Physics PreU IGCSE

Cambridge Pre-U Specimen Papers
and Mark Schemes
Cambridge International Level 3

Pre-U Certificate in
PHYSICS
For use from 2008 onwards

Cambridge Pre-U Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes
Specimen Materials
Physics (9792)
Cambridge International Level 3
Pre-U Certificate in Physics (Principal)
For use from 2008 onwards
QAN 500/3684/1
www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu 1
Cambridge Pre-U Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes
Support
CIE provides comprehensive support for all its qualifications, including the Cambridge Pre-U.
There are resources for teachers and candidates written by experts. CIE also endorses a range of
materials from other publishers to give a choice of approach. More information on what is available
for this particular syllabus can be found at www.cie.org.uk
Syllabus Updates
This booklet of specimen materials is for use from 2008. It is intended for use with the version of the
syllabus that will be examined in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The purpose of these materials is to provide
Centres with a reasonable idea of the general shape and character of the planned question papers in
advance of the first operational examination.
If there are any changes to the syllabus CIE will write to centres to inform them. The syllabus and
these specimen materials will also be published annually on the CIE website (www.cie.org.uk/
cambridgepreu). The version of the syllabus on the website should always be considered as the
definitive version.
Further copies of this, or any other Cambridge Pre-U specimen booklet, can be obtained by either
downloading from our website www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu
or contacting:
Customer Services, University of Cambridge International Examinations,
1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU
Telephone: +44 (0)1223 553554
Fax: +44 (0)1223 553558
E-mail: international@cie.org.uk
CIE retains the copyright on all its publications. CIE registered Centres are permitted to copy material
from this booklet for their own internal use. However, CIE cannot give permission to Centres to
photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a Centre.
Copyright © University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate 2008
2 www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate
Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/01
Paper 1 Part A Multiple Choice
SPECIMEN PAPER
1 hour 15 minutes
Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write in soft pencil.

Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
Write your name, Centre number and candidate number on the Answer Sheet in the spaces provided unless
this has been done for you.
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible
answers A, B, C and D.
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the separate Answer Sheet.
Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully.
Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
Any rough working should be done in this booklet.
This document consists of 18 printed pages.
© UCLES 2007 [Turn over

2
Data
gravitational field strength close to Earth’s surface g = 9.81 N kg-1

elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10-19 C
speed of light in vacuum c = 3.00 × 108 m s-1
Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10-34 J s
permittivity of free space εo = 8.85 × 10-12 F m-1
gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg-2
electron mass me = 9.11 × 10-31 kg
proton mass mp = 1.67 × 10-27 kg
unified atomic mass constant u = 1.66 × 10-27 kg
molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K-1 mol-1
Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol-1
Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10-23 J K-1
Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10-8 W m-2 K-4
Formulae
s = ut + 12 at
2
uniformly accelerated motion
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
u + v 
s=  t
 2 
heating ∆E = mc∆θ
change of state ∆E = mL
sin θ1
refraction n=
sin θ 2
v1
n=
v2
photon energy E = hf
h
de Broglie wavelength λ=
p
simple harmonic motion x = A cos ωt
v = -Aω sin ωt
a = -Aω2 cos ωt
F = -mω2x
E = 12 mA2ω2
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

3
energy stored in a capacitor W = 12 QV
Q1Q2
electric force F =
4πεo r 2
Q1Q2
electrostatic potential energy W =
4πεo r
− Gm1m2
gravitational force F =
r2
− Gm1m2
gravitational potential energy E =
r
magnetic force F = BIl sin θ
F = BQv sin θ
− d(NΦ )
electromagnetic induction E =
dt
Hall effect V = Bvd
t
time dilation t' = v2
1−
c2
kinetic theory 1
m<c2> = 3 kT
2 2
work done on/by a gas W = p∆V

dN
radioactive decay = -λN
dt
N = Noe-λt
t 1 = ln2
2 λ
attenuation losses I = Ioe-µx
mass-energy equivalence ∆E = c2∆m
− 13.6 eV
hydrogen energy levels En =
n2
h
Heisenberg uncertainty principle ∆p∆x [
2π
h
∆E∆t [
2π
1
Wien’s law λmax ú
T
Stefan’s law L = 4πσr 2T 4
∆λ ∆f v
electromagnetic radiation from a moving source ≈ ≈
λ f c
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10 [Turn over

4
1 Which one of the following groups contains three vector quantities?
A displacement, velocity, energy
B displacement, velocity, momentum
C force, work, energy
D velocity, acceleration, power
2 Uncertainties in measurement may be either systematic or random.
Which of the following involves random uncertainty?
A not allowing for zero uncertainty on a voltmeter
B not subtracting background count rate when determining the count rate from a radioactive
source
C stopping a stopwatch at the end of a race
D using the value g = 10 N kg-1 when calculating weight from mass
3 A uniform loft door of weight W and length 0.8 m is in equilibrium. It is hinged at X and supported
by a rope passing over a pulley. The tension in the supporting rope is T. Which of the following
equations applies when moments are taken about X?
A T sin 40° = 0.4W
B 0.8T cos 50° = 0.4W
C 0.8T = 0.4W
D 2T sin 50° = W
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

5
4 A person throws a ball vertically upwards. It rises to a maximum height, where it is momentarily
at rest, and then falls back down.
Which of the following gives the acceleration of the ball at various stages in its motion?
Take vertically upwards as positive. Neglect air resistance.
rising at maximum height falling
A - 9.81 m s-2 0 + 9.81 m s-2
B - 9.81 m s-2 - 9.81 m s-2 - 9.81 m s-2
C + 9.81 m s-2 + 9.81 m s-2 + 9.81 m s-2
D + 9.81 m s-2 0 - 9.81 m s-2
5 Two markers M1 and M2 are set up a vertical distance h apart.
A steel ball is released at time zero from a point a distance x above M1. The ball reaches M1 at
time t1 and reaches M2 at time t2. The acceleration of the ball is constant.
Which expression gives the acceleration of the ball?
2h 2h 2h 2h
A B C D
t2
2
(t 2 + t1 ) (t 2 − t1 )2
(t 2
2
− t12 )

6
6 A small part of the Earth’s gravitational field close to the surface of the Earth is uniform.
Which of the following statements is not correct?
A The field lines are parallel to each other.
B The units of gravitational field strength are equivalent to m s-2.
C The gravitational force on an object is proportional to its height above the Earth’s surface.
D The direction of the field lines is towards the Earth.
7 A person is in contact with the Earth. Four forces act. They are
force W the weight of the person

force X the pull of the person on the Earth due to gravity
force Y the contact force of the person on the ground
force Z the contact force of the ground on the person
Which pair of forces must always have the same magnitude, according to Newton’s third law?
A force W and force X
B force W and force Y
C force X and force Y
D force W and force Z
8 Liquids X and Y are stored in large open tanks. Liquids X and Y have densities of 800 kg m-3 and
1200 kg m-3 respectively.
At what depths are the pressures equal?
depth in liquid X depth in liquid Y
A 8m 12 m
B 10 m 10 m
C 15 m 10 m
D 18 m 8m
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

7
9 A wire stretches 8.0 mm under a load of 60 N.
A second wire of the same material, with half the diameter and a quarter of the original length of
the first wire, is stretched by the same load.
Assuming that Hooke’s law is obeyed, what is the extension of this wire?
A 0.5 mm B 1.0 mm C 4.0 mm D 8.0 mm
10 A ductile material is stretched by a tensile force to a point beyond its elastic limit. The tensile
force is then reduced to zero. The graph of force against extension is shown below.
Which area represents the net work done on the sample?
A X B X+Y C Y+Z D Z
11 An electric kettle has a power output of 1.6 kW. It is used to heat 1.7 kg of water from a
temperature of 18 °C to 98 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg-1 K-1.
What is the least time it could take to cause this temperature rise?
A 52 s B 120 s C 360 s D 440 s
12 An aircraft moving through air at velocity v experiences a resistive force F given by the
expression
F = kv 2,
where k is a constant.
What is the power required to keep the aircraft moving at this constant velocity?
A kv B kv 2 C kv 3 D kv 4

8
13 The diagram shows a trolley being pulled from rest along a horizontal table by a falling mass.
The trolley mass is 1.5 kg and the falling mass falls through 1.0 m.
What is the maximum kinetic energy of the trolley?
A 3.7 J B 4.9 J C 15 J D 20 J
14 The diagram shows two trolleys X and Y held stationary and connected by an extended elastic
cord. The mass of X is twice that of Y.
The trolleys are released at the same instant. They move towards each other and stick together
on impact. Just before the collision, the speed of X is 20 cm s-1.
What is the speed of Y just after the collision?
A zero B 5 cm s-1 C 7 cm s-1 D 10 cm s-1
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

9
15 A small electric motor is used to raise a mass of weight 2.0 N at a constant velocity through a
vertical height of 80 cm in 4.0 s.
The efficiency of the motor is 20%.
What is the electrical power supplied to the motor?
A 0.080 W B 0.80 W C 2.0 W D 200 W
16 A battery, during its useable lifetime, supplies a constant current of 40 µA to a clock for 800 days.
How much charge does the battery supply during this time?
A 20 µC B 32 000 µC C 46 C D 2800 C

10
17 The diagram shows a circuit with four positive voltmeter readings V1, V2, V3 and V.
Which equation relating the voltmeter readings must be true?
A V = V1 + V2 + V3
B V + V1 = V2 + V3
C V3 = 2V2
D V - V1 = V2
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

11
18 The electrical characteristic of a component is shown below.
Which graph shows the way the resistance of the component varies with applied voltage?

12
19 A composite wire is made by connecting in series four uniform wires made of the same material,
but having different diameters.
The resistance R of this composite wire is measured between X and other points on the wire at
distances d from X.
Which graph best represents the relationship between R and d?
20 A battery of e.m.f. E and internal resistance r is connected to a 4.0 Ω resistor. A p.d. of 5.2 V is
measured across the terminals of the battery. When the 4.0 Ω resistor is replaced with one of
resistance 12.0 Ω, the p.d. across the battery becomes 6.0 V.
What are the values of E and r?
E/V r/Ω
A 6.5 1.0
B 7.5 1.8
C 7.6 0.63
D 12 6.0
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

13
21
12 V
In the above circuit, what is the current in the ammeter? Assume that the ammeter and the
batteries have negligible internal resistance.
A 2.0 mA
B 1.0 mA
C 0.50 mA
D zero
22 A transverse progressive wave travels along a rope. The graph shows the variation of
displacement with distance along the rope at a certain time. The wave is travelling to the right.
In which direction are the points P and Q on the rope moving?
movement of P movement of Q
A downwards downwards
B downwards upwards
C upwards downwards
D upwards upwards

14
23 A sound wave is emitted from a point source. The intensity of the sound wave is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance from the source. At a distance r from the source the
amplitude of the wave is 8X.
What is the amplitude at a distance 2r from the source?
A 8X B 4X C 2X D X
24 Polarisation is a phenomenon associated with a certain type of wave.
Which condition must be satisfied if a wave is to be polarised?
A It must be a light wave.
B It must be a longitudinal wave.
C It must be a radio wave.
D It must be a transverse wave.
25 A source of monochromatic light is viewed through a diffraction grating.
Which of the following causes the angle θ to increase?
A decreasing the distance between adjacent slits on the grating
B decreasing the wavelength of the monochromatic light
C increasing the distance of the eye from the grating
D increasing the number of slits on the grating but keeping the slit spacing the same
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

15
26 In an optical fibre, light travelling along the core of the fibre with a speed of 1.874 x 108 m s-1
meets the boundary with the cladding. The speed of light in the cladding is 1.902 x 108 m s-1.
What is the minimum angle of incidence for the light in the core for it to undergo total internal
reflection at the core-cladding interface?
A 3.01 x 10-7° B 9.8° C 41.8° D 80.2°
27 Which diagram best represents the paths of α-particles with equal energies scattered by a gold
nucleus?

