Cambridge International AS & A Level

* 4 1 2 7 9 7 0 7 3 8 *

PHYSICS 9702/42
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions May/June 2023

2 hours

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 24 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (CJ/SG) 313472/3
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Data

acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s–2

speed of light in free space c = 3.00 × 108 m s–1

elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10–19 C

unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 × 10–27 kg

rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 × 10–27 kg

rest mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10–31 kg

Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1

molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1

Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10–23 J K–1

gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2 kg–2

permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.85 × 10–12 F m–1

1
( = 8.99 × 109 m F–1)
4rf0

Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10–34 J s

Stefan–Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10–8 W m–2 K–4

Formulae

uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 12 at 2

v 2 = u 2 + 2as

hydrostatic pressure ∆p = ρg∆h

upthrust F = ρgV

fs v
Doppler effect for sound waves fo = v ! v
s

electric current I = Anvq

resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + ...

1 1 1
resistors in parallel = + + ...
R R1 R2

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GM
gravitational potential ϕ =– r

GMm
gravitational potential energy EP = – r

1 Nm
pressure of an ideal gas p = 3 V 〈c2〉

simple harmonic motion a = – ω 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m. v = v0 cos ωt

v = !ω (x 02 - x 2)

Q
electric potential V =
4rf0 r

Qq
electrical potential energy EP =
4rf0 r

1 1 1
capacitors in series = + + ...
C C1 C2

capacitors in parallel C = C1 + C2 + ...

t
discharge of a capacitor x = x 0 e - RC

BI
Hall voltage VH =
ntq

alternating current/voltage x = x0 sin ωt

radioactive decay x = x0e–λt

0.693
decay constant λ =
t1
2

IR (Z - Z 2) 2
intensity reflection coefficient = 1
I0 (Z 1 + Z 2) 2

Stefan–Boltzmann law L = 4πσr 2T 4

∆λ Df v
Doppler redshift á ác
λ f

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1 (a) State Newton’s law of gravitation.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A satellite is in a circular orbit around a planet. The radius of the orbit is R and the period of
the orbit is T. The planet is a uniform sphere.

Use Newton’s law of gravitation to show that R and T are related by

4π2R 3 = GMT 2

where M is the mass of the planet and G is the gravitational constant.

[2]

(c) The Earth may be considered to be a uniform sphere of mass 5.98 × 1024 kg and radius
6.37 × 106 m.

A geostationary satellite is in orbit around the Earth.

Use the expression in (b) to determine the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface.

height = ..................................................... m [3]

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(d) Another satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth with the same orbital radius and period
as the satellite in (c).

(i) Calculate the angular speed of the satellite in this orbit. Give a unit with your answer.

angular speed = .............................................. unit ................ [2]

(ii) Despite having the same orbital period, the orbit of this satellite is not geostationary.

Suggest two ways in which the orbit of this satellite could be different from the orbit of
the satellite in (c).

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 11]

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2 (a) (i) State what is meant by an ideal gas.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) State the temperature, in degrees Celsius, of absolute zero.

temperature = .................................................... °C [1]

(b) A sealed vessel contains a mass of 0.0424 kg of an ideal gas at 227 °C.
The pressure of the gas is 1.37 × 105 Pa and the volume of the gas is 0.640 m3.

Calculate:

(i) the number of molecules of the gas in the vessel

number of molecules = ......................................................... [3]

(ii) the mass of one molecule of the gas

mass = .................................................... kg [1]

(iii) the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed v of the molecules of the gas.

v = ................................................ m s–1 [3]

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(c) The gas in (b) is now cooled gradually to absolute zero.

On Fig. 2.1, sketch the variation with thermodynamic temperature T of the r.m.s. speed of the
molecules of the gas.

v
r.m.s. speed

0
0 500
T/K

Fig. 2.1
[2]

[Total: 12]

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3 (a) State the first law of thermodynamics. Identify the meaning of any symbols that you use.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) The state of an ideal gas is continuously changed according to the cycle ABCDA shown in
Fig. 3.1.

C D
pressure

B A

volume

Fig. 3.1

(i) Complete Table 3.1 for the changes A to B and B to C by placing two ticks (3) in each
row.

Table 3.1

change in internal energy work done on gas

change
decrease no change increase negative zero positive

A to B

B to C

[4]

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(ii) Use the first law of thermodynamics to describe and explain the energy transfers
associated with one complete cycle ABCDA.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 9]

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4 A small steel sphere is oscillating vertically on the end of a spring, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

spring

steel sphere
oscillations

Fig. 4.1

The velocity v of the sphere varies with displacement x from its equilibrium position according to

v = ± 9.7 (11.6 - x 2)

where v is in cm s–1 and x is in cm.

(a) (i) Calculate the frequency of the oscillations.

frequency = .................................................... Hz [2]

(ii) Show that the amplitude of the oscillations is 3.4 cm.

[1]

(iii) Calculate the maximum acceleration a0 of the sphere.

a0 = ................................................ m s–2 [2]

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(b) On Fig. 4.2, sketch the variation with x of the acceleration a of the sphere.

2 a0

a0

0
–4 –2 0 2 x / cm 4

– a0

– 2a0

Fig. 4.2
[3]

(c) Describe, without calculation, the interchange between the potential energy and the kinetic
energy of the oscillations.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 11]

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5 Two capacitors A and B are connected into the circuit shown in Fig. 5.1.

X
A

Y
B

Fig. 5.1

Capacitor A has capacitance C and capacitor B has capacitance 3C.

The electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the cell is V.
The two-way switch S is initially at position X, and capacitor B is initially uncharged.

(a) State, in terms of V and C, expressions for:

(i) the initial charge QA on the plates of capacitor A

QA = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) the initial energy EA stored in capacitor A.

