www.dynamicpapers.

com

Cambridge International AS & A Level

* 5 2 7 1 5 5 6 3 1 0 *

PHYSICS 9702/42
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions October/November 2022

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 (KS/CT) 303282/3
© UCLES 2022 [Turn over
 www.dynamicpapers.com
2

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

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
32

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

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
4

1 (a) Define gravitational field.

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

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

(b) A spherical planet can be considered as a point mass at its centre.

(i) On Fig. 1.1, draw gravitational field lines outside the planet to represent the gravitational
field due to the planet.

planet

Fig. 1.1
[2]

(ii) A satellite is in a circular orbit around the planet.

Explain, with reference to your answer in (b)(i), why the path of the satellite is circular.

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

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

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

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
5

(c) An object rests on the surface of the Earth at the Equator.

The radius of the Earth is 6.4 × 106 m.

(i) Determine the centripetal acceleration of the object.

centripetal acceleration = ................................................ m s–2 [3]

(ii) Describe how the two forces acting on the object give rise to this centripetal acceleration.
You may draw a diagram if you wish.

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

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

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

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
6

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
7

2 (a) Define specific heat capacity.

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

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

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

(b) A fixed mass of water in a beaker is at atmospheric pressure.

(i) The initial temperature of the water is 0 °C.

The water is supplied with thermal energy E, so that its temperature increases to 8 °C.
There is no net change in the volume of the water.

Use the first law of thermodynamics to complete Table 2.1 for this process.

Table 2.1

thermal energy increase in internal

work done on water
supplied to water energy of water

+E

[2]

(ii) The water is now heated so that its temperature increases by a further 8 °C to a final
temperature of 16 °C. This process causes the volume of the water to increase so that
work W is done.
Assume that the change in internal energy is the same as in (b)(i).

Use the first law of thermodynamics to complete Table 2.2 for this process.

Table 2.2

thermal energy increase in internal

work done on water
supplied to water energy of water

[2]

(c) Use the information in (b) to suggest, with a reason, how the average specific heat capacity
of water between 8 °C and 16 °C compares with its average value between 0 °C and 8 °C.

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

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

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
8

3 (a) The equation of state for an ideal gas can be written as

pV = NkT.

State the meaning of each of the symbols in this equation.

p: ...............................................................................................................................................

V: ..............................................................................................................................................

N: ..............................................................................................................................................

k: ...............................................................................................................................................

T: ..............................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Use the equation in (a) to show that the average translational kinetic energy EK of a molecule
of an ideal gas is given by
3
EK = kT.
2

[2]

(c) The mass of an oxygen molecule is 5.31 × 10–26 kg. Assume that oxygen behaves as an ideal
gas.

(i) Use the equation in (b) to determine the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed u of an oxygen
molecule at 23 °C.

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

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
9

(ii) A fixed mass of oxygen gas at initial pressure P is sealed in a cylindrical container by a
movable piston at one end, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

oxygen

piston

cylinder

Fig. 3.1

The temperature of the gas is 23 °C.

The piston is slowly moved into the cylinder so that the oxygen gas is compressed. At all
times, the gas and the container remain in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings.

On Fig. 3.2, sketch the variation with pressure of the r.m.s. speed of the oxygen
molecules as the pressure increases.

r.m.s. speed

0
P pressure

Fig. 3.2
[2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
10

4 Fig. 4.1 shows the variation with time t of the height h above the ground of an object of mass 36 kg
that is undergoing vertical simple harmonic motion.

18

h / cm

10

2
0 2 4 6 8
t/s

Fig. 4.1

(a) For the oscillations of the object:

(i) determine the amplitude x0, in cm

x0 = ................................................... cm [1]

(ii) show that the angular frequency ω is 1.6 rad s–1

[2]

(iii) determine the total energy E.

E = ...................................................... J [3]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
11

(b) On Fig. 4.2, sketch the variation with h of the kinetic energy EK of the object.

0.4

EK / J

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20
h / cm

Fig. 4.2
[4]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
12

5 (a) Define electric potential at a point.

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

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

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

(b) An isolated conducting sphere is charged. Fig. 5.1 shows the variation of the potential V due
to the sphere with displacement x from its centre.

0
– 0.3 – 0.2 – 0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
x/m

– 250

V/V

– 500

– 750

– 1000

Fig. 5.1

Use Fig. 5.1 to determine:

(i) the radius of the sphere

radius = ..................................................... m [1]

(ii) the charge on the sphere.

charge = ..................................................... C [2]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
13

(c) Two spheres are identical to the sphere in (b). Each sphere has the same charge as the
sphere in (b).

The spheres are held in a vacuum so that their centres are separated by a distance of 0.46 m.
Assume that the charge on each sphere is a point charge at the centre of the sphere.

(i) Calculate the electric potential energy EP of the two spheres.

EP = ...................................................... J [2]

(ii) The two spheres are now released simultaneously so that they are free to move.

Describe and explain the subsequent motion of the spheres.

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

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

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

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

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
14

6 A capacitor of capacitance C and a resistor of resistance R are connected as shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1

Initially, the capacitor is charged and the switch is open.

The switch is closed at time t = 0.

Fig. 6.2 and Fig. 6.3 show, respectively, the variations with t of the charge Q on the capacitor and
the potential difference (p.d.) V across the resistor.

1.0 10

Q / mC V/V

0.5 5

0 0
0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15
t/s t/s

Fig. 6.2 Fig. 6.3

(a) Explain the shape of the line in Fig. 6.3 representing the variation of V with t.

