Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level

* 7 2 8 0 3 2 0 9 8 8 *

PHYSICS 9702/41
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions May/June 2017
2 hours
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.

Answer all questions.

Electronic calculators may be used.

You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use appropriate units.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

This document consists of 22 printed pages and 2 blank pages.

DC (LK/FD) 127087/2
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Data

speed of light in free space c = 3.00 × 108 m s−1

permeability of free space μ0 = 4π × 10−7 H m−1

permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F m−1

1
( = 8.99 × 109 m F−1)
4πε0
elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10−19 C

the Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10−34 J s

unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg

rest mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg

rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 × 10−27 kg

molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1

the Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol−1

the Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10−23 J K−1

gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2

acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s−2

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Formulae

1
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2 at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

work done on/by a gas W = pΔV

Gm
gravitational potential φ = −
r

hydrostatic pressure p = ρgh

1 Nm 2
pressure of an ideal gas p = 〈c 〉
3 V
simple harmonic motion a = − ω 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m. v = v0 cos ωt

v = ± ω (x 02 - x 2)
fsv
Doppler effect fo =
v ± vs

Q
electric potential V =
4πε0r

capacitors in series 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + . . .

capacitors in parallel C = C1 + C2 + . . .

1
energy of charged capacitor W = 2 QV

electric current I = Anvq

resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + . . .

BI
Hall voltage VH =
ntq

alternating current/voltage x = x0 sin ω  t

radioactive decay x = x0 exp(−λt )

0.693
decay constant λ =
t 1
2

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Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) Explain how a satellite may be in a circular orbit around a planet.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) The Earth and the Moon may be considered to be uniform spheres that are isolated in space.
The Earth has radius R and mean density ρ. The Moon, mass m, is in a circular orbit about
the Earth with radius nR, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

Earth
radius R

Moon

nR

Fig. 1.1

The Moon makes one complete orbit of the Earth in time T.

Show that the mean density ρ of the Earth is given by the expression

3πn3
ρ = .
GT 2

[4]

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(c) The radius R of the Earth is 6.38 × 103 km and the distance between the centre of the Earth
and the centre of the Moon is 3.84 × 105 km.
The period T of the orbit of the Moon about the Earth is 27.3 days.
Use the expression in (b) to calculate ρ.

ρ = ............................................... kg m–3 [3]

[Total: 9]

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2 A bar magnet of mass 180 g is suspended from the free end of a spring, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

spring

magnet

coil

Fig. 2.1

The magnet hangs so that one pole is near the centre of a coil of wire.

The coil is connected in series with a resistor and a switch. The switch is open.

The magnet is displaced vertically and then allowed to oscillate with one pole remaining inside the
coil. The other pole remains outside the coil.

At time t = 0, the magnet is oscillating freely as it passes through its equilibrium position. At time
t = 3.0 s, the switch in the circuit is closed.

The variation with time t of the vertical displacement y of the magnet is shown in Fig. 2.2.

2.0

1.5
y / cm
1.0

0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
–0.5 t/s

–1.0

–1.5

–2.0

Fig. 2.2
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(a) Determine, to two significant figures, the frequency of oscillation of the magnet.

frequency = .................................................... Hz [2]

(b) State whether the closing of the switch gives rise to light, heavy or critical damping.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(c) Calculate the change in the energy ΔE of oscillation of the magnet between time t = 2.7 s and
time t = 7.5 s. Explain your working.

ΔE = ....................................................... J [6]

[Total: 9]

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3 The digital transmission of speech may be illustrated using the block diagram of Fig. 3.1.

serial -to -
ADC X parallel Y
optic fibre converter

Fig. 3.1

(a) (i) State what is meant by a digital signal.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) State the names of the components labelled X and Y on Fig. 3.1.

X: ......................................................................................................................................

Y: ......................................................................................................................................
[2]

(iii) Describe the function of the ADC.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) The optic fibre has length 84 km and the attenuation per unit length in the fibre is 0.19 dB km–1.

The input power to the optic fibre is 9.7 mW. At the output from the optic fibre, the signal-to-
noise ratio is 28 dB.

Calculate

(i) in dB, the ratio

input power to optic fibre

,
noise power at output of optic fibre

ratio = .................................................... dB [2]

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(ii) the noise power at the output of the optic fibre.

noise power = ..................................................... W [3]

[Total: 10]

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4 (a) Describe the motion of molecules in a gas, according to the kinetic theory of gases.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) Describe what is observed when viewing Brownian motion that provides evidence for your
answer in (a).

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) At a pressure of 1.05 × 105 Pa and a temperature of 27 °C, 1.00 mol of helium gas has a
volume of 0.0240 m3.
The mass of 1.00 mol of helium gas, assumed to be an ideal gas, is 4.00 g.

(i) Calculate the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed of an atom of helium gas for a temperature
of 27 °C.

r.m.s. speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

(ii) Using your answer in (i), calculate the r.m.s. speed of the atoms at 177 °C.

r.m.s. speed = ................................................. m s–1 [3]

[Total: 10]

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5 An α-particle is travelling in a vacuum towards the centre of a gold nucleus, as illustrated in

Fig. 5.1.

gold nucleus α-particle

charge 79e energy 7.7 × 10–13 J

Fig. 5.1

The gold nucleus has charge 79e.