EA = .......................................................... [1]

(b) The two-way switch S is now moved to position Y.

(i) State and explain what happens to the charge that was initially on the plates of capacitor A.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

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(ii) Show that the final potential difference (p.d.) VB across capacitor B is given by
V
VB = .
4
Explain your reasoning.

[3]

(iii) Determine an expression, in terms of V and C, for the decrease ΔE in the total energy
that is stored in the capacitors as a result of the change of the position of the switch.

ΔE = ......................................................... [2]

[Total: 9]

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6 A heavy aluminium disc has a radius of 0.36 m. The disc rotates with the wheels of a vehicle and
forms part of an electromagnetic braking system on the vehicle.

In order to activate the braking system, a uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.17 T is switched
on. This magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the disc, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

aluminium disc,
radius 0.36 m
rim
rotation of disc

axle

magnetic field,
flux density 0.17 T

Fig. 6.1

(a) (i) Define magnetic flux.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Calculate the magnetic flux through the disc. Give a unit with your answer.

magnetic flux = ............................................... unit ................... [2]

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(b) The disc is rotating at a rate of 25 revolutions per second.

Calculate the magnitude of the electromotive force (e.m.f.) induced between the axle and the
rim of the disc.

e.m.f. = ...................................................... V [3]

(c) The axle and the rim are connected into an external circuit that enables the energy of the
rotation of the disc to be stored for future use. The direction of rotation is shown in Fig. 6.1.

Use Lenz’s law of electromagnetic induction to determine whether the current in the disc is
from the rim to the axle or from the axle to the rim. Explain your reasoning.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 10]

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7 Four diodes are used in a bridge rectifier circuit to produce rectification of a sinusoidal a.c. input
voltage VIN.
Fig. 7.1 shows part of the circuit, but three of the diodes are missing.

VIN

VOUT

Fig. 7.1

The p.d. across the load resistor R is the output p.d. VOUT of the bridge rectifier.

(a) (i) State the name of the type of rectification produced by a bridge rectifier.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Complete Fig. 7.1 by drawing the three missing diodes, correctly connected. [2]

(iii) On Fig. 7.1, draw an arrow to indicate the direction of the current in resistor R. [1]

(b) VIN has amplitude V0 and period T. Fig. 7.2 shows the variation with time t of VIN.

V0
VIN

0
0 0.5T 1.0T 1.5T t 2.0T

–V0

Fig. 7.2

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(i) On Fig. 7.3, sketch the variation of VOUT with t between t = 0 and t = 2.0T.

V0
VOUT

0
0 0.5T 1.0T 1.5T t 2.0T

–V0

Fig. 7.3
[3]

(ii) The power dissipated in the resistor is P.

On Fig. 7.4, sketch the variation of P with t between t = 0 and t = 2.0T.

0
0 0.5T 1.0T 1.5T t 2.0T

Fig. 7.4
[2]

(iii) Suggest, with a reason, how the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of VOUT compares with
the r.m.s. value of VIN.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 10]

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8 Fig. 8.1 shows the lowest four energy levels of an electron in an isolated atom.

n=4
n=3

n=2

increasing
energy

n=1

Fig. 8.1

Fig. 8.2 shows the lines in the emission spectrum of the atom that correspond to the transitions of
the electron from n = 3 to n = 1 and from n = 4 to n = 1.

increasing frequency

Fig. 8.2

(a) Explain, with reference to photons, why there is a single frequency of electromagnetic
radiation that corresponds to each of these transitions.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) (i) On Fig. 8.2, draw a line that corresponds to the transition of the electron from n = 2 to n = 1.
Label this line A. [2]

(ii) On Fig. 8.2, draw a line that corresponds to the transition of the electron from n = 3 to n = 2.
Label this line B. [2]

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(c) The frequency of radiation represented by line A is fA.

The frequency of radiation represented by line B is fB.
The energy of the ground state (n = 1) is E1.

Determine an expression, in terms of fA, fB, E1 and the Planck constant h, for the energy E3 of
the energy level n = 3.

E3 = ......................................................... [2]

[Total: 8]

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9 (a) Define mass defect.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Table 9.1 shows the mass defects of three nuclei.

Table 9.1

nucleus mass defect / u

2 0.002 388
1H

3
1H
0.009 105

4
2He
0.030 377

The nuclear fusion process in a particular star is described by

2 3 4
1H + 1H 2He + X

where X is a particle that has no mass defect.

(i) State the name of particle X.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]
4
(ii) Show that the energy released when one nucleus of 2He is formed in this fusion reaction
is 2.8 × 10–12 J.

[3]

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(c) The star in (b) has a radius of 2.3 × 109 m and a luminosity of 1.4 × 1028 W.
4
All the energy released from the formation of 2He is radiated away from the star.
4
All the energy that is radiated from the star has been released in the formation of 2He.

Determine:
4
(i) the mass of 2He produced per unit time by the fusion process

mass per unit time = ............................................... kg s–1 [3]

(ii) the surface temperature of the star.

temperature = ...................................................... K [2]

[Total: 11]

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10 (a) X-rays for use in medical diagnosis are produced in an X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube, charged
particles are accelerated towards a metal target by an applied potential difference (p.d.).

(i) State the name of the charged particles that are accelerated by the applied p.d.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain how X-rays are produced at the metal target.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Calculate the minimum wavelength of X-rays produced when the applied p.d. is 5.80 kV.

wavelength = ..................................................... m [3]

(b) X-rays pass through a medium that has an attenuation coefficient of 1.4 cm–1.

Calculate the percentage of the X-ray energy that is absorbed by a 2.8 cm thickness of this
medium.

percentage absorbed = ..................................................... % [3]

[Total: 9]

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