Revision NotesExam QuestionsPast Papers
A LevelPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Exam Questions1. Physical Quantities & UnitsScalars & Vectors

Scalars & Vectors (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 9702

1 hour22 questions

Select a download format for Scalars & Vectors

Scroll for more

Select an answer set to view for
Scalars & Vectors

Easy
Medium
1a
Sme Calculator2 marks

Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities.

How did you do?

1b
Sme Calculator6 marks

(i) Energy is a scalar quantity. State three other scalar quantities.

[3]

(ii) Force is a vector quantity. State three other vector quantities.

[3]

How did you do?

1c
Sme Calculator4 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a block at rest on a slope.

Three forces, weight W, normal contact force N and the frictional force F act on the block. The forces are in equilibrium.

1-1-1c-e-1-1-e-box-slope-vector-combine-cie-ial-sq

(i) Explain what is meant by 'the forces are in equilibrium'.

[2]

(ii) Complete the vector triangle in Fig. 1.2. Label the missing vector and the angle between W and N.  

1-1-1c-e-1-1-e-box-slope-vector-triangle-cie-ial-sq

[2]

How did you do?

1d
Sme Calculator4 marks

The frictional force has a magnitude of 60 N.

By resolving the vector, calculate the component of the force that acts 

(i) horizontally

[2]

(ii) vertically.

[2]

How did you do?

2a
Sme Calculator2 marks

State the definition of a vector quantity. 

How did you do?

2b
Sme Calculator3 marks

A list of vector quantities and their SI unit is given.

Quantity

SI unit

Temperature

 

 

kg m s-1

Mass

 

Complete the information missing from the table. 

How did you do?

2c
Sme Calculator2 marks

A person cycles along a path every day, from their front garden at X to a bench by the nearby lake at Y, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

1-3-q1c-easy-sq-sl-phy

Fig. 1.1

(i) Sketch a line on the image that would indicate the distance travelled by the person between X and Y. Label this distance d. 

[1]

(ii) State whether the distance travelled d by the person is greater than, equal to, or less than their displacement between X and Y.

[1]

How did you do?

2d
Sme Calculator2 marks

The person continues their journey and walks along the same path back home, from Y to X. The total distance for their complete journey which was logged by their smartwatch is 4.3 km. State and explain what the total displacement for their journey is. 

How did you do?

3a
Sme Calculator2 marks

A small cannon fires a projectile at an angle of 22° to the horizontal with an initial velocity v. 

1-3-q4a-easy-sq-sl-phy

Calculate the vertical component of velocity if its initial velocity has a magnitude of v = 15 m s–1. 

How did you do?

3b
Sme Calculator1 mark

State the direction of the horizontal component of velocity. 

How did you do?

3c
Sme Calculator2 marks

The cannon fires a second projectile. The initial horizontal component of velocity is 8.4 m s-1 and the initial vertical component of velocity is 5.8 m s-1.

Calculate the initial velocity, v2, of the second projectile.

How did you do?

3d
Sme Calculator2 marks

Calculate the angle to the horizontal that the second projectile was fired at.

How did you do?

1a
Sme Calculator7 marks

The relationship can be used to model a spherical raindrop falling vertically in the air.

Fig 1.1 shows the forces acting on the raindrop as it accelerates downwards.

1-1-3c-m-1-1-raindrop-sphere-vector-forces-cie-ial-sq

The raindrop has a radius of 1.5 mm and falls at a velocity of 3.5 m s−1. The constant k has a magnitude of 0.0124 in air.

Other than the resistive force F described in (b), two other forces, X and Y, act on the raindrop drop as it falls through the air. 

(i) State the names of forces X and Y.

[2]

(ii) Calculate the magnitude of the resistive force F in µN.

[2]

(iii) Force X has a value of 137 µN and force Y has a value of 0.18 µN. 

Using Fig. 1.1, determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the raindrop.

[3]

How did you do?

1b
Sme Calculator3 marks

On a windy day, the resultant force on the raindrop is 105 µN at an angle of θ to the vertical as shown in Fig. 1.2. 

1-1-3d-m-1-1-raindrop-sphere-vector-angle-cie-ial-sq

Use your answer to (c)iii to show that the angle θ between the resultant and the vertical is about 47°.

How did you do?

2a
Sme Calculator2 marks

(i) State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

[1]

(ii) Underline all the vectors in the list below.

power 

   length

density

velocity

momentum

 [1]

How did you do?

2b
Sme Calculator4 marks

Two gusts of wind exert forces of magnitude 5.5 N and 11.9 N on a wind turbine at a point O. Both forces act away from point O and the angle between them is 30°.

Fig. 1.1 shows two lines at an angle of 30° to one another. 

1-1-4b-m-1-1-vector-force-triangle-cie-ial-sq

Fig. 1.1

On Fig. 1.1, draw a vector diagram to determine the magnitude of the resultant of the two forces.

How did you do?

3a
Sme Calculator4 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a 2 tonne wrecking ball being used on a demolition site. 

1-1-5a-m-1-1-wrecking-ball-resolving-vectors-cie-ial-sq

The ball is suspended from a cable which makes an angle θ with the vertical. The ball is pulled into the position shown by a rope that is kept horizontal. The tension in the rope is 6400 N.

Write expressions for tension T using

(i) the vertical component of the tension in the cable

[2]

(ii) the horizontal component of the tension in the cable. 

[2]

How did you do?

3b
Sme Calculator4 marks

Determine

(i) the angle θ the cable makes with the vertical

[2]

(ii) the magnitude of the tension T in the cable

[2]

How did you do?

3c
Sme Calculator3 marks

On the same demolition site, there is a uniform beam supported by two light cables, AB and AC, which are attached to a single steel cable from a crane, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

The beam is stationary and in equilibrium.

q5c_vectors--scalars-in-physics_ib-sl-physics-sq

Fig. 1.2

Draw the vector triangle for this situation labelling the tension in both cables and the weight of the beam. 

How did you do?

3d
Sme Calculator2 marks

The tension in the cable AB is 9 N and the tension in the cable AC is 12 N.

Calculate the resultant force required in the beam BC to keep the system in equilibrium.

How did you do?