2

Data

speed of light in free space, c = 3.00 × 108 m s–1

permeability of free space, µ0 = 4π × 10–7 H m–1

permittivity of free space, ε0 = 8.85 × 10–12 F m–1

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, R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1

the Avogadro constant, NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1

the Boltzmann constant, k = 1.38 × 10–23 J K–1

gravitational constant, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2 kg–2

acceleration of free fall, g = 9.81 m s–2

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 3

Formulae

uniformly accelerated motion, s = ut + 1

2 at 2
v2 = u2 + 2as

work done on/by a gas, W = p∆V

gravitational potential, φ = – Gm
r
hydrostatic pressure, p = ρgh

pressure of an ideal gas, p= 1 Nm <c 2>

3 V

simple harmonic motion, a = – ω 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m., v = v0 cos ωt

v = ± ω √( x 02 – x2)

electric potential, V= Q
4 πε 0r

capacitors in series, 1 / C = 1 / C1 + 1 / C2 + . . .

capacitors in parallel, C = C1 + C 2 + . . .

1
energy of charged capacitor, W= 2 QV

resistors in series, R = R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel, 1 / R = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + . . .

alternating current/voltage, x = x0 sin ωt

radioactive decay, x = x0 exp(–λt)

decay constant, λ = 0.693

t1
2

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 4

1 The equation relating pressure and density is p = ρgh.

How can both sides of this equation be written in terms of base units?

A [N m–1] = [kg m–3] [m s–1] [m]

B [N m–2] = [kg m–3] [m s–2] [m]
C [kg m–1 s–2] = [kg m–3] [m s–2] [m]
D [kg m–1 s–1] = [kg m–1] [m s–2] [m]

2 What is a reasonable estimate of the diameter of an alpha particle?

A 10–15 m B 10–12 m C 10–9 m D 10–6 m

3 The diagram shows two vectors X and Y.

X Y

In which vector triangle does the vector Z show the magnitude and direction of vector X–Y?

A B

Y Y

X X
Z Z

C D

X X

Z Z
Y Y

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 5

4 A series of measurements of the acceleration of free fall g is shown in the table.

Which set of results is precise but not accurate?

g / m s–2

A 9.81 9.79 9.84 9.83 9.79

B 9.81 10.12 9.89 8.94 9.42
C 9.45 9.21 8.99 8.76 8.51
D 8.45 8.46 8.50 8.41 8.47

5 A mass m has acceleration a. It moves through a distance s in time t. The power used in
accelerating the mass is equal to the product of force and velocity. The percentage uncertainties
are

0.1 % in m,
1 % in a,
1.5 % in s,
0.5 % in t.

What is the percentage uncertainty in the average power?

A 2.1 % B 2.6 % C 3.1 % D 4.1 %

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 6

6 The diagram shows the graduations of a correctly calibrated ammeter. When the current is zero,
the pointer is at 0.

1 2 3 45
0

The ammeter is accidentally readjusted so that when the current is zero, the pointer is at X.

X 1 2 3 45
0

Which calibration graph best represents the response of the readjusted ammeter?

A B
angle of angle of
deflection of deflection of
pointer from pointer from
the zero mark the zero mark

0 0
0 current 0 current

C D
angle of angle of
deflection of deflection of
pointer from pointer from
the zero mark the zero mark

0 0
0 current 0 current

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 7

7 The symbol g represents the acceleration of free fall.

Which of these statements is correct?

A g is gravity.
B g is reduced by air resistance.
C g is the ratio weight / mass.
D g is the weight of an object.

8 A particle moves along a straight line. A particular property K of the particle's motion is plotted
against time.

0
0 time

At any time, the slope of the graph is the acceleration of the particle.

What is the property K?

A the displacement of the particle

B the distance travelled by the particle
C the speed of the particle
D the velocity of the particle

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 8

9 A stone is thrown vertically upwards. A student plots the variation with time of its velocity.

40
velocity / m s–1
30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 time / s 6
–10

–20

–30

–40

What is the vertical displacement of the stone from its starting point after 5 seconds?

