92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.

PLK VICWOOD K.T. CHONG SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

92’ AL Physics: Essay
Marking Scheme

1. (a) (i) 2nd law - The rate of change of momentum of a body ½

is proportional ½
to the resultant force acting on the body and this occurs ½
in the direction of this force. ½ 2

(ii) 3rd law - if a body A exerts a force on a body B, ½

then body B exerts an equal but opposite force on body A. ½ 1

(b) A B
Before collision m1, u1 and m2, u2
After collision m1, v1 and m2, v2 1
If time of impact is t and u1 > u2 ½
Body A will exert a force F on body B for a time t and by Newton's
3rd law body B will exert a force -F on body A (opposite direction). ½+½
By Newton's 2nd Law, force = rate of change of momentum (constant
of proportionality = 1) ½
m1u1  m1 v1 m u  m2 v2
Hence F   [ 2 2 ], ½+½
t t
Since forces on bodies are equal and opposite ½
so m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2, ½
and linear momentum is conserved.

No - K.E. may not be conserved ½

since some energy may be converted ½
to another form such as heat or sound. ½
Total energy is, however, conserved. ½ 7

(c) (i) Franck Hertz experiment

4.9 V
current D
C
B

0 5 10 15 ½
V in volts
The voltage +V is varied between the cathode and anode of a
vacuum tube containing Hg vapor. ½
A small retarding potential exists between an intermediate
grid to prevent electrons reaching anode. ½
From O  B electrons accelerate and current increases. ½
At B, C, D inelastic collision ½
take place with Hg atoms raising their internal energy to a
quantised value. ½
Current I drops due to a loss of K.E. of electrons. ½ 3½
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.2

(ii)

No of beta
particles per
unit energy
range

Energy Emax ½

In -decay, XZA  YZA1  e  ½

But e- can have a large range of K.E.’s. Since all electrons
result from same internal process ½
- total energy should be constant ½
Hence postulation of another ‘mass-less’ particle - the neutrino
to carry rest of energy. ½ 2½

2. (a) Kinetic theory assumptions are :

(1) Intermolecular forces are negligible, ½
except in collisions. ½
(2) Volume occupied by molecules is negligible, ½
compared with volume of gas. ½
(3) All collision between molecules ½
and with the wall of container ½
are elastic (no energy loss).
(4) Time of contact during collisions ½
is negligible compared with time between collision. ½ 4

(b) (i)
B

A’
A

Molecule A travels to A’ rapidly with high average speed. ½

However to travel from A to B it has to suffer many collisions ½
and changes of direction ½
resulting in a slow diffusion rate. 2
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.3

(ii) MFP is the average distance moved by a molecule between

2 successive collisions with other molecules ½
Molecules have little probability of colliding with their
neighbouring molecule ½
since they are all moving rapidly and randomly in direction. ½
Hence the M.F.P. >> average separation of molecules. ½ 2

(c) (i)

A T

R = 0.1m
in
t = 500s

1
The glass tube T containing bromine capsule connected via
rubber tubing. ½
Capsule broken by pliers ½
and bromine liquid forms in bottom of tube A. ½
Using stop watch, time taken for ‘half-brown’ level to travel
halfway up tube. ½
From kinetic theory,
Given, P = Nmc2/3V, density  = Nm/V
hence Cr.m.s. = (3p/), p - pressure (S.T.P.) (no need to derive) 1
If no collisions, distance travelled by molecule, s = ct ½
If collisions are N, M.E.P.  = s/N ½
From random walk theory, range of molecule R = N  ½
Hence  = R2/ct ½ 6

1
(ii) Since PV = RT = 3
Nmc2, ½
at same temperature T molecules of lower mass will have
greater r.m.s. speed. ½
Would expect in earth’s atmosphere that lower mass molecules
such as hydrogen would diffuse to greater heights ½
compared with the higher mass molecules such as oxygen,
which would predominate at lower levels. ½ 2
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.4

3. (a)

Progressive transverse wave Progressive longitudinal wave

8

(b)

scale
2
Microphone M is moved along bench away from loudspeaker L.
Distance is measured on scale. 1

Y2 Y2 Y2

T
M moved by /4 M moved by /2
in phase
 = /2 =
Y1
Y1
Y1

If voltage waveform in phase at a particular location of M ½

then on moving through a distance  (wavelength) they would
again be in phase. ½
Period T is measured using time-base of C.R.O.
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.5


Then propagation velocity = . ½ 6
T

(c) The propagation of light waves differs from that of sound waves
in air since :
(1) no medium is necessary. ½
(2) wave is transverse. ½
(3) wave energy is carried by the electric and magnetic field
of the electromagnetic wave. ½

direction of propagation

½ 2

4. (a) (1) Electric field intensity, E = F/Q, ½

where F is the force acting upon a small ½
charge +Q placed at the particular location. It is in the
same direction as F ½
(2) Potential, V = W/Q, ½
where W is the work done in moving a small ½
charge +Q from infinity to that location.
dV
Relationship is E =  ½
ds

ds

V
1 4
V + dV

(b)

