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Suggested Solution to 2010 JC2 Physics Prelims H2 P1

Section A (MCQs)

1. Ans: B

The mass of an average person is about 60 kg and it consists of mainly water. Molar mass of water
is 18 g = 0.018 kg.
60 kg consist of 60/0.018 = 3.3 x 103 moles.
Hence no. of molecules = 3.3 x 103 x 6.02 x 1023 = 2 x 1027 molecules.

2. Ans: A

 a 
 p + 2 (Vm − b) = RT
 Vm 

Units of (a/Vm2) is equivalent to units of pressure.

Hence units of a = Pa x (m3. mol-1)2 = Pa m6 mol-2

Units of b = units of Vm = m3 mol-1

3. Ans: A

Time/s 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

Speed/m s-1 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5
Acc/m s-2 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5

For the first 3 s, the acceleration is constant and equal to 1.0 m s-2.
For t = 3 to 6 s, the acceleration is constant and equal to 0.5 m s-2.
The slope in option A gives the best possible way to attain this acceleration.

4. Ans: D

sy = uyt + ½ gt2
180 = 0 + ½ (9.81)t2
t = 6.06 s

sx = uxt
2000 = ux(6.06)
∴ ux = 330 m s-1

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5. Ans: A

F = kx
mg sin θ = kx
(3.00)(9.81)sin 30°
x= = 0.0294 m = 29.4 mm
500

6. Ans: D

Taking moments about B:

W (1.5) = R(0.90) + FA(2.0)
(12000)(1.5) − (7000)(0.90)
FA = = 5850 N
2.0
Since net force in the vertical plane = 0
12000 = 5850 + FB
FB = 6150 N

7. Ans: B

Action and reaction pair must act on different bodies.

8. Ans: A

Change in momentum,
1
∆p = Area under F − t graph = (2 x4) + (2 × 3) = 10 kg m s −1
2
∆p 10
Final velocity, v = u + = 3.0 + = 8.0 m s −1
m 2

9. Ans: B

Using v 2 = u 2 + 2as

v 2 = 0 + 2( g sin θ )l
1
∴ v ∝ (l sin θ ) 2
1
v 2 sin 60° 2
Ratio = X = ( ) = 1.86
vY 1 sin 30°

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10. Ans: B

By conservation of energy,
∆KE = Energy lost as heat
1
m(u 2 − v 2 ) = 550 × 10 3
2
1
(1.6 × 10 3 )(u 2 − 14 2 ) = 550 × 10 3
2
⇒ u = 29.7 m s −1

11. Ans: C

Tension is greatest at the bottom of the circular path.

Fnet = T – mg
v = d / t = 2πrf = 2π (0.50)(1.9) = 5.969 m s-1
mv 2 5.9692
T = Fnet + mg = + mg = 0.10( + 9.81) = 8.1 N
r 0.50

12. Ans: B
mg L cos θ
mg = L cos θ => L =
cos θ L
2
mv 24 °
Fnet = L sin θ = = mg tan θ
r
L sin θ
v 2 = gr tan θ = (9.81)(2.0) tan 24° = 3.0 m s-1
24°
W

13. Ans: C
GMm  4π 2 
For each moon, = mrω 2
= mr  2 
r2 T 
4π 2 r 3
The mass of Ekapluto is M =
GT 2
4π 2 (2.0 × 108 )3
Using the data of Moon A, M = = 3.0 × 1023 kg
(6.67 × 10−11 )(4.0 ×106 ) 2

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14. Ans: D

The minimum distance between the moons, d = (3.0 − 2.0) × 108 = 1.0 × 108 m
The maximum gravitational force between moons A and B,
GmA mB (6.67 × 10−11 )(4.0 × 1020 )(1.5 × 1020 )
FAB = = = 4.0 × 1014 N
d2 (1.0 × 108 ) 2

15. Ans: C
1 2 1
The total energy E of a mass-spring system is E = kx0 = mω 2 x02
2 2
where k is the spring constant, ω is the angular frequency, and x0 is the amplitude.
Option A: E will be halved.
Option B: E will increase by 4 times.
Option D: E will increase by 8 times.
Option C: According to E = (1 / 2)kx02 , doubling m does not affect k or x0. So E does not change. It
is not advisable to use E = (1 / 2)mω 2 x02 here, because ω will also change as we vary m (recall that
ω2 = k/m).

16. Ans: B

Sticking the chewing gum on the back of the mirror does not cause damping, but it changes the
natural frequency of the mirror. As a result, resonance will occur (“mirror shakes a lot”) at a
different speed.

