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Grade 12 Physics entrance exam, 2005 E.C. (2013)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Physics, as students sat it in 2005 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2005 E.C. (2013)

    Exam year

  • 47 questions with answers

    In this set

Try questions from this paper

Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact place in the textbook, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

Which of the following is correct about the meaning of Photon?

  1. A.quantum of matter
  2. B.positively charged particle
  3. C.negatively charged particle
  4. D.quantum of light
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D quantum of light

Why

A photon is defined as the quantum of electromagnetic radiation or light, carrying energy proportional to its frequency but having zero rest mass.

Question 2

Consider a series RC circuit for which R=1.0 MΩR = 1.0\,\mathrm{M\Omega}, C=5 μFC = 5\,\mu\mathrm{F} and ε=30 V\varepsilon = 30\,\mathrm{V}. What is the time constant of the circuit and the maximum charge on the capacitor after the switch is closed respectively?

  1. A.5 seconds, 150 Ω\OmegaC
  2. B.7 seconds, 155 Ω\Omega C
  3. C.10 seconds, 160 Ω\OmegaC
  4. D.9 seconds, 135 Mc
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A 5 seconds, 150 Ω\OmegaC

Why

The time constant is τ=RC=(1.0×106 Ω)(5×10−6 F)=5 s\tau = RC = (1.0 \times 10^6\ \Omega)(5 \times 10^{-6}\ \text{F}) = 5\ \text{s}. The maximum charge is Q=Cε=5 μF×30 V=150 μCQ = C\varepsilon = 5\ \mu\text{F} \times 30\ \text{V} = 150\ \mu\text{C} (where 'Ω\Omega' is a typo for 'μ\mu').

Question 3

What is the direction with which a fish must push the water with its fins in order to propel eastward?

  1. A.eastward
  2. B.upward
  3. C.westward
  4. D.downward
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C westward

Why

According to Newton's third law of motion, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. To propel itself eastward, the fish must push the water westward.

Question 5

One person drops a ball from the top of a building while another person at the bottom observes its motion. The two people disagree on which of the following?

  1. A.The value of the total energy of the ball.
  2. B.The change in potential energy of the ball.
  3. C.The value of the gravitational potential energy of the ball earth system.
  4. D.The kinetic energy of the ball at some point in its motion if one of them is walking.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C The value of the gravitational potential energy of the ball earth system.

Why

The gravitational potential energy depends on the choice of the reference level (where U=0U=0). Since the two observers are at different heights, they will naturally choose different reference levels and thus disagree on the value of the potential energy, although they will agree on its change.

Question 6

Two non-zero vectors A⃗\vec{A} and B⃗\vec{B} are related by A⃗=cB⃗\vec{A} = c\vec{B} where c is a scalar. If the two vectors have opposite directions, then one of the following is true about c?

  1. A.c is a positive number
  2. B.c is a negative number
  3. C.c=1c = 1
  4. D.c=0c = 0
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B c is a negative number

Why

If two vectors are related by A⃗=cB⃗\vec{A} = c\vec{B} and point in opposite directions, the scalar multiplier cc must be negative to reverse the direction of B⃗\vec{B}.

Question 7

On which of the following does the induced emf in a coil NOT depend when a magnet is inserted into it?

  1. A.resistance of the coil
  2. B.number of turns of the coil
  3. C.speed approach of the magnet
  4. D.magnetic moment of the magnet
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A resistance of the coil

Why

According to Faraday's law of induction, the induced electromotive force depends on the number of turns and the rate of change of magnetic flux, but it is independent of the resistance of the coil (which only affects the induced current).

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Physics papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)2015 E.C. (2023)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2012 E.C. (2020)2011 E.C. (2019)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)

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Are these the real 2005 E.C. Physics entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Physics that students sat in 2005 E.C. (2013). Our set holds 47 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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