CSEC Physics Paper 1 January 2017 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

How many significant figures are in the quantity 25.92 m³?

The volume of the liquid, in cm³, is

In carrying out an experiment to locate a real image using a converging lens, the object can be placed I. between the focal point and the lens II. at the focal point III. between the focal point and a point at twice the focal length

Which of the following instruments is suitable for measuring the diameter of a human hair?

Micrometer screw gauge

Three immiscible liquids P, Q and R have densities which differ. Q is denser than P but less dense than R. Which of the following diagrams shows how the liquids settle in the measuring cylinder?

The mass of an astronaut is 70 kg when standing on the moon. When he returns to earth his approximate weight will be

When a force F is applied to a spring of original length L, the new length becomes L+x. What would be the new length of the spring if a force of $\frac{F}{2}$ was applied instead?

Item 8 refers to the following diagram which shows three forces of magnitudes L, M and N, all in the same plane and applied on a ring.

Which of the following equations must be TRUE in order for the ring to remain stationary?

the product of mass and acceleration

the product of mass and velocity

measured in newton-metres

measured in kilograms per metre

Which of the following features must be present in a stable, well-designed racing car?

Low centre of gravity

Which of the following statements represent ways in which energy may be used MORE efficiently and economically in homes? I. Washing fewer and larger loads in the washing machine II. Using a solar water heater instead of an electrical heater III. Hanging clothes out to dry in the sun instead of using an electric dryer

When a ball is thrown vertically upwards, and reaches its maximum height, it has

maximum kinetic energy and maximum potential energy

maximum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy

maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy

minimum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy

A large, heavy parcel is tied with string. It is less painful for a person to pick up the parcel if a cloth is wrapped around the string. This is because the cloth

exerts less force on the fingers

reduces the tension in the string

makes the parcel lighter

reduces the pressure on the fingers

The specific latent heat of vaporization of water is $2.26 \times 10^6 \, \text{J kg}^{-1}$ . When $0.01 \, \text{kg}$ of water is converted into steam it

absorbs $2.26 \times 10^4 \, \text{J}$

gives out $2.26 \times 10^4 \, \text{J}$

absorbs $2.26 \times 10^8 \, \text{J}$

gives out $2.26 \times 10^8 \, \text{J}$

Item 15 refers to the following diagram which shows a copper rod being heated. X Y Z

Which of the following transitions BEST indicates the direction of net energy transfer?

The heat capacity of a substance is defined as the amount of heat energy

the substance can hold

1 kg of the substance can hold

required to change the substance to another state

needed to raise the temperature of the substance by 1 degree

Under what conditions could the following gas formula be applied to solve problems? $\frac{P_1V_1}{T_1} = \frac{P_2V_2}{T_2}$ I. Mass of gas being constant. II. The temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$ must be given in Kelvin. III. $P_1$ and $P_2$ must be measured in mm of mercury. IV. The units of $P_1$ and $V_1$ must be the same as those for $P_2$ and $V_2$ .

Which scientist was responsible for arriving at the conclusion that measured amounts of electrical and mechanical energy can be converted to proportionate amounts of heat energy?

Which of the following methods is the MOST suitable means of heating a brass bob in order to determine its specific heat capacity by the method of mixtures?

Subjecting it to an open flame for ten minutes

Placing it in contact with an electrical heater for ten minutes

Placing it in a boiling water bath for ten minutes

Subjecting it to an infrared beam for ten minutes

A student carries out an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity, c, of a solid using the electrical method. Which of the following equations should be used?

