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1. A skydiver of mass 80 kg falls vertically with a constant speed of 50 m s . The upward force
acting on the skydiver is approximately

A. 0 N.

B. 80 N.

C. 800 N.

D. 4000 N.
(Total 1 mark)

2. Joseph runs along a long straight track. The variation of his speed v with time t is shown below.

After 25 seconds Joseph has run 200 m. Which of the following is correct at 25 seconds?

–1 –1
Instantaneous speed / m s Average speed / m s
A. –1 –1
8ms 8ms
B. –1 –1
8ms 10 m s
C. –1 –1
10 m s 8ms
D. –1 –1
10 m s 10 m s
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 1
3. A car of mass 1000 kg accelerates on a straight, flat, horizontal road with an acceleration
–2
a = 0.3 m s .
The driving force F on the car is opposed by a resistive force of 500 N.

The net (resultant) force on the car is

A. 200 N.

B. 300 N.

C. 500 N.

D. 800 N.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 2
4. A tennis ball of mass m moving horizontally with speed u strikes a vertical tennis racket. The
ball bounces back with a horizontal speed v.

The magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball is

A. m(u + v).

B. m(u – v).

C. m(v – u).

D. zero.
(Total 1 mark)

5. A brother and sister take the same time to run up a set of steps. The sister has a greater mass
than her brother. Which of the following is correct?

Has done the most work Has developed the greatest power
A. brother brother
B. brother sister
C. sister brother
D. sister sister
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 3
6. A nuclear power station produces 10 GW of electrical power. The power generated by the
nuclear reactions in the core of the reactor is 25 GW. The efficiency of the power station is

A. 15 %.

B. 35 %.

C. 40 %.

D. 60 %.
(Total 1 mark)

7. A cyclist rides around a circular track at a uniform speed. Which of the following correctly
gives the net horizontal force on the cyclist at any given instant of time?

Net horizontal force along Net horizontal force normal to


direction of motion direction of motion
A. zero zero
B. zero non zero
C. non zero zero
D. non zero non zero
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 4
8. This question is about motion in a magnetic field.

An electron, that has been accelerated from rest by a potential difference of 250 V, enters a
region of magnetic field of strength 0.12 T that is directed into the plane of the page.

(a) The electron’s path while in the region of magnetic field is a quarter circle. Show that the
6 –1
(i) speed of the electron after acceleration is 9.4 × 10 m s .

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(2)

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(ii) radius of the path is 4.5 × 10 m.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 5
(b) The diagram below shows the momentum of the electron as it enters and leaves the
region of magnetic field. The magnitude of the initial momentum and of the final
–24
momentum is 8.6 × 10 N s.

(i) On the diagram above, draw an arrow to indicate the vector representing the
change in the momentum of the electron.
(1)

(ii) Show that the magnitude of the change in the momentum of the electron is
–23
1.2 × 10 Ns.

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(1)

–11
(iii) The time the electron spends in the region of magnetic field is 7.4 × 10 s.
Estimate the magnitude of the average force on the electron.

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(1)
(Total 7 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 6
9. This question is about circular motion.

A ball of mass 0.25 kg is attached to a string and is made to rotate with constant speed v along a
horizontal circle of radius r = 0.33 m. The string is attached to the ceiling and makes an angle of
30° with the vertical.

(a) (i) On the diagram above, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball in
the position shown.
(2)

(ii) State and explain whether the ball is in equilibrium.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 7
(b) Determine the speed of rotation of the ball.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

10. This question is about mechanics and thermal physics.

The graph shows the variation with time t of the speed v of a ball of mass 0.50 kg, that has been
released from rest above the Earth’s surface.

The force of air resistance is not negligible. Assume that the acceleration of free fall is
–2
g = 9.81 m s .

(a) State, without any calculations, how the graph could be used to determine the distance
fallen.

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(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 8
(b) (i) In the space below, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball at
2.0 s.

(1)

(ii) Use the graph opposite to show that the acceleration of the ball at 2.0 s is
–2
approximately 4 m s .

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(2)

(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the force of air resistance on the ball at 2.0 s.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 9
(iv) State and explain whether the air resistance on the ball at t = 5.0 s is smaller than,
equal to or greater than the air resistance at t = 2.0 s.

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(2)

(c) After 10 s the ball has fallen 190 m.

(i) Show that the sum of the potential and kinetic energies of the ball has decreased by
780 J.

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(3)

–1 –1
(ii) The specific heat capacity of the ball is 480 J kg K . Estimate the increase in the
temperature of the ball.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 10
(iii) State an assumption made in the estimate in (c)(ii).

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(1)
(Total 14 marks)

11. A particle of mass m is moving with constant speed v in uniform circular motion. What is the
total work done by the centripetal force during one revolution?

A. Zero

mv 2
B. 2

2
C. mv

2
D. 2πmv
(Total 1 mark)

12. Which of the following is equivalent to the principle of energy conservation?

A. Newton’s first law

B. The first law of thermodynamics

C. Newton’s second law

D. The second law of thermodynamics


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 11
13. This question is about circular motion.

A ball of mass 0.25 kg is attached to a string and is made to rotate with constant speed v along a
horizontal circle of radius r = 0.33 m. The string is attached to the ceiling and makes an angle of
30° with the vertical.

(a) (i) On the diagram above, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball in
the position shown.
(2)

(ii) State and explain whether the ball is in equilibrium.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 12
(b) Determine the speed of rotation of the ball.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

14. This question is about mechanics and thermal physics.

The graph shows the variation with time t of the speed v of a ball of mass 0.50 kg, that has been
released from rest above the Earth’s surface.

The force of air resistance is not negligible. Assume that the acceleration of free fall is
–2
g = 9.81 m s .

