1

The diagram shows two particles at a distance d apart. One particle has charge +Q and the
other –2Q. The two particles exert an electrostatic force of attraction, F, on each other. Each
particle is then given an additional charge +Q and their separation is increased to a distance of
2d. Which one of the following gives the force that now acts between the two particles?

A an attractive force of

B a repulsive force of

C an attractive force of

D a repulsive force of
(Total 1 mark)

Which one of the following statements about electric field strength and electric potential is
2 incorrect?

A Electric potential is a scalar quantity.

B Electric field strength is a vector quantity.

C Electric potential is zero whenever the electric field strength is zero.

D The potential gradient is proportional to the electric field strength.

(Total 1 mark)

Page 1 of 52
 X and Y are two points in an electric field a distance d apart. The potential difference between X
3
and Y is V. A particle carrying a charge Q is accelerated by that field from X to Y in a time t. The
gain in kinetic energy of the particle is

A QV

D QVd
(Total 1 mark)

Which one of the following arrangements of charge will produce zero electric field strength and
4 zero electric potential at the point labelled P?

(Total 1 mark)

Page 2 of 52
 A physicist wants to design an experiment in which two free protons collide to produce two
5 delta-plus (∆+) particles. This is an allowed reaction and is fully represented by the equation

p+ + p+ → ∆+ + ∆+

Two options are available that are shown as A and B in the diagram below.

accelerated proton stationary proton

accelerated proton accelerated proton

In A an accelerated proton collides with a stationary proton and in B two accelerated protons,
each with the same energy, collide head on.

the charge on a proton = +1.6 × 10−19 C

the rest mass of a proton = 1.7 × 10−27 kg
the permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.9 × 10−12 F m−1

(a) State the baryon number of a ∆+ particle.

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) The radius of a proton is 1.5 × 10−15 m.

(i) Calculate the minimum total kinetic energy that the accelerated protons need so that
they will touch each other.
(3)

(ii) State what happens in situation A when the energy is less than your answer to part
(i).

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) State and explain what happens in situation B when the energy is less than your
answer to part (i).

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(3)

Page 3 of 52
 (iv) Explain why the protons can undergo fusion if this energy is exceeded.

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Calculate the minimum total kinetic energy, in J, of the protons that will allow the two
protons to collide and produce the two ∆+ particles.

speed of electromagnetic radiation in free space = 3.0 × 108 m s−1

rest mass of a ∆+ particle = 2.2 × 10−27 kg

(3)
(Total 13 marks)

The Earth has an electric charge. The electric field strength outside the Earth varies in the same
6 way as if this charge were concentrated at the centre of the Earth. The axes in the diagram below
represent the electric field strength E and the distance from the centre of the Earth r. The electric
field strength at A has been plotted.

(a) (i) Determine the electric field strength at B and then complete the graph to show how
the electric field strength varies with distance from the centre of the Earth for
distances greater than 6400 km.
(3)

Page 4 of 52
 (ii) State how you would use the graph to find the electric potential difference between
the points A and B.

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) The permittivity of free space ε0 is 8.9 × 10–12 F m–1 .

(i) Calculate the total charge on the Earth.

(2)

(ii) The charge is distributed uniformly over the Earth's surface. Calculate the charge per
square metre on the Earth's surface.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

(a) Figure 1 shows the electron gun that accelerates electrons in an electron microscope.
7

Figure 1

(i) Draw, on Figure 1, electric field lines and lines of equipotential in the region between
the anode and cathode. Assume that there are no edge effects and that the holes in
the plates do not affect the field.
Clearly label your diagram.
(3)

Page 5 of 52
 (ii) Calculate the kinetic energy, speed and momentum of an electron as it passes
through the hole in the anode.

mass of an electron = 9.1 × 10–31 kg

charge of an electron = –1.6 × 10–19 C

(4)

(b) By calculating the de Broglie wavelength of electrons coming through the anode of this
device, state and explain whether or not they will be suitable for the investigation of the
crystal structure of a metal.

Planck constant = 6.6 × 10–34 J s

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Page 6 of 52
 Which one of the following statements about electric potential and electric field strength is
8 correct?

A Electric potential is zero whenever the electric field strength is zero.

B Electric field strength is a scalar quantity.

C Electric potential is a vector quantity.

D Electric potential due to a point charge varies as where r is the distance from the point
charge.
(Total 1 mark)

(a) The diagram below shows part of a precipitation system used to collect dust particles in a
9 chimney. It consists of two large parallel vertical plates maintained at potentials of +25 kV
and –25 kV.

