Name : _________________________________ Index Number : ________

Class : ______

Clementi Town Secondary School

Preliminary Examination 2009
Secondary 5 Normal (Academic)

Science (Physics) 5116/2

Paper 2 Duration : 1 h 15 min

CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL
CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL
CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL
CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL
CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL CLEMENTI TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Instructions to candidates:

Do not open this booklet until you are told to do so.

Write your name, class and index number in the spaces at the top of this page and on any writing
paper used.

Section A
Answer all the questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided on the question paper.

Section B
Answer any two questions. Write your answers on the writing papers provided on pages 13 to 16.

Information for candidates:

The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

Take acceleration due to gravity, g, to be 10 m/s2.

For Examiner’s Use Marks

Section A / 45
Section B / 10
/ 10
Total / 65

________________________________________________________________________
This Question Paper consists of 16 printed pages (including the cover page).
[Turn over
 Section A (45 marks)
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 An advertisement in the newspaper reads:

“At BMW, we see no reason why deceleration can’t be made just as exciting as
acceleration. In fact, it’s something we demand of all of our cars. Designed to bite
hard and fast at temperatures of up to 750 ºC, the brakes on our BMW M3 can
take you from 100 km/h to a complete standstill in just 2.8 seconds.”

(a) Convert 100 km/h to m/s. [1]

(b) Calculate the deceleration of the car if it takes 2.8 s to come to rest from an
initial speed of 100 km/h. [2]

(c) Calculate the minimum distance the car needs in front of it to come to a stop if it
is initially travelling at 100 km/h. [1]

(d) Assuming that the car has a mass of 1500 kg, calculate the magnitude of the
force produced by the brakes in stopping the car. [2]

2
 (d) The advertisement mentions that the brakes can operate up to 750 ºC. Suggest
why it is important for brakes to be able to withstand high temperatures? [1]

2 A weight W is suspended by two ropes as shown in Fig. 2.1. The tensions in both the
ropes are 60 N. By means of a scale diagram, find the resultant of the two tensions
and hence find the weight W. [5]

35 ° 35 °

60 N 60 N

Fig. 2.1

3
3 Fig. 3.1 shows a uniform rod XY of length 1.20 m and weight 10.0 N freely hinged to
a wall at X. It is held horizontally by two forces P and Q, both acting at Y. The two
forces are perpendicular to each other.

Fig. 3.1

(a) Calculate the moment of the weight of the rod about X. [2]

(b) If the magnitude of the force Q is 6.0 N, what is its moment about the hinge at X.
[1]

(c) Determine the value of P.

[2]

4
4 Fig. 4.1 shows several positions of a pendulum as it swings back and forth.

Z
20 cm X

Y
Fig. 4.1

(a) Based on Fig. 4.1, describe what is meant by the terms oscillation and period
of a pendulum. [2]

(b) Given that the time taken to move from X to Z is 0.25 s, what is the period of the
pendulum? [1]

(c) Calculate the frequency of oscillation of the pendulum. [1]

(d) State what is meant by the Principle of Conservation of Energy. [1]

(e) Assuming the point X is 20 cm higher than the point Y and the mass of the bob
is 0.4 kg, calculate the difference in gravitational potential energy between
points X and Y. [2]

5
5 Fig. 5.1 shows the path of the light ray through a rectangular glass block and into the
air again.

36°
25°

x
y

Fig. 5.1

(a) Using the information given in the diagram, determine the refractive index of the
glass block. [2]

(b) State the angles x and y. [1]

x = ________________; y = ________________.

(c) Given that the speed of light in air is 3.0 x 108 m/s, what is the speed of light in
glass? [2]

6 Messages travelling from the NASA Pathfinder Probe on Mars to the Earth take
approximately 1 minute to travel from Mars to the Earth. These messages are
transmitted using radiowaves, and are picked up by NASA’s network of antennae on
the Earth.

