SPM 2011

SECTION A
1. Diagram 1.1 shows an oscillating pendulum.

(a) Based on Diagram 1.1, choose the correct path for one complete oscillation. Tick () the correct answer in the box provided.
PQ
PQR
PQRQP
(b) The stopwatch in Diagram 1.2 shows the time taken for the pendulum to make 20 complete oscillations.

Based on Diagram 1.2, state

(i) The smallest division of the stopwatch.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1 mark]
(ii) The time taken for 20 complete oscillations.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1 mark]
(c) What is the type of physical quantity for time?
Tick () the correct answer in the box provided.
Scalar quantity
Vector quantity [1 mark]

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 2. Diagram 2.1 shows a loaded spring oscillating vertically in water. The oscillating system experiences damping. Diagram 2.2
shows the displacement-time graph for the oscillating system.

(a) Underline the correct answer in the bracket to complete the sentence below.
Damping is a situation when the (amplitude, wavelength) of the oscillation decreases. [1 mark]
(b) State one reason why damping occurs in the oscillating system.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1 mark]
(c) Based on Diagram 2.2,
(i) State the period of the oscillating system.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………… [1 mark]
(ii) What is the frequency of the oscillating system?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………….. [1 mark]
(d) What will happen to the period of the oscillating system when a heavier load is used?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………. [1 mark]

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 3. Diagram 3 shows the activity-time graph of radioisotope Potassium-42. This radioisotope emits beta particles and is used as
a tracer to measure the quantity of salt in human body.

(a) State one characteristic of beta particles.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… [1 mark]
(b) Based on Diagram 3, determine the half-life of Potassium-42. Show on the graph how you determine the half-life of
Potassium-42.
Half-life of Potassium-42: ……………………………………………………….. [2 marks]
(c) Based on the half-life, state why Potassium-42 is suitable to be used as the tracer.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………. [1 mark]
1
(d) Calculate the time taken for radioisotope Potassium-42 to reduce to of its initial activity.
8

[2 marks]

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 4. Diagram 4.1 shows a bright spot, P, formed on the screen of a cathode-ray oscilloscope, CRO, when it is switched on.

(a) What is the meaning of cathode ray?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….. [1 mark]
(b) Explain how the bright spot is formed on the screen of the CRO.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. [2 marks]
(c) Diagram 4.2 shows the bright spot is displaced to Q when a direct current, d.c. supply, is connected to the Y-input of the
CRO.

The Y-gain of the CRO is set at 2V/division. Calculate the input voltage of the d.c supply.

[2 marks]

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 (d) Diagram 4.3 shows an alternating current, a.c. supply, is connected to the CRO. The Y-gain of the CRO remains at
2V/division.

Draw the output signal on the screen in Diagram 4.3 when the peak voltage of the a.c supply is 6 V and the time base is switched off.
[2 marks]

5. Diagram 5.1(a) shows a boy skating down a ramp from position X. Diagram 5.1(b) shows the velocity-time graph of the boy from
X to Z.

Diagram 5.2(a) shows the same boy skating down from position Y by using another ramp. Diagram 5.2(b) shows the velocity-time
graph of the boy from Y to Z.

Both ramps are of the same slope and surface.

(a) Name the physical quantity represented by the gradient of the velocity-time graph.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….. [1 mark]

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 (b) Observe Diagram 5.1(a) and Diagram 5.2(a).
(i) Compare the gravitational potential energy of the boy at X and Y.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1 mark]
(ii) Compare the velocity of the boy at Z in these two situations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1 mark]
(iii) Compare the kinetic energy of the boy at Z in these two situations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………… [1 mark]
(c) Based on the answers in (b),
(i) State the relationship between the gravitational potential energy and the kinetic energy of the boy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………… [1 mark]
(ii) State the physics concept involved.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… [1 mark]
(d) (i) Based on Diagram 5.1(a), what happens to the velocity of the boy when he skates from Z to Q?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1 mark]
(ii) Give one reason for the answer in (d)(i).
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………. [1 mark]

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6. Diagram 6.1 and Diagram 6.2 show experiments on a sound wave.

