Physics Answers
Physics Answers
Physics Answers
for AS/A-level
Physics
Answers
Ian Lovat
1 Units, standard form and orders of
magnitude
Powers of 10
Guided questions (p.9)
1 Step 1: 0.00001 = 1
= 1
100000 105
Prefixes
Guided questions (p.13)
1 a Step 1: 1000 m = 103 m
Step 2: from Table 1.3, the prefix is k, so 1000 m = 1 km
b Step 1: 0.0000001 m = 0.1 × 10 –6 m
Step 2: from Table 1.3, the prefix µ or n is possible, so
0.0000001 m = 0.1 µm or 100 nm
c Step 1: 1 500 000 000 Hz = 1.5 × 109
Step 2: from Table 1.3, the prefix is G, so
1 500 000 000 Hz = 1.5 GHz
Converting units
Guided questions (p.15)
1 a Step 1: base unit, m
Step 2: 30 × 10 –2 m or 3.0 × 10 –1 m
b Step 1: base unit, m
Step 2: 0.1 × 10 –3 m or 1.0 × 10 –4 m
c Step 1: base unit, kg
Step 2: 1 × 10 –3 kg in a g
Step 3: 100 × 10 –3 kg or 1.00 × 10 –1 kg
2 Adding the indices gives 103 × 103 × 103 = 109 mm3.
7 Step 1: converting to base unit, length = 2.5 cm = 2.5 × 10 –2 m and diameter = 0.35 mm
= 0.35 × 10 –3 m
(0.35 × 10 −3 ) 2
Step 2: using r = d2 , cross-sectional area = π × d
2
= π× m2
4 4
Step 3: volume = cross-sectional area × length
(0.35 × 10−3 )2
volume = π × d × l = π ×
2
× 2.5 × 10−2
4 4
= 0.241 × 10−8 = 2.4 × 10−9 m 3
8 Step 1: all quantities are already in base unit m so there is no need to convert.
Step 2: substituting the values in the formula gives:
−9
resistance = 1.71 × 10 −×7 5.0 = 0.045 Ω or 4.5 × 10−2 Ω
1.9 × 10
Symbols
Guided questions (p.17)
1 Step 1: LHS units = (m s–1)2 = m2 s–2
Step 2: units for u2 = (m s–1)2 = m2 s–2
Step 3: units for 2as = m s–2 × m = m2 s–2
Step 4: therefore all the units on each side are the same and the equation could be
correct.
V ∝ T ⇒ V = KT ⇒ K = V
T
Step 2: substitute the given values.
Orders of magnitude
Guided questions (p.26)
1 Mass of a car is of order 103 kg.
2 Step 1: in 1000 kg (1 m3) there are
1000
−3
≈ 56 × 103 moles ≈ 100 000 moles.
18 × 10
The number of molecules in a mole is 6.02 × 1023 ≈ 10 × 1023.
1 m3 of water contains approximately 100 000 × 10 × 1023 = 1029 molecules.
The volume occupied by 1 molecule =
1
= 10−29 m3.
10 29
Step 2: assume that each molecule occupies a cube into which it just fits. One side
would be 3 10−29 ≈ 10−10 m and this is the approximate diameter of a water molecule,
which is not significantly different to the diameter of an oxygen atom.
Order of magnitude diameter of an atom is 10 –10 m (this is same as the estimate of the
diameter of an atom made by Rutherford).
Fractions
Guided questions (p.29)
1 a Step 1: 15 is the smallest number that both 5 and 15 divide into.
3× 3
Step 2:
3
= 5× 3
= 9
15
5
(9 + 11)
Step 3: 9
+ 11
= = 20
15 15 15 15
Step 4: 20
= 4
3
15
(27 + 40)
Step 3: 27
72
+ 40
72
= 72
= 67
72
c2 v2 (c2 + v 2 )
Step 3: + =
v 2c2 v c
2 2
v 2c2
3 2 6
2 a Steps 1–3: ×
5 3
=
15
Notice that, since 3 divides into both 6 and 15, we can simplify the fraction by
dividing both top and bottom by 3.
