ESSAY QUESTIONS

Question 1
(a) A ball is moving with constant
velocity collides with another ball
which has a smaller mass. Before
collision, the smaller ball is at
stationary.

Explain the changes which occur to

each ball during the collision.
(b) For safety reason, explain why a bus
must have passenger and speed
limit.

Question 2 SPM 2003 Section B

Diagram 2(a) shows two identical
plasticine spherical balls before being
released from the same height. Diagram
(b) shows the state of the plasticine
balls when the hit the wood and the
sponge. It was observed that the
plasticine stopped more quickly when it
hit the wood.

of the plasticine balls, the

surface of the
wood, the surface of the
sponge befor and when the
plasticine balls hit the
surfaces.
Relate the changes in shapes
of the plasticine balls and the
surfaces to deduce a relevant
physics conc pt.
(b) Explain the changes in energy
that occur from the moment the
plasticine ball is released until it
reaches the position in Diagram
(b).
(c) An earth-monitoring satellite
falls into the earths atmosphere
at a high velocity and reaches a
high temperature. This is
caused by the earths
gravitational force and air
resistance.
Using the appropriate physics
concepts, suggest and explain
suitable designs or ways to
protect the satellite and its
equipment:
(i)
from extreme heat,
(ii) from breaking up on
landing
[10 m]
Question 3 (SPM 2008) Section B
(a) (i) What does the word
momentum mean?
(ii) Observe Figure(a) and Figure(b).
Compare the shape

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Diagram 3.1 shows two identical

steel balls placed onto spring M
and spring
N. Both springs are elastic and fixed
to a horizontal surface. The
springs are pushed down until

the lengths of spring M and spring N

are the same.
[Assume spring M and spring N are of
the same material, same coil diameter
and same original length]
spring wire and the elastic
potential energy of the spring.

(i) What is the meaning

of elasticity?
[1 mark]
(ii) Using Diagram 3.1 and
Diagram 3.2, compare the
thickness of the spring
wire and the maximum
height reached by the
balls.
Relate the thickness of the
spring wire with the
maximum height of the ball
to make a deduction
regarding the relationship
between the thickness of the
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(ii) Using Diagram 3.1 and

Diagram 3.2, state the
energy changes that
take place from the
moment the spring is
compressed until the
ball reaches its
maximum height.
[2 marks]
(c) Diagram 3.3 shows a pole
vaulter performing a
jump.

Diagram 3.3
Using appropriate
physics
concepts, explain the use of
suitable equipment and
techniques to improve his
performance. Your answer
should include the following
aspects:
(i)
Vaulters attire
(ii)
Vaulters movement
(iii)
Pole used
(iv)
Safety
[10 m]

[5
marks
]
(b) The forces used to compress
the springs in Diagram 3.1(a)
and Diagram 3.1(b) are F1
and F2 respectively.
(i) Compare F1 and F2.

Give one
reason for this answer.
[2
marks
]

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Page 3 of 12

Question 4 SPM 2007 Section C

Diagram 11.1 shows the speed limit and
the load limit of heavy vehicles such as
buses and lorries.

Diagram 11.1
(a) What is meant by speed?

[1 m]

(b) Using the concepts of momentum

and inertia, explain why the
speed limit and the load limit
must be imposed on heavy
vehicles.
[4 m]
(c) A tanker of mass 1 800 kg
accelerates from rest to a velocity
of 45 km/hr in 10 s.
(i) Calculate the acceleration of
the tanker
(ii) Calculate the force acting on
the tanker.
[5 m]
(d) Diagram 11.2 shows four tankers
P, Q, R and S, with different
specifications. You are required
to determine the most suitable
tanker to deliver oil safely. Study
the specifications of all the four
tankers from the following
aspects:
- The type of brakes
- The number of tyres
- The number and size of the tanks

The distance between the trailer

and the tractor.
Explain the suitability of the
aspects. Justify your choice.
[10 m]

Question 5
Spiderman heard a loud sound when he
jumped down on to a wooden platform
without bending his legs as shown in
Diagram 7.1.
He repeated the action (at the same height)
but bend his legs while landing and heard a
soft sound while landing on the same
platform as shown in Diagram 7.2.
The Spiderman experienced a change of
momentum in both situations and he took
shorter time to complete his action when he
landed without bending his legs.

momentums experienced by the

Spiderman. Relate the time for
change of momentum and the
force acting on the Spiderman,
deduce a relevant physics concept.
[5 marks]
Question 6: Conceptual: SBP F4 08
Diagram 9.1 and Diagram 9.2 show two
springs M and N. Both springs are of the
same material and same wire thickness but
have different spring constant.

Loud landing sound

DIAGRAM 7.1
Soft landing sound

(i) What is meant by spring constant?

[1 mark]

(i)

DIAGRAM 7.2

What is meant by momentum?

[1 mark]

(ii) Using Diagram 9.1 and Diagram

9.2, compare the mass loaded by
the spring, the diameter of the
spring and the extension of the
spring.
(ii) Using Diagram 7.1 and 7.2,
compare the change of
The springs in Diagram 9.1 and 9.2 will
return to its original length when the load
is removed. Explain how the forces
between molecules cause the elasticity.
[ 4 marks]
Question 8:
Diagram 10.1 and Diagram 10.2 show
two methods of transfering a heavy
load of 50 kg from the ground to the
lorry. The forces needed to transfer
the heavy load are not the same.
However, the work done for both
methods of transfering are the same.

Relate the mass loaded by the spring,

the diameter of the spring and the
extension of the spring with the spring
constant.
[5 marks]
Question 7:Understanding: SBP F4 08
Relate the forces needed to transfer
the load and the distance travelled by
the load with the work done.
State the relationship between the
potential energy gained by the load
and the work done on transfering the
load.
[ 5 marks]

Question 9:Understanding: SBP Mid 08

Diagram 11 shows the
tructure of a
rocket.