A 20 m B 25 m C 45 m D 65 m

10 A block of mass 0.60 kg is on a rough horizontal surface. A force of 12 N is applied to the block
and it accelerates at 4.0 m s –2 .

4.0 m s–2
block
12 N

What is the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the block?

A 2.4 N B 5.3 N C 6.7 N D 9.6 N

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 9

11 A car with front-wheel drive accelerates in the direction shown.

Which diagram best shows the direction of the total force exerted by the road on the front
wheels?

A B C D

12 The graph shows how a certain quantity p varies with another quantity q for a parachutist falling
at terminal speed.

0
0 q

What are the quantities p and q, and what is represented by the magnitude of the gradient of the
graph?

quantity p quantity q magnitude of gradient

A height time terminal speed

B momentum time weight of parachutist
C height potential energy mass of parachutist
D velocity time acceleration of free fall

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 10

13 Which two vector diagrams represent forces in equilibrium?

P Q

R S

A P and Q B Q and R C R and S D S and P

14 The diagram shows a plan view of a door which requires a moment of 12 N m to open it.

door
wall wall

hinge 0.80 m

What is the minimum force that must be applied at the door’s midpoint to ensure it opens?

A 4.8 N B 9.6 N C 15 N D 30 N

15 A car of mass 1000 kg first travels forwards at 25 m s–1 and then backwards at 5 m s–1 .

What is the change in the kinetic energy of the car?

A 200 kJ B 300 kJ C 325 kJ D 450 kJ

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 11

16 When bungee jumping, a student starts with maximum gravitational potential energy (position 1),
then falls freely until the rope fully unwinds (position 2), after which the rope starts to stretch until
the lowest point of the jump is reached (position 3).

position 1

position 2

position 3

What are the kinetic and elastic potential energies at position 3?

kinetic energy elastic potential energy

A maximum maximum
B maximum minimum
C minimum maximum
D minimum minimum

17 Two solid substances P and Q have atoms of mass MP and MQ respectively. There are nP and nQ
atoms per unit volume respectively.

It is found by experiment that the density of P is greater than that of Q.

Which deduction from this experiment must be correct?

A MP > MQ
B nP > nQ
C MPnP > MQnQ

D MP > MQ
nP nQ

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 12

18 A submarine carries a pressure meter so that the crew can work out how far they are below the
surface of the sea. At the surface, the meter indicates a pressure of 100 kPa. The density of
seawater is 1030 kg m–3 .

What is the depth below the surface when the meter reads 450 kPa?

A 34.6 m B 44.5 m C 340 m D 437 m

19 What is plastic deformation?

A Plastic deformation occurs when strain is not proportional to stress but when the load is
removed the material returns to its original length.
B Plastic deformation occurs if, when the load is removed, the material contracts but a
permanent stretching has occurred.
C Plastic deformation occurs until the extension is no longer proportional to the load.
D Plastic deformation occurs when the material extends so that strain is directly proportional to
stress.

20 The graph shows how the length of a particular rubber cord varies as force is applied.

0.40
length / m

0.20

0
0 force / N 25

What is the maximum strain energy in this deformed rubber cord?

A 2.5 J B 5.0 J C 7.5 J D 10 J

21 What is the relationship between the intensity I and the amplitude a of a wave?

I
A = constant
a

I
B = constant
a2
C I a = constant
D I a2 = constant

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 13

22 An electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 108 Hz.

In which region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the wave occur?

A infra-red
B radio
C ultraviolet
D visible

23 The graph represents a sinusoidal wave in the sea, travelling at a speed of 8.0 m s–1 , at one
instant of time. The maximum speed of the oscillating particles in the wave is 2πaf, where a is the
amplitude and f is the frequency.

displacement
/m

0
0 50 100 position
P /m
–2

An object P of mass 2.0 × 10–3 kg floats on the surface.

What is the maximum kinetic energy of P due to the wave? Assume that its motion is vertical.

