PMT

A-LEVEL
PHYSICS A
PHYA2 – mechanics, materials and waves
Mark scheme

2450
June 2014

Version: 1.0 Final

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

COMPONENT NAME: Unit 2 – Mechanics, materials and waves

COMPONENT NUMBER: PHYA2

Question Part Sub Marking Guidance Mark Comments

Part

1 a 8300 x 9.81 OR = 81423  2 Penalize use of

(8300 x 9.81 sin 25) g=10 here only
= 3.4 x 104 (N)  (34 411 N) ecf from first line unless g not used (35 077 N)
Allow 9.8 in any
question
msin25 gets zero

Correct
answer only,
gets both
marks for all
two mark
questions

1 b i (Ek = ½mv2 ) 2 In general:

= ½ x 8300 x 562  Penalise
transcription
= 1.3 x107 (J)  (13 014 400) allow use of 8300 only
errors and
rounding errors
in answers

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

1 b ii mgh = KE (13 014 400) for mgh allow GPE or Ep 2 Allow use of
OR 13 014 400 / 81 423  suvat approach
h = 160 (m)  (159.8) ecf 1bi

1 c i (work done) by friction \ drag \ air resistance \ resistive forces  2

(Energy converted) to internal \ thermal energy  Allow ‘heat’

1 c ii 0.87 x (8300 x 9.81 x 140 = 9 917 000) OR 𝑣 = √�2 ×(98300

917 000)
�  2 87% of energy
-1 for 140m or
= 49 (= 48.88 ms ) 
160m only for
first mark.
Use of 160
(52.26) and/or
incorrect or no
% (52.4) gets
max 1 provided
working is
shown.
Do not credit
suvat
approaches
here.

Total 10

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

2 a i Use of
1
�𝑠 = 𝑔𝑡 2 � OR 𝑡 2 = 2𝑠/𝑔  3 Some working
2
required for full
2 ×1.2
t=√  marks. Correct
9.81
= 0.49 (0.4946 s)  allow 0.5 do not allow 0.50 answer only
gets 2

2 a ii (s= vt ) 2
= 8.5 x 0.4946  ecf ai
= 4.2 m  (4.20) ecf from ai

2 b i 1 2 Allow
�𝑠 = (𝑢 + 𝑣) 𝑡�
2 alternative
2𝑠
𝑡 = 𝑢(+𝑣) or correct sub into equation above  correct
approaches
2 ×0.35
= = 8.2 x 10-2 (s)  (0.0824) allow 0.08 but not 0.080 or 0.1
8.5

2 b ii a = (v-u) / t OR correct substitution OR a= 103  3 Or from loss of

( = -8.5 ) / 8.24 x 10-2 = 103.2 ) KE
Some working
required for full
(F = ma = ) 75 x (103.2)  ecf from bi for incorrect acceleration due to
marks. Correct
arithmetic error only, not a physics error (e.g. do not allow a = 8.5. Use of g
answer only
gets zero for the question.
gets 2

= 7700 N  (7741) ecf (see above)

Total 10

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

3 a i 𝑚 = 𝑊/𝑔) 1 Allow use of

(3.4 x 104 / 9.81 =) 3500 (3466 kg)  g=10

3 a ii (moment = 34 000 x 5.0 ) = 1.7 x 105  ( Nm) 2

Nm  do not allow NM \ nM etc allow in words

3 a iii 170 000 = T x 12 OR T = 170 000 / 12  ecf aii 2

4
= 1.4(167) x 10  (N)

3 a iv (Component of T perpendicular to lever) = T cos 24 OR 14 167 x 0.9135 3 Some working

OR 12942 (N)  ecf aiii allow 2.5cos24 x T required for full
marks. Correct
answer only
(12942) x 2.5 = F x 8.0
gets 2.
OR F = ((12942) x 2.5) / 8.0  ecf for incorrect component of T or T on
Failure to find
its own
component of T
F = 4000 (N)  (4044) ecf ecf for incorrect component of T or T on is max 2 (4400
its own N)
allow 4100 for use of 14 200 (4054)

total 8

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

4 a Good/excellent The candidate’s writing should be legible and the spelling, 5/6
5/6 punctuation and grammar should be sufficiently accurate for
the meaning to be clear.
The candidate’s answer will be assessed holistically. The answer
will be assigned to one of three levels according to the following
criteria.

High Level (Good to excellent): 5 or 6 marks

The information conveyed by the answer is clearly organised, logical
and coherent, using appropriate specialist vocabulary correctly. The
form and style of writing is appropriate to answer the question.