(a) State, without any calculations, how the graph could be used to determine the distance
fallen.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 13
(b) (i) In the space below, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball at
2.0 s.

(1)

(ii) Use the graph opposite to show that the acceleration of the ball at 2.0 s is
–2
approximately 4 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

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(2)

(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the force of air resistance on the ball at 2.0 s.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 14
(iv) State and explain whether the air resistance on the ball at t = 5.0 s is smaller than,
equal to or greater than the air resistance at t = 2.0 s.

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(2)

(c) After 10 s the ball has fallen 190 m.

(i) Show that the sum of the potential and kinetic energies of the ball has decreased by
780 J.

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(3)

–1 –1
(ii) The specific heat capacity of the ball is 480 J kg K . Estimate the increase in the
temperature of the ball.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 15
(iii) State an assumption made in the estimate in (c)(ii).

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(1)
(Total 14 marks)

15. The graph shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of an object.

Which of the following is the change in velocity of the object in the time interval 0 to 4 s?

–1
A. –8 m s

–1
B. –4 m s

–1
C. +4 m s

–1
D. +8 m s
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 16
16. A car accelerates from rest. The acceleration increases with time. Which graph shows the
variation with time t of the speed v of the car?

(Total 1 mark)

17. Which of the following is the condition for a body to be in translational equilibrium?

A. The resultant force on the body in any direction is zero.

B. The velocity of the body in any direction is zero.

C. No external force is acting on the body.

D. No work is done on the body.


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 17
18. A stone attached to a string is moving in a horizontal circle. The constant speed of the stone is v.
The diagram below shows the stone in two different positions, X and Y.

Which of the following shows the direction of the change of velocity of the stone when moving
from position X to position Y?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 18
19. The graph shows the variation with force F of the extension s of a spring.

The work done in changing the extension of the spring from 3.0 cm to 6.0 cm is

A. 15 N cm.

B. 30 N cm.

C. 45 N cm.

D. 60 N cm.
(Total 1 mark)

20. This question is about kinematics.

Lucy stands on the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone vertically upwards.

–1
The stone leaves her hand with a speed of 15 m s at the instant her hand is 80 m above the
–2
surface of the sea. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 10 m s .

IB Questionbank Physics 19
(a) Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone as measured from the point where it
is thrown.

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(2)

(b) Determine the time for the stone to reach the surface of the sea after leaving Lucy’s hand.

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(3)
(Total 5 marks)

21. This question is about power and efficiency.

–1
A bus is travelling at a constant speed of 6.2 m s along a section of road that is inclined at an
angle of 6.0° to the horizontal.

IB Questionbank Physics 20
(a) (i) The bus is represented by the black dot shown below. Draw a labelled sketch to
represent the forces acting on the bus.

(4)

(ii) State the value of the rate of change of momentum of the bus.

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(1)

(b) The total output power of the engine of the bus is 70 kW and the efficiency of the engine
is 35 %. Calculate the input power to the engine.

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(2)

3
(c) The mass of the bus is 8.5 × 10 kg. Determine the rate of increase of gravitational
potential energy of the bus.

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(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 21
(d) Using your answer to (c) and the data in (b), estimate the magnitude of the resistive
forces acting on the bus.

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(3)

(e) The engine of the bus suddenly stops working.

(i) Determine the magnitude of the net force opposing the motion of the bus at the
instant at which the engine stops.

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(2)

(ii) Discuss, with reference to the air resistance, the change in the net force as the bus
slows down.

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(2)
(Total 17 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 22
22. A force F is applied to a body moving along a straight line. A resistive force f acts on the body.
Both forces act along the same straight line as the motion of the body. The rate of change of
momentum of the body is equal to

A. F – f.

B. F.

C. F + f.

D. f.
(Total 1 mark)

23. This question is about kinematics.

Lucy stands on the edge of a vertical cliff and throws a stone vertically upwards.

–1
The stone leaves her hand with a speed of 15 m s at the instant her hand is 80 m above the
–2
surface of the sea. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 10 m s .

(a) Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone as measured from the point where it
is thrown.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 23
(b) Determine the time for the stone to reach the surface of the sea after leaving Lucy’s hand.

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(3)
(Total 5 marks)

24. This question is about power and efficiency.

–1
A bus is travelling at a constant speed of 6.2 m s along a section of road that is inclined at an
angle of 6.0° to the horizontal.

(a) (i) The bus is represented by the black dot shown below. Draw a labelled sketch to
represent the forces acting on the bus.

(4)

IB Questionbank Physics 24
(ii) State the value of the rate of change of momentum of the bus.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) The total output power of the engine of the bus is 70 kW and the efficiency of the engine
is 35 %. Calculate the input power to the engine.

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(2)

3
(c) The mass of the bus is 8.5 × 10 kg. Determine the rate of increase of gravitational
potential energy of the bus.

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(3)

(d) Using your answer to (c) and the data in (b), estimate the magnitude of the resistive
forces acting on the bus.

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(3)
(Total 13 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 25
25. A wooden block is sliding down an inclined plane at constant speed. The magnitude of the
frictional force between the block and the plane is equal to

A. zero.

B. the magnitude of the weight of the block.

C. the magnitude of the component of weight of the block parallel to the plane.

D. the magnitude of the component of the normal reaction parallel to the plane.
(Total 1 mark)

26. Which of the following is a correct statement of Newton’s second law of motion?

A. A force acting on a body is proportional to the mass of the body.

B. The rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the net external force acting on the
body.

C. The momentum of a body is proportional to the net external force acting on the body.

D. A force acting on a body is proportional to the acceleration of the body.


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 26
27. A ball of weight W is travelling horizontally towards a vertical wall. It strikes the wall and
rebounds horizontally. The change in the magnitude of the momentum of the ball is ∆p. Which
of the following is the magnitude of the impulse that the ball imparts to the wall?