$c = \frac{M\Delta\theta}{PI}$

$c = \frac{F \times D}{M\Delta\theta}$

$c = \frac{IVt}{M\Delta\theta}$

$c = \frac{M\Delta\theta}{IVt}$

The energy required to change the state of a substance was determined to be E. If the mass of the substance was DOUBLED, the value of E will

The specific latent heat of vaporization of water is the energy required to change 1 kg of water at

0 °C to ice at 0 °C

99.9 °C to steam at 100.1 °C

100 °C to steam at 100 °C

0 °C to steam at 100 °C

The 'glasshouse' effect refers to the glasshouse acting as a heat trap. This is a direct result of

short wavelength infrared rays which are unable to penetrate glass

long wavelength infrared rays which are radiated from the sun and are unable to penetrate glass

short wavelength infrared rays which are radiated from the objects within the glasshouse and are unable to penetrate glass

long wavelength infrared rays which are radiated from the objects within the glasshouse and are unable to penetrate glass

The specific latent heat of fusion of water is 340 kJkg⁻¹. This means that when 10 kg of water freezes

34 kJ of heat is absorbed

34 kJ of heat is given out.

3 400 kJ of heat is absorbed

3 400 kJ of heat is given out

Which of the following statements is true?

P is louder than Q but Q has a higher pitch.

P is louder than Q and also has a higher pitch than Q.

Q is louder than P but P has a higher pitch.

Q is louder than P and also has a higher pitch than P.

From the information given, the frequency is

Item 27 refers to the following diagram which shows Pam facing a plane mirror which is 8.0 m away from her.

Pam views the image of a vase, which is 0.5 m away from her. How far from Pam is the image of the vase?

An object is placed at the bottom of a tank of water and viewed vertically from above. Which of the following would be TRUE of the image of the object? I. It is virtual. II. It is diminished. III. It is nearer to the eye than the object.

Which of the following features make the visible spectrum possible? I. The colour violet has the shorter wavelength, hence refracts more than colour red. II. The colour red has the longer wavelength, hence refracts less than colour violet. III. The colour violet has the longer wavelength, hence refracts more than colour red. IV. The colour red has the shorter wavelength, hence refracts more than colour violet.

The critical angle for glass is 42°. X is a ray of light, perpendicular to BC. The ray of light will emerge in the direction of

Which of the following waves requires a medium of transmission?

The refractive index of a transparent medium with a critical angle, c, for light travelling from the medium to air is

$\frac{90^\circ}{\sin c}$

$\frac{\sin 90^\circ}{\sin c}$

A piece of paper was burnt by adjusting the height of a converging lens above the paper until the most concentrated beam of sunlight was obtained. The distance between the lens and the paper was 10 cm. What was the focal length, in cm, of the lens?

Which of the following diagrams could represent diffraction of water waves in a ripple tank?

Item 35 refers to the following diagram which shows a transverse wave at a particular instant. Displacement P R S A Position

The wavelength of the wave is equal to the distance

Item 36 refers to the following diagram which shows a light ray which is incident at the air- glass interface at an angle of incidence of 50°. Air Glass 50°

If the critical angle for glass is 45°, the light ray will be

Which of the following statements is TRUE of a diverging lens?

It is thinner at the centre than at the edge.

It can form only inverted images.

It can form only real images.

It can form only enlarged images.

What is the equivalent resistance of the two resistors shown in the following diagram?

A current I flows for a time t between two points at a potential difference of V. The power P expended is equal to

A glass rod is rubbed with a piece of silk and is positively charged. The glass rod became charged by

Which of the following diagrams represents the electric field existing between two oppositely charged point charges?

Diagram showing electric field lines originating from a positive charge and terminating on a negative charge, forming closed loops.

Diagram showing electric field lines originating from a positive charge and terminating on a negative charge, forming elliptical paths.

Diagram showing parallel electric field lines between a positive and a negative charge.

Diagram showing electric field lines diverging from a positive charge and converging towards a negative charge in a non-uniform manner.

Item 42 refers to the following diagram which shows an electrical circuit with a cell and two filament bulbs.

Which of the following circuits are electrically the same as the circuit above?

Circuit diagram with two bulbs in parallel connected to a cell.

Circuit diagram with two bulbs in series connected to a cell.

Circuit diagram with two bulbs in parallel connected to a cell.