16
28 Which are the correct descriptions of α- and β-- and γ-radiations?
α β- γ
A helium-4 nucleus electromagnetic radiation high speed electron

B helium-4 nucleus high speed electron electromagnetic radiation
C electromagnetic radiation high speed electron helium-4 nucleus
D high speed electron helium-4 nucleus electromagnetic radiation
29 Uranium-235 has nucleon number 235, proton number 92 and neutron number 143. Data on four
other nuclides are given below.
Which is an isotope of uranium?
nucleon number proton number neutron number
A 235 91 144
B 236 92 144
C 237 94 143
D 238 95 143
30 A nickel nucleus 59
28 Ni can be transformed by a process termed K-capture. In this process the
nucleus absorbs an orbital electron and converts a proton to a neutron.
When no other process is involved, what is the resulting nucleus?
58 59 60 59
A 28 Ni B 27 Co C 27 Co D 29 Cu
31 The initial activity of a sample of a radioactive nuclide containing N0 nuclei is 4.8 x 103 Bq.
How many nuclei will have already decayed by the time the activity is 6.0 x 102 Bq?
A 1 N0 B 3 N0 C 7 N0 D 15 N0
8 4 8 16
32 Which equation correctly shows an α-particle causing a nuclear reaction?
14 4 17
A 7N + 2 He → 8 O + 11 n
17 4 20
B 8 O + 2 He → 9 F + 11 p
17
C 8 O + −01 e → 13
5B + 4
2 He
14
D 7N + 11 p → 11
6C + 4
2 He
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

17
33 Samples of two radioactive nuclides X and Y each have equal activity A0 at time t = 0.
X has a half-life of 24 years and Y has a half-life of 16 years.
The samples are mixed together.
What will be the total activity of the mixture at time t = 48 years?
A 1 A0 B 3 A0 C 1 A0 D 3 A0
12 16 4 8
34 Which graph shows how the energy E of a photon of light is related to its wavelength λ?
35 In the photoelectric effect, light incident on a metal surface causes electrons to be ejected from
the surface.
Which statement is correct?
A Electrons are ejected only if the wavelength of the incident light is greater than some
minimum value.
B The de Broglie wavelength of the ejected electrons is the same as the wavelength of the
incident light.
C The maximum energy of the electrons is independent of the intensity of the incident light.
D The maximum energy of the electrons is independent of the type of metal.
36 Atoms in a gas emit photons of light of energy 2.44 eV.
What is the wavelength of the emitted radiation?
wavelength / m
A 3.90 x10-7
B 5.09 x10-7
C 3.90 x10-9
D 5.09 x10-9

18
37 What are the meanings of the prefixes pico (p) and giga (G)?
pico (p) giga (G)
A x10-9 x109
B x10-9 x1012
C x10-12 x109
D x10-12 x1012
38 A metal sphere of radius r is dropped into a tank of water. As it sinks at speed v, it experiences a
drag force F given by
F = krv,
where k is a constant.
What are the SI base units of k?
A kg m2 s-1 B kg m-2 s-2 C kg m-1 s-1 D kg m s-2
39 An early experimenter, working in units other than SI units, measured the charge on tiny oil
drops. Each oil drop was charged by just a few electrons. The charges he obtained were
9.82 19.64 39.28 39.28 34.37 19.64 19.64
What value do these results suggest for the charge on the electron as measured in these units?
A 2.45 B 4.91 C 9.82 D 19.64
40 An Olympic athlete competes in a sprint race.
What is the best estimate of his mean kinetic energy during the race?
A 4 x 102 J B 4 x 103 J C 4 x 104 J D 4 x 105 J
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/01
Paper 1 Part A Multiple Choice
SPECIMEN MARK SCHEME
1 hour 15 minutes
MAXIMUM MARK: 40
[Turn over
2
Question Question
Key Key
Number Number
1 B 21 D
2 C 22 C
3 B 23 B
4 B 24 D
5 D 25 A
6 C 26 D
7 A 27 B
8 C 28 B
9 D 29 B
10 B 30 B
11 C 31 C
12 C 32 B
13 A 33 D
14 A 34 D
15 C 35 C
16 D 36 B
17 D 37 C
18 B 38 C
19 A 39 B
20 A 40 B
© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SM/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/02
Paper 2 Part A Written Paper
SPECIMEN PAPER
2 hours
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.
Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen in the spaces provided.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Do not use stapes, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
For Examiner's Use
Section A
Answer all questions. You are advised to spend 1½ hours on this section. 1
Section B
Answer the one question. You are advised to spend 30 minutes on this section. 2
The question is based on the material in the Insert.
3
You are advised to show all working in calculations.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. 4
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part
question.
5
Total
This document consists of 19 printed pages, 1 blank page and 1 insert.

2
Data

Formulae
s = ut + 12 at
2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
u + v 
s=  t
 2 
sin θ1
refraction n=
sin θ 2
v1
n=
v2
h
p
v = -Aω sin ωt
a = -Aω2 cos ωt
F = -mω2x
E = 12 mA2ω2
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

3
Q1Q2
electric force F =
4πεo r 2
Q1Q2
4πεo r
− Gm1m2
r2
− Gm1m2
r
F = BQv sin θ
− d(NΦ )
dt
Hall effect V = Bvd
t
1−
c2
kinetic theory 1
m<c2> = 3 kT
2 2

dN
dt
N = Noe-λt
t 1 = ln2
2 λ
− 13.6 eV
n2
h
2π
h
∆E∆t [
2π
1
T
∆λ ∆f v
λ f c

4
Section A For
Examiner's
Use
Answer all of the questions in this section.
You are advised to spend 1½ hours answering this section.
1 A car is stopped by varying the braking force. The braking force is increased to a maximum
and then reduced, at the same rate, to zero just as stopping occurs. In this way a
passenger in the car is subjected to the least possible jerk. The acceleration of the car,
during the 10 s braking time, is shown in Fig. 1.1.
(a) State what is meant by the term acceleration.
[1]
(b) On the axes of Fig. 1.2, sketch a graph to show how the velocity of the car will change
during the 10 seconds braking time. The car starts with a velocity of 20 m s-1.
[3]
(c) (i) What feature of a velocity-time graph gives the displacement?
[1]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

5
(ii) Estimate the total distance travelled while braking. Show your reasoning. For
Examiner's
Use
stopping distance = [2]
(iii) On the axes of Fig. 1.3, sketch a displacement-time graph for the car for the
10 seconds braking time.
[2]
(d) Suggest why this method of stopping is more comfortable for the passenger than a
more usual method where the braking force is kept constant during deceleration.
[2]
[Total: 11]

6
2 (a) A rechargeable battery is put on charge for 4.0 hours with a constant current of 50 mA For
from a 6.0 V supply. Calculate the energy that has been provided from the supply. Examiner's
Use
energy = [3]
(b) In what form does a battery store energy?
[1]
(c) The charged battery has an e.m.f. of 4.5 V and is connected to a 48 Ω resistor.
The potential difference across the resistor is found to be 4.0 V. The current is
constant during the 45 minutes the battery discharges.
Calculate
(i) the internal resistance of the battery when in use,
internal resistance = [3]
(ii) the energy supplied to the 48 Ω resistor in this time,
energy = [2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

7
(iii) the percentage of the energy supplied to the battery during charge which is For
provided to the 48 Ω resistor on discharge. Examiner's
Use
percentage = [1]
(d) Explain why the value of the internal resistance calculated in (c) (i) is only reliable to
one significant figure.
[1]
[Total: 11]

8
3 A person of weight 600 N does a bungee jump using an elastic rope of unstretched length For
50 m and having a spring constant k equal to 67 N m-1. During the initial fall there is a Examiner's
Use
transfer of energy from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy and elastic potential
energy, as shown in the table. The person falls through a distance of 90 m before
beginning to move upwards.
Assuming that frictional losses are negligible, complete the table.
gravitational elastic
distance of fall/ m kinetic energy /J
potential energy /J potential energy /J
0 54 000 0 0
20 42 000 0
40 30 000 0 24 000
50 24 000
60
90 0
[Total: 8]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

9
4 Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of an electromagnetic wave travelling in a vacuum. The distance axis For
is drawn to full scale. Examiner's
Use
(a) State the speed of the wave in Fig. 4.1.
speed = [1]
(b) (i) Accurately measure the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in Fig. 4.1.
Show your working and give your answer to a suitable number of significant
figures.
wavelength = [3]
(ii) Calculate the frequency of the wave.
frequency = [2]

10
(c) Waves of this type are used in radar systems where they are passed along tubes For
called waveguides. One part of the system can be a double tube as shown in Fig. 4.2. Examiner's
Use
The lengths of the wave paths in the tube are 18 cm and 31 cm as shown.
The wavelength of the radar waves in the waveguide is 4.0 cm.
(i) A wave R can divide at A and reach C either by path ABC or by path ADC.
What is the length of each of these paths?
path length ABC =
path length ADC =

[1]
(ii) State the phase difference between the two waves arriving at C and comment on
the amplitude of the resultant wave.
[2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

11
(iii) Another wave T travelling from E in the opposite direction is shown in Fig. 4.3. For
Examiner's
Use
The wave reaches C by paths DABC or DC. Waves of equal intensity travel along
each path.
1. What is the path length of each of these paths?
path length DC =
path length DABC =

[1]
2. Determine the phase difference between the two waves arriving at C and
comment on the amplitude of the resultant wave.
[2]
(iv) In a radar system, a powerful transmitter is placed at E while a receiver of weak

incoming signals is placed at C. Suggest why this arrangement of waveguides is
necessary.
[3]
[Total: 15]

