IBPhysics: HLDPPractice Paper QuestionsSet APractice Paper 1

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First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Practice Paper 1 (DP IB Physics: HL)

Practice Paper Questions

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1
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A stone falls from rest to the bottom of a water well of depth d. The time t taken to fall is 3.0 ± 0.3 s. The depth of the well is calculated to be 30 m using d = begin mathsize 14px style 1 half end styleat2. The uncertainty in a is negligible.

What is the absolute uncertainty in d?

  • ± 0.6 m

  • ± 3 m

  • ± 24 m

  • ± 6 m

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2
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A micrometer is used to measure the diameters of two spheres.

Diameter of first sphere 15.01 ± 0.01 mm
Diameter of second sphere 17.38 ± 0.02 mm

The difference in the diameters is calculated.

What is the uncertainty in this difference?

  • ± 0.01 mm

  • ± 0.02 mm

  • 0.03 mm

  • ± 0.06 mm

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3
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On a clear day, in the absence of air resistance, a cannon ball is fired at an angle θ to the ground with an initial velocity u. Its horizontal range is s. Which of the following statements is incorrect? 

  • The time of flight is fraction numerator s over denominator u space cos space theta end fraction

  • The time of flight is fraction numerator 2 u space sin space theta over denominator g end fraction where g is the acceleration of free fall

  • The shadow of the cannon ball moves with a constant velocity while the ball is in flight

  • The linear momentum of the cannon ball is constant during flight

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4
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A photo hangs from two strings. It has a weight W and the two strings have equal tension T.

What is the free–body diagram for this situation?

q14_forces_ib-sl-physics-mcq

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5
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An object falls from rest from a height h close to the surface of the Moon. The Moon has no atmosphere.

When the object has fallen to height h over 3 above the surface, what is

                                    fraction numerator g r a v i t a t i o n a l space p o t e n t i a l space e n e r g y space o f space t h e space o b j e c t space a t space h over denominator k i n e t i c space e n e r g y space o f space t h e space o b j e c t space a t space begin display style h over 3 end style end fraction

  • 3

  • 1 third

  • 2 over 3

  • 3 over 2

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6
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Two spheres approach each other along the same straight line. Their speeds are u1 and u2 before collision, and v1 and v2 after collision, in the directions shown below

q12_linear-momentum_aqa-as-physics-mcq

Which equation is correct if the collision is perfectly elastic?

  • u1 – u2 = v2 – v1

  • u1 – u2 = v2 + v1

  • u1 + u2 = v2 + v1

  • u1 + u2 = v2 – v1

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7
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A force acts on a mass of 5.0 kg and it is initially at rest.

q11_momentum--impulse_ib-sl-physics-mcq 

What is the time taken for the mass to reach an acceleration of 2 m s-2?

  • 2.50 s

  • 2.20 s

  • 2.25 s

  • 2.00 s

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8
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Which row gives the correct Newton’s third law force pair for a book on a table?

 

Force A

Force B
A.

Weight of the book

Force of book on the table
B.

Gravitational force of the Earth pulling on the book

Gravitational force of the book pulling on the Earth
C.

Weight of the book

Reaction force from the table surface
D.

Gravitational force of the Earth pulling on the book

Gravitational force of the table pulling on the Earth

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9
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A 2 kW kettle supplies energy to a water of mass 1 kg. The initial temperature of the water is 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of water can be taken to be 4000 J kg–1 K–1.

How long does it take for the water to start boiling?

  • 80 s

  • 120 s

  • 160 s

  • 210 s

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10
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Equipotential surfaces corresponding to lines of constant gravitational potential are conventionally drawn so that the difference in potential between any two adjacent surfaces is the same. 

Consider the equipotential surfaces for a spherical mass M. Which of the following statements is incorrect? 

  • Equipotential surfaces are spheres of constant radius around M

  • The distance between equipotential surfaces increases with distance from M

  • No work is done by the gravitational field of M if a test mass moves along an equipotential surface

  • The radius of each equipotential surface depends on the diameter of M

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11
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Two positively charged particles, q1 and q2, are released from rest half-way between two oppositely charged parallel plates in a vacuum. The particles strike the negatively charged plate at the same time. 

10-2-hl-mcq-medium-q9

Neglecting gravitational effects, which of the following statements is correct? 

  • The particles have the same charge only

  • The particles have the same mass only

  • The particles have the same mass and charge

  • The particles have the same charge to mass ratio

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12
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What are the units of the ratio fraction numerator s p e c i f i c space l a t e n t space h e a t space o f space f u s i o n space o f space i r o n over denominator s p e c i f i c space h e a t space c a p a c i t y space o f space i r o n end fraction?

