 mark]
Calculation

Charge = (5 ×103) × (75 × 10–6) = 0.375 C

Charge = 0.375 C = 0.38 C = 380 mC [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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(c) Write the following capacitance in order of increasing magnitude:

1 pF, 1 µF, 1 cF, 1 fF

Answer

1 pF = 1 × 10–12 F

1 µF = 1 × 10–6 F

1 cF = 1 × 10–2 F

1 fF = 1 × 10–15 F

One mark for each correct position: From smallest to largest:

1 fF [1 mark]
1 pF [1 mark]
1 µF [1 mark]
1 cF [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

1 Farad is a very large capacitance; therefore, unit prefixes are commonly used for
this unit in particular.
(4 marks)

(d) Estimate the current through an 1800 W kettle connected to a UK mains supply using the
equation Power = Potential difference × Current

Answer

Estimation:

UK mains power supply is around 230 V [1 mark]

Calculation:

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 Power 1800
Current = = = 7.8260 = 7.8 A [1 mark]
Potential dif f erence 230

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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2 (a) Convert the following measurements into standard form.

40000 kJ = ________________ J

0.23 GW = _______________ W

1.15 fm = ______________ m

72.6 pC = _______________ C

Answer

40000 kJ = 4.0 ×107 J [1 mark]

0.23 GW = 2.3 × 108 W [1 mark]

1.1 fm = 1.2 × 10–15 m [1 mark]
72.6 pC = 7.3 ×10–11 C [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

Remember that standard form is written in the form a × 10n where a is a number
and n is the number of zeros if the number were written in full.
(4 marks)

(b) X-rays from a pulsar travel at the speed of light and are detected on earth with a
wavelength of 5 nm.

Using an appropriate equation, calculate the frequency of the X-rays in THz.

Answer

Use of an appropriate equation:

Either:

Speed
Frequency = [1 mark]
Wavelength

OR

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 c
f= [1 mark] where c is the speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m s–1
λ

Calculation:

5 nm = 5.0 × 10–9 m [1 mark]

3 . 0 × 108
f= = 6.0 × 1016 Hz [1 mark]
5 . 0 × 10−9

6.0 × 1016 Hz = 6.0 × 104 THz [1 mark]

[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(c) X-rays from the nearest pulsar PSR J0109-1431 take 8.82 Gs to travel to Earth.

Calculate the time it takes for the X-rays to reach Earth in seconds.

Answer

8.82 Gs = 8.82 × 109 s [1 mark]

[Total: 1 mark]
(1 mark)

(d) Show the distance from Earth to PSR J0109-1431 is around 280 light years.

Answer

Distance = Speed × Time [1 mark]

X-rays travel at the speed of light = 3 × 108 m s–1

Time taken = 8.82 × 109 (from part c)

Distance = (3 ×108) × (8.82 × 109) = 2.646 × 1018 m [1 mark]

From data sheet: 1 light year = 9.46 × 1015 m

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 2 . 646 × 1018
=279.704 = 280 light years [1 mark]
9 . 46 × 1015

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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3 (a) Use the hydrostatic pressure equation to write 1 Pascal [Pa] in SI base units.

Answer

Equation for hydrostatic pressure:

Either:

Pressure = density × gravitational field strength × height [1 mark]

OR

P = ρ × g × h [1 mark]

Simplify units:

P [Pa] = ρ [kg m–3] × g [m s–2] × h [m] [1 mark]

[Pa] = [kg m–3] [m s–2] [m]

1 Pa = kg m–1 s–2 [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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(b) A box is placed on the floor. The area of the box in contact with the floor is 4.9 cm2. The
pressure exerted on the floor is 20 kPa.

Using the equation linking Pressure, Force and Area, calculate the force exerted by the
box on the floor.

Answer

Force – pressure equation:

Either:

Force = Pressure × Area [1 mark]

OR

F = P × A [1 mark]
Calculation:

Pressure = 20 kPa = 20 × 103 Pa [1 mark]

Area = 4.9 cm2 = 4.9 × 10–4 m2 [1 mark]

Force = (20 × 103) × (4.9 × 10–4) = 9.8 N [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(c) Atmospheric pressure on Earth is 101 325 Pa. The Mariana trench at the bottom of the
western Pacific Ocean has a pressure of around 110 MPa.

Calculate how many times larger the pressure of the Mariana trench is than the
atmospheric pressure on Earth.

