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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

Data-based Questions

1. (a) The moment of a force is the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from a pivot
to the line of action of the force. Its SI unit is the newton metre (N m).
(b) The density of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume. Its SI unit is the kilogram
–3
per cubic metre (kg m ).
(c) (i) W 1 × d1 = W 2 × d2
(ii) W1 × d1 = W2 × d2
m 1g × d 1 = m 2g × d 2 (since W = mg)
m 1 × d1 = m 2 × d2
(iii)

∆M2 = 24.0 kg cm

∆d1 = 45.0 cm

(iv) Mass m1 = gradient of graph in (iii)

24.0 kg cm
=
45.0 cm
= 0.533 kg
(v) mass
Density of mass m1 =
volume
24.0
( ) kg
45.0
= −4 3
1.33 × 10 m
–3
= 4010 kg m

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DBQ.1
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

2. (a) Let the submerged depth of the hull be h and its constant cross-sectional area be A.
Weight W of floating ship
= upward force on base of ship
= pressure × area
= hρg × A where ρ = density of water
g = gravitational field strength
= ρAh × g
= ρV × g where V = Ah = volume of water displaced
= mg (shown) where m = mass of water displaced
(b) In winter, water contracts and becomes denser. As a result, when the ship is loaded to its
maximum limit, a smaller volume of water is displaced by the weight of the ship (since weight
= density × volume × gravitational field strength) and less of the ship’s hull will be submerged
as compared to during summer. The water level will therefore appear at a lower height at the
side of the ship in winter (W) than in summer (S).

(c) (i) Let the weight of Yellow Sapphire and its cargo be WYS and the weight of the Elbe
River water displaced be WER.
WYS = WER
= ρERVERg
−3 3 −2
= 1004 kg m × 48 500 m × 10 m s
= 486 940 000 N
8
≈ 4.87 × 10 N
(ii) Let the weight of the North Sea water displaced be WNS.
WNS = WYS = 486 940 000 N
WNS = ρNSVNSg
−3 −2
486 940 000 N = 1025 kg m × VNS × 10 m s
3
VNS = 47 506 m
3
≈ 47 500 m
3
The volume of North Sea water displaced by the ship is 47 500 m .
(iii) 3 486 940 000 3
Reduction in volume of displaced water = 48 500 m – ( )m
1025 × 10
3
≈ 994 m
reduction in volume
Drop in Draft Mark =
cross-sectional area of ship
3
994 m
= 2
8790 m
= 0.113 m
New Draft Mark = 10.1 m – 0.113 m
= 9.987 m
≈ 10.0 m (shown)

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DBQ.2
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

3. (a) The specific heat capacity of a substance is defined as the amount of thermal energy
required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by 1 K or 1°C. Its SI unit is
–1 –1
the joule per kilogram per kelvin (J kg K ) or the joule per kilogram per degree Celsius
–1 –1
(J kg °C ).
(b) Temperature rise Temperature rise
Heat supplied Q/J
∆Twater /°C ∆Tmilk /°C
2520 3.0 3.3
4872 5.8 6.5
7560 9.0 10.0
9072 10.8 12.0

(c) Q/J
 

∆Tmilk /°C  
 
(d) Q
Gradient of graph =
∆Tmilk
(9072 − 2520) J
=
(12.0 − 3.3)°C
−1
= 753 J °C
From Q = mc∆T,
gradient of graph = mc
–1
753 J ºC = (200 g)(c)
–1 –1
c = 3.77 J g ºC
(e) It reduces the error arising from the assumption that the amount of heat supplied to the milk
is equal to that supplied to the water. This is because the heat losses from both containers
are almost the same since they are identical in their set-up.

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DBQ.3
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

4. (a) (A) Mark the two fixed points of ice and steam on the thermometer.
• To mark the ice point, put the
thermometer in pure melting ice and
mark the level at which the alcohol
thread stabilises.

melting ice funnel

• Likewise, to mark the steam point,

place the thermometer in steam at
atmospheric pressure and mark the
level at which the alcohol thread
stabilises.

outlet for steam

to escape

manometer
steam

boiling water

steam
point

unknown
L100 temperature θ

Lθ ice
point
L0

(B) Divide the length between these two marks (ice point and steam point) into 100
divisions. Each division represents one degree Celsius.

The linear relationship between the length of the alcohol column and the corresponding
θ Lθ − L0
temperature is = where L0 and L100 are the lengths of the alcohol thread
100°C L100 − L0
at the ice point (0°C) and steam point (100°C) respectively.

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DBQ.4
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

(b) (i)

Lθ/cm
 
 
θ/°C  
 

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DBQ.5
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

(ii) From the graph, L0 = 2.1 cm, L100 = 35.6 cm

(iii) θ Lθ − L0
Using =
100°C L100 − L0
26.8 cm − 2.1 cm
∴θ= × 100°C = 73.7°C.
35.6 cm − 2.1 cm
The melting point of naphthalene is 73.7°C.

