978-1-78668-992-4

Physics

Standard level paper 3

May 2017

Copyright International Baccalaureate Organization 2017

M17/4/PHYSI/SP3/ENG/TZ2/XX

Physics
Standard level
Paper 3

Tuesday 16 May 2017 (morning)

Candidate session number

1 hour

Instructions to candidates
• Write your session number in the boxes above.
• Do not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
• Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.
• A calculator is required for this paper.
• A clean copy of the physics data booklet is required for this paper.
• The maximum mark for this examination paper is [35 marks].

Section A Questions
Answer all questions. 1–2

Section B Questions
Answer all of the questions from one of the options.
Option A — Relativity 3–5
Option B — Engineering physics 6–7
Option C — Imaging 8 – 10
Option D — Astrophysics 11 – 12

2217 – 6518
26 pages © International Baccalaureate Organization 2017

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Section A
Answer all questions. Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.

1. A radio wave of wavelength λ is incident on a conductor. The graph shows the variation with
wavelength λ of the maximum distance d travelled inside the conductor.

1.2

1.0

0.8

d / cm 0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
λ / 106 m

(a) Suggest why it is unlikely that the relation between d and λ is linear. [1]

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(Question 1 continued)

(b) For λ = 5.0  105 m, calculate the

(i) fractional uncertainty in d. [2]

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(ii) percentage uncertainty in d 2. [1]

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(Question 1 continued)

(c) The graph shows the variation with wavelength λ of d 2. Error bars are not shown and
the line of best-it has been drawn.

1.2

1.0

0.8

d 2 / cm2 0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
λ / 10 m 6

A student states that the equation of the line of best-fit is d 2= ฀a + bλ. When d 2 and λ
are expressed in terms of fundamental SI units, the student finds that a = 0.040  10–4
and b = 1.8  10 –11.

(i) State the fundamental SI unit of the constant a and of the constant b. [2]

a: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(ii) Determine the distance travelled inside the conductor by very high frequency
electromagnetic waves. [2]

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2. The circuit shown may be used to measure the internal resistance of a cell.

cell with internal resistance

(a) An ammeter and a voltmeter are connected in the circuit. Label the ammeter with the
letter A and the voltmeter with the letter V. [1]

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(Question 2 continued)

(b) In one experiment a student obtains the following graph showing the variation with
current I of the potential difference V across the cell.

2.00

1.50

V/V 1.00

0.50

0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00
I /A

Using the graph, determine the best estimate of the internal resistance of the cell. [3]

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(Question 2 continued)

(c) The ammeter used in the experiment in (b) is an analogue meter. The student takes
measurements without checking for a “zero error” on the ammeter.

(i) State what is meant by a zero error. [1]

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(ii) After taking measurements the student observes that the ammeter has a
positive zero error. Explain what effect, if any, this zero error will have on the
calculated value of the internal resistance in (b). [2]

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Section B
Answer all of the questions from one of the options. Answers must be written within the answer boxes
provided.

Option A — Relativity

3. (a) State one prediction of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism that is consistent with
special relativity. [1]

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(b) A current is established in a long straight wire that is at rest in a laboratory.

current
wire
proton at rest

A proton is at rest relative to the laboratory and the wire.

Observer X is at rest in the laboratory. Observer Y moves to the right with

constant speed relative to the laboratory. Compare and contrast how observer X
and observer Y account for any non-gravitational forces on the proton. [3]

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(Option A continued)

4. Muons are unstable particles with a proper lifetime of 2.2 μs. Muons are produced 2.0 km
above ground and move downwards at a speed of 0.98c relative to the ground. For this
speed  = 5.0. Discuss, with suitable calculations, how this experiment provides evidence
for time dilation. [3]

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(Option A continued)

5. A rocket of proper length 450 m is approaching a space station whose proper length is
9.0 km. The speed of the rocket relative to the space station is 0.80c.

0.80c

lamp 1 lamp 2
rocket

space station
(not to scale)

X is an observer at rest in the space station.

(a) (i) Calculate the length of the rocket according to X. [2]

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(ii) A space shuttle is released from the rocket. The shuttle moves with speed
0.20c to the right according to X. Calculate the velocity of the shuttle relative to
the rocket. [2]

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(Option A, question 5 continued)

(b) Two lamps at opposite ends of the space station turn on at the same time according
to X. Using a Lorentz transformation, determine, according to an observer at rest in
the rocket,

(i) the time interval between the lamps turning on. [2]

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(ii) which lamp turns on irst. [1]

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(Option A, question 5 continued)

(c) The rocket carries a different lamp. Event 1 is the lash of the rocket’s lamp occurring
at the origin of both reference frames. Event 2 is the lash of the rocket’s lamp at
time ct' = 1.0 m according to the rocket. The coordinates for event 2 for observers
in the space station are x and ct.

space station ct-axis rocket ct'-axis

event 2
1.0 m
rocket x'-axis

event 1 space station x-axis

(i) On the diagram label the coordinates x and ct. [2]

(ii) State and explain whether the ct coordinate in (c)(i) is less than, equal to or
greater than 1.0 m. [2]

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(Option A, question 5 continued)

(iii) Calculate the value of c 2t 2 – x 2. [2]

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End of Option A

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Option B — Engineering physics

6. A cylindrical space probe of mass 8.00  102 kg and diameter 12.0 m is at rest in outer space.

12.0 m

rocket

axis rocket

F probe
top view

Rockets at opposite points on the probe are ired so that the probe rotates about its axis.
Each rocket produces a force F = 9.60  10 3 N. The moment of inertia of the probe about
its axis is 1.44  10 4 kg m 2.