  • J K

  • No units

  • K–1

  • K

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13
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Which statement describes a correct assumption for the kinetic model of an ideal gas?

  • The kinetic energy of a given molecule of the gas is constant.

  • The forces between each gas molecule varies.

  • The intermolecular potential energy of the molecules of the gas varies.

  •  The momentum of a given molecule of the gas varies upon a collision with the container.

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14
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X and Y are two flasks containing an ideal gas that are connected by a tube that has negligible volume compared with the volume of each flask. The volume of X is twice the volume of Y.

The temperature of the gas in X is kept at 200 K and the temperature of the gas in Y is kept at 400 K.

If the mass of the gas in X is MX and the mass of the gas in Y is MY, what is the ratio size 16px M subscript size 16px X over size 16px M subscript size 16px Y?

  • 1 over 8

  • 1 fourth

  • 4

  • 8

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15
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Which frequency of sound wave would a human be able to hear?

  • 2 Hz

  • 200 Hz

  • 200 kHz

  • 2000 kHz

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16
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A pendulum bob is suspended by a thread. The bob is moved to the right and released so that the pendulum oscillates isochronously. 

Taking motion to the left to be positive, which of the following statements is incorrect about the motion of the pendulum?

  • The potential energy of the system will reach its maximum value three times in one oscillation

  • At T over 4 the kinetic energy of the system is at its maximum value and the velocity is maximum in the positive direction

  • At fraction numerator 3 T over denominator 4 end fraction the kinetic energy of the system is at a maximum and the velocity is at a maximum in the negative direction

  • At T over 2, the force is acting in the negative direction and the kinetic energy is at its maximum value

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17
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A pendulum bob on a string oscillates in SHM with a frequency, f. 

The period, T, of a simple pendulum is related to the length of the string, l, and the acceleration of free fall, g, by the following equation:

 T space equals space 2 straight pi square root of l over g end root

What is the ratio of the new frequency to the original frequency if the length of the string is increased by a factor of 4?

  • fraction numerator 1 over denominator square root of 2 end fraction

  • 1 half

  • square root of 2

  • 4

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18
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Identify the pair of statements which are always true for electromagnetic waves

A.

Always travel at the same speed in a vacuum

Always obey the inverse square law

B.

Can undergo plane polarisation

Consist of electric and magnetic fields which have constant amplitude

C.

Have predictable reduction in intensity when passed through a polarising filter

Always travel at the same speed in a vacuum

D.

Consist of electric and magnetic fields which transfer energy

Are always polarised

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19
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Which one of the following options is always true regarding the energy transferred along a standing wave and its amplitude?

 

Energy transferred along the standing wave

Amplitude of vibrations along the standing wave

A.

None

Varies

B.

None

Is constant

C.

Some energy transferred

Varies

D.

Some energy transferred

Is constant

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20
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The diagram shows a wave moving along a rope under tension in the direction shown.

4-3-ib-sl-hard-mcqs-q3-question-diagram-1

Which of the following graphs, A to D, correctly shows the variation of displacement s with time t of the particle K in the rope?

4-3-ib-sl-hard-mcqs-q3-question-diagram-2

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21
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A star emits light of frequency f. This light is observed on Earth to have a frequency f to the power of space apostrophe end exponent which is of a lower frequency than f.

Which of the following correctly describes the speed and direction of motion of the star?

  Speed Direction
A. fraction numerator left parenthesis f minus f space apostrophe right parenthesis over denominator f end fraction c Towards Earth
B. fraction numerator left parenthesis f minus f space apostrophe right parenthesis over denominator f space apostrophe end fraction c Towards Earth
C. fraction numerator left parenthesis f minus f space apostrophe right parenthesis over denominator f end fraction c Away from Earth
D. fraction numerator left parenthesis f minus f space apostrophe right parenthesis over denominator f space apostrophe end fraction c Away from Earth

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22
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The Hubble space telescope has a mirror of diameter 2 m and works with cameras that operate with wavelengths between 100 nm - 1000 nm. It can be pointed at a distant star with an accuracy of of about 4 × 10−8 rad.

What is the theoretical limit of resolution using each of the wavelengths quoted?

 

 

λ = 100 nm

λ = 1000 nm

A.

6.1 × 10−6 rad

6.1 × 10−5 rad

B.

1.0 × 10−7 rad

5.7 × 10−7 rad

C.

