Elastic deformation
1.5.3What the syllabus asks of you
- Know that forces may produce a change in size and shape of an object
- Define the spring constant as force per unit extension; recall and use the equation spring constant = force / extension k = F / x
- Sketch, plot and interpret load–extension graphs for an elastic solid and describe the associated experimental procedures
- Define and use the term ‘limit of proportionality’ for a load–extension graph and identify this point on the graph (an understanding of the elastic limit is not required)
Read the notes first
Chapter 1: Elastic deformation
Drill this topic
Every question on Elastic deformation, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
26 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
A0 N and 2 N
B8 N and 10 N
C10 N and 12 N
D14 N and 16 N
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3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Athe elastic deformation
Bthe limit of proportionality
Cthe maximum extension
Dthe spring constant
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4May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q4Show mark scheme →
Alimit of force
Blimit of proportionality
Climit of the extension
Dlimit of the spring
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5May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q5Also set in May / June 2019 Paper 12Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
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6Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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7May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
A2.0 cm
B7.5 cm
C9.5 cm
D17.0 cm
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8May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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9Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q5Show mark scheme →
A6.0 cm
B11 cm
C14 cm
D16 cm
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10Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
A7.0 cm
B8.0 cm
C9.0 cm
D10 cm
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11May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
A0.27 N / cm
B0.40 N / cm
C2.5 N / cm
D3.8 N / cm
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12May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Alimit of proportionality: Q; spring constant is equal to: the gradient of PQ
Blimit of proportionality: Q; spring constant is equal to: the gradient of QR
Climit of proportionality: R; spring constant is equal to: the gradient of PQ
Dlimit of proportionality: R; spring constant is equal to: the gradient of QR
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13May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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14May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A22 cm
B40 cm
C42 cm
D52 cm
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15Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Aextension–load graph: straight line from positive extension intercept at zero load, decreasing to zero extension at positive load
Bextension–load graph: straight line from origin with positive gradient
Cextension–load graph: curve from origin with decreasing positive gradient
Dextension–load graph: curve from origin with increasing positive gradient
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16Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe wire breaks.
BThe wire continues to extend but not in direct proportion to F.
CThe wire continues to extend in direct proportion to F.
DThe wire does not extend any further.
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17May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q10Also set in May / June 2021 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Abetween O and P
Bat P
Cbetween P and Q
Dat Q
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18May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A6.0 cm
B24 cm
C36 cm
D48 cm
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19Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q11Also set in Oct / Nov 2020 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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20May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
A2.0 cm
B7.5 cm
C9.5 cm
D17.0 cm
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21Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q11Also set in Oct / Nov 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A\frac{1}{2}x
Bx
C2x
D4x
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22May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Ahalf-life of the isotope
Blength of the wire
Cmass of the wire
Dmelting point of the metal
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23May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q12Also set in May / June 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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24Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q7Show mark scheme →
A0 and 2.0 kg
B4.0 kg and 6.0 kg
C6.0 kg and 8.0 kg
D8.0 kg and 10.0 kg
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25May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q12Also set in May / June 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AAt a certain load, the wire becomes easier to extend.
BAt a certain load, the wire becomes harder to extend.
CThe load and the extension are directly proportional for all loads.
DThe load and the extension are inversely proportional for all loads.
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26May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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