6 2
Simplify: 15
=
5
Steps 2–3: 6 × 4 = 24
7 3 21
Simplify: 24 = 8
21 7
F ÷ e = F × l = Fl
c Steps 1–3: A l A e Ae
5 3 35 18 53
d Steps 1–3: + = + =
6 7 42 42 42
1 + 1 = R2 + R1 = ( R1 + R2 )
e Steps 1–3: R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
( 83 )
2
4 Steps 1–3: r 2 = = 3 × 3 = 9 mm
8 8 16
V0 I0 V0 I 0 V0 I 0
5 Steps 1–3: × = =
2 2 2× 2 2
Ratios
Guided questions (p.31)
speed of light in air × 8
1 Ratio
Ratio =
=
speed of light in glass
= 3.0 108 = 3
2.0 × 10 2
The ratio is 3 : 2 or 1.5, which is called the refractive index of glass, air
µ glass .
2 Step 1: 1.0 mm = 1.0 × 10 –3 m
1.0 × 10 −3
Step 2: ratio =
extension
original length
= 1.5
= 0.666 … × 10−3 = 6.7 × 10−4
2.3 × 108 = 23
4 Ratio = 2.0 × 108 20
or 1.15. Therefore the ratio is. 23 : 20.
Percentages
Guided questions (p.34)
(2.35 − 2.30)
5 % change = × 100% = × 100% = 2.2%
difference in readings
reading on second meter 2.30
Averages
Guided questions (p.36)
1 a Step 1: 200 + 175 + 215 + 190 + 210 = 990
Step 2: 990
= 198 counts per 5 minutes
5
b Step 1: 5 × 60 = 300 seconds
Step 2: 198
= 0.660 counts s −1 (Bq)
300
Probability
Guided questions (p.37)
1 Step 1: there are eight possibilities for the dice to show any number.
Step 2: there are two possibilities of the dice showing a 2.
Step 3: the probability of the dice showing a 2 is 2
= 1
4
= 0.25
8
2 Step 1: there are ten balls in total.
Step 2: the total number of blue balls is 5.
Step 3: the probability of picking a blue ball is 5
= 0.5
10
Re-arranging equations
Guided questions (p.41)
Ek 1 / 2 mv
2
2 Ek
1 Step 1: = ⇒ m
= v2
1 / 2m 1 / 2m
2E
Step 2: v = m
k
3V
2 Step 1: divide both sides by 43 π to give r = .
3
4π
V
Step 2: r = 3 34π
E
b Step 1: m
= c2
E
Step 2: c = m
c Step 1: EAe = Fl
Fl
Step 2: e =
EA
P
d Step 1: R
= I2
P
Step 2: I = R
T1 − T2 T2 T2
e ■■ First = 1− therefore ε = 1 −
T1 T1 T1
T2
■■ Subtract 1 from both sides ε − 1 = −
T1
T2
■■ Multiply both sides by –1 to give 1 − ε =
T1
■■ Multiply both sides by T1 to give T1 (1 − ε ) = T2
T2
■■ Divide both sides by 1 – ε to give T1 =
(1 − ε )
Q
h ■■ Multiply both sides by r2 to give r 2 E =
4πε 0
Q
■■ Divide both sides by E to give r 2 =
4πε 0 E
v2 to give γ 1 − v2
2
j ■■ Multiply both sides by 1− =1
c2 c
1 − v2 = γ1
2
■■ Divide both sides by γ to give c
Evaluating equations
Guided questions (p.43)
1 a 4 + 3 × 5 = 4 + 15 = 19
b (3 + 4) × 5 = 7 × 5 = 35
c 25 +4 15 = 40
4
= 10
c 32 + 16 + 11 = 9 + 27 = 36 = 6
5000
d = 33.3
150
4 + 16 + 768 4 + 784 4 + 28 32
e = = = =2
16 16 16 16
Quadratic equations
Guided question (p.47)
1 Step 1:
1
at 2 + ut − s = 0
2
−5 ± 52 − (4 × 2 × −63)
b x = = −5 ± 25 + 504 = −5 ± 23
2×2 4 4
= –7 or 4.5
−16 ± 162 − (4 × 4.9 × −32)
c x = = −16 ± 256 + 627.2 = −16 ± 29.7
2 × 4.9 9.8 9.8
= –4.7 or 1.4
−b ± b 2 − 4 ac
Step 3: solve using the equation x = .
