The Physics Question Bank

Question 01

01.1 Two forces act on a boat. A force of 30 N acts east and a force of 40 N acts north.
Determine the size of the resultant force. You may use a scale drawing.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

correct scale drawing (forces tip-to-tail at right angles) or √(30² + 40²) (1)
50 N (1) – allow 49–51 N from a scale drawing

01.2 A worker pushes a box with a force of 250 N for 4.0 m across a floor.
Calculate the work done.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

W = 250 × 4.0 (1)
W = 1000 J (1)

01.3 What is meant by 1 joule of work done?    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

a force of 1 N moves an object through 1 m (in the direction of the force) (1)

Question 01 total: 5 marks

Question 02

A car starts from rest and accelerates steadily to 20 m/s in 8.0 s. It then travels at a constant 20 m/s for 12 s.

02.1 Calculate the acceleration of the car in the first 8.0 s.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

a = 20 ÷ 8.0 (1)
a = 2.5 m/s² (1)

02.2 Use the area under a velocity–time graph to calculate the total distance travelled in the 20 s.    [3 marks]

Mark scheme

triangle: ½ × 8.0 × 20 = 80 m (1)
rectangle: 12 × 20 = 240 m (1)
total = 320 m (1)

02.3 A train travelling at 30 m/s brakes steadily and stops in a distance of 450 m.
Calculate the deceleration of the train.
Use the equation: v² − u² = 2 a s    [3 marks]

Mark scheme

0² − 30² = 2 × a × 450 (1)
a = −900 ÷ 900 (1)
deceleration = 1.0 m/s² (1) – allow a = −1.0 m/s²

Question 02 total: 8 marks

Question 03

A student investigates how the force on a trolley affects its acceleration. A string attached to the trolley runs over a pulley to a hanging mass holder. Light gates measure the acceleration.

03.1 Describe how the student can change the force while keeping the total mass constant.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

start with masses stacked on the trolley (1)
move them one at a time from the trolley to the hanger (1)

03.2 Describe the graph of acceleration against force that the student should expect.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

a straight line through the origin / acceleration directly proportional to force (1)

03.3 The measured accelerations are all slightly lower than expected. Suggest a reason and how to reduce the effect.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

friction acts on the trolley / at the pulley, so the resultant force is smaller (1)
tilt the runway slightly so the trolley just keeps moving at a steady speed (1)

03.4 Define inertial mass.    [1 mark]

Mark scheme

a measure of how difficult it is to change an object’s velocity / force ÷ acceleration (1)

Question 03 total: 6 marks

Question 04

04.1 A car of mass 1200 kg travels at 15 m/s. Calculate its momentum.    [2 marks]

Mark scheme

p = 1200 × 15 (1)
p = 18 000 kg m/s (1)

04.2 A 2.0 kg trolley moving at 3.0 m/s hits a stationary 1.0 kg trolley. They stick together.
Calculate their velocity after the collision.    [3 marks]

Mark scheme

momentum before = 2.0 × 3.0 = 6.0 kg m/s (1)
6.0 = 3.0 × v (1)
v = 2.0 m/s (1)

Question 04 total: 5 marks

Question 05

05.1 Explain the factors that affect the stopping distance of a car. Include why a very large deceleration can be dangerous.    [6 marks]

Mark scheme

Level 3 (5–6 marks): factors are clearly linked to thinking distance or braking distance, with explanations, and the dangers of large decelerations are explained.
Level 2 (3–4 marks): factors for both thinking and braking distance are given, with some explanation.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): some factors are listed with little or no explanation.
0 marks: no relevant content.

Indicative content:
• stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
• tiredness, alcohol, drugs and distractions increase reaction time, so thinking distance increases
• higher speed increases both thinking and braking distance
• wet or icy roads and worn tyres reduce friction, so braking distance increases
• worn brakes reduce the braking force
• braking: friction does work, transferring kinetic energy to the thermal store of the brakes
• large decelerations need large braking forces, which can make the brakes overheat and the driver lose control / skid

Question 05 total: 6 marks

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END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 42 marks · Combined Science 30 marks.

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