(a) Observe Diagram 6.1 and Diagram 6.2.

(i) Compare the distances, X, between two consecutive sounds in these two situations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………. [1 mark]
(ii) Compare the distance, a, between the two loudspeakers.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….. [1 mark]
(iii) State the relationship between a and X.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1 mark]
(iv) State one other physical quantity that needs to be foxed to ensure the relationship in (a)(iii) is correct.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………… [1 mark]
(v) Name the physics phenomenon involved.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………… [1 mark]
(b) The frequency of the audio signal generator is increased.
(i) What is meaning of frequency?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………… [1 mark]
(ii) What happens to the distance between two consecutive loud sounds?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………… [1 mark]
(iii) Give one reason for the answer in (b)(ii).

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 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………… [1 mark]

7. Diagram 7.1 shows an object O placed in front of a concave mirror.

F is the focal point of the mirror and C is the centre of curvature.

(a) What is the meaning of focal point?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1 mark]
(b) Draw a ray diagram on Diagram 7.1 to show how the image is formed. [3 marks]
(c) Diagram 7.2 shows the cross-section of a concave reflector used in torchlight.

Ray S from the filament bulb is incident at point Q on the concave reflector.
(i) Complete the path of ray S on Diagram 7.2. [2 marks]
(ii) State the light phenomenon involved in (c)(i).
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………. [1 mark]
(d) The torchlight in Diagram 7.2 does not produce bright parallel rays. Suggest a modification that can be made to produce
bright parallel rays through these aspects:
(i) The position of the bulb.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………..……… [1 mark]
(ii) The curvature of the reflector.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1 mark]
(e) Suggest one other method to produce brighter rays by the torchlight shown in Diagram 7.2.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1 mark]

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 8. Table 8 shows two types of pot and their characteristics.

(a) What is the meaning of specific heat capacity?

(b) Based on Table 8, state suitable characteristics of the pot if it is to be used for cooking something rapidly. Give reason for
the suitability of the characteristics.
(i) Material for making the pot.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Reason
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. [2 marks]
(ii) Material for making the handle of the pot
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………
Reason
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………. [2 marks]
(iii) Mass of the pot
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………
Reason
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [2 marks]
(c) The pots are heated by using an electric hot plate of power 800 W. Based on the information in the Table 8, calculate the
time taken to achieve a temperature rise of 90 oC for:
(i) The clay pot

[2 marks]
(ii) The copper pot

[2 marks]
(d) Determine the most suitable pot that is safest to handle and can be heated in the shortest period of time.

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1 mark]
Section B
9. Diagram 9.1 shows a boy and his father sitting on two identical beach balls, A and B, respectively.

Their weights are balanced by the buoyant force.

(a) What is the meaning of weight? [1 mark]
(b) (i) Using Diagram 9.1, compare the weight of the boy and his father, the volume of the water displaced
and the buoyant force acted on both of them. [3 marks]
(ii) State the relationship between the buoyant force and:
(a) The volume of water displaced
(b) The weight of water displaced [2 marks]
(iii) Name the physics principle involved. [1 mark]
(c) Diagram 9.2 shows what happens when a wooden block is held above the water surface and then released into the water.

When the wooden block is released, it falls into the water and goes completely under the water surface. Then it moves
upwards and floats on the water surface. [3 marks]
(d) The State Forestry Department is going to organize a raft competition. As a team leader, you are required to give some
suggestions to design a raft which can accommodate 15 participants and be able to move quickly is water. Using your
knowledge of motion, forces and properties of materials, state and explain the suggestions, based on the following aspects:
(i) The shape of the raft. [2 marks]
(ii) The material used for the raft. [2 marks]
(iii) The size of the raft. [2 marks]

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 (iv) The design of the raft. [4 marks]
10. Diagram 10.1 shows the red fringes formed in a Young’s double slit experiment.

