Paper 1 Exam Questions

Question 1

The negatively charged student touches a metal tap and receives an electric shock. Explain why.
[3 marks]

Answer 1

• there is a potential difference between the student and the tap
• which causes electrons to transfer from the student to the tap
• which earths the charge

Question 2

Some carpets have thin copper wires running through them. The student is less likely to receive an electric shock after walking on this type of carpet. Suggest why.
[2 marks]

Answer 2

• carpet / copper has a low resistance
• no potential difference between student and tap / earth

Question 3

The maximum speed this cyclist can travel on a level road is 14 m/s.

How does cycling uphill affect the maximum speed of this cyclist?

Explain your answer.
[3 marks]

Answer 3

• maximum speed is lower
• because maximum power output of cyclist is constant
• (but) additional work is done (against gravity)

Question 4

Explain how the resistance of a filament lamp changes as the potential difference across it increases.
[3 marks]

Answer 4

• the current increases (when the potential difference increases)
• (which) causes the temperature of the filament to increase
• (so) the resistance increases

Question 5

What does more energy efficient mean? (1 mark)

Answer 5

higher (useful) energy output for the same (total) energy input

Question 6

The smoke alarm would not work with a radiation source that emits beta or gamma radiation.
Explain why.
[2 marks]

Answer 6

• beta and gamma radiation will penetrate smoke
• no change (in the count rate) would be detected

Question 7

Explain the ideal properties of a radioactive source for use in medical diagnosis.
[4 marks] - level question, 7 bullet points

Answer 7

• short half-life or half-life of a few hours
• (short half-life means) less damage to cells / tissues / organs / body
• low ionising power
• (low ionising power means) less damage to cells / tissues / organs / body
• highly penetrating
• (highly penetrating means) it can be detected outside the body
• emits gamma radiation

Question 8

Figure 14 shows a person using a bicycle pump to inflate a tyre.

The internal energy of the air increases as the tyre is inflated.

Explain why.
[2 marks]

Answer 8

• work is done on the air (in the tyre)
• so the temperature (of the air) increases

Question 9

Describe the process of nuclear fission.
[4 marks]

Answer 9

• a neutron is absorbed by a (large) nucleus
• the nucleus splits into two (smaller) nuclei
• releasing energy (and gamma rays)
• and (two / three) neutrons

Question 10

Explain what happens in the process of nuclear fusion.
[3 marks]

Answer 10

• light nuclei (hydrogen nuclei)
• join to form a heavier nucleus (helium nucleus)
• (some of the) mass of the nuclei is converted to energy

Question 11

In addition to power input, light bulbs should also be labelled with the rate at which they emit visible light.
Suggest why.
[2 marks]

Answer 11

• bulbs also transfer thermal energy
• the efficiency of the light bulb also needs to be considered

Question 12

When electric cars are not being driven, energy stored in their batteries could be used to meet sudden peaks in electricity demand.
Suggest how.
[2 marks]

Answer 12

• when cars are plugged in
• the energy from car batteries could be transferred back to the National Grid

Question 13

Explain why contamination of the inside of the human body by a radioactive material that emits alpha radiation is highly dangerous.
[3 marks]

Answer 13

• alpha radiation is highly ionising
• causing an increased risk of cancer
• until the radioactive material is removed