Physics 9702/21 May/June 2024: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Physics (9702), Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions, May/June 2024. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
The drag force FD acting on an object falling through air is given by
1
FD = CρAv 2
2 where A is the cross-sectional area of the object, v is the velocity of the object in the air, ρ is the density of the air and
C is a constant called the drag coefficient.
(a) Use SI base units to show that the drag coefficient has no units.
[3]
(b) Fig. 1.1 shows a sphere falling at terminal velocity in air.
sphere terminal velocity
Fig. 1.1
Assume that the upthrust on the sphere is negligible.
On Fig. 1.1, draw and label arrows to show the directions of the two forces acting on the sphere. [2]
(c) The mass of the sphere is 49 g.
Calculate the drag force FD acting on the sphere.
FD = …… N [2]
(d) The sphere is falling in air at a terminal velocity of 25 in SI base units.
The density of the air is 1.2 in SI base units.
The diameter of the sphere is 0.060 in SI base units.
Use your answer in (c) to calculate the drag coefficient C for the sphere.
C = …… [3]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
1(a) units of FD: kg m s–2 M1
units of ρ kg m–3 M1
and
units of A: m2
and
units of v: m s−1 or units of v2: m2 s–2
kg m s–2 = C kg m s–2 and comment ‘(so) C has no units’ / unit terms cancelled A1
or
C = kg m s−2 / (kg m–3 m2 m2 s–2) and comment ‘(so) C has no units’ / unit terms cancelled
1(b) one arrow vertically downward labelled weight to within 10° of the vertical B1
one arrow vertically upwards labelled drag / drag force / FD / air resistance / viscous force to within 10° of the vertical B1
1(c) (at terminal velocity) FD = mg C1
FD = 0.049 × 9.81 A1
= 0.48 N
1(d) area = π × (0.060 / 2)2 C1
0.48 = ½ × C × 1.2 × π × (0.060 / 2)2 × 252 C1
C = 0.45 A1
(a) Define velocity.
…… [1]
(b) A student throws a ball over a vertical wall of height h, as shown in Fig. 2.1.
path of ball wall
22 m s–1 ball
40° horizontal h ground
1.2 m
36 m
Fig. 2.1 (not to scale)
The ball leaves the hand of the student at a height of 1.2 m above the horizontal ground.
The ball has an initial velocity of 22 m s–1 at an angle of 40° to the horizontal.
The wall is a horizontal distance of 36 m from where the student releases the ball.
Air resistance is negligible.
(i) Determine the time taken for the ball to reach the wall.
time taken = …… s [2]
(ii) Calculate the vertical component u of the initial velocity of the ball.
u = ……m s–1 [1]
(iii) The ball just goes over the wall.
Calculate the height h of the wall.
h = …… m [3]
[Total: 7]
Mark scheme
2(a) change in displacement / time (taken) B1
2(b)(i) horizontal velocity = 22 × cos 40° C1
time taken = 36 / (22 × cos 40°) A1
= 2.1 s
2(b)(ii) u = 22 × sin 40° A1
= 14 m s−1
2(b)(iii) s = ut + ½ at2 C1
= (14 × 2.1) + (½ × −9.81 × 2.12)
= 7.8 (m) C1
(therefore) height of wall = 7.8 + 1.2 A1
= 9.0 m
2(b)(iii) or
other methods possible e.g. (C1)
time to maximum height = (0 – 14) / –9.81 (= 1.43 s)
time from maximum height to wall = 2.1 – 1.43 (= 0.67 s)
maximum height above release = (14 × 1.43) + (½ × −9.81 × 1.432)
= 9.99 (m)
height from maximum to wall = 0.5 × 9.81 × 0.672 (= 2.2 m) (C1)
height above release = 9.99 – 2.2
= 7.8 (m)
height of wall = 1.2 + 7.8 (A1)
= 9.0 m
(a) State the principle of conservation of momentum.
…… [2]
(b) An object of mass 2m is travelling at a speed of 5.0 m s–1 in a straight line. It collides with an object of mass 3m which is initially stationary, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
5.0 m s–1
object, mass 2m object, mass 3m
Fig. 3.1
After the collision, the object of mass 2m moves with velocity v at an angle of 30° to its original direction of motion.
The object of mass 3m moves with velocity w also at an angle of 30°, as shown in Fig. 3.2.
object, mass 2m v
original path 30°
30°
w
object, mass 3m
Fig. 3.2
By considering the conservation of momentum in two dimensions, calculate the magnitudes of v and w.
v = …… m s–1
w = …… m s–1
[4]
(c) An object of mass 4.2 kg is travelling in a straight line at a speed of 6.0 m s–1. The object is brought to rest in a distance of 0.050 m by a constant force.
