This sample paper aims to illustrate the revised rubrics, instructions and paper layout, effective from the

2024 examination. The questions are adapted from past papers as follows:

Sample Paper
HKDSE
(Paper 1 Section B)
Topics
Question Marks Question
Year
Number (Total: 84) Number
1 4 2021 1 Heat & Gases
2 7 2020 5 Force & Motion
3 6 2022 4 Force & Motion
4 6 2022 6 Wave Motion
5 5 2020 7 Wave Motion
6 5 2020 3 Electricity and Magnetism
7 6 2019 7 Electricity and Magnetism
8 5 2019 9 Electricity and Magnetism
9 6 2021 9 Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy
Short Questions subtotal: 50
10 8 2022 2 Heat & Gases
11 9 2020 4 Force & Motion
12 8 2022 5 Wave Motion
13 9 2021 8 Electricity and Magnetism
Long Questions subtotal: 34
20XX-DSE
PHY
B Please stick the barcode label here.

PAPER 1B

HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY

HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION 20XX
Candidate Number

PHYSICS PAPER 1
SECTION B : Question-Answer Book B Short Questions
Question No.
Marks

Sample Paper (2024 onwards) 1 4

This paper must be answered in English 2 7

3 6
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION B
4 6
(1) After the announcement of the start of the
examination, you should first write your Candidate 5 5
Number in the space provided on Page 1 and stick
barcode labels in the spaces provided on Pages 1, 3, 6 5
5, 7 and 9.
7 6
(2) Refer to the general instructions on the cover of the
8 5
Question Paper for Section A.
9 6
(3) Answer ALL questions.

(4) Write your answers in the spaces provided in this Long Questions
Question No.
Marks
Question-Answer Book. Do not write in the margins.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.
10 8
(5) Graph paper and supplementary answer sheets will
be provided on request. Write your Candidate 11 9
Number, mark the question number box and stick a
barcode label on each sheet, and fasten them with 12 8
string INSIDE this Question-Answer Book.
13 9
(6) No extra time will be given to candidates for sticking
on the barcode labels or filling in the question number
boxes after the ‘Time is up’ announcement.

 香 港考 試 及評 核 局 保留版權
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
All Rights Reserved 2024

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–1 1

 Section B: Answer ALL questions. Parts marked with * involve knowledge of the extension component.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.

1. A 150 W immersion heater is used to keep the water in a large beaker boiling under standard atmospheric
pressure. In 5 minutes, 0.016 kg of water boils away. Neglect any heat loss to surroundings.

(a) Find the specific latent heat of vaporization of water, l. (2 marks)

A student puts a small metal sphere in the boiling water. After a few minutes, the sphere is quickly transferred
to a polystyrene cup containing 100 g of water at a temperature of 20 C. The cup of water is stirred gently and
its highest temperature attained is 22 C.
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Given: specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg–1 C–1

(b) Estimate the heat capacity C of the metal sphere. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–2 2

 Please stick the barcode label here.

2.
P
F
Figure 2.1

30

(a) A block P of mass 10 kg is kept stationary on a smooth incline by a horizontal force F as shown in Figure 2.1.
The incline makes an angle of 30 with the horizontal. (g = 9.81 m s−2)

(i) On Figure 2.1, indicate and label all other forces acting on P. (2 marks)

(ii) Find the magnitudes of the force F and the force exerted by the block on the incline respectively.
(3 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) Now F is removed and neglect air resistance.

(i) What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the block ? (1 mark)

(ii) State whether the force exerted by the block on the incline would increase, decrease or remain
unchanged when compared with that in (a)(ii). (1 mark)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–3 3 Go on to the next page

 3.
trampoline
gymnast

Figure 3.1
1.5 m trampoline

Figure 3.1 shows a trampoline gymnast of mass 50 kg performing a straight jump. Her feet are 1.5 m above the
trampoline at the maximum height. Neglect air resistance and assume that the gymnast maintains this posture
throughout the jump. (g = 9.81 m s−2)

(a) Find the kinetic energy of the gymnast just as her feet touch the trampoline on the way down from her
jump. (2 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) After touching the trampoline, the gymnast keeps on moving downward for 0.40 m further before she stops.

(i) Describe the energy transfer to the trampoline by the gymnast after touching the trampoline.
(2 marks)

(ii) Estimate the average force exerted by the gymnast on the trampoline. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–4 4

 Please stick the barcode label here.