A 0.026 mJ B 4.0 mJ C 39 mJ D 64 mJ

24 Monochromatic light illuminates two narrow parallel slits. The interference pattern which results is
observed on a screen some distance beyond the slits.

Which change increases the separation between the dark lines of the interference pattern?

A decreasing the distance between the screen and the slits

B increasing the distance between the slits
C using monochromatic light of higher frequency
D using monochromatic light of longer wavelength

25 A narrow beam of monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating. Third-order

diffracted beams are formed at angles of 45 o to the original direction.

What is the highest order of diffracted beam produced by this grating?

A 3rd B 4th C 5th D 6th

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 14

26 An electron is situated in a uniform electric field as shown in the diagram.

electron
field

What is the direction of the electric force acting on the electron?

A downwards into the paper

B upwards out of the paper
C to the left
D to the right

27 Which diagram shows the electric field between a positively charged metal sphere and an
earthed metal plate?

A B C D

+ + + +

28 Which electrical quantity would be the result of a calculation in which energy transfer is divided by
charge?

A current
B potential difference
C power
D resistance

29 Two heating coils X and Y, of resistance RX and RY respectively, deliver the same power when
12 V is applied across X and 6 V is applied across Y.

What is the ratio RX / RY?

A ¼ B ½ C 2 D 4

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 15

30 A battery of negligible internal resistance is connected to two 10 Ω resistors in series.

6.0 V

10 10

What charge flows through each of the 10 Ω resistors in 1 minute?

A 0.30 C B 0.60 C C 3.0 C D 18 C

31 Two wires P and Q have resistances RP and RQ respectively. Wire P is twice as long as wire Q
and has twice the diameter of wire Q. The wires are made of the same material.

RP
What is the ratio ?
RQ

A 0.5 B 1 C 2 D 4

32 A potential divider consists of a fixed resistor R and a light-dependent resistor (LDR).

What happens to the voltmeter reading, and why does it happen, when the intensity of light on
the LDR increases?

A The voltmeter reading decreases because the LDR resistance decreases.

B The voltmeter reading decreases because the LDR resistance increases.
C The voltmeter reading increases because the LDR resistance decreases.
D The voltmeter reading increases because the LDR resistance increases.

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 16

33 The circuit is designed to trigger an alarm system when the input voltage exceeds some preset
value. It does this by comparing Vout with a fixed reference voltage, which is set at 4.8 V.

15 k
Vin

10 k Vout

Vout is equal to 4.8 V.

What is the input voltage Vin?

A 4.8 V B 7.2 V C 9.6 V D 12 V

34 A potentiometer is used as shown to compare the e.m.f.s of two cells.

driver cell

metre rule

0.70 m 0.90 m

The balance points for cells X and Y are 0.70 m and 0.90 m respectively.

If the e.m.f. of cell X is 1.1 V, what is the e.m.f. of cell Y?

A 0.69 V B 0.86 V C 0.99 V D 1.4 V

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 17

35 When four identical resistors are connected as shown in diagram 1, the ammeter reads 1.0 A and
the voltmeter reads zero.

diagram 1 diagram 2

6.0 V
V

A
V 6.0 V

The resistors and meters are reconnected to the supply as shown in diagram 2.

What are the meter readings in diagram 2?

voltmeter reading / V ammeter reading / A

A 0 1.0
B 3.0 0.5
C 3.0 1.0
D 6.0 0

36 How is it possible to distinguish between the isotopes of uranium?

A Their nuclei have different charge and different mass, and they emit different particles when
they decay.
B Their nuclei have different charge but the same mass.
C Their nuclei have the same charge but different mass.
D Their nuclei have the same charge and mass, but they emit different particles when they
decay.

37 What is not conserved in nuclear processes?

A energy and mass together

B nucleon number
C neutron number
D charge

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07 [Turn over

 18

38 A thin gold foil is bombarded with α-particles as shown.

incident -particles

gold foil

What can be deduced from this experiment?

A the binding energy of a gold nucleus

B the energy levels of electrons in gold atoms
C the small size of a gold nucleus
D the structure of a gold nucleus

100
39 A zirconium nucleus, 40 Zr , is a β-emitter. The product nucleus is also a β-emitter.