12
5 A photocell is illuminated with ultra-violet light of wavelength 328 nm and photoelectrons For
are emitted. The potential difference across the photocell is varied and the current is Examiner's
Use
monitored. A graph of current I against potential difference V is shown in Fig. 5.1.
(a) Explain why the current has a maximum value.
[2]
(b) Determine, in electron volts,
(i) the maximum energy with which photoelectrons are emitted,
maximum electron energy = eV [1]
(ii) the energy of photons from the ultra-violet lamp,
photon energy = eV [2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

13
(iii) the work function of the metal in the photocell. For

Examiner's
Use
work function = eV [2]
(c) On Fig. 5.1, sketch an additional graph to show the effect of using the same ultra-violet
light but at a lower intensity. [1]
[Total: 8]

14
6 Flow occurs in many different areas of Physics. For example, flow of electrons is an For
electric current, heat flow takes place as a result of a temperature gradient, and water or Examiner's
Use
gas flow along pipes.
The dimensions of the material through which flow occurs, together with the properties of
the material and the cause of flow, determine the amount of flow that takes place.
(a) Explain why one pipe is necessary for the supply of gas to a house but two cables are
necessary for the supply of electricity.
[2]
(b) The rate of flow of heat energy through the wall of a room is given by
Q  θ − θ1 
= kA 2 
t  d 
where Q is the quantity of heat energy which flows in time t,

k is a constant called the thermal conductivity,
A is the surface area of the wall,
d is the thickness of the wall,
θ2 and θ1 are the inside and outside temperatures respectively.
(i) Deduce the SI unit of k.
unit of k = [3]
(ii) The temperature inside a room is 22.0 °C and the outside temperature is 8.0 °C.
The value of k for the wall of the room is 0.35 in SI units. Calculate the rate of flow
of heat energy through the wall of thickness 0.10 m and area 12.0 m2.
rate of flow of heat energy = [2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

15
Q For
(c) (i) Write an equation, analogous to that in (b), for the rate of flow of charge Examiner's
t Use
through a wire. Your equation should be in terms of the potential difference V
across the wire, the resistivity ρ of the material of which the wire is made and the
length l and area of cross-section A of the wire.
[2]
(ii) By comparing the equations in (c) (i) and (b),
1. state which thermal property corresponds with V,
[1]
2. state which thermal property corresponds with ρ.
[1]
V
(d) (i) The rate of flow of gas through a pipe may be measured in cm3 s-1. By analogy,
t
suggest an equation for the rate of flow of gas. State the meaning of any symbols
you introduce.
[3]
(ii) 160 cm3 s-1 of gas flows through a pipe of internal diameter 15 mm. Calculate the
rate of flow of gas through a pipe of internal diameter 22 mm under the same
conditions.
rate of flow of gas = [2]
[Total: 16]

16
7 Plutonium-239 decays by alpha-particle emission with a half-life of 2.4 x 104 years. For
The alpha-particle energy is 8.2 x 10-13 J. Examiner's
Use
239
(a) For a 94 Pu nucleus, state the number of protons and neutrons.
number of protons =
number of neutrons =
[1]
(b) A small power source to generate 2.5 W is to be made from a sample of Plutonium-239.
Calculate the activity of the sample of Plutonium-239, stating any assumptions that you
make.
activity = [3]
(c) Another isotope of plutonium, Plutonium-238, also decays by alpha-emission but with a
half-life of 86 years. The alpha-particle energy is 8.8 x 10-13 J.
State one advantage and one disadvantage of using Plutonium-238 instead of

Plutonium-239 in the power source.
advantage
disadvantage
[2]
[Total: 6]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

17
Section B For
Examiner's
Use
Answer the one question, referring to the Insert.
You are advised to spend 30 minutes answering this section.
8 According to the Greenpeace article ‘Nuclear Power is the Wrong Answer’, the nuclear
industry sees ‘nuclear power as the answer to carbon reduction targets and energy supply
security’.
(a) Explain why carbon emissions are thought to be harmful to the environment.
[3]
(b) Explain how building more nuclear power stations could help to reduce carbon
emissions.
[2]
(c) Suggest why the government is concerned about ‘energy supply security’.
[1]

18
(d) The Greenpeace article includes the following statement. For

Examiner's
Use
‘Existing British nuclear power stations will leave a legacy of half a million tonnes of
nuclear waste that the government has no idea how to dispose of safely. This waste
will remain a threat to our health and the environment for a million years.’
Do you think this is a fair statement? Your answer should explain
• why nuclear waste is hazardous,

• how the waste is being dealt with at the moment,
• why nuclear waste is likely to remain a problem for a long period of time,
• whether you think the Greenpeace comment is fair.
[10]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

19
(e) Explain why the production of plutonium is used as an argument against building more For
nuclear power stations. Examiner's
Use
[9]
[Total: 25]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

20
BLANK PAGE
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SP/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/02
SPECIMEN INSERT
2 hours
The extracts reproduced here are copies of the pre-release material, and should already be familiar to
candidates.

2
EXTRACT 1: Nuclear Power is the Wrong Answer! (Greenpeace)
The UK government is currently reviewing the future direction of the UK’s energy policy. The review
is being used by Blair to give the go-ahead for a whole new generation of nuclear power stations.
The nuclear industry has recently launched a carefully orchestrated PR campaign to position nuclear
power as the answer to carbon reduction targets and energy supply security. But nuclear power is
the wrong answer:
It’s dirty
Existing British nuclear power stations will leave a legacy of half a million tonnes of nuclear waste that
the government has no idea how to dispose of safely. This waste will remain a threat to our health
and the environment for a million years. Allowing the nuclear industry to build ten more nuclear power
stations would add threefold to the amount of highly radioactive nuclear waste and spent fuel we have
to deal with.
It’s expensive
The decommissioning and clean up costs for the UK’s existing nuclear industry have been estimated
at £56bn – £70bn, with a further £20bn – £30bn needed for long-term management of the waste we
currently have. That’s equivalent to more than £1600 for every person in the UK.
It’s not a solution to global warming

Even with the most optimistic build rate, a programme of 10 new nuclear reactors would only deliver a
4% cut in CO2 emissions by 2024: too little, too late.
It’s wasteful
2
Centralised power stations like nuclear reactors waste over of the energy in their fuel by throwing it
3
away as heat. More is wasted in sending the electricity down the power lines. Only 22% of the
original energy ends up actually being used in the home.
It undermines a clean energy future

Investment in nuclear power has consistently blocked funding going into renewable energy and
energy efficiency. Every pound spent on nuclear is a pound less for effective solutions.
It’s polluting
Every day, nuclear power stations pump radioactive pollution into the sea and air. These emissions
can travel hundreds of kilometres, exposing wildlife and people to deadly radiation. The Irish Sea is
now the most radioactively contaminated sea in the world because of discharges from Sellafield.
It’s bad for your health

One particle of plutonium can cause fatal lung-cancer. The UK civil nuclear industry has a stockpile
of 102 tonnes of plutonium with no plans for what to do with it.
It’s dangerous
Every week trains carrying highly radioactive nuclear waste travel on Britain’s outdated public rail
network, through major cities and towns like London, Edinburgh and Bristol, often during peak hours.
A serious accident or terrorist attack involving just one nuclear waste flask could force the evacuation
of a large part of a city like London.
It’s unpopular
A recent MORI poll found that only 8% of people would prefer nuclear to renewable sources of energy
if the costs were the same.
It’s fuel for the arms race

The British nuclear industry has created the third largest stockpile of plutonium in the world.
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SI/10

3
It’s a potential terrorist target

Nuclear power stations are vulnerable to terrorist attack. Maps of Britain’s most nuclear sites were
reportedly found in the boot of a car linked to the July 2005 London bombers. A terrorist strike on the
storage tanks holding dangerous liquid high-level radioactive waste at Sellafield has the potential to
kill over two million people.
Good energy
But there is an alternative. The real solution to climate change is a wholesale reform of the
centralised UK energy system to encourage massive efficiency and renewable energy sources on a
huge scale: decentralised energy.
A recent report comparing nuclear and decentralised energy scenarios found that the nuclear
scenario is dirtier, more dangerous, less secure and over £1bn more expensive than a decentralised
scenario.
Source: Greenpeace website – nuclear campaign
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SI/10 [Turn over

4
EXTRACT 2: NIREX – Nuclear Waste Management
Everyone agrees that radioactive waste must be kept safely isolated from people and the
environment, not just for our lifetimes, but for thousands of generations to come. In the UK most low-
level waste is treated and disposed of as it is created. But we still need to agree on what to do with
our growing stocks of intermediate and high-level waste. As a nation, we have tried and failed to
reach consensus on this issue in the past. Now, as we enter a new millennium, we are trying once
again.
Options frequently raised include:
• permanent surface storage;

• disposal in a specially designed repository deep underground;
• underground storage phase before eventual underground disposal.
The House of Lords has considered other options and found difficulties with most of them. Disposal
of solid waste at sea is illegal by international convention. Exporting radioactive waste to other
countries could be considered unacceptable on ethical grounds. Sending it into space is considered
too dangerous. Processing the waste to reduce or remove its radioactivity presents formidable
scientific and environmental challenges that restrict its applicability.
Types of solid radioactive waste and how they are treated and stored at the present time:
Description:HIGH LEVEL WASTE: Highly radioactive, heat generating.

Source: Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.
State: Unconditioned: in liquid form, stored in cooled tanks at Sellafield, Cumbria, and
Dounreay, Caithness.
Conditioned: (13% of amount shown below in 1998) converted into glass and stored in
stainless steel containers in air-cooled chambers at Sellafield.
Amount: About 1,800 m3 currently being stored.
Long-term disposal: There is as yet no policy for disposal.
Description:INTERMEDIATE LEVEL WASTE: Intermediate radioactivity.

Source: Waste and decommissioned facilities from nuclear power production, medicine, research
and the military.
State: Unconditioned: metals, other solids and sludges stored where it arises.
Conditioned: (12% of amount shown below in 1998) immobilised in cement inside
stainless steel drums and stored in purpose-built buildings.
Amount: About 70,000 m3 currently being stored.
Long-term disposal: There is a policy for disposal which is currently under review.
Description:LOW LEVEL WASTE: Slightly radioactive.

