PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

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Q1. In an experiment to measure the power output of a motor, the motor is used to lift a metal
block vertically at constant speed.

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answers.

(a) Describe an experiment to check whether the speed of the rising mass is constant.

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(2)

(b) Explain how the output power of the motor is calculated, stating what measurements need
to be made.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)
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Q2. Tidal power could make a significant contribution to UK energy requirements. This question
is about a tidal power station which traps sea water behind a tidal barrier at high tide and then
releases the water through turbines 10.0 m below the high tide mark.

(i) Calculate the mass of sea water covering an area of 120 km2 and depth 10.0 m.

density of sea water = 1100 kg m–3

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(ii) Calculate the maximum loss of potential energy of the sea water in part (i) when it is
released through the turbines.

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(iii) The potential energy of the sea water released through the turbines, calculated in part (ii),
is lost over a period of 6.0 hours. Estimate the average power output of the power station
over this time period. Assume the power station efficiency is 40%.

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(Total 7 marks)
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Q3. The diagram represents an experiment that can be used to investigate stopping distances
for a moving trolley.

The trolley is placed on the raised section of the track. When released it moves down the track
and then travels along the horizontal section before colliding with the block. The trolley and block
join and move together after the collision. The distance they move is measured.

(a) State the main energy changes taking place

(i) as the trolley descends,

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(ii) after the collision, as the trolley and block move together.

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(2)

(b) Describe how the speed of the trolley, just before it collides with the block may be
measured experimentally.

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.

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(3)

(c) State and explain how the speed of the trolley, prior to impact could be varied.

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(2)
(Total 7 marks)
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Q4. A skydiver of mass 70 kg, jumps from a stationary balloon and reaches a speed of 45 m s–1
after falling a distance of 150 m.

(a) Calculate the skydiver’s

(i) loss of gravitational potential energy,

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(ii) gain in kinetic energy.

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(4)

(b) The difference between the loss of gravitational potential energy and the gain in kinetic
energy is equal to the work done against air resistance. Use this fact to calculate

(i) the work done against air resistance,

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(ii) the average force due to air resistance acting on the skydiver.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)
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Q5. In the 17th century, when thinking about forces, Galileo imagined a ball moving in the absence
of air resistance on a frictionless track as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

(a) Galileo thought that, under these circumstances, the ball would reach position C if
released from rest at position A. Position C is the same height above the ground as A.

Using ideas about energy, explain why Galileo was correct.

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(3)

(b) Galileo then imagined that the track was changed, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

The slope beyond B was now horizontal.

On the axes below, sketch a speed – time graph for the ball from its release at A until it
reaches the position X shown in Figure 2. Indicate on your graph the time when the ball is
at B.

(3)

(c) Newton later published his three laws of motion.

Explain how Newton’s first law of motion is illustrated by the motion of the ball between B
and X.

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)
 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 7

Q6. It has been predicted that in the future large offshore wind turbines may have a power output
ten times that of the largest ones currently in use. These turbines could have a blade length of
100 m or more. A turbine such as this is shown in the diagram below.

(a) At a wind speed of 11 m s–1 the volume of air passing through the blades each second is
3.5 × 105 m 3.

(i) Show that the mass of air that would pass through the blades each second is about
4 × 105 kg.

The density of air is 1.2 kg m–3

(2)

(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the air that would enter the turbine each second.

answer = ...................................... J
(2)
 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 8

(iii) It has been predicted that the turbine would produce an electrical power output of
10 MW in these wind conditions. Calculate the percentage efficiency of the turbine in
converting this kinetic energy into electrical energy.

answer = .................................... %
(2)

(b) State one advantage and one disadvantage of wind power in comparison to fossil fuel.

Advantage ....................................................................................................

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Disadvantage ...............................................................................................

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q7. An ‘E-bike’ is a bicycle that is assisted by an electric motor. The figure below shows an E-
bike and rider with a total mass of 83 kg moving up an incline.