Answer

110 MPa = 110 × 106 a [1 mark]

110 × 106
= 1085.62 = 1090 atmospheres [1 mark]
( )

Atmospheres =
101 325

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 [Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(d) Write the following in order of decreasing pressure:

Atmospheric pressure at the summit of Mount Everest

Surface pressure on the Moon

Atmospheric pressure ~ 101 kPa

Water pressure of an average garden hose

The Mariana trench ~ 110 MPa

Answer

In the order of decreasing pressure:

1. The Mariana trench ~ 110 MPa

2. Water pressure of an average garden hose ~ 300 kPa [1 mark]

3. Atmospheric pressure ~ 101 kPa

4. Atmospheric pressure at the summit of Mount Everest ~ 34 kPa [1 mark]

5. Surface pressure on the Moon ~ 3 ´ 10–19 Pa [1 mark]
[Total: 3 marks]

Note: you do not need to quote values of pressure in order to score marks here.
Since pressure is force per unit area, think carefully about the ratio of the force and
area. Although the Moon is a large surface area, the gravitational force on its surface
is very small hence a lower pressure. However, a garden hose ejects water from a
very small area with a large force equating to a very high pressure.

(3 marks)

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4 (a) Use the equation linking Power, Current and Potential difference to write 1 Watt [W] in SI
base units.

Answer

Electrical power equation:

Either:

Power = Potential Difference × Current [1 mark]

OR

P = V × I [1 mark]
Convert V to SI units

Potential difference [V] = [J C–1] = [kg m2 s–2] [A s]–1

V = kg m2 s–3 A–1 [1 mark]

Simplify units

P [W] = V [V] × I [A]

[W] = [kg m2 s–3 A–1] [A]

1 W = 1 kg m2 s–3 [1 mark]
[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

(b) Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy.

Using the equation linking Energy, Power and Time, convert 1 kWh to Joules.

Answer

Energy – power equation:

Either:

Energy = Power × Time [h] [1 mark]

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 OR

E = P × t [1 mark]
Convert to Joules:

E [kWh] = P [kW] × t [h] → E [J] = P [W] × t [s]

1 kW = 1000 W [1 mark]

1 h = 60 × 60 = 3600 s [1 mark]
1 kWh = 1000 W × 3600 s = 3 600 000 = 3.6 ´ 106 J [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(c) Convert your answer from part (b) into MJ.

Answer

3.6 × 106 J = 3.6 MJ [1 mark]

[Total: 1 mark]

You can obtain the mark here for the correct conversion, even if your answer to part
(b) is incorrect!
(1 mark)

(d) A 5.1 kW hair dryer is used for 45 minutes. The electricity bill is charged as 8 p per kWh
used.

Calculate the cost of using the hairdryer in pounds.

Answer

Energy [kWh] = Power [kW] × Time [h] (from part b)

45
45 minutes = = 0.75 hours [1 mark]
60

Energy in kWh = 5.1 × 0.75 = 3.825 kWh [1 mark]

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 8 p = £0.08 [1 mark]
Cost = 3.825 ×0.08 = £0.306 = £0.31 [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

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5 (a) Use the equation linking Force, Momentum and Time to write 1 Newton in SI units.

Answer

Force – momentum equation:

Either:

change in momentum
Force (= rate of change in momentum) = [1 mark]
time

OR

∆p
F=
∆ t [1 mark]
Simplify units

∆p ⎡
⎢
⎣
kg m s −1 ⎤⎥⎦
F [N] =
∆ t ⎡⎢⎣ s ⎤⎥⎦
N = kg m s–2 [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(b) To leave Earth, a rocket must travel at around 8 km s–1.

Calculate the thrust on a rocket which ejects 2.3 × 104 kg of waste gas per second to
leave Earth in MN. Show all your working clearly.

Answer

From part (a):

∆ p ∆ mv ∆ m
∆ t = ∆ t = ∆ t × V [1 mark]
⎛ ⎞
Force = Thrust = ⎜
⎜
⎟
⎟

⎝ ⎠

∆m
Mass ejected per second = = 2.3 × 104 kg per second [1 mark]
∆t
Speed v = 8 km s–1 = 8 × 103 m s–1 [1 mark]

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 The momentum of the ejected gas in one direction produces an equal and opposite
momentum on the rocket in the opposite direction.

