Name : ______________________________________ (

___

Class: Sec 3E

BOWEN SECONDARY SCHOOL

MID-YEAR EXAMINATION

17 May 2006

E
N

1 hour 30 minutes

Pure Physics
Secondary 3 Express

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

1. Answer all the questions in Section A on the OTAS sheet provided.
2. Answer all the questions in Section B and Section C in the space provided in
the question paper.
3. The OTAS sheet for Section A and the answers for Section B and C should
be handed up separately at the end of the examination.
4. The use of a suitable calculator is permitted.
5. The necessary workings should be shown clearly. Failure to do so may
result in the loss of marks.
6. Where necessary, the value of the
gravitational field strength may be
taken to be 10N/kg.

Marks
Section A

/ 30

Section B

/ 40

Section C

/ 20

Total

/ 90

This question paper consists of 22 printed pages.

Page

Section A : Multiple Choice Questions (30 marks)

Answer ALL the questions on the OTAS sheet provided.
1. What is the reading shown by the vernier caliper below ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

0.50 cm
1.05 cm
1.95 cm
2.40 cm

2. What is the reading shown by the micrometer screw gauge below ?

A.
B.
C.
D.

2.33 mm
2.83 mm
5.27 mm
5.33 mm

3. The diagram shows how a displacement can

is used to measure the volume of an object.
Which of the following is a necessary
precaution to take to ensure the
accuracy of the experiment ?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The object should be fully submerged in the water.

The object must touch the bottom of the displacement can.
The object should not touch the bottom of the displacement can.
Only water should be used in the displacement can.

4. Which of the following actions will cause a pendulum to oscillate with a

shorter period ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The pendulum bob is changed to one with a greater mass.

The pendulum bob is changed to one with a smaller mass.
The length of the pendulum is increased.
The length of the pendulum is decreased.
Page

5. In an experiment to determine the periodic time of the pendulum, which of

the following measurements is(are) necessary ?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
A. I and III

The angle of the oscillation.

The mass of the pendulum.
The time taken for 1 oscillation only.
The time taken for 20 oscillations.
B. II and III

C. I , II and III

D. IV only

6. A motorcycle was traveling at a speed of 24m/s when a group of young

students began crossing the road a short distance ahead. The motorcycle
immediately braked with a constant deceleration of 6m/s 2. How much
further did it move when the brakes were pressed until it came to a
complete stop ?
A. 24m

B. 48m

C. 96m

D. 144m

velocity

7. The graph shows how the velocity

of a car changes with time.
Which of the following can be
deduced from the graph?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The car starts from rest.

The car accelerates uniformly in the beginning.
The car stopped moving after t seconds.
The car decelerates until it reaches a constant speed.

time

time

velocity

velocity

velocity

velocity

8. An object was tossed upwards and falls back down after a while.
Which of the following graphs show how the velocity of the object varies
with time ? Take the velocity in the upward direction as positive and ignore
the effects of air resistance.

time

time

A.

B. time

C.

D.

Page

9 A car Y was just starting to move off at time t = 0s when another car X sped
past it. The graph below shows the velocity-time time graphs of both cars
X and Y over a period of 2 hours.

Car Y

velocity

Car X

time
h
0

0.5

1.5

Which of the following statements is correct ?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Car X and car Y were traveling in opposite directions.

Car Y overtook car X 1 hours after it started to move.
Car Y overtook car X 1.5 hours after it started to move.
Car Y overtook car X 2 hours after it started to move.

10. The diagram below shows the shape of a racetrack. MN and PQ are
straight segments, while N-O-P and Q-R-M are semi-circular.
M

Suppose a race car traveled one complete round(M-N-O-P-Q-R, as

indicated in the diagram) around the race track at a constant speed.
Which of the following statements is correct ?
A. The velocity of the car from M to N is the same as that from P to Q.
B. The acceleration of the car is changing only from N to O to P, and from
Q to R to M.
C. The velocity of the car is constant throughout.
D. The acceleration of the car is zero throughout.

Page

11. A trolley is pulled along by a stretched rubber band as shown in the

diagram (i). The rubber band exerts a constant pulling force F on the
trolley.
2nd trolley
1st trolley

1st trolley

Diagram (i)

Diagram (ii)

Suppose another identical trolley is now stacked on top of the first one, as
shown is diagram (ii), and the experiment repeated. Ignoring the effects
of friction, what is the effect of the second trolley on the resultant motion in
diagram (ii) ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The resultant acceleration is reduced by half compared to diagram (i).