The diagram below also shows the electric field lines between the plates.

(i) Add arrows to the diagram to show the direction of the electric field.
(1)

Page 7 of 52
 (ii) Explain what is meant by an equipotential surface.

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) Draw and label on the diagram equipotentials that correspond to potentials
of –12.5 kV, 0 V, and +12.5 kV.
(2)

(b) A small dust particle moves vertically up the centre of the chimney, midway between the
plates.

(i) The charge on the dust particle is +5.5 nC. Show that there is an electrostatic force
on the particle of about 0.07 mN.
(2)

(ii) The mass of the dust particle is 1.2 × 10–4 kg and it moves up the centre of the
chimney at a constant vertical speed of 0.80 m s–1.

Calculate the minimum length of the plates necessary for this particle to strike one of
them. Ignore air resistance.
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

(a) Show that the kinetic energy of an α particle travelling at 2.00 × 107 m s–1 is 1.33 × 10–12 J
10
when relativistic effects are ignored.

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Calculate the closest distance of approach for a head-on collision between the α particle
referred to in part (a) and a gold nucleus for which the proton number is 79. Assume that
the gold nucleus remains stationary during the collision.

Page 8 of 52
 ........................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(4)

(c) State one reason why methods other than α particle scattering are used to determine
nuclear radii.

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

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

(a) (i) Define electric field strength, and state whether it is a scalar quantity or a vector
11 quantity.

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

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

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

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

Page 9 of 52
 (ii) Complete the diagram below to show the electric field lines in the region around two
equal positive point charges. Mark with a letter N the position of any point where the
field strength is zero.

(6)

(b) Point charges A, of +2.0 nC, and B, of –3.0 nC, are 200 mm apart in a vacuum, as shown
by the figure. The point P is 120 mm from A and 160 mm from B.

(i) Calculate the component of the electric field at P in the direction AP.

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

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

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

(ii) Calculate the component of the electric field at P in the direction PB.

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

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

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

Page 10 of 52
 (iii) Hence calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant field at P.

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(6)

(c) (i) Explain why there is a point X on the line AB in part (b) at which the electric
potential is zero.

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

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

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

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

(ii) Calculate the distance of the point X from A.

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 16 marks)

Page 11 of 52
12

The diagram shows a uniform electric field of strength 10 V m–1

A charge of 4 µC is moved from P to Q and then from Q to R. If the distance PQ is 2 m and QR

is 3 m, what is the change in potential energy of the charge when it is moved from P to R?

A 40 µJ

B 50 µJ

C 120 µJ

D 200 µJ
(Total 1 mark)

Two charges, P and Q, are 100 mm apart.

13

X is a point on the line between P and Q. If the potential at X is 0 V, what is the distance from P
to X?

A 40 mm

B 45 mm

C 50 mm

D 60 mm
(Total 1 mark)

Page 12 of 52
 (a) This part of the question is about protons.
14
(i) Calculate the electrostatic potential energy, in J, of two protons at a distance apart of
1.0 × 10–15 m.

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

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

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

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

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

(ii) Two protons moving in opposite directions at the same initial speed collide head-on
with each other. The least distance apart of the two protons is 1.0 × 1015 m. By
considering conservation of energy, estimate the initial kinetic energy, in MeV, of each
proton.

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

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

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

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(5)

(b) State the quark composition of

(i) a proton,

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

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

(ii) a positive pion, π+.

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

...............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 13 of 52
 (c) A proton collides with another proton moving in the opposite direction at the same speed,
creating a positive pion and a further particle X in the process. This process is represented
by the equation

p + p → p + p + π+ + X.

(i) State the charge, Q, and baryon number, B, of X.

Q ...........................................................................................................

B ...........................................................................................................

(ii) State the identity and quark composition of X.

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

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

(iii) Explain why two protons with initial kinetic energies as in part (a)(ii) could not produce
the reaction in part (c).

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 12 marks)

Two horizontal parallel plate conductors are separated by a distance of 5.0 mm in air. The lower
15 plate is earthed and the potential of the upper plate is + 50 V.

Which line, A to D, gives correctly the electric field strength, E, and the potential, V, at a point
midway between the plates?

electric field strength E/V m–1 potential V/V

A 1 × 104 upwards 25

B 1 × 104 downwards 25

C 1 × 104 upwards 50

D 1 × 104 downwards 50

(Total 1 mark)

Page 14 of 52
 The electrical field strength, E, and the electrical potential, V, at the surface of a sphere of radius
16 r carrying a charge Q are given by the equations

A school van de Graaff generator has a dome of radius 100 mm. Charge begins to leak into the
air from the dome when the electric field strength at its surface is approximately 3 × 106 V m–1.
What, approximately, is the maximum potential to which the dome can be raised without
leakage?

