CAIE IGCSE Physics 1.1 Physical Quantities and Measurement Techniques Questions

Practise choosing instruments, reading simple data, averaging repeated measurements and separating scalar quantities from vectors.

Exam points

select suitable apparatus for length, volume, time and small measurements from a table
use repeated lengths or times to find an average value for one small distance or period

Covered syllabus points

1.1.1—Use of rulers and measuring cylinders 1.1.2—To measure a variety of time intervals 1.1.3—An average value for a small distance 1.1.4—A scalar quantity has magnitude (size)1.1.5—Distance, speed, time, mass, energy 1.1.6—Force, weight, velocity, acceleration 1.1.7—Determine, by calculation or

[Maximum number: 1]

A student wishes to find the volume of a small, irregularly shaped stone.

Figure for Question 1 — CAIE IGCSE Physics

A ruler and a measuring cylinder containing some water are available.
Which apparatus is needed?

neither the ruler nor the measuring cylinder

the measuring cylinder only

the ruler and the measuring cylinder

the ruler only

[Maximum number: 3]

A pendulum swings with a time period of approximately one second.
Describe how to use a stop-watch to determine the time period of the pendulum.

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 2.1 shows a motorcyclist accelerating along a straight horizontal section of track.

Fig. 2.1

The motorcyclist and motorcycle have a combined mass of 240 kg .

At the end of the straight section, the track remains horizontal but bends to the right, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

When the motorcyclist reaches the bend, she travels around the bend in a circular path at a constant speed.

Velocity is a vector quantity.

State how a vector quantity differs from a scalar quantity.

[Maximum number: 1]

Speed is a scalar quantity.
State one other scalar quantity.

[Maximum number: 1]

A radio transmitter is a very tall, thin cylinder. It is prevented from falling over by wires which have one end fixed to the transmitter and the other end fixed in the ground. The ends of the wires in the ground are a long distance from the transmitter.

Fig. 4.1 shows the transmitter and two of the wires.

Fig. 4.1

Wire W is under tension and it exerts a force T on the transmitter.

On Fig. 4.1, mark an arrow to show the force T exerted by wire W on the transmitter.

[Maximum number: 4]

A load is suspended from a thread. The vertical force on the thread due to the load is 0.75 N .

Fig. 1.1 shows the load suspended from the thread.

Fig. 1.1

A wire is attached to the load at point X and pulled horizontally to the right.
The tension in the horizontal wire is 1.2 N .
By drawing a scale diagram or by calculation, determine:
- the magnitude of the resultant of the force at X due to the load and due to the tension in the wire
- the direction of the resultant relative to the vertical direction.

Show your working. N direction of resultant relative to vertical = ${ }^{\circ}$

2 vectors at right angles & OR &
use of Pythagoras' theorem e.g. $a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}$

OR (force $=) \sqrt{ }\left(1.2^{2}+0.75^{2}\right)$

\end{tabular}

Figure for Answer to Question 6 — CAIE IGCSE Physics

1.4 (N)
58( ${}^{\circ}$ )}
resultant force including correct direction of arrow & OR & use of trigonometry to find angle e.g. $\tan \theta=1.2 / 0.75$

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6