Diagram 10.2 shows the green fringes formed when the red light of wavelength 7.0 x 10 -7 m is replaced by the green light of
wavelength 5.0 x 10-7 m.

(a) (i) What is the meaning of a wavelength? [1 mark]

(ii) Based on Diagram 10.1 and Diagram 10.2, compare the wavelength of the light source used, the distance between two
consecutive fringes of red light and green light.
Relate the wavelength of the light with the distance between two consecutive fringes.
Name the wave phenomenon involved. [5 marks]
(b) Diagram 10.3 shows a train in a tunnel. The sound waves from the train can be heard loudly and clearly at night.

The distance of the sound waves are further apart at the top than at ground level. Explain why this situation occurs and state how
this leads to the sound being loud and clear. [4 marks]
(c) Diagram 10.4 shows the design of a dish made by a student to boil water in a kettle using solar energy.

You are required to modify the design in Diagram 10.4 so that the water boils in a shorter time state and explain the modification
based on the following aspects:
(i) Shape of the dish
(ii) The type of surface
(iii) Size of the dish

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 (iv) Position of the kettle
(v) The orientation of the dish [10 marks]
Section c
11. Diagram 11.1 shows a boy of mass 40 kg sliding in two identical flumes, one after another.

Diagram 11.1(a) shows the boy sliding down the flume, which is inclined at 30 o to the horizontal.
Diagram 11.1(b) shows the boy stationary in the flume when the flume is inclined at 17.5 o to the horizontal.
The frictional force acting on the boy in both flumes is 120 N.
(a) What is the meaning of frictional force? [1 mark]
(b) Based on diagram 11.1(a), calculate:
(i) The component of the weight parallel to the slope of the flume, W c. [2 marks]
(ii) The resultant force acting on the boy. [1 mark]
(iii) The acceleration of the boy. [2 marks]
(c) Using the concept of force, explain why the boy slides down the flume when the angle of inclination is 30 o and remains
stationary when the angle of inclination is 17.5 o. [4 marks]
(d) Diagram 11.2 shows four lawnmowers, J, K, L and M with different specifications. You are required to determine the most
suitable lawnmower to cut grass effectively.

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Study the specifications of the four lawnmowers based on following aspect:
(i) Method of moving the lawnmower.
(ii) Mass of the lawnmower.
(iii) Size of the cutter blade.
(iv) The angle between the handle and the horizontal line.
Explain the suitability of aspect and the determine the most suitable lawnmover. Give a reason for your choice. [10 marks]

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 12. Diagram 12.1 shows a candle flame placed between two plates, P and Q.

The metal plates are connected to an Extra High Tension, E.H.T., supply which produces a strong electric field between P and Q when
the switch is on.
(a) (i) What is meaning of electric field? [1 mark]
(ii) What happens to the candle flame when the switch is on? Explain your answer. [4 marks]
(b) Diagram 12.2 shows four circuits, W,X,Y and Z, containing three dry cells of electromotive force, e.m.f., 1.5 V each, two
bulbs labelled 2 V , 0.5 W and resistor R.

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You are required to determine the most suitable circuit that can be used to light up the bulb with normal brightness. You may need
to do some calculations.
Study the specifications of all the four circuit based on the following aspects:
(i) The type of connection of the cells.
(ii) The connection of the terminals of the cells.
(iii) The connection between the resistor and the bulbs.
(iv) The type of connection of the bulbs.
Explain the suitability of each aspect and then determine the most suitable circuit. Give a reason for your choice. [10 marks]
(c) Diagram 12.3 shows an electric circuit.

The e.m.f. of the cell is 2.0 V and its internal resistance is 1.0 . Calculate the reading of the ammeter when
(i) Only switch S1 is on. [2 marks]

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 (ii) Both switches, S1 and S2, are on [3 marks]

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