2a
−5.0 ± 52 − (4 × 4.9 × −200) −5 ± 62.8 −67.8
t= = = = − 6.9 s or = 57.8 = 5.9 s
2 × 4.9 9.8 9.8 9.8
The negative value of time is ignored, so t = 5.9 s.
Straight lines
Guided questions (p.50)
( )
1 a Step 1: ∆ y = 88 − 20 s 2 , ∆ x = 0.9 − 0.2 kg ( )
88 − 20
Step 2: the gradient is =
68
= 97s 2 kg −1
0.9 − 0.2 0.7
4π 2 4π 2 4π 2
b gradient = k
⇒k = gradient
= 97
= 0.41Nm −1
0.50
Stress / GPa
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0.0000 0.0005 0.0010 0.0015 0.0020 0.0025 0.0030 0.0035 0.0040 0.0045
Strain
Figure A.1
0.47 × 10 9
b Gradient is = 1.18 × 1011 Pa . Note that the y‑axis is in GPa so you need
0.0040
to multiply the y-values by 109.
3 a T = 2π l
g
l 4π 2
Squaring both sides, T 2 = 4π 2 g ⇒ T2 = g ×l
Displacement, s/m
Figure A.2
Rates of change
Guided question (p.57)
1 a average velocity =
4.5
6.0
= 0.75ms−1
b Step 1: a suitable tangent might pass through points (3, 0) and (12, 13.5).
Step 2: instantaneous velocity = gradient of the tangent =
13.5
(12 − 3)
= 1.5m s −1
b Step 1: the tangent might pass through points (0.5, –0.15) and (1.0, +0.15).
Step 2: instantaneous velocity = gradient of the tangent
(0.15 − ( −0.15))
= = 0.6 m s −1
(1 − 0.5)
∆y
c A tangent drawn at t = 1.0 s is horizontal. ∆x
= 0 because Δy is zero, therefore the
instantaneous velocity is zero.
1 a θ = s =
100 = 0.4 rad
r 250
Small angles
Guided questions (p.71)
1 cos 40 = 0.77
2 cos 140 = –0.77
6.0
3 cos θ = = 0.83
7.2
4 Step 1: sin–1 (0.866) = 60 °
Step 2: the second possibility is 180 ° – 60 ° = 120 ° so the angle could be 60 ° or 120 °.
5 Step 1: h = 7.2 × sin θ
A
cos θ = 1.0
therefore A = cos (2.9) = 0.999 m
8 sinθ = = 0.25 therefore θ = sin −1 (0.25) = 14.5°
opposite 200
=
hypotenuse 800
10 This is similar to Figure 6.7, where A = 100 m, θ = 12° and the height, h, is the
opposite side.
h
Therefore tan (12) = ⇒ h = 100 × tan (12) = 21.3 m .
100
Pythagoras
Guided questions (p.74)
1 a A = B2 + C 2 =
2
10 + 10
2
= 200 = 14.1 m
( )
b θ = tan −1 10 = 45 °
10
c Angle = 180° − (90° + 45 °) = 45°
Since in this case B = C, the angles must be 45 ° without further calculation.
( )
θ = sin −1 C = sin −1 12 = 37 °
A 20 ( )
b B = A2 − C 2 = 902 − 152 = 89 cm
c C = A2 − B 2 = 952 − 752 = 58 cm
e You can use the Pythagoras formula for cosine but this is a ‘345’ triangle, so C = 27 m.
f A = B2 + C 2 = 62 + 22 = 6.3 m
6 ()
θ = tan −1 2 = 18.4 °
angle between A and C is (90 ° – 18.4 °) = 71.6 °
3 a tan8° =
height of cliff
250m
therefore height of cliff = 250 × tan8° = 35 m
hI v
5 Since the triangles are similar, hO
=
u and therefore
hI = hO × v
= 2.0 × 1.0 × 10 −3
= 2.0 × 10−4 m
u 10
Resolving vectors
Guided questions (p.78)
( )
1 N = 500 × sin 50 ° = 383N
c T = 6
sin θ
, so as sin θ gets smaller, T increases. If, for example, the angle is just 1 °,
T is about 340 N, which will probably snap the string.
