PHYSICS PAPER 2 SF 026/2

PSPSM SEMESTER 2 SESSION 2013/2014

Answer any six questions.

1 (a) (i) Name a quantity that indicates how fast a capacitor is charging and
discharging. State your reasoning.

Time constant, 𝜏
𝜏 = how fast charge on a capacitor reaches 63% of its maximum value
during charging or 37% of its initial value during discharging.

(ii) Explain why inserting a dielectric between the plates of a capacitor

increases its capacitance.

Electric field between plates orient the molecules of the dielectric with
their positive ends pointing toward the negatively charged plate and
their negative ends pointing toward the positively charged plated.
𝜖0 𝐴
𝐶0 =
𝑑
𝜖0 𝜖𝑟 𝐴
𝐶𝑑 =
𝑑
𝜖𝑟 > 1, 𝐶𝑑 > 𝐶0

[5 marks]
(b)

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1 shows an arrangement of capacitors. If the equivalent capacitance
is 0.5 µF, calculate the value of capacitor C.

𝐶1 = (𝐶 + 0.6) × 10−6 and 𝐶2 = (0.2 + 0.8) × 10−6

1 1 1 𝐶1 𝐶2
= + → 𝐶𝑠 =
𝐶𝑠 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶1 + 𝐶2
(𝐶 + 0.6)(0.2 + 0.8) × 10−12
0.5 = → 𝐶 = 4 × 10−7 𝐹
(𝐶 + 1.6) × 10−6
[3 marks]
 (c)

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2 shows a charge Q at the vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides

1 mm. If 138 J of work is done in bringing a – 4.8 µC point charge from infinity
to position M,

(i) determine the magnitude and type of charge Q.

𝑄
𝑊 = 𝑉𝑦 𝑄𝑦 = (𝑘 𝑅 )𝑄𝑦
𝑊𝑟 (138)(1 × 10−3 )
𝑄= = = −3.19 × 10−6 𝐶
𝑘𝑄𝑦 (9 × 109 )(−4.8 × 10−6 )

(ii) calculate the electric field at position N.

𝑘𝑄
𝐸 = 𝑟2
𝑘𝑄 3.19×10−6
𝐸= = (9 × 109 ) (1×10−3 )2 = 2.87 × 1010 𝑁𝐶 −1
𝑟2
𝑘𝑄 4.8×10−6
𝐸𝑀 = = (9 × 109 ) (1×10−3 )2 = 4.32 × 1010 𝑁𝐶 −1
𝑟2
𝐸𝑥 = −𝐸𝑀 − 𝐸 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝐸𝑦 = 𝐸 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃

𝐸𝑁 = √𝐸𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑦 2 = 6.27 × 1010 𝑁𝐶 −1

[7 marks]

2 (a) (i) State one application of Wheatstone Bridge. Explain the principle used
in such application.

Determine unknown resistance Rx

Wheatstone bridge is balance, Igalvanometer = 0 or Ggalvanometer = 0
𝑅
Voltage drops, 𝐼1 𝑅1 = 𝐼2 𝑅2 and 𝐼1 𝑅2 = 𝐼2 𝑅𝑥 → 𝑅𝑥 = 𝑅2 𝑅3
1
 (ii)

FIGURE 3
State TWO laws to be used in determining the currents in the circuit as shown
in FIGURE 3.

Kirchoff’s first law, ∑ 𝐼𝑖𝑛 = ∑ 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡

Sum of the currents entering any junction in a circuit equal the sum of the
currents leaving that junction.

Kirchoff’s second law, ∑ 𝑉 = ∑ 𝐼𝑅, or ∑ 𝑉 = 0

In any loop, sum of the emf is equal to the sum of the products of current and
resistance
[5 marks]
(b) A toaster has a heating element made of nichrome wire and connected to a
220 V source. The wire is initially at 20 0C with current 1.8 A. When the toaster
reaches its final operating temperature, the current is 1.53 A. Calculate the

(i) power delivered to the toaster at its operating temperature.

𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉 = (1.53)(220) = 336.6 𝑊

(ii) final temperature of the heating element if the temperature coefficient of

resistivity for nichrome wire is 4 × 10−4 ℃−1 .