17. Ans: C

“Heat is added… at a constant rate” means that the power P supplied is constant.
Energy needed to melt the substance of mass m, Qf = Ptf = mLf
Energy needed to vaporize the substance, Qv = Ptv = mLv
L Pt t 25 − 11
So, v = v = v = = 3.5
L f Pt f t f 6−2

18. Ans: C

For an ideal gas, pV ∝ T

T p V
So, f = f f = 2 × 2 = 4 .
Ti pi Vi

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1 2 3
Also, the average KE of a molecule of an ideal gas = mvrms = kT
2 2
2
So, vrms ∝T
2
 v f  Tf
  = =4
 vi  Ti
v f = 2vi = 2u

19. Ans: C
Displacement

position
X Y

Figure 1
If the wave is travelling to the left, its next position can be represented by the dotted line shown
above. X can be seen to be moving from equilibrium to a displacement in the positive direction.
This matches the displacement-time graph of X shown in Fig 19.2.

20. Ans: C

By quick calculation of the 4 options given, it can be shown that only option C will meet the
condition for constructive interference to occur (i.e. path difference = nλ, where n is an integer):
When D is moved 1.0 m further away from S1,
Path difference = ( )
8.02 + 6.02 − 8.0 = 2.0 = nλ, where n is 1.

21. Ans: D

d sin θ = nλ
166 − 140
d sin( ) = 2(500 ×10−9 )
2
d = 4.45 x 10-6 m

22. Ans: D
dφ
Electric field strength is zero implies = 0 , not φ = 0 .
dr

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23. Ans: C

80 V 20 V -40 V -100V

equipotential line
2.0 cm 2.0 cm 2.0 cm

V  80 − 20 
electric force , F = qE = q = 5.0 x10−6  −2 
d  2.0 x10 
= 1.5 x 10-2 N to the right

24. Ans: A

Vx = V y
 l 
ρ 
I x Ry  4A  1
= = =
I y Rx l  4
ρ 
 A
I y = 4I x
total current , I = 5I x
1
Ix = I
5

25. Ans: B

1 I
=
R V
as V ↑, I ↑ linearly ⇒ graph is constant
1
as V ↑, I↓ ↓⇒ R ↑
R

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26. Ans: C

I = 5 mA, V across diode= 0.80 V (from graph)

VR = (5x10-3)x 50 = 0.25 V

Vsupply = V across diode + VR

= 0.80 + 0.25
= 1.05 V

27. Ans: D

When R increases, VLM drops, the potential drop per unit length across LM decreases, a longer
length is needed to balance the e.m.f of the standard cell.

28. Ans: B

∆φ NA(∆B )  120 x0.070(80 − 20)x10 −3 

E= = =   = 0.25 V
∆t ∆t  2.0 

29. Ans: D

∆φ
E= , E =E0 sin ω t
∆t
When the speed of rotation of the coil is doubled, ω is doubled, ∆φ is doubled and E0 also doubled.

30. Ans: D

Using Fleming’s Left Hand rule, the wire experiences a force to the East.
By Newton’s 3rd Law, the magnet will experience a force to the West.

31. Ans: B

Input power = output power (Assume 100% efficiency)

IpVp = IsVs
V
Primary current, Ip = s Is
Vp
72
= × 2.5
240
= 0.75 A

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32. Ans: A

The equation is of the form V = V0 sinωt

V0
Vrms =
2
3.0
=
2
= 2.1 V

ω
Frequency, f =
2π
380
=
2π
= 60 Hz

33. Ans: A

hf = Φ + K max
Φ is a constant, depending on the type of metal. When the frequency of the incident photons is
increased, Kmax will increase.

Constant intensity, I =
power ( )
n hf
= t
area area
The area illuminated remains unchanged, so the increase in f will be accompanied by a decrease in
(n/t), i.e. the no. of incident photons per unit time will decrease. As a result, the rate of ejected
electrons will decrease.

34. Ans: B

hc
Let E32 = E =
λ
The other possible transitions are:
 hc  hc  hc  hc
E21 = 2E = 2   = and E31 = 3E = 3   =
 λ  (λ / 2)  λ  (λ / 3)

λ λ
These transitions will produce the wavelengths and .
2 3

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35. Ans: A

In general, the x-rays of the continuous spectrum are produced when the bombarding electrons lose
their energy as they impact the metal target. To decrease the cutoff wavelength, more energetic x-
ray photons must be produced. In other words, the energy of the bombarding electrons must be
increased, and the most direct method is to increase the electric p.d. used to accelerate the
electrons.