A 3 × 104 V

B 3 × 105 V

C 3 × 106 V

D 3 × 107 V
(Total 1 mark)

17

The diagram shows two charges, +4 µC and –16 µC, 120 mm apart. What is the distance from
the +4 µC charge to the point between the two charges, where the resultant electric potential is
zero?

A 24 mm

B 40 mm

C 80 mm

D 96 mm
(Total 1 mark)

Page 15 of 52
 In the research into nuclear fusion one of the most promising reactions is between deuterons
18
and tritium nuclei in a gaseous plasma. Although deuterons can be relatively easily
extracted from sea water, tritium is difficult to produce. It can, however, be produced by
bombarding lithium-6 with neutrons. The two reactions are summarised as:

+ energy

+ energy

Masses of reactants:

= 1.008665u

= 2.013553u

= 3.016049u

= 4.002603u

= 6.015122u

1u is equivalent to 1.66 × 10–27 kg or 931 MeV

(a) (i) Explain why the atomic mass unit, u, may be quoted in kg or MeV.

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

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 16 of 52
 (ii) Calculate the maximum amount of energy, in MeV, released when 1.0 kg of lithium-6
is bombarded by neutrons.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

energy released ...................................... MeV

(5)

(iii) Suggest why the lithium-6 reaction could be thought to be self-sustaining once the
deuteron-tritium reaction is underway.

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) (i) In order to fuse, a deuteron and a tritium nucleus must approach one another to
within approximately 1.5 × 10–15 m.
Calculate the minimum total initial kinetic energy that these nuclei must have.

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

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

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

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

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

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

minimum total kinetic energy of nuclei ............................................. J

(3)

Page 17 of 52
 (ii) Show that a temperature of approximately 4 × 109 K would be sufficient to enable this
fusion to occur in a gaseous plasma.

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

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

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

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

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(3)

(iii) Explain in terms of the forces acting on nuclei why the deuteron-tritium mixture must
be so hot in order to achieve the fusion reaction.

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

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

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 18 marks)

Which one of the following statements about electric field strength and electric potential is
19 incorrect?

A Electric potential is a scalar quantity.

B Electric field strength is a vector quantity.

C Electric potential is zero whenever the electric field strength is zero.

D The potential gradient is proportional to the electric field strength.

(Total 1 mark)

Page 18 of 52
 Which one of the following statements about a charged particle in an electric field is correct?
20
A No work is done when a charged particle moves along a field line.

B No force acts on a charged particle when it moves along a field line.

C No work is done when a charged particle moves along a line of constant potential.

D No force acts on a charged particle when it moves along a line of constant potential.
(Total 1 mark)

The diagram shows four point charges at the corners of a square of side 2a. What is the electric
21 potential at P, the centre of the square?

D
(Total 1 mark)

Page 19 of 52
22

The diagram shows two charges, +4 µC and –16 µC, 120 mm apart. What is the distance from
the +4 µC charge to the point between the two charges where the resultant electric potential is
zero?

A 24 mm

B 40 mm

C 80 mm

D 96 mm
(Total 1 mark)

(a) Define the electric potential at a point in an electric field.

23
........................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(3)

Page 20 of 52
(b) Figure 1 shows part of the region around a small positive charge.

Figure 1

(b) (i) The electric potential at point L due to this charge is + 3.0 V. Calculate the magnitude
Q of the charge. Express your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

answer = ................................. C
(3)

(ii) Show that the electric potential at point N, due to the charge, is +1.0 V.

(1)

(iii) Show that the electric field strength at point M, which is mid-way between L and N, is
2.5 Vm–1.

(1)

(c) R and S are two charged parallel plates, 0.60 m apart, as shown in Figure 2.
They are at potentials of + 3.0 V and + 1.0 V respectively.

Figure 2

(i) On Figure 2, sketch the electric field between R and S, showing its direction.
(2)

Page 21 of 52
 (ii) Point T is mid-way between R and S.
Calculate the electric field strength at T.

answer = .......................... Vm–1

(1)

(iii) Parts (b)(iii) and (c)(ii) both involve the electric field strength at a point mid-way
between potentials of + 1.0 V and + 3.0 V. Explain why the magnitudes of these
electric field strengths are different.

