SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS/

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS

PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PHYSICS (P1)

2023

MARKS: 150

TIME: 3 hours

This question paper consists of 16 pages and 3 data sheets.

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Physical Sciences/P1 2 DBE/2023
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INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. Write your centre number and examination number in the appropriate spaces
on the ANSWER BOOK.

2. This question paper consists of 10 questions. Answer ALL the questions in

the ANSWER BOOK.

3. Start EACH question on a NEW page in the ANSWER BOOK.

4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.

5. Leave ONE line between two subquestions, e.g. between QUESTION 2.1 and
QUESTION 2.2.

6. You may use a non-programmable calculator.

7. You may use appropriate mathematical instruments.

8. Show ALL formulae and substitutions in ALL calculations.

9. Round off your FINAL numerical answers to a minimum of TWO decimal

places.

10. Give brief motivations, discussions, etc. where required.

11. You are advised to use the attached DATA SHEETS.

12. Write neatly and legibly.

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Physical Sciences/P1 3 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each
question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter
(A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 E.

1.1 Which ONE of the following quantities is the tendency of an object to resist a
change to its state of motion?

A Inertia

B Impulse

C Momentum

D Acceleration (2)

1.2 A ball is dropped from rest at a height above a concrete floor. The ball strikes
the floor and bounces vertically up and down on the same spot on the floor.

The velocity-time graph for the bouncing ball is shown below, with points P,
Q, R and S representing different times during the motion.

Ignore the effects of air resistance.

Velocity (m∙s-1)

R
0
P Q S Time (s)

At which time does the ball reach its maximum height after the first upward
bounce?

A P

B Q

C R

D S (2)

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1.3 Two blocks, P and Q, of masses m1 and m2 respectively, are held at rest on a
frictionless horizontal floor with a compressed spring between them, as shown
below.
P Q

m1 m2

When the blocks are released and the spring drops to the floor, block Q
moves to the right with velocity v.

Which ONE of the following represents the momentum of block P after the
blocks are released?

A m1v to the right

B m2v to the right

C m1v to the left

D m2v to the left (2)

1.4 The magnitude of the gravitational force that spheres X and Y exert on each
other is F.

The mass of sphere X is now doubled while the mass of sphere Y and the
distance between the centres of the spheres remain the same.

Which ONE of the following combinations is CORRECT for the magnitude of

the forces that the spheres now exert on each other?

FORCE THAT X FORCE THAT Y

EXERTS ON Y EXERTS ON X
A F F
B F 2F
C 2F F
D 2F 2F (2)

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Physical Sciences/P1 5 DBE/2023
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1.5 A hot-air balloon is moving vertically downwards at a CONSTANT SPEED.

Assume that the mass of the hot-air balloon remains constant.

Which ONE of the following physical quantities associated with the hot-air
balloon changes during the motion?

A Weight

B Momentum

C Kinetic energy

D Potential energy (2)

1.6 A learner standing at a roadside records the frequency of sound waves

produced by the siren of an ambulance. The ambulance is moving at constant
velocity along a straight horizontal road.

The frequency-time graph for the detected sound is shown below.

Detected frequency
(Hz)

0
Time (s)

Which ONE of the following statements concerning the motion of the

ambulance is CORRECT?

The ambulance …

A approaches the learner and then passes the learner.

B moves away from the learner, then turns and approaches the learner.

C approaches the learner, then turns and moves away from the learner.

D moves away from the learner and then stops. (2)

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1.7 Two identically charged spheres, X and Y, carry charges of +2q and −6q
respectively.

Sphere X experiences an electrostatic force F to the right when the distance

between their centres is r.

X Y
+2q −6q
r

The spheres are brought into contact and are then returned to their original
positions.

Which ONE of the following represents the magnitude of the electrostatic

force that sphere X experiences now?

A F

B F

C 4F

D 12 F (2)
1.8 In the circuit diagram below, R1, R2 and R3 are identical resistors. The battery
has negligible internal resistance.

R1
R2

R3

The power dissipated by R1 is P.

Which ONE of the following is the power dissipated by R2?

A P

B P
2

C 2P

D 4P (2)

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Physical Sciences/P1 7 DBE/2023
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1.9 The simplified diagram below represents a DC motor.

N S

+ -

The diagrams below indicate some changes made to the above motor.
(i) (ii)

S N N S

+ - - +

(iii)

S N

- +

Which of the changes to the motor above will change the original direction of
rotation of the coil?