The resultant acceleration is doubled compared to diagram (i).
The second trolley caused a resultant deceleration.
The second trolley does not affect the motion because F is still the
same.

12. Two bricks X and Y, of similar dimensions

but made uniformly of different materials,
are resting on a table. By giving each brick
a gentle push as shown, it was found that
brick X was more difficult to push aside
than brick Y. Which of the following
conclusions can be made from this simple
experiment ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

push

push

Brick Y has more mass than brick X.

Brick Y has a lower centre of gravity than brick X.
Brick X has more mass than brick Y.
Brick X has a lower centre of gravity than brick Y

13. After a parachutist had been falling for 10s, he reached terminal velocity.
Which of the following statements is correct ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The net acceleration of the parachutist was decreasing during the 10s.
The net acceleration of the parachutist was constant during the 10s.
The speed of the parachutist was decreasing during the 10s.
The speed of the parachutist was constant during the 10s.

14. When an object is accelerating uniformly, which of the following quantities

must be changing ?
A. velocity

B. speed

C. mass

D. force
Page

15. A pole is supported by two ropes as shown

in the diagram. The tensions in the ropes
are T1 = 200N and T2 = 120N.
Which of the following vector diagrams
show correctly the tensions and the
resultant force F exerted on the pole
due to the ropes ?
A.

T2 = 120N

T1 = 200N

pole

60

45

B.
T2 = 120N

T1 = 200N

T2 = 120N

T1 = 200N

45

60
45

60

C.

D.

F
60

T2 = 120N

T1 = 200N

T2 = 120N

T1 = 200N

45

60

16. Two forces F1 and F2 were acting on

an object , causing it to move along a
friction-less flat surface with an
acceleration of 5m/s2 in the direction
shown.

45

direction of motion

F2

F1

What is the mass of the object ?

A.

F1
5

B. F1 F2
5

C.

F2 F1
5

D. 5 (F2 F1)

17. The density of an object is defined as its mass per unit volume. A gas has
a lower density than a liquid and a solid because __________ .
A.
B.
C.
D.

the particles have a lower density

the particles are bigger in size
the particles have a lower mass
all the particles occupy a larger volume than a liquid and a solid
Page

18. An object has a weight of x N on the earth where the gravitational field
strength is 10N/kg. Suppose the gravitational field strength on the moon is
1/6 that on the earth, what is the weight of the object on the moon ?
A. 6x

B.

1
x
6

C.

10
x
6

D.

6x
10

19. The diagrams below shows a rock placed in different liquids X, Y and Z.

liquid X

liquid Y

liquid Z

Which of the following statements is correct ?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The rock has the same weight as liquid X.

The rock is heavier than liquid Y.
Liquid X is more dense than liquid Y.
Liquid Y is more dense than liquid Z.

20. The diagram shows the weight of a motor car as well as other forces
acting on it as it is accelerating along a road.
direction of motion

A. Reaction
B. Air resistance

D. Friction

road

C. Weight
Which of the forces (A, B, C or D) is NOT shown correctly ?

21. The diagram shows two cubes M and N

made from the same material.
The lengths of each side of the cubes
M and N are x and 2x respectively.

2x
M

Which of the following statements is correct ?

A.
B.
C.
D.

The mass of cube M the same as that of cube N.

The mass of cube M is half that of cube N.
The density of cube M the same as that of cube N.
The density of cube M is half that of cube N.
Page

22. The diagram shows a plastic lamina which

is suspended freely from a point P1 near to
its edge. The centre of gravity of the plastic
lamina is marked x .

pin

P2

If the plastic lamina is now suspended freely

from the point P2 and allowed to come to
rest, which is of the following statements
is correct ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

P1

The plastic lamina will come to rest with x between P1 and P2.
The plastic lamina will come to rest with x directly below P1.
The plastic lamina will come to rest with x directly below P2.
When the plastic lamina comes to rest, it will have a new centre of
gravity.

23. The diagram shows a lever which is used to lift up an object of mass 20kg.
What is the minimum force F required ? Assume that the weight of the
lever is negligible and take the gravitational field strength to be 10N/kg.
A.

20 x 0.35
0.78

B.