4.
Y

×R
×Q
CRO
Figure 4.1 A M
×P
To a signal
generator X O

In Figure 4.1, two small identical loudspeakers A and B produce coherent sound waves. X is the mid-point
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

of AB. A microphone M connected to a CRO is moved along OY to detect the loudness of the sound, with CRO
trace of a larger amplitude representing a greater loudness. Figure 4.2 shows the result.

amplitude of
the CRO trace

Figure 4.2

position of
O P Q R microphone

(a) Explain what is meant by coherent sound waves. (1 mark)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–5 5 Go on to the next page

 (b) (i) Explain why sound of alternate maximum and minimum loudness is detected along OY. (2 marks)

(ii) The amplitude of the CRO trace at P is not zero. Suggest a possible reason. (1 mark)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(c) Given: AQ = 2.17 m, BQ = 2.58 m
Find the speed of sound in air if the frequency of the signal generator is 1200 Hz. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–6 6

 Please stick the barcode label here.

5. Figure 5.1 shows an optical fibre which consists of a cylindrical glass core of refractive index n g enclosed by a
transparent cladding of refractive index n c .

cladding (refractive index n c )

A glass core (refractive index n g ) C
30o
θ
O D

Figure 5.1
As shown in Figure 5.1, a point light source at O emits monochromatic light in all directions. Light ray OA
makes an angle of 30o with the axis OD and is incident at the core-cladding boundary at A with an angle of
incidence iA.
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) Find iA. (1 mark)

ng
(b) If iA is just greater than the critical angle of that boundary, estimate . (2 marks)
nc

Inside the fibre, light can reach the right end of the fibre through many different paths making angles θ with the
axis OD. Two of these paths, OD and OABC, have been drawn for reference.

(c) What phenomenon occurs at point A ? State the condition needs to be satisfied by θ such that this
phenomenon fails to occur. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–7 7 Go on to the next page

 6. Read the following passage about a magnetically levitated (maglev) train and answer the questions that follow.

‘A maglev train car is just a box with magnets on the four corners,’ says Jesse Powell, the son of the maglev
train inventor. The electromagnets employed have superconducting coils (i.e. coils with extremely low
resistance). They therefore can generate magnetic fields 10 times stronger than ordinary electromagnets,
enough to levitate and propel a train.

train floats above

magnetic poles P and Q
guideway

N N
magnetic magnetic
pole P pole Q
LEVITATION
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Two sets of magnetic fields are set up for different functions. One is to make the train float a few centimetres
above magnetic poles P and Q as shown while the other is a propulsion system run by an alternating current
for moving the train car along the guideway by magnetic attraction and repulsion. This floating design
enables a smooth movement of the train. Even when the train travels up to 600 km per hour, passengers
inside experience less vibration than travelling on traditional trains.

(a) Explain why electromagnets employing superconducting coils can produce much stronger magnetic fields.
(2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–8 8

 Please stick the barcode label here.

(b) State the polarities of the magnetic poles P and Q and explain how this arrangement enables the train to
float. (2 marks)

(c) Referring to the resistive forces experienced by the train, explain why a maglev train ride is faster.
(1 mark)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–9 9 Go on to the next page

 7. You are provided with a battery (of fixed e.m.f.  and internal resistance r), a variable resistor (with several
known resistance values R to be selected), a switch, a voltmeter (assumed ideal) and a few connecting wires.

+ V −

(a) With the aid of a circuit diagram, describe the procedure of an experiment to study how the terminal
voltage V delivered by the battery depends on the resistance R connected to it. State ONE precaution of
the experiment. (5 marks)

(b) Express V in terms of , r and R. (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–10 10

 8. A rectangular coil PQRS of 20 turns, each having an area of 0.005 m2, is placed in a uniform magnetic field B
of strength 0.3 T pointing into the paper as shown in Figure 8.1.

× × × × × × ×
uniform magnetic field B
× × × × × × ×
P Q
× × × × × × ×
Figure 8.1 × × × × × × ×
× × × × × × ×
S R
× × × × × × ×
× × × × × × ×

The strength of the magnetic field decreases uniformly to zero within 0.5 s.

