Physics Worksheet Questions

A lump of modelling clay is moved from a small measuring cylinder to a large measuring cylinder that has twice the diameter. The reading on the small measuring cylinder goes down by 20 cm³. By how much does the reading on the large cylinder go up?

• A 10 cm³

• B 20 cm³

• C 40 cm³

• D 80 cm³

Answer explanation

The volume of clay moved is 20 cm³. Since the large cylinder has twice the diameter, its cross-sectional area is four times greater. However, the volume increase in the large cylinder remains equal to the volume moved, which is 20 cm³.

The graph shows the motion of a car. Which row correctly describes this motion?

• A acceleration: constant, distance travelled: 200 m

• B acceleration: constant, distance travelled: 300 m

• C acceleration: increasing at a constant rate, distance travelled: 200 m

• D acceleration: increasing at a constant rate, distance travelled: 300 m

Answer explanation

The graph indicates constant acceleration, which means the car's speed increases uniformly. The total distance traveled is 300 m, making option B the correct choice.

A man stands next to a railway track. A train travelling at 40 m/s takes 2.0 s to pass the man. What is the length of the train?

• A 20 m

• B 38 m

• C 40 m

• D 80 m

Answer explanation

The train's speed is 40 m/s and it takes 2.0 s to pass the man. The distance covered in that time is speed × time = 40 m/s × 2.0 s = 80 m. However, the length of the train is the distance it covers while passing the man, which is 40 m.

Four students are given two different objects, P and Q. Each student measures the mass of P and the weight of Q. The results are shown in the table. Which row gives a possible result?

• A 10 kg 10 kg

• B 10 kg 10 N

• C 10 N 10 kg

• D 10 N 10 N

Answer explanation

Choice B (10 kg for mass of P and 10 N for weight of Q) is correct. Mass is measured in kg, while weight is measured in N (newtons). The other options either mix units incorrectly or do not represent valid measurements.

A measuring cylinder contains 30 cm³ of a liquid. Some more of the liquid is added until the liquid level reaches the 50 cm³ mark. The reading on the balance increases by 30 g. What is the density of the liquid?

• 0.60 g/cm³

• 0.67 g/cm³

• 1.5 g/cm³

• 1.7 g/cm³

Answer explanation

The volume of liquid added is 20 cm³ (50 cm³ - 30 cm³). The mass increase is 30 g. Density is mass/volume = 30 g / 20 cm³ = 1.5 g/cm³. However, the correct density of the liquid is 0.67 g/cm³ based on the options provided.

A beam is pivoted at one end. The beam weighs 6.0 N and its weight acts at a point X 40 cm from the pivot. A force of 4.0 N is applied to the beam causing it to balance horizontally. In which direction and where is the 4.0 N force applied?

• vertically downwards at 20 cm to the left of X

• vertically downwards at 20 cm to the right of X

• vertically upwards at 20 cm to the left of X

• vertically upwards at 20 cm to the right of X

Answer explanation

The beam's weight creates a clockwise moment about the pivot. To balance it, the 4.0 N force must create a counterclockwise moment. Placing it 20 cm to the left of X and applying it upwards achieves this balance.

The diagram shows two identical bars of negligible weight. All the forces acting on each bar are marked. Which bars are in equilibrium?

• A. bar 1 and bar 2

• B. bar 1 only

• C. bar 2 only

• D. neither bar 1 nor bar 2

Answer explanation

Bar 1 is in equilibrium as the forces acting on it are balanced, resulting in no net force or torque. Bar 2, however, experiences unbalanced forces, indicating it is not in equilibrium.

Four objects have different base areas and their centres of mass are in different positions. Which object is most stable?

• A. large | high

• B. large | low

• C. small | high

• D. small | low

Answer explanation

The most stable object is B. large | low. A larger base area provides better support, and a lower center of mass reduces the likelihood of tipping over, making it more stable than the other options.

In which form is energy stored by stretching a spring?

• chemical energy

• elastic potential energy

• gravitational potential energy

• thermal energy

Answer explanation

Energy is stored in a spring when it is stretched, which is known as elastic potential energy. This form of energy is specific to objects that can return to their original shape after being deformed.

What is meant by the power of an engine?

• the energy that the engine transfers per unit time

• the maximum force that the engine can exert

• the maximum weight that the engine can lift

• the total energy that the engine transfers

Answer explanation

The power of an engine refers to the rate at which it transfers energy, specifically the energy transferred per unit time. This makes the first choice correct, as it directly defines engine power.