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A-LevelPhysicsForces, density and pressureOct/Nov 2020Paper 2 Q212 Marks

A cylinder is suspended from the end of a string. The cylinder is stationary in water with the axis of the cylinder vertical, as shown in Fig. 2.1. [Figure 2.1] The cylinder has weight 0.84 N, height h and a circular cross-section of diameter 0.031 m. The density of the water is 1.0 × 10³ kg m⁻³. The difference between the pressures on the top and bottom faces of the cylinder is 520 Pa. The string is now used to move the cylinder in (a) vertically upwards through the water. The variation with time t of the velocity v of the cylinder is shown in Fig. 2.2. [Figure 2.2] The top face of the cylinder is at a depth of 0.32 m below the surface of the water at time t = 0. The cylinder in (b) is released from the string at time t = 4.0s. The cylinder falls, from rest, vertically downwards through the water. Assume that the upthrust acting on the cylinder remains constant as it falls.

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Physics Question

Topic

This structured question tests Forces, density and pressure in A-Level Physics (syllabus code 9702). It is worth 12 marks.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics Oct/Nov 2020 examination, Paper 2 Variant 2.

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