A2 FLASHBACK CLASS 2025

F A JAHANGIR MASUD SIR

 Cambridge International AS & A Level

7: Further mechanics – Topic questions

The questions in this document have been compiled from a number of past papers, as indicated in the table
below.

Use these questions to formatively assess your learners’ understanding of this topic.

Question Year Series Paper number

1 2017 June 41
2 2017 June 41
1 2017 March 42

The mark scheme for each question is provided at the end of the document.

You can find the complete question papers and the complete mark schemes (with additional notes where
available) on the School Support Hub at www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
1 (a) Define gravitational potential at a point.

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

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

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) A rocket is launched from the surface of a planet and moves along a radial path, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

A B rocket
R path
R
planet 4R
mass M

Fig. 1.1

The planet may be considered to be an isolated sphere of radius R with all of its mass M
concentrated at its centre. Point A is a distance R from the surface of the planet. Point B is a
distance 4R from the surface.

(i) Show that the difference in gravitational potential Δφ between points A and B is given by
the expression
3GM
Δφ =
10R
where G is the gravitational constant.

[1]
(ii) The rocket motor is switched off at point A. During the journey from A to B, the rocket has
a constant mass of 4.7 × 104 kg and its kinetic energy changes from 1.70 TJ to 0.88 TJ.

For the planet, the product GM is 4.0 × 1014 N m2 kg–1. It may be assumed that resistive
forces to the motion of the rocket are negligible.

Use the expression in (b)(i) to determine the distance from A to B.

distance = .......................................................m [3]

[Total: 6]
1 (a) Explain how a satellite may be in a circular orbit around a planet.

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

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

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) The Earth and the Moon may be considered to be uniform spheres that are isolated in space.
The Earth has radius R and mean density ρ. The Moon, mass m, is in a circular orbit about
the Earth with radius nR, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

Earth
radius R

Moon

nR

Fig. 1.1

The Moon makes one complete orbit of the Earth in time T.

Show that the mean density ρ of the Earth is given by the expression

3πn3
ρ= .
GT 2

[4]
(c) The radius R of the Earth is 6.38 × 103 km and the distance between the centre of the Earth
and the centre of the Moon is 3.84 × 105 km.
The period T of the orbit of the Moon about the Earth is 27.3 days.
Use the expression in (b) to calculate ρ.

ρ = ............................................... kg m–3 [3]

[Total: 9]
 * 0000800000006 *

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

6
,










,

2 The Sun may be considered as a uniform sphere with a mass of 1.99 × 1030 kg and a surface
temperature of 5780 K.

A probe with a mass of 2.63 kg moves in a straight line towards the Sun.
When it is at a distance x from the centre of the Sun, the probe measures the gravitational field
strength g due to the Sun and the radiant flux intensity F of radiation from the Sun.

(a) Define gravitational field.

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

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) For the position of the probe where x = 1.47 × 1011 m:

(i) calculate g

g = ............................................... N kg–1 [2]

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

(ii) determine the gravitational potential energy EP of the probe.

EP = ....................................................... J [2]

(c) (i) Show that, for any particular value of x, the numerical values of g and F are related by

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

4πGM
g= F
L
where M is the mass of the Sun, L is the luminosity of the Sun and G is the
gravitational constant.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

[3]

ĬÑĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßú¶þ×
© UCLES 2024 Ĭì¹ùÖħġąÍċąĉđ®ÄÑĐĂ
ĥąąÕõõąµõÕÅąąÕĥõĕÕ
9702/42/O/N/24
 * 0000800000007 *
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

7
,










,

(ii) Fig. 2.1 shows the variation of g with F.

g / 10–3 N kg–1

4
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
F / 103 W m–2

Fig. 2.1

Determine a value for the luminosity L of the Sun. Give a unit with your answer.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

L = .................................... unit ............ [2]

(iii) Use your answer in (c)(ii) to determine the radius r of the Sun.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

r = ...................................................... m [2]

[Total: 12]
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

ĬÓĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßü¶þ×
© UCLES 2024 ĬìºúÎġĝõìíüÀÅÆĘÑĠĂ
ĥąõĕµĕĥÕĥåĕąąµąµąÕ
9702/42/O/N/24 [Turn over
 4

1 (a) State Newton’s law of gravitation.

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A satellite is in a circular orbit around a planet. The radius of the orbit is R and the period of
the orbit is T. The planet is a uniform sphere.

Use Newton’s law of gravitation to show that R and T are related by

4π2R 3 = GMT 2

where M is the mass of the planet and G is the gravitational constant.

[2]

(c) The Earth may be considered to be a uniform sphere of mass 5.98 × 1024 kg and radius
6.37 × 106 m.

A geostationary satellite is in orbit around the Earth.

