INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

PHYSICS
THIRD EDITION

Gregg Kerr
and
Paul Ruth
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All copyright statements, ‘© IBO 2007’ refer to the Physics
guide published by the International Baccalaureate
First published in 2007 by IBID Press, Victoria Organization in 2007.

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Kerr G & Ruth P. Cover design by Adcore.

1. Physics, 3rd Edition

2. International Baccalaureate. Published by IBID Press, 36 Quail Crescent, Melton, 3337,

Australia.
Series Title: International Baccalaureate in Detail

ISBN: 978-1-876659-14-1
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Preface to the Third Edition
This third edition is based on the revised International Baccalaureate Physics syllabus (© IBO 2007) that will be examined
for the first time in May 2009. The authors, as in the first and second editions, have attempted to develop the relevant theory
with the objectives of the syllabus assessment statements in mind.

The major changes to the syllabus are the inclusion of several new topics, several new options and option structure and
the inclusion of assessment statements that specifically address Aim 8 (awareness of moral, ethical, social, economic and
environmental implications of physics). In order that physics is not seen as just an academic subject, an effort is also made
to link various topics with the role that they play in technology.

It should be mentioned that the level of expected understanding of uncertainties and error analysis is now the same for both SL
and HL students. A completely new topic “Digital Technology” (Topic 14) has been included that reflects the profound changes
that the development of digital technology has had on the capture and storage of data.

Please refer to the IBO Syllabus Guide (© IBO 2007) for details about changes to the course.

The layout of the new book is different from the second edition in the respect that each chapter now corresponds to a
syllabus topic. So for example Chapter 14 is syllabus topic 14 “Digital Technology”. Each sub-topic within a chapter now has
the same number as the syllabus sub‑topic to which it refers and each sub-division within the chapter sub-topic has the same
number as the assessment statement to which it refers. So for example, in chapter 14 there is the sub-heading 14.1 “Analogue
and digital signals” and within this, there is the heading 14.1.2 “Describe different means of storage of information”.

Although this book might not be regarded as a conventional textbook, many ideas are discussed in detail particularly those
ideas that, in the authors’ experience as teachers, students find difficult to comprehend on first acquaintance. It is hoped
that both students and teachers will find these discussions useful, as they will the worked examples and exercises. However,
the exercises and examples supplied do not necessarily reflect the views of the Senior Examining team appointed by the
International Baccalaureate. Nor does the book in any way suggest the way and the order in which the syllabus should be
taught. In line with I.B policy such decisions are left to the individual teacher, as is the choice of resources that the teacher
might wish to use.

The authors have obviously tried to be accurate in the presentation of the material and also in the answers to the exercises
and examples. However, they strongly welcome feedback on any errors that may be spotted by student or teacher. Such
errors will be corrected in future reprints of this book.

The authors

Editor’s notes
This project has involved teachers, authors, proof readers, artists and many other people on several continents. It has been
done within an extremely tight timeframe and involved thousands of emails across the world and many different software
applications. We are pleased, and trust that you will also be pleased with the final product which went to Press with no
known errors. However we know from experience that some typographic and other errors have escaped our proofing
process and will emerge as students and teachers start using the books and CDs.

If you wish, you can help us and yourself in the following ways

• Send us an email at [email protected] with details of any errors that you notice
• Please visit www.ibid.com.au for errata sheets which will be produced promptly and be freely available as necessary
• Check our website and other publicity regarding our ‘Student Guides to Internal Assessment’ and ‘Volumes of
Investigations’ for the Core, HL and Options in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These materials are currently in
preparation and are due for publication later this year.
The authors
Gregg Kerr
Gregg has a Bachelor of Education degree from Charles Sturt University, Australia, and a Master of Science in Education
from the State University of New York, USA. He has taught in Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, Brunei, Thailand and he is
presently Student Welfare Coordinator and Head of Science at the Utahloy International School Guangzhou, China.

Gregg has taught IB Physics since 1988. He has been a member of the Physics Subject Committee, and is presently a Senior
Examiner and a Senior Moderator in Physics. He has been an IB Physics workshop leader at conferences in Tokyo, Mumbai,
Brisbane, Adelaide, Invercargill, Sydney, Singapore and Chiang Mai.

Paul Ruth
Paul Ruth taught IB and A-level Nuffield physics for many years as Head of Physics at Sevenoaks School, Kent, England.
He became involved with the examining side of IB in 1985 when he was appointed as an Assistant Examiner. Since 1990 he
has been a member of the Senior Examining Team responsible for setting both the May and November examination papers.
He was a member of the Syllabus Review team for both the 1998-2003 syllabus and for the new syllabus. He is also a senior
moderator for Internal Assessment and Extended Essays.

Acknowledgements
We wish to acknowledge the advice and assistance of the following people in the development and production of these
materials to support the teaching of IB Physics.

Authors
Gregg Kerr

Paul Ruth

Proof reader
Neville Lawrence

Artwork and graphics

IBID Press

Layout
Colin Flashman

Project management & editing

Science Teaching And Resources (S.T.A.R.)

This book is dedicated to Sadi

Contents

Chapter 1 PHYSICS AND PHYSICAL MEASUREMENT

1.1 The realm of physics 1
1.2 Measurement & uncertainties 4
1.3 Vectors and scalars 22

Chapter 2 MECHANICS
2.1 Kinematics 33
2.2 Forces and dynamics 43
2.3 Work, energy and power 56
2.4 Uniform circular motion 66

Chapter 3 THERMAL PHYSICS

3.1 Thermal concepts 76
3.2 Thermal properties of matter 83

Chapter 4 OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES

4.1 Kinematics of simple harmonic motion (SHM) 100
4.2 Energy changes during simple harmonic motion (SHM) 107
4.3 Forced oscillations and resonance 109
4.4 Wave characteristics 112
4.5 Wave properties 118

Chapter 5 ELECTRIC CURRENTS

5.1 Electric potential difference, current and resistance 126
5.2 Electric circuits 137

Chapter 6 FIELDS AND FORCES

6.1 Gravitational force and field 151
6.2 Electric force and field 154
6.3 Magnetic force and field 164

Chapter 7 ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS

7.1 The atom 173
7.2 Radioactive decay 177
7.3 Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion 182


Chapter 8 ENERGY, POWER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
8.1 Energy degradation and power generation 190
8.2 World energy sources 195
8.3 Fossil fuel power production 201
8.4 Non-fossil fuel power production 209
8.5 Greenhouse effect 228
8.6 Global warming 242

Chapter 9 MOTION IN FIELDS

9.1 Projectile motion 249
9.2 Gravitational field, potential and energy 255
9.3 Electric field, potential and energy 259
9.4 Orbital motion 267

Chapter 10 THERMAL PHYSICS

10.1 Thermodynamics 273
10.2 Processes 276
10.3 Second law of thermo-dynamics and entropy 288

Chapter 11 WAVE PHENOMENA

11.1 (SL Option A2) Standing (Stationary) Waves 293
11.2 (SL Option A3) Doppler Effect 297
11.3 (SL Option A4) Diffraction 301
11.4 (SL Option A5) Resolution 304
11.5 (SL Option A6) Polarization 308

Chapter 12 ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

12.1 Induced electromotive force (emf) 314
12.2 Alternating current 321
12.3 Transmission of electric power 327

Chapter 13 QUANTUM PHYSICS AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS

13.1 (SL Option B1) Quantum physics 333
13.2 (SL Option B2) Nuclear physics 341

Chapter 14 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

14.1 (SL Option C1) Analogue and digital signals 345
14.2 (SL Option C2) Data capture; digital imaging using CCDs 349

vi
Chapter 15 Option A: SIGHT AND WAVE PHENOMENA
A1 (SL) The eye and sight 353

Chapter 16 Option E: ASTROPHYSICS

E1 (SL and HL) Introduction to the universe 359
E2 (SL and HL) Stellar radiation and stellar types 361
E3 (SL and HL) Stellar distances 367
E4 (SL and HL) Cosmology 374
E5 (HL only) Stellar processes and stellar evolution 378
E6 (HL only) Galaxies and the expanding universe 385

Chapter 17 Option F: COMMUNICATIONS

F1 (SL and HL) Radio communication 392
F2 (SL and HL) Digital signals 397
F3 (SL and HL) Optic fibre transmission 401
F4 (SL and HL) Channels of communication 405
F5 (HL), C3 (SL) Electronics 408
F6 (HL), C4 (SL) The mobile phone system 412

Chapter 18 Option G: ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

G1 (SL and HL) The nature of EM waves and light sources 418
G2 (SL and HL) Optical instruments 428
G3 (SL and HL) Two-source interference of waves 439
G4 (SL and HL) Diffraction grating 442
G5 (HL only) X-rays 444
G6 (HL only) Thin-film interference 448

Chapter 19 Option H: RELATIVITY

H1 (HL), D1 (SL) Introduction to relativity 453
H2 (HL), D2 (SL) Concepts and postulates of special relativity 455
H3 (HL), D3 (SL) Relativistic kinematics 457
H4 (HL) Some consequences of special relativity 462
H5 (HL) Evidence to support special relativity 466
H6 (HL) Relativistic momentum and energy 467
H7 (HL) General relativity 469
H8 (HL) Evidence to support general relativity 475

Chapter 20 Option I: MEDICAL PHYSICS

I1 (HL) The ear and hearing 479
I2 (HL) Medical imaging 490
I3 (HL) Radiation in medicine 504

vii
Chapter 21 Option J: PARTICLE PHYSICS
J1 (HL), D4 (SL) Particles and interactions 517
J2 (HL) Particle accelerators & detectors 530
J3 (HL), D5 (SL) Quarks 538
J4 (HL) Leptons and the standard model 543
J5 (HL) Experimental evidence for the quark and standard models 547
J6 (HL) Cosmology and strings 548

Glossary 551

Index 572

viii
 Physics and physical measurement

Physics and physical

measurement
1.1 The realm of Physics 1

CORE
1.2 Measurements and uncertainties

1.3 Vectors and scalars

1.1 THE REALM OF PHYSICS

The order of magnitude of large or small numbers can be
RANGE OF MAGNITUDES OF QUANTITIES difficult to comprehend at this introductory stage of the
IN OUR UNIVERSE course. For example, 1023 grains of rice would cover Brazil
to a depth of about one kilometre.
1.1.1 State and compare quantities to the
nearest order of magnitude. 1.1.2 Range of magnitudes of the
universe
1.1.2 State the ranges of magnitude of
distances, masses and times that occur in The order of magnitude of some relevant lengths in metres
the universe, from smallest to greatest. (m), masses in kilograms (kg) and times in seconds (s) are
given in Figure 101.
1.1.3 State ratios of quantities as differences of
orders of magnitude. Mass of
​10​50​kg Height of a person ​10​0​m
Universe
1.1.4 Estimate approximate values of everyday Mass of Sun 10​30​ kg 1 gram ​10​–3​kg
quantities to one or two significant Extent of the Wavelength of visible
figures and/or to the nearest order of ​10​25​m ​10​–6​m
visible Universe light
magnitude. Mass of the
© IBO 2007
​10​25​ kg Diameter of an atom ​10​–10​m
earth

1.1.1 Order of magnitude Age of the

Universe
​10​18​ ​​​s Period of visible light ​10​–15​s

T he order of magnitude of a number is the power of ten Shortest lived

One light year ​10​16​m ​10​–23​s
closest to that number. Often when dealing with very big subatomic particle
or very small numbers, scientists are more concerned with the Human light Passage of light
​10​9​s ​10​–23​s
order of magnitude of a measurement rather than the precise span across the nucleus
value. For example, the number of particles in the Universe and One year ​10​7​s Mass of proton ​10​–27​kg
the mass of an electron are of the orders of magnitude of 1080 One day ​10​5​ s Mass of neutron ​10​–27​kg
particles and 10–30 kg. It is not important to know the exact values
Mass of car ​10​3​kg Mass of electron ​10​–30​kg
for all microscopic and macroscopic quantities because when
you are using the order of magnitude of a quantity, you are giving
an indication of size and not necessarily a very accurate value. Figure 101  Range of magnitudes


 Chapter 1

The order of magnitude of quantities in the macroscopic

Examples world are also important when expressing uncertainty in a
measurement. This is covered in section 1.2 of this chapter.

1. The number 8 is closer to 101 (10) than 100 (1). So

the order of magnitude is 101. Similarly, 10 000 has Exercise 1.1
an order of magnitude of 104.
CORE

2. However, 4.3 × 103 has an order of magnitude of 1. The order of magnitude of 4 200 000 is:
104. The reason for this is if you use the log button
on your calculator, the value of 4.3 × 103 = 103.633. A. 104
B. 105
Therefore the order of magnitude is 104. So, the normal C. 106
mathematical rounding up or down above or below D. 107
5 does not apply with order of magnitude values. In fact,
100.5 = 3.16. This becomes our ‘rounding’ value in 2. Give the order of magnitude of the following
determining the order of magnitude of a quantity. quantities

(a) 20 000
(b) 2.6 × 104
Order of magnitude, for all its uncertainty, is a good (c) 3.9 × 107
indicator of size. Let’s look at two ways of calculating the (d) 7.4 × 1015
order of magnitude of the number of heartbeats of a human (e) 2.8 × 10-24
in a lifetime. The average relaxed heart, beats at 100 beats (f) 4.2 × 10-30
per minute. Do you agree? Try the following activity:
3. Give the order of magnitude of the following
Using a timing device such as a wristwatch or a stopwatch, measurements.
take your pulse for 60 seconds (1 minute). Repeat this 3
times. Find the average pulse rate. Now, using your pulse, (a) The mean radius of the Earth, 6 370 000 m
multiply your pulse per minute (say 100) × 60 minutes in (b) The half-life of a radioactive isotope 0.0015 s.
an hour × 24 hours in a day × 365.25 days in a year × 78 (c) The mass of Jupiter
years in a lifetime. Your answer is 3.945 × 109. Take the log 1 870 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 kg.
of this answer, and you get 109.596. The order of magnitude (d) The average distance of the moon from the
is 1010. Now let us repeat this but this time we will use the earth is 380 000 000 m.
order of magnitude at each step: (e) The wavelength of red light 0.000 000 7 m.

102 beats min-1 ×102 min h-1 × 101 h day-1 × 103 day yr-1 × 102 yr 4 The ratio of the diameter of the nucleus to the
diameter of the atom is approximately equal to
The order of magnitude is 1010. Do the same calculations
using your own pulse rate. Note that the two uncertain A. 10–15
values here are pulse rate and lifespan. Therefore, you are B. 10–8
only giving an estimate or indication. You are not giving C. 10–5
an accurate value. D. 10–2

1.1.3 Ratios of orders of 5. What is the order of magnitude of:

magnitude
(a) the time in seconds in a year.
Ratios can also be expressed as differences in order of (b) the time for the moon to revolve around the
magnitude. For example, the diameter of the hydrogen earth in seconds.
atom has an order of magnitude of 10-10 m and the
diameter of a hydrogen nucleus is 10-15 m. Therefore,
the ratio of the diameter of a hydrogen atom to the
diameter of a hydrogen nucleus is 10-10 ⁄ 10-15 = 105 or
five orders of magnitude.


 Physics and physical measurement

6. A sample of a radioactive element contains 6.02 × quantities to the nearest order of magnitude to one or two
1023 atoms. It is found that 3.5 × 1010 atoms decay significant digits. We need to develop a way to estimate an
in one day. answer to a reasonable value.

(a) Estimate the order of magnitude of the Suppose we wanted to estimate the answer to:
atoms that disintegrate in one second.
(b) What is the ratio of the original atoms 16 × 5280 × 12 × 12 ×12

CORE
to the atoms that remain after one day in
orders of magnitude? This can be estimated as:
= (2 × 101) × (5 × 103) × (5 × 103) × (1 × 101) × (1 × 101) × (1 × 101)

1.1.4 Estimates of everyday = 250 × 1010

quantities
= 2.5 × 1012
Many problems in physics and engineering require very
precise numerical measurements or calculations. The The calculator answer is 1.1562 × 1012. So our estimate
number of significant digits in a quantity measured reflect gives a reasonable order of magnitude.
how precisely we know that quantity. When English
and French engineers used their excavation machinery
to dig the tunnel under the North Sea, they hoped that Exercise 1.2
they would meet at a common point. The laser guidance
systems used allowed for a good degree of precision in the
digging process. High precision is also required in cancer 1. A rough estimate of the volume of your body in
radiotherapy so that the cancerous cells are killed and cm3 would be closest to
the good body cells are not damaged in amounts greater
than necessary. Also to our amazement and sadness we A. 2 × 103
have witnessed too often on television the accuracy of B. 2 × 105
laser guided missiles seeking out targets with incredible C. 5 × 103
accuracy. D. 5 × 105

However, in other applications estimation may be 2. Estimate the

acceptable in order to grasp the significance of a physical
phenomenon. For example, if we wanted to estimate the (a) dimensions of this textbook in cm
water needed to flush the toilet in your dwelling in a year, (b) mass of an apple in g
it would be reasonable to remove the lid off the toilet (c) period of a heartbeat in s
cistern (reservoir for storing water) and seeing whether (d) temperature of a typical room in oC
there are graduations (or indicators) of the water capacity
given on the inside on the cistern. When I removed the lid 3. Estimate the answer to:
from my cistern, the water was at the 9 L (9 dm3) mark and
when I did a “water saving” flush, the water went to the 6 (a) 16 × 5280 × 5280 × 5280 × 12 × 12 × 12
L mark. A long flush emptied the cistern. Now let’s assume (b) 3728 ×(470165 × 10-14) ÷ 278146 ×(0.000713 × 10-5)
there are three people in the house who are using one long (c) 47816 × (4293 × 10-4) ÷ 403000
flush and five short flushes a day. This makes a total of
(3 × 9 dm3) + (15 × 3 dm3) = 72 dm3 per day or an estimate 4. The universe is considered to have begun with the
of 102 dm3 per day. There are 365.25 days in a year or an “Big Bang” event. The galaxies that have moved
estimate of 103 (using the order of magnitude) days. So the farthest are those with the greatest initial
the water used by this family would be 2.6 × 104 dm3 per speeds. It is believed that these speeds have been
year or an estimate of 105 dm3. Neither answer is accurate constant in time. If a galaxy 3 × 1021 km away is
because both answers are only rough estimates. receding from us at 1.5 × 1011 km y -1, calculate the
age of the universe in years.
With practice and experience, we will get a feel for
reasonable estimates of everyday quantities. Unfortunately,
students and teachers can be poor users of calculators. We
should be able to estimate approximate values of everyday


 Chapter 1

5. Give an estimate of the order of magnitude of the Some quantities cannot be measured in a simpler form,
following: and others are chosen for convenience. They have been
selected as the basic quantities and are termed fundamental
(a) The length of your arm in mm. quantities. Figure 102 lists the fundamental quantities of
(b) The quantity of milk you drink in a year in the SI system together with their respective SI unit and SI
cm3. symbol.
(c) The mass of your backpack that contains
Quantity SI unit SI symbol
CORE

your school materials in g.

(d) The diameter of a human hair in mm. length metre m
(e) The time you spend at school in a year in mass kilogram kg
minutes. time second s
(f) The number of people in the country electric current ampere A
where you live. thermodynamic
Kelvin K
temperature

1.2 MEASUREMENT & amount of substance

luminous intensity
mole
candela
mol
cd
UNCERTAINTIES Figure 102  Fundamental quantities

Scientists and engineers need to be able to make accurate

THE SI SYSTEM OF FUNDAMENTAL AND measurements so that they can exchange information. To
DERIVED UNITS be useful, a standard of measurement must be:

1.2.1 State the fundamental units in the SI 1. Invariant in time. For example, a standard of
system. length that keeps changing would be useless.

1.2.2 Distinguish between fundamental and 2. Readily accessible so that it can be easily
derived units and give examples of compared.
derived units.
3. Reproducible so that people all over the world can
1.2.3 Convert between different units of check their instruments.
quantities.
The standard metre, in 1960, was defined as the length
1.2.4 State units in the accepted SI format. equal to 1 650 763.73 wavelengths of a particular orange–
red line of krypton–86 undergoing electrical discharge.
1.2.5 State values in scientific notation and in Since 1983 the metre has been defined in terms of the
multiples of units with appropriate prefixes. speed of light. The current definition states that ‘the metre
© IBO 2007
is the length of path travelled by light in a vacuum during
a time interval of 1⁄299 792 453 second’.
1.2.1 Fundamental units
The standard kilogram is the mass of a particular piece
SI units are those of Le Système International d’Unités of platinum-iridium alloy that is kept in Sèvres, France.
adopted in 1960 by the Conférence Générale des Poids Copies of this prototype are sent periodically to Sèvres
et Mesures. They are adopted in all countries for science for adjustments. The standard second is the time for
research and education. They are also used for general 9 192 631 770 vibrations of the cesium-133 atom.
measurement in most countries with the USA and the
UK being the major exceptions. Standards are commonly based upon properties of atoms.
It is for this reason that the standard kilogram could be
Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences in replaced at some future date. When measuring lengths,
that it involves the process of comparing the physical we choose an instrument that is appropriate to the order
properties of what is being measured against reference of magnitude, the nature of the length, and the sensitivity
or fundamental quantities, and expressing the answer in required. For example, the orders of magnitude (the
numbers and units. factor of 10) of the radius of a gold atom, a person’s height
and the radius of the solar system are 10-15, 100 and 1012


 Physics and physical measurement

Physical Name and Symbol Fundamental Derived Units

Symbol
Quantity SI Unit Units Involved involved
frequency f or ν hertz (Hz) s-1 s-1
force F newton (N) kg m s-2 kg m s-2
work W joule (J) kg m2 s-2 Nm
energy Q, Ep, Ek, Eelas joule (J) kg m2 s-2 Nm
power P watt (W) kg m2 s-3 J s-1

CORE
pressure P pascal (Pa) kg m-1 s-2 N m­-2
charge Q coulomb (C) As As
potential V volt (V) kg m2 s-3 A-1 J C-1
difference
resistance R ohm (Ω) kg m2 s-3 A-2 V A-1
magnetic field B tesla (T) kgs-3 A­-­1 NA-1 m-1
intensity
magnetic flux Φ weber (Wb) kg m2 s-2 A-2 T m2
activity A becquerel (Bq) s-1 s-1
absorbed dose W/m gray (Gy) m2 s-2 J kg-1
Figure 103  Derived Units

respectively. The nature of a person’s height is different The unit of electrical energy could be J or W h or kJ or
from that of the radius of a gold atom in that the person’s kWh (kilowatt-hour). In atomic and nuclear physics the
height is macroscopic (visible to the naked eye) and can be unit of energy could be J or eV (electron–volt) where 1 eV
measured with say a metre stick, whereas the diameter of = 1.6 × 10-19 J.
the atom is microscopic and can be inferred from electron
diffraction. 1.2.4 Units in accepted si format
Note the use of the accepted SI format. For example, the
1.2.2 Fundamental and derived unit for acceleration is written as m s–2 and not m/s/s. No
units mathematical denominators are used but rather inverse
numerators are the preferred option.
When a quantity involves the measurement of two or more
fundamental quantities it is called a derived quantity, and 1.2.5 Scientific notation and
the units of these derived quantities are called derived prefixes
units. Some examples include acceleration (m s-2), angular
acceleration (rad s-2) and momentum (kg m s-1or N s). It Scientists tend to use scientific notation when stating
should be noted that the litre (L) and the millilitre (mL) a measurement rather than writing lots of figures.
are often used for measuring the volume of liquid or the 1.2 × 106 is easier to write and has more significance than
capacity of a container. The litre is a derived unit but not a 1 200 000. In order to minimise confusion and ambiguity,
SI unit. The equivalent SI unit is dm3. all quantities are best written as a value between one and
ten multiplied by a power of ten.
Some derived units are relatively complex and contain a
number of fundamental units. Figure 103 lists the common For example, we have that,
relevant derived units and associated information.
0.06 kg = 6 × 10-2 kg
1.2.3 Conversion between
different units 140 kg = 1.4 × 102 kg or 1.40 × 102 kg depending on the
significance of the zero in 140.
Sometimes, it is possible to express the units in different
derived units. This concept will become clear as the various 132.97 kg = 1.3297 × 102 kg
topics are introduced throughout the course. For example,
the unit of momentum can be kg m s-1 or N s. The terms standard notation and standard form are
synonymous with scientific notation. The use of prefixes


 Chapter 1

for units is also preferred in the SI system – multiple or 3. Which one of the following is a fundamental unit?
submultiple units for large or small quantities respectively.
The prefix is combined with the unit name. The main A. Kelvin
prefixes are related to the SI units by powers of three. B. Ohm
C. Volt
However, some other multiples are used. D. Newton
CORE

1 000 000 000 m = 1 Gm 4. Which of the following is measured in

fundamental units?
1 000 000 dm3 = 1 Mdm3
A. velocity
0.000 000 001 s = 1 ns B. electric charge
C. electric current
0.000 001 m = 1 µm D. force

The main prefixes and other prefixes are shown in Figure 104. 5. The density in g cm-3 of a sphere with a radius of
3 cm and a mass of 0.54 kg is:
Multiple Prefix Symbol Multiple Prefix Symbol
1024 yotta Y 10-1 deci d A. 2 g cm‑3 B. 2.0 × 101 g cm-3
10 21
zetta Z 10-2 centi c C. 0.50 g cm-3 D. 5.0 g cm-3
10 18
exa E 10 -3
milli m
1015 peta P 10-6 micro μ 6. Convert the following to fundamental S.I. units.
10 12
tera T 10 ­‑9
nano n
109 giga G 10­-12 pico p (a) 5.6 g (b) 3.5 μ A
(c) 3.2 dm (d) 6.3 nm
106
mega M 10 -15
femto f
(e) 2.25 tonnes (f) 440 Hz
103 kilo k 10-18 atto a
102 hecto h 10-21 zepto z 7. Convert the following to S.I. units
101 deca da 10­-24 yocto y
(a) 2.24 MJ (b) 2.50 kPa
Figure 104  Preferred and some common prefixes
(c) 2.7 km h-1 (d) 2.5 mm2
(e) 2.4 L (f) 3.6 cm3
(g) 230.1 M dm3 (h) 3.62 mm3
Exercise 1.3
8. Estimate the order of magnitude for the following:

1. Which of the following isotopes is associated with (a) your height in metres
the standard measurement of time? (b) the mass of a 250 tonne aeroplane in
kilograms
A. uranium–235 (c) the diameter of a hair in metres
B. krypton–86 (d) human life span in seconds.
C. cesium–133
D. carbon–12 9. Calculate the distance in metres travelled by a
parachute moving at a constant speed of 6 km h-1
2. Which one of the following lists a fundamental in 4 min.
unit followed by a derived unit?
10. The force of attraction F in newtons between the
A. ampere mole earth with mass M and the moon with mass m
B. coulomb watt separated by a distance r in metres from their
C. ampere joule centres of mass is given by the following equation:
D. second kilogram
F = G M m r-2


 Physics and physical measurement

where G is a constant called the Universal A systematic error causes a random set of measurements
Gravitation constant to be spread about a value rather than being spread about
the accepted value. It is a system or instrument error.
Determine the correct SI units of G. Systematic errors can result from:

11. Determine the SI units for viscosity η if the • badly made instruments.
equation for the force on a sphere moving through • poorly calibrated instruments.

CORE
a fluid is: • an instrument having a zero error, a form of
calibration.
F = 6πηrv • poorly timed actions.
• instrument parallax error.
where r is the radius of the sphere, v is the speed of
the sphere in the fluid. Many ammeters and voltmeters have a means of adjustment
to remove zero offset error. When you click a stop-watch,
your reaction time for clicking at the start and the finish of
UNCERTAINTY AND ERROR IN MEASUREMENT the measurement interval is a systematic error. The timing
instrument and you are part of the system.
1.2.6 Describe and give examples of random
and systematic errors. Systematic errors can be eliminated or corrected before
the investigation is carried out on most occasions.
1.2.7 Distinguish between precision and
accuracy. Random uncertainties are due to variations in the
performance of the instrument and the operator. Even when
1.2.8 Explain how the effects of random errors systematic errors have been allowed for, there exists error.
may be reduced. Random uncertainties can be caused by such things as:

1.2.9 Calculate quantities and results of • vibrations and air convection currents in mass
calculations to the appropriate number of readings.
significant figures. • temperature variations.
© IBO 2007
• misreadings.
• variations in the thickness of a surface being
measured (thickness of a wire).
1.2.6 Random and systematic • not collecting enough data.
errors • using a less sensitive instrument when a more
sensitive instrument is available.
Errors can be divided into two main classes,random errors • human parallax error (one has to view the scale of
and systematic errors. the meter in direct line, and not to the sides of the
scale in order to minimise parallax error).
Mistakes on the part of the individual such as:

• misreading scales. 1.2.7 Precision and accuracy

• poor arithmetic and computational skills.
• wrongly transferring raw data to the final report. As well as obtaining a series of measurements with the
• using the wrong theory and equations. correct units for the measurements, an indication of
the experimental error or degree of uncertainty in the
are definite sources of error but they are not considered as measurements and the solution is required. The higher
experimental errors. the accuracy and precision in carrying out investigations,
the lower the degree of uncertainty. The meanings of
the words accuracy and precision are clearly defined in
scientific fields.

Accuracy is an indication of how close a measurement is to

the accepted value indicated by the relative or percentage


 Chapter 1

error in the measurement. An accurate experiment has a However, you should be aware that repeating
low systematic error. measurements may reduce the random uncertainty but at
the same time the systematic error will not be reduced.
Precision is an indication of the agreement among a
number of measurements made in the same way indicated 1.2.9 Significant figures
by the absolute error. A precise experiment has a low
random error. The concept of significant figures may be used to indicate
CORE

the degree of accuracy or precision in a measurement.

Suppose a technician was fine-tuning a computer monitor Significant figures (sf) are those digits that are known with
by aiming an electron gun at a pixel in the screen as shown certainty followed by the first digit which is uncertain.
in Figure 105.
4 Suppose you want to find the volume of a lead cube. You
could measure the length l of the side of a lead cube with
3 a vernier caliper (refer Figure 112). Suppose this length
was 1.76 cm and the volume l cm3 from your calculator
2 reads 5.451776. The measurement 1.76 cm was to three
high accuracy
screen low precision significant figures so the answer can only be to three
1 significant figures. So that the volume = 5.45 cm3.
high accuracy
high precision
The following rules are applied in this book.
pixel low accuracy
high precision
1. All non-zero digits are significant. (22.2 has 3 sf)
low accuracy
low precision
2. All zeros between two non-zero digits are significant.
Figure 105  Precision and accuracy (1007 has 4 sf)

In case 1 there is low accuracy and precision. The technician 3. For numbers less than one, zeros directly after the
needs to adjust the collimator to reduce the scattering of decimal point are not significant. (0.0024 has 2 sf)
electrons, and to change the magnetic field so the electrons
hit the pixel target. In case 2, the electron gun has been 4. A zero to the right of a decimal and following a
adjusted to increase precision but the magnetic field still non-zero digit is significant. (0.0500 has 3 sf)
needs adjustment. In case 3, both adjustments have been
made. Can you give an explanation for case four? 5. All other zeros are not significant. (500 has 1 sf)

1.2.8 Reducing random error Scientific notation allows you to give a zero
significance.
Often the random uncertainty is not revealed until a
large sample of measurements is taken. So taking a For example, 10 has 1 sf but 1.00 x 101 has 3sf.
required number of readings/samples not only reveals
random uncertainty but also helps to reduce it. Consistent 6. When adding and subtracting a series of
experimental procedures can minimise random measurements, the least accurate place value in the
uncertainty. answer can only be stated to the same number of
significant figures as the measurement of the series
Random errors can also be reduced by choosing an with the least number of decimal places.
instrument that has a higher degree of accuracy. When
measuring mass, it would be best to choose a digital For example, if you add 24.2 g and 0.51 g and
balance that can read to 2 decimal points rather than a top 7.134 g, your answer is 31.844 g which has increased
pan balance or a digital balance that can read to 1 decimal in significant digits. The least accurate place value
point. Further reduction of random error can be obtained in the series of measurements is 24.2 g with only
by reducing variations such as air currents, vibrations, one number to the right of the decimal point. So
temperature variation, loss of heat to the surroundings. the answer can only be expressed to 3sf. Therefore,
the answer is 31.8 g or 3.18 × 101 g.


 Physics and physical measurement

7. When multiplying and dividing a series of 2. A voltmeter has a zero offset error of 1.2 V. This
measurements, the number of significant figures in fault will affect:
the answer should be equal to the least number of
significant figures in any of the data of the series. A. neither the precision nor the accuracy of
the readings.
For example, if you multiply 3.22 cm by 12.34 cm by B. only the precision of the readings.
1.8 cm to find the volume of a piece of wood your C. only the accuracy of the readings.

CORE
initial answer is 71.52264 cm3. However, the least D. both the precision and the accuracy of the
significant measurement is 1.8 cm with 2 sf. Therefore, readings.
the correct answer is 72 cm3 or 7.2 × 101 cm3.
3. A student measures the current in a resistor as 655
8. When rounding off a number, if the digit following mA for a potential difference of 2.0 V. A calculator
the required rounding off digit is 4 or less, you shows the resistance of the resistor to be 1.310 Ω.
maintain the last reportable digit and if it is six Which one of the following gives the resistance to
or more you increase the last reportable digit by an appropriate number of significant figures?
one. If it is a five followed by more digits except
an immediate zero, increase the last reportable A. 1.3 Ω
digit. If there is only a five with no digits following, B. 1.31 Ω
increase reportable odd digits by one and maintain C. 1.310 Ω
reportable even digits. D. 1Ω

For example if you are asked to round off the 4. How many significant figures are indicated by each
following numbers to two significant numbers of the following

6.42 becomes 6.4 (a) 1247 (b) 1007

6.46 becomes 6.5 (c) 0.034 (d) 1.20 × 107
6.451 becomes 6.5 (e) 62.0 (f) 0.0025
6.498 becomes 6.5 (g) 0.00250 (h) sin 45.2°
6.55 becomes 6.6 (i) tan -1 0.24 (j) 3.2 × 10-16
6.45 becomes 6.4 (k) 0.0300 (l) 1.0 × 101

As a general rule, round off in the final step of a series of

calculations. 5. Express the following in standard notation
(scientific notation)

Exercise 1.4 (a) 1250 (b) 30007

(c) 25.10 (d) an area of 4 km2 in m2
(e) an object of 12.0 nm in m2
2

1. Consider the following measured quantities

(a) 3.00 ± 0.05 m (b) 12.0 ± 0.3 m 6. Calculate the area of a square with a side of 3.2 m.

Which alternative is the best when the accuracy 7. Add the following lengths of 2.35 cm and 7.62 m
and precision for a and b are compared? and 14.2 m.

a b 8. Calculate the volume of a rectangular block 1.52 cm

by 103.4 cm by 3.1 cm.
A. Low accuracy Low precision
B. Low accuracy High precision 9. A metal has a mass of 2.0 g and a volume of
C. High accuracy Low precision 0.01 cm3. Calculate the density of the metal in
D. High accuracy High precision g cm-3.


 Chapter 1

10. Round off the following to three significant figures: The smallest uncertainty possible with any measuring
device is half the limit of reading. However, most
(a) 7.1249 (b) 2561 investigations generate an uncertainty greater than
(c) 2001 (d) 21256 this. Figure 109 lists the uncertainty of some common
(e) 6.5647 laboratory equipment.

11. Determine the following to the correct number of Metre rule ± 0.05 cm
Vernier calipers ± 0.005 cm
CORE

significant figures:
Micrometer screw gauge ± 0.005 mm
(a) (3.74 – 1.3) × 2.12 × 17.65 50 cm3 measuring cylinder ± 0.2 cm3
(b) (2.9 + 3.2 + 7.1) ÷ 0.134 10 cm3 measuring cylinder ± 0.1 cm3
Electric balance ± 0.005 g
12. Add 2.76 × 10­-6 cm and 3.4 × 10-5 cm. Watch second hand ± 0.5 s
Digital timer ± 0.0005 s
Spring balance (0–20N) ± 0.1 N
UNCERTAINTIES IN CALCULATED RESULTS
Resistor ± 2%
1.2.10 State uncertainties as absolute, fractional
and percentage uncertainties. Figure 109  Equipment uncertainties

1.2.11 Determine the uncertainties in results. Absolute uncertainty is the size of an error and its units.
© IBO 2007
In most cases it is not the same as the maximum degree of
uncertainty (as in the previous example) because it can be
larger than half the limit of reading. The experimenter can
1.2.10 Absolute, fractional and determine the absolute error to be different to half the limit
percentage uncertainties of reading provided some justification can be given. For
example, mercury and alcohol thermometers are quite often
The limit of reading of a measurement is equal to the not as accurate as the maximum absolute uncertainty.
smallest graduation of the scale of an instrument.
Fractional (relative) uncertainty equals the absolute
The maximum degree of uncertainty of a measurement is uncertainty divided by the measurement as follows. It has
equal to half the limit of reading. no units.
absolute uncertainty
When a measuring device is used, more often than not Relative uncertainty = _________________
​  measurement
  
    ​
the measurement falls between two graduations on the
scale being used. In Figure 108, the length of the block is Percentage uncertainty is the relative uncertainty
between 0.4 cm and 0.5 cm. multiplied by 100 to produce a percentage as follows

Percentage uncertainty = relative uncertainty × 100%

object
For example, if a measurement is written as 9.8 ± 0.2 m,
then there is a
part of a ruler
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 cm • limit of reading = 0.1 m
• uncertainty = 0.05 m
Figure 108  Linear measurement • absolute uncertainty = 0.2 m
• relative uncertainty = 0.2 ⁄ 9.8 = 0.02
The limit of reading is 0.05 cm and the uncertainty of the • and percentage uncertainty = 0.02 × 100% = 2%
measurement is ± 0.025 cm.
Percentage uncertainty should not be confused with
The length is stated as 0.47 ± 0.02 cm. (Uncertainties are percentage discrepancy or percentage difference which
given to 1 significant figure). is an indication of how much your experimental answer
varies from the known accepted value of a quantity.

10
 Physics and physical measurement

Percentage discrepancy is often used in the conclusion of If you place two metre rulers on top of each other to
laboratory reports. measure your height, remember that the total error is
the sum of the uncertainty of each metre rule. (0.05 cm +
accepted value – experimental value
= _____________________________
​       ​
   × 100 0.05 cm). If there is a zero offset error on an instrument,
accepted value
say a newton balance, you will have to subtract the given
Note that errors are stated to only one significant figure reading from the zero error value.

1.2.11 Uncertainties in results

CORE
So 25 ± 2.5 N – 2 ± 2.5 equals 23 ± 5N.
determination
3. Multiplication and division
1. THE ARITHMETIC MEAN - AVERAGING involving errors

When a series of readings are taken for a measurement, When multiplying and dividing, add the relative or
then the arithmetic mean of the readings is taken as percentage errors of the measurements being multiplied/
the most probable answer, and the greatest deviation or divided. The absolute error is then the fraction or
residual from the mean is taken as the absolute error. percentage of the most probable answer.

Study the following data in Table 110 for the thickness of a

copper wire as measured with a micrometer screw gauge: Example

Reading/mm 5.821 5.825 5.820 5.832 5.826 5.826 5.828 5.824

Residual/mm –0.004 0 –0.005 +0.007 +0.001 +0.001 +0.003 –0.001 What is the product of 2.6 ± 0.5 cm and 2.8 ± 0.5 cm?

Figure 110  Sample measurements Solution

The sum of the readings = 46.602 and so the mean of the

readings is 5.825. First, we determine the product

Then, the value for the thickness is 5.825 ± 0.007 mm 2.6 cm × 2.8 cm = 7.28 cm2

This method can be used to suggest an approprite uncertainty Relative error 1 = 0.5 ⁄ 2.6 = 0.192
range for trigonometric functions. Alternatively, the mean, Relative error 2 = 0.5 ⁄ 2.8 = 0.179
maximum and minimum values can be calculated to suggest Sum of the
an approprite uncertainty range. For example, if an angle is relative errors = 0.371 or 3.71%
measured as 30 ±2 0, then the mean value of sin 30 = 0.5, the Absolute error = 0.371 x 7.28 cm2 or 3.71% x 7.28 cm2
maximum value is sin 32 = 0.53 and the minimum value is = 2.70 cm2
sin 28 = 0.47. The answer with correct uncertainty range is Errors are expressed to one significant figure = 3 cm2
0.5 ± 0.03. The product is equal to 7.3 ± 3 cm2

2. addition, subtraction and 4. Uncertainties and powers

multiplication involving errors
When raising to the nth power, multiply the percentage
When adding measurements, the error in the sum is the uncertainty by n, and when extracting the nth root , divide
sum of of the absolute error in each measurement taken. the percentage uncertainty by n.

For example, the sum of 2.6 ± 0.5 cm and 2.8 ± 0.5 cm is For example, if the length x of a cube is 2.5 ±0.1cm, then
5.4 ± 1 cm the volume will be given by x3 = 15.625 cm3. The percentage
uncertainty in the volume = 3(0.1⁄2.5 × 100) = 12%.
When subtracting measurements, add the absolute errors.
Therefore, 12% of 15.625 = 1.875.
Volume of the cube = 16 ± 2 cm3.
If x = 9.0 ± 0.3 m, then √x = x = 3.0 ± 0.15 m
1⁄2

= 3.0 ± 0.0.2 m.

11
 Chapter 1

5. Measuring length with vernier

calipers or a micrometer screw Exercise 1.5
gauge

Two length measuring devices with lower uncertainty than 1. A student measures the mass m of a ball. The
the metre rule are vernier calipers and the micrometer percentage uncertainty in the measurement of
screw gauge. The uncertainty of these instruments was the mass is 5%. The student drops the ball from
CORE

given in Figure 109. a height h of 100 m. The percentage uncertainty

in the measurement of the height is 7%. The
anvil calculated value of the gravitational potential
D energy of the ball will have an uncertainty of
0
(Ep = mgh)
0 1 2 3
45

40 A. 2%
spindle
B. 5%
sphere main scale reading vernier scale C. 7%
D. 12%

2. The electrical power dissipation P in a resistor of

Figure 111  A micrometer screw gauge resistance R when a current I is flowing through it
is given by the expression
In Figure 111, the reading on the micrometer screw gauge
is 3.45 mm. You can see that the thimble (on the right of P = I2R.
the guage) is to the right of the 3 mm mark but you cannot
see the 3.5 mm mark on the main scale. The vernier In an investigation, I was determined from
thimble scale is close to the 45 mark. measurements of P and R. The uncertainties in P
and in R are as shown below.

0 1 2 3 4 P ±4%
cm R ± 10 %

0 10 The uncertainty in I would have been most likely

A. 14 %.
B. 7 %.
C. 6 %.
D. 5 %.

3. The mass of the Earth is stated as 5.98 × 1024 kg.

The absolute uncertainty is

A. 0.005
Figure 112  Vernier calipers B. 0.005 kg
C. 0.005 × 1024 kg
In Figure 112, the reading on the vernier calipers is D. 0.005 × 1024
1.95 cm. The vertical line showing zero on the vernier scale
lies between 1.9 cm and 2.0 cm. The vertical graduation on 4. If a = 20 ± 0.5 m and b = 5 ± 1 m, then 2a – b
the vernier scale that matches the main scale best is the should be stated as
fifth graduation.
A. 35 ± 1.5 m
B. 35 ± 2 m
C. 35 ± 0.0 m
D. 5±2m

12
 Physics and physical measurement

5. How should a calculation result be stated if it is 12. The energy E of an α–particle is 4.20 ± 0.03 MeV.
found to be 0.931940 µm with an absolute error of How should the value and uncertainty of E -1⁄2 be
± 0.0005 µm. stated?

6. This question concerns the micrometer screw 13. Suggest an appropriate answer with uncertainty
gauge in the Figure shown below. range for sin θ if θ = 60 ±50.
30

CORE
0 1 35 mm
wire 40
UNCERTAINTIES IN GRAPHS

1.2.12 Identify uncertainties as error bars in

graphs.

1.2.13 State random uncertainty as an

(a) What is the reading and error on the uncertainty range (±) and represent it
micrometer? graphically as an “error bar”.
(b) The thickness of the wire being measured
varies over its length. What sort of error 1.2.14 Determine the uncertainties in the slope
would this be? and intercepts of a straight-line graph.
© IBO 2007

7. A student records the following currents in

amperes A when the potential difference V across
a resistor is 12V: 1.2.12 Uncertainties as error bars
0.9 A 0.9 A 0.85 A 0.8 A 1.2 A 0.75 A When an answer is expressed as a value with uncertainty
0.8 A 0.7 A 0.8 A 0.95 A such as 2.3 ± 0.1 m, then the uncertainty range is evident.
The value lies between 2.4 (2.3 + 0.1) and 2.2 (2.3 – 0.1)
(a) Would you disregard any of the readings? cm. In Physics, we often determine the relationship that
Justify your answer. exists between variables. To view the relationship, we can
(b) Calculate the current and its uncertainty perform an investigation and plot a graph of the dependant
variable (y–axis) against the independant variable (x–axis).
8. A spring balance reads 0.5 N when it is not being This aspect will be discussed fully in section 1.6.1.
used. If the needle reads 9.5 N when masses are
attached to it, then what would be the correct Consider a spring that has various weights attached to
reading to record (with uncertainty)? it. As a heavier weight is attached to a spring, the spring
extends further from its equilibrium position. Figure 115
9. Five measurements of the length of a piece of shows some possible values for this weight/extension
string were recorded in metres as: investigation.

1.48 1.46 1.47 1.50 1.45 Force ± 5 N 100 150 200 250 300
Extension ± 0.2 cm 3.0 4.4 6.2 7.5 9.1
Record a feasible length of the string with its
uncertainty. Figure 115  Extension of a spring

10. A metal cube has a side length of 3.00 ± 0.01 cm. When a graph of force versus extension is plotted, the line
Calculate the volume of the cube. of best fit does not pass through every point. An error bar
can be used to give an indication of the uncertainty range
11. An iron cube has sides 10.3 ± 0.2 cm, and a mass for each point as shown in Figure 116.
of 1.3 ± 0.2 g.
What is the density of the cube in g cm -3? In the vertical direction, we draw a line up and down
for each point to show the uncertainty range of the force
value. Then we place a small horizontal marker line on the
extreme uncertainty boundary for the point.

13
 Chapter 1

In the horizontal direction, we draw a line left and right for 1.2.13,14
each point to show the uncertainty range of the extension
value. Then we place a small vertical marker line on the Random uncertainty
extreme uncertainty boundary for the point. and uncertainties in the
+5 N slope and intercepts of a
straight–line graph
CORE

–0.2 cm +0.2 cm Graphs are very useful for analysing the data that is collected
during investigations and is one of the most valuable tools
used by physicists and physics students because

–5 N (a) they give a visual display of the relationship that

exists between two or more variables.
Figure 116  Error Bars
(b) they show which data points obey the relationship
When all the points in Figure 115 are plotted on a graph, and which do not.
then the line of best fit with the appropriate error bars is
shown in Figure 117. You can see that the line of best fit (c) they give an indication of the point at which a
lies within the error bar uncertainty range. The line of best particular relationship ceases to be true.
fit is interpolated between the plotted points. The line of
best fit is extrapolated outside the plotted points. (d) they can be used to determine the constants in an
equation relating two variable quantities.

Some of these features are shown in the graphs of

300 Figure 118. Notice how two variables can be drawn on the
same axis as in Figure 118 (b).
250
Interpolation
200 –1
velocity/ms (a) power/ W (b) temperature/°C
Force /N

150

100

50
Extrapolation time /s time /s

0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0

Extension /cm Figure 118  Examples of graphs

Figure 117  Example Of Error Bars

1. Choice of axes
Error bars will not be expected for trigonometric or A variable is a quantity that varies when another quantity
logarithmic functions in this course. is changed. A variable can be an independent variable, a
dependent variable or a controlled variable. During an
experiment, an independent variable is altered while the
dependent variable is measured. Controlled variables
are the other variables that may be present but are kept
constant. For example, when measuring the extension of
a spring when different masses are added to it, the weight
force is altered and the extension from the spring’s original
length is measured. The force would be the independent
variable plotted on the x-axis and the extension would be
the dependant variable plotted on the y-axis. (The extension
depends on the mass added). Possible controlled variables

14
 Physics and physical measurement

would be using the same spring, the same measuring 2. Scales

device and the same temperature control. In order to convey the desired information, the size of the
graph should be large, and this usually means making the
The values of the independent variable are plotted on graph fill as much of the graph paper as possible. Choose
the x-axis (the abscissa), and the values of the dependent a convenient scale that is easily subdivided.
variable are plotted on the y-axis (the ordinate), as shown
in Figure 119.
3. Labels

CORE
(dependent variable) Each axes is labelled with the name and/or symbols of the
y–axis quantity plotted and the relevant unit used. For example,
you could write current/A or current (A). The graph can
also be given a descriptive title such as ‘graph showing the
2nd quadrant 1st quadrant relationship between the pressure of a gas and its volume
(independent at constant temperature”.
x–axis variable)
3rd quadrant 4th quadrant
4. Plotting the points
Points are plotted with a fine pencil cross or as a circled
dot. In many cases, error bars are required. These are
short lines drawn from the plotted points parallel to the
Figure 119  Use of axes axes indicating the absolute error of the measurement. A
typical graph is shown in Figure 120.
It is not always clear which variable is the dependent and
which is the independent. When time is involved it is
the independent variable. In many electrodynamic and
10
electromagnetic experiments the potential difference
(voltage) or the current can be varied to see what happens
Potential difference/ V

to the other variable – either could be the independent

variable. Most experimental results will be plotted in the
first quadrant. However, they can extend over the four 5
quadrants as is the case with aspects of simple harmonic
motion and waves, alternating current and the cathode ray
oscilloscope to name a few.

When you are asked to plot a graph of displacement 1.0 2.0 3.0
against time or to plot a graph of force versus time, the current/ A
variable first mentioned is plotted on the y-axis. Therefore
displacement and force would be plotted on the y-axis in Figure 120  An example of plotting points
the two given examples.

These days, graphs are quickly generated with graphic 5. Lines of best fit
calculators and computer software. This is fine for quickly The line or curve of best fit is called the line of best fit.
viewing the relationship being investigated. However, When choosing the line or curve of best fit it is practical to
the graph is usually small and does not contain all the use a transparent ruler. Position the ruler until it lies along
information that is required, such as error bars. Generally, the ideal line. Shapes and curves can be purchased to help
a graph should be plotted on a piece of 1 or 2 mm graph you draw curves. The line or curve does not have to pass
paper and the scale chosen should use the majority of the through every point. Do not assume that the line should
graph paper. In the beginning of the course, it is good pass through the origin as lines with an x-intercept or
practice to plot some graphs manually. As the course y- intercept are common.
progresses, software packages that allow for good graphing
should be explored.

15
 Chapter 1

Two equations that you will become familiar with in

Chapter 2 are:

work (J) = force (N) × displacement (m)

10
Potential difference/ V

distance (m) = speed (m s -1) × time (s)

7.5
CORE

b In these examples, the area under the straight line

(Figure 1.22(a)) will give the values for the work done
rise

5 (5N × 2m = 10 J).
rise
m=
run
In Figure 1.22(b), the area enclosed by the triangle will
run
give the distance travelled in the first eight seconds
(i.e., ½ × 8 s × 10 m s‑1 = 40 m).
1.1 2.3 current/ A

Figure 121  A graph showing the error range GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Normally, the line of best fit should lie within the error AND DETERMINATION OF
range of the plotted points as shown in Figure 118. The RELATIONSHIPS
uncertainty in the slope and intercepts can be obtained
by drawing the maximum and minimum lines passing
through the error bars. The line of best fit should lie Straight–line Equation
in between these two lines. The uncertainty in the
y-intercept can be determined as being the difference The ‘straight line’ graph is easy to recognise and analyse.
in potential difference between the best fit line and the Often the relationships being investigated will first
maximum/minimum lines. The uncertainty in the slope produce a parabola, a hyperbola or an exponential growth
can be obtained using the same procedure. However, do or decay curve. These can be transformed to a straight line
not forget that you are dividing. You will therefore have to relationship (as we will see later).
add the percentage errors to find the final uncertainty.
y
In the graph, the top plotted point appears to be a data
point that could be discarded as a mistake or a random
rise
uncertainty.
run
b
AREA UNDER A STRAIGHT
LINE GRAPH x

The area under a straight line graph is a useful tool in Figure 123  A Staight Line Graph
Physics. Consider the two graphs of Figure 122.
The general equation for a straight line is

(a) (b) y = mx + c
10
speed/ m s-1

10 where y is the dependent variable, x is the independent

force/ N

variable, m is the slope or gradient given by

vertical run Δy
2 8 --------------------------------- = ------
displacement / m time / s horizontal run Δx

Figure 122  The area under a graph and b is the point where the line intersects the y-axis.

16
 Physics and physical measurement

In short, an ‘uphill’ slope is positive and a ‘downhill’ slope

is negative. The value of m has units. Standard Graphs
Consider Figure 124 below. The slope of the graph shown
can be determined. Note that only a small portion of the 1. Linear
line of best fit is used. The linear graph shows that y is directly proportional to x

CORE
y

10
rise
k = --------
Potential difference/ V

m = rise
run
---------
7.5 run
b x
rise
5
run i.e., y α x or y = k x where k is the constant of
proportionality.

2. Parabola
1.1 2.3 current/ A The parabola shows that y is directly proportional to
x2. That is, y α x2 or y = k x2 where k is the constant of
Figure 124  Determining the slope of the graph proportionality.

y y
∆y 5.0 – 7.5
m = rise/run = ___
​   ​= _______
​   
 ​ = –2.08 V A-1
∆x 2.3 – 1.1
The equation for the graph shown is generally given as
x x2
V = ε – Ir or V = -Ir + ε
In the equation s = u t + ½ a t2 , where,
Because V and I are variables, then m = -r and b = ε.
s = displacement in m
If T = 2 π√(l/g) where T and l are the variables, and 2π u = initial velocity in m s–1
and g are constants, then T plotted against l will not give a = acceleration in m s–2
a straight-line relationship. But if a plot of T against √l or t = time in s
T 2 against l is plotted, it will yield a straight line.
then, s α t2, k = ½ a ⁄ m s-2 and u = y–intercept
These graphs are shown in below.

(i)  T vs l (ii)  T vs √ l (iii)  T2 vs l 3. Hyperbola

The hyperbola shows that y is inversely proportional to x
or y is directly proportional to the reciprocal of x.
T T T2

i.e., y α 1 ⁄ x or xy = k

l l l

Figure 125  Some different relationships

17
 Chapter 1

Sinusoidal Graph
y y λ = wavelength

λ
2

amplitude/ m
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 length / m
x ---
x
–2
CORE

An example of an inverse proportionality is found in A = amplitude

relating pressure, P, and volume, V, of a fixed mass of gas

amplitude/ m
at constant temperature A

​ k  ​
​ 1 ​ ⇒ P = __
P α __
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 time / s
V V
or PV = k (= constant) The equations for these graphs will be explored in Chapter
4 when you will study oscillations and simple harmonic
F F motion.

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS (AHL)

1
-----2
d d Exponential and logarithmic
An inverse square law graph is also a hyperbola. The force graphs
F between electric charges at different distances d is given If the rate of change of a quantity over time depends on the
by: original amount of matter, the rate of change may well be
k q1q2 exponential. Certain elements undergo exponential decay
F= when they decay radioactively. When bacteria reproduce, the
r2
change of bacteria over time is given by an exponential growth.
A graph of F versus d has a hyperbolic shape, and a graph
of F versus 1 ⁄ d 2 is a straight line. Consider a sample of a material with an original number
of atoms N0 that undergo radioactive decay as shown in
Figure 131. It can be shown that the number of atoms N
4. Sinusoidal left to decay after a period of time t is given by
A sinusoidal graph is a graph that has the shape of a sine
curve and its mathematics is unique. It can be expressed N = N0e-kt
using degrees or radians.
From the logarithmic equations given in Appendix 1, it
The wavelength λ is the length of each complete wave in can be shown that
metres and the amplitude A is the maximum displacement
from the x-axis. In the top sinusoidal graph the wavelength lnN = - kt + lnN0
is equal to 5m and the amplitude is equal to 2m.
Therefore when lnN is plotted against time the slope of the
The frequency f of each wave is the number of waves straight line produced is equal to –k.
occurring in a second measured in hertz (Hz) or s–1.
The period T is the time for one complete wave. In the N ln N

bottom sinusoidal wave, the frequency is 5 Hz, and the N0

ln N0
period is 0.2 s. slope = – k

time / s time / s

Figure 131  Logarithmic Graphs

18
 Physics and physical measurement

Now let us examine a logarithmic function. In 4. Given that s = ½ gt2 where s is the distance
thermodynamics, the pressure p versus volume V curve travelled by a falling object in time t, and g is a
for an adiabatic change at constant temperature is given constant. The following data is provided:
by the equation
s (m) 5.0 20 45 80
pVγ = k (where γ and k are constants) T2 (s2) 1.0 4.0 9.0 16

CORE
If we take the log of both sides then the equation will be Plot a relevant graph in order to determine the
log p + γ log V = log k value of the constant g.

Now if the equation is rearranged into the straight line for (AHL)
y = mx + b, we get
5. ​ ( RE ) ​ 
It can be shown that V = ______ where E and r are
​  R + r  ​
log p = - γ log V + log k constants.

If a graph of log p versus log V is plotted, a straight line In order to obtain a straight line graph, one would
is obtained with the gradient being equal to γ and the y- plot a graph of
intercept being equal to log k.
1 ​  against R
A.  __
V
Exercise 1.6 B. V against R

1 ​  against __
C.  __  1 ​
V R
1. It can be shown that the pressure of a fixed
mass of gas at constant temperature is inversely D. V against __ 1 ​
R
proportional to the volume of the gas. If a graph of
pressure versus volume was plotted, the shape of 6. The magnetic force F between 2 magnets and their
the graph would be distance of separation d are related by the equation
F = kdn where n and k are constants.
A. a straight line
B. a parabola (a) What graph would you plot to determine
C. an exponential graph the values of the two constants?
D. a hyperbola (b) From the graph how could you determine n
and k?
2. Newton showed that a force of attraction F of two
masses m and M separated by a distance d was 7. The intensity I of a laser beam passing through a
given by F α Mm ⁄ d 2. If m and M are constant, a cancer growth decreases exponentially with the
graph of F versus d -2 would have which shape? thickness x of the cancer tissue according to the
equation I = I0 e –μ x, where I0 is the intensity before
A. a parabola absorption and µ is a constant for cancer tissue.
B. a straight line
C. a hyperbola What graph would you draw to determine the
D. an exponential shape values of I0 and µ?

3. The resistance of a coil of wire Rθ increases as the

temperature θ is increased. The resistance Rθ at a UNCERTAINTIES IN GRAPHS
temperature can be expressed as Rθ = R0
(1 + µθ) where µ is the temperature coefficient of (EXTENSION)
resistance. Given the following data , plot a graph
that will allow you to determine R0 and µ. Students must be able to determine the uncertainties in
the slope and intercepts of a straight line graph. In order
Rθ / Ω 23.8 25.3 26.5 28.1 29.7 31.7 to cover this skill, it is best to use an example.
θ / °C 15 30 45 60 80 100

19
 Chapter 1

Because the wavelength is given to two significant figures,

Example the frequency can only be given to two significant figures.

For division, to find the frequency from hc ⁄ λ , the relative

The schematic diagram in Figure 134 demonstrates uncertainty in the frequency has to be calculated for each
an experiment to determine Planck’s Constant. The wavelength. For example, for dark red:
wavelength (λ) of light from the light source incident
CORE

on a metal photoemissive plate of a photoelectric cell is the relative uncertainty = 0.3 × 10-7 ÷ 6.1 × 10-7 = 0.0492
varied, and the stopping voltage Vs applied across the
photoelectric cell is measured. the absolute uncertainty = 0.0492 × 1.6 × 1014

= ± 0.07 × 1014 Hz
Light source

In this case, the absolute uncertainty is not half the limit

A Switches to allow of reading as the absolute uncertainty of the wavelength
reversal of current
was given as ± 0.3 × 10-7 m. Remember that the minimum
Vacuum tube
V possible absolute uncertainty is half the limit of reading
+ – variable source which would be ± 0.05 × 10-7m.
of voltage

Light Stopping λ Frequency Uncertainty

Figure 134  Determining Planck’s Constant Radiation Voltage Vs ± 0.3 × 10-7m
× 1014 Hz ± 1014 Hz
Colour ±0.05 V
The following values were obtained for different light Red 1.20 6.1 1.6 0.07
radiation colours Orange 1.40 5.5 1.8 0.09
Yellow 1.55 5.2 1.9 0.1
Light Radiation Stopping Voltage Vs λ Green 1.88 4.6 2.2 0.1
Colour ±0.05 V ± 0.3 × 10-7
Blue 2.15 4.2 2.4 0.2
Red 1.20 6.1
Violet 2.50 3.8 2.6 0.2
Orange 1.40 5.5
Yellow 1.55 5.2
Green 1.88 4.6 Figure 136  Data showing uncertainties
Blue 2.15 4.2
(b) Plot a fully labelled graph graph paper with
Violet 2.50 3.8
stopping voltage on the vertical axis against the
reciprocal of the wavelength on the horizontal
Figure 135   Data For Planck’s Constant axis. Allow for a possible negative y–intercept.

It can be shown that for this experiment hc ⁄ λ = h f Now can you put in the error bars for each point and label
= Φ + eVs where h is Planck’s Constant the axis. There will be a negative y–intercept.

c is the speed of light constant 3 x 108 m s-1 Mark in the gradient and the y–intercept.

λ is the wavelength in m and f is the frequency in Hz The required graph is shown in Figure 137. Note the
maximum and minimum lines and the line of best fit , the
Φ is the work function. gradient of the straight line of best fit and the value of the
negative y–intercept.
e is the charge on an electron (1.6 × 10-19C)

(a) Copy Figure 135, add 2 more columns and

complete the frequency and the uncertainties
columns for each colour of light radiation in the
table.

20
 Physics and physical measurement

2.5
The threshold frequency is the x-intercept
2

= 2.2 ± 0.6 × 1014 Hz

Stopping voltage (electron volts)

1.5
2.07

1
(e) From the graph, calculate the work function of the
0.5 photoemissive surface in the photoelectric cell in
4.62

0 joules and electron-volts.

CORE
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

-0.5

The y–intercept is equal to – Φ ⁄ e

-1

-1.5
Frequency exp 14 Hz Work function, Φ = e × (y-intercept) = 1.6 × 10-19 C × -1 V
= 1.6 × 10-19 J
Figure 137  Data for Planck’s Constant

(c) Calculate Planck’s Constant by graphical means Exercise 1.7

and compare your value with the theoretical value
of 6.63 × 10-34 J s.
1. An investigation was undertaken to determine the
The equation given at the start of this example was: relationship between the length of a pendulum l
and the time taken for the pendulum to oscillate
hc ⁄ λ = h f = Φ + eVS twenty times. The time it takes to complete one
swing back and forth is called the period T. It can
If we rearrange this equation in the form y = mx + c, the be shown that
equation becomes: __
T = 2π​ _​ gl ​ ​ 
VS = h f ⁄ e – Φ ⁄ e

√
where g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Therefore, the gradient = h ⁄e = 2.07 V ⁄ 4.62 × 10 s 14 -1

The data in the table below was obtained.

= 4.5 × 10-15 Vs
(a) Copy the table and complete the period
h = gradient ⁄ e = 4.5 × 10 Vs × 1.6 × 10 C -15 -19
column for the measurements. Be sure to
give the uncertainty and the units of T.
= 7.2 × 10-34 Js (b) Calculate the various values for T2
including its units.
The accepted value of Planck’s constant is 6.63 × 10-34 Js. (c) Determine the absolute error of T2 for each
value.
The percentage discrepancy = 7.2 – 6.63 ⁄ 6.63 × 100% (d) Draw a graph of T2 against l. Make sure that
you choose an appropriate scale to use as
= 8.6 % much of a piece of graph paper as possible.
Label the axes, put a heading on the graph,
(d) Determine the minimum frequency of the and use error bars. Draw the curve of best fit.
photoelectric cell by graphical means. (e) What is the relationship that exists between
T2 and l?
(f) Are there any outliers?
(g) From the graph determine a value for g.

Length of pendulum ± 0.05 m Time for 20 oscillations ± 0.2 s Period T T2 Absolute error of T2
0.21 18.1
0.40 25.5
0.62 31.5
0.80 36.8
1.00 40.4

21
 Chapter 1

1.3 VECTORS AND SCALARS

When vectors are graphed, the system of coordinates is
1.3.1 Distinguish between vector and scalar called a rectangular coordinate system or a Cartesian
quantities, and give examples of each. coordinate system, or simply, a coordinate plane. Vectors
in the same plane are said to be co-planar.
CORE

1.3.2 Determine the sum or difference of two

vectors by a graphical method. 1.3.2 The sum or difference of
two vectors
1.3.3 Resolve vectors into perpendicular
components along chosen axes.
© IBO 2007
Addition of vectors
From simple arithmetic it is known that 4 cm + 5 cm = 9 cm
1.3.1 vectors and scalars -
However, in vector context, a different answer is possible
examples when 4 and 5 are added.

Scalars are quantities that can be completely described For example, 4 cm north (N) + 5 cm south (S) = 1 cm south
by a magnitude (size). Scalar quantities can be added
algebraically. They are expressed as a positive or negative Suppose you move the mouse of your computer 4 cm up
number and a unit. Some scalar quantities, such as mass, your screen (N), and then 5 cm down the screen (S), you
are always positive, whereas others, such as electric charge, move the mouse a total distance of 9 cm. This does not
can be positive or negative. Figure 139 lists some examples give the final position of the arrow moved by the mouse.
of scalar and vector quantities. In fact, the arrow is 1cm due south of its starting point, and
this is its displacement from its original position. The first
Scalars Vectors statement adds scalar quantities and the second statement
distance (s) displacement (s) adds two vector quantities to give the resultant vector R.
speed velocity (v)
mass (m) area (A) The addition of vectors which have the same or opposite
time (t) acceleration (a) directions can be done quite easily:
volume (V) momentum (p)
temperature (T) force (F) 1 N east + 3 N east = 4 N east (newton force)
charge (Q) torque (τ)
200 µm north + 500 µm south = 300 µm south
density (ρ) angular momentum (L)
(micrometre)
pressure (P) flux density(Φ)
energy (E) electric field intensity (E) 300 m s­-1 north-east + 400 m s-1 south-west =
power (P) magnetic field intensity (B) 100 m s-1 south west (velocity)

Figure 139  Examples of scalar and vector quantities The addition of co-planar vectors that do not have the
same or opposite directions can be solved by using scale
Vectors are quantities that need both magnitude and drawings or by calculation using Pythagoras’ theorem and
direction to describe them. The magnitude of the vector is trigonometry.
always positive. In this textbook, vectors will be represented
in heavy print. However, they can also be represented by Vectors can be denoted by boldtype, with an arrow above
→
underlined symbols or symbols with an arrow above or the letter, or a tilde, i.e., a, a or a~ respectively. They are
below the symbol. Because vectors have both magnitude represented by a straight line segment with an arrow at
and direction, they must be added, subtracted and the end. They are added by placing the tail of one to the
multiplied in a special way. tip of the first (placing the arrow head of one to the tail
of the other). The resultant vector is then the third side
The basic mathematics of vector analysis will be outlined of the triangle and the arrowhead points in the direction
hereunder, and no mention will be made of i, j and k unit from the ‘free’ tail to the ‘free’ tip. This method of adding is
vectors. called the triangle of vectors (see Figure 140).

22
 Physics and physical measurement

Ta il R =a + b
+
Solution
a b =
a b

Head
Method 1 By scale drawing
Figure 140  Addition Of Vectors
N A

CORE
The parallelogram of vectors rule for adding vectors can
also be used. That is, place the two vectors tail to tail 37°
and then complete a parallelogram, so that the diagonal
40 m
starting where the two tails meet, becomes the resultant
vector. This is shown in Figure 118.

C B
30 m
a
Figure 143  Orienteering
R =a+b
Draw a sketch of the two stages of your journey.
b
From the sketch make a scale drawing using 1 cm equal to
10 m (1 cmþ: 10m).
Figure 141  Addition of vectors using parallelogram rule
If you then draw the resultant AC, it should be 5 cm in
If more than two co-planar vectors are to be added, place length. Measure ∠CAB ​with a protractor.
them all head to tail to form a polygon. Consider the three
vectors, a, b and c shown in Figure 142. Adding the three The angle should be about 37°.
vectors produces the result shown in Figure (b).
Therefore, you are 50 m in a direction south 37° west from
b your starting point (i.e., S 37° W).
c c
a b a Method 2 By calculation
R =a+b+c
(a) (b) Using Phythagoras’ theorem, we have
________
Figure 142  Addition of more than two vectors ​AC​2​= ​40​2​+ ​30​2​∴ AC = √
​ ​40​2​+ ​30​2​ ​ 
= 50

Notice then that a + b + c = a + c + b = b + a + c = . . . That (taking the positive square root).

is, vectors can be added in any order, the resultant vector
remaining the same. From the tan ratio,
opposite
tanθ = _______
​  ​ BC  ​= ___
 ​ we have tanθ = ___ ​ 30  ​= 0.75
Example adjacent AB 40
∴ ​tan​–1​​( 0.75 )​= 36.9°

On an orienteering expedition, you walk 40 m due south You are 50 m in a direction south 37° west from your
and then 30 m due west. Determine how far and in what starting point (i.e. S 37° W).
direction are you from your starting point.

23
 Chapter 1

Subtraction of vectors
In Chapter 2, you will describe motion – kinematics. You (5.0 m s–1 )
vf
will learn that change in velocity, Δv ,is equal to the final
velocity minus the initial velocity, v – u. Velocity is a vector ∆v = v f – vi
quantity so Δv , v and u are vectors. To subtract v – u, you
(7.1 m s–1 )
reverse the direction of u to obtain –u, and then you add
vector v and vector –u to obtain the resultant Δ v.
(– v i )
(5.0 m s–1)
CORE

That is, Δ v = v + (–u). Vectors v and u are shown.

For v – u, we reverse the direction of u and then add head
to tail
Using the same scale as that used for the 5.0 m s-1 velocity
(–u)
vector, the change in velocity is 7.1 m s-1 at right angles to
u R = v + (–u) the cushion.
v =v– u v

We could also use Pythagoras’ theorem to determine the

length (or magnitude) of the change in velocity vector, Δ v:
Figure 144  Subtraction of vectors
|Δv|2 = |vf|2 + |vi|2,
__
Example so that |Δv|2 = 52 + 52 = 50 ∴ |Δv|2 = √​50 ≈ 7.1  
m s-1

A snooker ball is cued and strikes the cushion of the Multiplying vectors and scalars
snooker table with a velocity of 5.0 m s-1 at an angle of Scalars are multiplied and divided in the normal algebraic
45° to the cushion. It then rebounds off the cushion with manner, for example:
a velocity of 5.0 m s-1 at an angle of 45° to the cushion.
Determine change in velocity? (Assume the collision is 5m ÷ 2 s = 2.5 m s-1 2 kW × 3 h = 6 kW h (kilowatt-hours)
perfectly elastic with no loss in energy).
A vector multiplied by a scalar gives a vector with the
same direction as the vector and magnitude equal to the
Solution product of the scalar and the vector.

For example: 3 × 15 N east = 45 N east;

You can solve this problem by scale drawing or calculation.
Draw a sketch before solving the problem, then draw the 2kg × 15 m s-1 south = 30 kg m s-1 south
correct vector diagram.
The vector analysis of a vector multiplied by a vector
is not required for the syllabus. However, you will
encounter these situations when you study work, energy
and electromagnetism. Two points will be made in an
oversimplified manner:

1. Vectors can be multiplied to give a scalar answer.

Vector diagram:
For example, force can be multiplied by a
45 °
v i 45 ° vf displacement to give work which is a scalar.
5 m/s 5 m/s Finding the product in this manner is called the
dot product, i.e., U • V = |U| |V| cos θ where θ is
Notice that the lengths of the initial velocity vector, the angle between the directions of V and U.
vi , and the final velocity vector, v f , are equal.

Using the vector diagram above we can now draw a vector

diagram to show the change in velocity.

24
 Physics and physical measurement

2. ������������������������������������������������
Which one of the following is a vector quantity?
U θ V
A. Work
B. Speed
Figure 147  Multiplying vectors C. Acceleration
D. Pressure
2. The product of two vectors can also give a vector

CORE
answer. For example, the force exerted on a proton 3. Which one of the following is a scalar quantity?
moving with a velocity in a magnetic field is
given by the equation F = qv × B where q is the A. Force
charge in coulombs, v is the velocity in metres per B. Velocity
second, and B is the magnetic field strength in C. Momentum
teslas. q is a scalar and v and B are vectors. D. Energy

The answer F is a vector. Finding the product in 4. ������������������������������������������������

The diagram below shows a boat crossing a river
this manner is called the cross product, V × U. with a velocity of 4 m s-1 north. The current flows
at 3 m s–1 west.
The magnitude of the cross product, V × U is
given by |V × U| = |U| |V| sin θ

The direction of of the answer, V × U is at right angles

current 3m s-1
to both V and U and can be found by curling the fingers
4 m s-1
of your right hand in the direction of V so that they curl
towards U when you bend them. Your thumb is then boat
pointing in the required direction.

The resultant magnitude of the velocity of the boat

V ×U
will be

A. 3 m s-1
B. 4 m s-1
U C. 5 m s-1
θ
V D. 7 m s-1

5. Two vectors with displacements of 10 m north–

Figure 148  Right Hand Rule west and 10 m north–east are added. The direction
of the resultant vector is
In the Figure 148, the direction of V × U is‘up’ the page.
A. south B. north-east
C. north D. north-west
Exercise 1.8
6. Add the following vectors by the graphical method

1. Which of the following lines best represents the (a) 4 m south and 8 m north,
vector 175 km east (1 cm : 25 km)? (b) 5m north and 12 m west,
(c) 6.0 N west and 6.0 N north,
A.
(d) 9.0 m s-1 north + 4.0 m s-1 east + 6.0 m s-1 south.
B.

C.

D.

25
 Chapter 1

7. Subtract the following vectors by either the From trigonometry

graphical method or by calculation
opposite = ------ y
sin θ = --------------------------
(a) 2 m east from 5 m east (i.e., 5 m east – 2m hypotenuse F
east), adjacent = ------ x
cos θ = --------------------------
(b) 9 m s -2 north from 4 m s-2 south, hypotenuse F
(c) 4.0 N north from 3.0 N east,
CORE

(d) 3.2 T east from 5.1 T south. and cos θ = adjacent ⁄ hypotenuse = x ⁄ F

8. Calculate the following products This means that the magnitude of the vertical component
= y = F sin θ
(a) 20 m s-1 north by 3
(b) 12 by 5 N s north 12° east and the magnitude of the horizontal component
= x = F cos θ
9. If a cyclist travelling east at 40 m s–1 slows down to
20 m s–1, what is the change in velocity?
Example
10. Find the resultant of a vector of 5 m north 40°
west added to a vector of 8 m east 35° north
A sky rocket is launched from the ground at an angle of
61.00 with an initial velocity of 120 m s-1. Determine the
1.3.3 Resolution of vectors components of this initial velocity?

The process of finding the components of vectors is called

resolving vectors. Just as two vectors can be added to give Solution
a resultant vector, a single vector can be split into two
components or parts.

The vector 5m south has a vertical component of 5 m Vector diagram:

south and a zero horizontal component just as the vector 120
10 N east has a zero vertical component and a horizontal y
component of 10 N east.
61° 61°
Suppose you have a vector that is at an angle to the x
horizontal direction. Then that vector consists of
measurable horizontal and vertical components. In Figure From the vector diagram we have that
151, the vector F is broken into its components. Note that
the addition of the components gives the resultant F. y-
sin 61° = -------- ⇒ y = 120 sin61 °
120
= 104.954...
F Vertical 2
= 1.05 × 10
component
θ x
- ⇒ x = 120 cos 61 °
and cos 61 ° = --------
120
Horizontal component
= 104.954...= 1.05 × 102 and
F
y
= 58.177...
θ
x = 58.2

Figure 151  Resolution of vectors That is, the magnitude of the vertical component is
1.1 × 102 m s-1 and the magnitude of the horizontal
component is 58 m s-1.

26
 Physics and physical measurement

Exercise 1.9 12 N

8.0 N
1. The vertical component of a vector of a 4.0 N force
acting at 30° to the horizontal is
45 0 25 0

CORE
A. 4.3 N 8.0 N
B. 2N
C. 4N 15 N
D. 8.6 N

2. Calculate the horizontal component of a force of

8.4 N acting at 60.0° to the horizontal.

3. Calculate the vertical and horizontal components

of the velocity of a projectile that is launched
with an initial velocity of 25.0 m s-1 at an angle of
elevation of 65° to the ground.

4. Calculate the easterly component of a force of 15

N south-east.

5. Calculate the vector whose components are 5.0 N

vertically and 12 N horizontally.

6. Calculate F in the diagram below if the sum of all

the forces in the is zero.

A B

AC = 2 N BC = 2 N and
∠ACD = 135 ° ∠BCD = 135 °

7. Calculate the acceleration of a small object down

a frictionless plane that is inclined at 30.0° to the
horizontal. Take the acceleration due to gravity g
equal to 9.81 ms-2.

8. Calculate the resultant force of all the forces acting

on a point object in the diagram below.

27
 Chapter 1

Geometry
APPENDIX 1 x y x+y
Indices
a ×a = a
x
MATHEMATICAL 1. aa ÷× aa == a
xx yy
----
y
x+y x–y
a- = a
ax
REQUIREMENTS x y
2. a x÷ya = x----
a - = ax – y
×y
(a ) = a y
a
CORE

During this course you should experience a range 3. a x x× yb x = x( a x

(a ) = a × b )
×y
of mathematical techniques. You will be required to x y x+y
a 0 × a =1 xa = 1, 0xx = 0 ( x ≠ 0 ) , x a = a 1 ⁄ x
develop mathematical skills in the areas of arithmetic 4. aa x ×= b1x, = (xa × b )
and computation, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, x0 y a x–y 1⁄x
a ÷ a = x----- = a x x
and graphical and vector analysis for both external and 5. a = 1, 1 y= 1, 0 = 0 ( x ≠ 0 ) , a = a
a
internal assessment.
x y x×y
( ax ) = a
Logarithms
a = y ⇔ x = log ay
Mathematical sentences x x x
a × b = (a × b )
1. logx x + log y = log ( x × y ) , x > 0, y > 0.
a0 = y ⇔x x = logx y 1⁄x
= is equal to a = 1, 1 = 1, 0 ax= 0 ( x ≠ 0 ) , x a = a
⁄ divided by or in units of log x – log y = log -- , x > 0, y >
2. log x + log y = log (yx × y ) , x > 0, y > 0.0.
< is less than x
> is greater than 3. xlog y >-y-0. , x > 0, y > 0.
y y=x ,log
logxy– =loglog
∝ is proportional to
x
≈ is approximately equal to x y=x ,log
4. ax log= yy =⇔log y a>y0.
∆x a small difference between two values of x
log x + log y = log ( x × y ) , x > 0, y > 0.
|x| the absolute value of x
x
log x – log y = log -- , x > 0, y > 0.
y
x
x log y = log y , y > 0.
1
Area of any triangle = --- bh
2
h
b
c
b a
Surface area of a cuboid = 2(ab + bc + ac)
r
Area of a hollow cylinder = 2πh
h Surface area of a cylinder = 2π r (h + r)
Volume of a cylinder = πr2h
r

Circumference = 2πr
r
Area of a circle = πr2
Volume of a sphere = 43 πr3
Surface area of a sphere = 4πr2

28
 Physics and physical measurement

Trigonometry
Exercise 1.10

θ 1. Convert 13⁄17 to a decimal and to a percentage.

b
2. Use a calculator to find 3.63 and log 120.
c

CORE
3. Make y the subject of the equation if x = 2y – 6.

B a C 4. Make v the subject of the equation given that

C F = mv2 ⁄ r

5. Make g the subject of the equation given that

a T = 2π √ (l / g)

b 6. Solve for x and y in the following simultaneous

equations
c B
A 2x + 4y = 18
x – y = –1
opposite a ​
sinθ = __________
​     ​  = ​ __
hypotenuse b
7. Calculate the following
adjacent
cosθ = __________
​    = ​ __c ​
 ​ 
hypotenuse b
(a) 162 + 163
opposite a ​
tanθ = _______
​   ​ 
= ​ __
c (b) 251..5
adjacent
(c) (√ 2) 4
​ sinθ  ​,  cos θ ≠ 0
tanθ = _____ (d) (√3) -2
cosθ
For very small angles, sin θ ≈ tan θ ≈ θ , cos θ ≈ 1 8. Evaluate the following

​  a   ​ = ____
Sine rule: ____ ​  b   ​ = ____
​  c   ​  (a) log 464
sinA sinB sinC
(b) log 10 0.01
Cosine rule: a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc × cos A
9. Find the circumference and area of a circle of
​ 1 ​ ab × sinC
Area of triangle: A = __ radius 0.8 cm.
2
Identities: 10. Calculate the volume and surface area of a sphere
of radius 0.023 m.
2 2
sin A + cos A = 1
11. How many radians are there in
sin ( A – B ) + sin ( A + B ) = 2 sin A sin B
sin A + sin B = 2 sin [ ( A + B ) ⁄ 2 ] × cos [ ( A – B ) ⁄ 2 ] A. 270°
B. 45°
Angular measure
12. If sin 2θ = 1 then what is θ equal to?
Angles are measured in radians. One radian is the angle
subtended by an arc with length equal to the radius. If
s = r, then θ = s ⁄ r.

Note then, that 2π rad = 360°, and 1 rad = 57.3°

29
 Chapter 1

greek symbols

The Greek alphabet is commonly used in Physics for various

quantities and constants. The capital and small letters and
their names are given here for your convenience:

Letters Name
CORE

A α alpha
B β beta
Γ γ gamma
∆ δ delta
E ε epsilon
Z ζ zeta
H η eta
Θ θ theta
I ι iota
K κ kappa
M µ mu
N ν nu
Ξ ξ xi
Ο ο omicron
Π π pi
P ρ rho
Σ σ sigma
T τ tau
Φ φ phi
X χ chi
Ψ ψ psi
Ω ω omega

30
 Mechanics

Mechanics
2.1

2.2
Kinematics

Forces and Dynamics 2

CORE
2.3 Work, Energy and Power

2.4 Uniform Circular motion

TOK  Background

T he late Richard Feynman described the process of Physics as akin to observing a vast chess game in which the
boundaries of the chessboard cannot be seen. Furthermore, we have no idea why the game is being played or by
whom. Nor do we know when the game started, nor will we ever see the end of the game. We don’t know the rules of the
game and our problem is to figure them out. By careful observation over a period of time we might, for example, discover
the rule that governs the move of the bishops and if we are really clever we might even find the rule which governs the
movement of the knights. Occasionally something really odd might happen like two white queens appearing on the
board at the same time. All our subsequent observations had led us to the conclusion that this could not be the case.

The chessboard in this analogy is the Universe and the chess pieces are the matter in the Universe. The rules that we
discover are the laws of Physics and the observation we make of the pieces are the experiments that we carry out to
establish the laws of Physics. The rules give the “how” and not the “why”. In other words they do not tell us why the
pieces move but they help us understand the manner in which they move. And so it is with Physics. We will never know
for example, why when we push something it moves. However, we can give a very good description of how it will move
under different circumstances. Physics is the science that describes how the Universe “works”.

Physics falls into two main categories. There is the Physics before 1926 – Classical Physics – and there is the Physics after
1926- Quantum Physics. Most of the Physics that is studied in an IB course is Classical Physics. However, it is important
to realise that ultimately our description of how the Universe works must be understood in terms of Quantum Physics
because we know this to be (so far.) the “correct Physics”. So you might ask why do we spend so much time in teaching
you the “wrong” Physics? Well, it’s not quite as bad as it sounds. For example, if we apply the laws of Classical Physics
to the behaviour of electrons in solids we get the wrong answer. The laws of Quantum Physics give the right answer. On
the other hand if we apply the laws of Classical Physics and the laws of Quantum Physics to the behaviour of billiard
balls both give the right answer. However, using Quantum Physics in this situation is rather like taking the proverbial
sledgehammer to crack a walnut. In many of the situations that we encounter, Classical Physics will give us the right
answer and so for this reason, and the fact that Quantum Physics is not easy to grasp on first acquaintance, we spend a
lot of time teaching students Classical Physics.

If we “plot” the speed of things against size, then we can see the sort of areas pertinent to each of the main areas of
Physics. Refer to Figure 201.

31
 Chapter 2

Physics

Relativity and Thermodynamics

D.13, H 3, 8,10
CORE

Classical Physics Quantum Physics

Newtonian Mechanics Electromagnetism QED

Quantum mechanics
(mass) (charge) J.1
7, 13, F, D.4-5, E, J
1, 2, 4. 6.1, 8, 9.1-2-4
--

Electrostatics Magnetostatics Electromagnetism

(charge at rest) (charge in uniform (charge in accelerated
5.1, 6.2, 9.3 motion) 6.3 motion) 12 A 4-6, G

Figure 202  The structure of this course

Physics. The latter is discussed in more detail in Topic D.1

108 Relativistic Physics and D.2 and Option H.

The two great “pillars” upon which Classical Physics rests

are Newtonian Mechanics and Electromagnetism. Mass
106 and electric charge are the two basic properties that we
associate with all matter and Newtonian mechanics
essentially deals with mass and electromagnetism
Speed (ms–1)

essentially deals with charge. The two corresponding

104 Quantum Classical
Physics Physics pillars upon which Quantum Mechanics rest are Quantum
Mechanics and Quantum Electrodynamics. Bridging both
Quantum and Classical Physics is Relativistic Physics and
Thermodynamics. This latter subject essentially deals
102
with the relationship between heat and work and also
such interesting questions as “how can order arise from
disorder?”

10–15 10–10 10–5 100 105 1010

The Figure 202 summarises the essential branches of
Size (m) Physics and also gives the appropriate syllabus reference
in the IB Physics Syllabus.
Figure 201  The different areas of Physics
In the present time we actually understand the two
You will note that there is a region that overlaps both great pillars of Physics to be General Relativity (which
Quantum and Classical Physics. This is Relativistic Physics describes space and time) and Quantum Physics (which
and is the Physics we have to use when we are dealing describes everything else.) and somewhere along the line
with speeds close to that of the speed of light. So there Thermodynamics has to fit in as well. One of the great
is Relativistic Quantum Physics and Relativistic Classical aims of physicists is to try and “unify” General relativity
and Quantum Mechanics into a single theory.

32
 Mechanics

NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
In this part of the course we start our journey through
Newtonian Mechanics, one of the great pillars of Classical 2.1.1 Define displacement, velocity, speed and
Physics. The essential problem in Mechanics is this: if at acceleration.
any given instant in time we know the positions and velocities

CORE
of all the particles that make up a particular system can we 2.1.2 Explain the difference between
predict the future position and velocities of all the particles? instantaneous and average values of
speed, of velocity and of acceleration.
This is the mechanics problem in its most general form.
Specific examples are problems such as predicting solar 2.1.3 Outline the conditions under which the
eclipses, putting satellites into orbit, finding out how the equations for uniformly accelerated
positions of an oscillating object varies with time and motion may be applied.
finding out where a snooker ball ends up when it struck
by another snooker ball. 2.1.4 Identify the acceleration of a body falling
in a vacuum near the Earth’s surface with
In 1687, Isaac Newton (1642-1727) published his Principia the acceleration g of free fall.
Mathematica in which he set out a method for solving
these type of problems; hence the name ‘Newtonian 2.1.5 Solve problems involving the equations of
Mechanics’. uniformly accelerated motion

2.1.6 Describe the effects of air resistance on

2.1 Kinematics falling objects.

Introduction 2.1.7 Draw and analyse distance–time graphs,

displacement–time graphs, velocity–time
Before we can solve such problems as outlined above we graphs and acceleration–time graphs.
need some method of describing quantitatively the motion
of particles. 2.1.8 Calculate and interpret the slopes of
displacement–time graphs and velocity–
Note. The terms quantitative and qualitative are used a time graphs, and the areas under velocity–
lot in Physics and it is well to be clear as to their meaning. time graphs and acceleration–time graphs.
Suppose that the motion of something was described as
follows - “ it got faster and faster and then suddenly came 2.1.9 Determine relative velocity in one and in
to an abrupt stop a long way from where it started”. This two dimensions.
© IBO 2007
would be a qualitative description of the motion. On the
other hand if I describe the motion as follows - “It started
from rest and headed due north with a positive acceleration,
-2 -1
2.1.1 Displacement, velocity,
of 15 m s for 20 s, reaching a velocity of 300 m s . After speed and acceleration
-2
20 s it acquired a negative acceleration of 50 ms again in a
Northerly direction and came to rest having a displacement
3.9 km due North from where it started.” This is then a Displacement is a measured distance in a given direction.
quantitative description of the motion. In this respect it tells us not only the distance of an object
from a particular reference point but also the direction
The key words in the above quantitative description are from the reference point. So displacement is a vector
displacement, velocity and acceleration so let us look at quantity. In many situations we will often measure the
these so-called kinematic concepts in more detail. displacement from the origin of a Cartesian co-ordinate
system and the displacement of a particle can be simply
given as the co-ordinates of a point (x, y, z). (Strictly
speaking the displacement should be written as a matrix
[x, y, z] but that need not concern us here since in most
instances in this chapter we will usually restrict ourselves
to displacement in the x-direction only).

33
 Chapter 2

y y A 100 m due East

B 100 m__due West
C 100​√__
2 ​ m South East
D 100​√2 ​ m South West
P P

(4,0) x (8,0) x Speed

CORE

Figure 203  One method of calculating displacement This is a concept with which you will all be familiar. In its
simplest form speed just tells us the rate at which a moving
(3,5) object covers distance. Hence we have

distance
A–B speed = -------------------
time
B

(6,2) Velocity
A Velocity is speed in a given direction. It is therefore a vector
quantity. To plot a course an airline pilot needs to know
not just the speed of the wind but from which direction it
Figure 204  Another method of calculating displacement is blowing. The wind velocity must be known.

Figures 203 and 204 are two examples of calculating

displacements. In Figure 203 the particle P is at the point
(4,0) at some instant and at a certain time later it is at a point Example
(8,0). Its displacement thereforein this time interval is 4 units
in the positive x direction.
In still water a motor boat has a maximum speed of
In Figure 204, the particle is at the point (6, 2) at some instant 5 m s-1. The boat sets off to cross from one bank of a river
and its displacement from the origin is represented by the to the other. The river flows with a speed of 2 m s-1 and
vector A. At some interval later the particle has moved to the motor boat engine is set to maximum. Calculate the
the point (3, 5) and its displacement is represented by vector velocity of the motor boat.
B. Its displacement in this time interval is therefore B - A .
The solution to this problem involves simple vector addition.

Exercise

A racing car travels round a circular track of radius 100 m

as shown in the diagram below. Resultant velocity of
A the boat
5
O

100 m

2
P
100 m

With reference to the above diagram the magnitude of

the resultant velocity of the boat is

2 2
5 + 2 = 5.4 m s–1.
The car starts at O. When it has travelled to P its
displacement as measured from O is

34
2
((
α = tan–1 --- = 21.8° ( = 22°).
5
 Mechanics
2 2
5 + 2 = 5.4 m s–1.
The direction can be measured relative to the original An experiment with free fall can help us understand this.
direction of the boat and is given by Figure 207 shows a ball being dropped between two light
gates which are connected to an electronic counter.
the angle α = tan
–1
( 2--5-( = 21.8° ( = 22°).
Acceleration
A

CORE
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity in a given
direction. (Change in velocity ÷ time taken). In the SI
system the unit is metres per second per second. i.e. the
change in velocity measured in m s-1 every second. We
s
write this as m s-2. Since we define acceleration in terms
of velocity it is therefore a vector quantity. It is important counter
to understand that the word ‘deceleration’ has no place in
physics. If the acceleration of an object is positive then we
understand its rate of change of velocity to be positive and B
it could mean that the speed of the body is increasing. A
body that is slowing down will have a negative acceleration. Figure 207  An experiment in free fall
However, do not think of acceleration as a ‘slowing up’ or
‘getting faster’. If a car for example goes round a bend in The ball is dropped from a point somewhere above the
the road at constant speed it is accelerating. Why? Because light gate A. The two light gates A and B connected to the
the direction of the car is changing and therefore its counter will record the time t that it takes the ball to fall the
velocity is changing. If its velocity is changing then it must distance s. The average speed of the ball as it falls between A
s
have acceleration. This is sometimes difficult for people and B is just -t . ��������������������������������������������������
The ball is of course accelerating as it falls so
to grasp when they first meet the physics definition of its speed is changing. What we do now is to move the light
acceleration because in everyday usage acceleration refers gate B closer to A and repeat the experiment. We obtain
to something getting faster. Similarly words like work and a different value for the average velocity. As we repeat the
power which can have very flexible meanings in everyday experiment several times, each time moving B closer to A,
usage are very precisely defined in physics. So beware. we will find that the values of the average speed obtained
each time will be approaching some limiting value. This
As we shall see later on in this chapter it is very important value is actually the instantaneous speed of the ball as it
to keep in mind the vector nature of both velocity and passes A. When the distance between A and B becomes
acceleration. very small (as does the corresponding time of fall) then
this distance divided by the time will very nearly be equal
to the instantaneous speed at A.
2.1.2 Instantaneous and average
values If we let the small distance equal ∆s and the time of fall
equal ∆t then the average speed vav over this distance is

If you travel by car between two towns a distance of ​ ∆s ​ 

​v​av​= ___
∆t
200 km apart and your journey time is 4 hours your
average speed would be 50 km hr-1. Clearly this does not and the instantaneous speed v is given by
mean that every time that you look at the speedometer
it would be reading 50 km h-1. Indeed for some of the v =     ​ ∆s ​  ​ 
​ lim ​___
∆t → 0 ∆t
journey you could well have been having a cup of coffee
at a service station. This raises the question of what does ​ ∆s ​  as ∆t → 0
or v = ___
∆t
the reading on the speedometer actually mean. On a very
simplistic level it tells us that if we maintain this speed (For those of you who do calculus you will recognise this as
then in one hour we will cover a distance of 50 km. At
another level it tells us that at that particular instant the ds ​as ∆t → zero.)
the derivative __
dt
car has an instantaneous speed of 50 km h-1.
distance
speed is= ------------------- so what do we mean by an ∆s
But speed time v = ------ as ∆t → 0
∆t
instantaneous speed?

35
 Chapter 2

If we are dealing with velocities then we must write the v

above equation in vector form

The magnitude of instantaneous velocity is the instantaneous v=V

speed of the object at the instant measured and the direction
of the velocity is the direction in which the object is moving
at that instant. The concept of instantaneous acceleration
CORE

follows accordingly as

∆v
a = ------ as ∆t → 0
∆t
0
Where ∆v is the change in velocity in time ∆t. t=T t

Figure 208  Variation Of Time With Speed

2.1.3 The equations of uniformly
accelerated motion Since distance = speed × time, the distance travelled is the
area under the speed-time graph. If the body starts from
rest, then the distance s travelled in a time t = T is s = -₂¹ vT
Throughout most of the course we will deal with constant where v is the speed at time T.
accelerations and you will not be expected to solve
problems which involve non-uniform accelerations. From the definition of acceleration, we have a = v/t, hence
s = -₂¹ aT2. In general, the distance s travelled in any arbitary
For objects moving with constant acceleration in a straight time t is therefore s = -₂¹ at2. If the body starts with speed u,
line there is a set of three very useful equations which then clearly we have to add the 12 2 area ut such that
1 extra
relate displacement, velocity, acceleration and time s =s ut + ---+at--- at
= ut
1--- 2and 2 2
we will now derive these. s = ut + at 1 2
2 s = ut + --- at
2
The equations only relate magnitudes and therefore we
v –v----------
u– u
will write the symbols in the equations in scalar form. We can eliminate the time from this equation by substituting t =t =
----------- -
v–u a a
in t = ----------- from the first equation such that v–u
Let a t = -----------
2
a
v----------
–---------- u – 2u
vu– u-1 1---v –v-----------
s =s u= ×u × - + ---+a -----------
a
t = the time for which the body acceleratesv–u 1 v–u 2 a a 2 2 a a 2
s = u × ----------- + --- a ----------- v–u 1 v–u
a 2 a s = u × ----------- + --- a -----------
a = acceleration If we expand the brackets and a collect
2 upa terms then we
see that
u = the speed at time t = 0, the initial speed
2 2 2 2
2 2
v v= = u u+ 2as + 2as
v = u + 2as
v = the speed after time t, the final speed 2 2
This is the third equation v =foru the + 2as
set.
s = the distance travelled in time t

The first equation is just the definition of acceleration. If 2.1.4 Acceleration of free fall
a body starts from rest then its speed after a time t will be
given by v = at. If its initial speed is u then clearly, We have already alluded to the acceleration of free fall
(or acceleration due to gravity) above. This, as we have
v = u + at seen, can be measured by placing two light gates a vertical
distance apart. The velocity of a falling object as it passes
The sketch-graph in Figure 208 shows the variation with each of the gates is then calculated using the equation
time t of the speed v of a body moving with constant s = -₂¹ at2.
acceleration a.

36
 Mechanics

Another way is to take a strobe photograph of a falling If you carry out an experiment to measure g and obtain
object against the background of a measuring stick as a value say of 9.4 m s–2 then make sure that you calculate
described previously. your error using the correct method. For example do not
assume that the value of g is 9.8 m s–2 and hence compute
The following exercise demonstrates an alternative way your error in measurement as ± 4 %. You do not know
of analysing data obtained using strobe photographic what the value of g is at your location and that is why you
techniques. This method is based on the equations of are measuring it. One correct way to calculate the error is

CORE
uniform motion. along the lines indicated in the preceeding exercise, i.e.,
using error bars.
Figure 209 shows the results of an experiment in which
the strobe photograph of a falling ball has been analysed.
The strobe takes 20 pictures a second. The time between 2.1.5 Solve problems involving
each picture is therefore 0.05 s. The distance column is the the equations of uniformly
measured distance between each successive photograph of
the ball. The error in the distance has been estimated from accelerated motion
parallax error in reading from the scale against which
the photographs have been taken and also in locating the
centre of the ball in each photograph. Exercise 2.4

You are to plot a graph of s against t2 and from the graph

find a value of g. You should include error bars on the 1. A stone is dropped down a well and a splash is
graph and use these to calculate the error in the value of g heard 2.4 s later. Determine the distance from the
that you have determined. top of the well to the surface of the water?

time t/s  ±0.01/s distance s/cm  ±0.4 cm 2. A girl stands on the edge of a vertical cliff and
0 0 she throws a stone vertically upwards. The stone
0.05 1.2 eventually lands in the sea below her. The stone
0.10 4.8 leaves her hand with a speed of 15 m s-1 and the
0.15 10.9 height of the cliff is 25 m.
0.20 19.4
0.25 30.3 Calculate
0.30 43.7
i. the maximum height reached by the stone.
0.35 59.4
ii. the time to reach the maximum height.
0.40 77.6 iii. the speed with which the stone hits the sea.
0.45 98.2 iv. the time from leaving the girl’s hand that it
0.50 121.2 takes the stone to hit the sea.
0.55 146.7
0.60 174.6 3. A sprinter starts off down a track at a speed of
10 m s-1. At the same time a cyclist also starts
Figure 209  Data For Free Fall off down the track. The cyclist accelerates to
a top speed of 20 m s-1 in 4.0 s. Ignoring the
Some comments on g acceleration of the sprinter, determine the distance
from the start that the cyclist will pass the sprinter.
As mentioned above the value of g varies with position
and with height above the Earth’s surface. In the absence
of air resistance the acceleration of free falling objects
is independent of their mass. This was first noted by
Galileo who is reputed to have timed the duration of
fall for different objects dropped from the top of the
Leaning Tower of Pisa. The fact that the acceleration of
free fall is independent of an object’s mass has far reaching
significance in Physics and is discussed in more detail in
“Topic H. (General relativity)”

37
 Chapter 2

2.1.6 The effect of air resistance A

velocity
E
So far in this discussion of motion we have ignored the G
B D
effects of air resistance. When an object moves though O time
the air, it is subjected to a retarding force and this force H
can be very complicated particularly if the object moves at C
F
CORE

high speed. The force will also depend on the shape of the
object and its mass. Think of the way in which a feather
floats to Earth compared to the way in which a stone falls. Figure 210  Changes of velocity with time
However, for spherical objects moving at relatively low
speeds, experiment shows that the retarding force due to The ball leaves the hand at point O and accelerates
air resistance, sometimes referred to as the drag force, is uniformly until it hits the ground at A. At A it undergoes
directly proportional to the speed of the object (provided a large acceleration during which its velocity changes
that the density of the air stays constant). Effectively this from positive to negative (being zero at B). The change in
means that as the object moves faster and faster, the drag velocity between B and C is less than the change in velocity
force gets greater and greater until in fact it reaches a value between A and B since the rebound velocity is lower than
equal to the value of the force accelerating the object. the impact velocity. The ball accelerates from C to D at
When this occurs the object will no longer accelerate and which point it is at its maximum height and its velocity
will move with constant velocity. (We will discuss the is zero. Notice that even though its velocity is zero its
effect of forces on the motion of objects in much more acceleration is not. The ball now falls back to the surface
detail in the next section). The constant velocity that the and hits the surface at point E. Neglecting air resistance
object attains is called the terminal velocity. If a stone the velocity of the ball at points C, and E will be the same.
is dropped from a balloon that is at a height of 5000 m, The process now repeats.
then, if we ignore air resistance, the velocity with which it
strikes the ground is about 320 m s-1 (about the speed of The lines OA, CE and FG are parallel and the gradient of
sound). Because of air resistance the actual speed is much these lines is the acceleration of free fall.g.
less than this. For example if you fell out of the balloon,
your terminal velocity would be about 60 m s-1. Still not a The lines AC, EF and GH are also parallel and the gradient
very comfortable speed with which to strike the ground. of these lines is equal to the acceleration of the ball whilst
it is in contact with the surface. The lines should not be
Exercise 2 on page 39 will help you become familiar with vertical as this would mean that the acceleration would
the idea of terminal velocity. be infinite.

The acceleration of the ball at points such as A, C and E is

2.1.7 Graphical representation not equal to g.
of motion
Sketching an acceleration–time graph taking into account
the acceleration of the ball whilst it is in contact with the
A very useful way to describe the motion of an object surface is a little tricky however, you might like to try it
is to sketch a graph of its kinematics properties. This is as an exercise. For all other parts of the ball’s motion it
best illustrated by means of an example. Consider the has a constant acceleration, g. The speed-time graph is
subsequent motion of a hard rubber ball that is dropped interesting and this is left as a question at the end of the
onto a hard surface. The ball accelerates uniformly under chapter.
gravity. On each impact with the surface it will lose some
energy such that after several bounces it will come to rest. The displacement–time graph is also interesting and this
After each successive bounce it will leave the ground with is also left as a question at the end of the chapter.
reduced speed and reach a reduced maximum height. On
the way down to the surface it speeds up and on leaving
the surface it slows down.

The graph in Figure 210 shows how we can best represent

how the velocity changes with time i.e., the velocity–time
graph.

38
 Mechanics

Exercise 2.2 120

100

1. A ‘glider’ bounces backwards and forwards 80

distance / m
between the ‘buffers’ of a linear air- track.
Neglecting friction, which one of the graphs below 60

CORE
best represents how the
40

(a) velocity,
20
(b) acceleration,
(c) displacement and 0
(d) speed 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 time / s

of the glider varies with time? Figure 212  Distance-time displacement graph

A. B. If the speed is not constant we can still find average speeds

and instantaneous speeds from displacement–time graphs.
time time
To demonstrate this, let us look at the distance–time graph
for a falling ball this is shown in Figure 213.

C. D.
6

time time 5

4
distance / m

2. For the example of the stone dropped from a 3

balloon and striking the ground and taking into
account air resistance sketch 2
1.8
1
i. a distance–time graph.
ii. a velocity–time graph. 0.4
0
iii. an acceleration–time graph. 0 0.2 0.4 0. 6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 time / s

Figure 213  Distance- time displacementfor a falling ball

2.1.8 Analysis of motion graphs
From the graph we see that the time it takes the ball to
A distance-time graph will help us to understand the fall 1.0 m is 0.4 s. The average speed over this distance is
concept of instantaneous speed (or velocity). therefore 2.5 m s-1.

Consider the distance-time graph of an object moving To find say the instantaneous speed at 1.0 m we find the
with constant speed as shown in Figure 212 gradient of the curve at this point.

In this situation equal distances are covered in equal times To do this we draw the tangent to the point as shown.
and clearly the velocity (speed) is equal to the gradient of From the tangent that is drawn, we see that the slope of
the graph – in this case, 10 m s-1. The average speed is the line is 1.8 (= ∆s) divided by 0.4 (= ∆t) = 4.5 m s-1
equal to the instantaneous speed at all points.

39
 Chapter 2

This is actually what we mean when we write an

instantaneous speed as 10

vP = ∆ s- as ∆t → 0 9
-----

–1
8
∆t

velocity (speed) / m s
7
∆ s-
= ∆ s- as ∆t → 0
vP = ∆ s- as ∆t → 0
6
----- vP is the instantaneous speed
----- as ∆t → 0 -----
∆t ∆t the point P and
at 5
∆t
= ∆ s- as ∆t → 0 4
----- ∆ s- ∆ s-
∆t ----- as ∆t → 0 is the gradient of 3
CORE

the displacement–time ----- as ∆t → 0

∆t 2 ∆t
∆ s- 1
----- as ∆t → 0
∆t at the point P.
graph 2 0
time / s
s = kt 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0. 8 1.0 1.2 1.4

(Those students who are familiar with calculus will recognise Figure 215  Velocity-time graph for a falling ball
= 2kt 2 2
thissprocess
= kt as differentiation. The equation for the above graph velocity s = kt
------------------
-
2 ds time change of velocity
is s = kt such that the derivative ----- = 2kt is the The acceleration is the time and in this
velocity dt case this is equal to the gradient of the straight line
------------------
-
timeinstantaneous speed).
gradient at any time t and hence the and is equal to 10 m s -2. This is a situation of constant
acceleration but even when the acceleration is not constant
When sketching or plotting a displacement-time graph we the acceleration velocity at any- instant is equal to the gradient of
------------------
have to bear in mind that displacement is a vector quantity. the velocity–time timegraph at that instant.
Consider for example, the situation of an object that leaves
point A, travels with uniform speed in a straight line to In section 2.1.2 we saw that we defined instantaneous
point B, returns to point A at the same constant speed acceleration as
and passes through point A to a point C. If we ignore the ∆v
a = ------ as ∆t → 0
accelerations at A and C and regard the point A as the ∆t
zero reference point, then a sketch of the displacement- dv
∆v a = -----
time graph will look like that shown in Figure ------ as ∆t → 0
a = 214. Students familiar with calculus will recognise that dt
∆t acceleration is the derivative 2
d ds ddvs
a = ----- -----a = -------
-
dt dt ∆-----
v -2
dt
B - as ∆t → 0
a = -----
dt
2 ∆t
d ds d s
a = ----- ----- = -------- which can also be written as
dt dt 2 a
dt
displacement

2
d ds d s
a = ----- ----- = --------
dt dt 2
A t1 time dt
2t1

C We can also determine distances from speed–time graphs.

This is easily demonstrated with the graph of Figure 216
Figure 214  Displacement-time Graph which shows the speed time graph for constant speed.

Velocity (speed) - time graphs 40

The graph in Figure 215 shows how the velocity of the 30

speed / m s –1

falling ball varies with time.

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 time / s

Figure 216  Speed-time graph to determine distance

40
 Mechanics

The distance travelled is just speed × time. So at a constant (a) the acceleration of the train in the first 3
speed of 20 m s-1 after 10 s the object will have travelled minutes is the gradient of the line AB.
200 m. This is of course equal to the area under the line
45
between t = 0 and t = 10 s. Therefore, we have, a = 45+ 0.25 m s-2
=
180
180
If the velocity is not constant then the area under a (b) the acceleration of the train after the brakes
velocity–time graph will also be equal to the displacement. are applied is the gradient of the line

CORE
So, for the falling ball, we see from the velocity time graph, 45
45
Figure 215, that the distance travelled after 1.0 s is equal CD120
=- = - 0.38 m s-2
to the area of the triangle of base 1.0 s and height 10 m s-1 120
equals = ½ × 1.0 s × 10 m s-1 = 5.0 m (c) the distance travelled by the train is the
total area under the graph.

Total area
Example
= area of triangle ABE + area BCFE + area of triangle CDF

A train accelerates uniformly from rest to reach a speed of = 17550 = 18000 m

45 m s-1 in a time of 3.0 min. It then travels at this speed for a
further 4.0 min at which time the brakes are applied. It comes = 18 km.
to rest with constant acceleration in a further 2.0 min.
Acceleration-time graphs
Draw the velocity-time graph for the journey and from
the graph calculate If the acceleration of an object varies it is quite tricky
to calculate the velocity of the object after a given time.
(a) the magnitude of the acceleration between However, we can use an acceleration-time graph to solve
0 and 3.0 min the problem. Just as the area under a velocity-time graph is
(b) the magnitude of the acceleration after the the distance travelled then the area under an acceleration-
brakes are applied time graph is the speed achieved. For the falling ball the
(c) the total distance travelled by the train acceleration is constant with a value of 10 m s–2. A plot of
acceleration against time will yield a straight line parallel
to the time axis, Figure 218. If we wish for example to find
Solution the speed 3.0 s after the ball is dropped, then this is just the
area under the graph:

The graph is shown plotted below 12

10
acceleration / m s–2

speed – time graph

50 8
6
40
4
speed / m s –1

30 2

20 0
0 1 2 3 4 5
time / s
10

Figure 218  Acceleration - time graph

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 time / s
We could of course have found the speed directly from the
definition of uniform acceleration i.e.

speed = acceleration × timeExample

41
 Chapter 2

-1
is 5 m s . Clearly the determination of speed (and therefore
Example velocity and acceleration) depends on what it is measured
relative to.

The acceleration of an object increases uniformly at a rate Generally speaking, if the speed of a particle A relative to
of 3.0 m s-2 every second. If the object starts from rest, an assigned point or reference frame O is VA and the speed
calculate its speed after 10 s. of a particle B relative to the same point is VB, then the
CORE

velocity of A relative to B is the vector difference VA – VB

(See Topic 1.3)
Solution
The example that follows illustrates how relative velocity
is very important in situations such as plotting a correct
A plot of the acceleration-time graph for this situation is course for an aircraft or for a boat or ship.
shown in the graph below.

Example
–2
acceleration / m s
30
The Figure below shows the two banks of a river. A
20
ferryboat operates between the two points P and Q that
10 are directly opposite each other.

time /s Q
2 4 6 8 10 12

The speed attained by the object after 10 s is the area under 90 m –1

the line. 1.2 m s

Therefore, speed = area enclosed by acceleration–time

graph
P
= ₂-¹ × 10 × 30 = 150 m s-2
The speed of flow of the river relative to the riverbanks
To summarise : is 1.2 m s-1 in the direction shown. The speed of the ferry
boat in still water is 1.8 m s-1 in a direction perpendicular
• the gradient of a displacement-time graph is equal to the river banks. The distance between P and Q is 90 m.
to the velocity (speed)
• the gradient of a velocity (speed)-time graph is Clearly, if the ferryboat sets off from P directly towards Q,
equal to the acceleration it will not land at Q.
• the area under a velocity (speed)-time graph is
equal to the distance. It is left as an exercise for you to show that the speed of the
• the area under an acceleration-time graph is the ferryboat relative to the speed of the water is 2.2 m s -1 and
change in velocity. that it will land at a point 60 m downstream of Q. You should
also show that, in order to land at Q, the ferry boat should
2.1.9 Relative motion leave P heading upstream at an angle of 56° to the riverbank
and that the time taken to cross to Q is about 67 s.
Suppose that you are standing on a railway station platform
and a train passes you travelling at 30 m s-1. A passenger For an aircraft, the rate of water flow becomes the wind
on the train is walking along the corridor in the direction speed and for a ship at sea it becomes a combination of
-1
of travel of the train at a speed of 1 m s . From your point wind, tide and current speeds.
-1
of view the speed of the person is 31 m s . In another
situation a car A is travelling at a speed of 25 m s-1 and The idea of relative measurement has far reaching
overtakes a car B that is travelling in the same direction consequences as will become clear to those of you who choose
-1
at a speed of 20 m s . The speed of car A relative to car B to study Special Relativity (Option D or in Option H.)

42
 Mechanics

2.2 Forces and Dynamics

of mass is the kilogram and the standard is the mass of a
2.2.1 Calculate the weight of a body using the platinum alloy cylinder kept at the International Bureau of
expression W=mg. Weights and Measures at Sevres near Paris.

CORE
2.2.2 Identify the forces acting on an object and We shall see in section 2.2.8 that when we talk about the
draw free-body diagrams representing the weight of a body what we actually mean is the gravitational
forces acting. force that the Earth exerts on the body. So weight is a force
and since the force of gravity varies from place to place
2.2.3 Determine the resultant force in different and also with height above the Earth’s surface, the weight
situations of a body will also vary but it’s inertial and gravitational
© IBO 2007
mass remains constant.

2.2.1 Mass and weight

Exercise 2.10
Before developing the ideas of Newtonian Mechanics, it is
important to discuss the concepts of mass and weight. In
everyday usage, mass and weight are often interchangeable; in 1. This exercise is designed to help you distinguish
physics there is a fundamental difference between the concepts. between the concepts of mass and weight. Here are
six different hypothetical activities
So what is mass? Some textbooks will tell you that it is
the ‘quantity of matter’ in a body. However, this is pretty (a) You weigh yourself using bathroom scales.
meaningless for two reasons. It begs the question as to (b) You determine the mass of an object by
what is meant by ‘matter’ and also it gives no means of using a chemical beam balance.
quantifying mass. In respect of the latter, if a physicist (c) You determine the density of lead.
cannot measure something in the laboratory then that (d) You drop a brick on your foot.
something does not belong to physics. (e) You trap your fingers in a car door.
(f) You design a suspension bridge.
Mass is one of the so-called fundamental properties of all
matter and essentially measures a body’s inertia, that is, Suppose that you were able to carry out these
a body’s reluctance to change its state of motion. Moving activities on the moon. Discuss how would the
bodies tend to keep on moving in the same direction and result of each activity compare with the result
stationary bodies don’t start moving by themselves. The when carried out on Earth.
more massive a body, the more reluctant it is to change it’s
state of motion. As we shall see in Section 2.2.15, it is quite 2.2.2 Identifying forces and free-
possible to give a logical definition to mass that enables a body diagrams
physicist to quantify the concept. However, this definition
does not tell you what mass is and why particles that make
up bodies should have mass is one of the great unsolved Force
mysteries of physics. The situation is further complicated
by the fact that there are two types of mass. There is the The word force crops up in very often in everyday usage
mass we have just described, inertial mass and then there but what actually does a physicist mean by force? One
is the mass a body has that gives rise to the gravitational thing is for certain, a physicist will not be able to tell
attraction between bodies. This is the gravitational mass you what a “force” is and in many respects the question
of a body. We saw in Section 2.1.4 that experiment shows has little meaning in physics. To a physicist a force is
that the acceleration of free fall is independent of the mass recognised by the effect or effects that it produces. A
of an object. This suggests that gravitational mass and force is something that can cause an object to
inertial mass are in fact equivalent. (See section 2.2.8)
• deform i.e. change its shape
The equivalence of gravitational and inertial mass is one of • speed up
the cornerstones of Einstein’s theory of general relativity • slow down
and is discussed in more detail in Option H. The SI unit • change direction.

43
 Chapter 2

The last three of these can be summarised by stating that In Figure 222 the blue arrows show the tension forces set
a force produces an acceleration. up in the spring. There is a force that opposes the pulling
force and a force equal in magnitude to this force is also
So if you were to see an object that is moving along in exerted by the spring on the fixed support.
a straight line with constant speed, suddenly change
direction you would know immediately that a force had
ion force g for
ce
acted on it even if you did not see anything tangible Fixed pole Tens Pu l l i n
CORE

‘pushing’ on the object. This is not as daft as it sounds,

just think of an object falling to the ground. The fact that
free falling objects accelerate means that a force is acting x
on them. As we have seen in Section 2.2.1, this force is the
force of gravity that the Earth exerts on the object and is
the weight of the body. We shall discuss the gravitational
force in more detail in Topic 6.1.
Figure 222  Tension forces in a spring
Since a force can produce an acceleration, it is clearly
a vector quantity. Hence, if two or more forces act on a One thing that you will note as you pull the spring, is
particle to find the resultant acceleration we have to find that the further you extend the spring, then the greater
the resultant force. We use the word particle here because the force that you have to exert in order to extend it even
if forces act on a body they can produce a deformation as further. You can investigate how the force required to
well as an acceleration. If they act on a particle that ideally extend the spring varies with the extension e of the spring
has no physical dimensions then it can only produce an by simply hanging weights of different values on the end
acceleration. of a vertically suspended spring. (The force of gravity
measured in newtons that acts on a mass M can be found
Spring forces to a very good approximation by multiplying M by 10).
The results for a typical spring in which the force F is
An interesting and very important type of force arises in plotted against the extension e is shown in Figure 223.
connection with springs. A typical spring can be made
by taking a length of wire and winding it round a pencil
F/N
such that each successive turn (coil) is in contact with the
previous turn. However, all school laboratories usually
posses a variety of commercially available springs. If you X
hold one end of a spring in one hand and pull the other
end then clearly to extend the spring you have to exert a
force on the spring. If you don’t hold one end of the spring,
then when you pull, it will accelerate in the direction that e /m
you are pulling it. Holding one end and pulling the other
produces a tension force in the spring. This is illustrated in Figure 223  Graph of force against extension of a spring
Figure 221.
Up to the point X the force F is directly proportional to e.
beyond this point the proportionality is lost. If the point X
is passed, the spring can become permanently deformed
Pull in such a way that when the weights are removed the
spring will not go back to its original length. In the region
Fixed pole
of proportionality we can write

x F = ke

where k is a constant whose value will depend on the

particular spring. For this reason k is called the spring
constant. This spring behaviour is a specific example of a
Figure 221  Forces on a spring more general rule known as Hooke’s law of elasticity after
the 17th century physicist Robert Hooke. For this reason
the region of proportionality is often referred to as the

44
 Mechanics

‘Hookey region’ or ‘elastic region’ and point X is called the Weak-interaction

‘elastic limit’. We can see that a spring can be calibrated
to measure force and no doubt your physics laboratory A force which is about 1026 times stronger than gravity
has several so-called “newton metres”. However, you is the so-called weak-interaction. This is the interaction,
will discover that these newton metres do not provide a which is responsible for certain aspects of the radioactive
particularly reliable method of measuring force. decay of nuclei.

CORE
Electromagnetic interaction
Exercise 2.7
The electromagnetic interaction is some 1037 times stronger
than gravity and this is the force that exists between
1. The graph below shows how the length of a spring particles as a consequence of the electrical charge that
varies with applied force. they carry.

Strong nuclear interaction

15
F /N The strongest of all the forces is the strong nuclear
10 interaction (or just strong-interaction). This is some 1039
times stronger than gravity and it is the force that holds
5 the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

All four of these interactions are discussed in more detail

10 20 30 length /cm throughout this book. However, a simple way of looking
at them is to think of the gravitational force as being
i. State the value of the unstretched length of the force that accounts for planetary motion and the
the spring. way that galaxies are put together. The electromagnetic
ii. Use data from the graph to plot another interaction is the force that accounts for the way in which
graph of force against extension and from the electrons are arranged in atoms and as such is the force
this graph determine the spring constant. that accounts for all chemical and biological processes.
The strong interaction accounts for the nuclear structure
Fundamental forces of the atom and the weak interaction accounts for how
the nucleus comes apart. Physicists would like to unify all
A discussion on forces would not be complete without these forces into just one force. That is they would like to
some reference to the so-called fundamental forces or find that all the interactions were just special cases of one
interactions as physicists prefer to call them. fundamental interaction. There has been some success in
unifying the weak and the electromagnetic interaction but
Although at first sight there seems to be a bewildering up to now that is about as far as it has got.
number of different types of force, pushes, pulls, friction,
electrical, magnetic etc. physicists now recognise that Free-Body Diagrams
all the different forces arise from just four fundamental
forces. We have seen that we can represent the forces acting
on a particle by lines with arrows, the lengths of which
Gravitational force represented the relative magnitude of the forces. Such
diagrams are a useful way to represent the forces acting on
The weakest of the four is the gravitational force. As we a body or particle and are called free-body diagrams.
have seen, this is the force that gives rise to the weight of
an object. However, as mentioned, we also understand Figure 225 shows an object of mass M that is suspended
this force to act between all particles in the Universe. vertically by a thread of negligible mass. It is then pulled to
one side by a force of magnitude F and held in the position
shown.

45
 Chapter 2

2.2.3 Determine the resultant

force in different
situations

Example
CORE

Mass = M Two forces act on particle P as shown in the Figure below

(N stands for ‘newton’ and is the SI unit of force as we shall
Figure 225  Forces acting on an object see in the next section.)

The free-body diagram for the forces acting on the object Determine the magnitude of the net force acting in the
in Figure 225 is shown in Figure 226 horizontal direction and the magnitude of the net force
acting in the vertical direction and hence determine the
T resultant force acting on P.

4.0 N
B 6.0 N
30°
P
F

A The component of the 4.0 N in the horizontal direction is

4.0 cos 30 = 3.5 N.

Hence the magnitude of the force in the horizontal

direction is 2.5 N.
Weight = Mg
R
Figure 226  The Free-body Force Diagram for Fig. 225 2.0 N
θ
The weight of the object is Mg and the magnitude of the 2.5 N
tension in the thread is T.
The component of the 4.0 N force in the vertical direction
The object is in equilibrium (see 2.2.6) and so the net force is 4.0 sin 30 = 2.0 N and this is the magnitude of the force
acting on it is zero. This means that the vertical components in the vertical direction.
of the forces must be zero as must the horizontal
components. Therefore, in the diagram the line A is equal The Figure above shows the vector addition of the
in length to the arrow representing the force F and the line horizontal and vertical components.
B is equal in length to the arrow representing the weight.
The tension T, the “resultant” of A and B, is found by the The resultant R has a magnitude = 3.2 N
using the dotted line constructions. When producing
a free-body diagram. there is no need to show these and the angle θ = tan -1 (2.0/2.5) = 39°.
constructions. However, as well as being in the appropriate
directions, the lengths of the arrows representing the forces
should be approximately proportional to the magnitudes
of the forces. The following example is left as an exercise
for you .

EXERCISE: Draw a free-body force diagram of the forces

acting on an aircraft which is flying horizontally with
constant velocity.

46
 Mechanics

2.2.4 State Newton’s first law of motion. 2.2.5 D

�escribe
��������������������
examples of

2.2.5 Describe examples of Newton’s first law.

Newton’s first law

2.2.6 State the condition for translational If you eliminate friction and give an object a momentary
equilibrium. push, it will continue moving in the direction of the push

CORE
with constant velocity until it is acted upon by another
2.2.7 Solve problems involving translational force. This can be demonstrated to a certain degree using
equilibrium. the linear air-track. It is to a limited degree since it is
© IBO 2007
impossible to eliminate friction completely and the air
track is not infinite in length. It is in this sense impossible
2.2.4 State Newton’s first law of to prove the first law with absolute certainty since sooner
motion rather than later all objects will encounter a force of some
kind or another.

At the beginning of this chapter we stated that the general In fact Arthur Eddington (1882- 1944), is reputed to have
mechanics problem is, that given certain initial conditions quoted Newton’s first law thus:
of a system, to predict the future behaviour of the system.
The method that Newton devised to solve this problem is ‘Every object continues in a state of rest or uniform motion
encompassed in his celebrated three laws of motion which in a straight line in so far as it doesn’t.’
he published in his Principia Mathematica circa 1660.
Essentially Newton tells us to find out the forces acting on By this he meant that nothing in the Universe is ever at
the system. If we know these then we should in principle rest and there is no such thing as straight line motion.
able to predict the future behaviour of the system.
However, we are inclined to believe that if a body is not
Newton’s Fist Law is essentially qualitative and is based acted upon by a force, then Galileo’s description of its
on the work done by Galileo. Prior to Galileo’s work on motion is correct.
mechanics the Aristotelian understanding of motion was
the accepted view namely that a constant force is needed It is sometimes difficult to discard the Aristotelian view of
to produce constant motion. This actually seems to fit in motion particularly in respect of objects which are subject
with every day experience; if you stop pushing something to a momentary force. Consider the example shown in
then it will stop moving, to keep it moving you have to Figure 229:
keep pushing it. Galileo’s brilliance was to recognise
that the opposite is actually the case and his idea is 1. forward thrust 2.
ball ball
summarised in the statement of Newton’s First Law: every
object continues in a state of rest of uniform motion in a
straight line unless acted upon by an external force.
gravity gravity
The Aristotelian view does not take into account that when
you push something another force is acting on the body Figure 229  Aristotelian and Galilean forces on a ball
that you are pushing, namely the force of friction. In some
situations the frictional force, as we have seen, acting on a A girl throws a ball towards another girl standing some
moving object is actually a function of the object’s velocity metres away from her, it is tempting to think that, as
and in fact increases with velocity. Hence a greater engine Aristotle did, there must be a forward thrust to keep the
power is required to move a car at high speed than at low ball moving through the air as shown in 1. However, if air
speed. We shall return to this idea later. resistance is neglected, the only force acting on the ball is
gravity as shown in 2.

47
 Chapter 2

Suppose that we were to pull the object with a force as

2.2.6, 2.2.7 applied to it as shown in Figure 233.
S�����������������������
tate the condition for
translational equilibrium

There are essentially two types of equilibrium, static

CORE

and dynamic. If an object is at rest, then it is in static

equilibrium and, if it is moving with constant velocity,
then it is in dynamic equilibrium. It follows from Newton’s
first law that the condition for both equilibriums is that
the net force acting on the object is zero. We can express Figure 233  Forces on the book
that mathematically as Σ F = 0. That is the vector sum of
the forces acting on the object is zero. In this situation, it is quite likely that the book will not
move along the table but actually rotate in the direction
Static equilibrium shown by the arrow in Figure 233.

Consider the simple case of a book resting on a table. Clearly This again demonstrates that in fact we should apply the
gravity acts on the book and without the intervention of Newton laws of motion to particles. Unless the pulling
the table, the book would fall to the ground. The table force acts through what we call the centre of mass of the
therefore exerts an equal and opposite force on the book. object then the pulling force and the frictional force can
This force we call the normal reaction. The force acting on produce rotation. This is quite a subtle point. However, in
the book are shown in Figure 231 many situations in this chapter we will refer to objects and
bodies when strictly speaking we mean particles. There
N normal reaction is in fact a branch of mechanics known as Rigid Body
W=N Mechanics which specifically deals with the mechanics of
actual bodies rather than particles. This is not covered in
the IB course. However, we can still get quite a long way
surface of table with mechanics by considering bodies to act as particles.

W weight of the book (due to gravity) 2.2.8 State Newton’s second law of motion.

Figure 231  Static forces on a book 2.2.9 Solve problems involving Newton’s second
law.
Dynamic equilibrium © IBO 2007

Now consider the case where the book, or any other object, 2.2.8 Newton’s second law of
is pulled along the surface of the table with constant motion
velocity. Gravity and the normal reaction are still acting
but there is now a frictional force acting which is equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction to the pulling The vector form of the equations relating to Newton’s
force. The force diagram for this situation is shown in Second Law given in this section, show that the vectors
Figure 232. act in the same straight line (for example, the force and
acceleration in F = ma). In the IB Physics data booklet, all
vector equations are given in scalar form i.e. they relate just
the magnitudes of the quantities.

Newton’s First Law as we have seen is qualitative in nature.

With his second law we move into quantitative territory for
it is essentially the second law that enables us to tackle the
general mechanics problem (at least in principle). A force
produces an acceleration when it acts on a particle and
Figure 232  Dynamic forces on a book Newton argued that for a given particle the acceleration is

48
 Mechanics

directly proportional to the force acting and is in the same We can use Newton’s Second Law to understand the
direction as the applied force. Furthermore the constant of equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass. A
proportionality that relates the two is the inertial mass of simple argument shows this to be so. If we assume that the
the particle. We can therefore write that gravitational force F that the Earth exerts on an object is
G
proportional to the gravitational mass m of the object.
G
F=ma We can write this as

CORE
This is Newton’s second law in its simplest form. There are F = Km
G G
however, many situations where the mass of the system
does not remain constant e.g. a firework rocket, sand where K is a constant.
falling on to a conveyor belt etc. It is therefore helpful to
express the law in a more general form. The acceleration g of the object is given by Newton’s second
law.
We can express the acceleration a in terms of the rate of
change of velocity i.e. ∆v F = Km = m g
F = m × ------ G G I
∆t
∆v
F = m × ------ where m is the inertial mass of the object.
∆t I

We now define a quantity called the linear momentum p But experiment shows that g is a constant and has the
of the object as same value for all objects. Hence, it follows from the above
p = mv equation that m = m with g = K.
G I
pp == mv
mv
If we have an independent definition of inertial mass, then
such that we can now write Newton’s second law if the we can use the second law to define a unit of force. The SI
form unit of force is the newton (N) and it is that force which
∆p produces an acceleration of 1 m s-2 in a mass of 1 kg. This
F = ------- is an absolute definition in that it does not depend on the
∆t
∆p
F = ------- properties of any material or any outside influence such as
∆t
We shall discuss the concept of momentum in more detail pressure and temperature.
in Section 2.2.10
The second law also enables us to quantify the relationship
Although it is possible to verify Newton’s Second Law between mass and weight. As has been previously stated
directly by experiment it’s real validity is understood the acceleration of free fall is the same for all objects. If its
in terms of the experimentally verifiable results that value is g and an object has a mass m then from the second
it predicts. In a sense this law is the whole of Classical law we see that the gravitational force exerted on it by the
Mechanics and tells us that if we pay attention to the Earth has a value mg. Hence mg is the weight of the object.
forces then we can find the acceleration and if we know If we take g to have a value of 10 m s­-2 then a mass of 1 kg
the acceleration then we know the future behaviour of the will have a weight of 10 N close to the surface of the Earth.
particle. On the Moon where the acceleration of gravity is about
1.7 m s-2 a mass of 1 kg will have a weight of about 1.7 N.
Newton in essence says find the force law governing
a system and you will be able to predict its behaviour. In the rest of this section we will look at some examples of
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to know the the application of the second law and give some exercises.
force law. Newton himself gave one, his famous law of Hopefully, this will help you gain familiarity with its use.
gravitation, which we will look at in Topic 6.1. However, Remember that it is a very, very important law.
in such situations as the collision of two billiard balls we
do not know the force acting nor do we know the force
acting between the millions of molecules of a gas, solid
or liquid. In situations such as these we have to find some
other means of solving the problem and these we look at
some of these methods in Sections 2.2.12 and 2.3.6.

49
 Chapter 2

2.2.9 S������������������������
olve problems involving Solution
Newton’s second law
2 2 2 2
v can
We = uuse+the
2asequation v = u + 2as to calculate the
magnitude of the average acceleration of the car.
Example
CORE

In this instance we have that u = 30, v = 0 and s = 180, so that

The diagram below shows a block of wood of mass 1.0 kg 2 2 2 900-

+ 2 × 180 a Ÿ a = – 900
0 = 30 + 2 × 180 a Ÿ2
attached via a pulley to a hanging weight of mass 0.5 kg. 0 a==30– --------
360 ---------
360
Assuming that there is no friction between the block
and the bench and taking g to be 10 m s–2, calculate the = – 2.5 m s-2
acceleration of the system.
The negative sign indicates that the car is slowing down.

1.0 kg pulley
Using Newton’s second law (F = ma) we have that

F = 70 × -2.5 = –175.

Hence the average force on the person, is 175 N.

0.50 kg

Exercise 2.9

1. A person stands on bathroom scales placed on the

Solution floor of a lift. When the lift is stationary the scales
record a weight of 600 N. The person now presses
the button for the 6th floor. During the journey to
The force acting on the system is the weight of the hanging the 6th floor the scales read 680 N, then 600 N,
mass which is 0.50 kg = 5 N then 500 N and finally 600 N. Explain these
observations and calculate any accelerations that
Using Newton’s second law F = m a the lift might have during the journey.

we have 5.0 = (1.5) a 2. Three forces act as shown on a particle of mass

0.500 kg as shown in this Figure. Calculate the
Hence a = 3.3 acceleration of the particle.

That is, the acceleration is 3.3 m s-2.

3.00 N
Example 4.00 N
5.00 N
143°

A person of mass 70 kg is strapped into the front seat

of a car, which is travelling at a speed of 30 m s–1. The
car brakes and comes to rest after travelling a distance of
180 m. Estimate the average force exerted on the person
during the braking process.

50
 Mechanics

Also, in terms of the momentum change we have seen that

2.2.10 Define linear momentum and impulse. we can express the second law as

2.2.11 Determine the impulse due to a time varying ∆p

F =
force by interpreting a force-time graph ∆t

2.2.12 State the law of conservation of linear F ∆t =produced

Here Δp is the change in momentum ∆p by the

CORE
momentum. force F in time Δt.
∆p
2.2.13 Solve problems involving momentum and From the second law in the form F = we see that
impulse. ∆t
F ∆t = ∆p
(Students should be familiar with elastic and F ∆t = ∆p
inelastic collisions and explosions. Knowledge of The term F ∆t is called the impulse of the force and it is
the coefficient of restitution is not required). a very useful concept in solving certain types of problem
© IBO 2007
particularly in situations where the force acts for a short
time such as kicking a football. We also see by expressing
2.2.10 Linear momentum and the second law in this way that an equivalent unit for
impulse momentum is Ns.