What is the final resulting nucleus of these two decays?

100 100 98 102
A 38 Sr B 42 Mo C 40 Zr D 40 Zr

40 The following particles are each accelerated from rest through the same potential difference.

Which one completes the acceleration with the greatest momentum?

A α-particle

B electron

C neutron

D proton

© UCLES 2007 9702/01/O/N/07

 5 For
Examiner’s
Use
Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1 (a) Distinguish between systematic errors and random errors.

random errors lead to fluctuations around the true value as a result

systematic errors .............................................................................................................
of difficulty taking measurements,
..........................................................................................................................................
systematic errors lead to predictable and consistent
random errors ..................................................................................................................
departures from the true value due to problems with the calibration of your equipment
..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) A cylinder of length L has a circular cross-section of radius R, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The volume V of the cylinder is given by the expression

V = πR 2L .

The volume and length of the cylinder are measured as

V = 15.0 ± 0.5 cm3

L = 20.0 ± 0.1 cm.

Calculate the radius of the cylinder, with its uncertainty.

0.47 0.2
radius = ........................ ± ........................ cm [5]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 6 For
Examiner’s
Use
2 A girl G is riding a bicycle at a constant velocity of 3.5 m s–1. At time t = 0, she passes a boy B
sitting on a bicycle that is stationary, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

G 3.5 m s–1

t=0

Fig. 2.1

At time t = 0, the boy sets off to catch up with the girl. He accelerates uniformly from time t = 0
until he reaches a speed of 5.6 m s–1 in a time of 5.0 s. He then continues at a constant speed
of 5.6 m s–1. At time t = T, the boy catches up with the girl.
T is measured in seconds.

(a) State, in terms of T, the distance moved by the girl before the boy catches up with her.
17.4
distance = ............................. m [1]

(b) For the boy, determine

(i) the distance moved during his acceleration,

14
distance = ............................. m [2]

(ii) the distance moved during the time that he is moving at constant speed.
Give your answer in terms of T.

5.6T
distance = ................................. m [1]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 7 For
Examiner’s
Use
(c) Use your answers in (a) and (b) to determine the time T taken for the boy to catch up
with the girl.

5.59
T = .......................................... s [2]

(d) The boy and the bicycle have a combined mass of 67 kg.

(i) Calculate the force required to cause the acceleration of the boy.

75.04
force = .......................................... N [3]

(ii) At a speed of 4.5 m s–1, the total resistive force acting on the boy and bicycle is
23 N.
Determine the output power of the boy’s legs at this speed.

103
power = ......................................... W [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 8 For
Examiner’s
Use
3 (a) (i) Define potential energy.
the energy stored by something because of its position (as when an object is raised), because of its condition
..................................................................................................................................
(as when something is pulled or pushed out of shape), or in chemical form (as in fuel or an electric battery)
............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Distinguish between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.
The origin of gravitational potential energy is the
gravitational potential energy ...................................................................................
gravitational forces acting between two massive bodies.
..................................................................................................................................
The origin of elastic potential energy is the electrostatic
elastic potential energy ............................................................................................
forces between molecules that make up a material.
............................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A small sphere of mass 51 g is suspended by a light inextensible string from a fixed
point P.
The centre of the sphere is 61 cm vertically below point P, as shown in Fig. 3.1.

61 cm 18°

sphere,
mass 51g

Fig. 3.1

The sphere is moved to one side, keeping the string taut, so that the string makes
an angle of 18° with the vertical. Calculate

(i) the gain in gravitational potential energy of the sphere,

gain = ……………………….. J [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 9 For
Examiner’s
Use
(ii) the moment of the weight of the sphere about point P.

moment = .................................... N m [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 10 For
Examiner’s
Use
4 A sample of material in the form of a cylindrical rod has length L and uniform area of
cross-section A. The rod undergoes an increasing tensile stress until it breaks.
Fig. 4.1 shows the variation with stress of the strain in the rod.

