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Grade 12 Physics entrance exam, 2011 E.C. (2019)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Physics, as students sat it in 2011 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2011 E.C. (2019)

    Exam year

  • 45 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 2

Which part of a scientific report discusses the accuracy of measurements taken?

  1. A.Aim
  2. B.Theory
  3. C.Methods
  4. D.Results
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Results

Why

The 'Results' section of a scientific report contains the recorded data, calculations of averages, and the analysis of experimental uncertainties and errors, which directly discuss the accuracy of the measurements.

Question 3

Two forces exerted on a block as shown in the figure below. What is the horizontal component of the net force? [Figure: A rectangular block is shown. From its top-left corner, a force vector of magnitude 50 N is directed upward and to the left, making an angle of 53° with the horizontal line extending to the left. From its top-right corner, a force vector of magnitude 20 N is directed upward and to the right, making an angle of 37° with the horizontal line extending to the right.]

  1. A.70 N, East
  2. B.30 N, West
  3. C.14 N, West
  4. D.28 N, West
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C 14 N, West

Why

The horizontal component of the net force is calculated by subtracting the westward horizontal component of the 50 N force from the eastward horizontal component of the 20 N force: F_net,x = 20*cos(37°) - 50*cos(53°) = 20(0.8) - 50(0.6) = 16 - 30 = -14 N, which represents 14 N to the West.

Question 4

What is the magnitude of the resultant velocity for a bird flying first at a speed of 10 m/s North East and then flying to South at a speed of 8 m/s?

  1. A.7,13 m/s
  2. B.16.6 m/s
  3. C.12.8 m/s
  4. D.7.07 m/s
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A 7,13 m/s

Why

Resolving the velocities into components, we have v_1 = (10*cos(45°), 10*sin(45°)) = (7.07, 7.07) m/s and v_2 = (0, -8) m/s. The resultant velocity is v = (7.07, -0.93) m/s, which has a magnitude of sqrt(7.07^2 + (-0.93)^2) ≈ 7.13 m/s.

Question 5

Let C⃗=A⃗XB⃗\vec{C}=\vec{A}\text{X}\vec{B} and θ≠900\theta \neq 90^0, where θ\theta is the smaller angle between A⃗\vec{A} and B⃗\vec{B} when they are drawn with their tails at the same point. Which of the following is NOT true?

  1. A.A⃗.B⃗=0\vec{A}.\vec{B} = 0
  2. B.A⃗.C⃗=0\vec{A}.\vec{C} = 0
  3. C./C⃗/=/A⃗//B⃗/sin⁡θ/\vec{C}/=/\vec{A}//\vec{B}/ \sin \theta
  4. D.−C⃗=B⃗XA⃗-\vec{C}=\vec{B}\text{X}\vec{A}
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A A⃗.B⃗=0\vec{A}.\vec{B} = 0

Why

The dot product of two vectors is given by A.B = |A||B|cosθ. Since θ ≠ 90°, the dot product cannot be zero, making option A the only incorrect statement.

Question 6

A driver of an automobile travelling at a constant speed of 20 m/s suddenly applies a brake and the automobile comes to rest in 2.0 seconds after skidding for a certain distance. What is the length of the skid distance?

  1. A.400 m
  2. B.10 m
  3. C.40 m
  4. D.20 m
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D 20 m

Why

Using the kinematic formula for constant acceleration, the skid distance is d = ((v_0 + v)/2)*t = ((20 + 0)/2)*2.0 = 20 m.

Question 7

Which of the following is correct about the motion shown in the velocity – time graph below? [Figure: A velocity-time graph showing velocity v(m/s) on the vertical axis and time t(Sec) on the horizontal axis. - Vertical axis has markings from 2 to 14 in increments of 2. - Horizontal axis has markings A, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. - A straight line starts at the origin A(0,0) and rises to point B(2,4), with dashed lines indicating t = 2 and v = 4. - From B(2,4), a steeper straight line rises to point C(3,12), with a dashed horizontal line extending to v = 12. - From C(3,12), a horizontal line segment connects to point D(6,12). - From D(6,12), a straight line descends to point E(12,0) on the horizontal axis.]

  1. A.Between C and D, the motion is with constant acceleration.
  2. B.Between B and C, the acceleration is 4m/s24\text{m/s}^2
  3. C.Between D and E, the motion is with constant positive acceleration.
  4. D.Total displacement is 84m.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Total displacement is 84m.

Why

The total displacement is the area under the velocity-time graph, which consists of four sections: Area = 0.5*2*4 + 0.5*(4+12)*1 + 3*12 + 0.5*6*12 = 4 + 8 + 36 + 36 = 84 m.

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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)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

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Are these the real 2011 E.C. Physics entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Physics that students sat in 2011 E.C. (2019). Our set holds 45 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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Can I download the Physics 2011 E.C. paper as a PDF?

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