2.2.11 Determine the impulse due

In his Principia Mathematica Newton introduces the idea to a time varying force
of quantity of motion in which he brings together the inertia
of a body and the speed with which it is moving. The two
quantities mass and speed do seemed to be linked in the Suppose that the force exerted on football when it is kicked
sense that taken together they have an effect on inertia. varies with time as shown in Figure 236.
An ocean liner of mass several thousand tonnes moving
at even a very low speed takes a lot of stopping. If it does
not stop before coming into dock it will do an enormous 50
amount of damage when it hits the dock. Similarly a bullet
with a mass of several grams moving with very high speed 40
also takes a lot of stopping and can do great damage in
the process of coming to rest. Rather than combining 30
Force / N

mass and speed, following Newton we combine mass and

velocity and, as we saw in the section on Newton’s Second 20
Law, we define the linear momentum p (the quantity that
10
Newton called quantity of motion) of a body as
0
p = mv 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 time / s

Note that momentum is a vector quantity and that the unit Figure 236  Force Time Graph
is kg m s-1.
Since the area under the graph is equal to the impulse we
In his Principia Newton states his Second Law of Motion can calculate the speed with which the football leaves the
as follows: The rate of change of linear momentum of a foot.
particle is directly proportional to the impressed force
acting upon it and takes place in the direction of the The area equals
--- × ( 50 × 0.14 ) + ( 0.14 × 50 ) + --- × ( 50 × 0.08 )1
impressed force. 1 1
---=×13.5
( 50N×s0.14 ) + ( 0.1
2 2 2
This is in fact the form in which you should remember the
second law of motion since the law in the form F = ma is Suppose that the mass of the football is 0.40 kg then from
actually, as we have seen, a special case. 13.5
---------- 13.5-
0.40 F ∆t = ∆p = m∆v , we have that ∆v = --------- 0.40
= 34.

51
 Chapter 2

That is, the change in velocity is 34 ms-1.

2.2.12 S
�tate
����������������
the law of
In actuality one is much more likely to use the conservation of linear
measurement of the speed of the football to estimate the
average force that is exerted by the foot on the football. momentum
The time that the foot is in contact with the ball can be
measured electronically and the speed of the football can One of the most important aspects of Newton’s laws is
CORE

be computed by measuring its time of flight. that the second and third law (See section 2.2.14) lead
to the idea that in any interaction in a closed (isolated)
Here is another example in which we use the ideas of system, linear momentum is always conserved, that is it
impulse and the rate of change of momentum. stays constant. By a closed system, we mean one in which
no external forces act. We can get an idea of this from the
fact that the second law tells us that the external impressed
Example force is equal to the rate of change of momentum. If there
is no external force then there is no rate of change of
momentum of the system as a whole and therefore the
Water is poured from a height of 0.50 m on to a top pan momentum does not change, that is, it remains constant.
balance at the rate of 30 litres per minute. Estimate the
reading on the scale of the balance. If we consider for example, a system that comprises
interacting particles, when two particles A and B collide
when they are in contact, it follows from Newton’s third law
Solution that the force that A exerts on B is equal and opposite to
the force that B exerts on A. This means that the net force
that is exerted on the system comprising A and B is zero. If
We shall assume here that the water bounces off the top of the net force is zero then it follows that there is no change
the balance horizontally. Again we can calculate the speed in momentum of the system. In collision processes we can
with which the water hits the balance. therefore express the law of conservation of momentum as
momentum before collision = momentum after collision.
From the equation v2 = 2as However, the more general statement of the law is:

we have v2 = 2 × 10 × 0.50 = 10. So, v = 3.2 m s-1. If the total external force acting on a system is zero
then the momentum of the system remains constant (is
The mass of water arriving at the balance per second is conserved).

0.50 kg s-1. Or simply that: The momentum of a closed system is

constant (conserved).
The rate of change of momentum is therefore 0.50 × 32.
For those of you who do calculus the conservation of linear
= 1.6 N. momentum is easily derived from Newton’s second law. If we
write the second law in terms of a differential, we have then,
If the balance is calibrated in grams the reading will therefore if F = 0, p is constant.
be about 160 g.

Can you think of an example of where the theory of impulse 2.2.13 S

�olve
������������������������
problems involving
has been used to good effect? momentum and impulse
One example is the reason why crash barriers between the
opposite lanes on a highway are made of crumpling material. (Elastic and inelastic collisions are discussed in section 2.3.8)
The crumpling means that on collision, a car will come to
rest in a greater time. The change in momentum of the car We now look at a problem that cannot be solved by using
would be the same as if the barrier were made of concrete the Second Law in the form F = ma.
but the F in F∆t is now smaller since ∆t is larger.

52
 Mechanics

-1
v = 6.3 m s

His change in momentum on coming to rest is therefore

70 × 6.3 N s.

This is equal to the impulse F∆t. hence we see that

CORE
2.0 m /s F = 70 × 6.3/2.0 = 220 N.

Figure 237  The conveyor belt problem

Suppose that sand is poured vertically at a constant rate of Admittedly this problem could have been solved by
400 kg s-1 on to a horizontal conveyor belt that is moving computing the acceleration of the man on landing and
with constant speed of 2.0 m s-1. (See Figure 237) coming to rest from the equation v = at. However, this
involves another step and is not as elegant a solution since
We wish to find the minimum power required to keep it doesn’t really get to the physics.
the conveyor belt moving with constant speed. In every
second the horizontal momentum of the sand changes by If he were to land on concrete then he would come to rest
400 × 2.0 kg m s-1. This means that the rate of change of much more quickly. However his change in momentum
momentum of the sand is 800 kg m s-2. would be the same hence the F in the impulse F∆t would
be much greater.
The force exerted on the conveyor belt by the sand is
therefore 800 kg m s-2. This force is the frictional force Along with the law of conservation of energy (see 2.3.6)
between the sand and the conveyor belt and it is this force (strictly speaking mass-energy, see topic 7.3.4), the law
which accelerates the sand to the speed of the conveyor of conservation of momentum is of great importance
belt. The power therefore to keep the conveyor belt moving in Physics. Although Newton’s laws are found not to
at this speed is this force multiplied by the speed of the work when applied to atoms and molecules and are also
belt. i.e. the power (P) equals (Fv) = 1600 W. (see below) modified by Relativity theory, the law of conservation of
momentum still stands. If you were to invent a new theory,
We can also work out the rate of change of kinetic energy no matter how elegant the theory, if it violates conservation
of the sand since the change in KE every second is of energy and momentum then you can forget it.
800 s-1 (see below). This is quite interesting since we see
that whatever the nature of the sand or the belt we always The beauty of a law such as the conservation of momentum
lose half the power in dissipation by the frictional force. is that we are able to predict an outcome without knowing
the intricacies of what actually is going on. When two
billiard balls collide, the forces that act during collision are
Example very complicated and we have no idea of their spatial and
time dependence. However, because we know that they
are equal and opposite we are able to predict the outcome
Estimate the force exerted on a man who jumps off a wall of the collision.
of height 2.0 m and lands in soft earth.
Figures 238-241 on the next page show some examples of
Explain why he would be likely to hurt himself if he landed collisions and their possible outcomes.
on concrete.
(Remember, momentum is a vector quantity).

Solution The outcome of a collision will depend on the mass of

each particle, their initial velocities and also how much
energy is lost in the collision. However, whatever the
We estimate the mass of the man as 70 kg and the time that outcome, momentum will always be conserved. Any
he comes to rest on landing on the earth to be 2.0 s. predicted outcome which violates the conservation of
linear momentum will not be accepted.
We can find the speed with which he hits the ground from
2
v = 2g h. i.e.

53
 Chapter 2

Calculate
Exercise
(i) the impulse given to the ball
(ii) the average force exerted on the ball.
1. A bullet of mass 9.0 g leaves the barrel of a rifle
with a speed of 8.0 ×102 m s-1. The mass of the rifle
is 1.8 kg. If the rifle is free to move, calculate the 2.2.14 State newton’s third law
CORE

speed with which it recoils. of motion

2. Sarah is standing on the horizontal surface of a
frozen pond. She throws a ball of mass 250 g. The Students should understand that when two bodies A
ball leaves her hand with a horizontal speed of and B interact, the force that A exerts on B is equal and
8.0 m s-1. As a result, Sarah moves with an initial opposite to the force that B exerts on A.
speed of 5.0 cm s-1. Estimate Sarah’s mass.

2.2.15 Discuss examples of Newton’s third law.

© IBO 2007
3. In a particular thunderstorm, the hailstones
and raindrops have the same mass and terminal See Figure 241 below
velocity. Explain, with reference to Newton’s
Second Law why the hailstones hurt more that
raindrops when they hit you.

4. A football of mass 0.46 kg attains a speed of

7.7 m s-1 when kicked. The toe of the football boot
u1 in contact withuthe v v
with which it m
is kickeduis
1 m u22 ball m v 11 m v 22
for 0.26 s. m1 1 m22 m11 m22
u u2 v v2
Case 1:
mm11 u1 +1m2 u2 m2 = m1 m11v 1 + m2 vm22
m u u+ m u u2 = mv11v 1 + m2 v 2 v2
m11 1 1 2 2 m2 m1 m2
m1 u1 + m2 u2 = m1 v 1 + m2 v 2
u u v v
m1 m1uu111 + mu222u2 m2 = v 11 mm1 v 1 + m2 vm22 v 22
m1 m2 Figure 238  Case 1 m11 m2
u u v1 v2
Case 2: m1 m1 u11 – m22u2 m2 = m–1 m1 v 1 + mmv
m uu – mu22u2 = v1 –m1 v 1 + m22 v222 v2
m1 1 11 m2 m1 m2
m1 u1 – m2 u2 = –m1 v 1 + m2 v 2
m1 u1 – m2 u2 = Case 2
Figure 239  v =–m0 v + m2 v 2
u u v 11 = 01 1 v
m1 u11 u22 m2 m m v 22
Case 3: m1 m2 m11 m22
v1 = 0
u u v2
m1 m1 u11 – m22u2 m2 = v 1m=1 0 m2 v 2m2
m uu – mu22u2 = m2 v 2 v2
m1 1 11 m2 m1 m2
m1 u1 – m2 u2 Figure 240 
= Case 3 m2 v 2
coupled
uu1 – m u u coupled v
Case 4: m m1u 2 m u22 = m1m2 v 2m2 v
m11 11 2
m22 m1 m2
coupled
u u2 v
m1 m1 u11 + m2 um2 2 = m 1(( m
coupled m2m2 )v
m1 +
m1uu11 + m2 u2 u2 = + m )v v
m1 m2 Figure 241  Case 4 m1 1 m2 2
m1 u1 + m2 u2 = ( m1 + m2 )v
54 m1 u1 + m2 u2 = ( m1 + m2 )v
 Mechanics

As was suggested in the introduction, Newton’s Second

Law does not always work. It does not give the right A
answers when we apply it to atoms and molecules nor
does it give the right answer when particle are moving book
with speed close to that of the speed of light. However his
third law of motion as far as we know is valid across the X B table
whole of physics. It is really quite a remarkable piece of
Y

CORE
insight and has, as we shall see far reaching consequences.
E arth
In fact, Ernst Mach a famous turn of the century physicist
regarded the third law has Newton’s greatest contribution
to Mechanics. Figure 242  The four forces acting
on a book resting on a table
Newton formulated this law based on an idea first put
forward by Descartes. The law basically says that forces The table is actually incidental to the action of these forces.
always appear in equal and opposite pairs. To state the law The two forces are the equal and opposite pair referred to
more formally: in the third law such that

When a force acts on a body, an equal and opposite force X + Y =0

acts on another body somewhere in the universe.
If the table is not there, the book falls towards the Earth
We saw in our discussion on momentum conservation, and the Earth falls towards the book. Both the book and
that for momentum to be conserved when two bodies A the Earth will accelerate in accordance with Newton’s
and B collide, then whilst in contact, the force that A exerts second law. However, considering that the earth is some
on B is equal and opposite to the force that B exerts on A. 1026 times more massive than the book, we do not observe
Which is of course an example of Newton’s third law. the acceleration of the Earth.

The force A is the force that the table exerts on the book.
2.2.15 Discuss examples of The force B is the force that the book exerts on the table.
Newton’s third law These two forces are again an equal and opposite pair of
forces referred to in the third law such that

In some texts the law is stated as “to every action there is A + B =0

an equal and opposite reaction”. However, this can lead to
some confusion. To see why, let us look at the situation of So what is the origin of these two forces? They actually
the book on the table. The book is in equilibrium so we arise from the interaction forces between the molecules of
conclude that the force that the book exerts on the table the book and the molecules of the table. The interaction
is balanced by a “reaction force”, the force that the table force is complex but essentially between any two molecules
exerts on the book. We can ask the question “ what if the there is either a force of repulsion or a force of attraction.
book is so heavy that it breaks the table?”. Does this mean Which force operates depends on the separation of the
that Newton’s third law no longer works? No, because this molecules and, in equilibrium, the two molecules will take
is not an example of Newton’s third law. Let us look at the up a separation at which the repulsion force balances the
situation more carefully to see just how the third law is attraction force. If we “push” the molecules closer together
working. In Figure 242 we illustrate all the forces acting. the repulsion force becomes greater than the attraction
force and if the “push” is released the molecules will move
The weight of the book is the force X and this is the force back to the equilibrium position. It is this repulsion force
that the earth exerts on the book. The force Y is the force which stops you falling through the floor.
that the book exerts on the Earth.
If we “pull” the molecules further apart then the attraction
force becomes greater than the repulsion force and if we
release the “pull”, the molecules will move back to the
equilibrium position. The attraction force is why you need
to apply a force to stretch a spring and the repulsion force
is why you need to apply a force to compress a spring.

55
 Chapter 2

The three situations are illustrated in Figure 243 force and mass, can be defined from one equation, F = m a.
Well, the answer is that they are not.
equilibrium:
If a system consists of two isolated particles that exert
The net force on each molecule is zero.
equal and opposite forces on each other, then the ratio
of their acceleration will be in the ratio of their masses.
One of the particles can be considered to be a “standard
CORE

There is now a net force of repulsion on each molecule. mass” and the acceleration of other particles interacting
with this standard can be measured in order to determine
their mass

There is now a net force of attraction on each molecule.

Exercises

In 1920, the Smithsonian published an original

paper by Robert Goddard titled, ‘A Method for
Figure 243  Forces between molecules Reaching Extreme Altitudes,’ in which Goddard
included a small section stressing that rockets
The magnitude of both the attraction and repulsion forces could be used to send payloads to the Moon.
depends on the separation of the molecules. The repulsion The next day, the New York Times wrote a scathing
force increases very rapidly as the molecules get closer editorial denouncing his theories as folly. Goddard was
together and this is why it requires a much greater force to ridiculed and made to look like a fool. The editorial stated
compress certain solids than it does to extend them. So we that travel in space by rocket was impossible because a
see that the table can still break without violating the third rocket would have no air to push against. Discuss, with
law. When the table breaks we just have a re-arrangement reference to Newton’s law why the editor of the New York
of its molecular structure. Times was actually the fool.

When students first encounter the third law they sometime

say things like ‘ if, when a force is exerted on an object 2.3 Work, Energy
there is an equal and opposite reaction, how can anything
ever move? Equal and opposite forces must mean the net and Power
force on everything is always zero.’ Think of the Earth and
the book. When the table is not present, there is a net force
on the book and it accelerates in accordance with Newton’s 2.3.1 Outline what is meant by work.
second law. It is the net force on the system of the Earth
and the book that is zero. Similarly if we think of a horse 2.3.2 Determine the work done by a non-
pulling a cart, the acceleration of the cart depends not on constant force by interpreting a force–
the forces that it might exert on something else, but on the displacement graph. A typical example
forces that are exerted on it. would be calculating the work done in
extending a spring. See 2.3.7
We have gone into the third law in some detail because
it is an area of physics which is often misunderstood by 2.3.3 Solve problems involving the work done
students. Basically, just remember to be careful when by a force.
© IBO 2007
identifying the system in which the equal and opposite
forces appear. Also remember that when computing the
acceleration of a body, it is the forces that act on the body 2.3.1 Outline what is meant by work
that are considered, not the forces that it exerts on other
bodies. The terms work and energy are used frequently in everyday
speech. However, although it is possible to give an exact
It is the third law, which enables physicists to give a logical physical definition of ‘work’ it is not so easy to define
definition of mass. This is something that you will not be precisely what is meant by ‘energy. We often use the term
expected to know for the examination and it is included for in the context of ‘having enough energy to get something
the inquisitive who are puzzled as to how two quantities, done’. So for the time being, let us be happy with this

56
 Mechanics

idea and also note that getting ‘something done’ usually

involves a transfer of energy from one form to another. Engine
For example a car engine uses fuel in order to get the car
moving and to keep it moving, you eat food in order to
live, oil is burned in a power station to provide electrical
energy and you can think of other examples. h
s
mg

CORE
θ
E ngine

2m g Figure 245  Using a slope

We shall assume that the surface of the slope is frictionless.

The work W done by the engine using the above definition
is:
mg
2h
W = force × s
h
where s is the distance up the slope.
mg 2m g
The force this time is the component of the weight down
Figure 244  Fuel used to lift a weight the slope. Hence,
��������

In Figure 244 we imagine a situation in which we are using W = mg sin θ × s

fuel in an engine whose function is to lift a weight mg to a
h h - , meaning that W = mgsin θ × s = mg
certain height. But sinθ = --- ⇒ s = ----------
s sin θ
h h - , meaning h-
In the first diagram the engine lifts the sinθ = ---to⇒
weight s = ----------
a height that W = mgsin θ × s = mg sin θ × ----------
meaning that
sin θ
h and in the second diagram the engine lifts a weight 2mgsin θ
s
to a height 2h. In the first situation let us suppose that the = mgh
engine requires 1 dm3 of fuel to complete the task. Then in
the second situation we would guess that the engine would That is,
require 4 dm3 of fuel. The amount of fuel used is a measure
of the energy that is transferred and to complete the tasks W = mgh
we say that the engine has done work. If we quantify the
term work then the amount of work that is done will be This is just the amount of work that the engine would
a measure of the energy that has been transferred in the have performed if it had lifted the weight directly. Our
performance of the tasks. Clearly the engine has done definition of work therefore becomes
work against a force, in this situation, the force of gravity.
If we double the force i.e. the weight, then the work done is Work = magnitude of the force × displacement in
doubled and if we double the distance through which the the direction of the force
weight is moved then the work done is also doubled. If we
double both together, then the work done is quadrupled. It Which is the same as
seems that we can define work as:
work = magnitude of the component of the force
Work = force × distance moved in the direction moved × the distance moved

However, we have to be careful in using this definition. The SI unit of work is the newton–metre and is called
Consider the situation below in which the engine lifts the the joule named after the 19th Century physicist James
weight up a slope to height h. Prescott Joule.

57
 Chapter 2

2.3.2 The work done by a non- 2.3.3 Solve problems involving

constant force the work done by a force

Clearly, when a spring is stretched or compressed, work is

done. That a stretched spring or a compressed spring has Example
CORE

the potential to do work is apparent from many everyday

examples and it is left as an exercise for you to describe
some of the examples. A force of 100 N pulls a box of weight 200 N along a
smooth horizontal surface as shown in the Figure below.
Figure 246 (a) below shows a plot of a constant force 100 N
against displacement and Figure 246 (b) shows a plot of
the spring force against displacement. 45°

Graph 1 Graph 2
F orc e F orce Calculate the work done by the force

F (a) in moving the box a distance of 25 m along

F
the horizontal
(b) against gravity.

x x
d s
Solution
Figure 246  (a) and (b) Force vs displacement graphs

The area under each of the graphs is clearly equal to the (a) The component of the force along the
work done. In Figure 256 (a) when the force F undergoes a direction of motion, i.e., the horizontal�
displacement d the work done is Fd. In Figure 246 (b) when component, Fh, can be determined by using
the force F produces an extension s then the work done is the fact that
100 N
1 1 ​F​h​
___
--- Fswork done is
--- Fs . But in this case F = ks, hence the cos 45˚ = ​    ​ 
2 2 100 45°
1
1 1 2 --
- Fs
--- × ( ks ) × s = --- ks 2 ⇔F
​ ​h​= 100 cos45˚
2 2
1 1 2
--- × ( ks ) × s = --- ks
2 The work that2 has been done is stored in the spring as = 71 N
elastic potential energy Eelas . The adjective potential in this That is, the component of the force along
1context
2 essentially means “hidden”.1Clearly 2 the direction of motion is 71N. Therefore
E elas = --- ks E elas = --- ks
2 2 the work done (F × ������������������������
s���������������������
) = 71 × 25 = 1780
1 2
E elas = --- ks That is, the work done is 1780 J.
2 (b) edThere is no displacement by the force in the
We can extend this idea to find the work done by any plsdirection
check p 95of for detailHence the work done
gravity.
non-constant force. If we know how the force depends by the force against gravity is zero.
on displacement then to find the work done by the force
we just compute the area under the force-displacement
graph. Suppose that a constant frictional force of 50 N acts on
the box. How much work is done against friction? Again,
using the fact that W = force × distance, �����������������
we have that the
work done is simply 50 �������������
��������������
25 = 1250 N.

Notice that in the above example we use the expressions

“work done by” and “work done against”. This occurs
over and over again in physics. For example the engine
lifting the weight does work against gravity. However, if

58
 Mechanics

the weight is allowed to fall, the work is done by gravity. So how do we find out just how much work a moving
Strictly speaking we therefore have a sign convention for object is capable of doing?
work. The convention is that
In the diagram below, a force F moves an object of mass m
Work done on a system is negative. a distance d along a horizontal surface. There is no friction
between the object and the surface.
Work done by a system is positive.

CORE
F
In the example above, the box can be identified as the system.
m kg

Although this convention is not always important, in many d

mechanics situations, it is of great importance when we
come to consider the relationship between heat and work Figure 249  An example of kinetic energy
(Chapter 10) and in the relation between field strength
and potential (Chapter 9) We will assume that the object starts from rest. The force
F will accelerate the object in accordance with Newton’s
Second law and the magnitude of the acceleration will be
Exercise given by using the formula
F
F = ma, from which we obtain a = a---
a = --- F- F-
m- = ---
A man drags a sack of flour of mass 50 kg at constant m m F
a = ----
speed up an inclined plane to a height of 5.0 m. The plane We can use the equation v = u + 2as to findFan expression m
2 2
a = ----
makes an angle of 30° with the horizontal and a constant of the speed of the object after it has moved m a distance
frictional force of 200 N acts on the sack down the plane. d (= s).
2 2 F F 2 2Fd
v2is,= v(20=)2 +
( F+- 2d ⇒
2) 2 --- ---- vvd2⇒=
2 - 2Fd
= v2Fd
---------
(a) Calculate the work that the man does against That 0
v = ( 0 ) + 2 m- d ⇒ --- m=- ---------
--------- -
m m2 m mF
- d ⇒ v = 2Fd
2 2
1 21v =2 ( 0 ) + 2 --- m
----------
i. friction. From which 2 Fd =Fd --- mv2---F
21 2 2Fd m
Fd = --
- =
mv mv
v = ( 0 ) 2+ 2 2 d ⇒ v = ----------
---
-
ii. gravity. 2 m m1 2
The work done (Fd) by the force F inFd = --- mv
moving
1 2 2 the object a
distance d in the direction Fd = of --- mv
F is now therefore expressed
1 2 2
2.3.4 Outline what is meant by kinetic energy.
1--- mv21--- mv2 in terms of the properties of the body and its motion. The
--
2- mv 2
2 1 2
2.3.5 Outline what is meant by change in quantity --- mv is called the kinetic energy (KE) of the body
1 2 2
gravitational potential energy. --- mv
2 and is the energy that a body possesses by virtue of its
2.3.6 State the principle of conservation of motion. The kinetic energy of a body essentially tells us
energy. how much work the body is capable of doing.
1 21 2
E = 1--- mv = 2--- mv
E kk =E--
2k- mv
2.3.7 List different forms of energy and describe We denote the kinetic 2energy 2 by EK, so that 1 2
examples of the transformation of energy E k = --- mv
1--- 2 2
from one form to another. E k = mv
2
2.3.8 Distinguish between elastic and inelastic A very useful relationship exists between kinetic energy
collisions. and momentum.
© IBO 2007

We have that p = mv such that p2 = m2v2

2.3.4 Kinetic energy
Hence substituting for v2, we have
A moving object possesses the capacity to do work. A
hammer, for example, by virtue of its motion can be used p2 p2
to do work in driving a nail into a piece of wood. Such that... E K = and = mv2 = 2 EK
2m     m

59
 Chapter 2

To demonstrate the so-called principle of energy

2.3.5 Potential energy conservation we will solve a dynamics problem in
two different ways, one using the principle of energy
When an object is resting on top of a wall it has the potential conservation and the other using Newton’s laws and the
to do work. If it falls off the wall onto a nail sticking out kinematics equations. Example
of a piece of wood then it could drive the nail further into
the wood. Work is needed to lift the object on to the top of
Example
CORE

the wall and we can think of this work as being ‘stored as

potential energy in the object.
1
E elas = --- ks 2
2
In general if an object of mass m is lifted to a height h above An object of mass 4.0 kg slides from rest without friction
the surface of the earth then the work done is mgh and the down an inclined plane. The plane makes an angle of 30°
object has a potential energy also equal to mgh (force = mg, with the horizontal and the object starts from a vertical
displacement = h). However, we have to be careful when height of 0.50 m. Determine the speed of the object when
using this equation since if h is too large then we can no it reaches the bottom of the plane.
longer regard g as being constant. Also, we must note that
there is no zero of potential energy in this situation. (In
chapter 9 we will see how we define the zero of potential Solution
energy). If the object rests upon the ground and we dig a
hole, then the object has potential to do work when it falls
down the hole. The object in fact has gravitational potential The set-up is shown in this diagram:
energy by virtue of its position in the Earth’s gravitational
field. No matter where an object is placed in the Universe
it will be attracted by the gravitational force of the Earth. Reaction force
v=0
We say that the Earth has an associated gravitational field.
A h = 0.50
(Indeed all objects will have an associated gravitational
field as we will discuss in the chapters 6 and 9). At this 0.50 m
stage you should appreciate that when an object is moved mg
v= V
a distance ∆h in the Earth’s gravitational field and in the B 30°
direction of the field, its change in potential energy ∆EP h= 0
is:
We set ‘zero–level’ at point B, the base of the incline, so
∆EP = mg∆h that h = 0 and so that at point A, h = 0.50. At A, the object
has no kinetic energy (v = 0) and at point B, the object has
(provided that g is constant over the distance moved.) gained kinetic energy (v = V).

Another example of potential energy is, as we saw in Method 1: Kinematic solution

the Section 2.3.2, elastic potential energy. To summarise
therefore we have: The force down the plane is given by mgsinθ = 20 N.

∆EP = mg∆h mgsinθ = 20 N. Using Newton’s 2nd law (F = ma) gives the acceleration
and
20
1
E elas = --- ks 2 a = ------- = 5.0 m s –2.
2 4.0
(Note that we could have determined the acceleration by
writing down the component of g down the plane)
2.3.6 The principle of energy
conservation Using ​V2​ ​= u
​ 2​ ​+ 2as with u = 0, and s (the distance down

the plane)
(In Topic 7.3 we shall see that this should actually be the
principle of mass-energy conservation) = ​  0.50 0.50   ​ = 1.0
____  ​ = ​  ______
sinθ sin30˚
___
We have, ​V2​ ​= ​02​ ​+ 2 × 5 × 1 ⇒ V = √
​ 10 ​  = 3.2 m s-1

60
 Mechanics

Method 2: Energy Principle It was the great triumph of some late eighteenth and early
nineteenth physicists and engineers to recognise that this
As the object slides down the plane its potential energy ‘lost energy’ is transformed into thermal energy. If you rub
becomes transformed into kinetic energy. If we assume your finger along the top of a table you will definitely feel
that no energy is ‘lost’ we can write it getting warm. This is where the “lost” energy has gone.
It has in fact been used to make the molecules of the table
change in PE = mgh = gain in KE = _​ 21 ​​mv​2​ and the molecules of your finger vibrate more vigorously.

CORE
So that _​ 12 ​​mv​2​= mgh ⇒ V
​ 2​ ​= 2gh Another thing to notice is that this energy is “lost” in the
____ sense that we can’t get it back to do useful work. If there
⇒V=√
​ 2gh  ​ were no friction between the object and the surface of the
plane then, when it reached the bottom of the plane, work
Using the values of g and h, we have that V = 3.2 m s-1. could be done to take it up to the top of the plane and this
cycle could go on indefinitely. (We could actually set up
That is, the object reaches a speed of 3.2 m s-1. the arrangement such that the objects KE at the bottom of
the plane could be used to get it back to the same height
Note that the mass of the object does not come into the again). It is what we call a reversible process. The presence
question, nor does the distance travelled down the plane. of friction stops this. If the object is dragged back up the
When using the energy principle we are only concerned with plane you won’t get the energy back that has been “lost”
the initial and final conditions and not with what happens due to friction, you will just “lose” more energy. This is an
in between. If you go on to study physics in more depth you irreversible process. We can now start to glimpse why, even
will find that this fact is of enormous importance. though it is impossible to destroy energy, it is possible to
“run out” of “useful energy”. Energy becomes as we say,
The second solution involves making the assumption degraded.
that potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy
and that no energy is lost. This is the so–called ‘energy The general principle of energy conservation finds its
principle’, this means the energy is conserved. formulation in the First law of Thermodynamics and
the consequences of this law and the idea of energy
Clearly in this example it is much quicker to use the energy degradation and its implication on World energy sources
principle. This is often the case with many problems and in is discussed in much more detail in Chapter 8.
fact with some problems the solution can only be achieved
using energy considerations.
2.3.7 Types of energy and energy
What happens if friction acts in the above example? transformations
Suppose a constant force of 16 N acts on the object as
it slides down the plane. Now, even using the energy
principle, we need the distance down the plane so we can (This links with Topic 8)
calculate the work done against friction
There are many different forms of energy and their
This is 16 × 1.0 = 16 J. The work done by gravity i.e. the transformations of which some examples are given here.
change in PE = 20 J
Thermal energy
The total work done on the object is therefore
This is essentially the kinetic energy of atoms and
20 – 16 = 4.0 J. molecules. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as
‘heat’. The term heat actually refers to a transfer of energy
Hence the speed is now given by _​ 21 ​​mv​2​= 4.0. between systems.

To give v = 1.4 m s-1.

So in this problem, not all the work done has gone into
accelerating the object. We say that the frictional force has
dissipated energy. If we are to retain to the idea of energy
conservation then we must “account” for this “lost” energy.

61
 Chapter 2

Chemical energy being elastic. The collision of two snooker (pool) balls is
very nearly elastic, as is the collision between two steel ball
This is energy that is associated with the electronic bearings. An interesting situation arises when the balls are
structure of atoms and is therefore associated with the of the same mass and one is at rest before the collision and
electromagnetic force. the collision takes place along a line joining their centres
as shown Figure 251.
An example of this is combustion in which carbon
u1 = u u2 = 0 v1 = v v2 = V
CORE

combines with oxygen to release thermal energy, light

energy and sound energy. m m
m m

Nuclear energy
Before After
This is the energy that is associated with the nuclear
structure of atoms and is therefore associated with the Figure 251  Rolling Balls
strong nuclear force.
Suppose that the speed of the moving ball is u and that
An example of this is the splitting of nuclei of uranium by the respective speeds of the balls after collision are v and
neutrons to produce energy. V. If we now apply the laws of momentum and energy
conservation we have conservation of momentum:
Electrical energy
mu = mv + mV
This is energy that is usually associated with an electric
current and is sometimes referred to incorrectly as conservation of energy
electricity. For example the thermal energy from a chemical
reaction (chemical energy) can be used to boil water and _​ 1 ​​mu​2​= _​ 1 ​​mv​2​+ _​ 1 ​​mV​2​
2 2 2
produce steam. The kinetic energy of the molecules of steam
(thermal energy) can be used to rotate magnets and this From which we see that u = v + V and u2 = v2 + V2
rotation generates an electric current. The electric current
transfers the energy to consumers where it is transformed The only solution to these equations is that u = V and v = 0.
into for example thermal and light energy (filament lamps)
and kinetic energy (electric motors).We shall learn later This means that the moving ball comes to rest after
that these different forms of energy all fall into the category collision and the ball that was at rest moves off with
of either potential or kinetic energy and are all associated the speed that the moving ball had before collision.
with one or other of the fundamental forces. This situation is demonstrated in that well known “toy”,
Newton’s Cradle.
Energy can be transformed from one form into another
and as far as we know energy can never be created nor
can it be destroyed. This is perhaps one of the most 2.3.9 Define power.
fundamental laws of nature and any new theories which
might be proposed must always satisfy the principle of 2.3.10 Define and apply the concept of efficiency.
energy conservation. A simple example of the principle
is, as we have seen, to be found in the transformation of 2.3.11 Solve problems involving momentum, work,
gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy. energy and power.
© IBO 2007

2.3.8 Elastic and inelastic 2.3.9 Power

collisions
Suppose that we have two machines A and B that are used
Collisions in which mechanical energy is not lost are called in lifting objects. Machine A lifts an object of weight 100
elastic collisions whereas collision in which mechanical N to a height of 5.0 m in a time of 10 s. When machine B
energy is lost are called inelastic collisions. In the real is used to perform the same task it takes 0.1 s. Our instinct
world mechanical energy is always lost during a collision. tells us that machine B is more powerful than machine A.
However, some collisions do approximate quite well to To quantify the concept of power we define power as

62
 Mechanics

Power = the rate of working

Solution
work-
i.e., power = ------------
time
P P
The unit that is used to measure power is the joule per Using the formula P = Fv, we have that F F= = --- .--v- .
second which is called the watt, (W) after the 19th Century v
3000000
Scottish engineer James Watt. F F= =3000000
Hence, --------------------
--------------------- =- =5050
kNkN
. .
6060

CORE
In the example above, of our two machines, A will have a
power output of 50 W and machine B a power output of
5000 W. Our answer is at best an approximation since the situation
is in fact much more complicated than at first glance.
In the following example some sort of engine is used to The train reaches a maximum speed because as its
pull an object at a constant speed along the horizontal. speed increases the frictional force due to air resistance
also increases. Hence, at its maximum speed all the
energy produced by the motors is used to overcome air
v
resistance, energy lost by friction between wheels and
Engine
track and friction between moving parts of the motors
F and connected parts.
object

Friction Again, we shall see that the concept of power and its
application is discussed in much more detail in Chapter 8
Figure 252  Force Against Friction and also elsewhere in the syllabus.

The pulling force F (which is the tension in the rope)

produced by the engine will be equal to the frictional force 2.3.10 Efficiency
between the object and the floor.
(Machines and efficiencies are discussed in more detail in
Suppose that the engine moves the object a distance ∆s in Chapters 8 and 10).
time ∆t ����������������������������������������������������
. The work done against the frictional force (i.e.,
the work done by the engine) is: ∆W = F ∆s The efficiency of an engine is defined as follows
∆W = F ∆s
WOUT POUT
∆W = F ∆s Eff = =
WIN PIN
The power P developed by the engine is therefore Where WOUT is how much useful work the engine produces
∆W ∆s- and WIN is how much work (energy) is delivered to the
P = ∆ W- = F ⋅P∆
-------
s=
- -------- = F ⋅ -----
-----
∆ t ∆t engine. The ratio of these two quantities is clearly the same
∆ t ∆ ∆st
∆ W
P = -------- = F ⋅ -----
- as the ratio power output of the engine to its power output.
∆s
v = ∆ s-
----- ∆t that ∆t
But, v = ------ hence, we have
∆t
∆ s-t To understand the idea of efficiency, we will look at the
v = ∆
----- P = Fv following example.
∆t

Example Example

A diesel locomotive is pulling a train at its maximum An engine with a power output of 1.2 kW drags an object
speed of 60 m s-1. At this speed the power output of the of weight 1000 N at a constant speed up an inclined plane
engine is 3.0 MW. Calculate the tractive force exerted by that makes an angle of 30° with the horizontal. A constant
the engine. frictional force of 300 N acts between the object and the
plane and the object is dragged a distance of 8.0 m.

F = P--- . F = P
--- . Determine the speed of the object and the efficiency of
v v the engine.
F = P
--
- .
3000000
F = 3000000
---------------------F= =50--------------------
kN60. - = 50 kN
v .
60 63
F = 3000000
--------------------- = 50 kN .
60
 Chapter 2

Solution 2.3.11 S
�olve problems involving,��
�����������������������
work, energy and power
We first need to draw a diagram to visualise the situation.

Examples
E ngine
CORE

P
1000 × sin30° = 500 N
8.0 m h = 8.0 × sin30° = 4.0 m 1. Calculate the momentum of a particle of mass
300 N 1000 N 0.06 kg that has a kinetic energy of 3.2 J.

2. Estimate the minimum take-off power of a

The component of the object’s weight down the plane is 1000 grasshopper (cicada).
× sin30° = 500 N.
3. An elastic band of length 2d is attached to a
The total force against which the machine does work is horizontal board as shown in the diagram below.
therefore 500 + 300 = 800 N.
A margarine tub has some weights attached to
Using P = Fv, we have 1200 = 800 × v the bottom of the inside of the tub such that the
total mass of the weights and the tub is M. The tub
so that v = 1.5 m s-1. is placed at the centre of the band and is pulled
back until the tub makes an angle θ with the
The machine lifts the object to a height h, band as shown. The tub is then released such that
it is projected down the runway for a distance s
where h = 8.0 × sin30° = 4.0 m. before coming to rest. The problem is to deduce an
expression for the speed with which the tub leaves
The useful work that is done by the machine is therefore the band. The force constant of the elastic band is k.
1000 × 4.0 = 4000 J.
4. A railway truck, B, of mass 2000 kg is at rest on
The actual work that is done by the machine is 800 × 8.0 = a horizontal track. Another truck, A, of the same
6400 J. mass moving with a speed of 5.0 m s–1 collides
with the stationary truck and they link up and
The efficiency of the machine is the useful work done divided move off together.
by the actual work done which is
Determine the speed with which the two trucks
4000 - × 100% = 63% .
----------- move off and also the loss of kinetic energy on
6400 collision.
4000 - ×can
-----------
We 100% = 63% . the energy output per second of the
also calculate
6400
fuel used by the machine. The machine has a useful power
output of 1.2 kW and if it is 63% efficient then the fuel must Solutions
produce energy at the rate of 1.2 –1
---------- = 1.9 k J s .
0.63
1.2 –1
---------- = 1.9 k J s . p2
0.63
1 Use E K = we have that
2m

p = 2mEK 2 × 0.06 × 3.2

=
= 0.62 N s

2 Estimates

mass of grasshopper = 2.0 × 10-3 kg

64
 Mechanics

height to which it jumps 0.50 m 4 It helps to start by drawing a diagram:

time it takes to develop take-off power = 200 ms

Before collision After collision
V
Calculation
A B A B
energy needed to reach 0.50 m = mgh
u1 = 5.0 u2 = 0

CORE
= 2.0 × 10-3 × 10 × 0.50 = 10-2 J
As the trucks couple after the collision, the conservation of
= 0.50 W momentum law states that:

3. In the following example we tie together the ideas m1 u1 + m2 u2 = ( m1 + m2 )V w here, m1 = m2 = 2000 ,

of energy transformations and the work done by a
10000- = 2.5 m s –1.
non-constant force m1 u1 + m2 u2 = ( m1 + m2 )V w here×
2000 ,m5 1+ =0 m = 2( 2000
= 2000 , )V ⇒ V = --------------
+ 2000
4000
10000 - = 2.5 m1s –1.2000 × 5 2w+h0ere=, m
We first deduce an expression 2000 for ×the + 0 = ( 2000
5 extension of the+elastic2000 )V ⇒ mso1 V uthat= --------------
2 u2 = ( m1 +---m×2 )V
1 + m4000 1 = m
25000 J 2 = 2000 ,
band. 2
1--- m )V )V ⇒2V = 10000
original position of elastic band
m1 u1 + m2 u2 = ( m1 + × 22000 × 5 2000
2
+w0he=r×e,525000
m+1 0==Jm(22000 =1---2000 + 2000, × - = 2.5 m s –1.
--------------
l 2 × 4000 (2.5 ) = 12500
4000
2
2000 × m u +
of5 + 0 =1 ( 2000
1 m+2 u2000 = )V( m1 + ⇒ 2 mV2 )V= 10000
--------------
- w=h2.5
ere,m 1---ms1–1=. m(25000
=2 2000 ,
M
θ
2d
direction 1
--
- × 4000
2
× ( 2.5 ) = 125004000 × 2000 2× 5 + –0 12500)= 25000 = 12500J J.
θ travel of tub 2 210000
m1 u1× +51 m
2000 ( m21 + 2000
+ 20u2= =( 2000 m2 )V)V ⇒ w , m1 -==m
he=re--------------
Vcollision 2 =
2.5 s –1. ,
m2 2000
--- × 2000 (25000 The– total
12500)
× 5 + 0 = 25000 J KE = before
12500 J.1 4000equals
2 --- × 4000 × (2.5 ) = 12500
10000- = 2.5 m s –1.
2000 × 5 + 0 = ( 2000 1--- + 2000 )V2 ⇒ V2 = --------------
1 2 × 2000 × 5 + 0 = 25000 4000J(25000 – 12500) = 12500 J.
--- × 4000 × (2.5 )2 = 12500
The stretched length from the geometry of the situation 2 is 1 2
d   ​ 
equal to l = ​ ____ × 2000
1 The--- total KE ×after 0 = 25000 J
5 2 +collision
sinθ (25000 --
- × –
2 12500)
4000 × (=
2.5 )
12500 = J.12500equals
2
1 2
The extension, e, is therefore --- × 4000(25000 × (2.5 –) 12500)= 12500 = 12500 J.
2
​  2d  ​ – 2d = 2d​ ​ ____
e = 2l – 2d = ____
sinθ sinθ ( 
1   ​ – 1  ​
) So that the (25000 – 12500)
kinetic energy lost=on12500 J. is
collision

The stored elastic energy is therefore (25000 – 12500) = 12500 J.

(  ( 
E​elas​= ​ _12 ​​ke​2​= ​ _12 ​k​​ 2d​ ​ ____
sinθ ))
1   ​ – 1  ​  2​​ ​ By lost energy we mean that the energy has been dissipated
to the surroundings. Some of it will be converted into sound
(  )
2
= 2k​​d​2​​ ​ ____ 1   ​ – 1  ​​ ​ and most will heat up the coupling between the trucks.
sinθ
If we assume that all the energy is transferred to the tub
when the tub is released we have that the kinetic energy of
the tub, E​k , is such that E​k​= ​Eelas
​ ​so that

( 
​ _12 ​​mv​2​= 2k​​d​2​​ ​ ____
sinθ )
1   ​ – 1  2​​ ​ ​v2​ ​= ___
​ 4k
m ( 
 ​​ d​2​​​ ​ ____
sinθ
__
)
1   ​ – 1  2​​ ​

So that the speed is given by v = 2​ ​ __ √ (  k ____

)
1   ​ – 1  ​
m  ​ ​ d​ ​ sinθ

The above example can form the basis for a useful experiment
in which you can investigate the factors that effect the
distance that the margarine tub will travel.

65
 Chapter 2

Exercises 2.4 Uniform

Circular
1. Suppose that in Example 4 above that after the
collision truck A and truck B����������������������
do not link and that motion
after the collision, truck A is moving with a speed
of 1 m s–1 and in the same direction as prior to the
CORE

(This topic links with Topics 6.3 and 9.4)

collision. Determine

(i) the speed of truck B after collision 2.4.1 Draw a vector diagram to illustrate that
(ii) the kinetic energy lost on collision the acceleration of a particle moving
with constant speed in a circle is directed
2. A man drags a sack of flour of mass 100 kg at toward the centre of the circle
constant speed up an inclined plane to a height of
6.0 m. The plane makes an angle of 300 with the 2.4.2 Apply the expression for centripetal
horizontal and a constant frictional force of 250 N acceleration.
acts on the sack down the plane.
2.4.3 Identify the force producing circular
(a) Determine the efficiency of the inclined motion in various situations.
plane? Examples include gravitational force
acting on the Moon and friction acting
3. ������������������������������������������������
A car of mass 1000 kg is parked on a level road sideways on the tyres of a car turning a
with its handbrake on. Another car of mass corner.
1500 kg travelling at 10 m s–1 collides into the back
of the stationary car. The two cars move together 2.4.4 Solve problems involving circular motion.
© IBO 2007
after collision in the same straight line. They travel
25m before finally coming to rest.
Problems on banked motion (aircraft and vehicles going
Determine the average frictional force exerted on round banked tracks) will not be included.
the cars as they come to rest.

2.4.1 Circular motion and vector

diagrams

We have mentioned earlier in this chapter that when a

car goes round a circular bend in the road moving with
constant speed it must be accelerating. Acceleration is
a vector and is defined as the rate of change of velocity.
Velocity is also a vector and so it follows that if the direction
of motion of an object is changing then even though its
speed might be constant, its velocity is changing and
hence it is accelerating. A force is needed to accelerate an
object and we might ask what is the origin of the force that
causes the car to go round the bend in the road. Do not
fall into the trap of thinking that this force comes from the
engine. This would imply that if you are on a bicycle then
you can only go round a corner if you keep pedalling. To
understand the origin of the force just think what happens
if the road is icy. Yes, it is this friction between the tyres
and the road that produces the force. If there is no friction
then you cannot negotiate a bend in the road.

66
 Mechanics

Let us think of the example where you whirl an object tied Centripetal (angular) acceleration
to a string about your head with constant speed. Clearly
the force that produces the circular motion in this case in In this section we shall derive an expression of the
a horizontal plane is the tension in the string. If the string centripetal acceleration of a particle moving with uniform
were to snap then the object would fly off at a tangent to speed v in a circle of radius. You will not be expected to
the circle. This is the direction of the velocity vector of derive this relation in an IB examination; it is given here
the object. The tension in the string acts at right angles for completeness.

CORE
to this vector and this is the prerequisite for an object to
move in a circle with constant speed. If a force acts at right v P v
P X
angles to the direction of motion of an object then there Q h
Q
is no component of force in the direction of motion and d
r
therefore no acceleration in the direction of motion. If the r
force is constant then the direction of the path that the
object follows will change by equal amounts in equal time
intervals hence the overall path of motion must be a circle.
Figure 256 shows the relation between the direction of the
velocity vector and the force acting on a particle P moving
with constant speed in a circular path. Figure 257  Centripetal Acceleration

d 2the
In Figure 238 suppose that – h ) 2 moves
+ ( rparticle = r2 ⇔ d 2 P= to
from 2rh – h 2
v Q v
Q in time ∆t
F P P
∆θ
r
In the absence of a centripetal force the particle would
O O
reach the point X in this time. The force therefore effectively
causes the particle to “fall” a distance h.2rh d2
For=intersecting
chords of a circle we have in this situation
d
Figure 256  Centripetal Force + (rd2 = – h )2
⇔ r2 d2
=d 22rh –( vh∆2 t ) 2
h = ----- = ---------------
d2 + ( r – h )2 = r 2 ⇔ d2 = 2r 2rh – 2r h2
The force causing the circular motion is called the centripetal Now suppose 2that we consider
2 a
2 very2
d + ( r – h ) =2 r ⇔ d 2= 2rh small time – hinterval
2
force and this force causes the particle to accelerate d + ( r – h ) = r 2 ⇔ d 2 = 2rh
then h2 will be very small compared to 2rh. Hence we can – h2
d 2 1---+at( r – h ) 2 = rh2 ⇔ 1 = 2rh
towards the centre of the circle and this acceleration is write s = 2 2
= --d- a2 ( ∆t) – h2
called the centripetal acceleration. However, be careful to 2 2rh = d 2 2
2
realise that the centripetal acceleration is always at right ∆t ) 2 = d1---
( v2rh v 2 ( ∆t ) 2 1
angles to the velocity of the particle. If the speed of the ---------------
2rh = a 2( ∆t ) 2 ⇒ ------------------d = --v- a×( ∆
d ∆ tt). 2
2r 2 2rh = d 2r 2 2
particle is reduced then it will spiral towards the centre However d is the horizontal
d2 ∆t ) 22 travelled2 in timed ∆t
( vdistance = v × ∆t .
of the circle, accelerating rapidly as it does so. This is in such that d = v∆t. h Hence = ----- 2rh = ---------------
= d v d = v × ∆t .
effect what happens as an orbiting satellite encounters the
2rd 2 ( v2r∆t ) 2 a = ---- r
-
h = ----- 2= --------------- 2
d ( v ∆t ) 2
Earth’s atmosphere. h =2r----- = 2r --------------- d ( v ∆t ) 2
2r h2r = ----- = --------------- d = v × ∆t .
1 2 1 2 2r 2r
s = --- at h = ---a ( ∆dt )2 ( v ∆t ) 2
People sometimes talk of a centrifugal force in connection 21 However 2 h is the distance h21 = ----- “fallen”2= ---------------in time ∆t
with circular motion. They say something along thes = 2 at
--- h = --- a ( ∆ 2rt ) 2r
1 2( v ∆t ) 2 2 1--- a2( ∆t )v22 ( ∆t ) 21 1 2
s = --- at --------------- 11--
h =
2 -t )a ( ∆t ) 2
--- - a ( ∆2t ) ⇒ ------------------ h22r= ---2a ( ∆--
2r∆st ) 2= 22at
lines that when a car goes round a bend in the road you So
2 using 2
( v 1--- v ( ∆ t )
2 1
feel a force throwing you outwards and this force is the 1 2 --------------- 2 a11( ∆t ) 2 ⇒ 2 ( ∆t ) 2 --- a1( ∆t )
2 ------------------ 2
s = --- at (2rv ∆t ) h 2= ------a ( ∆t )2 22 ------------------ v2r 2 2
centrifugal force. But there is no such force. All that is 2From which we have2a ( ∆
--------------- v∆ t )t )v⇒ 1 t )t2) 2
--- av( ∆( ∆ 1---
2r a = ----- ---2r
2 --------------- a ( ∆t ) 2 ⇒2 ------------------ a ( ∆t ) 2
happening is that you are moving in accordance with 2r rv 2 2 2 2 2r 2
( v ∆t ) 2 1--- v- ( ∆t ) 1---
Newton’s laws. Before the car entered the bend you were --------------- a ( ∆ta) 2=⇒---- r ------------------
v 22r a ( ∆t ) 2
2r 2 a = ----
- 2 v2
moving in a straight line and you still want to keep moving r a = -----
in a straight line. Fortunately the force exerted on you by a So that, r
v2
side of the car as you push up against it stops you moving a = ---- -
vr 2
in a straight line. Take the side away and you will continue a = -----
r
moving in a straight line as the car turns the bend.

67
 Chapter 2

Below are some examples of forces which provide

Example centripetal forces:

d 2 + ( r – h ) 2 = r 2 ⇔ d 2 = 2rh – h 2 1. Gravitational force. This is discussed in detail in

A geo-stationary satellite is one that orbits Earth in the Topic 6.1
24 hours. The orbital radius of the satellite is 4.2 × 107 m.
Calculate the acceleration of the satellite and state the 2. Frictional forces between the wheels of a vehicle
direction of the acceleration. 2(24 hours = 8.64 × 104 s)
CORE

and the ground.

2rh = d
3. Magnetic forces. This force is discussed in Topic 6.3
Solution d = v × ∆t .
d2 ( v ∆t ) 2 Then of course we have the example of objects constrained
h = ----- = --------------- to move in circles by strings or wires attached to the
2r 2r
Let r = the orbital radius and T the period. The speed v of object.
the satellite is then given by
1 2 1 2
s = --- at h = ---a ( ∆t )
2 the acceleration2a is therefore given by 2.4.4 Solve problems involving
( v ∆t ) 2 1--- v 2 ( ∆t ) 2 1--- circular motion
--------------- a ( ∆t ) 2 ⇒ ------------------ a ( ∆t ) 2
d2r 2 π r 2 2r 2
v= =
t T v2
a = -----
r 7 Example
v 2 4π 2 r 40 × 4.2 ×10
a= = 2 = = 0.23 m s-2
r T (8.64) 2 ×10 8
The acceleration will be directed towards the centre of A model airplane of mass 0.25 kg has a control wire of
Earth. length 10.0 m attached to it. Whilst held in the hand of
the controller it flies in a horizontal circle with a speed of
20 m s–1. Calculate the tension in the wire.
2.4.3 Centripetal force
Solution
We can find the expression for the centripetal force F
simply by using Newton’s 2nd law. i.e. F = ma, so that,
The tension in the wire provides the centripetal force and
v2
with a = ----- we have: 2
r ​ m​rv ​
is equal to ____ ​ ​   which in this situation is equal to
2
​ m​rv  ​ ​ ​ 
F = ____
0.25 ×  ​
400 
​ _________ = 10 N.
10
where m is the mass of the particle.
An interesting situation arises when we have circular
It is important to realise that the above equation is motion in a vertical plane. Consider a situation in which
effectively Newton’s Second Law as applied to particles you attach a length of string to an object of mass m and
moving in a circle. In order for the particle to move in a then whirl it in a vertical circle of radius r. If the speed of
circle a force must act at right angles to the velocity vector the object is v at its lowest point then the tension in the
of the particle and the speed of the particle must remain 2
constant. This means that the force must also remain ​ m​rv ​
string at this point will be mg + ____ ​ ​   and at the highest
constant 2
​ m​rv ​
point the tension will be mg – ____ ​ ​  
The effect of the centripetal force is to produce an
acceleration towards the centre of the circle. The We now see why this is the case.
magnitude of the particle’s linear velocity and the
magnitude of the force acting on it will determine the
circular path that a particular particle describes.

68
 r mv
mv2 ---------
-.
---------
-. r
r mv2
Mechanics - = T – mg
---------
r
mv2
mv2 - =TT=– ---------
--------- mg2- + mg
mv
Lowest point: - = T – mg
--------- r
2 r mv2 r
mv Example - = T – mg
---------
- = T – mg
--------- 2 r mv2- + mg
T = ---------
r mv
T = --------- - + mg 2 r
2 r mv - + mg
mv T = ---------
T = --------- - + mg A “wall of death” motorcyclist r rides his motorcycle in a
r mv2
vertical circle of radius 20 m. Calculate ays ---------
the minimum -.
r
speed that he must have at the top of the circle 2
in order to
T mv

CORE
mv2 the loop.
complete ays ---------
-.
ays ----------. 2 r
r mv
mv2 ays --------- -.
ays --------- -. r
mg r Solution mv2- = T + mg , i.e., T = --------- mv2- – mg
---------
r r
Figure 258  Lowest Point mv 2 mv 2
mv2- = T + mg , i.e., T = ---------
--------- mv2- – mg--------- - = T + mg , i.e., T = --------- - – mg
2 r 2 r
r mv r mv
The resultant force on mass, mv2-m=/ kg,
---------
throughout its motion
T +2 mgmv , i.e., T mv mv2in- –r mg
= 2---------
- = T + mg , i.e., T = ---------
--------- - – mg
mg
a circle (as long as the speed
2 r
r is constant)
mv is always
---------
-. ---------
- .r R
---------
-. r r
r
Taking the positive direction to be towards the centre of the
circle, at its lowest point, the resultant force is provided by
the expression T – mg, so that
mv2 2
mv2 --------- - = T mv – mg - = T – mg
- = Tr – mg ---------
--------- r
r Let R be the reaction force on the bike, then we need to
mv 2 2
That is, mv 2
T- =+ mg - T+ mg
--------- mv
= ---------- + mg
T = --------- r r mv2
r use the expression --------- - = R + mg (when the bike is at
Highest point: r
its highest point). mv2
mv2 - = R + mg
---------
- = R + mg
--------- 2 r
2 r mv
mv2 mv 2 - = R + mg ---------
- =mv R2+ mgHowever, the bike must always make contact with the track,
mvays 2 --------- mv ---------
- . ays --------- r ---------
-.
ays ---------
-. r- . mg
r r r that is, we must have that R ≥ 0.
r
T mv2
R = --------- - – mg
Now, re-arranging the expression we have that r
mv 22 mv2- mv2
mv---------
- – mg ≥ 0 ⇒ --------- ≥ mg R = --------- - – mg
mv 2 2 mv 2 mv 2 2 R = ---------
- – mg , however, as R ≥ 0, we have that
r
mv 2 mv
- – mg --------- = T – mg rr mv 2 r
- = T ---------
--------
Tr + mg , i.e.,
+ mg
- =, i.e., T +mv T =, i.e.,
mg ---------
- – mgr T = --------- - –- mg mv2 R = --------- - – mg
r T = --------- r r r 2 R = 2--------- - – mg mv 2 r 2- ≥ mg . So, the minimum
mv mv 2
mv mv r ---------
- – mg ≥ 0 ⇒ --------- v 2- speed - will
---------
--------- – mg
- mv 2 ≥ 0 ⇒ --------- - ≥ mg 2 r r g = ----
Figure 259  r Highest
T2 = --------- Point
mv 2 r
mg- – mg ≥ 0 ⇒ ---------
- +--------- mv r r v 2
mv 2 mv - ≥ mg v 2 g = ----
-
- – mg ≥ 0 ⇒ ---------
--------- - ≥ mgr r r be given by g = ----- since at any lower speed 2
mv mg will r be
r r mv2 r ---------
-
Again, we have that the resultant force on mass, m / kg, ---------
- r
2 r mv2
throughout its motion in a circle (as long asmv the speed is greater than --------- - and the motor bike will leave the track.
---------
- r
2 r
constant) is always --------- mv So in this case the speed will be 14 m s-1.
mv- .2
ays r----------.
r
Taking the positive direction to be towards the centre of the It is also worthwhile noting that in circular motion with
circle, at its highest point, the resultant force is provided by constant speed, there is no change in kinetic energy. This is
the expression T + mg, so that because the speed, v, is constant and so the expression for
mv 2 the kinetic energy, -₂�¹� mv2, is also always constant (anywhere
- = T – mv
--------- mg2 mv 2
2
r - = T + mg , i.e., T = ---------
--------- - – mg along its motion). Another way to look at this is that since
R mv+ mg - = R + mgr
g ---------
r
r the force acts at right angles to the particle then no work is
mv2- + mg
T = --------- done on the particle by the force.
r

mv2 mv2 mv2

---------
-. R2 = ---------
mv - R– mg
= - – mg
---------
R = ---------
- – mgr r
r r 69
v2- mv2- v 2-
2g = ---- v 2-
------
≥ ≥⇒
0 mg--------- ≥ mg v g = ----
rg g = -----
 Chapter 2

7. A sphere of mass m, attached to an inextensible

Exercises string as shown in the diagram is released from
rest at an angle θ with the vertical. When the
sphere passes through its lowest point, show that
1. An object is travelling at a constant speed of the tension in the string is given by mg (3 - 2cosθ)
40 ms-1 in a circular path of radius 80 m.
Calculate the acceleration of the object?
CORE

2. A body of mass 5.0 kg, lying on a horizontal θ

smooth table attached to an inextensible string of l
length 0.35 m, while the other end of the string is
fixed to the table. The mass is whirled at a constant
speed of 2.0 ms-1. Calculate
m kg
(a) the centripetal acceleration.
(b) the tension in the string.
(c) the period of motion.
8. A 3 kg mass attached to a string 6 m long is to
3. The radius of the path of an object in uniform be swung in a circle at a constant speed making
circular motion is doubled. The centripetal
������������������
force one complete revolution in 1.25 s. Determine the
needed if its speed remains the same is value that the breaking strain that the string must
not exceed if the string is not to break when the
A. half as great as before. circular motion is in
B. the same as before.
C. twice as great as before. (a) a horizontal plane?
D. four times as great as before. (b) a vertical plane?

4. A car rounds a curve of radius 70 m at a speed of 9. A mass, m kg, is released from point A, down a
12 m s-1 on a level road. Calculate its centripetal smooth inclined plane and once it reaches point B,
acceleration? it completes the circular motion, via the smooth
circular track B to C to D and then back through
5. A 500 g sphere is hung from an inextensible string B, which is connected to the end of the incline and
1.25 m long and swung around to form a ‘conical has a radius a / m.
pendulum’. The sphere moves in a circular
horizontal path of radius 0.75 m. Determine the A
tension in the string.
D

4a
a
C

1.25 m B

Determine the normal reaction of the track on the mass

at (a) D. (b) C. (c) B.

0.75 m

6. Determine the maximum (constant) speed at

which a car can safely round a circular curve of
radius 50 m on a horizontal road if the coefficient
of static friction (μ) between the tyres and the road
is 0.7. (Use g = 10 m s–2). (HINT: if the normal
reaction is N, the relationship is F = μ N)

70
 Mechanics

Miscellaneous questions on Topic 2

Topic 2.1 Topic 2.2
1. Sketch the distance-time, speed-time, velocity- 1. An object is thrown through the air. Ignoring air
time and acceleration-time for a free fall resistance, draw a free body diagram of the forces

CORE
parachutist from the time that she leaves the acting on the ball whilst it is in flight.
aeroplane to the time that she lands on the
ground. (Remember that she does not open a 2. An object of weight 50 N is suspended vertically
parachute until some time after jumping from the by two strings as shown
aeroplane).

2. The graph below shows the idealised velocity-time

graph for a car pulling away from one set of traffic
lights until it is stopped by the next set.
60°

25

20
The strings are of the same length and the angle between
–1
speed / m s

15 them is 60°. Draw a free body diagram of the forces acting

on the object. Calculate the tension in the strings.
10
3. When a person stands on bathroom scales the
5
scale reads 60 kg. Suppose the person stands
on the same scales when in an elevator (lift).
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 time / s The elevator accelerates upwards at 2.0 m s-2.
Determine the new reading on the scale.
Calculate the
4. The diagram shows two blocks connected by a
i. acceleration of the car between 0 and 20 s string that passes over a pulley.
and between 120 and 130 s.
ii. total distance travelled by the car during
braking. B
iii. total distance between the traffic lights.

3. A person drops a stone down a water well and

hears a splash 2.0 s after it leaves his hand.
Determine the depth of the well (g = 10 m s-2) A

4. A girl throws a stone vertically upwards. The

stone leaves her hand with a speed of 15.0 m s–1. Block A has a mass of 2.0 kg and block B a mass of 4.0 kg
Determine (i) the maximum height reached by and rests on a smooth table.
the stone and (ii) how long the time it takes to
return to the ground after leaving her hand Determine the acceleration of the two blocks?
(g = 10 m s-2)
5. Here are four statements about a book resting on a
table.

A. The book exerts a force on the table.

B. The table exerts a force on the book.
C. the book exerts a force on the Earth.
D. the Earth exerts a force on the book.

71
 Chapter 2

Which forces form a pair of forces as described by it falls through a height of 2.5 m before striking
Newton’s Third Law? the top of the pile. It stays in contact with the pile
and drives it a distance of 0.40 m into the ground.
6. When a golfer strikes a golf-ball it is in contact Calculate the average force exerted by the ground
with the club head for about 1 ms and the ball on the pile by using
leaves the club head with a speed of about
70 m s‑1. If the mass of the ball is 50 g estimate the i. energy considerations
CORE

maximum accelerating force exerted on the golf ii. the equations of uniform motion and
ball, stating any assumptions that you make. Newton’s Second Law. (assume that the
mass of the pile driver is much greater than
7 A ball of mass 0.1 kg is dropped from a height of the mass of the pile.)
2.0 m onto a hard surface. It rebounds to a height
of 1.5 m and it is in contact with the surface for 2. A man slides a box of mass 50 kg at constant speed
0.05 s. Calculate the up an inclined slope to a height of 2.0 m. The slope
makes an angle of 30° with the horizontal and
i. speed with which it strikes the surface. it takes him 4 s to reach the height of 2.0 m and
ii. speed with which it leaves the surface. a constant frictional force of 250 N acts on the
iii. change in momentum of the ball. block.
iv. impulse given to the ball on contact with
the surface. Calculate
v. average force that the surface exerts on the
ball. i. the work the man does against friction
ii. the work the man does against gravity
8 A bullet of mass 0.02 kg is fired into a block of iii. the efficiency of the “man-slope machine”
wood of mass 1.5 kg resting on a horizontal table. iv. the power the man develops to push the
The block moves off with an initial speed of block up the slope
8.0 m s-1. Estimate the speed with which the bullet
strikes the block. 3. This question is about calculating the power output
of a car engine. Here is some data about a car that
9 The bullet in question 8 is fired from a rifle of mass travels along a level road at a speed of 25 m s-1.
2.5 kg. Assuming that the bullet leaves the barrel
of the rifle with the speed calculated above, find Fuel consumption = 0.20 litre km-1
the recoil speed of the rifle if it is free to move. In
reality the rifle is held and for a certain person the Calorific value of the fuel = 5.0 × 106 J litre-1
rifle recoils a distance of 0.12 m. Determine the
average force that the person exerts on the rifle? Engine efficiency 50%

Topic 2.3 Determine:

1. The diagram shows a pile driver that is used to i. the rate at which the engine consumes fuel
ii. the rate at which the fuel supplies energy
iii. the power output of the engine
pile driver
iv. the power used to overcome the frictional
forces acting on the car
v. the average frictional force acting on the
car.
pile
Explain why:
ground
(i) the power supplied by the engine is not all
used to overcome friction
(ii) the fuel consumption increases as the speed
drive a metal bar (the pile) into the ground.A of the car increases
particular pile driver has a mass of 500 kg and

72
 Thermal Physics

THERMAL PHYSICS
3.1

3.2
Thermal concepts

Thermal properties of matter 3

CORE
TOK  Thermal concepts Further refinements of the phlogiston theory were carried
out by Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794), and it became
‘In looking at the ways of knowing described in the Theory known as the caloric theory. Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727)
of knowledge guide, scientists could legitimately claim and other famous scientists supported the caloric theory.
that science encompasses all these. Driven by emotion, Calorists believed that a hot object had more caloric than
using sense perception, enhanced by technology and a cold object. They explained expansion by saying that the
combined with reason, it communicates through language, caloric filled up the spaces between atoms pushing them
principally the universal language of mathematics.’ (© apart. The total amount of caloric was unchanged when a
IBO 2007). Science cannot suppose to be the truth as so hot and cold body came into contact.
many paradigm shifts have occurred over the centuries. It
is hoped that the following historical perspective will help However, the caloric theory did not adequately explain
in showing how science has changed the way of reasoning some phenomena involving heat. It was difficult to
in thermal physics. understand how the conservation of caloric fluid applied
to friction and the expansion of liquids and gases. Some
Phlogiston/Caloric Theory calorists’ answer to the friction concept was that the latent
heat was released which implies that a change of state was

T he concept of heat has been studied for many centuries.

Aristotle (384 –322 B.C.) considered fire one of the
five basic elements of the Universe. Over 2000 years ago,
involved. Others argued that during friction the material
is “damaged” and that it “bleeds” heat. No satisfactory
answers were forthcoming.
Greek philosophers believed that matter was made of
“atomos”, elemental atoms in rapid motion, and that the Count Rumford
result of this rapid motion was heat. It was understood
that heat flowed from hot bodies to colder ones, somewhat Much of the credit for dismantling the idea that heat was
analogous to water or another fluid flowing from a higher motion rather than substance or caloric goes to Benjamin
to lower elevation. It is not surprising that the early theory Thompson (1753 –1814), also known as Count Rumford of
of heat flow regarded heat as a type of fluid. Bavaria.

Around the time of Galileo Galilei (1564 –1642), this During the American Revolution, he was a Tory or loyalist
heat fluid was known as phlogiston – the soul of matter. in the disputes between Britain and its American colonies
Phlogiston was believed to have a negative mass, and, serving as a major in a company of militia. It is believed
upon heating or cooling, the phlogiston was driven out or that he invented a cork flotation system for cannons while
absorbed by an object. being transported by horses across rivers. He also designed
a gun carriage that could be carried by three horses and
could be assembled ready for firing in 75 seconds. He

73
 Chapter 3

was knighted by King George III of England, and made a which caloric is conserved but rather a concept of motion.
Count in 1791 by Theodor in his brief reign as elector of He argued that heat is generated when work is done, and
the Holy Roman Empire. that the heat will continue to be generated as long as work
is done. He estimated a heat to work ratio within the order
In 1793, Thompson left England ultimately to take up a post of magnitude accepted today.
with the before mentioned Theodor, elector of Bavaria. He
was appointed a major general in the Bavarian army. He However, many scientists of the time were not convinced
CORE

designed fortifications and worked as an administrator because Rumford could not give a clear explanation of
in munitions. It was here that he observed that a large exactly what heat was in terms of the accepted model for
amount of heat was generated in the boring of cannons. matter at that time. It would take another half century
He read the following extracts before the Royal Society of before Joule supplied the accepted answers.
London in 1798.
James Prescott Joule
‘Being engaged, lately, in superintending the boring
of cannon, in the workshops of the military arsenal at James Prescott Joule (1818-1889) conducted a series of
Munich, I was struck with the very considerable degree of brilliant experiments between 1842 and 1870 that proved
Heat which a brass gun acquires, in a short time, in being beyond doubt that heat was a type of energy – internal
bored; and with the still more intense Heat (much greater energy – of the particles of matter. The caloric theory lost
than that of boiling water as I found by experiment) of the popularity very quickly.
metallic chips separated from it by the borer.’
Joule was the son of a wealthy brewer in Manchester, UK.
‘From whence comes the Heat actually produced in the Because of his wealth, he never worked for a living. His
mechanical operation above mentioned? Is it furnished by experiments were performed in a laboratory that he built
the metallic chips which are separated by the borer from at his own expense while he was in his twenties. He became
the solid mass of metal?”… “If this were the case, then, interested in ways to develop more efficient engines that
according to the modern doctrines of latent heat, and of were driving various components of the brewing process.
caloric, the capacity for Heat of the parts of the metal, so Encouraged by the work of Count Rumford and others,
reduced to chips, ought not only to be changed, but the he began to investigate whether mechanical work could
change undergone by them should be sufficiently great to produce heat.
account for all the Heat produced.’
Joule performed a variety of experiments and he refined
Count Rumford was saying that the metal chips should and elaborated his apparatus and his techniques. In one
have undergone some alteration in their properties after of his first experiments, he used a falling weight to drive
the production of so much thermal energy. He noted that a small electric generator. The current produced heated a
some cannon shavings were hot enough to glow, but he wire that was immersed in a definite mass of water, and
continued: the change in temperature was noted. He reasoned that
the work done as the weight decreases its gravitational
“But no such change had taken place; for I found, upon potential energy should be equivalent to the heat energy
taking equal quantities, by weight, of these chips, and of gained by the water. In another experiment he mounted a
thin slips of the same block of metal separated by means large container filled with air into a tub of water. When the
of a fine saw, and putting them, at the same temperature air was compressed, the temperature of the gas increased.
(that of boiling water), into equal quantities of cold water, He measured the amount of work needed to compress the
the portion of water into which the chips were put was gas and the amount of heat energy given to the water as a
not, to all appearance, heated either less or more than the result of compression.
other portion, into which the slips of metal were put. From
whence it is evident that the Heat produced [by boring the Perhaps Joule’s most famous experiment consisted of a
cannon] could not possibly be furnished at the expense of paddlewheel mounted inside a cylinder of water that was
the latent Heat of the metallic chips.” driven by falling weights as shown in Figure 301. He wanted
to see if one could raise the temperature of the water simply
Rumford further went on to explain that he had immersed by turning the paddles. He repeated this experiment many
cannons in water while they were being bored and noted times continually improving the apparatus and refining
the rate at which the temperature rose. His results showed his analysis of the data. For example, he took great care
that the cannon would have melted had it not been cooled. to insulate the container so that no heat was lost to the
Rumford concluded that heat was not a caloric fluid in surroundings, and he developed his own thermometer so

74
 Thermal Physics

that he could measure the temperature with a precision of

a fraction of a degree. Example

handles
Calculate the mechanical equivalent of heat for Joule’s
flywheel
paddlewheel experiment if a mass of 2.0 kg falls through a
height of 100 m, and increases the temperature of 10 g of

CORE
spindle
to pulley with water by 46.8 °C.
weights atached
to pulley with
weights atached
moving vanes
Solution
calorimeter
(containing water)
fixed vanes Work done by the falling mass is given by

W = Ep = mg∆h

Figure 301  Schematic diagram of   = 2.0 kg × 9.8 m s-2 × 100 m

Joule’s paddlewheel experiment.
= 1.96 × 10 3 J
Joule arranged the vanes of the paddlewheel so that they
would not interfere with the particles of water set in Heat energy Ep = mgis∆given
W = produced h by
motion. He didn’t want to bruise or damage the water
particles so that they might “bleed” heat. Q = m × c × ∆T

In 1849 he published his results in which he reported = 10 g × 1 cal × 46.8 °C

Q = m . c . ∆T
“…the quantity of heat produced by friction of bodies, = 4.68 × 102 calories
whether solid or liquid, is always proportional to the
quantity of [energy] expended.” Mechanical equivalent of heat is given by
3
W 1.96 × 10 J
“…the quantity of heat capable of increasing the ----- = ---------------------------------
-
temperature of a pound of water by 1 ° Fahrenheit requires Q 4.68 × 10 cal
2

for its evolution the expenditure of a mechanical energy = 4.19 J cal-1

represented by the fall of 772 pound through the distance
of one foot”. The mechanical equivalent of heat for water is 4.2 J cal -1.

Joule found that about 4.2 joules of work would yield one
calorie of heat or that the quantity of heat required to
raise the temperature of one gram of water by 1 °C is one
calorie.

A modern day value for the mechanical equivalent of heat

is 4.18605 joules = 1 calorie.

The experiments proved beyond doubt that mechanical

work can produce heat and as such no caloric fluid can
be created or destroyed. Furthermore, Joule reasoned that
the temperature increase must be related to the energy of
the microscopic motions of the particles.

Finally, a paradigm shift in our way of reasoning had again

proved that science is not the ultimate truth.

75
 Chapter 3

3.1 thermal concepts

of the water molecules at the microscopic level because
3.1.1 State that temperature determines the we cannot see atoms. However, we can observe and
direction of thermal energy transfer monitor the temperature change by using a macroscopic
between two objects. temperature-measuring device.
CORE

3.1.2 State the relation between the Kelvin and Thermal energy is the kinetic energy of the component
Celsius scales of temperature. particles of an object and is measured in joules. Heat is the
thermal energy that is absorbed, given up or transferred
3.1.3 State that the internal energy of a from one object to another.
substance is the total potential energy and
random kinetic energy of the molecules of Temperature is a scalar quantity that gives an indication of
the substance. the degree of hotness or coldness of a body. Alternatively,
temperature is a macroscopic property that measures
3.1.4 Explain and distinguish between the the average kinetic energy of particles on a defined scale
macroscopic concepts of temperature, such as the Celsius or Kelvin scales. The chosen scale
internal energy and thermal energy (heat). determines the direction of thermal energy transfer
between two bodies in contact from the body at higher
3.1.5 Define the mole and molar mass. temperature to that of lower temperature. Eventually,
the two bodies will be in thermal equilibrium when they
3.1.6 Define the Avogadro constant. acquire the same temperature in an isolated system. It will
© IBO 2007
be deduced later in this text that thermal energy cannot
be transferred from a body at lower temperature to that of
3.1.1 Temperature and thermal higher temperature.

energy transfer 3.1.2 Temperature scales

Everyone seems to have a feel for the concept of heat There is no instrument that directly measures the amount of
because there is so much talk in everyday conversation thermal energy a body gives off or absorbs. A property that
of how hot or how cold it is. We endure the seasons of varies with temperature is called a thermometric property.
the year wanting either to cool our bodies or heat up our This property can be used to establish a temperature scale
surroundings. We are aware of how difficult it was for and construct a thermometer. Thermometers are made
our ancestors to keep warm, and our present dwellings using the thermometric properties of a substance such as the
are designed and insulated to suit the climate. Our expansion of a liquid, the electrical resistance of a wire.
consumption of electrical and chemical energy for heating
and other purposes is a continual concern. We have A typical laboratory thermometer as shown in Figure 302
become aware that increased global warming could spell contains a liquid such as mercury or coloured alcohol. The
the end of the world, as we know it. expansion of alcohol is six times greater than mercury.
Alcohol thermometers are safer and can be used at lower
But what is the difference between heat and temperature temperatures than mercury which turns to a solid below
in physics? They are definitely not the same physical -38.9 °C. Its disadvantage is that it boils above 78.5 °C. To
quantity. If you fill a cup and a dish with hot water at the make the thermometer sensitive, it has a narrow bore tube
same temperature, and then place ice cubes into each, the and a large bulb. The bulb is made of thin glass so that
dish full of hot water can melt more ice cubes than the heat can be transferred quickly between the bulb liquid
cup of hot water even though the water in each was at the and the material being observed. There is a vacuum above
same temperature. The dish containing the larger amount the thermometer liquid and it can move easily along the
of hot water has a greater mass of water as well as a greater glass bore.
amount of heat or thermal energy. A greater mass infers
a greater number of water molecules and more thermal
energy infers that these molecules would have a greater
overall amount of energy. We cannot see the interaction

76
 Thermal Physics

points). For example, different thermometers will give

different values for the boiling point of zinc (907 °C).
vacuum
100°C The standard fundamental temperature scale in the SI
system is denoted by the symbol T. and is measured in
Kelvin, K. It is the thermodynamic temperature scale used
capillary tube
in scientific measurement.

CORE
The lower fixed point is absolute zero and is assigned a
value of 0 K. This is the point where molecular motion
becomes a minimum – the molecules have minimum
glass kinetic energy but molecular motion does not cease. The
stem
0 °C
upper fixed point is the triple point of water. This is the
temperature at which saturated water vapour, pure water
and melting ice are all in equilibrium. For historical
mercury or alcohol reasons, it is assigned a value of 273.16 K.
thin glass
bulb
T in K = T in °C + 273.16

Figure 302  Typical laboratory thermometer

Exercise 3.1
A clinical thermometer as shown in Figure 303 does not
need the temperature range of a laboratory thermometer.
It is designed so that the maximum temperature remains 1. At room temperature, an iron rod feels cooler
constant after the patient’s temperature is taken. It has a when held in the hand than�����������������������
wood held in the same
small constriction to stop the mercury flowing back into hand. This is because:
the bulb. The mercury is then shaken back into the bulb
after the temperature has been taken. A. thermal energy tends to flow from the
metal to the wood
B. wood has a higher specific heat capacity
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 than the iron rod
C. wood has a lower specific heat capacity than
Figure 303  A Clinical Thermometer the iron rod
D. the iron rod conducts thermal energy better
In order to calibrate these thermometers, two fixed points than the wood
are used to define the standard temperature interval. The
ice point (the lower fixed point) marked at 0 °C is the 2. Explain the difference between heat and
temperature of pure ice at standard atmospheric pressure temperature.
and is in thermal equilibrium with the liquid in the bulb.
The steam point (the upper fixed point) marked at 100 °C 3. If you were travelling to Antarctica, deduce
is the temperature of steam at standard atmospheric what would be the better thermometer to take
pressure and is in thermal equilibrium with the liquid in – mercury or alcohol?
the bulb. The scale between these values is marked with
even spaces. The Celsius temperature scale named after 4. State one advantage and one disadvantage of a
the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (1701-1774) is
constructed in such a manner. i. mercury in glass thermometer
ii. constant volume thermometer.
Although thermometers constructed using thermometric
properties are useful for everyday use, they are not 5. The triple point of water is 273.16 K. Express this
accurate enough for scientific work. Unfortunately, two as a Celsius temperature.
thermometers constructed using different thermometric
properties do not necessarily agree with each other as they 6. Determine the ice point and the steam point of
do not vary linearly over large temperature ranges. (They pure water on the Kelvin scale?
are of course in agreement at the lower and upper fixed

77
 Chapter 3

7. Define absolute zero.

+

8. If normal body temperature is 37.0 °C, what is it

Potential energy, U / J
on the thermodynamic temperature scale? gas
equilibrium separation

3.1.3 Heat and internal energy r0

separation, r / m

liquid
CORE

Thermal energy of a system is referred to as internal energy ε

- the sum total of the potential energy and the random
kinetic energy of the molecules of the substance making –
solid
up the system. minimum potential energy = –ε

The potential energy is due to Figure 305  Potential energy  

versus separation of particles
• the energy stored in bonds called bond energy
• intermolecular forces of attraction between particles. Work done = force × distance = F × r = change in
potential energy
The bond energy is a form of chemical potential energy. It ∆​Ep​ ​
becomes significant in chemistry when a chemical reaction ∴ F = ____
​  r   ​ 
occurs, and bonds are broken and formed.
In other words, the gradient of the potential energy curve
The intermolecular forces of attraction between particles at any point on the curve gives the force that must be
is due to the electromagnetic fundamental force since the applied to hold the molecules at that separation. We can
gravitational force is too small to be of any significance. classify the phases according to the sizes of the energy ε.

Figure 304 indicates how the intermolecular electro­ When less than ​ ___ε   ​  , the vibrations occur about fixed
10
magnetic force F between particles varies with the distance positions and the particles are in the solid phase. When
r between their centres. approximately equal to ___ ​  ε   ​  , the particles have sufficient
10
energy to partly overcome the attractive forces and melting
At distances greater than r0 (less than 2.5 × 10-10 m) occurs.
attraction takes place, and at distances closer than r0 the
particles repel. At r0 the particles are in equilibrium. Any ​  ε   ​ , a liquid can form. When greater
When greater than ___
10
displacement from the equilibrium position results in a than ε, the particles have sufficient energy to leave the
simple harmonic oscillation of a particle or molecule. liquid and form a gas.
Force, F / N
+ The kinetic energy is mainly due to the translational,
rotational and vibrational motion of the particles as
depicted in Figure 306.
repulsion

nuclear separation, r / m
r0 10r 0
gaseous phase
attraction

solid and liquid phase

–
Vibrational Rotational Translational
Figure 304  Force versus separation of particles kinetic energy kinetic energy kinetic energy

Figure 305 shows the relationship between the potential Figure 306  major particle motion and energy
energy and the separation r of two molecules. At 0 K, the
average separation of particles centres is r0 and the overall
force is zero. This is the point of minimum potential
energy. Work will need to be done to move the particles
apart and there will be an increase in potential energy.

78
 Thermal Physics

shop you smell the aroma of the coffee due to diffusion

3.1.4 Macroscopic concepts of caused by the kinetic energy of the air molecules allowing
the aroma molecules to spread.
temperature
The expansion of solids, liquids and gases is a macroscopic
Internal energy and thermal property that allows us to understand that matter in a
system has potential energy. When you heat a liquid it can
energy (heat)

CORE
be seen to expand as in a thermometer and this means
that the potential energy of the system is increasing as
A macroscopic property is one that can be observed. the molecules move further apart. The compressibility of
Physical properties such as melting point, boiling point, gases allow us to understand that the potential energy of
density, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion and the molecules is decreasing.
electrical conductivity can be observed and measured.
Although the internal energy in the examples above can
TEMPERATURE never be absolutely determined, the change in internal
energy can be observed.
At the macroscopic level, temperature is the degree
of hotness or coldness of a body as measured by a Thermal Energy (Heat)
thermometer. Thermometers are made using the
thermometric properties of a substance such as: “Students should understand that the term thermal
energy refers to the non-mechanical transfer of energy
• the expansion of a column of liquid in a capillary between a system and its surroundings”.
© IBO 2007
tube (laboratory and clinical thermometers).
• the electrical resistance of a wire (resistance and
thermister thermometers). Therefore, it is incorrect to refer to the thermal energy in a
• the difference in the rates of expansion of two body. At the macroscopic level, thermal energy (heat) can
metals in contact (bimetallic strips). be transferred from one body to another by conduction,
• the pressure of a gas at constant volume. convection, radiation or by combinations of these three.
• the volume of a gas at constant pressure (gases
expand by a greater amount and more evenly than Thermal conduction is the process by which a temperature
liquids). difference causes the transfer of thermal energy from the
• the heating of two metal wires wound together hotter region of the body to the colder region by particle
(thermocouple thermometers rely on the two collision without there being any net movement of the
metals producing different currents). substance itself.
• the colour of a solid heated to high temperatures
(pyrometers). Thermal convection is the process in which a temperature
difference causes the mass movement of fluid particles
Temperature is measured in Kelvin, K. from areas of high thermal energy to areas of low thermal
energy (the colder region).
INTERNAL ENERGY
Thermal radiation is energy produced by a source because
As already mentioned, internal energy is the sum total of of its temperature that travels as electromagnetic waves. It
the potential energy and the random kinetic energy of the does not need the presence of matter for its transfer.
molecules of the substance making up a system. In order
to apply the Law of conservation to thermal systems, one Conduction can occur in solids, liquids and gases. In
has to assume that a system has internal energy. gases it occurs due to the collision between fast and slow
moving particles where kinetic energy is transferred
At the macroscopic level, it can be observed that molecules from the fast to the slow particle. The transfer of energy
are moving. When pollen (a fine powder produced by is very slow because the particles are far apart relative
flowers) is sprinkled on the surface of water and the set- to solids and liquids. In liquids, a particle at higher
up is viewed under magnification, it can be seen that the temperature vibrates about its position with increased
smaller pollen particles carry out zig-zag motion called vibrational energy. Because the majority of the particles
Brownian Motion. Their motion is caused by the kinetic are coupled to other particles they also begin to vibrate
energy of the larger water molecules. Walking past a coffee more energetically. These in turn cause further particles

79
 Chapter 3

to vibrate and thermal conduction occurs. This process is All thermal energy ultimately comes from the Sun in our
also slow because the particles have a large relative mass solar system. It travels through 150 million km of mostly
and the increase in vibrations is rather small. In solids, the empty space. At the Earth’s atmosphere the radiant energy
transfer can occur in one of two ways. Most solids behave is mainly reflected back into space. However, some is
similarly to liquids. transmitted and absorbed causing a heating effect. Just as
the Sun emits thermal radiation so does any source that
However, solids are held in their fixed positions more produces heat such as a light bulb or an electric heater.
CORE

rigidly than liquids and the transfer of vibrational energy Thermal radiation is mainly electromagnetic waves in
is more effective. However, again their large masses do not the infra-red region of the electromagnetic spectrum at
allow for large energy transfer. If a substance in the solid temperatures below 1000 °C. Above this temperature,
or molten form has mobile electrons, as is the case for wavelengths of the visible and ultra-violet regions are
metals, these electrons gain energy due to the temperature also detected. Dull black bodies are better absorbers and
rise and their speeds increase much more than those held radiators than transparent or shiny bodies.
in their fixed positions in the lattice. Metals are said to be
good conductors of heat but most other solids are good 3.1.5,6 THE MOLE,
insulators. Saucepans for cooking are usually made of
copper or aluminium because these metals conduct heat MOLAR MASS AND
quickly when placed on a stove. The handle is made from
a good solid insulator to reduce the conduction of heat. AVOGADRO’S NUMBER
The mass of an atom is exceedingly small. For example,
Generally, liquids and gases are not good thermal the mass of a fluorine atom is 3.16 × 10-23 g and the mass of
conductors. However, they can transfer heat readily by the isotope carbon–12 is 1.99 × 10-23 g. Because the masses
convection. Ocean currents, wind and weather patterns of atoms are so small, it is more convenient to describe
suggest that the mass movement of particles from one area the mass of an atom by comparing its mass with those of
to another can cause movement of particles on the grand other atoms.
scale.
In 1961 the International Union of Pure and Applied
Figure 307 shows a potassium permanganate crystal placed Chemistry (IUPAC) defined the masses of atoms relative to
in water inside a convection tube. Heat is applied for a carbon–12 that was assigned a value of 12.0000. Therefore,
short period of time and the direction of the purple trail the relative atomic mass is defined as the mass of an atom
is noted. Particles in a region of high thermal energy are when compared with 1/12 the mass of carbon–12 atom.
further apart and hence their density is lower. In a region
of low thermal energy the particles are closer together and Just as the relative atomic mass is used to describe the
the region is more dense. As a result, the less dense region masses of atoms, the relative molecular mass is used to
rises as it is pushed out of the way by the more dense describe the masses of molecules. Therefore, the relative
region and a convection current is produced. molecular mass is defined as the mass of a molecule when
compared with 1/12 of the mass of a carbon–12 atom.

Convection tube It is convenient to group things into quantities. For

example, a box of diskettes, a ream of photocopy paper
(500 sheets), a dozen eggs are common groupings. The
SI fundamental unit for the amount of a substance is the
mole (mol).
water Potassium
permanganate The mole is the amount of substance that contains as
Heat crystal many elementary particles as there are in 0.012 kg of
carbon–12.

Figure 307  Convection current. Amadeo Avogadro (1776 – 1856) found that equal volumes
of gases at the same temperature and pressure contained
Another way in which a fluid can move is by forced the same number of particles. One mole of any gas contains
convection. In this case, a pump or fan system maintains the Avogadro number of particles NA. It is now known
the movement of a fluid. The cooling system in nuclear that one mole of a gas occupies 22.4 dm3 at 0 °C and
reactors operates on this principle.

80
 Thermal Physics

101.3 kPa pressure (STP) and contains 6.02 × 10 23

particles. Solution

When using the mole, the atoms or molecules should be

64.0 g
m  ​= _________________
clearly stipulated. For example, one mole of copper atoms 1. n = ​ __ ​      ​= 2 mol
M ​( 16.0 + 16.0 )​g ​mol​–1​
contains 6.02 × 10 23 copper atoms. One mole of nitrogen
molecules (N2) contains 6.02 × 10 23 of nitrogen molecules 2. The number of oxygen molecules

CORE
and 12.04 × 1023 nitrogen atoms.
= 2NA × the number of molecules
If we have one mole of NH4NO3, this contains:
= 6.02 × 1023 × 2
1 mol of NH ions = 6.02 × 10 ammonium ions
4
+ 23

1 mol of NO ions = 6.02 10 23 nitrate ions

3
–
= 1.024 × 1024 molecules.
2 mol of nitrogen atoms = 1.204 × 1024 nitrogen atoms
4 mol of hydrogen atoms = 2.408 × 1024 hydrogen atoms 3. Volume
3 mol of oxygen atoms = 1.806 × 1024 oxygen atoms
= 2 mol × 22.4 dm3
The amount of substance (the moles) is related to the mass
and the molar mass according to the following equation: = 44.8 dm3

​ m ​
n = __ 4. m = n M
M
where = 0.75 mol × (12 +16 +16) g mol-1

n = amount of a substance in mol, m = the mass in g and = 33 g

M = the molar mass in g mol-1. The molar mass can be

obtained from the periodic table.

Example

1. Calculate the number of moles of oxygen

molecules contained in 64.0 g of oxygen gas, O2.

2. Calculate the number of oxygen molecules inpart

1 of this example.

3. Determine the volume of oxygen gas that would

be present at STP

4. Calculate the mass in 0.75 mol of carbon dioxide gas.

81
 Chapter 3

6. The number of atoms present in 0.5 mol SO3 is

Exercise 3.2
A. 3 × 1023
B. 6 × 1023
1. The internal energy of a substance is equal to: C. 12 × 1023
D. 24 × 1023
A. the total potential energy stored in the
CORE

bonds of a substance 7. Calculate the approximate molar masses of each of

B. the potential and kinetic energy of the following molecules and compounds:
molecules in a substance
C. the energy stored in bonds and (a) Cl2
intermolecular forces of a substance (b) HCl
D. the translational, rotational and vibrational (c) CuSO4
motion of particles in the substance (d) Na2CO3
(e) CH4
2. The number of moles of sodium chloride (NaCl)
in 100g of pure sodium chloride is (Mr of NaCl = 8. Calculate the mass of the given amounts of each of
58.5 gmol-1) the following substances:

A. 5850 mol (a) 2.0 mole of iron, Fe

B. 0.585 mol (b) 0.2 mole of zinc, Zn
C. 1.71 mol (c) 2.5 mole of carbon dioxide, CO2
D. 41.5 mol (d) 0.001 mole of sulfur dioxide, SO2
(e) 50 mole of benzene, C6H6
3. Two different objects with different temperatures
are in thermal contact with one another. When the 9. Calculate the amount of subtance (number of
objects reach thermal equilibrium, the direction of mole) in:
transfer of thermal energy will be
(a) 100 g of copper
A. from the lower temperature object to the (b) 5.0 g of oxygen molecules
higher temperature object (c) 100 g of calcium carbonate, CaCO3
B. half way between the temperatures of the (d) 4.4 g of carbon dioxide
two objects (e) 13.88 g of lithium
C. from the higher temperature object to the
lower temperature object 10. A sample of aluminium sulfate Al2 (SO4)3 has a
D. in many different directions mass of 34.2 g. Calculate:

4. A sealed flask contains 16 g of oxygen (mass (a) the number of alumimium ions Al 3+ in the
number 16) and also 8 g of hydrogen (mass sample
number 1). The ratio of the number atoms of (b) the number of sulfate ions SO4 2- in the
hydrogen to the number of atoms of oxygen is sample

A. 16 11. Classify the following as a macroscopic or

B. 8 microscopic property of a gas
C. 4
D. 2 (a) volume
(b) specific heat capacity
5. The number of molecules present in 0.5 mol SO3 is (c) kinetic energy of a particle
(d) pressure
A. 3 × 1023 (e) temperature
B. 6 × 1023
C. 12 × 1023
D. 24 × 1023

82
 Thermal Physics

3.2 thermal properties of matter

used on the back of refrigerators because of its low heat
3.2.1 Define specific heat capacity and thermal capacity.
capacity.

CORE
3.2.2 Solve problems involving specific heat Example
capacities and thermal capacities.

3.2.3 Explain the physical differences between The heat capacity of a sphere of lead is 3.2 × 103 JK-1
the solid, liquid and gaseous phases in
terms of molecular structure and particle Determine how much heat can be released if the
motion. temperature changes from 61 °C to 25 °C.

3.2.4 Describe and explain the process of phase

changes in terms of molecular behaviour. Solution

3.2.5 Explain in terms of molecular behaviour

∆Q
why temperature does not change during ∆Q Heat capacity = -------- ⇒ ∆Q = Heat capacity × ∆T
Heat capacity = -------- a⇒ ∆Q = Heat capacity × ∆∆TT
phase change. ∆T
3 –1
3 –1 = 3.2 × 10 JK × ( 61 – 25 ) °C
3.2.6 Distinguish between evaporation and
= 3.2 × 10 JK × ( 61 – 25 ) °C
3 –1
3 –1 = 3.2 × 10 JK × 36 °C
boiling. = 3.2 × 10 JK × 36 °C
= 115200J
= 115200J
3.2.7 Define specific latent heat. 5
5 = 1.2 × 10 J
= 1.2 × 10 J
3.2.8 Solve problems involving specific latent
heats. • Note that a change in kelvin temperature is the
© IBO 2007
same as a change in celsius temperature

3.2.1 Thermal capacity 3.2.2 Specific heat capacity

When different substances undergo the same temperature Heat capacity does not take into account the fact that
change they can store or release different amounts of different masses of the same substance can absorb or
thermal energy. They have different thermal (heat) release different amounts of thermal energy.
capacities. If a substance has a high heat capacity it will
take in the thermal energy at a slower rate than a substance Consider three one kilogram blocks of aluminium, zinc
with a low heat capacity because it needs more time to and lead with the same sized base that have been heated
absorb a greater quantity of thermal energy. They also to the same temperature of 80 °C. They are quickly placed
cool more slowly because they give out thermal energy at on top of a large block of candle wax for a time period as
a slower rate. shown in Figure 308.

We define the thermal (heat) capacity as, A luminium zinc lead

∆Q
Heat capacity = ___
​    ​ J K -1
∆T
∆Q is the change in thermal energy in joules J
CA NDL E WAX
∆T is the change in temperature in kelvin degrees K.
Figure 308  Front-on view of the  
Water is used in car cooling systems and heating systems metal blocks after a period of time.
because of its high heat capacity. A metal heat sink is

83
 Chapter 3

The aluminium block melts the most wax and the lead
melts the least. Therefore, the metals of the same mass Example
give out different amounts of thermal energy in a certain
time period. This can be explained from a microscopic
viewpoint. The kilogram unit masses have different Determine how much heat can be released if the
numbers of particles of different types and masses. The temperature changes from 61 °C to 25 °C.
metal blocks were given the same amount of thermal
CORE

energy when they were heated to 80 °C. When the thermal

energy gained by each metal is distributed amongst its Solution
particles, the average energy change of each particle will
be different for each metal.
Using the fact that ∆Q = m.c.∆T, we have,
To obtain a characteristic value for the heat capacity
of materials, equal masses of the materials must be ∆Q = 0.650 kg × 9.1 × 102 J kg-1 K-1 × (80 – 20) K
considered. The physical property that includes the mass
is called the specific heat capacity of a substance c. = 3.549 × 104 J

Specific heat capacity or specific heat is the heat capacity = 4 × 104 J

per unit mass. It is defined as the quantity of thermal
energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of That is, 4 × 104 J of heat is released.
a substance by one degree Kelvin.
∆Q
c = _____
​    ​  Example
m∆T
∆Q = m × c × ∆T
An active solar heater is used to heat 50 kg of water initially
∆Q = the change in thermal energy required to produce a at a temperature of 12 °C. If the average rate that thermal
temperature change J energy is absorbed in a one hour period is 920 J min-1 ,
m = mass of the material in grams (g) kilograms (kg) determine the equilibrium temperature after one hour
∆T = the temperature change K

Note that ∆T is always positive because heat always Solution

transfers from the higher temperature region to the lower
temperature region.
Quantity of heat absorbed in one hour = 920 J min-1 ×
For gases, the molar heat capacity at constant volume Cv 60 min = 5.52 × 104 J
and the molar heat capacity at constant pressure Cp are
more commonly used. Molar heat capacity is the quantity Using the fact that ΔQ = m c ΔT , we have
of heat required to raise the temperature of one mole of the
gas by one degree Kelvin under the constant condition. 5.52 × 104 J = 5.0 × 101 kg × 4.18 × 103 J kg-1 K-1 × (Tf – 12)K

Figure 309 shows the specific heat capacity for some 5.52 × 104 J = 2.09 × 105 JK-1 × (Tf – 12) °C
common substances at room temperature (except ice)
5.52 × 104 J = 2.09 × 105 Tf – 2.51 × 106 J
Substance Specific heat Substance Specific heat
J kg -1 K -1 J kg -1 K -1 2.09 × 105 Tf = 5.52 × 104 J + 2.51 × 106 J
Lead 1.3 × 102
Iron 4.7 × 10 2
2.553 × ​10​6​J
Mercury 1.4 × 102 Aluminium 9.1 × 102 ​T​f​= ​ ______________
      ​
2.09 × 1​ 0​5​(​ J ​K–1
​ ​ )​
Zinc 3.8 × 102 Sodium 1.23 × 103
Brass 3.8 × 102 Ice 2.1 × 103 Tf = 12.26 °C
Copper 3.85 × 102 Water 4.18 × 103
∴ ​Tf​​= 12 °C

Figure 309  Specific heat of some common substances

84
 Thermal Physics

Therefore the temperature has not changed considering The calorimeter is also insulated with lagging materials
the degree of uncertainty in the measurements. such as wool or polystyrene to reduce heat loss due to
conduction and convection.
extension - methods to determine
specific heat capacity After the power supply is switched off, the temperature
should continue to rise for a period, and then level out for
A calorimeter is a useful piece of equipment for an infinite time. However, heat is lost to the surroundings,

CORE
investigations in Thermal Physics because it allows masses and the maximum temperature that could be achieved,
at different temperatures to be mixed with minimum in theory, is never reached. Instead appreciable cooling
energy loss to the surroundings. It is used for direct and occurs. One method used to estimate the theoretical
indirect methods in determining the specific heat capacity maximum temperature is to use a cooling correction
of a substance. (The name of the instrument is derived curve as shown in Figure 311.
from the Imperial unit, the calorie.)
{Note that cooling correction is not required in the syllabus
stirrer but is included for possible extended essays.}

joulemeter
thermometer
theoretical curve
θ3
copper vessel θ2 ∆θ (= correction)
θ ( = θ2 – θ1 )

Temperature, °C
θ1
liquid
actual curve

heating coil A1 A2
A
lagging ∆θ = -----1- × θ , so that θ3 = θ2 + ∆ θ
A2
room
temp

Figure 310  Calorimeter being used to measure the

Time, minutes
heating effect of a current t 2t 3t

Figure 310 illustrates the use of a calorimeter to determine Figure 311  Graph of cooling correction.
the specific heat capacity of a liquid, in this case water.
The heating coil is used to convert electrical energy to A cooling correction is based on Newton’s Law of Cooling.
thermal energy. The electrical energy can be measured by It states that the rate of loss of heat of a body is proportional
a joulemeter or by using a voltmeter/ammeter circuit. The to the difference in temperature between the body and its
duration of time of electrical input is noted. surroundings (excess temperature). A full explanation of
this Law will not be given. If the power supply is switched off
The thermal energy gained by the calorimeter cup and the at time 2t minutes, then the temperature should continue
water is equal to the electrical energy lost to the calorimeter to be recorded for a further t minutes. The correction to the
cup and water. temperature θ can be obtained from the graph as shown.
The final temperature is then given as the final temperature
Electrical energy lost = of the thermometer plus the correction θ.

V × I × t = [m × c × ∆T]calorimeter cup + [m × c × ∆T]water Another direct electrical method used to determine the
specific heat capacity of a metal is shown in Figure 312.
where V is the potential difference across the heating coil An immersion heater is placed into a metal block. The
in volts V and I is the current in the amperes A. hole for the heater is lubricated with oil to allow even
heat transmission. The electrical energy lost to the block
The specific heat capacity of the calorimeter cup is obtained is recorded for a given period of time and the specific
from published values. The other quantities are recorded heat of the metal is calculated. Cooling correction is more
and the specific heat capacity of the water is calculated. important in this case because the temperatures under
which the investigation is carried out could be much
In calorimeter investigations, heat losses to the higher than was the case when using a calorimeter.
surroundings need to be minimised. It is normal to polish
the calorimeter cup to reduce loss of heat due to radiation.

85
 Chapter 3

We also have that,

thermometer
V Thermal energy lost by the copper
immersion
heater A = (3.0 kg) (3.85 × 102 J kg -1 K -1) (90.0 –Tf) K

metal block Low voltage Thermal energy gained by the water

supply
CORE

lagging

= (2.0 kg) (4.18 × 103 J kg -1 K -1) (Tf – 20.0) K

REPEATED DIAGRAM???
Figure 312  Electrical Method Using   Thermal energy gained by the cup
An Immersion Heater And A Metal Block.
= (0.21 kg) (9.1 × 102 J kg -1 K -1) (Tf – 20.0) K
A common indirect method to determine the specific
heat capacity of a solid and liquids is called the method of 1.04 × 105 – 1.155 × 103 Tf
mixtures. In the case of a solid, a known mass of the solid
is heated to a certain temperature, and then transferred = (8.36 × 103 Tf – 1.67 × 105) +(1.91 × 102 Tf – 3.82 × 103)
to a known mass of liquid in a calorimeter whose specific
heat capacity is known. The change in temperature is That is,
recorded and the specific heat of the solid is calculated
from the results obtained. In the case of a liquid, a hot – 9.71 × 103 Tf = – 2.75 × 105
solid of known specific heat is transferred to a liquid of
unknown specific heat capacity. Giving

Tf = 28.3 °C
Example
The final temperature of the water is 28 °C

A block of copper of mass 3.0 kg at a temperature of

90 °C is transferred to a calorimeter containing 2.00 kg of Exercise 3.3
water at 20 °C. The mass of the copper calorimeter cup is
0.210 kg. Determine the final temperature of the water.
1. The amount of thermal energy required to raise
the temperature of 1.53 × 103g of water from 15 K
Solution to 40 K is

A. 1.6 × 107 J
The thermal energy gained by the water and the calorimeter B. 1.6 × 105 J
cup will be equal to the thermal energy lost by the copper. C. 4.4 × 107 J
D. 4.4 × 105 J
That is, [mc∆T]copper = [mc∆T]calorimeter cup + [mc∆T]cup
2. The specific heat capacity of a metal block of mass
m is determined by placing a heating coil in it, as
shown in the following diagram.

The block is electrically heated for time t and the

maximum temperature change recorded is Δθ. The
constant ammeter and voltmeter readings during
the heating are I and V respectively. The electrical
energy supplied is equal to VIt.

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 Thermal Physics

9. If 2.93 × 106 J is used to raise the temperature of

water from 288 K to 372 K, calculate the mass of
thermometer
V water present.

immersion 10. 5.4 × 106 J of energy is required to heat a 28 kg

heater A
mass of steel from 22 °C to 450 °C. Determine the
specific heat capacity of the steel.

CORE
metal block Low voltage
supply 11. A piece of iron is dropped from an aeroplane at
lagging
a height of 1.2 km. If 75% of the kinetic energy
of the iron is converted to thermal energy on
impact with the ground, determine the rise in
m∆θ temperature.
The specificmheat
∆θ capacity is best calculated using
VI
which one of the following expressions? 12. If 115 g of water at 75.5 °C is mixed with 0.22 kg of
∆θ
mVI
water at 21 °C, determine the temperature of the
mVI
VIθ
∆
A. c = VI resulting mixture.
∆θ
mVI
∆θ
mVI
B. c= 13. Describe an experiment that would allow you to
VIt
VI
m∆θ determine the specific heat capacity of a metal.
VIt
C. c = m∆∆θθ
m
∆θ
mVIt (i) Sketch the apparatus.
m ∆
∆θ
VIt θ
D. c= m (ii) Describe what measurements need to be
m ∆θθ
∆
mVIt made and how they are obtained.
∆θ
mVIt (iii) State and explain the equation used to
3. θ
5.4 × 10 J of∆energy
6 mVIt
is required to heat a 28 kg calculate the specific heat capacity of the
VIt
mass of steel from 22 °C to 450 °C. Determine the metal.
specific heat capacity of the steel. (iv) Describe 2 main sources of error that are
likely to occur in the experiment.
4. Liquid sodium is used as a coolant in some (v) Is the experimental value likely to be higher
nuclear reactors. Describe the reason why liquid or lower than the theoretical value, if the
sodium is used in preference to water. experiment was carried out in a school
laboratory? Explain you answer.
5. 6.00 × 102 kg of pyrex glass loses 8.70 × 106 J of
thermal energy. If the temperature of the glass was 14. A heating fluid releases 4.2 × 107 Jkg-1 of heat as it
initially 95.0 °C before cooling, calculate is its final undergoes combustion. If the fluid is used to heat
temperature. 250 dm3 of water from 15 °C to 71 °C, and the
conversion is 65% efficient, determine the mass
(Take the specific heat capacity of pyrex glass to be of the heating fluid that will be consumed in this
8.40 × 10 2 J kg -1 K-1) process.

6. A piece of wood placed in the Sun absorbs more 15. A large boulder of 125 kg falls off a cliff of height
thermal energy than a piece of shiny metal of the 122 m into a pool of water containing 120 kg of
same mass. Explain why the wood feels cooler water. Determine the rise in temperature of the
than the metal when you touch them. water. Assume that no water is lost in the entry of
the boulder, and that all the heat goes to the water.
7. A hot water vessel contains 3.0 dm3 at 45 °C.
Calculate the rate that the water is losing thermal 16. A thermally insulated container of water is
energy (in joules per second) if it cools to 38 °C dropped from a large height and collides
over an 8.0 h period. inelastically with the ground. Determine the
height from which it is dropped if the temperature
8. Determine how many joules of energy are released of the water increases by 1.5 °C.
when 870 g of aluminium is cooled from 155 °C to
20 °C.

87
 Chapter 3

17. A piece of copper is dropped from a height of are placed on water and observed under a microscope, the
225 m. If 75% of its kinetic energy is converted to pollen grains undergo constant random zig-zag motion.
heat energy on impact with the ground, calculate The motion becomes more vigorous as the thermal energy
the rise in temperature of the copper. (Use the is increased with heating. A Whitley Bay smoke cell uses
table of specific heat capacities to find the value for smoke in air to achieve the same brownian motion. In
copper). both cases, the motion is due to the larger particles (water
and air) striking the smaller particles (pollen and smoke)
CORE

18. 5kg of lead shot is poured into a cylindrical and causing them to move.
cardboard tube 2.0 m long. The ends of the tube
are sealed, and the tube is inverted 50 times. The The large number of particles in a volume of a solid, liquid
temperature of the lead increases by 4.2 °C. If or gas ensures that the number of particles moving in all
the specific heat of lead is 0.031 kcal kg-1 °C-1, directions with a certain velocity is constant over time.
determine the number of work units in joules that There would be no gaseous state if the particles were losing
are equivalent to the heat unit of 1 kilocalorie. kinetic energy.

A mutual attractive force must exist between particles

3.2.3 Phase states otherwise the particles of nature would not be combined
as we know them. Further explanation of this assumption
An understanding of thermal energy is based upon a theory will be given later in this topic.
called the moving particle theory or kinetic theory (for
gases) that uses models (Figure 314) to explain the structure Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies
and nature of matter. The basic assumptions of this moving space. There are four states of matter which are also called
particle theory relevant to thermal energy are: the four phases of matter – solids, liquids, gases and
plasma. Most matter on Earth is in the form of solids,
• all matter is composed of extremely small particles liquids and gases, but most matter in the Universe is in the
• all particles are in constant motion plasma state. Liquids, gases and plasma are fluids.
• if particles collide with neighbouring particles, they
conserve their kinetic energy A plasma is made by heating gaseous atoms and molecules
• a mutual attractive force exists between particles to a sufficient temperature to cause them to ionise. The
resulting plasma consists then of some neutral particles but
mostly positive ions and electrons or other negative ions.
The Sun and other stars are mainly composed of plasma.

The remainder of this chapter will concentrate on the other

three states of matter, and their behaviour will be explained in
solid liquid gas terms of their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics
of which some are given in Figures 315 and 316.
Figure 314  Arrangement of  
particles in solids, liquids and gases Characteristic Solid Liquid Gas
Shape Definite Variable Variable
An atom is the smallest neutral particle that represents an Volume Definite Definite Variable
element as displayed in a periodic table of elements. Atoms Almost Very slightly Highly
contain protons, neutrons and electrons and an array of Compressibility
Incompressible Compressible Compressible
other sub-atomic particles. Atomic diameters are of the Diffusion Small Slow Fast
order of magnitude 10–10 m. Atoms can combine to form
Comparative
molecules of substances. In chemistry, the choice of the High High Low
Density
terms e.g. ‘atoms, molecules, ions’ are specific to elements
and compounds. In physics, the word ‘particle’ is used to
describe any of these specific chemistry terms at this stage Figure 315  Some macroscopic  
of the course. characteristics of solids, liquids and gases

As previously mentioned, evidence for the constant motion Macroscopic properties are all the observable behaviours of
of particles can be gained from observation of what is that material such as shape, volume and compressibility.
known as Brownian Motion. If pollen grains from flowers

88
 Thermal Physics

The many macroscopic or physical properties of a substance container into which it is placed. Diffusion (the spreading
can provide evidence for the nature and structure of that out from the point of release) can occur readily. Gases
substance. are compressible because the particles are widely spaced
at a distance much greater than the size of the particles.
Characteristic Solid Liquid Gas The much higher mean speeds are due to an increased
Mostly translational kinetic energy of the particles. Gases have
Vibrational translational a much higher potential energy than liquids because the

CORE
Rotational Higher particles are much further apart.
Kinetic energy Vibrational
rotational
Some
translational Higher
3.2.4 The process of phase
vibrational
Potential energy High Higher Highest
changes
Mean molecular A substance can undergo changes of state or phase changes
r0 r0 10r0
Separation (r0) at different temperatures. Pure substances (elements and
Thermal energy compounds) have definite melting and boiling points
< ε /10 < ε > ε /10 >ε
of particles (ε) which are characteristic of the particular pure substance
Molecules per m3 1028 1028 1025 being examined. For example, oxygen has a melting point
of -218.8 °C and a boiling point of -183 °C at standard
Figure 316  Some microscopic   atmospheric pressure.
characteristics of solids, liquids and gases
The heating curve for benzene is illustrated in Figure 317.
Microscopic characteristics help to explain what is A sample of benzene at 25°C is heated in a closed container
happening at the atomic level, and this part of the model and the change in temperature is graphed as a function
will be interpreted further at a later stage. of time. The macroscopic behaviour of benzene can be
described using the graph and the microscopic behaviour
The modern technique of X-ray diffraction that will be can be interpreted from the macroscopic behaviour.
studied in detail in a later chapter has enabled scientists
Temperature /°C
to determine the arrangement of particles in solids. The
particles are closely packed and each particle is strongly L iquid-gas phase
change
bonded to its neighbour and is held fairly rigidly in a fixed boiling 80°C
position to give it definite shape in a crystalline lattice. point G AS
Solid-liquid
Some patterns are disordered as is the case for ceramics, phase change
rubber, plastics and glass. These substances are said to be melting
point 5.5°C L I QUID
amorphous. The particles have vibrational kinetic energy
in their fixed positions and the force of attraction between SO L I D

the particles gives them potential energy. Heating time /min

In liquids the particles are still closely packed and the Figure 317  Heating curve for benzene.
bonding between particles is still quite strong. However,
they are not held as rigidly in position and the bonds can When the solid benzene is heated the temperature
break and reform. This infers that the particles can slowly begins to rise. When the temperature reaches 5.5 °C the
and randomly move relative to each other to produce benzene begins to melt. Although heating continues the
variable shape and slow diffusion. Particles in a liquid temperature of the solid – liquid benzene mixture remains
have vibrational, rotational and some translational kinetic constant until all the benzene has melted. Once all the
energy due to their higher mean speeds. The potential benzene has melted the temperature starts to rise until the
energy of the particles in a liquid is somewhat higher than liquid benzene begins to boil at a temperature of 80 °C.
for a solid because the spacing between the particles is With continued heating the temperature remains constant
large. until all the liquid benzene has been converted to the
gaseous state. The temperature then continues to rise as
In gases the particles are widely spaced and the particles the gas is in a closed container.
only interact significantly on collision or very close
approach. Because of the rapid random zig-zag motion of
the particles, a gas will become dispersed throughout any

89
 Chapter 3

remaining particles in the liquid has been lowered. Since

3.2.5 Molecular behaviour and temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy
of the particles, a lower kinetic energy implies a lower
phase changes temperature, and this is the reason why the temperature of
the liquid falls as evaporative cooling takes place. Another
The moving particle theory can be used to explain the way of explaining the temperature drop is in terms of latent
microscopic behaviour of these phase changes. When heat. As a substance evaporates, it needs thermal energy
CORE

solid benzene is heated the particles of the solid vibrate input to replace its lost latent heat of vaporisation and this
at an increasing rate as the temperature is increased. thermal energy can be obtained from the remaining liquid
The vibrational kinetic energy of the particles increases. and its surroundings.
At the melting point a temperature is reached at which
the particles vibrate with sufficient thermal energy to A substance that evaporates rapidly is said to be a volatile
break from their fixed positions and begin to slip over liquid. A liquid’s volatility is controlled by a factor known
each other. As the solid continues to melt, more and as its equilibrium vapour pressure. There are forces that
more particles gain sufficient energy to overcome the must be overcome before a particle can leave the surface of
forces between particles and over time all the solid a liquid. Different liquids exert different vapour pressures
particles change to a liquid. The potential energy of that depend on the relative strengths of the intermolecular
the system increases as the particles begin to move. As forces present in the liquids. Freon used in refrigerators,
heating continues the temperature of the liquid rises and ether, chloroform and ethanol have relatively high
due to an increase in the vibrational, rotational and vapour pressures.
part translational kinetic energy of the particles. At
the boiling point a temperature is reached at which the The values in Figure 318 compare the vapour pressure of
particles gain sufficient energy to overcome the inter- some liquids at 293 K.
particle forces present in the liquid benzene and escape
into the gaseous state. Continued heating at the boiling Substance Vapour pressure / kPa
point provides the potential energy needed for all the Ether 58.9
benzene molecules to be converted from a liquid to a Chloroform 19.3
gas. With further heating the temperature increases Ethanol 5.8
due to an increase in the kinetic energy of the gaseous Water 2.3
molecules due to the larger translational motion. Mercury 0.0002

3.2.6 Evaporation and boiling

Figure 318  Some common vapour pressures
When water is left in a container outside, exposed to the
atmosphere, it will eventually evaporate. Mercury from Although the vapour pressure of mercury is much lower
broken thermometers has to be cleaned up immediately than the other substances listed at room temperature,
due to its harmful effects. Water has a boiling point of some evaporation does occur. Because of its extreme
100 °C and mercury has a boiling point of 357 °C. Yet they toxicity any mercury spill is treated seriously. Ether has a
both evaporate at room temperature. high vapour pressure. If a stream of air is blown through a
sample of ether in a beaker that is placed on a thin film of
The process of evaporation is a change from the liquid water, the water will eventually turn to ice.
state to the gaseous state that occurs at a temperature
below the boiling point. When overheating occurs in a human on hot days, the
body starts to perspire. Evaporation of the perspiration
The moving particle theory can be applied to understand results in a loss of thermal energy from the body so that
the evaporation process. A substance at a particular body temperature can be controlled. Local anaesthetics
temperature has a range of kinetic energies. So in a liquid with high vapour pressures are used to reduce pain on the
at any particular instant, a small fraction of the molecules skin. Thermal energy flows from the surrounding flesh
will have kinetic energies considerably greater then the causing its temperature to drop and thereby anaesthetises
average value. If these particles are near the surface of the the area.
liquid, they may have enough kinetic energy to overcome
the attractive forces of neighbouring particles and escape A liquid boils when the vapour pressure of the liquid
from the liquid as a vapour. Now that the more energetic equals the atmospheric pressure of its surroundings.
particles have escaped, the average kinetic energy of the As the boiling point is reached, tiny bubbles appear

90
 Thermal Physics

throughout the liquid. If the vapour pressure of the bubble

is less than the atmospheric pressure the bubbles are 150
crushed. However a point is reached when the pressures
are equal. The bubble will then increase in size as it rises to

Temperature / oC
the surface of the liquid. 100

CORE
50
Exercise 3.4

1. When smoke is strongly illuminated and viewed 0 5 10 15 20

under a microscope it is possible to observe T ime / min

A. all particles moving in straight lines 5. The internal potential energy of the unknown
B. smoke particles moving randomly by air substance increases without any change in internal
molecules kinetic energy from the beginning of the:
C. smoke particles colliding with each other
D. air molecules in random motion A. first minute to the end of the fourth minute
B. seventh minute to the end of the
2. The internal energy of a monatomic gas such as seventeenth minute
neon is mainly due to C. seventeenth minute to the end of the twenty
first minute
A. the potential energy holding the atoms in D. twenty second to the end of the twenty fifth
fixed positions minute
B. the vibrational energy of the atoms
C. the random translational energy of the 6. The specific heat capacity of the substance when it
atoms is solid is:
D. the rotational energy of the atoms
A. 63 Jkg-1K-1
3. For a given mass of a certain liquid, the magnitude B. 105 Jkg-1K-1
of the thermal energy transfer is the same for the C. 126 Jkg-1K-1
following two processes D. 504 Jkg-1K-1

A. freezing and sublimation 7. Give five macroscopic and five microscopic

B. melting and evaporation characteristics of the liquid/gas in a butane lighter.
C. evaporation and condensation
D. sublimation and condensation 8. Describe the components of internal energy in
each of the following situations
4. Which of the following is a unit of thermal
energy? (a) air at room temperature
(b) a jar of honey
A. watt (c) a melting ice cream.
B. the product of the newton and the metre
C. the quotient of the watt and the second 9. Explain the difference between heat, thermal
D. the product of the joule and the second energy and temperature.

Base your answers to Questions 5 and 6 on the 10. Does a block of ice contain any heat? Explain your
graph below. The graph shows the temperature answer fully.
of an unknown substance of mass 10.0 kg as heat
is added at a constant rate of 6300 Jmin-1. The 11. Draw a fully labelled cooling curve for the
substance is a solid at 0 0C. situation when steam at 110 °C is converted to ice
at –25 °C.

91
 Chapter 3

12. (a) Convert 63 °C to Kelvin When thermal energy is absorbed/released by a body,

(b) Convert 52 K to degrees Celsius the temperature may rise/fall, or it can remain constant.
If the temperature remains constant then a phase change
13. The temperatures of the same volume of air and will occur as the thermal energy must either increase the
water are raised by a small amount. Explain why potential energy of the particles as they move further apart
a different amount of heat is required for each or decrease the potential energy of the particles as they
process. move closer together. If the temperature changes, then the
CORE

energy must increase the kinetic energy of the particles.

14. If you increase the heat under a pot of water in
which you are boiling potatoes, will the potatoes The quantity of heat required to change one kilogram of
be cooked faster? a substance from one phase to another is called the latent
heat of transformation.
15. If you wanted to cool a bottle of soft drink at the
beach, would you be better to wrap a wet towel ∆Q = mL
around it or to put it into the seawater? Explain
your answer. ∆Q is the quantity of heat absorbed or released during the
phase change in J,
16. Why is it important not to stand in a draught after
vigorous exercise? m is the mass of the substance in kg and

17. Describe and explain the process of evaporative L is the latent heat of the substance in J kg -1
cooling in terms of its microscopic properties.
L could be the latent heat of fusion Lf, the latent heat of
18. A kettle made of stainless steel containing water vaporisation Lv or the latent heat of sublimation Ls. The
is heated to a temperature of 95 °C. Describe latent heat of fusion of a substance is less than the latent
the processes of thermal energy transfer that are heat of vaporisation or the latent heat of sublimation. More
occurring in the stainless steel kettle and the water. work has to be done to reorganise the particles as they
increase their volume in vaporisation and sublimation
3.2.7 Latent heat than the work required to allow particles to move from
their fixed position and slide over each other in fusion.
The thermal energy which a particle absorbs in melting, Figure 321 lists the latent heat of some substances.
evaporating or sublimating or gives out in freezing,
condensing or sublimating is called latent heat because it Substance Melting Latent heat Boiling Latent heat of
does not produce a change in temperature. See Figure 320. point of fusion point Vaporisation
K 105 J kg-1 K 105 J kg-1
Oxygen 55 0.14 90 2.1
T H E R M A L E NE R G Y A DDE D Ethanol 159 1.05 351 8.7
Lead 600 0.25 1893 7.3
sublimation
Copper 1356 1.8 2573 73
melting evaporation Water 273 3.34 373 22.5
SOL I D L I QUI D GAS
freezing condensation Figure 321  Some Latent Heat Values

T H E R M A L E NE R G Y GI V E N OUT Example 1

Figure 320  Macroscopic  
transformations between states of matter. Calculate the heat energy required to evaporate 5.0 kg of
ethanol at its boiling point.
Sublimation is a change of phase directly from a solid to
a gas or directly from a gas to a solid. Iodine and solid
carbon dioxide are examples of substances that sublime.

92
 Thermal Physics

The latent heat of vaporisation can be found using a self-

Solution jacketing vaporiser as shown in Figure 323. The liquid
to be vaporised is heated electrically so that it boils at a
steady rate. The vapour that is produced passes to the
Given that m = 5.0 kg and Lv = 8.7 × 105 J kg -1. condenser through holes labelled H in the neck of the
inner flask. Condensation occurs in the outer flask and
We then have, the condenser.

CORE
= 4.35 × 106 J = 4.4 × 106 J A

The heat energy required for the vaporisation is 4.4 × 106 J.

V
Example 2
H H
Va pour acting as
a jacket

Determine the heat energy released when 1.5 kg of gaseous L iquid under
investigation
water at 100 °C is placed in a freezer and converted to ice H eating coil
at -7 0C.

Wa ter outflow
Solution

C ondenser
The energy changes in this process can be represented as
shown in Figure 322.
C old water
Using
C ollecting vessel

Q = mLV + mc∆TWATER + mLf + mc∆TICE C ondensed vapour

= m [LV + c∆TWATER+ Lf + c∆TICE] Figure 323  Latent heat of vaporisation apparatus.

= 1.5 [22.5 × 105+ (4180 × 100) + 3.34 × 105 + (2100 × 7)] Eventually, the temperature of all the parts of the apparatus
becomes steady. When this steady state is reached, a
= 4.52 × 106 J container of known mass is placed under the condenser
outlet for a measured time t, and the measured mass of the
That is, the energy released is 4.5 × 106 J or 4.5 MJ. condensed vapour m is determined. The heater current I
is measured with the ammeter ‘A’ and potential difference
V is measured with a voltmeter ‘V’. They are closely
T H E R M A L E NE R G Y R E L E A SE D monitored and kept constant with a rheostat.
L atent heat of fusion L atent heat of evapor ation
The electrical energy supplied is used to vaporise the liquid
and some thermal energy H is lost to the surroundings.
I C E at L I Q U I D water at G ASE OU S water at

–7°C 0 °C 0 °C 100 °C 100 ° C

Therefore:

V1I1t = m1LV + H
Specific heat I ce Specific heat water
In order to eliminate H from the relationship, the process
is repeated using a different heater potential difference
Figure 322  Energy released in steam-ice change. and current. The vapour is collected for the same time t
The rate of vaporisation will be different but the heat lost
to the surroundings will be the same as each part of the

93
 Chapter 3

apparatus will be at the same temperature as it was with 4. Determine the amount of thermal energy that is
the initial rate vaporisation. required to melt 35 kg of ice at its melting point.

Therefore: 5. A 5.0 × 102 g aluminium block is heated to 350 °C.

Determine the number of kilograms of ice at 0 °C
V2I2t = m2LV + H that the aluminium block will melt as it cools.
CORE

By subtracting the two equations: 6. Steam coming from a kettle will give you a nastier
burn than boiling water. Explain why.
(V1I1 – V2I2)t = (m1 – m2)LV
7. An immersion heater can supply heat at a rate of
From this equation, the value of the latent heat 5.2 × 102 J s -1. Calculate the time that it will take
of vaporisation of the unknown substance can be to completely evaporate 1.25 × 10-1 kg of water
determined. initially at a temperature of 21 °C?

8. A 3.45 kg sample of iron is heated to a temperature

Exercise 3.5 of 295 °C and is then transferred to a 2.0 kg copper
vessel containing 10.0 kg of a liquid at an initial
temperature of 21.0 °C. If the final temperature of
1. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is the heat the mixture is 31.5 °C, determine the specific heat
required to capacity of the liquid?

A. raise the temperature of ice from 0 °C to 10 °C 9. A mass of dry steam at 1.0 × 102 °C is blown over
B. change 1 dm3 of ice at 0 °C to water at 0 °C a 1.5 kg of ice at 0.0 °C in an isolated container.
C. change 1kg of ice at 0 °C to water at 0 °C Calculate the mass of steam needed to convert the
D. change the temperature of 1 kg by 10 °C ice to water at 21.5 °C.

2. A substance changes from liquid to gas at its 10. A freezer in a refrigerator takes 2.00 hours to
normal boiling temperature. What change, if convert 2.15 kg of water initially at 21.5 °C to just
any, occurs in the average kinetic energy and the frozen ice. Calculate the rate at which the freezer
average potential energy of its molecules? absorbs heat.

Average kinetic Average potential 11. Describe an experiment to determine the specific
energy energy heat capacity of an unknown metal. Sketch the
apparatus used and describe what measurements
A. constant increases are made. State the main sources of error and
B. increases constant explain how they can be minimised.
C. increases decreases
D. constant constant 12. Calculate how much thermal energy is released
when 1.2 kg of steam at 100 °C is condensed to
3. Thermal energy is transferred to a mass of water water at the same temperature.
in four steps. Which one of the four steps requires (Lv = 2.25 × 106 Jkg-1)
the most thermal energy?
13. Determine how much energy is released when
A. 5 °C to 20 °C 1.5 kg of gaseous water at 100 °C is placed in a
B. 15 °C to 35 °C freezer and converted to ice at –7 °C . (the specific
C. 75 °C to 90 °C heat capacity of ice is 2.1 × 103 J kg-1 K-1).
D. 95 °C to 101 °C
14. Describe an experiment that can be used to
determine the latent heat of vaporisation of a
liquid.

94
 Thermal Physics

KINETIC MODEL OF AN IDEAL GAS certain limited conditions but they can condense to liquids,
then solidify if the temperature is lowered. Furthermore,
there are relatively small forces of attraction between
3.2.9 Define pressure. particles of a real gas, and even this is not allowable for
an ideal gas.
3.2.10 State the assumptions of the kinetic model
Of an ideal gas. Most gases, at temperatures well above their boiling points

CORE
and pressures that are not too high, behave like an ideal gas.
3.2.11 State that temperature is a measure of In other words, real gases vary from ideal gas behaviour at
the average random kinetic energy of the high pressures and low temperatures.
molecules of an ideal gas.
When the moving particle theory is applied to gases it is
3.2.12 Explain the macroscopic behaviour of an generally called the kinetic theory of gases. The kinetic
ideal gas in terms of a molecular model. theory relates the macroscopic behaviour of an ideal gas to
© IBO 2007
the behaviour of its molecules.

3.2.9 Pressure The assumptions or postulates of the moving particle

theory are extended for an ideal gas to include
Investigations into the behaviour of gases involve
measurement of pressure, volume, temperature and mass. • Gases consist of tiny particles called atoms
Experiments use these macroscopic properties of a gas to (monatomic gases such as neon and argon) or
formulate a number of gas laws. molecules.
• The total number of molecules in any sample of a
In 1643 Torricelli found that the atmosphere could gas is extremely large.
support a vertical column of mercury about 76 cm high • The molecules are in constant random motion.
and the first mercury barometer became the standard • The range of the intermolecular forces is small
instrument for measuring pressure. The pressure unit compared to the average separation of the
760 mm Hg (760 millimetres of mercury) represented molecules.
standard atmospheric pressure. In 1646, Pascal found that • The size of the particles is relatively small compared
the atmosphere could support a vertical column of water with the distance between them.
about 10.4 m high. • Collisions of short duration occur between
molecules and the walls of the container and the
For our purposes in this section, pressure can be defined collisions are perfectly elastic.
as the force exerted over an area. • No forces act between particles except when they
collide, and hence particles move in straight lines.
Pressure = Force / Area • Between collisions the molecules, obey Newton’s
Laws of motion.
P = F /A
Based on these postulates the view of an ideal gas is one
The SI unit of pressure is the pascal Pa. of molecules moving in random straight line paths at
constant speeds until they collide with the sides of the
1 atm = 1.01 × 105 Nm-2 = 101.3 kPa = 760 mmHg container or with one another. Their paths over time are
therefore zig-zags. Because the gas molecules can move
3.2.10 The kinetic model of an freely and are relatively far apart, they occupy the total
volume of a container.
ideal gas
The large number of particles ensures that the number of
An ideal gas is a theoretical gas that obeys the ideal gas particles moving in all directions is constant at any time.
equation exactly. Real gases conform to the gas laws under

95
 Chapter 3

The peak of each curve is at the most probable speed vp

3.2.11 Temperature and average a large number of particles in a sample of gas have their
speeds in this region. When the mathematics of statistical
random kinetic energy mechanics is applied it is found that mean squared speed
vav2 is higher than the most probable speed. Another
Temperature is a measure of the average random kinetic quantity more often used is called the root mean square
energy of an ideal gas. speed Vrms and it is equal to the square root of the mean
CORE

squared speed.
At the microscopic level, temperature is regarded 2
as the measure of the average kinetic energy per v rms = v
molecule associated with its movements. For gases,
it can be shown1 that the3 average kinetic energy, The root mean square is higher than the mean squared
E k = --- mv 2 = --- kT speed.
1 3 2 2
E k = --- mv 2 = --- kT where k = Boltzmann constant
2 2
Other features of the graphs show that the higher the
∴v 2 ∝ T temperature, the more symmetric the curves becomes.
∴v 2 ∝ T The average speed of the particles increases and the peak
The term average kinetic energy is used because, at a is lowered and shifted to the right. The areas under the
particular temperature different particles have a wide graphs only have significance when N is defined in a
range of velocities, especially when they are converted to a different way from above.
gas. This is to say that at any given temperature the average
speed is definite but the velocities of particular molecules Figure 326 shows the distribution of the number of
can change as a result of collision. particles with a particular energy N against the kinetic
energy of the particles Ek at a particular temperature. The
Figure 325 shows a series of graphs for the same gas shape of the kinetic energy distribution curve is similar to
at three different temperatures. In 1859 James Clerk the speed distribution curve and the total energy of the
Maxwell (1831-1879) and in 1861 Ludwig Boltzmann gas is given by the area under the curve.
(1844-1906) developed the mathematics of the kinetic
theory of gases. The curve is called a Maxwell-Boltzmann N
T1
speed distribution and it is calculated using statistical
mechanics. It shows the relationship between the relative T2
number of particles N in a sample of gas and the speeds v
T2 > T1
that the particles have when the temperature is changed.
(T3 > T2 > T1)

The graphs do not show a normal distribution as the

graphs are not bell-shaped. They are slightly skewed to
the left. The minimum speed is zero at the left end of Ek
the graphs. At the right end they do not touch the x-axis
because a small number of particles have very high speeds. Figure 326  Distribution of kinetic energies  
for the same gas at different temperatures.
N
T1
The average kinetic energy of the particles of all gases is
T2 T3 > T2 > T1 the same. However, gases have different masses. Hydrogen
molecules have about one-sixteenth the mass of oxygen
T3 molecules and therefore have higher speeds if the average
kinetic energy of the hydrogen and the oxygen are the same.

Because the collisions are perfectly elastic there is no loss

in kinetic energy as a result of the collisions.

v mp v v rms –1
v ms
Figure 325  Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution for
the same gas at different temperatures.