A. W + ∆p

B. W – ∆p

C. W

D. ∆p
(Total 1 mark)

28. Two objects undergo an inelastic collision. Which of the following is correct in respect of both
the conservation of momentum and the conservation of total energy of the system?

Momentum Total energy


A. conserved not conserved
B. conserved conserved
C. not conserved not conserved
D. not conserved conserved
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 27
29. A particle P is moving anti-clockwise with constant speed in a horizontal circle.

Which diagram correctly shows the direction of the velocity v and acceleration a of the particle
P in the position shown?

(Total 1 mark)

30. This question is about forces.

An athlete trains by dragging a heavy load across a rough horizontal surface.

The athlete exerts a force of magnitude F on the load at an angle of 25° to the horizontal.

IB Questionbank Physics 28
(a) Once the load is moving at a steady speed, the average horizontal frictional force acting
on the load is 470 N.

Calculate the average value of F that will enable the load to move at constant speed.

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(2)

(b) The load is moved a horizontal distance of 2.5 km in 1.2 hours.

Calculate

(i) the work done on the load by the force F.

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(2)

(ii) the minimum average power required to move the load.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 29
(c) The athlete pulls the load uphill at the same speed as in part (a).

Explain, in terms of energy changes, why the minimum average power required is greater
than in (b)(ii).

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

31. This question is about kicking a football.

A ball is suspended from a ceiling by a string of length 7.5 m. The ball is kicked horizontally
and rises to a maximum height of 6.0 m.

(a) Assuming that the air resistance is negligible, show that the initial speed of the ball is
–1
11 m s .

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(2)

(b) The mass of the ball is 0.55 kg and the impact time of the kicker’s foot with the ball is
150 ms. Estimate the average force exerted on the ball by the kick.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 30
(c) (i) Explain why the tension in the string increases immediately after the ball is kicked.

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(3)

(ii) Calculate the tension in the string immediately after the ball is kicked. Assume that
the string is vertical.

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

32. Which of the following quantities can be determined from a speed-time graph of a particle
travelling in a straight line?

A. Only the magnitude of the acceleration at a given instant

B. Both the velocity and the acceleration at a given instant

C. Only the distance travelled in a given time

D. Both the distance travelled in a given time and the magnitude of the acceleration at a
given instant
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 31
33. Which of the following is a correct definition of work?

A. Product of force and distance

B. Product of force and distance moved in the direction of the force

C. Product of power and time

D. Product of force and displacement


(Total 1 mark)

34. This question is about forces.

An athlete trains by dragging a heavy load across a rough horizontal surface.

The athlete exerts a force of magnitude F on the load at an angle of 25° to the horizontal.

(a) Once the load is moving at a steady speed, the average horizontal frictional force acting
on the load is 470 N.

Calculate the average value of F that will enable the load to move at constant speed.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 32
(b) The load is moved a horizontal distance of 2.5 km in 1.2 hours.

Calculate

(i) the work done on the load by the force F.

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(2)

(ii) the minimum average power required to move the load.

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(2)

(c) The athlete pulls the load uphill at the same speed as in part (a).

Explain, in terms of energy changes, why the minimum average power required is greater
than in (b)(ii).

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 33
35. Samantha walks along a horizontal path in the direction shown. The curved part of the path is a
semi-circle.

The magnitude of her displacement from point P to point Q is approximately

A. 2 m.

B. 4 m.

C. 6 m.

D. 8 m.
(Total 1 mark)

36. Which of the following may be determined from a speed-time graph?

A. Displacement

B. Distance

C. Power

D. Force
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 34
37. Stephen pushes two boxes P and Q, that stay in contact, along a rough table, with a force F of 30
N.
Box P has a mass of 2.0 kg and box Q has a mass of 4.0 kg. Both boxes move with constant
speed.

The resultant force on box Q is

A. 0 N.

B. 5.0 N.

C. 15 N.

D. 30 N.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 35
38. A ball moves along the inside of a horizontal semi-circular ring as shown. The diagram is a view
from above.

Which arrow represents the direction of the average force on the ball?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 36
39. A ball is thrown vertically upwards and comes down again. Air resistance is negligible. Which
of the following graphs shows how the gravitational potential energy EP varies with time t?

(Total 1 mark)

–1
40. A pump extracts water from a well of depth h at a constant rate of R kg s . What is the power
required to raise the water?

R
A. gh

B. Rgh

Rg
C. h

hg
D. R
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 37
41. This question is about circular motion and global warming.

–1
(a) A car is travelling at constant speed of 18 m s around a horizontal bend in the road.
3
The mass of the car is 1.5 × 10 kg and the bend forms part of a circle of radius
3
2.0 × 10 m.

(i) State why the car is accelerating.

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(1)

(ii) Determine the frictional force between the tyres of the car and the surface of the
road that produces the acceleration.

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(2)

(b) It is suggested that the use of fossil fuels to power cars has led to an enhancement of the
greenhouse effect.

(i) State the reason for this suggestion.

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(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 38
(ii) Outline one mechanism by which the enhanced greenhouse effect may lead to an
increase in global warming.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

42. This question is about momentum, energy and power.

(a) In his Principia Mathematica Newton expressed his third law of motion as “to every
action there is always opposed an equal reaction”. State what Newton meant by this law.

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(1)

(b) A book is released from rest and falls towards the surface of Earth. Discuss how the
conservation of momentum applies to the Earth-book system.

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(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 39
(c) A large swinging ball is used to drive a horizontal iron spike into a vertical wall. The
centre of the ball falls through a vertical height of 1.6 m before striking the spike in the
position shown.