Source: Operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
State: Unconditioned: equipment, paper, protective clothing from nuclear industry.
Conditioned: placed into containers and crushed into “pucks” which are cemented into
metal containers.
Amount: Most (1 million m3) low-level waste to date is at BNFL’s site at Drigg in Cumbria. Some
is at Dounreay, Caithness.
Long-term disposal: Most is conditioned and disposed of as it is created.
Source: Radioactive wastes in the UK, DETR/Nirex, July 1998
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SI/10

5
EXTRACT 3: Security of Energy Supply
The UK is currently a net exporter of oil and gas. However, our demand for oil and gas is widely
projected to rise by 2020, whilst domestic production is projected to fall. World reserves are widely
assessed as more than sufficient to meet projected demand for oil and gas over the next few
decades. However, by 2020, around a half of total oil demand will be met by countries with a high
potential risk of internal instability.
Although global oil and gas reserves are projected to be sufficient to meet global demand, it is
important to ensure more sustainable oil prices. Avoiding destabilising swings in oil and gas prices is
in the interests of both the consumer and the producer countries. Delivering competitive, liberalised
energy markets will be a key component in ensuring reliable and affordable energy supplies. There is
not an explicit price target; a transparent and competitive market is the best mechanism for delivering
sustainable prices.
An important part of energy security is countering potential international threats to the physical
security of supplies (e.g. sabotage of oil fields, and kidnapping of key workers).
Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office website on International Priorities
EXTRACT 4: Plutonium
Symbol Pu, radioactive metallic element that is used in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.
The atomic number of plutonium is 94. The element is one of the transuranium elements in the
actinide series of the periodic table.
Isotopes of plutonium were first prepared by the American chemist Glenn T. Seaborg and his
associates at the University of California at Berkeley in 1940. Trace amounts of the element have
since been found in uranium ores, but plutonium is prepared in relatively large quantities today in
nuclear reactors. Plutonium was named after the planet Pluto.
Chemically, plutonium is reactive, its properties somewhat resembling those of the rare earth
elements. The silvery metal, which becomes slightly yellow through oxidation caused by exposure to
air, exists in six varying crystalline forms and has four different oxidation states. The metal gives off
heat because of its radioactivity; 19 different isotopes of plutonium are known. Plutonium melts at
about 641 °C (about 1186 °F) and boils at about 3228 °C (about 5842 °F). Each of plutonium’s six
forms has a different specific gravity; they vary from 16 to 19.9.
The most important isotope, plutonium-239, has a half-life of 24,100 years, and is produced by
bombarding uranium-238 with slow neutrons. This forms neptunium-239, which in turn emits a beta
particle and forms plutonium-239. Plutonium is the most economically important of the transuranium
elements because plutonium-239 readily undergoes fission and can be both used and produced in
quantity in nuclear reactors. It is also used in making nuclear weapons. It is an extremely hazardous
poison due to its high radioactivity. Plutonium-238 has been used to power equipment on the Moon
by means of the heat it emits.
Source: MSN ENCARTA

6
EXTRACT 5: Using Plutonium
A valuable source of energy
• Plutonium is produced when uranium fuel is burnt in conventional nuclear reactors. So it is

present in used nuclear fuel when it leaves the reactor. If we process the used fuel, we can
recycle the 96% of it that is uranium and the 1% that is plutonium to generate electricity.
The reprocessing of used fuel separates the other 3% of waste products that are in the used fuel
so that we can safely manage them and eventually dispose (get rid) of them in a safe and
managed way. Plutonium is a valuable source of energy – one gram of plutonium used in a
conventional nuclear reactor has the same energy value as over two tonnes of coal.
How poisonous is plutonium?
• Plutonium is radioactive, but the main type of radiation it gives off (alpha particles) is not very
penetrating and does not pass through even thin layers of materials, such as thin rubber gloves.
• Plutonium is highly toxic if you breathe it or eat it. We take very strict protection measures at
each stage of the handling process to make sure the plutonium doesn’t get into the body, by
breathing or eating it, or through cuts in the skin.
Making weapons from plutonium
• The plutonium used to make nuclear weapons has a high percentage of the Pu-239 isotope,
which is created when reactors are run in a particular way just for the purpose of making
plutonium for weapons. Plutonium that is produced when reactors are operated for civil
electricity generation has a very different mixture of plutonium isotopes.
• It has been claimed that if the plutonium taken from used fuel fell into the wrong hands, it could
be used to make a nuclear weapon. Plutonium that is taken out of used fuel, from civil nuclear
reactors by reprocessing, is kept under strict safeguards. Nuclear weapons are not made from
safeguarded plutonium, but it may still be technically possible to use the plutonium from civil
reactors to manufacture an explosive device. However, anyone wanting to make this type of
device would need access to safe handling facilities, a great deal of skill and specialist
knowledge, and access to very special technology and parts which are not generally available.
Even if all these things were available, it would take months, or even years, to make an
explosive device from civil reactor plutonium, and it would be extremely difficult to do in secret.
Plutonium as a fuel
• Plutonium is a valuable source of energy. When plutonium is mixed with uranium to form a
mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, (this is made up of around 95% uranium and 5% plutonium), it can be
burnt in conventional nuclear reactors. About 400 tonnes of MOX fuel has been burnt in this
way since 1963 and over 30 European reactors are now licensed to burn MOX fuel. Currently,
reactors are licensed to load around one-third of the core with MOX fuel, making use of up to
two tonnes of plutonium at any one time.
• The cost of burning MOX fuel, compared to the cost of burning conventional fuel, will change
from country to country and even between individual generating companies. However, an
independent study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
has shown that MOX fuel could be up to 30% cheaper than conventional uranium fuel in certain
circumstances. We have worked out that it is possible to make savings of up to £50 million over
the lifetime of a new reactor by burning MOX fuel instead of conventional nuclear fuel.
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SI/10

7
Plutonium stocks
• Using MOX fuel helps us to manage the plutonium stockpile which would otherwise continue to
grow if we only used conventional uranium fuel in reactors. Typical MOX fuel might contain
between about 50 and 70 kilograms of plutonium for each tonne of fuel entering the reactor.
After four years of generating electricity, the amount of plutonium in the fuel would have been
reduced by about 18 kilograms in each tonne of fuel
• Studies by the independent International Atomic Energy Agency have shown that if MOX fuel is
burnt at reasonable levels, the world’s stockpile of plutonium can be held steady and then
gradually reduced during the next 10 years. But this is possible only if we maintain the skills
and technology we already use in the reprocessing industry.
• Disposing of nuclear weapons since the end of the cold war has made available much more
plutonium. Anti-nuclear groups are using this as a reason for stopping the reprocessing of any
more used fuel. A recent study by the United States National Academy of Sciences has
identified two possible ways of reducing the amount of plutonium taken from nuclear weapons in
the USA and former Soviet Union. One way is to immobilise the plutonium by mixing it with
glass and then burying it deep underground. The other way is to convert it into MOX fuel and
burn it in conventional reactors. The first option treats plutonium as a waste product and would
create large amounts of radioactive waste for no useful purpose. The second option treats
plutonium as a valuable source of energy and would create a great deal of electricity before the
used fuel is finally disposed of as waste.
Source: BNFL information sheet
EXTRACT 6: The Greenhouse Effect
The term ‘Greenhouse Effect’ is commonly used to describe the increase in the Earth’s average
temperature that has been recorded over the past 100 years. However, without the ‘natural
greenhouse effect’, life on Earth would be very different to that seen today.
The ‘natural greenhouse effect’
The Earth receives its life-sustaining warmth from the Sun. On its way to the Earth’s surface most of
the heat energy passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, while a smaller proportion is reflected back
into space.
The energy warms the Earth’s surface, and as the temperature increases, the Earth radiates heat
energy (infrared energy) back into the atmosphere. As this energy has a different wavelength to that
coming from the sun, some is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
There are four main naturally occurring gases that are responsible for the Greenhouse Effect; water
vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Once these gases absorb energy, the gas
particles begin to vibrate and they radiate energy in all directions, including approximately 30% of it
back towards Earth.
The other two important greenhouse gases are ozone and halocarbons.
As a result, the Earth’s average surface temperature is kept at about 15 °C by the blanket of
atmosphere that surrounds it. Without this, the temperature would be about -18 °C – too cold for life.
The gases keep the Earth warm in a similar (but not identical) way as a greenhouse keeps plants
warm.
The ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’
Although most of the greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, some are man-made and
the most well-known of these are the fluorocarbons. Since the industrial revolution, human activities

8
have also resulted in an increase in natural greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide.
An increase in these gases in the atmosphere enhances the atmosphere’s ability to trap heat, which
leads to an increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth.
Source: The interactive greenhouse effect website (BBC weather centre)
EXTRACT 7: UK Energy Review
The Energy Review has looked again at the role of nuclear electricity generation. Nuclear currently
provides around 20% of the country’s electricity needs, but most of our existing nuclear power
stations are scheduled to close over the coming twenty years or so. Having considered all of the
relevant issues, the Government believes that nuclear has a role to play in the future UK generating
mix because of its contribution to increased diversity of energy supplies and its role as a source of
low-carbon generation.
Source: DTI – The Policy Framework for Nuclear New Build
EXTRACT 8: The Nuclear Option
Nuclear energy in the UK: The UK operates three types of civil nuclear reactors:
• ‘Magnox’ reactors were the first generation of commercial nuclear reactors. They are operated
by Magnox Electric (part of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, BNFL). Some have already closed, and
the remaining five are due to close by 2010.
• Advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) evolved from the Magnox design. British Energy (BE)
operates seven AGRs; all of which are scheduled to close between 2008 and 2023.
• Pressurised-water reactors (PWR) are a US design. BE operates one PWR, Sizewell B in
Suffolk. This will close around 2035. Together, nuclear power stations in the UK meet 23% of
current electricity demand: 5% from Magnox, 16% from the AGRs and 2% from the PWR. By
2020, total nuclear capacity will have reduced by around three-quarters. When built, nuclear
reactors are designed to last for a specified lifetime but, in principle, it is possible to extend this.
Magnox reactors have already run longer than originally expected, but further extensions of
their lifetime are not economic. In 1994, BE increased the lifetime of some of its AGRs by five
years. However, BE currently has no plans to extend the lifetime of its AGRs further, nor is it
planning to extend the lifetime of Sizewell B.
Options for new reactors: Magnox and AGRs are no longer built anywhere and the PWR
(Pressurised Water Reactor) is now the most common reactor type. Should there be new nuclear
build in the UK, there are three designs which are the likeliest contenders in the short term. The first
is based on a unique Canadian design while the latter two are based on PWR (Pressurised Water
Reactor) technology: none has yet been built anywhere.
Each of the above reactors has been designed to operate for 60 years. They are also designed to
use fuel more efficiently than previous reactors, reducing fuel use and waste. For safety, a nuclear
power plant must be robust to protect the reactor core. Each of the above designs employs
containment structures that include a concrete outer shield. Similarly, the reactor core needs to be
cooled to prevent overheating, which could otherwise lead to releases of radiological material.
Source: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Postnotes

December 2003 Number 208
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SI/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/02
2 hours
MAXIMUM MARK: 100

2
Units are expected with numerical answers. Maximum one unit penalty per question.
1 (a) rate of change of velocity [1]
(b) slow deceleration at start (1)

slow deceleration at finish (1)
maximum deceleration at 5 s (1) [3]
(c) (i) area under graph [1]
(ii) average height of graph around 10 m s-1 (1)

