XMS 2026 Physics P3 QP

This document consists of 12 printed pages and 2 blank page(s). [Turn over] Preliminary Examination 2026 CANDIDATE NAME CLASS INDEX NUMBER PHYSICS Paper 3 Practical Test Secondary 4 Express Setter: Ms Cindy Oh Vetter: Mr Koh Tat Siang 6091/03 14 AUG 2026 1 hour 50 minutes Candidates answer on the Question Paper. Additional Materials: As listed in the Confidential Instructions READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, class and index number on the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue, correction fluid or highlighters. Answer all questions. All your answers should be written in this Question Paper: scrap paper must not be used. Graph paper is provided in this Question Paper. Additional sheets of graph paper should only be used if it is necessary to do so. You will be allowed to work with the apparatus for a maximum of 55 minutes for each section. You are expected to record all your observations as soon as they are made. An account of the method of carrying out the experiments is not required. The use of an approved scientific calculator is expected, where appropriate. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. For Examiner’s Use Section A 20 Section B 20 Total 40 Parent’s Signature Shift Laboratory

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3 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 [Turn over] Section A 1 In this experiment, you will investigate energy transfers. You are provided with: • a retort stand with two bosses and a clamp • a pulley • a spring with a length of string tied to each end; one long piece and one shorter piece • a load • a card stating the values of the spring constant k and the weight W of the load • a half-metre rule. Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1. Fig. 1.1 Mount the pulley with its centre at a height of 40 .0 cm above the base of the retort stand. Tie the longer string to the load, and tie the shorter string to the rod at the base of the retort stand. Adjust the lengths of the strings such that the spring is unstretched, the bottom of the load is resting on the base of the retort stand, and there is no slack in the strings. Then adjust the height of the boss at the top of the retort stand such that the spring becomes stretched, and the bottom of the load is 3.0 cm above the base of the retort stand.

4 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 (a) (i) Measure and record in metres: • the length l1 of the stretched spring, l1 = …………………………………. m • the height h1 of the bottom of the load above the base of the retort stand. h1 = …………………………………. m [1] (ii) Use your hand to lift the load until the extension of the spring just becomes zero. Measure and record in metres: • the length l2 of the unstretched spring, l2 = …………………………………. m • the new height h2 of the bottom of the load above the base of the retort stand. h2 = …………………………………. m [2] (b) The values of the spring constant k of the spring and the weight W of the load are recorded on the piece of card. (i) Calculate the decrease in the energy stored in the elastic potential store of the spring using the equation Eep = 0.5 k (l1 - l2)2 Eep = …………………………………. [2] (ii) Calculate the increase in the energy stored in the gravitational potential store of the load using the equation Egp = W (h2 - h1) Egp = …………………………………. [1]

5 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 [Turn over] (c) When the load moves down to its original position, energy is transferred from the Egp store to the Eep store. Calculate the value of 𝐸𝑒𝑝 𝐸𝑔𝑝 . 𝐸𝑒𝑝 𝐸𝑔𝑝 = …………………………………. [1] (d) Two students perform the experiment usin g identical springs and load s. The apparatus is arranged in an identical way. Both students measure l and h accurately. The students calculate different values of 𝐸𝑒𝑝 𝐸𝑔𝑝 . State two significant sources of error in this experiment. Suggest one improvement that could be made to the experiment to address one of these sources of error. source of error 1 ……………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… source of error 2 ……………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… improvement …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… [3] [Total: 10]

6 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 2 In this experiment, you will investigate the focal length of a combination of lenses. You are provided with: • a pair of converging lenses mounted on a block • a torch • a screen • a retort stand, boss and clamp • a 50 cm rule. Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.1. There is a card with a triangular hole mounted on the front of the torch. Use the retort stand, boss and clamp to hold the torch level with the centre of the lenses. Place the torch so that the triangle is at the 0.0 cm mark on the 50 cm rule. Switch on the torch. Fig. 2.1 Place the centre of the combination of lenses at u = 15.0 cm and move the screen until a focused image of the triangle is formed on the screen. The distance v is measured between the centre of the combination of lenses and the screen where the image is focused. (a) Describe the steps used to ensure a focused image of the triangle forms on the screen when the screen is in the correct position. …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

7 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 [Turn over] (b) Determine an accurate value for the distance v. v = …………………………………. [2] (c) A student learns the lens formula, given by 1 𝑓 = 1 𝑢 + 1 𝑣 , where f is the focal length of the combination of lenses, u is the object distance and v is the image distance. She suggested an alternative formula, given by uv = f (u + v). (i) Prove that the student’s alternative formula is correct. [1]

8 XMSS/Physics/6091/03/Preliminary Examination 2026 (ii) Plan an experiment to determine the focal length of the combination of lenses using the alternative formula. In your plan, you should: • describe briefly how to do the experiment accurately • draw a table, with column headings, to show how to display the range of readings • sketch the graph that you would obtain • explain how to determine the focal length of the combination of lenses if the student’s alternative formula is correct. …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………