1. A rock from space is travelling at high speed towards the Earth.

(a) Complete the equation for the kinetic energy of an object travelling with a
speed v and state what any other terms in the equation represent. [1]

(b) The mass of the rock is 0.60kg.

When it hits the Earth, its average temperature increases by 25°C.

(i) The specific heat capacity of the rock is 560J/(kg°C). Calculate the increase in
the internal energy of the rock. [2]

(ii) Use the answer from (b)(i) to determine the minimum possible speed of the
rock when it hits the Earth. [2]

(iii) Suggest one reason why the speed determined in (b)(ii) is less than the actual
speed of the rock when it hits the Earth. [1]

2. A nurse uses a mercury-in-glass, clinical thermometer to measure the

temperature of a patient. Fig. 5.1 shows the structure of a clinical thermometer.

(a) The clinical thermometer has a small range and a high sensitivity.

(i) State what is meant by i) range ii) sensitivity [2]

(ii) State and explain one feature of this clinical thermometer that produces a high
sensitivity. [2]

(b) State the purpose of the constriction in the clinical thermometer. [1]

(c) Explain, in terms of the mercury molecules, how an increase in temperature

produces an increased reading on the thermometer. [3]
3. A student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1.

The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery is 6.0V.

(a) The resistance of the variable resistor X is set to 1.8Ω.

Determine

(i) the total resistance of the circuit. [3]

(ii) the current measured by the ammeter. [2]

(b) (i) State what is meant by the potential difference (p.d.) across a component in
a circuit. [1]

(ii) Add to Fig. 7.1 the symbol for a component that is measuring the p.d. across
the 2.8Ω resistor. [1]

(iii) The resistance of X is increased. Explain why the p.d. across the 2.8Ω resistor
decreases. [2]
4. Two uncharged conducting spheres, K and L, are mounted on insulating stands.

(a) State how the structure of an insulator differs from that of a conductor and
give one example of an insulator. [2]

(b) The two spheres are in contact. Fig. 5.1 shows a positively-charged insulating
rod held next to K.

(i) On Fig. 5.1, draw the charges on K and on L. [2]

(ii) Sphere L is moved to the right, a long way from sphere K.
1. The positively charged rod is moved away. State what happens to the charge on
K. [1]
2. An earthing wire is connected to sphere L. State what happens to the charge on
L. [1]

5. A passenger in an aircraft closes a plastic bag with some air inside, as shown in
Fig. 3.1.

(a) Explain how the molecules of air in the bag exert a pressure on the inside of
the bag. [2]

(b) When the bag is closed, the pressure of the air inside the aircraft is 80kPa and
the bag contains 500cm3 of air.

(i) When the aircraft is on the ground, the pressure of the air inside the aircraft is
100kPa.
Calculate the volume of air inside the bag when the aircraft is on the ground.
volume. [2]

(ii) State two assumptions that you made in your calculation in (b)(i) [2]
6. (a) (i) Describe two differences between boiling and evaporation. [4]

(ii) Explain, using ideas about molecules, why thermal energy is needed to boil a
liquid. [2]

(b) In one type of bathroom shower, cold water passes through a metal pipe
which contains an electric heater.

The cold water is heated and emerges from the shower head.

The temperature of the cold water before heating is measured and the hot water
emerging from the shower in 1.0 minute is collected in a container.
Measurements and other data are:

temperature of water before heating = 16°C

temperature of water after heating = 37°C

volume of water collected in 1.0 minute = 4.6×10−3m3

specific heat capacity of water = 4200J/(kg°C)

density of water = 1000kg/m3

(i) Calculate the mass of water leaving the shower in 1.0s. [2]

(ii) Calculate the thermal energy (heat) gained by the water in 1.0s. [3]

(iii) To calculate the efficiency of the shower, the value in (b)(ii) and the value of
one other quantity are needed.

1. State what other quantity is needed.

2. Describe how these two values are used to calculate the efficiency of the
shower. [2]

(iv) The metal pipe that contains the electric heater is earthed. Explain why this is
necessary. [2]
7. The main part of a cathode-ray oscilloscope consists of a glass tube. At one end
of the tube, electrons are emitted by a hot metal filament.

a) Explain how the brightness of the electron beam is controlled. [1]

b) i) Explain what would be seen on the screen if an ac voltage is applied to the Y-

plates. No voltage is applied to the X- plates. You may sketch a graph. [2]

ii) A dc voltage of 5 volts is now applied on the X- plates. Explain how the graph
changes on the screen. [2]

Many electronic and digital circuits include logic gates. The NAND gate is a type of
logic gate.

(c) In the space below, draw the circuit symbol for a NAND gate. [1]

(d) Complete the truth table for a NAND gate.

8. One form of latent heat is the thermal energy needed to melt a solid.

(a) Define specific latent heat. [2]

(b) Fig. 4.1 shows one method of measuring the thermal energy needed to melt
ice. The ice is contained in a glass funnel and covered with an insulator.

(i) The heater is switched on and the ice melts. The specific latent heat of fusion
of ice is 3.3 × 105 J /kg.

Calculate the energy needed to melt 5.0g of ice. [2]

(ii) Before the heater is switched on, thermal energy from the room causes some
of the ice to melt. Describe the process by which the ice gains thermal energy
from the air. [1]