m15/4/PHYSI/HP2/eng/TZ1/XX

Physics
Higher level
Paper 2

Friday 8 may 2015 (morning)

Candidate session number

2 hours 15 minutes

Instructions to candidates
yyWrite your session number in the boxes above.
yyDo not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
yySection A: answer all questions.
yySection B: answer two questions.
yyWrite your answers in the boxes provided.
yyA calculator is required for this paper.
yyA clean copy of the physics data booklet is required for this paper.
yyThe maximum mark for this examination paper is [95 marks].

2215 – 6508
32 pages © International Baccalaureate Organization 2015

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Section A

Answer all questions. Write your answers in the boxes provided.

1. This question is about the flow of liquids.

A student carries out an experiment to investigate how the rate of flow R of water through
a narrow tube varies with the pressure difference across the tube. The pressure difference
is proportional to the height h shown in the diagram. The student measures h in cm with
a metre ruler. R is obtained by measuring the volume of water collected in a measuring
cylinder in a time of 100 s.

from tap

narrow tube

measuring
cylinder

(a) State a suitable unit for R. [1]

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(Question 1 continued)

(b) The student enters the data on a spreadsheet and produces the graph and trend line
shown below.

2.50

2.00

1.50
R / unit

1.00

0.50

0.00
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
h / cm

The data point for h = 57 cm, R = 1.70 units has not been shown on the graph.
The student estimates the uncertainties in all values of h to be ±1 cm and the
uncertainties in the values of R to be ±5 %.

(i) On the graph, draw the missing data point. [1]

(ii) On the graph, draw the error bars for this data point. [2]

(iii) Comment on why the trend line is not a perfect match for the data. [1]

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(Question 1 continued)

(iv) Explain why the student’s estimate of a 5 % uncertainty in all values for R is
unlikely to be correct. [2]

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(c) The equation of the trend line shown in (b) is given by

R = −0.0005h2 + 0.0843h − 1.5632.

(i) Calculate the value of R for h = 0. [1]

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(ii) State why this value of R is not physically possible. [1]

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(iii) State the number of significant figures that you have used for your value in (c)(i). [1]

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(iv) Comment, with reference to the experimental data, on the number of significant
figures that you have used for your value in (c)(i). [1]

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(Question 1 continued)

(d) The student estimates that the uncertainty in timing 100 s is ±1 s. Using the data on
the graph, deduce the absolute uncertainty in the volume of water collected when
R = 2.1 units. [4]

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2. This question is about the forces on a skier.

A skier is pulled up a hill by a rope at a steady velocity. The hill makes an angle of 12˚ with
the horizontal. The mass of the skier and skis is 73 kg. The diagram below shows three of
the forces acting on the skier.

normal reaction

tension in rope

frictional forces
12˚

(a) On the diagram, draw and label one other force acting on the skier. [1]

(b) Calculate the magnitude of the normal reaction acting on the skier. [2]

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(c) The total frictional force acting is 65 N. Determine the tension in the rope. [2]

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(d) Explain, using Newton’s first law of motion, why the resultant force on the skier must
be zero. [2]

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3. This question is about a thermistor circuit.

The circuit shows a negative temperature coeffi cient (NTC) thermistor X and a 100 kΩ fi xed
resistor R connected across a battery.

12.0 V

X R

100 kΩ

The battery has an electromotive force (emf) of 12.0 V and negligible internal resistance.

(a) Defi ne electromotive force (emf). [1]

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(b) The graph below shows the variation with temperature T of the resistance RX of the
thermistor.

350

300

250

200
RX / kΩ
150

100

50

0
−60 −50 −40 −30
−20 −10 0 10 20 30
T / C
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(Question 3 continued)

(i) Determine the temperature of X when the potential difference across R is 4.5 V. [4]

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(ii) State the range of temperatures for which the change in the resistance of the
thermistor is most sensitive to changes in temperature. [1]

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(iii) State and explain the effect of a decrease in temperature on the ratio

voltage across X
. [2]
voltage across R

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4. This question is about an ideal gas cycle.

The P–V diagram shows a cycle ABCDA for a fixed mass of an ideal gas.

90
C
80

70

60

50
P / MPa
40

D
30
B
20

10
A
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
−6 3
V / 10 m

(a) Estimate the total work done in the cycle. [3]

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(Question 4 continued)

(b) The change AB is isothermal and occurs at a temperature of 420 K. Calculate the
number of moles of gas. [3]

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(c) Identify and explain the change, if any, in the entropy of the gas when it has completed
one cycle. [2]

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5. This question is about a charge-coupled device (CCD).

An 8 megapixel digital camera has a square CCD with a side of length 27 mm. Two objects
separated by 5.0 cm produce images 8.0 × 10−4 m apart on the CCD sensor.

