SYSS F.

6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 1 of 11

Sing Yin Secondary School
Form 6 Physics
First Term Examination 2008-2009

Time allowed: 3 hours.

Instructions: 1. This paper consists of THREE sections, A, B and C. Answer ALL

questions.

2. You should spend about 70 minutes answering Section A, 90

minutes answering Section B, and 20 minutes answering Section C.
3. Answer Section A on the MC ANSWER SHEET, and Section B &
Section C in the ANSWER BOOK.
4. Where necessary, take g to be 10 m s−2. Air resistance is
negligible, unless otherwise stated. There is a list of formulae
attached, which may be useful to you.

Section A Multiple Choice Questions (40%)

There are 30 questions in this section. Each question carries equal marks.

1. The acceleration of an object is non-zero. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) The speed of the object must change.
(2) The kinetic energy of the object must change.
(3) The momentum of the object must change.

A. (1) only B. (3) only

C. (1) and (2) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

2. Two particles, A and B, are projected vertically upwards from the ground. The times for them to return
to the ground are tA and tB respectively. Their maximum heights attained are hA and hB respectively. If
tA : tB = 1 : 2, then hA : hB =

A. 1 : 2 B. 1 : 2
C. 1 : 4 D. 1 : 2 2

3. A particle is performing a projectile motion as shown. When it is at half of its maximum height, which
of the following statement is/are correct?

h/2

h/2

(1) Its kinetic energy is half of its initial value.

(2) Its vertical speed is half of its initial value.
(3) The time elapsed is 1/4 of the total time of flight.

A. None of the above B. (3) only

C. (1) and (2) only D. (2) and (3) only

4. Two blocks, of masses m and 3 m, connected by a light string,

are placed on a smooth horizontal table. Two forces, of P Q
m 3m
magnitudes P and Q (P > Q), are acting on the system as shown.
Find the tension of the string.

3P + Q
A. P − Q B.
4
P + 3Q P+Q
C. D.
4 2
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 2 of 11
5. To climb the rock face, the climber must do work. Which of the
following is the major force that the climber does work against as he
climbs?

A. air resistance
B. friction on the rock
C. his weight
D. tension in the safety rope

6. Two cars A and B start to travel from town P to town Q at the same time along the same straight path.
The speed of car A is 20 m s-1 and that of car B is 30 m s-1. Car B reaches town Q 50 s before car A.
What is the distance between town P and town Q?

A. 5000 m B. 3000 m
C. 1000 m D. 500 m

7. Blocks X and Y are initially held stationary on the inclining surfaces Q

PQ and QR of a wedge. The wedge rests on a horizontal surface X Y
and all contact surfaces are smooth. After releasing the blocks
simultaneously, the wedge PQR remains at rest when the blocks P 30˚ 60˚ R
are sliding down the inclining surfaces. If the mass of block X is
2 kg, find the mass of block Y.

A. 2 kg B. 1 kg

C. 2 kg D. 2 2 kg

8. A billiard ball is moving on a frictionless horizontal table at a speed of

u. It hits another billiard ball of equal mass which is initially at rest.
The directions of travel of the two balls after impact are both at an θ
angle θ with the original direction of the ball. Given that 30% of the θ
initial kinetic energy is lost during the impact, find the value of the
angle θ.

A. 32.31o B. 53.30o
C. 45o D. 25.21o

9. After experienced a constant force for 2 s, the velocity of a 1 kg ball changes from 5 m s-1 (towards
East) to 2 m s-1 (towards North). Find the magnitude of the force.

A. 1.50 N B. 2.69 N
C. 3.00 N D. 5.39 N
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 3 of 11
10. A uniform chain of mass m is put on the top of a smooth double-sided wedge. The length of each side of
the wedge and the length of the chain are all L.
chain
chain
L

L/2 L/2
θ θ θ θ
Before sliding After sliding
Initially, the chain is put mid-way on the wedge. It is then given a slight push from rest. When the
whole chain just slide to the left side of the wedge, find the kinetic energy gain of the chain.