Thrust = (3 × 104) × (8 × 103) = 184 × 106 N [1 mark]

Thrust = 184 × 106 N = 184 MN [1 mark]
[Total: 5 marks]
(5 marks)

(c) A rocket can hold 20 000 kg of material.

Calculate how many rockets would be needed to deliver 60 tonnes of material to a space
station.

Answer

Either:

1000 kg = 1 tonne

20 000 kg = 20 tonnes [1 mark]

60
= 3 rockets [1 mark]
20

OR

60 tonnes = 60 000 kg [1 mark]

60 000
= 3 rockets [1 mark]
20 000

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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(d) Estimate the impulse on a tennis ball travelling at 70 m s–1 as it hits a racket.

Answer

Impulse = rate of change of momentum = ∆p = m ∆ v

Estimation:

Mass of a tennis ball ≈ 55 g [1 mark]

Calculation:

Impulse = (55 × 10–3) × 70 = 3.9 kg m s–1 [1 mark]

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 (a) The Tesla, symbol T, is the unit of magnetic flux density.

Use the equation Force = Magnetic flux density × Current × Length write 1 Tesla in SI units.

Answer

Force ⎡⎢⎣ N ⎤⎥⎦

Magnetic flux density [T] = [1 mark]
Current ⎡⎢⎣ A ⎤⎥⎦ × Length ⎡⎢⎣ m ⎤⎥⎦

N = kg m s–2 (from F = ma) [1 mark]

⎡
⎢
⎣
kg m s −2 ⎤⎥⎦
[T] =
⎢A ⎥ ⎢ m ⎥
⎡ ⎤⎡ ⎤
⎣ ⎦⎣ ⎦

1 T = kg s–2 A–1 [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]

This equation is not introduced until the second year of the course; however, you
might be expected to deduce the units of any unfamiliar equation given some
additional information and your knowledge of AS quantities and equations.
(3 marks)

(b) Complete Table 1 by converting the following measurements into their appropriate SI
unit and express to an appropriate number of significant figures.

Table 1

Value SI Unit

7 kWh

81.6 hours

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 Answer

Value SI Unit

7 kWh 30 000 000 J

or 3 × 107 or Joule

81.6 hours 294 000 s

or 2.94 × 105 or second

Example of calculation:

1 kWh = 1000 W × 3600 s = 3.6 × 106 J [1 mark]

7 kWh = 7 × (3.6 × 106) = 2.52 × 107 J = 3 × 107 J (1 s. f) [1 mark]
Example of calculation:

1 hour = 3600 s [1 mark]

6 hours = 81.6 × 3600 = 293760 s = 2.94 × 105 s(3 s .f) [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(c) 1 eV is the amount of kinetic energy gained by a single electron accelerating from rest
through a potential difference of 1 V.

1 eV = 1.60 × 10-19 J.

Convert 0.01 kWh into TeV.

Answer

List the known quantities:

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 1 kWh = 3.6 × 106 J (from part b)

01 kWh = 0.01 × (3.6 × 106) = 36000 J (or 36 kJ) [1 mark]

Convert from J to eV:

36000
= = 2.25 ×1023 eV [1 mark]
1 . 60 × 10−19

Convert from eV to TeV:

2.25 × 1023 eV = 2.25 × 1011 TeV [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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2 (a) Convert the following measurements to the appropriate unit, and express to an
appropriate number of significant figures.

60000 GW = ____________ MW

25.8 µF = _____________ pF

0.19 fm = _____________ km

416 minutes = ____________ms

Answer

60000 GW = 6 × 107 MW (1 s .f.) [1 mark]

25.8 µF = 2.58 × 107 pF (3 s .f.) [1 mark]

0.19 fm = 1.9 × 10–19 km (2 s .f.) [1 mark]

416 minutes = 416× 60 = 24 960 s

24 960 s = 2.50 × 107 ms (3 s.f.) [1 mark]

[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(b) A sheet of silver has a thickness of 0.671 µm. A silver atom has a radius of 172 pm.

Suggest an approximation of how many layers of atoms there are in this sheet.

Answer

List the known quantities:

Thickness of sheet =0.671 µm = 0.671 × 10–6 m

Radius of silver atom = 172 pm = 172 × 10-12 m

Calculate diameter of silver atom in m:

Diameter of a silver atom = (172 × 10-12) × 2 = 344 × 10–12 m [1 mark]

Calculate number of layers:

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 0 . 671 × 10−6
=1950.58 = 2000 layers [1 mark]
344 × 10−12

[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(c) A silver block of volume 0.67 cm3 is used to a make a silver ring of mass 7 g.