(a) (i) The cyclist begins at rest at A and accelerates uniformly to a speed of 6.7 ms–1 at B.
The distance between A and B is 50 m.
Calculate the time taken for the cyclist to travel this distance.

answer = .................................. s
(2)
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 9

(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the E-bike and rider when at B. Give your answer to
an appropriate number of significant figures.

answer = .................................. J
(2)

(iii) Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the E-bike and rider between A
and B.

answer = .................................. J
(2)

(b) Between A and B, the work done by the electric motor is 3700 J, and the work done by the
cyclist pedalling is 5300 J.

(i) Calculate the wasted energy as the cyclist travels from A to B.

answer = .................................. J
(2)

(ii) State two causes of this wasted energy.

Cause 1 ................................................................................................

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Cause 2 ................................................................................................

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(2)
(Total 10 marks)
 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 10

Q8. The figure below shows apparatus that can be used to investigate energy changes.

The trolley and the mass are joined by an inextensible string. In an experiment to investigate
energy changes, the trolley is initially held at rest, and is then released so that the mass falls
vertically to the ground.

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.

(a) (i) State the energy changes of the falling mass.

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(ii) Describe the energy changes that take place in this system.

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(4)

(b) State what measurements would need to be made to investigate the conservation of
energy.

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(2)
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(c) Describe how the measurements in part (b) would be used to investigate the conservation
of energy.

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(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q9. (a) Explain why a raindrop falling vertically through still air reaches a constant velocity. You
may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.

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(4)

(b) A raindrop falls at a constant vertical velocity of 1.8 m s–1 in still air. The mass of the
raindrop is 7.2 × 10–9 kg.

Calculate

(i) the kinetic energy of the raindrop,

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(ii) the work done on the raindrop as it falls through a vertical distance of 4.5 m.

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(4)

(c) The raindrop in part (b) now falls through air in which a horizontal wind is blowing. If the
velocity of the wind is 1.4 m s–1, use a scale diagram or calculation to determine the
magnitude and direction of the resultant velocity of the raindrop.

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(3)
(Total 11 marks)
 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 13

Q10. A cyclist pedals downhill on a road, as shown in the diagram below, from rest at the top of
the hill and reaches a horizontal section of the road at a speed of 16 m s–1. The total mass of the
cyclist and the cycle is 68 kg.

(a) (i) Calculate the total kinetic energy of the cyclist and the cycle on reaching the
horizontal section of the road.

answer ............................ J
(2)

(ii) The height difference between the top of the hill and the horizontal section of road is
12 m.
Calculate the loss of gravitational potential energy of the cyclist and the cycle.

answer ........................... J
(2)

(iii) The work done by the cyclist when pedalling downhill is 2400 J. Account for the
difference between the loss of gravitational potential energy and the gain of kinetic
energy of the cyclist and the cycle.

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(3)
 PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 14

(b) The cyclist stops pedalling on reaching the horizontal section of the road and slows to a
standstill 160 m further along this section of the road. Assume the deceleration is uniform.

(i) Calculate the time taken by the cyclist to travel this distance.

answer................................. s
(3)

(ii) Calculate the average horizontal force on the cyclist and the cycle during this time.

answer ........................... N
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q11. The figure below shows a rollercoaster train that is being accelerated when it is pulled
horizontally by a cable.

(a) The train accelerates from rest to a speed of 58ms–1 in 3.5 s. The mass of the fully loaded
train is 5800 kg.

(i) Calculate the average acceleration of the train.

answer = ...................................... ms–2

(ii) Calculate the average tension in the cable as the train is accelerated, stating an
appropriate unit.

answer = ...............................................
(3)

(iii) Calculate the distance the train moves while accelerating from rest to 58ms–1.

answer = ...................................... m
(2)

(iv) The efficiency of the rollercoaster acceleration system is 20%.

answer = ..................................... W
(3)
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com 16

(b) After reaching its top speed the driving force is removed and the rollercoaster train begins
to ascend a steep track. By considering energy transfers, calculate the height that the train
would reach if there were no energy losses due to friction.

answer = ...................................... m
(3)
(Total 13 marks)