A (i) and (ii) only

B (i) and (iii) only

C (ii) and (iii) only

D (iii) only (2)

1.10 An atom has a ground state energy of x. When the atom moves to a higher
energy state y, a line spectrum is observed.

Which ONE of the following combinations is CORRECT for the ENERGY

CHANGE of the atom and the TYPE OF LINE SPECTRUM observed during
the transition?

ENERGY CHANGE TYPE OF LINE SPECTRUM

A y–x Emission
B x–y Emission
C x–y Absorption
D y–x Absorption (2)
[20]
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Physical Sciences/P1 8 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 2 (Start on a new page.)

Block A of mass m is connected to block B of mass 7,5 kg by a light inextensible rope

passing over a frictionless pulley. Block B is initially held at a height of 1,5 m above the
ground, while block A is initially stationary on the ground, as shown in the diagram
below.

ceiling

B
7,5 kg

A 1,5 m
m
ground

When block B is released, it moves vertically downwards and strikes the ground with a
velocity of 3,41 m·s-1.

Ignore the effects of friction.

2.1 Show, by means of a calculation, that the magnitude of the acceleration of

block B was 3,88 m∙s-2 while the block was moving vertically downwards. (3)

2.2 Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing ALL the forces acting on block B
immediately after it was released. (2)

2.3 State Newton's Second Law of Motion in words. (2)

2.4 Calculate the value of m by applying Newton's Second Law to EACH BLOCK
while they are in motion. (5)

2.5 Calculate the maximum height above the ground reached by block A. (5)
[17]

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Physical Sciences/P1 9 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 3 (Start on a new page.)

Ball A is dropped from rest from the top of a building 15,2 m high.

After ball A has fallen 3,2 m, a second ball B is projected vertically upwards from the
ground. After a while, the two balls strike the ground at the SAME time.

Ignore the effects of air resistance.

A

3,2 m

15,2 m

3.1 Define the term free fall. (2)

3.2 Calculate the:

3.2.1 Time taken for ball A to strike the ground (3)

3.2.2 Magnitude of the velocity with which ball B was projected from the
ground (5)

3.3 On the same system of axes, draw position-time graphs to show the motions
of both ball A and ball B from the instant ball A is dropped until the time it
reaches the ground.

Take the ground as the zero position.

Label the graphs A and B.

Clearly indicate the following on the graphs:

 The starting time for each ball

 The initial position of each ball
 The time when the balls strike the ground (5)
[15]

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Physical Sciences/P1 10 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 4 (Start on a new page.)

Trolley A of mass 7,2 kg moves to the right at 0,4 m∙s-1 in a straight line on a horizontal
floor. It collides with a stationary trolley B of mass 5,3 kg.

After the collision, the trolleys lock together and move to the right, as shown in the
diagram below.

Ignore any frictional effects.

Before collision After collision

0,4 m∙s-1
A B A B
7,2 kg 5,3 kg

4.1 State the principle of conservation of linear momentum in words. (2)

4.2 Calculate the magnitude of the:

4.2.1 Velocity of the trolleys immediately after the collision (3)

4.2.2 Average net force exerted by trolley A on trolley B during the

collision, if the collision time is 0,02 s (3)
[8]

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Physical Sciences/P1 11 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 5 (Start on a new page.)

An electric motor pulls a 20 kg crate from rest at point A up an inclined plane by means
of a light inextensible rope. The inclined plane makes an angle of 18° with the
horizontal. B, C and D are points on the inclined plane and the distance between
points A and C is 15,6 m, as shown in the diagram below.

D
C
B

18°
A

The motor exerts a constant force of 96,8 N parallel to the inclined plane on the rope.

A constant frictional force of 13,5 N acts on the crate as it is moves on the inclined
plane.

5.1 Define a non-conservative force. (2)

5.2 Use ENERGY PRINCIPLES to calculate the speed of the crate when it
reaches point C. (5)

5.3 Calculate the minimum average power dissipated by the electric motor to pull
the crate from point A to point C. (3)

When the crate reaches point C, the rope breaks. The crate continues moving up the
inclined plane, comes to a stop at point D, and then slides down the plane past point B.

5.4 Draw a labelled free-body diagram for the crate as it slides down the plane
past point B. (3)

5.5 Draw a velocity-time graph for the entire motion of the crate starting from
point A until it passes point B again on its motion down the inclined plane. (4)
[17]

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QUESTION 6 (Start on a new page.)

