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Physics · Edexcel 4PH1 · Physics Paper 1 · regional · June 2022

Edexcel IGCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 June 2022 question paper 4PH1/1PR

2h 110 marks

Practise the past exam questions by topic

Edexcel 4PH1 · Paper 1P (R)

12 questions
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Question 1

This question is about astrophysics.

(a)

Which of these do planets orbit?

Question 1, shown as an image

(1)

(b)

Which of these has the largest diameter?

Question 1, shown as an image

(1)

(c)

Which of these has the smallest diameter?

Question 1, shown as an image

(1)

(d)

At the surface of the Earth, the gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg.

At the surface of the Moon, the gravitational field strength is 1.7 N/kg.

Give a reason for the difference in gravitational field strength.

(1)

Question 2

This question is about electromagnetic waves.

(a)

Draw a straight line from each electromagnetic wave to its correct use.

One has been done for you.

Electromagnetic wave
Use

Figure for question 2

(4)

(b)

State a hazard to humans of excessive exposure to infrared waves.

(1)

(c)

State a precaution that would reduce a person’s risk of exposure to ultraviolet waves.

(1)

Question 3

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

Figure for question 3
(a)(i)

Add another component to the diagram to measure the voltage of component X.

(1)

(a)(ii)

Give the name of component X.

(1)

(b)

The graph shows how the resistance of component X changes with light intensity.

Figure for question 3
(b)(i)

Use the graph to determine the resistance of component X when the light intensity is 4.0 arbitrary units.

(2)

(b)(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)

(b)(iii)

Explain what happens to the brightness of the lamp when component X is covered with a dark sheet of paper.

(2)

Question 4

Diagram 1 shows an ice cube floating at rest in a beaker of water.

Figure for question 4
(a)

State the value of the resultant force on the ice cube.

(1)

(b)

Diagram 2 shows the ice cube pushed down into the water by force X.

The ice cube is at rest in this new position.

Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength.

(1)

(b)(ii)

The bottom of the ice cube is 0.041 m below the surface of the water.

The density of water is 1000 kg/m3.

Show that the pressure difference between the bottom of the ice cube and the surface of the water is about 400 Pa.

(2)

(b)(iii)

State the formula linking pressure, force and area.

(1)

(b)(iv)

The area of the base of the ice cube is 0.0017 m2.

Calculate the upward force on the bottom of the cube from the water due to the pressure difference.

(2)

(b)(v)

Explain why the ice cube will accelerate upwards when force X is removed.

(2)

Question 5

Table 1 shows the colour of some stars.

Figure for question 5
(a)

Complete table 2 by giving the stars in order of increasing surface temperature.

The hottest star, Rigel, has been done for you.

Figure for question 5

(3)

(b)

A star has a much larger mass than the Sun.

Describe the evolution of this star after it has left the main sequence.

(3)

(c)

The graph shows the relationship between the peak wavelength of light emitted by a star and the surface temperature of the star.

Figure for question 5

A scientist suggests that the two variables are linked by this formula.

peak wavelengthmaths symbolsurface temperature = constant

Use data from the graph to justify this formula.

(4)

Question 6

Diagram 1 shows a simple loudspeaker.

The coil is connected to an alternating current (a.c.) supply.

Figure for question 6
(a)

Describe how the loudspeaker produces sound.

(4)

(b)

Diagram 2 shows two loudspeakers connected in series with a variable resistor.

The variable resistor is set to 5.0 Ω.

Question 6, shown as an image
Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

The total voltage across the two loudspeakers is 0.75 V and the current in the circuit is 0.15 A.

Show that the total power of the two loudspeakers is about 0.1 W.

[power = current × voltage]

(2)

(b)(ii)

A student varies the resistance of the variable resistor.

The table shows the power of the loudspeakers for different resistance values of the variable resistor.

Resistance of variable resistor in ΩPower of loudspeakers in W
0.00.000
2.50.100
5.00.113
7.50.108
10.00.100
12.50.092
15.00.084

Plot the student’s results on the grid.

(3)

(b)(iii)

Draw a curve of best fit.

(2)

(c)

Diagram 3 shows the loudspeakers connected in series to a cell.

Diagram 4 shows the loudspeakers connected in parallel to the same cell.