 3.4 × 10−5 rad

4.5 × 10−8 rad

D.

 2.1 × 10−8 rad

6.5 × 10−7 rad

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23
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Point charges of +2.0 nC and −3.0 nC are arranged at the corners X and Y of a triangle with sides of 50 mm and 30 mm as shown. 

5-1-sl-mcq-hard-q9-phy

Which is the best estimate for the value of the ratio of the electric field at Z due to X and the electric field due to Y, E subscript X over E subscript Y?

  • 27 over 20

  • 20 over 27

  • 27 over 50

  • 50 over 27

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24
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A science student who lives in the UK, where the mains voltage is 240 V, buys a light bulb marked 60 W which she uses in her bedroom. The student takes the lightbulb with her on a trip to Canada where the mains voltage is 100 V and also uses it there.

Which line correctly identifies the approximate power dissipated in the bulb in the UK and Canada?

  UK / W Canada / W
A. 30 10
B. 60 30
C. 60 10
D. 120 60

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25
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Which of the following statements about discharging cells is incorrect?

  • The capacity of a cell is proportional to the amount of charge delivered to an external circuit over a cell’s lifetime 

  • The lifetime of a cell depends on its capacity 

  • The lifetime of a cell depends on the current it produces

  • The internal resistance of a cell gradually increases over its lifetime  

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26
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The graph shows the variation with time t of the output voltage V of an ac generator.

11-2-hl-mcq-medium-16-qun

Which graph, with identical scales on the axes, shows the output when the speed of rotation is doubled?

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-16-ans-a-wrong

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-16-ans-b-wrong

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-16-ans-c-wrong

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-16-ans-d-correct

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27
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A capacitor of capacitance C discharges through a resistor of resistance R. The graph shows the variation with time t of the voltage V across the capacitor.

11-3-hl-mcq-medium-q10-1

The capacitor is changed to one of value C over 2 and the resistor is changed to one of value R over 2. Which graph shows the variation with t of V when the new combination is discharged?

11-3-hl-mcq-medium-q10-2

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28
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The diagram shows a diode bridge rectification circuit connected to a load resistor.

11-2-hl-mcq-medium-q19-qun

Which change to the circuit will produce an output signal showing the most smoothing?

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-q10-a-wrong

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-q10-b-wrong-

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-q10-c-wrong-

  • 11-2-hl-mcq-medium-q10-answer-d-correct

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29
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The south pole of a bar magnet is pushed into one end of a coil of wire, which is connected to a sensitive galvanometer as shown:

 ~rB~AWYi_qu14

 

A galvanometer measures the amount of current through a moving coil, shown by a deflecting needle. A maximum deflection of the galvanometer needle of 7 units to the right is observed. 

Next, the north pole of the magnet is pushed into the other end of the coil at twice the speed.

What would be the maximum deflection of the galvanometer needle?

  • Less than 7 units to the right

  • Less than 7 units to the left 

  • More than 7 units to the right

  • More than 7 units to the left

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30
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A probe is launched from the surface of the Earth, which has a radius R, at half the required escape velocity. 

What is the maximum height from the surface the probe will reach, before returning to the ground (with a bang)? 

  • R

  • R over 2

  • R over 3

  • R over 4

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31
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Planet Z, with centre O, is shown in the figure below.

qu11

The radial distances OP is equal to the OX, and OQ is equal to OY, such that PX and QY are loci of Planet Z.

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  • The work done by the gravitational field on a test mass moving from P to Q is negative

  • The gravitational field does zero work on a test mass moving along the locus PX

  • V subscript X over V subscript Q equals fraction numerator O Y over denominator O X end fraction

  • The work done by an external force to move a test mass from Y to X is positive

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32
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A body moves in a circle with increasing angular velocity. At times t, the angles θ swept out by the body added cumulatively from the same reference point and its angular velocities ω are as follows:

t / s

θ / rad

ω / rad s–1

5

15

25

35

2

16

42

80

0.4

2.4

4.4

6.4

The angular acceleration of the body:

  • is constant at 0.2 rad s–2

  • gradually decreases and is 6.25 rad s–2 when t = 15 s

  • is constant at 0.4 rad s–2

  • increases at a constant rate and is 0.2 rad s–2 when t = 15 s

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33
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Protactinium-231 (scriptbase P a end scriptbase presubscript 91 presuperscript 231) is a radioactive element, it decays by alpha radiation and then beta-minus decay as shown below:

 Error converting from MathML to accessible text.

What proton number and mass number will element B have?

