Edexcel IGCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 November 2021 question paper 4PH1/2P

This question is about astrophysics.

The table lists some statements about the universe.

Place ticks (✓) in the table to show which statements support the Big Bang theory.

The Sun will become a red giant star when it leaves the main sequence.

Which row correctly describes how the surface temperature and brightness of the Sun will change when it becomes a red giant?

Astronomical objects can be classified by their absolute magnitude.

State what is meant by the term absolute magnitude.

The photograph shows the Three Gorges Dam in China, one of the largest hydroelectric power stations on Earth.

State two advantages of generating electricity using hydroelectric power stations.

Water is held in a reservoir on one side of the dam.

The water flows through turbines to a river on the other side of the dam.

The water level of the river is lower than the water level of the reservoir.

State which energy store of the water decreases as the water flows from the reservoir to the river.

How is energy transferred from the dam to homes and factories in China?

The Three Gorges Dam has a larger maximum output power than any other hydroelectric power station on Earth.

State what is meant by the term power.

The mean energy transferred by the dam each day is 9.710¹⁴ J.

Calculate the mean output power of the dam.

The maximum output power is 22 500 MW.

Which of these is the same as 22 500 MW?

Suggest why the Three Gorges Dam does not always operate at its maximum output power.

This question is about solids, liquids and gases.

Melting is the process that occurs when a solid changes into a liquid.

Using ideas about particles, describe the process of melting.

A sealed metal flask contains air at room temperature.

The flask is then heated.

The graph shows how the pressure of the air increases as its temperature increases.

Explain how heating the flask increases the temperature of the air inside the flask.

Explain why the pressure of the air increases as its temperature increases.

Using the graph, determine the pressure of the air when its temperature is 400 K.

The air in the flask is now cooled to a temperature of 230 K.

Calculate the new pressure of the air.

pressure =_........

In extreme conditions, the isotope lithium-6 can be made to undergo nuclear fission.

The lithium-6 nucleus absorbs a neutron and produces an alpha particle and an isotope of hydrogen.

The incomplete nuclear equation for this fission is

Complete the nuclear equation by writing the numbers in the boxes.

Explain why this fission does not cause a chain reaction.

Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

A student investigates how the support forces acting on a metre rule are affected by the position of a mass hanger.

He uses this apparatus.

This is the student’s method.

● suspend a metre rule from its 10 cm and 90 cm marks using two newton meters

● place a mass hanger with a weight of 5 N at the 20 cm mark on the metre rule

● adjust the heights of the newton meters until the metre rule is horizontal

● record the readings on both newton meters

The student repeats the method, moving the mass hanger to a different position on the metre rule each time.

State the independent variable in the student’s investigation.

State two control variables in the student’s investigation.

Suggest how the student could improve the quality of his data.

The table shows the student’s results.

The graph shows the results for newton meter A.

Plot the results for newton meter B.

Draw the line of best fit for newton meter B.

Describe the relationships shown by the graph.

Using ideas about moments, explain why the reading on newton meter A decreases as the mass hanger is moved towards newton meter B.

This question is about electromagnetism.

Diagram 1 shows the construction of an electromagnet.

Name a suitable metal for the core.

State what must be done to the coil of wire to produce a magnetic field.

Electromagnets are used in transformers to change the size of a voltage.

Diagram 2 shows the construction of a simple transformer.

primary coil (1500 turns) secondary coil (280 turns)

Diagram 2

State the formula linking the input (primary) voltage, output (secondary) voltage and the turns ratio for a transformer.

The input voltage to the transformer is 115 V.

Show that the output voltage is approximately 20 V.

The input current to the transformer is 1.2 A.

Calculate the output current.

Assume that the transformer is 100% efficient.

output current =_........

State two factors that would increase the output current of the transformer.

An electrostatic paint sprayer is used to paint an object.

The nozzle of the paint sprayer is positively charged.

Explain the advantage of using a charged nozzle.

The object is an electrical conductor and is initially uncharged.

Explain why the painting process would be more effective if the object were earthed.

The photograph shows an oscilloscope.

An oscilloscope can be used to determine the frequency of a sound wave.

Name the piece of equipment that should be used with an oscilloscope to detect a sound wave.

Describe how an oscilloscope can be used to measure the time period of a sound wave.

Diagram 1 shows an oscilloscope screen when a sound wave is detected.

It also shows the settings of the oscilloscope.

Determine whether the sound can be heard by humans.

Include a calculation of frequency in your answer.

The oscilloscope settings are changed, as shown in Diagram 2.

On Diagram 2, draw the wave that would be displayed on the oscilloscope screen if the same sound wave is detected using these new settings.