IB Physics Summer Refresh Work

Summer 2017

215 min

169 marks

Complete this packet and turn in to the first day of Fall Semester.

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 Topic 1: Physics and Physical Measurements

1. This question is about a spider’s web.

An experiment was carried out to measure the extension x of a thread of a spider’s web when a
load F is applied to it. The results of the experiment are shown plotted below. Uncertainties in
the measurements are not shown.

9.0 thread
breaks at
8.0 this point

7.0

6.0

5.0
F / 10 –2 N
4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

x / 10 –2 m

(a) Draw a best-fit line for the data points.

(1)

(b) When a load is applied to a material, it is said to be under “stress”. The magnitude P of
the stress is given by

F
P
A

where, A is the area of cross-section of the sample of the material.

Use the graph and the data below to deduce that the thread used in the experiment has a
greater breaking stress than steel.

Breaking stress of steel = 1.0  109 N m−2

Radius of spider web thread = 4.5  10−6 m

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(3)

(c) In a particular web, one thread has the same original length as the thread used in the
experiment. In the making of this web, the original length of the thread is extended by 2.4
 10−2 m.

(i) Use the graph to deduce that the amount of work required to further extend the
thread to the length at which it just breaks, is about 1.6  10−3 J. Explain your
working.

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(3)

(ii) If the thread is not to break due to the impact of a flying insect, then the thread
must be capable of absorbing all the kinetic energy of the insect as it is brought to
rest by the impact. Determine the impact speed that an insect of mass 0.15 g must
have in order that it just breaks the thread.

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

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 Topic 2: Mechanics

2. This question is about the kinematics of an elevator (lift).

(a) Explain the difference between the gravitational mass and the inertial mass of an object.

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(3)

An elevator (lift) starts from rest on the ground floor and comes to rest at a higher floor. Its
motion is controlled by an electric motor. A simplified graph of the variation of the elevator’s
velocity with time is shown below.

velocity / m s –1
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0
time / s

(b) The mass of the elevator is 250 kg. Use this information to calculate

(i) the acceleration of the elevator during the first 0.50 s.

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(2)

(ii) the total distance travelled by the elevator.

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(2)

(iii) the minimum work required to raise the elevator to the higher floor.

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(2)

(iv) the minimum average power required to raise the elevator to the higher floor.

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(2)

(v) the efficiency of the electric motor that lifts the elevator, given that the input power
to the motor is 5.0 kW.

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(2)

(c) On the graph axes below, sketch a realistic variation of velocity for the elevator. Explain
your reasoning. (The simplified version is shown as a dotted line)

velocity / m s –1
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0
time / s
(2)

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The elevator is supported by a cable. The diagram below is a free-body force diagram for when
the elevator is moving upwards during the first 0.50 s.

tension

weight

(d) In the space below, draw free-body force diagrams for the elevator during the following
time intervals.

(i) 0.5 to 11.50 s (ii) 11.50 to 12.00 s

(3)

A person is standing on weighing scales in the elevator. Before the elevator rises, the reading on
the scales is W.

(e) On the axes below, sketch a graph to show how the reading on the scales varies during
the whole 12.00 s upward journey of the elevator. (Note that this is a sketch graph – you
do not need to add any values.)

reading on scales

0.00
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0
time / s
(3)

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 (f) The elevator now returns to the ground floor where it comes to rest. Describe and explain
the energy changes that take place during the whole up and down journey.

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(4)
(Total 25 marks)

3. This question is about modelling the thermal processes involved when a person is running.

When running, a person generates thermal energy but maintains approximately constant
temperature.

(a) Explain what thermal energy and temperature mean. Distinguish between the two
concepts.

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(4)

The following simple model may be used to estimate the rise in temperature of a runner
assuming no thermal energy is lost.

A closed container holds 70 kg of water, representing the mass of the runner. The water is
heated at a rate of 1200 W for 30 minutes. This represents the energy generation in the runner.

(b) (i) Show that the thermal energy generated by the heater is 2.2 × 106 J.

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(2)

(ii) Calculate the temperature rise of the water, assuming no energy losses from the
water. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg−1 K−1.

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(3)

(c) The temperature rise calculated in (b) would be dangerous for the runner. Outline three
mechanisms, other than evaporation, by which the container in the model would transfer
energy to its surroundings.

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(6)

A further process by which energy is lost from the runner is the evaporation of sweat.

(d) (i) Describe, in terms of molecular behaviour, why evaporation causes cooling.

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(3)

(ii) Percentage of generated energy lost by sweating: 50%

Specific latent heat of vaporization of sweat: 2.26 × 106 J kg−1

Using the information above, and your answer to (b) (i), estimate the mass of sweat
evaporated from the runner.

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(3)

(iii) State and explain two factors that affect the rate of evaporation of sweat from the
skin of the runner.

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(4)
(Total 25 marks)

4. This question is about circular motion.

A linear spring of negligible mass requires a force of 18.0 N to cause its length to increase by
1.0 cm.

