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Unit 1 Physics past paper questions

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Questions
Q1.

Figure 1 shows a stationary wave on a vibrating string.

(i) Give the number of complete wavelengths shown on the string in Figure 1.
(1)
number of complete wavelengths = ...........................................................

(ii) Add a letter X to Figure 1 to show the position of one antinode.

(1)
(iii) Which process causes the stationary wave on the string in Figure 1?
(1)
A compression

B diffraction

C regeneration

D resonance

(iv) The string in Figure 1 is 1.0 m long.

The string has a mass of 2.1 g.
The tension in the string is 3.6 N.
Calculate the speed, v, of the wave on the string in Figure 1.

Use the equation:

Show your working.
(4)
 speed of wave = ........................................................... m/s

(Total for question = 7 marks)

Q2.

Mobile phones should receive a signal when the user is in range of a transmitter.

There are places where mobile phone signals cannot be received even when the user is in range of a
transmitter. Figure 6 shows a mobile phone with no signal.

Figure 6
–10
For a mobile phone to receive a signal, the intensity must be above 9 × 10 Wm –2.
–2
At a distance of 1.1 m from the transmitter, the output signal has an intensity of 1.5 Wm and the power
given by the constant k is 1.8 W.
–10
Calculate the maximum distance from the transmitter that a signal of intensity 9 × 10 Wm –2 can be
received by a mobile phone.

Give your answer in kilometres (km).

Use the equation I = k /r 2

Show your working.

(4)
 maximum distance = ........................................................... km

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q3.

A digital signal has a value of 1.0 V when it is on and 0.0 V when it is off.

The digital signal changes every second.

An optical fibre is made of glass.

The speed of red light in air is 3.0 × 108 m s−1.

The speed of red light in the glass is 2.0 × 108 m s−1.

A ray of red light enters the glass from the air with an angle of incidence of 30°.

Calculate the angle of refraction, r, of the red light in the glass.

Show your working.

 Angle of refraction = ........................................................... °

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q4.

Light passes through an optical fibre.

The optical fibre is made of glass.

Calculate the critical angle for the glass.

(3)
Refractive index of glass (n) = 1.52

Use the equation

critical angle for the glass = ........................................................... °

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q5.

A diffraction experiment makes use of coherent light waves.

The light that produces one of the lines on the screen has a wavelength of 588.2 nm.

Calculate the frequency of this light.

Speed of light in air = 3.0 × 108 ms–1

Show your working.

(4)

frequency = ........................................................... Hz

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q6.

Figure 1 shows a pendulum pulled to the right-hand side.

The pendulum is released and starts to swing.

Figure 2 shows how the displacement of the pendulum changes with time.
A learner uses a different pendulum.

The time for one complete oscillation (T) is 5.0 seconds.

Calculate the frequency (f).

Use the equation: f = 1/T

(2)

frequency = ........................................................... Hz

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q7.

The red line in the hydrogen emission spectrum has a wavelength of 656 nm.

The speed of light is 3.00 × 108 ms–1.

Calculate the frequency of the red line in the hydrogen emission spectrum.

Use the equation: v = fλ

(4)
 frequency of the red line = ........................................................... Hz

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q8.

A student uses a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) to investigate the properties of waves produced by a
signal generator.

The student obtains the following output.

The student investigates a different water wave.

The wavelength is 0.05 m and the wave speed is 0.075 m/s.

Calculate the frequency of the water wave.

Show your working.

 Frequency = ........................................................... Hz

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q9.

Visible light transfers energy as a transverse wave.

Sound transfers energy as a longitudinal wave.

Visible light moves faster than sound.

A painting is displayed in a dark room.

An electrician fits a single light source to illuminate the painting.

The intensity of the light 1 m from the light source is 100 Wm−2.

The intensity of the light falling on the painting must not be greater than 30 Wm −2.

Calculate, using the inverse square law, the minimum distance the light source must be placed from the
painting.

Show your working.

 Minimum distance = ........................................................... m

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q10.

An endoscope is a device that doctors use to look at organs inside the body.

An endoscope contains bundles of optical fibres that can also be used to illuminate the organ being
investigated.

A diagram of an endoscope that uses some optical fibres for illumination is shown.