10 m s-1 x 10 s = 100 m (1) [2]
(iii) smooth curve from origin (1)

well over half way by 5 s (1) [2]
(d) sudden application of a force is required for constant deceleration (1)

jerk at the start of deceleration (1)
jerk at final stopping i.e. at 10 s (1)
smooth change of force able to be accommodated by passenger (1)
other valid point e.g. jerk as a sudden change of the force (1)
MAXIMUM 2 [2]
[Total: 11]
2 (a) Q = It = 0.050 x 4.0 x 3600 = 720 C (1)

E = QV with knowledge of what the symbols mean (1)
= 720 x 6.0 = 4320 J (1) [3]
(b) chemical (potential energy) [1]
(c) (i) I = 4.0/48 = 0.0833 (A) (1)

Vr = 0.5 V (1)
r = 0.5/0.0833 = 6 Ω (1) [3]
(ii) E = V2t/R with knowledge of what the symbols mean (1)

= 4.02 x 2700 / 48 = 900 J (1) [2]
(iii) 900/4320 = 21% [1]
(d) because the p.d. across it (4.5 – 4.0) is known only to 1 sig.fig. [1]
[Total: 11]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SM/10

3
gravitational kinetic energy

3 distance of fall/ m elastic p.e. /J
p.e. /J /J
0 54 000 0 0
20 42 000 0 12 000 (1)
40 30 000 0 24 000
50 24 000 0 30 000 (1) (1)
60 18 000 3300 32 700 (33 000) (1) (1) (1)
90 0 54 000 0 (1) (1)
[Total: 8]
4 (a) speed = 3.00 x 108 m s-1 [1]
(b) (i) for measuring across at least three waves (1)

wavelength = e.g. 0.141 m (±0.002)/4 = 0.0353 m (1)
gives three significant figures (1) [3]
(ii) frequency = c/λ = 3.00 x 108 / 0.0353 (1)

= 8.50 x 109 Hz (no additional sig. fig. penalty here) (1) [2]
(c) (i) both 49 cm [1]
(ii) phase difference will be zero (1)

so amplitude of resultant wave will be a maximum (1) [2]
(iii) 1. DC = 18 cm, DABC = 80 cm [1]
2. path difference = 62 cm, which is 15½ wavelengths

so waves arrive (π radians) out of phase (1)
so cancellation takes place (1) [2]
(iv) large signal from transmitter would swamp (reflected) weak signals (1)
unless they arrived at different times (1)
this cancels out the strong signal (1)
but allows the weak signal through (1)
strong signal could damage the receiver (1)
MAXIMUM 3 [3]
[Total: 15]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SM/10 [Turn over

4
5 (a) controlled by the maximum number of photoelectrons produced (1)

this is controlled by the intensity of the illumination (1) [2]
(b) (i) 2 eV [1]
(ii) E = hc/λ = 6.63 x 10-34 x 3.00 x 108 / 328 x 10-9 = (6.064 x 10-19) (1)
conversion to eV = 6.064 x 10-19 / 1.60 x 10-19 = 3.79 (eV) (1) [2]
(iii) E = Φ - hf (1)
Φ = 3.79 - 2.00 = 1.79 eV (1) [2]
(c) lower than original, horizontal on the right, still zero at –2.0 V [1]
[Total: 8]
6 (a) Kirchhoff’s (first) law OR conservation of charge

OR electric current into house must equal current out of house (1)
gas supply is used in the house (chemically)
OR waste gas (combustion products) go up the chimney (1) [2]
(b) (i) unit of Q/t is J s-1

unit of A is m2
unit of (θ2 – θ2) / d is K m-1 (allow °C m-1) (1)
reorganise to unit of k is J s-1 / m2 K m-1 (1)
unit of k = J s m K OR W m-1 K-1 OR kg m s-3 K1 (1)
-1 -1 -1
[3]
(ii) Q/t = 0.35 x 12 x (22 – 8)/ 0.10 (1)

= 588 J s-1 or 588 (W) (1) [2]
(c) (i) Q/t = I = V/R R =ρl/A (1)

Q/t = AV/ρl (1) [2]
(ii) 1. (θ2 – θ2) OR temperature difference (1)

2. 1/k (1) [2]
v m
(d) (i) V/t = Ap/cl OR m/t = Ap/cl OR = cAp/l OR = cAp/l (1)
t t
where V/t is volume of gas per unit time
m/t is mass of gas per unit time
c is a constant and (1)
p is the pressure difference (1) [3]
(ii) V1 /160 = 222/152 (1)

V1 = 160 x 484 / 225 = 344 (cm3 s-1) (1) [2]
[Total: 16]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SM/10

5
7 (a) 94 protons, 145 neutrons [1]
(b) relates power with energy of a single alpha particle (1)

2.5 (W) / 8.2 x 10-13 (J) = 3.05 x 1012 Bq (1)
100% efficiency assumed (1) [3]
(c) advantage: e.g. less mass of Pu-238 required OR activity per unit mass greater (do not allow
simply ‘greater energy’) (1)
disadvantage: e.g. lasts for a shorter time, non constant output (1) [2]
[Total: 6]
8 (a) carbon dioxide is a waste product of fossil-fuelled thermal power stations. (1)
carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. (1)
more detailed information, e.g. (2)
carbon dioxide absorbs the longer wavelength (IR) radiation from the Earth and
re-radiates it thereby reducing radiation losses from the Earth and increasing
atmospheric temperatures.
MAXIMUM 3 [3]
(b) nuclear power stations do not emit carbon dioxide. (1)

if nuclear power stations are used instead of fossil fuelled power stations then less carbon
dioxide will be released into the atmosphere. (1) [2]
(c) many oil fields are in unstable parts of the world so supplies may be interrupted (1)
dependence on energy sources from overseas means we have little control over the price of
energy. (1)
cost and dependability of energy supplies can be affected by (political) events (1)
power stations can be terrorist targets (1)
MAXIMUM 1 [1]
(d) Why is it hazardous?

radioactive waste emits ionising radiation that can cause cell damage or cancer or genetic
damage(1)
more detail of the effects of ionising radiation (1)
difficult to isolate the waste from the environment for thousands of years (1)
high level waste generates heat as it decays (1)
MAXIMUM 2
How is it dealt with at the moment?

low-level waste is pumped into the sea or buried in the ground (1)
intermediate level waste is immobilised in cement and stored in (purpose-built) buildings (1)
high level waste is turned into glass and stored in stainless steel containers (in air-cooled
chambers inside purpose-built buildings) (1)
MAXIMUM 2

6
Why will it remain a problem?

many of the isotopes or their decay products have long half lives( 1)
the activity of a source is proportional to the amount of the source so isotopes with long
half-lives will remain active for a long time (1)
we cannot guarantee that we can isolate the waste from the environment for long enough to
allow the activity to drop to acceptable levels (1)
MAXIMUM 2
Assessment of the Greenpeace argument

coherent argument (1)
clear and consistent conclusion (1)
Independent research
Information or arguments not contained in the insert (2) [10]
(e) Plutonium
element 94 in the periodic table (1)
it is radioactive and emits alpha-particles (1)
it is fissile (1)
it has a long half-life (24 110 years) (1)
accumulates in the cores of nuclear reactors (1)
it is created when U-238 absorbs a neutron and undergoes two beta-decays (1)
nuclear transformation equations for creation of Pu-239 (1)
MAXIMUM 2
Hazards
alpha-emitter so main hazard is if ingested (1)
(plutonium compounds are) toxic (1)
it has a low critical mass or accidental criticality can cause a large radiation dose (1)
MAXIMUM 2
Link between civil and military nuclear power

plutonium can be extracted from spent nuclear fuel by reprocessing. (1)
plutonium can be used in nuclear weapons (1)
Independent research
information or arguments not contained in the advance release document (3) [9]
[Total: 25]
© UCLES 2007 9792/02/SM/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/03
Paper 3 Part B Written Paper
SPECIMEN PAPER
3 hours
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.
Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen in the spaces provided.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. For Examiner's Use
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
1
Section A 2
Answer all questions. You are advised to spend 1½ hours on this section.
Section B 3
Answer any three questions. All six questions carry equal marks. You are 4
advised to spend 1½ hours on this section.
5
You are advised to show working in all calculations.
6
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part 7
question.
8
10
11
12
13
Total

2
Data

Formulae
s = ut + 12 at
2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
u + v 
s=  t
 2 
sin θ1
refraction n=
sin θ 2
v1
n=
v2
h
p
v = -Aω sin ωt
a = -Aω2 cos ωt
F = -mω2x
E = 12 mA2ω2
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

3
Q1Q2
electric force F =
4πεo r 2
Q1Q2
4πεo r
− Gm1m2
r2
− Gm1m2
r
F = BQv sin θ
− d(NΦ )
dt
Hall effect V = Bvd
t
1−
c2
kinetic theory 1
2
m<c2> = 32 kT

dN
dt
N = Noe-λt
t 1 = ln2
2 λ
− 13.6 eV
n2
h
2π
h
∆E∆t [
2π
1
T
∆λ ∆f v
λ f c

4
Section A For
Examiner's
Use
Answer all questions in this section.

You are advised to spend 1½ hours on this section.
1 (a) Write down an equation expressing Newton’s law of gravitation. Define your symbols.
[2]
(b) Use the equation in (a) to derive a value for g, the acceleration due to gravity, at the
Earth’s surface.
mass of Earth = 5.98 × 1024 kg

mean radius of Earth = 6.37 × 106 m
g= [3]
(c) A geostationary satellite has to be placed above the equator.
(i) State what is meant by geostationary.
[1]
(ii) State the direction of rotation of the satellite around the Earth’s axis.
[1]
(iii) Explain why the satellite must be above the equator.
[2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

5
(d) A geostationary satellite is in orbit at a distance of 4.23 x 107 m from the centre of the For
Earth. Calculate Examiner's
Use
(i) the Earth’s gravitational field strength at this distance from the centre of the Earth,
gravitational field strength = [1]
(ii) the speed of the satellite,
speed = [3]
(iii) the acceleration of the satellite.
acceleration = [2]
(e) In the data, g is given as 9.81 N kg-1.
Compare and comment on small differences between this value, the value you
obtained in part (b) and the value 9.79 m s-2 which is obtained for the acceleration of
free fall on the equator.
[4]
[Total: 19]

6
2 This question is about the discharge of combinations of capacitors. For

Examiner's
Use
In Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2, the capacitors are charged through a 10 kΩ resistor from a 10 V
d.c. supply when the switch S is connected to X. They discharge when the switch is moved
to Y. The ammeters monitor the currents in the circuits. Initially, the switch is connected to
X and the capacitors are fully charged.
Fig. 2.2
(a) State the potential difference across each capacitor
(i) in Fig. 2.1,
potential difference = V [1]
(ii) in Fig. 2.2.
potential difference = V [1]
(b) (i) Calculate the total charge stored in the circuit of Fig. 2.2.
charge = [2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