The mass of the ball is 3.5 kg and the mass of the spike is 0.80 kg. Immediately after
striking the spike, the ball and spike move together. Show that the
–1
(i) speed of the ball on striking the spike is 5.6 m s .

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(1)

(ii) energy dissipated as a result of the collision is about 10 J.

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(4)

IB Questionbank Physics 40
–2
(d) As a result of the ball striking the spike, the spike is driven a distance 7.3 × 10 m into
the wall. Calculate, assuming it to be constant, the friction force F between the spike and
wall.

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(3)

(e) The machine that is used to raise the ball has a useful power output of 18 W. Calculate
how long it takes for the machine to raise the ball through a height of 1.6 m.

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(3)
(Total 15 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 41
43. A cart of mass M is on a horizontal frictionless table.

The cart is connected to an object of weight W via a pulley. Which of the following is the
acceleration of the cart?

W
M
g
A. W

W
W
M
B. g

Mg
C. W

D. 0
(Total 1 mark)

44. This question is about momentum, energy and power.

(a) In his Principia Mathematica Newton expressed his third law of motion as “to every
action there is always opposed an equal reaction”. State what Newton meant by this law.

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(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 42
(b) A book is released from rest and falls towards the surface of Earth. Discuss how the
conservation of momentum applies to the Earth-book system.

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(3)

(c) A large swinging ball is used to drive a horizontal iron spike into a vertical wall.
The centre of the ball falls through a vertical height of 1.6 m before striking the spike in
the position shown.

The mass of the ball is 3.5 kg and the mass of the spike is 0.80 kg. Immediately after
striking the spike, the ball and spike move together. Show that the
–1
(i) speed of the ball on striking the spike is 5.6 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 43
(ii) energy dissipated as a result of the collision is about 10 J.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

–2
(d) As a result of the ball striking the spike, the spike is driven a distance 7.3 × 10 m into
the wall. Calculate, assuming it to be constant, the friction force F between the spike and
wall.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(e) The machine that is used to raise the ball has a useful power output of 18 W. Calculate
how long it takes for the machine to raise the ball through a height of 1.6 m.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 44
45. A raindrop falling from rest at time t = 0 reaches terminal velocity. Which graph best represents
how the speed v varies with time t?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 45
46. The graph shows how the displacement d of an object varies with time t. The tangent to the
curve at time t1 is also shown.

Which of the following gives the speed of the object at point P?

A. the gradient at P

B. the shaded area

1
C. gradient at P

d1
D. t1
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 46
47. A ball falls vertically and bounces off the ground. Immediately before impact with the ground
the speed of the ball is u. Immediately after leaving the ground the speed is v.

kinetic energy lost on collision


Which of the following expressions is the ratio of kinetic energy immediately beforecollision ?

v
A. u

v
1
B. u

2
v
 
C. u

2
v
1  
D. u
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 47
48. A railway engine of mass m moves along a horizontal track with uniform speed v. The total
resistive force acting on the engine is F.

Which of the following is the power of the engine?

F
A. mv

B. Fv

mv
C. F

v
D. F
(Total 1 mark)

49. A ball is tied to a string and rotated at a uniform speed in a vertical plane. The diagram shows
the ball at its lowest position. Which arrow shows the direction of the net force acting on the
ball?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 48
50. A gas atom strikes a wall with speed v at an angle θ to the normal to the wall. The atom
rebounds at the same speed v and angle θ.

Which of the following gives the magnitude of the momentum change of the gas atom?

A. zero

B. 2mv sinθ

C. 2mv

D. 2mv cosθ
(Total 1 mark)

4
51. In 1997 a high-speed car of mass 1.1 × 10 kg achieved the world land speed record. The car
accelerated uniformly in two stages as shown in the table. The car started from rest.

Time / s –1
Speed attained at end of stage / m s
Stage 1 0.0 – 4.0 44
Stage 2 4.0 – 12 280

Use the data to calculate the

(a) average acceleration of the car in stage 1.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 49
(b) average net force required to accelerate the car in stage 2.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) total distance travelled by the car in 12 s.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

52. This question is about a simple pendulum.

(a) A pendulum consists of a bob suspended by a light inextensible string from a rigid
support. The pendulum bob is moved to one side and then released. The sketch graph
shows how the displacement of the pendulum bob undergoing simple harmonic motion
varies with time over one time period.

IB Questionbank Physics 50
On the sketch graph above,

(i) label with the letter A a point at which the acceleration of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(ii) label with the letter V a point at which the speed of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(b) Explain why the magnitude of the tension in the string at the midpoint of the oscillation is
greater than the weight of the pendulum bob.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) The pendulum bob is moved to one side until its centre is 25 mm above its rest position
and then released.

IB Questionbank Physics 51
(i) Show that the speed of the pendulum bob at the midpoint of the oscillation is
–1
0.70 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) The mass of the pendulum bob is 0.057 kg. The centre of the pendulum bob is 0.80
m below the support. Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string when the
pendulum bob is vertically below the point of suspension.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(d) The point of suspension of the pendulum bob is moved from side to side with a small
amplitude and at a variable driving frequency f.

For each value of the driving frequency a steady constant amplitude A is reached. The
oscillations of the pendulum bob are lightly damped.

IB Questionbank Physics 52
(i) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show the variation of A with f.

(2)

(ii) Explain, with reference to the graph in (d)(i), what is meant by resonance.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(e) The pendulum bob is now immersed in water and the variable frequency driving force in
(d) is again applied. Suggest the effect this immersion of the pendulum bob will have on
the shape of your graph in (d)(i).

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 16 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 53
53. This question is about collisions.

