Name: _______________________________________________ 	

  	
  	
Physics Paper 1 type questions - calculations	
 
Higher level

  	

  	
Time: 53 minutes	
  	
Total marks available: 53	
  	
Total marks achieved: ______ 	

  	

  	

  	

  	

  	

  	

  	

	

 

Questions

Q1.

The photograph shows a small aeroplane, of mass 600 kg.

This aeroplane has an electric motor powered by fuel cells.
Fuel cells use hydrogen gas and provide an electric current.
(a) When the aeroplane is working, the energy changes are
(1)
   A    chemical → electrical → kinetic
   B    electrical → chemical → kinetic
   C    electrical → kinetic → chemical
   D    kinetic → chemical → electrical

(b) The velocity of the aeroplane is 28 m/s.
(i) State the equation linking kinetic energy, mass and velocity.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the aeroplane.
(2)

Kinetic energy = ........................................................... J

(c) The aeroplane takes off and climbs to a height of 1000 m.
(i) State the equation linking gravitational potential energy (GPE), mass, g and height.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the aeroplane.
(2)

GPE of the aeroplane = ........................................................... J

(iii) The fuel cells provide a maximum total power of 24 kW. The aeroplane also
carries a large rechargeable battery.
Show, by calculation, that the aeroplane needs this extra source of power to
climb to 1000 m in 3 minutes.
(2)

(iv) The aeroplane uses fuel cells connected together in series in a 'stack'.
The voltage of each fuel cell is 0.6 V. The maximum current in each fuel cell is 30 A.
Show that there must be more than 1300 fuel cells in the stack.
(2)

(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q2.

(a)  A student investigates the energy transfers in a small generator.
She connects the generator to a circuit that includes a lamp.
She hangs a mass from a string wound around the axle.
The lamp lights as the mass falls to the ground.

The table shows the student's results.

(i)  State the equation linking gravitational potential energy, mass, g and height.
(1)

(ii)  Calculate the gravitational potential energy, GPE, lost by the mass.
(2)

GPE = ...........................................................J
(iii)  Explain why only some of the gravitational potential energy of the mass is transferred to the lamp.
(2)
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(iv)  Calculate the energy transferred to the lamp.
(2)

energy transferred = ...........................................................J
(b)  Water from a reservoir can be used to generate electricity on a large scale.
Describe the energy transfers involved in this process.
(3)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q3.
 
A resistance band is a stretchy plastic band that is used when doing exercises.
The diagram shows a student exercising his leg by stretching a resistance band fixed to a wall.

The student moves his leg 34 cm sideways as shown.
The average resistance force is 23 N.
(a)  (i)  State the relationship between work done, force and distance moved.
(1)

(ii)  Calculate the work done when the student moves his leg sideways once.
(2)

work done = .............................................. J
(b)  The student repeats this movement 15 times in 1 minute.
Calculate the average power of the student during this exercise.
(3)

power = ................................................. W
 
(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q4.

A washing machine has an electric motor and an electric heater.

The resistance of the heater is 22 Ω.
The mains voltage is 230 V.
(a) (i) State the equation linking voltage, current and resistance.
(1)

(ii) Show that the current in the heater is about 10 A when it is working.
(2)

(b) The washing machine is fitted with a fuse rated at 13 A.
(i) Explain why the washing machine is fitted with a fuse.
(2)
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(ii) When the motor is working, the current in it is 1.74 A.
Explain why it would not be sensible to replace the 13 A fuse with a 2 A fuse.
(2)
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(Total for question = 7 marks)

Q5.
 
An electric kettle is connected to the 230 V mains supply.
The power of the kettle is 960 W.

(a)  (i)  A power of 960 watts is the same as
(1)
   A    960 joules per coulomb
   B    960 joules per second
   C    960 newtons per metre
   D    960 newtons per second

(ii)  State the equation linking power, current and voltage.
(1)

(iii)  Show that the current in the kettle is about 4 A.
(2)

(b)  The 960 W kettle is earthed and fitted with a fuse.
(i)  Explain how this can protect the person using the kettle if there is a fault.
(3)
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(ii)  Another kettle has twice as much power.
It is connected to the same mains supply.
Which of these fuse ratings should be used for this kettle?
(1)
   A    1 A
   B    3 A
   C    5 A
   D    13 A

(c)  A student has a pack of fuses labelled 2 A.
Explain how she could use one of these fuses to check that the label is correct.
You may draw a circuit diagram to help your answer.
(3)

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(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q6.

This question is about an electric kettle.

(a) The Sankey diagram represents the energy transfers taking place when the kettle
heats some water.

What is the efficiency of the kettle?
(1)
   A    0.1
   B    0.9
   C    200
   D    1800

(b) Why does the heating element in the kettle get hot when its electrical supply is
switched on?
(2)
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(c) The power of the heating element in the kettle is 2000 W when it is connected to a
230 V mains supply.
(i) State the equation linking power, current and voltage.
(1)

(ii) Show that the current in the heating element is approximately 9 A.
(2)

Current = ........................................................... A

(iii) The plug of the kettle has a fuse.
Fuses are available in values of
1 A        3 A        7 A        13 A
Identify the fuse that is the most suitable for this kettle, and explain why.
(2)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)