Figure for question 6

Comment on how the total resistance of the loudspeakers in diagram 3 compares with the total resistance of the loudspeakers in diagram 4.

(4)

Question 7

Radon is a radioactive gas that contributes to background radiation.

(a)

Describe what is meant by the term background radiation.

(2)

(b)

The graph shows the activity of a sample of radon‑222.

Figure for question 7
(b)(i)

State what is meant by the term half‑life.

(2)

(b)(ii)

Use the graph to determine the half‑life of radon‑222.

(2)

(c)

Radon‑222 is formed by multiple alpha decays of uranium‑234.

Complete the nuclear equation by giving the missing information.

Question 7, shown as an image

(3)

(d)

Radon‑222 also emits alpha radiation.

Explain the hazard to humans of breathing in air contaminated with radon‑222.

(2)

Question 8

Hailstones are small pieces of ice that sometimes fall to the ground during storms.

(a)(i)

Describe how to determine the density of a hailstone.

Assume that hailstones are spherical.

(4)

(a)(ii)

The mean volume of a hailstone is 1.1 cm3.

The mean mass of a hailstone is 0.94 g.

Calculate the mean density of a hailstone.

Give the unit.

(3)

(b)

Hailstones can be lifted to the top of clouds.

The diagram shows the movement of some hailstones in a cloud.

Figure for question 8

Suggest how hailstones are lifted to the top of the cloud by convection.

(2)

Question 9

The diagram shows an empty metal container that has a hole in the top.

Figure for question 9
(a)

Describe how the air molecules in the container exert a pressure on its inner walls.

(3)

(b)

The container is heated for a long time.

Explain what happens to the number of air molecules in the container.

(2)

(c)

A lid is placed on the hot container.

The lid seals the hole and the container is allowed to cool.

As the container cools, it collapses.

Figure for question 9

Explain why the container collapses.

(2)

Question 10

Diagram 1 shows a trolley seen from above.

A copper rod is attached to the front of the trolley.

The rod is connected to a voltmeter fixed to the trolley.

Figure for question 10
(a)

Diagram 2 shows the path of the trolley, backwards and forwards through a very strong magnetic field directed into the page.

The shaded area shows the magnetic field.

Figure for question 10
(a)(i)

A voltage is induced in the copper rod as the trolley moves through the magnetic field.

Explain why the sign of the voltmeter reading changes as the trolley moves backwards and forwards.

(3)

(a)(ii)

Give a reason why the magnitude of the induced voltage might change.

(1)

(b)

The voltmeter is replaced by a resistor.

A charge of 1.4maths symbol10–4C flows in the resistor during a time of 0.78 s.

(b)(i)

Calculate the mean current in the resistor.

(3)

(b)(ii)

The thermal energy store of the resistor increases by 2.3maths symbol10–6J as energy is transferred to it electrically.

Calculate the mean voltage across the resistor when a charge of 1.4maths symbol10–4C transfers this energy.

(3)

Question 11

(a)

Diagram 1 shows water waves just before they reflect off the side of a stationary boat.

Figure for question 11
(a)(i)

Draw the normal at the point where the direction of travel of the waves meets the side of the boat.

(1)

(a)(ii)

Measure the angle of incidence of the water waves.

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

(1)

(a)(iii)

Complete the diagram to show the wavefronts after they reflect off the side of the boat.

(3)

(b)

The boat starts to move, creating its own waves on the surface of the water.

(b)(i)

Surface water waves are transverse.

Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

(2)

(b)(ii)

Diagram 2 shows the boat moving towards an observer.

Figure for question 11

Explain why the frequency of the water waves measured by the observer is larger than the frequency of the water waves created by the boat.

(3)

Question 12

This question is about a parachutist.

(a)

A parachutist leaves a helicopter that is hovering above the ground.

The parachutist is initially at rest and falls vertically downwards.

Calculate the speed of the parachutist after they have fallen through a distance of 1300 m.

Ignore the effect of air resistance.

(4)

(b)

When the parachutist is much nearer to the ground, they open their parachute.

The parachutist slows down.

(b)(i)

Explain the change in speed of the parachutist.

Use ideas about forces in your answer.

(3)

(b)(ii)

It is observed that from when the parachute opens to just before the parachutist touches the ground, the GPE store and the KE store of the parachutist both decrease, yet energy is still conserved.

Justify these observations.

(3)

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