Therefore resultant = 2
12 + 15
2
= 19 N
Step 3: V = 4
3
πr 3 = 4
3
× π × (1.25 × 10−3 )3 = 8.2 × 10−9 m 3
d 3.5 × 10 −3
4 Step 1: r = 2
= 2
= 1.75 × 10−3 m
ρl 1.7 × 10 −8 × 0.5
Step 4: R = A = = 0.043 Ω
2.0 × 10 −7
Step 2: V = 4 πr 3 = 4
× π × (6.371 × 106 )3 = 1.1 × 1021 m 3
3 3
8 A= 1
2
h×b = 1
2
× 0.4 × 0.5 = 0.1 m 2
Radioactive decay
Guided questions (p.85)
1 a Step 1: 29 × 365 × 24 × 3600 = 9.1 × 108 s
Step 2: λ =
0.693
8
= 7.6 × 10−10 s −1
9.1 × 10
b Step 1: 5 years = 1.6 × 108 s
−10
−7.6 × 10 × 1.6 × 108
Step 2: A = 1.9 × 10 × e =
1.7 × 105
Bq
5
ln 2.4 = 3 × 10−4 s −1
λ =
(50 × 60)
50 min = 50 × 60 s = 3000 s
Substituting A = 2.5 × 105, A0 = 6 × 105 and t = 3000 gives
5 a λ = lnt 2 = 0.693
= 3.8 × 10−12 s −1
1
2
5730 × 365 × 24 × 3600
ln 0.192 = 3.8 × 10−12 t
0.184
ln (0.192 / 0.184 )
t= = 1.1 × 1010 s
3.8 × 10−12
Therefore age = 1.1 × 1010 s ≈ 355 years
Capacitor discharge
Guided question (p.88)
1 a Step 1: C = 4700 × 10 –6 F and R = 100 × 103 Ω
Step 2: time constant = 100 × 103 × 4700 × 10 –6 = 470 s
−t
b Substituting in V = V0e RC
− t
5 = 10 × e 470
t
5 = 1 = e − 470
10 2
t
2 = e 470
ln 2 = t
470
t ⇒ t = 326 s
ln 2 =
470
9.0 = 15 × e RC
−10
−10 10
Therefore
9.0
15
=
3
5
= e RC and 5
= e RC
3
−10
9.0 = 15 × e RC
9 = e −RC
10
15
10
15 = e RC
9
ln 15 = 10
9 RC
10
RC = = 19.6s
ln (15 /9)
b time constant = RC, therefore
−t
4 Substitute the given values in I = I 0e RC
−t −20
I = I 0e RC = 10 × 10−3 × e 100 × 10 × 150 × 10 = 2.6 mA
3 −6
Logarithmic scales
Guided questions (p.94)
1 a Step 1: log(120) = 2.079
log(5) = 0.699
Step 2: x = 2.079 + 0.699 = 2.778
Step 3: 102.778 = 599.79 = 600 to three significant figures
Using a calculator in the normal way, 120 × 5 = 600.
b Step 1: log(3600) = 3.5563
log(24) = 1.3802
Step 2: x = 3.5563 + 1.3802 = 4.9365
Step 3: 104.9365 = 86 397 = 86 400 to three significant figures
Using a calculator in the normal way, 3600 × 24 = 86 400.
Remember any differences in the answers are because of rounding errors in
writing down the values of the logs. The more significant figures you use for the
logs, the closer the answers will be.
c Step 1: log(3.2 × 107) = 7.5051
log(365) = 2.5623
Step 2: x = 7.5051 – 2.5623 = 4.9428
Step 3: 104.9428 = 87 659.7 = 87 660 to four significant figures
3.2 × 10 7
In the normal way, = 87 670, which is the same to three significant
365
figures.
