Question 1(Subtopic Code: 1.1)
Which piece of apparatus is used to measure the length of a copper rod of length approximately 2 cm?
A. digital timer
B. measuring cylinder
C. ruler
D. balance
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. ruler
Explanation: A ruler is the appropriate tool for measuring the length of a small object like a copper rod. Digital timers measure time, measuring cylinders measure volume, and balances measure mass.
Question 2(Subtopic Code: 1.2)
The speed–time graph shows the motion of an object.
How far does the object travel at constant speed?
A. 25 m
B. 50 m
C. 75 m
D. 125 m
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 50 m
Explanation: The distance traveled at constant speed can be calculated by finding the area under the speed-time graph during the constant speed phase. If the speed is 10 m/s for 5 seconds, the distance is 10 m/s * 5 s = 50 m.
Question 3(Subtopic Code: 1.2)
A rock falls off a cliff onto a beach. The effect of air resistance on the rock is negligible.
Which row describes the acceleration and speed of the rock as it falls?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. constant, increasing
Explanation: In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the rock is constant due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). As the rock falls, its speed increases over time because it is accelerating.
Question 4(Subtopic Code: 1.3)
Two rectangular blocks consist of different materials.
Four different methods are suggested to compare the two masses.
- Compare the accelerations with which they fall freely.
- Compare the values of their lengths × breadths × heights.
- Hang each in turn from the same spring. Compare the extensions.
- Place one in the right-hand pan of a beam balance and the other in the left-hand pan.
Which methods give a comparison of the two masses?
A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 4 only
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Methods 3 (hanging each in turn from the same spring and comparing the extensions) and 4 (using a beam balance) directly compare the masses. Methods 1 and 2 do not provide a direct comparison of mass.
Question 5(Subtopic Code: 1.4)
A measuring cylinder containing 50 cm³ of water is put on a balance.
A solid object is put in the cylinder and the water level rises to 75 cm³.
What is the density of the object?
A. 0.80 g/cm³
B. 2.4 g/cm³
C. 2.8 g/cm³
D. 8.4 g/cm³
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 2.4 g/cm³
Explanation: The volume of the object is 75 cm³ – 50 cm³ = 25 cm³. If the mass of the object is 60 g, then the density is mass/volume = 60 g / 25 cm³ = 2.4 g/cm³.
Question 6(Subtopic Code: 1.5)
A cyclist is travelling in a straight line along a horizontal road at a constant speed.
A constant driving force F acts on the cyclist in the forward direction shown.
Which statement about the magnitude of the frictional forces acting on the cyclist is correct?
A. The magnitude is equal to F.
B. The magnitude is smaller than F, but greater than zero.
C. The magnitude is greater than F.
D. The magnitude is zero.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. The magnitude is equal to F.
Explanation: Since the cyclist is moving at a constant speed, the net force acting on the cyclist is zero. Therefore, the frictional force must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the driving force F.
Question 7(Subtopic Code: 1.5)
A beam is pivoted at P. A force is applied to the beam. Which distance is multiplied by the force to give the moment of the force about P?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The moment of a force about a pivot is calculated by multiplying the force by the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force. In this case, distance A is the perpendicular distance.
Question 8(Subtopic Code: 1.5)
The diagram shows an unbalanced rod. Two loads X and Y can be moved along the rod.
The rod turns in a clockwise direction, as shown. Which action could make the rod balance?
A. moving X to the left
B. moving X to the right
C. moving Y to the right
D. moving the pivot to the left
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. moving X to the left
Explanation: Moving X to the left increases the clockwise moment, which could balance the rod if the anticlockwise moment is too large.
Question 9(Subtopic Code: 1.5)
It is important that an electric table lamp with a lamp shade does not get knocked over easily.
Which statement is correct?
A. The centre of mass must be as low as possible.
B. The lamp must have a shade which is heavier than the base.
C. The lamp must have a narrow base.
D. The lamp shade must be wide.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. The centre of mass must be as low as possible.
Explanation: A lower centre of mass increases the stability of the lamp, making it less likely to tip over.
Question 10(Subtopic Code: 1.7)
A bicycle braking system transfers energy from a kinetic energy store to an internal energy store. A motor converts energy from a chemical energy store (battery) to a kinetic energy store.