Q
E
r P ½
a

At P, if sphere is very small (a ® 0), and small charge +dq ½

Qdq Q
is placed there, then E r  2
 1
4  0 r dq 4  0 r 2
a Q Q
Sphere Potential V   

4 0 r 2
dr 
4 0 a
1

Q
Clearly = a constant º capacitance 1 4
V
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.6

(c)
Reed switch
(2) (1) 25 cm

coil 25 cm
f ~ 400 Hz from low R = 100 k A
impedance output of
signal generator Metal
12 V V plates
Diode (to rectify a.c.) A
Capacitor Polythene
Sockets for spacer d
C
2 Marks 4-mm plugs
1 Marks

Reed switch, switches alternately between contacts (1) and (2), charging
C and then discharging C with a frequency f. ½
The generated current pulses are so rapid that the micro-ammeter
deflection remains steady, ½
indicating an average current I, where I = Qf ½
- Q being charge stored in C. Hence capacitance of capacitor
C = Q/V, V being measured by a voltmeter. ½
Clearly the area of overlap of plates A ½
and the separation d (using various spacer thicknesses) ½
can be varied and effects on C determined.
Sources of error include (any 2)
(1) R should prevent excessive current pulses but not be too
large otherwise C does not completely discharge 2
(2) Finding effect of electric field at edges of plates affects
dependence of C on areas A.
(3) Stray capacitances to earth could affect the effective
capacitance of C. 8
(4) leakage of charge from capacitor

5. (a)
Semiconductor
+

t
I
E
VH 1
d

Force on a free electron of charge -e is -Bev ½

v being velocity in opposite direction to I. ½
Electrons move to bottom surface ½
which becomes negatively charged w.r.t. top. ½
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.7

-Ee

v _ electron ½

-Bev

Charge stops flowing to bottom surface ½

when the electric field force due to the negatively charged
surface -Ee = -Bev. ½
electric field E = Bv ½ 5

(b)
B

E v

l
X
1

There will be a force -Bev on ½

the free electrons which will move these to end X of conductor. ½
This end will become negatively charged ½
and set up an electric field E’. ½
Flow of electrons will stop ½
when -eE’ = -Bev, electric field E’ = Bv ½ 4

(c)

vacuum

1
Crossed fields are
(1) electric field E across plates Y1 and Y2 ½
(2) magnetic field B due to Helmholtz coils X1 and X2 ½
These are adjusted so there is no deflection of electron beam, ½
then forces are equal and opposite and -Ee = -Bev. ½
If electrons emitted from cathode with zero speed
½mv2 = eV. ½
If d separation of Y1, and Y2, E = V/d ½
Hence e/m = V/(2B2d2). ½
B could be determined using e.g. a Hall probe ½
Main difficulties are (1) magnetic/electric fields uniform and ½
(2) extend over same length of electron path. ½ 7
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.8

6. (a) Definition of s.h.m. - at all times the acceleration of the moving

body is proportional to its displacement from a fixed point ½
and is directed towards this point. ½
Examples Swinging suspended ceiling lamp, boat bobbing up and down
in the sea, child on swing, etc. (one only) 1 2

(b) (i)

Unstretched position

Equilibrium position l
P
x
F = k (l +
x)
mg ½

Suppose mass is moving downward below P.

d2x
Mass is decelerating and m = k(l + x) - mg 1
dt 2
= kx, since mg = kl ½
2
d x k
Solution of 2
=  x is x = a cos 0t, ½
dt m
k
where 02 = ½ 3
m

(ii) Modified equation of motion is :

d2x dx
m 2
b  kx  0 ½
dt dt
Substitute solution x = Ae t cos t .
dx
Then =  Ae  t cos t  Ae  t sin t 1
dt
d2x
=  2 Ae  t cos t  Ae  t sin t
dt 2
 Ae  t sin t   2 Ae  t cos t 2
Substituting, and taking t = 0, we obtain :
m[ 2 Ae  t   2 Ae  t ]  bvAe  t  kAe  t  0
i.e. m(2 - 2) - b + k = 0 .......... (1) 1
 92 AL Physics/Essay Marking Scheme/P.9


Substituting, and taking t = , we obtain :
2
m[Ae  t  Ae  t ]  bAe  t  0 ........... (2) 1
i.e.  = b/2m ½
Substituting in (1) ½
we derive 2 = 02 - 2 ½ 7

(c)
L R C

Q
I ½

Total p.d. across circuit is given by :

Q dI
L  IR  0 1
C dt
d 2Q dQ Q
or L
2
R  0 1
dt dt C
By analogy with (b)(ii) we can write :
  R/2L, ½
2 = 02 - R2/4L2, ½
02 = 1/LC ½ 4