96
 Thermal Physics

changed with temperature. Gay-Lussac (1778–1850)

3.2.12 Macroscopic behaviour of published more accurate investigations in 1802.

an ideal gas A very simple apparatus to investigate Charles’ Law is

shown in Figure 328. A sample of dry air is trapped in a
Robert Boyle (1627-1691) discussed that the pressure of a capillary tube by a bead of concentrated sulfuric acid. The
gas at constant temperature is proportional to its density. capillary tube is heated in a water bath and the water is

CORE
He also investigated how the pressure is related to the constantly stirred to ensure that the whole air column is at
volume for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature. the same temperature.
Boyle’s Law relates pressure and volume for a gas at fixed thermometer capillary tube
temperature.
bead of acid
(e.g. sulfuric acid)
Boyle’s Law for gases states that the pressure of a fixed mass
of gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant
water bath
temperature. air column

​ 1 ​  ⇔ PV = constant
P α __
V
H E A T
When the conditions are changed, with the temperature
still constant
Figure 328  Apparatus for Charles’ law.
P​1​​V​1​= P
​ ​2​​V​2​
The investigation should be carried out slowly to allow
The readings of P and V must be taken slowly to maintain thermal energy to pass into or out of the thick glass walls
constant temperature because when air is compressed, it of the capillary tube. When the volume and temperature
warms up slightly. measurements are plotted, a graph similar to Figure 328
is obtained.
When a pressure versus volume graph is drawn for the
collected data a hyperbola shape is obtained, and when V cm3
pressure is plotted against the reciprocal of volume a
straight line is obtained. See Figure 327.

pressure, P mm Hg pressure, P mm Hg PV

–273 0 100 T °C
0 273 373 T K

Figure 329  Variation of volume with temperature.

volume, V cm 3 1 cm–3 P
V Note that from the extrapolation of the straight line that
the volume of gases would be theoretically zero at –273 °C
Figure 327  (a), (b) and)c) pressure-volume graphs. called absolute zero. The scale chosen is called the Kelvin
scale K.
The pressure that the molecules exert is due to their
collisions with the sides of the container. When the The Charles (Gay-Lussac) Law of gases states that:
volume of the container is decreased, the frequency of the The volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure
particle collisions with the walls of the container increases. is directly proportional to its absolute (Kelvin)
This means that there is a greater force in a smaller area temperature.
leading to an increase in pressure. The pressure increase
has nothing to do with the collisions of the particles with This can also be stated as:
each other.

In 1787 Jacques Charles (1746–1823) performed

experiments to investigate how the volume of a gas

97
 Chapter 3

The volume of a fixed mass of gas increases by 1/273

Pressure, P
of its volume at 0 °C for every degree Celsius rise in
temperature provided the pressure is constant.

kPa
​V​ ​
V α T ⇒ V = kt so that ___
​  1 ​ = k
​T​1​
Therefore,
CORE

​V​ ​ ​V​2​
___ –273 0 100 T °C
​  1 ​ = ___
​   ​  0 273 373 T K
​T​1​ ​T​2​
As the temperature of a gas is increased, the average kinetic Figure 331  Variation of pressure with temperature.
energy per molecule increases. The increase in velocity
of the molecules leads to a greater rate of collisions, and The Pressure (Admonton) Law of Gases states that:
each collision involves greater impulse. Hence the volume
of the gas increases as the collisions with the sides of the The pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume
container increase. is directly proportional to its absolute (Kelvin)
temperature.
Experiments were similarly carried out to investigate the
P 1P 1
relationship between the pressure and temperature of a ∴∴
P P∝∝T T⇔⇔P P= =kTkT ----------
- -= =k k
fixed mass of various gases. T1T1
Therefore,
The essential parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 330 P P 1 P 2P 2
are a metal sphere or round bottomed flask, and a -----1-----
- -= =----------
--
T T1 T T2
1 2
Bourdon pressure gauge. The sphere/flask and bourdon
gauge are connected by a short column of metal tubing/ As the temperature of a gas is increased, the average kinetic
capillary tube to ensure that as little air as possible is at a energy per molecule increases. The increase in velocity of
different temperature from the main body of enclosed gas. the molecules leads to a greater rate of collisions, and each
The apparatus in Figure 330 allows the pressure of a fixed collision involves greater impulse. Hence the pressure of
volume of gas to be determined as the gas is heated. the gas increases as the collisions with the sides of the
container increase.

Bourdon gauge

counter-balance

metal stem

thermometer
retort
stand

air enclosed
in a metal
sphere

Figure 330  Pressure law apparatus.

The variation in pressure as the temperature is changed

is measured and graphed. A typical graph is shown in
Figure 331.

98
 Oscillations and Waves

oscillations and waves

4. 1

4.2
Kinematics of Simple Harmonic Motion (2H)

Energy changes during Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) 4

CORE
4.3 Forced Oscillations and Resonance

4.4 Wave Characteristics

4.5 Wave Properties

Introduction
W hat we learn in this chapter about oscillations
in mechanical systems and of the waves that
oscillating systems may set up, forms the basis for gaining
On a fundamental level, all atoms and molecules are
in effect oscillating systems. An understanding of
these oscillations is crucial to understanding both the
an understanding of many other areas of physics. microscopic and macroscopic properties of a substance.
For example, the dependence of specific heat capacity on
A study of oscillations is important for many reasons, not temperature, (a topic well beyond the scope of an IB Physics
least safety in design. For example oscillations may be set Course) arises from studying atomic oscillations. Also, by
up in a bridge as traffic passes over it and these oscillations analysing the oscillations of atoms and molecules, we gain
can lead to structural damage in the bridge. Many types an understanding of the interaction between matter and
of machines (lathes, car engines etc) are also subject to radiation. For example, we shall see in Chapter 8, that the
oscillations and again, these oscillations can produce Greenhouse Effect is essentially due to the interaction of
damage. infrared radiation with gases such as carbon dioxide.

Of course oscillating systems may also be very useful. It must also be mentioned that the oscillations of electrically
The oscillations of a simple pendulum may be used as charged particles give rise to electromagnetic waves (light,
an accurate timing device and the oscillations set up in radio waves X-rays etc). This is examined in more detail
a quartz crystal may be used as an even more accurate in the Option on Electromagnetic waves (Option G).
timing device. However, the concept of electromagnetic waves occurs in
several other places in both the Core and AHL material.
If an oscillating body causes other particles with which it
is in contact to oscillate, then the energy of the oscillating We look first at the oscillations in mechanical systems.
body may be propagated as a wave. An oscillating tuning
fork, vibrating string and vibrating reed cause the air
molecules with which they are in contact to oscillate
thereby giving rise to a sound wave that we may hear as
a musical note. As we shall see, oscillating systems and
waves are intimately connected.

99
 Chapter 4

4. 1 Kinematics of Simple Harmonic

Motion
P
4.1.1 Describe examples of oscillations.
CORE

4.1.2 Define the terms displacement, amplitude,

frequency, period, phase difference. θ0

4.1.3 Define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and

state the defining equation as a = - ω2x.

4.1.4 Solve problems using the defining

equation for simple harmonic motion.
C B
4.1.5 Apply the equations v = -v0sin ωt, v = v0
E D
cosω t, v = ±ω√(x0 2 - x2), x = x0 cosω t, X
x = x0 sinωt, as solutions to the defining
equation for simple harmonic motion. Figure 401  A simple oscillating system

4.1.6 Solve problems, both graphically and by To set the pendulum oscillating, the bob is pulled up to
calculation, for acceleration, velocity and a position such as B where the angle XPB is θ0. It is then
displacement during simple harmonic released. The bob will now oscillate between the positions
motion B and C.
© IBO 2007

4.1.1 Examples of oscillating Displacement (x, θ)

systems This refers to the distance that an oscillating system is from
its equilibrium position at any particular instant during
In the introduction, we mentioned several oscillating the oscillation. In the case of the simple pendulum the
systems. Here are a few more: displacement is best measured as an angular displacement.
For example, in Figure 401 when the bob is at the position
• a boat at anchor at sea D, the displacement is the angle XPD = θ and when at E,
• the human vocal chords is the angle XPE = - θ. The displacement when the bob is
• an oscillating cantilever at X is θ = 0.
• the Earth’s atmosphere after a large explosion.

Amplitude (x0, θ0)

4.1.2 Definitions of terms
This is the maximum displacement of an oscillating system
associated with oscillating from its equilibrium position. For the simple pendulum in
Figure 401 this is clearly θ0.
systems

In order to understand the terms associated with oscillating Period (T)

systems, let us look at the oscillation of a so-called simple
pendulum. A simple pendulum consists of a weight (called This is the time it takes an oscillating system to make
the bob) that is suspended vertically by a light string or one complete oscillation. For the simple pendulum in
thread as shown in Figure 401. The bob X is suspended by Figure 401, this is the time it takes to go from X to B, B to
the thread from the point P. C and then back to X.

100
 Oscillations and Waves

Frequency (f)
A
This is the number of complete oscillations made by the l
system in one second.
r

θ B
Relation between frequency and

CORE
period
The time for one complete oscillation is the period T.
Therefore the number of oscillations made in one second
1
f is
= --- . The number of oscillations made in one second is
T
also defined as the frequency f, hence: l Figure 402  The radian
θ (rad) =
1 r
f = --- If θ = 180° then l is equal to half the circumference of the
T Equation 4.1 circle i.e. l = πr. Hence from equation 4.2, we have that

Phase difference ʌr
θ (1800 ) = = ʌ (rad)
Suppose we have for instance, two identical pendulums r
oscillating next to each other. If the displacements of the Hence 1 radian (rad) is equal to 57.3°.
pendulums are the same at all instances of time, then we
say that they are oscillating in phase. If on the other hand
the maximum displacement of one of them is θ0 when the ω = 2πf4.1.3 D efinition of simple
maximum displacement of the other is -θ0, then we say
that they are oscillating in anti-phase or that the phase harmonic motion (SHM)
difference between is 180°. The reason for the specification
2ʌ
in terms of angle will become clear in section 4.1.5. ω=
In general, the phase difference between two identical T Description of SHM
systems oscillating with the same frequency can have any
value between 0 and 360° (or 0 to 2π radians- see Figure Suppose we were to attach a fine marking pen to the
402). We shall see that the concept of phase difference is bottom of the bob of a simple pendulum and arrange for
very important when discussing certain aspects of wave 2ʌ this pen to2ʌbe in contact with a long sheet of white paper
T= or ω =
motion. ω as shown in T Figure 403.

Radian measure
When dealing with angular displacements, it is often
useful to measure the displacement in radians rather than
in degrees. In Figure 402, the angle θ measured in radians Motion of pendulum
is defined as the arc length AB (l) divided by the radius r
of the circle i.e

l
θ (rad) = Equation 4.2 Paper
r

Direction of paper
ʌr
θ (1800 ) = = ʌ (rad)
r Figure 403  Arrangement for demonstrating SHM

101
ω = 2πf
 l
θ (rad) =
Chapter 4 lr
θ (rad) =
r

As the pendulum oscillates, the paper is pulled at a constant Angular frequency (ω)
speed in the direction shown. ʌr
θl (180 0
) ʌ=r
= ʌ (rad)
θA(rad) )= 0
=r associated
θ (180 quantity
very =useful ʌ (rad) with oscillatory motion
Figure 404 shows a particular example of what is traced on is angularr frequency,
r ω. This is defined in terms of the
the paper by the marker pen. linear frequency as

0.4 ω ==2πf
ω 2πf 0 ʌr Equation 4.3
θ (180 ) = = ʌ (rad)
r
CORE

0.3
0.2 Using equation 4.1 we also have that
displacement/cm

0.1 2ʌ2ʌ
0 ωω
ω===2πfT Equation 4.4
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 T
-0.1 time/s There is a connection between angular frequency and the
-0.2 angular speed of a particle moving in a circle with constant
2ʌ
speed.
-0.3
ω = 2ʌThe angular 2ʌ speed of the particle is defined as the
T = T2ʌor
number ωradians
= 2ʌ
-0.4
ω or ω =T through which the particle moves in
T =second.
of
one ω If the time
T for one complete revolution of the
Figure 404  A sample trace circle is T , then from equation 4.2 we have that
2ʌ 2ʌ
T= or ω =
The displacement is measured directly from the trace and ω T
the time is calculated from the speed with which the paper
is pulled. There is actually a physical connection between angular
speed and SHM in the respect that it can be shown that the
There are several things to notice about the trace. projection of the particle onto any diameter moves with
SHM. See Figure 405.
1. One complete oscillation is similar to a sine or
cosine graph.

2. The period stays constant at about 0.8 s. P

As the particle P moves
(Oscillations in which the period is constant are round the circle, its
called isochronous.) projection N onto a
N diameter moves backwards
and forwards along the
3. The amplitude is decaying with time. This is diameter with SHM.
because the pendulum is losing energy to the
surroundings due to friction at the point of
suspension and to air resistance.
Figure 405  Circular and harmonic motion
Based on this sort of time trace, we can define a special
type of oscillatory motion. Oscillators that are perfectly
isochronous and whose amplitude does not change Definition of SHM
with time are called simple harmonic oscillators and
their motion is referred to as simple harmonic motion If it were possible to remove all frictional forces acting
(SHM). Clearly SHM does not exist in the real world as on an oscillating pendulum, then the displacement –time
the oscillations of any vibrating system will eventually graph for the motion would look like that in Figure 406.
die out. Interestingly enough, the simple pendulum does The amplitude does not decay with time. This therefore is
not perform SHM for yet another reason, namely that the a displacement-time graph for SHM
period is actually dependant on the amplitude. However,
this only becomes noticeable as θ0 exceeds about 40°.

Although SHM does not exist in the real world,

many oscillatory systems approximate to this motion.
Furthermore, as part of the scientific method, it makes
good sense to analyse a simple situation before moving
onto more complex situations.

102
 Oscillations and Waves

0.4 is the acceleration of the system. However, the acceleration

0.3 is not constant. For those of you who have a mathematical
0.2 bent, the relation between the force and the acceleration is
displacement/cm

0.1
d2 x
0 written as −kx = m . This is what is called a “second
-0.1
1 2 3 4
time/s
5 d2t
-0.2 order differential equation”. The solution of the equation

CORE
-0.3 gives x as a function of t. The actual solution is of the SHM
-0.4 equation is

Figure 406  A displacement – time graph x = Pcosωt + Qsinωt where P and Q are constants and ω is

It turns out that if the acceleration a of a system is directly the angular frequency of the system and is equal to .
proportional to its displacement x from its equilibrium
position and is directed towards the equilibrium position, Whether a particular solution involves the sine function or
then the system will execute SHM. This is the formal the cosine function, depends on the so-called ‘boundary
definition of SHM. conditions’. If for example x = x0 (the amplitude) when
t = 0, then the solution is x = x0cosωt.
We can express this definition mathematically as
The beauty of this mathematical approach is that, once
a = -const x Equation 4.5 the general equation has been solved, the solution for
all systems executing SHM is known. All that has to be
The negative sign indicates that the acceleration is directed shown to know if a system will execute SHM, is that the
towards equilibrium. Mathematical analysis shows that acceleration of the system is given by Equation 4.5 or the
the constant is in fact equal to ω2 where ω is the angular force is given by equation 4.7. The physical quantities that
frequency (defined above) of the system. Hence equation ω will depend on is determined by the particular system.
4.5 becomes For example, for a weight of mass m oscillating at the end
of a vertically supported spring whose spring constant is k,
a = -ω2 x Equation 4.6
then ω = or , from equation 4.4. For
This equation is the mathematical definition of SHM.
a simple pendulum, ω = where l is the length of
If a system is performing SHM, then to produce the the pendulum and g is the acceleration of free fall such
acceleration, a force must be acting on the system in the that .
direction of the acceleration. From our definition of SHM,
the magnitude of the force F is given by
TOK A Mathematical Perspective
F = -kx Equation 4.7 Galileo stated that ‘the book of nature is written in
mathematical terms’. In this respect, it is impossible
where k is a constant and the negative sign indicates that to explain to somebody why the period of oscillation
the force is directed towards the equilibrium position of of a simple pendulum depends on the square root of
the system. (Do not confuse this constant k with the spring its length without recourse to solving a second order
constant. However, when dealing with the oscillations differential equation.
of a mass on the end of a spring, k will be the spring
constant.)

A mathematical perspective of SHM 4.1.4 Solving problems involving

SHM is a very good example in which to apply the a = -ω2x
Newtonian method discussed in Chapter 2 i.e. if the forces
that act on a system are known, then the future behaviour To understand how the equation a = -ω2x is used in
of the system can be predicted. Here we have a situation in particular situations involving SHM’ let us look at an
which the force is given by –kx. From Newton’s second law example.
therefore –kx = ma, where m is the mass of the system and a

103
 Chapter 4

(c) Calculate the period T of oscillation of the

Example wood.
Answer

1. A cylindrical piece of wood floats upright in water ω2 = rad2

as shown in Figure 407.
ω = 4.8 rad
push
CORE

downwards = 1.3 s

(d) State and explain in terms of the period

T of oscillation of the wood, the first
two instances when the acceleration is a
l maximum.
water
Answer

wood The amplitude will be a maximum at T = 0 and again when

Figure 407  SHM of a floating piece of wood T=

The wood is pushed downwards and then released. The so acceleration is a maximum at T = 0 and T = 0.65 s
subsequent acceleration a of the wood is given by the
expression
4.1.5 Solutions of the SHM
equation

where ρ = density of water, σ = density of the wood, To understand the solutions of the SHM equation, let
l = length of wood, g = acceleration of free fall and us consider the oscillations of a mass suspended from a
x = displacement of the wood from its equilibrium position. vertically supported spring. We shall consider the mass of
the spring to be negligible and for the extension x to obey
(a) Explain why the wood executes SHM. the rule F = kx for all values of x. F is the force causing the
Answer extension. Figure 408(a) shows the spring and a suspended
weight of mass m in equilibrium. In Figure 408(b), the
The equation shows that the acceleration of the wood is weight has been pulled down a further extension x0.
proportional to its displacement from equilibrium and
directed towards the equilibrium position.

(b) The length of the wood is 52 cm and it is unstretched length

pushed downwards a distance of 24 cm.
spring
Calculate the maximum acceleration of the
e
wood. (ρ = 1.0 × 103 kg m-3, ke
equilibriumx = 0
x0

σ = 8.4 × 102 kg m-3, g = 9.8 m s-2). unbalanced

mg x
Answer weight of mass m
x0 P force F on
weight =-kx

Maximum acceleration is when x = A (the amplitude) a b

= 2.4 × 10-2 m Figure 408  SHM of a mass suspended by a spring

therefore maximum acceleration In Figure 408 (a), the equilibrium extension of the spring
1.0 ×10 × 9.8 × 24 ×10
3 −2 is e and the net force on the weight is mg - ke = 0.
= 8.4 ×102 × 52 ×10−2

= 5.4 m s-2

104
 Oscillations and Waves

In Figure 408 (b), if the weight is held in position then However, we have to bear in mind that ωt varies between
released, then when the weight is at position P say, distance 0 and 2π such that the cosωt is negative for ωt in the
x from the equilibrium position x = 0, then the net force
on the weight is mg - ke – kx. Clearly, then the unbalanced and sinωt is negative for ωt in the range π to
force on the weight is –kx. When the weight reaches
a point distance x above the equilibrium position, the 2π. This effectively means when the displacement from
compression force in the spring provides the unbalanced equilibrium is positive, the velocity is negative and so

CORE
force towards the equilibrium position of the weight. directed towards equilibrium. When the displacement
from equilibrium is negative, the velocity is positive and
The acceleration of the weight is given by Newton’s second so directed away from equilibrium
law;
The sketch graph in Figure 409 shows the variation with
F = -kx = ma time t of the displacement x and the corresponding
variation with time t of the velocity v. This clearly
i.e. Equation 4.8 demonstrates the relation between the sign of the velocity
and sign of the displacement.
This is of the form a = -ω2 x where ω = , that

displacement
is the weight will execute SHM with a frequency

.
0,0
The displacement of the weight x, the solution of the SHM T 2T
equation, is given by
velocity

ω Equation 4.9
0,0 t
This is the particular solution of the SHM equation for the
oscillation of a weight on the end of a spring. This system
is often referred to as a harmonic oscillator.
Figure 409  Displacement-time and velocity-time graphs
The velocity v of the weight at any instant can be found
by finding the gradient of the displacement-time graph. We can also see how the velocity v changes with
From equation 4.9, the displacement graph is a cosine displacement x.
function and the gradient of a cosine function is a negative
sine function. The gradient of From equation 4.10, we have that

x = x0cosωt is in fact ω ω so

ω ω ω Equation 4.10 However we can express sinωt in terms of cosωt using the
trigonometric relation
where v0 is the maximum and minimum velocity equal in
magnitude to ωx0. sin 2 θ + cos 2 θ = 1

Students familiar with calculus will recognise the velocity From which it can be seen that
v as
dx d
v= = (x0 cos ω t ) = −ω xo sinω t . Similarly,
dt dt Replacing θ with ωt we have
dv d
a= = (−ω x0 sin ω t ) = −ω 2 x0 cos ωt = − ω2 x
dt d t v = −ω x0 1 − cos 2 ω t
which of course is just the defining equation of SHM.
Remembering that and putting x0 inside the
square root gives

105
 Chapter 4

x = ​x​0​cosωt x = ​x​0​sinωt
ν = − ​ν​0​sinωt ν = ​ν​0​cosωt

Bearing in mind that v can be positive or negative, we

ν = –​ωx​0​sinωt ν = ​– ωx​0​cosωt
_______ _______
must write ν=±ω√
​ (​x​0​– x​ ​ ​) ​  2
ν = ± ω​√(​x​0​– x​ 2​ ​) ​ 

Equation 4.11 Figure 411  Common equations

CORE

The velocity is zero when the displacement is a maximum We should mention that since the general solution to
and is a maximum when the displacement is zero. the SHM equation is there are
in fact three solutions to the equation. This demonstrates
The graph in Figure 410 shows the variation with x of the a fundamental property of second order differential
velocity v for a system oscillating with a period of 1 sec and equations; that one of the solutions to the equation is the
with an amplitude of 5 cm. The graph shows the variation sum of all the other solutions. This is the mathematical
over a time of any one period of oscillation. basis of the so-called principle of superposition.

7 4.1.6 Solving SHM Problems

6
5 In this section we look at an example of a typical SHM
v / cm s -1

4 problem and its solution.

3
2

1 Examples

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1
x / cm
-2 The graph in Figure 412 shows the variation with time t of
-3 the displacement x of a system executing SHM.
-4
10
-5
8
-6
6
-7
4
2
Figure 410  Velocity-displacement graph
x /cm

0
-2 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 3. 5
t /s
-4
Boundary Conditions -6
-8
The two solutions to the general SHM equation are -10
and . Which solution applies to
a particular system depends, as mentioned above, on the Figure 412  Displacement – time graph for SHM
boundary conditions for that system. For systems such
as the harmonic oscillator and the simple pendulum, the Use the graph to determine the
boundary condition that gives the solution
is that the displacement x = x0 when t = 0. For some other (i) period of oscillation
systems it might turn out that x = 0 when t =0. This will (ii) amplitude of oscillation
lead to the solution . From a practical point of (iii) maximum speed
view, the two solutions are essentially the same; for example (iv) the speed at t = 1.3 s
when timing the oscillations of a simple pendulum, you (v) maximum acceleration
might decide to start the timing when the pendulum bob
passes through the equilibrium position. In effect, the two
solutions differ in phase by .

The table in Figure 411 summarises the solutions we have

for SHM.

106
 Oscillations and Waves

Solutions 4.2 Energy

Changes
(a) (i) 2.0 s
(ii) 8.0 cm During simple
(iii) Using gives
harmonic

CORE
(remember that ) = 25 cm s-1
motion (SHM)
(iv) v = −v0sinωt = −25sin (1.3π). To find the
value of the sine function, we have to convert
the 1.3π into degrees (remember ω and hence 4.2.1 Describe the interchange between kinetic
ωt, is measured in radians) energy and potential energy during SHM

1 deg therefore 1.3π = 1.3 × 180 4.2.2 Apply the expression E = ½mω2(x02 – x2) for
K

= 2340 the kinetic energy of a particle undergoing

therefore v1 = −25sin (234) = +20 cm s-1. simple harmonic motion, ET = ½mω2x02 for the
total energy and E = ½mω2x2 for the potential
P

Or we can solve using energy.

from the graph at t = 1.3 s, x = -4.8 cm 4.2.3 Solve problems, both graphically and by
calculation, involving energy changes during
therefore v = π x = 20 cm s-1 simple harmonic motion.
© IBO 2007

(v) Using = π × 8.0 = 79 m s

2 -2

4.2.1 Kinetic and potential

Exercise energy changes

We must now look at the energy changes involved in

Answer the same questions (a)(i) to (a)(iv) in the above SHM. To do so, we will again concentrate on the harmonic
example for the system oscillating with SHM as described oscillator. The mass is stationary at x = +x0 (maximum
by the graph in Figure 413. Also state two values of t at extension) and also at x = -x0 (maximum compression). At
which the magnitude of the velocity is a maximum and these two positions the energy of the system is all potential
two values of t at which the magnitude of the acceleration energy and is in fact the elastic potential energy stored in
is a maximum. the spring. This is the total energy of the system ET and
clearly
7
6 Equation 4.12
5
4
3
That is, that for any system performing SHM, the energy of
2 the system is proportional to the square of the amplitude.
1 This is an important result and one that we shall return to
x/ cm

0
0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 3. 5
when we discuss wave motion.
-1
t /s
-2
-3 At x = 0 the spring is at its equilibrium extension and
-4
the velocity v of the oscillating mass is a maximum v0.
-5
-6
The energy is all kinetic and again is equal to ET. We can
-7 see that this is indeed the case as the expression for the
maximum kinetic energy Emax in terms of v0 is

Equation 4.13

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 Chapter 4

Clearly ET and Emax are equal such that

4.2.3 Solving SHM Energy
=
Problems
From which
Let us now look at solving a problem involving energy in SHM.
CORE

Therefore Example

The amplitude of oscillation of a mass suspended by a

which ties in with the velocity being equal to the gradient vertical spring is 8.0 cm. The spring constant of the spring
of the displacement –time graph. (See 4.1.5) As the system is 74 N m-1. Determine
oscillates there is a continual interchange between kinetic
energy and potential energy such that the loss in kinetic (a) total energy of the oscillator
energy equals the gain in potential energy and ET = EK + EP.
(b) the potential and the kinetic energy of the
oscillator at a displacement of 4.8 cm from
4.2.2 The SHM energy equations equilibrium.

Remembering that , we have that

Solution
Equation 4.14

Clearly, the potential energy EP at any displacement x is (a) Spring constant k = 74 N m-1 and
given by
x0 = 8.0 × 10-2 m
Equation 4.15
ET = ½ kx02
At any displacement x, the kinetic energy EK is
Hence remembering that = ½ × 74 × 64 × 10-4 = 0.24 J

, we have (b) at x = 4.8 cm

Equation 4.16 therefore EP = ½ × 74 × (4.8 × 10-2)2

Although we have derived these equations for a harmonic = 0.085 × 10-4 J

oscillator, they are valid for any system oscillating with SHM.
The sketch graph in Figure 414 shows the variation with EK = ET − EP = 0.24 − 0.085 = 0.16 J
displacement x of EK and EP for one period.

Exercise

In a simple atomic model of a solid, the atoms vibrate with

energy

potential
kinetic
a frequency of 2.0 × 1011 Hz. The amplitude of vibration
of the atoms is 5.5 × 10-10 m and the mass of each atom is
4.8 × 10-26 kg. Calculate the total energy of the oscillations
of an atom.
displacement

Figure 414  Energy and displacement

108
 Oscillations and Waves

4.3 Forced Oscillations and Resonance

4.3.1 State what is meant by damping. 4.3.2 Examples of damped
4.3.2 Describe examples of damped oscillations. oscillations

CORE
4.3.3 State what is meant by natural frequency of All oscillating systems are subject to damping as it is
vibration and forced oscillations. impossible to completely remove friction. Because of this,
oscillating systems are often classified by the degree of
4.3.4 Describe graphically the variation with damping. The oscillations shown in Figure 415 are said
forced frequency of the amplitude of to be lightly damped. The decay in amplitude is relatively
vibration of an object close to its natural slow and the pendulum will make quite a few oscillations
frequency of vibration. before finally coming to rest. Whereas the amplitude of
the oscillations shown in Fig 416 decay very rapidly and
4.3.5 State what is meant by resonance. the system quickly comes to rest. Such oscillations are said
to be heavily damped.
4.3.6 Describe examples of resonance where
the effect is useful and where it should be
avoided.
© IBO 2007
amplitude

4.3.1 Damping
In this section, we look at oscillations of real systems. time
In section 4.1.3, we described an arrangement by which
the oscillations of a pendulum could be transcribed onto
paper. Refer to Figure 415.
Figure 416  Heavily damped oscillations

Consider a harmonic oscillator in which the mass is pulled

down and when released, and the mass comes to rest at
its equilibrium position without oscillating. The friction
forces acting are such that they prevent oscillations.
displacement

However, suppose a very small reduction in the friction

time forces would result in heavily damped oscillation of
the oscillator, then the oscillator is said to be critically
damped.

The graph in Figure 417 shows this special case of damping

known as critical damping.

Figure 415  Damping

The amplitude of the oscillations gradually decreases with

time whereas for SHM, the amplitude stays at the same
value for ever and ever. Clearly, the pendulum is losing
energy as it oscillates. The reason for this is that dissipative
forces are acting that oppose the motion of the pendulum.
As mentioned earlier, these forces arise from air resistance
and though friction at the support. Oscillations, the
amplitude of which decrease with time, are called damped
oscillations.

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 Chapter 4

1.2
Exercise
1
displacement / m

0.8
Identify which of the following oscillatory systems are
0.6 likely to be lightly damped and which are likely to be
0.4
heavily damped.
CORE

0.2 1. Atoms in a solid.

0
2. Car suspension
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 3. Guitar string
time / s 4. Harmonic oscillator under water.
5. Quartz crystal.
Figure 417  Critical damping 6. A cantilever that is not firmly clamped.
7. Oil in a U-tube
Although not in the IB syllabus, a useful way of classifying 8. Water in a U-tube
oscillating systems, is by a quantity known as the quality
factor or Q-factor. The Q-factor does have a formal
definition but it is approximately equal in value to the 4.3.3 Natural frequency and
number of oscillations that occur before all the energy
of the oscillator is dissipated. For example, a simple forced oscillations
pendulum has a Q-factor of about 1000.
Consider a small child sitting on a swing. If you give the
As mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, the swing a single push, the swing will oscillate. With no
oscillations (vibrations) made by certain oscillatory further pushes, that is energy input, the oscillations of
systems can produce undesirable and sometimes, the swing will die out and the swing will eventually come
dangerous effects. Critical damping plays an important to rest. This is an example of damped harmonic motion.
role in these situations. For example, when a ball strikes The frequency of oscillation of the swing under these
the strings of a tennis racquet, it sets the racquet vibrating conditions is called the natural frequency of oscillation
and these vibrations will cause the player to lose some (vibration). So far in this topic, all the systems we have
control over his or her shot. For this reason, some players looked at have been systems oscillating at their natural
fix a “damper” to the springs. If placed on the strings frequency.
in the correct position, this has the effect of producing
critically damped oscillations and as a result the struck Suppose now when each time the swing returns to you,
tennis racquet moves smoothly back to equilibrium. The you give it another push. See Figure 418
same effect can be achieved by making sure that the ball
strikes the strings at a point known as the ‘sweet spot’ of
which there are two, one of which is know as the ‘centre of
percussion (COP)’. Cricket and baseball bats likewise have
two sweet spots.

Another example is one that involves vibrations that may

be set up in buildings when there is an earthquake. For this
reason, in regions prone to earthquakes, the foundations
of some buildings are fitted with damping mechanisms. Figure 418  A forced oscillation
These mechanisms insure any oscillations set up in the
building are critically damped. The amplitude of the swing will get larger and larger and if
you are not careful your little brother or sister, or who ever
the small child might be, will end up looping the loop.

The frequency with which you push the swing is exactly

equal to the natural frequency of oscillation of the swing
and importantly, is also in phase with the oscillations of the
spring. Since you are actually forcing the swing to oscillate,

110
 Oscillations and Waves

the swing is said to be undergoing forced oscillations. In Each system has the same frequency of natural oscillation,
this situation the frequency of the so-called driver (in this f0 = 15 Hz. The thing that is different about the systems is
case, you) is equal to the natural frequency of oscillation that they each have a different degree of damping: heavy
of the system that is being driven (in this case, the swing). (low Q), medium (medium Q), light (large Q).
If you just push the swing occasionally when it returns to
you, then the swing is being forced at a different frequency For the heavily damped system we see that the amplitude
to its natural frequency. In general, the variation of the stays very small but starts to increase as the frequency

CORE
amplitude of the oscillations of a driven system with time approaches f0 and reaches a maximum at f = f0; it then
will depend on the starts to fall away again with increasing frequency.

• frequency of the driving force For the medium damped system, we see that as f approaches
• frequency of natural oscillations f0, the amplitude again starts to increase but at a greater
• amplitude of the driving force rate than for the heavily damped system. The amplitude is
• phase difference between driving force frequency again a maximum at f = f0 and is greater than that of the
and natural frequency maximum of the heavily damped system.
• amount of damping on the system
For the lightly damped system, again the amplitude starts
(There are many very good computer simulations to increase as f approaches f0, but at a very much greater
available that enable you to explore the relation between rate than for the other two systems; the maximum value is
forced and natural oscillations in detail.) also considerably larger and much more well-defined i.e.
it is much easier to see that the maximum value is in fact
The driving force and system are in phase if, when the at f = f0.
amplitude of system is a maximum, it receives maximum
energy input from the driver. Clearly this is when the If there were such a thing as a system that performs SHM,
amplitude of the driver is a maximum. then if this system were driven at a frequency equal to
its natural frequency, its amplitude would be infinite.
What is of particular interest is when the forced frequency Figure 420 shows how the amplitude A for a driven system
is close to and when it equals the natural frequency. This with very little damping and whose natural frequency of
we look at in the next two sections. oscillation f0 = 15 Hz , varies with the frequency f of the
driving force.

4.3.4 Forced frequency and 150

amplitude
100

We now look to see how the amplitude of an oscillating A /cm

system varies with the frequency of the driving force.
50

The graph in Figure 419 shows the variation with frequency

f of the driving force of the amplitude A of three different
0
systems to which the force is applied. 0 5 10 15 20 25 f /Hz 30

10 Figure 420  Amplitude-frequency graph for a lightly

damped oscillator

heavy damping We see that the maximum amplitude is now very large
A /cm 5 medium damping and also very sharply defined. Also, either side of f0, the
light damping
amplitude drops off very rapidly.

0 f/ Hz
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Figure 419  Forced frequency

111
 Chapter 4

In the introduction we mentioned the use of quartz

4.3.5 Resonance crystal as timing devices. If a crystal is set oscillating at
its natural frequency, electric charge constantly builds up
(Note: As well as the availability of a large number of and dies away on it surface in time with the vibration
computer simulations that demonstrate resonance, there of the crystal (This is known as the piezoelectric effect.).
are also many laboratory demonstrations and experiments This makes it easy to maintain the oscillations using an
that can be done to demonstrate it). alternating voltage supply as the driving frequency. The
CORE

vibrations of the crystal are then used to maintain the

We have seen that when an oscillatory system is driven at frequency of oscillation in a resonant circuit. It is the
a frequency equal to its natural frequency, the amplitude oscillations in the resonant circuit that control the hands
of oscillation is a maximum. This phenomenon is known of an analogue watch or the display of a digital watch.
as resonance. The frequency at which resonance occurs is (The concept of analogue and digital signals is discussed
often referred to as the resonant frequency. in Topics 14.1 and C.1).

It is left as an exercise to you to think of other situations in

4.3.6 Examples of resonance which resonance can be useful or can be harmful.

In the introduction to this Topic, we referred to resonance

phenomena without actually mentioning the term 4.4 Wave
resonance. For example we can now understand why
oscillations in machinery can be destructive A piece of Characteristics
machinery will have a natural frequency of oscillation.
If moving parts in the machine act as a driver of forced
oscillations and have a frequency of oscillation equal to 4.4. 1 Describe a wave pulse and a continuous
the natural frequency of oscillation of the machine, then progressive (travelling) wave. (Students
the amplitude of vibration set up in the machine could be should be able to distinguish between
sufficient to cause damage. oscillations and wave motion and
appreciate that in many examples, the
Similarly, if a car is driven along a bumpy road, it is possible oscillations of the particles are simple
that the frequency with which the bumps are crossed by harmonic).
the car, will just equal the natural frequency of oscillation
of the chassis of the car, If this is the case then the result 4.4.2 State that progressive (travelling) waves
can be very uncomfortable. transfer energy. (Students should
understand that there is no net motion
We now also see why it is important that systems such as of the medium through which the wave
machines, car suspensions, suspension bridges and tall travels).
buildings are critically or heavily damped.
4.4.3 Describe and give examples of transverse
Resonance can also be very useful. For example, the and of longitudinal waves.
current in a particular type of electrical circuit, oscillates.
However, the oscillating current quickly dies out because 4.4.1 Wave pulses and continuous travelling waves
© IBO 2007
of resistance in the circuit. Such circuits have a resonant
frequency and if driven by an alternating current supply,
the amplitude of the current may become very large, Perhaps one of the most familiar types of wave motion is
particularly if the resistance of the circuit is small. a water wave. However, we can also set up waves in strings
Circuits such as this are referred to as resonant circuits. very easily. A simple demonstration is to take a length of
Television and radios have resonant circuits that can be rubber tubing. Hold one end of it and shake that end up
tuned to oscillate electrically at different frequencies. In and down. A wave will travel down the tube. If we give the
this way they can respond to the different frequencies of end of the tube just one shake then we observe a pulse to
electromagnetic waves that are sent by the transmitting travel down the tube. By this we can see that we can have
station as these waves now act as the driving frequency. either a continuous travelling wave or a travelling pulse.
This is discussed in more detail in Topic F.1 This is illustrated in Figure 421 in which we have taken an
instantaneous snap shot of the tube.

112
 Oscillations and Waves

periodicity of the wave in time. We recognise that the

(a)
pulse
(b) point P is actually oscillating with SHM.

displacement of tube
hand distance along tube
movement
Equilibrium
P position

CORE
Figure 421  Simple waves
Figure 423  Displacement-space graph
We can also set up another type of wave by using a slinky
spring. In this demonstration we lay the spring along the The y-axis now shows the displacement of the point P from
floor. Hold one end of it and move our hand backwards equilibrium. The graph is a displacement-time graph.
and forwards in the direction of the spring. In this way
we see a wave travelling down the spring as a series of The space diagram and the time diagram are both identical
compressions and expansions of the spring as illustrated in shape and if we mentally combine them we have the
in Figure 422. whole wave moving both in space and time.

We can also set up a pulse in the spring by moving our

displacement of particle P
from equilibrium position
hand backwards and forwards just once in the direction
of the spring.

time
Of course we can set up a wave in the spring that is similar
to the one we set up in the rubber tube. We shake the
spring in a direction that is at right angles to the spring as
shown in Figure 422.
Figure 424  Displacement-Time graph
2(a) 2(b)
compress
expansions
For the longitudinal wave in the slinky spring,
the displacement-space graph actually shows the
expand
displacement of the individual turns of the spring from
their equilibrium position as a function of distance along
compress expand compress
compressions
the spring. However, it could equally show how the density
of turns of the spring varies with length along the spring.
The displacement–time graph shows the displacement of
Figure 422  Slinky springs one turn of the spring from its equilibrium positions as
a function of time.
A very important property associated with all waves is
their so-called periodicity. Waves in fact are periodic
both in time and space and this sometimes makes it 4.4.2 What is a wave?
difficult to appreciate what actually is going on in wave
motion. For example, in our demonstration of a wave in We have shown that waves fall into two distinct classes
a rubber tube we actually drew a diagram that froze time- but as yet we haven’t actually said what a wave is. Quite
an instantaneous snapshot of the whole string. Hence simply a wave is a means by which energy is transferred
Figure 421 shows the periodicity of the wave in space. between two points in a medium without any net
transfer of the medium itself. By a medium, we mean
The diagram is repeated as a sketch graph in Figure 423. the substance or object in which the wave is travelling.
The y-axis shows the displacement of the tube from its The important thing is that when a wave travels in a
equilibrium position. The graph is a displacement space medium, parts of the medium do not end up at different
graph. places. The energy of the source of the wave is carried
to different parts of the medium by the wave. When
We now look at one particle of the tube labelled P and for example you see a field of corn waving in the wind
“unfreeze” time. The diagram in Figure 424 shows how you actually see a wave carry across the field but none
the position of P varies with time. This illustrates the of the corn moves to another field. Similarly with the

113
 Chapter 4

demonstrations above, the tube and the spring do not

end up in a different part of the laboratory. Water waves 4.4.4 Describe waves in two dimensions,
however, can be a bit disconcerting. Waves at sea do not including the concepts of wavefronts and
transport water but the tides do. Similarly, a wave on a rays.
lake does not transport water but water can actually be
blown along by the wind. However, if you set up a ripple 4.4.5 Describe the terms crest, trough,
tank you will see that water is not transported by the compression and rarefaction.
CORE

wave set up by the vibrating dipper.

4.4.6 Define the terms displacement, amplitude,
frequency, period, wavelength, wave speed
4.4.3 Transverse and and intensity.
© IBO 2007

longitudinal waves
4.4.4 Wave fronts and rays
Transverse waves Place a piece of white card beneath a ripple tank and
shine a light on the ripples from above. The image that
In these types of wave, the source that produces the wave you get on the card will look something like that shown
vibrates at right angles to the direction of travel of the in Figure 425.
wave i.e. the direction in which the energy carried by the
wave is propagated. It also means that the particles of the
lamp
medium through which the wave travels vibrate at right
angle to the direction of travel of the wave (direction of
energy propagation).
ripple tank
vibrating
Figure 421 illustrates an example of a transverse wave. dipper
Light is another example of a transverse wave although
this a very special kind of wave. Light waves are discussed
in more detail in Topic G.1.
white paper
An important property of transverse waves is that they
cannot propagate through fluids (liquid or gases). This is
one reason why light wave are special; they are transverse
and yet can propagate through fluids and through a Figure 425  A ripple tank
vacuum.
Again this is a snapshot. However, by using a stroboscope
as the source of illumination it is possible to “freeze” the
Longitudinal waves waves.

In these types of wave, the source that produces the wave Each bright area of illumination represents a trough or
vibrates in the same direction as the direction of travel of crest. (Light incident on the top or bottom of a crest will
the wave i.e. the direction in which the energy carried by be transmitted through the water and not reflected by the
the wave is propagated. It also means that the particles of surface).
the medium through which the wave travels vibrate in the
same direction of travel of the wave (direction of energy Each bright line representing a crest can be thought of as a
propagation). The wave in the slinky spring in Figure 422 “wavefront” and this is a very good way of representing a
is a longitudinal wave as is sound (see Section 4.4.5). travelling wave as shown in Figure 426.

114
 Oscillations and Waves

λ
λ λ λ
4.4.6 Definitions associated with
direction
of travel
waves

wavefronts Amplitude (A, a)

CORE
Figure 426  A wavefront This is the maximum displacement of a particle from its
equilibrium position. (It is also equal to the maximum
If the wave is a light wave then the arrow that shows the displacement of the source that produces the wave).
direction of travel of the wave is none other than what we
call a light ray. The energy that a wave transports per unit time across unit
area of the medium through which it is travelling is called
the intensity (I). From our knowledge of SHM we know
4.4.5 Qualitative terms that the energy of the oscillating system is proportional to
the square of the amplitude (equation 4.12). Hence for a
associated with waves wave of amplitude A, we have that

Crest This is a term coined from water waves and is

used in connection with transverse waves. It refers to the Period (T)
maximum height of the wave i.e. the point at which the
particles in the medium in which the waves travels have This is the time that it takes a particle to make one complete
maximum displacement. oscillation. (It is also equal to the time for the source of the
wave to make one complete oscillation).
Trough Again, a term coined from water waves and used
in connection with transverse waves. It refers to the lowest
point of the wave i.e. the point at which the particles in Frequency (f)
the medium in which the waves travels have minimum
displacement (strictly speaking, maximum negative This is the number of oscillations made per second by
displacement). a particle. (It is also equal to the number of oscillations
made per second by the source of the wave). The SI unit of
Compression This is a term used in connection with frequency is the hertz-Hz. Clearly then,
longitudinal wave and refers to the region where the
particles of the medium are “bunched up”.
Wavelength (λ)
Rarefaction Again, a term used in connection with
longitudinal waves referring to the regions where the This is the distance along the medium between two
particles are “stretched out”. successive particles that have the same displacement

In a sound wave, the compression is the region in which

the molecules of the air are pushed together (region of Wave speed (v, c)
greatest pressure) and the rarefaction is the region where
the molecules are well separated ( region of least pressure). This is the speed with which energy is carried in the
In a physiological sense, sound is the ear’s response to the medium by the wave. A very important fact is that wave
changes in pressure in a longitudinal wave in air. If the speed depends only on the nature and properties of the
frequency (see below) of the wave is too low (≈10 Hz) then medium.
the ear will not detect the pressure changes nor will it if
the frequency is too high (≈15 kHz). You can demonstrate this by sending pulses along different
types of rubber tubes or by sending pulses along a slinky
A longitudinal wave in a slinky spring is analogous to a in which you alter the distance between successive turns
sound wave in that each turn of the spring represents an by stretching it.
air molecule.

115
 Chapter 4

(In some circumstances the wave speed is a function of

wavelength, a phenomenon known as dispersion) 4.4.7 Displacement-time and
Figure 427 shows how the different terms and definitions displacement-position graphs
associated with waves relate to both transverse and
longitudinal waves. From these diagrams, we also see that
the wavelength of a transverse wave is equal to the distance 4.4.8 The relationship between
CORE

between successive crests and also between successive

troughs. For a longitudinal wave the wavelength is equal wave speed, wavelength
to the distance between successive points of maximum
compression and also between successive points of and frequency
maximum rarefaction.
Figure 428 shows an instantaneous snapshot of a medium
tube from through which a wave is travelling. A particle of the
crest wavelength crest equilibrium position medium is labelled ‘P’.
equilibrium position

of tube
displacement of

amplitude, A
distance along tube
TRANSVERSE

displacement of medium
amplitude wavelength P At time t = 0

trough trough

distance along medium

displacement of particle

TRANSVERSE
AND period, T
LONGITUDINAL
time

period, T

compression wavelength
Figure 428  Instantaneous snapshot
LONGITUDINAL of displacement of medium
rarefaction
maximum
compression If we take another photograph half a period later then the
particle ‘P’ will be in the position shown in Figure 429.
Figure 427  How the definitions apply
T
At time t = ---
displacement of medium

4.4.7 Draw and explain displacement-time and

displacement-position graphs for transverse
and for longitudinal waves distance along medium

4.4.8 Derive and apply the relationship between P

wave speed, wavelength and frequency
Figure 429  Particle ‘P’ half a period later
4.4.9 State that all electromagnetic waves
travel with the same speed in free space In this time the wave will have moved forward a distance
and recall the orders of magnitude of the of half a wavelength λ --- .
wavelengths of the principal radiations in 2 λ
---
the electromagnetic spectrum. dis tance- = -- We have therefore
λ- , but, f = --1- that the speed v 2of the wave
---------------------
© IBO 2007 λ
---
time T tance
dis λT- , but, f = --1- , 2
- = --
= ---------------------
v = fλ time T T dis tance λ- , but, f = --1-
- = --
---------------------
Hence we have time T T
v = fλ
v = fλ

116
 Oscillations and Waves

actually consist of an electric field and a magnetic field

Example oscillating at right angles to each other. There existence
was first predicted by Clerk Maxwell in 1864 and verified
some 20 years later by Heinrich Hertz (hence Hz for the
Water waves of wavelength 5.0 cm are travelling with a unit of frequency). This was one of the great unifications
-1
speed of 1.0 ms . in Physics.

CORE
Calculate the frequency of the source producing the Before Maxwell’s prediction there were the separate
waves? studies of Optics (light) and Electricity and Magnetism
and that after the verification of his prediction, there was
The waves travel into deeper water where their speed is just the study of Electromagnetism. Maxwell’s theory also
now 2.0 m s –1. Calculate the new wavelength λnew of the predicted that all em waves would have the same speed
waves. in free space (vacuum) of very nearly 3 × 108 m s-1. This
prediction had great implications for the development of
Physics as will be seen in Topics D.1 and H.1.
Solution
The source of all EM waves is essentially the accelerated
motion of electric charge. If the charge is oscillating then
Using v = fλ we have that 1.0 = f × .05 the frequency with which the charge oscillates determines
the frequency of the em wave. The so-called spectrum of
Such that f = 20 Hz. em waves is vast. Suppose in a thought experiment, we
were to have a charged metal sphere and were able to
In the deeper water using v = fλ we now have that 2.0 set it oscillating at different frequencies. When vibrating
with a frequency of 103 Hz, the oscillating charged
= 20 × λ sphere would be a source of long wave radio signals, at
new
109 Hz a source of television signals, at 1015 Hz a source
Such that λ = 10 cm. of visible light and at 1018 Hz, it would emit X-rays. Of
new
course this is just a thought experiment and we should
identify the actual sources of the different regions of the
4.4.9 Electromagnetic waves em spectrum. These are shown in Figure 430.

We mentioned above that light is a transverse wave but Our thought experiment might be somewhat absurd,
in fact light is just one example of a most important class but it does emphasise the point that the origin of all em
of waves known as electromagnetic waves. There are waves is the accelerated motion of electric charge.
called electromagnetic waves (EM waves) because they
(very hot objects)
Visible

f / Hz 103 104 106 108 1010 1012 1014 1016 1018

Ultra-
violet
Radio waves Microwaves X-rays
Infra-red
γ-rays

Electrons
striking targets
Gas
Source Electrons moving in conductors Hot Objects
discharge
Radioactive
decay

λ/m 106 104 102 100 10–2 10–4 10–6 10–8 10–10

Figure 430  Regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

117
 Chapter 4

The main thing to note is that the pulse keeps its shape
4.5 Wave Properties except that now it is inverted i.e. the pulse has undergone
a 180° (π) phase change.

4.5.1 Describe the reflection and transmission of The reason for this is a little tricky to understand but it is
waves at a boundary between two media. essentially because the end of string that is fixed cannot
move. As any part of the forward pulse reaches the fixed
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4.5.2 State and apply Snell’s law. end the associated point on the string is moving upward
© IBO 2007
and so if the fixed point is not to move, the point on the
string that is moving upward must be cancelled out by
4.5.1 Reflection and refraction a point moving downwards. This is an example of the
so-called principle of superposition that we look at in
Section 4.4.5
Reflection of a single pulse
If the string is not attached to a support then a pulse is still
We now look to see what happens to a wave when it is reflected from the end of the string but this time there is no
incident on the boundary between two media. First of all, we phase change and so the reflected pulse is not inverted.
shall look at a single pulse travelling along a string.

Figure 431 shows a pulse travelling in a string that is fixed Reflection of wavefronts

to a rigid support, it is essentially the positive part of a
sine curve.
Reflection
We can use the idea of wavefronts to see what happens
when a wave strikes a barrier. This is demonstrated with
a ripple tank.

Figure 433 shows the incident wavefronts and the reflected

wavefronts.
incident waves re ected waves

i r

Figure 431  The incident pulse

i.e.
When the pulse reaches the end of the string it is reflected i r
Figure 432 shows the reflected pulse, this pulse is the
negative part of a sine curve. Some of the energy of the
pulse will actually be absorbed at the support and as such,
the amplitude of the reflected pulse will be less than that Figure 433  Incident and reflected wavefronts
of the incident pulse.
By constructing the associated rays (see Figure 433), we
see that the
����������������������������������������������������
angle at which the waves are reflected from the
barrier is equal to the angle at which they are incident on
the barrier (the angles are measured to the normal to the
barrier). That is ∠i = ∠r . All waves, including light, sound,
water obey this rule, the so-called law of reflection.

We can use the idea of reflection to make a very simple

measurement of the speed of sound. If you stand about
100 m away from a tall wall and clap your hands once,
Figure 432  The reflected pulse a short time later you will hear an echo of the clap. The
sound pulse produced by your hand clap travels to the

118
 Oscillations and Waves

wall and is reflected back. The trick now is to clap your

L I G HT S O U R C E
hands continuously until each clap is synchronous with
the echo. You should then get a friend to time the number λd λs
of claps that you make in say 30 seconds. Let us suppose
that this is 50. The number of claps per second is therefore
0.6. This means that it takes the sound 0.6 seconds to perspex sheet
travel to the wall and back. The speed of sound can then deep water shallow water deep water

CORE
be approximated as 330 m s–1. If you should get this result
then you have done very well indeed since this is very
nearly the value of the speed of sound in air at standard
temperature and pressure. However, in the true spirit of
experimental physics, you should repeat the experiment
several times and at different distances and you should
also assess the quantitative error in your result. NB: λ d > λ s

Figure 435  Wavefronts in water of different depth

Refraction
In this diagram the wave fronts are parallel to the boundary
We now look to see what happens to a wave when it is between the two regions. The frequency of the waves does
incident on the boundary between two media and passes not alter so, as we have mentioned before, the wavelength
from one medium to the other (transmission). As for in the shallow water will be smaller. If the speed of the
the single pulse, some energy will be absorbed at the waves in the deep water is vd and the speed in the shallow
boundary. Also, as well as energy being transmitted by the water is vs,
wave, some energy will be reflected at the boundary. Here
we will concentrate on the transmitted energy. then, such that
λ λ
We have discussed previously the idea that the speed
of a wave depends only on the nature and properties of λ
the medium through which the wave travels. This gives λ
rise to the phenomenon of refraction. That is the change
in direction of travel of a wave resulting from a change In Figure 436 the wavefronts are now incident at an angle
in speed of the wave. This is easily demonstrated with a to the boundary between the deep and shallow water.
ripple tank by arranging two regions of different depth.
To achieve this a piece of flat perspex or glass is placed a
short distance from the source of the waves as shown in
shallow deep
Figure 434. C B

source of plane waves A

ripple tank

perspex sheet water

barrier

Figure 436  Waves incident at an angle

Figure 434  Ripple tank setup to demonstrate refraction As well as the wavelength being smaller in the shallow
water the direction of travel of the wavefronts also alters.
Figure 435, shows the result of a continuous plane wave We can understand this by looking at the wavefront drawn
going from deep to shallow water. in bold. By the time that part A of this wavefront reaches
the barrier at B the refracted wave originated from the
barrier will have only reached C since it is travelling more
slowly.

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 Chapter 4

4.5.2 Snell’s law A

θ1 medium 1
In 1621 the Dutch physicist Willebrord Snell discovered θ1
Y boundary
and published a very important rule in connection with X
the refraction of light. B medium 2
θ2 θ2
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Figure 437 shows a light ray travelling from one medium

to another. The line AB is a line constructed such that it
is at right angles to the surface between the two media
(called the normal). It is used as a reference to measure Figure 438  Snell’s law
the angle (the angle of incidence) and the angle (the angle
of refraction). Snell discovered that for any two media In the time that it takes point A on the wavefront XA to
reach Y, point X will have travelled to point B. If we let this
time be ∆t then we have
θ
θ AY = v1∆t and XB = v2∆t

However from the geometry of the situation we have that

A normal AY = XYsinθ1 and XB = XYsinθ2

medium 1
θ1 From which

θ Δt
θ2 medium 2
θ Δt

B
that is

Figure 437  Refraction of light rays θ

θ
This is known as Snell’s law. In fact it enables us to define
a property of a given optical medium by measuring That is, the constant in Snell’s law is the ratio of the speed
the angles when medium 1 is a vacuum. (In the school of light in medium 1 to that in medium 2. The result will
laboratory air will suffice.). The constant is then a property of course be valid for all types of waves.
of medium 2 alone called its refractive index n.
For light we have that the refractive index of a material
We usually write is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuo (c) to that in the
material (v). We can write this as

When Snell published his law it was essentially an

empirical law and the argument as to the nature of light As mentioned above this result has been confirmed for
was still debatable. light by a direct measurement of the speed of light in water
and subsequently in other materials.
Although we have described Snell’s law for light rays, we
must remember that a ray is a line that is perpendicular to
the wavefronts of a wave. In this respect Snell’s law is true Example
for all waves. Example

In Figure 438 the wavefronts in medium 1 travel with The refractive index of a certain type of glass is 1.5. The
speed v1 and in medium 2 with speed v2 . speed of light in free space is 3.0 × 108 m s-1.

Calculate the speed of light in glass.

120
 Oscillations and Waves

Solution new wavefront

secondary
From Snell’s law above, the speed of light in glass can be wave
found using c = 3 × 108 m s-1.
wavefront

CORE
So, with n = 1.5 and , we have that v = 2 .0 × 10 m s– .
8 1

Figure 440  Planar waves

4.5.3 Explain and discuss qualitatively the Each point on the wavefront is the source of a secondary
diffraction of waves at apertures and wave and the new wavefront is found by linking together
obstacles. the effect of all the secondary waves. Since there are, in
this case in infinite number of them, we end up with a
4.5.4 Describe examples of diffraction. wavefront parallel to the first wavefront. In the case of the
© IBO 2007
plane waves travelling through the slit in Figure 438 (b), it
is as if the slit becomes a secondary point source.
4.5.3,4 Diffraction
If we look at the effect of plane waves incident on a slit
When waves pass through a slit or any aperture, or pass whose width is much larger than the incident wavelength
the edge of a barrier, they always spread out to some extent as shown in Figure 441 then we see that diffraction effects
into the region that is not directly in the path of the waves. are minimal. We can understand this from the fact that
This phenomenon is called diffraction. This is clearly each point on the slit acts as a secondary source and we
demonstrated in a ripple tank. now have a situation where the waves from the secondary
sources results in a wavefront that is nearly planar (see
Figure 439 (a) shows plane waves incident on a barrier in Figure 440).
which there is a narrow slit, the width of which is similar in
size to the wavelength of the incident waves. Figure 439 (b)
shows plane waves passing the edge of a barrier.

Figure 441  Diffraction at a large aperture

a b Diffraction effects at edges can also be understood on the

basis of Huygens’ suggestion. By sketching the wavefronts
Figure 439 of secondary sources at points on a wavefront close to the
(a) Diffraction at a slit (b) Diffraction at an edge edge, it easy to see that diffraction effects become more
pronounced as the wavelength of the incident wave is
To understand this, we use an idea put forward by increased.
Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695). Huygens suggested
that each point on any wavefront acts as a source of a
secondary wave that produce waves with a wavelength 4.5.4 Examples of diffraction
equal to the wavelength associated with the wavefront. In
Figure 440 we can see how this works in the case of plane We have seen that the ripple tank can be used to
wavefronts. demonstrate the phenomenon of diffraction, i.e. the
spreading out of a wave has it goes through an aperture or
encounters an object.

Diffraction of sound waves can be demonstrated using the

set up shown Figure 442.

121
 Chapter 4

The barrier would be expected to prevent the waves

reaching points such as X. However, because of diffraction Exercise
at the slit, the waves spread out in the region beyond the
slit and the microphone will detect sound at points such
as X. 1. (a) Calculate the wavelengths of
microphone
X i) FM radio waves of frequency 96
CORE

MHz
ii) long wave radio waves of frequency
speaker CRO 200 kHz.(Speed of light in free space
c = 3.0 × 108 m s-1)
(b) Use your answers to (i) and (ii) to explain
signal
generator why if your car is tuned to FM, it cuts out
when you enter a tunnel but doesn’t if you
are tuned to long wave reception.
Figure 442  Diffraction of sound waves
2. Suggest one reason why ships at sea use a very low
You can also demonstrate the diffraction of light by shining frequency sound for their foghorn.
laser light through a single narrow slit such that after
passing through the slit, the light is incident on a screen.
The effect of diffraction at the slit produces a pattern on 4.5.5 State the principle of superposition and
the screen that consists of areas of illumination (bright explain what is meant by constructive
fringes) separated by dark areas (dark fringes). In this interference and by destructive interference.
situation, each point on the slit is acting as a secondary
source and the pattern of light and dark fringes is a result 4.5.6 State and apply the conditions for
of the interference (see next section) of the waves from constructive and for destructive
these sources. (The diffraction of light is considered in interference in terms of path difference and
more detail in Topic 11.3). phase difference.

As mentioned above, diffraction effects at a slit really only 4.5.7 Apply the principle of superposition to
becomes noticeable when the slit width is comparable to determine the resultant of two waves
© IBO 2007
the wavelength. In this respect, if the laser is replaced by a
point source, then as the slit is made wider, the diffraction
pattern tends to disappear and the illumination on the 4.5.5 The principle of
screen becomes more like what one would expect if light
consisted of rays rather than waves. Historically, the superposition
diffraction of light was strong evidence for believing that
light did indeed consist of waves. We now look at what happens when two waves overlap.
For example in Figure 443 what will happen when the two
The diffraction of light can also be demonstrated by pulses on a string travelling in opposite directions cross
looking directly at a point source through a narrow each other?
slit. Unless the point source is monochromatic – a
monochromatic source is one that emits light of a single
colour (i.e. wavelength) and you will see a series of
different coloured fringes interspersed by dark fringes.
pulse 1 pulse 2

Figure 443  Two pulses approaching each other

There is a very important principle in physics that applies

not only to waves but to other situations as well. This is
the principle of superposition. What it effectively tells us
is that if you want to find out the effect of two separate
causes then you need to add the effects of each separate

122
 Oscillations and Waves

cause. In the example of the two pulses, to find the net

displacement at any point we add the displacement of 4.5.6 Path difference and phase
pulse 1 at that point to the displacement of pulse 2 at the
point. We show two examples of this in Figure 444 below difference
as the pulses move across each other.
The schematic diagram in Figure 445 shows part of the
interference pattern that we get from two point sources,

CORE
S1 and S2. The left hand side is a reflection of the pattern
on the right hand side. The dashed line shows where the
crests from S1 meet the crests from S2, creating a double
pulse 1 pulse 2 crest, i.e., constructive interference.

2a The dashed line shows

where the crests from S1
a meet the crests from S2 ,
pulse 1
pulse 2 creating a double crest, i.e.,
constructive interference.

S1 S2
(antinodes)
Figure 444  (a) Constructive interference constructive interference
(crest meets crest)
(nodes)
destructive interference
(crest meets trough)

pulse 1 pulse 2
Figure 445  Two source interference

The sources are two dippers connected to a bar that is

pulse 2
vibrated by an electric motor. The dippers just touch the
pulse 1 surface of the water in a ripple tank. The sources therefore
have the same frequency. They also are in phase. By this
we mean that when a crest is created by one dipper a
crest is created by the other dipper. Sources that have the
pulse 1 same frequency and that are in phase are called coherent
sources.
pulse 2
The bold lines in the diagram show the places where
a trough of one wave meets the crest of the other wave
producing complete destructive interference. The water
Figure 444 (b)  Destructive interference at these points will not be displaced and such points
are called nodal points or nodes. Points of maximum
1. author
In the first diagram the pulses do not fully overlap constructive interference are called antinodes. The bold
dot the
and pulses in thediagram
in the second last diag
theypls
do. In the second lines are therefore called nodal lines.
diagram we have we what call full constructive
interference. The two pulses add to give a single The overall pattern produced by the interfering waves is
pulse of twice the amplitude of each separate called an interference pattern.
pulse.
To emphasise the idea of phase the diagrams in Figure 446
2. We now consider two pulses as shown in the show snapshots of two waves in phase and two waves that
diagram below. are π out of phase.

When these two pulses completely overlap the net

displacement of the string will be zero. We now have
what we call complete destructive interference.

123
 Chapter 4

Two waves in phase

wave A
Two waves ¼ out of phase.

wave A
4.5.7 Applying the principle of
superposition

wave B
wave B It will help you understand the principle of superposition
to do the following exercise.
CORE

Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Exercise
Figure 446  Phase difference

The idea of π out of phase comes from the idea that if the Sophia sounds two tuning forks A and B together and
space displacement of wave A in diagram 2 is represented places them close to her ear.
by y = Asinθ , then the space displacement of wave B is
y = Asin (θ + π). At the instant shown the waves in diagram The graph in Figure 448 shows the variation with time t of
1 will reinforce and produce constructive interference the air pressure close to her ear over a short period of time.
whereas the waves in diagram 2 will produce destructive
1
interference.
0.8
0.6
Let us now look at the interference between wave sources pressure/arbitary units
0.4
from two points in a little more detail. 0.2
tuning fork A
0 t
In Figure 447 we want to know what will be the condition -0.2
tuning fork B

for there to be a point of maximum or minimum -0.4

interference at P. -0.6
P -0.8
-1
S1
Figure 448  Tuning fork graph
S2 X
On a separate piece of graph paper, use the principle of
Figure 447  Interference superposition to construct a graph that shows the variation
with time t of the resultant pressure close to Sophia’s ear.
S1 and S2 are two coherent point sources. For there to be
a maximum at P, a trough must meet a trough or a crest Use your graph to suggest the nature of the sound that
must meet a crest. The waves from the sources will have Sophia will hear up until the time that the vibrations of the
travelled a different distance to P and therefore will not be tuning forks die out.
necessarily in phase when they reach P. However, if a crest
meets a crest (or trough a trough) at P then they will be in
phase. They will be in phase only if the difference in the
distances travelled by the two waves is an integral number
of wavelengths.

This means that path difference

= S 2P S 1 P = S 2 X = nλ , n = 0, 1 , 2 , …

= S 2 PwillS be
The waves 1 P out
= Sof
2 Xphase , n
= nλif 0, 1 , 2 , … in the
the= difference
distance travelled, is an odd number of half-wavelengths.

So for a minimum we have path difference =

= S 2 P S 1 P = S 2 X = n + 1---1 λ , n = 0, 1 , 2, …
= S 2 P S 1 P = S 2 X = n +2--- λ , n = 0, 1 , 2, …
2

124
 Electric Currents

ELECTRIC CURRENTS
5.1

5.2
Electric Potential Difference, Current and Resistance

Electric Circuits 5

CORE
potential end as shown in Figure 502. Electrons entering at
INTRODUCTION one end of the metal cause a similar number of electrons to
be displaced from the other end, and the metal conducts.

F igure 501 illustrates a typical model of a metal. Metals

are good electrical conductors because of the mobility
of electrons.
Even though they are accelerated along their path, it is
estimated that the drift velocity is only a small fraction of
a metre each second (about 10-4 m s-1).
metal cations +
Electric field
+
+ electrons
+ + + + leaving metal low potential (–)
electrons + – (+) high potential
entering metal + + +
+ +
metal rod
Drift direction

Figure 501  Model of electrical conduction in metals. Figure 502  Drift velocity of electrons.

Scientists have gathered evidence to suggest that the An electric field is created when a potential difference
electrons in outer shells of metals move about freely, within is supplied to a metal wire. Thus, the average speed and
a three-dimensional metal lattice of positively charged average kinetic energy of the electrons increases. When
metal ions. Thus, metal structure consists of positive ions they collide with positive ions in the lattice, they give up
in a “sea” of delocalised electrons. some of their energy to them. After this event, they are
again accelerated because of the electric field until the next
Positive ions and free electrons have internal energy that collision occurs. At each stage, these collisions generate
depends on the temperature of the metal at that point heat that causes the temperature of the metal to increase.
in time, and the delocalised electrons move about at We say that a current produces a heating effect.
enormous speeds of about 106 m s-1, colliding with the
positive ions in the metal’s lattice. However, as much as
the speed is high, there is no net movement of charge
unless the conductor is connected to a source of potential
difference (or voltage).

When a dry cell or battery is connected across the ends

of a metal wire, an electric field is produced in the wire.
The electrons drift with a drift velocity to the high positive

125
 Chapter 5

5.1 electric potential difference,

current and resistance
2. The electrical potential difference between two
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE points in a conductor carrying a current is defined
CORE

as ‘the amount of electrical energy that is changed

5.1.1 Define electric potential difference. to other forms of energy when an amount of
charge moves from one point to another, where P
5.1.2 Determine the change in potential energy is the power dissipated in watts (W) and I is the
when a charge moves between two points current in amps (A)’.
at different potentials.
The concept of electric fields will be explored more fully in
5.1.3 Define the electronvolt. Chapter 6. Here is a third way to define potential difference
in terms of electric potential.
5.1.4 Solve problems involving electric potential
difference 3. ‘The electrical potential difference between two
© IBO 2007
points in a conductor carrying a current is defined
as the work done per unit charge in moving a
5.1.1 Electric potential difference positive charge from a point at higher potential to
a point at lower potential’.
In an electric circuit, charge is moved from one point in
the circuit to another and in this process electrical energy ∆E
supplied by a dry cell or power supply is converted to ∆V = ---------p- = ∆ W
--------
q q
other forms of energy. For example, a filament lamp
converts electrical energy into heat and light energy. As
charges move in the circuit, they gain energy supplied by where q is the amount of charge measured in coulombs C.
the energy source. (If work is done in moving an electron, it would therefore
move from a point at lower potential to a point at higher
For a charge to move from one point to another in a circuit, potential). So as charge q moves through a potential
there has to be a potential difference between the two difference ∆V, it does work equal to ∆Vq and this work
points because an amount of electrical energy is changed is equal to the energy given to the load component in the
to other forms of energy as the charge moves from one circuit. Therefore, potential difference is a measure of the
point to another such as from one side of a filament lamp energy released by an electric charge or group of charges.
to the other.
The accepted unit of electric potential difference is the
In Chapter 2, we learnt that when a force acts on a mass volt, V. It follows that it can also be measured in JC -1. 
and moves it in the direction of the force, then work is Just as work is a scalar quantity, so too electrical potential
done on the mass. Work is a scalar quantity and is defined difference is a scalar quantity. When we use the term
as the force F multiplied by the distance s moved in the voltage, we are loosely talking about electric potential
direction of the force. Mathematically, this was stated as: difference. If the potential difference between the terminals
of a dry cell is 1.5V then the energy used in carrying a
W = F s or W = F s cos θ positive charge of +q from one terminal to the other 
is 1.5 J C -1.
Doing work on an object changes its energy.
The work done in transferring a charge from two points
There are a number of different ways to define electric does not depend on the path along which the charge is
potential difference: taken because potential difference is constant between
two points.
1. The electric potential difference between two
points in a conductor carrying a current is defined
as ‘the power dissipated in a load per unit current
in moving from one point to another’. V = P / I

126
 Electric Currents

5.1.2 Change in potential energy 5.1.3 The Electron-volt (eV)

between 2 points In atomic and nuclear physics, we often determine energy
by multiplying charge times voltage (W = qV). Because the
Suppose there is charge moving in a closed circuit as charge on an electron and the charge on the proton are used
shown in Figure 503. When the charge reaches the first so frequently, a useful unit of energy is the electron-volt

CORE
load resistor at A, power is dissipated in the load resistor (eV).
and the electrical energy is converted to heat energy. There
is a potential (energy) difference between points A and B One electron-volt (1 eV) is defined as the energy acquired
because work has been done on the resistor and there will be by an electron as a result of moving through a potential
an energy difference per unit charge through the resistor. difference of one volt.

When it gets to the second load, again energy is dissipated Since W = q∆V, and the magnitude of charge on the
and there is a potential difference between either side of the electron (or a proton) is 1.6 × 10-19 C, then it follows that
resistor. If the electric potential energy dissipated is the same
– 19 – 19
in both of the loads, the energy difference per unit charge W = ( 1.6 × 10 C ) × ( 1 V ) = 1.6 × 10 J
will be the same amount. We say the potential difference
– 19
across each load resistor would be 3 volts. So that, 1 eV = 1.6 × 10 J

An electron that accelerates through a potential difference

of 1000 V will lose 1000 eV of potential energy and will
I thus gain 1000 eV (1 keV) of kinetic energy.
6V
The electron-volt is not an SI unit. In atomic physics, we find
A
that energy is typically a few electron-volts. In nuclear physics
x +q V out the energy is more likely to be measured in MeV (106 eV),
6V and in particle physics it is typically in GeV (109 eV).
Vi B
3V 5.1.4 Solving potential
V out difference problems

0V
Example 1
Figure 503  Charge moving in a uniform electric field

Calculate the work done in moving 10.0 μC through a

potential difference of 150 V

Solution

Using the formula ΔW = qΔV where the potential difference,

ΔV = 150 V, we have W = F × x = E q × x
–5
∆W = q ∆V = ( 1.00 × 10 C ) × ( 150 V )

= 1.5 × 10-3 J

The work done is 1.5 × 10-3 J.

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 Chapter 5

Example 2 ELECTRIC CURRENT AND RESISTANCE

5.1.5 Define electric current.

A 2.0 μC charge acquires 2.0 × 10-4 J of kinetic energy when
it is accelerated by an electric field between two points. 5.1.6 Define resistance.
Calculate the potential difference between the 2 points.
CORE

5.1.7 Apply the equation for resistance in the

Solution form where ρ is the resistivity of

the material of the resistor.

Using the formula ΔW / q = ΔV = 2.0 × 10-4 J / 2.0 × 10-6 C
= 100 V 5.1.8 State Ohm’s law.

The potential difference is 1.0 × 102 V. 5.1.9 Compare ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour.

5.1.10 Derive and apply expressions for electrical

Example 3 power dissipation in resistors.

5.1.11 Solve problems involving potential

The work done by an external force to move a -8.0 μC difference, current and resistance.
© IBO 2007
charge from point a to point b is 8.0 × 10-3 J. If the charge
initially at rest had 4.0 × 10-3 J of kinetic energy at point b,
calculate the potential difference between a and b. 5.1.5 Electric current
An electric current is a movement of electric charge that
Solution can occur in solids, liquids and gases. A steady current
can be maintained when there is a drift of charge-carriers
between two points of different electric potential. The
Using the formula ∆V = W / q = 8.0 × 10-3 J / -8.0 × 10-6 C charges responsible for the drift are:
= -1.0 × 102 V
Solids
The work done to have a gain in kinetic energy electrons in metals and graphite, and holes in semi-
conductors
= 4.0 × 10-3 J / 8.0 × 10-6 C
Liquids
= 5.0 × 101 V. positive and negative ions in molten and aqueous
electrolytes
ΔV =1.0 × 102 - 5.0 × 101 V
Gases
The potential difference is 5.0 × 101 V. electrons and positive ions stripped from gaseous
molecules by large potential differences.

At this point, we will define ‘the electric current as the rate

at which charge flows past a given cross-section’.

I = ∆ q
------
∆t

128
 Electric Currents

It makes sense that for an electric current to flow, there Figure 505 shows currents I1 and I2 flowing in the same
must be a complete circuit for it to flow through. The unit direction in two wires. In part a, at point P on the right
of current from the above equation is the coulomb per wire, the magnetic field B1 is upwards (right-hand screw
second C s-1 and this unit is called the ampere (A). rule). Then using the right-hand palm rule, the direction
of the force F is in an easterly direction. Similar analysis of
The ampere or ‘amp’ is a rather large unit. Current is often the diagram in part b reveals that the force is in a westerly
expressed in milliamps (mA) and microamps (µA) or direction. Both forces are inwards, and the wires will

CORE
even nanoamps and picoamps. Some relevant currents for attract each other. Check that you obtain the same result
situations are given in Figure 504. as the diagrams.

A computer chip 10-12 – 10-6 A The vector diagrams and lines of force or lines of
Electron beam of a television 10­-3 A magnetic flux for currents in the same direction and in
Current dangerous to a human 10-2 – 10-1 A opposite directions are shown in Figures 505 (a) and (b)
Household light bulb 1A respectively.
Car starter motor 200 A
Lightning 104 A I1 I2 I1
B2 B1
F B1
F
Figure 504  Some typical current situations. F F

B2
When a current flows in the same direction around an I2

electric circuit, the current is said to be a direct current

(dc). Dry cell and wet cell batteries supply dc. When the Attraction Repulsion
direction of the current changes with time it is said to be
an alternating current (ac). Household electrical (non- F F
electronic) appliances are ac.

B B
EXTENSION ONLY current flowing into page current flowing current flowing
into page out of page
Electric current is a fundamental quantity in physics, and
it is the primary quantity on which electrodynamics is Figure 506  Forces and fields between currents.
based. Its SI unit is the ampere (A). The ampere is defined
in terms of ‘the force per unit length between parallel The French physicist Andre Marie Ampère showed that
current-carrying conductors’. This definition is all that is the quantitative relationship for the force F per unit length
required for this course. This definition can be extended l between two parallel wires carrying currents I1 and I2
further. separated by a distance r in a vacuum was given by

When two long parallel current-carrying wires are placed F 1 F 1

--- ∝ I1 × I2 × --- ⇔ --- = kI 1 × I2 × ---
near each other, the force exerted by each will be a force l r l r
of attraction or repulsion depending upon the direction
of the current in each wire. The force is attractive if the Therefore,
two currents flow in the same direction, and the force is
repulsive if the two currents flow in opposite directions.
µ µ 0 I1 I2 l
F = -----0- × I1 × I2 × -l = ------
------------
B1 2π r 2πr
I1 The constant µ0 is called the permeability of free space, is
P F I2
defined to equal
F Q

I1
µ0 = 4π × 10-7 T m A-1
(a) I2 B2 (b)
This last equation now allows us to finally define the
Figure 505 (a) and (b)  Force between two parallel   fundamental unit the ampere.
current-carrying wires.

129
 Chapter 5

Thus one ampere is defined as that current flowing in each

of two indefinitely-long parallel wires of negligible cross- conventional current electron flow
sectional area separated by a distance of one metre in a 1.5 V
vacuum that results in a force of exactly 2 × 10-7 N per
metre of length of each wire + –

resistor
CORE

Example
Figure 507  Conventional and electron currents

Calculate the current flowing through a hair drier if Unfortunately, this convention has been kept. Figure 507
it takes 2.40 × 103 C of charge to dry a person’s hair in  shows a simple circuit diagram of a 1.5 V dry cell
4.0 minutes. connected to a resistor. When drawing and interpreting
circuit diagrams just remember that conventional current
flows from the positive to negative terminal unless you
Solution are specifically asked for the correct electron flow that
flows from the negative to the positive terminal.

To determine the current, given that there exists a charge of

2.40 × 103 C and that it is flowing for a period of 4.0 minutes 5.1.6 Resistance
(= 240 seconds).
3 Electrical resistance, R, is a measure of how easily charge
∆q 2.40 × 10
This gives,  I = ------ = ------------------------- = 10 A flows in a material. Conductors, semiconductors and
∆t 240
insulators differ in their resistance to current flow. An
ohmic material of significant resistance placed in an
The current flowing is 1.0 × 101A. electric circuit to control current or potential difference is
called a resistor.

The electrical resistance of a piece of material is defined

Current is a scalar quantity but it is useful to indicate the by the ratio of the potential difference across the material
direction of flow of current. to the current that flows through it.

Before the electron was discovered, the direction of the R = V

---
charge-carriers was already defined by scientists and I
engineers to be from positive to negative.
The units of resistance are volts per ampere (VA-1).
Benjamin Franklin stated that an excess of fluid produced However, a separate SI unit called the ohm Ω is defined as
one kind of electric charge which he termed “positive”, and the resistance through which a current of 1 A flows when
a lack of the same fluid produced the other type of electric a potential difference of 1 V is applied.
charge which he called “negative”. Franklin’s designation
of (+) being an excess of electric charge and of (–) being a Since the term resistance refers to a small resistance, it is
deficiency of electric charge was unfortunate. common for a resistor to have kilo ohm (kΩ) and mega
ohm (MΩ) values.
When batteries and generators, the first source of
continuous current, were developed in the 1800s, it was
assumed that electric current represented the flow of
positive charge as defined by Franklin. This is partly the
reason that electric fields are defined in terms of a positive
test charge, and the lines of electric flux being explained as
going outwards from positive charges.

It is now known that an electric current is a flow of

electrons from negative to positive.

130
 Electric Currents

Nichrome is used as the heating element in many toasters

5.1.7 Factors affecting and electric radiators. The semiconductors behave in a
special manner, and pyrex glass is an obvious insulator.
resistance
Resistivity
Material
The resistance of a conducting wire depends on four main Ωm
factors: Silver 1.6 × 10-8

CORE
Copper 1.7 × 10-8
• length Aluminium 2.8 × 10-8
• cross-sectional area Tungsten 5.6 × 10-8
• resistivity Constantan (alloy of copper and nickel) 49 × 10-8
• temperature
Nichrome (alloy of nickel, iron & chromium) 100 × 10-8
Graphite (3 - 60) × 10-5
It can be shown that when the temperature is kept constant
Silicon 0.1 - 60
Germanium (1 - 500) × 10-3
R = ρ ⋅ --l-
A Pyrex glass 1012

where R is the resistance in Ω, ρ is the resistivity in Ω m, Figure 508  Resistivities for certain materials at 20°C
l is the length of the conductor in m, and A is the cross-
sectional area of the conductor in m2.
Example
As the length of a conductor increases, the resistance
increases proportionally
Determine the resistance of a piece of copper wire that is
R∝l 10.0 m long and 1.2 mm in diameter?

It seems logical that as the length increases so too does the

resistance to the flow of charge across the conductor. Solution

As the cross-sectional area of a conductor increases, the

resistance decreases proportionally. The resistance, R, is given by the formula R = ρl / A, where
A = πr2.
∝
This means that

With increased cross-sectional area, there is a greater R = (1.7 × 10-8 Ωm) (10.0 m) / π(6.0 × 10-4)2 m2 = 0.150 Ω.
surface through which the charge can drift.
The resistance of the copper wire is 0.15 Ω.
The resistivity is specific to the type of material being used
as a resistance and is affected by the nature of the de­localised The resistance of a material increases with temperature
electrons and the positive ions within the material. The because of the thermal agitation of the atoms it contains,
resistivity of a material is the resistance across opposite and this impedes the movement of electrons that make up
faces of a cube with sides of one metre. It can be found the current.
that by plotting a graph of R versus (l / A), the slope of the
linear graph is the resistivity ρ measured in Ω m. The increase in resistance can be shown as

Figure 508 gives the resistivities of various materials at R f = R 0 ( 1 + αt)

20o C. The first three values show that although silver has
a low resistance, it is expensive to use in electrical circuits.
Copper is the preferred metal although aluminum is where R0 equals the resistance at some reference
commonly used in electricity transmission cables because of temperature say 0 °C, Rf is the resistance at some
its lower density. Constantan and nichrome are commonly temperature, t °C, above the reference temperature, and α
used in wire form, and are termed high resistance wires. is the temperature coefficient for the material being used.

131
 Chapter 5

One interesting phenomenon of the effect of temper­ A typical apparatus used in the confirmation of Ohm’s
ature on resistance is superconductivity. In 1911,   Law is shown using a circuit diagram in Figure 509.
H. Kammerlingh Onnes found that mercury loses all its
resistance abruptly at a critical temperature of 4.1 K.
+ –
When a material attains zero resistance at some critical
temperature, it is called a superconductor. The possibility
of having a material that has an induced electric current
variable resistor
CORE

that lasts forever has become a topic for research

physicists. Just think of the energy saving if the perfect
+ – resistor
superconductor is found that can give zero resistance at A
room temperature. Ammeter + –
V
voltmeter
5.1.8 Ohm’s law
Figure 509  Typical Ohm’s law apparatus
The German physicist, Georg Simon Ohm (1787-1854),
studied the resistance of different materials systematically.
In 1826, he published his findings for many materials
including metals. He stated that:

current, I
Provided the physical conditions such as temperature are
kept constant, the resistance is constant over a wide range
of applied potential differences, and therefore the potential
difference is directly proportional to the current flowing.

V potential difference, V
V ∝ I ⇔ --- = constant
I
Figure 510  Typical Ohm’s law graph.
This is known as Ohm’s Law.

There are two relevant statements to be made here. Firstly, 5.1.9 Ohmic and non-ohmic
Ohm’s Law is not really a law but rather an empirical
statement of how materials behave. Many materials conductors
are non-ohmic and this law is only applicable to ohmic
conductors. Secondly, the law should not be written as  A graph of current versus the potential difference is
R = V / I as this statement defines resistance. a straight line (see Figure 510). Devices that obey the
linear relationship of the graph are said to be ‘ohmic
The formula is commonly written as: devices’ or ‘ohmic conductors’. There are very few devices
that are ohmic although some metals can be if there is
V = IR no temperature increase due to the heating effect of the
current. However, many useful devices obey the law at
least over a reasonable range. Remember that a resistor
where V is the potential difference across the resistor in is any device with a potential difference and is not only
volts V, I is the current in the resistor in amperes A and R restricted to the typical resistor used in the laboratory. It
is the resistance in ohms Ω. When written in this form R could be any useful electrical device – a filament lamp or
is understood to be independent of V. globe, a diode, a thermistor. Figure 511 shows some typical
V versus I graphs for some conductors. When a device
As the current moves through the resistance of a device, does not obey Ohm’s Law, it is said to be non-ohmic. The
it loses electric potential energy. The potential energy of a filament lamp is non-ohmic because Ohm’s Law requires
positive charge is less upon leaving the resistor than it was that the temperature remains constant, and this is not the
upon entering. We say that there is a potential drop across case for a globe operating.
the device.

132
 Electric Currents

Example 5.1.10 Power dissipation in

resistors
An iron draws 6.0 A of current when operating in a country
with a mains supply of 120 V. Calculate the resistance of Electric power is the rate at which energy is supplied to or
the iron? used by a device. It is measured in J s-1 called watts W.

CORE
When a steady current is flowing through a load such as
Solution a resistor, it dissipates energy in it. This energy is equal to
the potential energy lost by the charge as it moves through
the potential difference that exists between the terminals
We can transpose the formula V = IR to obtain R = V / I . of the load.

So that If a vacuum cleaner has a power rating of 500 W, it means

it is converting electrical energy to mechanical, sound
120 V and heat energy at the rate of 500 J s-1. A 60 W light globe
R = --------------- = 20 Ω
6.0 A converts electrical energy to light and heat energy at the
rate of 60 J s -1.
The resistance of the iron is 2.0 × 101 Ω.
Some common power ratings of household appliances are
given in Table 512.

a. I b. I c. I

V V
d. I e. I f. I

V V V
g. I
KEY: a ohmic conductor b. gas discharge tube

c. thermionic diode d. junction diode

V e. filament lamp f. thermistor

g. dilute sulfuric acid

Figure 511  Current/voltage relationships for some devices.

133
 Chapter 5

Appliance Power rating power is used for one hour. The consumer has to pay a
Blow heater 2 kW certain cost per kilowatt-hour say 14 cents per kW h.
Kettle 1.5 kW
Toaster 1.2 kW The heating effect of a current was investigated in 1841 by
Iron 850 W James Joule. He was able to demonstrate that by supplying
Vacuum cleaner 1.2 kW electrical energy to a high resistance coil of wire this
Television 250 W energy could be converted to thermal energy.
CORE

Figure 512  Some possible power ratings  V × I × t = m × c × ∆T

of household appliances.(table)

Example
Deriving expressions for
determining power An electrical appliance is rated as 2.5 kW, 240 V.

We start with the basic definition of power, P = W / t, (a) Determine the current needed for it to
then, we introduce the different expressions that we have operate.
already developed. (b) Calculate the energy it would consume in
2.0 hours.
Using the result, W = qV and q = It ⇔ t = q / I , we have
qV Solution
P = -------- = IV
 q---
 I
(a) Given that P = 2.5 × 103 and V = 240 V, we
The same result could have been obtained using the fact use the formula, P = IV. Now,
that the electrical energy,
3
P 2.5 × 10
P = IV ⇒ I = --- = ---------------------- = 10.4
W = q V = ItV V 240
the current drawn is 1.0 × 101 A.
so that
(b) Next, we use the formula W = VIt, so that
W ItV 3
P = ----- = ------- = IV W = ( 240 V ) × ( 10.4 A ) × ( 7.2 × 10 s )
t t
7
= 1.8 × 10 J
However, we also have that V = IR , so that
The energy consumed is 1.8 × 107J.
2
P = I × IR = I R

We also could have used I = V / R , giving the result, Example

2
V
P = IV = V
--- × V = ------
R R A 2.5 kW blow heater is used for eight hours. Calculate the
cost if electricity is sold at 12 cents per kilowatt-hour?
Summary
2
W 2
P = ----- = I R = V
------ = VI
t R

The commercial unit of electrical energy is the kilowatt-

hour (kW h). It is the energy consumed when 1 kW of

134
 Electric Currents

Solution Exercise 5.1

Using the fact that energy consumed (E) = power × time, 1. When a current is flowing through a wire attached
we have to a dry cell

CORE
E = ( 2.5 kW ) × ( 8 h ) = 20 kW h A. positive charges flow from negative to
positive terminal
Therefore, the Cost = (20 kW h) × $0.12 per kW h = $2.40 B. positive charges flow from positive to
negative terminal
The cost to run the heater is two dollars forty cents ($2.40). C. negative charges flow from negative to
positive terminal
D. negative charges flow from positive to
Example negative terminal

2. The total charge passing the same point in a

A 1.2 kW electric water heater that is made of aluminium conductor during 2.0 µs of an electric current of
is used to heat 2.5 L of water from 25 °C to the boil. If 7.5 mA is
the mass of aluminium water heater is 350 g and all the
electrical energy is converted to heat energy, determine A. 15 nC
the time in minutes to bring the water to the boil. B. 15 mC
C. 15 µC
(Specific heat capacity of aluminium is 9.1 × 102 J kg-1K-1) D. 1.5 × 104 µC

3. An electric heater raises the temperature of a

Solution measured quantity of water. 6.00 × 103 J of energy
is absorbed by the water in 30.0 seconds. What is
the minimum power rating of the heater?
A 1.2 kW heater delivers 1200 joules each second. 2.5 L =
2.5 kg A. 5.00 × 102 W
B. 2.00 × 102 W
The electrical energy is used to heat the heater and the water C. 2.00 × 103 W
from 25 °C to 100 °C. D. 1.80 × 105 W

Q = mcΔTheater + mcΔTwater 4. If the power developed in an electric circuit is

doubled, the energy used in one second is
= (0.35 kg × 9.1 × 102 J kg-1K-1 × 75 °C) +
(2.5kg × 4180 J kg-1K-1 × 75 °C) A. halved
B. doubled
= 8.08 × 105 J C. quartered
D. quadrupled
Now if the heater delivers 1200 J per second, then to consume
8.08 × 105 J will take: 5. The electron volt is defined as

8.08 × 105 J A. the energy acquired by an electron when it

1200 J passes through a potential difference of 1.0 V.
= 673 s B. the voltage of an electron.
60 C. a fraction of the ionisation of an electron.
= 11.2 min = 11 min D. unit of energy exactly equal to 1.6 × 10–19 J.

135
 Chapter 5

6. The definition of the unit of current, the ampere, is 17. Copy out and complete the table
based on
Power p.d Current Fuse rating needed
A. the charge per unit time delivered by an Appliance
(Watt) (Volt) (Ampere) (3,5,10,13 A)
emf of 1.0 V. Digital clock 4 240
B. the force per unit length on parallel
Television 200 240
current-carrying wires.
Hair dryer 110 5
CORE

C. the force per unit length on a conductor in

a magnetic field Iron 230 4
D. the charge passing a point per unit time. Kettle 240 10

7. Identify the charge-carriers in 18. Calculate the cost of heating the water to wash the
dishes if the sink is 48 cm long, 25 cm wide and
a. a length of copper wire. the water is 25 cm high. The tap water is at 14 °C
b. an aqueous solution of sodium chloride. and the final temperature before washing up is
c. the atmosphere during a lightning storm. 62 °C. Power is sold to the consumer at 14 cents
per kilowatt-hour.
8. The speed with which electrons move through a
copper wire is typically 10-4 m s-1. 19. The element of an electric jug has a resistance of
60 Ω and draws a current of 3.0 A. Determine by
a. Explain why is it that the electrons cannot how much the temperature of 5.0 kg of water will
travel faster in the conductor? rise if it is on for 6 minutes.
b. Explain why the electron drift produces
heat? 20. Calculate the cost to heat 200 kg of water from
12°C to its boiling point if power costs 14 cents
9. Calculate the resistance of a wire if 0.5 V across it per kilowatt-hour.
causes a current of 2.5 A to flow.
21. Determine the work done in moving a charge
10. Calculate current flow through a 20 MΩ resistor of 10.0 nC through a potential difference of
connected across a 100 kV power supply. 1.50 × 102 V?

11. A thin copper wire 200 cm in length has a 9 V dry 22. An electron in an electron gun of a picture tube is
cell connected between its ends. Determine the accelerated by a potential 2.5 × 103 V. Calculate the
voltage drop that occurs along 30 cm of this wire. kinetic energy gained by the electron in electron-
volts.
12. Determine the length of tungsten wire with a
diameter of 1.0 mm that is used to make a 20.0 Ω
resistor.

13. A nichrome wire has a diameter of 0.40 mm.

Calculate the length of this wire needed to carry
a current of 30 mA when there is a potential
difference of 12 V across it.

14. Explain in terms of atomic and electron

movement, why resistance increases with
temperature.

15. Determine how many coulombs there are when

2.0 A flows for 2.0 hours?

16. Distinguish the difference between an ohmic and a

non–ohmic material.

136
 Electric Currents

5.2 electric circuits

Note: It is common place to use the expression V = W / It
5.2.1 Define electromotive force (emf). as opposed to ΔV = ΔW / IΔt and q = It as opposed to
q = IΔt. That is, to leave out the ‘change in’ (or ‘Δ’) notation
5.2.2 Describe the concept of internal resistance. when solving problems.

CORE
5.2.3 Apply the equations for resistors in series The terms emf, potential difference and voltage are
and in parallel. commonly interchanged in talking about electricity. The
term electromotive force should not be used as it is not a
5.2.4 Draw circuit diagrams. force at all but rather a potential energy difference. Again,
there are historical reasons for the use of the term in the
5.2.5 Describe the use of ideal ammeters and first place.
ideal voltmeters.
In the true sense, electromotive force (emf) is the work
5.2.6 Describe a potential divider. per unit charge made available by an electrical source.
For the simple circuit in Figure 507 , the emf of the dry
5.2.7 Explain the use of sensors in potential cell is 1.5 V. However, when a voltmeter is used to test
divider circuits. the potential difference across the resistor the reading on
the voltmeter is found to be less than 1.5 V. This is due to
5.2.8 Solve problems involving electric circuits. the cell not being an ‘ideal dry cell’ because it has some
© IBO 2007
internal resistance.

5.2.1 Electromotive force For the moment, let us say that emf is the energy supplied
per unit charge, and potential difference is the energy
In the previous section, potential difference was defined in released (dissipated) per unit charge.
terms of the amount of work that has to be done per unit
charge to move a positively-charged body in an electric
field. Example

∆V = ∆ W
-------- or ∆W = ( ∆q ) ∆V
∆q A battery supplies 15.0 J of energy to 4.00 C of charge
passing through it. Determine the emf of the battery
From the present definition of electric current, we have,

Solution
I = ∆ q
------ or ∆q = I∆t
∆t

By substituting for q in the top equation, we end up with Using the formula, V = W / q, we have, V = 15.0J / 4.00 C

∆W = I × ∆t × ∆V or ∆V = ∆ W
--------
= 3.75 V
I∆t
The emf of the battery is 3.75 V.
Therefore it can be stated that

‘Potential difference in external circuits is the power, (F),

dissipated (released) per unit current’

Either definition for potential difference is acceptable.

However, the above-mentioned ties voltage and current
together.

137
 Chapter 5

The major sources of εmf are: IR is known as the terminal voltage.

1. electromagnetic That is,

when a coil of wire is rotated in a magnetic field, an induced IR = emf – Ir
current is produced. Power stations use generators to
produce a current. All sources of emf have some internal resistance and it is a
factor in determining how useful a source of emf is.
2. chemical
CORE

oxidation-reduction reactions transfer electrons between A dry cell being a primary cell releases its energy and
chemicals. Dry cells, fuel cells and batteries are examples. becomes “dead”. When it is just about inoperable, the
build–up of the products of the relevant oxidation-
3. photoelectric effecT reduction reaction increases the internal resistance beyond
electrons are emitted from certain metal surfaces when its normal value. The emf available does not decrease from
high frequency light is shone on their surfaces. These giving the maximum number of joules per coulomb of
photocells are used in watches, clocks, automatic doors. charge. However, when the emf is used up in overcoming
the potential difference across the internal resistor, the
4. piezoelectric effect terminal voltage will drop to zero. Batteries are generally
certain crystals can produce a charge on one side when regarded as being a secondary cell because they can be
placed under stress. If one side of the crystal is charged recharged many times.
and the other not, a potential difference exists across the
crystal. This is used in crystal microphones. If a series of potential difference readings measured with a
voltmeter across a variable resistor R are taken concurrently
5. thermoelectric effect with the current flowing in the circuit measured with
when two pieces of certain metals are wound together and an ammeter for each variable resistance, and a graph of
one end is heated while the other end is cooled, a current voltage versus current is plotted, from the relationship
is produced. Thermocouples can be used as temperature-
measuring devices. Terminal voltage = V = emf –Ir

5.2.2 Terminal voltage, emf and The y–intercept of the graph will be the value of the emf,
and the negative gradient is the internal resistance.
internal resistance

When electrons flow around a circuit, they gain potential Example

energy in the cell and then lose the energy in the resistors.
In a previous section, it was stated that the emf is the energy
supplied per unit charge, and the potential difference is the A dry cell has an internal resistance of 1.50 Ω. A resistor
energy released (dissipated) per unit charge in a circuit. of 12.0 Ω is connected in series with the dry cell. If the
V1 potential difference across the 12.0 Ω resistor is 1.20 V,
calculate the emf of the cell.
RΩ

I Solution
V2
ε .m .f

+– rΩ We first need to determine the current flowing through the

internal resistance of cell
system. This is done by using the formula, V = IR from
where we obtain, I = V / R.
Figure 514  Internal resistance circuit.
Therefore, we have that
In the circuit in Figure 514, the total energy supplied is
determined by the value of the emf. The total energy released
is equal to the potential difference across resistor R plus the
potential difference of the internal resistance r.

emf = V1 + V2 = IR + Ir = I ( R + r )
138
 Electric Currents

V 1.20 V I1
I = --- = ----------------- = 0.100 A
R 12.0 Ω I

Next, we use the formula, emf = I(R + r), where the internal I2
resistance, r = 1.5 Ω. I3

CORE
That is, emf = I(R + r) = 0.100 A × (12.0 Ω + 1.50 Ω)
Figure 515  Kirchoff’s current law.
= 1.35 V
In Figure 515, we have that I = I1 + I2 + I3 + …..
The emf of the cell is 1.35 V.
This is based on the Law of Conservation of charge.

5.2.3 D.C. circuit analysis Kirchoff ’s voltage law – loop rule;

Electricity is transmitted to household localities using ‘In a closed loop, the sum of the emfs equals the sum of the
alternating current ac as the voltage can be stepped-down potential drops’.
to the local supply voltage before entering houses. Some
household appliances such as lights, stoves, water heaters, In the Figure 516, we have that V = V1 + V2 + V3 + …..
toasters, irons operate using ac. However, electronic
devices such as stereos, computers and televisions operate V1 V2 V3
using direct current dc. The power supply is stepped–
down to say 12 V by a transformer inside the appliance, R1 R2 R3
and a diode is inserted (diodes are devices that will only I
allow current to flow in one direction). Direct current is
produced. V

An electric circuit has three essential components

Figure 516  Kirchoff’s voltage law.
1. A source of emf.
This is a statement of the law of conservation of energy.
2. A conducting pathway obtained by conducting ‘Energy supplied equals the energy released in this closed
wires or some alternative. path’.

3. A load to consume energy such as a filament

globe, other resistors and electronic components. Series circuits
A current will always take the shortest path in the circuit. In a series circuit:
If for some reason the current finds a way back to the
source without passing through the essential components, 1. All the components have only one current
a short-circuit occurs. Fuses are used in appliances to stop pathway.
damage due to short-circuits.
2. All components have the same current through
In the mid-nineteenth century, G.R. Kirchoff (1824-1887) them.
stated two simple rules using the laws of conservation of
energy and charge to help in the analysis of direct current 3. The sum of the potential drop across each
circuits. These rules are component is equal to the emf of the cell.

Kirchoff ’s current law–junction rule states that;

‘The sum of the currents flowing into a point in a circuit

equals the sum of the currents flowing out at that point’.

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 Chapter 5

From Kirchoff ’s laws, we have that So that in this instance, we have that
I = 4V / 8Ω = 0.5 A
I = I1 + I2 + I3 + … and V = V1 + V2 + V3 + ….. The current flowing is 0.5 A.
(c) The potential drop across each resistor, Ri , is
Then, from Ohm’s law given by, Vi = IRi .
So that for the 6 ohm resistor, the potential
V V1 + V2 + V3 + … V1 V2 V3 difference (or potential drop) is given by
R = --- = -------------------------------------------- = ------ + ------ + ------ + …
I I I I I
CORE

V1 = IR1 = 0.5 × 6 = 3 V.
Similarly, for the 2 ohm resistor, the potential
But, the terms in this sum are equal to R1, R2, R3, …  difference (or potential drop) is given by V2 =
(i.e., R1 = V1 / I, R2 = V2 / I…). IR2 = 0.5 × 2 = 1 V.

So that, The potential differences in the 6 Ω and the 2 Ω resistors are

3 V and 1 V respectively.
R eff = R 1 + R 2 + R 3 + …
V1 V2

The total or effective resistance Reff of a series circuit is

equal to the sum of the separate resistances.
6Ω 2Ω
4

Potential
Example 3
DV = 3
2 1

From the diagram given in the Figure below of a potential 1

divider, calculate DV 2 = 1

(a) the effective resistance of the circuit A B

(b) the current flowing displacement (from A)
(c) the potential difference across each resistor
Figure 518  Potential – displacement graph.

V1 V2 Figure 518 shows the corresponding potential/displace­ment

graph for the circuit in the example above.

6Ω 2Ω Notice how we refer to the potential difference, ∆ V{F} as

I opposed to simply V {F}
4V
Parallel circuits
In the parallel circuit in Figure 519

Solution There is more than one current pathway.

1. All components have the same potential difference

(a) Using our rule (from above), we have that across them.
the effective resistance is given by
2. The sum of the currents flowing into any point is
R eff = R 1 + R 2 = 6 Ω + 2 Ω = 8 Ω equal to the sum of the currents flowing out at that
point.
That is, the effective resistance is 8 Ω.
(b) We can determine the current by making use
of the formula, I = V / Reff.

140
 Electric Currents

V
I1 Example
R1

I2 V
R2
V
From the diagram given in the Figure below, calculate
I3
R3
I
(a) the effective resistance of the circuit,

CORE
(a) the current flowing in the main circuit,
V (a) the current in each resistor.
In
Rn

I1 3Ω
V
+ –
I

I2 6Ω
Figure 519  A parallel circuit

From Kirchoff ’s laws, we have that

I = I 1 + I2 + I 3 + …
6V
and
V = V1 = V 2 = V3 = …
Solution
From Ohm’s law, we have V = IR ⇔ V / R = I or 1 / R = I / V
Meaning that,
(a) Using 1 / Reff = 1 / R1 + 1 / R2 , we have,
I1 + I2 + I3 + … I1 I2 I3 1 1 1
1
--------- = --------------------------------------- = ---- + ---- + ---- + … --------- = --- + --- = 3--- ⇒ R eff = 2
R eff V V V V R eff 3 6 6

However, V = V1 = V2 = V3 =…., so that The effective resistance is 2 Ω.

1 I1 I2 I3 1 1 1
--------- = ------ + ------ + ------ + … = ----- + ------ + ----- + … (b) We can now determine the current flowing
R eff V1 V2 V3 R1 R 2 R3 through the system:
V
V = IR eff ⇒ I = ---------
The effective resistance Reff of a parallel circuit is less than R eff
the sum of the separate resistances.

6V
I = --------- = 3 A
2Ω

The current flowing in the main circuit is 3 A.

(c) Using Vi = IiRi , we have:

For the 3 ohm resistor; I = 6 / 3 = 2A
For the 6 ohm resistor; I = 6 / 6 = 1A
The currents in the 3 Ω and the 6 Ω resistors
are 2 A and 1 A respectively.

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 Chapter 5

RESISTORS IN COMPOUND (c)

The current in the 4 Ω resistor is 2 A.
The potential difference across the 4 Ω
CIRCUITS resistor = IR = (2 A) . (4 Ω) = 8 V
The potential difference across the parallel
network = 12 V – 8 V
=4V
Example The current in the network resistors is given by,
CORE

V V
I = I1 + I2 = ------ + ------
From the diagram given in the figure (below), calculate R 1 R2

I1 3Ω
I = 4--- A + 4--- A = 1.33 A + 0.67 A
4Ω I I 3 6

I I2 6Ω The current in the 4 Ω resistor is 2 A. The currents in the 3 Ω

and the 6 Ω resistors are 1.33 A and 0.67 A respectively.
12 V

5.2.4 Electric circuit symbols

(a) the total resistance of the circuit
(b) the current flowing in the main circuit The circuit symbols shown in Table 522 are used for
(c) the current in each resistor drawing circuit diagrams in this course. This standard
set of symbols is also provided in the data booklet that is
used during examination sessions. You should use these
Solution symbols in place of any other that you may have learnt.

(a) For the parallel circuit we have, 5.2.5 Ammeters and voltmeters
1 1 1
--------- = --- + --- = 3--- ⇒ R eff = 2 Galvanometers are used to detect electric currents. They
R eff 3 6 6 use a property of electromagnetism – a coil with a current
flowing in it experiences a force when placed in a magnetic
So that , Reff = 2Ω field. Most non-digital ammeters and voltmeters consist
of a moving coil galvanometer connected to resistors.
Thus the total resistance (of the parallel and series arms), Digital meters are becoming more common, and the
RT, is given by digital multimeter can act as an ammeter, a voltmeter or
an ohmmeter.
RT = 2 Ω + 4Ω
A voltmeter
= 6 Ω
1. is always connected across a device (in parallel).
That is, the effective resistance is 6 Ω.
2. has a very high resistance so that it takes very little
(b) To determine the current, once again we use, current from the device whose potential difference
V = IR, so that, is being measured.

V 12 3. has a high resistor (a multiplier) connected in

I = ------ = ----- = 2 A series with a galvanometer.
RT 6
4. an ideal voltmeter would have infinite resistance
The current flowing in the main circuit is 2 A. with no current passing through it and no energy
would be dissipated in it.

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 Electric Currents
Common Circuit Symbols

joined wires wires crossing (not joined) cell

battery lamp a.c. supply

CORE
switch ammeter voltmeter

A V

galvanometer resistor variable resistor

potentiometer heating elemen t fuse

transformer oscilloscope

Table 522  Common circuit symbols

Example 1 Solution

A galvanometer has a resistance of 1.0 × 103 Ω (mainly The Figure below demonstrates a possible set up.
due to the resistace of the coil), and gives a full-scale
deflection (fsd) for 1.0 mA of current. Calculate the size of RG I
I i
a multiplier resistor that would be needed to convert this G
to a voltmeter with a fsd of 10.0 volts.
I -i

RS

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 Chapter 5

Because the resistors Rg and Rs are in series then the

potential difference across the resistors will be 10 volts. 5.2.6 A potential divider
Therefore, i (Rg + Rs) = 10
In electronic systems, it is often necessary to obtain smaller
0.001 × (1000 + Rs) = 10 0.001Rs = 9 voltages from larger voltages for the various electronic
circuits. a potential divider is a device that produces the
Rs = 9000 Ω required voltage for a component from a larger voltage.
CORE

It consists of a series of resistors or a rheostat (variable

The multiplier resistor = 9.0 × 103 Ω resistor) connected in series in a circuit. A simple voltage
divider is shown in Figure 525.
An ammeter
I
1. is always connected in series with a circuit.
R1 V1
2. has a very low resistance compared with the R
resistance of the circuit so that it will not alter the V
current flowing in the circuit.
V2
R2
3. has a low resistor (a shunt) connected in parallel
with a galvanometer.

4. would ideally have no resistance with no potential Figure 525  A simple voltage divider
difference across it and no energy would be
dissipated in it. Using Ohm’s Law, V1 = IR1 and V = I(R1 + R2 ).

V1 / V = IR1 / I(R1 + R2). Therefore,

Example
V1 = R1 / (R1 + R2) × V
This is known as the potential divider equation.
A galvanometer has a resistance of 1.0 × 103 Ω (mainly due
to the resistace of the coil), and gives a full-scale deflection
(fsd) for 1.0 mA of current. Calculate the size of a shunt Example 1
resistor that would be needed to convert this to a meter
with a fsd of 5.0 A.
In the potential divider shown below, calculate:

Solution (a) the total current in the circuit

(b) the potential difference across each resistor
(c) the voltmeter reading if it was connected
The Figure below demonstrates a possible set up. between terminals 2 and 6.
RG I
I i
G 12 V

I -i
2Ω 2Ω 2Ω 2Ω 2Ω 2Ω
RS

Because the resistors Rg and Rs are in parallel then the

potential difference across the resistors is the same.
Therefore, iRg = (I – i) Rs.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rs = (i / I – i) Rg = [10 A / (5 – 0.001) A] × 1000 Ω = 0.20 Ω
-3

The shunt resistor = 0.20 Ω

144
 Electric Currents

Solution 5.2.7 Sensors in potential divider

circuits
(a) The total resistance = 12 Ω. From Ohm’s law
V = IR and I = V / R A number of sensors (input transducers) that rely on a
I = 12 V / 12 Ω = 1 A change in resistance can be used in conjunction with

CORE
(b) The 12 V is equally shared by each 2 Ω potential dividers to allow for the transfer of energy from
resistor. Therefore, the potential difference one form to another. Three such sensors are:
across each resistor = 2 V. Alternatively,
V = IR = 1 A × 2 Ω = 2 V • the light dependant resistor (LDR)
(c) Between terminals 2 and 6 there are 4 • the negative temperature coefficient thermistor
resistors each of 2 Ω. Therefore, the potential (NTC)
difference the terminals • strain gauges.
= 4 × 2 V = 8 V.
A light dependent resistor (LDR) is a photo-condutive
cell whose resistance changes with the intensity of the
Because resistance is directly proportional to the length of incident light. Typically, it contains a grid of interlocking
a resistor, a variable resistor also known as a potentiometer electrodes made of gold deposited on glass over which is
or colloquially as a “pot” can also be used to determine the deposited a layer of the semiconductor, cadmium sulfide.
potential difference across an output transducer (device Its range of resistance is from over 10 MΩ in the dark to
for converting energy from one form to another) such as a about 100 Ω in sunlight. A simple LDR and its circuit
filament lamp in Figure 527. symbol are shown in Figure 528.

If the pointer was at A then the potential difference would

be zero as there is no power dissipated per unit current
in the potentiometer (the load), and there would be no
output voltage. However, if the pointer is moved up to
two-thirds the length of the potentiometer as in the figure,
then the output voltage across the filament lamp would be
⅔ × 6V = 4V.

Figure 528  A light dependent resistor

potentiometer

There are only two ways to construct a voltage divider with

an LDR sensor – with the LDR at the top, or with the LDR
6V at the bottom as shown in Figure 529.

A I I
V

Vi V in

Figure 527  Laboratory potentiometer

V out
V out
Pots have a rotating wheel mounted in plastic and they
are commonly used as volume and tone controls in sound 0V 0V
systems. They can be made from wire, metal oxides or
carbon compounds. Figure 529 (a) and (b)  two ways to construct an L.D.R.

Light dependant resistors have many uses in electronic

circuits including smoke detectors, burglar alarms, camera

145
 Chapter 5

light meters, camera aperture controls in automatic cameras

and controls for switching street lights off and on.
10
Resistors that change resistance with temperature are 0000

Resistance Ω
called thermistors (derived from thermal resistors).
They are made from ceramic materials containing a
semiconductor the main types being bead and rod
CORE

thermistors. The NTC (negative temperature coefficient)

thermistor contains a mixture of iron, nickel and cobalt 50
oxides with small amounts of other substances. They may 20 40 60 80 100
have a positive (PTC) or negative (NTC) temperature Temperature / ˚C
coefficient according to the equation: PTC themistor
Figure 531  A PTC thermistor
R f = R 0 ( 1 + αt)

where R0 equals the resistance at some reference

temperature say 0 °C, Rf is the resistance at some 200
temperature, t  °C, above the reference temperature, and

Resistance Ω
α is the temperature coefficient for the material being
used.

The circuit symbol for a thermistor is shown in Figure 530.

20 40 60 80 100
Temperature / ˚C

NTC
Figure 532  An NTC thermistor
Figure 530  The circuit symbol for a thermistor
An electronic thermometer can be made using an NTC
For a NTC thermistor, the resistance decreases when thermistor as shown in Figure 533.
the temperature rises and therefore they can pass more
current. This current could be used to to operate a
galvonometer with a scale calibrated in degrees as used 200 Ω
in electronic thermometers or car coolant system gauges.
Thermistors are also used in data-logging temperature milliammeter
probes but the analogue signal has to be converted to with fsd
digital signal using an analogue to digital converter 0 – 10 mA
(ADC).

With normal resistors the resistance becomes higher when

the temperature increases and they therefore have a small
positive temperature coefficient. Figures 531 and 532 Figure 533  An electronic thermometer
demonstrate how the resistance changes with temperature
for both types of thermistors. When a metal conducting wire is put under vertical
strain, it will become longer and thinner and as a result
its resistance will increase. An electrical strain gauge is a
device that employs this principle. It can be used to obtain
information about the size and distribution of strains in
structures such as metal bridges and aircraft to name but
two. A simple gauge consists of very fine parallel threads
of a continous metal alloy wire cemented to a thin piece of
paper that are hooked up to a resistance measuring device
with thick connecting wires as shown in Figure 534.
When it is securely attached on the metal to be tested, it

146
 Electric Currents

will experience the same strain as the test metal and as this In the circuit below, a heater with resistance R
4. �����������������������������������������������
happens the strain gauge wire become longer and thinner is connected in series with a 48 V supply and a
and as such the resistance increases. resistor S.

structure under strain 48 V

CORE
thin threads
of wire

thin paper S R

If the potential difference across the heater is to be

connecting lead
maintained at 12 V, the resistance of the resistor S
should be

Figure 534  A resistance measuring device A. R/2

B. R/4
C. R/3
5.2.8 Solve problems involving D. 3R

electric circuits 5. The diagrams below show circuits X, Y and Z

of three resistors, each resistor having the same
Many problems have been done with their worked resistance.
examples. Now try to solve the following exercise.

Exercise 5.2 circuit X circuit Y circuit Z

Which one of the following shows the resistances

1. Three identical resistors of 3 Ω are connected in of the circuits in increasing order of magnitude?
parallel in a circuit. The effective resistance would be
lowest → highest
A. 1Ω A. Y Z X
B. 3٠B.������
�����
Z X Y
C. 6٠C.������
�����
X Y Z
D. 9٠D.������
�����
Z Y X

2. In a television tube the picture is produced in a 6. The graph below shows the current/voltage
fluorescent material at the front of the picture tube by characteristics of a filament lamp.

A. an electrical discharge 24
B. a beam of positive ions
C. an electrolytic deposition of metal atoms
D. a stream of electrons 16
Current A

3. A 100 W light globe gives out a brighter light than 3

a 60 W globe mainly because 8

A. a larger potential difference is used to run it

B. its resistance wire filament is longer 0
0 2 4 6 8 10
C. more electric current flows through it
Voltage /V
D. it has a higher amount of inert gas in it

147
 Chapter 5

The resistance of the filament at 3.0 V is 12. Three identical lamps L1, L2 and L3 are connected
as shown in the following diagram.
A. 0.25 Ω
B. 250 Ω
C. 4000 Ω
D. 8000 Ω
L1 L2 S
CORE

7. Metal X has half the resistivity of metal Y and

length three times that of Y. If both X and Y have
the same surface area, the ratio of their resistance
RX / RY is:
L3
A. 3:2
B. 2:3 When switch S is closed
C. 1.5 : 1
D. 2:9 A. L1 and L3 brighten and L2 goes out
B. all three lamps glow with the same
8. Three identical resistors of 3 Ω are connected in brightness
parallel in a circuit. The effective resistance would be C. L2 brightens and L1 and L3 remain
unchanged
A. 1Ω D. L1 and L3 go dimmer and L2 goes out
B. 3Ω
C. 6Ω 13. Two resistors are connected in parallel and have
D. 9Ω the currents I1 and I2 as shown in the diagram

I1
9. If 18 J of work must be done to move 2.0 C of R1
charge from point A to point B in an electric field,
the potential difference between points A and B is:
R2
A. 0.1 V I2
I
B. 9.0 V
C. 12 V
D. 20 V

10. The fundamental SI unit – the ampere – is defined

in terms of: If the effective resistance of the circuit is R then

A. potential difference and resistance A. R = (R1 + R2) / R1R2

B. the time rate of change of charge in a circuit B. I1/R1 = I2 / R2
C. the force acting between two current C. R = R1R2 / R1 + R2
carrying wires D. R = I (R1 + R2) / R1R2
D. the product of charge and time
14. The following circuit was set up to determine the
11. A 100 W light globe gives out a brighter light than internal resistance r of a dry cell. The load resistor
a 60 W globe mainly because was varied from 100Ω to 150Ω, and the current in
the circuit was measured using an ammeter. The
A. a larger potential difference is used to run it two respective values of the current are given in
B. its resistance wire filament is longer the circuits.
C. more electric current flows through it
D. it has a higher amount of inert gas in it

148
 Electric Currents

100 Ω A voltmeter connected between the points X and

Y should read:

A. 0V
1.5 mA
2.2 mA A B. 3V
C. 6V
D. 9V

CORE
r
17. Determine the equivalent resistance when 12 Ω,  
150 Ω
6 Ω and 4 Ω are placed in

(a) series
1.5 mA A
(b) parallel

18. Calculate the work done in moving a 12.0 µC

through a p.d of 240 V.
r
19. The diagram shows resistances joined in a
The internal resistance r of the dry cell is compound circuit.
I1 6Ω
A. 3.0 Ω 2Ω 20 Ω
I
B. 7.1 Ω
4Ω
C. 58.8Ω I I2

D. 250 Ω 12.2 V

15. This question concerns the electric circuit below

I1 (a) Determine the total resistance of the circuit.
2Ω (b) Calculate current flows through the 2.0 Ω
resistor.
(c) Deduce the potential difference across the
4Ω 20.0 Ω resistor.
(d) Determine is the potential difference across
the 6.0 Ω resistor.
(e) Calculate is the current through the 4.0 Ω
resistor.

20. A photo-electric cell draws a current of 0.12 A

The value of current I1 is when driving a small load of resistance 2 Ω. If
the emf of the cell is 0.8 V, determine the internal
A. 2A resistance of it under these conditions.
B. 4A
C. 6A 21. In terms of emf and internal resistance, explain
D. 9A why is it possible to re-charge a nickel-cadmium
cell while normal dry cells have to be discarded
16. Consider the circuit below that contains a 15 V once they are flat.
battery with zero internal resistance.
1.5 V 22. When a dry cell is connected to a circuit with a
load resistor of 4.0 Ω, there is a terminal voltage
of 1.3 V. When the load resistor is changed to
12 Ω, the terminal voltage is found to be 1.45 V.
Calculate
4Ω

X Y (a) the emf of the cell.

4Ω
(b) the internal resistance of the cell.

149
 Chapter 5

23. Calculate the current flowing through a hair drier (a) Complete the last column for the inverse of
if it takes 2.40 × 103 C of charge to dry a person’s the current giving the correct unit.
hair in 3.0 minutes. (b) Plot a graph of R against 1 / I
(c) Describe the relationship that exists
24. An iron draws 6.0 A of current when operating in between the resistance and the current.
a country with a mains-supply of 240 V. Calculate (d) Determine the electromotive force of the
the resistance of the iron. dry cell
CORE

25. An electrical appliance is rated as 2.5 kW, 240 V 30. Starting from the laws of conservation of energy
and conservation of charge, derive a formula for
(a) Calculate the current it needs to draw in calculating the effective resistance of two resistors
order to operate. in parallel.
(b) Determine how much energy would be
consumed in 2 hours. 31. The diagram shows a typical circuit.
1.0 Ω 2.0 Ω
26. A 2.5 kW blow heater is used for eight hours. B

Calculate the cost of running the blow heater if the A C

electricity is sold at 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. 0.5 Ω 1.0 Ω

D
27. The circuit below refers to the following questions:
24.0 Ω
1.0 Ω
4.0 Ω
R
1.5 V
V
I
1.0 Ω 3.0 Ω

100.0 V
(a) Determine the effective resistance of the
35 A whole circuit.
(b) Determine the currents flowing in each
(i) Determine the current flowing through R, network resistor.
and the value of resistor R. (c) Determine the potential differences VAB and
(ii) Deduce the reading on the voltmeter V. VAD.
(d) Determine the potential difference between
28. (i) Describe the meaning of the “12 V” on a 12 B and D.
volt car battery.
(ii) A 14 V car battery drops to 12 V when 32���������������������������������������������
. Determine the resistance of the LDR in the
supplying a current of 5.0 A. Determine the diagram below if a current of 4.5 mA is flowing in
internal resistance of the battery. the circuit.

29. A circuit was set up to investigate the relationship

between the current I through a resistor and the
magnitude of the resistance R while a constant
electromotive force was supplied by a dry cell. 1 kΩ
The results of the investigation are given in the 9V
following table:

R ± 0.5Ω I ± 0.1 A
2.0 5.0
6.0 1.7
12 0.83
16 0.63
18 0.56

150
 Fields and Forces

fields and forces

6.1

6.2
Gravitational force and field

Electric force and field 6

CORE
6.3 Magnetic force and field

6.1 gravitational force and field

m2
m1
6.1.1 State Newton’s universal law of gravitation.
F 12 F 21
6.1.2 Define gravitational field strength. r

6.1.3 Determine the gravitational field due to

one or more point masses.
Figure 601  Newton’s law of gravitation
6.1.4 Derive an expression for gravitational
field strength at the surface of a planet, We can write this law mathematically as:
assuming that all its mass is concentrated at Gm1 m2
its centre. F 12 = ------------
------ â12 = –F 21
r2
6.1.5 Solve problems involving gravitational
forces and fields. F12 is the force that particle 1 exerts on particle 2 and
© IBO 2007 F21 is the force that particle 2 exerts on particle 1.

6.1.1 Newton’s universal law of â12 is a unit vector directed along the line joining the
particles.
gravitation
m1 and m2 are the masses of the two particles respectively

I n the Principia Newton stated his Universal Law of

Gravitation as follows:
and r is their separation.

G is a constant known as the Universal Gravitational

‘Every material particle in the Universe attracts every other Constant and its accepted present day value is
– 11
material particle with a force that is directly proportional 6.67 × 10 N m-2 kg-2.
to the product of the masses of the particles and that
is inversely proportional to the square of the distance There are several things to note about this equation. The
between them’. forces between the particles obey Newton’s third law
as discussed in Section 2.7. That is, the forces are equal
and opposite. The mass of the particles is in fact their
gravitational mass as discussed in Section 2.3.3.

151
 Chapter 6

Every particle in the Universe, according to Newton, obeys In Figure 602 a particle of mass m is placed at point X
this law and this is why the law is known as a ‘universal’ somewhere in the Universe.
law. This is the first time in the history of physics that
we come across the idea of the universal application of a
physical law. It is now an accepted fact that if a physical m
X acceleration and direction of
law is indeed to be a law and not just a rule then it must be the gravitational field at X.
universal. Newton was also very careful to specify the word particle P
CORE

particle. Clearly any two objects will attract each other

because of the attraction between the respective particles Figure 602  Force and acceleration
of each object. However, this will be a very complicated
force and will depend on the respective shapes of the The particle is observed to accelerate in the direction
bodies. Do not be fooled into thinking that for objects we shown. We deduce that this acceleration is due to a
need only specify the distance r as the distance between gravitational field at X. We do not know the source of the
their respective centres of mass. If this were the case it field but that at this stage does not matter. We are only
would be impossible to peel an orange. The centre of mass concerned with the effect of the field. If the mass of P is
of the orange is at its centre and the centre of the mass small then it will not effect the field at X with its own field.
of the peel is also at this point. If we think that r in the We define the gravitational field strength I at X in terms of
Newton Law refers to the distance between the centres of the force that is exerted on P as follows
mass of objects the distance between the two centres of
mass is zero. The force therefore between the peel and the I = --F-
m
orange is infinite.
That is ‘the gravitational field strength at a point is the
You will almost invariably in the IB course and elsewhere, force exerted per unit mass on a particle of small mass
come across the law written in its scalar form as placed at that point’.

Gm1 m2 From Newton’s 2nd law F = ma we see that the

F = ------------
------
r2 field strength is actually equal to the acceleration of
the particle. For this reason the gravitational field
However, do not forget its vector nature nor that it is a strength is often given the symbol ‘g’ So we can
force law between particles and not objects or “masses”. express the magnitude of the field strength in either
N kg-1 or m s-2. However, if we are dealing explicitly with
field strengths then we tend to use the unit N kg -1.
6.1.2 G
�ravitational
�������������������
field ��������
strength

The Law of Universal Gravitation is an inverse square 6.1.3,4 The gravitational field
law and in this sense is very similar to the Coulomb
force law discussed in topic 6.2. In fact if you replace strength of point masses
m with q in the Newton law and G with ------------
4pe 0 then we have
the Coulomb law (except of course we can have negative and sphere
charge but as far as we know there is no negative mass).
So all that follows in the rest of this section is very similar Figure 603(a) shows the “field pattern” for an isolated
to that to be discussed in topic 6.2 in connection with particle of mass M.
Coulomb’s Law.

Any particle in the Universe exerts a gravitational force (a) (b)

m
on any other particle in the Universe. In this sense we can r
think of the effect that a particle P for example produces
on other particles without even knowing the location of P. M M
We can think of a “field of influence radiating out” from
P. This influence we call the Gravitational Field and by
introducing this concept we are essentially moving our
attention from the source of the field to the effect that the
source produces. Figure 603 (a) and (b)

152
 Fields and Forces

Clearly this is only a representation since the field due to

M acts at all points in space. m

M R
Suppose we now place a particle of mass m a distance r
from M as shown in Figure 603 (b).

The gravitational law gives the magnitude of the force that

CORE
M exerts on m Figure 605  Field strength

GMm If the sphere is the Earth then

F = --------------
r2 GMe
I = -----------
2
So the magnitude of the gravitational field strength I = ---- Re
m
is given by
GM But the field strength is equal to the acceleration that is
I = ---------
r2 produced on a mass hence the acceleration of free fall at
the surface of the Earth, g0 ,�������������
is given by
If we wish to find the field strength at������������������
a point due to GM
two or more point masses, then we use vector addition. g 0 = ------------e
2
(This is another example of the general principle of super­ Re
position - see 4.5.5). In Figure 604 the magnitude of the
field strength produced by the point mass M1 at point P is This actually means that whenever you determine the
I1 and that of point mass M2 is I2. acceleration of free fall g0 at any point on the Earth you are
in fact measuring the gravitational field strength at that
point. It can also be seen now why the value of g varies
I1
with height above the surface of the Earth. Since at a height
I2 of h above the surface of the Earth the field strength, g, is
P given by
GMe
g = -----------------------
( R e + h )2

It can be shown that if we have a hollow sphere then the

field strength at all points within the sphere is zero. This
M1 M2 fact can be used to deduce an expression for the field
strength at points inside the Earth.
Figure 604  Vector addition
It is left as an exercise to demonstrate (if desired since this
If I1 and I2 are at right angles to each other, the resultant is not in the syllabus) that if ρ is the mean density of the
magnitude of the field strength I at P is given by: Earth then at a point distance r from the centre of the
Earth the value of g is given by
I = I12 + I 2 2
g = 4-- πr Gρ
3
If the particle of mass M is replaced with a sphere of mass
M and radius R, as shown in Figure 605, then rely on the
fact that the sphere behaves as a point mass situated at its
centre, the field strength at the surface of the sphere will
be given by
GM
I = ---------
2
R

153
 Chapter 6

6.1.5 Solve problems involving 6.2 electriC fORCE

gravitational forces and AND FIELD
fields
6.2.1 State that there are two types of electric
CORE

charge.
Example
6.2.2 State and apply the law of conservation of
charge.
Take the value of g0= 10 N kg -1 and the mean radius of the
Earth to be ‘6.4 × 106 m’ to estimate a value for the mass 6.2.3 Describe and explain the difference in the
of the Earth. electrical properties of conductors and
insulators.

Solution 6.2.4 State Coulomb’s law.

GMe 6.2.5 Define electric field strength.

We have g 0 = --------2---- , therefore
Re 6.2.6 Determine the electric field strength due to
2 6 2
g 0R e 10 × ( 6.4 × 10 ) one or more point charges.
M e = ------------ = ----------------------------–---11
----------
G 6.7 × 10
6.2.7 Draw the electric field patterns for different
24
≈ 6 × 10 kg. charge configurations.

6.2.8 Solve problems involving electric charges,

Example forces and fields.
© IBO 2007

Assuming the Earth and Moon to be isolated from all 6.2.1 Types of electric charge
other masses, use the following data to estimate the mass
of the Moon. There are 2 types of electric charge – positive charge and
negative charge.
mass of Earth = 6.0 × 1024 kg
It was not until the late 1890s through the work of
distance between centre of Earth and centre of Moon J.J. Thomson that the true nature of electrons was
= 3.8 × 108 m discovered through experiments with cathode ray tubes.
With this exploration of atoms and quantum mechanics
distance from centre of Earth at which gravitational field in the 1900s, the electrical properties of matter were
is zero = 2.8 × 108 m understood.

We now know that

Solution
• charge is conserved
• charge is quantised
7.4 × 1022 kg • the force between two point charges varies as the
inverse square law of the distance between the two
charges.

These properties will be outlined further in a later section

of this chapter.

154
 Fields and Forces

We will begin with the study of stationary electric charges- Figure 607 shows a charged perspex rod placed on a pivot
electrostatics. balance. If a charged perspex strip is brought near the
perspex rod, the two repel each other causing the rod to
The present quantum mechanical model of the atom rotate. The opposite can be observed with a perspex rod/
suggests that the positively charged protons and the ebonite strip situation.
neutral neutrons are held tightly in the nucleus by the
short-range strong nuclear force, and that the negatively By the use of this simple observation, it is possible to

CORE
charged electrons are held in energy levels around the conclude that
nucleus by the electromagnetic force. The electrons in a
material are relatively free to move, and some electrons, • Like charges repel each other
given the right conditions, can move from one material • Unlike charges attract each other
to another. The materials can become electrically charged.
The materials can either have an excess of electrons or a
deficiency of electrons. charged perspex rod
perspex strip
+ ++ ++ +
+ + +
+ + + ebonite strip
• substances with an excess of electrons are charged perspex rod –––– – –– ––––
repulsion + + + +
negatively charged. + +
• substances with a deficiency of electrons are attraction
positively charged.

When a perspex rod is rubbed with a piece of silk,

the perspex rod becomes positively charged and the Figure 607  Attraction and repulsion
silk becomes negatively charged as demonstrated in
Figure 606.
6.2.2 Law of conservation of
Before rubbing After rubbing
charge
+ +
+ ++ When charging objects by friction, charge is not created
+ + +
+ + ++ but rather redistributed on the two surfaces. This can be
+ + + + stated according to the Law of conservation of electric
+ + charge that states that in a closed system, the amount of
+ +
+ + ++ electron + charge is constant. Examine Figure 606 – there is a total of
+ + + transfer
16 positive charges and a total of 16 negative charges on the
+ +
+ + perspex rod and the silk before rubbing. After the process
perspex silk perspex silk of “ electrification ” by friction, the charge is redistributed
but the same number of positive and negative charges
Figure 606  Charging a perspex rod rubbed with silk. exist. In other words, charge is conserved.

The perspex rod and the silk are initially electrically

neutral as each material has the same number of positive 6.2.3 Conductors and insulators
and negative charges. The action of friction allows the less
tightly held electrons of the perspex rod to be transferred Metals consist of positive ions surrounded by a ‘sea’ of
to the silk. With time, the excess electrons on the silk will delocalised electrons (electrons that are not all attached to
leak off its surface. a specific atom). Hence there are many electrons available
for conduction. Solutions that conduct (electrolytes)
It has been further found that contain electrons and positive and negative ions that are
free to move. Therefore, conductors have a low electrical
• ebonite (a certain black material) rubbed with fur resistance.
becomes negatively charged.
• polythene rubbed with a woollen cloth becomes If a conductor is held in the hand, any excess of electron
negatively charged. charge that forms on the conductor will be transferred
• cellulose acetate rubbed with a woollen cloth to the earth through the body of the person holding the
becomes positively charged. conductor. Conversely, any deficiency of electron charge

155
 Chapter 6

that forms on the conductor will be transferred from It consists of two conducting spheres fixed on an insulated
the earth through the body of the person holding the rod that is suspended by a thin wire fibre connected to
conductor. It is said that the conductor is earthed. a suspension head. The whole apparatus is enclosed in a
container to make sure that air currents do not disturb
In an insulator, the electrons are held tightly by the atomic the degree of twist of the thin fibre when a test charge
nuclei and are not as free to move through a material. They is lowered through a small opening in the apparatus
can accumulate on the surface of the insulator but they are component containing the spheres. The twist on the
CORE

not conducting. wire can be calibrated from the twist produced by small
known forces and is read off the scale on the suspension
According to the energy band theory that is used to head. Using the apparatus, Coulomb could determine the
explain the properties of conductors, semiconductors relationship that exists between the magnitude of two
(such as germanium and silicon), and insulators, the charges and force, and the distance and force.
valence or outer-shell electrons are held in the valence
band that is full or partially filled with electrons. When The quantitative relationship that exists between electric
there are many atoms in close proximity (as there is with point charges separated by a distance was first stated by
all materials), there also exists an upper energy band Coulomb in 1785. Using the torsion balance in Figure 608 he
known as the conduction band. The conduction band is measured the quantity of charge, the distance separating the
empty. A forbidden energy gap exists between the valence ‘point’ charges and the force acting on the charged spheres.
and conduction bands.
On the basis of his experiments, he concluded that
For conductors such as metals, the valence and conduction
bands overlap. However, in insulators, the energy gap 1. the force F between two point charges q1 and q2
between the valence band and the conduction band was directly proportional to the product of the two
is large. Therefore, electrons cannot move across the point charges.
forbidden energy gap. Insulators thus have a high electrical F ∝ q1 × q2
resistance and when a perspex or other insulating material
is held, the electrons remain on the surface of the insulator 2. the force between the two point charges was
and are not able to be conducted through the person. inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them r2.
The charge on an insulator will remain for a short period
1
of time until it leaks off the surface or is discharged. F ∝ ----
2
r
Therefore, it follows that
6.2.4 Coulomb’s law q ×q
F ∝ -----1-----------2-
2
The French physicist, Charles Augustin Coulomb r
(1738‑1806), using a torsion balance of his own invention, kq 1 q 2
confirmed the existence of an inverse square law of electric 3. F = --------------
2
charge. A typical Coulomb torsion balance model is shown r
in Figure 608. When F is measured in newtons (N), q1 and q2 in coulombs
(C), and r in metres (m), the quantitative statement of
Coulomb’s Law can be expressed mathematically as
q q
F = -------1------2----
torsion rod 2
4π ε 0 r
counter balance
where k = 1 / 4πε 0 is the constant of proportionality. Its
value is 9.0 × 109 N m2 C-2. The part of the constant ε 0 is
+
++ called the permittivity constant of free space. On its own,
++ it has a value of 8.9 × 10 -12 N m2 C -2 , and this value applies
+
charged spheres if the experiment is carried out in air or in a vacuum. If the
experiment is carried out in another medium, the value of
ε0 will need to be substituted with another value.
Figure 608  A Coulomb torsion balance

156
 Fields and Forces

The coulomb is a large unit of charge, and it is more Lines of force or lines of electric flux are imaginary, and
common to measure in micro-coulombs µC and nano- they are simply used to assist in an understanding of the
coulombs nC. One coulomb is the charge on 6.25 × 1018 nature of electric fields. They obey the following rules
electrons or protons. Therefore, the charge on a single
proton or on a single electron is 1.60 × 10-19 C. The 1. they start on a positive charge and end on a
coulomb will be defined at a later stage as it is based upon negative charge
the definition of electric current.

