Edexcel IGCSE Physics 1 Arithmetic and Numerical Computation Questions

Practise Edexcel IGCSE Physics arithmetic and numerical computation by using standard form, scale factors and formula substitution in context.

Exam points

Use speed and time in standard form to show an astronomical distance to a stated power of ten.
Use a diagram scale factor to convert a measured length into the real laboratory distance.

Covered syllabus points

1A Decimal-form numbers 1B Standard-form numbers 1C Ratios, fractions, percentages, powers and roots 1D Estimate simple calculations 1E Trigonometric calculator functions

[Maximum number: 2]

A star has a circular orbit around the centre of a galaxy.

The speed of light is 3.0 x 10^8 m/s.
One light year is the distance light travels in one year.
Show that one light year is approximately 10^16 m.
[one year = 3.2 x 10^7 s]

Marking points:
- evidence of distance = average speed $\times$ time
- correct evaluation given to at least 2 significant figures

Example:
$\text{distance}=3.0\times10^{8}\times3.2\times10^{7}$ $\text{distance}=9.6\times10^{15}\ \mathrm{m}$

Final answer:
$\text{one light year}\approx10^{16}\ \mathrm{m}$

Accept:
- $9.5\times10^{15}\ \mathrm{m}$

Manual structural note:
- Official 8(b)(ii) is missing as a separate row and must not be merged into this 8(b)(i) answer.

[Maximum number: 2]

A squash ball is made of rubber and used to play a game called squash.

Figure for Question 2 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

A student observes that the squash ball bounces higher after its temperature increases.

The student designs an investigation to see how the temperature of the ball affects the maximum height after it bounces.

The diagram shows the ball at its maximum height after it bounces.

Determine the distance the ball moves from the floor to its maximum height.
Assume the ball does not change shape when it bounces.
[1 cm on diagram = 4 cm in laboratory]

measurement from floor to bottom of ball;
correct use of scale;

e.g.

distance = $6.2(\mathrm{~cm})$

distance $=(6.2 \times 4=) 24.8(\mathrm{~cm})$

accept range 6.1-6.3 (cm)

accept range 24.4-25.2 (cm)

ECF candidate's value for measurement.

25.6-30.0 (cm) scores 1 mark

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about nuclear fusion.

The incomplete nuclear equation shows the fusion of two isotopes of hydrogen.

{ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}+{ }_{1}^{3} \mathrm{H} \rightarrow{ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}+\mathrm{X}

Each fusion reaction releases approximately 3 x 10^-12 J of energy.

Estimate how many reactions are needed to produce 1 J of energy.
Give your answer to 1 significant figure.

number of reactions = ............

Marking points:
- correct evaluation
- given to 1 significant figure

Example:
$\text{number}=3.3\ldots\times10^{11}$ $\text{number}=3\times10^{11}$

Marking guidance:
- marks are independent

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3