mgL sin θ
A. mgL sin θ B.
2
mgL sin θ mgL sin θ
C. D.
4 8
F
11. A cylinder of radius 1.0 m and mass 1 kg is pulled horizontally at
the top by a force F. The cylinder is initially at rest. Find the
minimum value of F such that the cylinder can roll over a step of
0.5 m high. Assume that the cylinder rolls without slipping at the 1.0 m
contact point R. R
0.5 m
A. 10 N B. 8.66 N
C. 5.77 N D. 4.33 N

12. A uniform beam of weight 400 N is supported at its ends P and Q. A man 0.7 m 0.3 m
of weight 600 N stands on the beam 0.3 m from point Q as shown. Find
the reaction forces at P and Q. P Q

Reaction at P Reaction at Q
A. 380 N 620 N 1m
B. 420 N 580 N
C. 580 N 420 N
D. 620 N 380 N

13. An aeroplane is flying in a horizontal circle at a speed of

600 km h−1. It is tilted at an angle of 18° to the vertical.
Suppose the centripetal force needed is provided by a
lifting force from the air which is perpendicular to the
wings. What is the radius of the circle?

A. 2.9 km B. 5.1 km
C. 8.5 km D. 9.2 km

14. Which of the following is/are correct about the banking of road at a bend?
(1) The weight of a car is tilted and provides part of the centripetal force.
(2) The centripetal force required to round the bend is reduced.
(3) The friction between the road surface and the car is reduced.

A. (1) only B. (3) only

C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

15. A light rope of length 1 m is tied to a bucket of water of total mass 1 kg. The rope is whirled such that
the bucket performs vertical circular motion. The speed of the bucket at the highest position is 4 m s-1.
Find the tension in the rope at this moment.

A. 6 N B. 12 N
C. 16 N D. 22 N
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 4 of 11
16. An object is placed on a horizontal platform vibrating vertically in SHM with a frequency of f. As the
amplitude of oscillation is increased gradually to 4 cm, it starts to lose contact with the platform at its
highest position. What is f?

A. 2.52 Hz B. 3.74 Hz
C. 4.23 Hz D. 5.64 Hz

17. In a block-spring system, the mass of the block is 400 g, and the spring is of negligible mass. It moves
in SHM of amplitude 6 cm. If the maximum KE of the block is 8 mJ, what is its period of motion?

A. 4.0 s B. 3.6 s
C. 2.7 s D. 1.9 s

18.

θ
T

mg
A simple pendulum is displaced an angle 2θ. It is then released from rest. The mass of the bob is m. As
its angular displacement from the vertical is θ, as shown above, the tension in the string is T. Which of
the following statements is/are correct?
(1) T = m g cos θ.
(2) The net force acting on the bob is T sin θ.
(3) The square of the period of oscillation is inversely proportional to g when 2θ is small.

A. (1) only B. (3) only

C. (1) and (2) only D. (2) and (3) only

19.

A trolley is attached to a fixed support on a vertical wall by a spring. It is then displaced from the
equilibrium position, and is set into a horizontal SHM. A load is dropped onto, and is retained by the
trolley when it reaches its right extreme position, as shown above. After the landing, which of the
following statements is/are correct?
(1) The maximum speed of the trolley decreases.
(2) The amplitude of oscillation remains unchanged.
(3) The period increases.

A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only

C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3) only
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 5 of 11
20.

Hacksaw blade B of small mass oscillating at its natural frequency fB, which can be changed by adjusting
the position of the sliding mass, is coupled to a heavy pendulum P of natural frequency fP. They start to
oscillate together. When steady state is reached, which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) P oscillates at frequency fB.
(2) The amplitude of B depends on the difference of fB and fP.
(3) The rate of transfer of energy from system P to B is minimum when fP is equal to fB.

A. (2) only B. (1) and (2) only

C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

21. The following graph shows the variation of the acceleration a of an object, which moves in a horizontal
SHM, with its displacement x from a fixed point. Which of the following graphs shows the variation of
its potential energy U with x?
a

A. U B. U

x x

U U
C. D.

x x

22. For a horizontal block-spring system moving in SHM, as the amplitude of oscillation is doubled, which of
the following quantities will also be doubled?
(1) maximum speed
(2) maximum acceleration
(3) mechanical energy

A. (2) and (3) only B. (1) and (2) only

C. (1) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 6 of 11
23. For a particle moving in SHM, which of the following statements about the phase relation of its
displacement x from the equilibrium point, its velocity v and its acceleration a is WRONG?

