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ENGAA 2020 D564/32

20 questions20 marks60Updated August 2025

The ENGAA 2020 D564/32 paper in full: all 20 questions, each with its answer. ENGAA is the Engineering Admissions Assessment. Sit it cold under exam timing, mark it, then work back through anything you missed using the solutions below.

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Question 1

1 mark
Spring P has spring constant 1.0Ncm11.0\,\text{Ncm}^{-1} and spring Q has spring constant 3.0Ncm13.0\,\text{Ncm}^{-1}.

The two springs are connected in series.

The springs are stretched by
6.0cm6.0\,\text{cm} in total.

What is the extension of spring P?

(The springs have negligible mass and obey Hooke's law.)
  • A.1.5 cm
  • B.2.0 cm
  • C.3.0 cm
  • D.4.0 cm
  • E.4.5 cm

Answer: E

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Question 2

1 mark
A single strand of wire has a radius of 2.0×104m2.0 \times 10^{-4}\,\text{m} and length 15m15\,\text{m}. The resistivity of the material from which the wire is made is 4.8×107Ωm4.8 \times 10^{-7}\,\Omega\text{m}.

Twelve strands of this wire are connected in parallel to make a cable.

What is the resistance of the cable?
  • A.π2160Ω\frac{\pi}{2160}\,\Omega
  • B.π180Ω\frac{\pi}{180}\,\Omega
  • C.π15Ω\frac{\pi}{15}\,\Omega
  • D.15πΩ\frac{15}{\pi}\,\Omega
  • E.180πΩ\frac{180}{\pi}\,\Omega
  • F.2160πΩ\frac{2160}{\pi}\,\Omega

Answer: D

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Question 3

1 mark
A ray of light is directed into a semicircular transparent block, entering at P. The direction of the ray is adjusted until it strikes the centre of the flat face XY of the block at the critical angle and reflects to Q as shown.

Exam diagram


The length of XY is
LL.

The speed of light in air is
cc.

What is the time taken by the light to travel from P to Q in the block?
  • A.L32c\frac{L\sqrt{3}}{2c}
  • B.Lc\frac{L}{c}
  • C.2Lc3\frac{2L}{c\sqrt{3}}
  • D.L3c\frac{L\sqrt{3}}{c}
  • E.2Lc\frac{2L}{c}
  • F.4Lc3\frac{4L}{c\sqrt{3}}

Answer: C

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Question 4

1 mark
A solid cube with sides of length 20 cm is made from material with density 2000kgm32000\,\text{kg}\,\text{m}^{-3}. The cube is suspended, in equilibrium, from an initially unstretched spring, and this results in the spring gaining strain energy of 3.2J3.2\,\text{J}.

What is the spring constant of the spring?

(gravitational field strength =
10Nkg110\,\text{Nkg}^{-1}; the spring obeys Hooke's law)
  • A.40Nm140\,\text{Nm}^{-1}
  • B.80Nm180\,\text{Nm}^{-1}
  • C.400Nm1400\,\text{Nm}^{-1}
  • D.800Nm1800\,\text{Nm}^{-1}
  • E.4000Nm14000\,\text{Nm}^{-1}
  • F.8000Nm18000\,\text{Nm}^{-1}

Answer: E

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Question 5

1 mark
A projectile is fired upwards from the ground at an angle of 6060^\circ to the vertical at a speed of 20ms120\,\text{ms}^{-1}.

It travels a horizontal distance
dd and lands with a downwards vertical component of velocity of 4.0ms14.0\,\text{ms}^{-1} on ground that is height hh above the starting point of the projectile.

What are
dd and hh?