A sphere of mass 75.0 g is attached to one end of the spring. The distance between the centre of
the sphere M and the other end P of the unstretched spring is 25.0 cm, as shown below.

P M

25.0 cm

The sphere is rotated at constant speed in a horizontal circle with centre P. The distance PM
increases to 26.5 cm.

(a) Explain why the spring increases in length when the sphere is moving in a circle.

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(2)

(b) Determine the speed of the sphere.

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 (4)
(Total 6 marks)

5. This question is about Newton’s laws of motion, the dynamics of a model helicopter and the
engine that powers it.

(a) Explain how Newton’s third law leads to the concept of conservation of momentum in the
collision between two objects in an isolated system.

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(4)

(b) The diagram illustrates a model helicopter that is hovering in a stationary position.

0.70 m 0.70 m

rotating
blades

downward motion of air

The rotating blades of the helicopter force a column of air to move downwards. Explain
how this may enable the helicopter to remain stationary.

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(3)

c) The length of each blade of the helicopter in (b) is 0.70 m. Deduce that the area that the
blades sweep out as they rotate is 1.5 m2. (Area of a circle = r2)

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(1)

(d) For the hovering helicopter in (b), it is assumed that all the air beneath the blades is
pushed vertically downwards with the same speed of 4.0 m s–1. No other air is disturbed.

The density of the air is 1.2 kg m–3.

Calculate, for the air moved downwards by the rotating blades,

(i) the mass per second;

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(2)

(ii) the rate of change of momentum.

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(1)

(e) State the magnitude of the force that the air beneath the blades exerts on the blades.

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(1)

(f) Calculate the mass of the helicopter and its load.

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(2)

(g) In order to move forward, the helicopter blades are made to incline at an angle  to the
horizontal as shown schematically below.

While moving forward, the helicopter does not move vertically up or down. In the space
provided below draw a free body force diagram that shows the forces acting on the
helicopter blades at the moment that the helicopter starts to move forward. On your
diagram, label the angle .
(4)

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(h) Use your diagram in (g) opposite to explain why a forward force F now acts on the
helicopter and deduce that the initial acceleration a of the helicopter is given by

a = g tan 

where g is the acceleration of free fall.

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(5)

(i) Suggest why, even though the forward force F does not change, the acceleration of the
helicopter will decrease to zero as it moves forward.

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(2)
(Total 25 marks)

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 Topic 3: Thermal Physics

6. Some students were asked to design and carry out an experiment to determine the specific latent
heat of vaporization of water. They set up the apparatus shown below.

d.c. supply V

A
Water
Heater

g Top-pan balance

The current was switched on and maintained constant using the variable resistor. The readings
of the voltmeter and the ammeter were noted. When the water was boiling steadily, the reading
of the top-pan balance was taken and, simultaneously, a stopwatch was started. The reading of
the top-pan balance was taken again after 200 seconds and then after a further 200 seconds.

The change in reading of the top-pan balance during each 200 second interval was calculated
and an average found. The power of the heater was calculated by multiplying together the
readings of the voltmeter and the ammeter.

(a) Suggest how the students would know when the water was boiling steadily.

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(1)

(b) Explain why a reading of the mass lost in the first 200 seconds and then a reading of the
mass lost in the next 200 second interval were taken, rather than one single reading of the
mass lost in 400 seconds.
(2)

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 The students repeated the experiment for different powers supplied to the heater. A graph of the
power of the heater against the mass of water lost (the change in balance reading) in 200
seconds was plotted. The results are shown below. (Error bars showing the uncertainties in the
measurements are not shown.)

120

100

80

60
power / W

40

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
mass / g

(c) (i) On the graph above, draw the best-fit straight line for the data points.
(1)

(ii) Determine the gradient of the line you have drawn.

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(3)

In order to find a value for the specific latent heat of vaporization L, the students used the
equation

P = mL,

where P is the power of the heater and m is the mass of water evaporated per second.

(d) Use your answer for the gradient of the graph to determine a value for the specific latent
heat of vaporization of water.

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(3)

(e) The theory of the experiment would suggest that the graph line should pass through the
origin. Explain briefly why the graph does not pass through the origin.

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(2)
(Total 12 marks)

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 Topic 4: Oscillation and Waves

7. This question is about waves and wave motion.

(a) Describe, by reference to the propagation of energy, what is meant by a transverse wave.

Transverse wave

(2)

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(b) State one example, other than a wave on a string, of a transverse wave.

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(1)

A transverse wave is travelling along a string that is under tension. The diagram below shows
the displacement of part of the string at time t = 0. The dotted line shows the position of the
string when there is no wave travelling along it.

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 displacement / cm

distance along string / cm

5.0 15 25 35 45

(c) On the diagram above, draw lines to identify for this wave

(i) the amplitude (label this A);

(1)

(ii) the wavelength (label this λ).

(1)

(d) The period of the wave is 1.2 × 10–3 s. Deduce that the speed of the wave is 250 m s–1.