(a) Calculate the magnification of the camera. [1]

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(b) Estimate the length of a pixel on the CCD. [2]

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(c) Determine whether or not the two images will be resolved. [1]

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(d) (i) Define quantum efficiency of a pixel. [1]

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(ii) Explain the effect of using a CCD with pixels of higher quantum efficiency in
the camera. [2]

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Section B
This section consists of four questions: 6, 7, 8 and 9. Answer two questions. Write your answers in the
boxes provided.

6. This question is about energy sources.

A small island is situated in the Arctic. The islanders require an electricity supply but have no
fossil fuels on the island. It is suggested that wind generators should be used in combination
with power stations using either oil or nuclear fuel.

(a) Suggest the conditions that would make use of wind generators in combination with
either oil or nuclear fuel suitable for the islanders. [3]

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(b) Conventional horizontal-axis wind generators have blades of length 4.7 m.

The average wind speed on the island is 7.0 m s−1 and the average air density
is 1.29 kg m−3.

(i) Deduce the total energy, in GJ, generated by the wind generators in one year. [3]

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(ii) Explain why less energy can actually be generated by the wind generators than
the value you deduced in (b)(i). [2]

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(Question 6 continued)

(c) The energy flow diagram (Sankey diagram) below is for an oil-fired power station that
the islanders might use.

energy
supplied
to
islanders
chemical
energy in energy lost in
oil transmission
energy used in
the power station

energy lost to the environment

(i) Determine the efficiency of the power station. [2]

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(ii) Explain why energy is wasted in the power station. [1]

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(Question 6 continued)

(iii) The Sankey diagram in (c) indicates that some energy is lost in transmission.
Explain how this loss occurs. [1]

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(d) The emissions from the oil-fired power station in (c) are likely to increase global
warming by the enhanced greenhouse effect.

(i) State what is meant by the enhanced greenhouse effect. [2]

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(ii) Outline the mechanism by which greenhouse gases contribute to global warming. [3]

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(e) Any nuclear fuel available to the islanders must be enriched before it can be used.
Outline why fuel enrichment is needed. [2]

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(Question 6 continued)

(f) The nuclear equation below shows one of the possible fission reactions in a nuclear
reactor.

1
0n + 92... U → 92... Kr + 141 1
56Ba + ... 0 n

Identify the missing numbers in the equation. [3]

(g) A nuclear reactor requires both control rods and a moderator to operate. Outline, with
reference to neutrons, one similarity and two differences in the function of each of
these components. [3]

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7. This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about thermal properties of matter. Part 2 is about
quantum physics.

Part 1 Thermal properties of matter

(a) Explain, in terms of the energy of its molecules, why the temperature of a pure
substance does not change during melting. [3]

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(b) Three ice cubes at a temperature of 0 C are dropped into a container of water at a
temperature of 22 C. The mass of each ice cube is 25 g and the mass of the water
is 330 g. The ice melts, so that the temperature of the water decreases. The thermal
capacity of the container is negligible.

(i) Define thermal capacity. [1]

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(ii) State the SI unit of thermal capacity. [1]

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(Question 7, part 1 continued)

(iii) The following data are available.

Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.3 × 105 J kg–1

Specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 × 103 J kg–1 K–1

Calculate the final temperature of the water when all of the ice has melted.
Assume that no thermal energy is exchanged between the water and
the surroundings. [4]

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(iv) Explain how the first law of thermodynamics applies to the water when the ice
cubes are dropped into it. [4]

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(Question 7 continued)

Part 2 Quantum physics

The diagram shows the end of an electron diffraction tube.

diffraction pattern

thin graphite screen

central bright spot

electron gun

A pattern forms when diffracted electrons are incident on a fluorescent layer at the end of
the tube.

(c) Explain how the pattern demonstrates that electrons have wave properties. [3]

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(Question 7, part 2 continued)

(d) Electrons are accelerated to a speed of 3.6 × 107 m s−1 by the electric field between the
cathode and the anode.

(i) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of the electrons. [2]

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(ii) The cathode and anode are 22 mm apart and the field is uniform.
The potential difference between the cathode and the anode is 3.7 kV.
Show that the acceleration of the electrons is approximately 3 × 1016 m s−2. [3]

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(e) State what can be deduced about an electron from the amplitude of its associated
wavefunction. [2]

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(Question 7, part 2 continued)

(f) An electron reaching the central bright spot on the fluorescent screen has a small
uncertainty in its position. Outline what the Heisenberg uncertainty principle is able to
predict about another property of this electron. [2]

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8. This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about the electrical and magnetic characteristics of a
loudspeaker. Part 2 is about vibrations and waves.

Part 1 Electrical and magnetic characteristics of a loudspeaker

The diagram shows the main features of a loudspeaker L. A current-carrying coil is

positioned within the magnetic field provided by a permanent magnet. The diagram also
shows the directions of the magnetic field and of the current in the coil at a particular instant.
The dust cap D prevents dust from blocking the gap between the cardboard tube and the
south pole of the magnet.

current leaving the

coil out of plane of page coil
cone

coil wound around

cardboard tube

S D

coil wound around

cardboard tube

current entering the coil

into plane of page

permanent magnet

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(Question 8, part 1 continued)

The coil consists of 150 turns, each of average diameter 2.5 cm. The magnetic field of the
permanent magnet has strength 0.40 mT. The peak current in the coil is 0.45 mA.

