JAMES RUSE AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

Student No. .............................

Preliminary
Half-Yearly Assessment Task

TERM 2, 2013

PHYSICS Theory Paper

General Instructions

Reading time 5 minutes

Working time 50 minutes
Write using black or blue pen

Draw diagrams using pencil

Write your Student Number on the Part A Answer Sheet and the Part B Question and Answer
book
Total marks for this paper 60

The Theory paper has two Parts: A and B

Part A:

Multiple Choice

Total marks 15

Attempt all questions

Allow about 15 minutes for this part

Part B:

Extended Response

Total marks 45

Attempt all questions

Allow about 35 minutes for this part

PART A:

Multiple Choice

1.

Which of the following physical quantities is a vector?

A
B
C
D

work
force
speed
distance

2.

The table below displays data for a ball rolling down a slope.
Time
(s)
Speed
(ms-1)

0.3

0.5

0.7

0.9

1.1

1.3

1.5

0.30

0.47

0.64

0.81

0.98

1.15

1.32

From the data in the above table, which of the following is true?
I
II
III

the speed increases

the acceleration increases
the change in speed is constant

A
B
C
D

I and II
II and III
I and III
I, II and III

3.

A father and his young daughter are skiing on ice. The father is heavier than the
daughter. The father pushes his daughter forward and she slides away at a speed of
3 ms-1.
Which statement is true about the father's velocity?

A
B
C
D.

It is smaller than 3 ms-1in the same direction as his daughter.

It is smaller than 3 ms-1in the opposite direction as his daughter.
It is 3 ms-1in the same direction as his daughter.
It is 3 ms-1in the opposite direction as his daughter.

4.

A 5 N force acting on an object at an angle of 600 to the horizontal moves it 2 m to the

right. How much of work is done by this force on the object during this time?

A
B
C
D

600 J
10 J
8.7 J
5J

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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5.

Object X is moving east at 20 ms-1. Object Y is moving west at 15 ms-1. What is the
velocity of Y relative to X?

A
B
C
D

35 ms-1 east
5 ms-1 east
35 ms-1 west
5 ms-1 west

6.

A block, moving on a frictionless horizontal surface on Earth, requires a force if it is

to be stopped. Now suppose that the same block, moving with the same speed on a
frictionless horizontal surface on the Moon is to be stopped in the same time.
What can be said about this stopping force on the Moon as compared to that on Earth?

A
B
C
D

Less force is required to stop the block on the Moon.

Greater force is required to stop the block on the Moon.
The force is not large enough to stop the block on the Moon.
The force required would be the same on the Moon and on the Earth.

7.

An object is thrown vertically downwards from a helicopter, hovering some distance

in the sky. The diagram shows a few of the snapshots of the forces acting on the
falling object, but they are out of order. The arrows represent the forces acting on the
object.

Which sequence of the snapshots is correct, from the instant it leaves the helicopter
until it attains terminal (constant) velocity.
A
B
C
D
8.

Q, Y, J, L
Q, J, Y, L
L, J, Y, Q
L, Q, Y, J
A truck driver slams on the brakes of a truck moving at constant velocity
result of his action the truck stops after travelling a distance .

, and as a

If the truck had been travelling with twice the velocity, and the driver slams on the
brakes with the same force, what would be the stopping distance compared to the
distance in the first trial?
A
B
C
D

Half as much
Two times greater
Four times greater
One-quarter as much

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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9.

The diagram below shows a 5-kg bucket of water being swung in a horizontal circle
of radius 0.7 m, at a constant speed of 2 ms-1.

What is the magnitude and direction of the centripetal force on the bucket of water?
A
B
C
D

5.7 N towards the centre

28.6 N towards the centre
5.7 N tangential to its direction of motion
28.6 N tangential to its direction of motion

10.

The diagram below shows the collision of two bodies. Before the collision, mass
is moving to the right with speed , and mass
is at rest.
Upon collision, the two bodies stick together.

Which expression represents the speed,

[Assume no outside forces are acting on

, of the bodies after the collision?

or

A
B
C
D
JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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11.

A spring balance which supports a weight of 1 N is attached to the roof of a lift.

What is the reading on the spring balance in the following situations?
I
II
III
IV

The lift is accelerating upwards.

The lift is accelerating downwards.
The lift is moving downwards at constant speed
The cables of the lift snaps.
I

Reading on Spring Balance (N)

II
III

IV

A
B
C
D
12.

A tractor, including the driver, has a mass of 500 kg and is towing a trailer of mass
2000 kg as shown in the figure below. The tractor and the trailer are accelerating at
0.50 ms-2, to the left.
Ignore any retarding friction forces. Ignore the mass of the towing rope.