2 a The values on the y-axis increase in powers of 10 for equal increments on the
y-axis rather than linearly and this shows the graph is logarithmic.
b Step 1:
1
=
1
= 1.0 × 10 –10 Hz –1
f 1.0 × 1010
Using logarithms
Guided question (p.96)
1 a Step 1: taking logs, log T = log c + nlogk
−0.4 − 0.3 −0.7
Step 2: gradient = n = 1.4
=
1.4
= −0.5
b Step 1: intercept on the y-axis is 0.3.
Step 2: c = 100.3 = 2.0
c The relationship is T = 2.0 × k −0.5 = 2.0
k
0
–1.20 –1.00 –0.80 –0.60 –0.40 –0.20 0.20 0.40
–0.10
–0.20
–0.30
log (mass, m / kg)
Figure A.3
Step 2: re-arrange as ln Q = − 1 t + ln Q0
RC
1
Step 3: comparing with y = mx + c, the gradient of the graph is −
RC , which means
that the line will have a negative gradient.
The intercept on the y-axis is ln Q0
9 a Remember that ln V = ln V0 – 1
×t
RC
1 = 11.8 s
RC =
0.085
Calculating uncertainty
Guided questions (p.106)
1 a Step 1: 0.56 + 0.56 + 0.54 + 0.56 + 0.56 + 0.56 + 0.58 + 0.53 + 0.53 + 0.55 5.53 = 0.553
=
10 10
Step 2: keeping your answer to one more significant figure than the times given,
average = 0.553 s
b Step 1: range = 0.58 – 0.53 = 0.050 s
Step 2: spread = ∆t ± 0.050
= 0.025s
2
c fractional uncertainty = ∆t = 0.025 = 0.045 = 4.5%
t 0.553
d Step 1: Δs is 0.5 cm and s is 150 cm.
∆s
Step 2: fractional uncertainty in the distance fallen = s
=
0.5
150
= 3.3 × 10−3 = 0.33%
2s 2 × 1.5
e Steps 1 and 2: a = = = 9.81 m s −2
t2 0.553
2
∆a ∆s ∆t
f Steps 1 and 2: a
=
s
+2× t
= 3.3 × 10−3 + 2 × 0.045 = 0.0933 ≈ 9%
speed = 340 + 20 m s–1
= 0.96 Ω
R = 8.6 + 0.96 Ω
5 emf, ε = 1.46 + (0.5 × 0.120) = 1.52V
∆ ( Ir ) ∆I ∆r
fractional uncertainty in Ir = = +
r
=
0.050 0.0010
+ = 0.10 + 0.0083 = 0.108
Ir I 0.50 0.120
Therefore Δ(Ir) = (0.5 × 0.120) × 0.108 = 0.0065
∆ε = ∆V + ∆( Ir ) = 0.005 + 0.0065 = 0.012
e The space probe also has to transmit command data so cannot spend all
the time transmitting pictures. (1 mark)
Data compression would allow the pictures to be transmitted in less time.(1 mark)
−8 −8
percentage change = (3.5 × 10 − 4.5 × 10 ) × 100% = −1.0 × 10 × 100% = −22%
−8
4.5 × 10−8 4.5 × 10−8
−8 −8
(3.5 × 10 − 4.5 × 10 ) −8
−1.0 × 10 × 100% = −22% (1 mark)
−8
× 100% =
4.5 × 10 4.5 × 10−8
c original volume = new volume
Therefore 4.5 × 10−8 × 2.0 = 3.5 × 10−8 × l where l is the length
of the stretched wire.