(a) Explain why a current would be induced in the coil. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

*(b) Calculate the change in total magnetic flux linkage through the coil (unit: Wb) and the value of the induced
e.m.f.  in the coil. (3 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–11 11 Go on to the next page

 9. Potassium-40 ( 40
19K) is a natural radioisotope of potassium.

40 40
(a) (i) What kind of decay does 19K undergo if it decays to 20Ca ? (1 mark)

(ii) As banana is rich in potassium, a student claims that the radiation emitted by 40
19K after eating a few
bananas can be detected outside the human body. Explain whether this claim is justified. (1 mark)

40 39
*(b) A banana typically contains 0.45 g potassium in which 0.012% by mass is 19K while the rest is 19K.
Given: half-life of 40
19K = 1.25 × 10 years
9

1 year = 3.16 × 107 seconds

mass of one mole of 4019K = 40.0 g
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(i) Estimate the number of moles of 40
19K in a banana. (1 mark)

(ii) Deduce the activity, in Bq, of a banana. (3 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–12 12

 *10. Figure 10.1 shows a sealed tank of volume 6.0  10− 4 m3 containing a monatomic gas A at a pressure of
1.0  105 Pa and at a temperature of 300 K.

(1.0 × 105 Pa, 300 K)

Figure 10.1 sealed tank gas A

(volume 6.0  10− 4 m3)

(a) (i) Estimate the number of gas molecules in the tank, N. (2 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) Estimate the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules, EK. (2 marks)

(b) Figure 10.2 shows another identical tank containing monatomic gas B under the same pressure and
1
temperature. A molecule of gas B has the mass of a molecule of gas A.
5

(1.0 × 105 Pa, 300 K)

sealed tank gas B

Figure 10.2 (volume 6.0  10− 4 m3)

(i) State whether N and EK of gas B are larger than, smaller than or the same as the corresponding values of
those of gas A found in (a). (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–13 13 Go on to the next page

 (ii) Given that the root-mean-square speed (cr.m.s.) of the molecules of gas A is 600 m s−1, estimate cr.m.s. of
the molecules of gas B. (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–14 14

 11. A small sphere is released from rest at point A and runs along a smooth track ABC as shown in Figure 11.1. The
track around the lowest point B is approximately circular in shape.

Figure 11.1
C 60
2.2 m

1.0 m
B E ground

The sphere leaves the track at point C where the track makes an angle of 60 with the horizontal. It finally
reaches point E on the ground. Neglect air resistance. (g = 9.81 m s−2)

(a) Arrange the speeds of the sphere at points A, B, C and D respectively in descending order. (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) On Figure 11.1, use an arrow to indicate the acceleration of the sphere, if any, at point D. (1 mark)

(c) (i) Describe the energy conversion of the sphere when it goes along the track ABC. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 (ii) Hence find the speed of the sphere at point C. (2 marks)

*(iii) If the horizontal distance between points C and E is 2.55 m, calculate the time of flight of the sphere
before reaching point E. (3 marks)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–16 16

 12. In the figure below, XY is the horizontal principal axis of a convex lens L with principal foci F and F . p, q are
parallel rays coming from point A of a distant object AB. (The object can be represented by a vertical
A
arrow but it is not shown on the figure and its end B is on the principal axis).
B

L 1 cm representing 20 cm

parallel rays q
from A

p
1 cm

X F F Y
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) (i) Draw the refracted rays of p and q so as to locate the image of A (denoted as A ). Hence mark the
image A B of object AB. (3 marks)

(ii) Suggest an experiment to verify whether a real image is formed in the above situation. (2 marks)

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Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–17 17 Go on to the next page

 height of object AB
(b) (i) Use the ray diagram drawn to estimate the ratio . The horizontal and vertical scales
distance of AB from L
are 1:20 and 1:1 respectively. (2 marks)

(ii) Hence, estimate the height of object AB which is a lamp post at a distance of 200 m from lens L.
(1 mark)
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–18 18

 13. 0 – 10 mA
R (1 kΩ)
A A B

S (10 kΩ)
Figure 13.1 D C

9V
P X
Q

Figure 13.1 shows a circuit for measuring the resistance of resistor X connected across P and Q. The resistance
of resistor S is 10 kΩ. The internal resistance of the 9 V cell and that of the ammeter are negligible.

When the switch is closed, the ammeter reads 8.5 mA.

(a) What is the potential difference (p.d.) between A and B ? (2 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) Find the current passing through resistor S. (2 marks)

(c) Indicate on Figure 13.1 the direction of current in each of the three branches via C. (2 marks)

(d) Deduce the p.d. across resistor X. Hence, find the resistance of X. (3 marks)

END OF PAPER

Sources of materials used in this paper will be acknowledged in the HKDSE Question Papers booklet published by the
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority at a later stage.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Sample Paper (2024 onwards)-DSE-PHY 1B–19 19