Use the expression in (b) to determine the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface.

height = ..................................................... m [3]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23

 5

(d) Another satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth with the same orbital radius and period
as the satellite in (c).

(i) Calculate the angular speed of the satellite in this orbit. Give a unit with your answer.

angular speed = .............................................. unit ................ [2]

(ii) Despite having the same orbital period, the orbit of this satellite is not geostationary.

Suggest two ways in which the orbit of this satellite could be different from the orbit of
the satellite in (c).

1 ........................................................................................................................................

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

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23 [Turn over

 4

1 (a) Explain why the gravitational potential near to a point mass is negative.

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A planet may be assumed to be a uniform sphere. It has gravitational potential φ at distance r
from the centre of the planet.
1
The variation with of φ is shown in Fig. 1.1.
r
1 –8 –1
r / 10 m
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
0

–0.4

–0.8

–1.2

–1.6

φ / 108 J kg–1

–2.0

–2.4

Fig. 1.1

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24

 5

(i) Show that the mass of the planet is 8.8 × 1025 kg.

[2]

(ii) The period of rotation of the planet is 0.72 Earth days.

A satellite in orbit around the planet remains above the same point on the surface of the
planet.

Use the mass of the planet in (b)(i) to determine the radius R of the orbit of the satellite.

R = ...................................................... m [3]

(iii) The speed of the satellite in (b)(ii) is 8400 m s–1. The mass of the satellite is 1200 kg.

Determine the additional energy required to move the satellite from its orbit to infinity.

energy required = ....................................................... J [3]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24 [Turn over

2 A bar magnet of mass 180 g is suspended from the free end of a spring, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

spring

magnet

coil

Fig. 2.1

The magnet hangs so that one pole is near the centre of a coil of wire.

The coil is connected in series with a resistor and a switch. The switch is open.

The magnet is displaced vertically and then allowed to oscillate with one pole remaining inside the
coil. The other pole remains outside the coil.

At time t = 0, the magnet is oscillating freely as it passes through its equilibrium position. At time
t = 3.0 s, the switch in the circuit is closed.

The variation with time t of the vertical displacement y of the magnet is shown in Fig. 2.2.

2.0

1.5
y / cm
1.0

0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
–0.5 t/s

–1.0

–1.5

–2.0

Fig. 2.2
(a) Determine, to two significant figures, the frequency of oscillation of the magnet.

frequency = .................................................... Hz [2]

(b) State whether the closing of the switch gives rise to light, heavy or critical damping.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(c) Calculate the change in the energy ΔE of oscillation of the magnet between time t = 2.7 s and
time t = 7.5 s. Explain your working.

ΔE = ....................................................... J [6]

[Total: 9]
 * 0000800000012 *

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

12
,









,

5 Fig. 5.1 shows a pendulum consisting of a metal sphere suspended by a thin string.

thin string

metal sphere

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

oscillations

Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)

The sphere undergoes small oscillations about its equilibrium position. The oscillations may be
considered to be simple harmonic.

Fig. 5.2 shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of the sphere from its
equilibrium position.

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

0.02
x /m

0.01

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
t/s

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

–0.01

–0.02

Fig. 5.2

(a) On Fig. 5.1, draw an arrow, from the centre of the sphere, to represent the direction of the
resultant force acting on the sphere when it is in the position shown. [1]
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

ĬÑĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞú¸Ā×
© UCLES 2024 Ĭì¼ùÏĥĩēÓĄþãí°èĩĨĂ
ĥÕĥĕõõåµÕĥÅÅąõĥõåÕ
9702/42/O/N/24
 * 0000800000013 *
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

13
,









,

(b) The mass of the sphere is 0.15 kg.

(i) State the amplitude of the oscillations.

amplitude = ...................................................... m [1]

(ii) Determine the angular frequency of the oscillations.

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

angular frequency = .............................................. rad s–1 [2]

(iii) Calculate the total energy of the oscillations.

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

total energy = ....................................................... J [2]

(c) On Fig. 5.3, sketch the variation with x of the kinetic energy EK of the sphere.

6
EK / 10–3 J
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

0
–0.02 –0.01 0 0.01 0.02
x /m
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

Fig. 5.3
[3]

[Total: 9]

ĬÓĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞü¸Ā×
© UCLES 2024 Ĭì»ú×ģĥģæöóĦéÈôĩĘĂ
ĥÕĕÕµĕÅÕÅĕĕÅąĕąµµÕ
9702/42/O/N/24 [Turn over
 10

4 A small steel sphere is oscillating vertically on the end of a spring, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

spring

steel sphere
oscillations

Fig. 4.1

The velocity v of the sphere varies with displacement x from its equilibrium position according to

v = ± 9.7 (11.6 - x 2)

where v is in cm s–1 and x is in cm.

