education
Department of
Education
FREE STATE PROVINCE
PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
GRADE 12
PHYSICAL SCIENCES P1
(PHYSICS)
SEPTEMBER 2025
MARKS: 150
TIME: 3 HOURS
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Physical Sciences Grade 12 P1 Free State Mock 2025 QP
Grade 12 Physical Sciences Paper 1 question paper from the Free State Mock Exam 2025, 18 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Physical Sciences · Grade 12 · Free State Mock Exam · 2025. Question paper, 18 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Physical Sciences
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Document type
- Question paper
- Year
- 2025
- Exam period
- Free State Mock Exam
- Paper
- 1
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 18
- File size
- 3.2 MB
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Free State Mock Exam 2025
- Paper 1Question paperMemo
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FS/September 2025
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
1.
10.
11.
12.
Write your name and other information in the appropriate spaces on the
ANSWER BOOK.
This question paper consists of TEN questions. Answer ALL questions in the
ANSWER BOOK.
Start EACH question on a NEW page in the ANSWER BOOK.
Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.
Leave ONE line between two sub-questions, e.g. between QUESTION 2.1 and
QUESTION 2.2.
You may use a non-programmable calculator.
You may use appropriate mathematical instruments.
Show ALL formulae and substitutions in ALL calculations.
Round off your final numerical answers to a minimum of TWO decimal places
where applicable.
Give brief motivations, discussions, etc., where required.
You are advised to use the attached DATA SHEETS.
Write neatly and legibly.
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FS/September 2025
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 When a book lies on the table, it does not move because ...
A the force exerted by the table on the book is equal to the force exerted
by the Earth on the book.
B the force exerted by the table on the book is greater than the force
exerted by the Earth on the book.
Cc the forces acting on the book are in equilibrium.
D no forces are acting on it. (2)
1.2 A maximum force of 8 N is exerted on the 6 kg block, which is at rest and just
about to move on a rough surface as shown in the diagram below.
8N
6kg |-———>
Which ONE of the following will increase the frictional force experienced by the
block?
A Increase the applied force to 10 N.
B Decrease the applied force to 4 N.
Cc Place a 2 kg block on top of the block.
D
Rotate the block so that the smaller area is in contact with the surface.
(2)
1.3. The acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is g. Which ONE of the following
represents the acceleration due to gravity on a planet that is three times the
mass and % the radius of the Moon?
A 81g
B 279
Cc 9g
D 39g (2)
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FS/September 2025
1.4 A body falls freely in the absence of air resistance. Which physical quantity of
the body is equal to the rate of change of momentum?
A
B
c
D
Mass
Weight
Power
Kinetic energy (2)
1.5 A ball is dropped from a learner's hand to the ground. Which graph represents
the kinetic energy Ex versus the velocity of ball v?
A
Ex
Ex
B
\
Ex
L__»
v v
D
Ex
v v (2)
1.6 An astronomer on Earth observes light with a wavelength A originating from a
distant galaxy moving away from the Earth. The wavelength observed by the
astronomer will likely be ...
A
B
Cc
D
greater than A.
less than A.
equal to A.
zero. (2)
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FS/September 2025
1.7 Consider the electric field patterns around the charged particles Q, R and S as
shown in the diagrams below.
Q R Ss
What are the respective charges and polarity on Q, R and S?
CHARGE Q CHARGE R CHARGE S
A -q +q +q
B +q -q -q
c +q -q -2q
D -q +q +2q (2)
1.8 The circuit diagram below has two identical resistors Ri and Re, and a battery
with a potential difference of V. What is the potential difference across the
resistor with resistance R2?
rc
Ri Ro
A e xV
B = xV
[e} eT xV
D er xV (2)
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FS/September 2025
1.9 The difference between a DC and an AC generator is that a DC generator ...
A uses brushes for commutation, while an AC generator uses slip rings.
B. produces a unidirectional current, whereas an AC generator generates
alternating current.
ie operates at a constant frequency, whereas an AC generator varies its
frequency.
D produces a lower current than an AC generator. (2)
1.10 The number of photo electrons emitted by an incident light of frequency f, which
is higher than the threshold frequency fo, is proportional to ...
A threshold frequency.
B frequency of light.
Cc intensity of light.
D
f fo. (2)
[20]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 2 (Start on a new page.)
A 73 kg man is at the bottom of a 34 m deep hole at position A. He is pulled vertically
upwards from rest at position A by an inextensible rope attached to a tree, until he
reaches position B at the top. The tension in the rope is 780 N.
Ignore the effects of air friction.
2.1. State Newton's Second Law in words. (2)
2.2 Drawa free-body diagram showing all the forces acting on the man. (2)
2.3. Calculate the magnitude of the man's weight. (3)
2.4 Calculate the time taken to pull the man out of the hole, from position A
to position B. (5)
2.5 Will the tension in the rope be greater when the man is at rest, or when
the man is pulled upward? Explain your answer. (3)
[15]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 3 (Start on a new page.)
