Questions and Answers of Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics Coursebook

Calculate the gravitational force of attraction between:a. Two objects separated by a distance of 1.0 cm and each having a mass of 100 g.b. Two asteroids separated by a distance of 4.0 109 m and each
If you have ever been down a water-slide (a flume) (Figure 16.16) you will know that you tend to slide up the side as you go around a bend. Explain how this provides the centripetal force needed to
Explain why an aircraft will tend to lose height when banking, unless the pilot increases its speed to provide more lift.
Explain why it is impossible to whirl a bung around on the end of a string in such a way that the string remains perfectly horizontal.
Mars orbits the Sun once every 687 days at a distance of 2.3 × 1011 m. The mass of Mars is 6.4 × 1023 kg. Calculate:a. The average speed in metres per secondb. Its centripetal accelerationc. The
An toy truck of mass 0.40 kg travels round a horizontal circular track of radius 0.50 m. It makes three complete revolutions every 10 seconds.Calculate:a. Its speedb. Its centripetal accelerationc.
The International Space Station (Figure 16.12) has a mass of 350 tonnes, and orbits the Earth at an average height of 340 km where the gravitational acceleration is 8.8 m s−2. The radius of the
A stone of mass 0.20 kg is whirled round on the end of a string in a vertical circle of radius 30 cm.The string will break when the tension in it exceeds 8.0 N. Calculate the maximum speed at which
Calculate how long it would take a ball to orbit the Earth once, just above the surface, at a speed of 7920 m s−1. (The radius of the Earth is 6400 km.)
Show that an alternative equation for the centripetal acceleration is a = ω2r.
a. Show that in one revolution there are 2π radians.b. This diagram shows a centrifuge used to separate solid particles suspended in a liquid of lower density. The container is spun at a rate of 540
An object follows a circular path at a steady speed. Describe how each of the following quantities changes as it follows this path: speed, velocity, kinetic energy, momentum, centripetal force,
In training, military pilots are given various tests. One test puts them in a seat on the end of a large arm that is then spun round at a high speed, as shown.a. Describe what the pilot will feel and
A car is travelling along a flat road in winter. The car approaches a patch of ice on a bend. Explain why the car cannot go around the perfectly smooth, icy bend. Suggest what might happen if the
In each of the following cases, state what provides the resultant force causing centripetal acceleration:a. The Moon orbiting the Earthb. A car going round a bend on a flat, rough roadc. The weight
a. Explain what is meant by the term angular speed.b. This diagram shows a rubber bung, of mass 200 g, on the end of a length of string being swung in a horizontal circle of radius 40 cm. The string
A spacecraft orbits the Earth in a circular path of radius 7000 km at a speed of 7800 m s−1. Determine its angular velocity.
This diagram shows an aeroplane banking to make a horizontal turn. The aeroplane is travelling at a speed of 75 m s−1 and the radius of the turning circle is 800 m.a. Copy the diagram. On your
A car travels around a 90° bend in 15 s. The radius of the bend is 50 m.a. Determine the angular speed of the car.b. Determine the speed of the car.
A car is travelling round a bend when it hits a patch of oil. The car slides off the road onto the grass verge. Explain, using your understanding of circular motion, why the car came off the road.
The angular speed of the second hand of a clock is 0.105 rad s−1. If the length of the hand is 1.8 cm, calculate the speed of the tip of the hand as it moves round.
One end of a string is secured to the ceiling and a metal ball of mass 50 g is tied to its other end. The ball is initially at rest in the vertical position. The ball is raised through a vertical
In a washing machine, the clothes are held in cylinder called a drum. The drum has holes in it that allow water to enter the drum and also to drain out of the drum.The drum of a particular washing
This diagram shows a toy of mass 60 g placed on the edge of a rotating turntable.a. The radius of the turntable is 15.0 cm. The turntable rotates, making 20 revolutions every minute. Calculate the
Show that the angular speed of the second hand of a clock is about 0.105 rad s−1.