A. Velocity v leads displacement x by 90°.

B. Acceleration a leads velocity v by 180°.
C. Displacement x lags behind acceleration a by 180°.
D. Acceleration a and displacement x are exactly out of phase.

24. If a ball is projected vertically upwards with speed v1, it can reach a maximum height above the ground
equal to the radius of earth. If it is projected vertically upwards with speed v2, it can escape from the
earth’s gravitational field. Neglecting the effect of air resistance, find the ratio v1 : v2.

A. 1 : 2 B. 1 : 2
C. 1 : 3 D. 1 : 1

25. A satellite moves round the earth outside the earth’s atmosphere. Which of the following statements
is/are correct?
(1) The orbit of the satellite must be circular.
(2) As the satellite is closer to the planet, its speed decreases.
(3) Its total energy remains unchanged all the time.

A. (1) only B. (3) only

C. (1) and (2) only D. (2) and (3) only

26. The moon orbits the earth once every 27.3 days with a mean radius of R. What is the period of an
earth’s satellite with an orbital radius of R/4?

A. 218 days B. 14.8 days

C. 7.2 days D. 3.4 days

27. A satellite of mass 100 kg orbits the earth at a height of 500 km above the earth’s surface. Some
energy is then given to it so that it moves to another circular orbit at a height of 700 km above the
earth’s surface. Determine its gain in total energy. Given that mass of earth = 5.98 x 1024 kg, radius of
earth = 6400 km and G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2.

A. 8.14 x 107 J B. 1.63 x 108 J

C. 8.14 x 1010 J B. 1.63 x 1011 J

28. A synchronous satellite is one that always appears to be above a certain point on earth. Which of the
following statements is/are correct?
(1) Its period is about 30 days.
(2) It must lie on the equatorial plane.
(3) It has an angular speed of 7.27 x 10-5 rad s-1.

A. (1) and (2) only B. (2) and (3) only

C. (1) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

29. A spherical planet has a uniform density. Its radius and mass are R and M respectively. What is the
gravitational field strength at a point distance d below its surface?

A. GM(R-d)/R2 B. GMd/R2
C. GM(R-d)/R3 D. GMd/R3
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 7 of 11
30. Which of the following statements about the equipotentials of a spherical homogenous planet is/are
correct?
(1) They are concentric spheres.
(2) Gravitational field lines are always at rights angles with them.
(3) Equipotentials with constant interval are evenly distributed.

A. (1), (2) and (3) B. (2) and (3) only

C. (1) and (3) only D. (1) and (2) only

End of Section A
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 8 of 11

Section B (50%)
There are 5 questions in this section. Total mark is 52.

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mark 8 9 9 9 8 9

1. A football player is trying to kick the football to the goal. The initial velocity of the ball is u = 21 m s−1
at an angle θ = 18o to the horizontal. The goal is 16 m away and 1.8 m tall.

1.8 m

a. Find the maximum height attained by the ball. (2 marks)

b. Show that the ball cannot enter the goal. (3 marks)

c. If θ is unchanged and u is lowered, find the maximum value of u such that the ball can enter the goal.
(3 marks)

2. A small block of mass 0.05 kg is pressed against a fixed spring of spring constant 80 N m−1 at the
bottom of a smooth inclined plane as shown. The planed is inclined at an angle 30o to the horizontal.
When the spring is compressed for 5 cm, the mass is 0.2 m from the top of the plane. The mass is held
fixed by an external force F.

