ZIMSEC A Level Physics Paper 2 Past Papers

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Waves and Interference Work, Energy and Power Kinematics and Dynamics Moments and Equilibrium Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity Units and Measurementthermometry; radiant heat / Stefan-Boltzmann lawCurrent Electricityoperational amplifiers; logic gatesgravitational field strength and potential

Explained questions

The fundamental frequency f of an open pipe of length L, with the speed of sound v, is given as f = v/(2L). Checking this using base units, which statement is correct?
The pressure p at a point in a fluid of density ρ moving with speed v is given as p = (1/2)ρv. Checking this using base units, which statement is correct?
The banking angle θ of an aeroplane moving with speed v on a path of radius of curvature r is given as tanθ = v²/(rg). Checking this using base units, which statement is correct?
Torque and energy share the same base-unit combination, kg m² s^-2. Why would it be inappropriate to measure torque in joules?
What is meant by the diffraction of waves?
Fig. 4.2 shows two wave patterns, A and B, after passing through gaps of different widths. Which pattern shows the wave fronts emerging from the narrower gap?
Why does pattern A (Fig. 4.2) correspond to the narrower gap?
Why is diffraction of sound waves a common, noticeable phenomenon in everyday life, while diffraction of light waves is not?
Give the expression for E, the energy of a photon, in terms of its frequency f and the Planck constant h.
Using the energy level diagram (Fig. 7.1), where n=1 is at -16.64×10^-19 J and n=4 is at -2.56×10^-19 J, calculate the energy required to raise an electron from n=1 to n=4.
In measuring a physical quantity, which statement correctly distinguishes a systematic error from a random error?
A rectangular piece of paper has length 297±1 mm and width 152±1 mm. Using ΔA/A = ΔL/L + ΔW/W, calculate the fractional uncertainty in its area.
A rectangular piece of paper has length 297 mm and width 152 mm. Calculate its area.
Define radioactive decay.
What is meant by an object's terminal velocity?
State the condition (in terms of the forces acting) under which an object travels at terminal velocity.
An object is projected vertically upward from the ground. Its velocity-time graph is a straight line from (0 s, 10 m/s) through (3 s, 0 m/s), continuing with the same slope to about (5 s, -6.7 m/s). Deduce from the graph the time at which the object reaches maximum height.
What term describes an error that affects every reading in a set of measurements by the same amount and in the same direction?
What term describes an error that causes repeated measurements of the same quantity to have different, unpredictable values?
In an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall g, a steel ball took 807 ms to fall a distance of 3.20 m from rest. Using s = (1/2)gt^2, calculate the value of g.
State the definition of linear momentum.
State the SI unit of linear momentum.
Which of the following is a plausible order-of-magnitude estimate for the wavelength of a gamma-ray photon?
Fig. 7.1 shows a ray AB in one medium striking boundary PQ at 55° to the normal and refracting into ray BC in the other medium at 35° to the normal. Using the figure, state whether the glass lies above or below the line PQ.
In an experiment to find the resistance of an ohmic conductor, current I is plotted against potential difference V. The plotted points lie on both sides of the best fit straight line. Which feature of the graph is evidence that random errors are present?
Current I is plotted against potential difference V for an ohmic conductor. The best fit line is straight, but it cuts the I axis at a positive current when V is zero. Which feature of the graph shows that a systematic error is present?
The total linear momentum of a system of particles stays constant provided that
A car travelling at 20 m/s hits a large rock and stops instantly. A passenger of mass 65 kg wearing a seat belt is brought to rest in 0.5 s. Calculate the magnitude of the constant force the belt exerts on the passenger.
Two forces acting on an object form a couple. Which statement gives the conditions the two forces must satisfy?
Two forces of 12 N and 10 N act at the same point on an object, with an angle of 60 degrees between their lines of action. Calculate the magnitude of their resultant force.

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