The gold nucleus and the α-particle may be assumed to behave as point charges.
At a large distance from the gold nucleus, the α-particle has energy 7.7 × 10–13 J.

(a) The α-particle does not collide with the gold nucleus. Show that the radius of the gold nucleus
must be less than 4.7 × 10–14 m.

[3]

(b) Determine the acceleration of the α-particle for a separation of 4.7 × 10–14 m between the
centres of the gold nucleus and of the α-particle.

acceleration = ................................................. m s–2 [3]

(c) In an α-particle scattering experiment, the beam of α-particles is incident on a very thin gold
foil.
Suggest why the gold foil must be very thin.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

[Total: 7]
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6 A comparator circuit is designed to switch on a mains lamp when the ambient light level reaches a
set value.
An incomplete diagram of the circuit is shown in Fig. 6.1.

+5 V
D
–
6V
+

RV –5 V

Fig. 6.1

(a) (i) A relay is required as part of the output device. This is not shown in Fig. 6.1. Explain why
a relay is required.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw the symbol for a relay connected in the circuit as part of the output
device. [2]

(b) Describe the function of

(i) the variable resistor RV,

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) the diode D.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

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(c) State whether the lamp will switch on as the light level increases or as it decreases. Explain
your answer.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[3]

[Total: 9]

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7 An electron having charge –q and mass m is accelerated from rest in a vacuum through a potential
difference V.
The electron then enters a region of uniform magnetic field of magnetic flux density B, as shown
in Fig. 7.1.

uniform magnetic
field into plane
of paper

path of
electron

Fig. 7.1

The direction of the uniform magnetic field is into the plane of the paper.
The velocity of the electron as it enters the magnetic field is normal to the magnetic field.
The radius of the circular path of the electron in the magnetic field is r.

(a) Explain why the path of the electron in the magnetic field is the arc of a circle.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[3]

(b) Show that the magnitude p of the momentum of the electron as it enters the magnetic field is
given by

p = (2mqV ).

[2]

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(c) The potential difference V is 120 V. The radius r of the circular arc is 7.4 cm.

Determine the magnitude B of the magnetic flux density.

B = ....................................................... T [3]

(d) The potential difference V in (c) is increased. The magnetic flux density B remains unchanged.

By reference to the momentum of the electron, explain the effect of this increase on the
radius r of the path of the electron in the magnetic field.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 10]

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8 Explain the main principles behind the use of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) to
obtain information about internal body structures.

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................[8]

[Total: 8]

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9 A simple transformer is illustrated in Fig. 9.1.

laminated
iron core

input output

Fig. 9.1

(a) (i) State why the transformer has an iron core, rather than having no core.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Explain why the core is laminated.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) By reference to the action of a transformer, explain why the input to the transformer is an
alternating voltage, rather than a constant voltage.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[3]

[Total: 6]

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10 (a) State

(i) what is meant by the hardness of an X-ray beam,

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) how the hardness of an X-ray beam from an X-ray tube is increased.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) The same parallel beam of X-ray radiation is incident, separately, on samples of bone and of
muscle.

Data for the thickness x of the samples of bone and of muscle, together with the linear
attenuation (absorption) coefficients μ of the radiation in bone and in muscle, are given in Fig.
10.1.

x / cm μ / cm–1
bone 1.5 2.9
muscle 4.0 0.95

Fig. 10.1

Determine the ratio

intensity transmitted through bone

.
intensity transmitted through muscle

ratio = .......................................................... [2]

[Total: 5]

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11 A beam of light consists of a continuous range of wavelengths from 420 nm to 740 nm.
The light passes through a cloud of cool gas, as shown in Fig. 11.1.

incident light emergent light

cool gas
wavelengths 420 nm – 740 nm

Fig. 11.1

(a) The spectrum of the light emerging from the cloud of cool gas is viewed using a diffraction
grating.
Explain why this spectrum contains a number of dark lines.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[4]

(b) Some of the electron energy levels of the atoms in the cloud of gas are represented in
Fig. 11.2.

– 0.38 eV
– 0.54 eV
– 0.85 eV

– 1.5 eV

energy
– 3.4 eV

– 13.6 eV

Fig. 11.2 (not to scale)

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(i) Light of wavelength 420 nm has a photon energy of 2.96 eV.

Calculate the photon energy, in eV, of light of wavelength 740 nm.

photon energy = .................................................... eV [2]

(ii) Use data from (i) and your answer in (i) to show, on Fig. 11.2, the changes in energy
levels giving rise to the dark lines in (a). [2]

[Total: 8]

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12 One possible nuclear reaction that takes place in a nuclear reactor is given by the equation

235U + 1n 95Mo + 139La + 210n + x –10e

92 0 42 57

Data for the nuclei and particles are given in Fig. 12.1.

nucleus or particle mass / u

235U 235.123
92
95Mo 94.945
42
139La 138.955
57
1n 1.00863
0
0 5.49 × 10–4
–1e

Fig. 12.1

(a) Determine, for this nuclear reaction, the value of x.

x = ...........................................................[1]

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(b) (i) Show that the energy equivalent to 1.00 u is 934 MeV.

[3]

(ii) Calculate the energy, in MeV, released in this reaction. Give your answer to three
significant figures.

energy = ................................................. MeV [3]

(c) Suggest the forms of energy into which the energy calculated in (b)(ii) is transformed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 9]

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