All papers

Physics · Edexcel 4PH1 · Physics Paper 1 · January 2022

Edexcel IGCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 January 2022 question paper 4PH1/1P

2h 110 marks

Practise the past exam questions by topic

Edexcel 4PH1 · Paper 1P

12 questions
Report a problem
What is wrong?

Goes to whoever maintains the question split. No account needed and nothing is published on this page.

Question 1

The region of space around a magnet is known as a magnetic field.

(a)

Which of these diagrams correctly represents the magnetic field around a bar magnet?

Figure for question 1

(1)

(b)

The diagram shows two bar magnets placed close together.

Figure for question 1
(b)(i)

Which of these describes what happens to the two magnets?

Question 1, shown as an image

(1)

(b)(ii)

Which of these magnet arrangements gives a uniform field between the poles?

Figure for question 1 Figure for question 1

(1)

(c)

State the name of a material that would be suitable for use as a permanent magnet.

(1)

(d)

Describe an investigation that could be used to determine the shape of the magnetic field around a bar magnet.

(3)

Question 2

A scientist wants to determine the half-life of a radioactive isotope.

The scientist measures the count rate from the radioactive isotope.

(a)

State how the scientist should correct the count rate for background radiation.

(1)

(b)

The graph shows how the activity of the radioactive isotope varies with time.

Figure for question 2
(b)(i)

Explain what is meant by the term half-life.

(2)

(b)(ii)

Use the graph to determine the half-life of this isotope.

half-life =........ minutes

(2)

Question 3

Wi-Fi signals are electromagnetic waves that can be transmitted at frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz.

(a)(i)

State a similarity of the Wi-Fi signals at 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz.

(1)

(a)(ii)

The two Wi-Fi signals have different frequencies.

State another difference between the Wi-Fi signals.

(1)

(b)(i)

State the formula linking speed, frequency and wavelength.

(1)

(b)(ii)

Calculate the wavelength of Wi-Fi signals transmitted at 5.2 × 109Hz.

[speed of light = 3.0 × 108m / s]

(2)

(c)
(c)(i)

Which type of wave is a Wi-Fi signal?

Question 3, shown as an image

(1)

(c)(ii)

Describe the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.

(2)

Question 4

A student investigates the reflection of light by a plane mirror.

The student uses a ray box, a ruler, a pencil and a mirror.

(a)

Name the apparatus that can be used to measure angles during the investigation.

(1)

(b)

The diagram shows a ray of light directed to a point on the mirror.

Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

Label the angle of incidence.

(1)

(b)(ii)

Measure the angle of incidence.

angle of incidence =........ degrees

(1)

(b)(iii)

Complete the diagram to show the ray reflected from the mirror.

(2)

Question 5

A driver of a car sees an obstruction in the road ahead and must stop the car.

(a)(i)

State the formula linking average speed, distance travelled and time taken.

(1)

(a)(ii)

A car travels at 21 m / s.

The driver’s reaction time is 0.14 seconds.

Calculate the distance travelled by the car during the driver’s reaction time.

(2)

(b)

The car experiences a braking force of 7600 N.

The car has a mass of 1200 kg.

(b)(i)

State the formula linking force, mass and acceleration.

(1)

(b)(ii)

Calculate the acceleration of the car.

acceleration =........ m / s2

(2)

(b)(iii)

Calculate the braking distance travelled as the speed of the car is reduced from 21 m / s to 0 m / s.

(3)

Question 6

(a)

A person throws an object vertically upwards.

The speed-time graph shows how the speed of the object varies from the time it is thrown until reaching its maximum height.

Figure for question 6
(a)(i)

Calculate the acceleration of the object.

acceleration =........ m / s2

(3)

(a)(ii)

Calculate the distance the object travels to reach its maximum height.

(3)

(b)

A different object is dropped from rest and begins to fall.

The graph shows how the speed of this object varies with time.

Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

Give the name of the two forces acting on the object as it falls.

(2)

(b)(ii)

Draw arrows on the diagram to show the forces acting on the object at B.

Figure for question 6

(3)

(b)(iii)

Explain the shape of the graph from A to C.

You should use ideas about forces to help your answer.

(4)

Question 7

A teacher uses this circuit to investigate how the current in a circuit changes with the temperature of a room.

Figure for question 7
(a)(i)

Calculate the voltage across the thermistor.

(2)

(a)(ii)

State the formula linking voltage, current and resistance.

(1)

(a)(iii)

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

(3)

(b)

The graph shows how the resistance of the thermistor changes with temperature.

