Paper 2 essay

1. You are required to give some suggestions to design an efficient alcohol thermometer to be used in
physics research expedition at North Pole. Using your knowledge about heat and properties of materials,
explain how to build a thermometer which can function effectively based on the following aspects:
(i) Strength of thermometer
(ii) Sensitivity of thermometer
(iii) Design of the thermometer so that the scale can easily be read
(iv) Freezing point of the liquid
(v) Thickness of the glass bulbs wall [10 marks]



2. Diagram 1 shows a badminton player in a competition.

Diagram 1
You are required to give some suggestions to design the shuttle and racquet used in the competition.
Using your knowledge of motion, forces and properties of material, state and explain the suggestions
based on the following aspects:
(i) Shape of the shuttle.
(ii) Characteristic of the material used for shuttle.
(iii) Material used for the base of the shuttle.
(iv) Material used for the string of the racquet.
(v) Tension of the string of the racquet. [10 marks]



3. The manager of a carnival near your home seeks your advice on handling a hot air balloon. The balloon
should be able to rise to about the height of a five-storey building, carry up to three people and can be
brought down to the same spot after a certain time.

Diagram 2
Explain your suggestion taking into account:
(i) Size of the envelope
(ii) Characteristic of the materials used for the envelope
(iii) Equipment required to rise up the balloon.
(iv) Characteristics of the material used for the basket,
(v) The best times in a day to launch the balloon [10 marks]

4. A family is having a picnic at Port Dickson beach. A container is used to store the packet drinks as shown
in diagram 3 below.

Diagram 3
Use appropriate concepts in physics, explain the modifications required to the above container so as to
effectively cool packet drinks in a shorter time and keep the packet drinks remain cold for a longer
period.
State and explain the suggestion based on the following aspects:
(i) Materials added in the container
(ii) Specific heat capacity of the container
(iii) Colour of the container
(iv) Characteristics of the material used for the container. [10 marks]

5. Diagram 4(a) shows a balloon filled with air attached to a test tube before and after the test tube is
heated. Diagram 4(b) shows a pingpong ball before and after it is poured with boiled water.

(i) (ii) (i) (ii)
Diagram 4(a) Diagram 4(b)

(a) (i) Observe Diagram 4(a) and Diagram 4(b). State two similarities about the air inside the balloon and
ping pong ball. [2 marks]
(ii) Compare the mass of air in Diagram 4(a)(i) with Diagram 4(a)(ii); and Diagram 4(b)(i) with Diagram
4(b)(ii). [1 mark]
(b) (i) Based on your observation in Diagram 4(a) and Diagram 4(b), state the relationship between the
physical quantities in (a) (i). [1 mark]
(ii) Name physics law involved in (b)(i). [1 mark]
(iii) Using observation in Diagram 4(a) and Diagram 4(b), explain the physics law stated in b(ii) using
kinetic theory of matter. [3 marks]

6. Diagram below shows a simple solar tank as a water heater
Using appropriate physics concept, explain
the modifications that can be used to make
a solar more efficient.
Your answer should include the following
aspects:
(i) Type of mirror
(ii) Radius of curvature
(iii) Color of the tank wall
(iv) Specific heat capacity and other
suitable aspect
(v) Size of the mirror [10 marks]