INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ACCRA (ISA)

IB PHYSICS – GRADE 11
END OF SEMESTER EXAMS

NAME:…………………………………………DATE……………………

INSTRUCTION: ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A AND C,

CHOOSE ANY FOUR QUESTIONS IN SECTION B.

TIME DURATION: 3.5 hours

1. An ideal gas of constant mass is heated in a container of constant volume.

What is the reason for the increase in pressure of the gas?
(a) The average number of molecules per unit volume increases.
(b) The average force per impact at the container wall increases.
(c) Molecules collide with each other more frequently.
(d) Molecules occupy a greater fractional volume of the container

2. The average temperature of the surface of a planet is five times greater than
the average temperature of the surface of its moon. The emissivity of the
planet and the moon are the same. The average intensity radiated by the
planet is I. What is the average intensity radiated by its moon?

𝐼 𝐼 𝐼 𝐼
(a) (B) (C) (d)
25 125 625 3125

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3. What changes occur to the frequency and wavelength of monochromatic light
when it travels from
glass to air?

4. An object moves with simple harmonic motion. The acceleration of the

object is
(a) constant.
(b) always directed away from the centre of the oscillation.
(c) a maximum at the centre of the oscillation.
(d) a maximum at the extremes of the oscillation

5. A substance in the gas state has a density about 1000 times less than when it
is in the liquid state. The diameter of a molecule is d. What is the best
estimate of the average distance between molecules in the gas state?
(a) d (b) 10d (c) 100d (d)1000d

6. A heater applies a constant power of 150m to a solid material with a specific

heat capacity of 1.8 × 10 J kg K.
The graph below shows how the
temperature of the material varies
with time as the solid melts and
becomes a liquid.
What is the specific latent heat of
fusion of the substance?

(a) 4.2 × 103 J kg –1

(b) 6.0 × 103 J kg –1
C. 4.2 × 104 J kg –1
D. 6.0 × 104 J kg –1

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7. Liquid iron solidifies without a change in temperature. Which of the
following is correct for the molecules in the solid phase compared with
molecules in the liquid phase?

8. In a refrigerator, 2 kg of water cools from 30 °C to 0 °C and then freezes to

form ice also at 0 °C. The whole process takes 4000 seconds. The specific
heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg-1 K-1. The specific latent heat of fusion of
ice is 3.4 × 105 J kg-1 .What is the power required by the refrigerator during
this process?
(a) 233 W (b) 240 W (c) 932 W (d) 260 W

9. Objects with absolute temperature can lose energy through

I. convection
II. conduction
III. radiation
Equipmentis tested on Earth for use on the surface of Mars. How will the
equipment lose energy in the two locations?

10.The black body temperature of Venus is 90% of the black body temperature of
Earth. Which of the following correctly shows the ratio:

𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠

𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ
(a) 0.7 (b) 0.9 (c) 1.0 (d) 1.5

11. An ion in a crystal lattice structure oscillates with simple harmonic motion. The
period of the oscillation is T. T is measured from equilibrium. Which graph shows
the change in kinetic energy of the ion from time t = 0 to t =𝑇⁄2?

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12. A simple pendulum performs simple harmonic motion. The pendulum bob
has a mass m, the string has a length l, and the pendulum has a period T.
Which is the correct value for the period T if the mass of the pendulum bob is
doubled and the length of the string is halved?
(a) 1.4 T (b) 0.7 T (c) 0.5 T (d) 0.25 T

13.A simple pendulum oscillates with simple

harmonic motion as shown.

At which positions are the acceleration at zero,

the displacement at a negative maximum, and
velocity at a maximum?

14. Which line identifies quantities which always have opposite directions during
simple harmonic motion?
(a) Acceleration and displacement

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(b) Acceleration and velocity
(c) Velocity and restoring force
(d) Acceleration and restoring force

15. A particle, P, oscillates on the line XZ aboutits equilibrium point Y, in simple

harmonic motion. At the point shown, which statement could be correct about the
motion of the particle?

(a) It has maximum kinetic energy and minimum potential energy

(b) The total energy is equal to the kinetic energy at X
(c) The restoring force is towards Z and the particle is accelerating
(d) The restoring force is towards X and the particle is accelerating

16. A pendulum is made to swing by a student pulling the bob to the left and releasing
it. The student is careful to displace the bob by only a small amount. After two full
oscillations, the motion of the pendulum is plotted on a graph. At which point is
the velocity of the bob towards the right?