The refractive index of the optical fibre is 1.48.

The speed of light in air is approximately 3 × 108 m/s.

Calculate the speed of light in the optical fibre.

Show your working.

 Speed of light = ........................................................... m/s

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q11.

The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m s–1.

The light passes into an optical fibre.

The refractive index of the optical fibre is 1.55

Calculate the speed of light in the optical fibre, v.

Use the equation:

Show your working.

(3)

speed of light in the optical fibre = ........................................................... m s –1

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q12.

A guitar string is tuned by changing the tension.

The speed of a wave in the string is 16.2 m s−1.

The mass per unit length of the string is 0.3 kg m−1.

Calculate the tension in the string.

Show your working.

Tension = ........................................................... N

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q13.

Musical notes are sound waves.

Plucking strings or forcing air through pipes can produce sound waves.

Compare the types of wave formed on strings and formed in pipes when musical notes are produced.

You may use diagrams to support your answer.

(6)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q14.

Infrared and Bluetooth© are both used for short range wireless communication.

Compare the similarities and differences of the waves produced by infrared and Bluetooth© devices.
(6)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q15.

A microphone converts sound waves to electrical signals.

Figure 3 shows an analogue signal from the microphone.

Figure 3 shows an example of an analogue signal.

Complete Sentence 1 for the correct definition of an analogue signal.

(2)

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q16.

A radio programme can be transmitted as an analogue signal or a digital signal.

Light travels through optical fibres by total internal reflection.

The diagram shows a ray of red light in an optical fibre.

The diagram is incomplete.

Complete the path of the red light through the optical fibre.
 (Total for question = 2 marks)

Q17.

Describe how a diffraction grating affects the light from a hydrogen lamp.
(2)
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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q18.

A microphone converts sound waves to electrical signals.

Figure 3 shows an analogue signal from the microphone.

Describe how an analogue signal can be converted into a digital signal.
(3)
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(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q19.

A flute is a musical instrument. It is used to play a note into a microphone connected to a cathode ray
oscilloscope (CRO). The CRO displays the output of the note played. This is shown in diagram A.

A tuning fork is also used to produce the same note. The CRO display of this note is shown in diagram B.

The CRO display settings are the same for both.

Describe how the vibrating air inside the flute produces a stationary wave.

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(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q20.

Light from a sodium-vapour lamp passes through the slits in a diffraction grating and creates a pattern on
a screen.

This pattern is called an emission spectrum.

For a clear diffraction pattern to be produced on the screen, the light passing through the diffraction
grating has to have coherence.

Describe what is meant by coherence.

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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q21.

A diffraction experiment makes use of coherent light waves.

what is meant by the term coherent light waves.

(2)
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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q22.

Longitudinal and transverse are two types of wave.

(i) Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

(1)
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(ii) Describe how a longitudinal wave travels through air.

(2)
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 (Total for question = 3 marks)

Q23.

Various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used for communication.

An electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 4.5 × 109 Hz.

The speed of light is 3 × 108 m/s.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using radio waves and microwaves in communication.

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q24.

A digital signal has a value of 1.0 V when it is on and 0.0 V when it is off.

The digital signal changes every second.

Draw a digital signal corresponding to 1 0 1 0

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q25.

A satellite, orbiting the Earth, collects information about asteroids that might hit the Earth.

A research team needs to collect a large amount of data from the satellite very quickly. This means that
the data has to be transmitted rapidly.

The chart shows how the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum with different frequencies are absorbed
by the Earth's atmosphere.

A home cinema system can be controlled either by an infrared remote control or a remote control that
uses a Bluetooth© connection.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of using:

 an infrared remote control

 a Bluetooth© remote control
to control the home cinema system.
(6)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q26.

(i) Explain one advantage of using microwave radiation in mobile phone communications.
(2)
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(ii) Explain one disadvantage of using microwave radiation in mobile phone communications.
(2)
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(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q27.

Analogue and digital electronic signals are used for communication.

Explain one advantage of using electronic digital signals instead of using analogue signals for communication.
(2)
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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q28.

A doctor uses an endoscope to view the lining of a patient's stomach, as shown in Figure 3.

An endoscope contains optical fibres.

Light travels down the optical fibres to illuminate the stomach.