36. Ans: C

A donor atom contributes an extra electron to the conduction band easily, because its energy level
is close to the conduction band.

37. Ans: A

38. Ans: A

39. Ans: B

Rutherford’s α-particle scattering experiment deduced that the nucleus in an atom is very small,
positive and heavy.

40. Ans: D

Actual count-rate of the source, C0 = 90-10 = 80 min-1

t

1 t1
1 12
After 12 hours, actual count-rate, C = C0 ( ) 2 = 80( ) 24 ≈ 57 min −1
2 2
-1
∴Observed count-rate is 57 + 10 = 67 min

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Answers to VJC Prelim 2010 - H2 Physics Paper 2

1(a) Electric potential energy of a charge at a point is defined as the work done in
bringing the charge from infinity to that point.

(b) (i) Electric potential energy

(ii) I assumed that the uranium nucleus remains at rest.

By conservation of energy,

k.e. of proton = electric potential energy

1 2 qq
mv = 1 2
2 4πε 0 r
1
( )
1.67 × 10 −27 v 2 =
( )[ (
1.60 × 10 −19 92 × 1.60 × 10 −19 )]
2 ( )(
4π 8.85 × 10 −12 1.5 × 10 −14)
v = 4.1× 10 7 m s −1
Initial speed of proton of proton = 4.1× 10 7 m s −1

(iii) The alternative particle would be the neutron.

The neutron has no charge, thus it can penetrate the nucleus easily without
being repelled.

2 (a) Faradays’s law of electromagnetic induction states that the magnitude of

induced emf E is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux
linkage.

(b) Given that B = 2.0 × 10-3 T

(i) 1. From P to Q, there is no change in flux linkage of the coil,

average induced e.m.f. = 0

2. Time for coil to move out of the magnetic field,

diameter of coil 5.0 × 10−2
t= = = 3.3 × 10 −3 s
v 15.0

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∆φ NBA − 0
Average induced e.m. f . E = =
∆t ∆t
  5.0 × 10 −2  2 
(
50 2.0 ×10 T π 
-3
)  
  2  
= −3
3.3 ×10
= 0.059 V

(ii)

1 Wo rk done on coil from P to Q, W = (average power dissipated) x time

E2
= (t )
R
= 0 (since induced e.m.f. is zero)

E2
2 Work done on coil from Q to R, W = (t )
R
0.059 2
= (3.3 × 10 −3 )
5.0
2.3 × 10 -6 J

(c)(i) E = Blv
= (2.0 × 10-3)(5.0 × 10-2)(15.0)
= 1.5 × 10-3 V

(ii) N is at a higher potential.

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Ns
3(a) (Vms)s = (Vrms)p
Np
1
= × 240
20
= 12 V

(V )
peak
2

(b) Maximum power dissipated =

R

=
( 2 Vrms ) 2

=
( 2 × 12 )
2

6.0
= 48 W

(c)
A

(d) V

0 t
T

(e) Half of the power supplied is not transferred to the resistor.

(f)
+
A

B
-

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p2
4(a) Kinetic energy K of the electron can be expressed as: K =
2m

So, its momentum, p = 2mK = 2(9.11 × 10 −31 )(5.00)(1.60 × 10 −19 )

p = 1.207 × 10 −24 kg m s −1
Uncertainty in p, ∆p = 1.207 × 10 −28 kg m s −1
h
According to the uncertainty principle, ∆x∆p ≥
4π
So, the minimum uncertainty in the electron’s position is
h 6.63 × 10−34
(∆x) min = = − 28
= 4.4 × 10 − 7 ≈ 4 × 10−7 m
4π∆p 4π (1.207 × 10 )

(b)(i)
Tunneling probability, T = exp(−2kd)

8π 2 m(U − E ) 8π 2 (9.11 × 10−31 )(10.0 − 5.0)(1.60 × 10−19 )

where k = =
h2 (6.63 × 10 −34 ) 2

k = 1.144 ×1010 m −1
So, T = exp[−2(1.144 × 1010)(0.200× 10−9)] = 0.0103

(b)(ii) Since R + T = 1, the reflection probability is R = 1 − 0.0103 = 0.99

(c) If the barrier height is reduced, the tunneling probability T will increase.
The reflection probability R is reduced. Since R is proportional to the square of the
amplitude of the reflected wavefunction, the amplitude will decrease.