Ball A is dropped vertically downwards from the top of a 25 m high building. ONE
second later, another ball B is thrown vertically downwards from the same height with
a speed of 30 m:s™.
Ignore the effects of friction.
Ball A Ball B
e e
| l ! |
| |
| |
| |
| |
25m ' t
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
i |
| |
i |
| |
L — ground
| Define the term projectile. (2)
3.2 Use EQUATIONS OF MOTIONS ONLY to calculate the:
3.2.1 Time it takes ball A to travel 12,5 m above the ground (3)
3.2.2 Time it takes ball B to pass ball A (6)
3.2.3 Speed of ball B when it reaches the ground (3)
3.3. On the same set of axes, sketch the position-time graphs of ball A and
ball B while they are in free fall. Label graphs A and B respectively.
Clearly indicate the following on the graphs:
e The initial height of the building
e The times at which each ball is thrown
e The time at which ball A passes ball B (5)
[19]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 4 (Start on a new page.)
A car of mass 1 200 kg moving at a speed of 25 m:s‘'in the eastern direction, crashes
into the back of a truck of mass 6 000 kg moving in the same direction at 15 m:s"'. The
velocity of the car after the collision is 16 m-s" to the east.
Ignore all frictional and rotational effects.
BEFORE AFTER
ear truck car truck
: VN go—e|D
O x@) EC
4.1 Write the principle of conservation of linear momentum in words. (2)
4.2 Calculate the velocity of the truck after the collision. (4)
4.3. Calculate the mechanical energy lost during the car-truck collision. (5)
4.4 Explain why mechanical energy is lost. (2)
[13]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 5 (Start on a new page.)
An 8 kg steel ball initially at rest is pulled upward by an electric motor with a constant
applied force of 45 N. The ball moves at constant speed in each of the sections XY
and YZ along a rough inclined slope as shown below. Each section is 4 meters long
and exerts a different frictional force on the steel ball as it moves up the incline.
The incline makes an angle of 25° with the horizontal. (See DIAGRAM 1)
DIAGRAM 1
The graph below shows the kinetic energy of the object versus the distance for the
entire motion until point Z. (See DIAGRAM 2)
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Distance (m)
DIAGRAM 2
Define the term non-conservative force.
Use a suitable formula to show the physical quantity represented by
the slope of the graph.
Calculate:
5.3.1 The net force experienced by the steel ball as it moves from
YtoZ
5.3.2 The magnitude of the frictional force experienced by the block
as it moves from Y to Z
5.3.3 The power dissipated by the block from X to Z
Which region, XY or YZ, has the largest frictional force? Explain your
answer.
(2)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(4)
(2)
[17]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 6 (Start on a new page.)
Two identical aircraft, A and B, each producing a sound wave with a frequency of
600 Hz, start moving at the same time in opposite directions away from the airport
tower, as shown in the diagram below. A listener sitting in the tower measures a 30 Hz
decrease from the actual frequency of aircraft A, while the frequency measured for
aircraft B is 450 Hz.
Assume the speed of sound is 340 m-s™.
aircraft A aircraft B
Airport Tower
distance d
6.1. Name the phenomenon that describes the apparent change in frequency
detected by the observer. (1)
6.2 How does the frequency heard by the pilot in aircraft A, compare to the
actual frequency of the sound waves produced by aircraft A?
Write down HIGHER THAN, LOWER THAN or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)
6.3. Give a reason for the answer to QUESTION 6.2. (2)
6.4 Calculate the distance d between the two aircraft after they moved in
opposite directions at a constant velocity for 60 seconds. (7)
[11]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 7 (Start on a new page.)
The diagram below shows a metal sphere A on an insulated stand in a vacuum.
4,625 x 10'° electrons are REMOVED from the sphere. Point P is 90 cm away from
sphere A.
90 cm .
e
P
7.1 State Coulomb's law in words.
7.2 Explain why sphere A is placed on an insulated stand.
7.3. Calculate the net charge on sphere A.
7.4 Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at point P due to sphere A.
Another sphere B, carrying a charge of —5 nC, is placed at point P.
7.5
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Calculate how far from point P sphere B should be placed, to decrease
the net electrostatic force between the two spheres by 15%.
(2)
(2)
(3)
(3)
(6)
[16]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 8 (Start on a new page.)
In the circuit diagram below, the battery has an emf of 10 V and an unknown internal
resistance r. Voltmeter V; is connected across the open switch, and V2 is connected
across the battery. The resistance of the connecting wires and the ammeter can be
ignored. Switch S is open.
ence coesacescccs !
Gq
g} (8 @)
iS)
J 10
8.1. State Ohm's law in words. (2)
8.2 Determine the:
8.2.1 Reading on voltmeter V; (1)
8.2.2 Reading on voltmeter V2 (1)
Switch S is now closed. The reading on V2 drops by 2,5 V.
