UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

*2082050702*

9702/04

PHYSICS
Paper 4 A2 Structured Questions

May/June 2007
1 hour 45 minutes

Candidates answer on the Question Paper.

No Additional Materials are required.
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.
Answer all questions.
You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use
appropriate units.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part
question.

For Examiners Use

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Total

This document consists of 23 printed pages and 1 blank page.

SP (NF/CGW) T16040/3
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Data
speed of light in free space,

c = 3.00 10 8 m s 1

permeability of free space,

0 = 4 10 7 H m1

permittivity of free space,

0 = 8.85 10 12 F m1

elementary charge,

e = 1.60 10 19 C

the Planck constant,

h = 6.63 10 34 J s

unified atomic mass constant,

u = 1.66 10 27 kg

rest mass of electron,

me = 9.11 10 31 kg

rest mass of proton,

mp = 1.67 10 27 kg

molar gas constant,

the Avogadro constant,

R = 8.31 J K 1 mol 1
NA = 6.02 10 23 mol 1

the Boltzmann constant,

k = 1.38 10 23 J K 1

gravitational constant,

G = 6.67 10 11 N m 2 kg 2

acceleration of free fall,

g = 9.81 m s 2

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Formulae
uniformly accelerated motion,

s = ut +
 at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

work done on/by a gas,

W = pV

gravitational potential,

= Gm

hydrostatic pressure,

p = gh

pressure of an ideal gas,

p =

simple harmonic motion,

a = 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m.,

v = v0 cos t
v = (x 20 x 2)

electric potential,

V =

capacitors in series,



Nm 2
<c >
V

Q
40r

1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + . . .

capacitors in parallel,

C = C1 + C2 + . . .

energy of charged capacitor,

W =
 QV

resistors in series,

R = R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel,

1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + . . .

alternating current/voltage,

x = x0 sin t

radioactive decay,

x = x0 exp( t )

decay constant,

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0.693
t


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4
Section A
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

(a) Explain what is meant by a gravitational field.

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(b) A spherical planet has mass M and radius R. The planet may be considered to have all
its mass concentrated at its centre.
A rocket is launched from the surface of the planet such that the rocket moves radially
away from the planet. The rocket engines are stopped when the rocket is at a height R
above the surface of the planet, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

2R

planet

Fig. 1.1
The mass of the rocket, after its engines have been stopped, is m.
(i)

Show that, for the rocket to travel from a height R to a height 2R above the planets
surface, the change EP in the magnitude of the gravitational potential energy of
the rocket is given by the expression
EP =

GMm
.
6R

[2]

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(ii)

During the ascent from a height R to a height 2R, the speed of the rocket changes
from 7600 m s1 to 7320 m s1. Show that, in SI units, the change EK in the kinetic
energy of the rocket is given by the expression

For
Examiners
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EK = (2.09 106)m.

[1]
(c) The planet has a radius of 3.40 106 m.
(i)

Use the expressions in (b) to determine a value for the mass M of the planet.

M = kg [2]
(ii)

State one assumption made in the determination in (i).

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2

(a) Use the kinetic theory of matter to explain why melting requires energy but there is no
change in temperature.
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(b) Define specific latent heat of fusion.
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(c) A block of ice at 0 C has a hollow in its top surface, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1.
hollow

ice

Fig. 2.1
A mass of 160 g of water at 100 C is poured into the hollow. The water has specific
heat capacity 4.20 kJ kg1 K1. Some of the ice melts and the final mass of water in the
hollow is 365 g.
(i)

Assuming no heat gain from the atmosphere, calculate a value, in kJ kg1, for the
specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

specific latent heat = . kJ kg1 [3]

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(ii)

In practice, heat is gained from the atmosphere during the experiment. This means
that your answer to (i) is not the correct value for the specific latent heat.
State and explain whether your value in (i) is greater or smaller than the correct
value.

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3

Two charged points A and B are separated by a distance of 6.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
6.0 cm
A

B
d
Fig. 3.1

The variation with distance d from A of the electric field strength E along the line AB is shown
in Fig. 3.2.
20
E / kV m1
15

10

0
0

d /cm
position
of A

position
of B
Fig. 3.2

An electron is emitted with negligible speed from A and travels along AB.
(a) State the relation between electric field strength E and potential V.
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..................................................................................................................................... [2]

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(b) The area below the line of the graph of Fig. 3.2 represents the potential difference
between A and B.

For
Examiners
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Use Fig. 3.2 to determine the potential difference between A and B.

potential difference = . V [4]

(c) Use your answer to (b) to calculate the speed of the electron as it reaches point B.

speed = . m s1 [2]
(d) (i)

Use Fig. 3.2 to determine the value of d at which the electron has maximum
acceleration.
d = cm [1]

(ii)

Without any further calculation, describe the variation with distance d of the
acceleration of the electron.
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4

An ideal transformer has 5000 turns on its primary coil. It is to be used to convert a mains
supply of 230 V r.m.s. to an alternating voltage having a peak value of 9.0 V.
(a) Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.

number = [3]
(b) The output from the transformer is to be full-wave rectified. Fig. 4.1 shows part of the
rectifier circuit.
A

Fig. 4.1
On Fig. 4.1, draw
(i)

diode symbols to complete the diagram of the rectifier such that terminal A of the
resistor R is positive with respect to terminal B,
[2]

(ii)

the symbol for a capacitor connected to provide smoothing of the potential difference
across the resistor R.
[1]

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(c) Fig. 4.2 shows the variation with time t of the smoothed potential difference V across the
resistor R.