This diagram shows part of the track of a roller-coaster ride in which a truck loops the loop. When the truck is at the position shown, there is no reaction force between the wheels of the truck and
A toy train travels at a steady speed of 0.2 m s−1 around a circular track (Figure 16.6). A and B are two points opposite to one another on the track.a. Determine the change in the speed of the
a. Explain what is meant by a radian.b. A body moves round a circle at a constant speed and completes one revolution in 15 s. Calculate the angular speed of the body.
Explain why all the velocity arrows in Figure 16.5 are drawn the same length. A V
When ice-dancers spin, as shown in the diagram, the first dancer’s hand applies a centripetal force to the second dancer’s hand.In which case is the centripetal force the greatest? axis of spin
a. Convert the following angles from degrees into radians: 30°, 90°, 105°.b. Convert these angles from radians to degrees: 0.5 rad, 0.75 rad, π rad, π/r rad.c. Express the following angles as
Which statement is correct?A. There is a resultant force on an object moving along a circular path at constant speed away from the centre of the circle causing it to be thrown outwards.B. There is a
a. By how many degrees does the angular displacement of the hour hand of a clock change each hour?b. A clock is showing 3.30. Calculate the angular displacements in degrees from the 12.00 position of
State two differences between hadrons and leptons.
What are the differences between a proton, a positron and a photon? You can describe how their masses differ, how their charges differ or whether they are particles or antiparticles.
The equation 11 p → 10 n + + 0 1 β + v represents β+ decay.Use the equation to explain why the neutrino ν can have no charge and very little mass.
Show that the ϕ-meson is neutral.
Suggest which quarks or antiquarks make up a π− meson.
A ρ-meson is made up of an up quark and an antidown quark. Calculate its charge.
a. Show that the charges on the quarks making up a proton give it a charge of +1e.b. Show that the charges on the quarks making up a neutron give it a charge of 0.
Beta decay occurs as either β+ decay or β− decay. An isotope of calcium Ca decays by β+ emission into the isotope 4621 Sc, and an isotope of magnesium 2312 Mg decays by β emission into the
Uranium 238 decays through a series of α and β− decays to eventually form the stable isotope lead- 206 in what is known as a decay chain.Determine the number of each type of decay in the decay
Geiger and Marsden carried out an experiment to investigate the structure of the atom. In this experiment, α-particles were scattered by a thin film of gold.a. When Rutherford analysed their
Copper-64 can decay by either β+ or β− emission.Give equations for both processes and identify the resulting elements.
The nuclide of lead 210 82 Pb decays in three separate stages by α and β− emission to another lead nuclide, 206 82 Pb .a. Describe the structure of a nucleus of 206 82
The isotope thorium-227 decays by α-emission.Write down an equation to describe this decay and identify the element that is produced.
Approximate values for the radius of a gold atom and the radius of a gold nucleus are 10−10 m and 10−15 m, respectively.Estimate the ratio of the volume of a gold atom to the volume of a gold
a. Explain why you would expect β−-particles to travel further through air than α-particles.b. Explain why you would expect β−-particles to travel further through air than through metal.In
The uranium isotopes U-236 and U-237 both emit radioactive particles. A nucleus of uranium-237 may be written as 237 92 U and emits a β−-particle. A nucleus of uranium-236 emits an
State which of the following forces act between protons and neutrons in a nucleus.a. Gravitationalb. Electrostaticc. Strong nuclear.
An isotope of carbon 14 6 emits a β−-particle and changes into an isotope of nitrogen (N).a. What are β−-particles?b. Write a nuclear decay equation for the decay.c. Draw a graph with the
Eight different atoms are labelled A to H. Group the elements A–H into isotopes and name them using the Periodic Table in Appendix 3. A C D E F G H Proton number 20 23 21 22 20 22 22 23 Nucleon
The nuclide of iodine with a nucleon number of 131 and a proton number 53 emits a β−-particle. Write a nuclear equation for this decay.
There are seven naturally occurring isotopes of mercury, with nucleon numbers (and relative abundances) of 196 (0.2%), 198 (10%), 199 (16.8%), 200 (23.1%), 201 (13.2%), 202 (29.8%) and 204 (6.9%).a.