8.3. Calculate the:
8.3.1 Reading on V2 (1)
8.3.2 Reading on the ammeter (6)
8.3.3 Internal resistance of the battery (3)
8.4 How will the magnitude of the current passing through the 6 Q resistor
compare to that of 3 O? (2)
[16]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 9 (Start on a new page.)
9.1 The diagram below shows a horizontal rectangular coil ABCD placed between
magnets. The coil has a current when an upward force F is applied to side AB
of the coil.
9.1.1 Explain why there is a current induced in segment AB. (1)
9.1.2 Determine the direction of the current in AB. Write only A to B
or B to A. Explain your answer. (2)
A change is made to the device to operate as a DC motor.
9.1.3 Name the part of the component that makes it possible for the
machine to operate as a DC motor. (1)
9.1.4 Name ONE change that can be made to the diagram above to
produce a greater turning effect in coil ABCD. (1)
9.2 A120 W television and two 50 W tungsten lights are connected to a
230 V AC supply that operates for only 12 hours a day when S; and S2
are closed.
S2
YQ
50 W 50 W
eg
230 V AC
420 W TV
How long should switch S; be open in a day while Sz is closed, in order to
save R36 weekly (7 days)? The cost of electricity is R9 per kWh. (7)
[12]
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FS/September 2025
QUESTION 10 (Start on a new page.)
In the diagram below, an incident light is shown on the metal surface photocell. A
learner uses the photocell to determine the photoelectrons emitted.
Incident light
ED
DC SOURCE
The total output power of the electromagnetic radiation waves from the surface
is 3,2 x 102” J-s?. The wavelength of the incident light is 5,2 x 10°” m.
10.1 Define the term photoelectric effect. (2)
10.2 Calculate the number of photons emitted per second from the metal
surface. (6)
10.3 How will the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons be affected
when:
Write down only INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.
10.3.1 Incident light of a shorter wavelength is used (1)
10.3.2 A metal with a higher work function is used (1)
10.3.3. Incident light of greater intensity is used (1)
[11]
TOTAL: 150
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FS/September 2025
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
Swaarlekragversneling. g 9,8 ms?
Univataate siavtesiokonsient G 6,67 x 10" Nem?-kg?
Bodie ie aarde Re 6,38 x 10° m
Moses Vande Aaale Me 5,98 x 10% kg
Aieed (ean vena c 3,0 x 108 ms"
Planck se Konstante h 6,63 x 10 J's
SOU os NOTING k 9,0 x 10°N-m?-C2
Ladi op oloktron e 4,6 x 10°C
Benes Me 9,11 x 10°" kg
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TABLE 2: FORMULAE/TABEL 2: FORMULES
FS/September 2025
MOTION/BEWEGING
Ve = Vj t+aAt Ax =v,At +iadt? or/of Ay =v,At+iadt?
v, +Vv v, +Vv
v,? =v," +2adx orof v,? =v,2+2ady | Ax -(“ or/of Ay -(
FORCE/KRAG
Fie =ma p=mv
nag | f, =HKN
F,.:At = Ap w=mq
Ap=mvy,- my,
mm mm M M
F=G— ip —orlof FeG~ 9=-Ge oof g=Gz
WORK, ENERGY AND POWERIARBEID, ENERGIE EN DRYWING
W =FAxcos 0 U=mgh orlof E,=mgh
1 1 W,.. =AK or/of Wet = AE,
K= Bi mv? or/of = = my?
AK=K,—-K, oOrof AE, =E, —E,
Wye = AK +AU or/of W,, = AE, +AE, -~
Pave = FVave / Pgemia = FVgemia
WAVES, SOUND AND LIGHT/GOLWE, KLANK EN LIG
1
=f2 T==
" f
viv viv, he
f= Lf, {= Lf, = =
L Vay, orof 1 viv, ? E=hf or/of E ri
E=Wo + Egmay Orof E=W, +K,,,, where
E=hf and W,=hf, and Exinan = FV rr K AV
E=Wo + Exmoisy Of E=Wo + Kings Waar
1 1
E=hf en W,=hf, en Eximais) = BMV inais of Kiros = DMVinais
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ELECTROSTATICS/ELEKTROSTATIKA
FS/September 2025
kQ,Q kQ
Fo E=>
Maes fiat
q q
Q Q
n=— or/of =
e a.
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS/ELEKTRIESE STROOMBANE
| emf (£) = I(R + r)
Rew
I emk (£) =I(R+r)
R,=R,+R,+
1 1 fl q=IAt
—=—+— +
R, R, R,
W=Vq p-W
At
W=VIAt
P=VI
W=FPRAt
P=PR
V7At
Ww= Ve
R P=—
R
Tims = - / Two a =
2 2
Pave = Vinslims
P..=E.R
Vins
cae ae
/ Precnididet = Veok Tox
/ Pemiddetd fi ah
Vinx
Pyemiddetd R
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