For
Examiners
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t1

t2

t3

t4

Fig. 4.2
(i)

State the interval of time during which the capacitor is being charged from the
transformer.
from time to time [1]

(ii)

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The resistance of the resistor R is doubled. On Fig. 4.2, sketch the variation with
time t of the potential difference V across the resistor.
[2]

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5

(a) (i)

Explain what is meant by a photon.

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(ii)

Show that the photon energy of light of wavelength 350 nm is 5.68 1019 J.

(iii)

State the value of the ratio

[1]

energy of photon of light of wavelength 700 nm

.
energy of photon of light of wavelength 350 nm
ratio = .. [1]
(b) Two beams of monochromatic light have similar intensities. The light in one beam has
wavelength 350 nm and the light in the other beam has wavelength 700 nm.
The two beams are incident separately on three different metal surfaces. The work
function of each of these surfaces is shown in Fig. 5.1.
metal

work function / eV

tungsten
magnesium
potassium

4.49
3.68
2.26
Fig. 5.1

(i)

Explain what is meant by the work function of the surface.

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(ii)

State which combination, if any, of monochromatic light and metal surface could
give rise to photo-electric emission. Give a quantitative explanation of your answer.

For
Examiners
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6

(a) Define the decay constant of a radioactive isotope.

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(b) Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope having a half-life of 28.0 years. Strontium-90 has a
density of 2.54 g cm3.
A sample of Strontium-90 has an activity of 6.4 109 Bq. Calculate
(i)

the decay constant , in s1, of Strontium-90,

= . s1 [2]
(ii) the mass of Strontium-90 in the sample,

mass = . g [4]

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15
(iii)

the volume of the sample.

volume = . cm3 [1]

(c) By reference to your answer in (b)(iii), suggest why dust that has been contaminated
with Strontium-90 presents a serious health hazard.
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7

A magnet is suspended vertically from a fixed point by means of a spring, as shown in

Fig. 7.1.

spring

magnet
R

coil

Fig. 7.1
One end of the magnet hangs inside a coil of wire. The coil is connected in series with a
resistor R.
(a) The magnet is displaced vertically a small distance D and then released.
Fig. 7.2 shows the variation with time t of the vertical displacement d of the magnet from
its equilibrium position.

+D
d

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4
t /s

Fig. 7.2

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(i)

State and explain, by reference to electromagnetic induction, the nature of the

oscillations of the magnet.

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Examiners
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(ii)

Calculate the angular frequency 0 of the oscillations.

0 = . rad s1 [2]
(b) The resistance of the resistor R is increased.
The magnet is again displaced a vertical distance D and released.
On Fig. 7.2, sketch the variation with time t of the displacement d of the magnet.

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[2]

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(c) The resistor R in Fig. 7.1 is replaced by a variable-frequency signal generator of constant
r.m.s. output voltage.
The angular frequency of the generator is gradually increased from about 0.70 to
about 1.30, where 0 is the angular frequency calculated in (a)(ii).
(i)

On the axes of Fig. 7.3, sketch a graph to show the variation with of the amplitude
A of the oscillations of the magnet.
[2]

0
0.7 0

1.0 0

1.3 0

Fig. 7.3
(ii)

State the name of the phenomenon illustrated in the graph of Fig. 7.3.
............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iii)

Briefly describe one situation where the phenomenon named in (ii) is useful and
one situation where it should be avoided.
useful: .......................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
avoid: ........................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [2]

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BLANK PAGE

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20
Section B
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

(a) State three characteristics of an ideal operational amplifier (op-amp).

1. .....................................................................................................................................
2. .....................................................................................................................................
3. ................................................................................................................................ [3]
(b) An amplifier circuit for a microphone is shown in Fig. 8.1.

+
120 k
R

V OUT
X

Fig. 8.1
(i)

Name the type of feedback used with this op-amp.

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

(ii)

The output potential difference VOUT is 5.8 V for a potential difference across the
resistor R of 69 mV. Calculate
1.

the gain of the amplifier circuit,

gain = [1]

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2.

the resistance of resistor X.

resistance = [2]
(iii)

State one effect on the amplifier output of reducing the resistance of resistor X.
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............................................................................................................................. [1]

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9

(a) Explain the principles behind the use of X-rays for imaging internal body structures.
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(b) Describe how the image produced during CT scanning differs from that produced by
X-ray imaging.
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23
10 An analogue signal is sampled at a frequency of 5.0 kHz. Each sample is converted into a
four-bit number and transmitted as a digital signal.
Fig. 10.1 shows part of the digital signal.
START
0010 0101

1010

1111

0100

0010

0101

1010

1111

For
Examiners
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0100

most significant bit

Fig. 10.1
The digital signal is transmitted and is finally converted into an analogue signal.
(a) On the axes of Fig. 10.2, sketch a graph to show the variation with time t of this final
analogue signal.
18
16
signal 14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

t /ms
[4]
Fig. 10.2
(b) Suggest two ways in which the reproduction of the original analogue signal could be
improved.
1. .....................................................................................................................................
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2. .....................................................................................................................................
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11 (a) Fig. 11.1 is a block diagram showing part of a mobile phone handset used for sending a
signal to a base station.

For
Examiners
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aerial

microphone

Fig. 11.1
Complete Fig. 11.1 by labelling each of the blocks.

[3]

(b) Whilst making a call using a mobile phone fitted into a car, a motorist moves through
several different cells. Explain how reception of signals to and from the mobile phone is
maintained.
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effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will
be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

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