Physics 9702/41 October/November 2021: question paper and mark scheme

Question

(a) With reference to velocity and acceleration, describe uniform circular motion. …… [2] (b) Two cars are moving around a horizontal circular track. One car follows path X and the other follows path Y, as shown in Fig. 1.1. start and finish line track path X 27 m 318 m path Y Fig. 1.1 (not to scale) The radius of path X is 318 m. Path Y is parallel to, and 27 m outside, path X. Both cars have mass 790 kg. The maximum lateral (sideways) friction force F that the cars can experience without sliding is the same for both cars. (i) The maximum speed at which the car on path X can move around the track without sliding is 94 m s–1. Calculate F. F = …… N [2] (ii) Both cars move around the track. Each car has the maximum speed at which it can move without sliding. Complete Table 1.1, by placing one tick in each row, to indicate how the quantities indicated for the car on path Y compare with the car on path X. Table 1.1 Y less than X Y same as X Y greater than X centripetal acceleration maximum speed time taken for one lap of the track [3] [Total: 7]

Question

(a) Define gravitational potential. …… [2] (b) The Earth E and the Moon M can both be considered as isolated point masses at their centres. The mass of the Earth is 5.98 × 1024 kg and the mass of the Moon is 7.35 × 1022 kg. The Earth and the Moon are separated by a distance of 3.84 × 108 m, as shown in Fig. 2.1. 3.84 × 108 m x P Earth E Moon M mass 5.98 × 1024 kg mass 7.35 × 1022 kg Fig. 2.1 (not to scale) P is a point, on the line joining the centres of E and M, where the resultant gravitational field strength is zero. Point P is at a distance x from the centre of the Earth. (i) Explain how it is possible for the gravitational field strength to be zero despite the presence of two large masses nearby. …… [2] (ii) Show that x is approximately 3.5 × 108 m. [2] (iii) Calculate the gravitational potential φ at point P. φ = …… J kg–1 [3] [Total: 9]

Question

(a) Define specific heat capacity. …… [2] (b) A sealed container of fixed volume V contains N molecules, each of mass m, of an ideal gas at pressure p. (i) State an expression, in terms of V, N, p and the Boltzmann constant k, for the thermodynamic temperature T of the gas. …… [1] (ii) Show that the mean translational kinetic energy EK of a molecule of the gas is given by 3 EK = kT. 2 [2] (iii) Explain why the internal energy of the gas is equal to the total kinetic energy of the molecules. …… [2] (c) The gas in (b) is supplied with thermal energy Q. (i) Explain, with reference to the first law of thermodynamics, why the increase in internal energy of the gas is Q. …… [2] (ii) Use the expression in (b)(ii) and the information in (c)(i) to show that the specific heat capacity c of the gas is given by 3k c= . 2m [2] (d) The container in (b) is now replaced with one that does not have a fixed volume. Instead, the gas is able to expand, so that the pressure of the gas remains constant as thermal energy is supplied. Suggest, with a reason, how the specific heat capacity of the gas would now compare with the value in (c)(ii). …… [2] [Total: 13]

Question

A trolley on a track is attached by springs to fixed blocks X and Y, as shown in Fig. 4.1. The track contains many small holes through which air is blown vertically upwards. This results in the trolley resting on a cushion of air rather than being in direct contact with the track. springs L trolley X Y fixed block holes track fixed block Fig. 4.1 The trolley is pulled to one side of its equilibrium position and then released so that it oscillates initially with simple harmonic motion. After a short time, the air blower is switched off. The variation with time t of the distance L of the trolley from block X is shown in Fig. 4.2. 30 L / cm 25 20 15 10 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 t/s Fig. 4.2 (a) Use Fig. 4.2 to determine: (i) the initial amplitude of the oscillations amplitude = …… cm [1] (ii) the angular frequency ω of the oscillations ω = …… rad s–1 [2] (iii) the maximum speed v0, in cm s–1, of the oscillating trolley. v0 = …… cm s–1 [2] (b) Apart from the quantities in (a), describe what may be deduced from Fig. 4.2 about the motion of the trolley between time t = 0 and time t = 24 s. No calculations are required. …… [3] (c) On Fig. 4.3, sketch the variation with L of the velocity v of the trolley for its first complete oscillation. 10 v / cm s–1 5 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 L / cm 30 –5 –10 Fig. 4.3 [3] [Total: 11]

Question

An analogue signal is to be transmitted to a receiver. Before transmission, the signal passes through an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). After transmission it passes through a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) before finally reaching the receiver, as shown in Fig. 5.1. transmission line input receiver ADC DAC signal Fig. 5.1 (a) State two advantages of converting the signal into digital form for transmission. 1. …… 2. …… [2] (b) The variation with time of the potential difference (p.d.) of the input signal is shown in Fig. 5.2. 8 p.d. / mV 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 time / ms Fig. 5.2 The ADC has a sampling frequency of 250 Hz and uses 4-bit sampling, with the least significant bit corresponding to 1 mV. The signal is first sampled at time 0, when the sampled bits are 0001. (i) State the sampled bits at time 4 ms and time 8 ms. 4 ms: …… 8 ms: …… [1] (ii) Part of the signal received by the receiver, after the sampled signal has passed through the DAC, is shown in Fig. 5.3. 8 p.d. / mV 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 time / ms Fig. 5.3 On Fig. 5.3, complete the line to show the received signal for time 0 to time 12 ms. [2] (c) The ADC in (b) is replaced with one that has a sampling frequency of 500 Hz and uses 3-bit sampling, with the least significant bit corresponding to 2 mV. On Fig. 5.4, sketch the signal that is now received, after passing through the DAC, from time 0 to time 12 ms. 8 p.d. / mV 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 time / ms Fig. 5.4 [3] [Total: 8]

