MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank

Question 1
Two boys were asked to push hard against a rock of mass 40 kg as shown in the diagram
below.

In which direction and with what acceleration will the rock move, assuming there is negligible
friction?
Acceleration/m s-2 Direction
A Zero Nil
B 0.2 Towards S
C 0.8 Towards S
D 0.2 Towards R ( )
[1]
Question 2
The frictional force between a box of mass 4 kg and the floor is 15 N. It is pushed across
the floor with a constant force such that it accelerates at 0.8 m s-2. What is the force applied
on the box?
A 3.2 N
B 11.8 N
C 18.2 N
D 20.0 N ( )
[1]
Question 3
A Bunsen burner is a very stable object because of its
A high centre of gravity and broad base.
B low centre of gravity and narrow base.
C high centre of gravity and narrow base.
D low centre of gravity and broad base. ( )
[1]
Structured Questions
Question 1

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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank

Figure 4.1 shows a load of 3000 N balanced by a concrete block of weight W, on the arm of
a crane. The concrete block can be moved along the arm.

Figure 4.1

(a) What is the moment of the load?

[1]
(b) Using the principle of moments, calculate the weight W of the concrete block.

[2]
(c) The load is replaced by a new load weighing 1800 N. What is the new distance of W
from the pivot when the arm is balanced?

[2]

Question 2
Figure 4.2 shows the load-extension graphs for a spring. The original length of the spring is
15 cm.

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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank

Figure 4.2

(a) What is the extension when the load is 28 N?

extension = _____________ cm [1]

(b) When an object is suspended from the spring, the length of the stretched spring is 20
cm. What is the weight of the object?

weight = _____________ N [2]

(c) Calculate the spring constant of the spring.

spring constant = _____________ N/cm [3]

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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank

Chapter 5 Momentum
Multiple-choice Questions
Question 1

Figure 5.1
Figure 5.1 shows two particles of masses M1 and M2 respectively are initially projected
towards each other on a smooth surface with speeds 5 m s-1 and 3 m s-1 respectively. They
collide with each other, and the two particles now move with speeds 2 m s-1 and 4 m s-1
M1
respectively in the original direction of the first mass M1. What is the ?
M2
3
A
7
7
B
3
1
C
3
3
D ( )
1

[1]

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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank

Structured Questions
Question 1
Two ice skaters A and B are stationary on a skating rink. The mass of skater A is 80 kg.
The mass of skater B is 50 kg. They face each other and push each other off. Skater A
moves off in a straight line with velocity of 0.5 m/s. Calculate
(a) the momentum of skater A;

[1]
(b) the momentum of skater B;

[4]
(c) the velocity of skater B.

[1]
Question 2
A jet of water is emitted from a shower head at 0.7 m/s. 1.2 kg of water is emitted in 15 s.
(a) Calculate the change in momentum of the water emitted.

change in momentum = _____________ kg m/s [2]

(b) State the magnitude of the impulse on the shower head.

magnitude of impulse = _____________ [1]

(c) Calculate the force on the showerhead.

force = _____________ N [2]

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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank Answers

(b) (i) 1000 kg/m3 [1]

(ii) The metal box floats, because its average density is less than the density of
water. [1]

Chapter 4 Forces
Multiple-choice Questions
1. B
2. C
3. D

Structured Questions
1. (a) 3000 × 10 = 30 000 N m [1]
(b) Using principle of moments,
anticlockwise moment ≡ clockwise moment [1]
W × 4 ≡ 30000
W ≡ 7500 N [1]
(c) Let d be the new distance of W and by using principle of moments,
anticlockwise moment ≡ clockwise moment [1]
7500 × d ≡ 1800 ×10
d ≡ 2.4 m [1]
2. (a) 11 cm [1]
(b) Extension = (20 – 15) = 5 cm [1]
Weight = 13 N [1]
F 52
(c) k = [1] = [1] = 2.6 N/cm [1]
x 20

Chapter 5 Momentum
Multiple-choice Questions
1. B

Structured Questions
1. (a) Momentum of skater A = 80 × 0.5 = 40 kg m/s [1]
(b) Let momentum of skater B be p
Total momentum before = 0 kg m/s [1]
Total momentum after = (40 + p) kg m/s [1]
Using principle of conservation of momentum,
Total momentum before = total momentum after [1]
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MCE Cambridge IGCSETM Physics Question Bank Answers

40 + p = 0
p = - 40 kg m/s
Skater B moves off with momentum 40 kg m/s in the direction opposite to Skater
A [1]
40
(c) Velocity of skater B = - 50 = - 0.8 m/s [1]

2. (a) Change in momentum = 1.2 × 0.7 [1] = 0.84 kg m/s [1]

(b) 0.84 N s [1]
(c) Impulse = Ft
0.84 = F × 15 [1]
F = 0.056 N [1]

Chapter 6 Energy, Work & Power

Multiple-choice Questions
1. D
2. D

Structured Questions
1. (a) A swinging pendulum in ideal state. See Figure 6.5 in the Student’s Book.
Accept other possible answers. [2]
(b) (i) Nuclear power; Fossil fuels; Biofuels; Accept other possible answers. [1]
each
(ii) Turn off electrical appliances when not in use.
Install domestic solar panel transfer energy from the sun to electricity.
Accept other possible answers. [1] each
2. (a) Elastic(strain) energy [1]
1 1
(b) Kinetic energy = mv2 [1] = × 28 × 52 [1] = 350 J [1]
2 2

(c) Gravitational potential energy = kinetic energy [1]

mgh = 350
28 × 9.8 × h = 350 [1]
h = 1.27 m = 1.3 m (2 s.f.) [1]
(d) Some energy is transferred to the surroundings, such as air. / She is doing work
against air resistance. [1]
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