The resistance of an IDEAL ammeter is assumed to be

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which the strength of the magnetic field near a solenoid (long coil) carrying a current can be increased?

Increasing the resistance of the coil

Increasing the current in the coil

Increasing the number of turns per unit length of the coil

Placing a soft iron core inside the coil

Which of the following concerning voltmeters is correct?

Which of the following diagrams represents the current/potential difference relationship for a metallic conductor at a constant temperature?

I-V graph sloping downwards from left to right

I-V graph sloping upwards from left to right through the origin

I-V graph that curves upwards and then levels off

I-V graph that is horizontal then slopes upwards

An ideal transformer has 1200 turns on the primary coil and 600 turns on the secondary coil. If the voltage across the primary is 20 V, the secondary voltage is

Item 48 refers to the following diagram which shows a cell E, a diode P, and a resistor R, connected in series. E P R

Which of the following graphs BEST illustrates the current through R?

Which of the following statements about alternating current is TRUE?

It can be changed into direct current by a transformer.

It can be rectified by using a semiconductor diode.

It can be used to recharge a battery.

It can be used to transmit electrical energy because of its high frequency.

Which of the following statements about insulators is NOT true?

In an insulator all electrons are bound firmly to their atoms.

In an insulator many electrons can move freely from atom to atom.

An insulator can be charged by rubbing.

A good insulator retains its charge better than a conductor.

Item 51 refers to the following diagram. P Q

An iron rod, PQ, is placed inside a plastic pipe wound with a coil as shown in the diagram and a current is passed. When the current is switched off, the rod is likely to have

positive charge at P, negative charge at Q

negative charge at P, positive charge at Q

N pole at P, S pole at Q

S pole at P, N pole at Q

An electromagnet consists of insulated wire wrapped around an iron core.

It works because

iron is always magnetized

iron is a good electrical conductor

a magnetic field is produced inside the coil

an electric field is produced inside the coil

The electric power supplied to homes and factories is alternating current (a.c.) rather than direct current (d.c.) because

the use of a.c. reduces electrical hazards

the use of a.c. reduces transmission losses

a.c. enables a wider variety of appliances to be used

a.c. power lines are less likely to be struck by lightning than d.c. power lines

Which of the following would be possible symbols for an isotope of a nuclide represented by $\ce{^{A}_{Z}X}$ ?

$\ce{^{A-2}_{Z+2}X}$

The nuclide $^{234}_{90}$ Th contains

90 protons and 234 neutrons

235 protons and 90 neutrons

90 protons and 144 neutrons

144 protons and 90 neutrons

Alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays from a radioactive source are subjected to a transverse magnetic field. Which of them would NOT be deviated from their original path?

I. Alpha II. Beta III. Gamma

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 20 days. How many days will it take for a given sample to have its activity reduced to $\frac{1}{8}$ of its initial value?

Which of the following describes two properties of an a-particle?

No charge, very penetrating

Positive charge, very penetrating

Negative charge, not very penetrating

Positive charge, not very penetrating

Sodium 24 decays into Magnesium 24 with the emission of a B-particle and can be represented by the following equation.

$\underset{11}{24}Na \rightarrow \underset{12}{24}Mg + \square$

Which of the following should be placed in the box to complete the equation?

No radioactive nuclei are present in a sample at time t = 0.

Which of the following graphs BEST represents the variation with time of the number, N, of undecayed nuclei present?

Graph showing N decreasing from N₀ to 0 in a curved manner, resembling a quarter circle.

Graph showing N increasing from 0.

Graph showing N decreasing linearly from N₀ to 0.

Graph showing N decreasing from N₀ in an exponential decay curve.

$\ce{^{A-2}_{Z-2}X}$

$\ce{^{A+2}_{Z+2}X}$

$\underset{-1}{0}He$

CSEC Physics Paper 1 January 2017 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

CSEC Physics Paper 1 January 2017 Questions