20 x 0.4
0.9

C.

D.

F
0.9
m
0.4
m

20 x 10 x 0.35
0.78

lever

mass
20kg

20 x 10 x 0.4
0.9

pivot

0.35
m

0.78
m

24. The diagrams below show some plastic laminas of different shapes. Each
of these objects are flat, are made of the same material, and have the
same thickness and weight. Which one has the lowest centre of gravity ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

Page

25. The diagrams below show laminas of various shapes. For which of the
following would you expect the position of the centre of gravity to be
outside the lamina ?
A.

B.

C.

D.

26. Which quantity below has a unit equivalent to Joules per second ?
A. Work done

B. Energy

C. Efficiency

D. Power

27. The diagram shows a pendulum which

oscillates between the points X and Z.
Which of the following statements is
correct ?
A.
B.
C.
D.

The kinetic energy at X is greater than at Y.

The kinetic energy at Y is greater than at Z.
The kinetic energy at Z is maximum.
The potential energy at Y is maximum.

28. An electric motor is used to lift a 500N load up to a height 3m. The total
amount of electrical energy supplied to the motor is 2500J. What is the
efficiency of the motor ?
A. 6.7%

B. 20%

C. 60%

D. 167%

29. Which of the following show correctly the energy changes that take place
when a battery operated torch light which uses a filament bulb is switched
on?
A.
B.
C.
D.

electrical energy light energy

electrical energy heat + light energy
chemical energy electrical energy heat + light energy
electrical energy chemical energy heat + light energy

Page

30. An 10kg object was dropped from a height of 20m. Which of the following
statements is correct for the duration when it is falling ? It may be
assumed that the effects of air resistance is negligible.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Its loss in gravitational potential energy equals its gain in kinetic energy.
Its gain in gravitational potential energy equals its gain in kinetic energy.
Its loss in gravitational potential energy equals its total energy.
Its loss in gravitational potential energy equals work done against air
resistance.

End of Section A.

Page

10

Section B [40 marks]

Answer ALL the questions from this section in the space provided.
1. A flat circular disc called a puck, of mass 0.1kg, lies at rest on a flat horizontal
surface. A steady force F, of magnitude 1.2N is applied to the puck for a
time of 2.0s and then ceases to act. Suppose the frictional force between
the puck and the surface during the motion is 0.2N.
a. Determine the acceleration of the puck while the force F is acting on it. [2]

b. Determine the speed of the puck at the end of 2.0s.

[2]

c. Determine the deceleration of the puck after 2.0s.

[2]

d. Draw, on the axes given below, the velocity-time graph for the motion of
the puck, starting from the moment the force F is applied until it finally
comes to rest again.
[1]
25
20
velocity

m/s

15
10
time

5
00

s
1

9 10 11

12

2a. What is meant by centre of gravity of an object ?

[1]

Page

11

b. The diagram below shows a uniform metre rule which is supported on a knife
edge at the 50cm mark. Two objects, of mass 5kg and 8kg, are placed on
the metre rule as shown. Take the gravitational field strength to be 10N/kg.
10c
0cm m
5kg

50cm
8k
g

100c
m

i. If the 5kg object is placed at the 10cm mark, determine where the 8kg
object should be placed so that the metre rule is balanced horizontally ?
[2]

ii. Explain why the weight of the metre rule is not necessary in the calculation
in part i. above.
[2]

Page

12

iii. Explain what will happen to the metre rule if the knife edge was now
moved to the 60cm mark.

[2]

3. The diagram below shows a roller-coaster ride. When the passengers have
boarded the roller coaster at the ground level, a motor will hoist it up the first
hill to point A. At point A, the roller-coaster was stationary for a short while
before plunging freely towards points B and C.
roller-coaster

Point A
Point C

tracks

tracks

Point B
Suppose the total mass of the roller-coaster and its passengers is 1200kg.
and point A is 40m above the ground level.
a. What is the gain in gravitational potential energy of the roller-coaster and
passengers at point A ?
[2]

Page

13

b. Would you expect the work done by the motor to be equal to, less than or
greater than the gain in gravitational potential energy of the roller-coaster
and passenger ? Explain your answer.
[2]

c. Ignoring the effects of friction and air resistance, determine the velocity of
the rollercoaster at point B.
[2]

4. Refer to the diagram, which shows two

objects of mass 5kg and 3kg, connected by an
inextensible string over a frictionless wheel.