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5(a)
• Atoms in a laser medium are excited to a metastable state, which is an excited
state with a longer than usual lifetime.
• This continues until the number of excited atoms in the metastable state is more
than that in the lower energy state. Thus population inversion is achieved.
• Eventually, one of the atoms in the metastable state de-excites to the lower energy
level, producing a photon, which triggers other atoms in the metastable state to
de-excite to the same energy level, producing photons which travel in the same
direction and are in the same phase as the triggering photon. This is called
stimulated emission.
• All the photons produced in this way form the laser light.

(b)(i) Laser light is coherent.

(ii) The photons which are produced by stimulated emission have the same phase and
frequency as the triggering photon.

(c)(i) Energy of 1 photon, E = 3.98 x 10-19 J

(ii) Power = (Energy of 1 photon) x (no. of photons per second)

= 3.98 x 10-19 x 2.51 x 1015
= 9.99 x 10-4 W

power
(iii) Intensity =
cross sectional area of beam
9.99 × 10 −4
=
7.07 × 10 −6
= 1.41 x 102 W m-2

(e) This is because the cross sectional area of the beam is very narrow.

1
6(a) R1 =
0.10
= 10 Ω

1
R2 =
0.01
= 100 Ω

10
R4 =
0.001
= 10 000 Ω

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100
R5 =
0.001
= 100 000 Ω

(b)
47 Ω

2000 Ω

(d) Region of safe use

(d)

(c)
Potential difference / V Maximum current / A
1000 0.001
100 0.01
10 0.1
1 1

(d) The lower half of the graph is the region of safe use, as the values of V x I are
below 1 W.

(e) In real life, as the current increases, the heating effect on the resistor increases.
Thus the resistance will increase, and the graph will curve downwards.

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7.
Fixed distance
Lamp Solar
panel

Variable Light meter

Colour filter
power
supply

Solar Panel

Resistor
Switch

Procedure:
(a) Set up as shown in the diagram.
(b) The lamp and filter is placed at a fixed distance measured using a ruler from the
solar panel.
(c) Place a light meter next to the solar panel.
(d) With the room lights switched off, switch on the power supply to the lamp and
adjust so that the light meter registers a reading say x. (this should be adjusted to
the same value x for the other filters)
(e) With the circuit connected to the solar panel, record the current I and the p.d. V.
(f) Calculate the power generated by the solar panel, P = IV.
(g) The frequency f of the light through each filter is determined by using the
spectrometer and diffraction grating by finding the angle of diffraction θ and its
wavelength. (or any other method). By taking note of the spacing d of the lines on
the grating and the order n of the diffracted light being observed, f can be
nc
calculated using dsinθ = , where c is the speed of light.
f
(h) Replace the filter with another colour and repeat steps (d) to (f).
(i) Plot power generated P against the frequency f of light used.

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Control of variables:
1) Intensity of light of different colours (frequencies) is kept fixed by
adjusting the power supply to the lamp and that the light meter registering
reading x throughout.
2) Solar panel is placed perpendicular to axis of lamp so that incident angle
of light does not affect intensity.
3) Ensure that there is no surrounding light (room light), so that all the light
falling on the solar panel is from the lamp.

Accuracy / Safety
(See marking scheme below)

Diagram shows
Setup for lamp to shine light through filter onto the solar panel D1
Circuit connected with ammeter in series and voltmeter in parallel D2
across the solar panel, with resistor. [2]
Basic procedure
Direct light through filters at solar panel P1
Repeat for different coloured filters to change the frequency of light P2 [2]
Measurements
Measure the current and potential difference across the solar panel
Frequency of light through each filter is determined by using the M1
spectrometer and diffraction grating. (Measure angle of diffraction)
Control of variables M2 [2]
Intensity of light on solar panel constant by ensuring that the light meter
registers a constant reading OR adjusting the power supply to the lamp
OR Keeping distance between lamp and solar panel constant
OR Keeping orientation of solar panel constant (perpendicular to axis of
lamp).
Room lights switched off (Dark Room) C1
Switching off lamp between readings to prevent solar panel from C2
heating to maintain constant conductivity.
Any further detail C3 [max 2]
Calculate the power generated by the solar panel, P = IV.
Equation to determine frequency from dsinθ= nc/f A1
Room lights switched off (Dark Room) A2
Light meter placed next to solar panel. A3
Adjust position of lamp to get maximum intensity on solar panel A4
Ensure that all light on solar panel is through the coloured filters A5
Safety (1) concerning electrical power supply to lamp – handle with care A6
if voltage is high.
Safety (2) concerning lamp – handle with care if lamp gets too hot. A7
Safety (3) concerning light intensity – looking directly at lamp over a A8 [max 4]
long period of time.

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