State the appropriate SI unit for density and calculate the density of silver in this unit.

Answer

List the known quantities:

Volume of the silver block, V = 0.67 cm2 = 0.67 × 10–6 m3 [1 mark]

Mass of silver ring = 7 g = 7 × 10–3 kg [1 mark]

Convert cm3 into m3:

1 cm = 1 × 10–2 m

1 cm3 = (1 × 10–2)3 m3 = 1 × 10–6 m3

Calculate density of silver, ρ :

mass m
Density =
volume
or ρ =V = [1 mark]

7 × 10−3
ρ= = 10447.8 = 10500 kg m–3 [1 mark]
0 . 67 × 10−6

For final mark, must state correct SI unit (kg m–3)

[Total: 4 marks]

Remember that powers are multiplied when (ya)b = ya × b

(4 marks)

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3 (a) Tensile stress (σ) is defined as the force applied per unit cross-sectional area on a material.
The tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile stress a material can be
subjected to before fracturing.

The humerus bone is approximately cylindrical and has a tensile strength of 0.17 GPa
and a diameter of 20 mm.

Calculate the maximum force on the humerus bone before it fractures.

Answer

List the known quantities:

Tensile stress (or tensile stress) = 0.17 GPa = 0.17 × 109 Pa [1 mark]
Diameter of the bone = 20 mm = 20 × 10-3 m

Determine the equation for the force:

Force
Tensile stress =
Area

Therefore, Force = Tensile stress × Area [1 mark]

Calculate the cross-sectional area of the bone:

Cross-sectional area of a cylinder is a circle = πr2

20 × 10−3
r= = 10 × 10–3 m [1 mark]
2

Area = π × (10 × 10–3)2

Substitute values into force equation:

Force = (0.17 ×109) × π ×(10 × 10–3)2 = 53407 = 53 000 N or 53 kN [1 mark]

[Total: 4 marks]

Geometric equations (areas and volumes) of common shapes will be given on your
formula sheet. However, it is still a good habit to memorise them to make
calculations faster.

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 (4 marks)

(b) The femur bone is the strongest bone in the body. It has a tensile strength of 0.135 kN
mm–2.

Calculate the tensile strength of the femur bone in MPa.

Answer

List the known quantities:

Tensile strength = 0.135 kN mm-2

Convert kN into N:

0.135 kN mm–2 = 135 N mm–2 [1 mark]

Convert mm-2 into m-2:

1 mm = 1 × 10–3 m

1 mm–2 = (1 × 10–3) –2 m–2 = 1 × 106 m–2 [1 mark]

Convert N m-2 into MPa:

1 Pa = 1 N m–2

135 N mm–2 = 135 × (1 × 106) N m–2 = 135 × 106 Pa [1 mark]

135 × 106 Pa = 135 MPa [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

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(c) Calculate the number of cubic millimetres (mm3) in 15 km3

Answer

Convert km3 into mm3:

1 km = 1 × 106 mm [1 mark]
1 km3 = (1 × 106)3 mm3 = 1 × 1018 mm3 [1 mark]
Convert 15 km3 into mm3:

15 km3 = 15 × (1 × 1018) = 15 × 1018 mm3 [1 mark]

[Total: 3 marks]
(3 marks)

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4 (a) The distance time graph for a lorry travelling at constant speed is shown in Figure 1.

Calculate the speed of the lorry in m s–1.

Answer

Calculate the gradient from the graph:

dis tance
Speed = = gradient of a distance-time graph [1 mark]
time

120
Gradient = = 20 km hr–1 [1 mark]
6

Convert km hr-1 into m hr-1:

20 km hr–1 = 20 × 103 m hr–1 [1 mark]

Convert time to seconds:

1 hr = 60 × 60 = 3600 s

20 × 103
= 5.5 m s–1 [1 mark]
( )

Speed =
3600

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 [Total: 4 marks]

Remember to clearly state how a particular variable is represented on the graph,

since a mark is always allocated for this e.g. gradient = speed of the lorry.
(4 marks)

(b) The velocity-time graph of a different lorry is shown in Figure 2.

Calculate the distance the lorry travels in m.

