NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
NOVEMBER 2017
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 15 pages, an answer sheet of 2 pages 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. Where appropriate express answers to TWO decimal places.
9. 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 Which set of physical quantities consists only of vector quantities?
A velocity, time
B momentum, electric field
C acceleration, speed
D work, impulse
1.2 The velocity vs time graph for the motion of a car on a straight road is
shown in the diagram. Assume that the car starts at the origin x = 0 at time
t = 0.
10
8
6
velocity (m⋅s-1)
4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
–2
–4
–6
time (s)
At which time is the car the greatest distance from the origin?
A 10 s
B 6s
C 5s
D 3s
1.3 An object moves along a horizontal line with increasing speed. Which one
of the following choices could be the best description of the velocity and the
acceleration for the object to achieve this motion?
Velocity Acceleration
A Positive Zero
B Positive Negative
C Negative Positive
D Negative Negative
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1.4 A student weighing 500 N stands on a scale in an elevator (lift) moving
down. When the scale reads 520 N, the elevator must be
A increasing in speed
B decreasing in speed
C moving at a constant speed
D accelerating down
1.5 A block rests on an inclined rough surface that makes an angle 𝜃with the
horizontal.
𝜃
The block remains at rest as is slowly increased. Which is the best
description of how the magnitudes of the normal force and the static
frictional force of the rough surface on the block change as is slowly
increased?
Normal Force Static Frictional Force
A Increase No change
B Decrease Decrease
C Increase Increase
D Decrease Increase
1.6 A collision of two blocks takes place along a frictionless horizontal surface.
A block of mass M1 3 kg moves to the right with a speed of 5 m s1 and
collides with a block of mass M2 5 kg which was initially moving to the left
with a speed of 2 m s 1.
After colliding, the block of mass M1 moves to the left with a speed of
1 m s 1.
Which of the blocks experienced a larger magnitude of acceleration during
the collision?
A The block with mass M1.
B The block with mass M2 .
C The magnitude of the acceleration was the same for both blocks.
D The answer depends on whether the collision was elastic.
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1.7 A person throws an object of mass M straight up with an initial speed v.
The object rises to a maximum height H above the launch point. The person
1
now throws an object of mass M straight up with a speed of 2v. In terms
2
1
of H, to what maximum height does the object of mass M rise above the
2
launch point? Ignore air resistance.
A 4H
B 2H
C 2H
D H
1.8 Two point charges +3Q and –Q are fixed on the x-axis in otherwise empty
space as shown below.
Region I Region II Region III
In which Region(s) is there a point on the x-axis at which the electric field is
equal to zero?
A Region I
B Region II
C Region III
D Region I and Region III
1.9 In the circuit diagram below, all of the bulbs are identical. Which bulb will be
the brightest?
IEB Copyright © 2017
NOVEMBER 2017
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I
Time: 3 hours 200 marks
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
1. This question paper consists of 15 pages, an answer sheet of 2 pages 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. Where appropriate express answers to TWO decimal places.
9. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
IEB Copyright © 2017 PLEASE TURN OVER
,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 2 of 15
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 Which set of physical quantities consists only of vector quantities?
A velocity, time
B momentum, electric field
C acceleration, speed
D work, impulse
1.2 The velocity vs time graph for the motion of a car on a straight road is
shown in the diagram. Assume that the car starts at the origin x = 0 at time
t = 0.
10
8
6
velocity (m⋅s-1)
4
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
–2
–4
–6
time (s)
At which time is the car the greatest distance from the origin?
A 10 s
B 6s
C 5s
D 3s
1.3 An object moves along a horizontal line with increasing speed. Which one
of the following choices could be the best description of the velocity and the
acceleration for the object to achieve this motion?
Velocity Acceleration
A Positive Zero
B Positive Negative
C Negative Positive
D Negative Negative
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,NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 3 of 15
1.4 A student weighing 500 N stands on a scale in an elevator (lift) moving
down. When the scale reads 520 N, the elevator must be
A increasing in speed
B decreasing in speed
C moving at a constant speed
D accelerating down
1.5 A block rests on an inclined rough surface that makes an angle 𝜃with the
horizontal.
𝜃
The block remains at rest as is slowly increased. Which is the best
description of how the magnitudes of the normal force and the static
frictional force of the rough surface on the block change as is slowly
increased?
Normal Force Static Frictional Force
A Increase No change
B Decrease Decrease
C Increase Increase
D Decrease Increase
1.6 A collision of two blocks takes place along a frictionless horizontal surface.
A block of mass M1 3 kg moves to the right with a speed of 5 m s1 and
collides with a block of mass M2 5 kg which was initially moving to the left
with a speed of 2 m s 1.
After colliding, the block of mass M1 moves to the left with a speed of
1 m s 1.
Which of the blocks experienced a larger magnitude of acceleration during
the collision?
A The block with mass M1.
B The block with mass M2 .
C The magnitude of the acceleration was the same for both blocks.
D The answer depends on whether the collision was elastic.
IEB Copyright © 2017 PLEASE TURN OVER
, NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER I Page 4 of 15
1.7 A person throws an object of mass M straight up with an initial speed v.
The object rises to a maximum height H above the launch point. The person
1
now throws an object of mass M straight up with a speed of 2v. In terms
2
1
of H, to what maximum height does the object of mass M rise above the
2
launch point? Ignore air resistance.
A 4H
B 2H
C 2H
D H
1.8 Two point charges +3Q and –Q are fixed on the x-axis in otherwise empty
space as shown below.
Region I Region II Region III
In which Region(s) is there a point on the x-axis at which the electric field is
equal to zero?
A Region I
B Region II
C Region III
D Region I and Region III
1.9 In the circuit diagram below, all of the bulbs are identical. Which bulb will be
the brightest?
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