(a) Suggest why sound waves are not used to transmit messages to outer space. [1]

6
 (b) Calculate the approximate distance of Mars from the Earth. [2]

(c) The mass of the probe was measured at 120 kg on the Earth. If the weight of
the probe was calculated at 400 N on Mars, what is the acceleration due to
gravity on Mars? [2]

7 Fig. 7.1 shows some water being heated by a 50 W immersion heater.

to power supply

thermometer
50 W immersion heater

water

Fig. 7.1

The temperature of the water was taken at regular intervals. Fig. 7.2 shows the graph
that was drawn from the results.

temperature
/°C

time/minutes
Fig. 7.2
(a) Describe how the speed and separation of the water molecules changes

(i) between A and B, and [1]

(ii) between B and C. [1]

7
 (b) (i) Between B and C, the mass of water in the beaker decreases by 10 g.
Calculate how much energy is needed to boil 10 g of water at 100 °C [2]

(ii) The actual amount of heat energy needed to change 10 g of water at

100 °C to steam is 22 600 J. Suggest a reason wh y the value calculated in
(b)(i) is different. [1]

(c) In both boiling and in evaporation, a liquid changes into a gas. State two
differences between boiling and evaporation. [2]

8 A block of mass 1.62 kg is to be placed on a table. The dimensions of the block is

shown in Fig. 8.1.
15 cm A
12 cm
B
C

3 cm
Fig. 8.1

(a) Which surface A, B or C, when placed on the table, will give the maximum
pressure? Explain your choice. [2]

(b) Calculate this maximum pressure that the block could exert on the table. [2]

8
 Section B (20 marks)

Answer any two questions from this section

Write your answers on pages 13 to 16 and, if necessary,
continue on separate answer paper.

9 (a) Fig. 9.1 shows a battery of e.m.f. 12 V connected to three resistors.

12 V

20 Ω
60 Ω

A 60 Ω B

Fig. 9.1

(i) Calculate the effective resistance of the two resistors connected in

parallel. [2]

(ii) Calculate the current flowing in the ammeter. [2]

(iii) Find the potential difference between the points A and B. [1]

(b) An electric kettle, operating from a 240 V mains supply, uses electrical energy at
a rate of 1.92 kW.

(i) Calculate the current that flows through the heating element of the
kettle. [2]

(ii) What is the resistance of the heating element in the kettle? [1]

(iii) If 1 kWh of electrical energy costs 30 cents, calculate the cost of running
the kettle for 45 min each day. [2]

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10 (a) In Fig. 10.1 below, an object, O is placed in front of a convex lens. The object
distance and focal length are shown full scale on the figure.
convex lens

O F F

Fig. 10.1

(i) Draw construction rays on Fig. 10.1 to locate the position of image. [2]

(ii) State the image distance you obtained from your diagram. [1]

(iii) State two characteristics of the image obtained. [2]

(iv) Suggest one application for the setup shown in Fig. 10.1. [1]

(b) Fig. 10.2 shows a girl standing 150 m in front of a building. She fires a shot
with a starting pistol. A boy, standing 350 m behind her, hears two bangs, which
are 1 s apart.

150 m 350 m

Fig. 10.2

(i) Calculate the speed of sound in air using the information provided. [2]

(ii) What type of wave is sound wave? [1]

(iii) Give your reason why sound is categorized as this type of wave. [1]

10
11 (a) Fig.11.1 shows a light aluminium rod resting between the poles of a magnet. A
current is passed through the rod from two brass strips connected to a power
supply.

Fig. 11.1

(i) On Fig. 11.1, draw the direction of the current in the rod when the switch is
closed. [1]

(ii) State which way the rod moves when the switch is closed. [1]

(iii) State the effect on the movement of the rod when

1. the current is increased, and [1]

2. the current is reversed. [1]

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(b) Four magnetic specimens were tested using the apparatus shown in Fig. 11.2.
The results, which show how many nails were attracted to the specimen when
the switch was on, and how many were still attracted when the switch was off;
are shown in the table below.
specimen
under
test

Fig. 11.2

specimen number attracted number still attracted

when switch was on when switch was off
A 20 8
B 20 18
C 35 3
D 35 32

(i) Which would make the best electromagnet? Explain your answer. [2]

(ii) Suggest a suitable material for the specimen which makes the best
electromagnet. [1]

(c) Fig. 11.3 shows a part of a device called a gold leaf electroscope. The plate, rod
and leaf are all made of metal. Fig. 11.4 shows what happens to the gold leaf
when a positively charged strip is held close to the plate.