State the changes that take place in a nucleus when it emits an α-particle and then two β−-particles.
Uranium has atomic number 92. Two of its common isotopes have nucleon numbers 235 and 238.Determine the number of neutrons for these isotopes.
A nucleus of strontium has a nucleon number of 90 and a proton number of 38.Describe the structure of this strontium nucleus.
State the charge of each of the following in terms of the elementary charge e:a. Protonb. Neutronc. Nucleusd. Moleculee. α-particle.
Before Rutherford’s model, scientists believed that the atom was made up of negatively charged electrons embedded in a ‘plum pudding’ of positive charge that was spread throughout the atom.
Table 15.2 shows the proton and nucleon numbers of several nuclei. Determine the number of neutrons in the nuclei of the following elements shown in the table:a. Nitrogenb. Brominec. Silverd. Golde.
Explain why the most strongly ionising radiation (α-particles) is the least penetrating, while the least ionising (γ-rays) is the most penetrating.
Gold has a density of 19,700 kg m−3. A mass of 193 g of gold contains 6.02 × 1023 atoms. Use this information to estimate the volume of a gold atom, and hence its radius. State any assumptions you
Hadrons are made up from quarks.Which combination of quarks could make up a meson?A. dd¯sB. sscC. s¯bD. sc
In Rutherford’s experiment, α-particles were directed at a thin gold foil. A small fraction of the α-particles were back-scattered through 180°. Describe and explain how the fraction
Which of the interactions is not possible? He + in → He Po → Pb +a 205 82 Pb+a 84 C 40 → 14N +iB+°v 14 Si → 1N+ B+;v
Rutherford’s scattering experiments were done in an evacuated container. Explain why this is necessary.
The speed v of a transverse wave on a stretched wire is given by the expression v ∝ √T where T is the tension in the wire.A length of wire is stretched between two fixed point. The tension in the
This diagram shows an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air.A small amount of dust is scattered along the tube. The loudspeaker is switched on. When the frequency is set at 512 Hz the dust
a. Explain what is meant by:i. A coherent source of waves.ii. Phase difference.b. A student, experimenting with microwaves, sets up the arrangement shown in this diagram.With the metal plate at
This diagram shows a stationary wave, of frequency 400 Hz, produced by a loudspeaker in a closed tube.a. Describe the movement of the air particles at:i. Aii. Bb. The length the tube is 63.8
For sound waves of frequency 2500 Hz, it is found that two nodes are separated by 20 cm, with three antinodes between them.a. Determine the wavelength of these sound waves.b. Use the wave equation v
a. State two similarities and two differences between progressive waves and stationary waves.b. This diagram shows an experiment to measure the speed of a sound in a string. The frequency of the
a. For the arrangement shown in Figure 14.17, suggest why it is easier to determine accurately the position of a node rather than an antinode.b. Explain why it is better to measure the distance
A tuning fork that produces a note of 256 Hz is placed above a tube that is nearly filled with water. The water level is lowered until resonance is first heard.a. Explain what is meant by the term
This diagram shows a stationary wave on a string.On a copy of the diagram, label one node (N) and one antinode (A).Mark on your diagram the wavelength of the progressive wave and label it λ.The
A string is fixed between points X and Y.A stationary wave pattern is formed on the stretched string.The distance between X and Y is 78.0 cm. The string vibrates at a frequency of 120 Hz.What is the
Look at the stationary (standing) wave on the string in Figure 14.7. The length of the vibrating section of the string is 60 cm.a. Determine the wavelength of the progressive wave and the separation
Which statement is not correct about stationary waves?A. A stationary wave always has transverse oscillations.B. A stationary wave must have at least one node.C. The separation between two adjacent
Explain why the two loudspeakers producing sounds of slightly different frequencies will not produce stable effects of interference.
