Physics Test in Mechanics

13Questions 48Marks 64Minutes

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1.

A skydiver of mass 80 kg falls vertically with a constant speed of 50 m s . The upward force
acting on the skydiver is approximately
A.

0 N.

B.

80 N.

C.

800 N.

D.

4000 N.
(Total 1 mark)

2.

Joseph runs along a long straight track. The variation of his speed v with time t is shown below.

After 25 seconds Joseph has run 200 m. Which of the following is correct at 25 seconds?
Instantaneous speed / m s

Average speed / m s

A.

8ms

8ms

B.

8ms

10 m s

C.

10 m s

8ms

D.

10 m s

10 m s

1
1

1
1

(Total 1 mark)

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3.

A cyclist rides around a circular track at a uniform speed. Which of the following correctly
gives the net horizontal force on the cyclist at any given instant of time?
Net horizontal force along
direction of motion

Net horizontal force normal to

direction of motion

A.

zero

zero

B.

zero

non zero

C.

non zero

zero

D.

non zero

non zero
(Total 1 mark)

4.

A particle of mass m is moving with constant speed v in uniform circular motion. What is the
total work done by the centripetal force during one revolution?
A.

Zero

B.

mv 2
2

C.

mv

D.

2mv

2
2

(Total 1 mark)

5.

Which of the following is equivalent to the principle of energy conservation?

A.

Newtons first law

B.

The first law of thermodynamics

C.

Newtons second law

D.

The second law of thermodynamics

(Total 1 mark)

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6.

This question is about circular motion.

A ball of mass 0.25 kg is attached to a string and is made to rotate with constant speed v along a
horizontal circle of radius r = 0.33 m. The string is attached to the ceiling and makes an angle of
30 with the vertical.

(a)

(i)

On the diagram above, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball in
the position shown.
(2)

(ii)

State and explain whether the ball is in equilibrium.

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(2)

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(b)

Determine the speed of rotation of the ball.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

7.

This question is about mechanics and thermal physics.

The graph shows the variation with time t of the speed v of a ball of mass 0.50 kg, that has been
released from rest above the Earths surface.

The force of air resistance is not negligible. Assume that the acceleration of free fall is
2
g = 9.81 m s .

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(a)

State, without any calculations, how the graph could be used to determine the distance
fallen.
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(1)

(b)

(i)

In the space below, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball at
2.0 s.

(1)

(ii)

Use the graph opposite to show that the acceleration of the ball at 2.0 s is
2
approximately 4 m s .
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(2)

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(iii)

Calculate the magnitude of the force of air resistance on the ball at 2.0 s.
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(2)

(iv)

State and explain whether the air resistance on the ball at t = 5.0 s is smaller than,
equal to or greater than the air resistance at t = 2.0 s.
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(2)

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(c)

After 10 s the ball has fallen 190 m.

(i)

Show that the sum of the potential and kinetic energies of the ball has decreased by
780 J.
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(3)

(ii)

The specific heat capacity of the ball is 480 J kg

temperature of the ball.

K . Estimate the increase in the

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(2)

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(iii)

State an assumption made in the estimate in (c)(ii).

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(1)
(Total 14 marks)

8.

A car accelerates from rest. The acceleration increases with time. Which graph shows the
variation with time t of the speed v of the car?

(Total 1 mark)

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9.

Which of the following is the condition for a body to be in translational equilibrium?

A.

The resultant force on the body in any direction is zero.

B.

The velocity of the body in any direction is zero.

C.

No external force is acting on the body.

D.

No work is done on the body.

(Total 1 mark)

10.

The graph shows the variation with force F of the extension s of a spring.

The work done in changing the extension of the spring from 3.0 cm to 6.0 cm is
A.

15 N cm.

B.

30 N cm.

C.

45 N cm.

D.

60 N cm.
(Total 1 mark)

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11.

A force F is applied to a body moving along a straight line. A resistive force f acts on the body.
Both forces act along the same straight line as the motion of the body. The rate of change of
momentum of the body is equal to
A.

F f.

B.

F.

C.

F + f.

D.

f.
(Total 1 mark)

12.

This question is about kinematics.

Lucy stands on the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone vertically upwards.

The stone leaves her hand with a speed of 15 m s at the instant her hand is 80 m above the
2
surface of the sea. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 10 m s .

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(a)

Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone as measured from the point where it
is thrown.
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(2)

(b)

Determine the time for the stone to reach the surface of the sea after leaving Lucys hand.
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(3)
(Total 5 marks)

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13.

This question is about power and efficiency.

1

A bus is travelling at a constant speed of 6.2 m s along a section of road that is inclined at an
angle of 6.0 to the horizontal.

(a)

(i)

The bus is represented by the black dot shown below. Draw a labelled sketch to
represent the forces acting on the bus.

(4)

(ii)

State the value of the rate of change of momentum of the bus.

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(1)

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(b)

The total output power of the engine of the bus is 70 kW and the efficiency of the engine
is 35 %. Calculate the input power to the engine.
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(2)

(c)

The mass of the bus is 8.5 10 kg. Determine the rate of increase of gravitational
potential energy of the bus.
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(3)

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(d)

Using your answer to (c) and the data in (b), estimate the magnitude of the resistive
forces acting on the bus.
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(3)
(Total 13 marks)

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