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

The electric potential at a distance r from a positive point charge is 45 V. The potential increases
24 to 50 V when the distance from the charge decreases by 1.5 m. What is the value of r?

A 1.3 m

B 1.5 m

C 7.9 m

D 15 m
(Total 1 mark)

25 The first artificially produced isotope, phosphorus , was formed by bombarding an

aluminium isotope, , with an α particle.

(a) Complete the following nuclear equation by identifying the missing particle.

(1)

Page 22 of 52
 (b) For the reaction to take place the α particle must come within a distance, d, from the centre
of the aluminium nucleus. Calculate d if the nuclear reaction occurs when the α particle is
given an initial kinetic energy of at least 2.18 × 10–12 J.

The electrostatic potential energy between two point charges Q1 and Q2 is equal
to where r is the separation of the charges and ε0 is the permittivity of free space.

answer = .......................................m
(3)
(Total 4 marks)

An electron and a proton are 1.0 × 10–10 m apart. In the absence of any other charges, what is
26
the electric potential energy of the electron?

A +2.3 × 10–18J

B –2.3 × 10–18J

C +2.3 × 10–8J

D –2.3 × 10–8J
(Total 1 mark)

Page 23 of 52
 The table shows the binding energy per nucleon for two nuclei.
27
binding energy per
nucleus
nucleon/10–12J

helium-4 1.1332417

beryllium-8 1.1314027

(a) (i) Explain what is meant by the total binding energy of a nucleus.

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) It is more usual to quote binding energies of nucleons in MeV rather than J.
Calculate the total binding energy, in MeV, of a beryllium-8 nucleus.

binding energy .........................................................MeV

(3)

(b) (i) Calculate the change in mass that occurs when two helium-4 nuclei fuse to form a
beryllium-8 nucleus.

mass change .........................................................kg

(2)

Page 24 of 52
 (ii) Two helium-4 nuclei are initially separated by a large distance and are travelling
toward one another. The helium nuclei become influenced by the strong force when
their centres are separated by a distance of 3.82 × 10–15 m.
Calculate the total initial kinetic energy of the nuclei needed for them to reach this
separation.

kinetic energy ..........................................................J

(3)

(iii) Explain why the kinetic energy calculated in part (b)(ii) will not enable the helium
nuclei to fuse and produce a beryllium-8 nucleus.

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

(a) State, in words, Coulomb’s law.

28
........................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(2)

Page 25 of 52
(b) The graph shows how the electric potential, V, varies with , where r is the distance from a
point charge Q.

State what can be deduced from the graph about how V depends on r and explain why all
the values of V on the graph are negative.

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(2)

Page 26 of 52
(c) (i) Use data from the graph to show that the magnitude of Q is about 30 nC.

(2)

(ii) A +60 nC charge is moved from a point where r = 0.20 m to a point where r = 0.50 m.
Calculate the work done.

(2)

work done ................................................... J

(iii) Calculate the electric field strength at the point where r = 0.40 m.

electric field strength .......................................... V m−1

(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 27 of 52
 Two charges, each of + 0.8 nC, are 40 mm apart. Point P is 40 mm from each of the charges.
29

What is the electric potential at P?

A zero

B 180 V

C 360 V

D 4500 V
(Total 1 mark)

Page 28 of 52
 The diagram shows a negative ion at a point in an electric field, which is represented by the
30 arrowed field lines.

Which one of the following statements correctly describes what happens when the ion is
displaced?

When the negative ion is displaced

A to the left the magnitude of the electric force on it decreases.

B to the right its potential energy increases.

C along the line PQ towards Q its potential energy decreases.

D along the line PQ towards P the magnitude of the electric force on it is unchanged.
(Total 1 mark)

When a charge moves between two points in an electric field, or a mass moves between two
31 points in a gravitational field, energy may be transferred.
Which one of the following statements is correct?

A No energy is transferred when the movement is parallel to the direction of the field.

B The energy transferred is independent of the path followed.

C The energy transferred is independent of the start and finish points.

D Energy is transferred when the movement is perpendicular to the field lines.

(Total 1 mark)

Page 29 of 52
 Two identical positive point charges, P and Q, separated by a distance r, repel each other with a
32 force F. If r is decreased so that the electrical potential energy of Q is doubled, what is the force
of repulsion?

A 0.5 F

B F

C 2F

D 4F
(Total 1 mark)

Two horizontal parallel plate conductors are separated by a distance of 5.0 mm in air. The lower
33 plate is earthed and the potential of the upper plate is +50 V.