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

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

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

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

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

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
15

(b) Use Fig. 6.2 to show that the time constant of the circuit in Fig. 6.1 is 5.5 s.

[3]

(c) Use Fig. 6.2, Fig. 6.3 and the information in (b) to determine:

(i) capacitance C, in μF

C = .................................................... μF [2]

(ii) resistance R, in kΩ.

R = ................................................... kΩ [2]

[Total: 10]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
16

7 (a) Define magnetic flux density.

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

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

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

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

(b) An insulated rectangular coil of wire, consisting of 40 turns, is suspended in a cradle from a
newton meter, as shown in Fig. 7.1.

newton meter

cradle

coil
40 turns

5.00 cm

3.00 cm

Fig. 7.1

The vertical sides of the coil have a length of 5.00 cm and the horizontal sides have a length
of 3.00 cm. The initial reading on the newton meter is 0.563 N.

A U-shaped magnet rests on a top-pan balance that is set to a reading of 0.00 g.

The lower edge of the coil is lowered into the region between the poles of the U-shaped
magnet, as shown in the side view in Fig. 7.2.

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
17

newton meter
initial reading 0.563 N

coil (viewed from the side)

poles of magnet

top-pan balance
initial reading 0.00 g

Fig. 7.2

The magnetic field in the region between the poles is uniform.

The lower edge of the coil is entirely within the uniform magnetic field.

A current of 3.94 A is now passed through the coil. This causes the reading on the top-pan
balance to change to 2.16 g.

(i) Explain why the current causes a vertical force to act on the coil.

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

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

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

(ii) Determine, to three significant figures, the flux density B of the uniform magnetic field.

B = ...................................................... T [3]

(iii) Determine what is now the reading on the newton meter. Explain your reasoning.

reading = ..................................................... N [2]

[Total: 10]
© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over
 www.dynamicpapers.com
18

8 (a) State Lenz’s law of electromagnetic induction.

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

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

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

(b) Two coils of insulated wire are wound on an iron bar, as shown in Fig. 8.1.

coil 1 coil 2
iron bar

I1
V

V2

Fig. 8.1

There is a current I1 in coil 1 that varies with time t as shown in Fig. 8.2.

1.0

I1 / A

0.5

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
t/s

– 0.5

– 1.0

Fig. 8.2

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
19

(i) The variation with t of I1 can be represented by the equation

I1 = X sin Yt

where X and Y are constants.

Use Fig. 8.2 to determine the values of X and Y. Give units with your answers.

X = ........................................... unit ...................

Y = ........................................... unit ...................

[3]

(ii) The current in coil 1 gives rise to a magnetic field in the iron bar.
Assume that the flux density of this magnetic field is proportional to I1.

An alternating electromotive force (e.m.f.) is induced across coil 2. The p.d. across coil 2
is measured using the voltmeter and has a root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of 4.6 V.

On Fig. 8.3, sketch a line to show the variation with t of V2 between t = 0 and t = 0.08 s.

10

V2 / V

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
t/s

–5

– 10

Fig. 8.3
[3]

(iii) Use the laws of electromagnetic induction to explain the shape of your line in (b)(ii).

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

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

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

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

[Total: 11]
© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over
 www.dynamicpapers.com
20

9 (a) Fig. 9.1 shows the visible part of the emission spectrum from hydrogen gas in a laboratory on
the Earth. The numbers indicate the wavelength, in nm, represented by each line.

411 435 488 658

Fig. 9.1

(i) Explain how the emission spectrum provides evidence for the existence of discrete
energy levels for the electron in a hydrogen atom.

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

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

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

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

(ii) Fig. 9.2 shows five of the energy levels in the hydrogen atom. The wavelengths of
radiation shown in Fig. 9.1 relate to transitions to the – 3.400 eV level in Fig. 9.2.

– 0.378 eV
– 0.544 eV

– 0.850 eV

energy
X

– 3.400 eV

Fig. 9.2 (not to scale)

Show that the energy level X is –1.51 eV.

[3]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
21

(b) The same part of the emission spectrum from hydrogen as in (a), observed in light from stars
in a distant galaxy, is shown in Fig. 9.3. The numbers indicate the wavelengths in nm.

429 454 509 686

Fig. 9.3

The spectrum shows the same pattern as Fig. 9.1 but with different wavelengths.

(i) State the name of the phenomenon that gives rise to the change in the wavelengths.

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

(ii) State what this phenomenon shows about the motion of the galaxy.

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

(iii) Use one of the lines in Fig. 9.1, and the corresponding line in Fig. 9.3, to determine the
speed of the distant galaxy relative to the observer.

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

(c) The galaxy in (b) is known to be a distance of 5.7 × 1024 m from the Earth.

Use your answer in (b)(iii) to determine a value for the Hubble constant H0.

H0 = ................................................... s–1 [2]

[Total: 13]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
22

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
23

10 Positron emission tomography (PET scanning) involves the detection of gamma-radiation in order
to identify the position of origin of positrons in the body.

(a) (i) Positrons are not naturally present in the body.

Explain how positrons come to be present in the body during PET scanning.

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

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

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

(ii) Explain how positrons cause the emission of gamma-radiation from the body during PET
scanning.

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

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

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

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

(b) Show that the wavelength of the gamma-radiation that is detected during PET scanning is
approximately 2.4 pm. Explain your reasoning.

[4]

[Total: 9]

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22

 www.dynamicpapers.com
24

BLANK PAGE

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.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2022 9702/42/O/N/22