Question

(a) A capacitor consists of two parallel metal plates, separated by air, at a variable distance x apart, as shown in Fig. 6.1. The capacitance C is inversely proportional to x. x metal plates Fig. 6.1 The capacitor is charged by a supply so that there is a potential difference (p.d.) V between the plates. State expressions, in terms of C and V, for the charge Q on one of the plates and for the energy E stored in the capacitor. Q = …… E = …… [1] (b) The charged capacitor in (a) is now disconnected from the supply. The plates of the capacitor are initially separated by distance L. They are then moved closer together by a distance D, as shown in Fig. 6.2. D new position original position L Fig. 6.2 State expressions, in terms of C, V, L and D, for: (i) the new capacitance CN CN = …… [1] (ii) the new charge QN on one of the plates QN = …… [1] (iii) the new p.d. VN between the plates. VN = …… [1] (c) Explain whether reducing the separation of the plates in (b) results in an increase or decrease in the energy stored in the capacitor. …… [1] [Total: 5]

Question

(a) State two properties of an ideal operational amplifier (op-amp). 1. . …… 2. . …… [2] (b) Fig. 7.1 shows a circuit that includes an ideal op-amp and two identical resistors R. +5 V V R L – + Y X R –5 V Fig. 7.1 State the names of components X and Y. X: …… Y: …… [1] (c) (i) Explain why the op-amp in Fig. 7.1 has only two possible output states. …… [2] (ii) State the name of the type of op-amp circuit in which the op-amp behaves as in (c)(i). …… [1] (iii) Describe the environmental condition under which the lamp L in Fig. 7.1 will light. …… [2] (iv) Suggest the purpose of the variable resistor V in the circuit. …… [1] [Total: 9]

Question

(a) Define the tesla. …… [2] (b) A stiff metal wire is used to form a rectangular frame measuring 8.0 cm × 6.0 cm. The frame is open at the top, and is suspended from a sensitive newton meter, as shown in Fig. 8.1. newton meter insulating thread 5.0 A 8.0 cm frame P Q 6.0 cm Fig. 8.1 The open ends of the frame are connected to a power supply so that there is a current of 5.0 A in the frame in the direction indicated in Fig. 8.1. The frame is slowly lowered into a uniform magnetic field of flux density B so that all of side PQ is in the field. The magnetic field lines are horizontal and at an angle of 50° to PQ, as shown in Fig. 8.2. B P Q view from above 50° Fig. 8.2 When side PQ of the frame first enters the magnetic field, the reading on the newton meter changes by 1.0 mN. (i) Determine the magnetic flux density B, in mT. B = …… mT [2] (ii) State, with a reason, whether the change in the reading on the newton meter is an increase or a decrease. …… [1] (iii) The frame is lowered further so that the vertical sides start to enter the magnetic field. Suggest what effect this will have on the frame. …… [1] [Total: 6]

Question

(a) State, by reference to the power dissipated in a resistor, what is meant by the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of an alternating voltage. …… [2] (b) A coil is rotating freely, on frictionless bearings, at constant speed in a uniform magnetic field. This rotation causes an induced alternating electromotive force (e.m.f.) across the open terminals of the coil. The induced e.m.f. has r.m.s. value 12 V and frequency 50 Hz. The speed of rotation of the coil is now doubled. (i) State and explain, with reference to the principles of electromagnetic induction, the effect of the increased speed of rotation on the r.m.s. value of the induced e.m.f. …… [2] (ii) On Fig. 9.1, sketch the variation with time t of the induced e.m.f. E across the terminals of the coil at the increased speed of rotation. Your line should extend from time t = 0 to time t = 20 ms. Assume that E = 0 when t = 0. 40 E/V 20 0 0 5 10 15 20 t / ms –20 –40 Fig. 9.1 [3] (c) State and explain the effect on the motion of the coil in (b) of connecting a load resistor across its terminals. …… [2] [Total: 9]

Question

(a) State an experimental phenomenon that provides evidence for: (i) the particulate nature of electromagnetic radiation …… [1] (ii) the wave nature of matter. …… [1] (b) A particle of matter moves with momentum p. (i) State the equation that gives the effective wavelength λ of the particle. State the name of any other symbols used. [2] (ii) State the name given to the wavelength of the moving particle. …… [1] (c) Electrons are accelerated from rest through a potential difference (p.d.) of 4.8 kV. (i) Show that the final speed of the electrons is 4.1 × 107 m s–1. [2] (ii) Calculate the effective wavelength of a beam of electrons moving at the speed in (c)(i). wavelength = …… m [2] [Total: 9]

Question

(a) State, for an X-ray image, what is meant by: (i) sharpness …… [1] (ii) contrast. …… [1] (b) A parallel X-ray beam passes through a thickness of 2.3 cm of soft body tissue. The intensity of the emerging beam is 12% of the intensity of the incident beam. Calculate the linear attenuation (absorption) coefficient μ of the soft body tissue. Give a unit with your answer. μ = …… unit …… [3] (c) In medical diagnosis, X-rays may be used to produce a single X-ray image or may be used in computed tomography (CT scanning). Suggest an advantage and a disadvantage of CT scanning compared with single X-ray imaging for diagnosis. advantage: …… disadvantage: …… [2] [Total: 7]

Question

(a) Define radioactive decay constant. …… [2] (b) A sample of radioactive iodine-131 (131 53 I) of mass 5.87 × 10 –10 kg has an activity of 9 2.92 × 10 Bq. Determine the decay constant of iodine-131. decay constant = …… s–1 [3] (c) Suggest two reasons why a detector placed near to the sample in (b) would record a count rate much less than 2.92 × 109 counts per second. 1. …… 2. …… [2] [Total: 7]