(a) (i) Deduce the linear acceleration of the centre of mass of the probe. [1]

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(ii) Calculate the resultant torque about the axis of the probe. [2]

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(b) The forces act for 2.00 s. Show that the inal angular speed of the probe is about
16 rad s–1. [2]

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(Option B, question 6 continued)

(c) The diagram shows a satellite approaching the rotating probe with negligibly
small speed. The satellite is not rotating initially, but after linking to the probe
they both rotate together.

satellite

probe

common axis

The moment of inertia of the satellite about its axis is 4.80  103 kg m2. The axes of the
probe and of the satellite are the same.

(i) Determine the inal angular speed of the probe–satellite system. [2]

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(ii) Calculate the loss of rotational kinetic energy due to the linking of the probe with
the satellite. [3]

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(Option B continued)

7. A heat engine operates on the cycle shown in the pressure–volume diagram. The cycle
consists of an isothermal expansion AB, an isovolumetric change BC and an adiabatic
compression CA. The volume at B is double the volume at A. The gas is an ideal
monatomic gas.

pressure
A

V 2V volume

At A the pressure of the gas is 4.00  106 Pa, the temperature is 612 K and the volume
is 1.50  10–4 m3. The work done by the gas during the isothermal expansion is 416 J.

(a) (i) Justify why the thermal energy supplied during the expansion AB is 416 J. [1]

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(ii) Show that the temperature of the gas at C is 386 K. [2]

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(Option B, question 7 continued)

(iii) Show that the thermal energy removed from the gas for the change BC is
approximately 330 J. [2]

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(iv) Determine the eficiency of the heat engine. [2]

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(b) State and explain at which point in the cycle ABCA the entropy of the gas is the largest. [3]

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End of Option B

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Option C — Imaging

8. The diagram shows planar wavefronts incident on a converging lens. The focal point of the
lens is marked with the letter F.

Q P F

Wavefront X is incomplete. Point Q and point P lie on the surface of the lens and the
principal axis.

(a) On the diagram, sketch the

(i) part of wavefront X that is inside the lens. [1]

(ii) wavefront in air that passes through point P. Label this wavefront Y. [1]

(b) Explain your sketch in (a)(i). [2]

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(Option C, question 8 continued)

(c) Two parallel rays are incident on a system consisting of a diverging lens of
focal length 4.0 cm and a converging lens of focal length 12 cm.

diverging lens converging lens

The rays emerge parallel from the converging lens. Determine the distance between
the two lenses. [2]

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(Option C continued)

9. Two converging lenses placed a distance 90 cm apart are used as a simple astronomical
refracting telescope at normal adjustment. The angular magniication of this arrangement
is 17.

(a) Determine the focal length of each lens. [2]

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(b) The telescope is used to form an image of the Moon. The angle subtended by the
image of the Moon at the eyepiece is 0.16 rad. The distance to the Moon is 3.8  108 m.
Estimate the diameter of the Moon. [3]

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(c) State two advantages of the use of satellite-borne telescopes compared to

Earth-based telescopes. [2]

1. .....................................................................
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(Option C continued)

10. (a) The diagram shows a ray of light in air that enters the core of an optic ibre.

cladding
air

The ray makes an angle A with the normal at the air–core boundary. The refractive
index of the core is 1.52 and that of the cladding is 1.48.

Determine the largest angle A for which the light ray will stay within the core of
the ibre. [3]

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(Option C, question 10 continued)

(b) The graphs show the variation with time of the intensity of a signal that is being
transmitted through an optic ibre. Graph 1 shows the input signal to the ibre and
Graph 2 shows the output signal from the ibre. The scales of both graphs are
identical.

Graph 1 — Input signal Graph 2 – Output signal

intensity intensity

time time

(i) Identify the features of the output signal that indicate the presence of attenuation
and dispersion. [2]

attenuation: ...............................................................
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dispersion: ...............................................................
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(ii) The length of the optic ibre is 5.1 km. The input power of the signal is 320 mW.
The output power is 77 mW. Calculate the attenuation per unit length of the ibre
in dB km–1. [2]

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End of Option C

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Option D — Astrophysics

11. The diagram shows the structure of a typical main sequence star.

core

outer layer

(a) State the most abundant element in the core and the most abundant element in the
outer layer. [2]

core: ................................................................

outer layer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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(Option D, question 11 continued)

(b) The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram shows two main sequence stars X and Y and
includes lines of constant radius. R is the radius of the Sun.

L
L

star X
104

10R

star Y
10–3 0.1R

temperature

Using the mass–luminosity relation and information from the graph, determine

the ratio density of star X . [3]

density of star Y

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(Option D, question 11 continued)

(c) Star X is likely to evolve into a neutron star.

(i) On the HR diagram in (b), draw a line to indicate the evolutionary path of star X. [1]

(ii) Outline why the neutron star that is left after the supernova stage does not
collapse under the action of gravitation. [1]

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(iii) The radius of a typical neutron star is 20 km and its surface temperature is 106 K.
Determine the luminosity of this neutron star. [2]

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(iv) Determine the region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the neutron star in
(c)(iii) emits most of its energy. [2]

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12. (a) Describe what is meant by the Big Bang model of the universe. [2]

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(Option D, question 12 continued)

(b) State two features of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation which are
consistent with the Big Bang model. [2]

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(c) A particular emission line in a distant galaxy shows a redshift z = 0.084.

The Hubble constant is H0 = 68 km s–1 Mpc–1.

(i) Determine the distance to the galaxy in Mpc. [2]

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(ii) Describe how type Ia supernovae could be used to measure the distance to
this galaxy. [3]

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End of Option D

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