Fig. 11.3 Fig. 11.4

Explain why the leaf moves away from the rod when the positively charged strip
is held near the plate. [3]

END OF PAPER

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Answers to Prelim Examination 2009 Sec 5N Science (Physics) Paper 2

1 (a) Initial speed = 100 km/h

= 100/3.6
= 27.8 m/s [1]

(b) a = (v – u)/t
= (0 – 27.8)/2.8
= - 9.93 m/s2 [1]ECF

deceleration = 9.9 m/2 [1]

(c) Distance = 0.5 × 2.8 × 27.8 [1]

= 38.9 m [1]

(d) F =m×a
= 1500 × 9.9 [1]ECF
= 14850 N [1]

(e) A large amount of heat is produced in the brakes as a result of friction when the
car decelerates. [1]

2 Scale 1 cm : 10 N [1]

60 N

Ans: 68.8 N [1] upwards

70 °
(accept 66 – 72 N)

correct diagram – [1]

60 N correct resultant in upward
direction – [1]

Hence W = 68.8 N downwards. [1] ECF

3. (a) Moment of weight about X = 10.0 x 0.60 [1]

= 6.0 Nm [1]

(b) 0 Nm [1]

(c) Taking moments about X,

P x 1.20 = 6.0 [1]

P = 5.0 N [1]

17
4. (a) One oscillation is a complete to-and-fro motion of the pendulum i.e. if the
pendulum is released from point X, one oscillation is the motion of the pendulum
from point X to point Z and back to point X [1]. The period is the time taken for
the pendulum to travel from point X to point Z and back to point X [1].

(b) T = 0.25 × 2
= 0.50 s [1]

(c) f = 1/T
= 1/0.50
= 2 Hz [1] ECF

(d) The Principle of Conservation of Energy states that the total amount of energy is
a given system is constant (same). Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but
only change from one form to another. [1]

(e) PE = mgh
= 0.4 × 10 × 0.20 [1]
= 0.8 J [1]

5. (a) n = sin i / sin r

= sin 36° / sin 25° [1]
= 1.39 or 1.4 [1]

(b) x = 25 °
y = 36° [1]

(c) n = (speed of light in vacuum) / (speed of light in the glass)

1.4 = 3.0 × 108 / speed of light in the glass [1]
speed of light in the glass = 2.1 × 108 m/s [1]

6. (a) Sound waves cannot propagate (or travel) in space (or vacuum) [1]

(b) Distance = speed × time

= 3.0 × 108 × 1 × 60
= 1.8 × 1010 m

(c) W =m×g
400 = 120 × g [1]
g = 3.3 m/s2 [1]

7. (a) (i) the speed increases [1/2] and the molecules move further apart [1/2]
(ii) the speed is constant[1/2] separation increases greatly [1/2]

(b) (i) Energy = power x time

= 50 x 10 x 60 [1]
= 30000 J [1]

(ii) Heat is lost to the surroundings/atmosphere. [1]

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 (c) - Boiling occurs at a fixed temperature but evaporation occurs at any
temperature.
- Boiling occurs in the body of the liquid but evaporation occurs at the
surface.
- The rate of evaporation depends on temperature/wind/surface
area/humidity but boiling is not affected by these.

[Any two for 2 marks]

8 (a) C. [1] C has the smallest area and pressure is greatest with the
smallest area. [1]

(b) Calculate this maximum pressure that the block could exert on the table. [2]
F
P =
A
162
. x 10
= [1]
12 x 3
= 0.45 N/cm2 [1] or 4500 N/m2

9 (a) (i) R = (1/20 + 1/60)-1 [1]

= 15 Ω [1]

(ii) I = V/R
= 12/(15+60) [1]
= 0.16 A[1]

(iii) V = IR
= 0.16 x 15
= 2.4 V[1]

(b) (i) P = VI
P 1920
I= = [1]
V 240
=8A [1]

V2
(ii) P=
R
V 2 240 2
R= = = 30 Ω [1]
P 1920

Or R = V/I
= 240/8
= 30 Ω [1]

(iii) Cost of electricity = 45/60 × 1.92 × 0.30 [1]

= $0.432 [1]

19
10 (a) (i)

(ii) 3.5 cm ± 0.2 cm [1]

(iii) real, inverted ( or diminished ) [1 mark each]
(iv) A camera or in the eye [1]

350 650
(b) (i) t1 = t2 =
v v

t 2 − t1 = 1
650 350
− =1
v v [1]
300
=1
v
[1]
v = 300m / s

(ii) Longitudinal wave. [1]

(iii) The direction of the particles vibration is parallel to the direction of the
wave motion. [1]

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11 (a) (i)

Direction of current indicated from right to left. [1]

(ii) Out of the page or away from magnet. [1]

(iii) 1. The rod moves faster in the same direction. [1]

2. The rod moves in the opposite direction (into the page). [1]

(b) (i) Specimen C [1]. It is a material that magnetises and demagnetises the
easiest [1].

(i) Soft Iron. [1]

(c) The electrons from the lower part moves to the plate as they are attracted to
the positively charged strip. [1]
This causes both the leaf and lower part of the rod to be positively
charged, [1]
So the leaf is repelled from the rod. [1]

21