0.2 m Compressed spring

30o

a. Draw a force diagram for the block. Label the four forces acting on the block. (2 marks)

b. Find the magnitude of F required to hold the block. (3 marks)

c. F is removed suddenly. Find the velocity of the block when it reaches the top of the plane. (4 marks)
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 9 of 11
3. A light beam AB of length 2 m is attached to a joint on a vertical wall. The joint is free to rotate about
A. The beam is held horizontal by a light rope connected to B and a point C, which is 1 m vertically
above A. A weight W = 100 N is hanged on the beam 0.5 m from B.
C
0.5 m
1m

B A
W
2m

a. Draw a force diagram of the beam. (2 marks)

b. Find the tension of the rope. (2 marks)

c. Find the horizontal and vertical reactions at the joint A. (2 marks)

d. If W is moved towards B, state how the followings will change.

i. tension of the rope.
ii. horizontal reaction at A
iii. vertical reaction at A.
(3 marks)

4. A block of mass 0.04 kg is hung at the end of a spring, which is of negligible mass. It is made to
perform a vertical SHM with an amplitude of 0.1 m and a period 1.2 s. At time t = 0, it is moving upward,
and is 0.05 m above its equilibrium position.

a. Find its angular frequency ω. (1 mark)

b. If the displacement x from the equilibrium position can be expressed as x = A sin (ωt + φ), what is φ
(in radian)? (1 mark)

c. What is x at t = 0.3 s. (2 marks)

d. What is the magnitude and the direction of net force acting on the object when t = 0.3 s? (3 marks)

e. What is the total energy stored in the block-spring system? Let PE of the system at the equilibrium
position be zero. (2 marks)
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 10 of 11
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5. In this question, it is given that radius of earth is 6400 km and G is 6.67 x 10 N m2 kg-2.

a. The height of a synchronous satellite is 3.52 x 104 km from the earth’s surface. Neglecting the
effect by other planets, estimate the mass of earth. (3 marks)

b. The figure below shows a V – r graph, where V is the resultant gravitational potential by the earth
and the moon and r is the distance measured from the centre of the moon.

i. What is the resultant gravitational field strength at position P?

ii. Hence, describe and explain the motion of a body, when it is placed at rest at P.
iii. When a stone is projected from the earth’s surface with an initial velocity v towards the
moon, it can just reach the moon’s surface. Neglecting air resistance, find v.
(5 marks)

6. Planet P of mass m is orbiting the sun S of mass M in a circular path of radius r.

a. Express the centripetal force acting on P in terms of G, M, m and r. (1 mark)

b. Derive an express for the period T of the planet round the sun. (2 marks)

c. Distance between earth and sun is 1.50 x 1011 m. The earth takes 1 year to complete one revolution.
Jupiter takes 11.9 years to complete one revolution round the Sun. Find the radius of Jupiter’s orbit.
(2 marks)

d. The above figure shows graphs of r3 against T2 for the moons of Jupiter and the moons of Saturn,
where r is the radius of the moon and T is its period. If the mass of Jupiter is 1.90 x 1027 kg, find
the mass of Saturn. (4 marks)

End of Section B
SYSS F.6 Physics First Term Exam 08-09 Page 11 of 11

Section C (10%)
There are 2 questions in this section. Total mark is 10.

1. a. Relative to the ground, Peter is riding on a bicycle towards east. However, relative to Tom, Peter is
moving towards west. Suggest how Tom is moving relative to the ground. Draw a vector diagram to
help illustrate. (2 marks)

b. John designs an apparatus to measure the acceleration of a bus. On a card board shown in figure 1(a),
a simple pendulum is fixed at point A and the bob can swing freely about a vertical plane.
a
A

θ θ

Fig. 1 a Fig. 1 b

John then fixes the cardboard on a bus. When the bus is accelerating uniformly, the bob swings and
finally stops at an angle θ to the vertical.
i. Explain briefly why the string of the pendulum is not vertical in figure 1 (b). (1 mark)
ii. Deduce a formula relating the angle θ and the acceleration a of the bus. (2 marks)

2. a. Define gravitational field strength g. (2 marks)

b. Using suitable equations, explain why a small loss of total energy of a satellite results in an increase
in speed, assuming that the satellite’s path during this small change is still circular. (3 marks)

End of Paper

Useful Formulae in Advanced Level Physics

v2 2
A1. a = r = ω r centripetal acceleration
A2. a = −ω2x simple harmonic motion
Gm1m2
C1. F = Newton’s law of gravitation
r2
GM
C2.
V =− gravitational potential
r
C3. r3/T2 = constant Kepler’s third law