17. The graph shows the motion of an oscillating body

18. What is the frequency of the oscillation?

1 1
(a) 7.5 𝐻𝑧 (B) 7.5 Hz (C) Hz (d) 3.5 Hz
8.0
Base your answers to questions 11–13 on the graph

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Base your answers to questions 19– 21 on the graph below.

19. What kind of wave does this graph represent?

(a) Transverse wave (b) longitudinal wave
(c) Electromagnetic wave (d) pulse wave

20. Which letter on the graph is used for the wavelength?

(a) A (b) C
(c) B (d) D

21. Which letter on the graph is used for a trough?

(a) A (b) C
(c) B (d) D

22. Which of the following does not affect the period of the mass-spring system?
(a) Mass (b) spring constant
(c) Amplitude of vibration (d) all of the above affect the period.

23. When a part of a sound wave travels from air into water, which property of the
wave remains unchanged?
(a) Speed (b) frequency
(c) Wavelength (d) amplitude

24. How is light affected by an increase in the index of refraction?

(a) Its frequency increases. (b) Its frequency decreases.
(c) Its speed increases. (d) Its speed decreases.

25. Identify the statement that is not a condition of simple harmonic motion.
(a) The restoring force is directed toward the amplitude x 0A.
(b) Acceleration is directed toward the equilibrium position
(c) The oscillations are isochronous

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(d) The magnitude of the restoring force is proportional to the displacement

Boiling water is heated in a 2 kW electric kettle. The initial mass of water is 0.4 kg.
Assume the specific latent heat of vaporization of water is 2 MJ kg–1.

26. What is the time taken for all the water to vaporize?
(a) 250 s (b) 400 s (c) 2500 s (d) 4000 s

27. A particle performs simple harmonic motion (shm). What is the phase difference
between the displacement and the acceleration of the particle?
(a) 0 (b) π/2 (c) π (d) 3π/ 2

28. When 40 kJ of energy is transferred to a quantity of a liquid substance, its

temperature increases by 20 K. When 600 kJ of energy is transferred to the same
quantity of the liquid at its boiling temperature, it vaporizes completely at constant
temperature. What is the ratio of specific latent heat of vaporization to specific
heat capacity of the liquid for this substance?

(a) 15 K-1 (b) 15 K (c) 300 K-1 (d) 300 K

29. A bicycle of mass M comes to rest from speed v using the back brake. The brake
has a specific heat capacity of c and a mass m. Half of the kinetic energy is
absorbed by the brake. What is the change in temperature of the brake?

𝑀𝑣 2 𝑀𝑣 2 𝑚𝑣 2 𝑚𝑣 2
(a) 4𝑚𝑐 (b) 2𝑚𝑐 (c) 4𝑀𝑐 (d) 2𝑀𝑐

30. Which is correct for a black-body radiator?

(a) The power it emits from a unit surface area depends on the temperature only.
(b) It has an albedo of 1.
(c) It emits monochromatic radiation whose wavelength depends on the
temperature only.
(d) It emits radiation of equal intensity at all wavelengths.

31. Under what conditions of density and pressure is a real gas best described by the
equation of state for an ideal gas?
(a) Low density and low pressure
(b) Low density and high pressure
(c) High density and low pressure
(d) High density and high pressure

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32. Microwaves and radio waves are both types of electromagnetic waves. Which
statement is true?
a) Microwaves have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than radio waves.
b) Microwaves have a lower frequency and shorter wavelength than radio waves.
c) Microwaves have a higher frequency and longer wavelength than radio waves.
d) Microwaves have a lower frequency and longer wavelength than radio waves

33. The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is inversely proportional to its:

a) Amplitude
b) Frequency
c) Intensity
d) Speed of propagation

Use the preamble below to answer question 34-36

A bottle contains 0.500 kg of water. The molar mass of water is 18.0 g mol-1.
Calculate:
34. The quantity of water, in mol, in the bottle.
(a) 0.03 mol (b) 26.3 mol (c) 0.036 mol (d) 27.8 mol

35. The number of water molecules in the bottle.

(a) 1.67 × 1025 molecules (b) 1.61 × 1025 molecules
(c) 1.67 × 10 −25
molecules (d) 1.61 × 10−25 molecules

36. the mass, in kg, of one molecule of water

(a) 2.99 × 1026 Kg (b) 2.99 × 10−26 Kg
(c) 1.67 × 10 −25
Kg (d) 1.67 × 1025 Kg

37. Based on the properties of waves, how does the wavelength of a wave relate to its
frequency?
(a) The wavelength is directly proportional to the frequency.
(b) The wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency.
(c) There is no relationship between wavelength and frequency.
(d) The relationship depends on the type of wave only.

