Student Name

William Carey
Christian School

2011
PRELIMINARY COURSE
EXAMINATION

Physics
Total marks 75

General Instructions

Reading time 5 minutes

Working time 2 hours This paper has two parts, Part A and Part B
Write using black or blue pen
Part A 20 marks
Draw diagrams using pencil Attempt Questions 1-20
Allow about 35 minutes for this part
Approved calculators may be
used
Part B 55 marks
Attempt Questions 21-34
Write your student name in
the space provided Allow about 1 hour and 25 minutes for this part

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Part A 20 marks
Attempt Questions 1-20
Allow about 35 minutes for this part

Use the multiple-choice answer sheet.

Select the alternative A,B,C or D that best answers the question. Fill in the response oval
completely.

Sample: 2+4= (A) 2 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 9

A B C D

If you think you have made a mistake, put a cross through the incorrect answer and fill in the
new answer.

A B C D

If you change your mind and have crossed out what you consider to be the correct answer,
then indicate the correct answer by writing the word correct and drawing an arrow as
follows.

A B C D

correct

2
1 Which diagrams show the correct motion of the points P and Q on the medium for the
waves depicted?

Q
x
P t

P Q

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

2 A tsunami wave in the deep ocean had a wavelength of 100 km. Closer to shore, the
same wave had a wavelength of 2.0 km. In both cases, four waves passed in half an
hour.

It can be said that when the tsunami waves got closer to the shore:

(A) they sped up.

(B) they slowed down.
(C) their frequency increased.
(D) their period increased.

3
3 Two sound waves are analysed using a CRO as shown.

wave A

wave B

When both sounds are heard, wave A, when compared to wave B will have a:

(A) lower pitch and be louder.

(B) higher pitch and be louder.
(C) lower pitch and be not as loud.
(D) higher pitch and be not as loud.

4 A new communications device is planned to allow a colony on the Moon to talk

directly to their relatives on the ground on Earth. Focused UV radiation was to be
used, but a report said it was unsuitable for the purpose.

UV is unsuitable in this case as it:

(A) travels too slowly.

(B) is reflected by the atmosphere.
(C) cannot travel through a vacuum.
(D) is absorbed by the atmosphere.

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5 Total internal reflection will occur in only one of the examples shown. In which case
will total internal reflection occur?

(A) n = 1.0

40o

n = 1.5

(B) n = 1.0

45o

n = 1.3

(C) n = 1.0

60o

n = 1.2

n = 1.0
(D)

65o

n = 1.1

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6 The potential difference across a resistance was measured as the current through it
was varied. The results were plotted on axes shown below.

Potential difference vs current

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potential difference (volts)

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
current (amps)

The resistor used to produce this graph was connected to another identical resistor in
series. The total resistance of these two resistors connected in series would be:

(A) 12.0
(B) 6.0
(C) 0.17
(D) 0.085

7 Which statement correctly compares the terms luminosity and brightness?

(A) Brightness and luminosity both refer to the energy radiated by a glowing
object.
(B) Luminosity is the energy radiated per second while brightness is the energy
per square metre received per second.
(C) Brightness is the energy radiated per second while luminosity is the energy per
square metre received per second.
(D) Luminosity is the power of a star and brightness is the energy radiated by a
glowing object.

6
8 Which configuration of bar magnets would produce a force F as shown on a north
pole of a bar magnet placed at X.

(A)

N S N S

X
F

(B)

N S N S

X
F

(C)

N S N S

F
(D)
N S N S

X
F

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9 Several circuits were constructed using identical 4.0 ohm resistors.
In which circuit has the resistor labelled "X" the most current flowing through it?

10 A car travels 50 km to the east in 45 minutes and then turns north, travelling a further
30 km in 15 minutes. The cars average speed over the trip was closest to:

(A) 120 km h-1

(B) 67 km h-1
(C) 80 km h-1
(D) 58 km h-1

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11 The apparatus shown was set up to perform an investigation into Newtons 2nd Law.

mass X

mass Y

Which values of the mass of the trolley X and the masses, Y, would produce an
acceleration closest to 2.0 m s-2 ?

X Y
(kg) (kg)
(A) 4.0 1.0
(B) 2.0 2.0
(C) 8.0 4.0
(D) 1.0 4.0

12 Consider the following statements.

Statement 1. The work done on a vehicle can very nearly equal the change in its
kinetic energy.

Statement 2. The work done on a vehicle is always the same as its kinetic energy.

Statement 3. More work must be done on a large vehicle to give it the same kinetic
energy as a small vehicle.

The correct statements are:

(A) none
(B) Statement 1 only
(C) Statements 1 and 2
(D) Statement 3 only

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13 Consider the two collisions shown:

collision A collision B
v v v

Two identical vehicles Identical vehicle at the

travelling at equal and same speed collides
opposite speeds collide with a solid brick wall
head on and stop. and stops.

Which is the correct statement about the two collisions?

(A) The occupants of the cars in collision A experience larger forces than in
collision B.

(B) The occupants of the car in collision B experience larger forces than in
collision A.

(C) The occupants of all three vehicles will experience the same magnitude of
forces.

(D) It is impossible to compare the forces involved in the two collisions.

14 One of the main purposes for installing air bags in vehicles is to:

(A) reduce the maximum force applied to the occupants.

(B) reduce the impulse required on the occupant.
(C) prevent occupants from flying out of the vehicle.
(D) reduce the time it takes to stop the occupant.

15 A heliocentric model of the solar system was not widely accepted among the
scientific community until after:

(A) the Moon was shown to orbit the Earth.

(B) Galileo showed that Jupiters moons orbited Jupiter.
(C) the Earth was proved to be round.
(D) the space shuttle was finally launched.