CORE
2. they meet electrostatically charged objects at right
Note that is is not necessary to include the sign of the angles
charge when carrying out the calculations. Simply use the
magnitude of the point charge and then draw a diagram 3. they never cross over one another
with the signs of each point charge shown, this will also
indicate whether the force is attractive or repulsive. 4. their density is an indication of the strength of the
electric field

6.2.5 Electric field strength 5. there is no electric field in a hollow conductor

There is a similarity between the expressions for the 6. the electric field is uniform between two
gravitational force between two point masses and the oppositely charged parallel conducting plates.
coulombic force between two point charges in a vacuum.
They both obey a product/inverse square law. There is The electric field strength or electric field intensity at
no gravitational analogue of electrical permittivity as the any point in space, E is equal to the force per unit charge
gravitational force does not depend on the medium in exerted on a positive test charge.
which they are situated. Furthermore, the gravitational
force, unlike the coulombic force, is always a force of E = F
----
attraction. But overall, the similarities outweigh the q
differences. or

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) reasoned that just as F = E ×q

Newton had developed the gravitational field concept,
so too the concept of electric field could be an analogy
of this. Faraday argued that an electric field is a region of Electric field strength is a vector quantity and it is measured
influence around a point charge or group of point charges. in N C ­-1 or V m -1.
If an electric field is present at a particular place, when a
second point charge is placed near it, it feels a force. The
stronger the field, the stronger the electric force will be. 6.2.6 Electric field due to one or
The electric field has direction because the force on the
charged particle has direction. The direction of the electric more point charge
field is defined as the direction of the force it causes to act
on a small positive test charge. The electric field due to an isolated point charge can be
determined using Coulomb’s Law and the definition of
Faraday introduced the concept of lines of force or lines of electric field strength. In Figure 610, if the point charges
electric flux to show the direction that an isolated charge q1 and q2 are both positive and point charge q2 is held
would follow if placed in the field. The field around a stationary, then q1 would experience a force to the right.
positive point charge is shown in Figure 609. If the point charge q1 was negative it would experience a
force to the left.
q1 F
q1

+ Direction of force, F,
q2 depends on the signs
of both point charges.

Figure 610  The direction of the force depends on both

Figure 609  Electric field around a positive point charge point charges

157
 Chapter 6

Since the forces are the same, that is, F = k q1 q2 / r2 and

F = Eq1, we then have that –

kq 1 q2 –
-------------- = E q 1 +
2
r – – – – – – – – –

+ + + + + + +
Therefore, the electric field due to a point charge q1, is
CORE

given by
+ +
kq
E = -------2- – – – – – – –
2
r
or + + +
q +
E = -----------2------ weakest eld + strongest
– + E = 0 inside +
2 ++
4π ε 0 r + + +
+ +
If q1 is positive, the direction of the electric field is radially
outwards from q2 as shown in Figure 611. If q1 is negative,
then the direction of the electric field is radially inwards Figure 612  Electric fields for some charge distributions
(towards q2 ).
For the oppositely charged parallel plates, the electric field
is uniform meaning that the electric field strength is the
same at all points within the plates. Note the edge effect
+q2 – q2 where the electric field lines are now radial at the ends of
the plates and thus the electric field strength changes.

E field due +ve charge E field due to –ve charge 6.2.8 Solving problems involving
Figure 611  Electric fields around point charges electric charges, forces

and fields
6.2.7 Electric field patterns
for different charge Example

configurations
Calculate the force acting between two point charges of
Lines of electric flux for various point charge configurations +10.0 μC and -5.0 μC separated by a distance of 10.0 cm
are shown in Figure 612. Although it is not obvious in in a vacuum.
the diagrams, when a positive point test charge is moved
further from the point charges, the radial lines of electric
flux become further spaced apart. Solution

Using F = k q1 q2 / r2, q1 = 10 μC = 10 × 10-6 C and q2 = (-5)

μC = -5 × 10-6 C . We have,
9 –6 –6
9.0 × 10 N m 2 C – 2 × ( 10 × 10 C ) × ( – 5 × 10 C )
F = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- = – 45 N
2
( 0.1 m )

As the answer is negative, it implies that the force is attractive.

That is, there is a force of attraction of 45 N.

158
 Fields and Forces

Example Example

The force between two point charges is 20.0 N. If one Charges of +1C are located at the corners of a 45° right-
charge is doubled, the other charge tripled and the angled triangle as shown in the Figure below.
distance between them is halved, calculate the resultant
+1 C

CORE
force between them.

1m
Solution
+1 C 1m +1C

Let the original charges be Q1 and Q2, and their separation be Determine the resultant force on the charge located at the
R, so that the force between these two charges is given by right angle.

kQ 1 Q 2
F 1 = -----------2------
Solution
R
Now, let the new charges be q1 and q2 and their separation q2
be r, so that q1 = 2Q1, +1 C

q2 = 3Q2, and r = ½ R. 1m
kq 1 q 2 F2 +1 C
The force between q1 and q2 is F = -------------- +1 C
2 q1
r 1m q3
F1
Substituting the respective values, we have

kq 1 q 2 k ( 2 Q1 ) ( 3 Q2 ) IThe rough vector diagram could be shown as above:

F = --------2------ = ------------------------2---------
r  1-- R
2  f several point charges are present, the net force on any one
of them will be the vector sum of the forces due to each of the
6kQ 1 Q 2 others as shown in Figure 614. Since the three point charges
= -------------------
2
-
0.25 R are positive, then there will be repulsion on the bottom point
charge due to each of the two point charges.
kQ Q
= 24 --------1--------2-
2 The force on the point charge on the right angle due to the
R
top point charge is calculated as:
= 24 F 1
This means that the force is 24 times larger than it was kq 1 q 2 9
9.0 × 10 N m2 C –2 × ( 1 C ) × ( 1 C )
originally. (i.e., 24 × 20.0 N) F 1 = --------2------ = --------------------------------------------------2------------------------------------
r ( 1m )
The resultant force is 480 N.
= 10 × 109 N

The force on the point charge on the right angle due to the
right point charge is calculated as
kq 1 q 3 9
9.0 × 10 N m2 C –2 × ( 1 C ) × ( 1 C )
F 2 = --------2------ = --------------------------------------------------2------------------------------------
r ( 1m )

= 10 × 109 N

159
 Chapter 6

The resultant force is given by the vector addition of the two

forces that can be obtained by Phythagorean theorem as in Solution
the Figure below.
9
F 2 = 9 × 10 N The rough vector diagram could be shown as follows:
θ
+1 C +1 C
q2 q3
CORE

9
F 1 = 9 × 10 N FR
1m 1m
+1 C q1

F2 F1
2 2 2
(F R) = (F 1 ) + (F 2 )
The force on the point charge on the right angle due to the
9 2 9 2 two top point charges is still calculated as before.
= ( 9 × 10 ) + (9 × 10 )
kq 1 q 2 9
9 2 9.0 × 10 × (1 ) × ( 1 )
= 2 × ( 9 × 10 ) i.e., F 1 = -------------- = --------------------------------------------------
2 2
r ( 1m )
9
= 12.7 × 10 N 9
= 9.0 × 10 N
The direction of the resultant force can be calculated using
trigonometry: kq 1 q 3 9
9.0 × 10 × (1 ) × ( 1 )
9
F 2 = -------------- = --------------------------------------------------
2 2
opposite 9 × 10 r ( 1m )
tanθ = ------------------- = -----------------9 = 1 ∴θ = 45°
adjacent 9 × 10
9
= 9.0 × 10 N
The resultant force is 1.3 × 1010 N in a direction of 45° from
the horizontal and downwards. However, this time the resultant force is shown in the
figure below Again, using Pythagoras’ theorem, we have
that
Example
θ F1
Now consider the same problem as the previous one, FR
but this time, the charges are set up as shown in the
figure below. F2

+1 C +1C
The direction of the resultant force can be calculated using
2 2 2
(F R) = (F 1 ) + (F 2 )
+1 C 9 2 9 2
= ( 9 × 10 ) + (9 × 10 )
Determine the resultant force on the charge located at the 9 2
right angle? = 2 × ( 9 × 10 )
9
= 12.7 × 10 N
trigonometry:
9
opposite 9 × 10
tanθ = ------------------- = -----------------9 = 1 ∴θ = 45°
adjacent 9 × 10
The resultant force is 1.3 × 1010 N in a vertical downwards
direction.

160
 Fields and Forces

Example Solution

+ 1.2 C –0.8 C
A point charge of 25 μC experiences a force of
1.0 × 10-4 N. Calculate the electric field strength producing 1.0 m
1.2 m
this force.

CORE
X
Solution
E due to –0.80 C point charge is given by kq / r2

Using the formula, E = F / q, we have that = (9 × 109 Nm2C-2) × (-0.8 C) ÷ (1.0 m)2 = - 7.2 × 109 NC-1
–4
1.0 × 10 N –1
E = -----------------------
–5
------- = 4.0 NC i.e., the E field, E1, has a magnitude of 7.2 × 109 NC-1 (radially
2.5 × 10 C inwards).The approximate direction is north-east.
The electric field strength is 4.0 N C -1(in the direction of the
force). E due to +1.2 C point charge is given by kq / r2

= (9 × 109 Nm2C-2) × (+1.2 C) ÷ (1.2 m)2 = 7.5 × 109 NC-1

Example
i.e., the E field, E2, has a magnitude of 7.5 × 109 NC-1
(radially outwards).
Calculate the electric field strength 1.5 cm from a point
charge of 1.00 × 102 pC in a vacuum. The approximate direction is south-east

The Figure below shows the vectors of the two electric fields,

Solution and chooses an angle to measure as a reference for the
direction of the resultant electric field. (Another reference
angle could be chosen).
Using the formula, E = q / 4πε0 r2
+ 1.2 C
E = (9 × 109 Nm2C-2) × (1.00 × 10-10 C) ÷ (1.5 × 10-2 m)2
–0.8 C
Final
= 4.0 × 103 N C -1
1.2 m 1.0 m
E1 θ
The electric field strength is 4.0 × 103 N C -1(radially
outwards).
X E2
E2
Example

+ 1.2 C
The field at a particular place due to more than one point –0.8 C
charge is the vector sum of the fields caused by each point Final vector diagram
charge on its own. 1.2 m 1.0 m ER
E1 θ
Calculate the electric field strength at X due to the charges
shown in Figure 619. X E2 E1
E2

From Phythagoras theorem, we have E R

2
= (7.2 × 109)2 +
(7.5 × 109)2

161
 Chapter 6

9
opposite 7.2 × 10
tan θ = ------------------- = --------------------- = 0.96 , ∴θ = 43°50′
+ + + + + + + +
adjacent 7.5 × 10
9
A
B
so that ER = 10.4 × 109 N C-1 C

Next, we have that – – – – – – – –

CORE

i.e. θ = 44°, What is the strength of the electric field relative to

locations A, B and C?
Resultant field at X is 1.0 × 1010 NC-1 at 1° below a horizontal
line drawn through X. A. greater at A than at B
B. greater at C than at A
C. greater at B than at C
Exercise 6.1 D. the same at A, B and C

5. A negatively charged sphere of negligible mass is

1. A metal sphere with an excess of 11 electrons moving horizontally in an easterly direction. It
touches an identical metal sphere with an enters two long parallel plates carrying opposite
excess of 15 electrons. After the spheres touch, the charges. Which one of the following figures best
number of excess electrons on the second sphere shows the path followed by the sphere?
is
A. + + + + + B. + + + + +
A. 26
B. 2
C. 13
D. 4
-
- - - - - - - - -
2. When hair is combed with a plastic comb, the hair
becomes positively charged because the comb C. + + + + + D. + + + + +

A transfers electrons to the hair.

B. transfers protons to the hair.
C. removes protons from the hair.
D. removes electrons from the hair.
6. Electric field strength may be defined as
3. Which of the diagrams below describe the greatest
coulombic force? A. the force per unit point charge
B. the force exerted on a test point charge
q 2q C. the force per unit charge exerted on a
A positive test charge
l D. the force per unit positive charge
B 2q 3q
7. Two conducting spheres of charge Q1 and Q2
l whose centres are separated by a distance d
attract each other with an electrostatic force F.
C 2q 3q
If the charge on each sphere is halved and their
2l separation is reduced to one-quarter of its original
2q value, the new force of attraction is given by:
D 6q
2l A. F
B. 4F
4. The diagram below represents two charged parallel C. 8F
plates. D. 64F

162
 Fields and Forces

8. Three charges are placed at equal distances from

each other as shown A B C

+5 µC
F F F

CORE
d d
-5 µC +5 µC
A B C D
The arrow that best represents the resultant force
on X is F F
F F

A. B.

d d d d
D.
C.

12. In terms of electrostatic induction, explain why

road petrol tankers have a length of chain attached
9. If the magnitude of the charge on each of to the rear of the truck that touches the road.
two negatively charged objects is halved, the
electrostatic force between the objects will: 13. Explain why charging the nozzle of a spray
painting device will use less paint.
A. remain the same
B. decrease to one-half 14. Why should spare petrol for cars be carried in a
C. decrease to one-quarter metal rather than a plastic container?
D. decrease to one-sixteenth
15. Explain why it is not wise to play golf during a
10. Which of the following is a vector quantity? thunderstorm.

A. potential difference 16. Explain why the inside of a car is a safe place
B. electric field intensity during a thunderstorm.
C. electric charge
D. electric power 17. Calculate is the charge on 4.0 × 1020 protons?

11. An electrostatic force F exists between two points 18. Two charges of –6.00 µC and +8.00 µC attract
with a separation of d metres. Which graph best each other with a force of 3.0 × 103 N in a vacuum.
represent s the relationship between F and d? Calculate the distance between the particles?

19. Calculate the electric field strength at a point 2.4

m from a point charge of 5.7 µC in air.

20. Deduce the electric field strength at a point

midway between charges of +7.2 × 10-6 C and
–3.4 × 10-6 C that are 2.0 m apart in air.

21. Describe how the electric field strength at a point

is similar to, and different from the gravitational
field strength at a point.

163
 Chapter 6

22. Sketch the electric field around two negatively

charged point charges separated by distance d if 6.3 MAGNETIC
one point charge has twice the charge of the other
point charge. fORCE AND
23. Two point charges placed 2.5 × 10-1 m apart in FIELD
paraffin oil, carry charges of +7.00 pC and +9.00
CORE

pC. Calculate the force on each point charge.

(ε = 4.18 × 10-11 C-1N-1m2). 6.3.1 State that moving charges give rise to
magnetic fields.
24. Three identical 2.00 × 10-5 C point charges are
placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of 6.3.2 Draw magnetic field patterns due to
sides 1.0 m. The triangle has one apex C pointing currents.
up the page and 2 base angles A and B. Deduce the
magnitude and direction of the force acting at A. 6.3.3 Determine the direction of the force on a
current-carrying conductor in a magnetic
25. What is the force acting between two point field.
charges of +10.0µC and –5.0µC when separated by
a distance of 10.0 cm in a vacuum? 6.3.4 Determine the direction of the force on a
charge moving in a magnetic field.
26. Point charges of +1C are located at the corners of a
450 right-angled triangle as shown in the diagram. 6.3.5 Define the magnitude and direction of a
magnetic field.
+ 1C + 1C
6.3.6 Solve problems involving magnetic forces,
fields and currents.
© IBO 2007
1m 1m
6.3.1 Moving charges and
+ 1C magnetic fields
What is the resultant force on the charge located at
the right angle? Just as scientists use the concept of gravitational fields and
electric fields to explain certain phenomena, so too the
27. Determine the electric field strength at a point 3.0 concept of magnetic fields and lines of magnetic flux are
m from a point charge of 5.7 mC in air. used to explain the nature of magnetism. (There are some
differences as will be discussed later).
28. Describe what is meant by the term zero potential.
A magnetic field is said to exist at a point if a compass
29. Determine how many electron-volts of energy needle placed there experiences a force. The appearance
are gained by an electron when it is accelerated of a magnetic field can be obtained with the use of iron
through 250 V in a television tube. Determine filings or plotting compasses. The direction of the field is
many joules of energy does it gain. given by the direction that the compass needles point.

30. Two point charges, X and Y, are separated by a Figure 629 demonstrates the use of iron filings and plotting
distance of 100 cm as shown in the following compasses to detect the magnetic fields of a bar magnet
diagram: and bar magnets used in combination. The compass
100 cm needles shown for the single bar magnet point along the
lines of magnetic flux. The magnetic field produced for the
two like poles have no magnetic field at some point P. If
X Y
there are no lines of magnetic flux, there is no magnetic
+1.0 µC +4.0 µC field.
Deduce at what point the magnitude of the electric
field equal to zero.

164
 Fields and Forces

influenced by either or both fields. Electric fields can

paper with magnet underneath accelerate both moving and stationary charged particles.
iron filings However, a charge must be moving for a magnetic field
to influence it. Furthermore, it cannot be parallel to the
N S
magnetic field to experience a force.

As stated, stationary charges experience no force in a

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magnetic field. However, if charged particles move in
Figure 629  Magnetic field patterns of bar magnets a magnetic field, a force is exerted on them. This force
causes them to deflect because they are not confined in a
The Danish physicist, Hans Christian Oersted (1777‑1851), conductor.
in 1819, showed conclusively that there existed a
relationship between electricity and magnetism. He
placed a magnetic needle on a freely rotating pivot point 6.3.2 Magnetic field patterns
beneath and parallel to a conducting wire. He aligned the
compass needle and wire so that it lay along the earth’s due to currents
magnetic north-south orientation. When no current was
flowing in the wire, there was no deflection in the needle. The magnetic field of a straight current-carrying wire can
However, when the current was switched on, the needle be investigated using plotting compasses or iron filings
swung to an east-west direction almost perpendicular to sprinkled around the wire as demonstrated with plotting
the wire. When he reversed the direction of the current, compasses in Figure 631. The lines of force (magnetic flux)
the needle swung in the opposite direction. This is shown around the wire can be seen to be a series of concentric
in Figure 630. circles that are drawn furthter apart as the disance away
from the wire increases.
N current
flow
direction of current
W E

N S S N S N N S

current
flow
Needles beneath wire Needles above wire

compass indicating direction

Figure 630  Oersted’s experiment. of magnetic field.

Up to this stage, all forces were believed to act along a line Figure 631  Magnetic field around wire carrying a
joining the sources such as the force between two masses, current
the force between two charges or the force between two
magnetic poles. With Oersted’s findings, the force did The direction of the magnetic field for a straight conducting
not act along the line joining the forces but rather it acted wire can be obtained using the “right-hand grip rule”
perpendicular to the line of action. On closer examination demonstrated in Figure 632.
and analysis, it was determined that the conducting wire
produced its own magnetic field. The magnetic needle, Fingers curl around the conductor
upon interaction with the conducting wire’s magnetic field, (indicating the direction of magnetic field).

turns so that it is tangentially (not radially) perpendicular

to the wire. Therefore, the magnetic field produced by current flow
the conducting wire produces a circular magnetic field.

A force is also experienced when a moving charge or a

Thumb points in direction
beam of moving charges is placed in a magnetic field. This of conventional current
is what happens in a television set. We will look more
closely at moving charges in the next chapter on Atomic Figure 632  The right hand grip rule
and Nuclear physics.
When the thumb of the right hand points in the direction
A charged particle can be accelerated by an electric field of the conventional current, the fingers curl in the
or by a magnetic field because it experiences a force when direction of the magnetic field.

165
 Chapter 6

A more convenient two-dimensional representation of A solenoid consists of many coils of a single long wire,
currents and magnetic fields is often used as shown in and when a current flows in it, a magnetic field similar to
Figure 633. A cross (×) indicates that the current is into the a bar magnet is produced. By using plotting compasses as
page and a dot (.) indicates a current flow out of the page. shown in Figure 634 the direction of the magnetic field
indicates, I into page
can be determined.
indicates, I out page
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South pole

North pole

lines of magnetic
field

Figure 633  The magnetic field around a conductor I

+

The magnetic field due to current in a flat coil (single loop)

is shown in Figure 634. Note that the lines of magnetic Figure 636  Magnetic field of a solenoid
flux are dense in the middle of the coil and towards the left
and right current-carrying wires. This is similar to what The field inside the coil is very strong and uniform
happens with a U-shaped magnet (horseshoe magnet). and this makes solenoids useful devices in science and
The strength of the magnetic field increases in a coil. technology.
current w in coil
The polarity of each end of the solenoid can be determined
using the same method as shown in Figure 635. If the
conventional current when viewed head-on is moving
anti- clockwise, that end of the solenoid is a north pole.
If the current flows clockwise, when viewed head-on it
is a south pole. The north and south poles are shown in
Figure 636. Check them for yourself.

The strength of the magnetic field inside a solenoid can be

increased by:
Battery source
1. Increasing the current flowing.
Figure 634  The magnetic field
due to current in a single loop 2. Increasing the number of coils.

A useful method for determining the polarity of the flat 3. Inserting a soft iron core in the coil.
coil is shown in Figure 635.
When a soft-iron core is inserted into a solenoid and the
North end of a solenoid South end of a solenoid current is switched on, an electromagnet is produced. If
the current is switched off, the solenoid loses its magnetic
properties. We say it is a temporary magnet in this case.
I
However, electromagnets can be left on for long periods of
I
time and most magnets in science and industry are of this
sort. Electromagnets have many practical uses in scrap
Figure 635  The polarity of a flat coil metal yards, in electric bells, in particle accelerators and
maglev trains.
If the conventional current is moving anti-clockwise, that
end of the loop is a north pole. In this case the left side of A relay is an electromagnet switch using a small current to
the loop is a north pole. If the current flows clockwise as switch on a larger current. This can be employed to switch
on the right side of the loop, it is a south pole. on motors or electronic components commonly used in
security systems. We will discuss in detail the use of an
electromagnet used in relay systems.

166
 Fields and Forces

Exercise 6.2

magnetic field
1. Explain why steel ships tend to become
magnetised during the shipbuilding construction.
movement

CORE
2. Magnets are often fitted to the doors of
refrigerators to keep them closed. Use the concept current
of magnetic induction to explain this practical
application.

3. Draw a diagram to show the magnetic field pattern Figure 638  The motor effect
round two magnets with their unlike poles close
together where the strength of the field of one The direction of the force experienced by moving currents
magnet is twice the strength of the other field. in a magnetic field can be determined by the vector addition
of the two fields. However, an easier way for determining
4. If a solenoid is viewed from one end, and the the direction of the force is to use a right-hand palm rule
current travels in an anti-clockwise direction, what or Fleming’s left-hand rule. There are a variety of hand
is the polarity of that end? rules used and it very much depends on the textbook you
use as to what rules will be given. It is really up to you to
use the hand rule that you prefer. Figure 639 shows three
6.3.3 FORCE ON A MOVING “hand rules” commonly used.

CURRENT Fingers point

B F Force comes out of palm

along lines of
I
Thumb points in direction
Suppose a long straight current-carrying wire is hung magnetic field of current
perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field
between the poles of a U-shaped magnet, as shown in Figure (a)
Figure 637. If a conventional current is then allowed
to flow in the wire in a downwards direction, the wire
Magnetic field comes out of palm
experiences a force and it tends to want to be catapulted I B
Current points F
out of the magnet. This is known as the motor effect and along lines of Thumb points in direction
magnetic field
this effect is put to practical use in electric motors. of force

Figure (b)
current

N S
wire

Left Hand
+ B
S –
Field along first finger
current supply
I F
N Current along second finger
Figure (c)

switch Force along thumb

wood

Figure 637  Conductor in a magnetic field Figure 639  Hand rules used to

show the direction of force.
The reason for the movement is due to the interaction
of the two magnetic fields - that of the magnet and the In Figure 639 (a), if the fingers of your right hand point
magnetic field produced by the current-carrying wire. in the direction of the magnetic field B, and your thumb
Figure 638 shows the resultant magnetic field in this points in the direction of the conventional current, then
case. If the current was reversed, then the wire would be your palm points in the direction of the force. This rule
catapulted inwards. is called the right-hand palm rule. An alternative to this

167
 Chapter 6

is shown in Figure 639 (b). (This is the rule preferrd by the

author because the fingers give a sense of flow of conventional 6.3.5 Magnitude of moving
current and the palm points north-south like a bar magnet
and the thumb is the direction of movement or force). currents and charges

Figure 639 (c) is Fleming’s left hand rule. The first finger When an electric current flows in a conductor, and the
gives the direction of the magnetic field, the second finger conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the force on the
CORE

gives the direction of conventional current, and the thumb conductor is due to the individual forces on each of the
gives the movement or force direction individual charges in the conductor. The magnitude of the
magnetic force F is found to be directly proportional to:
Try these rules for the examples in Figures 637 and 638 to
see which one you prefer. 1. the strength of the magnetic field B measured in
teslas (T)
Note that these rules are for conventional current and not
true electron flow. If electron flow is to be determined, 2. the current flowing in the wire I measured in
apply a rule of choice and find the force for conventional amperes (A)
flow, say north – then state your answer as the opposite
direction, in this case south. 3. the length of the conductor in the magnetic field l
measured in metres (m).

6.3.4 Force on a moving charge So that

F = IlB
As stated, stationary charges experience no force in a
magnetic field. However, if charged particles move in This force is greatest when the magnetic field is
a magnetic field, a force is exerted on them. This force perpendicular to the conductor. Sometimes the wire in
causes them to deflect because they are not confined in a the magnetic field is at an angle θ to the magnetic field. In
conductor. this case
F = IlB sin θ
The same hand rules can be used to determine the direction
of the force experience on a charge. However, remember Therefore, as θ decreases, so too does the force. When
that they apply to moving positive charge. If an electron θ = 0° the current in the conductor is moving parallel to
is moving, as is more commonly the case, remember to the magnetic field and no force on the conductor occurs.
apply the rule and then reverse the force direction.
The force experienced can be increased if the number of
When the positive charges move as shown in Figure 640, turns of wire carrying the current is increased. In this case
they will experience an upwards force. Check this for the force is given by F = Il B n where n is the number
yourself using one of the hand rules. of turns of wire. When there are a number of turns of
wire suspended between a magnetic field, the device is
commonly called a wire toroid.
F
S In order to determine the magnitude of the force
moving positive B experienced by a single point charge q, we will follow
charge, q + + through the following derivation.
+ Direction of charge movement
+ + +
N The velocity of the particle is given by
displacement s
v = ------------------------------- = -
time t

If the length of the charge carrier is l, then

Figure 640  Force on a moving charge
v = -l ⇔ l = vt
t

168
 Fields and Forces

But, q = It ⇔ Ι = q / t and F = I lB
Force
By substitution, the force on an individual charge is given by × × × ×
I = 3.5 A
× × × ×
F = q--- × ( vt ) × B × × × ×
t
× × × ×
That is, 2.00 m

CORE
F = qvB
The force on the conductor is 3.50 × 10-6 N north.
If a charged particle enters a uniform magnetic field at an
angle other than 90°, the force it experiences is given by
Example
F = qvB sinθ

When θ = 90°, and the magnetic field is uniform, the An electron is moving with a speed of 3.0 × 105 m s-1 in a
particle will undergo uniform circular motion as the force direction that is at right angles to a uniform magnetic field
it experiences is at right angles to its motion. The radius of of 3.0 × 10–3 T. Calculate
its circular motion is given by:
a. the force exerted on the electron.
2
mv mv
qvB = ---------- ⇔ r = ------
r qB b. the radius of the path of the electron.

When the particle enters the field at an angle other than a

right angle, it will follow a helical path. Solution

6.3.6 Solving problems involving a. Using the formula, F = qv × B, we have

magnetic forces, fields and –19 5 –1 –3

F = ( 1.6 × 10 C ) × ( 3.0 × 10 ms ) × ( 3.0 × 10 T)
currents = 1.44 × 10
–16
N

The force exerted on the electron is 1.4 x 10-16 N at right

Example angles to the magnetic field and the path of its motion.

b. The force on each charge is given by either of the

A wire that is carrying a current of 3.50 A east has 2.00 m  formulas, F = qv × B and F= mv2 / r.
of its length in a uniform magnetic field of magnetic flux
density of 5.00 × 10–7 T directed vertically into the paper. Equating these two expressions we can determine the radius
Determine the magnitude and direction of the force it of the path:
experiences.
2 2
mv mv
---------- = qvB ⇔ r = mv
--------- ∴r = ------
r qvB qB
Solution
That is, r = [(9.11 × 10-31 kg) × (3.0 × 105 ms-1)] ÷

Using the formula for the force on a wire in a magnetic field, [(1.6 × 10-19 C) × (3.0 × 10-3 T)]
we have:

F = IlB = (3.5 A) × (2.00 m) × (5.00 × 10-7 T) = 3.50 × 10-6 N. = 5.69 × 10­-4

The radius of the path is 5.7 × 10-4 m.

169
 Chapter 6

6. Two parallel wires carry currents I of equal

Exercise 6.3 magnitude in opposite directions as shown
in the diagram
X Y Z
1. A suitable unit of magnetic field strength is

A. A N-1 m-1
CORE

B. kg s-2 A-1
C. A m N-1
D. kg A s2

2. An electron enters a uniform magnetic field

that is at right angles to its originaldirection of
movement. The path of the electron is I I

A. an arc of a circle The line along which the magnetic fields cancel is
B. helical
C. part of a parabola A. X
D. a straight line B. Y
C. Z
3. Two long straight wires with currents flowing in D. the magnetic fields do not cancel
opposite directions experience a force because
7. A beam of protons enter a uniform magnetic field
A. the current in both wires increases directed into the page as shown
B. the current in both wires decreases
C. the current in the wires produces an
attraction + + + + + + + +
D the current in the wires produces a
repulsion
+ + + + + + + +
4. Determine in which direction the wire moves in protons
the diagram shown.
+ + + + + + + +

S Current in a wire
+ + + + + + + +
N
The protons will experience a force that pushes them

A. outwards A. into the page

B. inwards B. out of the page
C. it does not move C. upwards
D. sideways D. downwards

5. An electron passes through a uniform magnetic

field of 0.050 T at right angles to the direction of the
field at a velocity of 2.5 × 106 ms-1. The magnitude
of the force on the electron in newtons is:

A. 2.0 × 10-14
B. 4.0 × 10-14
C. 8.0 × 10-14
D. zero

170
 Fields and Forces

8. Below is a schematic diagram of a coil connected 14. A point charge of – 15 C is moving due north at
to a battery. 1.0 × 103 ms-1 enters a uniform magnetic field of
1.2 × 10-4 T directed into the page. Determine
the magnitude and direction of the force on the
charge.

15. A vertical wire 50 cm long carries a current of 1.5

CORE
A from the north to the south. It experiences a
force of 0.2 N.

(a) Determine the magnitude of the magnetic field

(b) Determine how the force could be increased to

could be increased to 2 N.

When an electric current flows in the circuit, the

end of the coil labelled X will be:

A. a south pole
B. a north pole
C. either a north or a south pole
D. neither a north or a south pole

9. An ion carrying a charge of 3.2 × 10-19 C enters

a field of magnetic flux density of 1.5 T with a
velocity of 2.5 × 105 m s-1 perpendicular to the
field. Calculate the force on the ion.

10. A straight wire of length 50 cm carries a current of

50 A. The wire is at right angles to a magnetic field
of 0.3 T. Calculate the force on the wire.

11. A straight wire of length 1.4 m carries a current

of 2.5 A. If the wire is in a direction of 25° to a
magnetic field of 0.7 T, calculate the force on the
wire.

12. A beam of electrons enters a pair of crossed

electric and magnetic fields in which the electric
field strength of 3.0 × 104 V m-1 and magnetic flux
density of 1.0 × 10-2 T. If the beam is not deflected
from its path by the fields, what must be the speed
of the electrons?

13. An electron in one of the electron guns of a

television picture tube is accelerated by a potential
difference of 1.2 × 104 V. It is then deflected by a
magnetic field of 6.0 × 10-4 T. Determine

i. the velocity of the electron when it enters

the magnetic field.
ii. the radius of curvature of the electron while
it is in the magnetic field.

171
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172
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

ATOMIC AND
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
7.1 The atom
7

CORE
7.2 Radioactivity

7.3 Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion

charge on the proton. In 1910, the American physicist,

7.1 The atom Robert Millikan made the first precise determination of
the charge on an electron as 1.602 × 10-19 C (The current
value is 1.60217733 × 10-19 C). Earlier, in 1987, the English
ATOMIC STRUCTURE physicist J. J. Thomson had measured the ratio of the
e e
7.1.1 Describe a model of the atom that features electron charge to its mass, . From the value of
me me
a small nucleus surrounded by electrons.
found by Thomson, Millikan’s determination of e enabled
7.1.2 Outline the evidence that supports a the mass of the electron to be determined. The current
nuclear model of the atom. value for the electron mass me is 9.10938188 × 10-31 kg.
The current value for mass of the proton mp is
7.1.3 Outline one limitation of the simple model 1.67262158 × 10-27 kg.
of the nuclear atom.

7.1.4 Outline evidence for the existence of 7.1.2 Evidence for the
atomic energy levels.
© IBO 2007
Rutherford nuclear atom
7.1.1 A simple atomic model The work of J. J. Thomson had indicated that the atom
consists of a mixture of heavy positive particles, protons,

B etween 1911 and 1913, Ernest Rutherford, a New

Zealander working at Cambridge University in
England, developed a model of the atom that in essence,
and light negative particles, electrons. As suggested above,
Rutherford devised an experiment to find out how the
particles of the atom might be “mixed. The experiment
was not replaced until 1926. In this model, the electrons was carried out by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden and in
orbit a positively charged nucleus. In a neutral atom, the order to outline the experiment, we must anticipate work
number of orbital electrons is the same as the number discussed in Topic 7.2. Certain elements are unstable and
of protons in the nucleus. The simplest atom, that of the disintegrate spontaneously. Such an element is radium
element hydrogen, consists of a single electron orbiting a and one of the products of the so-called radioactive decay
single proton. The centripetal force keeping the electron of a radium atom, is a helium nucleus. Helium nuclei
is orbit is provided by the Coulomb attraction between emitted as the result of radioactive decay are called alpha-
proton and electron, the proton being positively charged particles (α). When α-particles strike a fluorescent screen,
and the electron negatively charged. The magnitude of the a pinpoint flash of light is seen.
charge on the electron is equal to the magnitude of the

173
 Chapter 7

Rutherford studied how α-particles were absorbed by (a) near miss

matter and found that they were readily absorbed by thin
sheets of metal. However, he found that they were able to
penetrate gold-foil which, due to the malleable nature of
gold, can be made very thin. Gold nucleus

Figure 701 illustrates the principle of the experiment (b) direct hit

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carried out by Gieger and Marsden.

Gold nucleus
Lead
container Evacuated
region (c) miss

α-rays Gold nucleus

Gold
foil Flourescent Figure 702  The paths of alpha particles through gold foil
Radium screen
It is the results of the Geiger-Marsden experiment that
Figure 701  Geiger and Marsden’s experiment led to the atomic model outlined in 7.1.1 above. Detailed
analysis of their results indicated that the gold atoms had
A piece of radium is placed in a lead casket such that a a nuclear diameter of the order of 10-14 m, which meant
narrow beam of particles emerge from the tunnel in the that the radius of a proton is the order of 10-15 m. Work
casket The particle beam is incident on a piece of gold- contemporary to that of Geiger and Marsden, using
foil behind which is placed a fluorescent screen. The whole X‑rays, had shown the atomic radius to be of the order
apparatus is sealed in a vacuum. of 10-10 m. To give some understanding to the meaning of
the expression ‘an atom is mainly empty space’, consider
The result is rather surprising. Most of the α-particles the nucleus of the hydrogen atom to be the size of a tennis
go straight through, but a few are scattered through ball, then the radial orbit of the electron would be about
quite large angle whilst some are even turned back on 2 km.
themselves. Rutherford was led to the conclusion that most
of the gold-foil was empty space. However, to account
for the scattering, some of the particles must encounter 7.1.3 Limitations of the simple
a relative massive object which deflects them from their
path. Imagine firing a stream of bullets at a bale of hay nuclear model of the atom
in which is embedded a few stones. Most of the bullets
go straight through but the ones which strike a stone will The atomic model proposed by Rutherford has certain
ricochet at varying angles depending on how they hit the problems associated with it. In particular, Maxwell’s theory
stone. Rutherford suggested that the atom consisted of a of electromagnetic radiation (see 4.4.9) demonstrated that
positively charged centre (the stones) about which there accelerated electric charges emit em radiation. It is difficult
was a mist of electrons (the straw). He neglected the therefore to see how the Rutherford atom could be stable
interaction of the α-particles with the electrons because since the orbiting electrons would be losing their energy
of the latter’s tiny mass and diffuse distribution. The by emitting radiation and as such, would soon spiral into
significant reaction was between the massive positively the nucleus. Furthermore, how could the nucleus be stable;
charged centre of the gold atoms and the incoming α- what was there to stop the protons flying apart from each
particles. Rutherford was in fact quoted as saying “�������
It was other due to Coulomb repulsion?
quite the most incredible event that has ever happened to
me in my life. It was almost as incredible as if you had fired The model was also unable to account for that the fact that
a 15–inch shell at a piece of tissue paper and it came back many elements exhibited a range of atomic weights. For
and hit you.” example, J.J. Thomson had shown that neon is made up
of atoms some of whose atomic weight is 20 and others
Figure 702 illustrates the paths that might be followed as whose atomic weight is 22.
the α-particles pass through the gold-foil.

174
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Rutherford recognised that his new model had these energy continuously when rolling down the banisters, it
limitations and he actually made some predictions about loses it in discrete amounts. (The photon model of light and
an improved model of the atom, even hypothesising the atomic energy levels are discussed in much more detail in
existence of the neutron. However, it was Neils Bohr who in Topic 13.1).
1914 proposed a model that went some way to answering
the electron radiation conundrum. -2.4 × 10 -19 J

CORE
electron photon
7.1.4 Evidence for atomic energy
levels -5.4 × 10 -19 J

Figure 703  Shows two of the allowed  

Emission spectra energy levels of atomic hydrogen.

If a sufficiently high potential difference is applied between When the electron makes the transition as shown in
the ends of a glass tube that is evacuated apart from the Figure 703, it emits a photon whose frequency is given by
presence of a small amount of mercury vapour, the tube the Planck formula i.e
will glow. To study the radiation emitted by the tube, the
E 3.0 ×10 −19
emitted radiation could be passed through a slit and then f = = −34
= 4.5 ×10 14 Hz
through a dispersive medium such as a prism. The prism h 6.6 ×10
splits the radiation into its component wavelengths. If The associated wavelength is given by
the light emerging from the prism is brought to a focus,
c 3 ×10 8
an image of the slit will be formed for each wavelength λ= = = 6.6 ×10 −7 m
present in the radiation. Whereas the radiation from an f 4.5 ×10 14

incandescent solid (e.g the filament of a lit lamp) produces This is in fact the measured value of the wavelength of the
a continuous spectrum of colours, the mercury source red line in the visible spectrum of atomic hydrogen.
produces a line spectrum. Each line in this spectrum is an
image of the slit and in the visible region, mercury gives In most situations, the electrons in an atom will occupy the
rise to three distinct lines- red, green and blue. lowest possible energy states. Electrons will only move to
higher energy levels if they obtain energy from somewhere
The study of line spectra is of great interest as it is found such as when the element is heated or, as mentioned
that all the elements in the gaseous phase give rise to a line above, when subjected to an electrical discharge. When
spectrum that is characteristic of the particular element. the electrons are in their lowest allowed levels, the atom
In fact elements can be identified by their characteristic is said to be ‘unexcited’ and when electrons are in higher
spectrum and is one way that astronomers are able to energy levels, the atom is said to be ‘excited’. To move from
determine the elements present in the surface of a star (see a lower level to a higher energy level, an electron must
Option E). Also, the spectrum of an element provides clues absorb an amount of energy exactly equal to the difference
as to the atomic structure of the atoms of the element. in the energy between the levels.

In 1905, based on the work of Max Planck, Einstein proposed (For IBO reference, carrying out calculations using the
that light is made of small packets of energy called photons. Planck relationship will not be expected at SL; the above is
Each photon has an energy E given by E = hf, where h is just to try and help explain how the existence of line spectra
a constant known as the Planck constant and has a value strongly supports the existence of atomic energy levels).
6.6 × 10-34 J s. The photon model of light suggests an atomic
model that accounts for the existence of the line spectra of
the elements. If it is assumed that the electrons in atoms Absorption spectra
can only have certain discrete energies or, looking at it
another way, can only occupy certain allowed energy Atomic line spectra can be obtained in another way. If the
levels within an atom, then when an electron moves from radiation from a filament lamp passes through a slit and
one energy level to a lower energy level, it emits a photon then a tube containing unexcited mercury vapour and is
whose energy is equal to the difference in the energy of the then focussed after passing through a prism, the resulting
two levels. The situation is somewhat analogous to a ball spectrum is continuous but is crossed with dark lines.
bouncing down a flight of stairs; instead of the ball losing These lines correspond exactly to the lines in the emission

175
 Chapter 7

spectrum of mercury. To understand this, suppose the penetrating ability. In 1930 Walther Bothe and Herbert
difference in energy between the lowest energy level Becke found that when beryllium is bombarded with α-
and the next highest level in mercury atoms is E, then particles a very penetrating radiation was produced. It is
to make the transition between these levels, an electron this radiation that Chadwick showed to consist of identical
must absorb a photon of energy E. There are many such uncharged particles. These particles he called neutrons
photons of this energy present in the radiation from the and the current value of the neutron mass mn is 1.67262158
filament. On absorbing one of these photons, the electron × 10-27 kg.
CORE

will move to the higher level but then almost immediately

fall back to the lower level and in doing so, will emit a The neutron explains the existence of isotopes in the
photon also of energy E. However, the direction in which respect that a nucleus is regarded as being made up of
this photon is emitted will not necessarily in the direction protons and neutrons. The nuclei of the different isotopes
of the incident radiation. The result of this absorption of an element have the same number of protons but have
and re-emission is therefore, a sharp drop in intensity in different numbers of neutrons. For example, there are three
the incident radiation that has a wavelength determined stable isotopes of oxygen; each nucleus has eight protons
by the photon energy E. The phenomenon of absorption but the nuclei of the three isotopes have eight, nine and
spectra is of great importance in the study of molecular ten neutrons respectively.
structure since excitation of molecules will often cause
them to dissociate before they reach excitation energies. In the study of particle physics, the proton and neutron
are regarded as different charge states of the same particle
called the nucleon. (Particle physics is studied in depth in
NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Options D –SL, and Option J-HL).

7.1.5 Explain the terms nuclide, isotope and

nucleon. Nuclide, nucleon number, proton
7.1.6 Define nucleon number A, proton number Z number and neutron number
and neutron number N.
The three isotopes of oxygen mentioned above are
16 17 18
7.1.7 Describe the interactions in a nucleus. expressed symbolically as 8 O , 8 O and 8 O respectively.
© IBO 2007
The “O” is the chemical symbol for oxygen, the subscript
is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of the
7.1.5-7 Nuclear structure isotope and the superscript, the number of protons plus
neutrons. Each symbol therefore refers to a single nucleus
and when expressed in this form, the nucleus is referred
Isotopes to as a nuclide. In general, any nuclide X is expressed as
A
Z X
Many elements have forms that are chemically identical
but each form has a different mass. These forms are called A is the nucleon number
isotopes. The existence of isotopes explains why the
chemical weights of elements do not have integral values Z is the proton number
since a sample of an element will consist of a mixture of
isotopes present in the sample in different proportions. We also define the neutron number N as N = A –Z.

It should be mentioned that it is the proton number that

The neutron identifies a particular element and hence the electron
configuration of the atoms of the element. And it is the
The explanation for the existence of isotopes did not come electron configuration that determines the chemical
until 1932 when James Chadwick an English physicist, properties of the element and also many of the element’s
isolated an uncharged particle that has a mass very nearly physical properties such as electrical conductivity and
the same as the proton mass. Since 1920 both Rutherford tensile strength.
and Chadwick has believed that an electrically neutral
particle existed. An uncharged particle will not interact
with the electric fields of the nuclei of matter through
which it is passing and will therefore have considerable

176
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Nuclear interactions
7.2.2 The radiations (α, β, γ)
Shortly after the discovery of the neutron, Hideki Yukawa,
a Japanese physicist, postulated a strong force of attraction Shortly after Becquerel’s discovery two physicists working
between nucleons that overcomes the Coulomb repulsion in France, Pierre and Marie Curie isolated two other
between protons. The existence of the force postulated by radioactive elements, polonium and radium each of which
Yukawa is now well established and is known as the strong is several million times more active than uranium. An

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nuclear interaction. The force is independent of whether extremely good account of the Curies’ heroic experiments
the particles involved are protons or neutrons and at can be found in Madame Curie’s biography written by her
nucleon separations of about 1.3 fm, the force is some 100 daughter, Irene. At first it was thought that the radiation
times stronger than the Coulomb force between protons. emitted by radioactive elements were of the same nature
At separation greater than 1.3 fm, the force falls rapidly to as the X‑rays that had been discovered the previous year.
zero. At smaller separations the force is strongly repulsive However, in 1897, Rutherford found that two types of
thereby keeping the nucleons at an average separation of radiation occurred in radioactivity, some of the rays being
about 1.3 fm. (1 femtometre = 10-15 m) much more penetrating than the others. He called the less
penetrating rays alpha (α) rays and the more penetrating
ones beta (β) rays.
7.2 RadioactivE
In 1900 Paul Villiard, also French, detected a third type
DECAY radiation which was even more penetrating than β-rays.
Naturally enough he called this third type gamma (γ)
radiation.
7.2.1 Describe the phenomenon of natural
radioactive decay. Madame Curie deduced from their absorption properties
that α-rays consisted of material particles and Rutherford
7.2.2 Describe the properties of α and β particles showed that these particles carried a positive charge equal
and γ radiation. to about twice the electron charge but that they were
very much more massive than electrons. Then in 1909, in
7.2.3 Describe the ionizing properties of α and β conjunction with Royds, Rutherford identified α-particles
particles and γ radiation. as helium nuclei.

7.2.4 Outline the biological effects of ionizing α-particles have a range in air at STP of about 4 cm and
radiation. are readily stopped by a few sheets thickness of writing
paper.
7.2.5 Explain why some nuclei are stable while
others are unstable. β-particles were soon identified as electrons that have
© IBO 2007
considerable energy. They travel several metres in air
before being absorbed. They can also penetrate thin sheets
7.2.1 Natural radioactive decay of aluminium.

Certain elements emit radiation spontaneously, i.e. In 1928 the English physicist Paul Dirac predicted the
without any external excitation; this phenomenon is existence of a positively charged electron and in 1932
called radioactivity. It was first discovered by the Austrian this particle was found by the American physicist Carl
physicist Henri Becquerel in 1896, who found that uranium Anderson, to be present in cosmic radiation. Then in
salts which had been protected from exciting radiations 1934, the Curie’s daughter Irene, along with her husband
for several months still emitted penetrating radiation Frederic Joliot, discovered the positively charged electron,
seemingly without any loss in intensity. Becquerel now called the positron (e+, β+) , to be present in certain
discovered that the uranium itself was responsible for this radioactive decay.
radiation and also that the radiation was independent of
pressure, temperature and chemical combination. γ-rays are not influenced by electric or magnetic fields
but can be diffracted by crystals. This indicates that γ-rays
This indicated that the radioactive properties of uranium consist of short wavelength electromagnetic radiation
were due to the nucleus of the atom and not to the typically in the range 5-0.05 nm. From the Planck
electronic structure. relation, E = hf , this means that the photons associated

177
 Chapter 7

Name Identification Charge Kinetic energy range/MeV Rest mass/kg Penetration range
alpha, α helium nucleus +2e 2 → 10 6.70 × 10-27 ≈ 4 cm air  sheet of thin paper
+ electron/positron -e, +e
beta, β , β
-
0.1 → 1.0 9.11 × 10-31 ≈ 1-3 m in air  thin aluminium sheet
Gamma γ high frequency em zero 10-3 → 3 zero several mm of lead
radiation (photon)
Figure 704  A summary of radiations and their properties (table)
CORE

with γ‑radiation have very high energies and are therefore is extraordinarily difficult to detect. It has zero rest mass
very penetrating; in fact a considerable thickness of lead is so travels at the speed of light; it is uncharged and rarely
required to stop them. reacts with matter (Millions upon millions of neutrinos
pass through the human body every second). However, in
The energies are given in MeV ( 1eV = 1.6 × 10-19 J – see 5.1.3) 1956, the neutrino was finally detected. It turns out though,
that in β-decay in order to conserve other quantities, it
must be an antineutrino and not a neutrino that is involved.
α-decay (Conservation laws along with particles and their antiparticles
are discussed in detail in Option J).
A nucleus of a radioactive element that emits an α-particle
must transform into a nucleus of another element. The The decay equation of a free neutron is
nucleus of the so-called ‘parent’ element loses two neutrons
and two protons. Therefore the nucleon number (A)
1
0 n → 11 p + −01 e + ν~
changes by 4 and the proton number (Z) by 2. The nucleus
formed by this decay is called the ‘daughter nucleus’. We Or simply
may express such a nuclear decay by the nuclear reaction
equation n0 → p+ + e- + ν~

A A- 4 4 ν‒ is the symbol for the antineutrino.

Z X→ Z- 2 Y  + 2 He
(parent) (daughter) (α-particle) The origin of β- particle is the decay of a neutron within a
nucleus into a proton. The nucleon number of a daughter
For example the isotope uranium–238 is radioactive nucleus of an element formed by β- decay will therefore
and decays by emitting α radiation to form the isotope remain the same as the nucleon number of the parent
thorium-234, the nuclear reaction equation being: nucleus. However, its proton number will increase by 1.
Hence we can write in general that
238 234
92 U® 90 Th + 42 He
0
β ν‒
A A
Z X→ Y+
Z +1 -1 +
Or simply
(parent) (daughter) (electron) (antineutrino)
238
92 U→ 234
90 Th + α
For example, a nucleus of the isotope thorium-234 formed
Clearly in any nuclear radioactive decay equation, the by the decay of uranium-238, undergoes β- decay to form
mass number and proton number of the left-hand side a nucleus of the isotope protactinium-234. The nuclear
of the equation must equal the mass number and proton reaction equation for this decay is
number of the right-hand side of the equation.
234
90 Th → 23491 Pa + −01 e + ν-

β- and β+ decay (HL only) Or simply

In 1950 it was discovered that a free neutron decays into

234
90 Th → 23491 Pa + e − + ν-
a proton and an electron after an average life of about 17
minutes. Another particle, the antineutrino is also emitted The origin of β+ particles is from the decay of a proton
in this decay. In order to conserve momentum and energy within a nucleus into a neutron. The decay equation of the
in β decay, the existence of the neutrino was postulated proton is
in 1934 by the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi. This particle

178
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

the molecules, thereby creating an electron-ion pair. This

1
1 p → 01 n + +01 e + νí phenomenon of ionizing is used in particle detectors such
as Geiger tubes and cloud and bubble chambers.
Or simply

p+ → n0 + e+ + ν 7.2.4 Biological effects of

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ν is the symbol for the neutrino. radiation

For example, a nucleus of the isotope ruthenium-90 decays It is well known that that X‑rays and the radioactive
to a nucleus of the isotope technetium-90. The nuclear radiations can cause severe damage to living organisms.
reaction equation for this decay is The mechanism of this damage is not fully understood.
However, it seems that when radiation is absorbed by a
90
44 Ru ® 9043Tc + +01 e + ν complex organic molecule, instead of straightforward
excitation of the molecule, re-organization of the molecule
Or simply may take place. For example, two hydroxyl radicals, (.OH)2
may combine to form hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. Such re-
90
44 Ru ® 9043Tc + e + + ν combinations can have drastic effects particularly in the
DNA of cells where this upset in the genetic coding may
Unlike free neutrons, free protons are stable (although give rise to mutations in the next generation. Another
current theory suggests that they have an average life effect of the upset in the genetic coding in a cell is that
of 1030 years.). This probably explains why most of the it may cause the cells to keep dividing without any check
observable matter in the universe is hydrogen. thereby resulting in a cancerous tumour.

Such affects on the genetic coding in cells are nearly

γ radiation always harmful and furthermore there is no safe lower
limit of radiation as far as these genetic disturbances are
The source of γ radiation in radioactive decay arises from concerned. Since α-radiation is the most readily absorbed
the fact that the nucleus, just like the atom, possesses of the radiations, this is by far the most harmful. However,
energy levels. In α and β decay, the parent nuclide often one would have to swallow or breathe a radioactive source
decays to an excited state of the daughter nuclide. The that emits α-radiation for it to be destructive for, as we
daughter nuclide then drops to its ground state by emitting have mentioned above, the radiation is readily stopped by
a photon. Nuclear energy levels are of the order of MeV about 4 cm of air. Combining the distance that one might
hence the high energy of the emitted photon. (Nuclear be from a radioactive source and the penetrating properties
energy levels are discussed in more detail in topic 11). of radiation, suggests that β-radiation is probably the most
threatening because it can travel several metres in air but is
readily absorbed by body tissue. Most γ radiation is likely
7.2.3 Ionizing properties of α, β to pass through human tissue, but on the other hand it can
travel long distances in air.
and γ radiation
The effect of all the radiations is essentially the same and
As α-particles travel through air, they readily interact the probability of genetic damage increases with increasing
with the air molecules by “grabbing” two electrons from intensity and exposure to radiation. Because of this it is
a molecule and so becoming a neutral helium atom. vitally important that we are exposed to the minimum
This leaves the air molecule electrically charged and the of radiation. The effects of the atom bombs dropped on
air through which the α-particle are passing is said to Nagasaki and Hiroshima are still with us and this should
be ‘ionized’. If the air is situated between two electrodes, be a salutary lesson to all Governments.
the positive ions created by the passage of the α-particles
will migrate to the negative electrode and an ionization The effects of radiation on the whole body have been
current can be detected. studied in great detail. The radiation energy absorption
by the body of about 0.25 J kg-1 causes changes in the
β-particles and γ radiation may also cause ionization but blood and may lead to leukaemia; 0.8 –1.0 J kg-1 gives
in this situation the particles of the radiation actually rise to severe illness (radiation sickness) with the chance
remove electrons from the air molecules by collision with of recovery within about 6 months, whereas about

179
 Chapter 7

5 J kg-1 is fatal. For this reason, people working in hospital repulsion between protons. To balance this, the number
X-ray departments, radioisotope laboratories, outer space of neutrons is increased thereby increasing the strong
and nuclear power stations take great precautions against nuclear force of attraction between the nucleons. When a
exposure to radiation. proton is added to a nucleus, it will exert roughly the same
force of repulsion on the other protons in the nucleus. This
On the plus side, the controlled use of the radiations is because it is very nearly the same distance from each
associated with radioactivity is of great benefit in the of the other protons. However, the strong nuclear force
CORE

treatment of cancerous tumours (see Option I). is very short range and is only really effective between
adjacent neighbours. So as the size of the nucleus increases,
proportionally more and more neutrons must be added.
7.2.5 Nuclear stability Each time protons and neutrons are added, they have to
go into a higher energy state and eventually a nuclear size
Figure 705 shows the variation with proton number (Z) is reached at which the nucleus becomes unstable ( a bit
of the neutron number (N) (number of neutrons) of the like piling bricks on top of one another) and the nucleus
naturally occurring isotopes. The straight line is the plot tries to reach a more stable state by emitting a nuclear sub-
of the points given by N = Z. group consisting of two protons and two neutrons i.e. a
helium nucleus (α particle).
150 65
238
92U
Consider now a nucleus of the isotope 28Ni. This nucleus
140 is unstable because the neutron excess is too great, each
neutron added having to go into a higher energy state.
130
stable isotopes To become stable, one of the neutrons will change into
120
radioactive isotopes
a proton by emitting an electron i.e. a β--particle. On
54
the other hand, a nucleus of the isotope 25Mn does not
110 contain enough neutrons to be stable. To become stable, a
proton changes into a neutron by emitting a positron i.e. a
100
β+ particle (positron).
Neutron number ( N = A – Z )

90

80
HALF-LIFE
N=Z
70
7.2.6 State that radioactive decay is a random
60 and spontaneous process and that the rate
of decay decreases exponentially with time.
50

40 7.2.7 Define the term radioactive half‑life.

30 7.2.8 Determine the half-life of a nuclide from a

20
decay curve.

10 7.2.9 Solve radioactive decay problems involving

integral numbers of half-lives.
© IBO 2007
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Proton number ( Z )

7.2.6-8 Radioactive Half-life

Figure 705  The variation of neutron number with
proton number (This topic is explored in more depth in topic 13 and SL
option B)
From Figure 705 we see that for nuclei of the elements
with Z less than about 20, the number of protons is equal We have no means of knowing when a particular atom in
to the number of neutrons. Above Z = 20, there is an a sample of radioactive element will undergo radioactive
excess of neutrons over protons and this excess increases decay. You could sit watching an atom of uranium-238
with increasing Z. We can understand this from the and it might undergo decay in the next few seconds. On
fact that as Z increases so does the electrostatic force of the other hand, you might wait 109 years or even longer,

180
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

before it decayed. However, in any sample of a radioactive here, is a good idea for an experiment to assess the Design
element there will be a very large number of atoms. It is criterion in IA). For radioactive elements, the half-life
therefore possible to predict the probability of decay of a depends only on the particular element and nothing else.
particular atom. What we can say is that the more atoms
in a sample, the more are likely to decay in a given time. For the case of a radioactive element its half life is therefore
The rate of decay of atoms at a given instant is therefore defined as the time it take the activity of a sample of the
proportional to the number of radioactive atoms of the element to halve in value or the time it takes for half the

CORE
element in the sample at that instant. As time goes by, atoms in the sample of element to decay.
the number of atoms of the element in the sample will
decrease and so therefore will the rate of decay or activity The number of atoms that decay in unit time i.e. the activity
as it is called. Of course, the number of atoms in the sample of the sample, has the SI unit the becquerel (Bq).
will not change since, when an atom of the element decays,
it decays into an atom of another element. We also note from the graph, that theoretically it takes
an infinite amount of time for the activity of a sample of
a radioactive isotope to fall to zero. In this respect, we
Exponential decay cannot ask the question “for how long does the activity of
a sample last?”
There are many examples in nature where the rate of change
at a particular instant of a quantity is proportional to the
quantity at that instant. A very good example of this is the 7.2.9 Solve problems involving
volume rate of flow of water from the hole in a bottom of
the can. Here the volume rate is proportional to the volume integral number of half-lives
of water in the can at any instant. Rates of change such as
this, all possess a very important property, namely that the
quantity halves in value in equal increments of time. For Example
example, if the quantity Q in question has a value of 120
at time zero and a value of 60, 20 seconds later, then it will
have a value of 30 a further 20 seconds later and a value A freshly prepared sample of the isotope iodine-131 has
of 15 another 20 seconds later. If the quantity Q is plotted an initial activity of 2.0 × 105 B. After 40 days the activity
against time t, we get the graph shown in Figure 706. of the sample is 6.3 × 103 Bq.

120 Estimate the half life of iodine-131.

100
By plotting a suitable graph, estimate the activity of the
80
sample after 12 days.
60
Q

40
Solution
20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 If we keep halving the activity 2.0 × 105, we get 1.0 × 105,
t/s 0.5 × 105, 0.25 × 105, 0.125 × 105, 0.0625 × 105 ( ≈ 6.3 × 103).
So 5 half-lives = 40 days. Hence 1 half-life = 8 days.
Figure 706  Exponential decay
Another way of looking at this is to note that the activity
This type of decay is called an exponential decay. The of a sample after n half-lives is
time it takes for the quantity to reach half its initial value
A0
is called the half-life. Clearly the half-life is independent where A0 is the initial activity. For this situation we
of the initial value of the quantity and depends only on the 2n
2.0 ×105
physical nature to which the quantity refers. For instance, have 2n = = 32 , giving
in the case of water flowing from a can, the half-life will 6.3 ×103
depend on the size of the hole in the can and we might n = 8.
expect it to depend on the temperature of the water and
the amount and type of impurities in the water. (Perhaps

181
 Chapter 7

The data points for a graph showing the variation with

time of the activity are shown below: 7.3 Nuclear
time/days activity/Bq reactions,
0 2
8 1 fission and
16 0.5
fusion
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24 0.25

So the graph is as follows

NUCLEAR REACTIONS
2.5

7.3.1 Describe and give an example of an

2
artificial (induced) transmutation.
5
acitvity/ Bq x 10

1.5
7.3.2 Construct and complete nuclear equations.
1
7.3.3 Define the term unified atomic mass unit.
0.5
7.3.4 Apply the Einstein mass–energy
0 equivalence relationship.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
time / days
7.3.5 Define the concepts of mass defect, binding
From which we see that after 12 days the activity is energy and binding energy per nucleon.
7.0 × 104 Bq.
7.3.6 Draw and annotate a graph showing the
variation with nucleon number of the
Exercise 7.2 binding energy per nucleon.

7.3.7 Solve problems involving mass defect and

1. The initial activity of a sample of a radioactive binding energy.
1 © IBO 2007
isotope decreases by a factor of 16 after 90 hours.
Calculate the half-life of the isotope.
7.3.1,2 Artificial (induced)
2. The graph below shows the variation with time
t of the activity A of a sample of the isotope transmutation
xenon‑114. Use the graph to determine the half-
life of xenon-114. So far only transmutation of elements has been discussed,
i.e.the transformation of one element into another, that
9
takes place through natural radioactivity. In 1919
8
Rutherford discovered that when nitrogen gas is
7
bombarded with α-particles, oxygen and protons are
6
produced. He surmised that the following reaction takes
place:
A /MBq

5
4
3
4
2 He + 147 N → 178 O + 11 H
2
1
After the discovery of this induced transformation,
0
Rutherford working in conjunction with Chadwick,
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 succeeded in producing artificial transmutation of all the
t /s elements from boron to potassium (excluding carbon and
oxygen) by bombarding them with α-particles.

182
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

In 1934 Irène Curie and F. Jolie made the first discovery mass of exactly 12 u. We know that 12 g of carbon (1 mole)
of artificial radioactive isotopes by the bombardment has 6.02 × 1023 nuclei. Therefore 1 u is equivalent to
of aluminium with α-particles to produce a radioactive
1 12
isotope of phosphorus. The nuclear reaction equation for th of = 1.661 × 10-24 g = 1.661 × 10-27 kg.
12 6.02 ×1023
this is
4
2 He + 27
13 Al → 15 P + 0 n
30 1
7.3.4 The Einstein mass-energy

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The isotope of phosphorus is radioactive and undergoes relation
positron decay as follows
(This topic is discussed in more detail in Option H, topic 4)
30
15 P→ 30
14 Si + e + ν-
+

One consequence of Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity

Following the work of Curie and Joliet, extensive work is that in order for the conservation of momentum to be
was carried out into the production of artificial isotopes. conserved for observers in relative motion, the observer
It was found that neutrons are particularly effective in who considers him or herself to be at rest, will observe
inducing artificial transmutation to produce artificial that the mass of an object in the moving reference frame
radioactive isotopes. Neutrons may be produced from the increases with the relative speed of the frames. One of the
bombardment of beryllium with α-particles. The reaction frames of reference might be a moving object. For example,
equation for this is if we measure the mass of an electron moving relative to us,
the mass will be measured as being greater than the mass
4
2 He + 194 Be → 126 C + 01 n of the electron when it is at rest relative to us, the rest-mass.
However, an observer sitting on the electron will measure
A typical neutron reaction is the bombardment of lithium the rest mass. This leads to the famous Einstein equation
to produce the radioactive isotope of hydrogen called Etot = mc2 where Etot (often just written as E) is the total
tritium. The nuclear reaction equation for this is energy of the body, m is the measured mass and c is the
speed of light in a vacuum. The total energy Etot consists of
6
3 Li + 01 n → 31 H + 42 He two parts, ‘the rest-mass energy’ and the kinetic energy EK
of the object. So in general it is written:
For those of you studying the Option I (Medical Physics),
the importance of artificial isotopes in both therapy and Etot = m0c2 + EK
diagnosis, is discussed in detail.
Where m0 is the rest mass of the object.
It is left as an exercise for you to identify the bombarding
particle in following nuclear reactions: Nuclear reactions are often only concerned with the rest-
mass.
1.
14
7 N + → 11 H+ 146 C
Essentially, the Einstein equation tells us that energy and
2.
6
3 Li + → 24 He+ 24 He mass are interchangeable. If for example, it were possible
to convert 1 kg of matter completely to energy we would
3.
205
81 Tl+ → 206
82 Pb+ 01 n get 9 × 1016 J of energy. (1 × c2) Looking it another way, if a
coal-fired power station produces say 9 TJ of energy a day,
then if you were to measure the mass of the coal used per
7.3.3 The atomic mass unit (u) day and then measure the mass of all the ash and fumes
produced per day, you would find that the two masses
In nuclear physics we are concerned with the interaction 9 × 1012
of different nuclei and therefore an explicit knowledge of would differ by about 0.1 g ( ).
c2
individual isotopic masses is of fundamental importance.
For this reason the old scale of atomic weights based on In table 701 we have seen that it is usual to express particle
expressing the atomic weight of oxygen as 16, is of little energies in electronvolt rather than joule. Using the
use, oxygen alone having three isotopes. The atomic mass Einstein relation, we can express particle mass in derived
scale was therefore introduced based on the atomic mass energy units.
1
unit. This unit is defined as the mass of a nucleus of
12
carbon-12 or, to put it another way, a carbon nucleus as a

183
 Chapter 7

For example, the atomic mass unit = 1.661 × 10-27 kg coal-fired power station mentioned above, represents
the energy released in the reaction. If ignoring any recoil
which is equivalent to 1.661 × 10-27 × (2.998 ×108)2 J energy of the radium nucleus, then this energy is the
kinetic energy of the α-particle emitted in the decay.
or 1.661×10 × (2.998 ×108 ) 2eV = 931.5 MeV
-27

1.602 ×10
-19
Using the conversion of units, we see that 0.0053 u has a
(working to four significant digits). mass of 4.956 MeV c-2. This means that the kinetic energy
of the α-particle is 4.956 MeV.
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However, bearing in mind that energy and mass cannot

The fact that the mass defect is positive indicates that
E
have the same units and that m = 2 , energy is released in the reaction and the reaction will take
c place spontaneously.
we have that 1 atomic mass unit = 931.5 MeV c-2.
If the mass defect is negative in a reaction then this means
Table 710 shows the different units used for the rest mass that energy must be supplied for the reaction to take place.
of the electron, proton and neutron. For example, let us postulate the following reaction:

(All values, apart from values in atomic mass unit, are

23
11 Na → 199 F + 42 He + Q
quoted to four significant digits).
where Q is the mass defect.
Rest-mass
particle
kg u MeV c-2 If factoring in the rest masses the equation becomes
electron (me) 9.109 × 10-31 0.00054858 0.5110
proton (mp) 1.673 × 10-27 1.007276 938.2 22.9897 u → 18.9984 u + 4.0026 u + Q
neutron (mn) 1.675 × 10-27 1.008665 939.6
This gives Q = - 0.0113 u = -10.4 MeV c-2.
Figure 710  Particle rest-mass (table)
In other words for such a reaction to take place 10.4 MeV of
23
energy must be supplied. 11 Na is therefore not radioactive
7.3.4-6 applying the mass-energy but a stable nuclide.

relation
Binding energy
Mass defect Q A very important quantity associated with nuclear reaction
is the nuclear binding energy. To understand this concept,
Let us now examine a nuclear reaction using the idea of suppose we add up the individual masses of the individual
mass-energy conversion. For example, consider the decay nucleons that comprise the helium nucleus, then we find
of a nucleus of raduim-226 into a nucleus of radon-222. that this sum does not equal the mass of the nucleus as a
The reaction equation is whole. This is shown below
226
88 Ra → 222
86 Rn + 24 He 2mp + 2 mn →
4
2 He+ Q

The rest masses of the nuclei are as follows (2 × 938.2 + 2 × 939.6) MeV c-2 → 3728 MeV c-2 + Q
226
88 Ra = 226.0254 u To give Q = 28.00 MeV c-2.
222
86 Rn = 222.0175 u This effectively means that when a helium nucleus is
assembled from nucleons, 28 MeV of energy is released.
4
2 He = 4.0026 u Or looking at it another way, 28 MeV of energy is required
to separate the nucleus into its individual nucleons since if
23
The right-hand side of the reaction equation differs in mass we postulate, as we did above for the decay of 11 Na , this
from the left-hand side by +0.0053 u. This mass deficiency, reaction
or mass defect as it is usually referred to, just as in the

184
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

required to separate the nucleus into its constituent

4
2 He → 2mp + 2 mn + Q nucleons. For example, much less energy is required per
nucleon to “take apart” a nucleus of uranium-235 than a
then Q = - 28 MeV c-2. nucleus of helium-4. The most stable element is iron (Fe)
as this has the greatest binding energy per nucleon. This
The definition of nuclear binding energy is therefore graph shall be referred to again in section 7.3.9
either the energy required to separate the nucleus into

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it individual nucleons or the energy that would be
released in assembling a nucleus from its individual 7.3.7 Solve problems involving mass
nucleons. Since the potential energy of a nucleus is less
than the potential energy of its separate nucleons, some defect and binding energy
texts take the binding energy to be a negative quantity.
In this book, however, we will regard it to be a positive
quantity on the basis that the greater the energy required Example
to separate a nucleus into its nucleons, the greater the
difference between the potential energy of the nucleus and
its individual nucleons. 1. Calculate the kinetic energy in MeV of the tritium
plus the helium nucleus in the following nuclear
reaction.
Binding energy per nucleon 6
3 Li + 01 n → 31 H + 42 He
Rather than just refer to the binding energy of the nuclei of
6
different isotopes, it is much more important to consider mass of 3 Li = 6.015126 u
the binding energy per nucleon. The addition of each
3
nucleon to a nucleus increases the total binding energy mass of 1 H = 3.016030 u
of the nucleus by about 8 MeV. However, the increase is
4
not linear and if we plot the binding energy per nucleon mass of 2 He = 4.002604 u
against nucleon number N, the graph (Figure 711) shows
some very interesting features. neutron mass = 1.008665 u

The most stable nuclei are those with the greatest binding
energy per nucleon as this means that more energy is

56
9 32 Fe 138
S Ba
Binding Energy per nucleon

8 12 239
C U
7
/ MeV per nucleon

Fission
6
5
4
3 Fusion
2
1
1
H
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
Mass number (number of nucleons)

Figure 711  Binding energy per nucleon

185
 Chapter 7

Solution FISSION AND FUSION

7.3.8 Describe the processes of nuclear fission

Adding the masses of the left-hand and right-hand side of and nuclear fusion.
reaction equation gives
7.3.9 Apply the graph in 7.3.6 to account for the
CORE

Q = 005157 u. Using 1 u = 935.1 MeV, then Q = 4.822 MeV. energy release in the processes of fission
and fusion.

Exercise 7.3 7.3.10 State that nuclear fusion is the main source
of the Sun’s energy.

1. Calculate the energy required to separate a nucleus 7.3.11 Solve problems involving fission and fusion
of lithium-6 into its constituent nucleons. Hence reactions.
© IBO 2007
find the binding energy per nucleon of lithium-6.

2. Calculate the binding energy per nucleon of an α- 7.3.8 Fission and fusion
particle
(The use of fission and fusion as world energy sources is also
3. Deduce, whether the following reaction may take discussed in detail in Topic 8.4)
place spontaneously.
Fission
212
83 Bi → 208
81Tl + e+
Nuclear reactions produce very much more energy per
212
mass of 83 Bi = 211.99127 u particle than do chemical reactions. For example, the
oxidization of one carbon atom produces about 4 eV of
208
mass of 81 Tl = 207.98201 u energy whereas the decay of a uranium atom produces
about 4 MeV. However, natural radioactive isotopes do
not occur in sufficient quantity to be a practical source of
energy. It was not until the discovery of nuclear fission
that the possibility of nuclear reactions as a cheap and
abundant source of energy became possible. In 1934
Fermi discovered that when uranium was bombarded
with neutrons, radioactive products were produced.
Then in 1939 Hahn and Strassman showed that one of
the radioactive products was barium (Z = 56). It is now
understood that a nucleus of uranium may capture a
neutron to form an unstable isotope. Either of the following
reactions may occur:
238
92 U + 01 n → 239 239
92 U → 93 Np +e
-

(where Np is the transuranic nuclide neptunium)

238
92 U + 01 n → 239
92 U → X + Y + x 01 n

where X and Y are two fission elements and x is the

number of neutrons produced.

Which reaction takes place is dependant on the energy of

the bombarding neutron.

186
 Atomic and Nuclear Physics

A typical fission reaction might be Given the following data it is left as an exercise for you to
show that energy released in this reaction is about 18 MeV:
238
92 U + 01 n → 90
38 Sr + 54 Xe + 3 0 n
146 1

mass of 2 H = 2.014102 u
Given the following data, it is left as an exercise for you to
show that energy released in this reaction is about 150 MeV: mass of 3 H = 3.016049 u

CORE
238
mass of U = 238.050788 u mass of 4 He = 4.002604 u

90
mass of Sr = 89.907737 u The energy released appears in the form of kinetic energy
of the helium nucleus and neutron.
146
mass of Xe = 145.947750 u
The advantage that fusion has compared to fission as a
The energy released appears in the form of kinetic energy source of sustainable energy is that no radioactive elements
of the fission nuclei and neutrons. are produced. This disadvantage is obtaining and maintaining
the high temperature and pressure needed to initiate fusion.
The two neutrons produced is the key to using fission as Again, this is discussed in more detail in topic 8.4.
a sustainable energy source as discussed in topic 8.4. Both
the strontium isotope and xenon isotope produced are
radioactive. Strontium-90 has a half-life of about 30 years 7.3.9 Applying the binding energy
and therein lies the main problem (as well as the large
amounts of γ-radiation also produced) with nuclear fission curve
as a sustainable energy source – the fact that the fission
nuclei are radioactive often with relatively long half-lives. The graph in Figure 711 of binding energy per nucleon
versus nucleon number shows that the nuclides with
The isotope uranium-235 also undergoes fission and much a nucleon number of about 60 are the most stable. This
more readily than uranium-238. A typical fission reaction helps us to understand why the high nucleon number
might be nuclides may undergo fission and the low nucleon number
nuclides may under go fusion- they are trying to “reach”
235
92 U + 01 n → 10338 Sr+ 131 1
54 I + 2 0 n the nuclide that is most stable. For example consider the
fission reaction
Fusion 238
92 U + 01 n → 90
38 Sr + 54 Xe + 3 0 n
146 1

Energy can also be obtained from nuclear reactions by

arranging for two nuclei to “fuse” together as we alluded From the graph (Figure 711) we have that
to when we discussed nuclear binding energy above.
238
To produce nuclear fusion very high temperatures and total binding energy of U = 7.6 × 238 = 1800 MeV
pressures are needed so that nuclei can overcome the
90
coulomb repulsion force between them and thereby come total binding energy of Sr = 8.7 × 90 = 780 MeV
under the influence of the strong nuclear force. A typical
nuclear reaction might be 1 H+ 1 H → 2 He+ 0 n 146
2 3 4 1
total binding energy of Xe = 8.2 × 146 = 1200 MeV

In this reaction a nucleus of deuterium combines with a Hence the sum of the total binding energies of the fission
nucleus of tritium to form a nucleus of helium and a free nuclei is greater than the total binding energy of the
neutron. uranium-238 nucleus. Effectively the system has become
more stable by losing energy.

Similarly for the fusion reaction 21 H+ 31 H → 24 He+ 01 n the

total binding energy of the helium nucleus is greater than
the sum of binding energies of the tritium and deuterium
nuclei. So, again as for fission, the system has effectively
become more stable by losing energy.

187
 Chapter 7

7.3.10 Nuclear fusion and the sun Exercises

Our Sun is an enormous factory in which hydrogen is

converted into helium. At some time in its early life, due to 1. Determine the number x of neutrons produced
gravitational collapse of the hydrogen making up the Sun, and calculate the energy released in the following
the pressure and temperature of the interior became high fission reaction
CORE

enough to initiate fusion of the hydrogen. Once started,

the fusion will continue until all the hydrogen is used up,
235
92 U + 01 n → 144
56 Ba + 36 Kr + x 0 n
90 1

probably in about 1010 years from now.

235
mass of U = 235.043929 u
One of the suggested fusion cycles that may take place in
146
the Sun is mass of Ba = 143.922952 u

p + + p + → 21 H+e + mass of 90
Kr = 89.919516 u
+
2
1 H+p → He 3
2
2. Show that in the fusion cycle given in 7.4.10, the
3
2 He+ 23 He → 24 He+p + energy released is about 30 MeV.

For the complete cycle the first two reaction must occur
twice and the final result is one helium nucleus, two
positrons, two protons and two neutrinos. The protons are
available for further fusion.

In stars that are much more massive than our Sun, as they
age fusion of elements with higher atomic numbers takes
place until finally iron is reached and no further fusion
can take place as seen from the binding energy graph. This
evolution of stars is discussed in detail in Option E.

7.3.11 Solve problems on fission

and fusion reactions

The type of problems you might be expected to solve

associated with fission and fusion have been looked at
above. However, here are a two more.

188
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

energy, power and

climate change
8.1 Energy degradation & power generation
8

CORE
8.2 World energy sources

8.3 Fossil fuel power production

8.4 Non-fossil fuel power production

8.5 Greenhouse effect

8.6 Global warming

spectrum (γ–rays, X–rays, UV radiation, visible light,

INTRODUCTION IR radiation, microwaves and radio waves). Infra-red
radiation falling on a body is converted into thermal

I n Chapter 2, energy was defined as the capacity to do

work. The various forms of energy can be classified as:
energy. Solar energy is a form of radiant energy.

Chemical energy is the energy locked up in fuels and

• Mechanical (kinetic and potential) other chemicals. The energy obtained by the combustion
• Heat of fuels represents a major source of energy in current use.
• Radiant (electromagnetic) All food that we eat is a store of chemical energy. It can
• Chemical (potential) be considered to be latent potential energy that a body
• Sound possesses.
• Electrical/magnetic
• Nuclear Sound energy is produced by longitudinal waves that
have an organised and periodic pattern that causes the
Mechanical energy includes both kinetic and potential vibration of the particles in the same direction as the
energy. Friction is mechanical energy as it is caused by transfer of energy.
kinetic energy and potential energy of a body as a force is
applied through a distance. Electrical energy is the energy carried by moving charges
and these moving charges can produce a magnetic field.
Heat energy is the energy a body possesses because of Through the process of electromagnetic induction,
its internal energy due to the motion of the particles it electricity has become the greatest form of energy used by
contains. man in everyday life.

Radiant energy is the source of all life on the Earth and Nuclear energy is the potential binding energy released
is the greatest potential energy resource available for during a nuclear reaction when mass is converted to
the future. When radiant energy in the form of light is thermal and perhaps light energy. Nuclear fission reactors
absorbed by plants, it is converted into stored chemical are starting to gain a renewed acceptance and nuclear
energy. This energy is available as food or biomass. Biomass fusion has potential for the future when the technology
is used to produce fuels. It is electromagnetic in nature becomes available.
and is possessed by all components of the electromagnetic

189
 Chapter 8

8.1 ENERGY DEGRADATION & POWER GENERATION

A thermodynamic cycle is a process in which the system is
8.1.1 State that thermal energy may be returned to the same state from which it started. That is, the
completely converted to work in a single initial and final states are the same in the cyclic process.
process, but that continuous conversion
CORE

of this energy into work requires a cyclical Figure 801 shows a series of schematic diagrams for the
process and the transfer of some energy cycle of an internal combustion engine as used in most
from the system. automobiles.

8.1.2 Explain what is meant by degraded energy. • With the exhaust valve closed, a mixture of petrol
vapour and air is drawn into the combustion
8.1.3 Construct and analyse energy flow chamber through the inlet valve as the piston
diagrams (Sankey diagrams) and identify moves down during the intake stroke.
where the energy is degraded. • Both valves are closed and the piston moves
up to squeeze the mixture of petrol vapour and
8.1.4 Outline the principal mechanisms involved air to about ⅛th its original volume during the
in the production of electrical power. compression stroke.
© IBO 2007
• With both valves closed, the mixture is ignited by
a spark from the spark plug.
8.1.1 Thermal energy in a • The mixture burns rapidly and the hot gases then
expand against the piston in the power stroke.
cyclical process • The exhaust valve is opened as the piston moves
upwards during the exhaust stroke, and the cycle
Suppose a piston was placed on a heat reservoir, such as begins again.
the hot plate of a stove. Thermal energy is supplied by
the heat reservoir, and work is done by the gas inside intake stroke compression stroke
the piston as it expands. But this is not an engine as it Gas vapor
and mixture
exhaust valve intake valve exhaust valve

only operates in one direction. The gas cannot expand intake valve
open
closed closed closed

indefinitely because as the volume of the piston increases piston

the pressure decreases (Boyle’s Law) as the force exerted

on the walls of piston by the gas molecules per unit area is
crankshaft
continually decreasing. Some point will be reached when crankshaft

the expanding gas will not be able to move the piston. For ignition

this simple engine to function, the piston must eventually exhaust intake valve exhaust valve
closed closed
be compressed to restore the system to its original position spent fuel
gases

ready to do work. intake valve exhaust valve

open
closed

A thermodynamic engine is a device that transforms

thermal energy to mechanical energy (work) as in an power stroke

engine, or mechanical energy to thermal energy such intake valve exhaust valve
closed
closed
as in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Cars,
steam trains, jets and rockets have engines that transform
fuel energy (chemical energy) into the kinetic energy of
their motion. In all presently manufactured engines, the
conversion is accompanied by the emission of exhaust
gases that waste some of the thermal energy. Consequently,
these engines are not very efficient as only part of the Figure 801  The Internal Combustion Engine
thermal energy is converted to mechanical energy. An
engine has two crucial features: For a cycle to do net work, thermal contact with the original
heat reservoir must be broken, and temperatures other
• It must work in cycles to be useful. than that of the original heat reservoir must play a part in
• The cyclic engine must have more than one heat reservoir. the process. In the above example, if the piston is returned

190
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

to its original position while in contact with the hot plate, compression, the air is squeezed to one-sixteenth of its
then all the work that the gas did in the expansion will volume. This makes the air so hot that the fuel ignites of its
have to be used in the compression. On a p –V diagram, own accord and explodes as soon as it enters through the
one would draw an isotherm for the expansion and an valve. Diesel engines with 40% efficiency are amongst the
isotherm for the compression lying on top of the expansion most efficient engines used today. Figure 803 demonstrates
isotherm but in the opposite direction. Therefore, the area the diesel cycle patented by Rudolf Diesel in 1892.
enclosed by the cycle would be zero. However, if the gas is p constant

CORE
compressed at a lower temperature the internal pressure pressure
of the system will be lower than during the expansion. QH maximum temperature
Less work will be needed for the compression than was B C adiabatic expansion
produced in the expansion, and there will be net work constant
Figure 5.13 D volume (V 1)
available for transformation to mechanical energy.The Diesel cycle.
adiabatic
QL
compression
Motor cars usually have four or six pistons but five and eight A
cylinders are also common. The pistons are connected by minimum temperature
a crankshaft to a flywheel which keeps the engine turning
V
over during the power stroke. Automobiles are about 25% V1 V2
efficient.
Figure 803  The Diesel cycle
Figure 802 shows the p-V graph for the Otto cycle designed
by Nikolaus Otto in 1976. The Otto cycle is similar to the Jet engines burn fuel continuously. They suck air in the
present day car engine. front of the engine and this air is compressed by the
compressor fans. The air becomes so hot that it burns in
C maximum temperature the continuous fuel supply. Exhaust gases are blown out
p constant
volume (V 1) the back of the engine propelling the engine forward.
adiabatic expansion These gases also turn a turbine that supplies electricity to
QH constant the jet, and keeps the compressor fans turning.
volume (V 2)
B D
QL
8.1.2 Energy degradation
adiabatic A
compression minimum temperature
When energy is transferred from one form to other forms,
V1 V2 V the energy before the transformation is equal to the energy
after (Law of conservation of energy). However, some of the
energy after the transformation may be in a less useful form.
Figure 802  The Otto cycle We say that the energy has been ‘degraded’. For example,
in a simple battery operated flashlight, an energy input of
The fuel-air mixture enters the piston at point A. The 100 units of chemical potential energy will give a 10 unit
compression AB is carried out rapidly with no heat output of light energy and the light energy is enhanced by
exchange making it an adiabatic compression. The placing a curved mirror behind the lamp to concentrate
ignition and combustion of the gases introduces a heat the light into a beam. The other 90 units of output is used
input QH that raises the temperature at constant volume in heating up the filament of the light bulb and in heating
from B to C. The power stroke is an adiabatic expansion the battery and the surroundings. These 90 units of energy
from C to D. Thermal energy QL leaves the system during output have become degraded. The thermal energy that
the exhaust stroke, and cooling occurs at constant volume is transferred to the surroundings, the filament and the
from D to A. The net work is represented by the enclosed battery is no longer available to perform useful work.
area ABCD.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics in one form states
Diesel engines use diesel instead of petrol, and there is that engines are theoretically inefficient users of energy.
no spark from a spark plug to cause ignition. They do not The efficiency of an energy conversion process is a ratio of
have a carburettor which is used to produce a spray of the useful energy output to the total energy input usually
the fuel-air mixture. Rather, the air is sucked in and the expressed as a percentage. In practice, the efficiency is
diesel is introduced through a valve when the piston is at even lower than this theoretical value. Figure 804 gives
the top of the compression stroke. During the adiabatic

191
 Chapter 8

Mechanical Electric Radiant Chemical Thermal

Mechanical 99% (electric generator) 100% (brakes)
Gravitational 85% (water turbine) 90% (hydro- electricity)
potential
Electric 93% (electric motor) 40% (gas laser) 72% (wet cell battery) 100% (heating coil)
Radiant 55% (wind power) 27% (solar cell) 0.6% (photosynthesis) 100% (solar furnace)
Chemical 45% (animal muscle) 10% (dry cell battery) 15% (chemical laser) 88% (steam furnace)
CORE

Thermal 52% (steam turbine) 7% (thermocouple) 5% (fluorescent tube)

Figure 804  Efficiency of some energy conversion devices table

examples of the efficiency attainable by some devices in The efficiency of this simple flashlight is 5%. The
their energy conversion process. efficiency of any system can be determined by using the
relationship:
Chemical energy and electrical energy are considered useful energy output
to be high-grade energy because they can be converted Efficiency = × 100%
total energy input 
to other forms of energy. However, there is a gradual
degradation of the high-grade energy to low-grade energy
in the operation of machines as the entropy (amount of 8.1.4 Power stations
disorder in a system) increases. It has become increasingly
more important that man explores the renewable energy Power stations rely on thermal energy, gravitational
sources so that the energy demands of the future can be potential energy or wind power to supply the kinetic
met with new high-grade energy. energy to rotate a turbine. The turbine contains blades that
are made to rotate by the force of water, gas, steam or wind.
As the turbine rotates, it turns the shaft of a generator.
8.1.3 Energy transfer diagrams The electrical energy can be produced by rotating coils in
a magnetic field as previously discussed in the topic on
One useful way of showing the energy degradation is by electromagnetism.
using energy transfer diagrams. For a certain flashlight,
the energy transfer can be represented as shown in the Typically, fossil fuel power stations have a higher efficiency
Sankey diagram in Figure 805. than nuclear power stations because current technology
permits a higher temperature of 650 K versus the 570 K of
a nuclear power plant.
5 J light
100 J chemical energy
energy The principle mechanisms involved in the production of
electrical power with fossil fuels can be demonstrated by
looking at the energy conversions in a coal-fired power
95 J thermal station using a Sankey energy transfer diagram as shown
energy in Figure 806.
9 units
Figure 805  Sankey diagram for a torch wasted in
the
47 units wasted
to the cooling
furnace towers
3 units wasted by

In a Sankey diagram, the thickness of each arrow gives an friction in the

turbine and the
generator
indication of the scale of each energy transformation. The
100 units of
toal energy before the energy transfer is equal to the total energy stored
in the fuel
40 units of
energy after the transfer otherwise the Law of conservation useful energy

of energy would be violated. The problem is that once

the thermal energy is transferred to the surroundings, it Figure 806  Sankey diagram  
cannot be used to do useful work. Scientists are becoming for a coal-fired power station
more aware of this waste and there are many innovations
being made in building designs to use some of this energy Another useful energy transfer diagram is shown in
for heating purposes. Figure 807. The rectangles contain the different forms of
energy, the circles show the conversion process, and the

192
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

arrows show energy changes and energy outputs. The areas, hydro-electricity is common as water stored in dams
linked forms of energy can be said to form an energy can be used to rotate turbines.
chain.
By referring to the section on electromagnetic induction
50 units lost as
heat to the in Chapter 12 it can be deduced that a changing magnetic
cooling towers
flux produces an induced eletromotive force (e.m.f).
100 thermal steam
units
coal furnace energy generator The rotating turbines contain coils of a conducting

CORE
wire. When the coils are rotated in a magnetic field, the
9 units
alternating current generator converts the kinetic energy
potential
lost as heat latent heat into electrical energy. An alternating current is the present
preferred option when compared to direct current because
40 electrical AC kinetic steam transformers can be used to step-up and step-down the
units energy generator energy turbine
voltage in the power grid. However, this is slowly changing
in some countries.
lost as heat friction friction
in transition
The turbines drive the alternators that produce three-
Figure 807  Energy flow diagram  phase electricity. Most generators use stationary electro­
for a coal-fired power station magnets to provide the magnetic fields. They have a
rotating armature with hundreds of coils of copper wire
Heat energy is produced by the combustion of coal in a wound around an iron core. With more coils a greater
furnace. Liquid water absorbs the heat energy in a heat induced emf can be produced. These coils are arranged in
exchanger under pressure, and it is turned into steam. sets. By having a number of electromagnets and three sets
The steam contains latent potential energy as it has been of armature coils for each magnetic pole of the
converted from a liquid to a gas. Steam under pressure is electromagnets, separated by an angle of 120°, three e.m.fs
capable of doing mechanical work to supply the rotational can be produced during each revolution of the alternator.
kinetic energy to turn the steam turbines. The turbine is These three-phase generators are more energy efficient
coupled to the generator that produces electrical energy then a single-phase generator. Most power stations will
have a number of generators with power ratings between
Energy is lost to the surroundings at many stages. For 300 to 1000 MW.
example, if 100 units of energy are supplied from the
primary energy source then only 40 units of useful Each alternator can produce voltages as high as 25kV. Step-
energy is available. The majority of the useful energy is up transformers increase the voltage to as high as 700 kV.
lost to water in the cooling towers as heat is evolved in This increased voltage results in a decreased current that
the condensation component of the heat exchanger cycle. reduces the heating losses in the power transmission.
Other forms of energy loss are shown on the arrowed parts Additional transformers in the power grid further reduce
of the diagram. energy losses and gradually lower the voltage to the
required domestic or industrial level. Useful energy is lost
An oil-fired power station has a similar energy flow due to eddy currents in the transformers in the form of
and efficiency to a coal-fired power station. However, a thermal and sound energy. Thermal energy is also lost due
natural gas-fired power station is more efficient as they to the current in the transmission cables.
use combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT). A jet engine is
used in place of the turbine to turn the generator. Natural Alternating current is the preferred transmission type.
gas is used to power the jet engine and the exhaust fumes However, more and more high voltage direct current
from the jet engine are used to produce steam which turns transmission (HVDC) is occurring. There are advantages
the generator. These power stations can be up to 55% in both systems. For example, dc currents travel through
efficient. more of the cross-sectional area of a conducting cable
whereas ac currents tend to travel through the outer
The production of the majority of electrical power involves portion of the cable – a phenomenon known as the “skin
the combustion of coal, natural gas and oil or the fission of effect”. Furthermore, three-phase ac requires multiples
uranium-235. It depends on the energy sources available of 3 cables whereas dc only requires sets of 2. There are
to countries. For example, most coal-fired power stations also problems synchronising generating stations to run at
are found close to the coal source. Countries like Japan rely the same frequency. With increased globalisation and the
heavily on the importation of coal and natural gas as there selling of commodities such as electric power, dc does not
are no reserves of fossil fuels available. In mountainous have these problems.

193
 Chapter 8

6. A generator takes in an amount Ek of kinetic

Exercise 8.1 energy. An amount W of useful electrical energy is
produced. An amount Q of thermal energy is lost
due to the moving parts of the generator. The law
1. The most efficient energy conversion occurs in of conservation of energy and the efficiency of the
generator are given by which of the following?
A. tidal power stations
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B. diesel engines Law of conservation of energy Efficiency

C. solar panels A. Ek = W + Q W
D. hydro-electric power stations B. Ek = W + Q W/Q
C. Ek = W – Q W/Q
2. The original source of tidal power is the D. Ek = W - Q W / (Ek – Q)

A. Moon 7. The diagram below is a Sankey diagram for

B. Earth a typical oil-fired power station. It shows the
C. Sun useful electrical output after the energy has been
D. water transmitted to your home. Analyse the energy that
is lost from the energy input to the final energy
3. Heat engines output. Determine the overall efficiency of the
system.
A. produce more work output than energy
input
B. take in thermal energy at a low temperature
and exhaust it at high temperature
C. convert heat into mechanical energy
D. can be close to 100% efficient

4. All the following statements are correct EXCEPT

8. Copy and complete the following table to show
A. generators convert mechanical energy into the energy conversions for various devices. (There
electrical energy could be more than one type of energy produced).
B. nuclear reactors convert mass into energy
C. chemical energy is a form of potential Device From To
energy Cigarette lighter
D. thermal energy and solar energy are the same Human body
Microphone
5. Two different objects that have different
Car engine
temperatures are in thermal contact with one
another. It is the temperatures of the two objects Light bulb
that determines, Light emitting diode
Refrigerator
A. the amount of internal energy in each Stereo speaker
object Thermocouple
B. the process by which thermal energy is Atomic bomb
transferred
C. the specific heat capacity of each object
D. the direction of transfer of thermal energy
between the objects

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

8.2 WORLD ENERGY SOURCES

there is little doubt that man’s use of fossil fuels has
8.2.1 Identify different world energy sources. contributed to the increased concentration of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere. There has been an increased
8.2.2 Outline and distinguish between renewable anxiety by many scientists, world leaders of governments

CORE
and non-renewable energy sources. and environmentalists as well as world citizens as to the
long term effects of carbon dioxide increase. Many believe
8.2.3 Define the energy density of a fuel. that these increase in concentration is increasing the
temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans because of
8.2.4 Discuss how choice of fuel is influenced by the enhanced greenhouse effect.
its energy density.
The primary source of world energy has directly or
8.2.5 State the relative proportions of world use indirectly had its origin due to the radiant energy from
of the different energy sources that are the Sun. The Sun is a medium-size hydrogen/helium star
available. that uses nuclear fusion to convert millions of tonnes of
mass into energy each second. It has been in existence in
8.2.6 Discuss the relative advantages and excess of 6 billion years and it has enough hydrogen to last
disadvantages of various energy sources. for at least another 8 billion years. It has been providing
© IBO 2007
90% of the thermal energy needed to heat the Earth to a
temperature comfortable enough for a diversity of living
8.2.1 Different world energy things to exist.

sources For recorded history, the Sun has allowed plants and
certain bacteria to convert solar energy into chemical
Most of the energy supply used today is derived from energy stored in sugars and other carbon compounds.
fossil fuels which are naturally occurring fuels that have First-order consumers eat plants and other higher order
been formed from the remains of plants and animals over consumers eat both plants and other animals to obtain
millions of years. The common fossil fuels are peat, coal, the chemical energy necessary to survive. However, even
crude oil, oil shale, oil tar and natural gas. today, up to 40% of the world’s population does not get
the minimum requirement of 8500 kJ of energy through
When these fuels are burnt in air (oxygen) they produce food per day. Apart from the fact that the Sun produces
carbon dioxide (CO2), water and varying amounts of 90% of the thermal energy needed to heat the Earth, it is
energy per kilogram of fuel. There are also indirect means also indirectly responsible for wind, ocean currents, wave
of producing thermal energy by the chemical and physical action, water evaporation and precipitation, food, wood,
processing of fossil fuels such as coke and coal gas from biomass and the fossil fuels.
coal, and petrol from crude oil.
Some of these properties are now being used for alternative
Although the main products of the combustion of fossil energy sources such as hydroelectricity, wind power,
fuels are carbon dioxide and water there are many other biogas, passive solar energy panels and photovoltaic cells.
products that are released into the environment. Because
of incomplete combustion, carbon (soot) and carbon Nuclear energy is the source of nuclear fission reactors and
monoxide (a poisonous gas in high concentrations) are geothermal plants. The process of nuclear fusion reactors
also produced. Furthermore, pollution is caused by the is being developed. The Moon’s gravitation is the cause of
emmision of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, unburnt tides and there are a few tidal power stations in operation.
hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Chemical energy is also used for supply of energy in
batteries and fuel cells.
Because of the abundance of carbon dioxide in the air
from the carbon cycle, disposal of carbon dioxide into
the air was believed to be harmless. However, it is a well
known fact the the percentage of carbon dioxide in the
air is increasing. Even if volcanic activity, forest fires and
burning off to clear land has changed this composition,

195
 Chapter 8

the coal strata were then subjected to folding which

8.2.2 Non-renewable and increases the heat and pressure, a metamorphic rock called
anthracite is formed. At each stage in the rank advance,
renewable energy the coal has a higher carbon content and a higher energy
content per unit mass. Figure 811 demonstrates the
A non-renewable source is one that is considered to be a formation of different coals.
temporary source that is depleted when it is used. (Nuclear
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energy could be considered to be a non-renewable source

P – Overlying sediment pressure Anthracite
of energy also. However, modern breeder reactors can Swamp
produce more fissionable material than they consume Bacterial
P
decomposition P
and it is estimated that reserves of nuclear fuels could last Peat (50 m)
for several thousand years. We will not treat uranium as
a non-renewable source and we never consider it to be a Lignite (10 m) Bituminous coal (5 m)

fossil fuel). Carbon: 60% 70% 80% 95%

Energy: 5,500,000 6,500,000 7,800.000 8,600,000

Coal is an organic material made up primarily of carbon, NB: The energy is the Energy per kilogram (calories).
along with varying amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
and sulfur. It is a sedimentary rock usually found as Figure 811  The formation of coal
layers associated with sandstone and shale. It is the most
abundant fossil fuel and has a high heat of combustion. It Crude oil and natural gas are products of the
is formed by the partial decomposition of plant material. decomposition of marine plants and animals that were
If you look at peat or brown coal under a microscope, bits rapidly buried in sedimentary basins where there was
of fossilised wood, leaves, and other plant material can a lack of oxygen. The organic material was laid down
be seen. When it was formed millions of years ago in the in a body of stagnant water where the presence of the
Carboniferous or younger geological periods such as the depositing organic matter created an acid environment.
Permian period, there was abundant plant growth. The The organic matter was quickly buried beneath mud.
plant material was laid down in waters The source rocks were buried under sufficient cover of
overlaying strata so that the conditions were right for
• with a low flow rate the conversion of the organic matter in the source rock
• free of excessive minerals into hydrocarbons and other organic compounds. When
• where there was an absence of air the hydrocarbons and other organic compounds were
• that received little other sediment generated, they were dispersed as individual molecules in
the source rock. With increased heat, pressure and Earth
Swamps would have been good environments for the movement, these molecules migrated into other porous,
beginning of coal formation because in stagnant water permeable reservoir rocks. With further heat and pressure,
very little oxygen is present. In a swampy environment, these reservoir rocks became trapped between impervious
anaerobic bacteria attack plant matter and partially (non-porous) cap rocks. The oil and gas in the reservoir
decompose it. Carbon becomes concentrated in the rocks also became trapped with the less dense gas rising
remains. The bacteria gradually decrease, as they are killed to the top and the more dense liquid and solid crude oil
by the poisonous acids produced in the decomposition sinking to the bottom of the trapped reserve. Figure 812
process. At this stage, the plant matter is converted to shows the accumulation in a reservoir rock.
peat.

Peat is a brownish material that looks like wood. Although

it can be burnt as a fuel, it contains a lot of water, and is
very smoky when burnt.

As the peat became buried beneath more plant matter, the

pressure and temperature increased and the water was
squeezed out of it. At a later stage in geological history, the
swamp was covered rapidly with a sedimentary layer of
rock. As the material became compacted the carbon
content increased and the peat converted to lignite, then
to sub-bituminous coal and finally bituminous coal. If

196
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

of tar sands can be done at a price similar to crude oil.

Oil flow
There are a number of tar oil plants in North America.
Shale or limestone
As fossil fuels are exhausted, we will come to rely on
Cap rock alternative renewable energy sources. A renewable energy
Gas
source is one that is permanent or one that can be
replenished as it is used. Renewable sources being

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OIL
developed for commercial use include nuclear fission,
solar energy, biomass, wind energy, tidal energy, wave
Sandstone
resevoir Water drive energy, hydro-electric energy and geothermal energy.
rocks
Shale or limestone
Nuclear fusion is likely to be the energy source of the
future but at this stage the reaction of the fusion elements
can neither be contained nor controlled.

Figure 813 shows some of the processes whereby renewable

Figure 812  Accumulation of oil in reservoir rock energy is produced in industrialised societies.

A borehole is drilled into the rock containing hydrocarbons

SOLAR ENERGY
using diamond core bits, and the reservoir is opened to
Waves Wi nd Solar cells
the atmosphere and after the release of the natural gas the biomass
geothermal
crude oil is pumped to the surface. If the pressure is not
great enough or the liquid is too viscous to flow, the crude
fuel CHEMICAL
oil can be pumped to the surface. ELECTRICAL
biomass
POTENTIAL
ENERGY ENERGY
hydroelectric
The crude oil is separated into fractions in a fractionating tidal nuclear fission
column using fractional distillation. The crude oil is
heated to about 400 °C to produce a hot liquid/vapour GRAVITA TIONAL
POTENTIAL
NUCLEAR
ENERGY
mixture. The lower boiling point components rise higher ENERGY

up in the fractionating column where they are condensed.

The higher boiling point components are removed lower Figure 813  Renewable energy transformations
in the fractionating column.

Crude oil is found as a liquid or a vapour although some 8.2.3 Energy density of a fuel
oil can exist as a solid. The solid/ liquid components are
known as crude oil and the gaseous component is known Energy density of a fuel is the amount of potential
as natural gas. energy stored in a fuel per unit mass, or per unit volume
depending on the fuel being discussed. In some cases it is
Although hydrocarbons have been found in rocks formed obvious from context which quantity is most useful. For
more than a billion years ago, it is thought that most example, for coal, nuclear fuels and crude oil, energy per
reserves were formed less than 500 million years ago. unit mass is the most important parameter. However, when
Some formed as recently as 10 million years ago, and it is discussing pressurized gases the energy per unit volume
believed that some is being formed today. is more appropriate. When comparing, for example, the
effectiveness of hydrogen fuel to petrol or gasoline both
Oil shale and oil tar deposits make up less than 2% of figures are appropriate. This is because hydrogen gas has
the world’s fossil reserves. Oil shale is complex solid a higher energy density per unit mass than does gasoline,
hydrocarbon material called kerogen. It is found in a fine- but a much lower energy density per unit volume in most
grained sedimentary rock called marl. Exploration and applications.
refining of this material began during the 1980s when
oil prices escalated. It requires a high capital outlay to We are interested in the chemical potential energy storage
produce the fuel from the kerogen and at this stage it is within a fuel. Therefore, the energy density relates the
not considered viable for economic reasons. Tar sands are mass of an energy store to its stored energy. The higher
deposits that contain a tar–like material called bitumen. the energy density, the more energy may be stored or
It is found in the same geographic areas as oil is. It can be transported for the same amount of mass.
pyrolysed to produce crude oil. The extraction and refining

197
 Chapter 8

Energy Density Of A Fuel = Chemical Potential Energy ÷ Mass The energy density of coal is not the only consideration
that has to be calculated. Its rank, chemical composition
It is measured in joules per gram (J g -1). Bomb calorimetry and heating ability are other important factors (refer to
is used to determine the value and this technique requires Figure 811). Coal with different ‘rank advance will produce
only small masses of a sample. However, the joule is a differing amounts of heat for a given mass. The grade of
small quantity and therefore it is more common to use a sample of coal does not always indicate the chemical
bigger units such as megajoules per kilogram MJ kg -1. composition of that coal. However, with rank advance
CORE

the purity of carbon content generally increases from

Figure 814 gives some approximate energy density values peat → lignite (brown coal) → sub-bituminous coal →
for some fuels. When solving examination questions please bituminous coal → anthracite. Chemical composition of
consult the table that is provided in the IB Data Booklet. the coal is defined in terms of the analysis of its moisture
content, volatile matter (percentage of the coal that is lost
Gravimetric Volumetric as vapours when heated in the absence of air), ash, and
Energy Energy fixed carbon. Table 815 lists some typical moisture values
Density Density of some ranks of coal.
Type Of Fuel MJ kg-1 MJ dm-3
Wood 15 Percentage Moisture
Rank Of Coal
Coal 24 20 Content
Crude Oil 42 27 Peat 75 – 80
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) 34.5 22 Lignite 50 – 70
Compressed Natural Gas 55-56 10 Bituminous Coal 5 – 10
Aviation Fuel 43 33 Anthracite 2–5
Ethanol 29.6 20
Plant Biomass 18 Figure 815  Different coals
Lead-acid Battery 0.1
Nuclear Fission Of U-235 300 000 000 If the coal is dried and analysed then the percentage by
Nuclear Fusion 90 000 000 composition of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and volatile
matter changes. Figure 816 lists the approximate
Figure 814  Energy density values for some fuels table percentage composition by mass of different ranks of coal
after they have been dried.

8.2.4 Energy density and choice Percentage By Mass

Component Bituminous
Peat Lignite Anthracite
of fuel Coal
Carbon 50 – 60 60 – 75 80 – 90 90 – 95
Figure 814 clearly shows that the energy density of Oxygen 35 – 40 20 – 30 10 – 15 2–3
uranium-235 would make it the best fuel per kilogram. Hydrogen 5–6 5–6 4–5 2–3
However, nuclear power stations are very expensive to Volatile matter 60 – 65 45 – 55 20 – 40 5–7
build and the cost for the production of electricity per
kilowatt-hour is more expensive than the fossil fuels. Figure 816  Compostion of coal
There are also political, social and environmental factors
to consider. The use of fossil fuels is the most cost effective Because of the high composition of volatile matter in peat
ways to produce energy. and lignite, they cannot be transported for long distances
because of safety risks. Usually, a power station will be
Depending on the situation with regards to the use and placed where the mine is located.
storage of a fuel, the energy density will be an important
consideration. For example, natural gas can be piped from Other elemental analysis of nitrogen and sulfur within the
the gas field to a site usually close to a shipping terminal coal will determine the choice when using various coals.
where it can be placed in tanks as compressed natural gas The coal in some countries has a high sulfur content and
and then be transported by ship to various countries in this greatly affects air quality in some areas. On the other
need of this fuel. hand, Australian bituminous coal and anthracite is low in
sulfur and it has become a top export fuel to Asia.

198
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

The total usable energy in 100 grams

Example 1
= 2 660 – 13 kJ = 2 647 kJ

A sample of lignite has a moisture content of 65%. For one gram this would be 2.65 kJ

(i) Determine how much water is in a 10 tonne The energy density as it is mined will be 2.65 kJ per gram

CORE
sample of this coal before crushing and drying? less than when the coal is dried.

(ii) Explain how the moisture content will reduce = 35 kJ g -1 – 2.65 kJ g -1

the amount of heat that can be obtained from
combustion of the coal. The energy density of the coal as it is mined is 32.4 kJ g -1 .

Solution 8.2.5 World consumption of

Fuels
(i) There is 65% moisture content.
Figure 817 shows the approximate world consumption
Therefore, the amount of water will be figures expressed as percentage of use.
0.65 × 10 000 kg = 6 500 kg 40

(ii) The more water present, the less coal there is to burn 35

and some of the heat released has to be used to heat

30
and evaporate the water.
25
Percentage

Example 2 20

15
A sample of anthracite has a moisture content of 5% and
when dried it has an energy density of 35 kJ g -1. Assuming 10

that during coal combustion the temperature of the

5
water in the coal is raised from 20 oC to 100 oC and then
vaporised at 100 oC, estimate the energy density of the coal 0
as it is mined.
Oil

Natural Gas

Coal

Nuclear

Hydroelectric

Solution Biomass and others

Figure 817  World fuel consumption

Energy required to convert the water to steam = mcΔT + mLV
The 1% for biomass and others include biomass, solar,
Since there is 5% moisture content, there is 5 g of water per geothermal, wind power and other alternatives. The
100g of coal. For 5 grams, percentage use represents all uses of the fuels. Much of
the crude oil and natural gas is used for the petrochemical
Q = 5g × 4.18 Jg -1K -1 × (100 oC – 20 oC) + 5g × (22.5 × 10 2 J g -1) industry for the manufacture of plastics, pharmaceuticals
and many more synthetic materials. These 2 fuels are also
= 12 922 J = 13 kJ used for transportation fuels. The next biggest use is for
the production of electricity. Each country in the world
The energy density in the other 95 grams of anthracite is has different resources and as such these percentage use
28 kJ g -1 × 95 will differ from country to country.

= 2 660 kJ

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 Chapter 8

Chile. In many places the underground temperature is

8.2.6 Advantages and greater than 150 °C at depths less than 3 kilometres and
there is commonly circulation of underground water.
disadvantages of fuels The steam that is produced is piped under pressure to
the surface to drive turbines and thus generate electricity.
The advantages and disadvantages of coal, natural gas, Geothermal power has great potential for many countries
oil and nuclear fuels will be discussed in sections 8.3 and that have hot beds of rocks and an artesian water supply.
CORE

8.4. The importance of fuels to meet the world’s energy The disadvantages of geothermal power include the release
consumption cannot be overlooked. The fossil fuels of polluting gases such as as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen
are dirty fuels and they are the cause for environmental sulfide into the atmosphere and groundwater pollution by
pollution and land degradation. There is little doubt that chemicals including heavy metals.
fossil fuels are partly to blame for the increased levels of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which could be the The main advantage of tidal power is that there is
cause of global warming. However, there appears to be no pollution and the energy is renewable. The main
another school of thought that argues that the increased disadvantage is that there are few areas in the world
carbon dioxide and melting of the ice caps may be due to that have the necessary tidal range. The construction
natural cycles in the Earth’s history. Ice core samples in costs are high. Because high tides occur approximately
Greenland have revealed that the Earth has been hotter in 50 minutes later each day, it is difficult to meet electricity
the past. Where one would expect low sea level countries demand during some high peak times. There are also
like The Maldives to have rising sea levels, it has been long construction times, high capital intensity, and these
found that the sea levels have actually decreased. However, factors are likely to rule out significant cost reductions in
the majority of scientists believe that combustion of fossil the near term.
fuels is the major cause in global warming due to the
greenhouse effect. Solar energy was neglected as an energy resource but
today there is renewed interest because of its many
Nuclear energy power stations increased during 1950‑1970. advantages. It is a means of using a free, renewable energy
However, there was a lull in power production until the resource. It is available to some extent everywhere in the
present century due to people being unsatisfied with the world, unlike fossil fuels and nuclear power. It is exempt
potential hazards of nuclear meltdowns as occurred in the from rising energy prices. Few environmental problems
USA (Three Mile Island in 1979) and the Ukraine (Chernobyl are created. It can be used in a variety of energy
in 1986) and the hazards associated with radioactive transformations for heating, cooling, electricity, trans­
wastes produced by nuclear fission. However, there has portation, lighting and mechanical power.
been a recent renaissance in nuclear power production as
governments look for greener fuels to meet there electricity Its disadvantages are also evident. It produces a small
needs. France is a major producer of nuclear energy and energy output per surface area of the cell being used. For
sells electricity to many neighbouring nations. large-scale production, it requires thousands of mirrors or
cells that take up a large area of land. It is intermittent with
Hydropower accounts for 19% of the world electricity its output being upset by night and clouds. It is relatively
supply, utilising one third of its economically exploitable expensive to set up and thus requires many years before
potential.The advantages of hydro-electric power are the investment is returned.
numerous. It avoids emissions of greenhouse gases, sulfur
dioxide and particulates.The efficiency is high and the Wind power is cheap, clean, renewable and infinite. It can
running costs are low. There is no pollution and the energy be used to provide electricity to remote areas of the world.
resource is renewable. The main disadvantages are that However, winds resulting from the heating of the Earth
large dams need to be built with population displacement are somewhat unpredictable. The initial set-up costs are
and the flooding of plant and animal habitats, and farming high, the structures suffer from metal fatigue and they are
land. There have been some dam failure resulting in the noisy.The better option being considered today is to use
death of villagers downstream from the dam reservoir. wind turbines in association with another power source.
Because of its advantages industrialised countries have One possibility is to combine solar power and wind power.
already developed their hydro-electric potential. Usually, when Sunny there is little wind but when it is
overcast there is more wind. Another possibility is to use
Geothermal power is a cheap source of energy in past and the wind to pump water into high dams associated with
present volcanic areas. There are large geothermal plants hydro-electric power stations and then to run the water
in Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, Mexico and downhill during high electricity demand periods.

200
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Wave and ocean current power has great potential. Since the 1400s (world population was half a billion),
Recent favourable technological developments in as the standard of living of the world improved, the
Scotland, Australia, Denmark and the USA suggest that it population of the world has increased exponentially. The
could provide 10% of the current world electricity supply estimate of the population in 1900 was 1 billion, in 1970
(if appropriately harnessed) - and the potential synergies it was nearing the 4 billion mark and today it has passed 6
with the offshore oil and gas industry. However, the billion. The data in Figure 818 shows that the population
cost for electricity using waves is too high at this stage. is still increasing but at a lower rate than in the past.

CORE
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology is
also a high potential energy source but further R&D are 10

still needed, in order to be able to build a representative 9

9 Billion
8
pilot plant to demonstrate OTEC’s advantages. The most 8 Billion
7
promising wave power is the oscillating water column 7 Billion

Population (billions)
6
(OWC) wave energy converters that will be examined in 6 Billion
5
section 8.4.21. 4
5 Billion
4 Billion
3
3 Billion

8.3 FOSSIL FUEL 2

1

POWER
0

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2020

2030

2040

2050
PRODUCTION Year

Figure 818  Past and predicted world population growth

8.3.1 Outline the historical and geographical Consumption of natural gas, crude oil and coal has
reasons for the widespread use of fossil increased dramatically to meet the demands of the
fuels. population. The consumption of oil since 1970 has been
more than the total consumption of the previous 200 years
8.3.2 Discuss the energy density of fossil fuels and half the consumption of all fossil fuels has occurred
with respect to the demands of power in the past 50 years. Again, the industrialised countries
stations. are the biggest consumers. For example, the USA with
5% of the world’s population uses 33% of the world’s total
8.3.3 Discuss the relative advantages and energy whereas India with 15% of the world’s population
disadvantages associated with the only consumes 1% of its total energy. More energy is used
transportation and storage of fossil fuels. in the USA for air–conditioning than is used by 1 billion
Chinese for all their energy purposes.
8.3.4 State the overall efficiency of power
stations fuelled by different fossil fuels. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the world and
at this stage, we have consumed less than 10% of the
8.3.5 Describe the environmental problems original supply. Coal will last another 400 to 600 years at
associated with the recovery of fossil fuels the present rate of consumption. Figure 819 demonstrates
and their use in power stations. two estimated coal production/consumption curves at a
© IBO 2007
production rate given in billions of tonnes per year.

8.3.1 Fossil fuels – Each tonne of coal is equivalent to 1010 J of energy.

109 metric tonnes per year

history and geography

Production rate

30

Until the middle of the nineteenth century, animals were 20

the prime source of power. They could exist on 8500 kJ 10

per day. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians
1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800
constructed their temples, aqueducts and pyramids by Year
hand with the aid of oxen, horses and mules, pulleys,
levers. The only purely mechanical sources of power were Figure 819  Two estimated coal production/
windmills, waterwheels and sailing ships. consumption curves

201
 Chapter 8

The proven recoverable reserves of coal in the world was Country Reserve percentage
estimated to be 1 078 734 million tonnes in 1990. These Saudi Arabia 25
reserves are found on every continent and this is the Iraq 10
reason for its wide use since early times. Figure 820 gives UAE 10
an estimate of the coal reserves in various countries. Kuwait 10
Iran 9
Country Reserve percentage Former USSR* 6
CORE

USA 24 Venezuela 6
Former USSR* 22 Mexico 5
China 15 USA 3
Australia 8 China 2
Germany 7 Libya 2
India 6 Nigeria/Others 2⁄10
South Africa 5
Poland 4 Figure 822  Oil reserves in the world
Canada 2
Others 7 The proven recoverable reserves of gas are more widely
spread throughout the world and natural gas has become
(* Countries in the former USSR include Armenia, the preferred fuel in many of the modern power stations
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Figure 823 gives a percentage estimate of the gas reserves
Kirgyztan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, in various countries.
Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.)
Country Reserve percentage
Figure 820  Coal reserves in the world table Former USSR* 38
Iran 14
We have already consumed 30% of the original supply of UAE 4
oil and natural gas and it is expected that the supply of Saudi Arabia 4
these non-renewable sources will only last another 40 to USA 4
80 years. Figure 821 shows two estimated oil production/ Qatar 4
consumption curves at a production rate of 109 barrels per Algeria 3
year. (We do not get oil in barrels but this is the commodity Venezuela 3
unit of sale in business markets). Each barrel of oil is Canada 2
equivalent to 5. 9 × 109 J of energy. Iraq 2
Nigeria 2
Indonesia 2
40
Australia 2
109 barrels per year

Others 16
Production

30

20 Figure 823  Gas reserves in the world

10 With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 1750s,

the steam engine and later the internal combustion energy
1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 2100 became the principal sources of power. At their best steam
80% in 58 years engines were only 8% efficient. Large amounts of energy
were needed to make and run machinery, to make roads
Figure 821  Estimated world production of crude oil and railway lines, to service cities as the rural population
flocked to the cities for employment.
The proven recoverable reserves of oil in the world was
estimated to be 136 500 million tonnes in 1990. These In the steam engine, water is heated in a boiler heat
reserves are found mainly in the Middle East and South reservoir (high temperature) to produce steam. The steam
America. Figure 822 gives an estimate of the oil reserves passes into an open intake valve where it expands causing
in various countries. a piston to move outwards. As the piston returns to its
original position, the intake valve is closed and the exhaust

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

valve opens allowing the exhaust gas to be forced into a Most electricity is produced today using steam turbines.
condenser heat reservoir (low temperature). The cycle is The piston is replaced with a rotating turbine that contains
shown in Figure 824. blades. The rotating turbine converts mechanical energy
to electrical energy via a generator. Heat from a fossil fuel
(coal or natural gas) or nuclear fuel is added to water to
form high-pressure steam. The steam performs work by
expanding against the turbine blades. To be compressed

CORE
at low pressure, the steam is condensed. This requires
that heat is extracted from the water, and this is achieved
by using cooling towers. Steam turbines are about 40%
efficient.
piston
The intensive use of electrical energy and fossil fuels for
valve the use in turbines and heat engines is a fairly recent
development in the history of our civilisation. These
engines consume large amounts of energy to the extent
cylinder
that we consume up to one million kJ per person per day
condenser
in the industrialised world. The industrial world consisting
of one-third of the world’s population consumes 80% of
boiler the world’s energy.

heat 8.3.2 Energy density of fossil

Figure 824  The steam engine fuels and power station

With the steam engine came the opportunity to transport demand

agricultural products from the country to cities and
industrial products to the country and other cities. Each type of fuel used in fossil fuelled power stations has
However, the Industrial Revolution saw the production of a different energy density. Although the energy density
large amounts of steel from iron ore and coke (a strong of lower ranked coals is not as high as bituminous coal
porous solid composed mainly of carbon). and anthracite, many economic factors still make power
stations in lignite areas feasible. The mines may be open
Therefore, the advent of industrialisation saw a marked cut mines rather than below the surface mines, they may
increase in the rate of energy useage which led to industries be close to capital cities or they may be close to shipping
being established close to the source of the fuel in order to terminals. Similarly, oil fields might be close to population
cut down on transportation costs. Coal is a versatile fuel areas. A big advantage of natural gas is that it does not have
that can be used directly as a solid fuel or modified to coke, to be in situ because it can be piped over long distances
processed to liquid and gaseous fuels or manufactured thus not requiring transportation. Natural gas can be
into a wide range of chemicals. Every tonne of a 60% liquefied and shipped to countries that have the demand
iron ore requires one tonne of coke. Before electricity was for this export commodity.
produced after the discovery of electromagntic induction
in 1832, town gas was produced for industry and homes There are different demands on power stations throughout
for supplying heat energy for cooking and warming houses a day as there are peak and off-peak periods due to our
and for lighting. Those countries who were successful lifestyle choices. While many industries never stop, humans
in modernising usually centred their manufacturing have an appetite for power from around 18:00 hours until
industries close to coal mines. This is especially true in the we go to sleep. The first hydro-electric power station at
Ruhrgebiet of Germany and the coal mines of the USA, Niagara Falls in New York state and Canada designed by
China, Australia, United Kingdom and Russia. Nikola Tesla uses the off-peak electricity surplus to pump
the water back into containment dams above the falls.
The steam engine (and steam turbine) are examples of During demand periods, the water is released from the
external combustion engines. The fuel is burnt outside the dams to achieve more megawatts of energy per hour.
engine and the thermal energy is transferred to a piston or
a turbine chamber by means of steam.

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 Chapter 8

Figure 825 lists typical energy density values of the major (c) 1 tonne = 1000 kg 1dm3 = 1kg
fuels used in fossil-fuelled power stations as well as petrol.
5.4 × 104 tonnes × 1000 = 5.4 × 107 dm3.
Energy Density (Coals When Dried)
Fuel Solid Or Liquid Gas
MJ kg -1
MJ dm -3
MJ dm-3 Example
natural gas 55-56 23-24 0.038-0.039
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propane 50.0 25.4 0.093

butane 49.5 28.7 0.124 A 250 MW coal-fired power station burns coal with an
gasoline 56.5 45-55 energy density of 35 MJ kg -1. Water enters the cooling
tower at a temperature of 293 K and leaves at a temperature
peat 25
of 350 K and the water flows through the cooling tower at
lignite 25-30
the rate of 4200 kg s-1.
bituminous coal 30-35
anthracite 35-38 (a) Calculate the energy removed by the water each
second.
Figure 825  Typical energy densities for  
dried coals and other fuels (table) (b) Calculate the energy produced by the combustion
of coal each second.
Because of the higher energy density of natural gas, it is
becoming the preferred choice of the new power stations (c) Calculate the overall efficiency of the power
that are coming into production. Natural gas is also cleaner station.
and less polluting than coals and oils.
(d) Calculate the mass of coal burnt each second.

Example
Solution

A coal-fired power station burns coal with 50% moisture

content. The composition of the dried sample is found to (a) The power station produces 250 MW of power per
contain on analysis 72% carbon, 5% hydrogen and 23% second
oxygen. If 500 tonnes is burnt hourly:
Q = m c ΔT = 4200 kg × 4180 J kg-1K-1 × (350 – 293 K) =
(a) Estimate the mass of water vapour emitted from 1.000692 × 109 J
the cooling towers each hour.
= 1 × 109 J per second = 1000 MW.
(b) Estimate the mass of water vapour produced in a week.
(b) The answer is 1250 MW. 1000 MW is degraded in
(c) Estimate the volume of condensed water vapour the cooling tower and there is 250 MW output as
produced in a week. electrical energy. Therefore, the energy produced by
combustion of coal = 1000 +250 = 1250 MW.

Solution (c) Efficiency = useful energy output ÷ total energy

input × 100%

(a) Assuming the hydrogen and oxygen is converted to = 250 ÷ 1250 × 100% = 20%
steam, the total amount of steam = 50% + 28% of
the remaining 50% = 64% (d) 1250 × 10 6 ÷ 35 × 10 6 = 35.7 kg

64% of 500 tonnes = 320 tonnes.

(b) 320 × 24 × 7 = 5.4 × 104 tonnes

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Power stations using coal are preferably located near coal

8.3.3 Transportation and mines to minimise transport costs. Furthermore, many
steel mills are located near mines as much of the coal is
storage of fossil fuels required for coking (the removal of volatiles from the coal
to produce coke). The coke is used in blast furnaces to aid
A decision to develop a coal mine, an oil field or a gas in the reduction of iron ore to iron. In Australia, around
field as a commercial venture requires that many factors 8% of the coal mined is used for coking and 25% is used as

CORE
have to be taken into account. Some of the considerations steaming coal in power stations. 45% is exported to Asia by
include ships. Again, it is not surprising that the major coal mines
are located close to shipping docks. The coal is railed to
• the location of the reserve the docks. Coal with high rank advance is relatively safe to
• the availability of water transport and store.
• construction costs
• the mining and treatment costs
• the cost of towns and services to house the 8.3.4 Efficiency of fossil fuelled
workers and their families
• the cost of transportation systems power stations
• the price obtained for the fossil fuel
• the energy density of a coal There are three main factors which affect the efficiency of
• the type of light or heavy crude oil power stations:
• the lifetime of the reserve
• the environmental costs as imposed by • fuel type (lignite, black coal, gas, oil)
government regulations. • the load factor (full load, part load)
• the employed technology (conventional, combined
Transportation and storage of fossil fuels can be under­ heat and power)
taken using pipelines, railroads, trucks and ships. Natural
gas is usually transported and stored in pipelines although Power stations are becoming more efficient and many
exports of LNG are shipped in pressurised containers. conventional ones have improved their efficiency by 5
Pipelines are a cost effective means of distributing natural to 10 percent over the last 30 years. This is mainly due
gas and there are many agreements between countries to a better cooling water source allowing for a greater
who pipe their gas to other countries as is the case with the variation between the hot and cold reservoirs. A power
vast reserves of the Russian Federation. The disadvantages station in Denmark obtains 45% efficiency, the world’s
of piping gas include unsightly pipelines, possible leakage, highest for an operational, single cycle, large coal-fired plant.
explosions, governments holding other countries to
ransom when they do not conform to political issues, and, Conventional coal-fired power stations can obtain
possible terrorist activities. efficiencies in the 33 – 39 percent range. Gas-powered power
stations are in the 33 – 46 percentage efficiency range.
Many oil refineries are located near the sea close to large
cities so that the labour force and social infrastructures The load factor is an indication of electricity used by
are available, and to ensure that the import or export of consumers and it is calculated by dividing the average load
crude oil and it fractions can be transported by ships to by the peak load over a certain period of time. Residential
their destinations throughout the world. The biggest homes tend to have low load factors because people only
disadvantage of shipping has proven to be the oil slicks that use electricity during certain hours of the day. Industrial
have threatened wildlife due to sinking and leaking ships. consumers will have high load factors because they operate
At the refineries, great care has to be taken in storing the throughout the day and night. 
crude oil fractions in tanks that have containment walls
to protect leakage or explosion. Pipelines are common in The highest efficiencies are being obtained in combined
many countries. However, they are unsightly and they are cycle plants such as the cogeneration or CHP (combined
open to terrorist attack as has been the case in Iraq, Nigeria heat and power) plants. In a combined cycle plant, surplus
and Kuwait in recent times. Likewise, the transportation of heat from a gas turbine is used to produce steam which
petrol and diesel from the cities to the outlying provinces in turn drives a steam turbine. Efficiencies of over 50%
also has its associated hazards of leakages, transport can be achieved. Furthermore, if the plants waste heat is
accidents and explosions. utilized for the heating of houses or an industrial process,
efficiencies of 80% are achievable.

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 Chapter 8

surveys, core sampling for botanical microorganisms,

8.3.5 Environmental recovery drill prospecting, onshore and offshore engineering and
construction of production facilities before a substantial
and use concerns sedimentary basin reserve comes into production at costs
around 10 000 million dollars.
Coal can be mined in two ways:
If the sedimentary basin looks promising then a drilling
•
CORE

Underground mine seams through tunneling program begins. Oil formations are usually drilled using
• Open cut or strip mining mud-rotary and diamond core drilling.

The recovery of coal from underground mines is The mud-rotary method consists of a tri-cone bit with
dangerous and more expensive than open pit and strip water and clay circulation which stops the hole in the
mining. The mines have to be ventilated so that poisonous relatively soft sedimentary rock from collapsing. The
and flammable gases and particulate matter are removed geologists get information from these holes by examining
and all the water has to be pumped to the surface. There the rock chips called cuttings or by lowering geophysical
are many accidents due to fires and collapsing rocks. There instruments down the hole. Some mud-rotary holes for oil
is also a risk of black lung disease to the miners due to exploration can be as deep as 9 kilometres and may cost
particulate matter accumulating in their lungs. Not all of in the vicinity of 2 million dollars per hole. In diamond
the coal can be removed as coal pillars support the roof core drilling, a drill bit set with small diamonds can drill
of the coal seam to stop the mine collapsing. Further through very hard rocks. A cylindrical core of the rock
support is provided by timber, steel, concrete or roof bolts formations is brought to the surface and information can
as shown in Figure 826. In many discontinued mines there be gathered.
has been collapsed roofs which cause land subsistence at
the surface and houses and other buildings can become There are onshore and offshore reserves in basins at a
structurally unsafe. depth usually between 2 to 6 kilometres underground.
Offshore drilling is very expensive and therefore once a
Upper rock
drilling platform has been anchored in the sea, between
strata 10 and 30 wells are drilled using a technique known as
directional drilling. The holes reach out from the platform
Ceiling Coal to the target areas. The platforms have to be a safe work
bolts seam
environment for up to 80 workers whose job it is to drill
Coal
pillar holes, supervise production, maintain the platform,
provide food and accommodation. The platforms also
Figure 826  Supporting the roof of a coal seam need space for a helipad, cranes, communication dishes
and towers and safety capsules.
When coal seams are close to the surface, the topsoil is
removed and the coal is mined in open cut pits. In strip The gas and crude are brought to the surface by natural
mining, the overburden rock strata and soil is removed and water drive or by artificial means. The water/oil mixture
piled on the previously mined area and mining proceeds is passed through a separator and the water, sand
in a series of strips across the coal seam. Most of the coal and gases in solution are removed. The oil is pumped
can be be extracted and the cost is less expensive than through pipelines under high pressure to sea terminals
underground mining. Lower grade coals can be used. If and refineries. Natural gas is mainly methane but it also
the land is not reclaimed within a short period then water contains ethane, propane, butane, pentane and impurities
erosion can occur and sulfur deposits can react with these of sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The impurities have to
to form acid. Reclamation of the land can be undertaken be removed to give the natural gas a marketable value.
by covering the ugly area with topsoil and planting trees
and grass over the area. Some power plants use the ash Offshore exploration has little effect on the environment.
from coal combustion to fill the area. However, the ash Dynamite is no longer used to cause shock waves for
combines with water to form alkalis. It has also become seismic exploration. Modern air guns have little harmful
popular to use compacted garbage to fill the land. effect to marine life. The greatest source of environmental
damage can be caused by oil blowouts when the pressure
Crude oil and natural gas recovery is very expensive when in the reservoir exceeds the pressure of the mud column
compared to coal mining. It can take 30 years of geological in the drill hole.
mapping, geophysical seismic exploration, geochemical

206
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Figure 827 shows the quantities of fuel and air used when the gas reacts with moisture above the larynx. The
hourly in a typical coal-fired power station and the hourly effects are increased further if particles are present as the
production of exhaust gases and ash. sulfur dioxide adheres to them and they are carried into
the bronchus and alveoli. Sulfur dioxide can also reduce
9100 tonnes of flue gases the growth of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. Petroleum
68% N2 , 22% CO 2 , 5% H 2O, 3% O2 refining and the production of coke also contribute to
2% made up of Ar, NO, SO2
atmospheric sulfur dioxide.