5k
g

The 3kg object accelerates downwards at

2m/s2.

3k
g
a=
2m/s2
a. By considering only the 3kg object, calculate the tension in the string. [2]

Page

14

b. By using the appropriate Newtons Law of Motion, determine the pulling

force exerted by the string on the 5kg object. Explain your answer.
[2]

c. By considering only the 5kg object, determine the frictional force between
the 5kg object and the surface it is moving along.
[2]

5. The diagram shows a rectangular block X

with a mass of 600g.
a. Determine the density of the rectangular
block X. [2]

20cm
8cm

block
X

10cm

Page

15

b. Consider another rectangular block Y with identical dimensions but of a

higher density. Explain whether the rectangular block Y has a greater
or smaller mass than X.
[2]

6. The diagrams A and B show two experiments

which were carried out on the object labeled X
on earth.
a. State what quantity is being measured
in each case.
[2]

b. State the changes, if any, to the results in each case if the experiments
were carried out on the Moon, where the gravitational field strength is
less than that of the earths.
[2]

Page

16

7a. What is the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity ? [1]

b. Two men were trying to move a heavy heater

box by each trying a rope around it and
pulling it horizontally.
One man pulled with a force of 300N
while the other pulled with a force of
200N. The directions of the forces
can be seen from the top view as
shown in the diagram.

300
N
60

box

200
N

i. Draw a suitably scaled diagram in the box below that shows the resultant
force. State the scale used in the drawing.
[3]
Scale : ..

Page

17

ii. Determine the magnitude of the resultant force.

[1]

iii. State whether the angle between the two pulling forces should be larger
or
smaller in order to obtain a larger resultant force.

[1]

End of Section B

Page

18

Section C [20 marks]

Answer ALL the questions from this section in the space provided.
1. The diagrams below shows a balancing toy. It consists of a plastic figurine of
a weight-lifter which is balanced on a vertical stand. The two identical balls
that represent the weights which the weight-lifter is carrying is made of metal.
Diagram (i) shows the toy when it is perfectly balanced.
plastic figurine

metallic
weights

vertical stand

Diagram (i)
Diagram (ii)

a. i. Indicate on the diagram (i), using the letter X, a probable position of the
centre of gravity of the figurine.
[1]
ii. State how your answer will be different if the plastic figurine was also
made of metal instead.
[1]

b. The toy was then tilted about the pivot until the position shown in diagram
(ii). Indicate, again, on the diagram (ii), using the letter X, the centre of
gravity of the toy.
[1]
d. Suppose the total weight of the figurine and the two circular weights is W.
Indicate the weight W on diagram(ii) and use it to explain whether the toy
will topple over.
[4]

Page

19

d. By considering only the weights of the two identical balls, explain how
this toy verifies the Principle of Moments when it is balanced.
[3]

Page

20

2. A car of was moving at 20m/s when it

driver
collided into a lamp-post. The seat belt which
the driver was wearing was stretched and
seat belt
caused the driver to spring forward by
40cm (see diagram) before stopping the
driver from hitting the windscreen.

40cm

The mass of the car is 1200kg.

The mass of the driver is 80kg.
a. Explain, using Newton's law, why the
driver would be "thrown forward" and
hit the windscreen if he was not wearing
the seat belt.
[2]

b. i. Calculate the kinetic energy of the driver just before the collision .

[2]

ii. Use your answer above in b(i) to determine the average retarding force
which was exerted by the seat belt on the driver?
[2]

Page

21

c. In the collision, the front part of the car, called the crumple zone, was
crushed by the impact. The crumple zone reduced the abruptness of the
sudden halt to the cars motion and cushioned some of the collision force.
When the crumple zone was crushed, the car finally came to a complete
stop in 0.05s.
i. Calculate the deceleration of the car.

[2]

ii. Calculate the force of collision on the car.

[2]

End of Section C.

Page

22

Bowen Secondary School Mid Year Examination 2006

Sec Three Express : Pure Physics

Answers
Section A
C

6 B
.

1
1.

1
6.

2
1.

2
6.

7 B
.

1
2.

1
7.

2
2.

2
7.

8 C
.

1
3.

1
8.

2
3.

2
8.

9 D
.

1
4.

1
9.