𝑅 𝐼0
=
𝑅0 𝐼
𝑅 = 𝑅0 [1 + 𝛼(𝑇 − 𝑇0 ]
(𝑅⁄𝑅 )−1
0
→ 𝑇 = 𝑇0 + 𝛼
(1.8⁄1.53) − 1
= 20 +
4 × 10−4
= 4610 𝐶 [4 marks]

(c) The emf of a battery with internal resistance is 12 V. When an unknown resistor
R is connected to the battery, the current is 0.8 A. If another resistor R is added
in series, the current is 0.6 A. Calculate the

(i) value of the resistor R.

𝜀 = 𝐼(𝑅 + 𝑟)
12 = 0.8(𝑅 + 𝑟) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 12 = 0.6(2𝑅 + 𝑟)
𝑅 = 5Ω
 (ii) internal resistance of the battery.

12 = 0.8(𝑅 + 𝑟) → 𝑟 = 10 Ω

(iii) terminal voltage of the battery.

𝑉𝑡 = 𝐼(2𝑅)
= (0.6)(5 + 5
=6𝑉

Or 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
= 0.8(5)
=4𝑉
[6 marks]

3 (a) (i) In what condition would a charge particle experience a magnetic force?
Moving charged particle in a magnetic field.

(ii) Two charged particles moving in the same direction are projected
perpendicularly into a uniform magnetic field. If the particles are
deflected in opposite directions, what can you say about them? Explain
your answer.
They have opposite charges
Deflected opposite direction→ 𝐹𝐵 opposite direction
𝐹𝐵 = 𝑞(𝑉 × 𝐵) with B and direction of v same→ q opposite sign
[4 marks]

(b) A circular loop L1 of radius 5 cm carries a 15 A current.

(i) Calculate the magnetic field at its center.

𝜇 𝐼
𝐵 = 2𝑟0
(4𝜋×10−7 )(15)
= (2)(0.05)
= 1.89 × 10−4 𝑇

(ii)

FIGURE 4
 Another loop L2 of radius 1.5 cm, having 50 turns and carrying a 2 A
current is placed at the center of loop L1 as shown in FIGURE 4. What
will be the resultant magnetic field at their common center if the two
currents flow in the same direction?

(4𝜋×10−7 )(50)(2)
𝐵2 = = 4.19 × 10−3 𝑇
(2)(0.015)

𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2
= 1.89 × 10−4 + 4.19 × 10−3
= 4.38 × 10−3 𝑇

(iii) If loop L1 in FIGURE 4 is fixed but loop L2 is free to turn about its
central axis, what will be the torque on loop L2 when its plane is parallel
to loop L1?

𝜏 = (50)(2)(𝜋 × 0.0152 )(1.89 × 10−4 )𝑠𝑖𝑛 90

= 1.34 × 10−5 𝑁𝑚 [6 marks]

(c) A 2 A current flows towards left in a wire having a mass per unit length of
0.5 g cm-1 . If the wire is placed horizontally on a table, what are the magnitude
and direction of the minimum magnetic field needed to float the wire?

𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝐼𝑙𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑚𝑔
Minimum magnetic field, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 1 or B perpendicular to the current
𝑚 𝑔 (0.05)(9.81)
𝐵=( ) = = 0.25 𝑇
𝑙 (𝐼)𝑠𝑖𝑛90 2
Direction of B :↓ or –y or out of the page
[5 marks]
4 (a)

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5 shows a bar moving on rails to the right with a velocity v in a
uniform magnetic field directed out of the page. A resistor R connects the rails.

(i) What is the direction of induced current in resistor R? Explain your

answer.

𝐼𝑅 upwards
A increasing → 𝜙 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝜀 induced will oppose this change to decrease 𝜙 → B in paper
 (ii) State TWO ways to increase the induced current with R fixed.
Increase B
Increase v
Increase l
[5 marks]
(b) A rectangular coil of 60 turns, dimensions 0.1 m × 0.1 m and total resistance
10 Ω, rotates with angular speed 30 rad s-1 about the y-axis in a 1.5 T magnetic
field directed along the x-axis. Calculate the

(i) maximum induced emf in the coil.

𝜀 = 𝑁𝐴𝐵𝜔 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡
Maximum voltage → 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 = 1
𝜀 = (60)(0.1 × 0.1)(1.5)(30)𝑠𝑖𝑛 90 = 27 𝑉

(ii) maximum rate of change of magnetic flux through the coil.