CORE
Oxides of nitrogen are formed either from the combustion
of carbon compounds containing nitrogen or the reaction
at high temperature between nitrogen and oxygen
in the air. These oxides of nitrogen can also be an
environmental hazard. The reactions of oxides of nitrogen
8200 tonnes of air
75.6% N2
and hydrocarbons can produce photochemical smog. In
23.1% O2 the presence of ultra-violet radiation nitrogen dioxide
1.2% Ar FURNACE
0.1% CO2 decomposes to an oxygen free radical that can react with
1000 tonnes of coal oxygen molecules to form ozone which is harmful to
100 tonnes of ash
plants and animals.

Power stations and factories produce particulate matter

Figure 827  Hourly use of reactants   (small dust particles or ash) in the form of silica and
and products of a coal power station metallic oxides, silicates and sulfates. By the use of
electrostatics, much of this matter can be removed so that
Pollutants are substances that have undesirable effects it does not enter the atmosphere, and the removed matter
on living things and property. Air pollution occurs when can be recycled to produce construction materials such as
these pollutants are introduced into the atmosphere. bricks. Figure 816 shows the basics of a typical electrostatic
precipitator.
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are the major
Positively charged mesh
pollutants introduced into the air by fossil-fuelled power Chimney

+
metal plates
stations. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that reduces
the ability of the blood to transport oxygen from the lungs
to the cells in the body. If the carbon monoxide is in a high
enough concentration, the haemoglobin reacts with the
carbon monoxide rather than the oxygen and poisoning ++
+ +
or death can occur. Luckily, most of the carbon monoxide ++ + +
+ + +
is quickly removed from the atmosphere by soil bacteria. + +
metal plates
smoke and are earthed
Carbon dioxide as already noted is increasing in the dust particles smoke particles
atmosphere and it is believed that infra-red radiation is
being trapped in the atmosphere due to carbon dioxide
increase. Through the enhanced greenhouse effect, the Figure 828 Schematic diagram 
lower atmosphere temperature could increase by several of an electrostatic precipitator
degrees and this will contribute to global warming.
A metal grid made of mesh is charged positively to about
The sulfur dioxide results from the combustion of carbon 50 000 V to cause the smoke surrounding it to be ionised
compounds containing sulfur and the oxidation of metal to produce electrons and positive smoke ions. The positive
sulfides in the coal. Attempts are made to minimise sulfur ions are repelled from the mesh and attach themselves to
gases in a scrubber. Sulfur dioxide can combine with water some of the dust particles in the smoke. The charged dust
in the atmosphere to form sulurous acid, a mildly acidic particles are attracted to Earthed plates where they stick.
solution that falls as acid rain. Many plants are sensitive to A mechanical device hits the plates periodically and the
sulfur dioxide as it reduces the production of chlorophyll ash falls into collecting bins.
and their leaves turn yellow. At higher concentrations it can
cause plants and trees to dry out, bleach and die. Humans
who suffer from respiratory problems can have problems

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 Chapter 8

7. A coal-fired power station burns coal with 30%

Exercise 8.3 moisture content. The composition of the dried
sample is found to contain on analysis 70%
carbon, 5% hydrogen and 25% oxygen. If 1000
1. Which one of the following is not considered to be tonnes is burnt hourly:
a fossil fuel?
(a) Estimate the mass of water vapour emitted
CORE

A. wood from the cooling towers each hour?

B. uranium (b) Estimate the mass of water vapour
C. coal produced in a week?
D. crude oil (c) Estimate the volume of condensed water
vapour produced in a week?
2. The correct rank advance for rank advance of coal is:
8. It has been suggested that crude oil should be used
A. lignite, peat, bituminous coal, anthracite for other purposes rather than as a transportation
B. bituminous coal, peat, anthracite, lignite fuel. Deduce the reasoning behind this statement.
C. peat, lignite, bituminous coal anthracite
D. antracite, lignite, bituminous coal, peat 9. Assume that a sample of coal has an empirical
formula C5 H4 and that a coal-fired power station
3. The fuel below with the highest energy density burns a 1000 tonne of coal per hour.
value is:
(a) Write an equation for the complete
A. coal combustion of the coal.
B. crude oil (b) Calculate the mass of oxygen required for
C. ethanol this combustion each hour.
D. compressed natural gas (c) If 25 dm3 of oxygen is required per mole,
calculate the volume of oxygen that is
4. Why are energy density values of fuels usually required each hour for this combustion.
expressed in J g -1 rather than kJ mol -1? (d) Air contains approximately 20% oxygen.
What volume of air is required hourly.
5. A schematic diagram of a typical coal-fired power
station is shown in Figure 817. 10. A coal-fired power station has a power output of
Top ash
500 MW and operates at an efficiency of 35%. The
Combustion gases
energy density of the coal being consumed during
combustion is 31.5 MJ kg-1.
Electrostatic
precipitator

(a) Determine the rate at which heat is being

Steam
Turbine Set up transformer produced by the burning coal.
Coal Boiler Electricity (b) Determine the rate at which coal is being
Bin Generator
Crusher burned.
Coal Water
Cooling
water
(c) The heat is discarded into the cooling
storage
towers of the power plant and is then stored
Pulveriser
Coal delivery
Bottom Ash in containment reservoirs. Determine the
water flow rate needed to maintain the
Suggest a reason why coal is ground to a fine water temperature in the towers at 10 °C.
powder before combustion.

6. A sample of lignite has a moisture content of

65% and when dried it has an energy density of
28 kJ -1. Assuming that during coal combustion
the temperature of the water in the coal is raised
from 20 °C to 100 °C and then vaporised at 100 °C,
estimate the energy density of the coal as it is mined.

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

8.4 NON-FOSSIL FUEL POWER PRODUCTION

Nuclear power β
γ ν fast
ν fast
(Bombarding neutron)
β ν
8.4.1 Describe how neutrons produced in a n U235 M2

CORE
U236
fission reaction may be used to initiate M1
further fission reactions (chain reaction). ν – neutrino ν
ν fast – fast neutrino
β
8.4.2 Distinguish between controlled γ
– beta rays
– gamma rays
ν fast
β γ
nuclear fission (power production) and M1 – light fission fragment
uncontrolled nuclear fission (nuclear M2 – heavier fission fragment

weapons). U236 – short lived, vibrating high energy nucleus

8.4.3 Describe what is meant by fuel enrichment. Figure 830  Nuclear fission of U–235

8.4.4 Describe the main energy transformations The process of nuclear fission and the manner of how a
that take place in a nuclear power station. neutron fired at a nuclide can produce smaller fragments
is explained using the liquid drop model as shown in
8.4.5 Discuss the role of the moderator and the Figure 831. An analogy to help explain this could be a
control rods in the production of controlled drop of water when it breaks up as it falls from a dripping
fission in a thermal fission reactor. tap. The water droplet can be seen to be stretching and
wobbling before it breaks apart into smaller fragments.
8.4.6 Discuss the role of the heat exchanger in a The counter forces of surface tension and intermolecular
fission reactor. forces between the water molecules are holding the water
© IBO 2007
droplet intact before it breaks up.

8.4.1 The role of neutrons in

INITIAL STATE

U235
Bombarding
neutron
nuclear fission
n n
Recall that nuclear reactions are reactions that result in
changes to the nuclei and occur whenever a parent nuclide
n – neutron
gains, loses or changes one of its nucleons (a nuclear
particle such as a proton or neutron). The products of
the transmutation are daughter nuclides and elementary n
particles. One way to cause a nuclear transmutation is FINAL STATE

using a nuclear fission reaction. In this transmutation, a Ba141 Kr92

stable parent nuclide is bombarded with slow or thermal
(with energy ≈ 1 eV or speeds of 1.2 × 103 ms -1 or 1.2 km s -1)
neutrons in what is called neutron activation. Figure 831  The liquid drop model

An intermediate unstable nucleus U–236 that fissions In a similar manner, the balance of electrostatic forces
rapidly then produces two daughter nuclides (a smaller between protons and the short- range strong nuclear force
and a larger fragment), fast neutrons with speeds near holds the nucleus together. If a fast neutron was fired at the
2 × 107 m s-1 (20 000 km s-1), elementary particles such as nucleus, it would pass straight through the nucleus leaving
neutrinos (ν) and β–particles, and γ–radiation. Figure 830 it unchanged. However, with a slow neutron absorbed, the
shows a schematic representation of the nuclear fission of unstable isotope U–236 is momentarily formed causing
U–235. the nucleus to deform due to the balance of forces being
disturbed. The nucleus oscillates and the electrostatic
repulsive forces between the protons dominate causing
the nucleus to break up into two smaller fragments.

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 Chapter 8

In any nuclear reaction, certain Conservation Laws govern

the reaction: 8.4.2 Controlled and
1. momentum is conserved (relativistically) uncontrolled nuclear

2. total charge is conserved (charge of products = fission

charge of reactants)
CORE

In 1938, two German scientists, Otto Hahn and Fritz

3. the number of nucleons remain constant Strassmann following on from the works of the Italian
scientist, Enrico Fermi, found that when uranium-235 was
4. mass-energy is conserved (Δ E = mc2) bombarded with neutrons, two lighter fragment daughter
nuclides and other rare Earth elements were formed. Two
Since the parent nuclide is stationary, the kinetic energy of the many possible nuclear transmutation reactions are
before the reaction is due to the kinetic energy of the fired 235 0 148 85 0
92 U + 1n → 57 L a + 35 B r + 3 1n
neutron. However, the kinetic energy after the reaction is
greater than the kinetic energy of the initial neutron – the 235 0 139 95 0
mass defect Δm has been changed into energy ΔE. 92 U + 1n → 56 B a + 36 B r + 2 1n

The smallest possible amount of fissionable material that In other words, not every nucleus of U–235 produces
will sustain a chain reaction is called the critical mass. the same two daughter nuclides although some daughter
The critical mass is determined when one of the neutrons fragments are more probable than others. In general we
released by fission will cause another fission. Apart from can write:
the amount of fissionable material, the shape of the 235 0 0
92 U + 1n → A + B + x ⋅ 1n
material is also important. The preferred fuel for thermal
reactors is solid uranium pellets contained in cylindrical
fuel rods made of a zirconium alloy. This alloy is capable where x is a positive integer.
of withstanding high temperatures without distorting
and becoming stuck in the fuel rod cavities. Not all the The implications of this research would have far-reaching
neutrons produced will leak from the reactor core and this consequences in the history of our civilisation. In 1939,
is taken into consideration when determining the critical Albert Einstein wrote to the then US president Franklin
mass. Typically in a small thermal reactor, the critical mass Roosevelt discussing the military applications of fission
(contained as pellets in the fuel rods) is a few kilograms in research. Within a short time, The Manhattan Project,
mass. There are about 150 fuel assemblies (see Figure 832) the precursor for the design of the bombs that destroyed
containing about 60 fuel rods each placed into the core of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, had begun. Today, the
the reactor. In the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986, it threat of military use of nuclear fission is still real and the
was determined that the ziconium alloy cladding of the United Nations is concerned that some countries may have
fuel rods overheated and led to the release of the fission nuclear weapon ambition. However, the fission process
products causing a meltdown in the reactor core. has valid uses in medical research and power generation.

When fission takes place, additional neutrons (2 or 3) are

released which leads to the possibility of producing a self-
sustaining chain reaction as demonstrated in Figure 833.

Control rods Fuel rods

Figure 832  Fuel rod assembly

210
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

1st generation
neutron
2nd generation
neutron
3rd generation
neutron
4th generation
neutron
– U 235
92 energy conversions in a power station using an energy
– lost neutron flow diagram as shown in Figure 834. The rectangles
contain the different forms of energy, the circles show the
conversion process, and the arrows show energy changes
and energy outputs. The linked forms of energy can be
said to form an energy chain.

CORE
50 units lost as
heat to the
cooling towers

100 reactor thermal steam

uranium core energy generator
units

15 units potential
lost as heat latent heat

Figure 833  The principle of a chain reaction

30 electrical AC kinetic steam
units energy generator energy turbine
If there are too few neutrons the nuclear chain reaction will
cease and the reactor will shut down. If there are too many
neutrons a runaway reaction will cause an explosion. The lost as heat
in transition
friction friction

reaction will become uncontrolled as in a typical atomic

bomb where enough fissionable material is in a sufficiently Figure 834  Principal mechanisms  
small space. In a nuclear reactor, if a chain reaction was in a nuclear power station
to occur, the large amounts of energy would cause the
fuel to melt and set fire to the reactor in what is called a The efficiency can be represented by the Sankey diagram
meltdown. as in Figure 835.

8.4.3 Fuel enrichment 100 units

30 units
electrical
output
input

Not all uranium atoms will undergo fission in a controlled

manner. Natural uranium obtained from oxides of 5 units lost due to
uranium ores such as pitchblende consists of 99.3% of the 15 units lost 50 units lost as
friction and
transmission
uranium–238 isotope, 0.7% of the uranium–235 isotope in the reactor
core
heat to the
cooling towers
and 0.006% uranium–234.
Figure 835  The efficiency of a power station
U–238 and U–234 are not fissionable with thermal
neutrons. Only U–235 is readily fissionable with thermal Heat energy is produced by the fission of uranium nuclei
neutrons (neutrons that have energy comparable to gas in the core of the nuclear reactor. Heavy water absorbs
particles at normal temperatures). Most commercial the heat energy in a heat exchanger under pressure, and
reactors are thermal reactors. it is turned into steam. The steam contains latent potential
energy as it has been converted from a liquid to a gas.
Most thermal reactor fuel is a mixture of fissionable and Steam under pressure is capable of doing mechanical work
fertile material but it is enriched with U–235 to increase the to supply the rotational kinetic energy to turn the steam
probability of fission occurring. The common enrichment turbines. The turbine is coupled to the generator that
procedure involves the formation of uranium hexafluoride produces electrical energy.
gas followed by the separation of the U–235 and U–238
isotopes in a gas centrifuge. Energy is lost to the surroundings at many stages. For
example, if 100 units of energy are supplied from the
primary energy source then only 30 units of useful
8.4.4 Energy transformations of energy is available. The majority of the useful energy is
lost to water in the cooling towers as heat is evolved in
a nuclear power station the condensation component of the heat exchanger cycle.
Other forms of energy loss are shown on the arrowed parts
The principle mechanisms involved in the production of of the diagram.
electrical power can be demonstrated by looking at the

211
 Chapter 8

reactor core, it can become radioactive and contaminated.

8.4.5 Essential features of a Therefore, the coolant must exchange its heat with a
secondary cooling circuit through a heat exchanger. The
thermal fission reactor steam produced in the secondary loop drives a turbine
to produce electricity. The low pressure steam that
The essential features of a thermal reactor are: passes through the turbine is passed into cooling ponds
or cooling towers where the excess heat is dissipated.
•
CORE

the fuel Common coolants include air, helium gas, heavy water,
• a moderator liquid sodium or certain liquid organic compounds. In
• the control rods many reactors, the coolant is also the moderator.
• the coolant
• radiation shielding The radiation shielding ensures the safety of personnel
working inside and around the reactor from suffering
The moderator is a material that will slow down the the ill effects of radiation exposure. There are usually two
fast neutrons to the speed of the slow thermal neutrons shields: several metres of high-density concrete to protect
needed for a self-sustained reaction without absorbing the the walls of the reactor core from radiation leakage and to
neutrons when they collide with the moderator material. help reflect neutrons back into the core and a biological
The moderator material is placed around the reactor core shield to protect personnel made of several centimetres of
and in between each of the fuel assemblies. In order to be high density concrete.
effective, the moderator must have a mass very close to
the mass of a neutron so that the fast neutron can loose A typical schematic diagram of a thermal reactor is shown
maximum energy in a single collision. Moderators include in Figure 836.
ordinary water, heavy water (D2O), graphite, beryllium or
liquid sodium. In the Chernobyl accident, the graphite Steam
turbine Electric generator
core caught fire. Graphite fires are almost impossible to High pressure steam
fully extinguish. The reactor core sank to the bottom of the Core
(Fuel & moderator)
reactor building and a theory called the ‘China Syndrome’ Hot water Low
developed that the core could continue to burn out of pressure
steam
Coolant
control until it would eventually penetrate the Earth’s Fuel rods
Steam
surface. Pump
generator
Steam condenser
Coolant

If this had occurred, the core would have reached the water Cool water
Pump
table and there would have been a massive radioactive
High pressure water
cloud of steam many times the radioactivity of the original Low pressure water

cloud. Fortunately, this did not happen. Primary loop Secondary loop

The rate of nuclear fission in the reactor core can be Figure 836  A schematic thermal reactor.
controlled by inserting or removing the control rods.
The control rods are constructed of materials that absorb
neutrons. The rods are usually steel rods containing boron 8.4.6 The heat exchanger in
or cadmium that are said to have high neutron capture
cross-section. Most reactors have two sets of control rods: nuclear reactors
one set of regulating rods for routine control of the fission
rate, the other as a safety measure in case they have to be Recall that we cannot convert all the random motion
lowered into the core during an emergency shut-down. associated with the internal energy into useful work but
The regulating rods can be added or removed, or partially we can at least extract some useful work from internal
or fully inserted into the core as needed. There can be a energy using a heat engine. To make a heat engine, we
large number of control rods in or out of a reactor. need a source of heat and a working fluid. Recall also that
according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics that it is
The coolant circulates through the reactor core and impossible to construct a heat engine operating in a cycle
removes thermal energy transferring it to where it can do that extracts heat from a reservoir and delivers an equal
useful work by converting water into steam. The energy amount of work.
release in a single fission reaction is about 200 MeV or
3.2 × 10-11 J. Because the coolant is in direct contact with the

212
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Cooling tower
A heat exchanger is a system basically acting as a heat
engine driven by chemical reactions (the combustion of Containment
housing
fossil fuels) or by nuclear reactions. The working fluid is
water heated in a boiler that is converted to steam at high
Control rods Sprinkler
pressure. In a nuclear power station, the heat produced by Turbine system

the nuclear reactor is fed via the closed primary loop to a Generator

steam generator vessel. Condenser

CORE
Baffles

The steam generated expands adiabatically against the Pressure

container
blades of a turbine – a fan-like structure that spins when Steam generator

struck by the steam. The turbine is coupled to a generator – pump

that converts mechanical kinetic energy to electrical
energy. The energy flow diagram of a heat exchanger is Figure 839  Design features of the  
shown in Figure 837. heat exchanger and cooling tower.

The temperature of the reactor is limited to a temperature

High temperature reservoir at T H
of 570 K. Higher temperatures tend to damage to the fuel
rods. Typically, the water in the secondary loop is returned
QH
after condensation to the boiler at a temperature of 310 K.
Therefore, the maximum possible efficiency of a nuclear
power plant is:
W QL 310
η = 1 – -------- = 1 – --------- = 0.46 = 46 %
QH 570
QL
With further energy used to drive pumps and pollution
control devices, the efficiency is usually reduced to 34%.
High temperature reservoir at T H
Many of the original power plants used water in the
reservoir surrounding the condenser from rivers and
Figure 837  Energy flow diagram of a heat exchanger lakes to cool the steam back to liquid water. However, this
caused thermal pollution and produced many ecological
When the steam leaves the turbine, it is in the gaseous problems. Today, expensive cooling towers release the
state at a higher temperature than the water supplied to waste heat to the air. This form of thermal pollution has a
the boiler. If the steam had returned to the original liquid decreased environmental effect.
state all the energy acquired in the boiler would have been
extracted as work and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
would be violated. 8.4.7 Describe how neutron capture by a
nucleus of uranium-238 (238U) results in the
To complete the cycle and to use the steam again, the production of a nucleus of plutonium-239
steam is run through a condenser. The condenser is a (239Pu).
coil of pipes in contact with a large volume of water, and
carries the steam back to the boiler as cool water. The basic 8.4.8 Describe the importance of plutonium-239
design features are shown in Figure 839. (239Pu) as a nuclear fuel.

8.4.9 Discuss safety issues and risks associated

with the production of nuclear power.

8.4.10��������������������������������������
Outline the problems associated with
producing nuclear power using nuclear
fusion.

8.4.11�������������������������������������
Solve problems on the production of
nuclear power.
© IBO 2007

213
 Chapter 8

Blanket of uranium-238
8.4.7 Neutron capture and
plutonium–239

U-238 is a non-fissionable isotope but it is called a fertile

238 1 239
+0n0n→
238 it+can UU by neutron capture to
92 UU
material because 1 be converted
239
92 →9292
CORE

U–239 according to the following nuclear equation:

238 1 239
+ 0n → 92 U
92 U
Plutonium -239 and uranium -235
This isotope undergoes β-decay to produce fissionable control rods
plutonium Pu–239 according to the following nuclear
equations: Figure 840  Uranium-238 blanket

239 β β-239
- _
e0 + v v_
0
239 → 239 ++ Suppose there were 100 fissions of U-235 and there were
92 UU → 93 NpNp -1 e +antineutrino
92 93 -1 antineutrino 240 neutrons produced. 100 neutrons will be needed
Then
Then 239 β 239
-
0 _ for the fission of U-235 and there will be 140 neutrons
-U →
β- 239 Np + _ e + v
e0 + v-1_ antineutrino
239 0 available. Suppose some neutrons are lost and that there
239 →92 β
Pu +93+
93 Np →94239 -1 e + v
93 NpThen 94 Pu -1 is 110 available for capture by non-fissionable U-238
The Pu–239 is fissionable as βcan
- be shown in the_ following to produce 110 Pu-239 fissions. Therefore, 100 U-235
239 239 0
93 Np
equation and large amounts → of energy
94 Pu +are
-1
e + v
released: fissions would produce 110 Pu-239 fissions which is a 10%
increase in fuel.
239 1 147 90 1
239 + n1 → 147 90 3 n1
93 PuPu 0 n →56 BaBa+ +
+ 38 SrS+
r + 0 n
3
93 0 56 38 0
No moderator is used as the neutrons do not have to be
239 1 147 90 1 slowed down. Liquid sodium is used as the coolant.
8.4.8 Plutonium
93 Pu + 0n–239
→ 56 Ba as Sr + 3 0n
+ 38a

nuclear fuel 8.4.9 Safety and risks of nuclear

This type of fission reaction is used in slow and fast breeder power
reactors (a nuclear fission reactor that creates or “breeds”
more fissionable material than consumed). A significant shift to nuclear energy would reduce the need
to use coal, natural gas and oil-based power plants. These
As an isotope, uranium-238 is 140 times more abundant fossil fuel power plants are more efficient than nuclear
than uranium-235. The neutrons given off in a uranium- power plants but they too have their environmental
235 fission can “breed” more fuel if the non-fissionable impacts. As well as the thermal pollution produced in the
uranium-238 is placed in a “blanket” around control rods heat exchange process, they contribute far more to the
containing plutonium-239 and uranium-235 as shown greenhouse effect and the contamination of ecosystems.
in Figure 840. In a fast breeder reactor, the fast neutrons
produced by uranium-235 fission are used to produce Nuclear power produces a significant amount of energy
Pu-239. On average 2.4 neutrons are produced in a U-235 even though only 30% of the energy eventually “reaches”
fission with one neutron required for the next fission and the electricity power grid with the other 70% being wasted
1.4 left for neutron capture by U-238. in the production and transmission process. The reserves
of uranium and thorium fuels are significant with some
estimates of time of depletion as high as 2000 years.
However, a significant shift to nuclear power could result
in these being used up in a relatively short period of time,
perhaps 100 years.

The main risks associated with the production of nuclear

power are:

214
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

• Problems associated with the mining of uranium control rods. The coolant was not recycling and when the
• Problems with the disposal of nuclear waste alarm was raised, they turned the coolant back on. When
• The risk of a thermal meltdown the coolant interacted with the reactor there was a nuclear
• The risk that nuclear power programmes may be meltdown and its associated explosion. The thermal
used as a means to produce nuclear weapons energy produced was so high that the graphite moderator
caught on fire and it had to be encased in concrete. The
Uranium ore can be mined by open pit and underground immediate population were exposed to high doses of

CORE
mining or solution mining where solutions are pumped ionising radiation that destroyed body tissues and death
underground to leach the uranium-bearing minerals occurred immediately or soon after exposure. The effects
from sand. Extraction of uranium from sea water has of lower doses did not show up for years after exposure but
also been undertaken. Uranium mining is considerably there was many cases of illness due to various changes in
more dangerous than other mining. The biggest risk is the DNA molecules and chromosomes that caused cancer and
exposure of miners and the environment to radon-222 gas other genetic effects leading to further deaths.
and other highly radioactive daughter products as well as
seepage water containing radioactive and toxic materials. Farmers throughout Northern Europe had to stop selling
In the 1950s, a significant number of American uranium grains, fruit, livestock and dairy products due to the
miners developed small-cell lung cancer due to the radon chances of radioactive fallout entering the food chain. It
that was shown to be the cancer causing agent. took them years before the radiation levels had fallen to
acceptable levels.
The technology to build and operate fission reactors is
significant. However, the main concern seems to be the The disadvantage of possible nuclear power plant
effective disposal of the low-level (radioactive cooling containment failure is always with us. Nuclear terrorism
water, laboratory equipment and protective clothing) is always present. Australia, a big exporter of uranium is
intermediate-level (coolant) and high-level (fuel rods) making plans to begin a nuclear energy program. Nuclear
waste. The products of fission called “ash” include isotopes fission does provide large amounts of electrical power and
of the elements strontium, caesium and krypton and the use of fission is likely to continue until solar energy
these are highly radioactive with a half-life of 30 years or and nuclear fusion become viable alternatives.
less. Perhaps the biggest concern is that plutonium-239,
another highly radioactive product has a half-life of 24 600
years. This isotope is also a threat as it is used in nuclear 8.4.10 Problems unsolved with
warheads. Even though uranium-235 is only mildly
radioactive, it becomes contaminated with the other nuclear fusion
highly reactive isotopes within the reactor. Presently, the
disposal methods include storage in deep underground Recall the process of the nuclear fusion mechanism that
storage areas. If the present disposal methods fail, then you have already studied in Chapter 7. Controlled nuclear
the danger to the environment would be catastrophic. fusion could be the ideal energy source of the future
Radioactive waste would find its way into the food chain because of its clean image. There are many technological
and underground water would be contaminated. A new problems that need to be overcome and some scientists
method of disposal where the waste is ground into a believe that the costs involved in the technology would
powder and then made into a synthetic rock is having mean that the cost to produce electricity will be too high
some success. when compared to other energy sources. To date, more
energy is required to produce the fusion than the energy
Provided the reactors are maintained and built to standard, produced by the nuclear reaction. However, if perfected,
no obvious pollutants escape into the atmosphere that it would not require expensive mining and far less
would contribute to the “greenhouse effect”. However, even radioactive waste would be produced. It is said that one
with expensive cooling towers and cooling ponds, thermal cubic kilometre of seawater would produce more energy
pollution from the heat produced by the exchanger process than all the fossil fuels on the Earth.
could contribute to global warming.
The most probable way to produce electricity would be
Opposition to nuclear fission has grown extensively to fuse deuterium with tritium. Deuterium atoms can be
especially since the bad accident at Chernobyl in the extracted from seawater and tritium can be bred from
Ukraine that upon explosion sent a cloud of radioactive lithium. When deuterium and tritium are fused, a neutron
dust and gases across Northern Europe. The engineers with very high speed is ejected. As it collides with other
were carrying out some tests on the coolant and the atoms most of its kinetic energy is converted to heat. In

215
 Chapter 8

order to overcome the electrostatic forces of repulsion Recall that 1u = 1.661 × 10-27 kg

between the hydrogen isotopes they need to be heated to
an extremely high temperature around 100 000 °C so that Mass of uranium-235
they can be ionised into electrons and positively charged
ions in a plasma that expands in all directions. = 235 × 1.661 × 10-27 kg = 3.90335 × 10-25 kg per fission

In order for fusion to occur, the plasma has to be confined Mass of uranium-235 needed
CORE

for 1 second with a density of about 500 trillion atoms per

cubic centimetre. Because fusion is not a chain reaction, = 3.90335 × 10-25 kg × 4.9375 × 1020 fissions
these temperature and density conditions have to be
maintained for future fusions to occur. Because the plasma = 1.93 × 10-4 kg or 0.193 g
is electrically charged, a magnetic field surrounding the
plasma (a “magnetic bottle”) could lead to a confined and
controlled plasma that can undergo nuclear fusion. Example 2

8.4.11 Problems on the A fission reaction taking place in a nuclear power reactor is
1 235 144 89
production of nuclear 0n + 92 U → 56 Ba + 36 Kr + 3 01 n.

power Estimate the initial amount of uranium-235 needed to

operate a 600 MW reactor for one year assuming 40%
efficiency and that for each fission, 200 MeV is released.
Example 1

Solution
Suppose that the average power consumption for a
household is 500 W per day. Estimate the amount of
uranium-235 that would have to undergo fission to supply 200 MeV = 200 × 106 eV × 1.6 × 10-19 C = 9.6 × 10-11 J.
the household with electrical energy for a year. Assume
that for each fission, 200 MeV is released. 600 MW = 600 × 106 Js-1.

The total number of seconds in a year

Solution
= 60 × 60 × 24 × 365.25 = 3.16 × 107 s

200 MeV = 200 × 106 eV × 1.6 × 10-19 C = 3.2 × 10-11 J. Per year the total electrical energy

500 W = 500 Js-1. = 3.16 × 107 s × 600 × 106 Js-1

The total number of seconds in a year = 1.896 × 1016 Jyr-1.

= 60 × 60 × 24 × 365.25 = 3.16 × 107 s Since 40% efficient, the total energy needed = 1.896 × 1016
Jyr-1 / 0.4
Therefore, the total electrical energy per year
= 4.74 × 1016 Jyr-1.
= 3.16 × 10 s × 500 Js
7 -1

1 fission produces 3.2 × 10-11 J. So for 4.74 × 1016 J there

= 1.58 × 10 Jyr .
10 -1
would be

1 fission produces 3.2 × 10-11 J. So for 1.58 × 1010 J there 4.74 × 1016 J / 3.2 × 10-11 J = 1.48125 × 1027 fissions.
would be
Mass of uranium-235 = 235 × 1.661 × 10-27 kg
1.58 × 1010 J / 3.2 × 10-11 J = 4.9375 × 1020 fissions.

216
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

= 3.90335 × 10-25 kg per fission 5. Which of the following is a fission reaction?

235 4 231
Mass of uranium-235 needed A. 92 U → 2He + 90 Th
12 1 13
= 3.90335 × 10-25 kg × 1.48125 × 1027 fissions B. 6C + 1H → 7N + γ
4 14 17 1
= 578.2 kg C. 2He + 7N → 8O + 1H

CORE
233 1 140 92 1
D. 92 U + 0n → 58 Ce + 34 Se + 2 0n
Exercise 8.4
238
6. Why is a 92U nucleus more likely to undergo
alpha decay than fission as a means of attaining
1. Identify the missing product in the reaction stability?
239 1 106 1
94 Pu + 0n → 44 Ru + … + 2 0n 7. (a) Explain how fission reactions, once started,
are considered to be self-sustaining.
A. 50Sn
(b) How is the chain reaction in nuclear
B. 50Sn reactors controlled?

C. 50Sn 8. The thermal power from the reactor is 2400 MW

and this is used to operate the steam generator
D. 50Sn and turbine. The mechanical power output of the
generator and turbine is used to drive a generator.
2. Fission is the process by which The generator is 60 % efficient and produces
600 MW of electrical power. This is represented by
A. two light nuclei combine to form a heavier the energy flow diagram below.
nucleus.
B. a heavy nucleus splits to form two lighter heat to the
cooling towers

nuclei. uranium reactor thermal

energy
steam
generator
core
C. a heavy nucleus splits to form an alpha
particle and another nucleus.
2400 MW
D. a light nucleus splits to form an electron lost as heat
potential
latent heat
and another nucleus.
electrical AC kinetic steam
600 MW energy turbine
3. The term critical mass refers to energy generator

lost as heat
A. the mass defect when a fissile nucleus decays. in transition
friction friction

B. the mass of a fissile nucleus.

C. the mass required for a self–sustaining (i) Calculate the power input to the generator.
fission reaction. (ii) Calculate the power lost from the generator.
D. the mass of uranium–235 required to fuel a (iii) Calculate the power lost by the heat engine.
nuclear reactor.
9. (a) What are the strongest arguments in favour
4. The purpose of the control rods in a nuclear of pursuing nuclear fission as a source of
reactor is to: energy?
(b) What are the strongest arguments against
A. absorb excess neutrons using nuclear fission as source of energy?
B. to slow down the neutrons
C. provide a container for the fuel 10. Determine the number of fissions that will occur
D. reduce the radioactivity of the fissile per second in a 500 MW nuclear reactor. Assume
materials that 200 MeV is released per fission.

217
 Chapter 8

11. State three essential differences between chemical

bond breaking and nuclear fission. HOT WATER TANK
to house

SOLAR PANEL
12. Estimate the initial amount of uranium-235 warm water
needed to operate a 500 MW reactor for one year out
blackened
collector
assuming 35% efficiency and that for each fission,
200 MeV is released. heat exchange
CORE

thin copper
tubing
Solar power pump
water inlet
cold water in
8.4.12 Distinguish between a photovoltaic cell insulation
and a solar heating panel.
Figure 842  A solar collector
8.4.13 Outline reasons for seasonal and regional
variations in the solar power incident per unit Parabolic dish collectors or solar furnaces are under
area of the Earth’s surface. construction in a number of countries. The Sun’s rays
are converged to a point by a parabolic mirror and
8.4.14 Solve problems involving specific temperatures greater than 3000°C can be produced. If
applications of photovoltaic cells and solar a boiler is placed at the focus position, the steam that is
heating panels. generated can drive a turbine. A solar furnace that can
© IBO 2007
generate 1 MW of thermal energy has been constructed in
the French Pyrenees. It consists of a 45 m reflector made
8.4.12 Active solar heaters and of 20 000 small mirrors moulded into a parabolic shape.
60 large computer controlled mirrors that follow the Sun
photovoltaic cells reflect light onto the parabolic mirror.

Solar or radiant energy can be converted directly to Two common methods used for the production of
thermal energy or electrical energy. Solar heating can be electrical energy from solar energy are:
achieved by both passive and active methods.
• photovoltaic solar cells
When the Sun’s rays strike building materials with • thermoelectric devices
different specific heat capacities, the internal energy of the
materials increases by the relevant conduction, convection Photovoltaic devices use the photoelectric effect. Photons
or radiation method of heat transfer. If buildings are from radiant energy excite electrons in a doped semi-
oriented correctly and materials are chosen that increase conducting material such as silicon or germanium, and
the insulation properties, then the solar energy can be the element becomes conducting allowing electrons to
captured passively, and energy costs can be reduced. flow in an external circuit to produce electrical energy.
The photons must have enough energy to cause electrons
Active solar heating can be achieved by the use of solar to move and this energy is available in the entire visible
collectors to convert solar energy into heat energy. Solar region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
panels are mainly used to produce domestic hot water.
The water can reach a temperature up to 70 °C. They can Modern solar cells consist of thin circular wafers made
also used for space heating and heating swimming pools. of p-type and n-type silicon (4 valence electrons).
Figure 842 is a schematic diagram of a typical solar panel. Doping with Group 5 element (5 valence electrons)
such as arsenic (As) produces an electron rich layer / n-
Water is pumped through thin copper tubing that has been type semiconductor. This electron is free to move about.
embedded in a blackened copper plate that is insulated Doping with Group 3 (3 valence electrons) element such as
on the bottom. This is covered with a glass plate, and gallium (Ga) produces an electron deficient layer / p-type
the system is mounted in a metal frame. As the radiant semiconductor. There are not enough electrons to form
energy enters the glass plate the infra-red radiation is a covalent bond with a neighbouring atom. An electron
captured, and the cold water is warmed. The warmed from the n-type semiconductor can move into the hole.
water is pumped through a heat exchanger mounted in an The electrons can move from hole to hole and produce a
insulated hot water system. potential difference. The wafers are about 1 mm thick and

218
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

they have a diameter of 5-8 cm and they are placed on top

of each other to form a layer. Representations of p-type 8.4.13 Solar seasonal and
and p-type semiconductors are shown in Figure 843.
n-type p-type regional variation
semiconductor semiconductor
The main factors that account for solar seasonal and
regional variation are:

CORE
Si Si Si Si
• the solar constant
• the Earth’s distance from the Sun
• the altitude of the Sun in the sky
Si As Si Ga • the length of night and day

The average radiant power radiated to an area placed

bond with perpendicular to the outer surface of the Earth’s atmosphere
free
one electron while the Earth is at its mean distance from the Sun defines
electron
hole the irradiance or solar constant at a particular surface.
This varies with Sunspot activity which has a cycle around
Figure 843  Types of semiconductors 11 years.

Photovoltaic devices are a source of non-polluting, Since the Earth-to-Sun distance varies over the course
renewable energy that can be used in some ares of the of a year from perihelion (nearest on Jan.3) to aphelion
world. Unfortunately, photovoltaic cells produce a very (furthest on Jul. 3) due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth,
small voltage and provide very little current. They can the solar constant varies about 6% from 1038 Wm-2 to
be used to run electronic devices such as televisions and 1398 Wm-2. Furthermore, the energy radiated by the
sound systems but cannot be used for high power rated Sun has changed over its time of stellar evolution. As
appliances such washing machines, refrigerators and the solar constant applies perpendicular to the top of the
electric stoves. If connected in series the net voltage and atmosphere, and because the atmosphere reduces this flux
current can be increased. The initial establishment costs considerably on a clear day, the value is reduced to about
are high and their efficiency at this stage is only 30%. 1 kWm -2. On an overcast day this value could be as low as
a few watts per square metre.
Thermoelectric converters appear to be a better option
for the future. They not only use the visible region of the Solar radiation reaching the Earth will be different in
electromagnetic spectrum but also the infra-red region regions at different latitudes because of the Sun’s altitude
- the heating region of the em spectrum. Bars of doped in the sky. At the equator, solar radiation has to travel
silicon are again used to create an emf between the hot end through a smaller depth of the atmosphere than at the
and the cold end. By connecting p-type and n-type bars in poles. Each bundle of solar insolation (the energy received
series higher voltages can be obtained. by the Earth as incoming short-wave radiation) has twice
the area to heat up at 60 0 than at the equator. There is also
Its disadvantages are also evident. It produces a small less atmosphere near the equator and this means there will
energy output per surface area of the cell being used. For be less reflection and absorption of radiation.
large-scale production, it requires thousands of mirrors or
cells that take up a large area of land. It is intermittent with Seasonal variations affect the amount of received radiation
its output being upset by night and clouds. It is relatively because the seasons will determine how spread out the rays
expensive to set up and thus requires many years before become. Because the Earth is tilted on its axis by 23 ½ 0,
the investment is returned. at the poles there is no insolation for several months of
the year.

In terms of the actual power that reaches an object on the

Earth, many other factors have to be taken into account.
The albedo (the fraction of incident light diffusely reflected
from a surface) of the Earth is about 30%. On its way
through the atmosphere, solar radiation is absorbed and
scattered to a different degree depending on the altitude

219
 Chapter 8

of the Sun at a particular place on Earth. The lower the (b) Estimate the minimum area of the solar panel
Sun’s altitude the greater is the zenith distance and thus needed to provide 1.8 × 108 J of energy in 2.0
the greater the degree of absorption and scattering. hours.

Other factors that affect climate include changes in the

Earth’s orbit every 100 000 and 400 000 years, changes in Solution
the tilt of the Earth’s axis, volcanic emissions, continental
CORE

drift affecting the ocean currents and winds and human

activity such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. (a) mass of water
= 1.4 × 103 kg;

8.4.14 Solving problems on solar energy required

= 1.4 × 103 kg × 4.18 × 103 Jkg -1 °C × 30 °C
radiation
= 1.8 × 108 J.

Example 1 (b) energy provided in 2 hours = 7 200 × 900 × A.

therefore A = (1.8 × 108 J) / (7200 s × 900 Js-1)

A solar panel with dimensions 2 m by 4 m is placed at an
angle of 300 to the incoming solar radiation. On a clear = 27.8 m2.
day, 1000 Wm-2 reaches the Earth’s surface. Determine
how much energy can an ideal solar panel generate in a
day. Hydroelectric power

Solution 8.4.15 Distinguish between different hydroelectric

schemes.

Area of the solar panel = 8 m2. Area in radiation terms = 8.4.16 Describe the main energy transformations
8 cos 30°= 6.93 m2 that take place in hydroelectric schemes.

1000 Wm-2. = 1000 J s-1 m-2 8.4.17 Solve problems involving hydroelectric
schemes.
© IBO 2007
Energy produced / day

= (1000 J s-1 m-2)(6.93 m2)(24 h day-1)(60 min h-1) 8.4.15 Types of hydroelectric
(60 s min-1) = 5.98 × 108 J
schemes
The energy produced per day = 6.0 × 108 J
Gravitational potential energy can be converted into
electrical energy in hydro-electric power stations. There
Example 2 are three main schemes used to produce electricity:

• water storage in lakes

An active solar heater of volume 1.4 m3 is to provide the • tidal water storage
energy to heat water from 20 °C to 50 °C. The average • pump storage
power received from the Sun is 0.90 kWm-2.
Hydro-electric power stations are widely used in
(a) Deduce that 1.8 × 108 J of energy is required to mountainous areas of countries throughout the world.
heat the volume of water in the tank from 20 °C to The energy is ultimately derived from the radiant energy
50 °C. of the Sun through the water cycle. Water that has fallen
in the mountains is piped from rivers and stored in large
artificial lakes that have been dammed. The water retained

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

behind dams flows down penstocks and turns turbines

which run the generators. The Three Gorges Dam on the 8.4.16 Energy transformations in
Yangtze River will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the
world with a generating capacity of 18 200 MW when it is hydroelectric schemes
completed in 2009. The dam is more than two kilometres
wide and it has a height of 185 metres. Its reservoir will The water trapped in reservoirs behind dams possesses
stretch over 600 kilometres upstream and force the gravitational potential energy. The water falls through a

CORE
displacement of more than 1.3 million people. series of pipes where its potential energy is converted to
rotational kinetic energy that drives a series of turbines.
Tides are produced by the interaction of the gravitational The rotating turbines drive generators that convert the
pull of the Moon and to some extent the Sun on the oceans. kinetic energy to electrical energy by electromagnetic
It is because of the Moon that so much energy is found induction. A energy flow diagram is shown in Figure 830.
in the oceans and the seas. It orbits the Earth on average
in 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes and it rotates on its axis radiant
energy
also in this time. The gravitational force of the Earth has
slowed down the Moon’s rotation about its axis until the evaporation precipitation
rotational period exactly matches the revolution period
gravitational rotational
about the Earth. As a result of this uncanny rotation there potential energy
dam kinetic energy
turbine

is a far side of the Moon that we do not see.

electromagnetic induction

Tidal power stations can also be considered to be hydro- electrical

energy
electric. They have been built in Russia and France, and
other countries have stations in the developmental stage.
The source of the energy can be assumed to be the kinetic Figure 844  Energy flow for hydro-electricicty
energy of the Earth’s rotation. Coastal estuaries that
have a large vertical range in tides can be considered to The amount of energy available is directly proportional to
be potential sites for tidal power stations. The station in the rate of flow of water and the height through which the
France is situated on the estuary of the River Rance has a water falls. Some dams rely on a small rate of flow, with
tidal range of 8.4 metres and generates 10 MW of electrical a large fall and others have a large water flow through a
energy for each of the 24 turbines. smaller fall. With some hydro- electric stations, electricity
is used to pump the water uphill to reservoirs during off-
Stations consist of a dam to catch the high tide water and peak electricity use.
a series of sluices. The sluices are opened to let the high-
tide water in. The water is released at low-tide, and the
gravitational potential energy is used to drive turbines 8.4.17 Solve problems on
which produce electrical energy. During low peak
electricity demand, the water is pumped into the holding hydroelectric schemes
dam by the generators that can act as a pump.
The power generated can be determined by knowing
Pump storage systems can be used in off-peak electricity the rate of flow of a volume of freshwater or seawater.
demand periods. The water is pumped from low reservoirs In order to determine the mass of water that is passing
to higher reservoirs during this period. Even though the through the system, the density of the water will need to
energy used in pumping the water uphill is less than the be considered.
energy gained when the water flows downhill, this water
can be used to produce more electricity during demand Gravitational potential energy = m g Δh
periods.
Power = mass / volume × volume / time × g × Δh

This is dimensionally correct:

J s-1 = kg m-3 × m3 s-1 × m s­-2 × m = kg m2 s-3

P = ρ g Δh × volume per second

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 Chapter 8

For tidal power, there is an area A of water at a height R..

The mass of the water would be given by Example

m = ARρ.
If water from a pumped storage dam fell through a pipe
The water level rises and falls between each tidal surge, so 150 m at a rate of 500 kg per second, calculate the power
the centre of mass of the water would be at R/2. Therefore, that could be produced if the power plant is 60% efficient.
CORE

the change in potential energy as the water runs out would Assume the density of water is 1000 kgm-3.
be:

Δ Ep = (ρAR) × g × R/2 = (ρAgR2) / 2 Solution

Example Power = ρ g Δh × volume per second

= 1000kg-3 × 500 kg s-1 × 9.8 ms-2 × 150 m

A barrage is placed across the mouth of a river as shown
in the diagram of a tidal power station. If the barrage = 735 × 106 J s-1
height is 15 m and water flows through 5 turbines at a rate
of 1.0 × 102 kg per second in each turbine, calculate the If 60% efficient then the power produced = 0.6 × 441 × 106 J s-1
power that could be produced if the power plant is 70%
efficient. Assume the density of seawater is 1030 kgm-3. Total power = 441 MW

barrage
Wind power
trapped sea water
8.4.18 Outline the basic features of a wind
generator.

turbine 8.4.19 Determine the power that may be

sea at low tide delivered by a wind generator, assuming
that the wind kinetic energy is completely
converted into mechanical kinetic energy,
and explain why this is impossible.

8.4.20 Solve problems involving wind power.

Solution © IBO 2007

8.4.18 Basic features of wind

Because the water level will change the average height of
water = h/2. generators

Power = P = ρ × g × 0.5h × volume per second Winds are produced due to the uneven heating of the
Earth’s surface. The Sun’s rays strike the equatorial regions
= 1030 kgm-3 × 100 kg s-1 × 9.8 ms-2 × 7.5 m × 5 turbines at right angles but they approach the polar regions at an
angle, large-scale convection currents are set up in the
= 37.85 × 106 J s-1 Earth’s atmosphere. The inconsistency in the wind patterns
is further compounded by the Earth’s axial spin and the
If 70% efficient then the power produced difference in local surface conditions (mountains, deserts,
oceans, lakes, forests).
= 0.7 × 37.85 × 106 J s-1
Wind power has been used in countries for centuries to
Total power = 26.5 MW. run windmills for grinding grain and pumping water. The

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 Energy, Power and Climate Change

modern wind turbines used today in the world can have The kinetic energy available each second
60 metre blades that can drive a generator to produce
4 MW of electricity. The basic components of a wind = ½ m v 2 = ½ (ρ v A) v 2 = ½ ρ A v 3
power system are a tower to support the rotating blades
(horizontal or vertical axis blades), a generator and a Power available = ½ ρ A v 3
storage or grid system.

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A horizontal axis wind turbine is shown in Figure 846.
Blade Air density
The blades can be rotated so that they can be steered into radius r
the wind. However, the generator usually has to be placed
on the tower near the rotor shaft as a result of this.

Gear box
Wind speed v
Generator

Rotor diameter
Slip ring
Power cable

Centre Figure 847  Power output of a wind generator

In reality, the power produced cannot strictly obey this

equation as there are great fluctuations in wind speed and
Figure 846  Horizontal axis wind turbine air density throughout the days and months of the year.

The vertical axis wind turbine has the advantage that it The electricity from wind power can be stored in batteries
does not have to be steered into the wind and as a result, for later use but this storage method is very expensive. The
the generator can be placed at the bottom of the system. most practical system is to set up a wind farm consisting
of a large number of wind turbines interconnected to
However, if the weight of the blades becomes too great, a produce a power grid.
lot of stress is put on the pivot to the generator.
Wind power is cheap, clean, renewable and infinite. It can
be used to provide electricity to remote areas of the world.
8.4.19 Power produced by wind However, winds resulting from the heating of the Earth
are somewhat unpredictable. The initial set-up costs are
generators high, the structures suffer from metal fatigue and they are
noisy.
It has been determined through experiment that the power
output of a wind generator is: The better option being considered today is to use wind
turbines in association with another power source. One
• directly proportional to the blade area A. possibility is to combine solar power and wind power.
• directly proportional to the cube of the wind
speed v. Usually, when sunny there is little wind but when it is
overcast there is more wind. Another possibility is to use
Consider a wind turbine that has a blade radius r as shown the wind to pump water into high dams associated with
in Figure 847. hydro-electric power stations and then to run the water
downhill during high electricity demand periods.
The area A swept out by the blades = π r2

Wind speed v = distance d ÷ time t and d = v t

In one second the volume of air passing the turbine = v A

Therefore, the mass of air m passing the turbine in 1 second

= ρ v A where ρ is the air density.

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 Chapter 8

Wave power
8.4.20 Solving problems involving
wind power 8.4.21 Describe the principle of operation of an
oscillating water column (OWC) ocean-
wave energy converter.
Example
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8.4.22 Determine the power per unit length of a

wave front, assuming a rectangular profile for
A wind turbine has blades 20 m long and the speed of the the wave.
wind is 25 ms-1 on a day when the air density is 1.3  kgm-3.
Calculate the power that could be produced if the turbine 8.4.23 Solve problems involving wave power.
© IBO 2007
is 30% efficient.

8.4.21 Oscillating water column

Solution
ocean-wave energy

Power = ½ A ρ v3 and A = πr2 converter

= 0.3 × 0.5 × π × 102 m2 × 1.3 kgm-3 × 253 m3s-3 There are three types of wave energy collectors that are
showing potential for harnessing wave energy. These can
= 9.57 × 105 W be grouped into:

= 0.96 MW • buoyant moored devices

• hinged contour devices
• oscillating water column (OWC) devices
Example
The buoyant moored devices float above or below the
water and are moored to the sea floor with cables. The
A wind generator is being used to power a solar heater Salter Duck is such an example as shown in Figure 848.
pump. If the power of the solar heater pump is 0.5 kW, As it bobs backwards and forwards matching the wave
the average local wind speed is 8.0 ms-1 and the average motion, it turns a generator.
density of air is 1.1 kgm-3, deduce whether it would be
possible to power the pump using the wind generator.
waves

salter
Solution duck pivot for rotation

cable

Power = ½ A ρ v and A = πr
3 2

500 Js-1 = 0.5 × π × r2 m2 × 1.1 kgm-3 × 8.03 m3s-3 sea floor

r = √ 2P / πρv3 √1000 / π × 1.1 kgm-­3 × 512 m3s-3

Figure 848  Salter duck
= 0.23 m
Hinged contour devices consist of a series of floating
This is a small diameter so it could be feasible provided the ‘mattresses’ that are hinged together. As the sections
wind speed was always present. move with the waves, the motion is resisted at the joints
by hydraulic pumps that push high-pressure oil through
hydraulic motors that produce electric power.

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 EnErgy, PowEr and ClimatE ChangE

The most promising wave energy converters are the

oscillating water column (OWC) devices because of their 8.4.22 pOwER pER uniT lEngTh Of a
simple operation that uses conventional technology. These
can be moored to the ocean floor or built into cliffs or wavEfROnT
ocean retainer walls as demonstrated in Figures 849 and
850 respectively. As the wave enters a capture chamber, Wave size is determined by the speed of wind, the distance
the air inside the chamber is compressed and the high over which the wind excites the waves and by the depth

CORE
velocity air provides the kinetic energy needed to drive and topography of the seafloor. Wave motion is highest at
a turbine connected to a generator. Then as the captured the surface and diminishes with depth.
water level drops, there is a rapid decompression of the
air in the chamber which again turns the turbine that has The potential energy of a set of waves is directly
been specially designed with a special valve system that proportional to wave amplitude squared and is also
turns in the same direction regardless of the direction of directly proportional to the wave velocity. The total energy
air flowing across the turbine blades. of a wave is the sum of the potential energy and the kinetic
energy created.

If one assumes that the wave is sinusoidal the potential

energy in joules is given by the formula:

A2
PE = g sin 2 (kx − t)
2
where:

ρ = water density (kg/m3)

w = wave width (m) (assumed equal to the width of the

chamber)
Figure 849  Off shore oscillating water column
A = wave amplitude
turbine
k = the wave number 2π / λ

Capture λ = wavelength (m)

Chamber
Air is compressed
waves ω = wave frequency 2π / T (rad s-1)
inside chamber

T = wave period (s) Example

If the wave potential energy over one period is to be

calculated this equation after differentiation becomes
Figure 850  Onshore oscillating water column
PE = ¼ ρ g A2 λ
The best places in the world for capturing wave power are
the north and south temperate zones where the prevailing The total kinetic energy over one period is equal to the
westerly winds are strongest in the winter. There are total potential energy:
OWC wave power stations in England (average power
of 7.5 kW) and Japan (average power of 6 kW) and there KE = ¼ ρ g A2 λ
is a promising project on the Island of Islay off the west
coast of Scotland being conducted by private enterprise in
which the OWC feeds a pair of counter-rotating turbines
each of which drives a 250 kW generator.

225
 Chapter 8

The total energy over one period will be:

Solution
ET = ½ ρ g A λ 2

The power generated, work / time will equal: Power = ½ ρ g A2 λ /T

P = ½ ρ g A2 λ / T = 0.5 × 1020 kgm-3 × 10 ms-2 × (1.5)2 m2 × 100m × 1m / 8s

CORE

Power per wavelength = ½ ρ g A2 f = 143 × 103 kg m2 s-3

This can be more importantly be expressed as: = 143 kW per metre.

Power per metre = ½ ρ g A2 v Wave speed = wavelength / period = 100 m / 8 s = 12.5 ms-1

(where v is the speed of the wave.) Figure 851 summarises some of the advantages and
disadvantages of the use of non-renewable and renewable
The density of seawater at the surface of the ocean varies energy sources.
from 1020 to 1029 kilograms per cubic metre.

Exercise 8.4
8.4.22 Solving problems involving
wave power 1. Doping a semicondutor to improve its
conductivity means:

Example 1 A. adding elements with 3 valence electrons

B. adding silicon or germanium to the
semiconductor
If a wave is 3 m high and has a wavelength of 100 m and a C. adding group 3 and group 5 elements
frequency of 0.1 s-1, estimate the power for each metre of D. adding elements with 5 valence electrons
the wave.
2. Solar energy:

Solution A. is converted completely into electricity in a

photovoltaic cell
B. is not able to be stored
Power / λ = ½ ρ g A2 f C. is a renewable energy source
D. is suitable only for heating water
Power
3. All the following statements are correct EXCEPT
= 100 × 0.5 × 1020 kgm-3 × 10 ms-2 × (1.5)2 m2 × 1m × 0.1s-1
A. generators convert mechanical energy into
= 1.14 × 10 kg m s
6 2 -3
electrical energy
B. nuclear reactors convert mass into energy
= 114 kW per metre. C. chemical energy is a form of potential energy
D. thermal energy and solar energy are the same

Example 2 4. Photovoltaic cells can operate when the incident

photons have

If a wave is 3 m high and has a wavelength of 100 m and A. frequencies above visible light
a period of 8 s, estimate the power over each metre of B. infra-red frequencies
wavefront and calculate the wave speed. C. microwave frequencies
D. frequencies below visible light

226
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Type Of Power Advantages Disadvantages

Coal Cheap to use Lowest energy density of fossil fuels
High power output Non-renewable
Can be used easily High CO2 and SO2 emissions
Large reserves still available Contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect
Oil Convenient in some oil producing countries Medium energy density
Can be used in engines Non-renewable

CORE
High CO2 and SO2 emissions
Contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect
Natural gas High energy density Medium CO2 emissions
Cleaner and more efficient than other fossil fuels Non-renewable
Can be used in engines Contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect
Nuclear High power output Expensive to build and run
Reserves available Radioactive materials have to be disposed of
Possible nuclear accident
Passive solar No fuel costs Only works in daylight
Renewable Not efficient when clouds present
Non-polluting Power output is low
Photovoltaic solar No fuel costs Only works in daylight
Renewable Not efficient when clouds present
Non-polluting Power output is low
Initial costs high
Energy needs to be stored
Hydro-electric No fuel costs Need correct location
Tidal Renewable Changes in the environment destroys ecosystems
Non-polluting and can displace people
Expensive to construct
Wind No fuel costs Need a windy location
Renewable Power output is low
Non-polluting Environmentally noisy
High maintenance costs due to metal stress and
strain
Wave No fuel costs High maintenance due to the power of waves
Renewable High establishment costs.
Non-polluting

Figure 851  Comparison of energy resources

5. In terms of energy transformations, distinguish 7. An active solar heater of volume 2.4 m3 is to

between a solar panel and a solar cell. provide the energy to heat water from 20 °C to
60 °C. The average power received from the Sun is
6. A wind turbine farm is being designed for a town 1000 Wm-2.
with a total required energy of 150 TJ per year.
There is available space for 25 turbines and the (a) Deduce that 4.0 × 108 J of energy is required
average annual wind speed is 15 ms-1. to heat the volume of water in the tank
from 20 °C to 60 °C.
(a) Deduce that the average required output (b) Estimate the minimum area of the solar
from one turbine is 0.19 MW. panel needed to provide 1.8 × 108 J of
(b) Estimate the blade radius of the wind energy in 2.0 hours.
turbine that will give a power output of 0.19
MW. (Density of air = 1.3 kg m-3) 8. If a wave is 12 m high and has a wavelength of
30 m and a frequency of 0.2 s-1, estimate the power
for each metre of the wave.

227
 Chapter 8

9. If a wave is 12 m high and has a wavelength of

25 m and a period of 8 s, estimate the power over 8.5 GREENHOUSE
each metre of wavefront and calculate the wave
speed. EFFECT
10. In a hydro-electric power station, water falls
through a 75 m pipe at the rate of 1500 kg s ­-1. Solar radiation
CORE

How many megawatts of electric power could be

produced by the power plant if it is 80% efficient?
8.5.1 Calculate the intensity of the Sun’s radiation
11. A photovoltaic cell can produce an average 40 incident on a planet.
Wm -2 of electrical energy if it is directly facing
the Sun at the equator. If a house has an electrical 8.5.2 Define albedo.
consumption of 75 kW, what would be the
required surface area of cells needed to provide the 8.5.3 State factors that determine a planet’s
power requirements of the household. albedo.
© IBO 2007

12. The following table shows the power generated

by by a small wind turbine as a function of wind 8.5.1 Intensity of the Sun’s
speed and radius of the blade. Plot graphs to show
the linear relationships that exist between the radiation
power generated and these variables
Solar energy represents the greatest potential energy
Blade Wind speed source available to man. It is produced by nuclear fusion
Power / W Power / W
radius / m × 104 / km h-1 reactions within the Sun.
300 0.5 20 12.6
400 0.7 80 15.9 The Earth, which is approximately 1.5 × 108 km from the
500 0.8 200 20 Sun, receives the Sun’s radiant energy over empty or nearly
620 0.9 370 25.2 empty space. The temperature of the Sun’s surface is about
6000 K. About 43% of its radiation is in the visible region
805 1.0 580 29.2
of the electromagnetic spectrum with 49% in the infra-
1020 1.1 610 30.4
red region and 8% in the ultra-violet region. The Earth
1020 35 intercepts only a small part of the Sun’s total radiation
(about 0.5 of a billionth).

The average radiant power radiated to an area placed

perpendicular to the outer surface of the Earth’s
atmosphere while the Earth is at its mean distance from
the Sun defines the flux density or solar constant at a
particular surface. It is defined as the amount of solar
energy per second that falls on an area of 1m2 of the upper
atmosphere perpendicular to the Sun’s rays. Its value is
found to be equal to 1.35 × 103 Wm-2 or 1.35 kWm-2. The
total solar irradiance has been monitored with absolute
radiometers since 1978 on board five satellites.The term
“solar constant” is a misnomer because it is not constant.
Since the Earth-to-Sun distance varies by about 6% over
the course of a year from perihelion (nearest on January 3)
to aphelion (furthest on July 3) due to the elliptical orbit
of the Earth, the solar constant varies from 1038 Wm-2 to
1398 Wm-2. Furthermore, the energy radiated by the Sun
has changed over its time of stellar evolution.

228
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

As the solar constant applies perpendicular to the top of

the atmosphere, and because the atmosphere reduces this Solution
flux considerably on a clear day, the value is reduced to
about 1 kWm-2. On an overcast day this value could be as
low as a few watts per square metre. Every square metre at an Earth–Sun mean distance receives
1.35 kW m-2
In terms of the actual power that reaches an object on the

CORE
Earth, many other factors have to be taken into account. The surface area of a sphere = 4 π r2
The albedo (the fraction of incident light diffusely reflected
from a surface) of the Earth is about 30%. On its way Total power received = 4 π (1.5 × 1011 m)2 (1.35 × 10 3 J m -2)
through the atmosphere, solar radiation is absorbed and = 3.8 × 10 26 J.
scattered to a different degree depending on the altitude
of the Sun at a particular place on Earth. The lower the
Sun’s altitude the greater is the zenith distance and thus 8.5.2 Albedo
the greater the degree of absorption and scattering.
The term albedo (α) (Latin for white) at a surface is the
The total solar radiation or irradiance reaching the top of ratio between the incoming radiation and the amount
the atmosphere is about 1.7 × 10 17 W. Distributed over the reflected expressed as a coefficient or as a percentage.
whole globe, this amounts to about 170 Wm-2 averaged
over a day and night. Solar radiation is mainly radiated in the visible region of
the electromagnetic spectrum (0.4 μm to 0.7 μm) and by
incoming short-wave infra-red radiation called
Example 1 insolation. This radiation can pass through the
atmosphere to warm the land and sea by the so called
natural greenhouse effect.
How much solar radiation does one square metre of the
Earth’s surface receive per day? Water vapour and clouds can absorb radiation in the
0.4 μm to 0.7 μm range and carbon dioxide can absorb
radiation in the 4 μ m to 7 μm range. Between 7 μ m to
Solution 13 μm range, more than 70% of the radiation escapes into
space. About 7% is radiated in the short-wave ultraviolet
region around 0.5 μm. The Earth is cooled by outgoing
In one day, the solar radiation would be longer wave infra-red radiation in the night. The Earth
receives approximately 1 kW m -2 on a clear day at the rate
170 W m – 2 × 1 m 2 × 24 h = 4080 W h of 1.7 × 107 W s-1.

For the land area of the USA, the solar radiation available The incoming solar radiation is insolated, reflected and re-
over the total land surface is over 1017 kW h annually. This transmitted in various ways. Figure 853 demonstrates how
is about 600 times greater than the total energy consumption 100 units of input solar radiation is distributed. It can be
of the USA. seen that:

• 30% is reflected back into space mostly by the

Example 2 polar icecaps and particulate matter in the
atmosphere. This reflected radiant energy mainly
consists of short wavelength electromagnetic
Given that the mean Sun-Earth distance is 1.5 × 108 km radiation such as ultra-violet radiation.
and that the power received at the top of the Earth’s • 51% is absorbed by the Earth during the day as
atmosphere is given by the solar constant, determine the thermal energy which is then radiated back into
total power generated by the Sun. space during the night as radiant thermal energy
consisting of long wavelength electromagnetic
infra-red radiation.

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 Chapter 8

• 23% of the 51% is used in the water cycle. Surfaces Albedo %

The radiant energy is absorbed by water and Oceans 10
evaporation occurs as enough energy is supplied Dark soils 10
to overcome the latent heat of vaporisation. The
Pine forests 15
gaseous water vapour is carried by convection
Urban areas 15
currents higher into the atmosphere, and clouds
with high potential energy are formed. Light coloured deserts 40
Deciduous forests 25
CORE

Fresh snow 85
Outgoing
Space
Solar radiation
Outgoing
Long–waves
Ice 90
6% 26% 38%

100%
Short–waves
Whole planet 31
6% 20% 4%

Backscattering
Atmosphere Water vapor
emission, CO 2
Figure 854  Albedo percentages  
Cloud emission of different surfaces
15% water vapor
16% water vapor Cloud reflection
absorption, CO2
absorption,dust, O2 23%
Latent heat 7%
3%
Surface reflection
flux Sensible heat flux 8.5.4 Describe the greenhouse effect.
Cloud absoprtion
21%
Long–wave 8.5.5 Identify the main greenhouse gases and
51% absorbed radiation
Land & ocean their sources.

Figure 853  Solar radiation energy input and output 8.5.6 Explain the molecular mechanisms by which
greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation.
0.25% of the radiant energy is consumed in supplying the
energy that drives the convection currents of the oceans and 8.5.7 Analyse absorption graphs to compare the
atmosphere, and only 0.025% is stored by photosynthesis relative effects of different greenhouse gases.
in plants as chemical potential energy. This has been the
main source of fossil fuels. 8.5.8 Outline the nature of black-body radiation.

Solar or radiant energy can be converted indirectly to 8.5.9 Draw and annotate a graph of the emission
electrical energy by: spectra of black bodies at different
temperatures.
• biomass conversion
• wind power 8.5.10 State the Stefan–Boltzmann law and apply
• wave energy it to compare emission rates from different
• geothermal energy surfaces.

8.5.11 Apply the concept of emissivity to compare

8.5.3 Factors that affect planet the emission rates from the different
surfaces.
albedo
8.5.12 Define surface heat capacity Cs.
The Earth’s albedo varies daily and is dependent on season
(cloud formations) and latitude. In thin clouds, the albedo 8.5.13 Solve problems on the greenhouse effect and
varies from 30-40 per cent whereas in thicker cumulo- the heating of planets using a simple energy
nimbus clouds the albedo can be 90 per cent. Albedos also balance climate model.
© IBO 2007
vary over different land surfaces, water surfaces, urban
areas, grasslands and forests and ice and snow surfaces.
Some albedos are given in Figure 854. The global annual
mean albedo is 0.3 (30%) on Earth.

230
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

8.5.4 Describing the greenhouse 8.5.5 The Greenhouse gases and

effect their sources

The Moon is able to provide information as to what As mentioned earlier, the main natural greenhouse gases are:
it would be like if there was no atmosphere around the

CORE
Earth. Being at approximately the same distance from the • carbon dioxide (CO2)
Sun as the Earth and without an atmosphere, the Moon’s • water vapour (H2O)
average temperature is -18 °C. But to say that the Moon • methane (CH4)
and the Earth are at the right distance from the Sun is • nitrous oxide (N2O)
an oversimplified understanding of why Earth’s average • ozone (O3)
temperature is around 34 °C warmer than the Moon. The
real reason is due to certain gases in our atmosphere causing The concentration of these natural greenhouse gases has
the natural greenhouse effect. The Earth’s atmosphere is been affected by human activity in what is known as the
around 71% nitrogen (N2) and 21% oxygen (O2). Being enhanced greenhouse effect and this increase will be
diatomic molecules with a triple bond and a double bond examined in Section 8.6 concerning global warming.
respectively between the two atoms, their vibration are
restricted because they are tightly bound together and as a Carbon dioxide has always been the largest contributor
result they do not absorb heat and make no contribution to greenhouse gas concentration and in the 1700s it
to the natural greenhouse effect.��������������������������
However, there are 1% of was thought to have a concentration of about 280 parts
natural greenhouse gases (water vapour, carbon dioxide, per million (ppm). The natural production is caused by
methane and nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere that make respiration, organic decay of plants and animals, natural
a major contribution to keeping the Earth at its current forest fires, dissolved carbon dioxide and volcanic
temperature. activity.

So what is the natural greenhouse effect? Put simply, the Methane concentrations in the 1700s were believed to be
‘natural’ greenhouse effect is a phenomenon in which the around 0.7 parts per million. The main natural source is
natural greenhouse gases absorb the outgoing long wave decaying vegetation. Even when we burp and pass wind
radiation from the Earth and re-radiate some of it back we are removing methane and other gases from our body
to the Earth. It is a process for maintaining an energy due to the fermentation of plants in our digestive system.
balancing process between the amount of long wave Decaying vegetation is found in agriculture and in wetland
radiation leaving the Earth and the amount of energy peat bogs.
coming in from the Sun. Provided that the Sun’s radiant
energy remains constant and the percentage of greenhouse Water vapour is found in the atmosphere due to the water
gases remains the same, then the established equilibrium cycle in which water is evaporated from mainly the oceans
will remain steady and the average temperature of the and in the transpiration of plants (loosing water from
Earth will be maintained at 16 °C. their leaves).

As mentioned earlier, about 43% of the radiation from the Nitrous oxide exists in parts per billion and the
Sun is in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum concentration in the 1700s was thought to be about 250
with 49% in the infra-red region and 8% in the ultra- parts per billion (ppb). Natural sources include forests,
violet region. The greenhouse gases�����������������������
of Earth’s atmosphere grasslands, oceans and soil cultivation.
absorb ultraviolet and infrared solar radiation before it
penetrates to the surface. However, most of the radiation Chlorofluorocarbons (CFSs) and ozone (O3) are also
in the visible region passes through the atmosphere where greenhouse gases. CFSs were found in refrigerants, aerosol
it is absorbed by the land, waters and vegetation being sprays, solvents and foams but since the realisation that they
transformed into heat and then re-radiated as long wave were responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere
infra-red radiation. The long wave infrared radiation is has led to them being phased out and replaced with more
absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and then suitable compounds. Ozone is produced by the action
re-radiated back to the biosphere. of sunlight on oxygen molecules and it is produced in
the lower atmosphere as a component of photochemical
smog. Its contribution to the greenhouse effect is not fully
understood at this stage.

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 Chapter 8

8.5.6 The molecular mechanism 8.5.7 Analysis of IR absorption

for absorbing infrared graphs

radiation Let us take carbon dioxide as an example to examine the

different modes of possible vibration. This molecule is a
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Because ultraviolet radiation is more energetic than tri-atomic molecule that is linear in shape and it has two
infrared radiation it tends to break bonds between atoms C=O bonds. The molecule can move (translate) in three
joined together. On the other hand, infrared radiation dimensional space and it can rotate in two directions. The
being less energetic tends to cause the atoms to vibrate most important factor if it is to absorb energy is that it
in various ways. When the frequency of the infrared must vibrate at the resonance frequency so as to change
radiation is equal to the frequency of vibration then its molecular dipole moment. Imagine that the atoms are
resonance occurs. This means that the frequency of the connected by a spring and when they absorb infrared
radiation is equal to the natural frequency of vibration radiation they can have different types of vibrations.
of two atoms bonded together. It just so happens that the Carbon dioxide being a linear molecule can have 3N – 5
natural frequency of vibration of the molecules of the vibrational modes (where N is the number of atoms). It
greenhouse gases is in the infrared region. has 3 atoms so it can have 3 × 3 – 5 = 4 vibrational modes
and these vibrations are shown by arrows in Figure 855.
If resonance occurs and the molecular dipole moment
undergoes a change, then the greenhouse gas will absorb
energy from the albedo infrared radiation coming from a
surface. Only certain energies for the system are allowed
and only photons with certain energies will excite
molecular vibrations. Therefore vibrational motion is
quantized and transitions can occur between different
vibrational energy levels. The absorbed energy can then
be re-radiated back into the biosphere.

In order to examine the vibrations of greenhouse gases Figure 855  Vibrational modes of carbon dioxide
and other molecules and compounds the analysis is
carried out by infrared spectrophotometry. In a digital The top 2 vibrations represent the stretching of the C=O
IR spectrometer, a glowing filament produces infrared bonds, one in a symmetric mode with both C=O bonds
radiation in the form of heat and this is passed through lengthening and contracting in-phase. This symmetric
an unknown sample held in a small transparent container. stretch is infrared inactive because there is no change in the
A detecting device then measures the amount of radiation molecular dipole moment and so this vibration is not seen
at various wavelengths that is transmitted by the sample. in infrared spectrum of CO2. The top right diagram is in
This information is recorded as a spectrum showing an asymmetric mode with one bond shortening while the
the percentage transmission against the wavelength in other lengthens. The asymmetric stretch is infrared active
micrometres (microns) (μm) or the frequency. due a change in the molecular dipole moment. Infrared
radiation at 2349 cm-1 (4.26 μm) excites this particular
We have already learnt that energy is directly proportional vibration. The two bottom diagrams show vibrations of
to frequency or inversely proportional to wavelength equal energy with one mode being in the plane of the
(E = hf or E = hc / λ). If the wave number is the number paper and the other out of the plane of the paper. Infrared
of waves per centimetre (cm-1) we have a variable that radiation at 667 cm-1 (15.00 μm) excites these vibrations.
is directly proportional to energy. When the energy of Figure 856 shows the IR spectrum for carbon dioxide at
the infrared radiation from the instrument matches the 4 kPa pressure with the 2 peaks clearly visible.
energy of vibration of a molecule in the sample, radiation
is absorbed, and the frequency given in wave numbers
(cm-1) of the infrared radiation matches the frequency of
the vibration. Each sample examined has its own individual
spectrum and therefore a blueprint of the sample just like
the DNA of an individual.

232
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

radiation because the relative intensities of the emitted

wavelengths are dependant only on the temperature of the
percentage transmittance

black body.

An almost perfect black body can be made by painting the

inside of an enclosed cylinder black and punching a small
hole in the lid of the cylinder as shown in Figure 858. The

CORE
hole looks black because the incident light ray is reflected
many times off the walls of the cylinder. With the inside
painted black the cylinder becomes as good a radiator and
4000 3900 3400 2900 2400 1900 1400 900
wavenumber (cm-1) as bad a reflector as possible. In experiments performed
by Lummer and Pringsheim in 1899, they used an enclosed
Figure 856  IR spectrum of carbon dioxide porcelain sphere that was made black on the inside with
soot. Porcelain can be heated to high temperatures which
Methane being another greenhouse gas has even more allows for a range of spectral colours, and infrared and
modes of vibration. It has a tetrahedral shape. For a non- ultraviolet spectra to be observed.
linear molecule there are 3n – 6 modes of vibration and
methane CH4 has 3 × 5 – 6 = 9 modes of vibration. There Dull black
are other ways that vibrations can occur in methane that cylinder
Incident ray
were not evident in carbon dioxide. Apart from stretching,
methane can have bending (1300 – 1500 cm-1) and rocking
(600 – 900 cm-1) C – H bond vibrations. The IR spectrum
of methane is shown in Figure 857.
Figure 858  A black-body with multiple reflections

If the porcelain is heated to a given temperature black

percentage transmittance

body radiation emerges from the hole. Depending on

the temperature, the emerging radiation may appear
red, yellow, blue or even white if the temperature is high
enough. Emission occurs at every wavelength of light
because it must be able to absorb every wavelength of all
the incoming radiation. By using a suitable spectrometer,
radiation intensity can be measured in the infrared, visible
and ultra-violet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
4000 3900 3400 2900 2400 1900 1400 900
wavenumber (cm-1)

Figure 857  IR spectrum of methane 8.5.9 Emission spectra of black

bodies
8.5.8 Black-body radiation
The emission spectra of black bodies at different
If a shiny metal tin and a dull black are placed in the Sun temperatures can be observed in Figure 859 which shows
and their inside temperatures are recorded after a period the relative intensities of the different wavelengths. It is
of time, it is found that the air inside the dull black tin is evident that as the temperature rises:
at a higher temperature than the shiny one. Therefore, the
black tin must absorb more radiation than the shiny one • the intensity of every wavelength increases
and as such the black tin must reflect and transmit less • the total energy emitted increases because the
radiation than the shiny one. Furthermore, the dull black power radiated increases
tin is a better radiator (emitter) than the shiny one and • the intensity of shorter wavelengths increases rapidly
this is why the radiation grids on the back of a refrigerator • the curves are skewed to the left
are painted black. • the curves move more into the red
• the peak wavelengths are all in the infrared region
Black-body radiation is the radiation emitted by a ‘perfect’ • the peak wavelength moves to the left
emitter. The radiation is sometimes called temperature • the curves get closer to the x-axis but never touch it.

233
 Chapter 8

8.5.10 The Stefan-Boltzmann law

d
-re
e
bl

fra
si
UV

In
Vi

The total area under a spectral emission curve for a certain

temperature T represents the total energy radiated per
2000 K metre 2 per unit time E and for that assigned temperature
Peak wavelength it has been found to be directly proportional to the fourth
Power radiated at each wavelength
CORE

power T4. E α T 4
Intensity curve
for each temperature E=σT4

1750 K This relationship is called Stefan’s law, and the constant

is called the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and is equal to
5.67 × 10 -8 W m-2 K-4.
1500 K
The power radiated by an area A of a black body radiator
is represented by
1250 K
P = Aσ T 4

1 2 3 4 5 Example 1
Wavelength / μm

Figure 859  Black body radiation  The tungsten filament of a pyrometer (instrument for
at different temperatures. measuring high temperature thermal radiation) has a
length of 0.50 m and an diameter of 5.0 × 10-5 m. The
The temperature of the Sun is about 6000 K. Figure 860 power rating is 60 W. Estimate the steady temperature of
shows emission spectra of black bodies at even higher the filament. Assume that the radiation from the filament
temperatures. Note that sunlight has its peak at 500 nm is the same as a perfect black body radiator at that steady
and that all colours of the visible spectrum are present in temperature.
the emission spectra thus accounting for the reason that
the Sun appears white.
Solution
Visible
10
Power density (1013 watts / m3)

9
8 Power radiated = power received = 60 W
7
6 6000 K 60 = P = Aσ T 4
5
5000 K
4
The surface area of tungsten filament (cylinder) = 2 π r h
3 4000 K
2 3000 K
1 = 2 π 5 × 10-5 m × 0.5 m = 1.57 × 10-4 m2
100 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Wavelength / nm P = 1.57 × 10-4 m2 × 5.67 × 10 -8 W m-2 K- 4 T 4

Figure 860  Intensity distribution in black body   T = [(60 W) ÷ (1.57 × 10-4 m2 × 5.67 × 10 -8 W m-2 K -4)] 1/ 4
radiation at higher temperatures.
= 1611 K = 1600 K

234
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

Example 2 Therefore, the power received per square metre on the Earth
will be a fraction of that radiated by the Sun.

If one assumes that the Sun is a perfect black body with Power radiated by the Sun = (4πrE 2 ÷ 4πrS2) × 1400 Wm-2
a surface temperature of 6000 K, calculate the energy per
second radiated from its surface. P = (1.5 × 1011)2 ÷ (6.5 × 108)2 × 1400 Wm-2 = 7.46 × 107 Wm-2

CORE
(Assume the radius of the Sun = 7 × 108 m and
σ = 5.7 × 10-8 W m-2 K- 4) 8.5.11 Emissivity and emission rate
from surfaces
Solution
Stefan’s Law can also be written in the following way:

The surface area of a sphere = 4πr2 P = eAσ T 4

Energy per second = P = Aσ T 4 = 4πr2 σ T 4 The factor e is called the emissivity of a material. Emissivity
is the ratio of the amount of energy radiated from a material
P = 4π × 7 × 108 m2 × 5.7 × 10 -8 W m-2 K- 4 × 60004 K4 at a certain temperature and the energy that would come
from a blackbody at the same temperature and as such
P = 4.55 × 1026 Wm-2 would be a number between 0 and 1. Black surfaces will
have a value close to 1 and shiny surfaces will have a value
close to 0. Most materials are coloured and they reflect some
Example 3 wavelengths better than others. For example, a blue object
will reflect blue and absorb the other colours of the visible
spectrum and a black object will absorb nearly all spectral
The solar power received on the surface of the Earth at colours. Therefore effective emissivity is also affected by the
normal incidence is about 1400 Wm-2. Deduce that the surface emissivity and wavelength dependence.
power output per square centimetre of the Sun’s surface
is about 7.5 × 107 Wm-2. Comment on some assumptions Some approximate values are given in Figure 861.
that have been made in determining this answer. (Take the
Sun’s radius as 6.5 × 108 m and the radius of the Earth’s Material Emissivity Material Emissivity
orbit around the Sun as 1.5 × 1011m). mercury 0.05 – 0.15 snow 0.9
tungsten 0.1 – 0.6 ice 0.98
rusted iron 0.6 – 0.9 plate glass 0.85
Solution water 0.6 – 0.7 coal 0.95
soil 0.4 – 0.95 black paint 0.92

Some assumptions are: the Sun and the Earth act as perfect
black bodies, that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is circular Figure 861  Approximate emissivity values
rather than elliptical or all of the Sun’s radiation falls on a
sphere of this radius, that the Sun and the Earth are uniform
spheres, and that the Earth’s atmosphere absorbs no energy. Example 1

The surface area of a sphere = 4 π r2

The Sun is at 50° to the horizontal on a clear day. Estimate
The total energy radiated by the Sun per second (power) = how much radiation from the Sun is absorbed per hour
Aσ T 4 = 4πrS2 σ T 4 by an animal that has a total area exposed to the Sun of
2.0 m2.
This energy falls around a circular sphere equivalent to the
Earth’s orbit around the Sun equal to 4 π rE 2. (Assume σ = 5.7 × 10-8 W m-2 K- 4 and the emissivity to be 0.8)

235
 Chapter 8

Solution CS = f ρ c h

where f = 0.7 (fraction of Earth covered by water),

Ac
os ρ = the density of sea water 1023 kgm-3,
CORE

c = the specific heat capacity of water 4186 Jkg-1K-1

50
˚

h = the depth of seawater that stores thermal energy.

50˚
So CS = 0.7 × 1023 kgm-3 × 4180 Jkg-1K-1 × 70 m = 2.1 × 108
Jm-2K-1
Animal A
In other words, to change the temperature of 1m2 of the
Earth by 1 K will take on average 2.1 × 108 J of energy.
Example 2
Figure 863 gives some approximate specific heat capacity
values for some environmental materials.
Take the average temperature to be 300 K.
Specific Heat Capacity
Substance
Energy per second = P = eAσ T 4 cos 50 (J kg-1K-1)
Water 4180
P = 0.8 × 2.0 m  × 5.7 × 10 W m K  × 300 K  × cos 50
2 -8 -2 -4 4 4 Ice 2100
Average rock 2000
P = 4.75 × 102 W Wet sand (20%) 1500
Snow 880
This is the energy absorbed per second. Multiply by 3600 Vegetated land 830
Air 700
P = 1.7 × 106 W h-1

Figure 863  Approximate specific heat capacity values

8.5.12 Surface heat capacity for some environmental materials table.

Surface heat capacity Cs is the energy required to raise

the temperature of a unit area of a planet’s surface by one Example 1
degree Kelvin and is measured in Jm-2K-1.

Cs = Q / A ΔT Estimate the effective heat capacity of the land surface if

the specific heat capacity of rock and 20% wet sand are
The Sun deposits about 340 watts per square metre on 2000 J kg-1K-1 and 1500 J kg-1K-1 respectively and the
the Earth’s surface. But each surface will have a different thermal energy is captured in the top 2 m. (Make the
surface heat capacity. Surfaces like water have the ability to density equal to 2000 kgm-3).
heat up and cool down slowly whereas sand in comparison
heats up and cools down more quickly. This is the cause of
convection currents close to the sea. Solution

A large amount of the of the thermal energy from insolation

or the greenhouse effect is stored in the upper 70 m of the CS = f ρ c h
oceans which make up about 70% of the Earth’s surface.
The effective heat capacity of a 1 m2 of the Earth can be f = 0.3 (fraction of Earth covered by land),
determined using the equation:
ρ = the average density is 2000 kgm-3,

236
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

c = the average specific heat capacity could be 1750 Jkg-1K-1 General Circulation Models (GCM) are used to monitor
the effects of the changing atmosphere as caused by the
h = the depth of land that stores thermal energy. increased concentrations of the major greenhouse gases
since pre-industrial times up to the present time and
So CS = 0.3 × 2000 kgm-3 × 1750 Jkg-1K-1 × 2 m further into the future. GCMs use sophisticated computer
models and complex mathematical equations to simulate
= 2.1 × 106 Jm-2K-1. and assess factors such as the winds, temperatures,

CORE
pressures, cloud cover and precipitation to get a picture of
what is the effect of increased greenhouse concentrations
Example 2 on the environment.

We will concentrate on the simplest atmospheric model

It takes 2 × 1011 J of thermal energy to heat 50 m2 of the - the energy balance climate model. The word “balance”
Earth by 10 K. Determine the surface heat capacity of the infers that the system is in equilibrium with no energy being
Earth. accumulated in the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. This
model attempts to account for the difference between the
incoming radiation intensity and the outgoing radiation
Solution intensity, and the simplest energy balance model chooses
temperature as the only variable to be considered. For the
Earth’s average temperature to remain steady, energy must
Q = A Cs ΔT   Cs = Q / ΔT A leave a surface at the same rate as it arrived at the surface
otherwise the Earth’s temperature will rise. By taking a
Cs = 2 × 1011 J / 50 m2 × 10 K = 4 × 108 Jm2 K-1 small region of latitude around the Earth called a latitude
belt the temperature at the surface can be studied.

8.5.13 Energy balance climate If we take the Earth and “slice it up” into grid regions by
choosing latitude and longitude boundaries, we can study
models surface heat capacities and radiation differences in that
geographical region. For example, at latitudes between
Modeling is an ancient mathematical tool that allows us to 60 and 70 north and longitudes 140 and 165 west Alaska
simplify the real world to solve problems. We use models is located, and at latitudes between 0 and 10 south and
everyday of our lives without thinking about it. We use the longitudes 110 and 130 east Papua New Guinea is located.
internet to purchase products, to make airline and motel The two climate regions chosen will have considerable
bookings and to find directions to our destinations. So we differences in the incoming and outgoing radiation
are solving problems using a system that has been set up intensity. In fact there is also considerable differences in
using mathematical formulae in data spreadsheets. the incoming and outgoing radiation intensity within
each chosen region. Therefore, it may be more appropriate
There are 4 main types of climate models: to choose a one-dimensional model such as only
concentrating on one latitude belt.
• energy balance models (EBM) use spreadsheets to
study the incoming and outgoing global radiation Recall that the albedo at a surface is the ratio between the
balance and energy transfers using different incoming radiation and the amount reflected expressed as
latitudes from the equator to the poles a coefficient or as a percentage. Also, recall that the Earth’s
• one-dimensional radiative-convective models albedo varies daily and is dependent on season (cloud
(RCM) simulate atmospheric environments by formations) and latitude, different land surfaces, water
only cosisdering the radiation balance and heat surfaces, urban areas, grasslands and forests and ice and
transport by convection heat transfer snow surfaces.
• two-dimensional statistical-dynamical models
(STM) are a combination of the energy balance If all the radiation from the Sun reached the Earth then
and radiative-convective models the incoming radiation would be equal to:
• three-dimensional general circulation models π RE 2 (m2) × the solar constant (Wm-2)
(GCM) which try to simulate the global and the
continental climate considerations. to give the final units of J s-1, where RE is the mean
average radius of the Earth.

237
 Chapter 8

Remember that the solar constant α at a particular surface

was previously defined as the amount of solar energy per Example 1
second that falls on an area of 1m2 of the upper atmosphere
perpendicular to the Sun’s rays, and its value is equal to
1.35 × 103 Wm -2. If the long-wave radiation flux from the surface of the
Earth has an average value of 240 Wm-2 and the average
Of course this is not the power that arrives on 1 m2 of temperature somewhere in the atmosphere is 255 K,
CORE

the Earth’s surface because the planet’s average incoming determine the incoming and outgoing radiation of the
radiation (insolation) is reflected and scattered and Earth. Assume the global albedo is 0.3.
absorbed. Of the 100 units of insolation, 28 units is reflected
of the clouds and aerosols, 18 units are absorbed in the
atmosphere and 4 units are reflected off land surfaces. In Solution
fact the fraction of power from the solar constant at the
Earth’s surface is 343 Wm-2.
Incoming radiation = (1 – α) × solar constant / 4
The temperature of the Earth can be determined by finding
the Earth’s average incoming insolation and subtracting = (1 – 0.3) × 1.35 × 103 Wm-2 ÷ 4 = 236.25 Wm-2
the amount reflected back into space by the global albedo
and adding in the the energy that is supplied to the surface Outgoing radiation = σTE4
by the greenhouse effect.
= 5.7 × 10-8 W m-2 K- 4 × (255)4 K4 = 241 Wm-2
The incoming radiation only falls on an area equal to
π RE 2 because only one side of the Earth is facing the Sun These values are nearly equal to the average radiation flux
to receive the incoming radiation. Now each 1 m2 will value of 240 Wm-2.
have its own albedo and its own surface temperature and
adjustments to the above value of the incoming radiation Now let us examine the long-wave radiation flux for some
have to be made to account for these factors. It can be different latitudes that have different land fractions, ocean
proposed in the balance climate model that the incoming fractions and sea ice fractions. Table 864 gives some values
radiation will therefore be equal to: and their respective albedos. It may be worthwhile to look at
an atlas so that the values given make some sense. The zonal
π RE 2 (1 – α) (m2) × the solar constant (Wm-2) where α is surface albedo for each latitude is determined by taking the
the albedo. various surfaces and their albedo into account.

Assuming that the the Earth is radiating over its entire

Zonal surface albedo

surface area then the outgoing radiation can be obtained
using Stefan’s Law and is determined to be equal to:
Sea ice fraction
Ocean fraction

Land albedo αS
Ocean albedo

4π RE 2 σTE4
Latitude

Therefore, assuming a balance in thermal equilibrium:

π RE 2 (1 – α) × solar constant = 4π RE 2 σTE4 85 N 0.81 0.24 0.12 0.90 0.44

55 N 0.42 0.09 0.16 0.00 0.13
(1 – α) x solar constant / 4 = σTE4 25 N 0.68 0.08 0.25 0.00 0.13
5 N 0.77 0.07 0.12 0.00 0.08
Let us see if this equilibrium state can match some known 5 S 0.77 0.07 0.12 0.00 0.08
quantities in the following example. 25 S 0.76 0.08 0.18 0.00 0.10
55 S 0.98 0.09 0.16 0.00 0.09

Figure 864  Land surface fractions and albedos

The model equation now becomes:

(1 – αS) × solar constant / 4 = σTE4

238
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

F is the zonal long wave radiation flux and is equal to

Example 2 240 Wm-2 as seen earlier in this section. The surface
temperature can now be obtained from the model.

Determine the average zonal surface temperatures for the

latitude belts 55° N and 25° S. Example 3

CORE
Solution Determine the average zonal surface temperatures for the
latitude belts 55° N and 25° S. Are these temperature values
in agreement with the actual average temperatures?
(1 – αS) × solar constant / 4 = σTE4 so T = 4√ [(1 – αS) × solar
constant ÷ 4σ]
Solution
For 55°N, T = 4√ [(1 – 0.44) × 1.35 × 103 Wm-2 ÷
4 × 5.7 × 10 -8 W m-2 K- 4] = 239.7 K
(1 – αP) × insolation + F = σTE4
For 25 S, T = √ [(1 – 0.10) × 1.35 × 10 Wm ÷
0 4 3 -2

so T = 4√ [(1 – α P) × insolation + F ÷ σ]
4 × 5.7 × 10 W m K ] = 270.2 K
 -8 -2 -4

For 55° N
There appears to be something wrong with these
temperatures using the zonal surface albedos. They are too T = 4√[(1 – 0.365) × 285.5 Wm-2 + 240 Wm-2 ÷ 5.7 × 10-8
low, and the reason why is because the insolation absorbed W m-2 K- 4] = 293.2 K
in the atmosphere has not been taken into account. These
temperature values are not the surface temperatures but For 25° S,
rather the low atmosphere temperatures because the
atmospheric absorption and scattering has to be included. T = 4√[(1 – 0.241) × 394.8 Wm-2 + 240 Wm-2 ÷ 5.7 × 10-8
If the insolation and cloud cover for the latitude belts is W m-2 K- 4] = 311.9 K
included a planetary albedo value can be found. Table 865
provides this information for some latitude belts. These temperatures are still not in agreement with the
actual average temperatures of the 2 latitude belts. There
appears to be 293.2 – 278.3 = 14.9 K and 311.9 – 296.4
Planetary albedo (αP)

= 15.5 K difference for the 55° north and the 25° south
Cloud cover fraction

latitude belts.
insolation (Wm-2)

temperature (K)
Actual average

difference (K)
Temperature

The final column in Table 865 gives the temperature

Combined

difference from the actual average Earth temperature at

Latitude

each latitude using the present balance climate model. As

can be seen the values at the equator are higher and the
value in the northern polar region is lower. It has been
85 N 179.0 0.64 0.426 258.2 - 41.0 suggested that the problem is to do with the transfer of
55 N 285.5 0.67 0.365 278.3 14.9 heat due to convection in the atmosphere. There exists a
25 N 394.8 0.41 0.225 298.1 14.7 temperature gradient between different zones of the Earth
5 N 417.7 0.49 0.241 299.4 14.9 and it takes time for equilibrium to be established. The rate
5 S 417.7 0.49 0.241 299.4 14.9 at which heat is transferred between the equator and the
25 S 394.8 0.46 0.223 296.4 16.5 polar region is a function of the temperature gradient.
55 S 285.5 0.73 0.374 279.5 13.3
It has been found that the transport of heat from the
Figure 865  Insolation, cloud cover and planetary albedos equator to the polar regions is a function of the zonal
temperature, the global temperature, and the dynamical
The model equation now becomes: energy transport coefficient ν. The globally average
temperature can be taken as 288 K at present. The equation
(1 – αP) × insolation + F = σTS 4 now becomes:

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 Chapter 8

(1 – αP) × insolation - F = ν (TSθ - TS) not account for cloud cover. The model could be greatly
improved by taking these factors into consideration or by
where TSθ is the average latitude belt temperature, TS is using a more complex model such as three-dimensional
the globally averaged temperature and ν is the dynamical general circulation model.
energy transport coefficient with a value of 3.4 Wm­-2K-1.
Now suppose there was an increase to the amount of
It has also been shown that clouds enhance warming in incoming radiation from the Sun. According to our energy
CORE

the polar regions and causes cooling in the tropics. This balance climate model, there would also be an increase
factor is called the cloud top feedback νʹ and is equal to: in the outgoing radiation so that equilibrium could be
re-established. This increase would cause the planetary
νʹ = ν + Cθ temperature to increase.

where νʹ represents the adjusted polar transport coefficient Let us suppose that the solar constant at the 25° S latitude
and Cθ is the cloud feedback for a given latitude. belt increased by 10% for one year when the albedo was 0.3
and the temperature somewhere above in the atmosphere
This final adjustment makes the original equation was 255 K. The temperature change will be given by:
become:
ΔT = new temperature – old temperature
(1 – αP) × insolation - F = νʹ (TSθ - TS)
It can be shown that the change in this region’s temperature
Figure 866 provides this information for some latitude over a period of time is given by:
belts.
Incoming radiation intensity – outgoing radiation intensity
������������������������������
time ÷ surface heat capacity.
Actual temperature (K)
Planetary albedo (αP)
Combined insolation

Let us go back to our basic model. Using the equations:

New values (K)

Incoming radiation = (1 – α) × 1.1 × solar constant / 4

νʹ = ν + Cθ
Latitude

(Wm-2)

= (1 – 0.3) × 1.1 × 1.35 × 103 Wm-2 ÷ 4 = 259.875 Wm-2

Cθ

Outgoing radiation = σTE4 = 5.7 × 10-8 W m-2 K- 4 × (255)4

85 N 179.0 0.426 1.29 4.69 258.2 258.7
K4 = 241 Wm-2
55 N 285.5 0.365 1.85 5.25 278.3 276.8
25 N 394.8 0.225 2.58 5.98 298.1 299.0 The change in temperature ΔT would equal:
5 N 417.7 0.241 3.14 6.54 299.4 299.8
5 S 417.7 0.241 3.14 6.54 299.4 299.8 (259.875 Wm-2 - 241 Wm-2) 60 × 60 × 24 × 365 ÷ 4 × 108 J m2 K‑1
25 S 394.8 0.223 2.58 5.98 296.4 299.1 = 1.49 K
55 S 285.5 0.374 1.85 5.25 279.5 276.3

Figure 866  Adjustment values

There are many energy balance climate models and they

are only as good as the mathematics. If the mathematics
is wrong or the wrong data is collected, then the model is
flawed from the very beginning.

This model is highly oversimplified because the model is

not global but rather restricted to a certain small latitudinal
region and it doeas not account for the flow of energy
from one zone to the next or the fact that each latitude
zone will receive different amounts of incoming radiation
depending on whether they are close to the equator or
at the north and south extremes. Furthermore, it does

240
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

6. The relative intensities of the emitted wavelengths

Exercise 8.5 of a perfect black body are dependant on the

A. the surface area of the black body

1. All of the following are natural greenhouse gases B. the temperature of the black body
EXCEPT: C. the radiation per square metre
D. the radiation per second

CORE
A. methane
B. nitrogen 7. By referring to Figures 859 and 860 answer the
C. water vapour following questions.
D. nitrous oxide
(a) What is the difference between a black body
The following information is about questions 2-5. radiator and a non-black body radiator.
(b) Explain why a body at 1500 K is “red hot”
A perfectly black body sphere is at a steady whereas a body at 3000 K is “white hot”.
temperature of 473 K and is enclosed in a (c) How can you use the information from the
container at absolute zero temperature. It radiates graphs to attempt to explain Stefan’s law?
thermal energy at a rate of 300 Js-1. (d) As the temperature increases, what changes
take place to the energy distribution among
2. If the temperature of the sphere is increased to the wavelengths radiated?
946 K it radiates heat at a rate of:
8. A very long thin-walled glass tube of diameter
A. 300 W 2.0 cm carries oil at a temperature 40 °C above
B. 1200 W that of the surrounding air that is at a temperature
C. 3200 W of 27 °C. Estimate the energy lost per unit length.
D. 4800 W
9. (a) Estimate the mean surface temperature
3. If the radius of the sphere is doubled it radiates of the Earth if the Sun’s rays are normally
heat at a rate of: incident on the Earth. Assume the Earth is
in radiative equilibrium with the Sun. The
A. 300 W Sun’s temperature is 6000 K and its radius is
B. 1200 W 6.5 × 108 m. The distance of the Earth from
C. 3200 W the Sun is1.5 × 1011m.
D. 4800 W
(b) What assumptions have been made about
4. If the temperature of the enclosure is raised to the temperature obtained?
500 K it radiates heat at a rate of:
10. Estimate the effective heat capacity of the oceans if
A. 300 W the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg-1K-1
B. 1200 W and the thermal energy is captured in the top
C. 3200 W 50 m. (Make the density equal to 1030 kgm-3).
D. 4800 W
11. Suppose that the solar constant at the 25° S
5. If the enclosure is at 473 K the net rate of heat loss latitude belt increased by 20% for two years
would be: when the albedo was 0.3 and the temperature
somewhere above in the atmosphere was 255 K.
A. 0W Determine the change in temperature for this time
B. 300 W period.
C. 1200 W
D. 100 000 W

241
 Chapter 8

8.6 GLOBAL WARMING

TOK Is global warming real?
8.6.1 Describe some possible models of global
A word of caution is offered to the reader before warming.
beginning this section concerning global warming.
Very few scientists who specialise in this subject would
CORE

8.6.2 State what is meant by the enhanced

disagree with the fact that human activity is responsible greenhouse effect.
for an enhancement of greenhouse gas emissions and
that this may contribute to global warming. However, 8.6.3 Identify the increased combustion of
the scientific community is in serious debate as to fossil fuels as the likely major cause of the
whether nature can deal with the enhanced greenhouse enhanced greenhouse effect.
effect. In the 1970s, some science teachers taught
students through various curriculums that there was 8.6.4 Describe the evidence that links global
a serious energy crisis and that most of the crude oil warming to increased levels of greenhouse
would be used up by the beginning of the 21st century, gases.
that an ice age was imminent and the world population
was increasing exponentially. We know that these 8.6.5 Outline some of the mechanisms that may
predictions did not happen. increase the rate of global warming.
As individuals we are questioning the real meaning
8.6.6 Define coefficient of volume expansion.
of truth as we witness the sad cause of events that are © IBO 2007
occuring in the world as portrayed in the media. There
is a split in the science community concerning the pros
and cons of global warming and any such polarisation
8.6.1 Reasons for global
tends to create disharmony and self-doubt.
warming
Global warming is big business and many individuals
and organisations are making hefty profits from nature A range of reasons has been suggested to explain global
documentaries and climate modelling projects, and warming. These include:
governments are collecting taxes to fund research and
conventions on this subject. Take the time to do a web • changes in the composition of greenhouse gases in
search on global warming, climate models and the the atmosphere
greenhouse effect and it will become evident. • increased solar flare activity
• cyclical changes in the Earth’s orbit
As much as there is evidence that ocean and sea levels • volcanic activity
are rising and that the ice caps are melting, there is • continental drift affecting the ocean currents and
the counter-evidence that sea levels have not risen or winds.
have in fact fallen in some geographical areas and that
there is an actual increase in the Arctic ice cap and the Greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels
Antarctic sea ice cover. During December 2006, New has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide, nitrous
York had one of its highest temperatures for a winter oxides and aerosols in the atmosphere, and the melting
while Melbourne had snow in the hinterlands during of permafrost regions in the world and deforestation
summer. have increased the concentrations of methane. These
greenhouse gases capture the infra-red radiation and
As students it is up to you to gather the evidence and
cause resonance at the natural frequency of oscillation of
come to your own conclusions.
the greenhouse gases. This energy is then re-radiated to
the Earth causing climate changes.

The Sun, being a variable star, has a major influence on the

long-term and short-term changes in climate of the solar
system.The centre of mass of the solar system varies in
an eleven year Sunspot cycle and this causes variations in
the centre of mass of the nucleus of the Sun that leads to a

242
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

variation in the Sun’s speed of rotation. More importantly,

this variation causes solar flares and eruptions to occur. 8.6.4 Evidence for global
During the periods of high solar activity, the Sun
radiates more energy which causes the Earth to heat up. warming due to enhanced
Furthermore, high solar activity reduces cosmic radiation
and a corresponding reduction in cloud formation reduces greenhouse gases
rain precipitation.

CORE
A long-term international collaboration between the United
The Earth’s precession (the Earth wobbles like a spinning States of America, France and the Russian Federation at
top or gyroscope), obliquity (the Earth is tilted on its the Russian Vostok ice core research station in Eastern
axis by 23.5°) and eccentricity (the Earth’s orbit around Antarctica has produced evidence of atmospheric
the Sun is not circular but rather elliptical) affect its orbit composition and mean global temperatures. Ice core
every 100 000 and 400 000 years which in term leads to samples were drilled to a depth of 3623 m and drilling
climate change. was stopped about 120 m above a sub-glacial lake. These
ice cores have been used to gather data on deuterium and
Volcanic emission cycles are known to cause climate dust content, and entrapped carbon dioxide and methane
change. The explosion of Mt. Krakatau (Krakatoa) in over the past 420 000 years. Researchers found a good
Indonesia in 1883 caused ⅔rds of a 45 km2 island to be correlation between greenhouse gas concentrations and air
blown away and caused a tsunami that reached a height temperature for the various ice ages and warming periods
of 40 metres. The Sun was blue and green as fine ash and that last around a 100 000 year cycle. However, they found
aerosols circled the equator in 13 days. This dust lowered that present-day concentrations of carbon dioxide and
global temperatures by as much as 1.2 °C in the year methane were well above the levels expected.
after the eruption and temperatures did not return to
normal until 1888. Today, there are more than 60 active Tree rings can provide evidence of the seasons and
volcanoes. water precipitation levels during the growth of a tree. By
examining the carbon-14 content of carbon samples taken
Continental drift is also believed to affect the climate from the tree rings, a continuous record of levels of the
because of fluctuating ocean currents and winds. changing intensities of solar radiation and the respective
climate changes can be established.  

8.6.2 The enhanced Greenhouse Sedimentary records in lake beds can be used to identify
the seasonal fluctuations in water levels of lakes. Core
Effect samples taken from the sea bed of oceans can establish a
continuous and accurate record of historical surface sea-
The syllabus asks students to���������������������������
be aware that enhancement temperatures.
of the greenhouse effect is caused by human activities. These
activities have been frequently mentioned throughout this
chapter. 8.6.5 Mechanisms for the increase
in rate of global warming
8.6.3 Increased combustion of
There are a number of mechanisms that could contribute to
fossil fuels the rate of global warming such as changes in temperature,
changes in ice and snow cover and changes in vegetation of
“Students should be aware that, although debatable, the the Earth’s land and waters.
generally accepted view of most scientists is that human
activities, mainly related to burning of fossil fuels, has Temperature plays a major role in the rate of reaction and the
released extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” solubility of gases in water. With an increase in temperature,
© IBO 2007
the solubility of CO2 in the waters of the Earth would be
reduced and gaseous carbon dioxide concentrations in the
atmosphere would increase. Radiation absorbed by this
greenhouse gas would then be re-radiated to the Earth’s land
surface causing global warming.

243
 Chapter 8

If global warming increased, the ice and snow cover of the

Earth would decrease. Ice and snow have a high albedo which 8.6.7,8 Rise in the mean sea-level
means the ratio between the incoming radiation and the
amount reflected is high. However, the land which would be There can be little doubt that one possible effect of the
exposed or the water that would be formed has a low albedo enhanced greenhouse effect would be the rise in the mean
and as a result, more radiation would be captured resulting sea-level. An increase in the Earth’s temperature could
in an increase in the rate of heat absorption of the Earth. cause more ice and snow to melt resulting in increased
CORE

volume in the oceans and seas, and we have just learnt that
Deforestation reduces carbon fixation in the carbon cycle. expansion of water increases with temperature.
By the process of photosynthesis, plants take carbon
dioxide from the air to make sugars and cellulose thus Using climate models, predictions are that the increase in
“locking up” or fixing the carbon dioxide. With increased mean surface temperature will be between 1.5-4.5 °C and
deforestation, there is less plants to carry out this process that there will be an increase in sea level between 50-65 cm
and CO2 concentrations would increase. between present time and the year 2100. However, precise
predictions are difficult to make because of many factors
including the irregular expansion of water in different
8.6.6 Coefficient of volume temperate zones, different evaporation rates between
warm seas and cold oceans, and the different effects of ice
expansion melting in sea water compared to ice melting on land.

All liquids and gases expand when they are heated but
to different degrees. Each liquid and gas will then have 8.6.9 Climate change and the
a different coefficient of expansion. The coefficient of
volume or cubical expansion β is the fractional change in enhanced greenhouse effect
volume per degree change in temperature and is given by
the relation: Climate change is an outcome of the enhanced greenhouse
effect. The extent to which mankind has contributed to
Δ V = β V0 ΔT this cannot be denied. The combustion of fossil fuels is by
far the biggest enhancer to greenhouse gases and the
where V0 is the original volume, ΔV is the volume change, inefficiency of the systems that we use for power
ΔT is the temperature change and β is the coefficient of production, transportation, heating and cooling and
volume expansion. Water has a coefficient of volume leisure need to be re-examined. A reduction in greenhouse
expansion equal to 210 × 10-6 K-1 and air and most other emissions may not be necessary if natural processes can
atmospheric gases have a value of 3 400 × 10-6 K-1 deal with the problem. However, with cities choking with
polluted air and increased respiratory infections affecting
the young and old, it makes common sense that mankind
8.6.7 State that one possible effect of the enhanced should do whatever is possible to reduce greenhouse
greenhouse effect is a rise in mean sea-level. emissions.

8.6.8 Outline possible reasons for a predicted rise

in mean sea-level.

8.6.9 Identify climate change as an outcome of

the enhanced greenhouse effect.

8.6.10 Solve problems related to the enhanced

greenhouse effect.

8.6.11 Identify some possible solutions to reduce

the enhanced greenhouse effect.

8.6.12 Discuss international efforts to reduce the

enhanced greenhouse effect.
© IBO 2007

244
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

8.6.10 Solving problems and the Example 2

enhanced greenhouse effect

(a) If the Sun supplied 1 kW m-2 to the ice in the
previous question and the ice had an albedo of
Example 1 0.90, estimate the time it would take for the ice to

CORE
melt and reach 16 °C.

(a) Calculate the total energy needed to convert 10 (b) What assumptions have been made in this
tonnes of ice at -40 °C to water at 16 °C. estimate?

(b) If the ice has an area of 100 m2, estimate the depth
of the ice. Solution

(c) Now suppose this volume of water was increased

in temperature by 4 °C, estimate the increase in (a) Energy required = 4.84 × 109 J and the Sun supplies
volume of the water. 1000 Js-1m-2.

The albedo is 0.90 so 90% of the radiation is

Solution reflected.

Energy supplied by the Sun = 100 Js-1m-2.

(a) Specific heat of ice = 2.1 × 10 Jkg K
3 -1 -1

If this energy goes to heating the ice, then it will take:

Latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.34 × 105 Jkg-1
4.85 × 109 J / 100 Js-1m-2 = 4.85 × 107 s = 1.54 years
Specific heat capacity of water = 4180 × Jkg K -1 -1

(b) We have assumed that no heat was lost to the

Using Q = mcΔTICE + mLf + mcΔTWATER surroundings and that the ice is not 1 m thick but
rather infinitely thin.
= m [LV + cΔTWATER+ Lf + cΔTICE]

= 1 × 104 kg [(2.1 × 103 Jkg -1 K-1 × 400 K) + 3.34 × 105 Jkg-1

+ (4180 × Jkg -1 K-1 × 160 K) ]

= 4.84 × 109 J

= 5 × 109 J

(b) 10 tonnes = 10 000 kg. If we assume that 1 kg of

water has a volume of 1 dm3 then the total volume
would be 10 000 dm3 or 100 m3. Therefore, the
depth of the ice would be 1 m because 100 m2 × 1 m
= 100 m3.

(c) Δ V = β V0 ΔT = 210 × 10-6 K-1 × 100 m3 × 2 K =

4.2 x 10-2 m3 = 4.2 L.

245
 Chapter 8

composed of the number of gas turbines followed by

8.6.11 Possible solutions to the steam turbine. For example, a 3-1 combined cycle
facility has three gas turbines tied to one steam turbine.
reduce the enhanced Efficiencies of over 50% can be achieved. Furthermore, if
the plants waste heat is utilized for the heating of house or
greenhouse effect an industrial process, efficiencies of 80% are achievable.
A number of advanced technologies are being developed
CORE

There are a number of ways that we can use to reduce including PFBC (pressurized fluidized bed combustion),
enhanced greenhouse effect. These include: IGCC (integrated gas combined cycle) and IDGCC
(Integrated Drying Gasification Combined Cycle) These
• greater efficiency of power production technologies generate electricity at a higher
������������������
efficiency.
• replacing the use of coal and oil with natural gas
• use of combined heating and power systems (CHP) China is presently buiding coal-fired power stations at
• increased use of renewable energy sources and the rate of one per day. Surely it would be better to use
nuclear power renewable energy resources that are cleaner and less
• carbon dioxide capture and storage polluting. However, China has coal resources and the
• use of hybrid vehicles. demand for energy is unprecedented in this country.
Nuclear power is back and some countries believe that it is
As already mentioned, energy is lost to the surroundings at the best alternative to fossil fuels because it is clean and 1kg
many stages in a fossil fuel power plant and the efficiency of uranium can produce as much energy as 2 000 000 kg
of coal and oil-fired power plants can be as low as 40%. The of coal.
majority of the useful energy is lost to water in the cooling
towers as heat is evolved in the condensation component Revegetation of large areas of land has been proposed in
of the heat exchanger cycle. the Kyoto Protocol that came into force on 16 February
2005. Countries can trade their emission quotas by being
However, a natural gas-fired power station is more efficient given carbon points for reforestation. This will store and
as they use combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT). A jet capture carbon and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide
engine is used in place of the turbine to turn the generator. in the atmosphere.
Natural gas is used to power the jet engine and the exhaust
fumes from the jet engine are used to produce steam which Hybrid vehicles will play a big part in the reduction of
turns the generator. These power stations can be up to carbon dioxide emissions. Many taxis and other vehicles
55% efficient. The highest efficiencies are being obtained have converted from gasoline to LPG gas over the past 20
in combined cycle plants such as the cogeneration or CHP years. Many local government vehicles are battery driven.
(combined heat and power) plants. In a combined cycle Although many people talk about the hydrogen vehicle,
plant, surplus heat from a gas turbine is used to produce the tank would have to be very heavy and the tanks would
steam which in turn drives a steam turbine. The combined have to filled-up more often than conventional vehicles.
cycle plants are designed in a variety of configurations

246
 Energy, Power and Climate Change

The parties then met in Berlin in 1995 in what became

8.6.12 International efforts known as the first meeting of the Conference of the
Parties (COP1). Although most agreed to cooperating
to reduce the enhanced internationally on the enhanced greenhouse effect, there
was little agreement on what measures could be taken
greenhouse effect to address the issue. But the parties began work on a
protocol.

CORE
A number of international efforts have emerged since the
1980s to examine the enhanced greenhouse effect and In 1996 a meeting was held in Geneva where the parties
ways to reduce the gases that have been increasing in the agreed to accelerate talks on a need to reduce enhanced
atmosphere. There has been policies proposed but it has grenhouse gas emissions. The following year they met in
been difficult to get governments to fully agree on the New York, Earth Summit II reviewed the work done in the
most cost-effective means to implement the reductions. previous 5 years. However, some countries could not agree
Three important symposiums have been: on the proposed legally binding targets for the reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) In 1997, the parties met in Kyoto and produced an
• Kyoto Protocol agreement known as the Kyoto Protocol. The agreement
• Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development required industrialized countries to reduce their emissions
and Climate (APPCDC). by 2012 to an average of 5 percent below 1990 levels. A
system was developed to allow countries who had met this
In the 1980s, the United Nations Environment Programme target to sell or trade their extra quota to countries having
in conjunction with the World Meteorological Organization difficulty meeting their reduction deadlines. Over 130
set up a panel of government representatives and scientists countries have ratified the protocol but Russia, Australia
to determine the factors that may contribute to climate and the United States failed to ratify the protocol (as of
change. The panel was known as the Intergovernmental December 2007). Russia has since ratified the protocol.
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This body has The Kyoto Protocol came into force on 16 February 2005.
published many extensive reports that formed the basis
for many discussions and decision-making about the An alternative strategy mainly driven by the USA and
enhanced greenhouse effect. Australia who did not ratify the Kyoto protocol was
unveiled. Called the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean
In 1992, the Earth Summit 1 was held in Rio de Janeiro. Development and Climate (APPCDC), it proposed that
Some 150 other countries signed the UN Framework rather than imposing compulsory emission cuts, it would
Convention on Climate Change. The stated objective of work in partnership to complement the Kyoto protocol.
the Framework Convention is to achieve: The six countries involved were Australia, China, India,
Japan, South Korea and the USA. These countries have
“...stabilisation of the greenhouse gas concentrations in a combined population of over 2.5 billion and together
the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous produce 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such They have agreed to develop and share clean technology
a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient for improved emissions of fossil fuel plants together
to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, with rewards for the enhancement of renewable energy
to ensure that food production is not threatened and to resources in their countries. They argued that the Kyoto
enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable agreement would slow their economic growth and that the
manner”. 5 percent target to be met was unrealistic.

Each country agreed to report its greenhouse gas emissions

and the strategies and measures it has adopted to reduce
them.

247
 Chapter 8

Exercise 8.6

1. Define the following terms

(a) energy the capacity to do work

CORE

(b) energy density

(c) efficiency of an energy conversion
(d) albedo
(e) resonance
(f) emissivity
(g) surface heat capacity
(h) the coefficient of volume expansion.

2. Describe the meaning of the following terms and

give an example of each

(a) a thermodynamic cycle

(b) energy degradation
(c) a fossil fuel
(d) a renewable energy source
(e) a pump storage system
(f) a combined cycle gas turbine
(g) an oscillating water column
(h) blackbody radiation

3. Outline the findings of the following international

bodies

(a) IPPC
(b) The Kyoto Protocol
(c) APPCDC

4. Outline the process of the natural greenhouse effect.

248
 Motion in Fields

MOTION IN FIELDS
9.1

9.2

9.3
Projectile motion

Gravitational field, potential and energy

Electric field, potential and energy

9

AHL
9.1 Projectile motion
vh
9.1.1 State the independence of the vertical and
g m s–2
the horizontal components of velocity for a
projectile in a uniform field.
cliff h
9.1.2 Describe and sketch the trajectory of
projectile motion as parabolic in the
absence of air resistance. d

9.1.3 Describe qualitatively the effect of air Figure 901  The path of a horizontal projectile
resistance on the trajectory of a projectile.
Since there is no force acting in the horizontal direction
9.1.4 Solve problems on projectile motion. the horizontal velocity will remain unchanged throughout
© IBO 2007
the flight of the particle. However, the vertical acceleration
of the projectile will be equal to g.
9.1.1-9.1.3 Projectile motion
We can find the time of flight t by finding the time it takes
the particle to fall a height h.
Projectile launched horizontally
To start with, we consider only the vertical motion of the

I n this section we shall look at the motion of a projectile

that is launched horizontally from a point above the
surface of the Earth.
object:
u =0

a=g
In the Figure 901 a projectile is fired horizontally from a h s=h
cliff of height h with an initial horizontal velocity vh

Our problem is effectively to find where it will land, with t=?

what velocity and the time of flight. We shall assume that v = vv
we can ignore air resistance and that the acceleration due
to gravity g is constant. Figure 902  The vertical motion of the object

249
 Chapter 9

Time of flight
This is calculated from the definition of acceleration

i.e., using v = u + at, we have that

vv
v v = 0 + g t ⇒ t = ----
g

where vv is the vertical velocity with which the object

strikes the ground.
2 2
To find vv we use the equation v = u + 2as , so that
as the initial vertical velocity (u) is zero, the acceleration
a =g and s = h.

Then 2 2
v v = 0 + 2g h ⇒ v v = 2g h

From which we have that

2gh 2h Figure 903  Using multi-flash photography

AHL

t = ------------- = ------
g g
This is irrespective of the speed with which the particle
and so, the time of flight is given by is fired horizontally. The greater the horizontal speed, the
further this projectile will travel from the base of the cliff.
2h It is also possible to show that the path of the particle is
t = ------
g parabolic.
Since the horizontal velocity is constant, the horizontal
distance d that the particle travels before striking the To find the velocity with which the particle strikes the
ground is vh × t. (i.e., using s = ut + ½ at2 = ut, where ground we must remember that velocity is a vector
in the horizontal direction we have that a = 0 and quantity. So, using Pythagoras’ theorem at the point of
u = vh = constant) impact (to take into account both the vertical component
of velocity and the horizontal component of velocity) we
This gives have that the velocity has a magnitude of

2h
d = v v × ----- vh
g
θ
This is the general solution to the problem and it is not vv
expected that you should remember the formula for this
general result. You should always work from first principles V
with such problems. 2 2
V = vv + vh
An interesting point to note is that, since there is no
horizontal acceleration, then if you were to drop a and the direction will be given by finding
projectile from the top of the cliff vertically down, at the
v 
moment that the other projectile is fired horizontally, θ = arc tan ----v 
then both would reach the ground at the same time. This  vh 
is illustrated by the copy of a multiflash photograph, as
shown in Figure 903. where the angle is quoted relative to the horizontal. If the
angle is to be given relative to the vertical then we evaluate

(90 – θ)°

250
 Motion in Fields

or  vh  so that
θ = arc tan ----- 
v v  1 2
y = v v t + 1--- ( –g )t ⇒ y = ( v sin θ )t – --- g t
2
2 2
Notice that at impact the velocity vector is tangential to
the path of motion. As a matter of fact, the velocity vector If we now substitute for
is always tangential to the path of motion and is made up x
of the horizontal and vertical components of the velocities t = --------------
v cos θ
of the object.
into this equation we get

Projectiles launched at an angle x 2

y = ( v sin θ ) × --------x------- – --- g  --------------
1
v cos θ 2 v cos θ
to the horizontal sinθ 2 1 2
= x × ----------- – 1-- g  x-- ×  -------
cos θ 2  v  cos---θ-
Consider the problem of a projectile that is launched from
the surface of the Earth and at an angle to the surface of the 2
= x tan θ – 1-- g  x-  sec θ
2
Earth. Ignore air resistance and assume that g is constant. 2 v  
In Figure 905 the particle is launched with velocity v at
angle θ to the surface. This is the general equation of the motion of the projectile
that relates the vertical and horizontal distances. This

AHL
y
+ ve equation is plotted below for a projectile that is launched
v v = 0, a = –g
with an initial speed of 20 m s–1 at 60° to the horizontal.
2v v
T = --------
The path followed by the projectile is a parabola.
v g g
maximum height (H) time to impact y
v = 0
vv v 10

θ vh
x
10
10
Range 20

20 sin 60° ≈ 17.32

10
Figure 905  Projectile launched at an angle 60° 20 cos 60° = 10
x

The vertical component of the velocity, vv , is

17.32

v v = v sin θ 20

The horizontal component of the velocity, vh, is Figure 906  The parabolic path

v h = v cos θ The maximum height H that the projectile reaches can be

found from the equation
As in the case of the projectile launched horizontally,
2 2
there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction and the v = u + 2as
acceleration in the vertical direction is g.
where u is the initial vertical component of the velocity
If we refer the motion of the projectile to a Cartesian co- and v the final (vertical component) of the velocity at the
ordinate system, then after a time t, the horizontal distance highest point, where at this point, the vertical component
travelled will be given by is zero. So that,
x = v h t = ( v cos θ )t 2 2
2 2 v sin θ
0 = ( v sin θ ) + 2 × –g × H ⇒ H = --
-----------------
2g
and the vertical distance can be found by using the If we use the figures in the example above (v = 20 m s–1, θ = 60°)
equation 2
( 20 sin 60° )
with g = 10 m s–2 then we see that H = ------------------------------ = 15 
s = ut + 1--- at
2 2 × 10
2
i.e., the object reaches a maximum height of 15 m.

251
 Chapter 9

The time T to reach the maximum height is found using range of the projectile and the effect of the vertical drag
v = u + a t, such v = 0, will be to reduce the maximum height reached by the
projectile. However, the presence or air resistance also
u = v sin θ and a = –g, to give means that the mass of the projectile will now affect
the path followed by the projectile. In the absence of
0 = v sin θ – g T → g T = v sin θ air resistance there is no acceleration in the horizontal
direction and the acceleration in the vertical direction is g,
Hence, the acceleration of free fall. With air resistance present, to
T = v------
sin θ find the horizontal (aH)and vertical (aV) accelerations we
-------
g have to apply Newton’s second law to both the directions.
If we let the horizontal drag equal kvH and the vertical
For the example above the value of T is 1.73 s. This means drag equal KvV where k and K are constants and vH and vV
(using symmetry) that the projectile will strike the ground are the horizontal and vertical speeds respectively at any
3.46 s after the launch. The horizontal range R is given by instant, then we can write
R = (vcos θ) × 2 T which for the example gives R = 34.6 m.
kvH = maH and mg − KvV = maV
(We could also find the time for the projectile to strike the
ground by putting y = 0 in the equation From this we can now see why the mass affects the path
since both aH and aV depend on height. (For those of you
y = ( v sin θ )t – 1--- g t
2
doing HL maths, you will realise that the above equations
AHL

2
can be written as differential equations but finding their
Although we have established a general solution, solution is no easy matter.) We have here, another example
essentially solving projectile problems, remember that of the Newton method for solving the general mechanics
the horizontal velocity does not change and that when problem—know the forces acting at a particular instant
using the equations of uniform motion you must use the and you can in principle predict the future behaviour of
component values of the respective velocities. Do not try the system.
to remember the formulae.

9.1.4 Solve projectile problems

The effect of air resistance on
Notice that at impact the velocity vector is tangential to
projectile motion the path of motion. As a matter of fact, the velocity vector
is always tangential to the path of motion and is made up
We have seen that in the absence of air resistance, the path of the horizontal and vertical components of the velocities
followed by a projectile is a parabola and that the path of the object.
depends only on the initial speed and angle of projection.
Of course, in the real world all projectiles are subject to air
resistance. Fig 907 shows the free body force diagram for a Example
projectile subject to air resistance.

vertical drag A particle is fired horizontally with a speed of 25 ms-1 from

the top of a vertical cliff of height 80 m. Determine

horizontal drag
(a) the time of flight

(b) The distance from the base of the cliff where it

strikes the ground
weight
(c) the velocity with which it strikes the ground
Figure 907  The effect of air resistance

Experiment shows that both the horizontal and vertical

drag forces depend on the speed of the projectile. The
effect of the horizontal drag will be to foreshorten the

252
 Motion in Fields

The magnitude of this velocity is

Solution
2 2
40 + 25 = 47 m s–1

Horizontal: u = 25 m s -1
+ve and it makes an angle to the horizontal of
Vertical: u = 0 a =0

θ = arc tan  40
a=g
----
 -25
80 m
cliff
= 68° (or to the vertical of 32°).

(a) The vertical velocity with which it strikes the ground Conservation of energy and
can be found using the equation
���������
2 2
projectile problems
v = u + 2as , with u = 0, a = g and s = 80 (= h).
In some situations the use of conservation of energy can
This then gives v v = 2gh = 2 × 10 × 80 be a much simpler method than using the kinematics
equations. Solving projectile motion problems makes
= 40 use of the fact that E k + E p = constant at every point
in the object’s flight (assuming no loss of energy due to

AHL
That is, the vertical velocity at impact is 40 m s–1. friction).

The time to strike the ground can be found using In Figure 909, using the conservation of energy principle
v = u + at, with u = 0, a = g and
���������
v = vv. So that, we have that the
vv 40
t = ----- = ----- = 4. Total energy at A = Total energy at B = Total energy at C
g 10
That is, 4 seconds. i.e.,
1 2 1 2 1 2
(b) The distance travelled from the base of the cliff using --- mv A = --- mv B + mg H = -- mvC + mg h
2 2 2
s = ut + 1--- at , with u = 25,
2
Notice that at A, the potential energy is set at zero (h = 0).
2
1 mv 2
a = 0 and t = 4 is given by -- B + mg H
2 vB
B
s = 25 × 4 = 100. vA 1 mv2 + mg h
--- C
C 2
vv H
vC
That is, the range is 100 m. h
1 mv 2
-- A + 0 θ vh
2
(c) The velocity with which it strikes the ground is A
given by the resultant of the vertical and horizontal
velocities as shown. Figure 909  Energy problem
Ground level v h = 25
θ

v v = 40 V

253
 Chapter 9

Example ⇔ 1270 = 733.53 + 10 H

⇔ H = 53.6
A ball is projected at 50 ms at an angle of 40 above the
-1 o

horizontal. The ball is released 2.00 m above ground level. That is, the maximum height reached is 53.6 m.
Taking g = 10 m s-2, determine
b. At C, the total energy is given by
(a) the maximum height reached by the ball
E k + E p = 1-- mvC + mg × 0 = 1-- mv C
2 2
(b) the speed of the ball as it hits the ground 2 2

Using the total energy at A, E k + E p = 1270 m

Solution
Equating, we have that

1270 m = 1--- mvC ⇒ v C = 2540

2 2
B 2

∴v C = 2540 = 50.4
50
AHL

H That is, the ball hits the ground with a speed of 50.4 m s–1.
A 40°
2m
C Exercise
R = range

a. The total energy at A is given by 1. A projectile is fired from the edge of a vertical cliff
with a speed of 30 m s–1 at an angle of 30° to the
E k + E p = 1-- m ( 50.0 ) + mg × 2.00
2 horizontal. The height of the cliff above the surface
2 of the sea is 100 m.
= 1250 m + 20m
= 1270 m ≈ 1300 m (a) If g = 10 m s–2 and air resistance is ignored
show that at any time t after the launch the
Next, to find the total energy at B we need to first determine vertical displacement y of the projectile as
the speed at B, which is given by the horizontal component measured from the top of the cliff is given
of the speed at A. by:
y = 15t - 5t2
Horizontal component: 50.0 cos 40 ° = 38.3 m s–1.
Hence show that the projectile will hit the surface
Therefore, we have that of the sea about 6 s after it is launched.
1 2
E k + E p = -- m ( 38.3 ) + mg × H (b) Suggest the significance of the negative
2
value of t that can be obtained in solving
the equation?
2
y = 15t – 5 t
(c) Determine the maximum height reached by
the projectile and the horizontal distance to
= 733.53 m + 10 mH where it strikes the sea as measured from
the base of the cliff.
Equating, we have

1270 m = 733.53 m + 10 mH

254
 Motion in Fields

9.2 Gravitational field, potential and

energy If the particle is moved to B, then since δr is very small,
we can assume that the field remains constant over the
distance AB. The work δW done against the gravitational
9.2.1 Define gravitational potential and field of the Earth in moving the distance AB is
gravitational potential energy.
GM m
9.2.2 State and apply the expression for δW = – ----------e------δr
gravitational potential due to a point r2
mass.
(remember that work done against a force is negative)
9.2.3 State and apply the formula relating
gravitational field strength to To find the total work done, W, in going from the surface
gravitational potential gradient. of the Earth to infinity we have to add all these little bits
© IBO 2007
of work. This is done mathematically by using integral
calculus.
9.2.1 Gravitational potential ∞ ∞
 G Me m 1 ∞

AHL
1
We have seen that if we lift an object of mass m to a height h  ∫ r2 
∫
W =  – ---------------- dr = – G Me m ----- dr = – G Me m – --
r2
r R
above the surface of the Earth then its gain in gravitational R R
potential energy is mgh. However, this is by no means the 1
full story. For a start we now know that g varies with h and = –GMe m 0 –  –---
 R
also the expression really gives a difference in potential
energy between the value that the object has at the Earth’s G Me m
= –----------------
surface and the value that it has at height h. So what we R
really need is a zero point. Can we find a point where the
potential energy is zero and use this point from which to Hence we have, where R is the radius of the Earth, that the
measure changes in potential energy? ≈ work done by the gravitational field in moving an object of
mass m from R (surface of the Earth) to infinity, is given by
Well, the point that is chosen is in fact infinity. At infinity
the gravitational field strength of any object will in fact GM m
be zero. So let us see if we can deduce an expression for W = –-----------e-----
R
the gain in potential energy of an object when it is “lifted”
from the surface of the Earth to infinity. This in effect We can generalise the result by calculating the work
means finding the work necessary to perform this task. necessary per unit mass to take a small mass from the
surface of the Earth to infinity. This we call the gravitational
potential, V, i.e.,
r = ∞
δr V = -----
m
m A B
Me
g We would get exactly the same result if we calculated the
work done to bring the point mass from infinity to the
r r + δr surface of Earth. In this respect the formal definition of
gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field
is therefore defined as the work done per unit mass in
Figure 911  Gravitational forces bringing a point mass from infinity to that point.

In the diagram we consider the work necessary to move Clearly then, the gravitational potential at any point in
the particle of mass m a distance δr in the gravitational the Earth’s field distance r from the centre of the Earth
field of the Earth. (providing r > R) is
G Me m GM
The force on the particle at A is F = ---------------- V = –------------e
r
r2
255
 Chapter 9

The potential is therefore a measure of the amount of work

that has to be done to move particles between points in a 9.2.3 Gravitational potential
gravitational field and its unit is the J kg–1. We also note
that the potential is negative so that the potential energy gradient
as we move away from the Earth’s surface increases until it
reaches the value of zero at infinity. Let us consider now a region in space where the
gravitational field is constant. In Figure 912 the two points
If the gravitational field is due to a point mass of mass m, A and B are separated by the distance ∆x.
then we have the same expression as above except that Me
∆x
is replaced by m and must also exclude the value of the
potential at the point mass itself i.e. at r = 0. A B

direction of uniform gravitational

We can express the gravitational potential due to the Earth field of strength I
(or due to any spherical mass) in terms of the gravitational
field strength at its surface. Figure 912  The gravitational potential gradient

At the surface of the Earth we have The gravitational field is of strength I and is in the direction
shown. The gravitational potential at A is V and at B is V + ∆V.
GM
–g 0 R e = – ---------
Re The work done is taking a point mass m from A to B is
AHL

F∆x = mI∆x.
So that,
g 0 R e2 = GM However, by definition this work is also equal to -m∆V.

Therefore mI∆x = -m∆V

Hence at a distance r from the centre of the Earth the
∆V
gravitational potential V can be written as or I = −
GMe g 0 R e2
∆x
V = –------------ = –------------ Effectively this says that the magnitude of the gravitational
r r
field strength is equal to the negative gradient of the
The potential at the surface of the Earth potential. If I constant then V is a linear function of x
and I is equal to the negative gradient of the straight line
(r = Re)���������������
is therefore -g0Re graph formed by plotted V against x. If I is not constant
(as usually the case), then the magnitude of I at any point
It is interesting to see how the expression for the in the field can be found by find the gradient of the V-x
gravitational potential ties in with the expression mgh. graph at that point. An example of such a calculation can
The potential at the surface of the Earth is -g0Re (see the be found in Section 9.2.9.
g 00( R e + h ) if we
example above) and at a height h will be–-g
assume that g0 does not change over the distance h. The For those of you who do HL maths the relationship between
difference in potential between the surface and the height field and potential is seen to follow from the expression for
h is therefore g0h. So the work needed to raise an object the potential of a point mass viz:
of mass m to a height h is mgh , i.e., m × difference in
m
gravitational potential V = −G
r
This we have referred to as the gain in gravitational dV m
− = +G 2 = I
potential energy (see 2.3.5). dr r

However, this expression can be extended to any two

points in any gravitational field such that if an object of
mass m moves between two points whose potentials are
V1 and V2 respectively, then the change in gravitational
potential energy of the object is m(V1 – V2).

256
 Motion in Fields

Figure 913 shows the field lines and equipotentials for two
9.2.4 Determine the potential due to one or point masses m.
more point masses.