What is the magnitude of net force on the tractor-trailer system and the tension in the
rope?
Net force (N)

Tension in rope (N)

1 250

250

750

1 000

1 250

1 000

750

250

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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13.

Which diagrams show the correct motion of the points P and Q in the medium for the
waves depicted?
Q
P

A
B
C
D
14.

Two sound waves are analysed using a Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) as shown.
wave A
wave B

When both sounds are heard, how does wave A compare to wave B?
A
B
C
D

It has a lower pitch and is louder.

It has a higher pitch and is louder.
It has a lower pitch and is not as loud.
It has a higher pitch and is not as loud.

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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15.

Two pulses on a string approach each other at speeds of 1 ms-1.

1 ms-1

1 ms-1

What is the shape of the string at t = 6 s?

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JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

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Student Number :

Part A:

Multiple Choice Answer Sheet

Total marks: 15

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

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PART B:
16.

Extended Response

Marks

With reference to a moving car, distinguish between average speed and

instantaneous speed.

Average velocity is the change in displacement over change in time, while

instantaneous speed is the speed at one particular moment in time. For example a car
moving from town A to town B with displacement of 5 km in 30 minutes has an
average velocity of 10 km/h in a direction from A to B, while at some point between
the towns, after say 10 minutes, it could have a velocity of 12 km/h at that instant.

Criteria

Marks

Correctly distinguishes both terms

Correctly defines one term only

17.

2
1

The graph below describes the motion of a car during a 40-s time interval. The car
was travelling east initially.

Velocity ( ms-1)

10

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

Time (s)

-5

Use the graph to answer the following questions:

(a)

At which time(s) was the velocity of the car zero?

At t =0 and t = 35 s

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(b)

During which time(s) was the car moving west?

Between 35 and 40 s

Criteria

Marks

Correctly states the interval

(c)

Calculate the total distance travelled by the car in 40 s.

Total distance = area under curve

= (35+15)10 + (5)(5)
= 262.5 m
Criteria
Correctly equates the area under curve and determines correct distance
Correctly equates the area under curve but incorrectly calculates distance

(d)

Marks
2
1

How far was the car from its starting point at the end of the 40-s interval?

250 m 12.5 m
= 237.5 m
Criteria

Marks

Correctly calculates distance

(e)

Calculate the acceleration of the car between 25 s and 40 s.

west or left
Criteria
Correctly substitutes and calculates acceleration with correct units and
direction
Correct substitutes and calculates acceleration, but omits units or direction

Marks
2
1

(f) Using an appropriate scale, draw a fully labelled acceleration-time graph of the car
during the 40 s of its motion. Use the number plane below.
3
a (ms-2)

10

20

30

25

40

50

Time (s)

-1

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18.

The car shown below travels at constant speed up a dirt road.

Driving Force

Normal

Friction

Weight (w)

(a)

Draw and label on the diagram, all the forces acting on the car in this position.
Criteria
Four correct forces (length of arrow + name)
Three correct forces
Two correct forces
One correct force

(b)

Marks
4
3
2
1

What is the magnitude of the net force on the car? Justify your answer.

Zero as the car travels at constant speed (acceleration is zero)

Criteria
Correctly determines magnitude of force and explains why
Identifies correct magnitude of force but unable to explain correctly

19.

Marks
2
1

Two objects P and Q, of masses 20 kg and 40 kg respectively are in contact on a

smooth table. A force of 300 N acts on P that accelerates the system to the right.
Q
P

F = 300 N

(a)

20 kg

40 kg

Calculate the acceleration of the system.

Criteria
Correctly determines acceleration by substituting into F(net), with units and
direction
Correctly states Newton ii, but incorrectly substitutes the mass

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

Marks
2
1

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(b)

Calculate the magnitude of the force that Q exerts on P.

Force of P on Q = 5 x 40 = 200 N.
Hence force that Q exerts on P, by Newtons third law is 200 N to the left.

Criteria
Correctly determines Force of P on Q, and applies newton iii to find force of
Q on P.
Incorrectly determines the force but correctly applies Newton iii

20.

Marks
2
1

Two identical rubber balls, with mass m, are used to investigate the physics of
collisions. A student rolls one of the balls towards the other stationary ball.
4
When they collide, they do so perfectly elastically, i.e. they do not cling together
after the collision.
Two other students predict the outcome of the collision as follows:
Student 1:
Student 2:

Both balls will continue to roll forwards with half the speed of the
original ball.
The moving ball will stop and the other ball will move forwards with
the speed of the first ball.