(a) Identify, on the diagram, the direction of the force on the coil with the current directions
shown. [2]

(b) Calculate the maximum magnetic force acting on the coil. [3]

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(c) Assuming that the current is sinusoidal, calculate the root mean squared (rms) of the
current in the coil. [1]

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(d) Explain, with reference to electromagnetic induction, the effect of the motion of the coil
on the current. [3]

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(Question 8 continued)

Part 2 Vibrations and waves

The cone and dust cap D of a loudspeaker L vibrates with a frequency of 1.25 kHz with
simple harmonic motion (SHM).

cone

(e) Define simple harmonic motion (SHM). [2]

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(f) D has mass 6.5 × 10−3 kg and vibrates with amplitude 0.85 mm.

(i) Calculate the maximum acceleration of D. [2]

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(Question 8, part 2 continued)

(ii) Determine the total energy of D. [2]

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(g) The sound waves from the loudspeaker travel in air with speed 330 m s−1.

(i) Calculate the wavelength of the sound waves. [1]

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(ii) Describe the characteristics of sound waves in air. [3]

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(Question 8, part 2 continued)

(h) A second loudspeaker S emits the same frequency as L but vibrates out of phase
with L. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of the
waves emitted by S and L.

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 L

x / mm 0.00 S
0.0 0.5 1.0
–0.50

–1.00

–1.50

–2.00
t / ms

(i) Deduce the relationship between the phase of L and the phase of S. [3]

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(ii) On the graph, sketch the variation with t of x for the wave formed by the
superposition of the two waves. [3]

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Answers written on this page will not

be marked.

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9. This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about kinematics and gravitation. Part 2 is about
radioactivity.

Part 1 Kinematics and gravitation

A ball is released near the surface of the Moon at time t = 0. The point of release is on
a straight line between the centre of Earth and the centre of the Moon. The graph below
shows the variation with time t of the displacement s of the ball from the point of release.

s / m 0.50

0.00
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 t/s
–0.50

–1.00

–1.50

–2.00

–2.50

–3.00

–3.50

(a) State the significance of the negative values of s. [1]

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(b) Use the graph to

(i) estimate the velocity of the ball at t = 0.80 s. [3]

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(Question 9, part 1 continued)

(ii) calculate a value for the acceleration of free fall close to the surface of the Moon. [3]

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(c) The following data are available.

Mass of the ball = 0.20 kg

Mean radius of the Moon = 1.74 × 106 m
Mean orbital radius of the Moon about the centre of Earth = 3.84 × 108 m
Mass of Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg

Show that Earth has no significant effect on the acceleration of the ball. [4]

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(d) Calculate the speed of an identical ball when it falls 3.0 m from rest close to the surface
of Earth. Ignore air resistance. [1]

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(e) Sketch, on the graph, the variation with time t of the displacement s from the point of
release of the ball when the ball is dropped close to the surface of Earth. (For this [3]
sketch take the direction towards the Earth as being negative.)

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(Question 9 continued)

Part 2 Radioactivity

Radium-224 224 ( )
88 Ra is a radioactive nuclide that decays to form radon-220. Radon-220 is
itself radioactive and undergoes a further decay. The table shows the series of radioactive
nuclides that are formed as the decays proceed. The series ends with a stable isotope
of lead.

Parent nuclide Emitter Half-life Daughter

nuclide(s)

radium-224 alpha 3.64 days radon-220 (Rn)

radon-220 alpha 55 seconds polonium-216 (Po)

polonium-216 alpha 0.15 seconds lead-212 (Pb)

lead-212 beta 10.6 hours bismuth-212 (Bi)

bismuth-212 beta 60.6 minutes polonium-212

alpha thallium (Tl)

polonium-212 alpha 3.0 × 10−7 seconds lead-208 (stable)

thallium beta 3.1 minutes lead-208 (stable)

(f) For the final thallium nuclide, identify the

(i) nucleon number. [1]

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(ii) proton number. [1]

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(Question 9, part 2 continued)

(g) Radon-220 is a radioactive gas. It is released by rocks such as granite. In some

parts of the world, houses are built from materials containing granite. Explain why it is
unlikely that radon-220 will build up in sufficient quantity to be harmful in these houses. [2]

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(h) (i) Calculate, in hour−1, the decay constant of lead-212. [1]

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(ii) In a pure sample of lead-212 at one instant, 8.0 × 10−3 kg of the lead-212 is
present. Calculate the mass of lead-212 that remains after a period of 35 hours. [3]

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(Question 9, part 2 continued)

(iii) A sample of pure radium begins to decay by the series shown in the table.
At one instant, a mass of 8.0 × 10−3 kg of lead-212 is present in the sample.
Suggest why, after 35 hours, there will be a greater mass of lead-212 present in
the sample than the value you calculated in (h)(ii). [2]

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