Diagram 10.1

Using the principle of conservation of

momentum, explain the working
principle of the rocket.
[4 marks]

Diagram 10.2
(a)

What is meant by work?

[1 mark]

Q
u
e
s

tion 10: Qualitative: SBP F4 08

Diagram 9.3 shows a spring of the
suspension system in an ordinary
motorcycle.

(b) Using diagram 10.1 and 10.2, compare

the forces needed to transfer the load,
the distance travelled by the load and
the potential energy gained by the load.

(i) State two functions of the spring in the

suspension system ?
[2 marks]
(ii) Using the suitable physics concepts,
you are required to give some
suggestions on designing a racing
motorcycle of 500cc. Explain your
suggestions based on the following
aspects ;
density of motorcycle parts
- engine power
spring in suspension system
size of tyre
the designs of the spring
Question 11: Qualitative: Johor 07 Diagram
9.3 shows a model of a school bus.

DIAGRAM 9.3
Explain the modification to the bus to help
to improve the safety of the passengers
and will be more comfortable.
Emphasise your explanation in the
following aspects:
(i) the shape of the bus body,
(ii) safety features of the bus.

[10 marks]
Question 12: Section B
(a) Diagram 9.1 represents a 50 cent coin
and a leaf falling in a vacuum container.
The coin is heavier than the leaf.

the time taken to fall, the positions of the

coin and the leaf and finally, deduce the
physical quantity which causes the object to
fall.
[5 marks]
(b) A stone which is released from a tall
building falls down in the air. During
the fall, the stone experiences an energy
change.
(i) What is meant by energy?
[1 mark]

Using Diagram 9.1 and the information

given about the weight of the two objects,
compare the mass of the coin and the leaf,

(ii) Explain the energy changes in the

stone
[4 marks]
(c) Diagram 9.2 shows a student trying to
launch a water rocket.

(a) (i) What is the meaning of

momentum.
[1 mark]

(ii)
You are required to give some
suggestion on how to design a water
rocket for a national competition. Using
the knowledge on forces, motion and
properties of materials, explain the
suggestion based on the following
aspects:
(i) Material used
(ii) Shape of the rocket
(iii) Angle of launching
(iv) Volume of water in the rocket
(v) Added structure for the motion
of the rocket.
[10 marks]

State the total momentum of

the pistol and bullet in
Diagram 9.1. Using Diagram
9.1 and Diagram 9.2, compare
the total momentum before
and after the bullet is fired.
Using Diagram 9.2, compare
the magnitude and direction
of the momentum of the bullet
and pistol. Name the physics
principle that can be applied
to the motion of the bullet and
pistol.
[5 marks]

(iii) Diagram 9.3 shows the structure of

a jet engine for a small jet plane.

Question 13 Section B:
Diagram 9.1 shows a stationary pistol
on a smooth surface. Diagram 9.2
shows the pistol and bullet after the
pistol has been fired by remote control.

You are required to give some

suggestions to improve the design

of the jet engine so that it can

be used on a larger jet plane
that travels at a higher speed.
motion and the properties of
materials, explain the suggestions
based on the aspects labeled on
Diagram 9.3.
[10 marks]

Question 14: Section B

Diagram 9 shows a ball placed on the
smooth incline plane at point P. The
ball is rolling down over the incline
plane caused by gravitational potential
energy. Point Q and point R are at the
middle of the incline plane and at the
ground respectively.

(a) What is meant by gravitational

potential energy?
[1 mark]
(b) (i) Using Diagram 9, compare the
height of the ball, the
gravitational potential energy of
the ball, the velocity of the ball
and the kinetic energy of the ball

Using the knowledge on forces

and
(c) Explain what happen to the
velocity of the ball when it
reaches point R on the ground.
[3 marks]

(d) Based on the physical

principle above, you are
required to design a roller
skate track. Using
appropriate physics concept,
explain the design of the
roller skate track so that it
can be used to oscillate
skate board continuously.
Your answer should inculed
the following aspects.
(i)
Shape of the track
(ii) Slope of the track
(iii)Surface of the track
(iv)Safety
[10 marks]

Question 15: Section C: Pahang 09 You

are a coach responsible to choose a
student to join the school basket ball
team. A basic physical fitness test was
carried out and
results
A the B
C based
D on E
70
65 are50as shown
60
40
Mass
/ kg
certain
characteristics
in
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.4
1.6
Height
/
m
table 11.1.
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
Respondi
1
0
1
5
4
ng time /
4
3
2
2
1
Power
(time
taken to
transfer
50 bricks
to a
11.
10.
10.
11.
12.
Time
0
6
5
2
4
taken to
complete
100 m run

at point P and point Q. Deduce

the relationship between the
kinetic energy and the
gravitational potential energy of
the rolling ball.
[5 marks]
(ii)

Name the physical principle

involved in (b)(i)
[1 mark]

(a) What is meant by power? [1 mark]

(b) Based on table 11.1, explain the

suitable characteristics of the
student to be in the basket ball
team. Choose which student will
be in the basket ball team and
explain your choice.
[10 marks]
(c) When a 100 m runner reached the
finish line, the runner stopped
suddenly and fell on the ground.
Explain the situation using the
appropriate physics concept.
[4 marks]
(d) Two students were asked to run
up the stairs to the top floor of a
10 m building. Data obtained for
the two students are as shown by
table 11.2
Mass
Time /s
/kg55.0
Student
12.0
A
Student
60.0
14.0
B

Calculate power of each student

and determine which student has
the highest power.
[5 marks]