(a) State the principle of conservation of momentum.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) In an experiment, an air-rifle pellet is fired into a block of modelling clay that rests on a
table.

(not to scale)

The air-rifle pellet remains inside the clay block after the impact.

As a result of the collision, the clay block slides along the table in a straight line and
comes to rest. Further data relating to the experiment are given below.

Mass of air-rifle pellet = 2.0 g


Mass of clay block = 56 g
–1
Velocity of impact of air-rifle pellet = 140 m s
Stopping distance of clay block = 2.8 m

(i) Show that the initial speed of the clay block after the air-rifle pellet strikes it is
–1
4.8 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 54
(ii) Calculate the average frictional force that the surface of the table exerts on the clay
block whilst the clay block is moving.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(c) Discuss the energy transformations that occur in the clay block and the air-rifle pellet
from the moment the air-rifle pellet strikes the block until the clay block comes to rest.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(d) The clay block is dropped from rest from the edge of the table and falls vertically to the
ground. The table is 0.85 m above the ground. Calculate the speed with which the clay
block strikes the ground.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 13 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 55
54. A net force of magnitude 4.0 N acts on a body of mass 3.0 kg for 6.0 s. The body is initially at
rest. Which of the following is the speed of the body after the 6.0 s interval?
–1
A. 0.50 m s
–1
B. 2.0 m s
–1
C. 4.5 m s
–1
D. 8.0 m s
(Total 1 mark)

55. A car moves from X to Y along a semicircular path. The radius of the path is 250 m and the time
taken to complete the trip is 50 s.

Which of the following correctly shows the magnitude of the average velocity and the
magnitude of the average speed?

Average velocity Average speed


A. –1 –1
10 m s 10 m s
B. –1 –1
10 m s 16 m s
C. –1 –1
16 m s 10 m s
D. –1 –1
16 m s 16 m s
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 56
56. A ball is tied to a string and rotated at a uniform speed in a vertical plane. The diagram shows
the ball at its lowest position. Which arrow shows the direction of the net force acting on the
ball?

(Total 1 mark)

57. Two steel balls, of mass M and 2M, fall at constant speeds in a tube filled with oil.

Which of the following correctly compares the magnitudes of the net force and of the drag
(resistance) force on the two balls?

Net force Drag force


A. same same
B. same different
C. different same
D. different different
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 57
58. This question is about the simple pendulum.

(a) A pendulum consists of a bob suspended by a light inextensible string from a rigid
support. The pendulum bob is moved to one side and then released. The sketch graph
shows how the displacement of the pendulum bob undergoing simple harmonic motion
varies with time over one time period.

On the sketch graph above,

(i) label with the letter A a point at which the acceleration of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(ii) label with the letter V a point at which the speed of the pendulum bob is a
maximum.
(1)

(b) Explain why the magnitude of the tension in the string at the midpoint of the oscillation is
greater than the weight of the pendulum bob.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 58
(c) The pendulum bob is moved to one side until its centre is 25 mm above its rest position
and then released.

(i) Show that the speed of the pendulum bob at the midpoint of the oscillation is
–1
0.70 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) The mass of the pendulum bob is 0.057 kg. The centre of the pendulum bob is 0.80
m below the support. Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string when the
pendulum bob is vertically below the point of suspension.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 59
(d) The point of suspension of the pendulum bob is moved from side to side with a small
amplitude and at a variable driving frequency f.

For each value of the driving frequency a steady constant amplitude A is reached. The
oscillations of the pendulum bob are lightly damped.

(i) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show the variation of A with f.

(2)

(ii) Explain, with reference to the graph in (d)(i), what is meant by resonance.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 60
(e) The pendulum bob is now immersed in water and the variable frequency driving force in
(d) is again applied. Suggest the effect this immersion of the pendulum bob will have on
the shape of your graph in (d)(i).

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 16 marks)

59. This question is about collisions.

(a) State the principle of conservation of momentum.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 61
(b) In an experiment, an air-rifle pellet is fired into a block of modelling clay that rests on a
table.

(not to scale)

The air-rifle pellet remains inside the clay block after the impact.

As a result of the collision, the clay block slides along the table in a straight line and
comes to rest. Further data relating to the experiment are given below.

Mass of air-rifle pellet = 2.0 g


Mass of clay block = 56 g
–1
Velocity of impact of air-rifle pellet = 140 m s
Stopping distance of clay block = 2.8 m

(i) Show that the initial speed of the clay block after the air-rifle pellet strikes it is
–1
4.8 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 62
(ii) Calculate the average frictional force that the surface of the table exerts on the clay
block whilst the clay block is moving.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(c) The experiment is repeated with the clay block placed at the edge of the table so that it is
–1
fired away from the table. The initial speed of the clay block is 4.3 m s horizontally. The
table surface is 0.85 m above the ground.

(not to scale)

IB Questionbank Physics 63
(i) Ignoring air resistance, calculate the horizontal distance travelled by the clay block
before it strikes the ground.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(ii) The diagram in (c) shows the path of the clay block neglecting air resistance. On
the diagram, draw the approximate shape of the path that the clay block will take
assuming that air resistance acts on the clay block.
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

–1
60. A skydiver jumped out of an airplane. On reaching a terminal speed of 60 m s , she opened her
parachute. Which of the following describes her motion after opening her parachute?
–1
A. She went upwards for a short time, before falling to Earth at a speed of 60 m s .
–1
B. She continued downwards at 60 m s , but hit the ground with less force.
–1
C. She continued to fall but reached a new terminal speed of less than 60 m s .
–1
D. She went upwards for a short time, before falling to Earth at a speed of less than 60 m s .
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 64
61. The graph is a speed versus time graph for an object that is moving in a straight line.