By referring to the conservation of energy and momentum, evaluate each students

prediction.
Due to conservation of momentum, the second ball acquires all the momentum of the
first ball. Thus students 1 and 2 are correct. However due to the conservation of
kinetic energy for an elastic collision, student 1 is incorrect as
. If the first ball stops i.e. transfers all its
nd
nd
kinetic energy to the 2 ball, then the 2 ball moves off with the same speed as the 1st
ball.
Hence student 2 is correct.
Criteria
Correctly applies conservation of momentum to both cases and shows that
student 1 and 2s assertion about speeds is correct AND further shows by
conservation of kinetic energy that student 2 only is correct
Correctly states both students are correct due to conservation of
momentum, but chooses student 2 to be correct due to conservation of
kinetic energy, but fails to explicitly (use of equations) show that in case 1,
Ek is not conserved
Makes a judgement that student 2 is correct, but provides vague
explanations
Makes judgement that student 2 is correct,

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

Marks
4

2
1

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21.

Explain, using the relevant physics principles, how air bags alter the force
acting on passengers in a collision.

During a collision, the change in momentum (Impulse) remains the same.

i.e.
However, when a collision occurs, and the air bag inflates, the time the passengers are in
contact with the airbags increases. In order for the impulse to remain constant, the force has
to decrease. Hence the force on the passengers decreases and their injuries are reduced.
Criteria
Correctly identifies that the impulse is constant, quotes the equation, and
mentions the contact time increases, thereby decreasing the force.
Correctly identifies that the impulse is constant, and mentions the contact
time increases, thereby decreasing the force, without reference to an
equation.
Correctly mentions that the forces decreases, but fails to explain why

22.

Marks
3
2

Joanne hits a ball moving towards her bat at 30 ms-1, with her softball bat. The force
versus time graph for this interaction is shown below. The ball has a mass of 200 g.
Assume that the bat and ball form an isolated system during the interaction.

(a)

Calculate the magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball.

Change in momentum,
kgms-1
Criteria
Correctly states change in mom is area under curve and calculates the area
correctly.
Correctly states change in momentum is area under curve, but incorrect
substitution and calculation.

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

Marks
2
1

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(b)

Determine the magnitude of the change in momentum of the bat.

Same, i.e

10 kgms-1

Criteria
Correctly states change in momentum.

(c)

Marks
1

Calculate the velocity of the ball after 0.040 s.

Hence the velocity of the ball after the impact is 20 ms-1 away from the bat.
Criteria
Correctly applies conservation of momentum, substitutes correctly and
determines the velocity.
Correctly applies conservation of momentum, substitutes incorrectly and
determines the some velocity.

23.

Marks
2
1

Recall three differences between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves. 3

(i)
EM waves do not require a medium for its transmission, while mechanical
waves do.
(ii)
EM waves travel at 300 000 000 ms-1, while mechanical do not e.g. sound
waves travel at 330 ms-1
(iii)
EM waves are transverse in nature, while mechanical waves could be either
transverse or longitudinal.
Criteria
Correctly states 3 differences
States 2 differences
States 1 difference

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

Marks
3
2
1

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24.

The screen of a cathode ray oscilloscope is shown below. The trace is produced
by a sound input from a microphone.

x scale: 1 grid = 1.0 ms

(a)

y scale: 1 grid = 5.0 mV

Find the period, T, of this sound wave.

1 ms = 8 ms
Criteria
Correctly calculates period, with units

(b)

Hence calculate the wavelength, , of the sound wave.

Criteria
Correctly applies wave equation, substitutes correctly and calculates the
wavelength.
Correctly applies wave equation, substitutes some incorrect period (from
previous) and correctly calculates the wavelength.
Correctly applies wave equation, substitutes incorrectly and calculates the
wavelength.

(c)

Marks
1

Marks
2
2
1

In the space below, draw a fully labelled diagram to show a representation of the
particles of air as this sound wave passes.

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Criteria
Correctly shows compressions and rarefactions with labels for wavelength
and amplitude.
Correctly shows compressions and rarefactions with with one or more labels
omitted.

25.

Marks
2
1

Using a flow chart, describe the energy transformations that occur in ONE of the
following technological devices:
3

Mobile telephone
fax / modem
Radio and TV

Mobile Phone:
Sound energy ---- electrical energy---EMR (microwaves/radio waves)---> electrical
energy - sound energy
Fax/modem:
Light energy --- Heat energy --- Electrical energy --- sound energy--- light/heat
energy
Radio/TV:
Sound/light energy---electrical energy --Radio waves (EMR)--electrical
energy--sound/light energy
Criteria
Correctly shows a flow chart (with arrows), and correct conversion of energy
Correctly shows a flow chart (with arrows), and omits one step in the
conversion of energy
Correctly shows a flow chart (with arrows), and omits two or more steps in
conversion of energy

JRAHS 2013 Preliminary Physics Half Yearly Theory

Marks
3
2
1

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END OF EXAMu

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