Figure for question 7
(b)(i)

Describe the relationship between the temperature and the resistance of the thermistor.

(2)

(b)(ii)

Explain how the reading on the voltmeter changes when the temperature of the room decreases.

(3)

Question 8

Funcube-1 is a satellite that was launched into orbit around the Earth.

Figure for question 8
(a)

The rocket carrying Funcube-1 burns fuel to accelerate upwards.

As the rocket burns fuel, the energy in its chemical store reduces and the energy in its kinetic store and gravitational store changes.

(a)(i)

State how the kinetic store of the rocket changes as the rocket burns fuel.

(1)

(a)(ii)

State how the gravitational store of the rocket changes as the rocket burns fuel.

(1)

(b)

The rocket engine stops burning fuel.

The rocket continues to go further away from the surface of the Earth.

The table gives some statements about the rocket’s energy stores.

Figure for question 8

(2)

(c)

Funcube-1 goes into a circular orbit above the surface of the Earth.

(c)(i)

State the name of the force responsible for keeping Funcube-1 in orbit.

(1)

(c)(ii)

Funcube-1 has an orbital radius of 7100 km and an orbital period of 5800 s.

Calculate the orbital speed, in km / s, of Funcube-1.

orbital speed =........ km / s

(2)

(d)

Funcube-1 spins and is heated by the Sun.

The diagram shows two coloured metal bars attached to a face of Funcube-1.

The surface of one metal bar is dull and black.

The surface of the other metal bar is shiny and white.

Figure for question 8

Temperature probes measure the temperature of each metal bar.

Use ideas about thermal energy transfer to explain how the temperature of each metal bar changes as Funcube-1 spins.

(4)

Question 9

A student investigates how the extension of a spring varies when the mass attached to the spring is changed.

(a)

The diagram shows most of the equipment the student uses in the investigation.

Figure for question 9

Describe a method the student could use for the investigation.

Your description should include the measurements taken and how the student could obtain accurate results.

(5)

(b)

The student calculates the force each mass applies to the spring.

The table shows the student’s results.

Force in NExtension in cm
0.00.0
1.02.5
2.05.0
3.09.8
4.010.0
5.012.5
6.015.5
7.019.5
(b)(i)

Plot the student’s results.

(3)

(b)(ii)

Draw a circle around the anomalous point.

(1)

(b)(iii)

Draw a line of best fit.

(1)

(b)(iv)

Explain whether the spring obeys Hooke’s Law.

(3)

Question 10

Diagram 1 shows a ray of violet light entering a prism.

Figure for question 10
(a)(i)

Calculate the angle of refraction for the violet light.

angle of refraction =........ degrees

(1)

(a)(ii)

State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction.

(1)

(a)(iii)

Calculate the refractive index of the prism for violet light.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

(3)

(b)

Diagram 2 shows rays of red light and violet light entering the same prism.

Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light.

Figure for question 10

Deduce a possible relationship between the wavelength and the refractive index for colours of the visible spectrum.

(3)

Question 11

Scientific balloons are tested in a laboratory before they are used.

(a)

In the first test the pressure of the air inside the balloon is 120 kPa.

The balloon is sealed and has a volume of 92 m3.

(a)(i)

The pressure of the air inside the balloon is reduced to 64 kPa by reducing the external air pressure.

Calculate the new volume of the balloon.

volume =........ 3

(2)

(a)(ii)

Give an assumption that is made in the calculation.

(1)

(b)

The pressure of the air in the balloon is returned to 120 kPa.

The temperature of the air inside the balloon is 290 K.

The balloon is tested again, changing the temperature of the air and keeping the volume of the balloon constant.

(b)(i)

Explain why the pressure of the air in the balloon decreases when the temperature of the air decreases.

(3)

(b)(ii)

Calculate the temperature of the air when the pressure of the air in the balloon is 64 kPa.

Give your answer in kelvin.

(3)

Question 12

This question is about an electric fan.

(a)

A battery supplies a voltage of 12 V and a current of 0.25 A to the fan.

The fan is switched on for 12 seconds and the fan gains 25 J in its kinetic energy store.

Calculate the efficiency of this energy transfer.

(4)

(b)

The diagram shows part of the electric motor inside the fan.

Figure for question 12
(b)(i)

Explain why the coil starts to rotate when there is a current in the coil.

(4)

(b)(ii)

Which side of the coil moves vertically upwards?

Question 12, shown as an image

(1)

The paper as printed

Spotted a mistake on this page?Report a problem