Physics Exampro Questions
Physics Exampro Questions
Physics Exampro Questions
(a) Complete the table to show the four fundamental forces and their corresponding
exchange particles.
fundamental force
corresponding
exchange particle
strong nuclear
gluon
electromagnetic
W +W Z0
gravitational
graviton
(2)
(b)
Name the physical quantity that a particle must have for the electromagnetic force to act
on it.
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(1)
(c)
Page 1 of 33
Q2.
The figure below shows part of the path of a proton in a cyclotron. The proton is moving in a
circular path of radius 0.20 m when it reaches the gap between the two dees at P. The gap is
25 mm wide. At P, the proton is travelling at 726 km s1 and its kinetic energy is 2750e V. On
reaching the gap the proton is accelerated by a uniform electric field, produced by a potential
difference of 370 V between the dees.
(a)
(i)
Calculate the acceleration of the proton that is produced by the electric field in the
gap.
acceleration .........................................................m s2
(3)
Page 2 of 33
(ii)
Show that the energy of the proton after crossing the gap is about 5 1016 J and go
on to calculate the speed of the proton after being accelerated across the gap.
(iii)
Calculate the time taken for the proton to cross the gap.
(b)
Protons travelling at a speed v within a dee are moving in a magnetic field and follow a
semicircular path of radius r.
(i)
(3)
Page 3 of 33
(ii)
(c)
In a cyclotron, the magnetic flux density and the frequency of the accelerating potential
difference remain constant as the particle energy increases. In the synchrotron, they both
have to change. Explain these differences in the operation of the accelerators.
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(4)
(d)
Although originally used as research tools in universities, some hospitals now have their
own cyclotrons. State what use a hospital might make of its cyclotron and give one
advantage of the hospital having its own cyclotron on site rather than making use of a
cyclotron that is some distance away.
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(2)
(Total 21 marks)
Page 4 of 33
Q3.
The figure below shows part of the discharge curve for a capacitor that a manufacturer
tested for use in a heart pacemaker.
The capacitor was initially charged to a potential difference (pd) of 1.4 V and then discharged
through a 150 resistor.
(a)
(b)
Explain why the rate of change of the potential difference decreases as the capacitor
discharges.
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(3)
Page 5 of 33
(c)
Calculate the percentage of the initial energy stored by the capacitor that is lost by the
capacitor in the first 0.015 s of the discharge.
(d)
The charge leaving the capacitor in 0.015 s is the charge used by the pacemaker to
provide a single pulse to stimulate the heart.
(i)
charge .........................................................C
(1)
(ii)
Q4.
(a)
(2)
Page 6 of 33
(b)
When a sample of potassium-40 decays, the emitted particles have a range of energies
from almost zero to a maximum value, Emax. The spectrum of energies observed is shown
in the figure below.
Q5.
Page 7 of 33
Q6.
The diagram below shows one arrangement for measuring the strength of the magnetic field
produced by a pair of magnets in a laboratory.
The wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field of the magnet and carries a current of 5.0 A in the
direction shown. The length l of the wire shown in the diagram is 6.5 cm. The wire is held rigidly
in place so that it cannot move. When the current is turned on, the reading on the balance
increases.
(a)
(i)
Show, on the figure above, the direction of the magnetic field between the magnets
that produces the increase in the balance reading.
(1)
(ii)
The minimum change in reading that the balance can detect is 1 mg. Calculate the
smallest change in magnetic flux density that is detectable using this arrangement.
Give an appropriate unit for your answer.
(b)
Magnetic flux density is a vector quantity. State and explain how the balance reading would
be affected by rotating the pair of magnets about the vertical axis shown in the figure
above.
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(2)
Page 8 of 33
(c)
Archaeologists need to detect small changes in magnetic flux density when investigating
sites. This is possible using the precession of protons in a proton magnetometer.
Explain what is meant by precession. You may use a diagram to help your explanation. Go
on to explain how a proton magnetometer works. Make clear in your answer what quantity
is measured by a proton magnetometer to indicate changes in the magnetic flux density in
the region being investigated.
The quality of your written communication will be assessed in your answer.
(6)
(Total 12 marks)
Q7.
Figure 1 shows the path of electrons that have been accelerated in an electron gun and
then pass through a velocity selector.
Figure 1
(a)
(i)
Electrons are produced at the cathode of the electron gun by thermionic emission.
Explain what is meant by thermionic emission and why electrons produced are likely
to have a range of speeds.
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(2)
Page 9 of 33
(ii)
The diagram shows the path of electrons that are moving at a speed of
4.5 107 ms 1.
Calculate the accelerating potential difference between the cathode and anode
in the electron gun that is required to produce electrons travelling at this speed.
Assume that the electrons have zero velocity when they leave the cathode.
Neglect the relativistic change in mass.
accelerating pd ................................................ V
(3)
(b)
In the shaded region shown in Figure 1 it is possible to have either an electric field or a
magnetic field, or both types of field at the same time when operating as a velocity
selector.
In the situation shown in Figure 1 there is a magnetic field but no electric field.
(i)
Place a tick in the box that corresponds to the correct direction of the magnetic field.
Towards A
Towards B
Into the page
Out of the page
Explain how you decided on your answer.
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(2)
Page 10 of 33
(ii)
radius ................................................ m
(3)
(c)
(i)
Show that the theory of relativity predicts that the percentage change in the mass of
an electron as it accelerates from rest to 4.5 107 ms 1 is about 1%.
(ii)
State and explain the effects that the relativistic increase in mass would have on your
answers for the accelerating potential difference calculated in part (a)(ii) and the
radius of the path calculated in part (b)(ii).
potential difference ...............................................................................
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path radius ............................................................................................