−8
l = 4.5 × 10 ×−82.0 = 2.6 m (1 mark)
3.5 × 10
( )
2 2 2
m 2
4π mr 4π mr
therefore F = × 2πr = = (1 mark)
r T T r
2
T
2
b F = GMm = 4π mr
2
(1 mark)
r2 T2 2 2
T 4π
Dividing both sides by GMmr and multiplying by T2 gives r3
=
GM (1 mark)
2 2
T
c From part b, , where the right-hand side is a constant
4π
=
r 3 GM
2
T
(with M = the mass of Earth). So is the same for any mass
r3 2
T
orbiting Earth, and must equal the value of for the Moon, which is
r3
T 2 = (28 × 24 × 3600)
2
(1 mark)
r3 (3.8 × 108 )3
= 1.1 × 10−13 s 2 m −3 (1 mark)
T
2
(1 × 24 × 3600) 2
d For the satellite = 3
= 1.1 × 10−13 s 2 m −3
r 3
(r )
2
(1 × 24 × 3600)
therefore r 3 = −13
= 7.0 × 10 22 m 3 (1 mark)
1.1 × 10
therefore r = 3
7.0 × 1022 = 4.1 × 107 m (max 2 s.f.) (1 mark)
5 a Use s = ut + 1 at 2
2
u is upwards, which we will take as negative: u = –5 m s–1.
a is downwards so is positive and has the same magnitude as g.
s is the final displacement of the stone from the thrower: 100 m.
therefore 100 = −5 × t + 1
× 9.8 × t 2 (1 mark)
2
Putting the equation in a form to solve using the quadratic solution:
4.9t 2 − 5t − 100 = 0 (1 mark)
−( −5) ± ( −5)2 − (4 × 4.9 × −100)
t = − b ± b − 4 ac ⇒ t =
2
2a 2 × 4.9
d This is a quadratic equation and has to be solved using the quadratic equation
formula:
− b ± b2 − (4 ac )
x=
2a
where a = 60, b = –5.9 × 102 and c = –1.2 × 104.
therefore
−(−5.9 × 10 ) ± (−5.9 × 10 ) − 4 × 60 × (−1.2 × 104 )
2 2 2
x= (1 mark)
2 × 60
Pressure / kPa
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0.000 0.010 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050 0.060 0.070 0.080
1
( V ) / (cm3)–1
Figure A.4
∆p 250 × 10 3
ii The gradient is = = 4.2 × 106 Pa cm.3 (1 mark)
∆ 1/ V 0.059
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03
–0.2
–0.4
–0.6
–0.8
–0.1
Time / s
0.20
Maximum velocity Maximum velocity
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
–0.05 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
–0.10
–0.15
–0.20
–0.25
Time /s
Figure A.6
( )
2
a = −A ω2 cos ωt therefore a = −0.2 × 4 π cos(4 π × 0.3) (1 mark)
a = −26 m s −2 (1 mark)
d Maximum acceleration is when cos (ωt) = ±1
amax = Aω 2 = 0.2 × (4π )2 = 32 m s −2 (1 mark)
12 Make sure your calculator is in degrees mode for this question.
1 1
a slit width = = = 1.25 × 10−6 m (1 mark)
number of lines per metre 800 × 103
ρl RA
c R = A ⇒ ρ = l (1 mark)
−8
ρ = 28 × 8.0 × 10 = 1.1 × 10−6 Ω m (1 mark)
2.0
d As the volumes are the same, 8.0 × 10−8 × 2.0 = A2 × 2.1.
8.0 × 10 −8 × 2.0
therefore A2 = = 7.6 × 10−8 m 2 (1 mark)
2.1
ρ l2 1.1 × 10 −6 × 2.1
new resistance, R2 = A2
= = 30 Ω (1 mark)
7.6 × 10 −8
17 a The linear speed, v, of an object rotating with a frequency, f, and a radius, r, is
given by v = 2πrf and the angular velocity is ω = 2πf .
Combining the two equations gives v = rω. (1 mark)
v
therefore ω = r
= 13.4
(1 mark)
0.33
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250
Time / s
Figure A.8 (2 marks)
c The gradient of the graph is −λ = 3.1 − 5.1 (1 mark)
= −0.010 s−1
200
therefore t = = 69 s (1 mark)
ln 2
1
2
0.010