The distance travelled by the object during the first 4.0 seconds is

A. 80 m.

B. 40 m.

C. 20 m.

D. 5 m.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 65
62. The diagram shows a girl attempting (but failing) to lift a heavy suitcase of weight W. The
magnitude of the vertical upwards pull of the girl on the suitcase is P and the magnitude of the
vertical reaction of the floor on the suitcase is R.

Which equation correctly relates W, P and R?

A. W=P+R

B. W>P+R

C. W<P+R

D. W=P=R
(Total 1 mark)

63. Objects A and B collide together. They end up joined together and stationary. During the
collision, a force +F is exerted on object A by object B. According to Newton’s third law, there
will also be a force of

A. –F acting on object B.

B. –F acting on object A.

C. +F acting on object B.

D. +F acting on object A.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 66
64. A lift (elevator) is operated by an electric motor. It moves between the 10th floor and the 2nd
floor at a constant speed. One main energy transformation during this journey is

A. gravitational potential energy → kinetic energy.

B. electrical energy → kinetic energy.

C. kinetic energy → thermal energy.

D. electrical energy → thermal energy.


(Total 1 mark)

65. A communications satellite is moving at a constant speed in a circular orbit around Earth. At any
given instant in time, the resultant force on the satellite is

A. zero.

B. equal to the gravitational force on the satellite.

C. equal to the vector sum of the gravitational force on the satellite and the centripetal force.

D. equal to the force exerted by the satellite’s rockets.


(Total 1 mark)

66. This question is about impulse.

(a) A net force of magnitude F acts on a body. Define the impulse I of the force.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 67
–1
(b) A ball of mass 0.0750 kg is travelling horizontally with a speed of 2.20 m s . It strikes a
vertical wall and rebounds horizontally.

Due to the collision with the wall, 20 % of the ball’s initial kinetic energy is dissipated.

–1
(i) Show that the ball rebounds from the wall with a speed of 1.97 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Show that the impulse given to the ball by the wall is 0.313 N s.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 68
(c) The ball strikes the wall at time t = 0 and leaves the wall at time t = T.

The sketch graph shows how the force F that the wall exerts on the ball is assumed to
vary with time t.

The time T is measured electronically to equal 0.0894 s.

Use the impulse given in (b)(ii) to estimate the average value of F.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

67. This question is about motion of a ball falling in oil.

(a) Distinguish between average speed and instantaneous speed.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 69
(b) A small steel ball of mass M is dropped from rest into a long vertical tube that contains
oil.

The sketch graph shows how the speed v of the ball varies with time t.

Explain how you would use the graph to find the average speed of the ball between t = 0
and t = t1.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) The gradient of the graph at t = t1 is k. Deduce an expression in terms of k, M and g, the
acceleration of free fall, for the magnitude of the frictional force F acting on the ball at t =
t1.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 70
(d) State and explain the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the ball at t = t2.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

68. A lift (elevator) is operated by an electric motor. It moves between the 10th floor and the 2nd
floor at a constant speed. One main energy transformation during this journey is

A. gravitational potential energy → kinetic energy.

B. electrical energy → kinetic energy.

C. kinetic energy → thermal energy.

D. electrical energy → thermal energy.


(Total 1 mark)

69. A communications satellite is moving at a constant speed in a circular orbit around Earth. At any
given instant in time, the resultant force on the satellite is

A. zero.

B. equal to the gravitational force on the satellite.

C. equal to the vector sum of the gravitational force on the satellite and the centripetal force.

D. equal to the force exerted by the satellite’s rockets.


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 71
70. A student is sitting on a chair. One force that is acting on the student is the pull of gravity.
According to Newton’s third law, there must be another force which is

A. the upward push of the chair on the student.

B. the downward force on the student.

C. the downward push of the chair on Earth.

D. the upward force on Earth.


(Total 1 mark)

71. This question is about impulse.

(a) A net force of magnitude F acts on a body. Define the impulse I of the force.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

–1
(b) A ball of mass 0.0750 kg is travelling horizontally with a speed of 2.20 m s . It strikes a
vertical wall and rebounds horizontally.

Due to the collision with the wall, 20 % of the ball’s initial kinetic energy is dissipated.

–1
(i) Show that the ball rebounds from the wall with a speed of 1.97 m s .

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 72
(ii) Show that the impulse given to the ball by the wall is 0.313 N s.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) The ball strikes the wall at time t = 0 and leaves the wall at time t = T.

The sketch graph shows how the force F that the wall exerts on the ball is assumed to
vary with time t.

The time T is measured electronically to equal 0.0894 s.

Use the impulse given in (b)(ii) to estimate the average value of F.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 73
72. A ball, initially at rest, is dropped in the air from a great height. Air resistance is not negligible.
Which of the following graphs best shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the
ball?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 74
73. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object moving along a
straight line.

The displacement of the object between t = 0 s and t = 6.0 s is

A. 2.0 m.

B. 12 m.

C. 20 m.

D. 24 m.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 75
74. A constant force of magnitude F is applied to a mass m for a time interval ∆t. The magnitude of
the impulse given to the mass equals

F
A. m.

F
B. t .

C. F∆t.

Ft
D. m .
(Total 1 mark)

75. Two carts of different mass m and M are connected by a spring. They are pushed together such
that the spring is compressed.

After the carts are released, the cart of mass m moves with velocity v. The change in the
momentum of mass M is

A. mv.

B. –mv.

C. Mv.

D. –Mv.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 76
76. A lamp of weight W is suspended by a wire fixed to the ceiling. With reference to Newton’s
third law of motion, the force that is equal and opposite to W is the

A. tension in the wire.

B. force applied by the ceiling.

C. force exerted by the lamp on the Earth.

D. force exerted by the Earth on the lamp.


(Total 1 mark)

77. A constant force acts on a mass that is initially at rest. Which of the following graphs best shows
how the kinetic energy EK of the mass changes with the work W done on the mass? Friction is
negligible.