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16 Shortly after the Big Bang, it is believed that

(A) radiation formed into matter.

(B) matter formed into radiation.
(C) no radiation could exist.
(D) matter and radiation formed at the same time.

17 The feature of a star that is most important in determining its colour is the stars:

(A) density.
(B) size.
(C) gravity.
(D) surface temperature.

18 A car is driving north at 60 kmh-1. The car turns right at a corner and continues east at
60 kmh-1. If north is towards the top of the page, which vector diagram correctly
shows the change in velocity, VR, of the car?

19 A particular first-hand investigation was described as being reliable. This means

that:

(A) the result of the investigation is accurate.

(B) the same result would be obtained when the investigation is repeated.
(C) the variables in the investigation were held constant.
(D) the precision and accuracy of the results of the investigation are high.

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20 A first hand investigation was to be performed to investigate the relationship between
the current in a globe and the number of globes wired in series with it in the same
circuit.

The most appropriate hypothesis for this investigation is:

(A) The current in the globe increases as I add more globes in series.
(B) The current in the globe decreases as more globes are added in series.
(C) The current we measured in the globe remains constant as more globes are
added in series.
(D) It is thought that the current in the globe is independent of the number of
globes in series.

Part B 55 marks
Attempt Questions 21-34
Allow about 1 hour and 25 minutes for this part.

Answer the questions in the spaces provided.

Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations.

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 Marks
Question 21 (5 marks)

The screen of a cathode ray oscilloscope is shown below. The trace is produced
from the input from a microphone.

x scale: 1 grid = 1.0 ms y scale: 1 grid = 5.0 mV

(a) Find the period, T, of this sound wave. (Hint: re-read the units on the scale) 1

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(b) Use your answer to part (a) to calculate the wavelength, , of the sound wave. 2

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(c) In the space below, sketch a scale diagram to show a representation of the
particles of air as this wave passes. Clearly show the scale you use for the
diagram. 2

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 Marks
Question 22 (4 marks)

Explain the inverse square law and identify what astrophysicists use this law for.

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Question 23 (2 marks)

In the space below, use a diagram to show how the ionosphere can be used to
increase the range of communication using certain waves.

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Question 24 (4 marks) Marks

A student was analysing the refractive properties of an unknown material. To do

this they measured the refracted angle of light as it entered the material for various 4
incident angles. Their results are produced below:

Angle of Incidence Angle of Refraction

Sin(i) Sin(r)
() ()
10 7
30 21
45 30
60 38
80 44

Complete the table above and graph these results below:

Using this graph, calculate the relative refractive index of the unknown substance.
In your answer you must demonstrate how you calculated the index.

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Question 25 (4 marks) Marks

Describe two ways in which electricity can be generated for isolated communities
that do not have access to the power grid, and identify some advantages and 4
disadvantages of both.

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Question 26 (3 marks)

Two charges, M and N, are arranged as shown.

Y
+ -
M (positive) N (negative)

(a) On the diagram, place a X where the direction of the electric field would be
pointing directly to the north. 1

(b) When an electron is placed at the point Y, it experiences a force of

4.8 x 10-23 N. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field at Y. 2

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Question 27 (4 marks)

An internet troll suggests that a scooter should work if you simply push forward on
the handle-bars (without pushing on the ground). Analyse the forces in the below
situation and make a clear argument for why the troll's transportation device is 4
doomed for failure.

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 Marks
Question 28 (4 marks)

A model heating coil was immersed in an insulated beaker with 200 mL of water.
The time it took to heat the water from 20.0 oC to 25.0 oC was recorded for different
voltage settings on the power pack supplying the heating coil.

The results are shown in the table.

voltage time taken to heat Power Current

(volts) water (seconds)
8 270
10 170
12 90

a) Previously the student has calculated that the heating coil will need to add
4200J of energy into the water to heat it to the desired temperature. Calculate the
power for each of the voltage settings of the coil and complete this data in the third 1
column above. (Show working below).

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b) Using the calculated power for each setting, determine the current for each
setting and complete this data in the fourth column above. (Show working below).
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c) Explain why the water takes shorter to boil on a higher voltage setting.

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Question 29 (5 marks) Marks

A velocity versus time graph for a car moving along a straight road is shown.

v (m s-1)
5.0

0 t (s)
6 9 12 15 18 21
-5.0

(a) Find the cars displacement at t = 9.0 seconds. Show your working and
explain how you used the graph to calculate your answer. 2

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(b) At time = 0, the cars displacement = 0.

On the axes below, sketch a graph of the cars displacement (x) versus time.
3

x (m)

0 t (s)
6 9 12 15 18 21

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 Marks
Question 30 (4 marks)

Many people die every year on Australian roads when their vehicles fail to negotiate
a curve in the road. Authorities often state that speed was a factor in the crash.

(a) A particular curve in a road has a radius of 100 m. It is signposted as being 2

safe at 60 km h-1 . What would the radius of curvature for this curve need to
be changed to so that it could be safely negotiated at 90 km h-1 ?

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(b) Explain why vehicles with a larger mass need to adhere more closely to the 2
advised speed.

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Question 31 (4 marks)

The law of conservation of energy applies to the motion of vehicles.

(a) Find the work done on a 1200 kg vehicle when it slows from 90 km h-1 to 2
50 km h-1 in 8.0 seconds.

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 Question 31 continues on page 19.
Marks
Question 31 (continued)

(b) Explain why the brakes of a car in stop-start city traffic get very hot. 2

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Question 32 (3 marks)

Draw and label a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, include the main three groups of
stars. 3

3
Question 33 (3 marks)

Explain what features of an investigation must be ensured so that the results of the
investigation are valid.

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Question 34 ( 6 marks) Marks

Outline the development of the models of the universe from Aristotle to Newton.

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