(gravitational field strength =
10Nkg110\,\text{Nkg}^{-1}; assume that air resistance is negligible)
Exam diagram
  • A.d/m=6.03d/\text{m} = 6.0\sqrt{3}, h/m=4.2h/\text{m} = 4.2
  • B.d/m=6.03d/\text{m} = 6.0\sqrt{3}, h/m=5.8h/\text{m} = 5.8
  • C.d/m=1034.0d/\text{m} = 10\sqrt{3} - 4.0, h/m=4.2h/\text{m} = 4.2
  • D.d/m=1034.0d/\text{m} = 10\sqrt{3} - 4.0, h/m=14.2h/\text{m} = 14.2
  • E.d/m=103+4.0d/\text{m} = 10\sqrt{3} + 4.0, h/m=5.8h/\text{m} = 5.8
  • F.d/m=103+4.0d/\text{m} = 10\sqrt{3} + 4.0, h/m=14.2h/\text{m} = 14.2
  • G.d/m=143d/\text{m} = 14\sqrt{3}, h/m=4.2h/\text{m} = 4.2
  • H.d/m=143d/\text{m} = 14\sqrt{3}, h/m=5.8h/\text{m} = 5.8

Answer: G

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Question 6

1 mark
Diagram 1 shows the positions of nine equally spaced particles in a medium.

Exam diagram


Diagram 2 shows the positions of the same nine particles, at a particular time, while a longitudinal wave is travelling through the medium.

Exam diagram


What is the amplitude of the wave?
  • A.0.4 m
  • B.0.5 m
  • C.0.6 m
  • D.0.7 m
  • E.2.0 m
  • F.4.0 m
  • G.6.0 m
  • H.8.0 m

Answer: D

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Question 7

1 mark
A spaceship with mass 8.0×104kg8.0 \times 10^4\,\text{kg} travels at constant velocity and has 1.0×1012J1.0 \times 10^{12}\,\text{J} of kinetic energy.

An external impulse of
8.0×107kgms18.0 \times 10^7\,\text{kgms}^{-1}, lasting for 2.0s2.0\,\text{s}, is applied to the spaceship acting in the opposite direction to the motion of the spaceship.

What is the average rate of loss of kinetic energy of the spaceship during the application of the impulse?
  • A.9.5×1010W9.5 \times 10^{10}\,\text{W}
  • B.1.8×1011W1.8 \times 10^{11}\,\text{W}
  • C.2.2×1011W2.2 \times 10^{11}\,\text{W}
  • D.3.2×1011W3.2 \times 10^{11}\,\text{W}
  • E.3.6×1011W3.6 \times 10^{11}\,\text{W}
  • F.7.2×1011W7.2 \times 10^{11}\,\text{W}

Answer: B

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Question 8

1 mark
The diagram shows a solid triangular prism.

Exam diagram


The sides of the triangular cross section of the prism are of length
xx.

The height of the prism is
3x3x.

The uniform density of the prism is
ρ\rho.

The gravitational field strength is
gg.

What is the minimum pressure the prism can exert when it rests on level ground?
  • A.3ρg3\rho g
  • B.3ρgx3\rho gx
  • C.ρg4\frac{\rho g}{4}
  • D.ρgx4\frac{\rho gx}{4}
  • E.3ρg4\frac{\sqrt{3}\rho g}{4}
  • F.3ρgx4\frac{\sqrt{3}\rho gx}{4}

Answer: F

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Question 9

1 mark
An apple of mass mam_a is placed on a uniform metre rule with the centre of gravity of the apple at the 10cm10\,\text{cm} mark. The rule is balanced on a pivot placed at the 35cm35\,\text{cm} mark.

The apple is replaced with an orange of mass
mom_o. The rule now balances with the pivot at the 40cm40\,\text{cm} mark.

What is the ratio
mamo\frac{m_a}{m_o}?
  • A.59\frac{5}{9}
  • B.45\frac{4}{5}
  • C.56\frac{5}{6}
  • D.65\frac{6}{5}
  • E.54\frac{5}{4}
  • F.95\frac{9}{5}

Answer: F

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Question 10

1 mark
A cyclist travels at a constant speed of 12ms112\,\text{ms}^{-1} on level ground. During this time the power needed to maintain a constant speed is 900W900\,\text{W}. The total weight of the cyclist and bicycle is 850N850\,\text{N}.