Mentions 5 of the following:

• Diagram (not necessarily labelled) showing a workable
arrangement of suitable apparatus
• measure diameter of wires
• use a micrometer (for the diameter)*
• apply range of loads or masses
• measure original length
• measure or calculate extension
• (metre) rule (or equivalent) for the original length or extended
length or extension*
• Calculation of the weight of the mass \ use ‘weights’ in
newtons

And 2 of the following:

• Measure diameter in several places
• At least 7 different loads*
• Repeat measurements for the same wire (or measure whilst
unloading)

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

• Use of a travelling microscope or Searle’s apparatus \ pointer

touching scale \ set square (for parallax reduction) \ Vernier
scale (not Vernier calipers) *
• Monitor diameter change during experiment

*These points may appear in a clear diagram

3/4 Moderate Intermediate Level (Modest to adequate): 3 or 4 marks 3/4

The information conveyed by the answer may be less well organised
and not fully coherent. There is less use of specialist vocabulary, or
specialist vocabulary may be used incorrectly. The form and style of
writing is less appropriate.

Mentions 4 points in total from the following 2 lists:

• Diagram (not necessarily labelled) showing a workable
arrangement of suitable apparatus
• measure diameter of wires (must be stated)
• use a micrometer (for the diameter)*
• apply range of loads or masses
• measure original length
• measure or calculate extension
• (metre) rule (or equivalent) for the original length or extended
length or extension*
• Calculation of the weight of the mass \ use ‘weights’ in
newtons

Accuracy
• Measure diameter in several places
• At least 7 different loads*
• Repeat measurements for the same wire (or measure whilst
unloading)
• Use of a travelling microscope or Searle’s apparatus \ pointer

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

touching scale \ set square(for parallax reduction) \ Vernier

scale (not Vernier calipers)*
• Monitor diameter change during experiment

*These points may appear in a clear and suitably labelled

diagram

A four mark answer will have good QWC OR will exceed the
specification above and will have at least one of the 5 points
from the Accuracy list.

1/2 Limited Low Level (Poor to limited): 1 or 2 marks 1/2

The information conveyed by the answer is poorly organised and
may not be relevant or coherent. There is little correct use of
specialist vocabulary. The form and style of writing may be only
partly appropriate.

Two valid points from the list

For two marks, at least 3 points are required

Marking points: 6 marks

• Diagram (not necessarily labelled) showing a workable

arrangement of suitable apparatus
• measure diameter of wires
• use a micrometer (for the diameter)*
• apply range of loads or masses
• measure original length
• measure or calculate extension

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

• (metre) rule (or equivalent) for the original length or extended

length or extension*
• Calculation of the weight of the mass \ use ‘weights’ in
newtons

• Measure diameter in several places

• At least 7 different loads*
• Repeat measurements for the same wire (or measure whilst
unloading)
• Use of a travelling microscope or Searle’s apparatus \ pointer
touching scale \ set square(for parallax reduction) \ Vernier
scale (not Vernier calipers) *
• Monitor diameter change during experiment

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

4 b i brittle  allow misspellings 1

allow:
britle, brittleness,

4 b ii 3 Allow full credit

if strain plotted
stress against stress
A correctly

Allow
reasonable free
hand straight
strain line.

For stress- strain:

Tolerance for
Straight line labelled ‘A’ with greater gradient than other line and starting close to curve of A: no
origin allow small curve in correct direction at end of line. more than 10%
Line labelled ‘B’ with significant curve and decreasing gradient which may then undulate of the total
 change in strain
(forgive one label to be missing) for their line.

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

Both of the above AND axes labelled, y, ‘stress’ or symbol or F/A, and x, ‘strain or
symbol or deltaL / L’  (disallow if incorrect units are included but forgive ‘PA’ etc)
(Assume stress-strain if no labels are give – max 2)

For strain – stress: Line B must

Straight line labelled ‘A’ with lesser gradient than other line  allow small curve in have a curved
correct direction at end of line. portion of 20%
Line labelled ‘B’ with significant curve and increasing gradient which may then undulate or more. It must
 have an initial
straight section
(allow one label to be missing)

Both of the above AND axes labelled, x, ‘stress’ or symbol or F/A , and y, ‘strain or
symbol or deltaL / L’  (disallow if incorrect units are included)

A correct force-
extension graph
gets max 2

4 c i (strain = ΔL / L ) strain = 0.24/100 (= 0.0024) 3 Some working

OR correct calculation of extension (0.0036)  required for full
marks. Correct
answer only
( stress = E x strain ) gets 2
stress = 2.80 (x 1011 ) x 0.0024  ecf from first mark
= 6.7 x108 (Pa)  ecf from first mark

4 c ii ( A = π(D/2 )2 ) 3 Some working

required for full

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

π(1.4 (x10-3 ) /2 )2 OR = 1.539 x 10-6 (m2)  ignore incorrect powers of ten marks. Correct
answer only
gets 2
F = E x A x ΔL / L OR = 280 (x109 ) x 1.539 (x 10-6 ) 0.0024 ecf 4ci (incorrect
extension or strain)