2
4.

2
9.

1 B
0.

1
5.

2
0.

2
5.

3
0.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Section B [40 marks]

v 0

(1.2 0.2)N 0.1kg a

1a.
a (

2
b. 10m /s ( 2 )

1.0
)m /s2 10m /s2
0.1

v (10 2) m /s

[2]

20m /s

[2]
c. 0.2N 0.1kg a

a (

0.2
)m /s2
0.1

2m /s2

[2]

d.

25

[1]

20
velocity

m/s

15
10
time

5
00

s
1

9 10 11

12

Page

23

2a. . the position where the whole weight of the object seem to act.
[1]
b. i. Let the 8kg object be place at a distance , d , to the right of the
pivot.
By Principle of Moment, taking moments about 50cm mark,
(5kg x 10N/kg) x 0.4m = (8kg x 10N/kg) x d
hence,

=
=

20Nm 80N

0.25m

[2]

[ Allow the answer d = 0.25m if d is explicitly stated.

Else, the answer is 70cm. ]
ii. line of action of the weight of the ruler passes through the
pivot [1]
hence, the weight does not produce any moment about the
pivot [1]
iii. anti-clockwise moment will be greater than clockwise
moment [1]
hence, the ruler will turn in the direction of the
anticlockwise moment [1]
3a. Gain in PE = 1200kg x 10N/kg x 40m = 480 000J

[2]

b. work done by motor expected to be greater than gain in PE [1]

reason : energy loss due to work done against friction, heat,
sound [1]
KE at B Loss in PE
c.
1
1200kg v 2 480000J
2
v 800 28.3m /s

[2]

4a.

Weight - Tension = m x a
(3kg x 10N/kg) - T = 3kg x 2m/s2
T = 30N - 6N

= 24N

[2]

b. Pulling force on 5kg object = tension in string = 24N [1]

According to Newtons 3rd Law,
force exerted by 3kg on 5kg object = force exerted by 5kg on 3kg
object
= 24N [1]
Page

24

c. Net force on 5kg object =

m x a
24N - Friction = 5kg x 2m/s2
Friction = 24N - 10N = 14N

[2]

Page

25

5a.

density

0.6 kg
( 0.2 0.1 0.08 )m 3

375 kg / m 3

[2]

b. Y has a greater mass

[1]
mass = density x volume ,
hence, higher density implies greater mass if volume is fixed
[1]

6a. Diagram A : measuring mass

Diagram B : measuring weight [1]

[1]

b. Mass remains unchanged. [1]

Weight is lesser.
[1]

7a. A vector quantity has a direction; a scalar does not have a

direction. [1]
b. i. Correct vector diagram [3] subject to following penalty
[-1] .. Scale should not be less than 1 cm : 50N
[-1] .. accuracy of measurements in the diagram
ii.

Resultant force = measured length x scale

[1]
= 435.9N 10N
Acceptable range : 425.9 < resultant < 445.9N

iii. To obtain a larger resultant force, the angle should be

smaller. [1]
End of Section B.

Page

26

Section C [20 marks]

1a. i.

ii. If the figurine is also made of

metal, the C.G. will be higher.
[1]

X [1]

b. The C.G is in the same position, relative to the toy, as indicated

on above. [1]
c. Draw on diagram (ii) a downward arrow at the C.G. [1]
... the weight produce a clockwise moment [1]
... which returns the toy back towards its upright position [1]
... hence, the toy will not topple. [1]
d. ... both balls are identical in weight and distance away from
pivot,
their moments are equal in magnitude. [1]
... one metal ball produce clockwise moment, the other anticlockwise [1]
... therefore, when toy is balanced, clockwise moment = anticlockwise
moment [1]

2a. ... according to Newtons 1st Law ; [1]

... driver continues to move forward with speed because of inertia
[1]
b. i. before collision, KE = x 80kg x ( 20 m/s x 20 m/s)
= 16 000J [2]
ii. Work done by seat belt = Loss in KE of driver
F x 0.4m
=
16 000 J
------ [1]
retarding force, F
= ( 16 000 0.4 )
=
40 000N
------ [1]
Page

27

c. i. Deceleration = ( 20 m/s 0.05s ) = 400 m/s2

ii. Collision force , F =
=

[2]

1200 kg x 400 m/s2

480 000N

[2]

End of Section C.

Page

28