A trolley experiment uses a total moving mass of 0.80 kg. Resultant forces 0.40 N, 0.80 N and 1.20 N produce accelerations 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50 m/s².
.1
Calculate the acceleration predicted for a 1.60 N resultant force.
[2 marks]
.2
Evaluate whether the data support the proposed relationship, and identify one way to make the conclusion more reliable.
[3 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A solenoid produces a field resembling that of a bar magnet. A compass near end X points away from X with its north-seeking end. The current is then reversed.
.1
Determine the initial polarity of X and its polarity after reversal. Explain the reasoning.
[2 marks]
.2
Compare the field inside a long solenoid with its field near an open end.
[2 marks]
4 marksHigher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A bus travels at 12 m/s. A cyclist ahead travels at 5.0 m/s in the same direction. Initially they are 140 m apart. Both speeds remain constant until they meet.
.1
Calculate how long the bus takes to reach the cyclist.
[2 marks]
.2
Calculate how far the bus travels before reaching the cyclist.
[2 marks]
5 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Identical detectors at equal distances from two heated plates record infrared signal after the background reading has been subtracted. Both plates have the same area and temperature. Matt black gives 8.4 units and shiny silver gives 2.1 units.
.1
Calculate how many times larger the black-plate signal is.
[2 marks]
.2
Evaluate whether the measurements support using a shiny surface to reduce thermal radiation losses.
[3 marks]
5 marksHigher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
In a collision test the total momentum before impact is 0.500 kg m/s. Three repeats give total momentum after impact of 0.492, 0.501 and 0.495 kg m/s, all in the original direction.
.1
Calculate the mean total momentum after impact.
[2 marks]
.2
The uncertainty in the mean is estimated as 0.010 kg m/s. Evaluate whether these results contradict conservation of momentum.
