Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Exam January 2023

Paper 1

(50 marks)

Time 60 minutes

Name ………………………………………………………………

Teacher ………………………………………………………………

Raw score ……..… Percentage score ……..… Grade …..……

The marks for each question are shown in brackets – use this as a guide as to how much
time to spend on each question.

Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Write your answers neatly and in good English.
• Try to answer every question.
• Check your answers if you have time at the end.
Questions
Q1.

This question is about a demonstration to show the link between current and charge.

The diagram shows two metal plates, X and Y, with a metal ball moving between them.

(a) The two metal plates have no charge before the power supply is connected.
When plate Y is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, the plate becomes positively
charged.
Explain how plate Y gains a positive charge.
(2)
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(b) (i) The metal ball becomes positively charged when it touches plate Y.
The metal ball then moves away from plate Y towards plate X.
Explain why the metal ball moves away from plate Y.
(2)
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(ii) Give a reason why the ball is made of metal.
(1)
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(c) When the metal ball moves away from plate Y to plate X, a charge of 5.1 × 10-6 C is transferred.
(i) State the formula linking charge transferred, current and time taken.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the current if the metal ball takes 0.45 seconds to travel from plate Y to plate X.
(2)

current = ........................................................... A
(iii) Suggest why the current increases if the voltage of the power supply is increased.
(1)
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(iv) Give the name of the apparatus that can be used to measure current.
(1)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q2.

Diagram 1 shows a gate fitted with a spring mechanism.

The spring mechanism shuts the gate automatically.

(a) The graph shows some data from an investigation into how the extension of the spring changes with
an increasing force.

Describe the relationship shown by the graph.

(2)
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(b) Diagram 2 shows the gate viewed from above.

The force the spring exerts on the gate is 480 N.

Show that the moment of the force the spring exerts on the gate is about 400 Nm.
(2)

(c) The force, F, is the minimum force needed to start opening the gate.
Calculate the magnitude of force F.
(4)

force F = ........................................................... N

(d) The spring is removed for testing.

Explain what will happen to the spring if the force applied to extend the spring is too large.
(2)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q3.

The diagram shows an electric circuit containing component X and a lamp connected in series.

(a) (i) Add another component to the diagram to measure the voltage of component X.
(1)
(ii) Give the name of component X.
(1)
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(b) The graph shows how the resistance of component X changes with light intensity.

(i) Use the graph to determine the resistance of component X when the light intensity is 4.0 arbitrary
units.
(2)
resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(ii) The current in the circuit is 0.0018 A.

Calculate the voltage across component X at a light intensity of 4.0 arbitrary units.
(3)

voltage = ........................................................... V
(iii) Explain what happens to the brightness of the lamp when component X is covered with a dark sheet
of paper.
(2)
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(Total for question = 9 marks)

Q4.

The diagram shows a metal block on top of a wooden block.

The metal block is held stationary by force F.

(a) (i) The weight of the metal block acts through point G.
Give the name of point G.
(1)
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(ii) Name a piece of apparatus that could be used to measure the weight of the metal block.
(1)
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(b) (i) State the formula linking moment, force and perpendicular distance from the pivot.
(1)

(ii) The weight of the metal block is 0.68 N.

Show that the moment of the weight of the metal block about point P is approximately 2.9 N cm.
(1)

(iii) Force F is applied to the metal block to stop it from moving.

Calculate the magnitude of force F.
(3)

force F = ........................................................... N

(Total for question = 7 marks)

Q5.

The circuit diagram shows a 9.0 V battery connected in series with a 250 Ω resistor
and another resistor, X.

(a) Draw a voltmeter on the circuit diagram to measure the voltage of resistor X.
(2)
(b) The current in the circuit is 0.012 A.
Calculate the resistance of resistor X.
(4)

resistance = ........................................................... Ω

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q6.

This question is about momentum.

(a) Which of these is the correct unit for momentum?

(1)
A kg / m / s
B kg2 m / s
C kg m / s2
D kg m / s

(b) The diagram shows an object before and after an explosion.

The object breaks into two parts, P and Q.

The parts move away from each other in opposite directions.

(i) State what is meant by the principle of conservation of momentum.

(1)
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(ii) Calculate the magnitude of the velocity of part P after the explosion.
(3)

velocity = ........................................................... m / s
(c) A child drops an egg from a height of 10 cm and the egg lands on the floor.

Explain why the egg is less likely to break if the floor is covered with a thick carpet than if the floor were
covered in hard tiles.
(3)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)