Physical quantities and measurement techniques: past paper questions

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which measuring instrument is used to determine the volume of water in a cup?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a rectangular metal sheet close to two rulers. What is the area of the metal sheet?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  In order to determine the period of a pendulum, a student times one complete swing of the pendulum using an analogue stop-watch with a second hand.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An athlete runs around a circular track. Readings on the stop-watch used to time the athlete are shown. after one lap: 01:37 min s after two laps: 02:59 min s after three laps: 04:18 min s How long did it take the athlete to run the third lap?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student has a bottle of cooking oil. She determines the density of the cooking oil. Which apparatus does she need?

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• Question 29May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The readings on two ammeters are shown. Which statement about the readings is correct?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a ruler being used to measure the length of a line of ball-bearings. Which expression gives the average diameter of a ball-bearing?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equipment is used to find the density of an irregularly shaped stone?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which is a vector quantity?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantities are both vectors?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which list contains only vector quantities?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity is a scalar quantity?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An object moves in a straight line. The energy in the kinetic store of the moving object is $90\text{ J}$. The momentum of the object is $60\text{ kg m}\mathrm{/}\text{s}$.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  When a pendulum passes a marker, a timer displays 1 minute 30 seconds. The pendulum passes the marker 12 more times from the same direction. On the final pass, the timer displays a time of 2 minutes 18 seconds.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student determines the density of a metal. Fig. 3.1 shows an irregularly shaped piece of the metal and some equipment. Describe how the student can find the volume of the piece of metal.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  How many of the quantities shown are scalars?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which measuring instrument is used to compare masses?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A student wants to measure the diameter of a wire. The wire is thinner than a single gradation on her ruler. She coils the wire carefully and makes 12 loops as shown in Fig. 2.1.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student can hear trains passing her house. Describe the motion that a sound wave gives to air particles.

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure the length of a copper rod of length approximately 2 cm?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Water is dripping slowly from a pipe. A student collects some drops in a measuring cylinder. Fig. 2.1 shows the water collected by the student.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses a spring in a demonstration. The spring is shown in Fig. 2.1. The spring is made from wire.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 43Structured7 marks

  Oil of density $0.80{\text{ g/cm}}^3$ is poured gently onto the surface of water of density $1.0{\text{ g/cm}}^3$. The oil and the water do not mix. Describe and explain the final position of the oil relative to the water.

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 31Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 2.1 shows a stack of eight identical discs. Describe how to obtain a value for the average thickness of one disc.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured8 marks

  State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A scientist determines the density of a pebble. The scientist measures the mass of the pebble. State the name of a suitable instrument for measuring the mass of a pebble.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a measuring cylinder containing liquid. What is the volume of liquid in the measuring cylinder?

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an enlarged drawing of the end of a metre ruler. It is being used to measure the length of a small feather. What is the length of the feather?

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• Question 1May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which single apparatus is used to find the volume of a solid cube and which single apparatus is used to find the volume of a quantity of liquid?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 41Structured6 marks

  A solid metal sphere has a volume of $31{\text{ cm}}^3$. The mass of the metal sphere is $87\text{ g}$. Calculate the density of the metal.

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