What enables these energy transfers?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. mechanical work, electrical work
Explanation: The braking system uses mechanical work to transfer energy, while the motor uses electrical work to convert chemical energy into kinetic energy.
Question 11(Subtopic Code: 1.7)
A toy car is pushed a distance of 2.4 m with a force equal to 460 N. How much energy is transferred?
A. 190 J
B. 190 W
C. 1100 J
D. 1100 W
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 1100 J
Explanation: The energy transferred is calculated by multiplying the force by the distance: 460 N * 2.4 m = 1104 J, which is approximately 1100 J.
Question 12(Subtopic Code: 1.7)
The engine of a motor vehicle develops a large power. Which statement is correct?
A. The driving force acting on the vehicle must be large.
B. The engine must have a very large volume.
C. The engine must transfer large amounts of energy each second.
D. The vehicle must be very fast.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. The engine must transfer large amounts of energy each second.
Explanation: Power is the rate at which energy is transferred. A large power means the engine transfers large amounts of energy each second.
Question 13(Subtopic Code: 1.8)
A solid cube has sides 0.50 m long and a mass of 120 kg. It stands on the ground on one face. Which pressure does the cube exert on the ground?
A. 480 kg/m³
B. 960 kg/m³
C. 4700 N/m²
D. 9400 N/m²
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 4700 N/m²
Explanation: The pressure exerted by the cube is calculated by dividing the force (weight) by the area of the face in contact with the ground. The weight is 120 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 1176 N. The area is 0.50 m * 0.50 m = 0.25 m². Therefore, the pressure is 1176 N / 0.25 m² = 4704 N/m², which is approximately 4700 N/m².
Question 14(Subtopic Code: 2.1)
What is the lowest possible temperature (absolute zero) and what happens to the energy of particles at this temperature?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. –273 °C, particles have least kinetic energy
Explanation: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, which is –273 °C. At this temperature, particles have the least possible kinetic energy.
Question 15(Subtopic Code: 2.1)
Which statement about the particles of a substance after condensation is correct?
A. They are close to each other and slide over each other.
B. They are close to each other and vibrate about fixed points.
C. They are far apart from each other and vibrate about fixed points.
D. They are far apart from each other and move freely within the container.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. They are close to each other and slide over each other.
Explanation: After condensation, the particles of a substance are in the liquid state, where they are close to each other and can slide over each other.
Question 16(Subtopic Code: 2.3)
The diagram shows a flask designed to reduce the loss of thermal energy from a hot liquid.
Which methods of thermal energy transfer are the silvered walls designed to reduce?
A. conduction, convection and radiation
B. conduction and convection only
C. conduction only
D. radiation only
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. radiation only
Explanation: Silvered walls are designed to reflect infrared radiation, reducing heat loss through radiation. They do not significantly affect conduction or convection.
Question 17(Subtopic Code: 3.1)
A drop of water from a tap falls onto the surface of some water of constant depth.
Water waves spread out on the surface of the water.
Which statement is correct?
A. The waves are longitudinal and travel at the same speed in all directions.
B. The waves are longitudinal and travel more quickly in one direction than in others.
C. The waves are transverse and travel at the same speed in all directions.
D. The waves are transverse and travel more quickly in one direction than in others.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. The waves are transverse and travel at the same speed in all directions.
Explanation: Water waves are transverse waves, and in a uniform medium, they travel at the same speed in all directions.
Question 18(Subtopic Code: 3.2)
The optical image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object. Which row describes the other characteristics of the optical image formed?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. same as object, virtual
Explanation: The image formed by a plane mirror is the same size as the object, virtual (cannot be projected on a screen), and located at the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
Question 19(Subtopic Code: 3.2)
The diagram shows a partly completed scale drawing of an upright object placed 3 cm in front of a thin converging lens of focal length 2 cm.
What is the nature of the image formed by this lens?
A. diminished, inverted and closer to the lens than the object
B. diminished, upright and further from the lens than the object
C. enlarged, inverted and closer to the lens than the object
D. enlarged, inverted and further from the lens than the object
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. enlarged, inverted and further from the lens than the object
Explanation: For a converging lens, when the object is placed between the focal point and twice the focal length, the image is real, inverted, enlarged, and located beyond twice the focal length.