Calculate the magnitude of this force.
force = …… N [3]
[Total: 9]
Mark scheme
3(a) sum / total momentum before (a collision) = sum / total momentum after (a collision) M1
or
sum / total momentum (of a system) is constant
if no (resultant) external force (acts) / for an isolated system A1
3(b) along direction of motion: C1
10m = 2mv cos 30° + 3mw cos 30°
perpendicular to direction of motion: C1
2mv cos 60° = 3mw cos 60°
(v = 3w / 2)
v = 2.9 m s–1 A1
w = 1.9 m s–1 A1
3(c) EK = ½ × m × v2 C1
( = ½ × 4.2 × 6.02)
( = 76 J)
force = work done / distance C1
force = 76 / 0.050 A1
= 1500 N
3(c) or
a = (–)u2 / 2s (C1)
= (–)6.02 / (2 × 0.050)
( = (–)360 m s–2)
F = ma (C1)
F = 4.2 × 360 (A1)
= 1500 N
or
a = (–)u2 / 2s (C1)
= (–)6.02 / (2 × 0.050)
( = (–)360 m s–2)
t = –u / a (C1)
= –6.0 / –360 (= 0.017 s)
F = Δp / t
F = (0 – 4.2 × 6) / 0.017 (A1)
= 1500 N
(a) Define strain.
…… [1]
(b) A copper wire of length 4.0 m has a uniform cross-sectional area of 4.5 × 10–7 m2.
A tensile force of 18 N is applied to the wire. This causes the wire to extend by 1.4 mm up to its limit of proportionality.
(i) Calculate the Young modulus of the wire.
Young modulus = ……Pa [3]
(ii) On Fig. 4.1, draw a line to show how the stress varies with the strain for the wire up to its limit of proportionality.
5
stress / 107 Pa 4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 strain / 10 – 4
Fig. 4.1
[2]
(c) A second copper wire has the same length as the wire in (b) but a larger diameter. Both wires are subjected to a tensile force of 18 N.
By placing a tick (3) in each row, complete Table 4.1 to compare the stress and strain of the two wires.
Table 4.1
greater in less in the same in second wire second wire both wires
stress
strain
[2]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
4(a) extension / original length B1
4(b)(i) Young modulus = stress / strain C1
= (18 / 4.5 × 10–7) / (1.4 × 10–3 / 4.0) C1
= (4.0 × 107) / (3.5 × 10–4) A1
= 1.1 × 1011 Pa
4(b)(ii) straight line through the origin B1
ending at the point (3.5, 4.0) B1
4(c) B2
greater in less in the same in
second wire second wire both wires
stress
strain
A stretched string PQ has length 1.2 m. One end of the string is attached to a vibration generator and the other end is attached to a wall, as shown in Fig. 5.1.
wall
1.2 m vibration generator P Q
string
Fig. 5.1
The vibration generator is switched on and a stationary wave is formed on the string. The string is shown at one instant of time in Fig. 5.2.
P Q
Fig. 5.2
(a) Explain how a stationary wave is formed between the vibration generator and the wall.
…… [2]
(b) Calculate the wavelength of the stationary wave shown in Fig. 5.2.
wavelength = …… m [1]
(c) Fig. 5.3 shows the stationary wave at time t = 0 when all points on the wave are at their maximum displacements.
P Q
Fig. 5.3
The period of the wave is 0.16 s.
On Fig. 5.3, sketch the shape of the stationary wave at time t = 0.24 s. [2]
(d) Points R and T on the string are a horizontal distance of 0.30 m apart and in the positions shown in Fig. 5.4.
0.30 m
R
T
Fig. 5.4
State the phase difference between the oscillations of points R and T.
phase difference = …… ° [1]
(e) Calculate the speed of the progressive waves on the stretched string.
speed = ……m s–1 [2]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
5(a) wave(s) (travel along string and) reflect at fixed point / wall / Q / end / vibration generator / P B1
incident and reflected waves superpose B1
5(b) 0.80 m A1
5(c) same wavelength as original throughout and passing through intersection of solid and dashed lines B1
reflected in dashed line and of same amplitude B1
5(d) 180° A1
5(e) v = fλand f =1 / T C1
or
v = λ/ T
v = 6.25 × 0.80 or 0.80 / 0.16 A1
= 5.0 m s–1
(a) State Kirchhoff’s first law.