(a) (i) Calculate the frequency of the oscillations.

frequency = .................................................... Hz [2]

(ii) Show that the amplitude of the oscillations is 3.4 cm.

[1]

(iii) Calculate the maximum acceleration a0 of the sphere.

a0 = ................................................ m s–2 [2]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23

 11

(b) On Fig. 4.2, sketch the variation with x of the acceleration a of the sphere.

2 a0

a0

0
–4 –2 0 2 x / cm 4

– a0

– 2a0

Fig. 4.2
[3]

(c) Describe, without calculation, the interchange between the potential energy and the kinetic
energy of the oscillations.

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

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23 [Turn over

 8

3 A small object of mass 24 g rests on a platform. The platform is attached to an oscillator, as shown
in Fig. 3.1.

object

platform

oscillator

Fig. 3.1

The oscillator moves the platform up and down.

(a) The total energy of the oscillations of the object is 2.2 × 10–4 J.
In one oscillation the object travels a total distance of 14 mm.

Calculate the angular frequency ω of the oscillations.

ω = .............................................. rad s–1 [3]

(b) The frequency of the oscillator is fixed, and the amplitude of the oscillations is gradually
increased.

(i) Calculate the maximum amplitude of the oscillations so the object does not lose contact
with the platform.

amplitude = ...................................................... m [2]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24

 9

(ii) The amplitude of the oscillations is increased so it is greater than the value in (b)(i).

State and explain the position in an oscillation where the object first loses contact with
the platform.

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

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24 [Turn over

 Cambridge International AS & A Level

8: Thermodynamics – Topic questions

The questions in this document have been compiled from a number of past papers, as indicated in the table
below.

Use these questions to formatively assess your learners’ understanding of this topic.

Question Year Series Paper number

4 2017 June 41
2 2017 March 42
2 2016 March 42

The mark scheme for each question is provided at the end of the document.

You can find the complete question papers and the complete mark schemes (with additional notes where
available) on the School Support Hub at www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
4 (a) Describe the motion of molecules in a gas, according to the kinetic theory of gases.

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

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

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) Describe what is observed when viewing Brownian motion that provides evidence for your
answer in (a).

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

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

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) At a pressure of 1.05 × 105 Pa and a temperature of 27 °C, 1.00 mol of helium gas has a
volume of 0.0240 m3.
The mass of 1.00 mol of helium gas, assumed to be an ideal gas, is 4.00 g.

(i) Calculate the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed of an atom of helium gas for a temperature
of 27 °C.

r.m.s. speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

(ii) Using your answer in (i), calculate the r.m.s. speed of the atoms at 177 °C.

r.m.s. speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

[Total: 10]
2 (a) The first law of thermodynamics can be represented by the expression

ΔU = q + w.

State what is meant by the symbols in the expression.

+DU ........................................................................................................................................

+q ........................................................................................................................................

+w ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) A fixed mass of an ideal gas undergoes a cycle ABCA of changes, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

6.0
pressure / 105 Pa A B
5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0
C
0
0 2.0 4.0 6.0
volume / 10 m3
–4

Fig. 2.1

(i) During the change from A to B, the energy supplied to the gas by heating is 442 J.

Use the first law of thermodynamics to show that the internal energy of the gas increases
by 265 J.

[2]
 * 0000800000010 *

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

10
,










,

4 (a) State three of the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

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

2 ................................................................................................................................................

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

3 ................................................................................................................................................

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Explain how molecular movement causes the pressure exerted by a gas.

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

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

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

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

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

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(c) Fig. 4.1 shows the variation with thermodynamic temperature T of the mean‑square speeds
〈c2〉 for two gases X and Y.

〈c 2〉 / 106 m2 s–2 X

DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

Y
2

0
0 100 200 300 400
T/K

Fig. 4.1
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

ĬÑĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàú¸þ×
© UCLES 2024 Ĭì»û×ĩėĦÑüüĝċĬÒùĠĂ
ĥĥÅÕõĕÅõåµĥÅÅĕåµåÕ
9702/42/O/N/24
 * 0000800000011 *
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

11
,









,

Fig. 4.2 shows the variation with T of the product pV for samples of the two gases, where p is
the pressure of the gas and V is the volume of the gas.

3
Y
pV / 103 J

2
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

1 X

0
0 100 200 300 400
T/K

Fig. 4.2

State three conclusions about the gases and their samples that may be drawn from Fig. 4.1
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

and Fig. 4.2. The conclusions may be qualitative or quantitative. Use the space below for any
working that you need.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

1 ................................................................................................................................................

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

2 ................................................................................................................................................