0.02

strain

breaking
point

0.01

0
0 5 10
8
stress / 10 Pa

Fig. 4.1

(a) State whether the material of the rod is ductile, brittle or polymeric.

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

(b) Determine the Young modulus of the material of the rod.

Young modulus = ............................................. Pa [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 11 For
Examiner’s
Use
(c) A second cylindrical rod of the same material has a spherical bubble in it, as illustrated
in Fig. 4.2.

cylindrical rod bubble

1.9 x 103 N 1.9 x 103 N

cross-sectional area
3.2 x 10–6 m2

Fig. 4.2

The rod has an area of cross-section of 3.2 × 10–6 m2 and is stretched by forces of
magnitude 1.9 × 103 N.
By reference to Fig. 4.1, calculate the maximum area of cross-section of the bubble
such that the rod does not break.

area = ............................................ m2 [3]

(d) A straight rod of the same material is bent as shown in Fig. 4.3.

Fig. 4.3

Suggest why a thin rod can bend more than a thick rod without breaking.

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 12 For
Examiner’s
Use
5 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows the variation with time t of the displacement y of a wave W as it passes a
point P. The wave has intensity I.

0
t

wave W

Fig. 5.1

A second wave X of the same frequency as wave W also passes point P.

This wave has intensity !" I. The phase difference between the two waves is 60°.
On Fig. 5.1, sketch the variation with time t of the displacement y of wave X. [3]

(b) In a double-slit interference experiment using light of wavelength 540 nm, the separation
of the slits is 0.700 mm. The fringes are viewed on a screen at a distance of 2.75 m from
the double slit, as illustrated in Fig. 5.2 (not to scale).

coherent light
0.700 mm
wavelength 540 nm

screen
2.75 m

Fig. 5.2

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 13 For
Examiner’s
Use
Calculate the separation of the fringes observed on the screen.

separation = ................................ mm [3]

(c) State the effect, if any, on the appearance of the fringes observed on the screen when
the following changes are made, separately, to the double-slit arrangement in (b).

(i) The width of each slit is increased but the separation remains constant.

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

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

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

............................................................................................................................. [3]

(ii) The separation of the slits is increased.

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

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

............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 14 For
Examiner’s
Use
6 An electric shower unit is to be fitted in a house. The shower is rated as 10.5 kW, 230 V. The
shower unit is connected to the 230 V mains supply by a cable of length 16 m, as shown in
Fig. 6.1.

copper wire cable

shower unit
230 V supply 10.5 kW
230 V

copper wire 16 m

Fig. 6.1

(a) Show that, for normal operation of the shower unit, the current is approximately 46 A.

[2]

(b) The resistance of the two wires in the cable causes the potential difference across the
shower unit to be reduced. The potential difference across the shower unit must not be
less than 225 V.
The wires in the cable are made of copper of resistivity 1.8 × 10–8 Ω m.
Assuming that the current in the wires is 46 A, calculate

(i) the maximum resistance of the cable,

resistance = ............................... Ω [3]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07

 15 For
Examiner’s
Use
(ii) the minimum area of cross-section of each wire in the cable.

area = ...................................... m2 [3]

(c) Connecting the shower unit to the mains supply by means of a cable having wires with
too small a cross-sectional area would significantly reduce the power output of the
shower unit.

(i) Assuming that the shower is operating at 210 V, rather than 230 V, and that its
resistance is unchanged, determine the ratio

power dissipated by shower unit at 210 V

.
power dissipated by shower unit at 230 V

ratio = .......................................... [2]

(ii) Suggest and explain one further disadvantage of using wires of small cross-sectional
area in the cable.

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

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

............................................................................................................................ [2]

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07 [Turn over

 16 For
Examiner’s
Use
7 (a) Evidence for the nuclear atom was provided by the α-particle scattering experiment.
State the results of this experiment.

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

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Give estimates for the diameter of

(i) an atom,

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

(ii) a nucleus.

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

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable 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.

© UCLES 2007 9702/02/O/N/07