…… [1]
(b) A cell with internal resistance r is connected to two resistors of resistances R1 and R2 as shown in Fig. 6.1.
r
I
R1 R2
Fig. 6.1
The potential differences (p.d.s) across R1 and R2 are V1 and V2 respectively.
The terminal p.d. across the cell is V.
The current in the circuit is I.
Use Kirchhoff’s laws to show that the total resistance RT of the external circuit is given by
RT = R1 + R2 .
[2]
(c) The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the cell in Fig. 6.1 is 1.50 V.
The values of R1 and R2 are 10 Ω and 15 Ω respectively. The terminal p.d. of the cell is 1.35 V.
Calculate the internal resistance r of the cell.
r = …… Ω [3]
(d) A resistor of resistance R3 is added to the circuit in Fig. 6.1, so that the circuit is as shown in
Fig. 6.2.
r
R1 R2
R3
Fig. 6.2
State and explain the effect, if any, of this change on:
(i) the current in the cell
…… [2]
(ii) the terminal p.d. of the cell.
…… [2]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
6(a) sum of current(s) entering a junction = sum of current(s) leaving (the same junction) B1
or
(algebraic) sum of current (s) at a junction is zero
6(b) (by Kirchhoff’s second law) V = V1 + V2 B1
so IRT = IR1 + IR2 (and cancelling I gives) RT = R1 + R2 B1
or
V / I = V1 / I + V2 / I (and substituting R gives) RT = R1 + R2
6(c) current in circuit = 1.35 / (10 + 15) (= 0.054 A) C1
r = (E – V) / I C1
= (1.5 – 1.35) / 0.054 A1
= 2.8 Ω
or
0.15 r (C2)
by potential divider principle =
1.35 25
r = 2.8 Ω (A1)
or
I = 1.35 / (10 + 15) (= 0.054 A) (C1)
total resistance = 1.50 / 0.054 (= 27.8 Ω) (C1)
r = 27.8 – 25
r = 2.8 Ω (A1)
6(d)(i) the (total) resistance (of the circuit) has decreased (and e.m.f. is unchanged) M1
(the current (in the cell) will) increase A1
6(d)(ii) (as the current is greater and so there is a) larger p.d. across the internal resistance M1
(terminal p.d. will) decrease A1
Nuclei of an isotope of copper (Cu) each have 29 protons and 37 neutrons. This isotope is a β– emitter.
A
(a) State the nuclide notation in the form Z X for this nucleus of copper.
[1]
(b) The energy spectrum of the β– radiation emitted by a sample of this isotope is shown in
Fig. 7.1.
number of β– particles
0
0 kinetic energy of β– particle
Fig. 7.1
(i) Use Fig. 7.1 to explain why other particles apart from the β– particles must be emitted during this decay.
…… [3]
(ii) State the name of the other particle emitted during the decay of this isotope.
…… [1]
(iii) The copper isotope decays to an isotope of zinc (Zn).
Give the radioactive decay equation for this decay. Include the nucleon and proton numbers of all the particles involved.
[3]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
7(a) 66
29 Cu
B1
7(b)(i) the energy of the decay is fixed / constant B1
the energies of the beta particles have a (continuous) range of values / varies / not constant B1
another particle / an (anti)neutrino must possess the extra / remaining energy (difference between energy of the decay and B1
the β kinetic energy)
7(b)(ii) (electron) antineutrino B1
7(b)(iii) 66 66 0 0 B1
29 Cu → 30 Zn + −1β + 0 e
values for Cu and Zn correct with no other extra particles on either side of the equation
second term correct ( −01β ) B1
0
third term correct ( 0 e ) B1
Checked your answers against these? Let AI mark the whole paper, on your own working.
Examiners follow the generic marking principles at the front of the scheme, then each question's points: method (M), accuracy (A) and independent (B) marks, error carried forward where the scheme allows it, and positive marking, so you're credited for what you got right.
Check your answers against it
Done this paper? Upload your script and CIE Buddy's AI marker marks it question by question against this exact scheme, puts the ticks on your own working and says what each lost mark needed.
Where can I find the 9702/21 May/June 2024 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Physics 9702/21, May/June 2024 (9702_s24_ms_21), and the question paper (9702_s24_qp_21), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9702/21 out of?+
Physics 9702/21 for May/June 2024 is out of 60 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it, across 7 questions.
Can I get my 9702/21 answers marked?+
Yes. Upload your answers to 9702/21/M/J/24 as a PDF or photos, and CIE Buddy marks every question against this paper's official mark scheme, using Cambridge's marking rules. You get your score, each lost mark explained on your own script, and the topics to revise. It's a guide, not an official Cambridge grade.