Which line, A to D, in the table gives correctly the electric field strength, E, and the potential, V, at
a point midway between the plates?

electric field strength E / Vm−1 potential V / V

A 1.0 × 104 upwards 25

B 1.0 × 104 downwards 25

C 1.0 × 104 upwards 50

D 1.0 × 104 downwards 50

(Total 1 mark)

In stars, helium-3 and helium-4 are formed by the fusion of hydrogen nuclei. As the temperature
34 rises, a helium-3 nucleus and a helium-4 nucleus can fuse to produce beryllium-7 with the
release of energy in the form of gamma radiation.

The table below shows the masses of these nuclei.

Nucleus Mass / u

Helium-3 3.01493

Helium-4 4.00151

Beryllium-7 7.01473

Page 30 of 52
(a) (i) Calculate the energy released, in J, when a helium-3 nucleus fuses with a helium-4
nucleus.

energy released ................................................... J

(4)

(ii) Assume that in each interaction the energy is released as a single gamma-ray
photon.

Calculate the wavelength of the gamma radiation.

wavelength ................................................. m
(3)

Page 31 of 52
(b) For a helium-3 nucleus and a helium-4 nucleus to fuse they need to be separated by no
more than 3.5 × 10–15 m.

(i) Calculate the minimum total kinetic energy of the nuclei required for them to reach a
separation of 3.5 × 10–15 m.

total kinetic energy ................................................... J

(3)

(ii) Calculate the temperature at which two nuclei with the average kinetic energy for that
temperature would be able to fuse.
Assume that the two nuclei have equal kinetic energy.

temperature .................................................. K
(3)

(c) Scientists continue to try to produce a viable fusion reactor to generate energy on Earth
using reactors like the Joint European Torus (JET). The method requires a plasma that has
to be raised to a suitable temperature for fusion to take place.

(i) State two nuclei that are most likely to be used to form the plasma of a fusion reactor.

1 .............................................................................................................

2 .............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 32 of 52
 (ii) State one method which can be used to raise the temperature of the plasma to a
suitable temperature.

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 16 marks)

A uniform electric field of electric field strength E is aligned so it is vertical. An ion moves
35
vertically through a small distance Δd from point X to point Y in the field.
There is a uniform gravitational field of field strength g throughout the region.

Which line, A to D, in the table correctly gives the gravitational potential difference, and the
electric potential difference, between X and Y?

Gravitational potential Electric potential

difference difference

A gΔd EΔd

B gΔd

C EΔd

(Total 1 mark)

Page 33 of 52
 Two identical positive point charges, P and Q, are separated by a distance of 4.0 m.
36
The resultant electric potential at point M, which is mid-way between the charges, is 25.0 V.

What would be the resultant electrical potential at a point 1.0 m closer to P?

A 8.3 V

B 12.5 V

C 33.3 V

D 37.5 V
(Total 1 mark)

The diagram below shows the field lines and equipotential lines around an isolated positive point
37 charge.

Which one of the following statements concerning the work done when a small charge is moved
in the field is incorrect?

A when it is moved from either P to Q or S to R, the work done is the same in each case

B when it is moved from Q to R no work is done

C when it is moved around the path PQRS, the overall work done is zero

D when it is moved around the path PQRS, the overall work done is equal to twice the work
done in moving from P to Q
(Total 1 mark)

Page 34 of 52
38
In the equation X = , X represents a physical variable in an electric or a gravitational field, a
is a constant, b is either mass or charge and n is a number.

Which line, A to D, in the table provides a consistent representation of X, a and b according to

the value of n?

The symbols E, g, V and r have their usual meanings.

n X a b

A 1 E charge

B 1 V mass

C 2 g G mass

D 2 V G charge
(Total 1 mark)

Page 35 of 52
Mark schemes
A
1 [1]

C
2 [1]

A
3 [1]

C
4 [1]

(a) 1
5 Bl
(1)

(b) (i) Ek = Ep when the protons touch

or Ek = q2 / 4πε0r
or separation when they touch = 3.0 × 10–15 m
or V = q / 4πε0r
Cl

Ek = (1.6 × 10–19)2 / 4π (8.9 × 10–12) (3.0 × 10–15)

or
Ek = (1.6 × 10–19)2 / 4π (8.9 × 10–12) (1.5 × 10–15)
Cl

7.6(1) × 10–14 J (cao)

Al
(3)

(ii) incident proton will stop and the stationary proton will move off at
velocity / speed of the incident proton
or
All KE / momentum is transferred to the stationary particle
NB not they will not touch
Bl
(1)