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 77
78. This question is about dynamics and energy.

A bullet of mass 32 g is fired from a gun. The graph shows the variation of the force F on the
bullet with time t as it travels along the barrel of the gun.

The bullet is fired at time t = 0 and the length of the barrel is 0.70 m.

1
at 2
(a) State and explain why it is inappropriate to use the equation s = ut + 2 to calculate the
acceleration of the bullet.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 78
(b) Use the graph to

(i) determine the average acceleration of the bullet during the final 2.0 ms of the
graph.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) show that the change in momentum of the bullet, as the bullet travels along the
length of the barrel, is approximately 9 N s.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) Use the answer in (b)(ii) to calculate the

(i) speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 79
(ii) average power delivered to the bullet.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(d) Use Newton’s third law to explain why a gun will recoil when a bullet is fired.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

79. The Moon orbits the Earth.

Which of the following diagrams correctly represents the force(s) acting on the Moon?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 80
80. This question is about dynamics and energy.

A bullet of mass 32 g is fired from a gun. The graph shows the variation of the force F on the
bullet with time t as it travels along the barrel of the gun.

The bullet is fired at time t = 0 and the length of the barrel is 0.70 m.

1
2
(a) State and explain why it is inappropriate to use the equation s = ut + 2 at to calculate the
acceleration of the bullet.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 81
(b) Use the graph to

(i) determine the average acceleration of the bullet during the final 2.0 ms of the
graph.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) show that the change in momentum of the bullet, as the bullet travels along the
length of the barrel, is approximately 9 N s.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) Use the answer in (b)(ii) to calculate the

(i) speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 82
(ii) average power delivered to the bullet.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(d) Use Newton’s third law to explain why a gun will recoil when a bullet is fired.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

81. Two balls of different mass are dropped from the top of a tall building one after the other. The
distance between the balls

A. increases with time.

B. depends on the initial velocity only.

C. remains constant.

D. depends on the mass of the balls.


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 83
82. The graph shows how the velocity of a particle varies with time.

Which of the following graphs correctly shows how the acceleration of the particle varies with
time?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 84
83. An aircraft is flying at constant speed in a horizontal circle. Which of the following diagrams
best illustrates the forces acting on the aircraft in the vertical plane?

(Total 1 mark)

84. For a particle moving at constant speed in a horizontal circle, the work done by the centripetal
force is

A. zero.

B. directly proportional to the particle mass.

C. directly proportional to the particle speed.

2
D. directly proportional to the (particle speed) .
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 85
85. A vehicle is driven up a hill at constant speed. Which of the following best describes the energy
changes involved?

A. Chemical energy is converted into gravitational potential energy.

B. Chemical energy is converted into gravitational potential energy, sound and thermal
energy.

C. Gravitational potential energy is converted into chemical energy.

D. Gravitational potential energy is converted into chemical energy, sound and thermal
energy.
(Total 1 mark)

86. A rubber ball, travelling in a horizontal direction, strikes a vertical wall. It rebounds at right
angles to the wall. The graph below illustrates the variation of the ball’s momentum p with time
t when the ball is in contact with the wall.

Which of the following statements is true?

A. The shaded area is equal to the force exerted by the wall on the ball.

B. The shaded area is equal to the force exerted by the ball on the wall.

C. The gradient is equal to the force exerted by the wall on the ball.

D. The gradient is equal to the force exerted by the ball on the wall.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 86
87. This question is about force and energies.

(a) A system consists of a bicycle and cyclist travelling at a constant velocity along a
horizontal road.

(i) State the value of the net force acting on the cyclist.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) On the diagram draw labelled arrows to represent the vertical forces acting on the
bicycle.
(2)

(iii) With reference to the horizontal forces acting on the system, explain why the
system is travelling at constant velocity.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 87
–1
(b) The total resistive force acting on the system is 40 N and its speed is 8.0 m s . Calculate
the useful power output of the cyclist.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) The cyclist stops pedalling and the system comes to rest. The total mass of the system is
70 kg.

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the system.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Estimate the distance taken by the system to come to rest from the time the cyclist
stops pedalling.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii) State and explain one reason why your answer to (c)(ii) is only an estimate.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 88
88. If a moving object is subject to a constant force, which of the following can be correctly
deduced from Newton’s first law?

A. The object continues to move with a changing velocity.

B. The object continues to move with a constant velocity.

C. The object continues to move with a changing direction.

D. The object continues to move in the same direction.


(Total 1 mark)

89. A vehicle is driven up a hill at constant speed. Which of the following best describes the energy
changes involved?

A. Chemical energy is converted into gravitational potential energy.

B. Chemical energy is converted into gravitational potential energy, sound and thermal
energy.

C. Gravitational potential energy is converted into chemical energy.

D. Gravitational potential energy is converted into chemical energy, sound and thermal
energy.
(Total 1 mark)

90. This question is about forces.

A solid iron ball of mass 770 kg is used on a building site. The ball is suspended by a rope from
a crane. The distance from the point of suspension to the centre of mass of the ball is 12 m.

(a) Calculate the tension in the rope when the ball hangs vertical and stationary.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 89
(b) The ball is pulled back from the vertical and then released. It falls through a vertical
height of 1.6 m and strikes a wall.

(i) Calculate the speed of the ball just before impact.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the tension in the rope just before impact.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Physics 90
(c) The ball is brought to rest in 0.15 s. The sketch graph below shows how the force the ball
exerts on the wall varies with time.