𝑑Φ𝐵 𝑑
= 𝑑𝑡 (𝐵𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃) = −𝐵𝐴𝜔𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝑡
Maximum → 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 = −1
𝑑Φ
( 𝑑𝑡𝐵 ) = 𝐵𝐴𝜔 = (1.5) )(0.1 × 0.1)(30) = 0.45 𝑊𝑏 𝑠 −1
[6 marks]

(c) Two coaxial solenoids, P and Q have 400 and 700 turns respectively. A current
of 3.5 A in coil P produces an average flux of 300 µWb through each turn of P
and average flux of 90 µWb through each turn of Q. Calculate the

(i) inductance of solenoid P.

𝑁Φ𝑃
𝐿𝑃 = 𝐼
(400)(300×10−6 )
= 3.5
= 3.43 × 10−2 𝐻

(ii) mutual inductance.

𝑁 Φ
𝑀𝑃𝑄 = 𝑄𝐼 𝑄
𝑃
(700)(90×10−6 )
= 3.5
= 1.8 × 10−2 𝐻
[4 marks]
5 (a) A voltmeter shows a reading of 220 V for a 50 Hz AC voltage.

(i) Calculate the maximum value of the AC voltage.

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
√2
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 √2
= (220)√2
= 311 𝑉
 (ii) Write the equation for the AC voltage.

𝑉 = 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝜋𝑓𝑡

𝑉 = 311𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝜋(50)𝑡
= 311 𝑠𝑖𝑛 100𝜋𝑡
[4 marks]

(b) A 0.9 kΩ resistor, 0.25 µC capacitor and 2.5 H inductor are connected in series
across a 240 Hz AC source with 140 V peak voltage.

(i) Calculate the impedance.

𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿 = (2𝜋)(240)(2.5) = 3.77 × 103 Ω
1 1
𝑋𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐶 = (2𝜋)(240)(0.25×10−6 ) = 2.65 × 103 Ω
𝑍 = √𝑅 2 + (𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋𝐶 )2
𝑍 = √(900)2 + (3.77 × 103 − 2.65 × 103 )2
= 1.44 × 103 Ω

(ii) Calculate the maximum current.

𝑉
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑍
140
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.44×103 = 9.72 × 10−2 𝐴

(iii) Calculate the phase angle between the current and voltage.
𝑋 −𝑋
𝜙 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 𝐿 𝑅 𝐶 )
3.77×103 −2.65×103
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) = 51.20
900

(iv) Which quantity lags : current or voltage? Explain your answer.

Current lags voltage

𝑋𝐿 exceeds 𝑋𝐶 → voltage leads current

(v) How to achieve resonance in the circuit?

𝑋𝐿 = 𝑋𝐶
[11 marks]

6 (a) State THREE conditions for interference to occur in a Young's double slit
experiment.

coherent source (same wavelength or same frequency and constant phase

difference.
Same or approximate amplitude.
Size of slit should be comparable to light wavelength.
D very small < 1 𝑚𝑚.
[3 marks]
(b) Two thin parallel glass plates in-contact are illuminated normally with a 580 nm
light. As the plates are slowly moved apart, dark surface is observed followed
by bright surface.

(i) Explain the formation of the dark and bright surface.

Dark : two reflected rays superimpose with ∆𝐿 = 2𝑛𝑡 = 𝑚𝜆

1
Bright : two reflected rays superimpose with ∆𝐿 = 2𝑛𝑡 = (𝑚 + )𝜆
2

(ii) Calculate the plate separation at the first dark surface.

𝑚=1
2𝑛𝑡 = 𝑚𝜆
𝜆
𝑡 = 2𝑛
580×10−9
= 2
= 2.9 × 10−7 𝑚
[5 marks]

(c) A 632.8 nm light is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 6000 lines
per cm. Only the zeroth, first and second order bright fringes are observed.
Explain mathematically why the third order is not observed.

𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
𝑛𝜆 (3)(632.8 × 10−9 )
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = = → 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 > 1
𝑑 1.667 × 10−6
[2 marks]

(d) A lens is made of glass with refractive index 1.6 and radii of curvatures,
r1 = 6 cm and r2 = 4 cm. An object is located 30 cm from the lens.

(i) Calculate the focal length of the lens.

1 1 1
= (𝑛 − 1)(𝑟 − 𝑟 )
𝑓 1 2
1 1 1
= (1.6 − 1)(6 − 4)
𝑓
𝑓 = −20 𝑐𝑚

(ii) By sketching a ray diagram, determine TWO characteristics of the

image.