Page 36 of 52
 (iii) protons travel in the opposite directions or velocity is reversed
Ml

with initial speeds

Al

total momentum before = 0 so momentum after must be 0

or
provided they have said that speeds are the same
total KE is same before and after the collision
or
the collision is elastic
Bl
(3)

(iv) mention of strong nuclear force

or
the repulsive force is overcome
Cl

the strong nuclear force is greater than the electrostatic repulsion

or
the strong nuclear force is effective when the protons touch
Al
(2)

(c) E = mc2
Cl

mass increase = {(2 × 2.2) – (2 × 1.7)} × 10–27 kg = 1.0 × 10–27 kg

or
calculates initial energy equivalence of 2 protons
or
final energy equivalence of 2 delta + particles
Cl

8.6 or 9 × 10–11 J (i.e. allow 1sf) c.a.o.

(NB Adding on the answer to (b) (i) is correct but it has no influence
on the answer to 2 sf so its absence is condoned)
Al
(3)
[13]

6 (a) (i) E at 2R = 20 to 21 (NC–1) i.e. no up

B1

(i.e. have used inverse square law possibly misreading the E axis)

correct curvature with line through given point

must not increase near tail
(ignore below 6400 km)
B1

no intercept on distance axis and through correctly

calculated point
B1
Page 37 of 52
 (ii) determine the area under the graph
B1

between A and B or between the points

ignore any reference to V = Ed)
B1

(b) (i) E = q/4πε0r2 (Q = 84 × 4π 8.9 × 10–12 (6400 000)2

C1

(3.8–3.9) × 105 C
A1

(ii) surface area of the Earth = 5.15 × 1014 (m2)

C1

or:
charge per square metre = total charge/ surface area of
Earth
(may be seen as a numerical substitution with wrong area)

738 – 760 pC (m–2) ecf for Q from (b)(i)

A1

NB

(i) answer is the same when unit is left in km since r2

cancels so condone
(ii) Use of E = q / 4πε0r followed by area = 4πr gives
correct value but no marks
[8]

(a) (i) Lines of equipotential parallel to the plates

7
B1

Field lines perpendicular to plates, evenly spaced

and with arrows upwards

B1

Lack of clear labelling of at least one of the types

of line loses 1 mark
Either field shown to be uniform

B1
3

Page 38 of 52
 (ii) KE = 8.8 × 10–17 J

B1

Use of ½ mv2

C1

Speed = 1.4 × 107 m s–1 ecf

A1

Momentum =1.27 × 10–23 kg m s–1 ecf

B1
4

(b) Use of de Broglie wavelength = h/mv

C1

5.2 × 10–11 m ecf

A1

diffraction of electrons necessary

M1

will work because wavelength is of same order as atomic

separation (not just wavelength is too small)/argument
consistent with their (a) (ii).

A1
4
[11]

D
8 [1]

(a) (i) shows arrows from + to –

9 Bl

(ii) surface of constant potential / no work done in moving charge

on surface OWTTE
Bl

Page 39 of 52
 (iii) 3 correct lines between plates, straight, labelled, +12.5 kV on left
Bl

outwards curvature at edge of plates

Bl

(b) (i) F = Vq / d or 50000 × 5.5 × 10–9 / 4

Bl

= 0.0690 [mN] [0.0688]

Bl

(ii) a = F / m = 0.069 × 10–3 / 0.12 × 10–3

= 0.575 / 0.573 m s–2

Cl

use of appropriate kinematic equation

Cl

t = √2 × 2 / 0.575 = (2.63) s
Cl

so length must be 0.8 × 2.63 = 2.11 m [gets mark ecf from

third mark if number quoted]
allow alternative energy approach
Bl
[10]

10 (a) m = 4.0026 × 1.66 × 10–27 (kg) (1) (= 6.6 × 10–27 kg – electron masses are not significant)

kinetic energy = 0.5 × 6.65 × 10–27 × (2.00 × 107)2 (1)

(= 1.33 × 10–12 J)
2

(b) loss in k.e. = gain in p.e. (1)

loss of ke. [or 1.33 × 10–12] = (1)

R= (1)

=2.73 × 10–14 m (1)

4

(c) any valid point including:

strong force complicates the process (*)
scattering caused by distribution of protons not whole nucleon distribution (*)
α particles are massive causing recoil of nucleus which complicates results (*)
(*) any one (1)
1
[7]

Page 40 of 52
 (a) (i) force per unit positive charge (1)(1)
11 [force on a unit charge (1) only]
vector (1)

(ii)

overall correct symmetrical shape (1)

outward directions of lines (1)
spacing of lines on appropriate diagram (1)
neutral point, N, shown midway between charges (1)
6