7
(ii) Explain why the total charge stored in the circuit of Fig. 2.1 is the same as in the For
circuit of Fig. 2.2. Examiner's
Use
[2]
(c) The switches in both circuits are moved from X to Y at time t = 0. Fig. 2.3 shows how
the reading I on ammeter 2 varies with time t as the capacitors discharge.
(i) Describe how and explain why the reading on ammeter 1 varies, if at all, over the
same time interval.
[2]
(ii) Sketch curves on Fig. 2.3 to show how you expect the readings on ammeters
3 and 4 to vary with time. Label your curves ammeter 3 and ammeter 4
respectively.
[3]
[Total: 11]

8
3 Fig. 3.1 shows an evacuated circular tube in which charged particles can be accelerated. For
A uniform magnetic field of flux density B acts in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Examiner's
Use
the tube. Protons move with a speed v along a circular path within the tube.
(a) On Fig. 3.1, draw an arrow at P to indicate the direction of the force on the protons for
them to move in a circle within the tube. [1]
(b) State the direction of the magnetic field. Explain how you arrived at your answer.
[2]
(c) Write down an algebraic expression for the force F on a proton in terms of the flux
density B at point P and the speed v of the proton.
[1]
(d) Calculate the value of B needed to contain protons of speed 1.5 x 107 m s-1 within a
tube of radius 60 m. Give the unit for your answer.
B= [4]
(e) State and explain what action must be taken to contain protons injected into the tube at
twice the speed.
[2]
[Total: 10]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

9
4 (a) Explain what is meant by the internal energy of a gas. For

Examiner's
Use
[2]
(b) Assume argon gas at a temperature of 300 K behaves ideally. An atom of argon gas
has mass 6.6 x 10-26 kg.
(i) Show that 0.020 kg of argon contains 3.0 x 1023 atoms.
[1]
(ii) The average speed of an argon atom at this temperature is 440 m s-1.
Determine the kinetic energy of an argon atom travelling at this speed.
kinetic energy = [2]
(iii) The kinetic energy of an alpha-particle from a radioactive source is 4.3 MeV.
Calculate the ratio of the kinetic energy of the alpha-particle to the kinetic energy of
the argon atom in (ii).
ratio = [3]

10
(c) Not all the argon atoms have the same speed. The distribution of speeds is shown in For
Fig. 4.1. Examiner's
Use
22
20
percentage
of atoms 18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0-100 100-200 200-300 300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 700-800 800-900 900-1000
range of molecular speeds / m s–1
Fig. 4.1
The argon sample contains 3.0 x 1023 atoms.
(i) Show that the number of atoms in the sample having speeds between 500 m s-1
and 600 m s-1 is about 6 x 1022.
[1]
(ii) Show that about 1 x 1022 atoms have speeds less than 200 m s-1.
[1]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

11
(iii) Find the total percentage of all the columns shown in the histogram and use your For
answer to find the total number of atoms with speeds greater than 1000 m s-1. Examiner's
Use
number of atoms = [2]
(iv) Approximately what percentage of atoms are travelling at more than twice the
average speed of 440 m s-1?
percentage of atoms = [2]
(d) Fig. 4.2 shows the outline of the histogram in Fig 4.1.
By drawing a line on Fig. 4.2, illustrate how the outline of the histogram would change if
the temperature of the argon were increased. [1]
(e) Explain, in terms of particle behaviour, why the temperature of a liquid falls due to
evaporation.
[2]
[Total: 17]

12
5 (a) (i) State the charge, in terms of the elementary charge e, on the up quark and the For
down quark. Examiner's
Use
up quark charge =
down quark charge =

[1]
(ii) State the quark composition of the proton and the neutron.
proton =
neutron =
[1]
(b) The π+ is a particle that can be produced in a reaction between two protons, as shown
in the equation below.
p+ + p+ → p+ + n0 + π+
(i) Simplify this equation and, using your answers to (a), write the equation in terms of
quarks.
[2]
(ii) The π+ consists of a quark and an anti-quark. Use your answer to (i) to deduce the
quark composition of the π+ particle.
[2]
[Total: 6]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

13
6 A radioactive material is known to contain a mixture of two nuclides X and Y of different For
half-lives. Readings of activity, taken as the material decays, are given in the table, Examiner's
Use
together with the activity of nuclide X over the first 12 hours.
activity of activity of activity of

time / hour
material / Bq nuclide X / Bq nuclide Y / Bq
0 4600 4200 400

6 3713 3334
12 3002 2646
18 2436
24 1984
30 1619
36 1333
(a) The half-life of nuclide X is 18 hours. Complete the table. [4]
(b) Calculate the half-life of nuclide Y.
half-life = [3]
(c) Explain why it is not possible to give a half-life for a mixture of two nuclides.
[3]
[Total: 10]

14
7 The Earth has a radius of 6.4 x 106 m. When viewed from the Sun, the Earth looks like a For
disc. Each square metre of the Earth’s disc receives 1100 joules per second from the Sun. Examiner's
Use
(a) Show that the total amount of energy the Earth receives from the Sun every second is
1.42 x 1017 J.
[1]
(b) The Earth’s mean temperature is 286 K. The Earth may be thought of as a black body
radiating energy according to Stefan’s law.
Calculate the total amount of energy which the Earth radiates each second.
energy per second = [2]
(c) Comment on the relative sizes of your answers to (a) and (b) in relation to
(i) factors which may not have been considered,
[2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

15
(ii) global warming. For

Examiner's
Use
[2]
[Total: 7]

16
Section B For
Examiner's
Use
Answer any three questions.

You are advised to spend 1½ hours on this section.
8 A bus uses a spinning flywheel which is brought up to full rotational speed by a motor when
the bus stops at a station. The flywheel is a solid cylinder of mass 900 kg and diameter
2.2 m. Its maximum angular velocity is 2800 revolutions per minute.
(a) Calculate the angular velocity in rad s-1.
angular velocity = rad s-1 [2]
(b) Calculate the maximum speed of particles on the rim of the spinning flywheel.
maximum speed = [2]
(c) Fig. 8.1 shows a cylinder of radius R and length L and of density ρ.
The cylinder contains a small cylindrical shell of radius r and thickness δr. Show that
the mass of the small cylindrical shell is given by
δm = 2πrδrLρ.
[2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

17
(d) By integration show that the moment of inertia I of the whole cylinder is given by For
Examiner's
Use
I = 1 MR2
2
where M is the mass of the cylinder.
[4]
(e) The cylinder has mass 900 kg and diameter 2.2 m.

Calculate the moment of inertia of the cylinder.
I= [2]
(f) Calculate the maximum rotational kinetic energy of the flywheel.
maximum rotational kinetic energy = [2]
(g) The flywheel is brought up to maximum speed at a station by a motor connected to an

overhead power line. The electric power is then disconnected and the energy stored in
the flywheel is used to drive the bus. The average power required to operate the bus is
2.0 x 104 W. For how many minutes can the bus operate between stops?
time between stops = minutes [3]

18
(h) To increase the time between stops, the flywheel needs to store more kinetic energy. For
It is suggested that the flywheel dimensions and angular velocity remain the same, but Examiner's
Use
a material with 20% larger density be used.
(i) What would be the new time between stops if the same average power were used
to operate the bus?
time between stops = minutes [1]
(ii) Give two reasons why the new flywheel might reduce the performance of the bus.
1.
2.
[2]
[Total: 20]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

19
9 Fig. 9.1 illustrates the lowest energy levels of the hydrogen atom. It gives the principal For
quantum number n for each energy level and the energy En associated with each. Examiner's
Use
n En / 10–19 J
6 –0.60
A
5 –0.87
4 –1.36
B
3 –2.42
2 –5.43
1 –21.7
Fig. 9.1
The two arrows A and B show transitions that produce photons in the ultraviolet and infra-
red parts of the spectrum.
(a) State and explain which transition is likely to produce a line in the infra-red part of the
spectrum.
[1]
(b) Calculate the wavelength of the line due to the transition from n = 6 to n = 2.
wavelength = [2]

20
(c) Explain what happens when an electron in the ground state is struck by a photon of For
frequency 3.27 x 1015 Hz. Examiner's
Use
[3]
(d) Convert 21.7 x 10-19 J to electron-volts.
21.7 x 10-19 J = eV [1]
(e) Calculate En in joules for n = 7.
En = J [2]
(f) Niels Bohr postulated that the electron in a hydrogen atom can only exist in discrete
orbits. Each orbit has a certain value of energy. This idea was later explained by
imagining standing waves for the electron.
(i) What is a standing wave?
[3]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

21
(ii) If an electron standing wave fits into an atom of radius r, then the largest For
wavelength is 2πr. Examiner's
Use
Derive an expression, in terms of r, for the momentum of the electron.
[2]
(iii) Show that the total energy of the atom is given by
h2 1 e2
−
8π 2 me r 2 4πε 0 r
where me is the mass of the electron and e is the elementary charge.
[2]
(iv) When the total energy is a minimum, the electron will be in a stable energy level.
By differentiation of the expression in (iii) with respect to r, show that this occurs
when r = 5.3 x 10-11 m.
[4]
[Total: 20]

22
10 The front wheel and suspension system of a car are shown in Fig. 10.1. For
Examiner's
Use
A driver of mass 75 kg sits over one of the wheels and the spring in the suspension system
compresses by 2.0 x 10-2 m.
(a) Show that the spring constant of the spring suspension system is about 40 kN m-1.
[2]
(b) The suspension system is modelled as a mass m suspended from a spring of

constant k, as shown in Fig. 10.2.
Show that when displaced by x from equilibrium, the acceleration a of the mass is given by
−k
a= x.
m
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

23
[2] For
2 Examiner's
d x
(c) By comparing with 2
= -ω2x, find an equation for the natural frequency of oscillation f Use
dt
in terms of k and m.
[2]
d2 x
(d) Show that x = A cos ωt is a solution of the equation = - ω2x.
dt 2
[2]
(e) At time t = 0 s, the suspension system has an effective mass of 150 kg and is released
from an initial displacement A = 1.0 x 10-2 m. Calculate
(i) the value of ω,
ω= [1]
(ii) the displacement after 1.0 second.
displacement = [2]

24
(f) Calculate For

Examiner's
Use
(i) the maximum acceleration,
maximum acceleration = [2]
(ii) the maximum velocity,
maximum velocity = [2]
(iii) the maximum energy of the system.
maximum energy = [2]
(g) The car travels over speed bumps 6 m apart. Determine the speed of the car at which
maximum amplitude occurs.
speed = [3]
[Total: 20]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

