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Grade 12 Physics entrance exam, 2015 E.C. (2023)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Physics, as students sat it in 2015 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2015 E.C. (2023)

    Exam year

  • 46 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

A good scientific theory is one which is

  1. A.simple (less complex), has a wide scope, and is accurate and consistent.
  2. B.simple (less complex), specific in scope, and is accurate and consistent.
  3. C.more complex, has a wide scope, is accurate and consistent.
  4. D.more complex, specific in scope, consistent but not accurate.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A simple (less complex), has a wide scope, and is accurate and consistent.

Why

A good scientific theory is characterized by simplicity (parsimony), consistency with known observations, high accuracy in predictions, and a wide scope of applicability.

Question 2

The number of significant digits in a quantity m = 7.10 × 10³⁰ kg is

  1. A.3
  2. B.2
  3. C.32
  4. D.33
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A 3

Why

In scientific notation, all digits in the coefficient are significant. Therefore, '7.10' has three significant digits.

Question 3

Given A = a i + b j + 2k and B = 4i + 2j - 4k. What must be the value of 'a' and 'b', respectively, for the two vectors to be parallel?

  1. A.-2 and -1
  2. B.2 and 1
  3. C.-1 and -2
  4. D.1 and 2
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A -2 and -1

Why

For vectors to be parallel, their corresponding components must be proportional: a/4 = b/2 = 2/-4. Solving this gives a = -2 and b = -1.

Question 4

For what value of 'a' the two vectors A = a i + 2j + 5k and B = (1/2)i + 6j + 2k are orthogonal to each other?

  1. A.1
  2. B.-44
  3. C.-1
  4. D.4
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B -44

Why

Two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is zero: A·B = (a)(1/2) + (2)(6) + (5)(2) = a/2 + 22 = 0, which yields a = -44.

Question 5

What is the area of a parallelogram formed by vectors A = 2i - j + k and B = 3i + 2j - 3k?

  1. A.√111
  2. B.√121
  3. C.√131
  4. D.√141
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C √131

Why

The area of the parallelogram is the magnitude of the cross product A×B. Calculating the cross product yields i + 9j + 7k, which has a magnitude of sqrt(1^2 + 9^2 + 7^2) = sqrt(131).

Question 6

What is the magnitude of A·(A×B) if θ is the angle between vector A and vector B?

  1. A.BA sinθ
  2. B.BA² sinθ
  3. C.B²A sinθ
  4. D.zero
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D zero

Why

The cross product vector (A×B) is by definition perpendicular to both vector A and vector B. Therefore, the dot product of vector A with (A×B) must be zero.

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Physics papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)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)2005 E.C. (2013)

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Are these the real 2015 E.C. Physics entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Physics that students sat in 2015 E.C. (2023). Our set holds 46 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 2015 E.C. paper as a PDF?

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