Question 20(Subtopic Code: 3.2)
A narrow beam of white light passes through a prism and is dispersed into a spectrum.
Which row is correct?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. red, yellow, blue
Explanation: When white light passes through a prism, it is dispersed into a spectrum of colors in the order of red, yellow, and blue, with red being the least refracted and blue the most refracted.
Question 21(Subtopic Code: 3.3)
Which row matches a region of the electromagnetic spectrum to one of its uses?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. microwaves, mobile (cell) phones
Explanation: Microwaves are used in mobile (cell) phones for communication. Gamma rays are used for sterilization, infrared for thermal imaging, and radio waves for broadcasting.
Question 22(Subtopic Code: 3.4)
A ship sounds its horn when it is 790 m from a cliff. A passenger on the ship hears the echo 4.8 s later.
What is the speed of the sound?
A. 165 m/s
B. 330 m/s
C. 340 m/s
D. 1896 m/s
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 330 m/s
Explanation: The total distance traveled by the sound is 790 m * 2 = 1580 m. The speed of sound is calculated as distance divided by time: 1580 m / 4.8 s ≈ 330 m/s.
Question 23(Subtopic Code: 4.1)
Which row gives the metal used to make the core of an electromagnet and one property of the electromagnet?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. iron, temporary magnet
Explanation: The core of an electromagnet is typically made of iron, which becomes magnetized when an electric current flows through the coil. It loses its magnetism when the current is turned off, making it a temporary magnet.
Question 24(Subtopic Code: 4.2)
Question: A plastic rod and a dry cloth are uncharged. The rod is now rubbed with the cloth and they both become charged. The rod becomes negatively charged because some charged particles move from the cloth to the rod. What is the charge on the cloth and which particles moved in the charging process?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. positive, electrons
Explanation: When the rod is rubbed with the cloth, electrons move from the cloth to the rod, leaving the cloth positively charged and the rod negatively charged.
Question 25(Subtopic Code: 4.2)
A power supply of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 12 V is connected across a 3 Ω resistor.
Which ammeter is most suitable to measure the current in the resistor?
A. an ammeter with a range 0–0.5 A
B. an ammeter with a range 0–1 A
C. an ammeter with a range 0–5 A
D. an ammeter with a range 0–50 A
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. an ammeter with a range 0–5 A
Explanation: The current in the resistor is calculated using Ohm’s Law: I = V/R = 12 V / 3 Ω = 4 A. Therefore, an ammeter with a range of 0–5 A is most suitable.
Question 26(Subtopic Code: 4.2)
The cost of electrical energy is $0.25 for each unit of 1 kWh. A 2200 W heater is switched on for 48 minutes.
What is the cost of this use?
A. $0.44
B. $0.55
C. $26
D. $440
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. $0.44
Explanation: The energy consumed is calculated as Power * Time = 2200 W * (48/60) h = 1760 Wh = 1.76 kWh. The cost is 1.76 kWh * $0.25/kWh = $0.44.
Question 27(Subtopic Code: 4.3)
The diagram shows six different electrical circuit components.
Which circuit symbol is not present in the diagram?
A. resistor
B. voltmeter
C. generator
D. thermistor
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. thermistor
Explanation: The thermistor symbol is not present in the diagram. The other components (resistor, voltmeter, and generator) are present.
Question 28(Subtopic Code: 4.3)
The circuit shown contains three switches and four lamps P, Q, R and S.
Which switches must be closed to light only lamps P and R?
A. switch 1 only
B. switch 1 and switch 2
C. switch 1 and switch 3
D. switch 2 and switch 3
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. switch 1 only
Explanation: Closing switch 1 allows current to flow through lamps P and R, while switches 2 and 3 control other parts of the circuit.
Question 29(Subtopic Code: 4.4)
An electric heater has a metal frame. The heating element is connected to the live and neutral wires of an a.c. supply. The metal frame is connected to the earth wire.