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

3 ................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

[Total: 9]

ĬÓĊ¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊàü¸þ×
© UCLES 2024 Ĭì¼üÏğěĖèþąìÏĔĆùĐĂ
ĥĥµĕµõåĕµÅµÅÅõÅõµÕ
9702/42/O/N/24 [Turn over
(ii) During the change from B to C, the internal energy of the gas decreases by 313 J.
By considering molecular energy, state and explain qualitatively the change, if any, in the
temperature of the gas.

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

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

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

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

.......................................................................................................................................[3]

(iii) For the change from C to A, use the data in (b)(i) and (b)(ii) to calculate the change in
internal energy.

change in internal energy = ........................................................ J [1]

(iv) The temperature of the gas at point A is 227 °C. Calculate the number of molecules in the
fixed mass of the gas.

number = ...........................................................[2]

[Total: 10]
2 (a) State

(i) what is meant by internal energy,

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

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

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) the basic assumption of the kinetic theory of gases that leads to the conclusion that there
is zero potential energy between the molecules of an ideal gas.

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

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) The pressure p and volume V of an ideal gas are related by

pV = 1 Nm 〈c 2〉
3
where N is the number of molecules, m is the mass of a molecule and 〈c 2〉 is the mean-square
speed of the molecules.

Use this equation to show that the mean kinetic energy 〈EK〉 of a molecule is given by

〈EK〉 = 3 kT
2
where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the thermodynamic temperature.

[3]
(c) A cylinder contains 17 g of oxygen gas at a temperature of 12 °C. The mass of 1.0 mol of
oxygen gas is 32 g. It may be assumed that the oxygen behaves as an ideal gas.

Calculate, for the oxygen gas in the cylinder,

(i) the mean kinetic energy of a molecule,

mean kinetic energy = ........................................................J [2]

(ii) the number of molecules,

number = ...........................................................[2]

(iii) the total internal energy.

internal energy = ........................................................J [1]

[Total: 11]
 8

3 (a) State the first law of thermodynamics. Identify the meaning of any symbols that you use.

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) The state of an ideal gas is continuously changed according to the cycle ABCDA shown in
Fig. 3.1.

C D
pressure

B A

volume

Fig. 3.1

(i) Complete Table 3.1 for the changes A to B and B to C by placing two ticks (3) in each
row.

Table 3.1

change in internal energy work done on gas

change
decrease no change increase negative zero positive

A to B

B to C

[4]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23

 9

(ii) Use the first law of thermodynamics to describe and explain the energy transfers
associated with one complete cycle ABCDA.

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

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

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 9]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23 [Turn over

 6

2 (a) (i) State what is meant by an ideal gas.

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) State the temperature, in degrees Celsius, of absolute zero.

temperature = .................................................... °C [1]

(b) A sealed vessel contains a mass of 0.0424 kg of an ideal gas at 227 °C.
The pressure of the gas is 1.37 × 105 Pa and the volume of the gas is 0.640 m3.

Calculate:

(i) the number of molecules of the gas in the vessel

number of molecules = ......................................................... [3]

(ii) the mass of one molecule of the gas

mass = .................................................... kg [1]

(iii) the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed v of the molecules of the gas.

v = ................................................ m s–1 [3]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23

 7

(c) The gas in (b) is now cooled gradually to absolute zero.

On Fig. 2.1, sketch the variation with thermodynamic temperature T of the r.m.s. speed of the
molecules of the gas.

v
r.m.s. speed

0
0 500
T/K

Fig. 2.1
[2]

[Total: 12]

© UCLES 2023 9702/42/M/J/23 [Turn over

 6

2 (a) By referring to both kinetic energy and potential energy, explain what is meant by the internal
energy of an ideal gas.

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A fixed mass of an ideal gas at a temperature of 20 °C is sealed in a cylinder by a piston, as

shown in Fig. 2.1.

cylinder

piston
gas

Fig. 2.1

The initial volume of the gas is 1.24 × 10–4 m3.

Thermal energy is supplied to the gas and its volume increases by 5.20 × 10–5 m3.

(i) The piston is freely moving so that the gas is always at atmospheric pressure.

Atmospheric pressure is 1.01 × 105 Pa.

Calculate the work done by the gas.

work done by gas = ....................................................... J [2]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24

 7

(ii) Calculate the final thermodynamic temperature T of the gas.

T = ...................................................... K [2]

(iii) The mass of the gas is 16 g. For this expansion, there is a net transfer of 960 J of thermal
energy to the gas.

Calculate the specific heat capacity c of the gas at this pressure.

c = .......................................... J kg–1 K–1 [2]

(c) The gas in (b) is allowed to return to its starting temperature. The piston is now fixed in
position.

Thermal energy is supplied to increase the temperature to the same final temperature as in (b).

Use the first law of thermodynamics to suggest and explain how the specific heat capacity of
the gas for this situation compares with the value in (b)(iii).

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 11]

© UCLES 2024 9702/42/F/M/24 [Turn over