(b) (i) (1)

= 1250 V m–1 (1)

(ii) EPB = = 1050Vm–1 (1)

(iii)

allow e.c.f. from wrong numbers in (i) and (ii)

E= (1) 1630Vm–1 (1)

θ = tan-1 = 50.0° to line PB and in correct direction (1)

max 6

(c) (i) potential due to A is positive, potential due to B is negative (1)

at X sum of potentials is zero (1)

Page 41 of 52
 (ii) = 0 (1)

gives AX (= x) = 0.080m (1) (only from satisfactory use of potentials)

4
[16]

C
12 [1]

A
13 [1]

14
(a) (i) (use of EP = gives) EP = (1)

= 2.3 × 10–13 (J) (1)

(ii) EK at least distance apart = 0

EK of (each) proton = 0.5 × 2.3 ×10–13 (J) (1)
= (1.15 ×10–13(J)) = 0.72 MeV (1) (0.719 MeV)
5

(b) (i) uud (1)

(ii) (1)
2

(c) (i) Q = –1(e) (1)

B = 0 (1)

(ii) (1)
(1)

(iii) mass of extra particles produced from total initial kinetic energy (1)
extra mass possible in (a) = 1.4 MeV / c2 (1)
pions rest mass in (b) >> extra mass in (a) (1)
max 5
[12]

Page 42 of 52
 B
15 [1]

B
16 [1]

A
17 [1]

(a) (i) mass and energy have equivalent values

18
B1

E = mc2 mentioned

B1

MeV is energy unit (and kg that of mass)

B1
max2

(ii) clear attempt to substitute amu values into equation

C1

5.135 × 10–3 (u) or 4.78 (MeV) seen

C1

mass of 1 lithium nucleus = 9.98 × 10–27 (kg)

C1

total number of nuclei in 1 kg = 1.00 × 1026

C1

total energy given out = 4.78 × 1026 MeV

A1
5

Page 43 of 52
 (iii) neutrons needed (for the lithium reaction) can
come from the other (deuterium-tritium) reaction

B1
1

(b) (i) potential energy equation (E = ) quoted

or used

C1

correct substitutions

C1

1.5(3) × 10–13 (J)

A1
3

(ii) ke = 3/2 kT

C1

0.75/0.765 × 10–13 (J) or half of (b) (i)

or 4 × 109 (K) used

C1

3.7 × 109 (K) or total energy 1.6 × 10–13 (J)

A1
3

Page 44 of 52
 (iii) each nucleus carries a positive charge

B1

(electrostatically) repel each other

B1

strong nuclear force

B1

this has a range of nucleus diameters

B1

high temperature needed for high kinetic energy

B1
max4
[18]

C
19 [1]

C
20 [1]

A
21 [1]

A
22 [1]

Page 45 of 52
 (a) work done [or energy needed] per unit charge
23 [or (change in) electric pe per unit charge]

on [or of] a (small) positive (test) charge

in moving the charge from infinity (to the point)

[not from the point to infinity]

3

(b) (i) gives Q (= 4πε0rV) = 4π × 8.85 × 10–12 × 0.30 × 3.0

= 1.0 × 10–10 (C)

to 2 sf only
3

(ii) use of V ∞ gives VM = (= (+) 1.0 V)

(iii) = (= 2.50 V m–1)

(c) (i) uniformly spaced vertical parallel lines which start and end on plates

relevant lines with arrow(s) pointing only downwards

2

(ii) = 3.3(3) (V m–1)

1

(iii) part (b) is a radial field whilst part (c) is a uniform field

[or field lines become further apart between L and M but are equally spaced between
R and S]
1
[12]

D
24 [1]

Page 46 of 52
25
(a) Al + α → P+ n
1

(b) kinetic energy lost by the α particle approaching the

nucleus is equal to the potential energy gain

2.18 × 10–12 =

r = 2.75 × 10–15 (m)

3
[4]

B
26 [1]

(a) (i) energy released when the separate nucleons combine to form
27 the nucleus

or energy needed to separate the nucleus into individual nucleons

owtte

B1
1

(ii) BE in J = 8 × 1.1314027 × 10–12 (9.05122 × 10–12)

C1

BE in eV = 5.6570135 × 107 eV or BE/nucleon

= 7.07 × 106 MeV

C1

56.570135 (MeV) (condone 3 sf consistent with electron

charge)