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(2)

(e) Using the axes below, draw the displacement of the string when t = 3.0 × 10–4 s. (The
displacement of the string at t = 0 is shown as a dotted line.)

displacement / cm

distance along string / cm

5.0 15 25 35 45

(3)

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 (Total 10 marks)

Topic 5: Electric Currents (Everyone's Favorite)

8. This question is about electrical resistance.

(a) Define electrical resistance.

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(1)

(b) (i) Three resistors, each of resistance 6.0 , are connected as shown below.

6.0 A

6.0 6.0

Calculate the total resistance between point A and point B of this arrangement.

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(1)

(ii) The arrangement in (b)(i) is now connected to two more resistors, as shown below.
Each resistor is of resistance 6.0 .

6.0 A 6.0 C

6.0 6.0 6.0

B D

Using your answer in (b)(i), deduce that the total resistance between point C and

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 point D is 8.4 .

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(2)

(iii) One of the resistors in the arrangement shown in (b)(ii) becomes faulty. The
resistance between point C and point D is found to be 6.0 . On the diagram in
(b)(ii) above, identify the faulty resistor by drawing a circle around it. Deduce the
nature of the fault.

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

9. This question compares the electrical properties of two 12 V filament lamps.

A lamp is designed to operate at normal brightness with a potential difference of 12 V across its
filament. The current in the filament is 0.50 A.

(a) For the lamp at normal brightness, calculate

(i) the power dissipated in the filament.

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(1)

(ii) the resistance of the filament.

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(1)

In order to measure the voltage-current (V-I) characteristics of a lamp, a student sets up the
following electrical circuit.

12 V battery

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(b) On the circuit above, add circuit symbols showing the correct positions of an ideal
ammeter and an ideal voltmeter that would allow the V-I characteristics of this lamp to be
measured.
(2)

The voltmeter and the ammeter are connected correctly in the previous circuit.

(c) Explain why the potential difference across the lamp

(i) cannot be increased to 12 V.

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(2)

(ii) cannot be reduced to zero.

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(2)

An alternative circuit for measuring the V-I characteristic uses a potential divider.

(d) (i) Draw a circuit that uses a potential divider to enable the V-I characteristics of the
filament to be found.

(3)

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 (ii) Explain why this circuit enables the potential difference across the lamp to be
reduced to zero volts.

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(2)

The graph below shows the V-I characteristic for two 12 V filament lamps A and B.

Potential
lamp A lamp B
difference 12
/V

0
0 0.5 1.0

current / A

(e) (i) Explain why these lamps do not obey Ohm’s law.

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(2)

(ii) State and explain which lamp has the greater power dissipation for a potential
difference of 12 V.

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(3)

The two lamps are now connected in series with a 12 V battery as shown below.

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 12 V battery

lamp A lamp B

(f) (i) State how the current in lamp A compares with that in lamp B.

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(1)

(ii) Use the V-I characteristics of the lamps to deduce the total current from the battery.

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(4)

(iii) Compare the power dissipated by the two lamps.

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(2)
(Total 25 marks)

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 Topic 6: Field Forces

10. This question is about forces on charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.

The diagram shows two parallel plates situated in a vacuum. One plate is at a positive potential
with respect to the other.

Path of positively charged particle

A positively charged particle passes into the region between the plates. Initially, the particle is
travelling parallel to the plates.

(a) On the diagram,

(i) draw lines to represent the electric field between the plates.
(3)

(ii) show the path of the charged particle as it passes between, and beyond, the plates.
(2)

(b) An electron is accelerated from rest in a vacuum through a potential difference of 750 V.

(i) Determine the change in electric potential energy of the electron.

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(2)

(ii) Deduce that the final speed of the electron is 1.6 × 107 m s–1.

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(2)

The diagram below shows a cross-section through a current-carrying solenoid. The current is
moving into the plane of the paper at the upper edge of the solenoid and out of the plane of the
paper at the lower edge. There is a vacuum in the solenoid.

Current into plane of paper

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××

Current out plane of paper

(c) (i) Sketch lines to represent the magnetic field inside and at each end of the solenoid.
(4)

(ii) A positively charged particle enters the solenoid along its axis. On the diagram,
show the path of the particle in the solenoid.
(1)

An electron is injected into a region of uniform magnetic field of flux density 4.0 mT. The
velocity of the electron is 1.6 × 107 m s–1 at an angle of 35° to the magnetic field, as shown
below.

1.6 × 107 m s –1

35°
Direction of magnetic field

(d) (i) Determine the component of the velocity of the electron normal to the direction of
the magnetic field.

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(2)

(ii) Describe, making calculations where appropriate, the motion of the electron due to
this component of the velocity.

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 (4)

(iii) Determine the component of the velocity of the electron along the direction of the
magnetic field.

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(1)

(iv) State and explain the magnitude of the force on the electron due to this component
of the velocity.

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(2)

(e) With reference to your answers in (d), describe the shape of the path of the electron in the
magnetic field. You may draw a diagram if you wish.

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(2)
(Total 25 marks)

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