OR A x their stress from 4ci  ecf 4ci for strain and ecf for Use of diameter
incorrect area in 4cii but do not accept use of diameter or radius as the area or radius for
area gets zero
for the question
= 1 000  (1034.46 N)

total 16

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

5 a i sin 60 = 1.47sin θ OR sin θ = sin 60 / 1.47  2

(sin 0.5891) = 36 ( )  (36.0955o) (allow 36.2)
-1 o
Allow 36.0

5 a ii sin θc = 1.33/1.47 OR sin θc = 0.9(048)  2 Allow 64 for use

(sin-1 0.9048) = 65 (o)  (64.79) of 0.9 and 66
for use of 0.91

5 a iii Answer consistent with previous answers, e.g. 2

If aii >ai:
Ray refracts at the boundary AND goes to the right of the normal 
Angle of refraction > angle of incidence  this mark depends on the
first
Approx. equal
If aii < ai: angles
TIR  (continuation of
the line must
Angle of reflection = angle of incidence 
touch ‘Figure 4’
label)
Ignore the path of the ray beyond water/glass boundary

5 b For Reason or Explanation: 4

The angle of refraction should be > angle of incidence when entering the Allow ‘ray
water  doesn’t bend
water has a lower refractive index than glass \ light is faster in water than towards normal’
in glass  (at glass/water)

TIR could not happen \ there is no critical angle, when ray travels from Allow optical

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

water to oil density

TIR only occurs when ray travels from higher to lower refractive index \
water has a lower refractive index than oil  Boundary in
question must
be clearly
implied

total 10

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

6 a One of: 1 Allow : measuring

(spectral) analysis of light from stars wavelength or
frequency from a
(analyse) composition of stars
named source of
Chemical analysis light.
Measuring red shift \ rotation of stars 
Allow any other
Insufficient answers: legitimate
‘observe spectra’, ‘spectroscopy’, ‘view absorption \emission spectrum’, application that
‘compare spectra’, ‘look at light from stars’. specifies the source
of light. E.g.
absorbtion\emission
spectra in stars,
‘observe spectra of
materials’

6 b i first order beam 1 Allow ‘n=1’ , ‘1’

first order spectrum ‘one’, 1st
first order image


6 b ii The light at A will appear white (and at B there will be a spectrum) 1

OR greater intensity at A 

6 c ( d = 1/ (lines per mm x 103) 3 Some working

= 6.757 x 10-7 (m) OR 6.757 x 10-4 (mm)  required for full
marks. Correct

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

( nλ = d sin θ ) answer only gets 2

= 6.757 x 10-7 x sin 51.0  ecf only for :
• incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct calculation of d Power of 10 error in
• use of d =1480, 1.48, 14.8 (etc) d gets max 2.
• from incorrect order in 6bii For use of d in mm,
answer =
5.25 x 10-4 gets
= 5.25 x 10 -7 (m)  ecf only for :
max 2
• incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct d
• from incorrect order in 6bii n =2 gets max 2
unless ecf from 6bii

use of d=1480
yields wavelength
of 1150m

6 d n = d (sin90) / λ OR n = 6.757 x 10-7 / 5.25 x 10 -7  ecf both 2 Accept 1.28, 1.3

numbers from 6c
Second line gets
= 1.29 so no more beams observed  or answer consistent with their both marks
working

OR
2 = d (sinƟ) / λ OR sinƟ = 2 x 5.25 x 10 -7 / 6.757 x 10-7  ecf both Conclusion
numbers from 6c consistent with
working
sinƟ = 1.55 (so not possible to calculate angle) so no more beams 

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

OR sin-1(2 x (their λ / their d) ) 

(not possible to calculate) so no more beams  ecf

total 8
7 a number of (complete) waves (passing a point) in 1 second 1 Allow: Cycles
OR Allow: unit time
number of waves / time (for the waves to pass a point)
OR
(complete number of) oscillations \ vibrations per second
OR
1/T with T defined as time for 1 (complete) oscillation 

7 b For two marks: 2 Allow

Oscillation of particles \ medium \ material etc, but not oscillation of wave Vibration
is parallel to \ in same direction as Allow direction of
the direction wave (travels)  energy transfer \
wave propagation
For one mark:
Particles\material\medium move(s) \ disturbance \ displacement
Parallel to \ in same direction as
the direction wave travels
OR
(oscillations) parallel to direction of wave travel 

The one mark answer with:

Mention of compressions and rarefactions

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014

OR
(Longitudinal waves) cannot be polarised
Gets two marks


7 c ( f = 1540 / 0.50 x10-3 ) 2

= 3 100 000 (Hz)  (3 080 000)
2sf 

7 d No more than two points from either list (max 3): 3 Allow ‘standing
Description wave’
• Mention of nodes and antinodes
• Particles not moving at a node
• Maximum displacement at antinode
• Particles either side of node in antiphase / between two nodes in
phase
• Variation of amplitude between nodes

Explanation
• A stationary wave (forms)
• two waves are of equal frequency or wavelength (and amplitude
in the same medium)
• reflected and transmitted waves \ waves travelling in opposite
directions, pass through each other
• superpose / interfere occurs
• constructive interference at antinodes
• destructive interference at nodes

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Mark Scheme – General Certificate of Education (AS-level) Physics A – PHYA2 – June 2014



total 8
Total on paper 70

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