In Figure 8.14 the reading on the ammeter is 2.4 A and the reading on the voltmeter is 6.0 V.Calculate the resistance of the metallic conductor. metallic conductor A
Use Kirchhoff’s first law to deduce the value of the current I in Figure 9.4. 3.0 A 7.5 A Figure 9.4: For Question 1.
Which row in this table is correct?
What is the current I1 in this circuit diagram?A. −0.45 AB. +0.45 AC. +1.2 AD. +1.8 A 1.5 V 4.5 V 12 4.0 2 2.0 Ω 13 3.0 Ω Figure 9.24
Use Kirchhoff’s first law to deduce the value and direction of the current I in Figure 9.7. 7.0 A I 3.0 A 2.0 A Figure 9.7: For Question 4.
This diagram shows a part of a circuit.Copy the circuit and write in the currents at X and at Y, and show their directions. 2.0 mA 6.5 mA 4.2 mA Y Figure 9.26
Apply Kirchhoff’s laws to the circuit shown in Figure 9.15 to determine the current that will be shown by the ammeters A1, A2 and A3. 20 Ω (A1 10 V (A2 202 5.0 V (A3) Figure 9.15: Kirchhoff's laws
Calculate the current drawn from a 12 V battery of negligible internal resistance connected to the ends of the following:a. 500 Ω resistorb. 500 Ω and 1000 Ω resistors in seriesc. 500 Ω and 1000
This shows the I–V characteristic of an electrical component.a. Calculate the resistance of the component when the potential difference across it is:i. 2.0 Vii. 5.0 V.b. Suggest what the component
A nichrome wire has a length of 1.5 m and a cross-sectional area of 0.0080 mm2. The resistivity of nichrome is 1.30 × 10−8 Ω m.a. Calculate the resistance of the wire.b. Calculate the length of
This is a circuit.a. When switch S is open the current in ammeter A is 0.48 A. Calculate the e.m.f. of the battery. You may assume the battery has negligible internal resistance.b. When switch S is
A single cell of e.m.f. 1.5 V is connected across a 0.30 Ω resistor. The current in the circuit is 2.5 A.a. Calculate the terminal p.d. and explain why it is not equal to the e.m.f. of the cell.b.
List the metals in Table 7.1 from stiffest to least stiff. Material Young modulus / GPa aluminium 70 brass 90-110 brick 7-20 concrete 40 copper 130 glass 70-80 iron (wrought) 200 lead 18 Perspex®
Which of the non-metals in Table 7.1 is the stiffest? Material Young modulus / GPa aluminium 70 brass 90-110 brick 7-20 concrete 40 copper 130 glass 70-80 iron (wrought) 200 lead 18 Perspex®
Look at Figure 8.7 and state the direction of the conventional current in the electrolyte (towards the left, towards the right or in both directions at the same time?). + electrolyte negative ion
You can buy lamps of different brightness to fit in light fittings at home (Figure 8.13). A ‘100 watt’ lamp glows more brightly than a ‘60 watt’ lamp. Explain which of the lamps has the
In Figure 9.5, calculate the current in the wire X. State the direction of this current (towards P or away from P). wire X 3.0 A 2.5 A 7.0 A Figure 9.5: For Question 2.
Calculate ΣIin and ΣIout in Figure 9.6. Is Kirchhoff’s first law satisfied? 4.0 A 2.5 A 3.0 A 0.5 A 2.0 A 1.0 A Figure 9.6: For Question 3.
Use Kirchhoff’s first law to calculate the unknown currents in these examples.For each example, state the direction of the current. a b 2.4 A W 3.6 A 4.3 A d 2.7 A Y 4.3 mA 4.3 mA 4.8 A Figure 9.25
Use Kirchhoff’s second law to deduce the p.d. across the resistor of resistance R in the circuit shown in Figure 9.10, and hence find the value of R. (Assume the battery of e.m.f. 10 V has
Look at these four circuits.Determine the unknown potential difference (or differences) in each case. K 2.2 V > b x→ K1.4V* - 1.4 K 6.3 V * 2.4 V > 长2.4V d -x- 1.4 V >< X> 4.7 V > 4.3 V -Y -

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