plumiStress, strain and Young modulus: OCR A‑Level Physics B questions
OCR A-Level Physics B past-paper questions on 3.2.4 Stress, strain and Young modulus, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 55 questions on Stress, strain and Young modulus, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The gradient of the graph up to a 1.5 mm extension can be used to determine the Young modulus for the material of the wire. Which expression gives the Young mod
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): A cylindrical metal wire of cross-sectional area A, has Young modulus Y. The wire is put under tension T. What is the equation for the strain of the wire? AT A
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student makes the measurements to calculate the mean diameter. [2]
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): The student obtains the following results: Mean diameter of wire = 0.38 mm Initial length of wire = 1.500 m Mass suspended from wire = 2.000 kg Extension of wir
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q28 (1 mark): Wires X, Y and Z are made from different metals. They have the same length and the same stretching force is applied to them. The table gives information about t
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Here are some data about the rope that attaches the sail and parasailor to the boat. diameter = 12.0 mm Young modulus = 13.2 GPa length = 240 m Calculate the ex
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Two wires P and Q are made from different metals. Wire P has double the diameter and double the unstretched length of wire Q. Equal weights are suspended from b
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(a) (4 marks): Molly’s teacher has asked her to plan how to carry out her investigation safely. Suggest two hazards from using the apparatus shown in Fig. 25.1. For each hazar
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(b) (2 marks): Molly chooses a wire with diameter 0.22 mm. Calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire. Assume it has uniform, circular cross-section. Cross-sectional area
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete Molly’s calculation to determine the Young modulus of copper. Fl Young modulus = eA 7.37 x 107 = gradient = Young modulus = GPa [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q36(c) (6 marks): This question is about the gravitational field between the Earth and the Moon. (c)* It is suggested that projectiles can be launched from the Moon to the Earth
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q38(a) (6 marks): (a)* Fig. 38.1 shows equipment used to determine the Young Modulus of a wire. Fig. 38.1 Describe how the equipment can be used to determine the Young Modulus. D
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q38(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the extension at which the wire will begin to show plastic deformation. extension = m [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q38(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the energy stored in the wire at the extension calculated in (b)(i). energy stored = J [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q38(b)(iii) (2 marks): The wire is replaced with one of twice the length of the original wire. The new wire is of the same material and cross-sectional area as the original wire. Stat
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): The graph shows the stress and strain for a loaded wire. 60 stress / MPa 40 20 0 0 2 4 6 8 strain / 10–4 The Young modulus of the wire is: A 14 GPa B 60 GPa C 7
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the data above to show that the tensile stress in the hangers is less than 2 % of their yield stress. You can assume the load is evenly shared between the h
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The maximum number of vehicles allowed on this bridge at any one time would give an additional load of 6000 kg per metre length of the suspended deck. Calculate
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why the maximum number of vehicles allowed on the bridge is less than the theoretical number based on calculations of stress. 1. 2. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): A wire of original length 2.800 m is extended by 3 mm when a tensile force of 180 N is applied. The diameter of the wire is 1.2 mm. What is the Young modulus of
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The gradient of the line of best fit in Fig. 4.2 is 10 100 NM–1. Use this to calculate a value for the Young modulus of the wire. Use the line you have drawn to
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): A metal wire has cross-sectional area A, and length L. Another wire is made from the same material with cross-sectional area 4A, and length 4L. Both wires are l
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Calculate the stress in the wire if a load of mass 25 kg is attached to the bottom of the wire. stress = Pa [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Calculate the elastic strain energy stored in the wire by the 25 kg load. The Young modulus of elasticity of steel is 2.1 × 1011 Pa. energy stored = J [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q5(c) (3 marks): The yield stress of this steel is about 15% higher than the value calculated in (a). Explain why the 25 kg load, once attached to the end of the wire, should be
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): Calculate the Young modulus of the sample. Young modulus = Pa [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Using data from the question, calculate the number of atoms in one plane of area 5.90 × 10–8 m2 and use this value to calculate the tension force between pairs
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Using data from the question, calculate the increase in distance of separation Δr of the planes of copper atoms when the wire experiences a tension force of 3.4
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Use your answers to (b)(i) and (b)(ii) to calculate the force constant k between a pair of copper atoms. force constant = N m–1 [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q34(a) (2 marks): Calculate the Young modulus for the elastic region of this spider silk. Young modulus = Pa [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q34(b) (2 marks): This table compares some mechanical properties of spider silk and high tensile steel. Density ρ / kg m−3 Breaking stress σB / GPa 1.2 × 103 Spider silk 1.4 High
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): The original length of the rubber band is 10 cm. Calculate the strain in the rubber band when 4 N is applied. A 0.4 B 0.5 C 4 D 5 Your answer [1]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(i) (1 mark): has the greatest stiffness? [1]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q8(b) (6 marks): Sam is attempting to find the Young modulus of copper. She uses a very long piece of wire cut from a new roll, so that the metal has not been twisted or bent be
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q8(c)(i) (2 marks): Show that the Young modulus of the metal, E is given by gL m ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ E = ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ A x where A is the cross-sectional area of the wire, L its length and x the ext
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q8(c)(iii) (3 marks): Data books state that the Young modulus of copper is 120 GPa. Use this value, together with data from earlier in this question and the equation gL m ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ E =
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): A wire of length 2.1 m is stretched using the apparatus shown. ruler marker 4.5 kg mass A mass of 4.5 kg is attached to the end of the wire. The wire extends by
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Calculate the length of the rod just before fracture. Express your answer to 3 significant figures. length = cm [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): Calculate the force F that was required to produce a strain of 0.1%. F = N [3]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(c) (3 marks): Calculate the Young modulus E for small strains. E = Pa [3]
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): A weight of 20 N is suspended from a steel wire. What is the extension of the wire? Data: original length of wire = 2.5 m cross-sectional area of wire = 7.0 # 1
- June 2018, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (5 marks): Use the graph and the data given to calculate the value of the Young Modulus E. Include the appropriate unit. E = ………………………… unit [5]
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q28(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use algebraic reasoning to show that the force constant k is related to the Young modulus E of the steel by the equation: E A k = L where A is the cross-section
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q28(a)(iii) (2 marks): For the cable in the graph, E = 2.1 × 1011 Pa and A = 1.0 × 10−3 m2. Calculate the length L of the cable used. L = m [2]
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (3 marks): The lift cable is 420 m long when completely unwound. Calculate the tensile stress at the top of the cable, when it is completely unwound and supporting a fully
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Explain why it is incorrect to use the value of the stress calculated in (a) and the equation E = stress strain to calculate the extension of the cable. [2]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q40(a) (1 mark): Calculate the Young modulus for the metals using data from Fig. 40.2. Young modulus = Pa [1]
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Two wires of the same material are of equal unstretched length. One of the wires has double the diameter of the other wire. Equal weights are suspended from bot
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q23(a) (2 marks): Describe what the graph shows in terms of the stiffness of this polymer at different strains. �����������������������������������������������������������������
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q23(b) (2 marks): Estimate the gradient of the graph just before fracture. Make your method clear. gradient = MPa [2]
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q26(c)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the operating stress in the cable during towing. stress = Pa [3]
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q26(c)(ii) (1 mark): The breaking stress of the metal is 460 MPa. Comment on the safety of the procedure. ��������������������������������������������������������������������������
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q26(c)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the strain in the cable. strain = [2]
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The graph shows the variation in stress with strain for a sample of a material. stress 0 0 strain Which of the following statements is not correct? A The materi
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The graphs below show the stress against strain relationships for four different materials, A, B, C and D. Each graph has the same scales. Which of the graphs s
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