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(2)
Page 11 of 33
(d)
A potential difference is now applied across the gap between the plates A and B. This
produces a uniform electric field in the shaded region between the metal plates in addition
to the magnetic field of 1.4 mT. Electrons travelling at 4.5 107 ms 1 now pass straight
through the velocity selector, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2
(i)
(ii)
Page 12 of 33
Q8.
Rutherford bombarded nitrogen with alpha particles using the experimental arrangement
shown in the figure below.
The presence of a previously unknown particle X was detected using the fluorescent screen.
(i)
Explain how Rutherford knew that a new particle was being detected using the fluorescent
screen.
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(2)
(ii)
The nuclear equation below describes the bombardment of nitrogen with alpha particles.
Complete the nuclear equation by adding the proton and nucleon numbers
(2)
(iii)
Identify particle X.
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(1)
(Total 5 marks)
Page 13 of 33
Q9.
(a)
(i)
(ii)
where m is the mass of a proton, B is the magnetic flux density in the Dees and Q is
the proton charge.
(2)
(iii)
Page 14 of 33
(b)
The figure below shows the arrangement of drift tubes in a linear accelerator (LINAC).
(i)
Explain why the length of the drift tubes increases along the direction of travel of the
protons.
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(2)
(ii)
Explain why the increase in length between successive drift tubes gets smaller
towards the high-energy end of the LINAC.
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(3)
Page 15 of 33
(iii)
Q10.
The figure below shows the view from above of a roundabout in a childrens playground.
The roundabout has a moment of inertia of 240 kg m2 and is initially stationary. A child exerts a
force, F, of constant magnitude on the roundabout. The force is applied 1.3 m from the axis of
rotation and at an angle of 70 to one of the metal bars, as shown in the figure above. The force
produces a torque of 30 N m.
(a)
force F ........................................... N
(2)
Page 16 of 33
(b)
The child pushes with force F for half a revolution of the roundabout. The child stops
running and then jumps on to the moving roundabout.
(i)
Show that the angular speed of the roundabout before the child jumps on is about 0.9
rad s1. Assume that frictional forces in the roundabout are negligible.
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(5)
(ii)
When the child gets on to the roundabout the moment of inertia increases by
45 kg m2.
Calculate the time taken for one revolution of the roundabout immediately after the
child jumps on. Assume that air resistance and frictional forces at the axle of the
roundabout are negligible.
Page 17 of 33
(iii)
Calculate the decrease in the rotational kinetic energy when the child jumps onto the
roundabout.
(iv)
(c)
(i)
Explain why the child is accelerating when on the roundabout even though the speed
of rotation is constant.
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(3)
(ii)
After jumping onto the roundabout platform, the child pushes on a bar in the direction
of motion to try to make it go faster. Explain why the speed does not increase.
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(2)
(Total 20 marks)
Page 18 of 33
M1.
(a)
Photon
(right-hand box) TO for listing
Must state name
(b)
(c)
[4]
M2.
(a)
(i)
attempt to use F =
or E = 14800 (V m1)
C1
Page 19 of 33
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
(i)
Bev =
B1
r=
B1
B, e and m are constant or k =
B1
3
(ii)
726000 =
C1
B = 0.0379
A1
T (tesla)
B1
3
Page 20 of 33
(c)
(d)
[21]
M3.
(a)
Page 21 of 33
(b)
max 3 from
as capacitor discharges:
pd decreases
B1
current through resistor decreases (since I
V)
B1
(c)
(d)
(i)
charge = 77 C to 82 C
B1
1
Page 22 of 33
(ii)
[12]
M4.
(a)
(b)
[5]
Page 23 of 33
M5.
electrons
M1
high energy scattering/inelastic/KE not conserved
M1
demonstrated substructure of proton
A1
3
[3]
Page 24 of 33
M6.
(a)
(i)
(ii)
Condone 3 10 (1 sf)
T
B1
(b)
(c)
M7.
(a)
(i)
(ii)
(b)
(i)
Page 26 of 33
(ii)
C1
or r=mv/Bq
correct substitution ignore errors in powers of 10
C1
0.18(3) (m)
A1
3
(c)
(i)
New mass =
or
B1
9.213 (9.21) 1031 (kg) seen
B1
increase in mass = 0.1 or 0.11 1031 kg
B1
or
calculates ratio of new to rest mass (1.011 of rest mass)
(Allow even if candidate thinks this is the answer)
1.1(4) %
B1
4
Page 27 of 33
(ii)
(d)
(i)
Page 28 of 33
(ii)
eE = Bev or v = E/B
E = 63000 V m1 or algebra leading to V = Bvd
Use of E = V/d
of 10)
V = 2210 V
4
[22]
M8.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
proton
B1
1
[5]
M9.
(a)
(i)
(ii)
Page 29 of 33
(iii)
Rearranges to give
1.51(T)
A1
2
(b)
(i)
Particle must stay inside each electrode for the same length of time
B1
Particles are travelling faster (towards the right)
B1
2
(ii)
ANY 3
MAX 3
(iii)
[15]
M10.
(a)
24.6 (N)
2
Page 30 of 33
(b)
(i)
angular acceleration = T / I
C1
30 / 240 = 0.125 rad s2
A1
= 180 or seen
B1
2 = 2 0.125 or 2 = 2
B1
Allow substitution with their and = 180
0.886 (2 or more sf)
B1
5
(ii)
(iii)
Energy = I2
C1
Calculation of one energy correctly 97J or 82 J
C1
2
Page 31 of 33
(iv)
Collision is inelastic
B1
or Energy converted into heat / internal energy when child jumps on
or work done against friction at contact point when child jumps on
1
(c)
(i)
(ii)
[20]
Page 32 of 33
Page 33 of 33