(i) State what quantity is represented by the area under the graph.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Determine the maximum force Fmax exerted by the ball on the wall.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 91
91. A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground. The graph shows the variation with time t
of the vertical displacement d of the ball.

Which of the following gives the final displacement after time T and the average speed between
time t = 0 and time t = T?

Displacement Average speed

A. 0 0

2D
B. 0
T
2D
C. 2D
T

D. 2D 0

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 92
92. A general expression for Newton’s second law of motion is

p
F .
t

What condition is applied so that the law may be expressed in the form F = ma?

A. The mass m is constant.

B. The acceleration a is constant.

C. The force F is constant.

D. The direction of the force F is constant.


(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 93
93. Mandy stands on a weighing scale inside a lift (elevator) that accelerates vertically upwards as
shown in the diagram below. The forces on Mandy are her weight W and the reaction force from
the scale R.

The reading of the scale is

A. R + W.

B. W.

C. R.

D. R – W.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 94
94. Two spheres of masses m1 and m2 are moving towards each other along the same straight-line
with speeds v1 and v2 as shown.

The spheres collide. Which of the following gives the total change in linear momentum of the
spheres as a result of the collision?

A. 0

B. m1v1 + m2v2

C. m1v1 − m2v2

D. m2v2 − m1v1
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 95
95. A brick is placed on the surface of a flat horizontal disc as shown in the diagram below. The disc
is rotating at constant speed about a vertical axis through its centre. The brick does not move
relative to the disc.

Which of the diagrams below correctly represents the horizontal force or forces acting on the
brick?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 96
96. A frictionless trolley of mass m moves down a slope with a constant acceleration a. A second
similar frictionless trolley has mass 2m. The acceleration of the second trolley as it moves down
the slope is

1
a.
A. 2

B. a.

C. 2a.

D. 4a.
(Total 1 mark)

97. Mechanical power

(a) Define power.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) A car is travelling with constant speed v along a horizontal straight road. There is a total
resistive force F acting on the car.

Deduce that the power P to overcome the force F is P = Fv.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 97
(c) A car drives up a straight incline that is 4.8 km long. The total height of the incline is 0.30
km.

–1
The car moves up the incline at a steady speed of 16 m s . During the climb, the average
2
friction force acting on the car is 5.0 ´ 10 N. The total weight of the car and the driver is
4
1.2 ´ 10 N.

(i) Determine the time it takes the car to travel from the bottom to the top of the
incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Determine the work done against the gravitational force in travelling from the
bottom to the top of the incline.

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) Using your answers to (c)(i) and (c)(ii), calculate a value for the minimum power
output of the car engine needed to move the car from the bottom to the top of the
incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

IB Questionbank Physics 98
(d) From the top of the incline, the road continues downwards in a straight line. At the point
where the road starts to go downwards, the driver of the car in (c), stops the car to look at
the view. In continuing his journey, the driver decides to save fuel. He switches off the
engine and allows the car to move freely down the hill. The car descends a height of 0.30
km in a distance of 6.4 km before levelling out.

2
The average resistive force acting on the car is 5.0 ´ 10 N.

Estimate

(i) the acceleration of the car down the incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(5)

(ii) the speed of the car at the bottom of the incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Physics 99
(e) In fact, for the last few hundred metres of its journey down the hill, the car travels at
constant speed. State the value of the frictional force acting on the car whilst it is moving
at constant speed.

...................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 18 marks)

98. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object moving on a
straight-line.

Which of the graphs below best represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the
object?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 100


99. The variation with time of the vertical speed of a ball falling in air is shown below.

During the time from 0 to T, the ball gains kinetic energy and loses gravitational potential
energy Ep. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Ep is equal to the gain in kinetic energy.

B. Ep is greater than the gain in kinetic energy.

C. Ep is equal to the work done against air resistance.

D. Ep is less than the work done against air resistance.


(Total 1 mark)

100. A spacecraft orbits Earth. An astronaut inside the spacecraft feels “weightless” because

A. the gravitational field in the spacecraft is negligible.

B. the Earth exerts equal forces on the spacecraft and the astronaut.

C. the spacecraft and the astronaut have the same acceleration towards the Earth.

D. the spacecraft and the astronaut exert equal and opposite forces on each other.
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Physics 101


101. Mechanical power

(a) A car drives up a straight incline that is 4.8 km long. The total height of the incline is 0.30
km.

–1
The car moves up the incline at a steady speed of 16 m s . During the climb, the average
2
friction force acting on the car is 5.0 ´ 10 N. The total weight of the car and the driver is
4
1.2 ´ 10 N.

(i) Determine the time it takes the car to travel from the bottom to the top of the
incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Determine the work done against the gravitational force in travelling from the
bottom to the top of the incline.

.........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Physics 102


(iii) Using your answers to (a)(i) and (a)(ii), calculate a value for the minimum power
output of the car engine needed to move the car from the bottom to the top of the
incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(4)

IB Questionbank Physics 103


(b) From the top of the incline, the road continues downwards in a straight line. At the point
where the road starts to go downwards, the driver of the car in (a), stops the car to look at
the view. In continuing his journey, the driver decides to save fuel. He switches off the
engine and allows the car to move freely down the hill. The car descends a height of 0.30
km in a distance of 6.4 km before levelling out.

2
The average resistive force acting on the car is 5.0 ´ 10 N.

Estimate

(i) the acceleration of the car down the incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(5)

(ii) the speed of the car at the bottom of the incline.

.........................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) In fact, for the last few hundred metres of its journey down the hill, the car travels at
constant speed. State the value of the frictional force acting on the car whilst it is moving
at constant speed.

...................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 15 marks)

IB Questionbank Physics 104

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