Home / CIE AS & A Level Physics : 1.4 Scalars and vectors – Exam style question – Paper 2

CIE AS & A Level Physics : 1.4 Scalars and vectors – Exam style question – Paper 2

Question

(a) Complete Table 1.1 by stating whether each of the quantities is a vector or a scalar.

           

     (b) The variation with time t of the velocity v of an object is shown in Fig. 1.1.

             

           (i) Determine the acceleration of the object from time t = 0 to time t = 4.0s.
                                                        acceleration = ………………………………………… ms−2 [2]

           (ii) Determine the distance moved by the object from time t = 0 to time t = 4.0s.
                                                                distance = …………………………………………….. m [2]
(c) (i) Define force.                                                                                                              [1]

(ii) The motion represented in Fig. 1.1 is caused by a resultant force F acting on the object.
                  On Fig. 1.2, sketch the variation of F with time t from t = 0 to t = 12.0s. Numerical values of F are not required.

                                   

                                                                                                                                                        [3]
                                                                                                                                          [Total: 10]

Answer/Explanation

Ans

 (a) acceleration: vector
         work: scalar
         power: scalar
         Three correct scores 2 marks. Two correct scores 1 mark.

(b) (i) a = (v –u) / t or a = gradient or a =Δv / (Δ)t
                   e.g.     a = (1.40 – 0.70) / 4.0
                                  = 0.18 ms–2

(b) (ii)  distance = 0.5× (0.70 + 1.40)× 4.0
                                   or
                                   (0.70× 4.0) + (0.5× 0.70× 4.0)
                                    = 4.2 m

(c) (i) (force equal to) rate of change of momentum

 (c) (ii) horizontal line starting from t = 0 and ending at t = 4.0 s at a positive value of F
               horizontal line starting from t = 4.0 s and ending
               at t = 8.0 s at F = 0
               horizontal line starting from t = 8.0 s and ending at t = 12.0 s at a negative value of F and the magnitude of F is larger than
               from t = 0 to 4.0 s

Question

(a) State what is meant by a scalar quantity and by a vector quantity.
          scalar: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
          …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
          vector: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
           …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
                                                                                                                                                                                        [2]

   (b) Complete Fig. 1.1 to indicate whether each of the quantities is a vector or a scalar.

                                     

     (c) An aircraft is travelling in wind. Fig. 1.2 shows the velocities for the aircraft in still air and for  the wind.

                   

           The velocity of the aircraft in still air is 95 m s–1 to the west.
           The velocity of the wind is 28 m s–1 from 65° south of east.

         (i) On Fig. 1.2, draw an arrow, labelled R, in the direction of the resultant velocity of the
                aircraft.                                                                                                                                                       [1]

        (ii) Determine the magnitude of the resultant velocity of the aircraft.

                                                                      magnitude of velocity = …………………………………………. m s–1 [2]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a) a scalar has magnitude (only)
a vector has magnitude and direction

(b) power: scalar
temperature: scalar
momentum: vector

(c)(i) arrow labelled R in a direction from 5° to 20° north of west
(c)(ii)\(v^2 = 282 + 952 – (2× 28 × 95× cos 115°)\)

or
\(v^2 = [(95 + 28cos65°)^2 + (28sin65°)^2]\)

v = 110 m s–1 (109.8 m s–1)
or (scale diagram method)
triangle of velocities drawn
v = 110 m s–1 (allow 108 –112 m s–1)

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