Answer

Calculate the area under the graph:

Distance = velocity × time = area under the velocity - time graph [1 mark]
1
Area = × 3.5 km min-1 × 35 min = 61.25 km [1 mark]
2

Convert from km to m:

25 km = 61 000 m [1 mark]

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 [Total: 3 marks]

Remember to clearly state how a particular variable is represented on the graph,

since a mark is always allocated for this e.g. area under graph = distance travelled.
(3 marks)

(c) Calculate the acceleration of the lorry in Figure 2 into the appropriate SI unit.

Answer

Determine SI unit for acceleration:

SI unit of acceleration = m s–2

Calculate the gradient from the graph:

∆v
Acceleration = = gradient of the velocity - time graph [1 mark]
∆t
3.5
Gradient = = 0.1 km min–2 [1 mark]
35

1 km min–2 = 0.1 × 103 m min–2 [1 mark]

Convert minutes to seconds:

1 minute = 60 s

0 . 1 × 103
= 0.0277 = 0.03 m s–2 [1 mark]
( )

Acceleration =
60 × 60

[Total: 4 marks]

Always double check the units on the axes of any graph before doing any
calculations or reading off them and convert them if necessarily. This is a very
common mistake!
(4 marks)

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5 (a) Estimate the order of magnitude with an appropriate SI unit and correct prefix for the
following quantities in Table 1.

Table 1

Quantity Order of magnitude

Mass of an aeroplane

Radius of a proton

Current through an LED

Time between two heart beats

Answer

Quantity Order of magnitude

Mass of an aeroplane ~40 000 kg [1 mark]

Radius of a proton ~1 fm [1 mark]

Current through an LED ~10 mA [1 mark]

Time between two heart beats ~1000 ms [1 mark]

Acceptable ranges:

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 Mass of an aeroplane without fuel or cargo = 10 000 – 100 000 kg

Radius of a proton = 0.5 – 1 fm

Current through an LED (Light Emitting Diode): 1 – 20 mA

Time between two heart beats: 600 – 2000 ms or6 – 2.0 s

[Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

(b) The equation Energy = Mass × (Speed of light)2­demonstrates that energy and matter are
interchangeable.

1 u is the atomic mass unit and a common unit used in nuclear physics.

1 u is equal to 931.5 MeV, where 1 eV= 1.60 × 10-19 J .

Show that its value in kg is approximately equal to the mass of a proton in kg.

Answer

From data sheet:

Atomic mass unit, 1 u = 931.5 MeV

Convert 1 u to J:

5 MeV = 931.5 × 106 eV [1 mark]

1 eV = 1.60 × 10–19 J

(931.5 × 106) × (1.60 × 10-19) = 1.4904 × 10-10 J [1 mark]

Convert energy in J to mass in kg:

Energy [J] = mass [kg] ´ (speed of light [m s–1])2 [1 mark]

Energy ⎡⎢⎣ J ⎤⎥⎦
Mass [kg] =
Speed of light ⎡⎢⎣ m s −1 ⎤⎥⎦

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 1 . 4904 × 10−10
Mass = = 1.656 × 10-27 kg = 1.66 × 10-27 kg [1 mark]
( 3 . 0 × 10
)
8 2

Mass of a proton is 1.66 × 10-27 kg

[Total: 4 marks]

You will be expected to remember 1 eV = 1.60 × 10–19 J for your exam, however,
you will be given the charge on an electron e on your data sheet which is also equal
to 1.60 × 10–19 C
(4 marks)

(c) The cross-sectional area of nuclei is commonly measured in units of ‘barn’, symbol b.

1 barn = 100 fm2

Calculate the value of a nano barn (nb) in m2

Answer

Convert fm2 into m2:

1 fm = 1 ×10–15 m

1 fm2 = (1 × 10–15)2 m2 = 1 × 10–30 m2 [1 mark]

Calculate value of 1 barn in m2:

1 b = 100 fm2 = 100 × (1 × 10–30) m2 = 1 × 10–28 m2 [1 mark]

Calculate value of 1 nb in m2:

1 nb = 1 × 10–9 b [1 mark]
1 nb = (1 × 10–9) × (1 × 10–28) = 1 × 10–37 m2 [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

Just for interest, less commonly used units that exist are an ‘outhouse’ (1 µb) or a
‘shed’ (10–24 b). Particle physicists are clearly quite creative(!)
(4 marks)

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