Which row gives the correct connections for the fuse and the switch?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. in the live, in the live
Explanation: The fuse should be placed in the live wire to protect the circuit, and the switch should also be in the live wire to ensure the circuit can be safely turned off.
Question 30(Subtopic Code: 4.5)
Which electrical device uses the turning effect produced by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field?
A. a.c. generator
B. d.c. motor
C. relay
D. transformer
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. d.c. motor
Explanation: A d.c. motor uses the turning effect produced by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Question 31(Subtopic Code: 4.5)
Four appliances all use an electric current to operate.
Which appliance uses the magnetic effect of the current?
A. a heater
B. a light bulb
C. a relay
D. a remote controller
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. a relay
Explanation: A relay uses the magnetic effect of an electric current to operate a switch, making it the correct choice.
Question 32(Subtopic Code: 4.5)
A student makes four different types of transformer. She counts the number of turns on the primary and secondary coils. She labels each transformer as either step-up or step-down.
Which row shows the correct labels?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. 20, 10, step-down
Explanation: A step-down transformer has more turns on the primary coil than on the secondary coil. In this case, 20 turns on the primary and 10 turns on the secondary indicate a step-down transformer.
Question 33(Subtopic Code: 4.5)
How is electricity transmitted over large distances and why is it transmitted in this way?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. at high voltage, to reduce energy loss
Explanation: Electricity is transmitted at high voltage to reduce energy loss due to resistance in the transmission lines. High voltage reduces the current, which in turn reduces the power loss (P = I²R).
Question 34(Subtopic Code: 5.1)
An atom of an element contains electrons, neutrons and protons.
Which particles are found in the nucleus?
A. electrons and neutrons only
B. electrons and protons only
C. neutrons and protons only
D. electrons, neutrons and protons
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. neutrons and protons only
Explanation: The nucleus of an atom contains neutrons and protons. Electrons orbit the nucleus and are not found within it.
Question 35(Subtopic Code: 5.1)
A nuclide of chlorine has the symbol shown.
\( _{17}^{35}\textrm{Cl}\)
What is the nucleon number of this nuclide of chlorine?
A. 17
B. 18
C. 35
D. 52
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 35
Explanation: The nucleon number (mass number) of the nuclide is 35, as indicated by the superscript in the symbol.
Question 36(Subtopic Code: 5.2)
What is a major source of background radiation?
A. cosmic rays
B. microwaves from mobile (cell) phones
C. nuclear power stations
D. visible light from the Sun
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. cosmic rays
Explanation: Cosmic rays from outer space are a major source of background radiation. Microwaves, nuclear power stations, and visible light are not significant sources of background radiation.
Question 37(Subtopic Code: 5.2)
The graph shows the radioactive decay curve of a substance.
What is the half-life of this substance?
A. 0.5 years
B. 5 years
C. 15 years
D. 30 years
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 5 years
Explanation: The half-life is the time it takes for the count rate to halve. From the graph, the count rate decreases from 1000 counts/s to 500 counts/s in 5 years, indicating a half-life of 5 years.
Question 38(Subtopic Code: 6.1)
Which row about the orbits of the Earth and the Moon is correct?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. 365 days, 30 days
Explanation: The Earth takes approximately 365 days to orbit the Sun, and the Moon takes approximately 30 days to orbit the Earth.
Question 39(Subtopic Code: 6.2)
Which description of a galaxy is correct?
A. a collection of billions of stars
B. a collection of gaseous planets orbiting a star
C. a collection of rocky planets orbiting a star
D. all of the stars that exist
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. a collection of billions of stars
Explanation: A galaxy is a massive collection of billions of stars, along with gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.
Question 40(Subtopic Code: 6.2)
Question: Light from distant stars is redshifted.
What is redshift?
A. a decrease in observed wavelength caused by a star moving away from the Earth
B. a decrease in observed wavelength caused by a star moving towards the Earth
C. an increase in observed wavelength caused by a star moving away from the Earth
D. an increase in observed wavelength caused by a star moving towards the Earth
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. an increase in observed wavelength caused by a star moving away from the Earth
Explanation: Redshift occurs when the wavelength of light from a star increases as the star moves away from the Earth, causing the light to shift towards the red end of the spectrum.