5. (a) Based on the kinetic theory of matter, all solids are made of atoms that are closely packed
together in a regular pattern. The atoms vibrate about fixed positions. When a solid is
heated, the atoms gain energy and vibrate with higher amplitude. The average distance
between atoms becomes larger. Therefore, the solid occupies more space, that is, it
expands.
(b) ∆L −5
Using = (1.18 × 10 )∆T
L
∆L −5
= (1.18 × 10 )(38.0°C − (−7.0°C))
30.0 m
∆L = 0.01593 m
Therefore, the length increases by 15.9 mm.
(c) From Figure 5, if the track is constrained by a force of 500 kN, the increase in temperature
ΔT is 27°C.
∆L −5
Using = (1.18 × 10 )∆T
L
∆L −5
= (1.18 × 10 )(27°C)
30.0 m
−3
∆L = 9.558 × 10 m
Therefore, the length increases by about 9.56 mm.
(d) Based on the answer in (b), if the gap is smaller than 15.93 mm, the gap will be closed (if the
temperature change is equal to or exceeds the difference in the lowest and highest
temperatures ever experienced by the town).
Based on the answer in (c), a temperature change of 27°C would result in an increase in the
length of an unconstrained track section by 9.558 mm. The maximum force a constrained
track can absorb is 500 kN, which corresponds to a temperature change of 27°C, which in
turn corresponds to a track length of 9.558 mm. Therefore, in order not to exceed the
maximum allowable force of 500 kN, the minimum size of the gap is 9.558 mm shorter than
15.93 mm.
So,
gap width + 9.558 mm ≥ 15.93 mm
gap width ≥ 6.372 mm
Therefore, the smallest gap is 6.38 mm.
(e) (i) At the lowest temperature ever recorded in winter (−7.0°C),
change in temperature ΔT = (−7°C) − 18°C
= −25°C
From Figure 5, the force acting on the track is 460 kN.
The track is in tension since it is being prevented from contracting by the sleepers.
(ii) At the highest temperature ever recorded in summer (38°C),
change in temperature ΔT = 38°C − 18°C
= 20°C (the positive change means a rise in temperature)
From Figure 5, the force acting on the track is 370 N.
The track is in compression since it is being prevented from expanding by the sleepers.

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DBQ.6
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

6. (a),
(b)

A signal from the transmitter of the ship travels to the seabed and back to the receiver, i.e. a
distance that is twice the depth of the seabed. Since the seabed is 22.5 m below the hull of
the ship, the distance over which the signal travels is 45 m (= 22.5 m × 2).
distance
Using the formula speed = ,
time
distance travelled by signal
time delay =
speed of sound in water
45 m
= −1
1500 m s
= 0.03 s
= 30 ms
Thus, the vertical bar B should be plotted at the 30 ms position in the diagram.
(c) (i)

Time Span of the shipwreck on the seabed/m

delay (ms)
0 5.0 8.0 11.5 15.5 20.0
Height
30
=0m
Height
28
= 1.50 m
Height
25
= 3.75 m
Height
22
= 6.00 m
Height
26
= 3.00 m
Height
30
=0m

(ii) The minimum span of the shipwreck is 10.5 m (= 15.5 m − 5.0 m).
(iii) Step 1: Repeat collection of data as in c(i) for a few more paths parallel to the initial
path. The more paths there are, the more detailed and accurate the profile is.
Step 2: Plot and draw a scaled profile of the height of the wreck for each path.
Step 3: Combine the scaled profiles to form a scaled three-dimensional profile of the
wreck.

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DBQ.7
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

7. (a) From Figure 7.1,

–1
time delay = 7 cm × 0.050 s cm = 0.35 s
(i) From Table 7, we can find an estimate of the speed of sound at 11°C by taking the
average of the speeds at 10.0°C and 12.0°C.
−1 −1
1561 m s + 1549 m s −1
v= = 1555 m s
2
(ii) A signal from the transmitter of the submarine travels to the ship on the ocean surface
and back to its receiver, i.e. a distance that is twice the vertical distance d between the
submarine and the ship.
2d = v × t
−1
1555 m s × 0.35 s
d=
2
= 272 m
(c) Bearing = N45°E
Range = 450 m

8. (a) speed of light in vacuum

Refractive index of a medium =
speed of light in medium
speed of light in air
≈
speed of light in medium
(b) (i)  
sin i

sin r

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DBQ.8
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

sin i
Refractive index n = = gradient of graph
sin r
0.90 − 0.00
Gradient of graph = = 1.45
0.62 − 0.00
(ii) Using Table 8.2, the refractive index of the material is closest to that of quartz in the
table. So, the material is most likely quartz.
(c) (i) The critical angle is defined as the angle of incidence in the optically denser medium for
which the angle of refraction in the less dense medium is 90°.
(ii) 1
n= , where n = refractive index of the optical block;
sin c
c = critical angle for the material.
1 1
Hence, sin c = =
n 1.45
c = 44°

9. (a) Ohm’s law states that the current passing through a metallic conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference across its ends, provided that the physical conditions
(such as temperature) are constant.
(b)
V/V

I/A

(c) If 2 Ω and 10 Ω are in series, then their effective resistance Re would be the sum of their
individual resistances, i.e. 12 Ω.
p.d. across XY
Re =
current flowing into X
0.5 V
=
0.3 A
5
= Ω
3
Since their Re is not 12 Ω, the two resistors must be in parallel.

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DBQ.9
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Physics Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (4 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Data-based Questions
 

10. (a) Maximum energy Emax can be stored in the capacitor when the voltage V is stepped up to
3000 V.
−6 2
From the given formula E = 3.33 × 10 V ,
−6 2
Emax = 3.33 × 10 (3000 V)
= 30.0 J
(b) (i) E = area under graph in Figure 10.3 between t = 0 ms and t = 3 ms
= area of trapezium
1
= × (sum of parallel sides) × height
2
1 −3
= × (5000 + 3100) W × (3 × 10 ) s
2
= 12.15 J
(ii) E 12.15 J
Power P = = −3 = 4050 W
t 3 × 10 s
(c) When fully charged,
energy Estored stored in battery = 2.6 Wh
= 2.6 W × 3600 s
= 9360 J
From (a), we know Emax is also the energy needed to cause the flash lamp to flash once.
Estored 9360 J
Maximum number of flashes Nmax = = = 312
Emax 30.0 J
(d) The system is inefficient because of energy conversion (e.g. heat loss) in the process of
stepping up the voltage from 6 V to 3000 V.
(Note: Accept any reasonable answer.)

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DBQ.10