NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
NOVEMBER 2020
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 16 pages, an Answer Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii), and a
Data Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii). Please check that your question paper is complete.
2. Read the questions carefully.
3. Answer ALL the questions.
4. Start each question on a new page.
5. Number your answers as the questions are numbered.
6. Use the data and formulae whenever necessary.
7. Show your working in all calculations.
8. Units need not be included in the working calculations, but appropriate units should
be shown in the answer.
9. Answers must be expressed in decimal format, not left as proper fractions.
10. Where appropriate, express answers to TWO decimal places.
11. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
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QUESTION 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer these questions on the multiple-choice grid on the inside front cover
of your Answer Book. Make a cross (X) in the box corresponding to the letter
that you consider to be correct.
1.1 An object of weight Fg is on a plane inclined at an angle of 𝜃𝜃 to the
horizontal as shown. Which of the following options correctly state the
components of the weight in the plane of the coordinate axes shown in the
diagram?
Fg
𝜃𝜃
x-component y-component
A − Fg sinθ − Fg cosθ
B − Fg cosθ − Fg sinθ
C + Fg sinθ + Fg cosθ
D + Fg cosθ + Fg sinθ
1.2 A block slides up and then down a rough incline. Which of the following
graphs could represent the velocity of the block as a function of time? All
graphs take uphill as the positive direction.
v v v v
0 0 0 0
t t t t
A B C D
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1.3 A stone X is thrown vertically upwards with speed v from the top of a
building. At the same time, a second stone Y is thrown vertically downwards
with the same speed v. Air resistance is negligible.
Which one of the following statements is true about the speeds at which the
stones hit the ground?
A the speed of stone X is greater than the speed of stone Y
B the speed of stone Y is greater than the speed of stone X
C the speed of stone X is equal to the speed of stone Y
D The speed of stone X can only be compared to the speed of stone Y
when the height of the building is known
1.4 A car has a mass m. A person pushes the car with a force F in order for the
car to have an acceleration of a. The person then pushes the car with a
force 2F to achieve an acceleration of 3a.
Which expression is equal to the constant resistive force opposing the
motion of the car?
1
A ma
2
B ma
C 2ma
D 3ma
1.5 A ball X moving horizontally collides with an identical ball Y that is at rest.
v
X Y
Ball X strikes ball Y with a velocity v.
Which of the following is a possible outcome of the collision?
v v
A B
X Y X Y
v v v
stationary
C D
X Y X Y
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1.6 The graph below shows how the magnitude of the resultant force acting on
an object changes as the object moves a distance x. The object is initially at
rest.
F
0 x
0
Which of the following describes how the kinetic energy and the
acceleration of the object change with distance?
Kinetic Energy Acceleration
A decrease decrease
B decrease increase
C increase decrease
D increase increase
1.7 A box is pushed with a force of 3 N for 2 s along a frictionless track as
shown.
3N
The graph represents the velocity of the box vs time.
v
0,5
0
0 2 7 t
How much work is done by the force acting on the box?
A 1,5 J
B 3,0 J
C 6,0 J
D 9,0 J
IEB Copyright © 2020
NOVEMBER 2020
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 16 pages, an Answer Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii), and a
Data Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii). Please check that your question paper is complete.
2. Read the questions carefully.
3. Answer ALL the questions.
4. Start each question on a new page.
5. Number your answers as the questions are numbered.
6. Use the data and formulae whenever necessary.
7. Show your working in all calculations.
8. Units need not be included in the working calculations, but appropriate units should
be shown in the answer.
9. Answers must be expressed in decimal format, not left as proper fractions.
10. Where appropriate, express answers to TWO decimal places.
11. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
IEB Copyright © 2020 PLEASE TURN OVER
,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 2 of 16
QUESTION 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer these questions on the multiple-choice grid on the inside front cover
of your Answer Book. Make a cross (X) in the box corresponding to the letter
that you consider to be correct.
1.1 An object of weight Fg is on a plane inclined at an angle of 𝜃𝜃 to the
horizontal as shown. Which of the following options correctly state the
components of the weight in the plane of the coordinate axes shown in the
diagram?
Fg
𝜃𝜃
x-component y-component
A − Fg sinθ − Fg cosθ
B − Fg cosθ − Fg sinθ
C + Fg sinθ + Fg cosθ
D + Fg cosθ + Fg sinθ
1.2 A block slides up and then down a rough incline. Which of the following
graphs could represent the velocity of the block as a function of time? All
graphs take uphill as the positive direction.
v v v v
0 0 0 0
t t t t
A B C D
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,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 3 of 16
1.3 A stone X is thrown vertically upwards with speed v from the top of a
building. At the same time, a second stone Y is thrown vertically downwards
with the same speed v. Air resistance is negligible.
Which one of the following statements is true about the speeds at which the
stones hit the ground?
A the speed of stone X is greater than the speed of stone Y
B the speed of stone Y is greater than the speed of stone X
C the speed of stone X is equal to the speed of stone Y
D The speed of stone X can only be compared to the speed of stone Y
when the height of the building is known
1.4 A car has a mass m. A person pushes the car with a force F in order for the
car to have an acceleration of a. The person then pushes the car with a
force 2F to achieve an acceleration of 3a.
Which expression is equal to the constant resistive force opposing the
motion of the car?
1
A ma
2
B ma
C 2ma
D 3ma
1.5 A ball X moving horizontally collides with an identical ball Y that is at rest.
v
X Y
Ball X strikes ball Y with a velocity v.
Which of the following is a possible outcome of the collision?
v v
A B
X Y X Y
v v v
stationary
C D
X Y X Y
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1.6 The graph below shows how the magnitude of the resultant force acting on
an object changes as the object moves a distance x. The object is initially at
rest.
F
0 x
0
Which of the following describes how the kinetic energy and the
acceleration of the object change with distance?
Kinetic Energy Acceleration
A decrease decrease
B decrease increase
C increase decrease
D increase increase
1.7 A box is pushed with a force of 3 N for 2 s along a frictionless track as
shown.
3N
The graph represents the velocity of the box vs time.
v
0,5
0
0 2 7 t
How much work is done by the force acting on the box?
A 1,5 J
B 3,0 J
C 6,0 J
D 9,0 J
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