The cyclist now cycles up a slope at the same constant speed. The slope is at an angle of
3030^\circ to the horizontal.

What is the driving force on the bicycle as it travels up the slope?

(Assume that the magnitude of the resistive forces is constant.)
  • A.75 N
  • B.350 N
  • C.500 N
  • D.(425375)N(425\sqrt{3} - 75)\,\text{N}
  • E.775 N
  • F.(4253+75)N(425\sqrt{3} + 75)\,\text{N}
  • G.925 N

Answer: C

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Question 11

1 mark
Three identical resistors can be combined in four different arrangements.

One of the arrangements has a resistance of
18Ω18\,\Omega.

A different arrangement has a resistance of
8.0Ω8.0\,\Omega.

What are the resistances of the other two arrangements?

(All three resistors contribute to the total resistance in all arrangements.)
  • A.2.0Ω2.0\,\Omega and 4.0Ω4.0\,\Omega
  • B.2.0Ω2.0\,\Omega and 9.0Ω9.0\,\Omega
  • C.4.0Ω4.0\,\Omega and 12Ω12\,\Omega
  • D.4.0Ω4.0\,\Omega and 36Ω36\,\Omega
  • E.36Ω36\,\Omega and 162Ω162\,\Omega
  • F.81Ω81\,\Omega and 162Ω162\,\Omega

Answer: D

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Question 12

1 mark
A 4.0kΩ4.0\,\text{k}\Omega fixed resistor is connected in series with a light dependent resistor (LDR) across a 100V100\,\text{V} dc power supply.

The current in the LDR is
5.0mA5.0\,\text{mA}.

The intensity of light falling on the LDR now decreases and the voltage across the fixed resistor changes by 50%.

What is the change in the resistance of the LDR as a result of the change in intensity?
  • A.8.0kΩ8.0\,\text{k}\Omega
  • B.12kΩ12\,\text{k}\Omega
  • C.16kΩ16\,\text{k}\Omega
  • D.20kΩ20\,\text{k}\Omega
  • E.32kΩ32\,\text{k}\Omega
  • F.36kΩ36\,\text{k}\Omega

Answer: D

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Question 13

1 mark
An elastic cord with spring constant kk is fixed to two points P and Q on the diameter of a ring so that the cord is taut but unstretched. The radius of the ring is rr.

Exam diagram


The midpoint of the cord is then pulled and fixed to a point on the ring halfway between P and Q.

What is the energy stored in the elastic cord?
  • A.12kr2\frac{1}{2}kr^2
  • B.2kr22kr^2
  • C.12(21)kr2\frac{1}{2}(\sqrt{2}-1)kr^2
  • D.2(21)kr22(\sqrt{2}-1)kr^2
  • E.12(322)kr2\frac{1}{2}(3-2\sqrt{2})kr^2
  • F.2(322)kr22(3-2\sqrt{2})kr^2

Answer: F

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Question 14

1 mark
An object of mass MM experiences a resultant force of magnitude FF. The force acts in a single horizontal direction with a magnitude that varies with time tt according to

F=X+YtF = X + Y\sqrt{t}

where
XX and YY are constants.

The object is at rest at
t=0t = 0.

What is the magnitude of the momentum of the object at time
t=Tt = T?
  • A.T(X+23YT)T(X + \frac{2}{3}Y\sqrt{T})
  • B.T(X+YT)T(X + Y\sqrt{T})
  • C.TM(X+23YT)\frac{T}{M}(X + \frac{2}{3}Y\sqrt{T})
  • D.TM(X+YT)\frac{T}{M}(X + Y\sqrt{T})
  • E.Y2T\frac{Y}{2\sqrt{T}}
  • F.Y2MT\frac{Y}{2M\sqrt{T}}

Answer: A

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Question 15

1 mark
A trolley of mass 3.0kg3.0\,\text{kg} is moving horizontally along a smooth track. Its displacement xx from a point at time tt is given by the equation:

x=8+4t+2t2x = 8 + 4t + 2t^2

where
xx is in metres and tt is in seconds.

