IB Physics MC Challenge

A runner starts from rest and accelerates at a constant rate throughout a race. Which graph shows the variation of speed v of the runner with distance travelled s?

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A ball is thrown vertically upwards at time t = 0. Air resistance is not negligible and the acceleration of free fall is g. The ball reaches a maximum height at time t = T and then descends, reaching a terminal speed.

Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the ball?

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A mass is released from the top of a smooth ramp of height ℎ. After leaving the ramp, the mass slides on a rough horizontal surface.

The mass comes to rest in a distance d. What is the coefficient of dynamic friction between the mass and the horizontal surface?

Object P moves vertically with simple harmonic motion (shm). Object Q moves in a vertical circle with a uniform speed. P and Q have the same time period T.

When P is at the top of its motion, Q is at the bottom of its motion.

What is the interval between successive times when the acceleration of P is equal and opposite to the acceleration of Q?

The escape speed from a planet of radius R is v_esc. A satellite orbits the planet at a distance R from the surface of the planet. What is the orbital speed of the satellite?

• 0.25

• 0.5

• 2.0

• 4.0

A horizontal spring of spring constant k and negligible mass is compressed through a distance y from its equilibrium length. An object of mass m that moves on a frictionless surface is placed at the end of the spring. The spring is released and returns to its equilibrium length.

What is the speed of the object just after it leaves the spring?

An object undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM) has a period T and total energy E. The amplitude of oscillations is halved. What are the new period and total energy of the system?

A battery is connected to a resistor as shown below.

The battery transfers energy E_B when charge Q passes completely around the circuit and the resistor transfers energy E_R. The e.m.f. of the battery is equal to

Which of the following is a correct statement of Ohm’s law?

• The resistance of a conductor is always constant.

• The current in a conductor is always proportional to the potential difference across the conductor.

• The resistance of a conductor increases with increasing temperature.

• The resistance of a conductor is constant only if the temperature of the conductor is constant.