[5 marks]
Virtual, upright and smaller.
7 (a) (i) State TWO characteristics of light in the classical theory that fails to
justify the photoelectric effect.

Light energy independent of frequency ,

OR dependent on amplitude (or intensity).
Light energy is continous

(ii) State the significance of the photoelectric effect experiment.

Light has particle-like behaviour

[3 marks]

(b) When a 546 nm light is used in a photoelectric experiment, the stopping

potential is 0.38 V.

(i) Calculate the work function of the metal.

ℎ𝑐
𝑊0 = 𝜆 − 𝐾𝑚𝑎𝑥
(6.63×10−34 )(3×108 )
= − (0.38)(1.6 × 10−19 )
(546×10−9 )
= 1.9 𝑒𝑉

(ii) Calculate the threshold wavelength.

ℎ𝑐
𝜆0 = 𝑊
0
(6.63×10−34 )(3×108 )
= (1.9)(1.6×10−19 )
= 654 𝑛𝑚

(iii) Calculate the minimum de Broglie wavelength of the electron.

ℎ
𝜆=
√2𝑚𝑒𝑉0
(6.63×10−34 )
=
√(2)((9.11×10−31 )((1.6×10−19 ))(0.38)
−9
= 1.99 × 10 𝑚

(iv) Will electron be emitted if the target material is replaced with silver
work function 4.73 eV? Justify your answer.
No.
ℎ𝑐
𝐸=
𝜆
(6.63×10−34 )(3×108 )
= (546×10−9 )(1.6×10−19 )
= 2.28 𝑒𝑉 < 𝑊0 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑟
[9 marks]
 (c) State ONE advantage of the electron microscope compared to the optical
microscope. What makes it better?

High resolving power.

Electron with high kinetic energy can have very short wavelength much less
than wavelength of visible light.

Diffraction effect of electron as a wave is able to distinguish details better than

visible light.
[3 marks]

8 (a) (i) Describe the process of nuclear fusion in the sun.

Proton undergoes fusion form hydrogen isotopes and helium isotopes.

Helium nuclei themselves undergo nuclear reactions which produce
protons.
→ proton-proton cycle fueling the reaction.

(ii) Sketch a graph of binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number.
Label on the graph regions for nuclear fission and fusion. Explain the
occurance of such nuclear reactions in the particular regions.

Fusion : light elements have less binding energy per nucleon has higher
tendency to fuse to form heavy stable nuclei.

Fission : heavy elements with small binding energy per nucleon has
higher tendency to split into lighter stable nucleus.
[6 marks]

(b) Gold, 197

79 𝐴𝑢 is irradiated by a flux of slow neutrons and electrons are emitted.
Given the mass of 197 198
79 𝐴𝑢 = 196.966552 u and 80 𝐻𝑔 = 197.966752 u.

(i) Write the nuclear reaction equation.

197 198
79𝐴𝑢 + 10𝑛 → 80𝐻𝑔 + −10𝑒

(ii) Calculate the maximum energy ( in MeV) of the emitted electron.

𝑄 = ∆𝑚𝑐 2
𝑄 = ((196.966552 + 1.008665) −
𝑀𝑒𝑉
(197.966752 + 5.48 × 10−4 ))𝑐 2 × (931.5 𝑐 2
= 7.37 𝑀𝑒𝑉
[3 marks]
(c) A prepared sample of radioactive isotope has an activity of 10.0 mCi. After
4 hours, the activity is 8.0 mCi. Calculate the

(i) half-life of the isotope.

𝐴 = 𝐴0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡
𝑙𝑛 2
𝑇1⁄ = 𝜆
2
𝑙𝑛 2
= 8
𝑙𝑛( )
10
4
= 12.4 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟

(ii) number of the isotope in the prepared sample.

𝐴 = 𝜆𝑁
10×10−3
𝑁0 = 5.58×10−2 (3600)(3.7 × 1010 )
= 2.39 × 1013 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖

(iii) sample activity 30 hours after it is prepared.

(Given 1 Ci = 3.7 × 1010 decay per second )
−2 )(30)
𝐴 = 𝐴0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡 = (10 × 10−3 )𝑒 −(5.58×10 = 1.87 × 10−3 𝐶𝑖

[6 marks]

END OF QUESTION PAPER