25
11 In this question you will be asked to explain and interpret the second law of For
thermodynamics. Examiner's
Use
(a) Give statements of the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
first law:
second law:
[4]
(b) (i) Explain why, when considered in isolation, living creatures appear to violate the
second law of thermodynamics.
[2]
(ii) Explain how even living things are in fact consistent with the second law of
thermodynamics.
[2]

26
(c) Explain why a drop of ink placed into a beaker of water spontaneously disperses For
throughout the volume of water, but a beaker of inky water never spontaneously Examiner's
Use
separates into clear water and a drop of ink. Your answer should refer to entropy,
probability, and reversibility.
[8]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

27
(d) Explain how the second law of thermodynamics leads to the concept of a For
thermodynamic ‘arrow of time’ and discuss whether Physics provides any other ways of Examiner's
Use
distinguishing the future from the past.
[4]
[Total: 20]

28
12 Newton thought that space and time are absolute. For

Examiner's
Use
(a) Explain what is meant by absolute time and absolute space.
absolute time:
absolute space:
[4]
(b) Fig. 12.1 shows how light reaches the Earth from a distant star at different times of the
year (positions A and B). The speed of the Earth in its orbit is v and the speed of light
is c.
(i) When physicists first started thinking about the speed of light, they thought space
and time were absolute. Use this assumption to predict the speed of light relative
to the Earth at A and at B.
[2]
(ii) State Einstein’s principle of relativity and use it to make a different prediction about
the measured speed of light at A and B.
[2]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

29
(c) Mu-mesons are unstable subatomic particles created by cosmic rays at about 60 km For
above the surface of the Earth, as shown in Fig. 12.2. They travel through the Examiner's
Use
atmosphere at 99.95% of the speed of light. Mu-mesons at rest in a laboratory have a
half-life of about 2 µs.
An experiment is set up to compare the rate of arrival Rs of mu-mesons at the surface

with their rate of creation R60 at 60 km above the surface.
Use the information above to compare the ratio Rs/R60 calculated using Newton’s
concept of absolute space and time, compare it with the same ratio calculated using
Einstein’s principle of relativity, and explain why the two predictions differ.
[12]
[Total: 20]

30
13 An experiment is carried out to demonstrate the interference of light when it passes through For
a barrier with two parallel narrow slits. A detector is placed beyond the double slits as Examiner's
Use
shown in Fig. 13.1.
The following experiments are carried out.
1. Slit Y is covered. The amplitude of light reaching the detector when it is placed at
position P is A.
2. Slit X is covered. The amplitude of light reaching the detector when it is placed at
position P is again A.
3. Both slits are opened. The amplitude of light reaching P is zero.
(a) Use a wave model to explain how less light can arrive at P with both slits open than
arrives with just one slit open.
[4]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

31
(b) When both slits are open and the detector is moved along the line RS, it records For
regular maxima and minima. P is one of the minima. In practice the detector clicks Examiner's
Use
every time a photon arrives.
Explain how the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory can be used to predict
the rate of arrival of photons at the detector.
[4]
(c) The experiment is now modified. A filter is placed in front of the source to reduce the
intensity of light reaching the apparatus. Now photons pass through the apparatus one
at a time at large intervals.
A photon reaches the apparatus and passes through slit X. Explain why a second
photon, approaching the apparatus in exactly the same way, might pass through slit Y.
[2]
(d) State the probability that the photon arrives at P.
[1]
(e) Slit X is covered. How does this affect the probability that the photon reaches P?
Explain your answer.
[3]

32
(f) Newtonian mechanics is deterministic but quantum theory is not. Use examples to For
explain what this means and to discuss whether this makes a significant difference to Examiner's
Use
our ability to predict the future.
[6]
[Total: 20]
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible.
Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been
included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SP/10

Principal Subject
PHYSICS 9792/03
Paper 3 Part B Written Paper
3 hours
MAXIMUM MARK: 140

2
Units are required with numerical answers: maximum 1 unit penalty per question.
Section A
1 (a) F = GM1M2/r2 (1)

G is the gravitational constant, F is the force (of attraction) between masses
M1 and M2 when (their centres) are a distance r apart (1) [2]
(b) F/m = g = GME/r2 (1)

= 6.67 x 10-11 x 5.98 x 1024 / (6.37 x 106)2 (1)
= 9.83 m s-2 (1) [3]
(c) (i) rotating with the Earth so it appears stationary [1]
(ii) west to east [1]
(iii) the attraction to the Earth is to its centre (1)

so the circular orbit must be centred on the Earth’s centre (1)
any such circle not on the equator will have a varying latitude (1)
MAXIMUM 2 [2]
(d) (i) g’ = 6.67 x 10-11 x 5.98 x 1024 / (4.23 x 107)2 = 0.223 N kg-1 OR m s-2 [1]
(ii) distance = 2πr = 2.66 x 108 m (1)

time = 24 x 3600 = 86 400 s (1)
speed = 3080 m s-1 (1) [3]
(iii) acceleration = v2/r = (1)

1.020 x 107 / 4.23 x 107 = 0.223 m s-2 (1) [2]
(e) 9.83 is the acceleration towards the centre of the Earth (1)
caused by gravitational attraction (1)
it is the acceleration of free fall at the poles therefore (1)
at all other places the acceleration towards the Earth’s surface is less (1)
because the Earth’s surface is accelerating (1)
9.81 is the value in England (1)
9.79 on the Equator is a lower value because some of an object’s weight is causing the
object’s acceleration in a circle (1)
MAXIMUM 4 [4]
[Total: 19]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

3
2 (a) (i) 5 (1) [1]
(ii) 10 (1) [1]
(b) (i) Q = VC (for each capacitor) (1)

1.0 mC (1) [2]
(ii) In Fig. 3.2 each capacitor has twice the p.d. but half the capacitance (1)
Q = VC so same Q on all capacitors (1) [2]
(c) (i) reading on 1 = reading on 2 (1)

because they are in series (1) [2]
(ii) 4 graph identical to printed 1 graph (1)

3 graph half the current of the printed 1 graph at t = 0 (1)
And at all other times (1) [3]
[Total: 11]
3 (a) arrow pointing towards centre of circle [1]
(b) out of page (accept upwards) (1)

Fleming’s left hand rule named, stated or described (1) [2]
(c) F = Bev or F = BQv [1]
(d) F = mv2/r (1)

B = mv/er or (1.67 × 10-27 × 1.5 × 107)/(1.60 × 10-19 × 60) (1)
2.61 × 10-3 (1)
T (1) [4]
(e) double the (magnetic) field strength (1)

(for a circular path) B is proportional to v (1) [2]
[Total: 10]

4
4 (a) the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of all the atoms (in the gas) (1)
inclusion of the word ‘random’ when applied to energies (1) [2]
(b) (i) total mass / mass of one atom = 0.020 (kg) /6.6 x 10-26 (kg) (1)
= 3.03 x 1023 atoms (0) [1]
(ii) kinetic energy = ½ x 6.6 x 10-26 x (440)2 (1)

= 6.39 x 10-21 J (1) [2]
(iii) 1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J (1)

4.3 MeV = 6.88 x 10-13 J (1)
ratio required = 6.88 x 10-13 / 6.39 x 10-21 = 1.08 x 108 (1) [3]
(c) (i) 19.5% of 3.0 x 1023 (= 5.85 x 1022) [1]
(ii) 1% + 2½% = 3½%, 3½% of 3.0 x 1023 (= 1.05 x 1022) [1]
(iii) total is 98.5% (1)

1.5% of 3.0 x 1023 = 4.5 x 1021 (1) [2]
(iv) twice average speed = 880 m s-1

percentage less than 900 m s-1 = 97% (1)
percentage between 880 m s-1 and 900 m s-1 about 0.8%
giving 3.8% = approx. 4% (1) [2]
(d) sketch shows more atoms at higher speed and fewer atoms at lower speed [1]
(e) faster atoms escape more readily (than slow ones) (1)
average KE of atoms limited to temperature (1) [2]
[Total: 17]
5 (a) (i) up quark charge = +2/3 (e), down quark charge = -1/3 (e) [1]
(ii) proton u u d: neutron u d d [1]
(b) (i) p+ → n0 + π+ (1)

u u
u → d + π+ (1)
d d [2]
(ii) d must have antiparticle d (1)

u must be added to give composition of u d (1) [2]
[Total: 6]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

5
activity of activity of activity of

6 (a) time / hour
material / Bq nuclide X / Bq nuclide Y / Bq
0 4600 4200 400
6 3713 3334 379

(1)
12 3002 2646 356
18 2436 2100 (1) 336
24 1984 1667 317

(1)
30 1619 1323 (1) 296
36 1333 1050 283
[4]
(b) A = A0 e-λt (1)

ln A = ln A0 – λt (1)
t 1 = ln 2/λ = 69.0 h answers will vary slightly dependent on starting and finishing times (1) [3]
2
(c) decay constants or half lives are different (1)

half-life at the start is approximately that for X (1)
X decays more rapidly than Y so after a long time the half-life is that for Y (1)
in between it has a value intermediate between the two (which varies) (1)
MAXIMUM 3 [3]
OR
dealt with mathematically, along the lines of

two separate exponential decays (1)
when added together do not give an exponential graph (1)
with back up maths (1) [3]
[Total: 10]

6
7 (a) energy per second = πr2 x 1100 = π x (6.4 x 106)2 x 1100 = 1.42 x 1017 J (s-1) [1]
(b) L = 4π x 5.7 x 10-8 x (6.4 x 106)2 x 2864 (1)

L = 1.96 x 1017 J (s-1) (1) [2]
(c) (i) e.g. Earth is not a black body (so radiates less than this) (1)
Earth reflects some of the radiation falling on it (1)
some energy comes from radioactive rocks (1)
some energy comes from Earth’s core (1)
the Earth’s temperature is not all at 286 K and since the temperature is raised to the
fourth power this will make a considerable difference (1)
MAXIMUM 2 [2]
(ii) there must be an approximate balance between the two figures or (1)
the Earth’s temperature would rise or fall more quickly (1)
OR
for there to be no global warming the two figures must be equal (1)
since some global warming is occurring the net energy coming in must be larger than the
net energy going out (over a period of time) (1) [2]
[Total: 7]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

7
Section B
 rev   2π rad  1min 

8 (a) ω =  2800 ×   (1)
 min   1rev  60 s 
293 rad s-1 (1) [2]
(b) v = ωr or 293s-1 x 1.1m (1)

322 m s-1 (1) [2]
(c) volume = 2πrδrL (1)

mass = volume x density (1)
δm = 2πrδrLρ (0) [2]
r =R
∫ mr
2
(d) I = dm (1)
r =O
r =R
∫r
3
= 2πLρ dr (1)
r =O
= 1 πR 2 ρLR 2 (1)
2
M = πR 2 Lρ (1)
I = 1 MR 2 (0) [4]
2
(e) = ½ x 900 x (1.1)2 (1)

