NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
NOVEMBER 2018
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 17 pages, an Answer Sheet of 3 pages (i–iii), and a
Data Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii). Please make sure that your question paper is
complete.
2. Answer ALL the questions.
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Use the data and formulae whenever necessary.
5. Start each question on a new page.
6. Show your working in all calculations.
7. Units need not be included in the working of calculations, but appropriate units
should be shown in the answer.
8. Answers must be expressed in decimal format, not left as proper fractions.
9. Where appropriate express answers to TWO decimal places.
10. 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 Answer Sheet 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 Newton's second law can be expressed mathematically as Fnet = ma. This
equation consists of:
A one vector quantity and two scalar quantities
B two vector quantities and one scalar quantity
C three vector quantities
D three scalar quantities
1.2 The vector diagram shows two forces in the same plane acting on an object O.
3N
O
4N
Another 5 N force, in the same plane as the other forces, is applied on the
object O. Which of the following represents the direction at which the 5 N force
must be applied to ensure object O is in equilibrium?
A B
C D
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1.3 A ball is dropped vertically from rest above a hard, horizontal surface. The
motion for the bouncing ball is represented on the velocity vs time graph
shown below. Air resistance is negligible.
At which point labelled on the graph does the ball reach its maximum height
after the first bounce?
1.4 A speedboat tows a water-skier, as shown in the diagram, so that the skier
accelerates.
[Image from: <http://moziru.com/images/skiing-clipart-vector-6.jpg>]
The magnitude of the force exerted on the skier by the tow rope is
I greater than the total resistive force acting on the skier.
II equal to the magnitude of the force exerted on the tow rope by the
skier.
III equal to the magnitude of the force causing the boat to accelerate.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II only
D III only
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1.5 A block of weight W slides at a constant speed down a plane inclined at an
angle θ to the horizontal.
N F
W
𝜃
The normal force acting on the block is N and the frictional force between the
block and the plane is F. What is the magnitude of F?
A N cos θ
B N sin θ
C W cos θ
D W sin θ
1.6 A ball of mass m travels horizontally with speed v before colliding with a
vertical wall. The ball rebounds at a speed v in a direction opposite to its initial
direction. What is the magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball?
A 0
mv
B
2
C mv
D 2mv
1.7 A stationary nucleus decays and emits an alpha particle of mass 𝑚. The
alpha particle is emitted with momentum p and kinetic energy E. The mass
of the recoiling nucleus is 50 times greater than the mass of the alpha
particle.
50 𝑚
𝑚
Alpha particle
Stationary Recoil
nucleus nucleus
What are the magnitudes of the momentum and kinetic energy of the
recoiling nucleus?
Momentum Kinetic Energy
A p E
E
B p
50
p
C E
50
p E
D
50 50
IEB Copyright © 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 17 pages, an Answer Sheet of 3 pages (i–iii), and a
Data Sheet of 2 pages (i–ii). Please make sure that your question paper is
complete.
2. Answer ALL the questions.
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Use the data and formulae whenever necessary.
5. Start each question on a new page.
6. Show your working in all calculations.
7. Units need not be included in the working of calculations, but appropriate units
should be shown in the answer.
8. Answers must be expressed in decimal format, not left as proper fractions.
9. Where appropriate express answers to TWO decimal places.
10. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
IEB Copyright © 2018 PLEASE TURN OVER
,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 2 of 17
QUESTION 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Answer these questions on the multiple-choice Answer Sheet 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 Newton's second law can be expressed mathematically as Fnet = ma. This
equation consists of:
A one vector quantity and two scalar quantities
B two vector quantities and one scalar quantity
C three vector quantities
D three scalar quantities
1.2 The vector diagram shows two forces in the same plane acting on an object O.
3N
O
4N
Another 5 N force, in the same plane as the other forces, is applied on the
object O. Which of the following represents the direction at which the 5 N force
must be applied to ensure object O is in equilibrium?
A B
C D
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,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 3 of 17
1.3 A ball is dropped vertically from rest above a hard, horizontal surface. The
motion for the bouncing ball is represented on the velocity vs time graph
shown below. Air resistance is negligible.
At which point labelled on the graph does the ball reach its maximum height
after the first bounce?
1.4 A speedboat tows a water-skier, as shown in the diagram, so that the skier
accelerates.
[Image from: <http://moziru.com/images/skiing-clipart-vector-6.jpg>]
The magnitude of the force exerted on the skier by the tow rope is
I greater than the total resistive force acting on the skier.
II equal to the magnitude of the force exerted on the tow rope by the
skier.
III equal to the magnitude of the force causing the boat to accelerate.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A I and II only
B I and III only
C II only
D III only
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, NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 4 of 17
1.5 A block of weight W slides at a constant speed down a plane inclined at an
angle θ to the horizontal.
N F
W
𝜃
The normal force acting on the block is N and the frictional force between the
block and the plane is F. What is the magnitude of F?
A N cos θ
B N sin θ
C W cos θ
D W sin θ
1.6 A ball of mass m travels horizontally with speed v before colliding with a
vertical wall. The ball rebounds at a speed v in a direction opposite to its initial
direction. What is the magnitude of the change in momentum of the ball?
A 0
mv
B
2
C mv
D 2mv
1.7 A stationary nucleus decays and emits an alpha particle of mass 𝑚. The
alpha particle is emitted with momentum p and kinetic energy E. The mass
of the recoiling nucleus is 50 times greater than the mass of the alpha
particle.
50 𝑚
𝑚
Alpha particle
Stationary Recoil
nucleus nucleus
What are the magnitudes of the momentum and kinetic energy of the
recoiling nucleus?
Momentum Kinetic Energy
A p E
E
B p
50
p
C E
50
p E
D
50 50
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