Figure 3

Explain how light travels back through the endoscope so an image of the lining of the patient's stomach can be seen.
You may use diagrams to support your answer.
(4)
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(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q29.

A satellite, orbiting the Earth, collects information about asteroids that might hit the Earth.

A research team needs to collect a large amount of data from the satellite very quickly. This means that the data has
to be transmitted rapidly.

The chart shows how the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum with different frequencies are absorbed by the
Earth's atmosphere.

The satellite transmits two signals, A and B, to another satellite in orbit around the Moon, using different
electromagnetic waves.

The signals are transmitted over the same distance.

Signal A has a frequency of 3.0 × 1013 Hz and takes 1.28 seconds to travel between the two satellites.

Signal B has a frequency 4.0 × 109 Hz.

Explain how much time is taken for Signal B to travel between the two satellites.

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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q30.

Light from a sodium-vapour lamp passes through the slits in a diffraction grating and creates a pattern on a screen.

This pattern is called an emission spectrum.

Explain how the diffraction grating produces an emission spectrum.

You can use a labelled diagram to help your explanation.

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(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q31.

A diffraction experiment makes use of coherent light waves.

A technician wants to identify the gas in a discharge tube.

The technician uses a diffraction grating to produce emission spectra for the gas.

Each spectrum consists of a series of light and dark lines on a screen.

Explain how the diffraction grating produces the light and dark lines on the screen.
You may draw diagrams to support your answer.

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q32.

A doctor uses a medical endoscope to see inside the stomach of a patient.

Figure 5 shows the medical endoscope inside the stomach of the patient.

Medical endoscopes contain optical fibres.

Explain how the optical fibres transmit light so that the doctor can see inside the stomach.

You may include annotated diagrams to support your answer.

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q33.
Television remote controls use infrared radiation to send information.

(i) Explain one advantage of using infrared radiation to control a television.

(2)
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(ii) Explain one disadvantage of using infrared radiation to control a television.

(2)
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(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q34.

Light passes through an optical fibre.

The optical fibre is made of glass.

Optical fibres used in cables can be covered in cladding.

The cladding has a lower refractive index than the optical fibre.

Figure 7a shows light passing through an optical fibre without cladding.

Figure 7b shows light passing through an optical fibre with cladding.

Figure 7a
 Figure 7b

Explain one advantage of transmitting light through an optical fibre with cladding.
(2)
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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q35.

Figure 2 shows a transmitter, satellite and receiver in a communication system.

A microwave signal is uploaded to the satellite from a transmitter on Earth.

The satellite transmits a new microwave signal.

The new microwave signal is downloaded to the receiver on Earth.

Explain one advantage of using microwaves to carry the signal for satellite communication.
(2)
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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q36.

An endoscope is a device that doctors use to look at organs inside the body.

An endoscope contains bundles of optical fibres that can also be used to illuminate the organ being investigated.

A diagram of an endoscope that uses some optical fibres for illumination is shown.

Optical fibres use digital signals for communication.

Digital signals are clear and of high quality. They can carry a lot of data.

Explain one other advantage of using digital signals in long distance communication.

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(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q37.

A digital signal has a value of 1.0 V when it is on and 0.0 V when it is off.

The digital signal changes every second.

Explain the strengths and weaknesses of using optical fibres to supply broadband to homes.

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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q38.

A satellite, orbiting the Earth, collects information about asteroids that might hit the Earth.

A research team needs to collect a large amount of data from the satellite very quickly. This means that the data has
to be transmitted rapidly.

The chart shows how the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum with different frequencies are absorbed by the
Earth's atmosphere.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using radio waves instead of light waves to send large amounts of
information from the satellite to the surface of the Earth.

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 (Total for question = 4 marks)

Mark Scheme
Q1.
Q2.
Q3.
Q4.
Q5.
Q6.
Q7.

Q8.

Q9.
Q10.

Q11.
Q12.
Q13.
Q14.
Q15.

Q16.
Q17.

Q18.
Q19.

Q20.
Q21.

Q22.

Q23.
Q24.

Q25.
Q26.
Q27.
Q28.

Q29.
Q30.

Q31.
Q32.
Q33.
Q34.

Q35.
Q36.

Q37.
Q38.