38. Explain how diffraction of a wave can be observed in everyday life.

(a) Diffraction cannot be observed in everyday life.
(b) Diffraction is only observed for high-frequency waves.
(c) When light bends around a corner, it is due to diffraction.
(d) When sound waves travel through a doorway, they spread out due to
diffraction

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39. A piece of metal of mass 100g at a temperature of 90°C is dropped into a
thermally insulated flask containing 150g of a liquid at a temperature of 20°C. The
liquid is stirred until it reaches the final temperature of 30°C. What is

𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝

?
𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢 𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥

a) 2 b) 4 c) 6 d) 95

40. The star Antares has a luminosity of 76 000 Lo (Lo= 3.83 × 1026 W) and is at a
distance of 5.2 × 1018 m from Earth. Calculate the apparent brightness of Antares
as seen from Earth.
(a) 1.11 × 10-3 W/m².
(b) 1.12 × 10-3 W/m².
(c) 1.11 × 103 W/m².
(d) 1.11 × 103 W/m².

SECTION B
ATTEMPT QUESTION ONE (1) AND ANY OTHER THREE QUESTIONS

1. (a) Several physical properties vary with temperature.

i. State an example of a physical property that varies with temperature.
ii. Outline how this property can be used to measure temperature

(b) define the following

i. internal energy
ii. Specific heat capacity
iii. What applications does the Stefan–Boltzmann equation have in
astrophysics and in the use of solar energy?

(c) The coiled metal filament in a light bulb has a diameter of 0.050mm and
an uncoiled length of 0.30m. The light bulb radiates a power of 45W.
i. Determine the absolute temperature of the filament.
ii. Calculate the peak wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light bulb.

2. A sample of argon undergoes compression in a sealed container. The

following data are given:

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Initial volume = 35.0 cm3
Initial pressure = 9.60 × 104 Pa
Final volume = 6.00 cm3
Final pressure = 5.60 × 105 Pa.

a. Show that the initial and final temperatures of the gas are the same.
b. The mass of the sample is 58.0 mg. The molar mass of argon is 39.9 g mol -
1
. Determine the temperature of the sample.

3. The graph shows how the potential energy of an object executing simple
harmonic motion varies with the
displacement of the object. The
amplitude of motion is 20 cm.
a. State the total energy of the
oscillating system.
b. Estimate, using the graph, the
displacement of the object when the
kinetic and the potential energies are
equal.
c. Sketch a graph showing the
variation of the kinetic energy of the
object with displacement.
d. The mass of the object is 2.6 kg.
Calculate the maximum speed of the
object.
e. Determine the period of the
oscillations

4. A wave travels along a stretched string. A

displacement–time graph is shown for two
particles on the string.
a. Calculate the frequency of the wave.
b. State the phase difference between the
oscillations of the particles.

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c. The wavelength of the wave is 60 cm. State the smallest possible distance
between the particles

5. (a) A loudspeaker emits a sound wave of frequency 1200Hz. The speed of

sound in air is 340ms-1. Calculate, for this wave:
i. the wavelength
ii. the time it takes to travel a distance of 5.0m from the loudspeaker
(b)
A ray of light in air is incident on a glass surface at an angle of 65.0° with
the normal. The refractive index of the glass is 1.48.
a. Calculate the angle of refraction.
b. The wavelength of light in air is 532nm.
Calculate the wavelength in the glass.
6. In an experiment to determine the specific latent heat of fusion of ice, an ice
cube of mass 15 g at a temperature 0 °C is dropped into an insulated
container filled with 210 g of water at a temperature of 25 °C. The ice melts
completely and the final temperature of the system is 18 °C.
a. Calculate the thermal energy:
i. transferred from the original water as it cools from 25°C to 18°C
ii. Transferred to the molten ice to heat it from 0°C to 18°C.
b. Hence, determine the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

SECTION C

7. How does the greenhouse effect help to maintain life on Earth and how does
human activity enhance this effect?

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