9.2.5 Describe and sketch the pattern of

equipotential surfaces due to one and two
point masses.
m m
9.2.6 State the relation between equipotential
surfaces and gravitational field lines.

9.2.7 Explain the concept of escape speed from a
planet.
Figure 913  Equipotentials for two point masses
9.2.8 Derive an expression for the escape speed
of an object from the surface of a planet. It is worth noting that we would get exactly the same
© IBO 2007
pattern if we were to replace the point masses with two
equal point charges. (See 9.3.5)
9.2.4 Potential due to one or

AHL
more point masses 9.2.7-8 Escape speed
M
Gravitational potential is a scalar quantity so calculating The potential at the surface of Earth is - G R which
the potential due to more than one point mass is a matter means that the energy required to take a particle of mass
Mm
of simple addition. So for example, the potential V due to m from the surface to infinity is equal to - G
R
the Moon and Earth and a distance x from the centre of
Earth is given by the expression But what does it actually mean to take something to
infinity? When the particle is on the surface of the Earth
M M  we can think of it as sitting at the bottom of a “potential
V = −G  E + M 
 x r− x well” as in figure 914.

where ME = mass of Earth, MM= mass of Moon and r = infinity

distance between centre of Earth and Moon.

9.2.5-6 Equipotentials and field GM

---------
R
lines
particle
If the gravitational potential has the same value at all points
on a surface, the surface is said to be an equipotential surface of Earth
surface. So for example, if we imagine a spherical shell
about Earth whose centre coincides with the centre of FIgure 914  A potential well
Earth, this shell will be an equipotential surface. Clearly,
if we represent the gravitational field strength by field The “depth” of the well is ---------
R and if the particle gains an
lines, since the lines “radiate” out from the centre of Earth, R where m is its
amount of kinetic energy equal to -------------
-
then these lines will be at right angles to the surface If the mass then it will have just enough energy to “lift” it out of
field lines were not normal to the equipotential surface the well.
then there would be a component of the field parallel to
the surface. This would mean that points on the surface In reality it doesn’t actually go to infinity it just means that
would be at different potentials and so it would no longer the particle is effectively free of the gravitational attraction
be an equipotential surface. This of course holds true for of the Earth. We say that it has “escaped” the Earth’s
any equipotential surface. gravitational pull. We meet this idea in connection with
molecular forces. Two molecules in a solid will sit at their

257
 Chapter 9

equilibrium position, the separation where the repulsive Determine also the gravitational field strength at a distance
force is equal to the attractive force. If we supply just enough of 6.8 × 106 m above the surface of Mars.
energy to increase the separation of the molecules such
that they are an infinite distance apart then the molecules
are no longer affected by intermolecular forces and the Solution
solid will have become a liquid. There is no increase in the
kinetic energy of the molecules and so the solid melts at
M 6.4 ×10 23
constant temperature. V = −G = −6.7 ×10 −11 × =1.3 ×10 7N kg-1
R 3.4 ×10 6
We can calculate the escape speed of a satellite very easily But V = -g0R
by equating the kinetic energy to the potential energy such
V 1.3 ×10 7
that GMe m Therefore g 0 = − = = 3.8 m s-2
1 2
--- mv es c ape = ---------------- R 3.4 ×10 6
2 Re
To determine the field strength gh at 6.8 × 106 m above the
M
surface, we use the fact that g 0 = G 2 such that GM = g0R2
R
2GMe
⇒ ve s c ape = -------------- = 2 g 0 Re
Re GM g 0R 2 3.8 × (3.4) 2
Therefore g h = = = = 0.42 m s-2
Rh 2 Rh 2 (10.2) 2
Substituting for g0 and Re gives a value for vescape of about (the distance from the centre is 3.4 × 106+ 6.8 × 106 = 10.2 × 106 m)
AHL

11 km s–1 for the Earth.

You will note that the escape speed does not depend on Exercise
the mass of the satellite since both kinetic energy and
potential energy are proportional to the mass.
1. The graph below shows how the gravitational
In theory if you want to get a rocket to the moon it can potential outside of the Earth varies with distance
be done without reaching the escape speed. However this from the centre.
would necessitate an enormous amount of fuel and it is
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 r /m × 10
6
likely that the rocket plus fuel would be so heavy that it
would never get off the ground. It is much more practical
–1
to accelerate the rocket to the escape speed and then in
theory just point it at the Moon to where it will now coast –2
7

at constant speed.
V / Jkg × 10

–3
–1

–4
9.2.9 Solve problems involving –5

gravitational potential energy –6

and gravitational potential –7

(a) Use the graph to determine the gain in

Example gravitational potential energy of a satellite
of mass 200 kg as it moves from the surface
of the Earth to a height of 3.0 × 107 m above
Use the following data to determine the potential at the the Earth’s surface.
surface of Mars and the magnitude of the acceleration of (b) Calculate the energy required to take it to
free fall infinity?
(c) Determine the slope of the graph at the
mass of Mars = 6.4 × 10 kg 23
surface of the Earth, m, above the surface of
the Earth? Comment on your answers.
radius of Mars = 3.4 × 106 m

258
 Motion in Fields

9.3 electriC FIELD, v v2

POTENTIAL AND BEFORE AFTER

ENERGY Figure 916  Interaction of two positive particles

The electric potential energy between two point charges

9.3.1 Define electric potential and electric can be found by simply adding up the energy associated
potential energy. with each pair
ǻU = of ǻEp
point +ǻE
charges. For a pair of interacting2
k = ǻW = ǻFr = kqQ / r x r = kqQ
charges, the electric potential energy is given by:
9.3.2 State and apply the expression for electric
2
potential due to a point charge. ǻU = ǻEp +ǻEk = ǻW = ǻFr = kqQ / r x r = kqQ

9.3.3 State and apply the formula relating Because no external force is acting on the system, the
electric field strength to electrical potential energy and momentum must be conserved. Initially,
gradient. Ek = 0 and Ep = k qQ / r = 9 × 109 × 1 × 10-12 / 0.1 m = 0.09 J.
When they are a great distance from each other, Ep will
9.3.4 Determine the potential due to one or be negligible. The final energy will be equal to ½ mv12 +
more point charges. ½ mv22 = 0.09 J. Momentum is also conserved and the

AHL
velocities would be the same magnitude but in opposite
9.3.5 Describe and sketch the pattern of directions.
equipotential surfaces due to one and two
point charges. Electric potential energy is more often defined in terms of
a point charge moving in an electric field as:
9.3.6 State the relation between equipotential
surfaces and electric field lines. ‘the electric potential energy between any two points in
an electric field is defined as negative of the work done by
9.3.7 Solve problems involving electric potential an electric field in moving a point electric charge between
energy and electric potential. two locations in the electric field.’
© IBO 2007

ǻU = ǻEp = -ǻW = -Fd = qEx

9.3.1 Defining electric potential
ǻU = xǻEp
where = -ǻW
is the = -Fd
distance moved= qEx
along (or opposite to) the
& electric potential energy direction of the electric field.

Electric potential energy is measured in joule (J). Just as

Electric potential energy work is a scalar quantity, so too electrical potential energy
is a scalar quantity. The negative of the work done by an
The concept of electric potential energy was developed electric field in moving a unit electric charge between
with gravitational potential energy in mind. Just as an two points is independent of the path taken. In physics,
object near the surface of the Earth has potential energy we say the electric field is a ‘conservative’ field.
because of its gravitational interaction with the Earth,
so too there is electrical potential energy associated with Suppose an external force such as your hand moves a small
interacting charges. positive point test charge in the direction of a uniform
electric field. As it is moving it must be gaining kinetic
Let us first look at a case of two positive point charges each energy. If this occurs, then the electric potential energy of
of 1μC that are initially bound together by a thread in a the unit charge is changing.
vacuum in space with a distance between them of 10 cm
as shown in Figure 916. When the thread is cut, the point
charges, initially at rest would move in opposite directions,
moving with velocities v1 and v2 along the direction of the
electrostatic force of repulsion.

259
 Chapter 9

In Figure 917 a point charge +q is moved between points Electric potential

A and B through a distance x in a uniform electric field.
The electric potential at a point in an electric field
B is defined as being the work done per unit charge in
bringing a small positive point charge from infinity to
x that point.

+q A ΔV = V∞ – Vf = -W /q

Figure 917  Movement of a If we designate the potential energy to be zero at infinity

positive point charge in a uniform field then it follows that electric potential must also be zero at
infinity and the electric potential at any point in an elctric
In order to move a positive point charge from point A to field will be:
point B, an external force must be applied to the charge
equal to qE (F = qE). ΔV = -W / q

Since the force is applied through a distance x, then Now suppose we apply an external force to a small positive
negative work has to be done to move the charge because test charge as it is moved towards an isolated positive
energy is gained, meaning there is an increase electric charge. The external force must do work on the positive
potential energy between the two points. Remember test charge to move it towards the isolated positive charge
AHL

that the work done is equivalent to the energy gained or and the work must be positive while the work done by the
lost in moving the charge through the electric field. The electric field must therefore be negative. So the electric
concept of electric potential energy is only meaningful if potential at that point must be positive according to the
the electric field which generates the force in question is above equation. If a negative isolated charge is used, the
conservative. electric potential at a point on the positive test charge
would be negative. Positive point charges of their own
W = F × x = Eq × x accord, move from a place of high electric potential to
a place of low electric potential. Negative point charges
move the other way, from low potential to high potential.
In moving from point A to point B in the diagram, the
θ x positive charge +q is moving from a low electric potential
xcosθ
to a high electric potential. The electric potential is
therefore different at both points.

In the definition given, the term “work per unit charge”

Figure 918  Charge moved at an angle to the field has significance. If the test charge is +1.6 × 10-19C where
the charge has a potential energy of 3.2 × 10-17 J, then the
If a charge moves at an angle θ to an electric field, the potential energy would be 3.2 × 10-17J / +1.6 × 10-19 C =
component of the displacement parallel to the electric 200 JC-1. Now if the charge was doubled, the potential
field is used as shown in Figure 918 energy would become 6.4 × 10-17 J. However, the potential
energy per unit charge would be the same.
W = F x = E q × x cos θ
Electric potential is a scalar quantity and it has units JC-1
The electric potential energy is stored in the electric field, or volts where 1 volt equals one joule per coloumb. The
and the electric field will return the energy to the point volt allows us to adopt a unit for the electric field in terms
charge when required so as not to violate the Law of of the volt.
conservation of energy.
Previously, the unit for the electric field was NC-1.

W = qV and F = qE,

so W / V = F / E

E = FV / W = FV / Fm = Vm-1.

260
 Motion in Fields

The work done per unit charge in moving a point

charge between two points in an electric field is again 9.3.3 Electric field strength and
independant of the path taken.
electric potential gradient

9.3.2 Electric potential due to a Let us look back at Figure 917. Suppose again that the
charge +q is moved a small distance by a force F from A to B
point charge so that the force can be considered constant. The work done
is given by:
Let us take a point r metres from a charged object. ∆ W = F × ∆x
The potential at this point can be calculated using the
following: The force F and the electric field E are oppositely directed,
and we know that:
W = -Fr = -qV and F = q1 q2 ÷ 4 π ε0 r2
F = -qE and ΔW = q ΔV
Therefore,
Therefore, the work done can be given as:
q1q2 q1q2 q
------ × r =- -------------- =- q1 × --------2------ - = -q 1 V
W = ----------- q ΔV = -q E Δx
2 4πε0 r 4πε0 r
4 πε0 r

AHL
Therefore
That is

q E = –-∆-----
V
-
V = --------------- ∆x
4 πε 0 r
The rate of change of potential ΔV at a point with respect to
Or, simply distance Δx in the direction in which the change is maximum
V = kq
------
is called the potential gradient. We say that the electric field
r = - the potential gradient and the units are Vm-1. From the
equation we can see that in a graph of electric potential
versus distance, the gradient of the straight line equals the
Example electric field strength.

In reality, if a charged particle enters a uniform electric field,

Determine how much work is done by the electric field of it will be accelerated uniformly by the field and its kinetic
point charge 15.0 μC when a charge of 2.00 μC is moved energy will increase. This is why we had to assume no
from infinity to a point 0.400 m from the point charge. acceleration in the last worked example.
(Assume no acceleration of the charges). 1 V
∆E k = -- mv2 = q ⋅ E ⋅ x = q ⋅ --- ⋅ x = q ⋅ V
2 x
Solution

Example
The work done by the electric field is W = -qV
= -1/4πε0 × q × (Q /r∞ - Q / r0.400)
Determine how far apart two parallel plates must be
W = (- 2.00 × 10-6 C × 9.00 × 109 NmC-2 × 15.0 × 10-6 C) ÷ situated so that a potential difference of 1.50 × 102 V
0.400 m = - 0.675 J produces an electric field strength of 1.00 × 103 NC-1.

An external force would have to do +0.675 J of work.

261
 Chapter 9

Some further observations of the graphs in Figure 915 are:

Solution
• Outside the sphere, the graphs obey the
relationships given as E α 1 / r2 and V α 1 / r
∆V ∆V 1.5 × 10 2 V
Using E = – ------- ⇔ x = ------- = ------------------------------------------ • At the surface, r = r0. Therefore, the electric field
x E 1.00 × 10 3 N C –1 and potential have the minimum value for r at
= 1.50 × 10-1 this point and this infers a maximum field and
potential.
The plates are 1.50 × 10-1 m apart. • Inside the sphere, the electric field is zero.
• Inside the sphere, no work is done to move
The electric field and the electric potential at a point due a charge from a point inside to the surface.
to an evenly distributed charge +q on a sphere can be Therefore, there is no potential difference and the
represented graphically as in Figure 919. potential is the same as it is when r = r0.

Similar graphs can be drawn for the electric field intensity

Charge of + Q evenly distributed
r0
over surface and the electric potential as a function of distance from
conducting parallel plates and surfaces, and these are
given in Figure 920.

E
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E field: Potential plot E field plot

1 Q, r > r
E = -----------
- ----- 0 + –
4πε 0 r2 + –
+ –
+ –
x x
x
r0 r
V
1 Q
V = ------------ ---- , r > r 0 +
4πε0 r
x x

x x
–
r0 r

Figure 919  Electric field and

potential due to a charged sphere
+ –
When the sphere becomes charged, we know that the x
charge distributes itself evenly over the surface. Therefore x
every part of the material of the conductor is at the same
potential. As the electric potential at a point is defined as
being numerically equal to the work done in bringing a unit + +
x
positive charge from infinity to that point, it has a constant x
value in every part of the material of the conductor.

Since the potential is the same at all points on the conducting Figure 920  Electric field and electric
surface, then ∆V / ∆x is zero. But E = – ∆V / ∆x. Therefore, potential at a distance from a charged surface
the electric field inside the conductor is zero. There is no
electric field inside the conductor.

262
 Motion in Fields

9.3.4 Potential due to one or Solution

more point charges

The electric potential of the +2 μC charge due to the
The potential due to one point charge can be determined – 6 μC charge is:
by using the equation formula
V = (9 × 109 Nm2C-2 × -6 × 10-6 C) ÷ (√ 32 + 42) m =
V = kq / r. - 1.08 × 104 V

The electric potential of the +2 μC charge due to the

Example 1 +3 μC charge is:

V = (9 × 109 Nm2C-2 × 3 × 10-6 C) ÷ 3m = 9 × 103 V

Determine the electric potential at a point 2.0 × 10-1 m
from the centre of an isolated conducting sphere with a The net absolute potential is the sum of the 2 potentials
point charge of 4.0 pC in air.
- 1.08 × 104 V + 9 × 103 V =

Solution - 1.8 × 103 V

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The absolute potential at the point is - 1.8 × 103 V.
Using the formula

V = kq / r , we have 9.3.5 Equipotential surfaces

9 –12
( 9.0 × 10 ) × ( 4.0 × 10 )
V = ----------------------------------------------------------------- = 0.18 V Regions in space where the electric potential of a charge
–1
( 2.0 × 10 ) distribution has a constant value are called equipotentials.
The places where the potential is constant in three
the potential at the point is 1.80 × 10-1 V. dimensions are called equipotential surfaces, and where
they are constant in two dimensions they are called
The potential due to a number of point charges can be equipotential lines.
determined by adding up the potentials due to individual
point charges because the electric potential at any point They are in some ways analogous to the contour lines on
outside a conducting sphere will be the same as if all the topographic maps. In this case, the gravitational potential
charge was concentrated at its centre. energy is constant as a mass moves around the contour
lines because the mass remains at the same elevation above
the Earth’s surface. The gravitational field strength acts in
Example 2 a direction perpendicular to a contour line.

Similarly, because the electric potential on an equipotential

Three point charges of are placed at the vertices of a right- line has the same value, no work can be done by an electric
angled triangle as shown in the diagram below. Determine force when a test charge moves on an equipotential. Therefore,
the absolute potential of the + 2.0 μC charge. the electric field cannot have a component along an
equipotential, and thus it must be everywhere perpendicular
- 6μC
to the equipotential surface or equipotential line. This fact
makes it easy to plot equipotentials if the lines of force or lines
of electric flux of an electric field are known.
4m

For example, there are a series of equipotential lines

between two parallel plate conductors that are
+3μC 3m +2μC perpendicular to the electric field. There will be a series of
concentric circles (each circle further apart than the
previous one) that map out the equipotentials around an

263
 Chapter 9

isolated positive sphere. The lines of force and some

equipotential lines for an isolated positive sphere are + + + + 50 V
shown in Figure 922.
40 V

Lines of
30 V
equipotential
20 V
10 V

– – – –

Figure 925  Equipotential lines between charged

parallel plates gravitational
����������������������������������������
fields and electric fields

Throughout this chapter the similarities and differences

Figure 922  Equipotentials around between gravitational fields and electric fields have
an isolated positive sphere been discussed. The relationships that exists between
gravitational and electric quantities and the effects of point
In summary, we can conclude that masses and charges is summarised in Table 926
AHL

• No work is done to move a charge along an Gravitational quantity Electrical quantity

equipotential.
• Equipotentials are always perpendicular to the V = ----- V = -----
m q
electric lines of force.
Quantities

Figure 923 and 924 show some equipotential lines for g = ---- E = ---
m q
two oppositely charged and indentically positive spheres
separated by a distance.
∆V ∆V
g = – ------- E = –------
equipotential lines
∆x ∆x

V = ------1------ q--
Point masses and charges

V = –G m
----
r 4 πε0 r
+ve –ve
g = –G -m
---- E = ------1------ -q---
r
2 4 πε0 r 2

m1 m2 q1q2
F = G -------
------- F = -----1------- ------
-----
r
2 4πε0 r 2
Figure 923  Equipotential lines
between two opposite charges Figure 926  Formulas (table)

equipotential lines
9.3.7 Solving problems
There are a number of worked examples that have been
given in section 9.3. Here are two more examples.

Figure 924  Equipotential lines between

two charges which are the same

264
 Motion in Fields

Total energy = ½ kqQ / r + - kqQ / r = -½ kqQ / r

Example 1
= - 9.0 × 109 Nm2C-2 × (1.6 × 10-19 C)2 ÷ 5.3 × 10-11 m =
-2.17 × 10-18 J
Deduce the electric potential on the surface of a gold
nucleus that has a radius of 6.2 fm. = -2.17 × 10-18 J ÷ 1.6 × 10-19 = -13.6 eV.

The ionisation energy is 13.6 eV.

Solution

Exercise 9.3
Using the formula

V = kq / r , and knowing the atomic number of gold is 79. 1. A point charge P is placed midway between two
We will assume the nucleus is spherical and it behaves as if it identical negative charges. Which one of the
were a point charge at its centre (relative to outside points). following is correct with regards to electric field
and electric potential at point P?
V = 9.0 × 109 Nm2C-2 × 79 × 1.6 × 10-19 C ÷ 6.2 × 10-15 m
= 1.8 × 107 V Electric field Electric potential
A non-zero zero

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The potential at the point is 18 MV. B zero non-zero
C non-zero non-zero
Example 2 D zero zero

2. Two positive charged spheres are tied together in

Deduce the ionisation energy in electron-volts of the a vacuum somewhere in space where there are no
electron in the hydrogen atom if the electron is in its external forces. A has a mass of 25 g and a charge
ground state and it is in a circular orbit at a distance of of 2.0 μC and B has a mass of 15 g and a charge of
5.3 × 10-11 m from the proton. 3.0 μC. The distance between them is 4.0 cm. They
are then released as shown in the diagram.

Solution
v1 v2

A B
This problem is an energy, coulombic, circular motion BEFORE AFTER
question based on Bohr’s model of the atom (not the accepted
quantum mechanics model). The ionisation energy is the (a) Determine their initial electric potential
energy required to remove the electron from the ground energy in the before situation.
state to infinity. The electron travels in a circular orbit and (b) Determine the speed of sphere B after
therefore has a centripetal acceleration. The ionisation energy release.
will counteract the coulombic force and the movement of the
electron will be in the opposite direction to the centripetal 3. The diagram below represents two equipotential
force lines in separated by a distance of 5 cm in a
uniform electric field.
Total energy = Ek electron + Ep due to the proton-electron
interaction + + + + + + + +
40 V
ΣF = kqQ / r2 = mv2 / r and as such mv2 = = kqQ / r. 5 cm
20 V
Therefore, Ek electron = ½ kqQ / r.
– – – – – – – –
Ep due to the proton-electron interaction = - kqQ / r. Determine the strength of the electric field.

265
 Chapter 9

4. This question is about the electric field due to a 8. The gap between two parallel plates is 1.0 × 10-3 m,
charged sphere and the motion of electrons in that and there is a potential difference of 1.0 × 104 V
field. The diagram below shows an isolated, metal between the plates. Calculate
sphere in a vacuum that carries a negative electric
charge of 6.0 μC. i. the work done by an electron in moving
from one plate to the other
ii. the speed with which the electron reaches
– the second plate if released from rest.
iii. the electric field intensity between the
plates.
(a) On the diagram draw the conventional way
to represent the electric field pattern due to 9. An electron gun in a picture tube is accelerated
the charged sphere and lines to represent by a potential 2.5 × 103 V. Determine the kinetic
three equipotential surfaces in the region energy gained by the electron in electron-volts.
outside the sphere.
(b) Explain how the lines representing the 10. Determine the electric potential 2.0 × 10-2 m from
equipotential surfaces that you have a charge of -1.0 × 10-5 C.
sketched indicate that the strength of the
electric field is decreasing with distance 11. Determine the electric potential at a point mid-
from the centre of the sphere. way between a charge of –20 pC and another
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(c) ����������������������������������������������
The electric field strength at the surface of of + 5 pC on the line joining their centres if the
the sphere and at points outside the sphere charges are 10 cm apart.
can be determined by assuming that the
sphere acts as a point charge of magnitude 12. During a thunderstorm the electric potential
6.0 μC at its centre. The radius of the sphere difference between a cloud and the ground is
is 2.5 × 10–2 m. Deduce that the magnitude 1.0 × 109 V. Determine the magnitude of the
of the field strength at the surface of the change in electric potential energy of an electron
sphere is 8.6 × 107 Vm–1. that moves between these points in electron-volts.

An electron is initially at rest on the surface of the 13. A charge of 1.5 μC is placed in a uniform electric
sphere. field of two oppositely charged parallel plates with
a magnitude of 1.4 × 103 NC-1.
(d) (i) Describe the path followed by the
electron as it leaves the surface of the (a) Determine the work that must be done
sphere. against the field to move the point charge a
(ii) Calculate the initial acceleration of distance of 5.5 cm.
the electron. (b) Calculate the potential difference between
the final and initial positions of the charge.
5. Determine the amount of work that is done in (c) Determine the potential difference between
moving a charge of 10.0 nC through a potential the plates if their separation distance is 15 cm.
difference of 1.50 × 102 V.
14. During a flash of lightning, the potential difference
6. Three identical 2.0 μC conducting spheres are between a cloud and the ground was 1.2 × 109 V
placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of and the amount of transferred charge was 32 C.
sides 25 cm. The triangle has one apex C pointing
up the page and 2 base angles A and B. Determine (a) Determine the change in energy of the
the absolute potential at B . transferred charge.
(b) If the energy released was all used to
7. Determine how far apart two parallel plates accelerate a 1 tonne car, deduce its final
must be situated so that a potential difference of speed.
2.50 × 102 V produces an electric field strength of (c) If the energy released could be used to melt
2.00 × 103 NC-1. ice at 0 °C, deduce the amount of ice that
could be melted.

266
 Motion in Fields

15. Suppose that when an electron moved from A to B

in the diagram along an electric field line that the 9.4 Orbital motion
electric field does 3.6 × 10-19 J of work on it.
Although orbital motion may be circular, elliptical or
Determine the differences in electric potential: parabolic, this sub-topic only deals with circular orbits.
This sub-topic is not fundamentally new physics, but
(a) VB – VA an application that synthesizes ideas from gravitation,
(b) VC – VA circular motion, dynamics and energy.
(c) VC – VB

9.4.1 State that gravitation provides the

A
centripetal force for circular orbital motion.

9.4.2 Derive Kepler’s third law.

B C 9.4.3 Derive expressions for the kinetic energy,

potential energy and total energy of an
16. Determine the potential at point P that is located orbiting satellite.
at the centre of the square as shown in the diagram
below. 9.4.4 Sketch graphs showing the variation

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with orbital radius of the kinetic energy,
gravitational potential energy and total
- 6μC 5μC energy of a satellite.

9.4.5 Discuss the concept of “weightlessness”

in orbital motion, in free fall and in deep
1m P space.

9.4.6 Solve problems involving orbital motion.

© IBO 2007

+3μC 1m +2μC 9.4.1 Satellites

The Moon orbits the Earth and in this sense it is often
referred to as a satellite of the Earth. Before 1957 it was the
only Earth satellite. However, in 1957 the Russians launched
the first man made satellite, Sputnik 1. Since this date many
more satellites have been launched and there are now
literally thousands of them orbiting the Earth. Some are
used to monitor the weather, some used to enable people
to find accurately their position on the surface of the Earth,
many are used in communications, and no doubt some are
used to spy on other countries. Figure 932 shows how, in
principle, a satellite can be put into orbit.

The person (whose size is greatly exaggerated with respect

to Earth) standing on the surface on the Earth throws
some stones. The greater the speed with which a stone
is thrown the further it will land from her. The paths
followed by the thrown stones are parabolas. By a stretch
of the imagination we can visualise a situation in which
a stone is thrown with such a speed that, because of the
curvature of the Earth, it will not land on the surface of the
Earth but go into “orbit”. (Path 4 on Figure 932).

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 Chapter 9

1 Tangential component of velocity

2
Satellite orbit
3 E arth Satellite carried by rocket to here
E arth
4

Figure 933  Getting a satellite into orbit

9.4.2 Kepler’s third law

Figure 932  Throwing a stone into orbit
(This work of Kepler and Newton’s synthesis of the work is
The force that causes the stones to follow a parabolic path an excellent example of the scientific method and makes for
and to fall to Earth is gravity and similarly the force that a good TOK discussion)
keeps the stone in orbit is gravity. For circular motion
to occur we have seen that a force must act at right In 1627 Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) published his laws
angles to the velocity of an object, that is there must be a of planetary motion. The laws are empirical in nature
centripetal force. Hence in the situation we describe here and were deduced from the observations of the Danish
the centripetal force for circular orbital motion about the astronomer Tycho de Brahe (1546-1601). The third law
AHL

Earth is provided by gravitational attraction of the Earth. gives a relationship between the radius of orbit R of a
planet and its period T of revolution about the Sun. The
We can calculate the speed with which a stone must be law is expressed mathematically as
thrown in order to put it into orbit just above the surface
T2
of the Earth. = constant
R3
If the stone has mass m and speed v then we have from We shall now use Newton’s Law of Gravitation to show
Newton’s 2nd law how it is that the planets move in accordance with Kepler’s
mv2 M m
---------- = G -------E----- third law.
RE R2
E
In essence Newton was able to use his law of gravity to
where RE is the radius of the Earth and ME is the mass of predict the motion of the planets since all he had to do
the Earth. was factor the F given by this law into his second law,
ME F = ma, to find their accelerations and hence their future
Bearing in mind that g 0 = G -------
- , then positions.
R E2
v = g RE = 10 × 6.4 × 10 6 = 8 × 10 3 . In Figure 934 the Earth is shown orbiting the Sun and the
distance between their centres is R.
That is, the stone must be thrown at 8 × 103m s–1.
E arth
Sun
Clearly we are not going to get a satellite into orbit so Fes R
close to the surface of the Earth. Moving at this speed the Fse
friction due to air resistance would melt the satellite before
it had travelled a couple of kilometres. In reality therefore
a satellite is put into orbit about the Earth by sending it,
attached to a rocket, way beyond the Earth’s atmosphere Figure 934  Planets move according to Kepler’s third law
and then giving it a component of velocity perpendicular
to a radial vector from the Earth. See Figure 933. Fes is the force that the Earth exerts on the Sun and Fse is the
force that the Sun exerts on the Earth. The forces are equal
and opposite and the Sun and the Earth will actually orbit
about a common centre. However since the Sun is so very
much more massive than the Earth this common centre
will be close to the centre of the Sun and so we can regard
the Earth as orbiting about the centre of the Sun. The other

268
 Motion in Fields

thing that we shall assume is that we can ignore the forces the 18th Century had reached a degree of perfection in
that the other planets exert on the Earth. (This would not design that enabled astronomers to actually measure the
be a wise thing to do if you were planning to send a space orbital perturbations of the planets. Their measurements
ship to the Moon for example.). We shall also assume that were always in agreement with the predictions made by
we have followed Newton’s example and indeed proved Newton’s law. However, in 1781 a new planet, Uranus was
that a sphere will act as a point mass situated at the centre discovered and the orbit of this planet did not fit with
of the sphere. the orbit predicted by Universal Gravitation. Such was
the physicist’s faith in the Newtonian method that they
Kepler had postulated that the orbits of the planets are suspected that the discrepancy was due to the presence of
elliptical but since the eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit is a yet undetected planet. Using the Law of Gravitation the
small we shall assume a circular orbit. French astronomer J.Leverrier and the English astronomer.
J. C. Adams were able to calculate just how massive this
The acceleration of the Earth towards the Sun is a = Rω2 new planet must be and also where it should be. In 1846
the planet Neptune was discovered just where they had
whereωω = 2π
------ predicted. In a similar way, discrepancies in the orbit of
T Neptune led to the prediction and subsequent discovery
Hence, in 1930 of the planet Pluto. Newton’s Law of Gravitation
2 had passed the ultimate test of any theory; it is not only
a = R ×  2π
-
---
-- 2 = 4π R
-----------
- able to explain existing data but also to make predictions.
 T T
2

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But the acceleration is given by Newton’s Second Law, 9.4.3-4 Satellite energy
F = ma, where F is now given by the Law of Gravitation.
So in this situation When a satellite is in orbit about a planet it will have both
GMs Me kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. Suppose
F = ma = ------------------ , but, we also have that we consider a satellite of mass m that is in an orbit of radius
2
2
R r about a planet of mass M.
4π R
a = ------------- and m = Me so that
2
T The gravitational potential due to the planet at distance r
G Ms Me 2 3 from its centre is
4π R GM R
------------------- = Me × ------------- ⇒ ----------s- = ------
R
2
T
2
4π
2
T
2 – -----------e- .
r
s
But the quantity -----------
2 The gravitational potential energy of the satellite Vsat
4p
GMe m
is a constant that has the same value for each of the planets is therefore – --------r-------- .
so we have for all the planets, not just Earth, that GM me
3 That is, Vsat = – ---------------- .
R r
------ = k
2
T The gravitational field strength at the surface of the planet
where k is a constant. Which is of course Kepler’s third is given by
law. GMe
g 0 = ----------
-
This is indeed an amazing breakthrough. It is difficult R e2
to refute the idea that all particles attract each other in
accordance with the Law of Gravitation when. the law Hence we can write
is able to account for the observed motion of the planets
about the Sun. g R2
Vsat = – ----0------e--
r
The gravitational effects of the planets upon each other
2
should produce perturbations in their orbits. Such is the The kinetic energy of the satellite Ksat is equal to ½mv ,
predictive power of the Universal Gravitational Law that where v is its orbital speed.
it enabled physicists to compute these perturbations. The
telescope had been invented in 1608 and by the middle of

269
 Chapter 9

By equating the gravitational force acting on the satellite as such the book cannot “catch” up with the floor of the
to its centripetal acceleration we have elevator. Furthermore, if you happened to be standing on
G Me m GM e m a set of bathroom scales, the scales would now read zero
mv 2
---------2------- = --------- ⇔ mv2 = ---------------- . - you would be weightless. It is this idea of free fall that
r r r
explains the weightlessness of astronauts in an orbiting
From which satellite. These astronauts are in free fall in the sense that
1 2 1 GMe m
--- mv = --- × ---------------- they are accelerating towards the centre of the Earth.
2 2 r
It is actually possible to define the weight of a body in
g 0R e 2m
= several different ways. We can define it for example as
2r the gravitational force exerted on the body by a specified
Which is actually quite interesting since it shows that, object such as the Earth. This we have seen that we do
irrespective of the orbital radius the KE is numerically in lots of situations
G Me m where G Mwe define theGweight
Me m as being
e m
equal to half the PE, Also the total energy E tot of= the
K sat + Vsat = 1-to
equal ×mg. If we+ –
use this = –
definition,
- ----------------  ----------------
1then an-- object in
--- --------------
satellite is always negative since 2 r r 2
free fall cannot by definition be weightless since it is still r
in a gravitational field. However, if we define the weight
G Me m  G M e m 1 G Me m of an object in terms of a “weighing” process such as
E tot = K sat + Vsat = 1-- × ------------
---- +  – ---------------- = – --- ----------------
2 r r 2 r the reading on a set of bathroom scales, which in effect
measures the contact force between the object and the
The energies of an orbiting satellite as a function of radial scales, then clearly objects in free fall are weightless. One
AHL

distance from the centre of a planet are shown plotted in now has to ask the question whether or not it is possible.
Figure 935. For example, to measure the gravitational force acting on
an astronaut in orbit about the Earth. We shall return to
1.2 this idea of bodies in free fall when we look at Einstein’s
kinetic energy
1.0
total energy General Theory of Relativity in Chapter 19
0.8
energy/arbitary units

potential energy
0.6 We can also define weight in terms of the net gravitational
0.4 force acting on a body due to several different objects. For
0.2 example for an object out in space, its weight could be
0
defined in terms of the resultant of the forces exerted on it
–0.2
by the Sun, the Moon, the Earth and all the other planets
–0.4
in the Solar System. If this resultant is zero at a particular
–0.6
point then the body is weightless at this point.
–0.8
–1.0
In view of the various definitions of weight that are
–1.2
2 4 6 8 10 12 available to us it is important that when we use the word
distance /×R “weight” we are aware of the context in which it is being
used.
Figure 935  Energy of an orbiting satellite as
a function of distance from the centre of a planet
9.4.6 Solve problems involving
9.4.5 Weightlessness orbital motion

Suppose that you are in an elevator (lift) which is

descending at constant speed and you let go of a book that Example 1
you are holding in your hand. The book will fall to the
floor with acceleration equal to the acceleration due to
gravity. If the cable that supports the elevator were to snap Calculate the height above the surface of the Earth at
(a situation that I trust will never happen to any of you) which a geo-stationary satellite orbits.
and you now let go the book that you are holding in your
other hand, this book will not fall to the floor - it will stay
exactly in line with your hand. This is because the book is
now falling with the same acceleration as the elevator and

270
 Motion in Fields

Solution Solution

A geo-stationary satellite is one that orbits the Earth in such We have seen that when dealing with gravitational fields
a way that it is stationary with respect to a point on the and potential it is useful to remember that
surface of the Earth. This means that its orbital period must
GM
be the same as the time for the Earth to spin once on its axis g 0 = ------2--- or, g 0 R 2e = GM
i.e. 24 hours. Re
G Ms 3 The gravitational potential at the surface of the Earth is
R
From Kepler’s third law we have ---
---
---
-- = --
---
-
2 2.
4π T GM
–g 0 R e = – --------- .
Re
That is,
The gravitational potential at a distance R

m from the centre of the Earth is – ---------

h 2 R
Me g0 R e
= – -----------
-
R R
The difference in potential between the surface of the Earth

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and a point distance R from the centre is therefore
Re
∆V = g 0 R e  1 – ------
 R
using the fact that the force of attraction between the satellite g 0 Re
and the Earth is given by If R = 2R e then ∆V = -----------
2
G Me m
F = ---------------- This means that the work required to “lift” the satellite into
2
R orbit is g0Rm where m is the mass of the satellite. This is
and that F = ma equal to
2
4π R 6
where m is the mass of the satellite and a = ------------- 10 × 3.2 × 10 × 500 = 16000 MJ.
2
T
we have, However, the satellite must also have kinetic energy in order
to orbit Earth. This will be equal to
GM e m 2 GM 3
R R
-----------2----- = m × 4π
------------- ⇒ ------------e = ----2- 2 2
R T
2
4π
2
T g 0 mR e g 0 mR e
---------------- = ----------------- = 8000 MJ
2R 4
Now, the mass of the Earth is 6.0 × 1024 kg and the period, T,
measured in seconds is given by T = 86,400 s. The minimum energy required is therefore

So substitution gives R = 42 × 106 m 24000 MJ.

The radius of the Earth is 6.4 × 106 m so that the orbital

height, h, is about 3.6 × 107 m.

Example 2

Calculate the minimum energy required to put a satellite

of mass 500 kg into an orbit that is as a height equal to the
Earth’s radius above the surface of the Earth.

271
 Chapter 9

8. Use the following data to determine the

Exercises 9.4 gravitational field strength at the surface of the
Moon and hence determine the escape speed from
the surface of the Moon.
1. The speed needed to put a satellite in orbit does
not depend on Mass of the Moon = 7.3 × 1022 kg,

A. the radius of the orbit. Radius of the Moon = 1.7 × 106 m

B. the shape of the orbit.
C. the value of g at the orbit.
D. the mass of the satellite.

2. Estimate the speed of an Earth satellite whose

orbit is 400 km above the Earth’s surface. Also
determine the period of the orbit.

3. Calculate the speed of a 200 kg satellite, orbiting

the Earth at a height of 7.0 × 106 m.

Assume that g = 8.2 m s–2 for this orbit.

AHL

4. The radii of two satellites, X and Y, orbiting

the Earth are 2r and 8r where r is the radius of
the Earth. Calculate the ratio of the periods of
revolution of X to Y.

5. A satellite of mass m kg is sent from Earth’s surface

into an orbit of radius 5R, where R is the radius of
the Earth.Write down an expression for

(a) the potential energy of the satellite in orbit.

(b) the kinetic energy of the satellite in orbit.
(c) the minimum work required to send the
satellite from rest at the Earth’s surface into
its orbit.

6. A satellite in an orbit of 10r, falls back to Earth

(radius r) after a malfunction. Determine the
speed with which it will hit the Earth’s surface?

7. The radius of the moon is ¼ that

������������������
of the Earth
Assuming Earth and the Moon to have the same
density, compare the accelerations of free fall at
the surface of Earth to that at the surface of the
Moon.

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 Thermal Physics

Thermal Physics
10.1 Thermodynamics

10.2 Processes

10.3 The second law of thermodynamics and entropy

10

AHL
From the combined gas laws, we determined that:
10.1 Thermodynamics
PV/T = k or PV = kT

10.1.1 State the equation of state for an ideal gas. If the value of the universal gas constant is compared for
different masses of different gases, it can be demonstrated
10.1.2 Describe the difference between an ideal that the constant depends not on the size of the atoms but
gas and a real gas. rather on the number of particles present (the number of
moles). Thus for n moles of any ideal gas:
10.1.3 Describe the concept of the absolute zero
of temperature and the Kelvin scale of PV / nT = R
temperature.
P V = nRT
10.1.4 Solve problems using the equation of state
of an ideal gas.
© IBO 2007
This is called the ‘equation of state’ of an ideal gas, where R
is the universal gas constant and is equal to 8.31 J mol‑1 K-1.
10.1.1 The ideal gas equation The equation of state of an ideal gas is determined from
the gas laws and Avogadro’s law.

A n ideal gas is a theoretical gas that obeys the equation

of state of an ideal gas exactly. They�������������������
obey the equation
PV = nRT when there are no forces between molecules at 10.1.2 Real and ideal gases
all pressures, volumes and temperatures.
An ideal gas is a theoretical gas that obeys the ideal gas
Remember from Avogadro’s hypothesis that one mole equation exactly. Real gases conform to the gas laws under
of any gas contains the Avogadro number of particles NA certain limited conditions but they can condense to liquids,
equal to 6.02 × 1023 particles. It also occupies 22.4 dm3 at then solidify if the temperature is lowered. Furthermore,
0 °C and 101.3 kPa pressure (STP). there are relatively small forces of attraction between
particles of a real gas, and even this is not allowable for
The internal energy of an ideal gas would be entirely kinetic an ideal gas.
energy as there would be no intermolecular forces between
the gaseous atoms. As temperature is related to the average A real gas obeys the gas laws at low pressure and at high
kinetic energy of the atoms, the kinetic energy of the atoms temperature (above the temperature at which they liquefy),
would depend only on the temperature of the ideal gas. and we refer to such a gas as an ideal gas.

273
 Chapter 10

Most gases, at temperatures well above their boiling points

Pressure / P kPa
and pressures that are not too high, behave like an ideal gas.
In other words, real gases vary from ideal gas behaviour at
high pressures and low temperatures.

10.1.3 Absolute zero of

temperature
–273 0 100 T °C
When the variation in volume as a function temperature 0 273 373 K
is plotted for an ideal gas, a graph similar to Figure 1001
is obtained. Figure 1002  Variation of pressure with temperature

The Pressure (Admonton) Law of Gases states that:

Volume / V m3

The pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is

directly proportional to its its temperature.
P
P ∝ T ⇔ P = kT ∴-----1- = k
AHL

T1

–273 0 100 T °C Therefore,

0 273 373 K P1 P2
------ = -----
Figure 1001  Variation of volume with temperature T1 T2

Note that from the extrapolation of the straight line that the When a pressure versus volume graph is drawn for the
volume of gases would be theoretically zero at –273.15 °C collected data, a hyperbola shape is obtained, and when
called absolute zero. The scale chosen is called the Kelvin pressure is plotted against the reciprocal of volume a
scale K and this is the fundamental unit of thermodynamic straight line is obtained. See Figure 1003.
temperature.
pressure, P / mm Hg

pressure, P / mm Hg

The Charles (Gay-Lussac) Law of gases states that: PV

The volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure

is directly proportional to its absolute (Kelvin)
1 /cm–3 P
temperature. volume, V / cm3
V

This can also be stated as: Figure 1003  Pressure-volume graphs

The volume of a fixed mass of gas increases by 1 / 273.15 Boyle’s Law for gases states that the pressure of a fixed
of its volume at 0 °C for every degree Celsius rise in mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume at
temperature provided the pressure is constant. constant temperature.

When the variation in pressure as a function temperature P ∝ --1- ⇔ P V = constant

is plotted for an ideal gas, a graph similar to Figure 1002 V
is obtained.
When the conditions are changed, with the temperature
still constant

274
 Thermal Physics

(1.01 × 105 Nm-1) × (molar mass / 1.25 kg m-3) =

P 1 V1 = P 2 V2 1 × (8.31 J mol-1 K-1) × (0 + 273 K)

So that the molar mass =

Although the pressure and the reciprocal of volume have
a directly proportional linear plot, it is the first volume- 1 × 8.31 J mol-1 K-1 × 273 K × 1.25 kg m-3 ÷ 1.01 × 105 Nm-1
temperature graph that is used to define absolute zero.
Although different samples of an ideal gas have different n = 39.46 mol
straight-line variations, they still extrapolate back to
absolute zero. = 28 × 10-3 kg mol-1

The ideal gas is helium with a molar mas of 2.8 × 10-2 kg mol-1.

10.1.4 Using the equation of state
of an ideal gas Exercise 10.1

Example 1 1. If the average translational kinetic energy EK at a

temperature T of helium (molar mass 4 g mol‑1),
then the average translational kinetic energy

AHL
A weather balloon of volume 1.0 m3 contains helium at a of neon (molar mass 20 g mol-1) at the same
pressure of 1.01 × 105 N m-2 and a temperature of 35 °C. temperature would be:
What is the mass of the helium in the balloon if one mole
of helium has a mass of 4.003 × 10-3 kg? A. 1/5 EK
B. 5 EK
C. √ 5 EK
Solution D. EK

2. A sample of gas is contained in a vessel at 20 °C

Use the equation, PV = nRT, we have at a pressure P. If the pressure of the gas is to be
doubled and the volume remain constant, the gas
(1.01 × 105 Nm-1) × (1.0 m3) = n × (8.31 J mol-1 K-1) × (35 + 273 K) has to be heated to:

So that, n = 39.46 mol A. 40 °C

B. 293 °C
Then, the mass of helium = (39.46 mol) × (4.003 × 10-3 kg mol-1) C. 586 °C
D. 313 °C
= 0.158 kg.
3. Real gases behave most like ideal gases at
The mass of helium in the balloon is 0.16 kg.
A. low temperatures and high pressures
B. high temperatures and low pressures
Example 2 C. low temperatures and low pressures
D. high temperatures and high pressures

An ideal gas has a density of 1.25 kg m-3 at STP. Determine 4. The Kelvin temperature of an ideal gas is a
the molar mass of the ideal gas. measure of:

A. the average potential energy of the gas

Solution molecules
B. the average speed of the gas molecules
C. the average pressure of the gas molecules
Use the equation, PV = nRT, with V = molar mass/density. D. the average kinetic energy of the gas
For I mole molecules

275
 Chapter 10

5. Two identical containers A and B contain an ideal 10.2 PROCESSES

gas under the different conditions as shown below.

10.2.1 Deduce an expression for the work involved

CONTAINER A CONTAINER B in a volume change of a gas at constant
N moles 3N moles pressure.
Temperature T Temperature T / 3 10.2.2 State the first law of thermodynamics.
Pressure PA Pressure PB
10.2.3 Identify the first law of thermodynamics
as a statement of the principle of energy
The ratio PA : PB would be: conservation.

A. 3 10.2.4 Describe the isochoric (isovolumetric),

B. 2 isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic changes
C. 3⁄2 of state of an ideal gas.
D. 2⁄3
10.2.5 Draw and annotate thermodynamic
6. The internal volume of a gas cylinder is processes and cycles on P–V diagrams.
AHL

3.0 × 10‑2 m3. An ideal gas is pumped into

the cylinder until the pressure is 15 MPa at a 10.2.6 Calculate from a P–V diagram the work
temperature of 25 °C. done in a thermodynamic cycle.

(a) Determine the number of moles of the gas 10.2.7 Solve problems involving state changes of a
in the cylinder gas.
© IBO 2007
(b) Determine the number of gas atoms in the
cylinder
(c) Determine the average volume occupied by 10.2.1 Work done in volume
one atom of the gas
(d) Estimate the average separation of the gas change
atoms
Consider a mass of gas with pressure p enclosed in
7. A cylinder of an ideal gas with a volume of 0.2 m3 a cylinder by a piston of cross-sectional area A as in
and a temperature of 25 °C contains 1.202 × 1024 Figure 1005.
molecules. Determine the pressure in the cylinder.
pressure, p surface area,A
8. (a) State what is meant by the term ideal gas.
(b) In terms of the kinetic theory of gases, state
what is meant by an ideal gas.
(c) Explain why the internal energy of an ideal cylinder
gas is kinetic energy only.
F

Δl
Figure 5.1 Expansion of a gas at constant pressure.
Figure 1005  Expansion of a gas at constant pressure

276
 Thermal Physics

The pressure, p, on the piston = force per unit area volume, temperature and change in internal energy in
determining the state of a system.
So that,
Heat can be transferred between a system and its
p = F
--- environment because of a temperature difference. Another
A
way of transferring energy between a system and its
Therefore, the force on the piston, F, is given by environment is to do work on the system or allow work to
F = pA be done by the system on the surroundings.

Suppose the piston is moved a distance l when the gas In order to distinguish between thermal energy (heat) and
expands. Normally, if the gas expands, the volume work in thermodynamic processes
increases and the pressure decreases, as was determined
from Boyle’s Law for ideal gases in the previous section. • If a system and its surroundings are at different
However, if the distance l is a small Δ l, then the pressure temperatures and the system undergoes a process,
can be considered constant. If the pressure is constant then the energy transferred by non-mchanical means is
the force F will be constant. The work done by the gas is: referred to as thermal energy (heat).
• Work is defined as the process in which
ΔW = F Δ l = pA Δ l since pressure p = Force F / Area A thermal energy is transferred by means that are
independent of a temperature difference.
= pΔV since volume ΔV = A l

AHL
In thermodynamics the word system is used often.
That is, (work done / J) = (pressure / Nm-2) × (volume change / m3) A system is any object or set of objects that is being
investigated. The surroundings will then be everything in
So that, the Universe apart from the system. For example, when a
volume of gas in a cylinder is compressed with a piston,
∆W = p ⋅ ∆V = p ( V2 – V1 ) then the system is the cylinder-gas-piston apparatus and
the surroundings is everything else in the Universe. A
closed system is one in which no mass enters or leaves the
The sign of the work done by the gas depends on whether system. It is an isolated system if no energy of any kind
volume change is positive or negative. When a gas expands, enters or leaves the system. Most systems are open systems
as is the case for Figure 1005, then work is done by the because of the natural dynamic processes that occur in the
gas, and the volume increases. As V is positive, then W is Universe.
positive.
In Chapter 3, internal energy U was defined as the sum
This equation is also valid if the gas is compressed. In the total of the potential energy and kinetic energy of the
compression, work is done on the gas and the volume is particles making up the system. From a microscopic
decreased. Therefore, ΔV is negative which means that W viewpoint, the internal energy of an ideal gas is due to
will be negative. From the first law of thermodynamics the kinetic energy of the thermal motion of its molecules.
this means that positive work is done on the gas. There are no intermolecular forces and thus there cannot
be any increase in potential energy. Therefore a change in
the temperature of the gas will change the internal energy
10.2.2 and 10.2.3 First law of of the gas.

thermodynamics From the macroscopic point of view of thermodynamics,

one would expect that the internal energy of the system
Thermodynamics is the name given to the study of would be changed if:
processes in which thermal energy is transferred as
heat and as work. It had its foundations with engineers • work is done on the system
in the 19th century who wanted to know what were the • work is done by the system
limitations of the Laws of Physics with regard to the • thermal energy is added to the system
operation of steam engines and other machines that • thermal energy is removed from the system
generate mechanical energy. Thermodynamics treats
thermal energy from the macroscopic point of view in that Internal energy is a property of the system that depends on
it deals with the thermodynamic variables of pressure, the “state” of the system. In thermodynamics, a change of

277
 Chapter 10

p p
state of an ideal gas occurs if some macroscopic property
A rea = Work done
of the system has changed eg. phase, temperature, = p( V 2 – V 1 )
isobaric
pressure, volume, mass, internal energy. pconst
(i.e., “same pressure” process)

Heat and work can change the state of the system but they
are not properties of the system. They are not characteristic V1 V2 V V

of the state itself but rather they are involved in the

thermodynamic process that can change the system from Figure 1006  Work done by a gas  
one state to another. expanding at constant pressure

The absolute value for internal energy is not known. This An isobaric transformation requires a volume change at
does not cause a problem as one is mainly concerned constant pressure, and for this to occur, the temperature
with changes in internal energy, denoted by ΔU, in needs to change to keep the pressure constant.
thermodynamic processes.
p = constant, or V / T = constant.
The first law of thermodynamics is a statement of the Law
of Conservation of Energy in which the equivalence of For an isobaric expansion, work is done by the system
work and thermal energy transfer is taken into account. It so ΔW is positive. Thermal energy is added to cause the
can be stated as: expansion so ΔQ is positive. This means that ΔU must be
positive. For an isobaric compression, all terms would be
AHL

the heat added to a closed system equals the change in negative.

the internal energy of the system plus the work done by
the system.
Isochoric (isovolumetric) processes
That is,
Q = ∆U + W = ∆U + p ∆V A graph of pressure as a function of volume change when
the volume is kept constant is shown in Figure 1007. Such
or, a process is said to be isochoric. When the volume is kept
∆U = Q – W fixed, the curve of the transformation is said to be an
isochore.
where ‘+Q’ is the thermal energy added to the system and
‘+W’ is the work done by the system. p

If thermal energy leaves the system, then Q is negative. If isochoric

work is done on the system, then W is negative.
(i.e., “same volume” process)
For an isolated system, then W = Q = 0 and ΔU = 0.

V
10.2.4 Changes of state of an
Figure 1007  A Constant volume transformation
ideal gas
Note that the work done by the gas is equal to zero as
ΔV = 0. There is zero area under the curve on a p–V
Isobaric processes diagram. However, the temperature and pressure can both
change and so such a transformation will be accompanied
A graph of pressure as a function of volume change when by a thermal energy change.
the pressure is kept constant is shown in Figure 1006. Such
a process is said to be isobaric. Note that the work done by V = constant, or p / T = constant.
the gas is equal to the area under the curve.
For an isochoric expansion, no work is done by the system
so ΔW is zero. Thermal energy leaves the system so ΔQ is
negative. This means that ΔU must be negative. For an
isobaric expansion, ΔW is zero, and ΔQ and ΔU are positive.

278
 Thermal Physics

Isothermal processes Consider an ideal gas enclosed in a thin conducting vessel

that is in contact with a heat reservoir, and is fitted with a
A thermodynamic process in which the pressure and the light, frictionless, movable piston. If an amount of heat Q
volume are varied while the temperature is kept constant is added to the system which is at point A of Figure 1008,
is called an isothermal process. In other words, when an then the system will move to another point on the graph, B.
ideal gas expands or is compressed at constant temperature, The heat taken in will cause the gas to expand isothermally
then the gas is said to undergo an isothermal expansion or and will be equivalent to the mechanical work done by
compression. the gas. Because the temperature is constant, there is no
change in internal energy of the gas.
Figure 1008 shows three isotherms for an ideal gas at
different temperatures where That is,

T1 < T2 < T3. ∆ T = 0 and ∆U = 0 ⇒ Q = W

If the gas expands isothermally from A to B and then

p returns from B to A following exactly the same path
T1 T2 T 3
A during compression, then the isothermal change is said
to be reversible. The conditions described above would
isothermal process follow this criterion.

AHL
Adiabatic processes
B
V An adiabatic expansion or contraction is one in which no
heat Q is allowed to flow into or out of the system. For the
Figure 1008  Isotherms for an ideal gas entire adiabatic process, Q = 0.

The curve of an isothermal process represents a Boyle’s To ensure that no heat enters or leaves the system during
Law relation an adiabatic process it is important to

T = constant, or pV = constant = nRT • make sure that the system is extremely well
insulated.
The moles of gas n, the molar gas constant R, and the • carry out the process rapidly so that the heat does
absolute temperature T are constant. not have the time to leave the system.

For an isothermal expansion, temperature is constant so The compression stroke of an automobile engine is
ΔU is zero. Work is done by the system so ΔW is positive. essentially an adiabatic compression of the air-fuel mixture.
This means that ΔU must be positive. The compression occurs too rapidly for appreciable heat
transfer to take place.
In order to keep the temperature constant during an
isothermal process In an adiabatic compression the work done on the gas will
lead to an increase in the internal energy resulting in an
• the gas is assumed to be held in a thin container increase in temperature.
with a high thermal conductivity that is in contact
with a heat reservoir – an ideal body of large mass ∆U = Q – W but Q = 0 ⇒ ∆U = – W
whose temperature remains constant when heat
is exchanged with it. eg. a constant–temperature In an adiabatic expansion the work done by the gas will
water bath. lead to a decrease in the internal energy resulting in a
• the expansion or compression should be done decrease in temperature.
slowly so that no eddies are produced to create hot
spots that would disrupt the energy equilibrium of Figure 1009 shows the relationship that exists between an
the gas. adiabatic and three isothermals. Note that the adiabatic
curve is steeper than the isotherm AB because the adiabatic
process has to occur rapidly so that the heat does not have

279
 Chapter 10

time to leave the system. The gas expands isothermally (a) (b) (c)
from point A to point B, and then it is compressed p p p
adiabatically from B to C. The temperature increases as a
result of the adiabatic process from T1 to T3. If the gas is
then compressed at constant pressure from the point C to
A, the net amount of work done on the gas will equal the
area enclosed by ABC. V V V
Work done by gas Work done on gas Net work done
in expanding as it is compressed by gas

p T1 T2 T 3 Figure 1011  Pressure volume diagrams

adiabatic
A C
10.2.5 and 10.2.6 Work and the
isothermal process
thermodynamic cycle
B
V A thermodynamic engine is a device that transforms
thermal energy to mechanical energy (work) or mechanical
Figure 1009  An isothermal and adiabatic process energy to thermal energy such as in refrigeration and air-
conditioning systems. Cars, steam trains, jets and rockets
AHL

For an adiabatic compression, no heat enters or leaves have engines that transform fuel energy (chemical energy)
the system so ΔQ is zero. Work is done on the system so into the kinetic energy of their motion. In all presently
ΔW is negative. This means that ΔU must be negative. For manufactured engines, the conversion is accompanied
an isobaric expansion, ΔQ is zero, and ΔW and ΔU are by the emission of exhaust gases that waste some of the
positive. thermal energy. Consequently, these engines are not very
efficient as only part of the thermal energy is converted to
In Figure 1010 the area ABDE = work done by the gas mechanical energy. An engine has two crucial features:
during isothermal expansion.
• It must work in cycles to be useful.
The area ACDE = work done by the gas during an adiabatic • The cyclic engine must have more than one heat
expansion. reservoir.

A thermodynamic cycle is a process in which the system

p is returned to the same state from which it started. That is,
A the initial and final states are the same in the cyclic process.
A cycle for a simple engine was shown in Figure 5.4. The
net work done in the cycle is equal to the area enclosed by
isothermal the cycle.
B
Suppose a piston was placed on a heat reservoir, such as
adiabatic C the hot plate of a stove. Thermal energy is supplied by
the thermal reservoir, and work is done by the gas inside
E D V the piston as it expands. But this is not an engine as it
only operates in one direction. The gas cannot expand
Figure 1010  Work done during expansion of a gas indefinitely, because as the volume of the piston increases,
the pressure decreases (Boyle’s Law). Some point will be
The work done by a gas and the work done on a gas can reached when the expanding gas will not be able to move
be seen using the following graphical representation of a the piston. For this simple engine to function, the piston
pressure–volume diagram (Figure 1011). must eventually be compressed to restore the system to its
original position ready to do work.

For a cycle to do net work, thermal contact with the original

heat reservoir must be broken, and temperatures other
than that of the original heat reservoir must play a part in

280
 Thermal Physics

the process. In the above example, if the piston is returned

Hot reservoir at T H
to its original position while in contact with the hot plate,
then all the work that the gas did in the expansion will Fluid enters carrying energy, QH
Q H , at temperature T H .
have to be used in the compression. On a p –V diagram,
one would draw an isotherm for the expansion and an Engine does useful
ENGINE W
isotherm for the compression lying on top of the expansion work, W.

isotherm but in the opposite direction. Therefore, the area Fluid leaves carrying energy,
QL
enclosed by the cycle would be zero. However, if the gas is Q L = Q H – W,
at temperature TL.
compressed at a lower temperature the internal pressure
Cold reservoir at T L
of the system will be lower than during the expansion.
Less work will be needed for the compression than was
produced in the expansion, and there will be net work Figure 1012  Energy flow diagram of a heat engine
available for transformation to mechanical energy.
The heat input QH is represented as coming from the
high temperature reservoir TH which is maintained at a
Heat engines and heat pumps constant temperature. Thermal energy QL is taken from
the hot reservoir. This thermal energy is used to do work
A heat engine is any device that converts thermal energy in the heat engine. Then thermal energy can be given to
into work. Examples include petrol and diesel engines, the low temperature reservoir TL without increasing its
fossil-fuelled (coal, oil and natural gas) and nuclear power temperature. If a “perfect” engine completed a cycle, the

AHL
plants that use heat exchangers to drive the blades in change in internal energy ∆U would be zero because all
turbines, and jet aircraft engines. the heat would be converted to work. However, there is no
perfect heat engine and the flow diagram in Figure 1012
Although we cannot convert all the random motion is more the reality. At this stage, we will assume that the
associated with the internal energy into useful work, change in internal energy is zero. From the First Law of
we can at least extract some useful work from internal Thermodynamics
energy using a heat engine. To make a heat engine, we
need a source of heat such as coal, petrol (gasoline), ∆ U = 0 = ∆ Q – W, so that W = ∆Q
diesel fuel, aviation fuel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
and a working fluid. A working fluid is a substance that That is,
undergoes a thermodynamic change of state and in
the process does work on the surroundings. Common QH – Q L = W
working fluids are water that is heated and converted to
steam as used in power stations and petrol-air mixtures as
used in car engines. Thus for a cycle, the heat added to the system equals the
work done by the system plus the heat that flows out at
Most heat engines contain either pistons with intake and lower temperature.
exhaust valves that work in thermodynamic cycles as in
a car engine, or rotating turbines used in heat exchanger An ideal gas can be used as a heat engine as in the simple
systems in power stations. cycle in Figure 1013.

The purpose of a heat engine is to convert as much of p (kPa)

the heat input QH from a high temperature reservoir into
work. Figure 1012 shows an energy flow diagram of a 6 C D
typical heat engine.

2 A
B
V (m )
3

4 10

Figure 1013  Behaviour of an ideal gas

281
 Chapter 10

From A to B, the gas is compressed (volume decreases) • The mixture burns rapidly and the hot gases then
while the pressure is kept constant – an isobaric expand against the piston in the power stroke.
compression. The amount of work done by the gas is given • The exhaust valve is opened as the piston moves
by the area under the 2 kPa isobar. upwards during the exhaust stroke, and the cycle
begins again.
Using the fact that W = pΔV , we have that
intake stroke compression stroke
Gas vapor
and
W = 2 kPa × (4 – 10) m3
exhaust intake valve exhaust
mixture valve closed closed
valve
closed
intake valve
open

piston

= –1.2 × 104 J

From B to C, the volume is kept constant as the pressure crankshaft

crankshaft

increases – an isochoric increase in pressure. This can be ignition

achieved by heating the gas. Since ΔV = 0, then no work is intake valve exhaust
exhaust
done by the gas, W = 0.
closed closed
valve
spent fuel
gases

exhaust
intake valve
open
valve
From C to D, the gas expands (volume increases) while
closed

the pressure is kept constant – an isobaric expansion. The

amount of work done by the gas is given by the area under power stroke
the 6 kPa isobar.
AHL

intake valve exhaust

closed valve
closed

Now, we have that W = pΔV , so that

W = 6 kPa × (10 – 4) m3

= 3.6 × 104 J
Figure 1014  Four-stroke internal combustion engine
From D to A, the gas is cooled to keep the volume constant
as the pressure is decreased – an isochoric decrease in Motor cars usually have four or six pistons but five and eight
pressure. Again ΔV = 0 and no work is done by the gas, cylinders are also common. The pistons are connected by
W = 0. a crankshaft to a flywheel which keeps the engine turning
over during the power stroke. Automobiles are about 25%
That is, the net work done by the gas is therefore efficient.

3.6 × 104 J – 1.2 × 104 J = 2.4 × 104 J. Any device that can pump heat from a low-temperature
reservoir to a high-temperature reservoir is called a heat
pump. Examples of heat pumps include the refrigerator
The internal combustion engine and reverse cycle air-conditioning devices used for
space heating and cooling. In the summer component
Figure 1014 shows a series of schematic diagrams for the of Figure 1012, the evaporator heat exchanger on the
cycle of an internal combustion engine as used in most outside extracts heat from the surroundings. In the winter
automobiles. component, the evaporator heat exchanger is inside
the room, and it exhausts heat to the inside air. In both
• With the exhaust valve closed, a mixture of petrol cases, thermal energy is pumped from a low-temperature
vapour and air from the carburettor is sucked into reservoir to a high- temperature reservoir.
the combustion chamber through the inlet valve as
the piston moves down during the intake stroke. WINTER SUMMER
• Both valves are closed and the piston moves up room room
to squeeze the mixture of petrol vapour and air
to about 1/8 th its original volume during the
compression stroke. condenser evaporator evaporator condenser
• With both valves closed, the mixture is ignited by a TH TL TL TH
spark from the spark plug.
Figure 1015  A reverse cycle heat pump

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 Thermal Physics

Figure 1016 shows the energy flow that occurs in a heat The refrigerator – a heat pump
pump cycle. By doing work on the system, heat QL is added
from the low temperature TL reservoir, being the inside of A refrigerator is a device operating in a cycle that is
the refrigerator. A greater amount of heat QH is exhausted designed to extract heat from its interior to achieve or
to the high temperature TH reservoir. maintain a lower temperature inside. The heat is exhausted
to the surroundings normally at a higher temperature. A
typical refrigerator is represented in Figure 1018.
High temperature reservoir at T H
A motor driving a compressor pump provides the means
by which a net amount of work can be done on the system
QH
for a cycle. Even though refrigerator cabinets are well
insulated, heat from the surroundings leaks back inside.
The compressor motor can be heard to switch on and off
W as it pumps this heat out again.

A volatile liquid called Freon is circulated in a closed

QL system of pipes by the compressor pump, and, by the
process of evaporative cooling, the vaporised Freon is
used to remove heat. Evaporative cooling was discussed
Low temperature reservoir at T L in Chapter 3.

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The compressor maintains a high-pressure difference
Figure 1016  Energy flow diagram for a heat pump across a throttling valve. Evaporation of the Freon occurs
in several loops called the evaporator pipes that are
An ideal gas can be used as a heat pump as in the simple usually inside the coldest part of the fridge. As the liquid
cycle in Figure 1017. evaporates on the low-pressure, low-temperature side,
heat is added to the system. In order to turn from a liquid
p(kPa) to a gas, the Freon requires thermal energy equal to the
A D
latent heat of vaporisation. This energy is obtained from
the contents of the fridge.

insulation
evaporative pipes

throttling valve
B C
liquid
freezer
V (m )
3 compartment

condenser
Figure 1017  An ideal gas as a heat pump pipes

HEAT IN HEAT OUT

Because the cycle is traced in an anticlockwise direction,
the net work done on the surroundings is negative. heat in
Freon gas
cold food

cooling fins

vapour at very high

compressor temperature
pump

Figure 1018  The typical small refrigerator

On the high-pressure, high-temperature side of the

throttling valve, thermal energy is removed from the
system. The vaporised Freon in the compressor pipes is
compressed by the compressor pump, and gives up its

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 Chapter 10

latent heat of vaporisation to the air surrounding the The net work is the area enclosed by ABCDA. In the case
compressor pipes. The heat fins act as a heat sink to radiate given, the Carnot engine is working in a clockwise cycle
the thermal energy to the surroundings at a faster rate. ABCDA. Thermal energy is absorbed by the system at the
The fins are painted black and they have a relatively large high temperature reservoir TH and is expelled at the low
surface area for their size. temperature reservoir TL. Work is done by the system as
it expands along the top isotherm from A to B, and along
the adiabat from B to C. Work is then done on the system
The Carnot engine to compress it along the bottom isotherm from C to D and
along the left adiabat from D to A.
Before the First Law of Thermodynamics was even
established, Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot (1796-1832), The efficiency of the Carnot cycle depends only on the
a young engineer, was able to establish the theoretical absolute temperatures of the high and low temperature
maximum efficiency that was possible for an engine reservoirs. The greater the temperature difference, the
working between two heat reservoirs. In 1824, he greater the efficiency will be.
formulated that:
As a result of the Carnot efficiency, many scientists list a
No engine working between two heat reservoirs can be Third Law of Thermodynamics which states:
more efficient than a reversible engine between those
reservoirs. It is impossible to reach the absolute zero of temperature,
0 K.
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Carnot argued that if thermal energy does flow from a cold

body to a hot body then work must be done. Therefore, no The efficiency of the Carnot cycle would be 100% if the
engine can be more efficient than an ideal reversible one low temperature reservoir was at absolute zero. Therefore
and that all such engines have the same efficiency. This absolute zero is unattainable.
means that if all engines have the same efficiency then
only a simple engine was needed to calculate the efficiency
of any engine. 10.2.7 Solving problems on state
Consider an ideal perfectly insulated, frictionless changes of a gas
engine that can work backwards as well as forwards.
The p–V diagram would have the form of that shown in
Figure 1019. Example 1

VB Volume
expansion If 22 J of work is done on a system and 3.4 × 102 J of heat
p VA QH
is added, determine the change internal energy of the
maximum temperature TH
A system.

VC
isothermal expansion
VD
VA
Volume
compression
Solution
Q=0
adiabatic B
compression
VC
VB
adiabatic expansion Volume

VA
expansion
Using the formula, Q = ΔU + W , we have that 340 J = ΔU
D Q=0 + (-22) J
C
isothermal minimum temperature
compression 340 J = ΔU + (–22) J
V 1 V2 V
VC
Volume
compression
so that ΔU = 340 J + 22 J
VD
VA QL

TC = 362 J

Figure 1019  The Carnot engine That is, the change in internal energy of the system is
3.6 × 102 J.

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 Thermal Physics

Example 2 Solution

6.0 dm3 of an ideal gas is at a pressure of 202.6 kPa. It is (a) The fuel-air mixture enters the piston at point A.
heated so that it expands at constant pressure until its The compression AB is carried out rapidly with no
volume is 12 dm3. Determine the work done by the gas. heat exchange making it an adiabatic compression.
The ignition and combustion of the gases introduces
a heat input QH that raises the temperature at
Solution constant volume from B to C. The power stroke is an
adiabatic expansion from C to D. Thermal energy
QL leaves the system during the exhaust stroke, and
Using the formula W = p ΔV, we have that cooling occurs at constant volume from D to A.

W = 202.6 kPa × (12 – 6.0) dm3 (b) The Figure Below shows the changes that occur for
each process in the cycle.
= 202.6 × 103 Pa × (12 – 6.0) × 10-3 m3
p constant
pressure
= 1.216 × 103 J QH maximum temperature
C

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adiabatic expansion
That is, the work done by the gas in the expansion is constant
1.2 × 103 J. D volume (V 1)

adiabatic QL
compression
Example 3 A
minimum temperature
V
V1 V2
A thermal system containing a gas is taken around a cycle
of a heat engine as shown in the Figure below. (c) The net work is represented by the enclosed area
ABCD. If we assume that the area is approximately
(a) Starting at point A, describe the cycle. a rectangle with sides of 4 × 105 Pa and 200 cm3, we
have:
(b) Label the diagram fully showing the maximum
and minimum temperature reservoirs. 4 × 105 Nm-2 × 200 × 10-6 m3 = 80 J.

(c) Estimate the amount of work done in each cycle.

Example 4
p x 10 5 Pa C
8
For the compression stroke of an experimental diesel
engine, the air is rapidly decreased in volume by a factor
Q of 15, the compression ratio. The work done on the air-fuel
D mixture for this compression is measured to be 550 J.
4
Q (a) What type of thermodynamic process is likely to
B
A have occurred?
.
(b) What is the change in internal energy of the air-
100 300 V (cm 3) fuel mixture?

(c) Is the temperature likely to increase or decrease?

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 Chapter 10

4. The Figure below shows the variation of pressure

Solution p with volume V during one complete cycle of a
simple heat engine.
A
(a) Because the compression occurs rapidly appreciable p
heat transfer does not take place, and the process can
be considered to be adiabatic, Q = 0. X
C B
(b) ΔU = Q – W = 0 – (–550) J

Therefore, the change in internal energy is 550J. Y

(c) The temperature rise will be very large resulting in 0

the spontaneous ignition of the air-fuel mixture. 0 V

The total work done is represented by the area:

Exercise 10.2
A. X+Y
B. X–Y
1. An ideal gas was slowly compressed at constant C. X
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temperature to one quarter of its original volume. D. Y

In the process, 1.5 × 103 J of heat was given off.
5. The Figure below shows the variation of the
The change in internal energy of the gas was pressure p with volume V of a gas during one cycle
of the Otto engine.
A. 1.5 × 103 J
B. 0J p C
C. –1.5 × 103 J
D. 6.0 × 103 J

2. When an ideal gas in a cylinder is compressed at

constant temperature by a piston, the pressure D
of the gas increases. Which of the following Q
statement(s) best explain the reason for the
pressure increase? A

I. the mean speed of the molecules increases

V1 V2 V
II. the molecules collide with each other more
frequently
III. the rate of collision with the sides of the During which process does the gas do external work?
cylinder increases.
A. AB
A. II only B. CD
B. III only C. BC and CD
C. I and II only D. AB and CD
D. II and III only
6. A system absorbs 100 J of thermal energy and
3. An ideal gas in a thermally insulated cylinder is in the process does 40 J of work. The change in
compressed rapidly. The change in state would be: internal energy is:

A. isochoric A. 60 J
B. isothermal B. 40 J
C. adiabatic C. 100 J
D. isobaric D. 140 J

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 Thermal Physics

7. Work is done when the volume of an ideal gas 14. Helium gas at 312 K is contained in a cylinder
increases. During which of the following state fitted with a movable piston. The gas is initially
processes would the work done be the greatest? at 2 atmospheres pressure and occupies a volume
of 48.8 L. The gas expands isothermally until
A. isochoric the volume is 106 L. Then the gas is compressed
B. isothermal isobarically at that final pressure back to the
C. isobaric original volume of 48.8L. It then isochorically
D. adiabatic returns back to its original pressure. Assuming
that the helium gas behaves like an ideal gas
8. How much heat energy must be added at
atmospheric pressure to 0.50 kg of ice at 0 °C to (a) Calculate the number of moles of helium
convert it to steam at 100 °C? gas in the system.
(b) Determine the pressure after the isothermal
9. If 1.68 × 105 J of heat is added to a gas that expansion.
expands and does 8.1 × 105 J of work, what is the (c) Draw a diagram of the thermodynamic
change in internal energy of the gas. cycle.
(d) Assuming that the isotherm is a diagonal
10. 6.0 m3 of an ideal gas is cooled at constant normal line rather than a curve, estimate the work
atmospheric pressure until its volume is 1/6 th done during the isothermal expansion.
its original volume. It is then allowed to expand (e) Determine the work done during the

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isothermally back to its original volume. Draw the isobaric compression.
thermodynamic process on a p–V diagram. (f) Determine the work done during the
isochoric part of the cycle.
11. A system consists of 3.0 kg of water at 75 °C. (g) Calculate the net work done by the gas.
Stirring the system with a paddlewheel does (h) Calculate the final temperature of the
2.5 × 104 J of work on it while 6.3 × 104 J of heat is helium.
removed. Calculate the change in internal energy
of the system, and the final temperature of the 15. (a) Distinguish between an isothermal process
system. and an adiabatic process as applied to an
ideal gas.
12. A gas is allowed to expand adiabatically to four (b) A fixed mass of an ideal gas is held in a
times its original volume. In doing so the gas does cylinder by a moveable piston and thermal
1750 J of work. energy is supplied to the gas causing
it to expand at a constant pressure of
(a) How much heat flowed into the gas? 1.5 × 102 kPa as shown in the Figure below.
(b) Will the temperature rise or fall?
(c) What is the change in internal energy of the
gas?
thermal energy piston
13. For each of the processes listed in the following
table, supply the symbol +, – , or 0 for each
missing entry. The initial volume of the container is 0.040 m3 and
after expansion the volume is 0.10 m3. The total
Process Q W ∆U energy supplied to the gas during the process is
Isobaric compression of an ideal gas + 7.0 kJ.
Isothermal compression of an ideal gas
(i) State whether this process is isothermal,
Adiabatic expansion
adiabatic or neither of these processes.
Isochoric pressure drop
(ii) Determine the work done by the gas.
Free expansion of a gas (iii) Calculate the change in internal energy of
the gas.

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 Chapter 10

16. This question is about a diesel engine cycle as

shown in the Figure below. Mark on the diagram 10.3 THE SECOND
each of the state changes that occur at AB, BC, CD
and DA. Identify the maximum and minimum LAW OF
temperature reservoirs and label QH and QL.
THERMO-
p
Q
DYNAMICS AND
B C ENTROPY
D
10.3.1 State that the second law of
Q
thermodynamics implies that thermal
A energy cannot spontaneously transfer from
a region of low temperature to a region of
high temperature.
V
V1 V2
10.3.2 State that entropy is a system property that
expresses the degree of disorder in the
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system.

10.3.3 State the second law of thermodynamics in

terms of entropy changes.

10.3.4 Discuss examples of natural processes in

terms of entropy changes.
© IBO 2007

Introduction
We are always told to conserve energy. But according to
the First Law of Thermodynamics, in a closed system,
energy is conserved, and the total amount of energy in the
Universe does not change no matter what we do. Although
the First Law of Thermodynamics is correct, it does not
tell the whole story.

How often have you seen a videotape played in reverse

sequence. Views of water flowing uphill, demolished
buildings rising from the rubble, people walking
backwards. In none of the natural Laws of Physics studied
so far have we encountered time reversal. If all of these
Laws are obeyed, why then does the time-reversed
sequence seem improbable? To explain this reversal
paradox, scientists in the latter half of the nineteenth
century came to formulate a new principle called the
Second Law of Thermodynamics. This Law allows us to
determine which processes will occur in nature, and which
will not.

There are many different but equivalent ways of stating the

Second Law of Thermodynamics. Much of the language
used for the definitions had its origins with the physicists

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 Thermal Physics

who formulated the Law, and their desire to improve The Clausius statement of the
the efficiency of steam engines. These statements of the
Second Law of Thermodynamics will be developed within second law of thermodynamics
this section.
Just as there is no cyclic device that can convert a given
amount of heat completely into work, it follows that
10.3.1 The second law of thermo- the reverse statement is also not possible. The Clausius
statement of the Second Law of Thermodynamics can be
dynamics and temperature stated as

The second law of thermodynamics implies that thermal • It is impossible to make a cyclic engine whose only
energy cannot spontaneously transfer from a region of low effect is to transfer thermal energy from a colder
temperature to a region of high temperature. body to a hotter body.

There is no perfect refrigerator and no perpetual motion

The Kelvin – Planck statement machine.

of the second law of

10.3.2 Entropy
thermodynamics

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Recall that in thermodynamics, a system in an equilibrium
All attempts to construct a heat engine that is 100% state is characterised by its state variables (p, V, T, U, n …).
efficient have failed. The Kelvin – Planck statement of the The change in a state variable for a complete cycle is zero.
Second Law of Thermodynamics is a qualitative statement In contrast, the net thermal energy and net work factors
of the impossibility of certain types of processes. for a cycle are not equal to zero.

• It is impossible for an engine working in a cycle to In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Rudolf Clausius
transform a given amount of heat from a reservoir proposed a general statement of the Second Law in terms
completely into work. of a quantity called entropy. Entropy is a thermodynamic
function of the state of the system and can be interpreted
or as the amount of order or disorder of a system. As with
internal energy, it is the change in entropy that is important
• Not all the thermal energy in a thermal system is and not its absolute value.
available to do work.

It is possible to convert heat into work in a non-cyclic 10.3.3 Change in entropy

process. An ideal gas undergoing an isothermal expansion
does just that. But after the expansion, the gas is not in The change in entropy ΔS of a system when an amount
its original state. In order to bring the gas back to its of thermal energy Q is added to a system by a reversible
original state, an amount of work will have to be done process at constant absolute temperature T is given by
on the gas and some thermal energy will be exhausted.
The Kelvin– Planck statement formulates that if energy ∆S = Q
---
is to be extracted from a reservoir to do work, a colder T
reservoir must be available in which to exhaust a part of
the energy. The units of the change in entropy are J K–1.

289
 Chapter 10

or
Example
• The entropy of the Universe increases.

A heat engine removes 100 J each cycle from a heat or

reservoir at 400 K and exhausts 85 J of thermal energy to
a reservoir at 300 K. Compute the change in entropy for • Natural processes tend to move toward a state of
each reservoir. greater disorder.

Solution 10.3.4 Natural processes and

change in entropy
Since the hot reservoir loses heat, we have that
Although the local entropy may decrease, any process will
Q 100 J –1 increase the total entropy of the system and surroundings,
∆S = –---- = -------------- = 0.25 J K
T 400 K that is, the universe. Take for example a chicken growing
inside an egg. The
����������������������������������������
entropy of the egg and its contents
For the cold reservoir we have decreases because the inside of the egg is becoming more
ordered. However, the entropy of surroundings increases
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Q 85 J –1 by a greater factor because the process gives off thermal

∆S = – ---- = -------------- = 0.283 J K
T 300 K energy. So the total energy of the Universe is increasing.

The change in entropy of the hot reservoir is –0.25 J K-1 and In the beginning of Section 10.3, irreversible processes
the change in entropy of the cold reservoir is 0.28 J K-1. were discussed. A block of ice can slide down an incline
plane if the frictional force is overcome, but the ice cannot
The change in entropy of the cold reservoir is greater than spontaneously move up the incline of its own accord. The
the decrease for the hot reservoir. The total change in conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy by
entropy of the whole system equals 0.033 J K -1. friction as it slides is irreversible. If the thermal energy
could be converted completely to mechanical energy,
That is, the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second Law would be
violated. In terms of entropy, the system tends to greater
∆S = ∆S H + ∆S L = – 0.25 + 0.283 = 0.033 J K
–1
disorder, and the entropy increases.

So that the net change in entropy is positive. In another case, the conduction of thermal energy from
a hot body to a cold body is irreversible. Flow of thermal
In this example and all other cases, it has been found energy completely from a cold body to a hot body violates
that the total entropy increases. (For an ideal Carnot the Clausius statement of the Second Law. In terms of
reversible cycle it can equal zero. The Carnot cycle was entropy, a hot body causes greater disorder of the cold
discussed earlier). This infers that total entropy increases body and the entropy increases. If thermal energy was
in all natural systems. The entropy of a given system can given by a cold body to a hot body there would be greater
increase or decrease but the change in entropy of the order in the hot body, and the entropy would decrease.
system ΔSs plus the change in entropy of the environment This is not allowed by the Second Law.
ΔSenv must be greater than or equal to zero.
Irreversibility can also occur if there is turbulence or an
i.e., explosion causing a non-equilibrium state of the gaseous
∆S = ∆S S + ∆S env ≥ 0 system. The degree of disorder increases and the entropy
increases.
In terms of entropy, the Second Law of Thermodynamics
can be stated as Entropy indicates the direction in which processes occur.
Hence entropy is often called the ‘arrow of time’.
• The total entropy of any system plus that of its
environment increases as a result of all natural A statistical approach to the definition of entropy was first
processes. applied by Ludwig Boltzmann. Boltzmann (1844 –1906),

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 Thermal Physics

an Austrian physicist, was also concerned with the “heat

death” of the Universe and irreversibilty. He concluded Exercise 10.3
that the tendency toward dissipation of heat is not an
absolute Law of Physics but rather a Statistical Law.
1. The efficiency of a heat engine is the ratio of
Consider 1022 air molecules in a container. At any one
instant, there would be a large number of possibilities for A. the thermal energy input to the thermal
the position and velocity of each molecule – its microstate energy output
and the molecules would be disordered. Even if there is B. the thermal energy output to the thermal
some momentary order in a group of molecules due to energy input
chance, the order would become less after collision with C. the work output to the thermal energy
other molecules. Boltzmann argued that probability is input
directly related to disorder and hence to entropy. In terms D. the work output to the thermal energy
of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, probability does output
not forbid a decrease in entropy but rather its probability
of occurring is extremely low. 2. A heat engine is most efficient when it works
between objects that have a
If a coin is flipped 100 times, it is not impossible for
the one hundred coins to land heads up, but it is highly A. large volume
improbable. The probability of rolling 100 sixes from 100 B. large temperature difference

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dice is even smaller. C. large surface area
D. small temperature difference
A small sample of a gas contains billions of molecules
and the molecules have many possible microstates. It 3. The four-stroke engine is often said to consist of
is impossible to know the position and velocity of each the suck, squeeze, bang and blow strokes. Use a
molecule at a given point in time. The probability of series of diagrams to describe what this means.
these microstates suddenly coming together into some
improbable arrangement is infinitesimal. In reality, the 4. Explain the difference between internal and
macrostate is the only measurable part of the system. external combustion engines, and give an example
of each.
The Second Law in terms of probability does not infer that
a decrease in entropy is not allowed but it suggests that the 5. A car engine operates with an efficiency of
probability of this occurring is low. 34% and it does 8.00 × 103 J of work each cycle.
Calculate
A final consequence of the Second Law is the heat
degradation of the Universe. It can be reasoned that in any (a) the amount of thermal energy absorbed per
natural process, some energy becomes unavailable to do cycle at the high-temperature reservoir.
useful work. An outcome of this suggests that the Universe (b) the amount of exhaust thermal energy
will eventually reach a state of maximum disorder. An supplied to the surroundings during each
equilibrium temperature will be reached and no work cycle.
will be able to be done. All change of state will cease as all
the energy in the Universe becomes degraded to thermal 6. On a hot day, a person closed all the doors and
energy. This point in time is often referred to as the ‘heat windows of the kitchen and decided to leave the
death’ of the Universe. door of the refrigerator open to cool the kitchen
down. What will happen to the temperature of the
room over a period of several hours. Give a full
qualitative answer.

7. Modern coal-fired power plants operate at a

temperature of 520 °C while nuclear reactors
operate at a temperature of 320 °C. If the waste
heat of the two plants is delivered to a cooling
reservoir at 21 °C, calculate the Carnot efficiency
of each type of plant.

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 Chapter 10

8. It takes 7.80 × 105 J of thermal energy to melt a

given sample of a solid. In the process, the entropy
of the system increases by 1740 J K -1. Find the
melting point of the solid in °C.

9. If 2.00 kg of pure water at 100 °C is poured into

2.00 kg of water at 0 °C in a perfectly insulated
calorimeter, what is the net change in entropy.
(Assume there is 4.00 kg of water at a final
temperature of 50 °C).

10. Use the concepts of entropy and the arrow of time

to explain the biological growth of an organism.

11. You are given six coins which you shake and then
throw onto a table. Construct a table showing the
number of microstates for each macrostate.

12. Describe the concept of energy degradation in

terms of entropy.
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13. Using an example, explain the meaning of the

term reversal paradox.

14. What is meant by the ‘heat death’ of the universe?

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 Wave Phenomena

WAVE PHENOMENa
11.1 (SL Option A2) Standing (Stationary) Waves

11.2 (SL Option A3) Doppler Effect

11.3 (SL Option A4) Diffraction

11
11.4 (SL Option A5) Resolution

11.5 (SL Option A6) Polarization

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11.1 (SL OPTION A.2)  Standing (Stationary) Waves
B on the tube are of course oscillating but the wave is not
11.1.1 Describe the nature of standing (stationary) moving forward. You can actually get the wave to appear
waves. to stand still by illuminating it with a strobe light that
flashes at the same frequency of vibration as your hand.
11.1.2 Explain the formation of one-dimensional The fact that the wave is not progressing is the reason why
standing waves. such waves are called standing or stationary waves.

11.1.3 Discuss the modes of vibration of strings

and air in open and in closed pipes. B A B A

L L
11.1.4 Compare standing waves and travelling diagram 1 diagram 2
waves.
Figures 1101 and 1102
11.1.5 Solve problems involving standing waves.
© IBO 2007
There are several things to note about standing waves. The
fact the wave is not moving forward means that no energy
11.1.1 (A.2.1) The nature of is being propagated. If you increase the amplitude with
which you shake your hand, this increase in energy input
standing waves to the wave will result in a greater maximum displacement
of the tube.

A very interesting situation arises when considering

a travelling wave that is reflected and the reflected
wave interferes with the forward moving wave. It can be
It can also be seen that points alomg the wave oscillate
with different amplitudes. In this respect, the amplitude of
demonstrated either with a rubber tube, stretched string a standing wave clearly varies along its length.
or a slinky spring attached to a rigid support. In the
diagram the tube is attached at A and you set up a wave To illustrate this, Figure 1103 shows a standing wave set
by moving your hand back and forth at B. If you get the up in a string of length 30 cm at a particular instant in
frequency of your hand movement just right then the tube time. Figure 1104 shows the variation with time t of the
appears to take the shape as shown in Figure 1101. When amplitude x0 of the string at a point 13 cm along the
you move your hand faster you can get the tube to take the string.
shape shown in Figure 1102. All points other than A and

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 Chapter 11

10
8
11.1.2 (A.2.2)The formation of
6
4
standing waves
2
A standing wave arises from the interference of two waves
d /cm

0
-2
0 5 10 15 20 25 x /cm 30 moving in opposite directions. To understand this, let us
-4 look at the situation of a standing wave in a string or tube
-6 as described above. Initially when you start moving the
-8 free end of the tube up and down, a wave travels along the
-10 tube. When it reaches the fixed end, it is reflected and, as
displacement d of string vs distance x along string described in Topic 4, the reflected wave is π out of phase
with the forward (incident) wave. The forward wave and
Figure 1103  A standing wave reflected wave interfere and the resultant displacement of
the tube is found from the principle of superposition. This
4 is illustrated in Figure 1105 which shows, at a particular
3 incident of time, the displacement of the tube due to the
2 incident wave, the displacement of the tube due to the
1 reflected wave and the resultant displacement due to the
interference of the two waves.
x0 /m
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0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 t /s 0.25
-1
-2 A
-3 20
-4 15 N
amplitude x 0 vs time t
10

5
Figure 1104  Variation of amplitude with time
d / cm

0 x / cm
10 20 30
0
Since energy is not propagated by a standing wave, it -5
N
doesn’t really make a lot of sense to talk about the speed of -10 forward wave
a standing wave. -15 reflected wave
A standing wave
-20
This speed is the speed of a travelling wave in the string. As
we have seen, the speed of a travelling wave is determined Figure 1105  Nodes and anti-nodes
by the nature and properties of the material through
which it travels. For the string therefore, the speed of the If at the fixed end, due to the incident wave, the tube is
travelling wave in the string determines the frequency moving upwards, then due to the reflected wave it will
with which you have to oscillate the string to produce be moving downwards such that the net displacement is
the standing wave. (From Figure 1104 we see that for always zero. Similarly, at the mid-point of the string, the
rhis situation the frequency of oscillation of the string is displacements of the tube due to each wave are always
f = 1/T = 1/0.25 = 4.0 Hz) in anti-phase. Hence the net displacement at this point
is always zero. Points on a standing wave at which the
Also, since at any one time all the particles in a standing displacement is always zero, are called nodes or nodal
wave are either moving “up” or moving “down”, it follows points. These are labelled N in Figure 1105.
that all the particles are either in phase or in anti-phase
with each other. The points at which a standing wave reach maximum
displacement are called antinodes. In Figure 1105, the
antinodes are at points one quarter and three-quarters the
length of the tube (7.5 cm and 15 cm) and are labelled A.
The amplitude of the forward wave and the reflected wave
is 10 cm, hence the maximum displacement at an antinode
in the tube is 20 cm. The maximum displacement at the
antinodes will occur at the times when the forward and
reflected waves are in phase.

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 Wave Phenomena

Figure 1106 shows an instance in time when the fact be the one that the ear will hear above all the others.
interference of the forward and reflected wave produce an This is what enables you to sing in tune with the note
the overall displacement of zero in the standing wave. emitted by the plucked string.

20 If we were to vibrate the stretched string at a frequency

15 equal to the fundamental or to one of its harmonics rather
10 than just pluck it, then we set up a standing wave as earlier
described. We have used the phenomenon of resonance to
d / cm

0 x / cm
produce a single standing wave. In the case of the stretched
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 string it has an infinite number of natural frequencies
-5
of oscillations, each corresponding to a standing wave.
-10
forward wave Hence, when plucked, we obtain an infinite number of
-15 reflected wave harmonics.
-20 standing wave

Figure 1107 shows part of what is called a harmonic series.

Figure 1106  Forward and reflected waves Different fundamentals can be obtained by pinching the
string along its length and then plucking it or by altering
its tension. In a violin for example the four strings are
Exercise of the same length, but under different tensions so that
each produces a different fundamental. The notes of the

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harmonic series associated with each fundamental are
Sketch the shape of the forward and reflected wave in a obtained by holding the string down at different places
string at an instant in time that results in the antinodes of and then bowing it.
the standing wave having maximum displacement.
The harmonics essentially effect the quality of the note that
you hear. The presence of harmonics is one reason why
11.1.3 (A.2.3) Standing waves in different types of musical instruments sounding a note of
the same frequency actually sound different. It is not the
strings and pipes only reason that musical instruments have different sound
qualities. An A string on a guitar sounds different from
If you take a wire and stretch it between two points and the A string of a violin, because they are also produced
pluck it then you will actually set up standing waves in the in different ways and the sound box of each instrument
wire as described above. The number of standing waves is very different in construction. The actual construction
that you set up will actually be infinite. of the violin for example distinguishes the quality of the
notes produced by a Stradivarius from those produced by
Fundamental a plastic replica.
(1st harmonic)
Figure 1107 enables us to derive a relationship between
the wavelengths of the harmonics and length of the
2nd harmonic string. If the length of the string is L then clearly, the
wavelength of the fundamental (first harmonic) is λ = 2L,
for the second harmonic λ = L and for the third harmonic
3rd harmonic 2L
λ= . From this sequence, we see that the wavelength λn
3 th
of the n harmonic is given by
2L
4th harmonic λn =
n
Resonance and standing waves also play their part in the
Figure 1107  The first four modes of vibration production of sound from pipes. If you take a pipe that is
open at one end and blow across the top it will produce
Figure 1107 shows the first four modes of vibration a sound. By blowing faster you can produce a different
i.e.standing waves in the string The modes of vibration sound. In this situation you have used resonance to set up
are called harmonics.The first harmonic is called the a standing wave in the pipe. It is now the air molecules
fundamental. This is the dominant vibration and will in inside the pipe that are set vibrating. The sound wave that

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 Chapter 11

you create at the open-end travels to the bottom of the

pipe, is reflected back and then again reflected when it 11.1.4 (A.2.4) Comparison of
reaches the open end. The waves interfere to produce a
standing wave. However, when waves are reflected from travelling and standing
an “open” boundary they do not undergo a phase change
so that there is always an antinode at the open end. waves

The fundamental and the first three harmonics for a pipe The Figure 1110 summarises the differences between
open at one end are shown Figure 1108. travelling and standing waves.
A A
1st harmonic 3rd harmonic 5th harmonic A Property Travelling wave Standing wave
(Fundamental) N Energy
N Propagated Not propagated
propagation
Amplitude Single amplitude Variable amplitude
N
Phase All phase differences Only 0, 2π and π
difference between 0 and 2π phase difference
N N N

Figure 1108  The harmonics of a pipe open at one end Figure 1110  Comparing travelling
and standing waves
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A pipe that is open at both ends and that has the same
dimensions, as the previous pipe, will produce a different Since travelling waves have a single amplitude, it follows
fundamental note and a different harmonic series. This is that there are no nodal or anti-nodal points in a travelling
shown in Figure 1109 wave.

1st harmonic
(Fundamental)
A 2nd harmonic A 3rd harmonic
N
A
11.1.5 (A.2.5) Problems involving
N
standing waves
N N

N
N
Example
A A A

Figure 1109  The harmonics of a pipe open at both ends The speed v of a wave travelling in a string is given by the
expression
We see that, whereas a pipe open at both ends produces all T
the odd and even harmonics of the fundamental λ = 2L, v=
2L µ
(λn = ), a pipe closed at one end can produce only the
n
odd harmonics of the fundamental λ = 4L. With open and where T is the tension in the string and µ is the mass per
close pipes we are essentially looking at the way in which unit length of the string.
organs, brass instruments and woodwind instruments
produce musical sounds. (a) Deduce an expression for the frequency f of the
fundamental in a string of length L.

(b) Use your answer to (a) to estimate the tension in

the ‘A string of a violin (frequency = 440 Hz).

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 Wave Phenomena

Solution 11.2 (SL Option A.3)

Doppler Effect
(a) The wavelength of the fundamental is 2L
v 1 T
Using f = we have f = 11.2.1 Describe what is meant by the Doppler
λ 2L µ effect.
(b) As this is an estimate, we are not looking for an
exact value but we do need to make some sensible 11.2.2 Explain the Doppler effect by reference to
estimates of L and µ. wavefront diagrams for moving-detector
and moving-source situations.
L = 0.5 m say and 2.0 × 10-3 kg m-1 ie. About 2 g per metre.
11.2.3 Apply the Doppler effect equations for
1 T
From f = we have that T = 4 L2 µ f 2 = sound.
2L µ
4 × 0.25 × 2.0 × 10-3 × (440)2 ≈ 400 N 11.2.4 Solve problems on the Doppler effect
for sound. Problems will not include
situations where both source and detector
Exercise are moving

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11.2.5 Solve problems on the Doppler effect
1. An organ pipe is closed at one end and produces a for electromagnetic waves using the
v
fundamental note of frequency 128 Hz. approximation ∆f = f
c
(a) Calculate 11.2.6 Outline an example in which the Doppler
effect is used to measure speed.
© IBO 2007
(i) the frequencies of the next two
harmonics in the harmonic series of
the pipe. 11.2.1 (A.3.1) The Doppler effect
(ii) the frequencies of the corresponding Consider two observers A and B at rest with respect to
harmonics for an open pipe whose a sound source that emits a sound of constant frequency
fundamental is 128 Hz f. Clearly both observers will hear a sound of the same
frequency. However, suppose that the source now moves
(iii) the ratio of the length of the closed at constant speed towards A. A will now hear a sound of
pipe to that of the open pipe. frequency fA that is greater than f and B will hear a sound
of frequency fB that is less than f. This phenomenon is
(b) Suggest why organ pipes that emit notes at known as the Doppler Effect or Doppler Principle after
the lower end of the organ’s frequency range C. J. Doppler (1803-1853).
are usually open pipes.
The same effect arises for an observer who is either moving
towards or away from a stationary source.

11.2.2 (A.3.2) Explaining the

Doppler effect
Figure 1111 shows the waves spreading out from a
stationary source that emits a sound of constant frequency
f. The observers A and B hear a sound of the same
frequency.

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 Chapter 11

a stationary observer, then the observer will hear a sound

of ever increasing frequency. This sometimes leads to
A
S
B confusion in describing what is heard when a source
approaches, passes and then recedes from a stationary
wavefront observer. Suppose for example that you are standing
on a station platform and a train sounding its whistle is
approaching at constant speed. What will you hear as the
Figure 1111  Sound waves from a stationary source train approaches and then passes through the station? As
the train approaches you will hear a sound of constant
Suppose now that the source moves towards A with pitch but increasing loudness. The pitch of the sound will
constant speed v. Figure 1112 (a) shows a snapshot of the be greater than if the train were stationary. As the train
new wave pattern. passes through the station you will hear the pitch change
at the moment the train passes you, to a sound, again of
constant pitch. The pitch of this sound will be lower than
the sound of the approaching train and its intensity will
A B decrease as the train recedes from you. What you do not
source hear is a sound of increasing pitch and then decreasing
pitch.
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smaller
wavelength
larger
wavelength 11.2.3 (A.3.3) The Doppler
Figure 1112 (a)  Sound waves from a moving source equations for sound

The wavefronts are now crowded together in the direction Although you will not be expected in an IB examination
of travel of the source and stretched out in the opposite to derive the equations associated with aspects of the
direction. This is why now the two observers will now hear Doppler effect, you will be expected to apply them. For
notes of different frequencies. How much the waves bunch completeness therefore, the derivation of the equations
together and how much they stretch out will depend on associated with the Doppler effect as outlined above is
c c
the speed v. Essentially, f A = λ and f B = λ where λA < λB given here.
A B
and v is the speed of sound.
vs
If the source is stationary and A is moving towards it, then
the waves from the source incident on A will be bunched
up. If A is moving away from the stationary source then the S S′ O
waves from the source incident on A will be stretched out.
Figure 1112 (b)
Christian Doppler (1803–1853) actually applied the
principle (incorrectly as it happens) to try and explain the In Figure 1112 (b) the observer O is at rest with respect
colour of stars. However, the Doppler effect does apply to to a source of sound S is moving with constant speed vs
light as well as to sound. If a light source emits a light of directly towards O. The source is emitting a note of constant
frequency f then if it is moving away from an observer the frequency f and the speed of the emitted sound is v.
observer will measure the light emitted as having a lower
frequency than f. Since the sensation of colour vision is S/ shows the position of the source ∆t later. When the
related to the frequency of light (blue light is of a higher source is at rest, then in a time ∆t the observer will receive
frequency than red light), light emitted by objects moving f∆t waves and these waves will occupy a distance v∆t . i.e
way from an observer is often referred to as being red-
shifted whereas if the object is moving toward the observer v∆t v
λ= =
it is referred to as blue-shifted. This idea is used in Option E ft∆ f
(Chapter 16).
(Because of the motion of the source this number of
We do not need to consider here the situations where either waves will now occupy a distance (v∆t – vs∆t). The ‘new’
the source or the observer are accelerating. In a situation wavelength is therefore
for example where an accelerating source is approaching

298
 Wave Phenomena

v∆t − vs ∆ t v − vs of the source v is much smaller than the speed of light c

λ/ = = in free space. (v << c). Under these circumstances, when
ft∆ f the source is moving towards the observer, equation 11.1
If f/ is the frequency heard by O then becomes
v v v − vs v
f/= / or
λ/ = / = f / − f = ∆f = f Equation 11.5
λ f f c
From which and when the source is moving away from the observer,
/ v v
equation 11.2 becomes f / − f = ∆f = − f
f = f
v − vs c
Dividing through by v gives Provided that v << c, these same equations apply for a
stationary source and moving observer
1
f/=f v
1− s Equation 11.1
v 11.2.4 (A.3.4) Solve Doppler
If the source is moving away from the observer then we have
1 effect problems for sound
v
/
f = f = f v Equation 11.2
v − vs 1+ s We look at the following example and exercise.
v

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We now consider the case where the source is stationary
and the observer is moving towards the source with Example
speed v0 . In this situation the speed of the sound waves
as measured by the observer will be v0 + v . We therefore
have that A source emits a sound of frequency 440 Hz. It moves in a
straight line towards a stationary observer with a speed of
f / v
v0 + v = ⁄λ = f × 30 m s-1. The observer hears a sound of frequency 484 Hz.
λ Calculate the speed of sound in air.
From which
 v  Solution
f / = 1 + o  f Equation 11.3
 v
If the observer is moving away from the source then
We use equation 11.1 and substitute f/= 484 Hz, f = 440 Hz
/  v 
f = 1 − o  f and vs = 30 m s-1.
 v 1
30 440
From equation (11.3), we have that therefore 484 = 440 30 such that 1 − = to
1− v 484
give v = 330 m s-1. v
 v  v
∆f = f / − f = 1 + o  f − f = o f Equation 11.4
 v v
The velocities that we refer to in the above equations are the Exercise
velocities with respect to the medium in which the waves
from the source travel. However, when we are dealing with
a light source it is the relative velocity between the source Judy is standing on the platform of a station. A high
and the observer that we must consider. The reason for speed train is approaching the station in a straight line at
this is that light is unique in the respect that the speed constant speed and is sounding its whistle. As the train
of the light waves does not depend on the speed of the passes by Judy, the frequency of the sound emitted by the
source. All observers irrespective of their speed or the whistle as heard by Judy, changes from 640 Hz to 430 Hz.
speed of the source will measure the same velocity for the Determine
speed of light. This is one of the cornerstones of the Special
Theory of Relativity which is discussed in more detail in (i) the speed of the train
Option H (Chapter18).When applying the Doppler effect (ii) the frequency of the sound emitted by the
to light we are mainly concerned with the motion of the whistle as heard by a person on the train.
source. We look here only at the situation where the speed (Speed of sound = 330 m s-1)

299
 Chapter 11

11.2.5 (A.3.5) Solving Doppler 11.2.6 (A.3.6) Using the Doppler

effect problems for light effect

(This links with Option E Chapter 16) We have seen in the above example and exercise how
the Doppler effect may be used to measure the recession
speed of distant galaxies. The effect is also used to measure
Example speed in other situations. Here we will look at the general
principle involved in using the Doppler effect to measure
speed. Figure 1113 shows a source (the transmitter) that
A particular radio signal from a galaxy is measured as emits either sound or em waves of constant frequency
having a frequency of 1.39 × 109 Hz. The same signal from f. The waves from the source are incident on a reflector
a source in a laboratory has a frequency of 1.42 × 109 Hz. that is moving towards the transmitter with speed v.
The reflected waves are detected by the receiver placed
Suggest why the galaxy is moving away from Earth and alongside the transmitter.
calculate its recession speed (i.e. the speed with which it is
moving away from Earth).
v

transmitter
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Solution /
f f
// /
f f
The fact that the frequency from the moving source is less
than that when it is stationary indicates that it is moving receiver
away from the stationary observer i.e. Earth.
v reflector
Using ∆f = f we have
c Figure 1113  Using the Doppler effect to measure speed
c ∆f 3 ×10 8 × (1.42 −1.39) ×10 9
v= = 9
= 6.34 ×10 6 m s-1 We shall consider the situation where v << c where c is the
f 1.42 ×10 speed of the waves from the transmitter.
It is usual when dealing with the Doppler effect of light to
express speeds as a fraction of c. So in this instance we have For the reflector receiving waves from the transmitter,
v = 0.021 c it is effectively an observer moving towards a stationary
source. From equation (11.4), it therefore receives waves
that have been Doppler shifted by an amount
Exercise
v
f/− f = f Equation 11.6
c
A galaxy is moving away from Earth with a speed of For the receiver receiving waves from the reflector, it is
0.0500c. The wavelength of a particular spectral line effectively a stationary observer receiving waves from a
in light emitted by atomic hydrogen in a laboratory is moving source. From equation (11.5), it therefore receives
6.56 × 10‑7 m. Calculate the value of the wavelength of this waves that have been Doppler shifted by an amount
line, measured in the laboratory, in light emitted from a v /
source of atomic hydrogen in the galaxy. f // − f / = f Equation 11.7
c
If we add equations (11.6) and (11.7) we get that the total
Doppler shift at the receiver ∆f is
v v
f // − f = ∆f = f / +f
c c
/  v
But f =  1 +  f hence
 c

300
 Wave Phenomena

 vv v
∆f = f 1 +  + f
 cc c v2 11.3.1 (A.4.1) Single slit
But since v << c, we can ignore the term 2 when we
expand the bracket in the above equation.
c diffraction intensity

Therefore we have distribution

2v
∆f = f Equation 11.8 When plane wavefronts pass through a small aperture
c they spread out as discussed in Topics 4.5.3 and 4.5.4. This
If v ≈ c then we must use the full Doppler equations. is an example of the phenomenon called diffraction. Light
However, for em radiation we will always only consider waves are no exception to this and ways for observing
situations in which v << c. the diffraction of light have also been discussed in the
aforementioned topics. However, when we look at the
diffraction pattern produced by light we observe a fringe
Example pattern, that is, on the screen there is a bright central
maximum with “secondary” maxima either side of it.
There are also regions where there is no illumination and
The speed of sound in blood is 1.500 × 103 m s-1. Ultrasound these minima separate the maxima. If we were to actually
of frequency 1.00 MHz is reflected from blood flowing in plot how the intensity of illumination varies along the
an artery. The frequency of the reflected waves received screen then we would obtain a graph similar to that as in

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back at the transmitter is 1.05 MHz. Estimate the speed of Figure 1114.
the blood flow in the artery.

Solution
intensity

Using equation (11.8) we have

2v distance along screen
0.05 ×10 6 = ×10 6
1.5 ×10 3 Figure 1114  Intensity distribution for single-slit diffraction
to give v ≈ 36 m s . (We have assumed that the ultrasound
-1

is incident at right angles to the blood flow.) We would get the same intensity distribution if we were
to plot the intensity against the angle of diffraction θ. (See
next section).
11.3 (SL Option A.4)
This intensity pattern arises from the fact that each point
Diffraction on the slit acts, in accordance with Huygen’s principle, as
a source of secondary wavefronts. It is the interference
between these secondary wavefronts that produces the
Diffraction at a single slit typical diffraction pattern.

11.3.1 Sketch the variation with angle of 11.3.2 (A.4.2) The diffraction
diffraction of the relative intensity of light
diffracted at a single slit. formula
λ
11.3.2 Derive the formula θ = Obtaining an expression for the intensity distribution is
b mathematically a little tricky and it is not something that
for the position of the first minimum of the we are going to attempt here. However, we can deduce
diffraction pattern produced at a single slit. a useful relationship from a simple argument. In this
argument we deal with a phenomenon called Fraunhofer
11.3.3 Solve problems involving single-slit diffraction. diffraction, that is the light source and the screen are an
© IBO 2007

301
 Chapter 11

infinite distance away form the slit. This can be achieved below the centre of the slit. In this way we can pair the
with the set up shown in Figure 1115. sources across the whole width of the slit. If the screen is
a long way from the slit then the angles θ1 and θ2 become
nearly equal. (If the screen is at infinity then they are equal
and the two lines PX and XY are at right angles to each
other). From Figure 1116 we see therefore that there will
be a minimum at P if
source λ = b sin θ1

where b is the width of the slit.

lens 1 lens 2 However, both angles are very small, equal to θ say, where
θ is the angle of diffraction.
single slit screen
So it can be written
Figure 1115  Apparatus for viewing Fraunhofer diffraction θ = --λ-
b
The source is placed at the principal focus of lens 1 and
the screen is placed at the principal focus of lens 2. Lens 1 This actually gives us the half-angular width of the central
ensures that parallel wavefronts fall on the single slit and maximum. We can calculate the actual width of the
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lens 2 ensures that the parallel rays are brought to a focus maximum along the screen if we know the focal length of
on the screen. The same effect can be achieved using a the lens focussing the light onto the screen. If this is f then
laser and placing the screen some distance from the slit. we have that d
If the light and screen are not an infinite distance from θ = ---
f
the slit then we are dealing with a phenomenon called Such that
Fresnel diffraction and such diffraction is very difficult to d = f----λ-
analyse mathematically. To obtain a good idea of how the b
single slit pattern comes about we consider the diagram To obtain the position of the next maximum in the pattern
Figure 1116. we note that the path difference is 3-- λ. We therefore divide
2
the slit into three equal parts, two of which will produce
wavefronts that will cancel and the other producing
wavefronts that reinforce. The intensity of the second
maximum is therefore much less than the intensity of the
P
central maximum. (Much less than one third in fact since
the wavefronts that reinforce will have differing phases).
d
θ1
θ2 We can also see now how diffraction effects become more
b X
and more noticeable the narrower the slit becomes. If
Y light of wavelength 430 nm was to pass through a slit of
λ
f width say 10 cm and fall on a screen 3.0 m away, then the
screen width of the central maximum would be 0.13 µm. There
will be lots of maxima of nearly the same intensity and
Figure 1116  SIngle slit diffraction the maxima will be packed very closely together. (The first
minimum occurs at a distance of 0.12 µm from the centre
In particular we consider the light from one edge of the of the central maximum and the next occurs effectively at a
slit to the point P where this point is just one wavelength distance of 0.24 µm). We effectively observe the geometric
further from the lower edge of the slit than it is from the pattern. Refer to Example 1.
upper edge. The secondary wavefront from the upper
edge will travel a distance λ/2 further than a secondary We also see now how for diffraction effects to be noticeable
wavefront from a point at the centre of the slit. Hence the wavelength must be of the order of the slit width.
when these wavefronts arrive at P they will be out of phase The width of the pattern increases in proportion to the
and will interfere destructively. The wavefronts from the wavelength and decreases inversely with the width of the
next point below the upper edge will similarly interfere slit. If the slit width is much greater than the wavelength
destructively with the wavefront from the next point then the width of the central maxima is very small.

302
 Wave Phenomena

Our discussion is far has been for rectangular slits. What

is the half-angular width of the central maximum of the
diffraction formed by a circular aperture? This is not easy
to calculate since it involves some advanced mathematics.
The problem was first solved by the English Astronomer
Royal, George Airey, in 1835 who showed that for
λ
circular apertures θ = 1.22
-------------- where b is the diameter of the
b
aperture. 25 cm
lens S
11.3.3 (A.4.3) Solving single slit
diffraction problems Solution

Example 1 The lens actually acts as a circular aperture of diameter

3.0 cm. The half angular width of central maximum of the
diffraction pattern that it forms on the screen is
Light from a laser is used to form a single slit diffraction 1.22 λ 1.22 × 5.6 ×10 −7
pattern. The width of the slit is 0.10 mm and the screen θ = = = 2.3 ×10 −5 rad

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−2
is placed 3.0 m from the slit. The width of the central
b 3.0 ×10
maximum is measured as 2.6 cm. Calculate the wavelength The diameter of the central maxima is therefore
of the laser light?
2 × 3.0 × 10-2 × 2.3 × 10-5

Solution = 1.4 × 10-6 mm. Although this is small, it is still finite and

is effectively the image of the star as the intensity of the
secondary maxima are small compared to that of the central
Since the screen is a long way from the slit we can use the maximum.
small angle approximation such that the f is equal to 3.0 m.

The half-width of the central maximum is 1.3 cm so we have Exercises

–2 –4
( 1.3 × 10 ) × ( 1.0 × 10 )
λ = ------------------------------------------------------------------
3.0 1. A parallel beam of light of wavelength 500 nm is
To give λ = 430 nm. incident on a slit of width 0.25 mm. The light is
brought to focus on a screen placed 1.50 m from
This example demonstrates why the image of a point source the slit. Calculate the angular width and the linear
formed by a thin converging lens will always have a finite width of the central diffraction maximum.
width.
2. Light from a laser is used to form a single slit
diffraction pattern on a screen. The width of the
Example 2 slit is 0.10 mm and the screen is 3.0 m from the
slit. The width of the central diffraction maximum
is 2.6 cm. Calculate the wavelength of the laser
In the following diagram, parallel light from a distant point light.
source (such as a star) is brought to focus on the screen S by
a converging lens (the lens is show as a vertical arrow).

The focal length (distance from lens to screen) is 25 cm

and the diameter of the lens is 3.0 cm. The wavelength of
the light from the star is 560 nm. Calculate the diameter of
the diameter of the image on the screen.

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 Chapter 11

11.4 (SL Option A.5) Resolution

11.4.1 Sketch the variation with angle of S1

diffraction of the relative intensity of light P2

emitted by two point sources that has been θ

P1
diffracted at a single slit. pupil
S2
retina
11.4.2 State the Rayleigh criterion for images of
two sources to be just resolved. (Students Figure 1117
should know that the criterion for a circular
aperture is θ = 1.22 λ ). Light from the source S1 enters the eye and is diffracted by
b
the pupil such that the central maximum of the diffraction
11.4.3 Describe the significance of resolution in pattern is formed on the retina at P1. Similarly, light from
the development of devices such as CDs S2 produces a maximum at P2. If the two central maxima
and DVDs, the electron microscope and are well separated then there is a fair chance that we will
radio telescopes. see the two sources as separate sources. If they overlap
then we will not be able to distinguish one source from
11.4.4 Solve problems involving resolution. another. From the diagram we see as the sources are
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Problems could involve the human eye and moved closer to the eye, then the angle θ increases and so
optical instruments. does the separation of the central maxima.
© IBO 2007

Figures 1118, 1119, 1120 and 1121 shows the different

11.4.1 (A.5.1) Diffraction diffraction patterns and the intensity distribution, that
might result on the retina as a result of light from two
pattern of two slits point sources

The astronomers tell us that many of the stars that we S1 S2

1. Well resolved
observe with the naked eye are in fact binary stars. That
is, what we see as a single star actually consists of two
stars in orbit about a common centre. Furthermore the
astronomers tell us that if we use a “good” telescope then
we will actually see the two stars, we will resolve the single
point source into its two component parts. So what is it
that determines whether or not we see the two stars as a
single point source i.e. what determines whether or not two
sources can be resolved? It can’t just be that the telescope
magnifies the stars since if they are acting as point sources .Figure 1118  Very well resolved
magnifying them is not going to make a great deal of
difference. (We will return to this point later). S1 S2
2. Well resolved
In each of our eyes there is an aperture, the pupil, through
which the light enters. This light is then focussed by the eye
lens onto the retina. But we have seen that when light passes
through an aperture it is diffracted and so whenwe look at
a point source, a diffraction pattern will be formed on the
retina. If we look at two point sources then two diffraction
patterns will be formed on the retina and these patterns
will overlap. The width of our pupil and the wavelength of
the light emitted by the sources will determine the amount
by which they overlap. But the degree of overlap will also Figure 1119  Well resolved
depend on the angular separation of the two point sources.
We can see this from Figures 1117.

304
 Wave Phenomena

where b is the width of the slit through which the light

S1 S2
3. Just resolved from the sources passes. However, we see from Figure 1117
Rayleigh criterion
Minimum of S 2 that θ is the angle that the two sources subtend at the slit.
coincides with Hence we conclude that two sources will be resolved by a
maximum peak of
S1 slit if the angle that they subtend at the slit is greater than
or equal to λ⁄
b
So far we have been assuming that the eye is a rectangular
slit whereas clearly it is a circular aperture and so we must
use the formula
1.22 λ
θ = --------------
b
Figure 1120  Just resolved
As mentioned above the angle θ is sometimes called the
resolving power but should more accurately be called the
4. Not resolved minimum angle of resolution ( θ min)

Clearly the smaller θ the greater the resolving power.

AHL
11.4.3 (A.5.3) Resolving power
and technology

It has been seen that diffraction effectively limits the

resolving power of optical systems. This includes such
systems as the eye, telescopes and microscopes. The
resolving power of these systems is dealt with in the next
Figure 1121  Not resolved section. This section looks at links between technology
and resolving power when looking at the very distant and
when looking at the very small.
11.4.2 (A.5.2) The Rayleigh
criterion Radio telescopes
We have suggested that if the central maxima of the two The average diameter of the pupil of the human eye
diffraction patterns are reasonably separated then we is about 2.5 mm. This means that two point sources
should be able to resolve two point sources. In the late emitting light of wavelength 500 nm will just be resolved
19th century Lord Rayleigh suggested by how much they by the eye if their angular separation at the eye is
should be separated in order for the two sources to be
5.0 ×10 −7
just resolved. If the central maximum of one diffraction θ = 1.22 × = 2.4 ×10 −4 rad
2.5 ×10 −3
pattern coincides with the first minima of the other
diffraction pattern then the two sources will just be If the eye were to be able to detect radio waves of
resolved. This is known as the Rayleigh Criterion. wavelength 0.15 m, then to have the same resolving power
the pupil would have to have a diameter of about 600 m.
Figure 1120 shows just this situation. The two sources are Clearly this is nonsense, but it does illustrate a problem
just resolved according to the Rayleigh criterion since the facing astronomers who wish to view very distant objects
peak of the central maximum of one diffraction pattern such as quasars and galaxies (see Option E) that emit
coincides with the first minimum of the other diffraction radio waves. Conventional radio telescopes consist of a
pattern. This means that the angular separation of the large dish, typically 25 m in diameter. Even with such a
peaks of the two central maxima formed by each source is large diameter, the radio wavelength resolving power of
just the half angular width of one central maximum i.e. the telescope is much less than the optical resolving power
of the human eye. Let us look at an example.
θ = --λ-
b

305
 Chapter 11

and Astronautical Science (ISAS). This project is backed

Example by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the
National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy
Observatory (NRAO); the Canadian Space Agency; the
The Galaxy Cygnus A can be resolved optically as an Australia Telescope National Facility; the European VLBI
elliptically shaped galaxy. However, it is also a strong Network and the Joint Institute for Very Long Baseline
emitter of radio waves of wavelength 0.15 m. The Galaxy Interferometry in Europe. This project is a very good
is estimated to be 5.0 × 1024 m from Earth. Use of a radio example of how Internationalism can operate in Physics.
telescope shows that the radio emission is from two sources
separated by a distance of 3.0 × 1021 m. Estimate the
diameter of the dish required to just resolve the sources. Exercise

Solution It is suggested that using the ISAS, VLBA, it would be

possible to “see” a grain of rice at a distance of 5000 km.
Estimate the resolving power of the VLBA.
The angle θ that the sources resolve at the telescope is
given by
3.0 ×10 21 Electron microscope
θθ = = 6.0 ×10 −4 rad
AHL

5.0 ×10 24 Telescopes are used to look at very distant objects that are
very large but, because of their distance from us, appear
very small. Microscopes on the other hand, are used to
1.22 λ 1.22 ×0.15
and d = = = 3000 m = 3.0 km. look at objects that are close to us but are physically very
θ 6.0 ×10 −4 small. As we have seen, just magnifying objects, that is
A radio telescope dish of this size would be impossible making them appear larger, is not sufficient on its own to
to make, let alone support. This shows that a single dish gain detail about the object; for detail, high resolution is
type radio telescope cannot be used to resolve the sources needed.
and yet they were resolved. To get round the problem,
astronomers use two radio telescopes separated by a Figure 1122 is a schematic of how an optical microscope
large distance. The telescopes view the same objects at is used to view an object and Figure 1123 is a schematic of
the same time and the signals that each receive from the a transmission electron microscope (TEM).
objects are simultaneously superimposed. The result of the
superposition of the two signals is a two-slit interference glass slide containing
pattern (see section 4.5.6). The pattern has much narrower specimen (object)
fringe spacing than that of the diffraction pattern produced
by either telescope on its own, hence producing a much Optical lens
higher resolving power. When telescopes are used like system
this, they are called a stellar interferometer. eye bright light
source
In Socorro in New Mexico there is a stellar interferometer
that consists of 27 parabolic dishes each of diameter Figure 1122  The principle of a light microscope
25 m, arranged in a Y-shape that covers an area of
570 km2. This is a so-called Very Large Array (VLA). Even thin wafer of
material
higher resolution can be obtained by using an array of
radio telescopes in observatories thousands of kilometres
apart. A system that uses this so-called technique of magnetic lens
‘very-long-baseline interferometry’ (VLBI) is known as system
a ‘very-long-baseline array’ (VLBA). With VLBA, a radio
wavelength resolving power can be achieved that is 100 electron
source
times greater than the best optical telescopes. Even higher
resolving power can be achieved by using a telescope Screen/CCD
that is in a satellite orbiting Earth. Such a system was
launched in February 1997 by Japan’s Institute of Space Figure 1123  The principle of an electron microscope

306
 Wave Phenomena

In the optical microscope, the resolving power is eye will resolve the headlights into two separate sources
determined by the particular lens system employed and if this angle equals 2 × 10-4 rad. This gives D = 7.5 km. In
the wavelength λ of the light used. For example, two other words if the car is approaching you on a straight road
points in the sample separated by a distance d will just be then you will be able to distinguish the two headlights as
resolved if separate sources when the car is 7.5 km away from you.
Actually because of the structure of the retina and optical
d= λ defects the resolving power of the average eye is about
2m
6 × 10-4 rad. This means that the car is more likely to be
where m is a property of the lens system know as the 2.5 km away before you resolve the headlights.
numerical aperture. In practice the largets value of m
obtainable is about 1.6. Hence, if the microscope slide
is illuminated
����������������������������������������������������
with light of wavelength 480 nm, a good Exercise
microscope will resolve two points separated by a distance
d ≈ 1.5 × 10-7 m ≈ 0.15 µm. Points closer together than
this will not be resolved. However, this is good enough to The distance from the eye lens to the retina is 20 mm. The
distinguish some viruses such as the Ebola virus. light receptors in the central part of the retina are about
5 × 10-6 apart. Determine whether the spacing of the
Clearly, the smaller λ the higher the resolving power and receptors will allow for the eye to resolve the headlights in
this is where the electron microscope comes to the fore. the above discussion when they are 2.5 km from the eye.
The electron microscope makes use of the wave nature of

AHL
electrons (see 13.1.5). In the TEM, electrons pass through
a wafer thin sample and are then focussed by a magnetic Astronomical telescope
field onto a fluorescent screen or CCD (charge coupled
device see 14.2). Electrons used in an electron microscope Let us return to the example of the binary stars discussed
have wavelengths typically of about 5 × 10-12 m. However, at the beginning of this section on resolution. The stars
the numerical aperture of electron microscopes is Kruger A and B form a binary system. The average
considerably smaller than that of an optical microscope, separation of the stars is 1.4 × 1012 m and their average
typically about 0.02. Nonetheless, this means that a TEM distance from Earth is 1.2 × 1017 m. When viewed through
can resolve two points that are about 0.25 nm apart. This a telescope on Earth, the system will therefore subtend an
resolving power is certainly high enough to make out the angle. 12
1.4 ×10
shape of large molecules. θ=
1.2 ×10 17

Another type of electron microscope uses a technique = 1.2 × 10-5 rad at the objective lens of the telescope.
by which electrons are scattered from the surface of the Assuming that the average wavelength of the light emitted
sample. The scattered electrons and then focussed as by the stars is 500 nm, then if the telescope is to resolve the
in the TEM to form an image of the surface. These so- system into two separate images it must have a minimum
1.22 ×5.00 ×10 −7
called scanning electron microscopes (SEM) have a lower diameter D where 1.2 × 10-5 = .
D
resolving power than TEM’s but give very good three
dimensional images. This gives D = 0.050m. that is about 5 cm. So this particular
system is easily resolved with a small astronomical
telescope.
11.4.4 (A.5.4) Solve problems
involving resolution Exercise

The eye The diameter of Pluto is 2.3 × 106 m and its average distance
from Earth is 6.0 × 1012 m. Estimate the minimum diameter
We saw in the last section that the resolving power of the of the objective of a telescope that will enable Pluto to be
human eye is about 2 × 10-4 rad. Suppose that you are seen as a disc as opposed to a point source.
looking at car headlights on a dark night and the car is a
distance D away. If the separation of the headlight is say
1.5
1.5 m then the headlights will subtend an angle θθ = at
D
you eye. Assuming an average wavelength of 500 nm, your

307
 Chapter 11

11.5 (SL Option A.6) Polarization

11.5.1 Describe what is meant by polarized light.
EH
11.5.2 Describe polarization by reflection.

11.5.3 State and apply Brewster’s law.

EV
11.5.4 Explain the terms polarizer and analyser.
Figure 1124  The electromagnetic nature of light
11.5.5 Calculate the intensity of a transmitted
beam of polarized light using Malus’ law. Light in which the plane of vibration of the electric vector
is continually changing is said to be unpolarized.
11.5.6 Describe what is meant by an optically
active substance. When light passes through natural crystals of tourmaline
and of calcite, and through certain synthetic materials, only
11.5.7 Describe the use of polarization in the the EV or EH (depending on one’s viewpoint) is transmitted,
determination of the concentration of a process called preferential absorption. Because of this,
AHL

certain solutions. the emergent light is said to be plane polarized.

y
11.5.8 Outline qualitatively how polarization may
be used in stress analysis.
x z
unpolarised light
11.5.9 Outline qualitatively the action of liquid-
crystal displays (LCDs).
horizontal vibrations
are absorbed by the
polaroid
11.5.10 Solve problems involving the polarization polarised light
of light.
© IBO 2007
Figure 1125  Polarization by preferential absorption

11.5.1 (A.6.1) What is polarized light? Figure 1125 shows how unpolarized light upon entering
and leaving a sheet of a synthetic material called a polaroid
This section will specifically address the polarization is polarized. Through the process of preferential absorption,
of light. However, the discussion is equally valid for all the vibrations that are parallel to the transmission plane
electromagnetic waves. of the polaroid (the EH components) are removed and
the light emerges polarized in the vertical plane. If the
As discussed previously (4.4.9), electromagnetic waves polaroid is rotated through 90° the EV components of the
consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. The unpolarized light are removed and the EH components are
electric field vector is perpendicular to the magnetic field transmitted.
vector. Since em waves are transverse, the oscillations of
the fields are confined to the plane of the wavefront. If we
consider just the electric field a vector, then the angle of 11.5.2,3 (A.6.2,3)
vector within this plane can take any value between zero
and 360°. In general, this angle is continually changing as Polarization by reflection
the wave advances. However, we can simplify the situation
by resolving the vector into a horizontal component and a and Brewster’s law
vertical component. In Figure 1124, the direction of travel
of the em wave is out of the paper and the electric field Apart from light being partially or totally polarized
vector is shown resolved into the components EV and EH. by transmission through certain materials, it can also
be partially or totally polarized by reflection. In 1808,
E.L. Malus (1775-1812) showed that light reflected from
a horizontal sheet of glass is polarized. This is the reason

308
 Wave Phenomena

that polarized sunglasses cut down glare from the surface

of water.

Figure 1126 shows a ray of unpolarized light being i

reflected and transmitted (refracted) at the surface of f
water. The components of the electric field vector are
shown by the dots and arrows.
Figure (a)
unpolarized light partially polarized

(reflected)
r

air Figure 1128  Illustrating Brewster’s angle

water
In Figure 1128 the light is incident at the Brewster angle
refracted light φ. From the diagram we see that the refracted angle
r = (90 - φ) such that sin r = sin (90 - φ) = cos φ. The
incident angle i = φ

AHL
key: motion perpendicular to plane of page: From the definition of refractive index n there is
motion parallel to plane of page: therefore
sin i sin φ
Figure 1126  Partial polarization of n= =
reflected light at the surface of water sin r cos φ
Figure (b) or n = tan φ
completely plane
unpolarized light polarized This is known as Brewster’s law.

For water of refractive index 1.3, the Brewster angle

φ = tan-1 (1.3) = 52°. This means if you look at the surface
air i r of water at an angle of 38° to the surface, the light reflected
from the surface to your eyes will be plane polarized. If
water
you are wearing Polaroid sunglasses then the only light
entering your eyes will be light originating from below the
Here we have surface of the water. This phenomenon is put to good use
that i = p by anglers.
refracted light
We have assumed in deriving Brewster’s law that the
Figure 1127  Complete polarization incident light is in air. If the incident light is in a medium
of reflected light at the surface of water of refractive index n1 and is incident on the surface of
a medium if refractive index n2, then Brewster’s Law
In Figure 1126 the unpolarized beam strikes the water at becomes
a certain angle of incidence and is partially polarized on
reflection (the refracted beam is also partially polarized but n1
tan φ =
to a much lesser extent than the reflected light). n2

In Figure 1127, at a particular angle where the reflected Since the refractive index is different for different
ray is perpendicular to the refracted ray, the reflected ray wavelengths (Topic G.1.3), the Brewster angle will vary
is completely plane-polarized. The angle to the normal with wavelength. However for substances such as glass
at which this occurs is called the Brewster angle or the and water, the angle does not change very much over the
‘polarising angle’ after its discoverer David Brewster, a visible spectrum as the example below shows.
Scottish physicist (1781-1868).

309
 Chapter 11

Example
I = I0 1 I =0
I = --- I 0
(initial intensity 2
of unpolarised light)
The refractive index for crown glass for red light of polariser
analyser

wavelength 660 nm is 1.52 and for violet light of wavelength

480 nm is 1.54. Calculate the difference in the Brewster Figure 1129  Crossed polaroids
angle for these two wavelengths.
The analyser can be rotated from 0° to 90° to reduce the
emerging light intensity from a maximum to zero. When
Solution the intensity is zero the polarizer and analyser are said to
be ‘crossed’.

φred = tan-1 (1.52) = 56.7° Polaroid is a material composed of sheets of nitro-cellulose

containing crystals of iodosulfate arranged as long
φblue = tan-1 (1.54) = 57.0° molecules. These long molecules reflect and preferentially
absorb electric vector components along their length. As
therefore ∆φ = 0.30° mentioned above, this material is used in sunglasses to
reduce glare.
AHL

When light is incident on a surface, the electric field Malus’ law

vector of the light sets the electrons in the surface into
oscillation. The radiation from these oscillating electrons In the situation sh�����������������������������������������
own in Figure 1129, the intensity of the
is the origin of the reflected light. If the reflected light is light is incident on the polarizer is I0 and on the analyser is
observed at 90° to the refracted light, only the vibrations of ½ I0. The intensity of the light after transmission through
the electric field vector that are perpendicular to the plane the analyser is zero. Let us now consider the case where the
of incidence will be in the reflected beam. This is because transmission axis of the analyser is inclined at an ang1e θ
the components of electric field in the plane of incidence to the direction of the field vector of the light incident on
cannot have a component at 90° to this plane. Hence at the analyser. The electric field vector of the light incident
the Brewster angle, the reflected light is plane polarized. on the analyser may be resolved into a component parallel
Clearly, longitudinal waves cannot be polarized. However, to the transmission plane of the polarizer and one at right
remember that all other electromagnetic waves such as angles to it as shown in Figure 1130. In this Figure the
radio and microwaves can be polarized. amplitude of the light is considered to be proportional to
the amplitude of the electric field.