A1
3

Page 47 of 52
 (b) (i) change in BE = 0.0147120 (× 10–12) J

C1

use of E = mc2 with their energy 1.635 × 10–31 kg

A1
2

(ii) use of charge on alpha particles = 2 e

C1

attempt to substitute in PE =

C1

2.4(2.39) × 10–13 J

A1
3

(ii) the mass of Be > mass of 2 He nuclei

B1

explains that when they touch there is zero KE

only mass available is that of the two alpha particles

B1

extra KE provides the increase in mass of the beryllium-8

compared with the 2 He nuclei

B1
3
[12]

(a) force between two (point) charges is

28
proportional to product of charges ✓
inversely proportional to square of distance between the charges ✓
Mention of force is essential, otherwise no marks.
Condone “proportional to charges”.
Do not allow “square of radius” when radius is undefined.
Award full credit for equation with all terms defined.
2

Page 48 of 52
 (b) V is inversely proportional to r [or V ∝ (−)1 / r ] ✓
(V has negative values) because charge is negative
[or because force is attractive on + charge placed near it
or because electric potential is + for + charge and − for − charge] ✓
potential is defined to be zero at infinity ✓
Allow V × r = constant for 1st mark.
max 2

(c) (i) Q(= 4πɛ0 rV ) = 4πɛ0 × 0.125 × 2000

OR gradient = Q / 4πɛ0 = 2000 / 8 ✓

(for example, using any pair of values from graph) ✓

= 28 (27.8) (± 1) (nC) ✓
(gives Q = 28 (27.8) ±1 (nC) ✓
2

(ii) at r = 0.20m V = −1250V and at r = 0.50m V = −500V

so pd ΔV = −500 − (−1250) = 750 (V) ✓
work done ΔW (= QΔV) = 60 × 10−9 × 750
= 4.5(0) × 10−5 (J) (45 μJ) ✓

(final answer could be between 3.9 and 5.1 × 10−5)

Allow tolerance of ± 50V on graph readings.
[Alternative for 1st mark:

ΔV = (or similar substitution using 60 nC

instead of 27.8 nC:

use of 60 nC gives ΔV = 1620V) ]
2

(iii) = ✓ = 1600 (1560) (V m−1) ✓

[or deduce E = by combining E = with V = ✓

from graph E = = 1600 (1560 ± 130) (V m−1) ✓ ]

Use of Q = 30 nC gives 1690 (V m−1).

Allow ecf from Q value in (i).
If Q = 60 nC is used here, no marks to be awarded.
2
[10]

C
29 [1]

Page 49 of 52
 D
30 [1]

B
31 [1]

D
32 [1]

B
33 [1]

(a) (i) (Mass change in u=) 1.71× 10−3 (u)

34 or (mass Be−7) ‒ (mass He−3) ‒ (mass He−4) seen with numbers

C1

2.84 × 10−30 (kg)

or Converts their mass to kg
Alternative 2nd mark:
Allow conversion of 1.71 × 10−3 (u) to MeV by
multiplying by 931 (=1.59 (MeV)) seen

C1

Substitution in E = mc2 condone their mass difference in

this sub but must have correct value for c2 (3×108)2 or 9×1016
Alternative 3rd mark:
Allow their MeV converted to joules (× 1.6 × 10−13) seen

C1

2.55 × 10−13 (J) to 2.6 × 10−13 (J)

Alternative 4th mark:
Allow 2.5 × 10−13 (J) for this method

A1
4

(ii) Use of E=hc / λ ecf

C1

Correct substitution in rearranged equation with λ subject ecf

C1

7.65 × 10−13 (m) to 7.8 × 10−13 (m) ecf

A1
3

Page 50 of 52
 (b) (i) Use of Ep formula:

C1

Correct charges for the nuclei and correct powers of 10

C1

2.6(3) × 10−13 J

A1
3

(ii) Uses KE = 3 / 2 kT: or halves KET, KE= 1.3 × 10−13 (J) seen
ecf

C1

Correct substitution of data and makes T subject ecf

Or uses KET value and divides T by 2

C1

6.35 × 109 (K) or 6.4 × 109 (K) or 6.28 × 109(K) or 6.3 × 109
(K) ecf

A1
3

(c) (i) Deuteron / deuterium / hydrogen−2

B1

Triton / tritium / hydrogen−3

B1
2

(ii) Electrical heating / electrical discharge / inducing a current in

plasma / use of e−m radiation / using radio waves (causing
charged particles to resonate)

B1
1
[16]

A
35 [1]

C
36 [1]

D
37 [1]

Page 51 of 52
 C
38 [1]

Page 52 of 52