Edexcel International A Level Physics
Edexcel International A Level Physics Materials Exam Questions
Free Edexcel International A Level Physics exam questions for Materials, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers density, upthrust, fluid flow, viscosity, Stokes' law, Hooke's law, stress, strain, the Young modulus and elastic strain energy.
Materials exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About Edexcel International A Level Physics Materials
Materials is part of Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials in Edexcel International A Level Physics. It applies mechanics to fluids and solids. In the fluids section you work with density, upthrust, laminar and turbulent flow, viscosity and Stokes' law. In the solids section you use Hooke's law, stress, strain and the Young modulus, and interpret force-extension and stress-strain graphs to describe material properties. These measurements are also common contexts for the practical skills units. Examiners often ask about terminal velocity of a sphere in a liquid, the effect of temperature on viscosity, and calculations of the Young modulus and elastic strain energy.
What you need to know
- Density and upthrust ρ = m/V. Upthrust is equal to the weight of fluid displaced (Archimedes' principle). An object floats when upthrust equals its weight.
- Fluid flow Laminar flow has smooth, parallel layers with no mixing; turbulent flow has eddies. Viscosity of a liquid decreases as its temperature increases.
- Stokes' law Viscous drag F = 6πηrv for a small sphere moving at low speed with laminar flow. At terminal velocity, weight = upthrust + drag.
- Hooke's law and energy ΔF = kΔx up to the limit of proportionality. Elastic strain energy ΔEel = ½FΔx is the area under a force-extension graph.
- Stress, strain and Young modulus Stress = F/A, strain = Δx/x and E = stress/strain. Know limit of proportionality, elastic limit, yield point, breaking stress, and terms such as stiff, brittle, ductile, malleable and hard.
Common mistakes in Materials
- Using the density of the object rather than the fluid to calculate upthrust.
- Saying viscosity increases as a liquid is heated. For liquids it decreases.
- Applying Stokes' law to large, fast objects in turbulent flow.
- Calculating cross-sectional area with the diameter instead of the radius.
- Using the force-extension graph gradient for the Young modulus. Use the gradient of the stress-strain graph, or k × l/A.
Try three Materials exam-style questions
1. A steel ball of weight 2.1 × 10^-3 N falls through glycerol at terminal velocity. The upthrust on it is 0.3 × 10^-3 N. State the viscous drag and explain your answer. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
At terminal velocity the resultant force is zero so weight = upthrust + drag; drag = 2.1 × 10^-3 - 0.3 × 10^-3 = 1.8 × 10^-3 N.
2. A metal wire 1.50 m long with cross-sectional area 2.0 × 10^-7 m^2 extends by 0.75 mm under a 20 N load. Calculate the Young modulus. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Stress = 20/2.0 × 10^-7 = 1.0 × 10^8 Pa; strain = 0.75 × 10^-3/1.50 = 5.0 × 10^-4; E = 1.0 × 10^8/5.0 × 10^-4 = 2.0 × 10^11 Pa.
3. Explain the difference between laminar and turbulent flow, and why it matters for Stokes' law. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Laminar flow: fluid moves in smooth layers with no mixing and velocity at a point is constant; turbulent flow: eddies form and layers mix; Stokes' law only applies to laminar flow, so the sphere must be small and slow.
Materials FAQs
What does Edexcel International A Level Physics Materials cover?
It covers density, upthrust, laminar and turbulent flow, viscosity, Stokes' law, Hooke's law, elastic strain energy, stress, strain and the Young modulus.
Which unit is Materials examined in?
It is examined in Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials, and the related experiments are common in the practical skills papers.
What equations do I need for Materials?
Learn ρ = m/V, F = 6πηrv, ΔF = kΔx, ΔEel = ½FΔx, stress = F/A, strain = Δx/x and E = stress/strain.