How much work is done on the trolley between times
t=0t = 0 and t=5.0st = 5.0\,\text{s}?
  • A.12 J
  • B.24 J
  • C.78 J
  • D.270 J
  • E.840 J
  • F.864 J
  • G.936 J

Answer: E

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Question 16

1 mark
The diagram shows a ray of light passing through three mediums, P, Q and R. The boundaries between the three mediums are parallel.

Exam diagram

[diagram not to scale]

The ratio of the speed of light in medium P to the speed of light in medium Q is
2:52 : \sqrt{5}

The ratio of the speed of light in medium Q to the speed of light in medium R is
3:63 : \sqrt{6}

What is the value of
sinθ\sin\theta?
  • A.22\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}
  • B.32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
  • C.36\frac{\sqrt{3}}{6}
  • D.55\frac{\sqrt{5}}{5}
  • E.155\frac{\sqrt{15}}{5}
  • F.156\frac{\sqrt{15}}{6}

Answer: E

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Question 17

1 mark
Water in a wide river flows at a constant speed of 0.50ms10.50\,\text{ms}^{-1}. A swimmer swims around a square path of side 30m30\,\text{m} marked out by 4 posts R, S, T and U which are fixed to the river bed, as shown.

The swimmer has a constant speed of
1.0ms11.0\,\text{ms}^{-1} relative to the water.

Exam diagram


How long does it take for the swimmer to swim around the square path once?
  • A.(60+245)s(60 + 24\sqrt{5})\,\text{s}
  • B.(60+403)s(60 + 40\sqrt{3})\,\text{s}
  • C.(80+245)s(80 + 24\sqrt{5})\,\text{s}
  • D.(80+403)s(80 + 40\sqrt{3})\,\text{s}
  • E.120 s
  • F.140 s

Answer: D

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Question 18

1 mark
The stress in a steel cable increases with time and is then maintained at a constant value, as shown. The wire does not reach its limit of proportionality.

Exam diagram


The table shows properties of the steel used in the cable and the dimensions of the cable.

Exam diagram


How much work was done to stretch the cable?
  • A.320 J
  • B.1.28 kJ
  • C.2.56 kJ
  • D.320 kJ
  • E.640 kJ
  • F.1.60 MJ
  • G.6.40 MJ

Answer: B

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Question 19

1 mark
The following graph shows how the displacement of an object travelling along a straight, horizontal track varies with time.

Exam diagram


Which graph shows the velocity of this object against displacement?

Exam diagram
  • A.Graph A
  • B.Graph B
  • C.Graph C
  • D.Graph D
  • E.Graph E
  • F.Graph F
  • G.Graph G
  • H.Graph H

Answer: C

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Question 20

1 mark
A cell has emf EE and internal resistance rr that varies with current II according to:

r=kI2r = kI^2

where
kk is a constant.

A variable resistor is connected to the terminals of the cell. The resistance of the variable resistor is adjusted.

Which expression gives the resistance of the variable resistor, in terms of
kk and EE, that causes maximum power dissipation in it?
  • A.3(kE22)133\left(\frac{kE^2}{2}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • B.3(kE24)133\left(\frac{kE^2}{4}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • C.3(kE29)133\left(\frac{kE^2}{9}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • D.3(kE216)133\left(\frac{kE^2}{16}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • E.(2kE2)13(2kE^2)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • F.(4kE2)13(4kE^2)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • G.(9kE2)13(9kE^2)^{\frac{1}{3}}
  • H.(16kE2)13(16kE^2)^{\frac{1}{3}}

Answer: D

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ENGAA 2020 D564/32: Questions & Worked Solutions | esat.fyi