= 545 kg m2 (1) [2]
(f) KE = ½ MR2 ω2 or ½ x 900 x (1.1)2 x (293)2 (1)

= 4.67 x 107 J (1) [2]
rotational KE
(g) average power = (1)
time
4.67 × 10 7 J
time = (1)
2.0 × 10 4 Js −1
38.9 minute (1) [3]
(h) (i) 46.7 minutes [1]
(ii) takes longer for the motor to bring it up to full speed at each stop (1)
mass of the bus increases, reducing acceleration and deceleration (1) [2]
[Total: 20]

8
9 (a) infra-red is the lower of the two frequencies and its photon will have low energy due to a
small energy transition (∆E = hf) [1]
(b) ∆E = hc/λ (1)

9.4 x 10-8 m (1) [2]
(c) energy of photon = hf (1)

= 21.7 x 10-19 J (1)
this is enough energy to promote an electron from the ground state to infinity, thus ionising
the atom (1) [3]
(d) 13.6 eV [1]
(e) -13.6 x 1.6 x 10-19/ 72 (1)

0.44 x 10-19 J (1) [2]
(f) (i) resultant of (at least) two coherent waves (1)

destructive interference at nodes (1)
constructive interference at antinodes (1) [3]
h
(ii) λ= (1)
mv
h
mv = (1) [2]
2πr
(iii) KE =
(mv )2 =
h2
(1)
2m 8π 2 mr 2
1 e2
PE = (1)
4πε 0 r
h2 1 e2
E= − (0) [2]
8π 2 mr 2 4πε 0 r
dE
(iv) = 0 (1)
dr
− h2 1 e2
+ = 0 (1)
4π 2 mr 3 4πε 0 r 2
ε 0h 2
r= (1)
πme 2
=
(
8.85 × 10 −12 × 6.63 × 10 −34 )2
(1)
π × 9.1 × 10 31
× (1.6 × 10 )
−19 2
= 5.3 × 10 −11 m (0) [4]
[Total: 20]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

9
10 (a) F = mg or 75 kg x 9.81 Nkg-1 or 734 N (1)

k = 734 N/2 x10-2 m (1)
36.8 x 103 N m-1 (0) [2]
(b) F = -kx (minus sign required) (1)

F = ma (1)
a = -(k/m) x (0) [2]
(c) ω = 2πf and ω2 = k/m (1)

1 k
f=   (1) [2]
2π m
(d) v = dx/dt = -Aω sin ωt (1)

a = dv/dt = -Aω2 cos ωt (1)
a = -ω2x (0) [2]
(e) (i) ω = 16 rad s-1 (1) [1]
(ii) x = A cos ωt (1)

8.1 x 10-3 m (1) [2]
(f) (i) amax = ω2A (1)

2.67 m s-2 (1) [2]
(ii) vmax = ωA (1)

0.16 m s-1 (1) [2]
(iii) Emax = ½mvmax (1)

2.0 J (1) [2]
(g) resonance occurs when the frequency of road bumps equals the natural frequency (1)
f = 2.59 Hz or T = 0.38 s (1)
15.6 m s-1 (1) [3]
[Total: 20]

10
11 (a) first law:

energy is conserved (1)
more sophisticated statement in terms of internal energy, work and heat,
e.g. ∆U = W + Q (with U, W and Q defined) (1)
second law:
entropy increases (1)
more sophisticated statement such as the entropy of the universe (or a closed system) never
decreases or the conversion of heat to work with 100% efficiency is impossible (1) [4]
(b) (i) living creatures appear to increase in order – with an example (1)
this would be a reduction of entropy (1) [2]
(ii) living things are not closed systems (1)

when all interactions with the environment are considered, living things increase the
entropy of the universe (1)
OR
the processes that sustain life are inefficient and dump heat into the environment (1)
resulting in a net increase of entropy (1) [2]
(c) particles in ink and water have thermal energy (1)

individual particle motions are random (1)
brownian motion and collisions result in mixing (1)
there is a large number of possible particle arrangements (micro-states) (1)
drop + clear water has low probability because it is only realised in a small proportion of the
arrangements (micro-states) (1)
the majority of arrangements of particles (micro-states) correspond to approximately uniform
mixing (inky water) (1)
the mixed states are more probable than the unmixed states (2)
random mixing results in evolution to more probable states (1)
this is irreversible because the mixed state has much more entropy (1)
the unmixed state has high entropy (1)
the ink plus water forms an (approximately) closed system (1)
MAXIMUM 6
points organised into a complete and coherent argument (1)
use of technical language (1) [8]
(d) the future is distinguished from the past because it has higher entropy or argument in terms
of a transition from order to disorder (1)
recognises need (explicitly or implicitly) for an irreversible change to distinguish past from
future (1)
valid example of another physical arrow of time, e.g. cosmological arrow of time or collapse
of wavefunction in quantum theory (1)
explanation of physical arrow of time, e.g. (cosmological) expansion makes future universe
larger than past universe or (collapse of wavefunction) future is not predictable from the past
(1)
OR
reversible laws cannot distinguish the future from the past (1)
example of reversible laws e.g. Newtonian mechanics or electromagnetism (1) [4]
[Total: 20]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

11
12 (a) absolute time:

time passes at the same rate for all observers (1)
regardless of where they are or how they are moving (1)
absolute space:
distances are the same for all observers (1)
regardless of where they or how they are moving (1) [4]
(b) (i) at A: relative velocity = c + v (1)

at B: relative velocity = c – v (1) [2]
(ii) laws of Physics are the same for all uniformly moving observers (1)
speed of light is constant or relative velocity at A and B is c (1) [2]
(c) time for a mu-meson to reach surface = 6.0×104 / 3.0×108 (1)

= 200 µs (1)
this is 100 half-lives in the laboratory frame (1)
ratio would be RS/R60 = 0.5100 (1)
≈ 8 × 10-31 (accept 0) using absolute time (1)
expect very few mu-mesons to reach the surface (1)
mu-mesons affected by time dilation (1)

mu-meson time ‘slows down’ so fewer half-lives pass (1)
1
time dilation factor = (1)
v2
1− 2
c
= 32 (1)
time passed in mu-meson reference frame is 6.25 µs (1)
time passed in mu-meson frame is about 3 half-lives (1)
so about 1/8 mu-mesons reach surface (11%) (1)
MAXIMUM 12 [12]
[Total: 20]
13 (a) there is a path difference for light waves reaching P from X or Y (1)
waves arrive 180° out of phase at P (1)
destructive interference occurs (1)
more detail (e.g. PY-PX = odd no. of half wavelengths) (1) [4]
(b) a wave (or wave function) moves through the apparatus (1)
wave amplitude is related to probability of photon arrival (1)
wavefunction ‘collapses’ when an observation is made (1)
probability proportional to amplitude-squared (or intensity) (1)
intensity pattern predicts photon distribution (1)
MAXIMUM 4 [4]
(c) photons do not follow well-defined paths (1)

there is an unavoidable uncertainty about the location of each photon (1)
the wavefunction predicts the probabilities (1)
quantum theory is not deterministic (1)
MAXIMUM 2 [2]

12
(d) zero [1]
(e) the probability increases (1)

probability now proportional to A2 (1)
covering X leaves only one path to the detector so there is no interference (1)
different experiment (single slit pattern, not double slit) (1)
MAXIMUM 3 [3]
(f) example from Newtonian mechanics e.g. rolling a dice (1)

explanation of determinism e.g. If the initial conditions are known precisely then the final
state can be predicted by applying the laws of mechanics (1)
example from quantum theory e.g. radioactive decay or double slit experiment (1)
explanation of indeterminism e.g. even if we know the state of a nucleus we cannot predict
when it will decay, only the probability (of decay per unit time) (1)
additional points e.g.

impossible to know exact initial conditions so even a deterministic theory has uncertainty (1)
Heisenberg uncertainty principle related to impossibility of knowing exact initial conditions (1)
quantum theory can predict possible futures but cannot tell us which is the actual future (1)
macroscopic objects approximate very well to Newtonian Physics so it is possible to make
very accurate predictions about the future (1)
to make accurate predictions we need a reliable theory AND precise initial conditions (1)
predictions about the future are necessarily statistical (1)
MAXIMUM 2 [6]
[Total: 20]
© UCLES 2007 9792/03/SM/10

University of Cambridge International Examinations
1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1223 553554 Fax: +44 1223 553558
Email: international@cie.org.uk Website: www.cie.org.uk
© University of Cambridge International Examinations 2007
*4585844825*

Physics PreU IGCSE

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics PreU IGCSE

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics PreU IGCSE

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cambridge Pre-U Specimen Papers

and Mark Schemes

Cambridge International Level 3

For use from 2008 onwards

For use from 2008 onwards

Copyright © University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate 2008

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write in soft pencil.

Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully.

This document consists of 18 printed pages.

© UCLES 2007 [Turn over

gravitational field strength close to Earth’s surface g = 9.81 N kg-1

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

energy stored in a capacitor W = 12 QV

work done on/by a gas W = p∆V

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10 [Turn over

1 Which one of the following groups contains three vector quantities?

A displacement, velocity, energy

B displacement, velocity, momentum

C force, work, energy

D velocity, acceleration, power

2 Uncertainties in measurement may be either systematic or random.

Which of the following involves random uncertainty?

A not allowing for zero uncertainty on a voltmeter

C stopping a stopwatch at the end of a race

D using the value g = 10 N kg-1 when calculating weight from mass

A T sin 40° = 0.4W

B 0.8T cos 50° = 0.4W

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

rising at maximum height falling

A - 9.81 m s-2 0 + 9.81 m s-2

B - 9.81 m s-2 - 9.81 m s-2 - 9.81 m s-2

C + 9.81 m s-2 + 9.81 m s-2 + 9.81 m s-2

D + 9.81 m s-2 0 - 9.81 m s-2

5 Two markers M1 and M2 are set up a vertical distance h apart.

Which expression gives the acceleration of the ball?

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10 [Turn over

Which of the following statements is not correct?

A The field lines are parallel to each other.

B The units of gravitational field strength are equivalent to m s-2.

D The direction of the field lines is towards the Earth.

force W the weight of the person

A force W and force X

B force W and force Y

C force X and force Y

D force W and force Z

At what depths are the pressures equal?

depth in liquid X depth in liquid Y

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

9 A wire stretches 8.0 mm under a load of 60 N.

A 0.5 mm B 1.0 mm C 4.0 mm D 8.0 mm

Which area represents the net work done on the sample?

A 52 s B 120 s C 360 s D 440 s

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10 [Turn over

What is the maximum kinetic energy of the trolley?

What is the speed of Y just after the collision?

A zero B 5 cm s-1 C 7 cm s-1 D 10 cm s-1

© UCLES 2007 9792/01/SP/10

The efficiency of the motor is 20%.

What is the electrical power supplied to the motor?