11.5.4,5 (A.6.4,5) incident light

of amplitude A0

Polarizers, Analysers and transmission

plane of
analyser
Malus’ Law θ
plane of analyser
when polaroids
are crossed
Polarizers and analysers
In Figure 1129 unpolarized light is incident on a polaroid
sheet (called the polarizer) and after transmission, is Figure 1130
incident on another polaroid (called the analyser) whose
axis is at 90° to the polarizer. Clearly the component that is at right angles to the
transmission plane of the analyser will not be transmitted.
After passing through the polarizer, the intensity of light The amplitude A1 of the component parallel to the
incident on this ideal polarizer is halved by preferential transmission plane is given by
absorption and after passing through the analyser, is
reduced to zero. A1 = A0cosθ

310
 Wave Phenomena

A B
But the intensity of the light is proportional the square of
the amplitude, therefore we can write that sugar solution
monochromatic transmitted light
light

I = A02cos2θ = I0 cos2θ polaroid

where I0 is the intensity of the polarized light (which is half Figure 1131  The principle of a polarimeter
the intensity of the unpolarized light) and I the intensity of
the transmitted polarized light. We have then that Monochromatic light is polarized by the polaroid A and
after passing through the sugar solution, the plane of
I = I0 cos2θ polarization has been rotated by the sugar molecules. The
degree of rotation is determined by the number of sugar
This is Malus’ law named after Etienne Malus (1775‑1812) who molecules present and the length of the path traversed
discovered, by accident, polarization of light by reflection. by the polarized light. The polaroids A and B are initially
crossed such when no solution is present, no light is
transmitted by B. When a solution of sugar is added, light
Exercise will now be transmitted by polaroid B since the solution
has rotated the plane of polarization. The polaroid B may
be rotated and is also provided with an angular scale.
Plane polarized light is incident on a polaroid at right By rotating B until no light is transmitted, the degree of
angles to the plane of the polaroid. The transmission axis rotation of the plane of polarisation can be measured. If a

AHL
of the Polaroid is parallel to the plane of polarization of the polarimeter of length l with a concentration of the sugar
incident light. Sketch a graph to show the variation with solution C produces an angle of rotation α, then we can
angle of the intensity of the transmitted light as the plane define a specific angle of rotation αS from
of the polaroid is rotated through 360°. α
αS=
lC
11.5.6-9 (A.6.6-9)
The angle αS is often referred to as the optical activity.
Uses of polarized light Because it also depends on the temperature of the solution
and wavelength of light, measurements of optical activity are
usually standardised at 20 °C and 589 nm ( the wavelength
Optically active substances of the D-line in the line emission spectrum of sodium). The
phenomenon of optical activity is used in the sugar industry
Substances that are able to rotate the plane of polarization of to measure the concentrations of syrups and it is also being
light are said to be optically active. Such substances include developed to measure blood sugar levels in people with
solutions of so-called chiral molecules such as sucrose diabetes. Chemists also use it to identify the presence of
(sugar). Chiral molecules of a substance may be identical in all certain substances present in solutions.
respects except that some of the molecules “left-handed” and
some are “right-handed”. By this we mean that a right-handed Optical activity and stress
molecule cannot be superimposed on the mirror image of a
left-handed molecule, just as your own right hand and the Many kinds of glass and transparent plastics become
mirror image of your left hand cannot be superimposed. All optically active when put under stress. The effect of the
amino acids, the building blocks of life occur in both left- stress is to alter the speed of the two components of
handed and right handed forms. However, all life on Earth polarized light. A strain viewer consists of two polaroids
is made exclusively of left-handed amino acids and no one with a material under strain placed between them as
knows why. Substances whose molecules rotate the plane of shown in Figure 1132.
polarisation exclusively clockwise usually have their name
prefixed by “dextro” and those whose molecules rotate the polaroid ‘crossed’ polaroid
plane exclusively anticlockwise, with the prefix “levto”.
unpolarised
Solids with rotated crystal planes such as quartz and light plane-polarised
light
calcite also rotate the plane of polarization of light. In the stressed
polariser analyser
Figure 1131 a solution of sugar is contained in an instrument sample

called a polarimeter. A polarimeter is essentially a tube that

is bounded at either end with a polaroid. Figure 1132  Stress and polarization

311
 Chapter 11

When the stress is increased, the concentration of the field of view will now contain a black area corresponding
optical activity increases. A series of light and dark to the shape of the electrode on G. By varying the strength
coloured bands are seen that can be analysed. Plastic of the applied field and hence the degree of twist of the LC,
models of objects are made to determine any places that the displayed shape can be varied from different shades of
might cause mechanical breakdown. grey through to black.

Whole pictures can be displayed by breaking the picture

Liquid crystal displays (LCD) down into small areas called picture elements or pixels
and using a LC for each pixel.
The molecules of solids keep a fixed orientation and a
fixed position whereas
������������������������������������������
molecules of a liquid continually
change their orientation and position. Liquid crystals are 11.5.10 (A.6.10) Solve problems
substances that are not quite solid and not quite liquid
in the respect that, although the molecules keep a fixed involving the polarization
orientation, the molecules do change their positions. The
molecules of one particular type of LC called a nematic of light
liquid crystal, essentially have the shape of a twisted
helix and as such, can rotate the plane of polarization of
polarized light. If an electric field is applied across the Example
crystal, then the amount of “twist” of the crystal is altered
AHL

and hence the degree of polarization of incident will also

be altered. Unpolarized light of intensity 6.0 W m-2 is incident on a
polarizer. The light transmitted by the polarizer is then
A liquid crystal display consists essentially of two crossed incident on an analyser. The angle between the transmission
polaroids between which is placed a LC. Without the axes of the polarizer and analyser is 60°. Calculate the
LC, light polarized by the polarizer will be blocked by intensity of the light transmitted by the analyser.
the analyser. However, with the LC present, the plane of
polarisation is rotated and light will now be transmitted by
the analyser. This light can again be blocked by applying Solution
an electric field to the LC.

Figure 1133, shows the basic set-up of the different layers Using the formula for intensity,
necessary to produce a liquid crystal display.
2
we have I = I 0 cos θ
light –2 2
I = ( 3.0 Wm ) × cos 60 ° = 0.75 W m-2

P1 E LC G P2 M Exercise

Figure 1133  The principle of a liquid crystal display (LCD)

1. Light reflected from the surface of a material in
Incident light is polarized by the polarizer P1. E is an air at an angle of 56.5° to the normal is completely
indium-tin oxide electrode and G is a piece of glass upon polarized. Calculate the angle of refraction of the
which there is another electrode in the shape of the final glass.
display (e.g. a letter or a number). P2 is the analyser and
M is a mirror. In the absence of an electric field, the LC 2. Outline how the concentration of sugar solutions
rotates the plane of polarization such that the light is may be determined using polarized light.
transmitted by P2 and reflected back to the observer by
the mirror M. When a potential difference is applied to the 3. Describe qualitatively, the operation of a liquid
electrodes, the resulting field untwists the nematic crystal crystal display and suggest one reason why there
such that the plane of polarization of the light is no longer has been such a world-wide proliferation of LCDs.
rotated. However, only those parts of the LC outlined by
the shape on the electrode will be affected such that the

312
 Electromagnetic Induction

ELECTROMAGNETIC
INDUCTION
12.1 Induced electromotive force (emf )

12.2 Alternating current

12
12.3 Transmission of electric power

TOK  Introduction

AHL
I n the chapter on electrostatics, and in this chapter on
electromagnetism, mention is made of Michael Faraday.
The laws of electricity and magnetism owe more perhaps to
discovered and described the organic compound benzene
as well as some other chloro-carbon compounds. He did
research on steel, optical glass and the liquefaction of
the experimental work of Faraday than any other person. gases. Faraday’s work was impressive, and he eventually
There were great theoreticians like Ampère and Maxwell became director of the Royal Institution.
but Faraday was a real experimenter. He invented the first
dynamo, electric motor and transformer. It was Faraday Faraday had a great talent for explaining his ideas to both
who originated the use of electric fields lines that he called children and adults. He gave many “wizz-bang” lectures
“lines of force” even before the concept of the electric to the young, and his book addressed at their level called
field was clearly understood. He along with Joseph Henry “The Chemical History of the Candle” is still in print.
discovered electromagnetic induction, and this concept will He introduced the Friday Evening Discourses and the
be expanded on in this chapter. Electromagnetic induction Christmas lectures for children at the Royal Institution,
has revolutionised the way we live. This phenomenon has and these lectures still continue to this day. In 1865, he
had a huge impact on society and it has become the basis retired from the Royal Institution after 50 years service.
for the generation of electric power that we so often take for
granted in our everyday life. In the 1830s, Faraday became interested in electrochemistry
and he was the first to use the term “electrolysis” in
Michael Faraday (1791-1867), the son of a blacksmith, 1832. Furthermore, he introduced the use of the terms
was born in Newington, Surrey. He had little formal ‘electrolyte’, ‘cell’, ‘electrodes’ and ‘electrochemical reaction’
education as a child and at the age of 14, he took up an so commonly used in the subject of electrochemistry.
apprenticeship as a bookbinder. While rebinding a copy He subjected electrolysis to the first quantitative
of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, he happened to read an experimentation and in 1834 was able to establish that
article on electricity, and to his own admission, this article the amount of chemical compound decomposed at the
gave him a lifelong fascination with science. electrodes was proportional to the amount of electricity
used – Faraday’s First and Second Law of Electrolysis.
He started to attend lectures given by Sir Humphry Davy, He devised the terminology, “ions”, for the part of the
a famous electrochemist and publicist. Faraday became compound discharged at the electrodes.
interested in electrolysis and he prepared a set of lecture
notes that greatly impressed Davy. By good fortune or Once Oersted had discovered that a current flowing in a
misfortune, when Davy was temporarily blinded in a conductor produced a magnetic field in 1819, scientists
laboratory accident at the Royal Institution in 1812, were convinced that a moving magnetic field should be able
he needed a laboratory assistant and he requested that to produce a current in the conductor. It took eleven years
Faraday be given the position. During this time, Faraday before, in 1831, the American, Joseph Henry (1797-1878),

313
 Chapter 12

and the Englishman, Michael Faraday (1791-1867), while magnet was in motion or the coil (or disc) was in motion,
working independently, explained the cause and effect of an induced current was produced provided there was a
an induced current/emf being produced by a changing change in magnetic flux. Faraday presented his findings
magnetic field. Henry is credited with the discovery but to the Royal Society in November 1831 and January 1832
Faraday was the first to publish, introducing the concept in his ‘Experimental researches into electricity’ in which he
of line of magnetic flux in his explanations. gave his “Law which governs the evolution of electricity by
magneto-electric induction” – a change in magnetic flux
In his notebooks in the early 1830s, Faraday described through any surface bounded by closed lines causes an
how he placed wires near magnets looking for current ε.m.f around the lines.
in the wire but without success. However, as he moved
the apparatus he noticed a brief pulse of current but the Within no time, the dynamo, the generator and the
current immediately fell back to zero. Perhaps the missing transformer were invented by this brilliant experimental
ingredient was motion. scientist. We will expand on the principles of electro-
magnetic induction in the remainder of this chapter.
The solution came in 1831 when he set up an apparatus
similar to that in Figure 1201 that he called an “induction
ring”. The apparatus may look familiar to us with its battery, 12.1 INDUCED
coils and galvanometer (a meter to detect current). We
also know that a soft iron core increases the strength of a ELECTROMOTIVE
magnetic field.
FORCE (emf)
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switch

G
12.1.1 Describe the inducing of an emf by relative
motion between a conductor and a
magnetic field.
soft iron torus
12.1.2 Derive the formula for the emf induced in
Figure 1201  Faraday’s induction ring a straight conductor moving in a magnetic
field.
To his initial disappointment, when he closed the switch to
allow steady current to flow, only a slight twitch was observed 12.1.3 Define magnetic flux and magnetic flux
in the galvanometer before the needle fell back to zero. linkage.
This twitch could have been due to mechanical vibration.
However, using his intuition, he noticed that when he slowly 12.1.4 Describe the production of an induced emf
opened and closed the switch, a current was produced in by a time-changing magnetic flux.
one direction, then fell to zero, then a current was produced
in the opposite direction. He called the current produced by 12.1.5 State Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law.
a changing magnetic flux an induced current, and he called
the general phenomenon electromagnetic induction. He 12.1.6 Solve electromagnetic induction problems.
© IBO 2007
assumed that the magnetic flux must be changing, but how?
Was the iron ring really necessary to produce induction or
did it merely strengthen an effect? Was it necessary to have 12.1.1 Induced EMF between a
two coils or could an induced current be produced simply
by moving a magnet in and out of a single coil of wire? conductor and a magnetic

Remembering back to his earlier experiment where he field

considered that motion could be a factor, he quickly set
up experiments using a coil and a magnet, and proved Faraday used an apparatus shown simply in Figure 1202.
that the iron ring was not essential, and that motion inside If a conductor is held stationary in a magnetic field of
one coil could produce an induced current. Furthermore, a U-shaped magnet that is connected in series with a
he found that a rotating copper disc inserted between very sensitive, zero-centred galvanometer, no reading
the poles of a magnet could be used (instead of a coil) to is observed. However, if the conductor is moved across
produce an induced current. It didn’t matter whether the the magnetic field, then a deflection occurs in the needle

314
 Electromagnetic Induction

of the galvanometer in one direction. After a very short The simple apparatus in Figure 1202 can detect the
period of time, the needle returns to zero on the scale. induced current, but the readings on the galvanometer are
small (a zero-centred micro-ammeter is better). Faraday
motion improved the apparatus by moving different magnetic
flux densities into and out of different sized solenoids at
different speeds. He found that the strength of the induced
emf was dependent on
S N
1. The speed of the movement

sensitive 2. The strength of the magnetic flux density

galvanometer
3. The number of turns on the coil

Figure 1202  Producing an induced current 4. The area of the coil

The current produced is called an induced current. Faraday realised that the magnitude of the induced ε.m.f
was not proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic
As work is done in moving the current from one end of the field B but rather proportional to the rate of change of
conductor to the other, an electrical potential difference magnetic flux Φ for a straight conductor or flux linkage NΦ.

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exists, and an induced emf is produced. This will be discussed further in sectin 12.1.4.

If the conductor is then moved in the opposite direction,

the needle of the galvanometer deflects in the opposite example
direction before then falling to zero again. If the conductor
is moved in the same direction as the magnetic field then
no deflection occurs. Determine the direction of the induced current for each
situation given below.
The direction of the induced current can be obtained by
using the left-hand palm rule (refer to the palm rules a. b. c. d.

discussed for the motor effect in Chapter 6). Using the

magnetic field and direction of movement of the wire, if
the palm of your left hand points in the direction of motion
of the conductor, and your fingers point in the direction of
the magnetic field, then the thumb gives the direction of Solution
the induced current. In this case, the current is in an anti-
clockwise direction.
Using a hand rule, the direction of the induced current for
Alternatively, you can continue to use the right-hand each situation is indicated by the arrows as shown in the
palm rule BUT your palm points in the opposite direction diagram below:
to the applied force. Fleming’s right-hand rule can also
be used. The right-hand palm rule for the direction of an a. b. c. d.
induced current and Fleming’s right-hand rule are shown
in Figures 1203 (a) and (b) respectively.

Thumb points in direction Thumb points in

of induced current direction of movement
Fingers points in direction
of magnetic field First finger points in
direction of field

Palm points in direction Second finger points in

of opposing force direction of current

(a) (b)

Figure 1203 (a) & (b)  Palm rules for electromagnetic induction

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 Chapter 12

12.1.2 Derivation of an induced 12.1.3 Define magnetic flux and

emf in a conductor magnetic flux linkage

Consider a conductor of length l that moves with velocity Consider a small planar coil of a conductor for simplicity
v perpendicular to a magnetic flux density or induction B as shown in Figure 1208 (it could be any small shape).
as shown in Figure 1206. Now imagine it is cut by magnetic lines of flux. It would
be reasonable to deduce that the number of lines per
unit cross-sectional area is equal to the magnitude of the
B into page
magnetic flux density B × the cross-sectional
ε = NB lv area A. This
product is the magnetic flux Φ.
l
A A

v B θ
B

Figure 1206  Cause of an induced emf.

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Figure 1208 (a) and (b)  Flux through a small, plane surface
When the wire conductor moves in the magnetic field, the
free electrons experience a force because they are caused to The magnetic flux Φ through a small plane surface is the
move with velocity v as the conductor moves in the field. product of the flux density normal to the surface and the
area of the surface.
F = e ×v ×B
Φ = BA
This force causes the electrons to drift from one end of the
conductor to the other, and one end builds-up an excess of The unit of magnetic flux is the weber Wb.
electrons and the other a deficiency of electrons. This means
that there is a potential difference or emf between the ends. Rearranging this equation it can be seen that:
Eventually, the emf becomes large enough to balance the
magnetic force and thus stop electrons from moving. B = Φ / A which helps us understand why B can be called
the flux density. So the unit for flux density can be the tesla T,
ev×B = e ×E ⇔ E = B ×v or the weber per square metre Wbm-2. So, 1T = 1 Wbm-2.

If the potential difference (emf) between the ends of the If the normal shown by the dotted line in Figure 1208 (b)
conductor is ε then to the area makes an angle θ with B, the the magnetic flux
is given by:
ε = E ×l
Φ = B A cos ș
By substitution, we have,
where A is the area of the region and θ is the angle of
ε = B ×l ×v movement between the B A cos șfield and a line drawn
Φ =magnetic
perpendicular to the area swept out. (Be careful that you
If the conducting wire was a tightly wound coil of N turns choose the correct vector component and angle because
of wire the equation becomes: questions on past IB examinations give the correct answers
of BA sin θ or BA cos θ depending on components supplied
ε = NB l v in the duagrams).

If Φ is the flux densityΦthrough

= N B Aa cos
cross-sectional
ș area of a
conductor with N coils, the total flux density will be given
by:
Φ = N B A cos ș

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 Electromagnetic Induction

This is called the flux linkage.

12.1.5 Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s
So it should now be Φ
obvious
= B A that
cos ș we can increase the
magnetic flux by: Law
• Increasing the conductor area Faraday’s Law can therefore be stated as:
• Increasing the magnetic flux density B
• Keeping the flux density normal to the surface of The magnitude of the induced emf in a circuit is directly
the conductor proportional to rate of change of magnetic flux or flux-
linkage.

12.1.4 Induced emf in a time- Figure 1210 shows some relative movements of a bar
magnet at various positions relative to a coil with many
Φ = N B A cos ș
changing magnetic flux turns.

Now examine Figure 1209 that shows the shaded area of

the magnetic flux density swept out in one second by a S N
conductor of length l moving from the top to the bottom magnet moving inwards
of the figure through a distance d. current flow

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B into page
l
initial position of wire
S N
area swept out by wire in one
v second no movement

no current flow
position of wire 1 second later

Figure 1209  Rate of area swept out. S N

magnet moving outwards
We have already derived that ε = B l v
current flow

The area swept out in a given time is given by (l × d) / t.

But v = d / t. So that the area swept out = lv / t.
Figure 1210  Lenz’s Law applied to a solenoid.
That is,
ε = Δ- (- BA )- When the north pole is moved toward the core of the
Δt
solenoid, an induced current flows in the external circuit
where A is the area in m2. as indicated by a zero-centred galvanometer or a micro-
ammeter. The pointer moves to the right meaning that the
For a single conductor in the magnetic flux density, it can conventional induced current is flowing anti-clockwise at
be seen that: the end of the solenoid nearest the magnet. This end is
acting like a north pole.When the magnet is stationary the
ε∝∆ Φ ∆Φ
-------- ⇔ ε = –-------- meter reads zero. This suggests that the induced current is
∆t ∆t
dependent on the speed of the movement. When the bar
where the constant equals –1. The negative sign will be magnet is removed from the solenoid, the induced current
explained in the next section. flows in the opposite direction, and a south pole is created
in the end that was previously a north pole.
If there are N number of coils, then:
In 1834, a Russian physicist Heinrich Lenz (1804-1865)
ε = –N × ∆ Φ
-------- applied the Law of Conservation of Energy to determine the
∆t
direction of the induced emf for all types of conductors. It
is known as the Second Law of Electromagnetic Induction
and it can be stated as:

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 Chapter 12

The direction of the induced emf is such that the current

it causes to flow opposes the change producing it. 12.1.6 Electromagnetic induction
In the above case, the current induced in the coil creates problems
a north pole to oppose the incoming north pole of the
magnet. Similarly, when the magnet is withdrawn its
north pole creates a south pole in the solenoid to oppose example 1
the change.

It can be reasoned that the Law of Conservation of Energy A metal conductor 2.5 m long moves at right angles to a
must apply. If the solenoid in Figure 1211 had an induced magnetic field of 4.0 × 10–3 T with a velocity of 35 m s–1.
south pole when the north pole of the magnet was moved Calculate the emf of the conductor.
towards it, the magnet would accelerate as it would
experience a force of attraction. More induced current
would be produced creating more acceleration. The Solution
kinetic energy would increase indefinitely – energy would
be created. As this is impossible, it makes sense that the
induced current must oppose the change producing it. Using the formula, ε = B l v, we have,
–3 –1
ε = ( 4.0 × 10 T ) × ( 2.5 m ) × ( 35 ms )
Lenz’s Law can be applied to straight conductors as well as
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= 0.35 V
solenoids. Figure 1211 shows the magnetic lines of force
for a bar magnet and a current-carrying wire directed The potential difference between the ends of the conductor
into the page before and during interaction. Suppose the is 0.35 V.
conductor is carrying an induced current initially.

Before interaction After interaction

Example 2
magnetic field
due to conductor magnetic field interaction
produces an opposing force

A square solenoid with 120 turns and sides of 5.0 cm is

N S N S placed in air with each turn perpendicular to a uniform
interaction of the two
magnetic flux density of 0.60 T. Calculate the induced emf
force due to hand
magnetic fields causes
‘tension’ on lower side pushing down if the field decreases to zero in 3.0 s.

Figure 1211  Lenz’s Law in a straight conductor.

Solution
The straight conductor is then pushed downwards say with
your hand. Your energy source induces the current but
the combined magnetic fields tend to push the conductor This time we need to use the formula, Φ = B A, so that
upwards (a force is applied in the direction from the region 2
of most flux density to the region of least flux density). Φ = ( 0.05 m ) × (0.60 T )
Therefore, the induced current will be in such a direction –3
= 1.5 × 10 Wb
that tries to stop the conductor through the field.
Next, we make use of the formula,
If we now combine Faraday’s and Lenz’s Laws of –3
∆Φ ( 0 – 1.5 × 10 Wb )
electromagnetic induction into the equation, we can now ε = – N × -------- = – 120 × -------------------------------------------
∆t 3.0 s
understand the significance of the negative sign.
= 0.060 V
ε = –N × ∆ Φ
--------
∆t
The induced emf is 6.0 × 10-2 V.

318
 Electromagnetic Induction

The magnetic flux Φ through a coil having 200

2. ������������������
Example 3 turns varies with time t as shown below.

5.0
(a) A coil with 20 turns has an area of 2.0 × 10-1 m2.
It is placed in a uniform magnetic field of flux
density 1.0 × 10-1 T so that the flux links the turns
normally. Calculate the average induced emf in the 4.0
coil if it is removed from the field in 0.75 s.

(b) The same coil is turned from its normal position 3.0
–2
through an angle of 30° in 0.3 s in the field. Φ/ 10 Wb
Calculate the average induced emf.
2.0
Solution

1.0
(a) This time we need to use the formula, Φ = NB A, so
that

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0.0
Φ = 20 turns × 2.0 × 10-1 m2 × 1.0 × 10-1 T = 4.0 × 10-1 Wb 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
t / 10–2 s
Next, we make use of the formula,
The magnitude of the emf induced in the coil is:
emf = - (Δ Φ / Δt) = 0 - 4.0 × 10-1 Wb / 0.75 s
A. 0.5 V
= 0.533 V B. 2V
C. 100 V
The induced emf is 0.53 V. D. 500 V

(b) The flux change through the coil = NBA – NBAcosθ 3. A metal ring falls over a bar magnet as shown

= 4.0 × 10-1 Wb - 4.0 × 10-1 Wb cos 30 = 0.054 Wb

Average induced emf = 0.54 Wb / 0.3 s = 0.179 V

S
The induced emf is 0.18 V.

N
Exercise 12.1

The induced current is directed

1. Consider a coil of length l, cross-sectional area A,
number of turns n, in which a current I is flowing. A. always opposite to the direction of the
The magnetic flux density of the coil depends on arrow.
B. always in the same direction as the arrow.
A. I, l, n but not A C. first in the opposite direction to the arrow,
B. I, n, A but not l then as shown by the arrow.
C. I, A, l but not n D. first as shown by the arrow, then in the
D. A, l, n but not I opposite direction to the arrow.

319
 Chapter 12

4. The magnitude of an induced emf produced by the 10. What effect would the following have on the
relative motion between a solenoid and a magnetic magnitude of the induced emf in a conductor
field is dependent upon: moving perpendicular to a magnetic field?

A. the strength of the magnetic flux density (a) Doubling the velocity of movement of the
B. the number of turns on the coil conductor.
C. the area of the coil (b) Halving the magnetic flux density and
D. all of the above velocity.
(c) Changing the conductor from copper to
5. Which of the following is a suitable unit to iron.
measure magnetic flux density?
11. Explain in detail the difference between magnetic
A. A m N-1 flux density and magnetic flux.
B. Kg A-1 s-2
C. A N-1 m-1 12. The magnetic flux through a coil of wire
D. T m-1 containing 5 loops changes from –25 Wb to
+ 15 Wb in 0.12 s. What is the induced emf in the
6. ��������������������������������������������������
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction states coil?
that the induced emf is
13. The wing of a Jumbo jet is 9.8 m long. It is flying
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A. equal to the change in magnetic flux at 840 km h–1. If it is flying in a region where the
B. equal to the change in magnetic flux linkage earth’s magnetic field has a vertical component
C. proportional to the change in magnetic flux of 7.2 × 10–4 T, what potential difference could be
linkage produced across the wing?
D. proportional to the rate of change of
magnetic flux linkage� 14. Find the total flux through an area of 0.04 m2
perpendicular to a uniform magnetic flux density
A uniform magnetic field of strength B completely
7. ������������������������������������� of 1.25 T.
links a coil of area A. The field makes an angle θ to
the plane of the coil. 15. If the total flux threading an area of 25 cm2 is
1.74 × 10–2 Wb, what would be the magnetic flux
B density?
θ 16. A coil of area 5 cm2 is in a uniform magnetis field
of flux density 0.2 T. Determine the magnetic flux
area A
in the coil when:

The magnetic flux linking the coil is (a) The coil is normal to the magnetic field
(b) The coil is parallel to the magnetic field
A. BAcosθ (c) The normal to the coil and the field have an
B. BA angle of 60°
C. BAsinθ
D. BAtanθ 17. A metal conductor 2.5 m long moves at right
angles to a magnetic field of 4.0 ×10-3 T with
8. What factors determine the magnitude of an a velocity of 35 m s-1.calculate the emf of the
induced emf? conductor.

9. Refer to Figure 1204. Use Lenz’s Law to explain 18.�����������������������������������������������

A square solenoid with 120 turns and sides of
what would happen if the solenoid was moved 5.0 cm is placed in air with each turn
rather than the magnet. perpendicular to a uniform magnetic flux density
of 0.60 T. Calculate the induced emf if the field
decreases to zero in 3.0 s.

320
 Electromagnetic Induction

19. A coil with 1500 turns and a mean area of 45 cm2

is placed in air with each turn perpendicular to 12.2.1 Emf in a coil rotated within
a uniform magnetic field of 0.65 T. Calculate the
induced emf if the field decreases to zero in 5.0 s. a uniform magnetic field

20. ��������������������������������������������
The radius of the copper ring is 0.15 m and The induced emf in a coil rotated within a uniform
its resistance is 2.0 × 10–2 Ω. A magnetic field magnetic field is sinusoidal if the rotation is at constant
strength is increasing at rate of 1.8 × 10–3 T s–1. speed.
Calculate the value of the induced current in the
copper ring. The most important practical application of the Laws of
Electromagnetic Induction was the development of the
electric generator or dynamo.
12.2 ALTERNATING
The frequency of the generator cycle used in power
CURRENT stations can be investigated with the use of a cathode ray
oscilloscope (CRO). A CRO can be used to measure the
voltage output of an ac source. If a low safe ac voltage (9V)
12.2.1 Describe the emf induced in a coil rotating from a power pack is connected to the CRO then its source
within a uniform magnetic field. is the power stations of your community supplier. If the
time-base is adjusted to obtain a sine curve trace on the

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12.2.2 Explain the operation of a basic alternating screen, the mains supply frequency can be determined.
current (ac) generator.

12.2.3 Describe the effect on the induced emf of Example

changing the generator frequency.

12.2.4 Discuss what is meant by the root mean In Figure 1215, if the potentiometer is set on 2 V/division
squared (rms) value of an alternating and the time base is set a 5 ms/cm, what is the voltage and
current or voltage. frequency of the ac generator?

12.2.5 State the relation between peak and rms

values for sinusoidal currents and voltages. Solution

12.2.6 Solve problems using peak and rms values.

The amplitude of the wave is 3 divisions and each division is
12.2.7 Solve ac circuit problems for ohmic 2 V. Therefore, the emf would be 6 V.
resistors.

12.2.8 Describe the operation of an ideal

transformer.

12.2.9 Solve problems on the operation of ideal

transformers.
© IBO 2007

Figure 1215  CRO trace

Between the two dots there are 6 divisions. Therefore, the

wavelength is equivalent to 12 divisions. Now there are
5 milliseconds/ cm. So the period of the wave is 60 ms, that
is, T = 60 ms.

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 Chapter 12

Therefore, the frequency of the source is given by, The magnitude of the emf and current varies with time
as shown in Figure 1217. Consider a coil ABCD rotating
f = --1- = --------------------
1 = 16.67 Hz clockwise initially in the horizontal position. From
T –3
60 × 10 the graph of current versus time, you can see that the
The frequency of the source is 17 Hz. current reaches a maximum when the coil is horizontal
and a minimum when the coil is vertical. If more lines of
magnetic flux are being cut, then the induced current will
12.2.2 Operation of a basic ac be greater. This occurs to the greatest extent when the coil
is moving at right angles to the magnetic field. When the
generator coil moves parallel to the field, no current flows.

A generator is essentially a device for producing electrical

energy from mechanical energy. (Remember that an electric current maximum current is produced when wire cut magnetic flux lines at 90°

motor did the opposite energy conversion). Generators B C C

B
use mechanical rotational energy to provide the force to A D
C A D
B
turn a coil of wire, called an armature, in a magnetic field A D
(the magnet can also be turned while the coil remains C B time
D
stationary). As the armature cuts the magnetic flux C B A

density, emfs are induced in the coil. As the sides of the D A

coil reverse direction every half turn, the emf alternates in

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zero current is produced when no wires are cutting magnetic flux line
polarity. If there is a complete circuit, alternating current
ac is produced. Figure 1217  The changes of current with time

The induced currents are conducted in and out by way of Each complete cycle of the sinusoidal graph corresponds
the slip-rings and the carbon brushes. to one complete revolution of the generator.

Turbines driven by steam or water are the commonest

devices used for the generation of electricity in modern 12.2.3 Changing frequency of the
day society.
generator
Figure 1216 shows a simple generator in which a coil is
rotating clockwise. The circuit is completed with a lamp The emf of a rotating coil can be calculated at a given time.
acting as the load. If a coil of N turns has an area A, and its normal makes an
angle θ with the magnetic field B, then the flux-linkage Φ
F
I
is given by:
I
N S N F
S Φ = N ×A× B cos θ
slip rings
I
The emf varies sinusoidally (sin and cos graphs have the
same shape) with time and can be calculated using
brush contacts
∆Φ ∆ cos θ
ε = – -------- = –N × A × B × ---------------
∆t ∆t
Figure 1216  AC generator
Using calculus and differentiating cos θ, this relationship
To determine the direction of the induced current becomes
produced as the coil rotates, we must apply Lenz’s Law.
∆θ
As the left hand side of the coil (nearest the north-pole of ε = N × A × B × sin θ × ------
∆t
the magnet) moves upward, a downward magnetic force
must be exerted to oppose the rotation. By applying the
right-hand palm rule for electromagnetic induction, you
can determine the direction of the induced current on that
side of the coil. The direction of the current in the right-
side of the coil can also be determined.

322
 Electromagnetic Induction

Remember from your knowledge of rotational motion that

Example 1
Δθ ÷ Δt = the angular velocity in rad s-1 = 2 π f

Also Calculate the peak voltage of a simple generator if the

square armature has sides of 5.40 cm and it contains 120
θ = ωt = 2 πft loops. It rotates in a magnetic field of 0.80 T at the rate of
110 revolutions per second.

so that
Solution
ε = ω × N × A × B × sin ( ωt)

So that, Making use of the formula above, that is,

ε = 2 πf ×N × A × B × sin (2 πft ) ε = ω N A B sin ( ωt )

= 2πf N A B sin ( 2 πft )
When the plane of the coil is parallel to the magnetic
field, sin ωt will have its maximum value as ωt = 90°, so We can see that the maximum emf will occur when sin ω
sin ωt = 1. This maximum value for the emf ε0 is called the t = 1, so that, εmax = ωNAB

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peak voltage, and is given by:
But, ω = 2 π f, so that
ε0 = ω NBA
ε0 = (2π) × (110.0 Hz) × (120 turns) × (5.4 × 10-4 m2) × (0.80 T)
Therefore:
= 35.8 V
ε = ε0 sin ω t
That is, the output voltage is 36 V.
The frequency of rotation in North America is 60 Hz but
the main frequency used by many other countries is 50 Hz.
Example 2
Note that if the speed of the coil is doubled then the
frequency and the magnitude of the emf will both increase
as shown in Figures 1218 and 1219 respectively. Suppose a coil with 1200 turns has an area of 2.0 × 10-2 m2
and is rotating at 50 revolutions per second in a magnetic
field of magnitude 0.50 T. Draw graphs to show how
the magnetic flux, the emf and the current change as a
ε/V

0 t /ms function of time. (Assume the current flows in a circuit

with a resistance of 25 Ω).

Solution
Figure 1218  Normal frequency

The magnetic flux in the coil changes over time as shown

in Figure 1220.
ε/V

0 t /ms
Φ = NBA = 1200 turns × 0.5 T × 2 × 10-2 m2 = 12 Wb

50 revolutions per second would have 1 revolution in 0.02

seconds = 20 ms.
Figure 1219  Doubled frequency

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 Chapter 12

12
12.2.4-12.2.5
Φ/Wb

t / ms
0 10 20 30 40
Peak and rms voltage
-12
An alternating current varies sinusoidally and can be
Figure 1220  Changing flux linkage over time represented by the equation
I = I p sin ( ωt)
We can see that the maximum emf will occur when
sin ω t = 1, so that,
εmax = ωNAB where I0 is the maximum current called the peak current
as shown in Figure 1223 for a 50 Hz mains supply.

But, ω = 2 π f, so that I0

ε0 = (2π) × (50 Hz) × (1200 turns) × (2 × 10-2 m2) × (0.50 T) t / ms

I/A
0 10 20 30 40

= 75.4V = 75V

The appropriate graph is shown in Figure 1221. Figure 1223  Peak current and current over time
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75 In commercial practice, alternating currents are expressed

in terms of their root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value.
t / ms
ε/V

0 10 20 30 40
Consider 2 identical resistors each of resistance R, one
-75 carrying d.c. and the other a.c. in an external circuit.
Suppose they are both dissipating the same power as
Figure 1221  Induced emf over time thermal energy.

The current flows in a circuit with a resistance of 25 Ω. The r.m.s. value of the alternating current that produces
the power is equal to the d.c. value of the direct current.
I = ε/R = ε0 sin ωt / R = I0 sin ωt where I0 75.4 V / 25 Ω =
3.0 A For the maximum value in a.c., the power dissipated is
given by
The appropriate graph is shown in Figure 1222.
2
P = V0 sin ( ωt ) × I0 sin ( ωt ) = V0 I0 sin ( ωt )
3

t / ms This means that the power supplied to the resistor in time

I/A

0 10 20 30 40
by an alternating current is equal to the average value of
-3 I 2R multiplied by time.

Figure 1222  Induced current over time P =I 2ave × R = I02 R sin2 ωt

Because the current is squared the, the value for the power
dissipated is always positive as shown in Figure 1224.

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 Electromagnetic Induction

Power
12.2.6 Solving problems using
I 0 2R
RMS and peak values
½ I 0 2R

10 20 30 40 50 t / ms
Example 1

Figure 1224  Power delivered to a resistor in an

alternating current circuit. In the USA, the r.m.s value of the “standard line voltage”
is 110 V and in some parts of Europe, it is 230 V. Calculate
The value of sin2ωt will therefore vary between 0 and 1. the peak voltage for each region.
Therefore its average value

= (0 + 1) / 2 = ½ . Solution

Therefore the average power that dissipates in the resistor

equals: V0 = √2 Vrms

Pave = ½ I02 R = I0 / √2 × I0 / √2 × R or In the USA = 1.414 × 110 V = 170 V

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or In Europe = 1.414 × 230 V = 325 V.

Pave = ½ V02 / R = (V0 / √2 × V0 / √2) / R.

Example 2
So the current dissipated in a resistor in an a.c. circuit
that varies between I0 and - I0 would be equal to a current
I0 /√2 dissipated in a d.c circuit. This d.c current is known The domestic standard line voltage in Australia is 240 V.
as r.m.s. equivalent current to the alternating current. Calculate the current and resistance in a 1200 W electric
jug and compare these values with the same electric jug
It can be shown that used in the USA.

Ir.m.s = I 0 × 2 and Vr.m.s = V0 × 2

Solution

Provided a circuit with alternating current only contains

resistance components, it can be treated like a direct Irms = Pave / Vrms and R = Vrms / Irms
current circuit.
In Australia:

I = 1200 W / 240 V = 5.0 A and R = 240 V / 5.0 A = 48 Ω

In the USA:

I = 1200 W / 110 V = 11 A and R = 110 V / 10.9 A = 10 Ω

The current would have a greater heating effect in the USA

than Australia but the element in the electric jug would need
to be made of a conductor with a a greater cross-sectional
area.

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 Chapter 12

12.2.7 Solving ac circuit problems

for ohmic resistors a.c. input
a.c. output
circuit symbol for
simple transformer
primary coil secondary coil

Example
Figure 1225  A simple transformer

The V0 value for a circuit containing a 35 Ω resistor is 45 V. When an ac voltage is applied to the primary coil, an ac
Calculate the current and the ������������������������
power dissipated in the voltage of the same frequency is induced in the secondary
resistor. coil. This frequency in most countries is 50 Hz.

When a current flows in the primary coil, a magnetic field

Solution is produced around the coil. It grows quickly and cuts the
secondary coil to induce a current and thus to induce a
magnetic field also. When the current falls in the primary
Vrms = V0 / √2 = 45 / 1.414 = 31.82 V. coil due to the alternating current, the magnetic field
collapses in the primary coil and cuts the secondary coil
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Irms = Vrms / R = 31.82 / 35 = 0.91 A. producing an induced current in the opposite direction.

Pave = I2 rms × R = 0.912 A2 × 35 Ω = 29 W. The size of the voltage input/output depends on the
number of turns on each coil. It is found that
Vp Np Is
12.2.8 Operation of an ideal ----- = ------ = ----
Ns
Vs Ip
transformer Where N = the number of turns on a designated coil and I
is the current in each coil.
A useful device that makes use of electromagnetic
induction is the ac transformer as it can be used for It can be seen that if Ns is greater than Np then the
increasing or decreasing ac voltages and currents. transformer is a step-up transformer. If the reverse
occurs and Ns is less than Np it will be a step-down
It consists of two coils of wire known as the primary and transformer.
secondary coils. Each coil has a laminated (thin sheets
fastened together) soft iron core to reduce eddy currents If a transformer was 100% efficient, the power produced
(currents that reduce the efficiency of transformers). The in the secondary coil should equal to the power input of
coils are then enclosed with top and bottom soft iron bars the primary coil. In practice the efficiency is closer to 98%
that increase the strength of the magnetic field. Figure because of eddy currents.
1225 shows a typical circuit for a simple transformer
V I
together with the recommended circuit symbol. VpIp = Vs Is ⇔ -----p- = ---s-
Vs Ip

This means that if the voltage is stepped-up by a certain

ratio, the current in the secondary coil is stepped-down
by the same ratio.

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 Electromagnetic Induction

(d) Using, P = VI, we have,

12.2.9 Solving problems on P = 240 × 150 × 10
–3
= 36 W
the operation of ideal (e) Efficiency =

transformers = 32.7 + 1.6

------------------------ × 100 % = 95%
36

Example 12.3 TRANSMISSION

OF ELECTRIC
The figure below shows a step-down transformer that is
used to light a filament globe of resistance 4.0 Ω under POWER
operating conditions.

Calculate 12.3.1 Outline the reasons for power losses in

transmission lines and real transformers.
(a) the reading on the voltmeter with S open
(b) the current in the secondary coil with an 12.3.2 Explain the use of high-voltage step-up and
effective resistance of 0.2 Ω with S closed step-down transformers in the transmission

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(c) the power dissipated in the lamp of electric power.
(d) the power taken from the supply if the
primary current is 150 mA 12.3.3 Solve problems on the operation of real
(e) the efficiency of the transformer. transformers and power transmission.

12.3.4 Suggest how extra-low-frequency

Solution electromagnetic fields, such as those
created by electrical appliances and power
lines, induce currents within a human body.

4.0 Ω V 240 V ac
12.3.5 Discuss some of the possible risks involved
S
in living and working near high-voltage
power lines.
© IBO 2007
50 turns 1000 turns

(a) Using the formula, VP / VS = Np / Ns, with Vp = 12.3.1 Power losses in transmission
240 V, Np = 1000 turns and Ns = 50 turns we have,
lines and real transformers
240
--------- = 1000 50
----------- ⇒ Vs = 240 × ----------- = 12
Vs 50 1000 There are a number of reasons for power losses in
transmission lines such as:
That is,
Vs = 12 V • Heating effect of a current
• Resistance of the metal used
(b) Total resistance = 0.2 Ω + 4 Ω = 4.2 Ω. • Dielectric losses
From the formula, I = V / R , we have • Self-inductance
12 V
I= = 2.86 A The main heat loss is due to the heating effect of a current.
4.2 Ω
By keeping the current as low as possible, the heating effect
(c) From the formula, P = VI = (IR) × I = I2R, we have can be reduced. The resistance in a wire due to the flow of
that electrons over long distances also has a heating effect. If
2 the thickness of the copper wire used in the core of the
P = 2.86 × 4.0 = 32.7 W
transmission line is increased, then the resistance can be
decreased. However, there are practical considerations

327
 Chapter 12

such as weight and the mechanical and tensional strength Hysteresis is derived from the Greek word that means
that have to be taken into account. The copper wire is “lagging behind” and it becomes an important factor in
usually braided (lots of copper wires wound together) the changes in flux density as a magnetic field changes
and these individual wires are insulated. The insulation in ferromagnetic materials. Transformer coils are subject
material has a dielectric value which can cause some power to many changes in flux density. As the magnetic field
loss. Finally, the changing electric and magnetic fields of strength increases in the positive direction, the flux
the electrons can encircle other electrons and retard their density increases. If the field strength is reduced to zero,
movement on the outer surface of the wire through self- the iron remains strongly magnetised due to the retained
inductance. This is known as the ‘skin effect’. The size of the flux density. When the magnetic field is reversed the flux
power loss depends on the magnitude of the transmission density is reduced to zero. So in one cycle the magnetisation
voltage, and power losses of the order of magnitude of lags behind the magnetising field and we have another
105 watts per kilometre are common. iron loss that produces heat. Hysteresis is reduced again by
using silicon iron cores.
Power losses in real transformers are due to factors such as:
The capacity for the primary coil to carry current is limited
• Eddy currents by the insulation and air gaps between the turnings of the
• Resistance of the wire used for the windings copper wire and this leads to flux leakage. This can be
• Hysteresis up to 50% of the total space in some cases. Because the
• Flux leakage power is being delivered to the transformer at 50Hz, you
• Physical vibration and noise of the core and can often hear them making a humming noise. Minimal
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windings energy is lost in the physical vibration and noise of the

• Electromagnetic radiation core and windings.
• Dielectric loss in materials used to insulate the core
and windings. Modern transformers are up to 99% efficient.

As already mentioned, any conductor that moves in a Long-distance AC alternating current transmission
magnetic field has emf induced in it, and as such current, is affected by a transmission line’s reactive power that
called eddy currents, will also be induced in the conductor. is actually 90 degrees out of phase with the flow of real
This current has a heating effect in the soft iron core of the current to a load at the other end of the line. For short
transformer which causes a power loss termed an iron loss. transmission lines, the effect is not as significant. Direct
There is also a magnetic effect in that the created magnetic current transmission does not have reactive power once
fields will oppose the flux change that produces them the voltage has been raised to the normal level. The power
according to Lenz’s Law. This means that eddy currents losses are considerably less than alternating current.
will move in the opposite direction to the induced current
causing a braking effect. Eddy currents are considerably
reduced by alloying the iron with 3% silicon that increases TOK  The dangers of EM radiation
the resistivity of the core. To reduce the heating effect due
to eddy currents, the soft-iron core is made of sheets of iron Students should be aware that current experimental
called laminations that are insulated from each other by evidence suggests that low‑frequency fields do not
an oxide layer on each lamination. This insulationprevents harm genetic material. Students should appreciate
currents from moving from one lamination to the next. that the risks attached to the inducing of current in
the body are not fully understood. These risks are
Copper wire is used as the windings on the soft-iron likely to be dependent on current (density), frequency
core because of its low resistivity and good electrical and length of exposure.
conductivity. Real transformers used for power
transmission reach temperatures well above room The use of risk assessment in making scientific
temperature and are cooled down by transformer oil. decisions can be discussed here. The issues of
This oil circulates through the transformer and serves correlation and cause, and the limitations of data, are
not only as a cooling fluid but also as a cleaning and anti- also relevant here.
© IBO 2007
corrosive agent. However, power is lost due resistance and
temperature commonly referred to as ‘copper loss’.

328
 Electromagnetic Induction

12.3.2 Power transmission 12.3.3 Solving problems on power

For economic reasons, there is no ideal value of voltage transmission
for electrical transmission. Electric power is generated
at approximately 11 000 V and then it is stepped-up to
the highest possible voltage for transmission. Alternating Example
current transmission of up to 765 kV are quite common.
For voltages higher than this, direct current transmission
at up to 880 kV is used. A.c. can be converted to d.c. An average of 120 kW of power is delivered to a suburb
using rectifiers and this is what is done in electric train from a power plant 10 km away. The transmission lines
and tram operations. D.c. can be converted to a.c. using have a total resistance of 0.40 Ω. Calculate the power loss
inverters. There a number of d.c. transmision lines such if the transmission voltage is
as the underground cross-channel link between the UK
and France. ��������
The New ������������������������������������
Zealand high-voltage direct current (a) 240 V
scheme has around 610 km of overhead and submarine (b) 24 000 V
transmission lines.

There are 3 conductors on a transmission line to maximize Solution

the amount of power that can be generated. Each high

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voltage circuit has three phases. The generators at the
power station supplying the power system have their coils (a) From the formula, P = VI, we have that
connected through terminals at 120° to each other.
5
When each generator at the power station rotates through P 1.2 × 10 W
I = --- = ----------------------------- = 500 A
a full rotation, the voltages and the currents rise and fall in V 240 V
each terminal in a synchronized manner.
So that
Once the voltage has been stepped-up, it is transmitted 2 2
into a national supergrid system from a range of power P = I × R = ( 500 A ) × ( 0.40 Ω ) = 100 kW
stations. As it nears a city or town it is stepped-down into a
smaller grid. As it approaches heavy industry, it is stepped (b) Again, using P = VI, we have,
down to around 33 – 132 kV in the UK, and when it arrives
at light industry it is stepped-down to 11-33 kV. Finally, 5
P 1.2 × 10 W
cities and farms use a range of values down to 240V from I = --- = ------------------------------ = 5.0 A
a range of power stations. V 2.4 × 10 V
4

When the current flows in the cables, some energy is lost So that,
to the surroundings as heat. Even good conductors such 2 2
as copper still have a substantial resistance because of the P = I × R = ( 5.0 A ) × ( 0.40 Ω ) = 10 W
significant length of wire needed for the distribution of
power via the transmission cables. To minimise energy
losses the current must be kept low.

329
 Chapter 12

2. An alternating current with a root-mean-square

12.3.4 Extra-low-frequency value of 2 A is compared with the direct current I
flowing through a given resistor. If both currents
electromagnetic fields generate heat at the same rate, the value of I would be

We have all seen though the media patients being given A. 4A

shock treatment through 2 electrodes to try and get the B. 2√2A
heart beat at its natural frequency. The human body is a C. 2A
conducting medium so �������������������������������
any alternating magnetic field D. √2A
produced at the extra-low frequency will induce an electric
field which in turn produces a very small induced current 3. An ideal transformer has a primary coil of 5000
in the body. Using a model calculation in a human of body turns and a secondary coil of 250 turns. The
radius 0.2 m and a conductivity of 0.2 Sm-1 (sieverts per primary voltage produced is 240 V. If a 24 W lamp
metre), it has been shown that a magnetic field of 160 μT connected to the secondary coil operates at this
can induce a body surface current density of 1 mA m-2. power rating, the current in the primary coil is:
It is currently recommended that current densities to the
head, neck and body trunk should not be greater than A. 0.05 A
10 mA m-2. B. 0.1 A
C. 12 A
D. 20 A
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12.3.5 Possible risks of high-

4. If an alternating e.m.f has a peak value of
voltage power lines 12 V then the root-mean-square value of this
alternating e.m.f would be:
Current experimental evidence suggests that low‑frequency
fields do not harm genetic material in adults but there is A. 0V
some evidence that there could be a link to infant cancer B. √6 V
rates due to low-frequency fields. The risks attached to the C. 3.5 V
inducing of current in the body are not fully understood. D. 6√2 V
It is likely that these risks are dependent on current
(density), frequency and length of exposure. 5. The figure
��������������������������������������������
below below shows the variation with
time t of the emf ε generated in a coil rotating in a
uniform magnetic field.
Exercise 12.2
ε0
ε/V
t
0 T/ 2 T
1. Which of the following could correctly describe a
step-up transformer? - ε0

power primary secondary What is the root-mean-square value ε rms of the emf
Core and also the frequency f of rotation of the coil?
supply coil coil
A. dc Steel 10 turns 100 turns
B. dc Iron 100 turns 10 turns ε rms f
C. ac Steel 10 turns 100 turns 2
A. ε0
D. ac Iron 100 turns 10 turns T
1
B. e0
T
2
C. e0 / √2
T
1
D. e0 / √2
T

330
 Electromagnetic Induction

6. A load resistor is connected in series with an 13. This question deals with the production and
alternating current supply of negligible internal transmission of electric power, electricity costs
resistance. If the peak value of the supply voltage is and efficiency, and fuse systems.
Vo and the peak value of the current in the resistor
is I0, the average power dissipation in the resistor (a) Is it feasible to transmit power from a
would be: power station over long distances using
V0 I 0 direct current rather than alternating
A. current? Justify your answer.
2 (b) An aluminum transmission cable has a
V0 I 0
B. resistance of 5.0 Ω when 10 kW of power
2 is transmitted in the cable. Justify why it is
C. 2 V0 I 0 better to transmit the power at 100 000V
rather than 1000 V by comparing the power
D. V0 I 0 that would be wasted in the transmission at
both of these voltages.
7. Explain why a soft-iron core is used in the (c) Many step-up and step-down transformers
construction of a transformer. are used in the electricity transmission from
the power station to the home. In order to
8. Explain why a transformer will not work with increase the efficiency of the transformers,
direct current. eddy currents have to minimised. Describe

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how this achieved in the transformer
9. If there are 1200 turns in the primary coil of an design.
ac transformer with a primary voltage of 240 V, (d) If the fuse controlling the maximum power
calculate the secondary voltage if the secondary for lighting in your house is rated at 8 A,
coil has calculate the maximum number of 60 W
light bulbs that can be operated in parallel
(a) 300 turns with a 110 V power supply so as not to blow
(b) 900 turns the fuse?
(c) 1800 turns (e) A stainless steel calorimeter with a mass of
720 g was used to heat 2.5 kg of water. If
10. The armature of a 30 Hz a.c. generator contains the current / voltage in a heating element
120 loops. The area of each loop is 2.0 × 10-2 m2 . supplying the power was 30.2 A / 110V,
It produces a peak output voltage of 120 V when it and it took 2.5 minutes to heat the water
rotates in a magnetic field. Calculate the strength from 25 °C to 98 °C, determine the specific
of the magnetic field. heat capacity of the steel. (Assume no heat
loss to the surroundings. The specific heat
11. Calculate the r.m.s value of the following currents: capacity of water is 4.18 × 103 J kg-1K-1).
(f) How much does it cost to run the following
2A, 4A, 6A, 3A, -5A, 1A, 6A, 8A, -9A and 10A. appliances at the same time for one hour if
electricity costs 10.5 cent per kilowatt-hour:
12. Calculate the peak current in a 2.4 × 103 Ω resistor a 6 kW oven, two 300 W colour televisions
connected to a 230 V domestic a.c source. and five 100 W light globes?

14. Name four factors that affect the magnitude of an

induced emf in a generator.

15. If there are 4 laminations in a transformer core,

what fraction of the flux is in each lamination and
what fraction the power dissipated in each?

331
AHL Chapter 12

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332
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

QUANTUM PHYSICS
AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS
13.1 (SL Option B1) Quantum physics

13.2 (SL Option B2) Nuclear physics

13

13.1 (sl option b.1) Quantum physics

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TOK  Introduction

This topic raises fundamental philosophical problems relating to the nature of observation and measurement.
The concept of a ‘paradigm shift’ can be discussed here and in particular how this paradigm shift led to the downfall of
Newtonian Determinism.

The quantum nature of radiation ultra-violet light and that the surface was always positively
charged. He concluded therefore that the ultra-violet light
caused negative charge to be ejected from the surface in
13.1.1 Describe the photoelectric effect. some manner. In 1899 Lenard showed that the negative
charge involved in the photo-electric effect consisted of
13.1.2 Describe the concept of the photon, and particles identical in every respect to those isolated by
use it to explain the photoelectric effect. J. J. Thomson two years previously, namely, electrons.

13.1.3 Describe and explain an experiment to test Figure 1301 (a) shows schematically the sort of arrangement
the Einstein model. that might be used to investigate the photo-electric effect
in more detail. The tube B is highly evacuated, and a
13.1.4 Solve problems involving the photoelectric potential difference of about 10 V is applied between
effect. anode and cathode. The cathode consists of a small zinc
© IBO 2007
plate, and a quartz window is arranged in the side of the
tube such that the cathode may be illuminated with ultra-
13.1.1 (B.1.1) The photoelectric violet light. The current measured by the micro-ammeter
gives a direct measure of the number of electrons emitted
effect at the cathode.

I n 1888, Heinrich Hertz carried out an experiment to

verify Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory of radiation.
Whilst performing the experiment Hertz noted that a spark
When the tube is dark no electrons are emitted at the
cathode and therefore no current is recorded. When ultra-
violet light is allowed to fall on the cathode electrons are
was more easily produced if the electrodes of the spark gap ejected and traverse the tube to the anode, under the
were illuminated with ultra-violet light. Hertz paid this fact influence of the anode-cathode potential. A small current
little heed, and it was left to one of his pupils, Hallswach, to is recorded by the micro-ammeter. Figure 1301 (b) shows
investigate the effect more thoroughly. Hallswach noticed a plot of photoelectric current against light intensity
that metal surfaces became charged when illuminated with for a constant anode-cathode potential. As you would

333
 Chapter 13

expect, the graph is a a straight line and doubling the light In terms of wave theory we would expect photo-emission
intensity doubles the number of electrons ejected at the to occur for light of any frequency. For example: consider
cathode. The graph of photoelectric current against light a very small portion of the cathode, so small in fact that
frequency, Figure 1301 (c) is not quite so obvious. The it contains only one electron for photo-emission. If the
graph shows clearly that there is a frequency of light below incident light is a wave motion, the energy absorbed by
which no electrons are emitted. This frequency is called this small portion of the cathode and consequently by the
the threshold frequency. Further experiment shows that electron will increase uniformly with time. The amount
the value of the threshold frequency is independent of the of energy absorbed in a given time will depend on the
intensity of the light and also that its value depends on the intensity of the incident light and not on the frequency.
nature of the material of the cathode. If the light of a given frequency is made very very feeble
there should be an appreciable time lag during which the
U.V. source
electron absorbs sufficient energy to escape from within
the metal. No time lag is ever observed.

P. E. current
μA 13.1.2 (B.1.2) Einstein and the
B
Cathode Anode photon
10 V
The existence of a threshold frequency and spontaneous
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emission even for light of a very low intensity cannot

be explained in terms of a wave theory of light. In 1905
Figure 1301 (a)  Apparatus to investigate the Einstein proposed a daring solution to the problem. Planck
photo-electric effect had shown that radiation is emitted in pulses, each pulse
having an energy hf where h is a constant known as the
Planck constant and f is the frequency of the radiation.
Why, argued Einstein, should these pulses spread out
as waves? Perhaps each pulse of radiation maintains a
separate identity throughout the time of propagation of
the radiation. Instead of light consisting of a train of waves
P.E. current

we should think of it as consisting of a hail of discrete

energy bundles. On this basis the significance of light
P.E. current

frequency is not so much the frequency of a pulsating

electromagnetic field, but a measure of the energy of each
‘bundle’ or ‘particle of light’. The name given to these tiny
bundles of energy is photon or quantum of radiation.
light intensity
Einstein’s interpretation of a threshold frequency is that
Figure
light 1301 (b)
intensity a photon below this frequency has insufficient energy to
remove an electron from the metal. The minimum energy
required to remove an electron from the surface of a metal
is called the work-function of the metal. The electrons in
P.E. current

the metal surface will have varying kinetic energy and so

at a frequency above the threshold frequency the ejected
P.E. current

electrons will also have widely varying energies. However,

according to Einstein’s theory there will be a definite upper
limit to the energy that a photo-electron can have. Suppose
we have an electron in the metal surface that needs just φ
units of energy to be ejected, where φ is the work function
f0 frequency of the metal. A photon of energy hf strikes this electron
and so the electron absorbs hf units of energy. If hf ≥ φ the
f0 frequency electron will be ejected from the metal, and if energy is to
be conserved it will gain an amount of kinetic energy EK
Figure 1301 (c) given by

334
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

EK = hf - φ determined using measurements from the spectra

associated with hot objects. The results of Millikan’s
Since φ is the minimum amount of energy required to experiment yielded the same value and the photoelectric
eject an electron from the surface, it follows that the above effect is regarded as the method by which the value of the
electron will have the maximum possible kinetic energy. Planck constant is measured. The modern accepted value
We can therefore write that is 6.2660693 × 10-34 J s. The intercept on the frequency axis
is the threshold frequency and intercept of the Vs axis is
EK = hf - φ numerically equal to the work function measured in
max
electron-volt.
Or
EK = hf – hf0 Figure 1302 shows the typical results of Millikan’s
max
experiment which shows the variation with frequency f of
Where f0 is the threshold frequency. Either of the above the maximum kinetic energy Ek .
equations is referred to as the Einstein Photoelectric
Equation. It is left to you as an exercise, using data from this graph, to
determine the Planck constant, and the threshold frequency
It is worth noting that Einstein received the Nobel prize and work function of the metal used for the cathode.
for Physics in 1921 for “his contributions to mathematical
physics and especially for his discovery of the law of the (Ans 6.6 × 10-34 J s, 4.5 eV)
photoelectric effect”.

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6

5
13.1.3 (B.1.3) Millikan’s 4
E k /eV
verification of Einstein’s 3

2
photoelectric equation
1

In 1916 Robert Millikan verified the Einstein photoelectric 0

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
equation using apparatus similar to that shown in 15
f /10 Hz
Figure 1301 (a). Millikan reversed the potential difference
between the anode and cathode such that the anode was Figure 1302  The results of Millikan’s experiment
now negatively charged. Electrons emiited by light shone
onto the cathode now face a ‘potential barrier’ and will only In summary, Figure 1303 shows the observations associated
reach the anode if they have a certain amount of energy. with the photoelectric effect and why the Classical theory,
The situation is analogous to a car freewheeling along the that is the wave theory, of electromagnetic radiation is
flat and meeting a hill. The car will reach the top of the unable to explain the observations i.e. makes predictions
hill only if its kinetic energy is greater than or equal to its inconsistent with the observations.
potential energy at the top of the hill. For the electron, if
Observation Classical theory predictions
the potential difference between cathode and anode is Vs
Emission of Energy should be absorbed by the
(‘stopping potential’) then it will reach the anode only if
electrons is electron continuously until it has
its kinetic energy is equal to or greater than Vse where e is
instantaneous sufficient energy to break free from the
the electron charge.
no matter metal surface. The less the intensity of
what the the incident radiation, the less energy
In this situation, the Einstein equation becomes
intensity of incident of the surface per unit time,
the incident so the longer it takes the electron to be
Vse = hf – hf0
radiation. ejected.
Millikan recorded values of the stopping potential for The existence The intensity of the radiation is
different frequencies of the light incident on the cathode. of a threshold independent of frequency. Emission of
For Einstein’s theory of the photoelectric effect to be frequency. electrons should occur for all frequencies.
correct, a plot of stopping potential against frequency
should produce a straight line whose gradient equals eh . Figure 1303  Observations associated with the
A value for the Planck constant had been previously photoelectric effect

335
 Chapter 13

The fact that the photoelectric effect gives convincing 2. State and explain two observations associated with
evidence for the particle nature of light, raises the question the photoelectric effect that cannot be explained
as to whether light consists of waves or particles. If by the Classical theory of electromagnetic
particulate in nature, how do we explain such phenomena radiation.
as interference and diffraction?. This is an interesting area
of discussion for TOK and it is worth bearing in mind that 3. In an experiment to measure the Planck constant,
Newton wrote in his introduction to his book Optics ‘It light of different frequencies f was shone on to the
seems to me that the nature of light be particulate’. surface of silver and the stopping potential Vs for
the emitted electrons was measured.

13.1.4 (B.1.4) Solve problems on The results are shown below. Uncertainties in the
data are not shown.
the photoelectric effect
Vs / V f / 1015 Hz
1.2 0.25
Example 1 1.6 1.7
2.0 3.3
2.5 5.6
Calculate the energy of a photon in light of wavelength 3.0 7.7
120 nm. 3.2 8.4
AHL

Plot a graph to show the variation of Vs with f.

Solution Draw a line of best-fit for the data points.

Use the graph to determine

c 3.0 ×10 8
f = = = 2.5 × 1015 Hz
λ 1.2 ×10 −7 (i) a value of the Planck constant
E = hf = 6.6 × 10-34 × 2.5 × 1015 = 1.7 × 10-18 J (ii) the work function of silver in electron-volt.

The wave nature of matter

Example 2

13.1.5 Describe the de Broglie hypothesis and the

The photoelectric work function of potassium is 2.0 eV. concept of matter waves.
Calculate the threshold frequency of potassium.
13.1.6 Outline an experiment to verify the
de Broglie hypothesis.
Solution
13.1.7 Solve problems involving matter waves.
© IBO 2007
−19
φ 2.0 ×1.6 ×10
f0 = = = 4.8 × 10 Hz
14
h 6.6 ×10 −34
13.1.5 (B.1.5) The de Broglie
Exercises hypothesis and matter waves

In 1923 Louis de Broglie suggested that since Nature should

1. Use data from example 2 to calculate the be symmetrical, that just as waves could exhibit particle
maximum kinetic energy in electron-volts of properties, then what are considered to be particles should
electrons emitted from the surface of potassium exhibit wave properties.
when illuminated with light of wavelength
120 nm.

336
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

We have seen (Section 7.3.4) that as a consequence of

Special relativity the total mass-energy of a particle is nickel
crystal accelerated
given by electron beam

E = mc2
scattered
We can use this expression to find the momentum of a electrons
photon by combining it with the Planck equation E = hf
such that electron detector

hc
E = hf = = mc 2
λ Figure 1305  The scattering of electrons by a nickel crystal
from which
Their vacuum system broke down and the crystal oxidized.
mc = h To remove the oxidization, Davisson and Germer heated
λ
the crystal to a high temperature. On continuing the
But mc is the momentum p of the photon, so that experiment they found that the intensity of the scattered
electrons went through a series of maxima and minima-
p= h the electrons were being diffracted. The heating of the
λ
nickel crystal had changed it into a single crystal and the

AHL
Based on this result, the de Broglie hypothesis is that any electrons were now behaving just as scattered X-rays do.
particle will have an associated wavelength given by p = λh (See Chapter 18 Topic G.6). Effectively, that lattice ions of
The waves to which the wavelength relates are called the crystal act as a diffraction grating whose slit width is
matter waves. equal to the spacing of the lattice ions.

For a person of 70 kg running with a speed of 5 m s-1, the Davisson and Germer were able to calculate the de Broglie
wavelength λ associated with the person is given by wavelength λ of the electrons from the potential difference
V through which they had been accelerated.
h 6.6 ×10 −34
λ= = ≈ 2 × 10-36 m
p 70 × 5 Using the relationship between kinetic energy and
This wavelength is minute to say the least. However, momentum, we have
consider an electron moving with speed of 107 m s-1, then
p2
its associated wavelength is E k = Ve =
2m
h 6.6 ×10 −34
λ= = ≈ 7 × 10-11 m Therefore
p 9.1 ×10 −31 ×10 7
Although small this is measurable. p = 2mVe

Using the de Broglie hypothesis p = h , we have

λ
13.1.6 (B.1.6) Experimental h
λ=
verification of the 2 mVe
They knew the spacing of the lattice ions from X-ray
de Broglie hypothesis measurements and so were able to calculate the predicted
diffraction angles for a wavelength equal to the de Broglie
In 1927 Clinton Davisson and Lester Germer who both wavelength of the electrons. The predicted angles were
worked at the Bell Laboratory in New Jersey, USA, were in close agreement with the measured angles and the
studying the scattering of electrons by a nickel crystal. de Broglie hypothesis was verified – particles behave as
A schematic diagram of their apparatus is shown in waves.
Figure 1305.
Of course we now have a real dilemma; waves behave
like particles and particles behave like waves. How can
this be? This so-called wave-particle duality paradox was
not resolved until the advent of Quantum Mechanics in

337
 Chapter 13

1926‑27. There are plenty of physicists today who argue Atomic spectra and atomic
that it has still not really been resolved. To paraphrase
what the late Richard Feynman once said, ‘If someone tells energy states
you that they understand Quantum Mechanics, they are
fooling themselves’.
13.1.8 Outline a laboratory procedure for
producing and observing atomic spectra.
13.1.7 (B.1.7) Solve problems
13.1.9 Explain how atomic spectra provide
involving matter waves evidence for the quantization of energy in
atoms.

Example 13.1.10 Calculate wavelengths of spectral lines

from energy level differences and vice
versa.
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron after
acceleration through a potential difference of 75 V. 13.1.11 Explain the origin of atomic energy levels
in terms of the “electron in a box” model.

Solution 13.1.12 Outline the Schrödinger model of the

AHL

hydrogen atom.
h
Use λλ = 13.1.13 Outline the Heisenberg uncertainty
2 mVe principle with regard to position–
6.6 ×10 −34 momentum and time–energy.
λ= = 1.4 nm. © IBO 2007
−31 −19
2 × 9.1 ×10 ×75 ×1.6 ×10
13.1.8-10 (B.1.8-10) Observing
Exercises Atomic Spectra
These topics are discussed in Topic 7.1.4. The following
1. Repeat the example above but for a proton. example will serve as a reminder and also reinforce the
concept of the photon.
2. Determine the ratio of the de Broglie wavelength
of an electron to that of a proton accelerated
through the same magnitude of potential Example
difference.

The diagram below shows some of the energy levels of the

hydrogen atom.
-0.85 eV
B
-1.50 eV

-3.4 eV

Calculate the frequency associated with the photon

emitted in each of the electron transitions A and B.

338
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

p2
Using E k = 2 m we have therefore that the energy of the
Solution electron En with wavelength λn
n2 h2
En =
A 8me L
Hence we see that the energy of the electron is quantized.
∆E = 3.4 – 0.85 = 2.6 eV = 2.6 × 1.6 × 10-19 J = 4.2 × 10-19 J
4.2 ×10 −19
= hf to give f =
6.6 ×10 −34
= 6.4 × 1014 Hz 13.3.12 (B.1.12) The Schrödinger
B model of the hydrogen atom
0.65 ×1.6 ×10 −19
f = = 1.6 × 1014 Hz In 1926 Erwin Schrödinger proposed a model of the
6.6 ×10 −34 hydrogen atom based on the wave nature of the electron
The corresponding wavelengths are A = 470 nm and and hence the de Broglie hypothesis. This was actually the
B = 190 nm birth of Quantum Mechanics. Quantum mechanics and
General Relativity are now regarded as the two principal
Transition A gives rise the blue line in the visible spectrum theories of physics
of atomic hydrogen and B to a line in the infrared region of
the spectrum. The mathematics of Schrödinger’s so-called wave-

AHL
mechanics is somewhat complicated so at this level, the
best that can be done is to outline his theory. Essentially,
13.3.11 (B.1.11) The origin of the he proposed that the electron in the hydrogen atom
is described by a wave function. This wave function is
energy levels described by an equation known as the Schrödinger wave
equation, the solution of which give the values that the
The electron is bound to the nucleus by the Coulomb wave function can have. If the equation is set up for the
force and this force will essentially determine the energy electron in the hydrogen atom, it is found that the equation
of the electron. If we were to regard the hydrogen atom for will only have solutions for which the energy E of the
instance as a miniature Earth-Moon system, the electron’s electron is given by E = (n + ½ )hf. Hence the concept of
energy would fall off with inverse of distance from the quantization of energy is built into the equation. Of course
nucleus and could take any value. However we can the we do need to know what the wave function is actually
origin of dither existence of discrete energy levels within describing. In fact the square of the amplitude of the wave
the atom if we consider the wave nature of the electron. function measures the probability of locating the electron
To simplify matters we shall consider the electron to be in a specified region of space.
confined by a one dimensional box rather than a three
dimensional “box” whose ends follow a 1 shape. The solution of the equation predicts exactly the line
r
spectra of the hydrogen atom. If the relativistic motion
In classical wave theory, a wave that is confined is a of the electron is taken into account, the solution even
standing wave. If our electron box is of length L then the predicts the fine structure of some of the spectral lines.
allowed wavelengths λn are give by (see Topic 11.1) (For example, the red line on closer examination, is found
to consist of seven lines close together.)
2L
λn = where n = 1, 2 , 3 …)
n
The Schrödinger equation is not an easy equation to solve
However from the de Broglie hypothesis we have that and to get exact solutions for atoms other than hydrogen
or singly ionised helium, is well-nigh impossible.
h nh
pn = = Nonetheless, Schrödinger’s theory changed completely the
λn 2 L direction of physics and opened whole new vistas- and
posed a whole load of new philosophical problems.

339
 Chapter 13

means is that if its momentum is defined precisely, then

13.3.13 (B.1.13) The Heisenberg its associated probability wave is infinite in extent and we
have no idea where it is. Effectively, the more precisely we
Uncertainty Principle know the momentum of a particle, the less precisely we
know its position and vice versa.
In 1927 Werner Heisenberg proposed a principle that went
along way to understanding the interpretation of the From the argument above, we see that in the real world
Schrödinger wave function. Suppose the uncertainty in waves are always made up of a range of wavelengths and
our knowledge of the position of a particle is ∆x and the form what is called a wave group. If this group is of length
uncertainty in the momentum is ∆p, then the Uncertainty ∆x, then classical wave theory predicts that the wavelength
Principle states that the product ∆x∆p is at least the order of spread ∆λ in the group is given by
h, the Planck constant. A more rigorous analysis shows that
1
h ∆   ∆x ≈ 1
∆x∆p ≥ λ
4π
If we consider the wave group to be associated with a
To understand how this links in with the de Broglie particle i.e. a measure of the particle momentum, then
hypothesis and wave functions, consider a situation in
which the momentum of a particle is known precisely.  1  ∆p
∆  =
h
In this situation, the wavelength is given by λ = p and λ h
is completely defined. But for a wave to have a single that is
AHL

wavelength it must be infinite in time and space. For

∆p
example if you switch on a sine-wave signal generator and ∆x ≈ 1
observe the waveform produced on an oscilloscope, you h
will indeed see a single frequency/wavelength looking or
wave. However, when you switch off the generator, the
wave amplitude decays to zero and in this decay there ∆p ∆x ≈ h
will be lots of other wavelengths present. So if you want
a pure sine wave, don’t ever switch the generator off and, We have in fact used the classical idea of a wave but
conversely, never switch it on. For our particle what this we have interpreted the term ∆  1  as a measure of the
λ

TOK  What is quantum mechanics?

The advent of quantum mechanics meant that the determinism of classical physics was a thing of the past. In classical
physics, it was believed that if the initial state of a system is known precisely, then the future behaviour of the system
could be predicted for all time. However, according to quantum mechanics, because of the inability to define the initial
data with absolute precision, such predictions can no longer be made. In classical physics it was thought that the only
thing that limited knowing the initial state of the system with sufficient precision was determined basically by precision
of the measuring tool. The Uncertainty principle put paid to this idea – uncertainty is an inherent part of Nature.

There have been many attempts to understand what quantum mechanics is really all about. On a pragmatic level, many
physicists accept that it works and get on with their job. Others worry about the many paradoxes to which it leads.

One of the true mysteries (apart from the ever famous Schrödinger cat) is the double slit experiment and its interpretation.
Fire electrons at a double slit and just like light waves, an observable interference pattern can be obtained. However, if
you observe through which slit each electron passes, the interference pattern disappears and the electrons behave like
particles. If you can interpret this then you can “understand” what quantum mechanics is all about. However, remember
what Richard Feynman had to say on this topic.

Finally, if quantum mechanics is the “correct” physics, why do we in this course spend so much time learning classical
physics? An example might suffice to answer this question.

If you apply Newtonian mechanics to the motion of a projectile, you get the “right” answer, if you apply it to the motion
of electrons, you get the “wrong” answer. However, if you apply quantum mechanics to each of these motions, in each
case you will get the right answer. The only problem is, that using quantum mechanics to solve a projectile problem is like
using the proverbial sledge-hammer to crack a walnut. We must move on.

340
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

uncertainty in the momentum of a particle and this leads

d = distance of
to the idea of the Uncertainty Principle. You will not be
closest approach
expected to produce this argument in an IB examination
and is presented here only as a matter of interest.
region
The Principle also applies to energy and time. If ∆E is the path of deflected α-particle
occupied by
uncertainty in a particle’s energy and ∆t is the uncertainty gold nucleus
in the time for which the particle is observed is ∆t, then
path of incoming α-particle
h
∆E ∆t =
4π Figure 1307  An α-particle colliding with a gold nucleus
This is the reason why spectral lines have finite width.
For a spectral line to have a single wavelength, there must The kinetic energy of the α-particle when it is a long way
be no uncertainty in the difference of energy between from the nucleus is Ek. As it approaches the nucleus, due
the associated energy levels. This would imply that the to the Coulomb force, its kinetic energy is converted into
electron must make the transition between the levels in electrostatic potential energy. At the distance of closest
zero time. approach all the kinetic energy will have become potential
energy and the α-particle will be momentarily at rest.
Hence we have that
13.2 (SL OPTION B.2) Ze × 2e Ze 2

AHL
Ek = =
Nuclear physics 4πε 0 d 2πε 0 d
Where Z is the proton number of gold such that the charge
of the nucleus is Ze . The charge of the α-particle is 2e.
13.2.1 Explain how the radii of nuclei may be
estimated from charged particle scattering For an α-particle with kinetic energy 4.0 MeV we have that
experiments.
2πε 0 E k 2 × 3.14 × 8.85 ×10 −12× 4.0 ×10 6
d= =
13.2.2 Describe how the masses of nuclei may Ze 2 79 ×1.6 ×10 −19
be determined using a Bainbridge mass =1.2 × 10-13 m
spectrometer.
The distance of closest approach will of course depend on
13.2.3 Describe one piece of evidence for the the initial kinetic energy of the α-particle. However, as
existence of nuclear energy levels. the energy is increased a point is reached where Coulomb
© IBO 2007
scattering no longer take place. The above calculation is
therefore only an estimate. It is has been demonstrated at
13.2.1 (B.2.1) Nuclei radii separations of the order of 10-15 m, the Coulomb force is
overtaken by the strong nuclear force.
In 7.1.2 we outlined how the Geiger-Marsden experiment,
in which α-particles were scattered by gold atoms,
provided evidence for the nuclear model of the atom. 13.2.2 (B.2.2) Measuring nuclear
The experiment also enabled an estimate of the nuclear
diameter to be made. masses

Figure 1307 shows an α-particle that is on a collision The measurement of nuclear (isotope) masses is achieved
course with a gold nucleus and its subsequent path. Since using a mass spectrometer. A form of mass spectrometer
the gold nucleus is much more massive than the α-particle is shown in Figure 1308.
we can ignore any recoil of the gold nucleus.
Positive ions of the element under study are produced in a
high voltage discharge tube (not shown) and pass through
a slit (S1) in the cathode of the discharge tube. The beam of
ions is further collimated by passing through slit S2 which
provides an entry to the spectrometer. In the region X, the
ions move in crossed electric and magnetic fields.

341
 Chapter 13

S1 electron transitions in the hydrogen atom which are only of

the order of several eV.
S2
Plate X
P1 P2 The existence of nuclear energy levels receives complete
S3 experimental verification from the fact that γ-rays from
B’ radioactive decay have discrete energies consistent with
the energies of the α-particles emitted by the parent
Y nucleus. Not all radioactive transformations give rise to
γ-emission and in this case the emitted α-particles all have
the same energies.
Figure 1308  Measuring nuclear masses

The electric field is produced by the plates P 1 and P 2 Radioactive decay

and the magnetic field by a Helmholtz coil arrangement.
The region X acts as a velocity selector. If the magnitude
of the electric field strength in this region is E and that 13.2.4 Describe β+ decay, including the existence
of the magnetic field strength is B (and the magnitude of of the neutrino.
the charge on an ion is e) only those ions which have a v
velocity given the expression Ee = Bev will pass through the 13.2.5 State the radioactive decay law as an
slit S3 and so enter the main body, Y, of the instrument. exponential function and define the decay
AHL

constant.
A uniform magnetic field, B´, exists in this region and in
such a direction as to make the ions describe circular orbits. 13.2.6 Derive the relationship between decay
From Sections 2.4 and 6.3 we see that for a particular ion constant and half-life.
the radius r of the orbit is given by,
13.2.7 Outline methods for measuring the half-life
mv2 mv
= B´ev that is r = of an isotope.
r B´e
Since all the ions have very nearly the same velocity, ions 13.2.8 Solve problems involving radioactive half-
of dif­ferent masses will describe orbits of different radii, life.
© IBO 2007
the variations in value depending only on the mass of the
ion. A number of lines will therefore be obtained on the
photographic plate P, each line corresponding to a different 13.2.4 (B.2.4) β- decay
isotopic mass of the element. The position of a line on the
plate will enable r to be determined and as B´, e and v are We say in 7.2.2 that β- decay results from the decay of a
known, m can be determined. neutron into a proton and that β+ decay results from the
decay of a proton in a nucleus into a neutron viz,

13.2.3 (B.2.3) Nuclear energy levels 1

0 n → 11 p + −01 e + –
ν
The α-particles emitted in the radioactive decay of a and
particular nuclide do not necessarily have the same energy.
For example, the energies of the α-particles emitted in the
1
1 p → 01 n + −01 e + ν
decay of nuclei of the isotope thorium-C have six distinct
energies, 6.086 MeV being the greatest value and 5.481 It is found that the energy spectrum of the β-particles is
MeV being the smallest value. To understand this we continuous whereas that of any γ-rays involved is discrete.
introduce the idea of nuclear energy levels. For example, if This was one of the reasons that the existence of the
a nucleus of thorium emits an α‑particle with energy 6.086 neutrino was postulated otherwise there is a problem with
MeV, the resultant daughter nucleus will be in its ground the conservation of energy. α-decay clearly indicates the
state. However, if the emitted α-particle has energy 5.481 existence of nuclear energy levels so something in β-decay
MeV, the daughter will be in an excited energy state and will has to account for any energy difference between the
reach its ground state by emitting a gamma photon of energy maximum β-particle energy and the sum of the γ-ray plus
0.605 MeV. Remember that the energy of photons emitted by intermediate β-particle energies. We can illustrate how
the neutrino accounts for this discrepancy by referring

342
 Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics

to Figure 1309 that show the energy levels of a fictitious therefore

daughter nucleus and possible decay routes of the parent
nucleus undergoing β+ decay.
ln N − ln N0 = −λ t
or
parent nucleus
N = N0 e− λt
β+ β+ β+ This is the radioactive decay law and verifies mathemat-
ν ν
excited level of
ically the exponential nature of radioactive decay that we
daughter nucleus introduced in 7.2.6.
γ γ γ

ground state of
daughter nucleus 13.2.6 (B.2.6) Half-life
Figure 1309  Neutrinos and the conservation of energy The radioactive decay law enables us to determine a
relation between the half-life of a radioactive element and
The figure shows how the neutrino accounts for the the decay constant.
continuous β spectrum without sacrificing the conser-
vation of energy. An equivalent diagram can of course be If a sample of a radioactive element initially contains N0
drawn for β- decay with the neutrino being replaced by an atoms, after an interval of one half-life the sample will
anti-neutrino. contain N2 atoms. If the half-life of the element is T½ from
0

AHL
the decay law we can write that
− λT1
N0
13.2.5 (B.2.5) The radioactive = N0 e 2
2
decay law or

We have seen in 7.2.6 that radioactive decay is a random e-λ T½ = 1

process. However, we are able to say that the activity of a 2
sample element at a particular instant is proportional to that is
the number of atoms of the element in the sample at that
instant. If this number is N we can write that T½ = ln 2
λ
∆N
= −λ N
∆t 13.2.7 (B.2.7) Measuring
where λ is the constant of proportionality called the decay
constant and is defined as ‘the probability of decay of a radioactive half-life
nucleus per unit time’.
The method used to measure the half-life of an element
The above equation should be written as a differential depends on whether the half-life is relatively long or
equation i.e. relatively short. If the activity of a sample stays constant
dN
= −λ N over a few hours it is safe to conclude that it has a
dt relatively long half-life. On the other had if its activity
This equation is solved by separating the variables and drops rapidly to zero it is clear it has a very short half-life.
integrating viz,
dN
= −λ dt Elements with long half-lives
N
such that
Essentially the method is to measure the activity of a
ln N = − t + constant
known mass of a sample of the element. The activity can
It is then said that at time t = 0 the number of atoms is N0 be measured by a Geiger counter and the decay equation
such that in its differential form is used to find the decay constant.
An example will help understand the method.
ln N0 = constant

343
 Chapter 13

A sample of the isotope uranium-234 has a mass of 2.0

µg. Its activity is measured as 3.0 × 103 Bq. The number of 13.2.8 (B.2.8) Solve problems
atoms in the sample is
2.0 ×10 −6 2.0 ×10 −6 involving radioactive
= = 3.3 × 1016
NA 6.0 ×10 23
∆N
half-life
Using = −λ N we have
∆t
Example
∆N
3.0 ×10 3
λ = ∆t = = 9.0 × 10-14 s-1
N 3.3 ×10 16
1. The isotope radium-223 has a half-life of 11.2 days.
Using the relation between half-life and decay constant we Determine
have
(i) the decay constant for radium-223
0.69
T½ = ln 2 = = 7.6 × 1012 s ≈ 2.4 × 105 years (ii) the fraction of a given sample that will have
λ 9.0 ×10 −14
decayed after 3 days.

Elements with short half-lives

Solution
AHL

For elements that have half-lives of the order of hours,

the activity can be measured by measuring the number of
decays over a short period of time (minutes) at different (i) 0.0616 day-1
time intervals. A graph of activity against time is plotted
and the half-life read straight from the graph. Better is (ii) 0.169
to plot the logarithm of activity against time to yield a
straight line graph whose gradient is equal to the negative
value of the decay constant. Exercises

For elements with half-lives of the order of seconds, the

ionisation properties of the radiations can be used. If the 1. The isotope technetium-99 has a half-life of
sample is placed in a tube across which an electric field is 6.02 hours. A freshly prepared sample of the
applied, the radiation from the source will ionise the air isotope has an activity of 640 Bq. Calculate the
in the tube and thereby give rise to an ionisation current. activity of the sample after 8.00 hours.
With a suitable arrangement, the decay of the ionisation
current can be displayed on an oscilloscope. 2. A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 18 days.
2
Calculate the time it takes for of the atoms in a
5
The above is just an outline of the methods available for sample of the isotope to decay.
measuring half-lives and is sufficient for the HL course.
Clearly in some cases the actual measurement can be very 3. A nucleus of potassium-40 decays to a stable
tricky. For example, many radioactive isotopes decay into nucleus of argon-40. The half-life of potassium-40
isotopes that themselves are radioactive and these in turn is 1.3 × 109 yr.
decay into other radioactive isotopes. So, although one
may start with a sample that contains only one radioactive In a certain lump of rock, the amount of
isotope, some time later the sample could contain several potassium-40 is 2.1 µg and the amount of trapped
radioactive isotopes. argon-40 is 1.7 µg. Estimate the age of the rocks.

344
 Digital Technology

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
14.1 (SL Option C.1) Analogue and digital signals

14.2 (SL Option C.2) Data capture; digital imaging using CCDs 14

AHL
14.1 (sl option c.1) Analogue and digital signals
In effect, the central processing chip of your computer
14.1.1 Solve problems involving the conversion consists of millions of transistors acting as electronic
between binary numbers and decimal switches.
numbers.
So if computers work with binary numbers and we work
14.1.2 Describe different means of storage of with decimal numbers, we need to be able to covert
information in both analogue and digital decimal to binary and vice versa.
forms.
Converting from decimal to binary is a little tedious.
14.1.3 Explain how interference of light is used to Essentially, you have to find the largest power of 2 that
recover information stored on a CD. is less than the decimal number and then subtract and
keep repeating this until you reach 20, putting a 1 for the
14.1.4 Calculate an appropriate depth for a pit first zero value reached then zero’s for the powers of 2 that
from the wavelength of the laser light. are left We can see how this works for the number 236 by
© IBO 2007
looking at Table 1401.

14.1.1 (C.1.1) binary and decimal power of 2 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20

subtractions 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
When we write down a number such as 236, we are actually denary number left 108 44 12 12 4 1 0 0
using a short hand notation and also assuming that the binary 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
number is to the base 10. In base 10, the short hand 236
actually means 2 × 102 + 3 × 101 + 6 × 100 i.e. 200 + 30 + 6. Figure 1401  Converting from binary to decimal
If the number where to the base 7, then 236 would mean
2 × 72 + 3 × 71 + 6 × 70 = 98 + 21 + 6 = 125 in decimal. The conversion therefore gives 236 in binary as 11101000

So, numbers can be to any base, the simplest, and perhaps = 1 × 27 +1 × 26 + 1 × 25 + 0 × 24 + 1 × 23 + 1 × 22 + 0 × 21 + 0 × 20
the most important, being base 2, or the binary system as
it is often called. The reason why it is so important is that it = 128 + 64 + 32 + 8 + 4 = 236.
forms the basis of all modern information technology. And
why? Because the simplest electronic device is a switch
and a switch is either OFF (binary 0) or ON (binary 1).

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 Chapter 14

Clearly, as seen from this example, converting binary into

denary is a lot simpler. To emphasise the point the binary 14.1.2 (C.1.2) information storage
number 10011 = 1 × 24 + 0 × 23 + 0 × 22 + 1 × 21 + 1 × 20
Essentially information may be represented in two forms,
= 16 + 2 + 1 = 19. analogue and digital.

NB. In the IB examination problems will be limited to 5 Analogue information varies continuously and can have
digit binary numbers. an infinite number of values. For example, the length of
the mercury column in a mercury-in-glass thermometer
varies continuously and although you might read the
Exercise temperature as 18 °C, it could be 18.324556791 °C. On
the other hand, the information conveyed by a two colour
traffic signals is digital, that is, the signal is either red or
1. Convert the decimal numbers 15 and 62 to binary. green.

2. Convert 1000011 to decimal. If information is to be stored, then it can also be stored

in analogue or digital form. For example, personal
information such as name, address, age might be stored
Least significant bit (LSB) and as written information on a card index (analogue) or as
a series of punched holes on a paper tape (digital). Such
AHL

most significant bit (MSB) information can also be stored electronically on magnetic
tape (analogue) or on a digital versatile (video) disc,
In any binary number the last digit on the right of the DVD, (digital). Music or speech is stored on a long-
number is referred to as the least significant bit (LSB) and playing record (LP) in analogue form and on a compact
essentially determines whether the decimal number is odd disc (CD) in digital form. Clearly in the world of today,
or even. most information is stored electronically and in digital
form and it this that this topic looks at in more detail.
The most significant bit (MSB) on the other hand is the
first digit on the left of a binary number. We can understand how an analogue voltage signal can
be encoded as a digital signal by looking at the following
For example, if we consider the binary number 11010, the example.
LSB is 0 and the MSB is 1. The MSB is therefore a 5-bit
binary number of value 16. Suppose the amplitude of the analogue voltage is 6.0 V.
Our ‘digital storage device’ has a clock reference system as
The least significant bits have the useful property of shown in Figure 1402. The 6.0 V voltage is then encoded
changing rapidly if the number changes even slightly. For as the binary pulse 0110.
example, if 2 (binary 00000010 ) is added to 3 (binary
00000011), the result will be 5 (binary 00000101) and 0 1 1 0
three of the least significant bits will change (010 to 101).
By contrast, the three most significant bits stay unchanged binary voltage pulse
(000 to 000).

A word of warning. In some literature the abbreviations

reference
LSB and MSB stand for least significant byte and most pulse
significant byte respectively. For bits, the abbreviations are
lsb and msb. A byte is just a binary number so, for example
LSB would refer to the least significant number in an array Figure 1402  A binary pulse
of numbers.
If a microphone is attached to an oscilloscope and you
sing into the microphone then the sound of your voice
is converted into an analogue voltage signal that will be
shown displayed on the screen of the oscilloscope. We can
now see from Figure 1402, the principle behind converting
your voice into a digital signal.

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 Digital Technology

14.1.3,4 (C.1.3,4) the CD Example

The essential structure of CD is shown in Figure 1403 (a).

label Laser light of wavelength 780 nm is used to read the data
label stored on a CD. Calculate the minimum height of the
bumps (depth of the pits) that must be etched onto the CD
in order that the stored data can be read.
acrylic protection
acrylic protection

Solution
aluminium aluminium

plastic The light reflected from the flat, that is the bottom of the
plasticpit created by the bumps, travels a distance 2d further to
Figure depth
1403 (a)  CD structure
≈ 150 nm
the receiver than the light reflected from the bump.

depth ≈ 150 nm For destructive interference the path difference between

λ λ 780
the light equals . d = =
2 4 4
0.5 µm
λ λ

AHL
780
Hence d = = = 195 nm.
2 4 4
0.5 µm
1.6 µm receiver and emitter

1.6 µm

Figure 1403 (b)  CD micro-structure

Information is encoded onto the surface of the aluminium

d
as a series of “bumps” and flats. The bumps represent a
binary zero and the flats a binary 1. The dimensions of the
bumps and flats are very small indeed, about 0.5 µm wide, Figure 1404  How a laser reads a CD
0.83 µm long and about 150 nm deep. The bumps and flats
are arranged along tracks which are separated by about 1.6 The essential difference between a CD and a DVD is in
µm as is shown in Figure 1402 (b). It is this that enables terms of the amount of data that they can store. Typically
such a great deal of data to be stored in such a relatively a CD can store 650 MB and a DVD 4.7 GB. The reason for
small area. To “read” the data, light from a laser is shone this is that in a DVD the pits are 0.44 µm in diameter and
onto the aluminium. The bumps appear as pits on the the tracks are only 0.74 µm apart.
aluminium side, but on the side that the laser reads, they
are indeed bumps. For this reason you will often come The laser light used to read data from a CD or DVD is
across the term “pit” with reference to CDs and DVDs. focussed by a lens onto the pits and flats. The lens acts as a
circular aperture  and produces a diffraction pattern on the
The laser light reflected from the flat will be read as a disk.  If more than one pit falls inside the central maxima
binary one. However, if the depth of the bumps and the of the diffraction pattern, the pits cannot be resolved and
wavelength of the light is just right, light reflected from the information is lost.  The Raleigh criterion (see 11.4) gives
edge of the bump and the flat will interfere destructively the condition for resolution namely
and the absence of reflected light will be read as a zero. We
can illustrate this by means of the following example.

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 Chapter 14

λ
14.1.6 (C.1.6) the advantages of
θ = 1.22
b the storage of information
where b is the diameter of the lens.
in digital rather than
If d is the distance of the focussing lens from the CD
surface and r is the radius of the principal maximum of analogue form
the diffraction pattern formed on the surface, then
The advantages of storing data in digital form as opposed
r λ
= 1.22 to analogue form can be summarised as follows:
d b
Since for a DVD r is smaller than that for a CD, the above • quality and corruption
equation shows that the wavelength of the laser light used • reproducibility (accuracy)
to read the data must be less than that used for a CD. • portability and high capacity
(Provided all other quantities remain constant). • manipulation

14.1.5 Solve problems on CDs and DVDs related to Quality and corruption
data storage capacity.
AHL

Digital data is far less likely to be corrupted than analogue

14.1.6 Discuss the advantage of the storage of data. For example, if speech or music is stored on magnetic
information in digital rather than analogue tape in analogue form, over time the magnetic field
form. strength of the magnetised areas of the tape will decrease
and the information will become blurred and indistinct.
14.1.7 Discuss the implications for society of ever- However, if the data is stored as regions of no magnetic
increasing capability of data storage. field (0) and regions of magnetic field (1), even when the
© IBO 2007
field reduces in strength, the distinction between 0 and 1
will still be readable.
14.1.5 (C.1.5) Solve problems on
CDs and DVDs related to Reproducibility (accuracy)
data storage capacity When data is stored we often need to know where it stored
in the storage device. Digital data enables an address to be
given to each part of the storage system. Also, numeric data
Exercises can be stored to a much higher degree of accuracy than
analogue data (think about the thermometer mentioned
in 14.1.2). We have also seen that the same data can be
1. A typical wavelength of light used to read data retrieved over and over again without it being corrupted.
from a CD is 780 nm and from a DVD is 640nm.
Assuming that the physical dimensions of the Storing alphabetic data in analogue form is fraught with
read-out mechanism for a CD and DVD are problems not least in reproducing the data accurately.
approximately the same, estimate the ratio of the With digital storage, each letter of the alphabet and
depth of pit on CD compared to the depth of pit each punctuation symbol can be assigned a specific
on DVD. binary number. The digital code used is called the ASCII
code - A(merican) S(tandard) C(ode for) I(nformation)
2 The wavelength used to read data from a DVD in I(nterchange).
a particular DVD player is 635 nm. Estimate the
depth of the pits on the DVD.

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 Digital Technology

Portability and high capacity

14.2 (SL OPTION C.2)
As we have seen above, an enormous amount of
information can be stored on CDs and DVDs. In Data capture;
computing, floppy discs that can store about 1 MB have
been replaced with “memory sticks” that can store up to digital imaging
8 GB (at the time of publication). All of these devices can
be easily slipped into a pocket or handbag. using CCDs
Emerging technologies such as Blu-ray® and HD DVD®
have the capacity to store between 17-51 GB. 14.2.1 Define capacitance.

14.2.2 Describe the structure of a charge‑coupled

Manipulation device (CCD).

The fact that numeric information can be stored accurately 14.2.3 Explain how incident light causes charge to
in a digital form in elctronic calculators for example means build up within a pixel.
not only that it is much easier to manipulate and process
the data but the results of calculations should be less prone 14.2.4 Outline how the image on a CCD is digitized.
© IBO 2007
to error.

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Also the fact that alphabetic data is easily stored in 14.2.1 and C.2.1 capacitance
digital form means that the data can readily sorted and
manipulated as in a database. In Topic 9.3 we learnt that the potential V of a sphere of
radius r is which has a charge Q is given by the expression

14.1.7 (C.1.7) the implications for V=

Q
4πε 0 r
society of ever-increasing From this we see that the ratio VQ is equal to 4πε 0 r . This in
effect means that the quantity of charge that can be stored
capability of data storage per unit of potential of the sphere depends only on its
geometry. This is in fact true for any system that can store
Clearly there are issues arising from the ever increasing electric charge and we call this property of the system
amount of data that can be stored, and these issues are left capacitance. It is given the symbol C and is defined as
for your teacher to raise during the teaching of this topic.
Q
C=
However, one issue in particular that your teacher might V
like to consider is the moral and ethical implications of The SI unit of capacitance C V-1 is called the farad (F). A
the collection of personal data by Government and also by device that is manufactured to have a specific capacitance
commercial organisations. Do the benefits (e.g. tracking is called a capacitor. A farad is an enormous unit and
down nefarious individuals and providing better consumer typical values of capacitance of commercial capacitors
choice) outweigh the risks (e.g. loss of individual rights range from pF to several µF. To show just how large a unit
and the loss of privacy)? the farad is, the capacitance of Earth is only about 10-1 F
(4π × 8.85 × 10-12 × 6.4 × 106 ).
In respect of commercial enterprises, the effect on the
environment, of the increased paper output through
advertising as well as the loss of privacy should also be 14.2.2 (C.2.2) the structure of a
considered. The scope for discussion is indeed wide.
charge‑coupled device (CCD)

A charge-coupled device (CCD) is a type of complimentary

metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device. The principle
of operation of the CCD is similar to the operation of a
photodiode in which an electric potential difference is

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 Chapter 14

generated by light liberating electrons from the valence change in potential across the pixel is 0.24 mV. Calculate
band of a semiconductor (Topic 8.1.12). Figure 1405 the rate at which photons are incident on the pixel.
shows the basic structure of a CCD.
- + - + - + - + -
electrodes
Solution
silicon
oxide

pixels silicon Q
From C = V we have Q = CV = 0.24 × 10-3 × 4.0 × 10-11
= 9.6 × 10-15 C
Figure 1405  The basic structure of a CCD
Number of photons = number of electrons produced
A layer of silicon dioxide about 5 µm thick is placed on
9.6 ×10 -15
the surface of silicon substrate about 500 µm thick. The = = 6.0 × 104
silicon dioxide is divided into regions called pixels. Each 1.6 ×10 -19
pixel contains three electrodes. Each pixel essentially acts Therefore number of photons per second
as a capacitor.
6.0 ×10 4
= = 2.0 × 106 s-1.
3.0 ×10 −2
14.2.3,4 (C.2.3,4) principle of
14.2.5 Define quantum efficiency of a pixel.
AHL

operation of a CCD
14.2.6 Define magnification.
What follows is just an outline of the operation of a CCD
since the actual operation is quite complicated and requires 14.2.7 State that two points on an object may be
a knowledge of solid-state physics that is beyond the level just resolved on a CCD if the images of the
of the IB course. points are at least two pixels apart.

When light is focussed on to the surface of the CCD, 14.2.8 Discuss the effects of quantum efficiency,
electron-hole pairs are produced in each pixel. Each photon magnification and resolution on the quality
of the incident light will produce one electron-hole pair such of the processed image.
that the number of pairs produced will be proportional to
the intensity of the light incident on the pixel. The electron 14.2.9 Describe a range of practical uses of a CCD,
pairs will migrate to the relevant electrodes resulting in a and list some advantages compared with
change in potential across the pixel. the use of film.

It is this potential that is converted into a digital signal. At 14.2.10 Outline how the image stored in a CCD is
the same time, the position of each pixel is also recorded retrieved.
as a digital signal. In this way an intensity “map” of the
surface of the CCD is built up. This intensity map is in 14.2.11 Solve problems involving the use of CCDs.
© IBO 2007
effect an image of the “source” of the light focussed on
to the CCD. The CCD is therefore acting like a piece of
photographic film except of course, that in film the data is 14.2.5-7 (C.2.5-7) quantum
encoded in an analogue form.
efficiency, magnification
An example will help to illustrate the principle of operation
of the CCD. and resolution

Example Quantum efficiency

In the foregoing example, we assumed that each photon
Suppose that a pixel has a capacitance of 40 pF and as the that is incident on a pixel gives rise to an electron-hole
result of light incident on the pixel for a period of 30 ms, the pair. However, in practice some photons will be scattered
by the surface of the CCD and some might reach the

350
 Digital Technology

silicon substrate without interaction with a valence A word of warning here. Many digital cameras use what
electron in the silicon oxide. The percentage of photons is called interpolated resolution. What this means is
in the incident light that produce electron-hole pairs is that software is used to add pixels to the final image, for
called the quantum efficiency and it is usually in the range example adding more “blue” pixels to the parts of the
70-80%. image that is blue. Although this process increases the
overall file size, it does not add any further information to
the image. This process is similar to that employed by the
Magnification many photo-editing programs that are available. However,
remember that the only way that you can get more detail
The magnification of a CCD is defined as the ratio of the from a CCD image is to physically increase the number of
length of image on CCD to the length of object. pixels on the CCD.

Resolution 14.2.9 (C.2.9) uses of CCDs

The resolution of a CCD refers to the total number of We have already alluded to one of the main uses of CCDs
pixels that there are in the image collecting area of the above, namely in digital cameras.
CCD. However, usually the resolution is defined in terms
of the pixel array. So for example a CCD might be said However, CCDs are used in a variety of other different
to have a resolution of 1800 × 1600, that is the width of imaging devices such as photocopiers, fax machines, mail

AHL
the image is collecting area is 1800 pixels wide and 1600 sorters, and bar code readers. They are also used in closed
pixels in length. Alternatively it could be said to have a circuit television cameras and in video cameras.
resolution of 2.88 megapixels (1800 × 1600).
Perhaps one of their most dramatic uses has been in
It is worth mentioning that the human eye collects digital astronomy where there are used to detect very faint objects
data and in this respect the retina has a resolution of about and therefore (usually) very distant objects. They have in
11000 × 11000 or about 120 megapixel. fact been used in conjunction with the Hubble telescope
to detect objects that are about 1011 times fainter than the
Although the number of pixels defines the resolution of a brightest star (Sirius).
CCD, we still need to know how good a particular device is
in actually resolving an image optically. For example if we Coupled with the ability of CCDs to detect low levels of
use a digital camera to photograph a distance binary star radiation, more recently they have been used to test how
system, will the CCD be able to resolve the two stars into effective certain drugs are in binding to their target and
separate images? Essentially, the answer is yes provided they are now also used in X-ray imaging.
that the separation of the image of each star formed on the
CCD is at least two pixels. If say, for a particular CCD, the
pixel length is 1.5 × 10-5 m, then for the binary star system, 14.2.10 (C.2.10) image retrieval
the two images on the CCD will just be resolved if they are
separated by 3.0 × 10-5 m. The following is a summary of image formation in a CCD
and image retrieval:

14.2.8 (C.2.8) quality of image • light from an object is brought to a focus on the
collection area
The greater the magnification of a given object, the greater • the light incident on the collection area varies in
will be the length of the image on the CCD and hence the intensity and wavelength
greater the number of pixels that will be activated by the • the number of electron ejected from each pixel will
incident light. This means that the image will be more vary from pixel to pixel
detailed. Also, the greater the resolution, the more pixels • the potential change associated with each pixel
there will be in a given length so this in turn will produce varies from pixel to pixel
a more detailed image. • the potential changes across the collection area is a
“map” of the image of the object on the collection
The greater the magnification and the greater the resolution area
then the greater will be the resolving power of the CCD. • each change of pd associated with a given pixel is
converted to a digital signal

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 Chapter 14

• the position of each pixel is recorded digitally

• these digital signals are converted to an image on Solution
an LCD screen (see 11.5.9/A.6.9)

In our discussion of CCDs we should bear in mind that energy of photon

we have not looked in any detail at the other parts of the
hc 6.6 ×10 −34 ×3 ×10 8
imaging device. For example the device will have = = = 4.6 × 10-19 J
electronics that is used for image retrieval and also an λ 4.3 ×10 −7
optical system for focussing light on to the CCD. number of photons per second per unit area
Furthermore, the pixels do not produce colour. In digital
1.4 ×10 −3
cameras, an array of colour filters is used to register the = = 3.0 × 1015
intensity of a single colour at each pixel. Software then 4.6 ×10 −19
uses the intensities of colours at neighbouring pixels to number incident on pixel in 20 ms
estimate the intensity of the colour at a particular pixel. = 3.0 ×10 15 × 2.2 ×10 −10 × 2.0 × 10-2 = 1.3 × 104

Finally it has to be mentioned that CCDs are likely to be number of electron-hole pairs produced
soon supplanted by CMOS devices. The latter are much = 0.7 × 1.3 × 104 = 9.1 × 103
cheaper to produce and are also manufactured in much
the same way as the integrated circuits used in modern charge produced = 9.1 × 103 × 1.6 × 10-19 = 1.5 × 10-15 C
microprocessors. However, the basic principles of image
AHL

Q 1.5 ×10 -15

formation and retrieval are the same as that of a CCD. using C = then V = = 0.038 mV
V 2.5 ×10 -11

14.2.11 (C.2.11) solve problems Exercises

involving the use of CCDs

1. A pixel has a capacitance of 40 pF. When
illuminated for a short period of time, a change of
Example 1 potential of 0.20 mV is produced across the pixel.
Estimate the number of electrons liberated from
the valence band.
The collection area of a CCD used in a particular digital
camera has an area of 30 mm × 30 mm. Each pixel of the 2. A CCD of a digital camera has an image collection
CCD has an area of 2.2 × 10-10 m2. Estimate the resolution area of 25 mm × 25 mm and a resolution of 5.0
of the digital camera. megapixels. An object that is photographed by the
camera has an area of 4.6 × 10-3 m2. The image area
formed on the CCD is 1.0 × 10-4 m2.
Solution
(a) Calculate the magnification.
(3.0 ×10 −2 ) 2
number of pixels = = 1.4 × 106 (b) Estimate the length of a pixel on the CCD.
2.2 ×10 −10
i.e. resolution = 1.4 megapixel. (c) Two small dots on the object are separated
by a distance of 0.20mm. Discuss whether
the images of the dots will be resolved.
Example 2
3. Outline why, when the image area of a CCD is
illuminated, the change in potential will vary from
Light of wavelength 430 nm and intensity 1.4 mW m‑2 is pixel to pixel.
incident on a pixel of area 2.2 × 10-10 for 20 ms. The
capacitance of the pixel is 25 pF. Calculate the change
in potential difference across the pixel if the quantum
efficiency of the CCD is 70%.

352
 Sight and Wave Phenomena

sight and wave

phenomena
(SL Option A1) The eye and sight 15

Vitreous humour
A.1.1 Describe the basic structure of the human
eye.
Retina
Cornea
A.1.2 State and explain the process of depth of Sclera
vision and accommodation. Iris
Optic nerve
A.1.3 State that the retina contains rods and Pupil
cones, and describe the variation in density
across the surface of the retina. Lens
Blind spot
Conjunctiva

OPTION
A.1.4 Describe the function of the rods and of the
cones in photopic and scotopic vision. Blood vessels

A.1.5 Describe colour mixing of light by addition Figure 1501  Horizontal section through the human eye
and subtraction.
The eyeball lies in a special cavity in the skull that contains
A.1.6 Discuss the effect of light and dark, and fatty tissue to protect the eye. The wall of the eye has 3
colour, on the perception of objects. layers – the outer wall consisting of the sclera and cornea,
© IBO 2007
the middle wall consisting of a choroid, ciliary muscle and
iris, and the inner layer consisting of the retina.
A.1.1 Basic structure of the eye
The white of the eye is moved about by six muscles and

T he eye operates like a camera. Just as a camera

consists of a lens, an aperture or shutter and a film,
the eyeball needs a lens to refract and focus light on the
the white fibrous coat at the front of the eye contains
the cornea which acts like a window of the eye. Inside
the white fibrous coat is a black layer that makes the eye
retina. This is where an upside-down image is formed and “light-tight”, and further in to the centre is the color-
the image is converted to electrical impulses that are sent pigmented part called the iris which contains muscles that
to the brain via the optic nerve, and translated into the adjust the amount of light entering the hole in its centre
upright position. Figure 1501 shows the horizontal section called the pupil. Behind the pupil is a converging lens
through a human eye. that is connected to the ciliary muscles. The pupil is very
small in bright light and relatively big in dark light. The
shape of the lens is controlled by the ciliary muscles, and
the lens becomes rounder and shortens its focal length to

353
 Chapter 15 (Option A)

view close objects, and, for distant objects it becomes less focal length of the flexible eye lens. The eye has most
round and increases its focal length. In a normal eye, a accommodation for prolonged viewing when viewing at
real, diminished and inverted image of an object comes the far point.
into focus on the retina after refraction in the lens.
The apparent size of an object can be increased by using a
Figure 1502 lists the main similarities of the components converging lens to allow the object to be brought closer to
of the eye and the camera that were briefly mentioned in the eye, thus increasing the size of the image on the retina.
the beginning of this section. This is the basis behind the simple magnifier.

Component of the Eye Component of the Camera

Cornea Aperture for admitting light A.1.3 Rods and cones
Iris Aperture diaphragm
Pupil Hole in the diaphragm The retina contains two photoreceptors called rods and
Lens Camera lens cones that have complementary properties. Rods have fast
Retina Film response rates, and are sensitive at low light levels but they
Choroid Black lining are insensitive to colour. There are around 120 million of
them. On the other hand, cones have slow response rates,
Sclera Camera case
and are insensitive at low light levels but are sensitive to
particular wavelengths of light, and give us our colour
Figure 1502  Components of the eye and the camera vision. There are around 6.5 million of them. It is believed
that the cones can be divided into three colour groups -
red cones (64%), green cones (32%), and blue cones (2%).
A.1.2 Depth of vision and The variation in density across the surface of the retina is
shown in Figure 1504.
accommodation
Visual axis
The size of any image formed on the retina of the eye
depends on the angle subtended by the object at the eye.
The closer the object is to the eye the greater will be the
angle and thus the angular magnification as shown in
Figure 1503. However, if an object is too close to the eye
OPTION

then there is difficulty focusing the image. 80º 80º

far point
60º 60º

Blind spot
40º
40º
fp
near point
20º
np 20º
0º
Figure 1503  Near and far point of the eye
Fovea Optic nerve
The range over which an eye can sharply focus an image
is determined by what are known as the near point and
Density in thousands per square mm

200
far point of the eye. The near point is the position of the Cone
density
closest object that can be brought into focus by the unaided 150
eye. The near point varies from person to person but it has
been given an arbitrary value of 25 cm. The far point is 100
the position of the furthest object that can be brought into Rod density
focus by the unaided eye. The far point of a normal eye is 50

at infinity.
0
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
The ability of the eye to focus over this range is called Angular separation from fovea (degrees)
accommodation and this is controlled by the ciliary
muscles pulling or relaxing in order to change the Figure 1504  Variation of cone and rod density of the iris

354
 Sight and Wave Phenomena

From the figure it can be seen that cones are concentrated conditions during the day. The pigments of the cones are
around the fovea region and then have very low density of three types – long wavelength red, medium wavelength
in other areas of the retina. Rods are not found around green and short wavelength blue. The cones are less
the fovea but are in high concentrations in other retinal sensitive to light than the rods with their single absorption
areas. Both cones and rods are absent at the blind spot. maximum is 683 lumens per watt (unit for luminous flux)
Red and green responsive cones are concentrated in the at 555 nm. The cone vision can adapt to changing levels
fovea region and blue responsive cones are found outside of light more rapidly than the rods and as such they have
the foveal region. high spatial resolution.

The response curve of Figure 1506 shows that the

A.1.4 Photopic and scotopic vision pigments of the cones have maximum absorbance values
at the wavelengths of 445 nm (blue), 535 nm (green) and
Rods are responsible for scotopic vision which is the ability 705 nm (red). Each response curves overlaps to provide
to see at low light levels or vision “in the dark” or light levels vision within the visible region of the electromagnetic
below 0.034 candela per square metre – 0.034 cdm-2. They spectrum.
do not mediate colour and are sometimes termed “colour
blind”. Because they do not mediate colour, they are said (445 nm) (575 nm) (705 nm)
to have low spatial resolution (acuity). They are excellent 100
photoreceptors because of their high sensitivity as shown 90

Absorbance (in %)
in Figure 1505. Their single absorption maximum is 1700 80
70
lumens per watt (unit for luminous flux) at 507 nm. This is 60
in the blue region of visible light and this is the reason why 50
the rods do not mediate colour, and are more sensitive to 40
30
blue in the night.
20
10
507 nm

0
380 420 460 500 540 580 620 660 700 740 780
1700 lumens
per watt
Wavelength (in nm)

1500 Figure 1506  Absorbance values for the 2 types of cones

OPTION
Scotopic vision Colour blindness or colour vision deficiency is most
(dark adapted) commonly a hereditary condition that can affect up to 12%
of males and about 1% of females. About 99% is red-green
1000 colour blindness although blue-yellow colour deficiency
also exists. It cannot be cured at this stage.
555 nm
per watt
Lumens

683 lumens
per watt It occurs as a result of either a reduction of the pigment
in the cones or if one of the types of cones is completely
missing.
500

Photopic vision
(light adapted) A.1.5 Colour mixing by addition
and subtraction

400 500 600 700 The three primary colours are red, green and blue.
Wavelength (nm) All visible colours can be perceived by the mixing
combinations of the primary colours by addition or
subtraction. In additive processes, colour is created by
Figure 1505  Absorption maxima for rods and cones adding light to a dark background and in subtractive
processes, pigments can be used to selectively block out
Cones are responsible for photopic vision or high light- white light. Red and blue are mixed to form magenta
level vision, that is, colour vision under normal light (a dark pink), green and blue are mixed to produce cyan

355
 Chapter 15 (Option A)

(a light blue) and red and green are mixed to form yellow.
When the 3 primary colours are mixed, white light is Exercise 15.1
obtained.

Cyan and magenta are mixed to form blue, magenta and 1. Match the component of the eye that is similar to
yellow are mixed to obtain red, and yellow and cyan are the component of the camera in the table below.
mixed to form green. When all the secondary colours are
mixed, black is obtained. Component Of The Eye Component Of The Camera
Aperture for admitting light
Aperture diaphragm
A.1.6 Light, dark, colour Hole in the diaphragm
- the perception of objects Camera lens
Film
TOK What is perception? Black lining
Camera case
‘Students should consider architectural effects of
light and shadow (for example, deep shadow gives 2. (a) Describe the properties of an image formed
the impression of massiveness). Glow can be used in the eye.
to give an impression of “warmth” (for example, blue (b) State the component of the eye where the
tints are cold) or to change the perceived size of a image is formed.
room (for example, light-coloured ceilings heighten (c) Name the coloured part of the eye.
the room)’. (d) Describe the function of the ciliary muscles.
© IBO 2007

Perception is a process of acquiring, interpreting, 3. Define the terms near point and far point and state
selecting and organising sensory information. The eyes the arbitary value of each term.
with a reaction time of around 190 ms can be used
in combination to sense aspects of depth, colour and 4. Distinguish the difference between the 2 types of
form. photoreceptors that are found in the retina.

Depth is important in scenery background and in 5. Describe the function of the rods and of the cones
OPTION

architecture. The further you look into the distance of in photopic and scotopic vision.
a scenery such as the Grand Canyon, the more blurred
it becomes due to the scattering of light. Shadows give
objects depth and scope depending on the direction
that the sun is coming from. In architecture, deep
shadow gives the impression of massiveness.

Colour is way of creating a feeling within an

environment and perceiving what an object looks
like against different colours. For example, if the eye
concentrates on the central dot of four coloured dots
set against a different coloured matrix, and the three
other dots are made to rotate, the three dots disappear.
The colour green evokes an impression of calmness
while blue evokes a sense of depression. Red glow can
give an impression of warmth while blue glow gives an
impression of cold.

Size is another way in which the brain operates as to

how we perceive things. For example, light-coloured
ceilings seem to heighten a room whereas softer colours
tend to make a room smaller.

356
 Astrophysics

astrophysics
E.1

E.2

E.3
(SL and HL) Introduction to the universe

(SL and HL) Stellar radiation and stellar types

(SL and HL) Stellar distances

16
E.4 (SL and HL) Cosmology

E.5 (HL only) Stellar processes and stellar evolution

E.6 (HL only) Galaxies and the expanding universe

TOK  The science of Astrophysics

‘Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are’.

Our planet, Earth, is an insignificant object orbiting an insignificant star, the Sun. The Sun is situated in one arm of an
insignificant galaxy, the Milky Way, which contains around 200 billion stars. The Milky Way measures about 105 light years

OPTION
from one end to the other yet this enormous distance is tiny compared to the whole Universe which is about 1010 light years
in “diameter”. A light year is the distance that light travels in a year. There are about 3.2 × 107 seconds in a year.

The Milky Way is one of about 25 galaxies that make up a so-called “local cluster”. Some 50 million light-years from our
local cluster is another cluster of galaxies, the Virgo cluster, which contains about a thousand galaxies. There are other
clusters that can contain as many as ten thousand galaxies. Amazingly, all these different clusters are grouped into a so-
called “super cluster”. Between these superclusters are vast voids of empty space. However, interstellar and intergalactic
space is not completely empty. It actually contains gas and microscopic dust particles although the density is not very
great. The density of interstellar space is estimated to be about 10–20 kg m–3 and that of inter-galactic space 10–25 kg m–3.

Astrophysics is the science that tries to make sense of the Universe by providing a description of the Universe (Astronomy)
and by trying to understand its structure and origin (Cosmology). It is a daunting subject for not only does it encompass
the whole historical grandeur of physics but it also embraces all of physics as we understand it today, the microscopic and
the macroscopic. We cannot understand the structure of stars, their birth and their death unless we understand the very
nature of matter itself and the laws that govern its behaviour. It even takes us beyond the realm of physics for, as did our
earliest ancestors, we still look up at the stars and ask “ who am I and what’s it all about?.”

This Option can but scrape the surface of this truly vast topic.

357
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

Nebulae
What objects make up the Universe?
Nebulae was the name originally given to “misty” type
This section gives a brief summary of what we know to patterns in the night sky. Many such patterns are now
date about the various objects that make up the universe. recognised as being galaxies. Others are recognised as being
the “debris” of a supernova such as the famous Crab Nebula
that was first recorded by the ancient Chinese astronomers.
Galaxies Other so called dark nebulae such as the Horsehead nebula
contain a large amount of gas and dust particles and are
As mentioned, galaxies are vast collections of stars. There considered to be the birth places of the stars.
are essentially three types of galaxy and these are discussed
in more detail in the AHL secction. To conclude this introductory section, Figure 1601 shows
the distances as orders of magnitudes from Earth of
various astronomical objects.
Quasars
Object Distance from Earth / m
Quasars were first discovered in 1960 and their exact Quasar 1025
nature still remains a mystery. They are extremely bright Nearest galaxy (Andromeda) 1022
objects having a luminosity equivalent to that of a 1000 Centre of the Milky Way 1020
galaxies. They are also very distant (Quasar 3C273 is some North Star (Polaris) 1019
3 billion light years away) and they are also much smaller Nearest star (Alpha Centauri) 1017
than any known galaxy. Sun 1011
Moon 108

Figure 1601  The distance of various astronomical objects

OPTION

358
 Astrophysics

E.1 (SL and HL) Introduction to the universe

The solar system and beyond last visible to the naked eye in 1986 and will make another
appearance in 2061 which is considerably sooner than a
comet called Hyakutake that has an orbital period of about
E.1.1 Outline the general structure of the solar system. 30,000 years. Figure 1602 summarises some of the details
of the planets.
E.1.2 Distinguish between a stellar cluster and a
constellation. Name Number Average distance Equatorial
Mass
of of from the Sun / diameter
/ 1023 kg
E.1.3 Define the light year. planet moons 106 km / 103 km
Mercury None 57.9 4.9 3.3
E.1.4 Compare the relative distances between Venus None 108 12.0 49
stars within a galaxy and between galaxies, Earth 1 150 12.8 60
in terms of order of magnitude. Mars 2 228 6.8 6.4
Jupiter 16 778 143.0 19000
E.1.5 Describe the apparent motion of the stars/ Saturn 18 1430 120.5 5700
constellations over a period of a night and
Uranus 15 2900 51.2 866
over a period of a year, and explain these
Neptune 8 4500 49.5 103
observations in terms of the rotation and
revolution of the Earth. Pluto 1 5920 2.3 0.13
© IBO 2007

Figure 1602  Some details of the planets

E1.1 Outline the general
structure of the solar E.1.2 Distinguish between a
system stellar cluster and a

The planets of our solar system orbit the Sun in ellipses constellation

OPTION
with the Sun at one of the foci of the ellipse. Some planets,
like our own Earth, have a moon or moons, which orbit
the planet. As well as the nine planets many smaller lumps Stellar cluster
of matter orbit the Sun. Between the orbits of Mars and
Jupiter are many millions of lumps of rocks called asteroids. This is a number of stars that is held together in a group
The largest of these Ceres, has a diameter of about 900 km by gravitational attraction. The stars in the group were
and the smallest are no bigger than about one metre in all created at about the same time and there can be many
diameter. This region containing the asteroids is referred thousands of stars in a group.
to as the asteroid belt.

Another group of objects that orbit the Sun are the Constellation
comets. Comets are basically lumps of ice and dust only
a few kilometres in diameter and their orbits about the A constellation is a collection of stars that form a
Sun are highly elliptical. Because of their small size they recognisable group as viewed from Earth. For example
are difficult to detect. However, as they pass near the Sun there is a constellation called the Andromeda constellation
the heat from the Sun starts to vaporise the ice of the which contains the galaxy called Andromeda. The ancient
comet liberating dust and gases. The liberated gases begin Greeks named many of the constellations and perhaps
to glow producing a ball of light, the coma, that can be two of the most easily recognisable are the Big Dipper and
up to 106 km in diameter. The coma has a long luminous the Great Bear. Constellations are useful “landmarks” for
tail which can be 108 km in length. Comets are truly a finding ones way around the night sky.
wonderful and awe-inspiring sight and were often in days
gone by considered to be portents of disaster. Perhaps the
most famous of the Comets is the Haley comet and was

359
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

The position of the Sun relative to the fixed stars varies

E.1.3 Define the light year slowly over a course of a year. On the first day of Spring, the
vernal equinox, and the first day of autumn, the autumnal
The light year (l.y.) is defined as the distance that light equinox, the Sun rises in the East, traverses the sky, sets in
travels in a year. There are about 3.2 × 107 seconds in a the West and day and night are of equal duration. During
year and the speed of light is very nearly 3.0 × 108 m s-1 summer in the Northern Hemisphere the Sun rises in the
meaning that one light years is equal to Northeast and sets in the Northwest. Daylight hours are
longer than the night time hours and the further North one
About 9.6 × 1015 m, a more precise value being 9.46 × 1015 m. is the longer the daylight hours. In fact north of the Arctic
Circle the Sun never sets. During winter in the Northern
Hemisphere the Sun rises in the Southeast, moves close to
E.1.4 Compare the relative the southern horizon and sets in the Southwest. Daylight
hours are shorter than the night-time hours and north of
distances between stars the Arctic Circle the Sun never rises above the horizon.
The Sun takes about a year to make a journey from West to
The stars in a galaxy are not uniformly distributed, however, East around the celestial sphere.
their separation on average is of the order of 1017 m.
Against the background of the canopy of fixed stars certain
In the general introduction we mentioned the vast size of celestial objects do not move in circles. These objects
galaxies and the vast number of stars in a single galaxy. We wander back and forth against the backdrop exhibiting
also mentioned that galaxies form clusters. The separation what is called retrograde motion. These are the planets
of the galaxies in clusters is of the order 1023 m and the and the Greek word for “wanderer” is indeed “planet”. The
separation of clusters is of the order of 1024 m. One increase Moon like the Sun and the stars traverses the night sky
in the power of ten does not sound a lot but at these values from East to West. The path of the Moon relative to the
it means a huge increase in distance. fixed stars is close to that followed by the Sun. However, it
takes only about four weeks to complete a journey round
the celestial sphere. The Moon’s path around the celestial
E.1.5 Describe the apparent motion sphere varies from month to month but remains within
about 8° either side of the path followed by the Sun. During
of the stars/constellations the Moon’s trip around the celestial sphere it exhibits
different phases as seen from Earth, waxing from a new
OPTION

As night falls the stars appear to rise in the East and as Moon crescent to a full Moon and then waning from the
the night progresses they move across the night sky until full Moon to a crescent new Moon.
they set in the West. The Earth seems to be at the centre of
a giant celestial sphere and although each individual star
appears to keep a fixed position apart, the whole canopy
of the stars appears to rotate in a great circle about an axis
through the North and South poles of the Earth.

Because the stars appear to be fixed to a giant celestial

sphere they are often referred to as the fixed stars.

360
 Astrophysics

E.2 (SL and HL) Stellar radiation and

stellar types
E.2.1 State that fusion is the main energy source E.2.1 State that fusion is the
of stars.
main energy source of stars
E.2.2 Explain that, in a stable star (for example,
our Sun), there is an equilibrium between In Topic 7.3.8 we discussed the topic of nuclear fusion, the
radiation pressure and gravitational process in which two lighter elements such as hydrogen
pressure. can combine to form a heavier element such as helium
and in the process liberate energy. We now know that this
E.2.3 Define the luminosity of a star. conversion of hydrogen to helium is the main source of
energy for the stars. Very high temperatures are needed for
E.2.4 Define apparent brightness and state how fusion, typically 107 K, in order for the nuclei to overcome
it is measured. coulomb repulsion and get close enough to fuse. Stars
are formed by interstellar dust coming together through
E.2.5 Apply the Stefan–Boltzmann law to mutual gravitational attraction. The loss in potential energy
compare the luminosities of different stars. as this happens can, if the initial mass of the dust collection
is sufficient, produce the high temperatures necessary for
E.2.6 State Wien’s (displacement) law and apply fusion. The fusion process produces a radiation pressure
it to explain the connection between the that can then stop any further gravitational collapse.
colour and temperature of stars.

E.2.7 Explain how atomic spectra may be used E.2.2 Explain that, in a stable
to deduce chemical and physical data for
stars. star, there is an equilibrium

E.2.8 Describe the overall classification system of between radiation pressure

OPTION
spectral classes.
and gravitational pressure
E.2.9 Describe the different types of star.
In a stable star the thermonuclear processes taking place
E.2.10 Discuss the characteristics of within the interior of the star do in fact produce a radiation
spectroscopic and eclipsing binary stars. pressure that just balances the gravitational pressure. If the
initial dust mass is about 80% of the mass of our Sun then
E.2.11 Identify the general regions of star types on the temperature reached by gravitational collapse is not
a Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram. high enough for fusion to take place. In this situation a
© IBO 2007
fully fledged star is not formed and instead we end up with
a hydrogen rich object called a brown dwarf.

E.2.3 Define the luminosity of a star

The energy radiated by a star is emitted uniformly in
all directions as shown in Figure 1603. The total energy
emitted by the star per unit time (i.e. the power) is called
the Luminosity of the star, L.

For example our sun has a luminosity of 3.90 × 1026 W.

(Sometimes written as L◉)

361
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

Earth Exercise

L
d The Sun is 1.5
��������
× 1011 m from the Earth. Estimate how
much energy falls on a surface area of 1 m2 in a year? State
star any assumptions that you have made.

E.2.5 Apply the Stefan–Boltzmann

law to compare the
Figure 1603  The luminosity of a star
luminosities of different stars

E.2.4 Define apparent brightness Topic 8.5.10 introduced the Stefan-Boltzmann law for a
black body. If we regard stars to be black body radiators,
and state how it is measured then luminosity L of a star is given by the expression.

By the time the energy arrives at the Earth it will be spread L = 4πR 2σ T 4
out over a sphere of radius d. The energy received per
unit time per unit area at the Earth is called the apparent where R is the radius of the star, T it’s surface temperature
brightness of the star b where and σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant. If we know the
L surface temperature and the radius of two stars then we
b = -----------2- can use the above equation to compare their luminosity.
4πd However, in practice we usually use the law to compare
The apparent brightness of a star can be measured by stellar radii as explained below.
attaching a radiation sensitive instrument known as a
bolometer to a telescope. If d can be measured then the
luminosity of the star can be determined. This is a very E.2.6 State Wien’s (displacement)
important property to know as it gives clues to the internal
OPTION

structure of the star, its age and its future evolution. law and apply it to explain the

If all stars were equally bright, then the further away from connection between the colour
the Earth a star is, the less its apparent brightness would be.
For example, if the distance of a star A is measured by the and temperature of stars
parallax method (see below) and found to be is at distance
2d, it would have a quarter of the apparent brightness
of star A. A star that is at a distance 4d would have one Wien’s (displacement) law
sixteenth the apparent brightness of star A. The apparent
brightness falls off as the inverse square of distance. Wien discovered an empirical relation (which he later
derived) between the maximum value of the wavelength
However, stars are not all of the same brightness so unless we emitted by a black body and its temperature. The so-called
know a star’s luminosity we cannot use a measurement of its Wien Displacement Law is written as
apparent brightness to find its distance from the Earth.
λmaxT = constant

From measurements of black body spectra the value of the

constant is found to be 2.9 × 10-3 m K so that we can write
–3
2.9 × 10
λ max = -------------------------
T

The spectrum of stars is very similar to the spectrum

emitted by a black body. We can therefore use the Wien

362
 Astrophysics

Law to find the temperature of a star from its spectrum. If The wavelength of these lines is unique to mercury. In fact
we know its temperature and its luminosity then its radius every element can be identified by its characteristic line
can be found from the Stefan law. This is shown in the spectra. See Figure 1604.
example below.
350 400 450 λ / vμ

Example blue green red

Figure 1604  An example of atomic emission

The wavelength maximum in the spectrum of Betelgeuse is
9.6 × 10-7 m. The luminosity of Betelgeuse is 104 times the We can alter the arrangement described above such that we
luminosity of the Sun. Estimate the surface temperature now shine radiation from an incandescent source through
of Betelgeuse and also its radius in terms of the radius of the tube containing the mercury vapour when there is no
the Sun. potential difference across the tube. The radiation that
has passed through the tube is analysed as above. On the
screen we will now observe a continuous spectrum which
Solution has three dark lines crossing it. Each line will correspond
to the blue, red and green emission lines of mercury. This
–3 is what is called an absorption spectrum.
2.9 × 10
Using the Wien law we have T = ------------------------ ≈ 3000 K.
–7
9.6 × 10 Absorption spectra can be used to find out the chemical
From the Stefan-Boltzmann law L = σAT 4 = 4 πR 2 σT 4 composition of the atmosphere of a star. The continuous
spectrum from a star will be found to contain absorption
From which we can write lines. These lines are formed as the radiation from the
L◉ R◉2 T◉4 R Betel T◉
2
 L Betel  ½ surface of the star passes through the cooler, less dense
------------- = ----------------------------- ----
---
---
---
- = --
---
---
---
--- ×  --------------
L Betel or R upper atmosphere of the star. The absorption lines will
R 2Betel TBetel ◉  L◉ 
4
2
TBetel correspond to the emission lines of the elements in the
Given that the surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K, upper atmosphere of the star. Different stars have different
substitution gives the radius of Betelgeuse to be 370 times spectra. In some stars the lines corresponding to the visible
that of the Sun. hydrogen spectrum are prominent. Other stars, like our
sun, have lines corresponding to the emission lines of

OPTION
elements such as iron, sodium and calcium.
E.2.7 Explain how atomic spectra
may be used to deduce chemical E.2.8 Describe the overall
and physical data for stars classification system of

spectral classes
Stellar spectra
Stars with similar appearing spectra are grouped together
If a sufficiently high potential is applied between the into spectral classes, each class being related to surface
anode and cathode of a discharge tube that contains a temperature. For historical reasons the classes, are labelled
small amount of mercury vapour, the tube will glow. This OBAFGKM. The stars with the highest temperatures
is the basis of fluorescent lighting tubes. We can arrange (< 30000 K) are in the O class and stars with the lowest
for the radiation emitted from the tube to pass through a temperatures (3000 K) are in the M class. Our Sun with a
slit and hence onto a dispersive medium such as a prism surface temperature of 5800 K is in the G class.
or diffraction grating. The radiation can then be focused
onto a screen. Images of the slit will be formed on the The absorption spectrum of a particular star will depend
screen for every wavelength present in the radiation from on its surface temperature. If the surface temperature for
the tube. Unlike an incandescent source the mercury example is above 10,000 K the photons, leaving the surface
source produces a discrete line spectrum and a continuous will have sufficient energy to ionise any hydrogen atoms in
spectrum in the ultra–violet region. In the visible region, the star’s atmosphere. Hence the absorption spectra will
mercury produces three distinct lines- red, green and blue. show little evidence of hydrogen being present.