 

Proton Number

Mass Number

A.

89

229

B.

90

229

C.

89

227

D.

90

227

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34
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The decay of a neutral kaon K to the power of 0 is given by the equation

 K to the power of 0 rightwards arrow X plus Y plus v with bar on top subscript e

What must particles X and Y be?

  • pi to the power of plus and e to the power of minus

  • pi minus and e to the power of plus

  • mu to the power of plus and e to the power of minus

  • pi to the power of plus and mu to the power of minus

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35
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None of the following decay equations for baryons are permitted. 

Equation 1: n rightwards arrow p plus ⅇ to the power of minus plus v subscript e

Equation 2: capital delta to the power of plus rightwards arrow pi to the power of plus plus pi to the power of 0

Equation 3:  p rightwards arrow n plus e to the power of minus plus space v subscript e

Equation 4: identical to to the power of 0 rightwards arrow p plus v with bar on top plus pi to the power of 0

Which property is not conserved in each equation?

 

Equation 1

Equation 2

Equation 3

Equation 4

A

charge

baryon number

charge and lepton number

baryon number

B

lepton number

baryon number

charge and lepton number

charge and lepton number

C

baryon number

lepton number

baryon number

lepton number and baryon number

D

lepton number

charge

charge

charge

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36
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Following the development of the atomic bomb, scientists discovered that they could create elements heavier than uranium by bombarding nuclei with neutrons. These reactions, where smaller nuclei are combined to form a heavier nucleus are called fusion reactions.

Fusion reactions are balanced in exactly the same way as radioactive decay equations. Two incomplete examples are given below:

Reaction 1. U presubscript 92 presuperscript 238 space plus space n presubscript 0 presuperscript 1 space rightwards arrow space U presubscript blank presuperscript blank

Reaction 2. P presubscript 94 presuperscript 239 u space plus 2 space n presubscript 0 presuperscript 1 space rightwards arrow space A presubscript blank presuperscript blank m space plus space e presubscript negative 1 end presubscript presuperscript 0

What are the missing products of these fusion reactions?

 

Reaction 1

Reaction 2

A.

 straight U presubscript 92 presuperscript 239 Am presubscript 95 presuperscript 240

B.

 straight U presubscript 92 presuperscript 239 Am presubscript 95 presuperscript 241

C.

 straight U presubscript 92 presuperscript 237 Am presubscript 95 presuperscript 237

D.

 straight U presubscript 92 presuperscript 237 Am presubscript 95 presuperscript 241

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37
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The radiation emitted from an asteroid is monitored and the following spectrum is obtained. 

8-2-sl-mcq-hard-q3-phy

Which of the following is a sensible estimate for the temperature of the asteroid. 

  • 1500 K

  • 375 over 2 K

  • 4.8 × 10−8 K

  • 16 over 3 K

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38
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A subatomic particle of mass m has an uncertainty in its position r, denoted by Δr. What is the uncertainty in its velocity, Δv? 

  • fraction numerator h m over denominator 4 pi increment r end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi increment r end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi m increment r end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi end fraction

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39
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Which expression evaluates the de Broglie wavelength of an electron of mass m and charge e in the n = 2 state of hydrogen? 

  • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 2 m e end root end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 3.4 m e end root end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 6.8 m e end root end fraction

  • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 13.6 m e end root end fraction

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40
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Two radioactive elements X and Y have half–lives TX and TY respectively. Each sample contains an initial number of atoms NX and NY respectively. Sample X initially contains three times as many atoms as sample Y.

The number of atoms remaining in a sample after a time t is given by

N open parentheses t close parentheses space equals space N subscript 0 space open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over t subscript 1 divided by 2 end subscript end exponent

Which of the expressions for fraction numerator n u m b e r space o f space d e c a y e d space a t o m s space o f space X over denominator n u m b e r space o f space d e c a y e d space a t o m s space o f space Y end fraction is correct?

 

  • fraction numerator 3 over 2 open parentheses N subscript Y blank minus space N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript X end exponent close parentheses over denominator 1 half N subscript Y blank minus space N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript Y end exponent end fraction

  • fraction numerator N subscript X open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript X end exponent space minus space 1 half N subscript X over denominator N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript Y end exponent space minus space 1 half N subscript Y end fraction

  • fraction numerator N subscript X open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript X end exponent over denominator N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript Y end exponent end fraction

  • fraction numerator 3 N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript X end exponent over denominator N subscript Y open parentheses 1 half close parentheses to the power of t over T subscript Y end exponent end fraction

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