6.1 A car moves at a constant velocity of 22 m∙s-1 on a straight horizontal road

TOWARDS a stationary device, which can both emit and detect sound waves.

The device emits sound waves with a frequency of 24 000 Hz. These sound
waves are reflected off the car and the reflected sound waves are then
detected by the device, as shown in the diagram below.

22 m∙s-1

Emitted waves
DEVICE
Reflected waves

6.1.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)

6.1.2 If the speed of sound in air is 340 m·s-1, calculate the frequency of
the reflected sound waves detected by the device. (6)

6.2 The spectral lines observed for a distant star show that the star is moving
away from Earth. Explain, by referring to frequency, how one can deduce that
the star is moving away from Earth. (2)
[10]

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Physical Sciences/P1 13 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 7 (Start on a new page.)

Two point charges, X and Y, are held 0,03 m apart, as shown in the diagram below.
The charge of X is -7,2 x 10-9 C, while the charge of Y is +7,2 x 10-9 C.

-7,2 x 10-9 C +7,2 x 10-9 C

X Y
0,03 m

7.1 State Coulomb's law in words. (2)

7.2 Draw the net electric field pattern due to the two point charges. (3)

7.3 Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force that Y exerts on X. (3)

A third point charge, Z, of unknown positive charge, is positioned 0,01 m to the left of
point charge X on the line joining point charges X and Y, as shown in the diagram
below.

-7,2 x 10-9 C +7,2 x 10-9 C

Z X Y

0,01 m 0,03 m

7.4 Draw a labelled vector diagram to show the directions of the electric fields at
the point where X is positioned. (2)

7.5 The magnitude of the resultant electric field at the point where X
is positioned is 4,91 x 105 N∙C-1.

Calculate the magnitude of charge Z. (5)

[15]

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Physical Sciences/P1 14 DBE/2023
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QUESTION 8 (Start on a new page.)

A battery with unknown emf (ɛ) and unknown internal resistance (r) is connected to
three resistors, a high-resistance voltmeter, two switches and two ammeters of
negligible resistance, as shown below.

ɛ
r A2

S2
Ω

1,5 A A1

S1
2Ω 5Ω

8.1 State Ohm's law in words. (2)

Both switch S1 and switch S2 are CLOSED. The reading on ammeter A1 is 1,5 A.

8.2 Calculate the:

8.2.1 Reading on the voltmeter (3)

8.2.2 Reading on ammeter A2 (4)

8.2.3 Power dissipated in the 3 Ω resistor (3)

Switch S1 is now OPENED, while switch S2 remains CLOSED. The reading on

ammeter A2 is now 3,64 A.

8.3 Calculate the emf of the battery. (5)

Switch S2 is now OPENED, while switch S1 is CLOSED.

8.4 How does the voltmeter reading change? Choose from INCREASES,
DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.

Explain the answer. (4)

[21]

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QUESTION 9 (Start on a new page.)

9.1 The simplified sketch below represents an AC generator with the coil initially
horizontal between the poles of a magnet. X and Y are two points on the coil,
while A is one of the poles of the magnet.

A
X

When the coil of the generator rotates clockwise between the two poles of the
magnet, the direction of the induced current is from X to Y, as shown above.

9.1.1 Is A the NORTH POLE or the SOUTH POLE of the magnet? (1)

9.1.2 The coil is now rotated through 180°.

Will the direction of the current be from X to Y or from Y to X? (1)

9.1.3 Sketch an emf-time graph for TWO complete rotations of the coil,
starting from the position of the coil as shown in the diagram
above. (3)

9.2 An electrical device is connected to an AC generator. The rms potential

difference across the device is 200 V and the maximum current passing
through the device is 6 A.

Calculate the:

9.2.1 Resistance of the device (4)

9.2.2 Energy consumed by the device in two hours (4)

[13]

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QUESTION 10 (Start on a new page.)

In a photoelectric investigation, light of different frequencies was radiated on each of

two metals, A and B. The graph of maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons
from metal A and the frequency of the incident photons is shown below.

Point X on the graph represents an unknown maximum kinetic energy.

Maximum kinetic energy (J)

Metal A

0 5 12,54
Frequency (x 1014 Hz)

10.1 Write down the numerical value of the gradient of the graph. (1)

10.2 Define the term work function. (2)

10.3 Calculate the:

10.3.1 Work function of metal A (3)

10.3.2 Value of X shown on the graph (4)

10.4 How will EACH of the following be affected if light of frequency

12,54 x 1014 Hz, but of higher intensity, is used?

Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or NO EFFECT.

10.4.1 The value of X (1)

10.4.2 The number of photoelectrons emitted per unit time (1)

Metal B has a larger work function than metal A.

10.5 Redraw the graph above in your ANSWER BOOK. (Do NOT include values
on the axes.) Label this graph as A.

On the SAME set of axes, sketch the graph for metal B. Label this graph
as B. (2)
[14]

TOTAL: 150
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Physical Sciences/P1 1 DBE/2023
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DATA FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 12

PAPER 1 (PHYSICS)

GEGEWENS VIR FISIESE WETENSKAPPE GRAAD 12

VRAESTEL 1 (FISIKA)

TABLE 1: PHYSICAL CONSTANTS/TABEL 1: FISIESE KONSTANTES

NAME/NAAM SYMBOL/SIMBOOL VALUE/WAARDE

Acceleration due to gravity
g 9,8 m·s-2
Swaartekragversnelling
Universal gravitational constant
G 6,67 x 10-11 N·m2·kg-2
Universele gravitasiekonstant
Radius of the Earth
RE 6,38 x 106 m
Radius van die Aarde
Mass of the Earth
ME 5,98 x 1024 kg
Massa van die Aarde
Speed of light in a vacuum
c 3,0 x 108 m·s-1
Spoed van lig in 'n vakuum
Planck's constant
h 6,63 x 10-34 J·s
Planck se konstante
Coulomb's constant
k 9,0 x 109 N·m2·C-2
Coulomb se konstante
Charge on electron
e -1,6 x 10-19 C
Lading op elektron
Electron mass
me 9,11 x 10-31 kg
Elektronmassa

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Physical Sciences/P1 2 DBE/2023
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TABLE 2: FORMULAE/TABEL 2: FORMULES

MOTION/BEWEGING

v f  vi  a t Δx  v i Δt  21 at 2 or/of Δy  v i Δt  21 at 2

 v  vf   v  vf 
v f  v i  2ax or/of v f  v i  2ay
2 2 2 2
Δx   i  Δt or/of Δy   i  Δt
 2   2 

FORCE/KRAG

Fnet  ma p  mv
fs max = μsN fk = μkN
Fnet Δt = Δp
w  mg
Δp = mv f - mvi
m1m 2 m1m 2 M M
F=G or/of F=G g  G or/of g G
d2 r2 d2 r2

WORK, ENERGY AND POWER/ARBEID, ENERGIE EN DRYWING

W = FΔx cos  U  mgh or/of EP  mgh

Wnet  K or/of Wnet  Ek

1 1
K  mv2 or/of Ek  mv2
2 2
K  K f  K i or/of Ek  Ekf  Eki
W
Wnc  K  U or/of Wnc  Ek  Ep P
t
Pave = Fvave / Pgemid = Fvgemid

WAVES, SOUND AND LIGHT/GOLWE, KLANK EN LIG

1
vf T
f
v  vL v  vL hc
fL  fs or/of fL  fb E  hf or/of E 
v  vs v  vb 

E = W0 + Ek(max) or/of E = W0 + K max where

1 1
E  hf and W0  hf0 and Ek (max)  mvmax
2
or K max  2
mvmax
2 2
E = W0 + Ek(maks) of E = W0 + K maks waar
1 1
E  hf en W0  hf0 en Ek (maks ) = 2
mvmaks 2
of K maks = mvmaks
2 2

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ELECTROSTATICS/ELEKTROSTATIKA

kQ1Q 2 kQ
F E
r2 r2

W F
V E
q q

Q Q
n= or/of n=
e qe

ELECTRIC CIRCUITS/ELEKTRIESE STROOMBANE

emf ( ε ) = I(R + r)
V
R
I emk ( ε ) = I(R + r)

Rs  R1  R2  ...
1 1 1 q  It
   ...
Rp R1 R 2

W = Vq W
P
Δt
W = VI  t
P = VI
W = I2R  t
P = I2R
V 2 Δt
W= V2
R P
R

ALTERNATING CURRENT/WISSELSTROOM

Pave  Vrms Irms / Pgemiddeld  Vwgk I wgk

Imax I maks
Irms  / I wgk 
2 2 Pave  Irms
2
R / Pgemiddeld  I 2wgkR
Vmax Vmaks
Vrms  / Vwgk  2
Vrms
2
Vwgk
2 2 Pave  / Pgemiddeld 
R R

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