363
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

However if the temperature is about 9000 K the photons White Dwarfs

will cause excitation in the hydrogen atoms rather than
ionisation. Hence in these stars the spectrum will show These are stars that are much smaller than the Sun
strong hydrogen absorption lines. At temperatures above (typically about the volume of the Earth) and have a much
30,000 K the photons have sufficient energy to produce higher surface temperature. The white dwarf, Sirius B, has
singly ionised helium and the spectrum of singly ionised a surface temperature of 20,000 K.
helium is different from neutral helium. Hence if a stellar
absorption spectrum has lines corresponding to the
emission lines of single ionised helium we know that the Neutron stars
star has a surface temperature in excess of 30,000 K. For
every element there is a characteristic temperature range These are stars which have undergone gravitational
of the source which produces strong absorption lines. collapse to such an extent that their core is effectively
made up of just neutrons.
When the effects of temperature are taken into account
we find that the composition of all stars is essentially the
same, about 74% hydrogen, 25% helium and 1% other Supernovae
elements.
When the core of a star can collapse no further, the outer
It should also be noted that stellar absorption spectra are layers, which are still falling rapidly inwards, will be
another check as to the value for the surface temperature reflected back causing an enormous shock wave. This shock
of a star which can be deduced from Wien’s law. The wave will in turn tear much of the surface of the core away
Figure 1605 below summarises the spectral classes. in a colossal explosion. The star has become a supernova.
In 1987 the star SK 69202 in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Spectral Approximate Colour Main Example went supernova and for a brief instant of time its brilliance
class Temperature absorption was greater than that of the whole Universe by a factor of
range /K lines
a 100.
O 30000-50000 Blue
violet Ionised helium Mintaka

B 10000-30000 Blue Neutral helium Rigel

white Pulsars
A 7500-10000 White Hydrogen Sirius A
F 6000-7500 Yellow
white Ionised metals Canopus These are rotating neutron stars. As they rotate they emit
OPTION

beams of electromagnetic radiation (usually of radio

G 5000-6000 Yellow Ionised calcium Sun frequencies) essentially from the poles of the star. Each
K 3500-5000 Orange Neutral metals Aldebaran time a pole lines up with the Earth a pulse of radiation will
M 2500-3500 Red
orange Titanium oxide Betelgeuse be detected at the Earth. In 1968 a pulsar was detected in
the Crab nebula which has a pulsing frequency of 33 Hz.
Figure 1605  The spectral classes of stars

Black Holes
E.2.9 Describe the different types
It has been suggested that certain stars that undergo
of star gravitational collapse will reach a density and radius such
that the gravitational field at the surface of the star will be
strong enough to prevent electromagnetic radiation from
Red Giants escaping from the surface. Such stars will not therefore
emit any light and are therefore said to be black holes.
These are stars that are considerably larger than our Sun
and have a much lower surface temperature than our Sun.
The super red giant called Betelgeuse has a diameter equal Binary stars
to that of the distance of Jupiter from the Sun and a surface
temperature of about 3000 K. Many stars that appear to the naked eye to be a single
point of light actually turn out to be two stars rotating
about a common centre. Sirius, the brightest star as seen
from Earth is in fact a binary star consisting of Sirius A

364
 Astrophysics

and Sirius B. Sirius A is a main sequence star (see below) Eclipsing binaries
and Sirius B is a white dwarf (see above)
Some binary stars cannot be resolved visually as two
separate stars. However, the binary nature of the system
Cepheid variables can be deduced from the fact that the stars periodically
eclipse each other. The orientation of the orbit of the stars
These are stars whose luminosities vary regularly, generally with respect to the Earth is such that as the stars orbit each
with a period of several days. other, one will block light from the other. As seen from
Earth the brightness of the system will vary periodically.
This variation in brightness yields information as to the
E.2.10 Discuss the characteristics ratio of the surface temperature of the stars and also the
relative size of the stars and the size of their orbit.
of spectroscopic and

eclipsing binary stars Spectroscopic binaries

About half the stars visible from Earth actually consist of The binary nature of a system can, in many cases, be
two stars orbiting about a common centre. Such systems deduced from its spectrum. Figure 1606 shows the
are called binary stars. Stars that can actually be observed observed spectrum of a possible binary system taken at
as two stars orbiting each other are called visual binaries. different times.
In principle it is a relatively easy matter to measure the
masses of two such stars. The period of rotation depends A Day 1
on the sum of the masses of the two stars and the
separation of the stars. (Actually the orbit is usually B Day 12
elliptical so the separation is in fact the length of the
semi‑major axis of one star’s orbit about the other). By C Day 23

measuring the angular separation of the two stars as seen

from Earth and knowing how far they are from Earth, we Figure 1606  The spectrum of a binary system
can calculate their linear separation. The period of
revolution can be measured directly (mind you, this might The two spectra A and C are identical. However,
take more than a life time since some visual binaries have corresponding to each line in these spectra there are two

OPTION
very long orbital periods) and hence the sum of the masses lines in spectrum B. One of the lines is of a slightly longer
can be found. The stars actually orbit about their centre of wavelength than the corresponding line in A and C and
mass and the position of the centre of mass depends on the other is of a slightly shorter wavelength. They are red–
the ratio of the individual star masses. The centre of mass shifted and blue–shifted respectively. We can see how this
can be found by plotting the orbit of each star separately comes about by looking at Figure 1607.
and so the ratio of the masses can be computed. Knowing
the sum of the masses means that the individual masses X Y
can be found.

Over many years the masses of many stars in binary Y

Y X
X
systems have been measured. This has enabled a very Day 1 Day 12 Day 23
important relationship to be established between the mass
of main sequence stars and their luminosities. Hence we Figure 1607  The red- and blue-shift
can determine the masses of single main sequence stars by
knowing their luminosities. The two stars X and Y are orbiting each other as shown.
The stars are of the same spectral class and have identical
spectra. On day 1 the orbital plane is aligned with respect
to the Earth in such a way that star Y completely blocks
star X and so only the spectrum of star Y is observed. On
day 12 star Y is moving away from the Earth and star X is
moving towards the Earth. Because of the Doppler effect
(see Chapter 6) the light from Y as observed on Earth will
be red-shifted. Similarly because X is moving towards

365
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

the Earth light from this star will be observed to be blue-

-10
shifted. Hence spectrum B above will be observed. On
day 23 star X now completely blocks star Y so only the supergiants
100 000

spectrum from star X is observed. -5 10 000

Luminosity relative to the Sun ( × 3.9 × 10 W )

Absolute magnitude

26
1 000

This is an ideal situation and although it does occur, it is 0 100

more the exception than the rule. In many systems the giants 10

stars are not of the same spectral class and so the spectra +5 1
A and C will not be the same. However, spectrum C will main sequence 0.1
still show red and blue shift. For example one of the stars +10 0.01
might be so dim that its spectrum cannot be detected on white dwarfs
0.001
Earth. However, the single spectrum will shift back and
+15
forth as the two stars orbit each other. Such systems are O B A F G K M Spectral Class

called single–line spectroscopic binaries. A spectroscopic 50 000 25 000 11 000 7 500 6 000 5 000 3 500
Surface temperature /K
binary might also be an eclipsing binary. These systems,
although not common, are very useful since it is possible Figure 1608  The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
to calculate the mass and radius of each star from the
information that such systems give. The striking feature about this diagram is that the stars are
grouped in several distinct regions with a main diagonal
band that contains the majority of stars. For this reason
E.2.11 Identify the general regions of stars which lie in this band are called main sequence stars.
The sequence runs from large luminosity and high surface
star types on a Hertzsprung– temperature (top left) to small luminosity and low surface
temperature (bottom right hand corner). All stars in the
Russell (HR) diagram main sequence derive their energy from hydrogen burning
(fusion) in the core of the star.

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram There is another grouping of stars towards the top right-
hand corner that have a large luminosity and relatively low
In 1911 the Danish astronomer Ejnar Hertzsprung noticed surface temperature. To have such a large luminosity at
that a regular pattern is produced if the absolute magnitude low surface temperatures means that these stars must be
OPTION

(see next Section) – (or luminosity) – of stars is plotted huge. For this reason they are called giant stars. Cooler
against their colour (surface temperature). Two years members of this class have a distinctive red appearance
later the American astronomer Henry Russell discovered a and therefore called red giants. A few stars at low surface
similar pattern if the luminosity is plotted against spectral temperatures have a very large luminosity (we have
class. (Effectively this is another plot against temperature). already met one such star – Betelgeuse in the constellation
In recognition of the work of these two men such diagrams of Orion) and these are called supergiants.
are called Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams. A typical H-R
diagram is shown in Figure 1608. You should note that There is another grouping of stars towards the bottom
neither the absolute magnitude scale nor the temperature left hand corner that have a low luminosity but very high
scale is linear, they are in fact both log scales. For historical surface temperatures. This means these stars are relatively
reasons the temperature scale is plotted from high to low. small (typically the size of the Earth) and because of the
low luminosity are called white dwarfs.

366
 Astrophysics

E.3 (SL AND HL) Stellar distances

A
Parallax method
1 arcsecond
1 AU
E.3.1 Define the parsec. C P

E.3.2 Describe the stellar parallax method of

determining the distance to a star.

E.3.3 Explain why the method of stellar parallax is 1 parsec

B
limited to measuring stellar distances less
than several hundred parsecs.
Figure 1609  The parsec
E.3.4 Solve problems involving stellar parallax.
© IBO 2007
Figure 1610 shows the relationship between the units of
distance.

Introduction 1 AU = 1.496 1011 m

1 ly = 9.46 1015 m
Astronomical distances are vast. For example it was quoted 1 ly = 63 240 AU
that the Sun is 25,000 light years from the centre of our 1 pc = 3.086 1016 m
galaxy. This is of the order of 1020 m. The distance to our 1 pc = 3.26 ly
nearest star is of the order of 1017 m and the distance to the 1 pc = 206 265 AU
quasar 3C273 is of the order of 1025 m. How are such vast
distances measured? Let us first of all look at some of the
units that are used in astronomical measurements. Figure 1610  The relationships bewtween units of distance

E.3.1 Define the parsec

OPTION
Exercise

A useful astronomical distance is that of the average

distance between Earth and the Sun, the astronomical 1. Using the value for 1 AU given above and taking
unit (AU). 1 AU = 1.50 × 1011 m. 1 year = 3.2 × 107 s, verify the conversions between
parsecs and light years given in the above table.
We define the parsec in terms of the AU. A line of length
1 AU subtends an angle of 1 arcsecond (one second of arc)
at a distance of one parsec. In Figure 1609 the object P is E.3.2 Describe the stellar parallax
1 pc away from the line AB. Since the angle is so small
the lines AP, BP and CP can all be considered to be of the method of determining the
same length.
distance to a star

Parallax is the apparent shifting of an object against a

distant background when viewed from two different
perspectives. Parallax can be easily demonstrated by
closing one eye and holding an index finger close to your
other eye such that it blocks the view of some object at the
other end of the room. If you move your head, the object
will now come into view.

367
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

In using the method of parallax to measure stellar

distances we must recognise the fact that the Earth is E.3.3 Explain why the method of
moving through space. When you look out of the window
of a moving train or car, objects close to you move past stellar parallax is limited to
you very rapidly but it takes a long time for the distant
landscape to change. In the same way, the stars which are measuring stellar distances
a great distance from the Earth (in astronomical terms)
appear to keep their position whereas the nearer stars (and The parallax method is used to measure stellar distances of up
the planets) appear to move against this background of the to 100 pc (parallax angle 0.01 arcsec). Beyond this distance
so called “fixed stars” as the Earth orbits the Sun. For this the parallax angle becomes too small to be measured with
reason, astronomers regard the fixed stars as a reference sufficient degree of accuracy. The angle becomes comparable
point against which to measure the direction of stars that to the error in measurement produced by distortions caused
are closer to the Earth. The position of these stars relative to by the Earth’s atmosphere. However, orbiting telescopes such
the fixed stars will depend from which point in the Earth’s as the Hubble avoid this distortion and enable slightly larger
orbit about the Sun that they are observed. (Incidentally, if stellar distances to be measured by parallax.
we regard the Earth to be fixed in space then the fixed stars
appear to rotate about the Earth). Figure 1611 shows how E.3.4 Solve problems involving
we can use the parallax method to measure the distance
from Earth of near stars. stellar parallax

Star Angle P Example

d The parallax angle for the star Sirius A is 0.37 arcsecond.

d Calculate the distance of the star from Earth in

(a) metres
Earth (June) Earth (December)
1 AU (b) parsecs
1 AU (c) astronomical units
(d) light years
OPTION

Figure 1611  Using the parallax method

The Earth is shown at two different points in its orbit Solution

about the Sun separated by a time period of six months.
The angular position (p) of the star is measured against the 1
fixed stars both in December and June. (a) 1 arcsecond = -----------
-
3600 degrees of arc.

× ---2π
1 AU 0.37 –4
Clearly we have tan p = -------------. However d is very much - 1.03 × 10
Hence p = 0.37 arcs = ----------- ------ rad.
d 3600 = 360
larger than 1 AU so the angle p is very small and therefore
tan p ≈ p. 1 AU = 1.5 × 1011 m, hence
11
1.5 × 10
p ≈ 1-------
AU ⇔ d ≈ 1 AU 16
Therefore, we have ------ ------------ . --- = 8.36 × 10 m.
d = ----------------------
–6
d p 1.8 × 10
(b) If the parallax angle of a star is 1 arcsecond then it
is said to be at a distance of 1 pc, hence =
1 1
-------------------------------------------------------------- = ------------ = 2.7 pc.
p (measured in arcsecond) 0.037
(c) 1 pc = 2.06 × 105 AU. Therefore

d = 2.7 × 2.06 × 105 = 5.6 × 105 AU.

(d) 1 pc = 3.26 ly. Therefore d = 2.7 × 3.26����������

= 8.8 ly.

368
 Astrophysics

Hence a magnitude 1 star is 2.512 times as bright as a

Exercise 13.4 magnitude 2 star.

That is if the difference between the apparent magnitude of

Our nearest star, Alpha-Centuari, is 4.3 light years from two stars is 1 the ratio of their apparent brightness is 2.512.
Earth. Calculate the value of the parallax angle that gives Hence a star that has an apparent magnitude of zero will be
this distance? 2.512 times as bright as star of apparent magnitude 1.

If the difference between the apparent magnitude is 2 then

Absolute and apparent magnitudes the ratio of the apparent brightness will be (2.512)2 = 6.31
and if the difference between the apparent magnitude is
3 the ratio of the brightness will be (2.512)3 = 15.85. In
E.3.5 Describe the apparent magnitude scale. general therefore if we have two stars one of apparent
magnitude m1 and the other of magnitude m2 the ratio of
b
E.3.6 Define absolute magnitude. their apparent brightness --b--1- is given by
2
1 b1
E.3.7 Solve problems involving apparent m2 – m1 = × log
log (2.512) b2
magnitude, absolute magnitude and distance.
E.3.6 Define absolute magnitude
E.3.8 Solve problems involving apparent
brightness and apparent magnitude. Apparent magnitude is a measure of the apparent brightness
© IBO 2007
of a star as viewed from Earth. In order to get a measure
of a star’s actual luminosity, astronomers standardise
the idea of apparent magnitude by “placing” stars (and
E.3.5 Describe the apparent galaxies) all at the same distance from the Earth. This
distance is chosen to be 10 pc. The apparent magnitude at
magnitude scale this distance is called the absolute magnitude, M.

An attempt to classify stars by their visual brightness was

made 2000 years ago by the Greek astronomer Hipparchus. E.3.7 Solve problems involving
He assigned a magnitude of 1 to the stars that appeared to be
apparent magnitude, absolute

OPTION
the brightest and to stars that were just visible to the naked
eye, he assigned a magnitude of 6. Values between 1 and 6
were assigned to stars with intermediate brightness. This is magnitude and distance
an awkward scale but is essentially the one still in use today.
However, measurement shows that a magnitude 1 star has Suppose a star has an apparent magnitude m and an
an apparent brightness 100 times that of a magnitude 6 apparent brightness b and it is at a distance d measured
star. So we now define the apparent magnitude scale such in parsecs from the Earth. Its brightness if it were at a
that a difference in apparent magnitude of 5 corresponds distance of 10 pc from the Earth would be, by the inverse
to a factor of 100 in brightness. This means that 100 stars square law, ---( d------⁄ b---10------)-2- . Hence if we use the equation relating
of magnitude 6 will produce as much power per unit area apparent magnitudes and brightness we have
at the surface of the Earth as a single star of apparent b1 100
magnitude 1. ----- = ------- - = ( 2.521) M – m
b2 d2
To see how the scale works in practice let us work out the This equation can only be solved using logarithms. In
ratio of the brightness of a magnitude 1 star to that of a logarithmic form the equation actually becomes
100
magnitude 2 star. M – m = 2.5 log  --------- = 5 – 5 log d
 2
d
Let this ratio be r. A change from magnitude 6 to or m – M = 5 log d – 5
magnitude 1 is a change of 5 magnitudes corresponding
to a change in brightness of 100. Hence the factor r5 which
gives a change of 5 magnitudes is equal to 100.
5
i.e., r = 100 ⇒ r = 2.512

369
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

The nearest star to the Sun is Alpha Centauri at a distance

of 1.3 pc. With an apparent magnitude of 0.1, Alpha Example
–Centauri has an absolute magnitude of 4.5. This means
that the Sun and Alpha–Centauri have very nearly the
same luminosity. Calculate the absolute magnitude of the Sun.

Betelgeuse on the other hand, at a distance of 130 pc has

an apparent magnitude of +0.50 that gives an absolute Solution
magnitude of –5.14 E. This means that if Betelgeuse where
at 10 pc from the Earth its brightness would be (2.512)9.96
greater than the Sun. (The differences in the absolute The apparent magnitude of the Sun is –26.7
magnitudes is 9.96). This means that Betelgeuse has
luminosity some 10000 times that of the Sun. The distance of the Sun from Earth = 1 AU = 4.9 × 10-6 pc
–6
Therefore m – M = 5 log ( 4.9 × 10 ) – 5 or
E.3.8 Solve problems involving
m – M = - 26.5 – 5.
apparent brightness and
To give M = + 4.8.
apparent magnitude

Spectroscopic parallax
Example

E.3.9 State that the luminosity of a star may be

The apparent magnitude of the Sun is -26.7 and that of estimated from its spectrum.
Betelgeuse 0.50. Calculate how much brighter the Sun is
than Betelgeuse. E.3.10 Explain how stellar distance may be
determined using apparent brightness and
luminosity.
Solution
OPTION

E.3.11 State that the method of spectroscopic

parallax is limited to measuring stellar
We have m2 for Betelgeuse = 0.50 and m1 for the Sun = –26.7 distances less than about 10 Mpc.
to give m2 – m1 the difference in the apparent magnitudes
equal to 27.2. E.3.12 Solve problems involving stellar distances,
b1 apparent brightness and luminosity.
We therefore have that the ratio, -b----, of the brightness of that © IBO 2007
2
of the Sun to that of Betelgeuse to equal

2.51227.2 = 7.6 × 1010.

That is the Sun is approximately 80000 million times

brighter than Betelgeuse (if both of them are viewed from
the Earth).

Exercise 13.5

1. The apparent magnitude of the Andromeda

galaxy is 4.8 and that of the Crab Nebula is 8.4.
Determine which of these is the brightest and by
how much.

370
 Astrophysics

E.3.9,10 the luminosity and E.3.12 Solve problems involving

stellar distance of a star stellar distances, apparent

We have seen that determining the distance to stars using brightness and luminosity
the method of parallax is only of use up to distances of
about 100 pc. Beyond this distance the parallax angle is too
small to determine with any degree of accuracy. However, Example
when we discussed apparent brightness and luminosity we
found that from the inverse square law, if the luminosity
of a star and its apparent brightness are known then its The star Regulus in the constellation of Leo has an
distance from Earth can be determined. apparent brightness of 5.2 × 10–12 that of the Sun and a
luminosity 140 times that of the Sun. If the distance from
The apparent brightness can be measured directly but how the Earth to the Sun is 4.9 × 10–6 pc how far from the Earth
do we measure the luminosity? The key to this is the HR is Regulus?
diagram and the spectral class of the star. The spectral class
of the star is in fact determined from the absorption line
spectra of the star. The surface temperature can also be Solution
determined from its spectrum (Wien’s law) and this then
enables us to plot the star on the HR diagram and hence
determine its luminosity. From the inverse square law we know
L
b = ------------
This method of determining the distance to a star from 4πd 2
information gleaned from its spectra is known somewhat 2
misleadingly as spectroscopic parallax, misleading since Therefore L sun d b sun
---------- = ----sun
---
--
- × ------
----
L reg
d reg b reg
no parallax is involved in the method. 2

L  b 
E.3.11 State that the method of L
reg ×
2 =  ------
From which d reg sun × d 2
----  ------
b
---- sun
 sun  reg 

OPTION
spectroscopic parallax is limited
1
2 = ( 140 ) ×  ---------------
d reg  5.2 × 10 ------------ × ( 4.9 × 10 –6 )2
– 12
to measuring stellar distances
To give, dreg = 25pc
less than about 10 Mpc

In theory there is no limit to the stellar distances that can Cepheid variables
be obtained using the method of spectroscopic parallax.
However, in practice beyond 10 Mpc, the error in the
determination of the luminosity becomes too large to E.3.13 Outline the nature of a Cepheid variable.
compute the distance to within a sensible degree of
accuracy. E.3.14 State the relationship between period and
absolute magnitude for Cepheid variables.

E.3.15 Explain how Cepheid variables may be used

as “standard candles”.

E.3.16 Determine the distance to a Cepheid

variable using the luminosity–period
relationship.
© IBO 2007

371
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

E.3.13 Outline the nature of a 100,000 instability strip

Cepheid variable
10,000

luminosity / L◉
Clearly there are problems with measuring stellar distance
beyond 100 pc, the distance limit of the parallax method.
(As mentioned above, the Hubble telescope enables this
limit to be extended somewhat). However, we have seen 100 main sequence
Cepheids
that if we can measure the apparent brightness of star and
its luminosity then we can determine its distance from
the relation L = 4πd2b. In the preceding section we saw
that the method of spectroscopic parallax is a powerful 1
tool for determining the luminosity of stars and hence
the distance to stars in galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
However, there is another method that enables distances
greater than 10 Mpc (the limit of spectroscopic parallax) 40, 000 20,000 10,000 5,000
to be determined with great accuracy. surface temperature / K

Figure 1612  The position of Type II Cepheid

E.3.14 State the relationship variables on the HR diagram

between period and

E.3.15 Explain how Cepheid
absolute magnitude for
variables may be used as
Cepheid variables
“standard candles”
In 1784 the amateur astronomer John Goodricke noted
that the luminosity of the star Delta Cephei varied Cepheid variables are extremely important in determining
regularly. He recorded the apparent magnitude as reaching distances to galaxies. This is because they are extremely
OPTION

a maximum of 4.4 and then falling to a minimum of 3.5 luminous (typically 104 L◉) and therefore relatively easily
in four days, rising to the maximum again in the following located and also because of the so-called period-luminosity
1.5 days. We now know that this periodic change in relationship.
luminosity is due to the outer layers of the star undergoing
periodic contractions and expansions. There are however, The American astronomer Henrietta Leavitt showed
two types of Cepheid imaginatively called Type-I and that there is a actually a linear relationship between the
Type-II. luminosity and period of Cepheid variables.

Many other variable stars have since been discovered and The graph in Figure 1613 shows the period-luminosity
they are given the general name Cepheid variables. The relationship for Type-II Cepheids.
position of the Cepheids on the HR diagram is shown in
The Period-Luminosity Relation for Cepheids
Figure 1612.
luminosity / power of 10, Sun = 1

1
1 10 100
period / days

Figure 1613  The period-luminosity relationship for Cepheids

372
 Astrophysics

When a Cepheid is located, then by measuring the period Summary

of a Cepheid variable we can determine its luminosity
from the period-luminosity relationship. If the apparent The two ‘flow’ charts in Figures 1614 and 1615 summarise
brightness of the star is measured then its distance can be the ideas that we have met so far in this chapter as to how
computed from the inverse square law. we gain information about the nature of stars and their
distance from Earth.
Cepheid variables act as a sort of “standard candle” in as Chart 1 Distance measured by parallax:
much as they can be used to check distance measurements distance apparent spectrum chemical
measurement
made using parallax and/or spectroscopic parallax. by parallax brightness b composition
of corona
However, beyond about 60 Mpc Cepheids are too faint
and measurement of their period becomes unreliable.
Luminosity Wien’s Law
Other techniques have to be used to measure distances d = 1⁄p
L = 4πbd
2 surface
temperature T
greater than 60 Mpc. A summary is given at the end of
this chapter outlining these techniques.
4
L = 4πR 2 σ T
Stefan-Boltzmann

E.3.16 Determine the distance to

a Cepheid variable using Radius R

the luminosity–period Figure 1614  Distance measured by parallax

Chart 2 Distance determined by spect roscopic parallax/cepheid variables.
relationship Spectrum
Apparent
brightness (b)

Luminosity Spectral type Chemical

Example class composition

Surface temperature (T)

Cepheid Wien’s law
The star δ-Cepheid is 300 pc from the Earth (This distance variable

can be determined by parallax from the Hubble telescope).

Another variable star is detected in a distant galaxy that Period H–R diagram

OPTION
has the same period as δ-Cepheid but with an apparent
brightness of 10–9 of that of δ-Cepheid. How far is the
Luminosity (L )
galaxy from Earth?
L Stefan – Boltzmann
b = ------------2
4πd L = 4πR 2 σ T 4
Solution

Distance (d) Radius ( R)

The two stars have the same luminosity hence

2 2 Figure 1615  Distance determined by spectroscopic
Lstar = L δ = 4πd starb star = 4πdδ b δ parallax - cepheid variables

Hence dstar bδ 4
---------- = ---------- = 3.2 × 10
dδ b star

The galaxy is therefore 3.2 × 104 × 300 pc ≈ 10 Mpc from Earth.

373
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

E.4 (sl and hl) Cosmology

Olber’s paradox
d

E.4.1 Describe Newton’s model of the universe.

R
E.4.2 Explain Olber’s paradox.
© IBO 2007 observer

E.4.1 Describe Newton’s model

of the universe
Figure 1616  Olber’s paradox
Newton’s view of the Universe was that it is infinite in
extent, contains an infinite number of stars, is static and The volume of such shells therefore increases with R2,
exists forever. He argued that if this were not the case which means that the number of stars observed increase as
1
then the force of gravity between a finite number of stars R2. But the luminosity of any shell falls off as -R----2- . Hence the
in a finite universe would draw them together such that Universe should be uniformly bright in any direction since
eventually the Universe would become a single spherical the luminosity depends only on the density distribution of
lump of matter. In the early 1800s a German amateur the stars.
astronomer, Henrich Olber, pointed out that Newton’s
view leads to a paradox. If the universe is infinite and Clearly the night sky is dark and so therefore we must
contains an infinite number of stars then no matter in conclude that the universe is not infinite nor are there an
which direction you looked from the Earth you would see infinite number of stars in the universe evenly distributed.
a star. The sky should be ablaze with stars. Olber’s paradox For an explanation as to why the night sky is dark we
is then “How come the night sky is black”. Or as Kepler put must propose a different model of the universe to that put
it 30 years before Newton was born, “Why is the sky dark forward by Newton.
at night?”
OPTION

The Big Bang model

E.4.2 Explain Olber’s paradox
A simple mathematical argument shows that an infinite E.4.3 Suggest that the red-shift of light from
universe leads to the view that the sky should be equally galaxies indicates that the universe is
bright in all directions to all observers at any place in the expanding.
Universe.
E.4.4 Describe both space and time as
In Figure 1616 we suppose that the stars are distributed originating with the Big Bang.
evenly with a density ρ. To an observer the number of stars
in a thin shell of thickness d at a distance R away will be E.4.5 Describe the discovery of cosmic
4πR2ρd.(If the shell is very thin then the volume of the microwave background (CMB) radiation by
shell is 4πR2d). Penzias and Wilson.

E.4.6 Explain how cosmic radiation in the

microwave region is consistent with the Big
Bang model.

E.4.7 Suggest how the Big Bang model provides

a resolution to Olber’s paradox.
© IBO 2007

374
 Astrophysics

expands more and more space is created. In this sense it

E.4.3 Suggest that the red-shift of is wrong to think of the galaxies rushing away from each
other. It is the space in which the galaxies are situated
light from galaxies indicates that is expanding. There is simple analogy that helps
understand this and one that you can easily demonstrate
that the universe is expanding for yourself. Partially inflate a toy balloon and then stick
little bits of paper on to it at different places. The surface
In Topic 11.2 (A.3) we discussed the apparent shift in of the balloon represents space and the bits of paper
frequency of a moving source – the so-called Doppler represent galaxies. As you now further inflate the balloon
Effect. Essentially, if a sound source is moving away from you will see the “galaxies” move away from each other. The
an observer then the observer will measure the source as galaxies move even though they are fixed in space because
emitting a lower frequency (and longer wavelength) than space is expanding.
when the source is stationary. The same effect arises with
light sources. Suppose for example an observer measures We must not take the balloon analogy too literally since
the visible line spectrum of atomic hydrogen and then the balloon is expanding into space whereas the expanding
compared the wavelengths of the lines with that of a Universe is creating space. There is no outside of the
spectrum produced by a hydrogen source that is moving Universe into which it expands. So to ask the question
away from him. The lines in the spectrum of the moving “what is outside the Universe?” is just as meaningless
source will be measured as having a longer wavelength as the question “what was there before the Big Bang?”
than those in the spectrum of the stationary source. We say However, the analogy does help us appreciate that there is
that the spectrum from the moving source is red-shifted. no centre to the Universe. Any one of the bits of paper can
The faster the source is moving away from the observer, be chosen as a reference point and all other bits of paper
the greater will be the red-shift. will be appear to be receding form this reference point.
This is exactly the same for the galaxies in our Universe.
In 1920s Edwin Hubble and Milton Humanson photo-
graphed the spectra of a large number of galaxies and The expanding Universe also helps us understand the
found that most of the spectra showed a red-shift (Nine origin of the red-shift observed from distant galaxies.
years earlier the astronomer Vesto Slipher had detected the Strictly speaking this is not due to the Doppler effect
red-shift in several nebulae. However, at this time it was since the galaxies themselves are not receding from us,
not known that the nebulae were galaxies). This means it is the space between them that is expanding. When a
that the galaxies must be moving away from the Earth. photon leaves a galaxy and travels through space as the

OPTION
space through which it travels expands, the wavelength
associated with the photon will increase in length. The
E.4.4 Describe both space and time as longer it spends on its journey through space the more its
wavelength will increase. Hence when the photon reaches
originating with the Big Bang our eyes it will be redshifted and the further from whence
it originated, the greater will be the red-shift.
If all the galaxies are rushing away from each other then
it is feasible to assume that in the past they were much
closer together. It is possible to imagine that sometime E.4.5 Describe the discovery of
long ago all the matter in the Universe was concentrated
into a smaller volume. An “explosion” then occurred that cosmic microwave background
threw the matter apart.
(CMB) radiation by Penzias
The prevailing view of the creation of the Universe is that
some 10-20 billion years ago all the matter of the Universe and Wilson
was concentrated into a point of infinite density. Then
a cataclysmic explosion initiated the expansion of the We know that about 24% of the Universe is made up of
Universe. The explosion is called the Big Bang. However, helium. Calculation shows that the helium produced by
we must not think of this like an exploding bomb. When nuclear fusion within stars cannot account for this amount.
a bomb explodes the shrapnel flies off into space. When In 1960 two physicists, Dicke and Peebles proposed that
the Big Bang happened matter did not fly off into space sometime during the early history of the Universe it was
but space and time itself were created. Before the Big Bang at a sufficiently high temperature to produce helium by
there was no time and there was no space. As the universe fusion. In this process many high energy photons would be

375
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

produced. The photons would have a black body spectrum The development of the universe
corresponding to the then temperature of the Universe. As
the Universe expanded and cooled the photon spectrum
would also change with their maximum wavelength shifting E.4.8 Distinguish between the terms open, flat
in accordance with Wien’s law. It is estimated that at the and closed when used to describe the
present time the photons should have a maximum wavelength development of the universe.
corresponding to a black body spectrum of 3 K.
E.4.9 define the term critical density by reference
to a flat model of the development of the
E.4.6 Explain how cosmic radiation universe

in the microwave region is E.4.10 discuss how the density of the universe
determines the development of the
consistent with the Big Bang universe.

model E.4.11 Discuss problems associated with

determining the density of the universe.
Shortly after this prediction, Penzias and Wilson were
working with a microwave aerial and they found that no E.4.12 State that current scientific evidence
matter in what direction they pointed the aerial it picked suggests that the universe is open.
up a steady, continuous background radiation. They soon
realised that they had discovered the remnants of the E.4.13 Discuss an example of the international
radiation predicted by Dicke and Peebles. This was further nature of recent astrophysics research
evidence that the Universe started life with a bang.
E.4.14 Evaluate arguments related to investing
The most modern day measurements confirm all space significant resources into researching the
is filled with radiation corresponding to a black body nature of the universe
© IBO 2007
spectrum of 2.726 K.

E.4.7 Suggest how the Big Bang E.4.8 Distinguish between the
OPTION

model provides a resolution terms open, flat and closed

to Olber’s paradox when used to describe the

The Big Bang model leads to the idea that space is development of the universe
expanding and that within this space, the distribution of
the galaxies (and the stars in them) is not uniform. The The eventual fate of the Universe is determined by the
model is therefore completely at odds with Newton’s amount of mass in the Universe.
model of a uniform, static universe, thereby providing a
resolution to Olber’s paradox. The Universe could be closed. This means that the density
of the Universe is such that gravity will stop the universe
expanding and then cause it to contract. Eventually the
contraction will result in a ‘Big Crunch’ after which the
whole creation process could start again.

The Universe could be open. This means that the density

is such that gravity is too weak to stop the Universe
expanding forever.

376
 Astrophysics

E.4.9 define the term critical E.4.11 Discuss problems

density by reference to a flat associated with determining

model of the development of the density of the universe

the universe Measuring the density of the Universe is no mean feat

and is compounded by the fact that the majority of matter
Another possible development of the Universe is that it in the Universe cannot be seen. We know that galaxies
could be flat. This means that the density is at a critical congregate in clusters. However, measurement of the mass
value whereby the Universe will only start to contract after of luminous matter in galaxies shows that this mass is not
an infinite amount of time. sufficient to keep the galaxies in orbit about the cluster
centre. In fact about ten times as much mass is needed.
Astronomers therefore have postulated the existence of
Radius of Universe

y so-called dark matter. They are pretty sure that it has to be

vit
o gra open
there but what it actually consists of is as yet not known.
n
Several theories have been put forward.

closed One suggestion is that the dark matter consists of

neutrinos, another that it is made of MACHOs – massive
compact halo objects. These are thought to be dim stars
or black holes of between 0.01M◉ and 1 M◉. It is thought
time that the observed brightening of certain stars over a
now period of a few days is due to a Macho passing close to the
past future
star and thereby bending the light from the star. Another
Figure 1617  The fate of the Universe suggestion is that dark matter is made up of particles
called WIMPS - weakly interacting massive particles.
The existence of these particles is suggested by certain
E.4.10 discuss how the density of theories of particle physics but their existence has yet to
be confirmed experimentally.

OPTION
the universe determines the
Even if we could measure the density of the universe to
development of the universe a reasonable degree of accuracy we would still not know
the fate of the universe since we are still not actually sure
Figure 1617 shows the possible development of the of what value the density needs to be to just make the
Universe depending on the values of the critical density. universe flat. Our best theoretical calculations are only
The straight line shows the development of the Universe accurate to within about 40%.
if there were no matter in it i.e. the density equals zero.
The development of the flat Universe lies somewhere
between this line and the curve for the open Universe. To E.4.12 State that current
summarise, if ρ is the density of the Universe and ρC is the
critical density, then the fate of the Universe will be: scientific evidence suggests

flat if ρ = ρC that the universe is open

open if ρ < ρC Some physicists have argued that it must be flat or open
but if this is the case then there is about 5000 times more
closed if ρ > ρC dark matter in the Universe than there is luminous matter.
Recent measurements suggest that this might indeed be
the case and that the Universe is in fact open.

377
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

E.4.13 Discuss an example of the E.5 (HL only) Stellar

international nature of processes and  
recent astrophysics research stellar
Please refer to Topic 11.4 for example of this in respect of evolution
the development and building of Very Large Telescopes
and Very Large Arrays.
E.5.1 Describe the conditions that initiate fusion
in a star
E.4.14 Evaluate arguments related
E.5.2 State the effect of a star’s mass on the end
to investing significant product of nuclear fusion

resources into researching E.5.3 Outline the changes that take place in
nucleosynthesis when a star leaves the
the nature of the universe main sequence and becomes a red giant

Equipment for exploring the Universe is expensive and E.5.4 Apply the mass–luminosity relation
raises the issue of whether such expenditure might be
better used elsewhere such as to help eliminate world E.5.5 Explain how the Chandrasekhar and
poverty. This is a good discussion for TOK in respect of Oppenheimer–Volkoff limits are used to
moral and ethical judgements. predict the fate of stars of different masses

E.5.6 Compare the fate of a red giant and a red

supergiant

E.5.7 Draw evolutionary paths of stars on an HR

diagram
OPTION

E.5.8 Outline the characteristics of pulsars

© IBO 2007

E.5.1 Describe the conditions

that initiate fusion in a star

We have briefly looked at the way in which stars are

formed and also seen that the main source of energy in
stars is nuclear fusion. In this section we look at both these
processes in more detail and also trace the evolution of
stars.

If you view the constellation of Orion with binoculars or

a telescope you will see that the middle star of the three
stars that makes up Orion’s “sword” is very fuzzy. In fact it
is not a star at all but a gas cloud – the Orion nebula. This
nebula emits its own light and has a temperature of some
10,000 K. Radiation from the two stars in the “sword”
excite the hydrogen ions in the nebula and when the excited
atoms de-excite they emit light. Whereas the Orion nebula

378
 Astrophysics

consists mainly of hydrogen gas (and some helium) other

nebulae can be found that contain dust particles. These 100,000,000
particles scatter any starlight and so appear dark against
the background of emission nebulae. The most celebrated 15 M
of the dark nebulae is the Horsehead nebula, so-called 10,000 9M
because of its distinctive shape. This can be seen against

luminosity
the emission nebula of Orion. (The nebulae associated 5M
with Orion’s sword are in fact some 450 pc beyond the 3M
other two stars in the sword). A typical dark nebula has a 100 main sequence

temperature of about 100 K and contains between 1010 and 2M

1019 particles. The particles consist of hydrogen (75%) and
1M
helium molecules (24%) and dust (1%). The dust consists
1
of atoms and molecules of many different elements.
0.5 M
It would seem that the dark nebulae are the birthplaces
of the stars. Their temperature is low enough and their 40, 000 20,000 10,000 5,000
density high enough for gravity to pull the individual surface temperature K
particles together. As the particles move together under
their mutual gravitational attraction they lose gravitational Figure 1618  The relationship of mass and luminosity
potential energy and gain kinetic energy. In other words the
temperature of the system increases and as the temperature The more massive a protostar (more than about 4M◉) the
increases ionisation of the molecules will take place and more quickly its core will reach a temperature at which
the system will acquire its own luminosity. At this point fusion takes place. (Protostars with a mass of about 15 M◉
the so-called protostar is still very large and might have will reach the main sequence in about 104 years whereas
a surface temperature of some 3000 K and therefore has protostars with a mass of about 1 M◉ will take about 107
considerable luminosity. A protostar of mass equal to the years). Its luminosity quickly stabilises but its surface
Sun can have a surface area some 5000 times greater than temperature will continue to increase as it further contracts.
the Sun and be 100 times as luminous. For protostars with less than this mass the outer layers are
relatively opaque (due to the presence of a large number
As the gravitational contraction continues the temperature of negative hydrogen ions) so little energy is lost from the
of the core of the protostar continues to rise until it is at core by radiation. Energy is actually transferred from the

OPTION
a sufficiently high temperature for all the electrons to be core to the surface by convection ensuring that the surface
stripped from the atoms making up the core. The core has temperature stays reasonably constant. The luminosity
now become a plasma and nuclear fusion now takes place therefore will decrease as the protostar contracts.
in which hydrogen is converted into helium (sometimes
referred to by astronomers as hydrogen burning) and Gravitational collapse puts a lower and upper limit on the
the protostar has become a main sequence star on the mass of matter that can form a star. As we saw in a previous
Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The nuclear fusion process section, a protostar with a mass less than about 0.08 M◉
will eventually stop any further gravitational contraction will not develop the pressure and temperature necessary to
and the star will have reached hydrostatic equilibrium in initiate nuclear fusion and will contract to a brown dwarf.
which gravitational pressure is balanced by the pressure If a protostar has a mass greater than about 100 M◉ then
created by the nuclear fusion processes. the internal pressure created by contraction will overcome
the gravitational pressure and vast amounts of matter will
Whereabouts a protostar “lands” on the main sequence be ejected from the outer layer of the protostar thereby
is determined by its initial mass. The greater the initial disrupting the evolution of the star.
mass the higher will be the final surface temperature and
the greater will be its luminosity. This is illustrated in the
Figure 1618.

379
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

of the carbon in living tissue originated in the core of stars

E.5.2 State the effect of a star’s like the Sun in their death throes.

mass on the end product of When all the helium in the core has been used up the core
further contracts and its temperature rises such that the
nuclear fusion energy radiated from the core will now cause helium
burning in the outer layers. The Sun has entered a second
At the end of its lifetime as a main sequence star all the red giant phase. When it enters this phase its outer layers
hydrogen in its core has been used up. How long this takes will reach out and engulf Earth, and it will have a lumi-
and a star’s ultimate fate depends upon its initial mass. Our nosity some 10,000 times that of its present luminosity.
Sun for instance has been converting hydrogen to helium When it enters this phase it undergoes bursts of luminosity
within its core for some 5 × 109 years and will continue in which a shell of its outer layers is ejected into space. As
to do so for at least another 5 × 109 years. On the other the Sun ejects its outer layers its very hot core will be
hand a star with a mass of about 25 M◉ will use up all its exposed.
hydrogen in about 106 years.
This core will have a surface temperature of about
100,000 K and the radiation that it emits will ionise the
E.5.3 Outline the changes that take outer gas layers causing them to emit visible radiation
producing an inappropriately named, planetary nebula.
place in nucleosynthesis when The radius of the core will be about that of the Earth and
with no fusion reaction taking place within the core it will
a star leaves the main sequence just simply cool down. The Sun has become a white dwarf
star, and as it continues to cool it will eventually fade from
and becomes a red giant sight.

We shall take the Sun as an example of the changes that

take place in nucleosynthesis when a star leaves the main E.5.4 Apply the mass–luminosity
sequence and becomes a red giant. As the Sun ages the
continuous energy flow from the core heats the material relation
surrounding the core such that, when all the hydrogen in
the core has been used up, hydrogen burning can continue An interesting relationship exists between the luminosity
OPTION

in the surrounding material. There are no fusion processes of a star and its mass. If the define the luminosity L of a
in the core to counteract gravitational contraction so the star and its mass M in terms of solar units, then it is found
core will now start to contract. As the core contracts its that for all Main Sequence stars averaged over the whole
temperature will rise and the energy flow from the core sequence that
will further heat up the outer layers of the Sun. Hydrogen
burning now extends further and further into the outer L = M 3.5
regions and so, as the core contracts, the Sun as a whole
actually expands. However, it must be borne in mind that this is an average
relationship and that the power n to which M is raised is to
This expansion causes the Sun’s surface temperature to drop some extent mass dependant. Generally n is greater than
and its luminosity to increase. At a surface temperature 3 and less than 4.
of about 3500 K the surface will take on a reddish hue
(Wien’s law) and the Sun will have a diameter of about For example a star that is 5 times more massive than the
1 AU, sufficient to engulf Mercury and nearly reach Venus. Sun will be 53.5 (= 280) times more luminous.
It will also have a luminosity about 2000 times that of its
present day luminosity.

The helium created by hydrogen burning in the outer

layers of the Sun adds to the mass of the core causing the
core to further contract. The core temperature will rise
and eventually reach a temperature high enough for the
fusion of helium to take place. Two of the products of the
helium fusion process are carbon-12 and oxygen-16. Most

380
 Astrophysics

E.5.5 Explain how the E.5.6 Compare the fate of a red

Chandrasekhar and giant and a red supergiant

Oppenheimer–Volkoff limits Most Stars with a mass of 8M◉ or more are able to fuse
even more elements than carbon. After all the carbon
are used in the core has been used the core undergoes a further
contraction and its temperature rises to some 109 K. At this
The core of a star like the Sun does not keep contracting temperature the fusion of neon can take place. The neon is
under gravity since there is a high density limit set by a produced by the fusion of carbon and the fusion of neon
quantum mechanical effect known as electron degeneracy. increases the concentration of oxygen and magnesium in
Essentially a point is reached where the electrons cannot the core.
be packed any closer. The more massive a white dwarf the
greater will be the gravitational force of contraction, hence When all the neon has been fused the core contracts yet
electron degeneracy sets an upper limit on the mass of a again and a temperature is reached in which oxygen can
white dwarf. This is known as the Chandrasekhar limit be fused. Between each period of thermonuclear fusion
after its discoverer and is equal to 1.4 M◉. in the core is a period of shell burning in the outer layers
and the star enters a new red giant phase. When only shell
The positions of the red giants and white dwarfs on the H- burning is taking place the radius and luminosity of the
R diagram are shown in Figure 1608. It is thought that all star increases such that the result is a supergiant with a
stars of mass less than about 8 M◉ end up as white dwarfs luminosity and radius very much greater than that of a
ejecting about 60% of their mass as planetary nebulae. lower mass red giant. Some super giants have a radius
However, even stars with masses equal to or slightly several thousand times larger than the Sun and are some
greater than 8M◉ may end up as white dwarfs should they of the brightest visible stars. Betelgeuse and Rigel in the
eject sufficient mass during their planetary nebula phase. Orion constellation are example of supergiants.

Stars with masses between 4M◉ and 8M◉ are able to Eventually a temperature is reached in the core of a
fuse carbon and in this process produce neon, sodium, supergiant at which the fusion of silicon can take place.
magnesium and oxygen during their final red giant phase. The product of silicon burning is iron.

OPTION
A summary of the stages through which stars like our Sun Figure 1620 shows the structure of the core of a supergiant
pass on the way to becoming a white dwarf is shown in as it nears the end of its life. The energy of the star comes
Figure 1619. from six concentric burning shells.

core hydrogen
core contracts outer layer
expansion of hydrogen burning
temperature hydrogen
all burnt outer layer
rises burning
helium burning

luminosity helium adds to core contracts

increases RED GIANT helium burning carbon burning
the core
in core

further contraction ejection of mass

helium in core of core and helium burning via planetary
used up expansion of in outer layers nebulae
outer layers
neon burning
WHITE DWARF

oxygen burning
Figure 1619  The life cycle of a star iron-stable silicon burning

Whereas the Chandrasekhar limit applies to main Figure 1620  The structure of a supergiant
sequence stars, the so-called Oppenheimer–Volkoff limit
applies to neutron stars.

381
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

Because of a very large coulomb repulsion, elements with

a proton number of 26 or greater cannot undergo fusion.
Proto-star formed from
(Except if there is an enormous energy input). Iron has interstellar dust and gas
a proton number of 26 so when the entire core is iron,
fusion within the core must cease. The star has reached a
critical state. Main Sequence
Main Sequence Main Sequence

◉
less than 4M ◉
between 4M but
◉
8M or greater

When the entire inner core is iron it contracts very

less than 8M
◉
rapidly and reaches an enormously high temperature Super red giant
(≈ 6 × 109 K). The high energy gamma photons emitted at Red Giant
iron core
Red Giant
this temperature collide with the iron nuclei breaking the carbon-oxygen oxygen-neon
core core
nuclei into alpha-particles. This takes place in a very short Supernova
time and in the next fraction of a second the core becomes Neutron star

so dense that negative electrons combine with positive

protons producing neutrons and a vast flux of neutrinos. Planetary nebula
and white dwarf Neutron star/
This flux of neutrinos carries a large amount of energy Black hole

from the core causing it to cool and further contract.

Figure 1621  The sequences of the birth and death of stars
The rapid contraction produces an outward moving
pressure wave. At this point, because of the contraction
of the inner core, material from the other shells is E.5.7 Draw evolutionary paths
collapsing inward, when this material meets the outward
moving pressure wave, it is forced back. The pressure of stars on an HR diagram
wave continues to accelerate as it moves outward until
it is moving faster than the speed of sound and becomes It is left as an exercise for you to draw appropriate
a colossal shock wave that rips the material of the star’s evolutionary paths on an HR diagram of stars of different
outer layers apart. The inner cores are now exposed and masses.
a vast amount of radiation floods out into space. The star
has become a supernova.
E.5.8 Outline the characteristics
It has been estimated that some 10 J of energy is liberated
46
OPTION

in such an event and the star loses about 96% of its mass. of pulsars
The energy produced when a star becomes a supernova is
sufficiently high to produce all the elements with atomic For completion sake, we also include in this section, an
numbers higher than iron. The material that is flung out overview of neutron stars, quasar and black holes.
in to space will eventually form dark nebulae from which
new stars may be formed. And so the process repeats itself. We have seen that electron degeneracy sets a limit to the
The core material that is left is thought to contract to form maximum mass of a white dwarf. However, as intimated
a neutron star or a black hole (see next section). above, at a sufficiently high temperature electrons and
protons will interact to form neutrons and neutrinos.
(On February 23rd, 1987 a supernova was detected in the It is thought that this is what happens to the core of a
Large Magellanic Cloud and was so bright that it could be supernova, as it contracts to become a neutron star. In
seen in the Southern Hemisphere with the naked eye). such a star it is now neutron degeneracy which stops
further contraction. If such stars exist they would have a
The sequences of the birth and death of stars is summarised density of about 4 × 1017 ����
kg m–3 and would have a radius
in Figure 1621. of only some 15 km.

The Oppenheimer–Volkoff limit suggests that there is an

upper limit to the mass of a neutron star beyond which
it will collapse to a black hole. This limit is thought to be
about 2-3 solar masses.

Evidence for the existence of neutron stars came in 1967

when Jocelyn Bell as an undergraduate at Cambridge

382
 Astrophysics

University detected rapidly varying radio pulses from In the 1960s even stranger objects than quasars were
one particular location in the sky. Since then many more detected which emit strong bursts of gamma radiation. It
such sources have been discovered with periods ranging would seem that these objects are even more distant and
from about 30 pulses per second to about 1 pulse every 1.5 more luminous than quasars.
seconds. This is far faster than the pulses from an eclipsing
binary or variable star. Nor could the source be a rotating
white dwarf since at such speeds of rotation the white Black holes
dwarf would tear itself apart.
We have seen that neutron stars have enormous densities
It is now thought that these so-called pulsars are in fact and a small radius. This means that the gravitational
rotating neutron stars. Neutron stars are by necessity small potential at the surface of such a star will also be enormous.
and therefore, to conserve angular momentum, they must The escape velocity from the surface of a planet or star is
rotate rapidly. Also, supergiants have a magnetic field related to the gravitational potential at its surface. So what
and as they shrink to a neutron star the magnetic field would happen if the potential was such that the escape
strength will become very large. As this field rotates with velocity was equal to the speed of light? It would in fact
the star it will generate radio waves. Strong electric fields mean that no electromagnetic radiation could leave the
created by the rotating magnetic field could also create surface of the star, it would have become a black hole.
electron-positron pairs (see Chapter 20 Option J) and the
acceleration of these charges would also be a source of The correct way in which to think of the formation of a
radio waves. black hole is in terms of the General Theory of Relativity.
(refer to chapter 19 Option H). This theory predicts that
The neutron star model is now firmly accepted by space is warped by the presence of mass. Hence the path of
astronomers. The Crab nebula in the constellation Taurus light travelling close to large masses will be curved. Near
has a pulsar close to its centre with a radio frequency of to a black hole the space is so severely warped that the
33 Hz. It is pretty certain that the nebula is the remains of path of any light leaving the surface will be bent back in on
a supernova. itself. The General Theory also predicts that time slows in
a gravitational field. At a point close to a black hole, where
the escape velocity just equals the speed of light, time will
Quasars cease. This point is known as the event horizon of the black
hole. When a dying star contracts within its event horizon
In 1944 Grote Reber, an amateur astronomer, detected the entire mass of the star will shrink to a mathematical

OPTION
strong radio signals from the constellations Sagittarius, point at which its density will be infinite. Such a point is
Cassiopeia and Cygnus. The first two of these sources were known as a singularity. A black hole therefore consists of
found to lie within the Milky Way. However, in 1951 an odd an event horizon and a singularity.
looking galaxy was found to be the source of the Cygnus
signals. The galaxy was subsequently called Cygnus A. So do black holes exist? We cannot see a black hole,
One of the extraordinary things about this galaxy is that, however, its existence might be inferred from the effect
unlike all hitherto known galaxies, it exhibits an emission that its gravitational field would have on its surroundings.
spectrum. Furthermore the emission spectrum showed a Some stellar objects have been detected as sources of X-ray
very large red-shift indicating that the galaxy was some radiation such as Cygnus X-1. Spectroscopic observations
220 Mpc from the Earth. revealed that close to the location of Cygnus is a supergiant
with a mass of about 30M◉. This star itself cannot be the
This was the furthest known object in the Universe at this source of X-ray radiation and it has been surmised that the
time meaning that Cygnus A must be one of the most system Cygnus X-1 is in fact a binary, the companion star
luminous radio sources in the Universe. Because of its being a black hole. The intense gravitational field of the
star like appearance and strong radio emission Cygnus A black hole draws material from the supergiant and as this
was called a quasar (quasi-stellar radio source). To date material spirals into the black hole it reaches a temperature
about 10,000 quasars have been detected and the most at which it emits X-rays. Other potential candidates for
distant is some 3600 Mpc from the Earth. Not only are black holes have been found and some theorists think that
quasars strong radio emitters but they also have enormous there is a black hole at the centre of all galaxies including
luminosities with the most luminous being some 10000 our own Milky Way.
times more luminous than the Milky Way.

383
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

There are essentially three types of galaxies.

Perseus arm
rotation

Spiral galaxies Orion arm

Sun
Cygnus arm
Centaurus arm
There are many spiral galaxies in the universe and the
Milky Way is one of them.

All such galaxies are characterised by three main

components, a thin disc, a central bulge and a halo. The Sagittarius arm
sketches in Figure 1622 shows a side view and plan view globular clusters
of the Milky Way.
25 000 ly central bulge
Andromeda is the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way galactic nucleus
(about 2.2 million light years away) and is just about visible 500
light-years
to the naked eye. If it is viewed with binoculars then its disc
spiral shape can be distinguished.
Sun

The halo of the Milky Way contains many globular 80 000 light-years

clusters of stars each containing up to a million stars and halo

seemingly very little interstellar dust or very bright stars.
This suggests that the halo contains some of the oldest Figure 1622  The Milky Way
stars in our galaxy. Their age as been estimated at between
10 and 15 billion years.
Irregular galaxies
The bulge at the centre of the Milky Way has the greatest
density of stars and many of these would seem to be These galaxies seem to have no specific structure. Our two
very hot, young stars. However, direct visible evidence is nearest galactic neighbours are irregular, the Large and
difficult to collect since the galactic centre contains many small Magellanic Clouds. The large Magellanic Cloud lies at
dust clouds. Such evidence that we have comes from a distance of about 160,000 light years from the Milky Way.
observations made in the infrared and radio regions of the
OPTION

electromagnetic spectrum. See Figure 1622. All galaxies rotate. If they did not they would collapse
under gravitational attraction. Our Sun is about 25,000
light years from the centre of the Milky Way and Doppler
Elliptical galaxies shift measurements show it to be moving through space
with a speed of 230 km s–1. You can use these values to
As the name implies these galaxies have an elliptical cross- show that the orbital period of rotation of the Milky Way
section and no spiral arms. Some are highly elliptical and is about 2.0 × 108 years.
some are nearly circular.

384
 Astrophysics

E.6 (hl only) Galaxies and the

expanding universe
 1 + v--
 c
E.6.1 Describe the distribution of galaxies in the λ ′ = λ -----------------
universe  1 – v--
 c
E.6.2 Explain the red-shift of light from distant
galaxies where c is the free space velocity of light.

E.6.3 Solve problems involving red-shift and the This expression in parenthesis can be written as
recession speed of galaxies  2
v v v 
 1 + --  1 – --  1 – ----
-
2
E.6.4 State Hubble’s law.  c  c  c 
---------------------------2------- = -------------------2-
 1 – v--  1 – v- 
E.6.5 Discuss the limitations of Hubble’s law  c  c

E.6.6 Explain how the Hubble constant may be Taking the square root we have,
determined
 2
v 
E.6.7 Explain how the Hubble constant may be  1 – ----2-
 2
c   v 
used to estimate the age of the universe λ ′ = λ ------------------- = --------λ---------  1 – ---- 
2 2
 1 – v-   1 – v--  c 
E.6.8 Solve problems involving Hubble’s law  c  c

E.6.9 Explain how the expansion of the universe If we consider the situation when v << c then we can
made possible the formation of light nuclei expand this expression by the binomial and ignore second
and atoms order and higher terms to get
© IBO 2007
v λv
λ ′ = λ  1 + --

OPTION
or λ ′ – λ = -----
c c
E.6.1 Describe the distribution of such that if the spectral line has been shifted by an amount
∆λ = λ′– λ then
galaxies in the universe
∆λ v
------ = --
λ c
At the beginning of this chapter we learned that galaxies
are grouped into clusters which in turn are grouped into
super-clusters. We also learned that due to the expansion E.6.3 Solve problems involving
of the Universe the light that we receive from galaxies is
redshifted. We now see how we can calculate the recession red-shift and the recession
speed of galaxies from their red-shift.
speed of galaxies

E.6.2 Explain the red-shift of

Example
light from distant galaxies

It can be shown that if λ is the wavelength of a spectral line The wavelength of the blue line in the spectrum of atomic
emitted from a stationary source and λ′ is the wavelength hydrogen as measured in a laboratory on Earth is 486 nm.
measured by an observer when the source is moving away In the spectrum from a distant galaxy the wavelength of
from the observer with speed v then this line is measure as 498 nm. Estimate the recession
speed of the galaxy.

385
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

The diagram below shows this for a very simple

Solution arrangement of five beads on an elastic string.

In Figure 1623 (a) the beads are 10 cm apart. In Figure

From the red-shift we can calculate the recession speed of 1623 (b) the string is stretched at a steady rate until the
the galaxy. beads are 15 cm apart. Bead E will now be 60 cm from
bead E instead of 40 cm and if the stretching of the string
∆λ�����������������������
= 498 – 486 nm = 12 nm took 1 second, the speed of E relative to A will be 20 cm s‑1.
On the other hand bead C will now be 30 cm from bead
Therefore A instead of 20 cm and its speed relative to A will be
12 v 10 cm s‑1. Doubling the separation between any two beads
--------- = ----------------- = 0.025 doubles their relative speed; speed is proportional to
486 3 × 10
8
separation which is just Hubble’s law.
Hence v = 7400 km s–1.
10 cm 10 cm 10 cm 10 cm
( a)
Using Hubble’s law we have
A B C D E
7400
d = ----------- = 114 Mpc.
65
15 cm 15 cm 15 cm 15 cm

E.6.4 State Hubble’s law (b)

2
A B C D E

We have seen that the Doppler red-shift indicates that the Figure 1623 (a) and (b)  An illustration of Hubble’s Law
galaxies are moving away from the Earth. By estimating
the distance to a number of galaxies Hubble showed that Hubble was the first astronomer to settle a long standing
the speed with which the galaxies are moving away from debate as to the nature of galaxies. It had been known since
the Earth, the recession speed, is directly proportional to 1845 (thanks to the then most powerful telescope in the
the distance of the galaxy from the Earth. Remember that world, built by William Parsons) that some of the nebulae
the galaxies are not actually rushing away from Earth, but showed a spiral structure. Parsons himself suggested that
that it is actually space that is expanding. such nebulae could be “island universes” far beyond the
Milky Way. In the 1920s opinions were still divided as to
OPTION

Hubble published his discovery in 1929 and Hubble’s law their nature with some astronomers of the opinion that
can be written. they were relatively small objects scattered about the
v = Hd Milky Way.

where d is the distance to the galaxy and v is its recession In 1923 Hubble took a photograph of the Andromeda
speed. H is known as Hubble’s constant. An accurate value nebula which on close examination showed a bright
for Hubble’s constant is difficult to measure (as will be object that he recognised as a Cepheid variable. From
shown) but an ‘average’ value is about 65 km s–1 Mpc–1. measurements of the variable’s luminosity he was able to
show that the Andromeda nebula is 900 kpc from the Earth
For example a galaxy at a distance of 50 Mpc from the and that it has a diameter of some 70 kpc, a diameter much
Earth will be rushing away from the Earth with a speed of greater than that of the Milky Way. The debate was settled.
3250 km s–1 (about 0.01 the speed of light). The further The universe was far greater in size than had previously
away from the Earth, the greater will be the recession been thought and contained many galaxies, some much
speed of a galaxy. The expanding balloon analogy of the larger than our own Milky Way.
expanding universe fits in with the data that enabled
Hubble to arrive at his law.

If you concentrate on one galaxy you will see that galaxies

that are further away move faster than those nearer to the
galaxy that you have chosen. If the surface of the balloon
is expanding at a constant rate then the speed with which
a galaxy moves relative to another galaxy will be
proportional to how far away it is from the other galaxy.

386
 Astrophysics

E.6.5 Discuss the limitations of E.6.7 Explain how the Hubble

Hubble’s law constant may be used to

Determining galactic distances is not easy but it is of key estimate the age of the
importance. What is needed are “standard candles” which
are bright enough to be detected within a particular galaxy. universe
Cepheid variables provide a fairly reliable method for
distances up to about 60 Mpc but beyond this they become An accurate value of the Hubble constant would also
too faint to be relied upon as a standard candle. Beyond enable us to calculate the age of the Universe with some
60 Mpc Red and blue super giants can be used to measure degree of confidence.
distances of up to about 250 Mpc and the brightest globular
clusters can be used as standards up to about 900 Mpc. Consider for example two galaxies separated by a distance
Beyond 900 Mpc astronomers have to hopefully detect a d. How long did they take to get this distance apart? Their
supernova within the galaxy. To date supernovae have relative recessional speed is Hd. Hence the time it takes is
been detected at distances of up to 1000 Mpc. distance d 1
------------------- = ------- = ---
speed Hd H
E.6.6 Explain how the Hubble This means that the universe could have an age (‘could’
because we are assuming that the expansion of the
constant may be determined Universe is constant) somewhere between
1 1
As astronomers attempt to measure greater and greater ------ km–1 s Mpc and ------ km–1 s Mpc.
30 45
galactic distances so the error in their measurements
increases. This is because the further away the galaxy, Bearing in mind that 1 Mpc = 3 × 1019 km and 1 year =
the fewer the independent measurement checks that are 3 × 107 s this gives an age between 10 and 20 billion years.
available. For instance if a distance can be measured by
parallax it can probably also be checked by using a Cepheid
variable, a super red-giant and spectroscopic parallax. At E.6.8 Solve problems involving
distances beyond 900 Mpc the only method available is
Hubble’s law

OPTION
to use the luminosity of a supernova. On the other hand
if we have an accurate value of Hubble’s constant then we
can use the Hubble law and red-shift to measure large
galactic distances. And there’s the rub. Astronomers who Exercise
use different methods of measuring galactic distances
compute different values of the Hubble constant. For
example measurement by supernovae leads to a value Estimate the age of the Universe for a value of the Hubble
between 40 and 65 km s–1 Mpc–1 whereas measurement constant = 80 km s-1 Mpc-1.
by spectroscopic parallax places it between 80 and
100 km s–1 Mpc–1. More recent methods using the Answer 1.3 × 1010 y
observation of Cepheid variables from the Hubble
telescope yield a value 60 and 90 km s–1 Mpc–1.
E.6.9 Explain how the expansion
of the universe made

possible the formation of

light nuclei and atoms

The following is a brief overview of the principal events

that took place at different times after the Big Bang.

387
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

At the beginning of this chapter it was mentioned that after the Big Bang all the primordial helium had been
astrophysics contains all of physics. This is certainly produced.
apparent when trying to understand the beginnings of the
Universe. Attempts to understand the first few moments After some 300,000 years the temperature of the Universe
of creation sometimes seem akin to mediaeval mysticism- had cooled sufficiently such that the energy of photons no
how many angels can be put on a pinhead? Nonetheless longer caused ionisation and electrons could now combine
attempts are made to understand the origins of the with nuclei to form atomic hydrogen and helium. High
Universe in terms of the fundamental forces that govern energy photons no longer interacted with atoms. The
the behaviour of matter. But much is conjecture and open universe had become transparent to photons and it is
to debate. In light of the scientific method many of the these photons which now give rise to the 3 K background
theories put forward are difficult and sometimes, as yet, radiation. There are no definitive answers to the question
impossible to verify experimentally. We stand, as it were, as to how the galaxies came into existence but it is thought
on the frontiers of ignorance. that their evolution is connected with the emergence of gas
clouds. If the Universe had continued to expand uniformly
This then is an outline of the first few after the Big Bang then all the matter in the universe
moments of creation as portrayed by would now be distributed uniformly and it is difficult
physicists of today to see how regions of higher density such as gas clouds
came into existence. Without these gas clouds it is difficult
In the first 10–43 s after the Big Bang the four fundamental to see how the galaxies came into existence. During the
interactions, gravity, weak force, electromagnetic force early expansion of the Universe some sort of “wrinkles” in
and strong force were all unified. space must have been formed which provided the nucleus
about which gas clouds could form. This is rather like the
At 10–43 s (the temperature being 1032 K) gravity appeared way that liquid droplets form along the track of a charged
as a separate force and at 10–35s (temperature 1027 K) particle as it moves through a super-cooled liquid.
the strong nuclear interaction separated from the
electromagnetic and weak interaction.
Measuring Astronomical
Between 10–35 s and 10–24 s the young Universe underwent
a rapid expansion increasing its size by a factor of 1050. This distances – A summary
is known as the Inflationary Epoch. This rapid inflation
allowed matter and anti-matter to become sufficiently We conclude this chapter with a summary of the methods
OPTION

separated to stop mutual annihilation. During this period available for measuring astronomical distances.
a so-called symmetry breaking took place in which the
number of particles present outnumbered the number of Figure 1624 summarises the methods for measuring
anti-particles present. astronomical distances.

At 10–12 s after the Big Bang and at a temperature of You should bear in mind that apart from the parallax
1012 K, the electromagnetic force separated from the weak method all the other methods rely on determining the
interaction. luminosity of some object and then measuring its apparent
brightness.
At 10–6 s the temperature had dropped sufficiently (1013 K)
for individual neutrons and protons to exist. Prior to this Distance Method
the temperature was too high for even these particles to be up to 100 pc Parallax and Cepheid variables and
stable, for as soon as they came into existence collisions spectroscopic parallax
would fragment them into quarks. up to 10 Mpc Cepheid variables and spectroscopic
parallax.
At about 2 s and a temperature of 1010 K neutrinos ceased up to 60 Mpc Cepheid and spectroscopic parallax.
to interact with protons and neutrons and by 3 minutes up to 250 Mpc Super redgiants and super blue giants
and supernovae.
up to 900 Mpc Globular clusters and supernovae.
beyond 900 Mpc Supernovae.

Figure 1624  Methods for measuring astronomical

distances (table)

388
 Astrophysics

Exercise E.6 General Exercises

1. The star Alpha–Centauri B is 1.21 pc from Earth. 1. Calculate the wavelength at which the Sun emits
Calculate most of its energy? (TSun = 5800)*

(a) this distance in AU. 2. Stars can be assigned to certain spectral classes.
(b) its parallax angle? The classes are given in the table below

2. Two stars A and B are respectively at distances Spectral class Colour Temperature (K)
50 pc and 500 pc from the Earth. Both have equal M Redorange 2500-3500
brightness. Determine which star is the most K Orange 3500-5000
luminous and by how much.
G Yellow 5000-6000
F Yellowwhite 6000-7500
3. The diagram below shows the Apparent magnitude
scale used by Astronomers. A White 7500-10,000
B Bluewhite 10,000-28,000
O Bluewhite 28,000-50,000
di m bri ght

+25 +20 +15 +10 +5 0 –5 –10 –15 –20 –25

The table below gives the spectral class and
Pluto Sirius Sun absolute magnitude of some well-known stars.
Photographic limit
of large diameter
lens telescope Name of star Spectral Absolute magnitude
class (approximate)
(a) Explain whether the Sun would be visible Rigel A 7.0
if it were at a distance of 10 pc from the Vega A 0
Earth? Sun G 5
(b) Estimate by how much brighter is the Sun Alderbaran K 0
than Sirius A
Pollux K +2
(c) The absolute magnitude of Sirius A is less
Sirius B B + 12

OPTION
than that of the Sun. Explain whether it
more or less luminous than the Sun. (Sirius Procyon B F + 14
A: m = –0.7, Sun: m = –26.7). Barnard’s star M + 13

4. Explain the difference between an eclipsing binary i. Use this table to place the stars on a
and a spectroscopic binary. Hertzprung–Russell diagram in which
absolute magnitude is plotted against
5. Outline the evidence on which the idea of an spectral class (temperature).
expanding Universe is based. ii. For each of the stars identify to which
category it could belong.
6. A certain line in the spectrum of atomic hydrogen iii. Identify a star that is hotter and more
has a wavelength of 121.6 nm as measured in the luminous than the Sun and a star that is
laboratory. The same line detected in the spectra cooler and less luminous than the Sun.
from the quasar PKS 2000–330 has a wavelength
of 582.5 nm Determine the recession speed of the 3. Describe how Olber’s paradox is inconsistent with
quasar? Newton’s model of the Universe.

7. State the property of a main sequence star that 4. Explain the terms open, flat and closed as applied
determines its final outcome. Describe the to the Universe.
evolution of a main sequence star to a neutron
star.

389
 Chapter 16 (Option E)

This page is intentionally left blank

OPTION

390
 Communications

COMMUNICATIONS
F.1

F.2

F3
(SL and HL) Radio communication

(SL and HL) Digital signals

(SL and HL) Optic fibre transmission

17
F.4 (SL and HL) Channels of communication

F.5 (HL) C.3 (SL) Electronics

F.6 (HL) C.4 (SL) The mobile phone system

Introduction Clearly, the majority of the information that we wish to

transmit to other people is primarily audio and/or visual
This topic looks at how information is transmitted over information. To transmit this information, we need some
large distances. For example, how can we hear a live concert means by which it can be “carried” between two points.
in our home when it is being performed on the other side If we think of the example of sound waves, information

OPTION
of the world or how can we have a telephone conversation about the source is encoded in the wave but the wave, as
with someone who lives in a different country? mentioned above, just does not carry very far. On the other
hand, experience tells us that electromagnetic waves can,
We have learnt in Topic 4 that a wave carries energy but it and do travel vast distances. So, without going into the
also carries information about the source that generated history of communication theory, it is suffice to say that
it. If the wave is a sound wave of audible frequency, the electromagnetic waves (em) are, in the main, the carriers
“information” that it carries is interpreted by the ear as the used in the present day to transmit information. However,
pitch of the source. The source might be a single tuning we need to look in some detail as to how information is
fork or it might be a full concert orchestra. However, we actually carried by an em wave and this is what we look at
are well aware that sound waves lose energy quite rapidly; in the next sections.
stand a few metres from a sounded tuning fork and you will
not hear the sound it emits. You will have more success in Of course, we exclude here, the obvious case where visual
hearing a full orchestra at some distant away but not if you information needs no encoding in the respect that it is
are several kilometres away from it. So sound information carried directly to the eye by waves whose frequency lie in
is soon lost if it has to travel any distance. the visible region of the em spectrum.

391
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

F.1 (SL and HL) Radio 1

communication

amlplitude/mm
0
5 10 15 20
time/ ms
F.1.1 Decsribe what is meant by the modulation
of a wave.
-1
F.1.2 Distinguish between a carrier wave and a
signal wave Figure 1701  Variations in amplitude

F.1.3 Describe the nature of amplitude The variation of the amplitude with time and the frequency
modulation (AM) and frequency of the wave gives us the information about the source.
modulation (FM) In this situation, the information stays constant. If the
information changes then the wave must change in some
F.1.4 Solve problems based on the modulation way. When this happens, the wave is said to be modulated.
of the carrier wave in order to determine For example suppose that the amplitude now varies with
the frequency and amplitude of the time as shown in Figure 1702.
information signal
2

F.1.5 Sketch and analyse graphs of the

power spectrum of a carrier wave that
amlitude/ mm

is amplitude-modulated by a single-
frequency signal. 0
5 10 15 20
time/ ms
F.1.6 Define what is meant by sideband
frequencies and bandwidth.
-2
F.1.7 Solve problems involving sideband
frequencies and bandwidth Figure 1702  A modulated wave
OPTION

F.1.8 Describe the relative advantages and The original wave is still there but it has been “modulated”
disadvantages of AM and FM for radio by the superposition of another wave of a different
transmission and reception frequency. The modulation of the original wave gives
information regarding the changes that have taken place
F.1.9 Describe, by means of a block diagram, an at the source.
AM radio receiver
© IBO 2007

F.1.2 Distinguish between a carrier

F.1.1 Decsribe what is meant by wave and a signal wave

the modulation of a wave In the above discussion of modulation, if we know the

amplitude and frequency of the wave in Figure 1701 we
Figure 1701 shows how the amplitude of a wave of fixed can use the modulation shown in Figure 1702 to determine
frequency varies with time at a particular point in space. the amplitude and frequency of the wave that has been
superimposed on the original wave. In this respect, we
can regard the original wave as the carrier wave and the
superimposed wave as the signal wave. Essentially all
electronic communication systems involve a carrier and
signal wave and a means of modulating the carrier wave.
Figure 1703 shows a block diagram of a communication
system.

392
 Communications

carrier wave modulated carrier V+

voltage
wave
modulator de-modulator microphone

signal wave signal wave

time

steady dc voltage

Figure 1703  A schematic communication system

It is no secret that it is the radio wave region of the em

voltage
loud speaker
spectrum that is most used for the transmission of
information. The reason for this is that radio waves may be V-

produced at accurately maintained frequencies and also AM voltage

time

that the travel long distances without attenuation (loss

of energy). The radio spectrum also covers a wide range Figure 1704  Illustrating amplitude modulation
of frequencies varying from about 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
In a radio communication system, the carrier wave in In the absence of any sound at the microphone, the current
Figure 1703 would be a radio frequency wave and if audio in the circuit is constant resulting in a constant voltage
data is being transmitted, the signal wave would be an em across the loud speaker. The constant voltage is the carrier
wave that is in the audio frequency range (the sound waves “wave”.
having been converted to an electrical signal).
If you now, for example, speak into the microphone, the
sound waves that you produce are converted into electrical
F.1.3 Describe the nature of signals that produce a variation in the amplitude of the
current in the circuit. The variations in amplitude of the
amplitude modulation current in turn produce a variation of amplitude in the
voltage (the signal wave) across the speaker as shown in
(AM) and frequency the insert diagrams in Figure 1704. The speaker converts
these voltage variations into sound waves.
modulation (FM)
Amplitude modulation is very different to the example
There are several different ways in which waves can be we gave F.1.1 in which we just added two sine waves. If

OPTION
modulated but the principal two ways are amplitude we consider just the time variations of a wave, i.e. how
modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM). the displacement of the medium at a particular point
varies with time, then we can write the displacement y as
y = Asin(ω t) where ω= 2πf. If we add two waves of the
Amplitude Modulation different amplitudes A and M and different frequencies f1
and f2 respectively, then the resultant displacement Y at
In amplitude modulation, the frequency of the carrier the point is given by
wave is constant and the signal wave is used to vary the
amplitude of the carrier wave. For example, a violinist Y = A sin 2πf1t + M sin 2π f2 t
can produce a so-called ‘tremolo’ effect by varying the
amplitude of the vibrating string by suitable movement of Y we
This is just what = Ahave
sin 2πf1t +in
done Mthe 2π f2 t if F.1.1
sinexample
the bow.
Suppose that f1 = fc (the frequency of the carrier wave) and
We can further illustrate AM with the simple situation f2 = fs (the frequency of the signal wave), then for amplitude
shown in Figure 1704 in which a microphone is used to modulation the resultant displacement YM is given by
vary the amplitude of a direct electric current of constant
value.

which is a very different expression from just adding the

two waves and give a very different result as is shown in
Figure 1705 in which fc = 18 fs.

393
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

Spreadsheets can be used to demonstrate amplitude Frequency Modulation

modulation using the above equation. This is why it is
given here even though it will not be required to know In frequency modulation the amplitude of the carrier
this equation for the IB examination. wave is kept constant and the signal wave is used to vary
the frequency of the carrier wave. With analogue signals
1.5 (see below) the carrier wave frequency is varied in direct
proportion to changes in the amplitude of the signal wave.
1 With digital signals (see below) the carrier wave frequency
is shifted among a set of discrete values of frequencies. To
0.5 understand the principles of FM, we will just consider
analogue signals here as shown in Figure 1706.
0

-0.5

-1 C
E
-1.5 A
B F
Figure 1705  (a) Signal wave frequency = fs D
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
OPTION

Figure 1705  (b) Carrier wave frequency = 18fs A→B C D E→F

20 Figure 1706  Radio Frequency modulation

Figure 1707 shows what is happening to the amplitude of

the signal wave in the signal wave in the labelled regions
and the corresponding effect on the frequency of the
carrier wave.
0
region amplitude of frequency of carrier wave
signal wave
A → B zero constant
B → C increasing increasing with maximum at C
C → D decreasing decreasing with minimum at D
-20 D → E increasing increasing to constant value at E
E → F constant constant
Figure 1705  (c) Amplitude modulation
Figure 1707  Variations in frequency and amplitude
In Figure 1705 (c) the dotted curve shows the envelope of
the modulated wave.

Note that there are 18 complete oscillations of the wave

inside one complete period of the envelope.

394
 Communications

F.1.4 Solve problems based on F.1.5 Sketch and analyse graphs

the modulation of the of the power spectrum

carrier wave in order to of a carrier wave that is

determine the frequency amplitude -modulated by a

and amplitude of the single -frequency signal

information signal It is possible to show mathematically that when

a carrier wave of frequency fc is modulated by a
signal wave of frequency fs then the modulated wave
Example actually consists of the carrier wave plus two waves,
one of frequency (fc - fs) and the other of frequency
(fc + fs). The frequencies are called the sideband frequencies
A carrier wave is modulated by a single signal wave. As and the frequency range that they cover is called the
a result of the modulation, a maximum amplitude of the bandwidth.
carrier wave occurs every 2.3 ms. Between each maximum
there are 2.1 × 105 complete oscillations of the carrier
wave. Determine the frequency of the signal wave and of F.1.6 Define what is meant by
the carrier wave.
sideband frequencies and
Solution bandwidth

The concepts of sideband and bandwidth are important

1
for the signal wave = 2.3 × 10-3 since they essentially determine the carrier wave
fs frequencies that can be used in broadcasting. If the carrier
to give fs = 435 Hz wave frequencies are sufficiently spaced out, then the

OPTION
associated sidebands will not overlap and the transmission
2.1 ×10 5
for the carrier wave f c = = 9.1 ×10 7 = 91 MHz from different radio broadcasting channels will not
2.3 ×10 3 interfere. To further reduce the possibility of interference
between the different channels, the range of signal
Exercise frequencies is also reduced. The range of frequencies that
can be heard by the human ear is about 20 Hz to 20 kHz
but in the UK for instance, the range of transmitted signal
If the carrier wave in the above example is frequency frequencies is limited to 50 Hz to 4.5 kHz. The range is
modulated by the same signal wave as above, determine perfectly adequate for human speech and some music.
the time interval between an oscillation of the carrier wave
of maximum frequency and one of minimum frequency. We can calculate the bandwidth for any carrier wave as follows:

the bandwidth is equal to (fc - fs) - (fc + fs) = 2fc

therefore 2fc = 9.0 kHz.

Figure 1708 is a schematic representation of the frequency

spectrum of an AM transmission with a bandwidth of
9.0 kHz.

395
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

The transmitted power is concentrated in the carrier

signal, and as this carries no useful information this
means that amplitude modulation is inefficient in terms
amplitude

fc of power usage. The remaining power is split between two

identical sidebands. Since each band contains the same
information only one is actually needed so again there is
wasted power. AM can be made to be more power efficient
by eliminating one of the sidebands (single sideband
f/kHz
transmission) although the electronic circuitry needed
f c – 4.5 fc – 0.05 fc + 0.05 fc + 4.5 to do this is complicated and adds to the expense of the
transmitter.
Figure 1708  AM amplitude spectrum

However, if the carrier wave is modulated by a single signal F.1.7 solve problems involving
wave of frequency fs, the frequency spectrum will look like
that shown in Figure 1709. sideband frequencies and

bandwidth

Exercises
amplitude

1. The allowed frequency range for broadcasting in the

medium frequency range is 535 kHz to 1615 kHz.
Calculate the number of 9 kHz broadcasting
channels that are available.

2. A carrier wave of frequency 535 kHz is modulated

fc - fs fc fc + fs frequency
by frequencies in the range 50 Hz to 5.0 kHz.
Determine the frequencies transmitted and the
OPTION

Figure 1709  Frequency spectrum   bandwidth.

of single frequency modulation

Bearing in mind that power is proportional to amplitude F.1.8 Describe the relative
squared, Figure 1709 is translated
���������������������������������
into a power spectrum
as is shown in Figure 1710 (not to scale). advantages and disadvantages

of AM and FM for radio

transmission and reception

power

One of the problems with AM transmission is the fact

that the amplitude is not likely to stay constant during
transmission. This is because of interference with
other electrical signals (unwanted signals are known as
noise) and also due to energy loss. Because of change of
amplitude during transmission, when the transmitted
fc - fs fc fc + fs frequency signal is decoded, the encoded signals will be distorted.
FM does not suffer from this problem since any change in
Figure 1710  Power spectrum   amplitude does not affect the encoded signals.
of single frequency modulation
Another problem with AM is the limitation posed by
bandwidth. The relatively narrow bandwidth does not lead

396
 Communications

to much distortion of speech but the higher harmonics of Tuning circuit: this is a circuit that can be “tuned” to
musical sounds will not be transmitted and this leads to a resonate (see Topic 4) with a particular frequency of a
lack of quality in the reproduced sound. carrier wave.

For reasons that are too complex to go into here, audio r.f (radio frequency) amplifier: this amplifies the selected
frequencies up to 15 kHz can be encoded using FM but modulated carrier wave.
in order to do this successfully a total bandwidth of about
200 kHz is needed. It is for this reason that FM signals Demodulator: this essentially removes the carrier wave
occupy the high frequency end of the radio wave leaving only the signal waves.
spectrum.
a.f (audio frequency) amplifier: this amplifies the signal
Historically, there are two main advantages of AM waves.
transmission. The circuitry involved is cheaper and
simpler but the advent of the silicon chip means that this Loudspeaker: this converts the signal waves into sound waves.
is no longer true.

The range of AM transmission is also much greater than F.2 (SL and HL)
that of FM transmission. Strictly speaking to receive FM
you need to be able to see the transmitter; AM on the other Digital signals
hand is reflected by the ionosphere so can be received
effectively anywhere on Earth irrespective of the position
of the transmitter. However, communication satellites now F.2.1 Solve problems involving the conversion
effectively act as the “ionosphere” for FM signals, reflecting between binary numbers and decimal
them to all points on the surface of Earth and although AM numbers.
is still in use, it is soon likely to be a thing of the past. AM is
also muchmore subject to ‘noise’ than FM. F.2.2 Distinguish between analogue and digital
signals.

F.1.9 describe, by means of a F.2.3 State the advantages of the digital

transmission, as compared to the analogue
block diagram, an AM transmission, of information.

OPTION
radio receiver F.2.4 Describe, using block diagrams, the
principles of the transmission and reception
The Figure 1703 in F.1.2 shows the basic components of of digital signals.
a radio transmitter. In Figure 1711, we show the basic
components of a radio receiver. F.2.5 Explain the significance of the number of
bits and the bit-rate on the reproduction of
aerial a transmitted signal

F.2.6 Describe what is meant by time-division

multiplexing
loudspeaker

tuning r.f a.f. F.2.7 solve problems involving analogue-to-

circuit amplifier demodulator amplifier digital conversion

F.2.8 Describe the consequences of digital

Figure 1711  The basic radio receiver communication and multiplexing on
worldwide communications.
A brief description of each component is given below.
F.2.9 Discuss the moral, ethical, economic and
Aerial: this detects the transmitted signal by the electric environmental issues arising from access to
field in the transmitted signal oscillating the electrons in the Internet
© IBO 2007
the aerial.

397
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

Please refer to Chapter 14 Topics C.1.1.and C.1.2

F.2.4 Describe, using block
F.2.3 State the advantages of diagrams, the principles

the digital transmission, as of the transmission and

compared to the analogue reception of digital signals

transmission, of information Figure 1712 shows the essential components of a digital

data transmitter.
In Topic 14.1.6 (C.1.6) we considered the advantages of
storing data in a digital form as compared to storing it in An outline of the function of each component is given
analogue form. Some of these advantages clearly appertain below. However, you should refer to 14.1.2 (C.1.2) for the
to the transmission of data in digital form, particularly in principle behind sampling and converting analogue data
respect of quality, accuracy and capacity. into digital data.

In terms of quality, digital data transmission is much

less subject to noise interference than analogue data Sample and hold
transmission. This is because the only variation in
“amplitude” of digital data is between 0 and 1 whereas in This component essentially samples the analogue data and
an analogue data the amplitude varies enormously. then “holds it”. By this we mean that before moving onto
the next sampling of the data, the result of the previous
Other advantages of digital data transmission are listed sample is held.
below.

• Transmission rate: since digital data is essentially Clock

encoded as numerical data rather than electrically
“mimicking” the source, the rate at which the This provides the reference pulses
data is transmitted is not dependant on the rate at
which it is recorded.
Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC)
OPTION

• Source independence: audio and visual data can

be transmitted using the same channel. This is
of particular importance in the transmission of The sample data is converted into “bytes” each consisting
visual data where a bandwidth of about 6 MHz is of a string of binary digits. (A byte is usually an eight-bit
required. binary digit). Table 1713 shows how the numbers 0 – 4 are
• Bandwidth and compression: digital data can be encoded in four bit binary number ABCD ( a nibble).
compressed enabling the same bandwidth to be
used by several different broadcasting channels;
digital data is often compressed for transmission
of audio and visual data. So called MP3, JPEG and
MPEG files make use of compression, in which
data that is regarded as being non-essential such as
audio frequencies above 20 kHz are removed.

sample parallel
and clock ADC to serial modulator
hold converter transmission
analogue
data

to serial
converter carrier
wave
Figure 1712  A digital data transmitter.

398
 Communications

A B C D F.2.5 Explain the significance of

0 0 0 0 0 the number of bits and the

1 0 0 0 1 bit-rate on the reproduction

of a transmitted signal
2 0 0 1 0
The greater the sampling rates of an analogue signal the
more accurately will the signal be encoded. A greater
3 0 0 1 1 sampling rate means a greater number of bits for each and
therefore means the greater the number of bits that have
4 0 1 0 0 to be sent to the receiver every second. The number of bits
transmitted per second is called the bit rate (or data rate or
data transfer rate) and is defined as
Figure 1713  Encoding numbers in 4-bit binary
bit rate = number of bits per sample × sampling frequency

Parallel to serial converter So, for example, encoding in 8-bit binary and sampling at
a frequency of 16 kHz will result in a bit rate of (8 × 16)
The ADC for example, produces 4-bit bytes that are = 128 kb s-1 (kilobits per second). The greater the bit rate,
encoded as binary pulses in 4 parallel lines, A, B, C and D. the higher the quality of the reproduced transmitted
The parallel to serial converter converts the bytes to pulses data. Quite often, there is a trade off between the total
along a single line. amount of space that the data takes up and the bit rate as
in MP3 and JPEG files. In general, though, the sampling
frequency necessary to ensure accurate reproduction to
Modulator the signal must be equal to or greater than twice the signal
frequency. (This is known as the Nyquist Theorem or the
The digital data modulates the carrier wave for ‘sampling theory’).
transmission.

OPTION
Of course digital data transmission does not just occur F.2.6 Describe what is meant by
in broadcasting ( in fact the use here is a relative new
phenomenon) but in transmission along optical fibres (see time -division multiplexing
below) and electrical cable in general. An example of the
latter, is transmission of data from the hard drive of your Different sets of data, such as telephone converstations,
computer to your printer and even computer generated can be sent apparently simultaneously by using a technique
data to a word processor. called multiplexing. There are essentially two types of
multiplexing, ‘frequency’ and ‘time-division’ multiplexing.
For example in Figure 1714, four bit generated binary We will look only at time division.
“words” are converted to a series of binary pulses along a
single cable. The serial pulses are then converted back to The principle of time division multiplexing is shown in
4-bit words to be used by the word processor. Figure 1715.

parallel to serial serial to

Word
word generator parallel
converter processor
converter

Figure 1714  Serial transmission of a  

4-bit binary word (nibble)

399
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

F.2.7 solve problems involving

input S1
analogue -to-digital
output

input S2
conversion

Exercise

control pulse The graph shows the variation with time of the output of
an electrical signal.
Figure 1715  A two input multiplexer
9
8
When the control pulse is say 1, then the switch is in 7
the position shown and the input signal S1 will appear at 6

output/V
the output, When the control pulse is 0, then the switch 5
4
changes position and S2 now appears at the output. A four
3
input multiplexer can be made out of three two input 2
multiplexers and two controls and so on. 1
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5 20 22.5 25 27.5 30 32.5 35 37.5 40
To see how multiplexing works in practice, consider a time / ×100 µs
situation in which sampling is done at the rate to 16 kHz,
that is one sample every 62.5 µs. If each sample takes 8 (a) The signal is sampled at every 125 µs and is
µs to convert to an 8-bit word, then there is a “vacant” converted into a 3-bit digital signal. The possible
time slot of length of 54.5 µs before the next word is outputs of the ADC are given below.
transmitted. In theory, this slot can be filled by words
from 6 different channels (54.5 ÷8). Figure 1716 illustrates Analogue signal/Volts ADC binary output
how a multiplexer can be used to transmit data from three
separate channels. 0 – < 1 000
OPTION

1 – < 2 001
A
A B C A B C A B C… time division
A 2 – < 3 010
B
time division
multiplexer
multiplexer in
reverse
operation
B 3 – < 4 011
C C 4 – < 5 100
5 – < 6 101
Figure 1716  Transmission of data   6 – < 7 110
from three separate channels 7 – < 8 111

Determine the

(i) the sampling rate

(ii) the digital output of the signal for the 8th
sample.
(iii) the bit rate.

(b) Assuming a binary pulse is produced every 1 µs,

calculate the maximum number of channels that
time division multiplexing can produce at this
sampling frequency for sending digital data as two
four bit bytes.

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 Communications

F.2.8 Describe the consequences F3 (SL and HL)

of digital communication Optic fibre
and multiplexing on transmission
worldwide communications
F.3.1 Explain what is meant by critical angle and
Digital communication and the development of total internal reflection
multiplexing have had a tremendous impact on worldwide
communications. The amount of information and the F.3.2 Solve problems involving refractive index
speed with which it now can be transmitted across the and critical angle.
world means that “news” is almost instantaneous. One only
has to compare, for example how long it took for news of F.3.3 Apply the concept of total internal
the Battle of Trafalgar or news of the “Boston Tea Party” to reflection to the transmission of light along
reach Europe (and just how sparse the information was), an optic fibre.
to how long it took for news of the 2005 tsunami to reach
different parts of the world. Also, just think how easy it F.3.4 Describe the effects of material dispersion
is now to be in contact with distant friends and relatives and modal dispersion.
by the use of email as compared to “snail” mail. Indeed,
digital communication as made the world a much smaller F.3.5 Explain what is meant by attenuation and
place. solve problems involving attenuation
measured in decibels (dB).

F.2.9 discuss the moral, ethical, F.3.6 Describe the variation with wavelength of
the attenuation of radiation in the core of a
economic and environmental monomode fibre.

issues arising from access to F.3.7 State what is meant by noise in an optic
fibre.
the Internet

OPTION
F.3.8 Describe the role of amplifiers and
The development of the Internet is a prime example reshapers in optic fibre transmission.
of digital communication, the “information highway”.
However, its use raises many issues that you might like to F.3.9 Solve problems involving optic fibres.
© IBO 2007
discuss with your teacher. Some of issues might include
the following.

• The use of the internet to spread political or F.3.1 Explain what is meant by
religious propaganda.
• The use of the internet to sell illegal goods. critical angle and total
• The availability of inappropriate material such as
pornography for minors. internal reflection
• The advent of “internet shopping” and its effect
economically and socially. If we consider for example, light waves incident on the
• The effect on the world’s energy consumption. surface of a glass block in air, then some of the light will
be absorbed at the surface, some reflected and some
transmitted. However, let us just concentrate on the
transmitted light. In Figure 1717 (a), the direction of the
incident and transmitted waves are represented by the rays
labelled I and T. Figure 1717(b) shows the waves travelling
from glass to air.

401
 Chapter 17 (Option F)
normal

I where φc is the angle of incidence in the glass that

i air corresponds to an angle of refraction in air of 90°.
boundary
The dotted rays in Figure 1718 show what happens to
r glass
light that is incident on the glass-air boundary at angles
greater than φc; the light is totally internally reflected. The
T
(a) reflection is total since no light is transmitted into the air.
normal The angle of incidence at which total reflection just occurs
is the angle φc and for this reason φc is called the critical
I
angle.
air

boundary

glass F.3.2 Solve problems involving

(b)
T refractive index and

Figure 1717  Refraction: (a) air to glass transmission  critical angle

(b) glass to air transmission

In Figure 1717(b) the light clearly just follows the same Example

path as in Figure 1717(a) but in the opposite direction.
However, whereas any angle of incidence between 0 and
90° is possible when the light is travelling from air to glass, The critical angle for a certain type of glass is 40.5°.
this is not the case when travelling from glass to air. When Determine the refractive index of the glass.
angle i = 90° in (a), this will correspond to the maximum
possible angle of refraction when the light is travelling Solution
from glass to air as is shown in Figure 1718.
1
= sin φc
n
r air = 90° air 1
therefore n = = 1.54
sin 40.5
OPTION

boundary
Exercise
glass

Determine the critical angle for light travelling from air to

water of refractive index 1.33.
i glass = ф c

F.3.3 Apply the concept of total

Figure 1718   Total internal reflection
internal reflection to the
For light travelling from air to glass, we have from Snell’s
law (see Topic 4.5.2) that the refractive index of the glass transmission of light along
n is given by
sin i
n= an optic fibre
sin r
Therefore travelling from glass to air, we have The phenomenon of total internal reflection along with
the principles of modulation and analogue to digital
1 sin iglass
= conversion discussed above, form the basis for data
n sin rair transmission using optic fibres. In optic fibres, the carrier
For the maximum value of rair = 90° therefore wave is light. There are essentially three types of optic fibres
but we will only concern ourselves with the so-called step-
1 sin iglass index fibre. Figure 1719 shows the essentially structure of
= = sin φc
n 1
402
 Communications

a single step fibre and of light transmission along the fibre

by total internal reflection.
core

before transmission after transmission

50 µm 125 µm
Figure 1720  Material dispersion

Using laser light as the source of the carrier wave greatly

cladding reduces material dispersion since the bandwidth of the
(a)
light emitted by a laser is only about 5 nm. Even using light
emitted by light emitting diodes (LED) reduces material
dispersion since the light emitted still as a bandwidth of
(b) only about 20 nm

Figure 1719  Optical fibre (a) structure  

(b) transmission of light by TIR Modal (multipath dispersion)
Figure 1719 (a), shows that there is a two-layer structure The light travelling down a fibre from the source to the
of the fibre, the core and the cladding. The diameter of detector can be incident at a variety of different angles to
the core is constant, at approximately 50 to 60 µm and a the core-cladding interface. This means that different waves
typical refractive index index would be 1.440. The surface can travel different paths (or modes as they are called) in
of the core is kept as smooth as possible. The outer layer, the fibre. Therefore pulses associated with different waves
the cladding, is bonded at all points to the surface of the will arrive at the detector at different times. This is called
core and a typical refractive index would be 1.411. The modal dispersion.
cladding ensures that the refractive index of the outside
of the core is always less than the inside. The cladding is
usually surrounded by a layer of plastic that protects and F.3.5 Explain what is meant by
strengthens the fibre.
attenuation and solve

F.3.4 Describe the effects of

OPTION
problems involving attenuation

material dispersion and measured in decibels (dB)

modal dispersion
Attenuation
Material dispersion The intensity of the carrier wave in a fibre will decrease with
the distance travelled along the fibre. This phenomenon is
Although all electromagnetic waves have the same speed called attenuation and is due to energy being carried by
in a vacuum, the speed of the wave in a medium depends the wave being lost. The energy loss is due to a variety of
on the wavelength of the wave, a phenomenon known reasons such as scattering and absorption within the core.
as dispersion. Another way to regard dispersion is to The attenuation is often measured in decibel per kilometre.
recognise that the refractive index of a medium depends The decibel scale is a logarithmic scale (see Topic I.1.6 to
on wavelength (see Topic G.1.4). The implication of this see how it applies to hearing loss) and in optic fibres the
for optical fibres is that light of different wavelengths will attenuated power is defined below.
travel different distances along a fibre. This means that
the pulses in the fibre will spread out as they travel along loss of power (attenuation) in decibels
the fibre and the information carried by the waves will I
initial power
be distorted. Figure 1720 shows how a square wave pulse = 10 log = 10 log 1
output power I2
might be distorted by this so-called material dispersion.

403
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

We see that attenuation decreases with increasing

Example wavelength and that there are two distinct minima
at about 1300 and 1500 nm. Monomode fibres using
these frequencies of carrier wave, make them the best
The power loss between source and detector in a particular choice for long-distance communication such as in tele-
optic fibre of length 1.5 km is 50%. Calculate the power communication.
loss in dB km-1.

F.3.7 State what is meant by

Solution
noise in an optic fibre
1
power loss in dB = 10 log 10 ( ) = 3.0 dB One great advantage of using optic fibres for transmitting
2 data is that they are not very susceptible to noise. Any noise
power loss (attenuation) = 2.0 dB km-1. that does affect the signals arises from stray light entering
the fibre at the transmitting and receiving ends of the fibre.
At the receiving end, photodiodes are used to convert the
Exercise light pulses into electrical pulses and photodiodes are
subject to random noise. The noise to signal power ratio
for an optic fibre is typically in the range 10-17 to 10-18.
Calculate the length that will result in a power loss of 80%
for of an optical fibre with an attenuation of 2.0 dB km-1.
F.3.8 Describe the role of
F.3.6 Describe the variation amplifiers and reshapers in

with wavelength of the optic fibre transmission

attenuation of radiation in
Reshapers (regenerators)
the core of a monomode fibre
OPTION

Monomode fibres effectively eliminate modal dispersion

A monomode fibre is one in which there is only one and although lasers reduce material dispersion the latter
transmission axis thereby eliminating modal dispersion. is still present. Suppose for example, data is transmitted at
In monomode fibres, the core is about 5 µm in diameter the rate of 1 Gb s-1, then to ensure that the pulses remain
which is the same order of magnitude as the wavelength distinct from each other, they need to be separated by at
of the carrier light. The graph in Figure 1721 shows the least 0.5 ns. Over long distances the pulses can become
variation with wavelength of the power loss in a monomode quite spread out such that even with laser light, after
silica optic fibre . about 50 km, individual pulses will be starting to merge
together. So every 40-60 km, the pulses are detected and
then reshaped. The reshaped pulses are then encoded onto
6 a new laser beam for continued transmission. This is the
Power loss / db km–1

5 function of the reshaper.

4
3
Amplifier
2
1 Even if pulses have been re-shaped, the carrier wave and
0 signal still undergo attenuation.
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
wavelength / x 10–7 m In 1987 David Payne and his co-workers at the University
of Southampton in England developed the first practical
Figure 1721  Attenuation loss in a monomode optic fibre optical amplifier suitable for optic fibre communication
systems.

404
 Communications

These amplifiers enable the attenuated carrier and pulses

to be amplified at various points along the fibre. F.4 (SL and HL)
The combination of reshapers and amplifiers means that Channels of
data can be transmitted along optic fibres for vast
distances. The longest optic fibre links are those that span communication
the World’s oceans, including several across the Atlantic
from North America to Europe and several from the
United States to Japan. The transatlantic cable laid in 1988 F.4.1 Outline different channels of
contains eight fibres and each fibre has a bit rate of communication, including wire pairs,
560 Mb s-1 enabling the cable to carry 40,000 telephone coaxial cables, optic fibres, radio waves and
calls at one time The next generation of cables which came satellite communication.
into service in 1992, are able to carry double this number
of calls. F.4.2 Discuss the uses and the relative
advantages and disadvantages of wire
pairs, coaxial cables, optic fibres and
F.3.9 Solve problems involving radio waves.

optic fibres F.4.3 State what is meant by a geostationary

satellite.

Exercises F.4.4 State the order of magnitude of the

frequencies used for communication with
geostationary satellites, and explain why
1. The cladding of an optic fibre has a refractive the up-link frequency and the down-link
index of 1.46 and the core a refractive index of frequency are different.
1.48. The fibre is 1.80 × 102 m long.
F.4.5 Discuss the relative advantages and
(i) Calculate the critical angle between the core disadvantages of the use of geostationary
and cladding. and of polar-orbiting satellites for
(ii) Show that the difference between the communication.

OPTION
transmission time for an axial signal and a
signal that is incident to the cladding at an F.4.6 Discuss the moral, ethical, economic and
angle that is just greater than the critical environmental issues arising from satellite
angle is about 9 ns. communication
© IBO 2007

2. The input power to an optic fibre is 10 mW and

the signal noise is 1.0 × 10-20 W. The attenuation In this section we look briefly at the different
loss in the fibre is 2.5 dB km-1. communication channels that are available and also their
relative advantages and disadvantages.
(i) Calculate the ratio of input power to signal
noise in decibel.
(ii) The input signal needs to be amplified when
its power is attenuated to 1.0 × 10-18 W.
Determine the maximum separation of the
amplifiers in the cable.

405
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

compared to optic fibre is that coaxial cable is not suitable

F.4.1 Outline different channels for the transmission of digital signals and also that it has
an upper limit bit rate of about 140 Mb s-1.
of communication, including

wire pairs, coaxial cables, Optic fibres

optic fibres, radio waves and Some of the advantages of optic fibres have been referred
to in Topic F.3.
satellite communication

F.4.2 Discuss the uses and the

Wire pairs
relative advantages and
The first real electronic communication system was the
telegraph system that used electrical pulses transmitted disadvantages of wire
along wires. This system led to the development of the
so-called Morse code. One type of telegraph system that pairs, coaxial cables, optic
has survived is the ‘Telex’ system. This system has the
advantage over the conventional telephone system in that fibres and radio waves
written documents can be sent.
However, it is useful to compare the advantages and
Although the development of scanners used along with disadvantages of optic fibres to those of coaxial cables.
email and Fax and Teletex have to some extend superseded
Telex, more than three million telex lines remain in
use worldwide. For instance, it is is still widely used in Advantages
some developing countries because of its low costs and
reliability. • highly suitable for transmitting digital data
• much higher bit rate
However, wire pairs that are twisted have one great • much smaller in diameter
advantage, namely that the twisting together results in the • low noise
OPTION

cancelling out of electromagnetic interference from other • good security

sources, particularly from adjacent wires. Essentially, the
wire carry equal and opposite signals such that the noise
in one cancels out the noise in the other. Also, because of Disadvantages
its relative low cost compared to optic fibres and coaxial
cable, twisted wires are often used in data networks and • often difficult to access and repair
computer systems where there are short and medium • finite life of ampfliers and reshapers
length connections between components. A modern
variant of twisted wires is the so-called Ethernet
connection. Radio waves
Clearly, the main advantage of radio communication
Coaxial cables is that it does not require any wires or cables. The main
disadvantage was that it could not be used to transmit data
A coaxial cable consists of a thin copper wire surrounded contained in documents. However, the advent of wireless
by an insulator which in turn is surrounded by a copper connection for the internet means that this is no longer
grid. This grid is also surrounded by an insulator. Coaxial the case.
cable will probably be familiar to you as the cable that
often connects the aerial to your television set. Although
optic fibres have replaced coaxial cable in many situations
it is still used to carry the majority of cable television
signals and also for DSL (digital subscriber line) internet
connections. The main disadvantage of coaxial cable

406
 Communications

available to those points that are in the “field of view” of

F.4.3 State what is meant by a the satellite. This is not true for a polar satellite as different
points will move out of the field of view at different times.
geostationary satellite
A disadvantage of geostationary satellites is that their
A geostationary satellite is a satellite that orbits Earth in a great height above the surface of Earth means that more
circular orbit above the equator and has an orbital period power is needed for transmitting to and from the satellites
of one sidereal day (the time that it takes the Earth to make than for a polar satellite. An even bigger disadvantage
one complete rotation about its axis). This means that the is that, because of the curvature of Earth, geostationary
satellite will maintain a fixed position over one point of satellites are not able to communicate with points further
the equator. The orbit is at about a height of 3.6 × 107 m than about 60°-70° North or South. On the other hand
above the surface of Earth. Currently there are five or six polar satellites will be able to communicate with all points
geostationary satellites each at a different point above the in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres at some
equator. time during their orbit.

Geostationary satellites, because of their large orbital

F.4.4 State the order of magnitude height, are much more costly to put into orbit than polar
satellites.
of the frequencies used
It should be borne in mind that satellites are also used for
for communication with remote imaging and that both types have advantages and
disadvantages in this respect.
geostationary satellites

The frequency of the carrier waves used to communicate F.4.6 Discuss the moral,
with the satellite are in the range 0.1-10 GHz. The up-link
frequency is different to the down link frequency since if ethical, economic and
they were the same, the two signals could interfere with
each other giving unwanted feedback. environmental issues

arising from satellite

F.4.5 Discuss the relative

OPTION
communication
advantages and disadvantages
This is a wide issue and is left as a discussion topic with
of the use of geostationary your teacher. However, here are a few pointers:

and of polar-orbiting Moral → Use in modern warfare.

satellites for communication Economic → the question of funding to make and place
satellites in orbit.
Another type of communication satellite is the polar
orbiting satellite. Clearly, a polar satellite is not Environmental → the question of a large amount of
geostationary and as such, it orbital height above the “debris” in space.
surface of Earth is much less than that of a geostationary
satellite. It is probably also worth mentioning the International
aspect of satellite communication in respect of the
It is useful to compare the advantages and disadvantages economics and shared use.
of each type of satellite in their use as communication
satellites.

The fact that they keep the same position means that,
unlike polar satellites, geostationary satellites need no
tracking system Also, geostationary satellites are always

407
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

F.5 (hl) c.3 (sl) Electronics

The power supply, the +V and –V in the diagram, of op-
F.5.1 State the properties of an ideal operational amps may vary from ±15 V to ±30 V. It is important to
amplifier (op-amp). realise that, for example, a ± 15 V supply is not the same
as a 30 V supply. The +15 V is measured with reference to
F.5.2 Draw circuit diagrams for both inverting 0 V and so is the –15 V whereas in a 30 V supply the two
and non-inverting amplifiers (with a single supply “lines” are 30 V and 0 V.
input) incorporating operational amplifiers.
(Note that it is usual to omit the supply lines when drawing
F.5.3 Derive an expression for the gain of an circuits involving op-amps).
inverting amplifier and for a non-inverting
amplifier. The amplifier has one output terminal and the output
voltage can take any value between ±V, although in
F.5.4 Describe the use of an operational amplifier practice the output will have a slightly smaller range than
circuit as a comparator. this.

F.5.5 Describe the use of a Schmitt trigger for the There are two input terminals to the amplifier. One is
reshaping of digital pulses. an inverting input (marked -) and a non-inverting input
(marked +).
F.5.6 Solve problems involving circuits
incorporating operational amplifiers The two properties that make the amplifier such a useful
© IBO 2007
device are:

(i) its very high open loop gain (A0), typically about
F.5.1 State the properties of an 105, meaning that the without any other electrical
components connected to the amplifier, the output
ideal operational amplifier voltage is 105 x the input voltage

(op-amp) (ii) its very high input resistance, anything between

OPTION

106 and 1012 Ω, meaning that the input current to

The operational amplifier is a remarkable device that the amplifier is negligible.
has many uses in electronic and communications. It
was originally called a direct current amplifier (d.c.) to The amplifier also has very low output resistance and this
distinguish it from amplifiers that are used to amplify is of importance if the output of the amplifier is to be
analogue signals such as audio amplifiers. connected to low resistance components.

Figure 1722 shows the circuit symbol for an operational In Figure 1722 if the inverting input is V1, the non-
amplifier (op-amp). inverting input V2, and the output Vout
+V
then

Vout = A0 (V2 – V1)

-
That is, the amplifier amplifies the difference between
inputs output
the inputs and for this reason it is sometimes called a
+ differential amplifier. In the open loop mode of operation,
because of the high gain, the amplifier is very unstable as
small changes in the input are subject to very large changes
at the output.
-V

Figure 1722  The Operational (d.c.) amplifier

408
 Communications

However, we also have that

F.5.2 Draw circuit diagrams for V0
V0 = -A0 VP or VP = −
both inverting and non- A0
But A0 , the open-loop gain, is very high so this means that
inverting amplifiers Vp ≈ zero.

Therefore
The inverting amplifier
Vin = IRin
Figure 1723 shows how resistors are connected to the
amplifier in order for it to act as an inverting amplifier. and

Rf - V0 = IRf

The gain G of the amplifier is therefore

R in V0 R
G= =− f
V in
- Vin Rin
V out
P The point P in the diagram is called a virtual earth
+
because it is effectively at zero potential with respect to
the earth-line. If in Figure 1723 we were to replace the
amplifier with a piece of plastic, the very high resistance of
0V the plastic would mean that the current in Rf would be the
same as that in Rin but, and this is the important point, the
potential difference at point P would not be zero. It is the
Figure 1723  The inverting amplifier other important property, the high gain of the amplifier,
that ensures that P will effectively be at earth potential.
In this amplifier, the non-inverting input is earthed and The inverting amplifier could therefore be replaced with
a resistor of resistance Rin is connected to the inverting the circuit shown in Figure 1724.
input. Another resistor of resistance Rf is connected

OPTION
between the output and the input. Rf is called a feedback
resistance since the resistor is effectively feeding back the R in Rf
0V
output voltage to the input.

Suppose that the potential difference between the point

P on the diagram and the earth-line (0 V) is Vp then we
have

Vin - Vp = IRin Virtual earth

where Vin is the input voltage and I is the input current. Figure 1724  Equivalent circuit for an inverting ampliflier

The input current through Rf will also be I because of the

very high input resistance of the amplifier such that

Vp – V0 = IRf

where V0 is the output voltage.

409
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

Remembering that the gain G = Vout , dividing by Vin and

F.5.3 Derive an expression for re-arranging, we have that Vin
Rf
the gain of an inverting G =1+
R
amplifier and for a non-
F.5.4 Describe the use of an
inverting amplifier
operational amplifier
To see how the inverting amplifier “works” suppose that
Rin = 1 kΩ, Rf = 10 kΩ and Vin = 1 V. The output voltage circuit as a comparator
will “move” to –10 V in order to ensure that the current in
Rf is the same as that in Rin (1 mA) and that point P will be For the open-loop gain of an op-amp we saw that
at zero volts. (Hence the voltage at the inverting input is
zero). Since the input voltage to the non-inverting input is Vout = A0 (V2 – V1)
also zero, any change in the input means that the feedback
voltage changes to effectively ensure that the difference in If V2 >> V1 then the output will be a maximum and nearly
voltage between the two inputs will still be zero. equal to +V whereas if V1 >> V2 the output will be a
minimum and nearly equal to –V. This makes the op-amp
a useful device for comparing potential differences. For
The non-inverting amplifier example an amplifier might be used to detect a temperature
rise where the temperature rise has caused the voltage at
Figure 1725 shows the circuit for the non-inverting amplifier. one of the inputs to change. Figure 1726 shows an example
of such a circuit.
Rf
+V

- T
V out
V in +
-
OPTION

R V out
+
R
0V

Figure 1725  The non-inverting amplifier

The potential difference across the resistor of resistance R -V

equals the input potential Vin ( the difference in the input
voltages is zero) such that if the current in the resistors Figure 1726  The operational amplifier used as a
R and Rf is I (remember that the current at the inputs is comparator
zero), then we have that
The resistance of the variable resistor R is adjusted so that
V the inverting input is at a greater potential than the non-
I = in
R inverting input. In this situation Vout ≈ +V and activates
and a green light emitting diode (LED) at the output (not
shown). T is a thermistor and in the situation shown, its
Vout − Vin temperature is low. When the temperature increases the
I=
Rf resistance of T decreases and reaches a value where the
so that potential at the inverting input is greater than that at the
non-inverting input. In this situation the output Vout ≈ - V
Vin Vout − Vin and this switches off the green LED but activates a red
=
R Rf LED giving warning of the rise in temperature.

410
 Communications

The potential across R2 is

F.5.5 Describe the use of a
V + Vo = 6.0 = IR2 = 100 I 2
Schmitt trigger for the
Therefore I = 0.060 mA, such that
reshaping of digital pulses
Vin = 22 × 0.060 +1 = 2.3 V
As we have seen, one problem associated with transmitting
data in digital form, is that the voltage pulses (we will We could of course, have done the calculation by
not concern ourselves here with optical pulses) can considering R1 and R2 as a potential divider across which
become misshapen during transmission due to noise and the potential difference is Vin + 5.0.
attenuation. Op-amps are used in a circuit called a Schmitt
trigger that enables digital pulses to be reshaped. Figure 1728 shows the output of a Schmitt trigger that is
the reshaped pulses of misshaped pulse inputs.
Figure 1727 shows the circuit of a non-inverting Schmitt
trigger.

V/ - +V o
Vo reshaped pulse
+
/
V

misshapen pulse
output

V in
R1 P R2
time

Figure 1727  A non-inverting Schmitt trigger

Suppose that in the situation shown that the values of the

potential at the two inputs is such that the output voltage
-V o
is at its minimum value – Vo. This means that the potential
at point P, Vp (the potential at the non-inverting input),

OPTION
is less than the potential V/ at the inverting input. If Vp
increases above V/, it will reach a value at which the output Figure 1728  Reshaped pulse output of a Schmitt trigger
will switch to its maximum value +V0. Remembering
that the amplifier draws no current, let us calculate by The output of the Schmitt trigger is at -Vo until the input
how much Vin has to rise in order for Vo to switch to its reaches V/ at which point the output switches to +Vo and
maximum value. To illustrate this, we will consider a remains at this value until the input drops to V/ again,
particular circuit in which Vp = V/ = 1.0 V (i.e. the input when it switches back to -Vo. In this way the pulses are
signals are equal) and re-shaped. In order for the reshaped output pulses to have
only a positive value, a diode is connected between R2
R1 = 22 kΩ, R2 = 100 kΩ and Vo = ± 5.0 V. (Figure 1727) and the output.

In the situation where Vo is = -5.0 V, the potential across

R1 is
Vin − 1.0 = IR1 = 22 I

where I is the current in the resistors

411
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

F.5.6 solve problems involving F.6 (hl) c.4 (sl)

circuits incorporating The mobile
operational amplifiers phone system
Exercises F.6.1 State that any area is divided into a number
of cells (each with its own base station) to
which is allocated a range of frequencies.
1. This exercise shows how an op-amp can be used
as a summing amplifier. In the circuit below each F.6.2 Describe the role of the cellular exchange
resistor has the same value of resistance R. For the and the public switched telephone network
circuit, show that the output voltage is the sum of (PSTN) in communications using mobile
the three input voltages i.e VA + VB + VC = Vout phones.

F.6.3 Discuss the use of mobile phones in

VA multimedia communication.

VB - F.6.4 Discuss the moral, ethical, economic,

V out
VC environmental and international issues
+
arising from the use of mobile phones.
© IBO 2007

0V Introduction
2. The two Schmitt triggers shown below each have a There is little doubt that the development of the mobile
maximum output voltage of + 12 V. Calculate the phone system has revolutionised electronic comm-
switching potential for each trigger. unication, and in such a relatively short space of time.
Twenty years ago, mobile phones were rare and expensive.
OPTION

(a) In the present day, the number of mobile phones now

outnumber land-line telephones and also, in the UK for
0V - example, outnumber the population. In 2006, the estimated
number of mobile phone users was 2.5 × 109 and the
+ number is still growing. It is expected that over 90% of the
world’s population will have access to mobile phone
networks by 2010.

33 kΩ 100 kΩ F.6.1 State that any area is

(b)
divided into a number of
5.0 V -
cells
+
The mobile phone system uses a range of operating
frequencies just below 1 GHz. Each country that has a
mobile phone system, is divided into a large number of
small geographical regions ranging in about 2-20 km in
47 kΩ 470 kΩ diameter. These regions as called ‘cells’. At the centre of
each cell is a low power transmitter and receiver that is
assigned a different frequency to neighbouring cells. The
low power of the transmitter means that the physical

412
 Communications

size of the phone can be reduced whereas the different

operating frequencies minimises interference between F.6.4 Discuss the moral, ethical,
neighbouring cells. The use of a cellular network is the
reason that mobile phones are sometimes referred to as economic, environmental
cell phones.
and international issues

F.6.2 Describe the role of arising from the use of

the cellular exchange mobile phones

and the public switched Like all innovations, there are benefits and there are
downsides associated with mobile phone use. Here we
telephone network (PSTN) outline only some of the possible downsides that your
teacher might like to discuss with you in more detail; there
in communications using are of course many others.

mobile phones
Moral and ethical
Each cell overlaps other cell sites. All of the mobile phone
cell sites are connected to cellular telephone exchanges Use of mobile phones raises the problem of the invasion
which act as switches directing calls to other phones or of other people’s private space in respect of their use in
to another cellular exchange. These cellular exchanges are public spaces. They also allow the private download of
also connected to the public switched telephone network material that might be illegal.
(PSTN). Connection to the PSTN means that mobile
phones can make connection to landline phones and also Recently there have been cases reported of phones
to the internet. being used to “bully” individuals by harassment with text
messages.
As a mobile phone user moves from one cell area to
another, the cellular exchange automatically switches
the cell site the phone was using to a cell with a stronger Environmental

OPTION
signal. The phone also switches to the frequency used by
this new cell. Apart from the invasion of other people’s privacy, there is
the very difficult problem of the disposal of “old” phones.

F.6.3 Discuss the use of mobile You might like to try as an exercise, to think of some
economic and international benefits and downsides
phones in multimedia connected with the use of mobile phones. As mentioned
at the beginning of this Option Topic, the revolution
communication in modern telecommunication is making the world a
much smaller place and mobile phones are part of that
As you are probably well aware, mobile phones can now revolution.
connect to the internet, send emails, download music files,
video and picture files and send these on to other mobile
phone users. They can also of course be used as a camera.

413
 Chapter 17 (Option F)

This page is intentionally left blank

OPTION

414
 Electromagnetic Waves

electromagnetic waves
G.1

G.2

G.3
(SL and HL) The nature of em waves and light sources

(SL and HL) Optical instruments

(SL and HL) Two-source interference of waves

18
G.4 (SL and HL) Diffraction grating

G.5 (HL Only) X-rays

G.6 (HL Only) Thin-film interference

TOK  The nature of light

In the 17th century there were two opposing views
from Jupiter, and the remaining time moving towards it.
expressed regarding the nature of light by Sir Isaac Newton
Therefore, if the eclipsing at the close distance and the
(1642‑1727), and Christian Huygens (1629-1695). Newton
far distance was compared, he estimated that the extra
was of the opinion that light consisted of particles and
time for the light to reach Earth in the extreme was about
Huygens was of the opinion that light consisted of waves.
22 minutes. A short time later, the Dutch physicist,
They both believed, however, that a medium – the ether
Christian Huygens, used Römer’s value of 22 minutes and
– was necessary for the propagation of light.
his estimate of the Earth’s orbit to obtain a value equivalent
in SI units of 2 × 108 m s‑1 – about two-thirds the presently
In Galileo’s book “Two New Sciences” published in
accepted value (we now know that the actual value is
1638, he pointed out that the flash from an artillery gun

OPTION
16 minutes).
was seen before the sound of the blast was heard. He
concluded that the flash of light appeared instantaneously.
In 1849, the French physicist, A.H.L. Fizeau made the first
However, he stated that we would not know whether it
non-astronomical measurement of the speed of light. He
was instantaneous unless there was some accurate way to
realised that the use of a rotating toothed wheel would
measure its speed. He suggested an experiment could be
make it possible to measure very short time intervals.
performed where a person with a lantern stood on one hill
He placed a light source on a hill in Paris and a rotating
and an observer stood on another hill, a known distance
toothed wheel on another hill 8.63 km away as shown in
away. By flashing the lantern on one hill, the observer on
Figure 1801.
the distant hill could time how long it took the flash to
reach him. This was highly unlikely to produce a result,
and there is only anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Light source

experiment was actually performed. Lens Reflecting plane

mirror

Observer 8.63 km
In 1676, the Danish astronomer Ole Römer made the Lens Lens

first recognised prediction of the speed of light. Through

observation of Jupiter’s moon Io, he noticed that the Lens
period between eclipses (when Io disappears behind Semi-transparent
half- silvered mirror Rotating cog wheel
Jupiter) of Io is about 42.5 hours. However, he observed
that there was an irregularity in the times between
successive eclipse periods as the Earth orbits the Sun. He Figure 1801  Fizeau’s apparatus
reasoned that because of the Earth’s motion about the to determine the speed of light
Sun, it spends about six months of the year moving away

415
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Using a system of lenses and a half-silvered mirror, he was The induction coil produced a large potential difference
able to focus a beam of light onto a gap in the toothed between the gap in the source loop, and sparks were
wheel placed on one hill. The beam then travelled to the produced. When the detector loop was brought near the
other hill where it was reflected off a plane mirror and source loop, sparks were also noticed jumping across the
returned to the rotating wheel. The light intensity of the air gap in the detector loop. Hertz hypothesised that the
returning light then passed through the transparent part sparks in the source loop set up changing electric and
of the half- silvered mirror where it was observed. At low magnetic fields that propagated as an electromagnetic
speeds of rotation of the toothed wheel, he found that wave, as postulated by Maxwell. These waves then aligned
little light was visible because the path of the reflected in the air gap of the detector loop setting up electric and
light was obstructed by the teeth of the rotating wheel. He magnetic fields. These induced a spark in the air gap.
then increased the rotation of the wheel until the reflected
light was visible. He reasoned that this would occur when Between the years of 1880 to 1930, the American physicist,
the rotation speed was such that the reflected light passed Albert. A. Michelson, made a series of precise measurements
through the next gap between teeth. The wheel had 720 to determine the speed of light. Using a rotating octagonal
teeth and the light was bright when the wheel rotated at steel prism, he constructed the apparatus is shown in
25.2 revolutions per second. Figure 1803.
Light from a bright source
In 1860, Jean Foucalt improved Fizeau’s method by S
A
replacing the toothed wheel with an eight-sided rotating
mirror. He used the improved apparatus to measure the
speed of light through air and water, and discovered that Concave mirror Concave mirror

the speed of light in water was less than in air. Y

Octagonal B
D E steel prism C
X F
In the 1860s, James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) put
Faraday’s theory of electricity and magnetism into a Mt. San Antonio Mt. Wilson

mathematical form that could be generalised and applied

to electric and magnetic fields in conductors, insulators Fixed G
and space free of matter. According to Maxwell’s theory, telescope

a changing electric field in space produces a magnetic 3.4 × 10 4 m

field, and a changing magnetic field in space produces
an electric field. He predicted that by mutual induction, Figure 1803  Michelson’s method for determining the
OPTION

a sequence of time-varying and space-changing electric speed of light

and magnetic fields would be propagated from an original
source such as an oscillating charge. He proposed that His apparatus consisted of the main “set-up” on the right
these fluctuating, interlocked electric and magnetic of Figure 1803, placed on Mount Wilson in the USA, and a
fields would propagate through space in the form of an concave mirror to the left of the diagram placed on Mount
electromagnetic wave. He still believed that the ether was San Antonio 3.4 × 104 m away.
the medium for propagation. Following on from other
earlier attempts to determine the speed of light, Maxwell When the octagonal steel prism is stationary, the light
proposed that the speed of electromagnetic waves was about from the source S follows the path SYABCDEDCFGX, and
311 000 000 m s‑1. an image can be seen through the fixed telescope. When
the rotating prism is rotated slowly, the image disappears
In 1887 Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) demonstrated because the faces of the prism are not in a suitable
experimental evidence for the existence of electromagnetic position. However, if the prism is rotated so that it turns
waves as proposed by Maxwell in 1865. Hertz’s apparatus through one- eighth of a revolution in the time it takes
is shown schematically in Figure 1802. light to travel from X to Y, then an image is seen in the
fixed telescope. Michelson found that this occurred when
Transmitter Detector loop the prism was rotated at 530 revolutions per second.

High voltage Spark

induction coil gap
Michelson then corrected for the fact that the light was
electromagnetic waves travelling through air rather than a vacuum, and obtained
Detecting gap a value that is today considered to be accurate to one part
in a hundred thousand.
Figure 1802  Hertz’s apparatus

416
 Electromagnetic Waves

Another method to determine the speed of light involves

the use of the electrical constants Example

ε0 and μ0 rather than the speed of light directly. According

to Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory, the speed of light is The distance from the Earth the Sun is 3.00 × 1011 m. If
given by light takes 16 minutes to travel this distance, what is the
1
c = ---------------- speed of light?
ε0 µ 0

where ε0 is the permittivity of free space and is equal to Solution

8.85 × 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2, and μ0 is the permeability of free
space and is equal to 4.25 × 10-7 T m A-1.
d 3.00 × 10 11 m
---- = 3.13 × 10 8
Now, c = -- = ---------------------------------------------------
t ( 16 min × 60 s min ) –1
When we substitute these values into the equation, the
value obtained for the speed of light is 299 863 380.5 m s‑1. So, the speed of light is 3.13 × 108 m s-1.
With modern electronic devices being used physicists are
continuing to improve their methods of measurement. The
most accurate measurements indicate that the speed of Example
light in a vacuum is 299 792 458 m s-1 with an uncertainty
of 1 m s-1.
Determine the speed of light using Fizeau’s method.
The standard unit of length, the metre, is now defined
in terms of this speed. In 1960, the standard metre was
defined as the length equal to 1 650 763.73 wavelengths of Solution
the orange-red line of the isotope krypton-86 undergoing
electrical discharge. Since 1983, the metre has been defined
as “the metre is the length of path travelled by light in a Total distance travelled = 2 × (8.63 × 103 m)
vacuum during a time interval of 1 / 299 792 458 s”. The
speed of all electromagnetic waves is the same as the speed Time taken =
of light.
 ----1---- rev ×  -------1------s------- = 5.51 × 10 –5 s
 720   25.2 rev

OPTION
Further investigation showed that the electromagnetic
waves exhibit the properties of reflection, refraction, Using,
interference, diffraction and polarisation. Furthermore, d 2 × 8.63 × 10 3
they travelled at the speed of light. Since these properties c = -- = ---------------------------------- = 3.13 × 10 8
t 5.51 × 10 –5
are also exhibited by light, Hertz’s experiment had shown
that light is a form of a transverse electromagnetic wave. That is, the speed of light is 3.13 × 108 m s-1.

In 1905, Albert Einstein in his special theory of relativity

proposed that the ether did not exist, and that the speed of
light is constant in all frames of reference.

417
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

G.1 (SL AND HL) the nature of em

wavesand light sources
Recall from Chapter 4 the wave terminology concerning
G.1.1 Outline the nature of electromagnetic (EM) wave speed, wavelength, frequency and period. Because
waves. speed equals the time rate of change of distance, in
electromagnetic wave terms:
G.1.2 Describe the different regions of the wavelength λ
electromagnetic spectrum. c = --------------------------- = ---
© IBO 2007
period T
but, T = 1 / f ∴c = f × λ
G.1.1 The nature of
electromagnetic waves TOK Is EM radiation a health hazard?
Electromagnetic waves are produced because of the Students should know that an oscillating electric
accelerated motion of electric charges. When electrons charge produces varying electric and magnetic fields.
are accelerated in aerials or within atoms, they produce Students should know that electromagnetic waves
changing electric fields. These changing electric fields are transverse waves and all have the same speed in
generate changing magnetic fields in a plane perpendicular a vacuum.
to the electric field plane. As this process continues,
a self-propagating electromagnetic wave is produced. Students could consider the possible health hazards
As the charge oscillates with simple harmonic motion, associated with transmission lines.
© IBO 2007
the strength of the electric and magnetic vectors vary
with time, and produce sine curves (sinusoidal waves)
perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the
wave velocity v as shown in Figure 1804. The waves are G.1.2 Regions of the
therefore periodic and transverse.
OPTION

E electromagnetic spectrum

Figure 1805 shows a typical electromagnetic spectrum. You

v will see the EM spectrum depicted in different textbooks
B in different ways. Sometimes it is shown horizontally and
other times vertically. Sometimes the higher energy end is
to the left and at other times it is reversed. The spectrum
Figure 1804  The nature of EM waves is only a representation of the different radiation bands
and therefore there is no convention as to how it should
All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a be represented.
vacuum. This speed is known as the free space velocity of light
and is given the symbol c. It is a fundamental constant of Visible light as detected by the human eye is only a
nature and has a velocity of 2.998 × 108 m s-1 (~ 3 × 108 m s-1). small part of the range of electromagnetic waves. The
Electromagnetic waves can also, of course, propagate in wavelength of visible light ranges from 400 nm for the
matter. However, when they travel in different media such shorter wavelength violet near the ultra-violet region of
as glass, they are refracted and therefore travel at a different the spectrum to 700 nm for the longer wavelength red
speed. near the infrared region.

An electromagnetic wave also carries momentum and

energy, and the energy factor will be expanded on shortly.

418
 Electromagnetic Waves

Although electromagnetic waves can be produced and

Wavelength (metres) Frequency (Hertz)
Hz
detected in different ways, all waves in the electromagnetic
105 Long–wave radio 106 A.M radio
spectrum behave as predicted by Maxwell’s theory of
(e.g broadcasting) 105 107 electromagnetic waves.
Short–wave radio 108 F.M radio
Cellular phones
109
Wave type Order of magnitude of the wavelength (m)
Microwaves
100 (e.g radar) Radio 104–10-2
1010 m Visible light Hz
Microwave 10-2–10-4
Millimeter waves
7 × 10 –5 4.3 × 10 14 Infrared 10-4–10-6
Red
Infrared light
6 × 10 –5
Orange Visible 7 × 10­-7–3 × 10­-7
10–5 Yellow
Visible light 10 15
Green
Ultra-violet 3 × 10-7–10-9
Ultraviolet light 5 × 10 –5
Blue X-rays 10-9–10-11
X–rays 4 × 10 –5 Violet 7.5 × 10 14 Gamma rays 10-11–10-13
–10
10
1020
Figure 1806 (a)  Wavelengths and wave types

Gamma rays Electromagnetic radiation has particular properties in

10–15
the different regions of the EM spectrum, and they are
1025
generated and detected in different manners. The regions
will now be discussed in some detail.
Figure 1805  A typical electromagnetic spectrum

Note that there are no sharp divisions or rapid changes of Radio waves
properties between the various regions, rather a gradual
merging into each other. The names used for each region Radio waves have the longest wavelengths, and lie in
are for convenience only and the classification scheme the frequency range from 30 Hz to greater than 3000
has developed due to the origin of their manner of MHz. They find specialised uses in radio communication
production. For example, the ranges of gamma radiation including AM (amplitude modulated) and FM (frequency
and X-radiation overlap. X-rays could be produced with modulated) radio, television, CB radio, radio microphones
wavelengths similar to gamma radiation emitted by and scanning devices in MRI (magnetic resonance

OPTION
radioactive substances, but they are called X-rays because imaging). Because of their many uses governments must
they are produced when electrons hit a metal target. regulate the bandwidth that can be used in communication
devices in order to avoid congestion of the airwaves. The
You should become familiar with the order of magnitude internationally agreed frequency bands used for carrier
of the frequencies (and wavelengths) of the different waves, and their uses are given in Figure 1806 (b).
regions. Figure 1806 indicates the orders of magnitude of
the wavelengths for the regions of the spectrum. If you Radio waves are generated by an electric circuit called
become familiar with these you can determine the order an oscillator and are radiated from an aerial. A tuned
of magnitude of the frequencies using the equation oscillatory electric circuit that is part of a radio/television
f = c / λ. Note that the range of gamma rays extends beyond receiver detects the radio waves. As they do not penetrate
the range of instrumentation that is presently available. solid materials, radio waves are relatively easily reflected
off surfaces and this makes them ideal for communication
Because the speed of electromagnetic waves is constant technology. Refer to Figure 1806 (b).
(~ 3 × 108 m s-1), as the wavelength gets longer (increases),
the frequency decreases. Similarly, if the wavelength
decreases, the frequency increases. Therefore, there is a
range of wavelength values (and frequency values) that
electromagnetic waves can have. The entire possible
range is called the electromagnetic spectrum. A range of
wavelengths from about 108 m to 10-17 m corresponding to
a frequency range of 1 Hz to 1025 Hz have been studied by
scientists. Refer to Figure 1806 (a).

419
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Band Frequency Frequency Wavelength Use Radar consists of short pulses of microwaves. They are
(m) used to detect the speed of vehicles by police, and to find
Extremely high EHF 300–3GHz <0.1 Space distances to aeroplanes and ships. It is a microwave system
Super high SHF satellite link that guides large airliners into airports.
Ultra-high UHF 3–0.3GHz 1–0.1 Television
Very high VHF 300–30MHz 10–1 FM radio Microwaves can interact with matter and this is the basis
High HF 30–3MHz 100–10 AM radio of the microwave oven. Water readily absorbs radiation
short wave (energy) with a wavelength of 10 cm, and this absorbed
Medium MF 3–0.3MHz 1000–100 AM radio energy causes the molecules to produce thermal energy
medium wave due to their vibration. The heat is therefore generated in
Low LF 300–3kHz >100 000-1000 Defence the substance itself rather than conducted in from the
Very low VLF use outside, and this allows food to be cooked rapidly. At
short distances from the source, microwave radiation can
damage living tissue.
Figure 1806 (b)  Radio frequencies

Long and medium wavelength radio waves easily diffract Infra-red radiation
around obstacles such as small mountains and buildings,
and they can be reflected by the earth’s ionosphere. In heated bodies, the outer electrons in atoms and
Therefore, there does not have to be a direct line of sight molecules give off electromagnetic waves with wavelengths
between the antenna and the receiver and they can be shorter than 10–4 m due to a change in the rotational and
broadcasted over large distances provided the transmitter vibrational kinetic energy of these particles. Because the
used is powerful. radiation given off has a wavelength slightly longer than
the red end of the visible spectrum, it is called infrared
Television and FM broadcasting stations have wavelengths radiation. Infrared radiation allows us to receive warmth
from 1–10 m and they are not easily diffracted around from the Sun and other heat sources. In fact most of the
objects. Therefore, coaxial cables or relay stations are emitted radiation from any hot object is infrared.
necessary to transmit signals between points more than
80 km apart, even if there is a direct line free of obstacles It can be detected by our skin, by thermometers,
between them. thermistors, photoconductive cells, special photographic
film. Special photographic film is used to identify heat
OPTION

Waves in the UHF, SHF and EHF bands are not reflected off sources such as human beings trying to hide from the
the ionosphere in the upper atmosphere but rather pass into scene of a crime or soldiers moving in a war situation. They
space. For this reason, SHF and EHF bands are used for outer can also identify environmental problems. Because this
space and satellite communications. These outer bands are radiation is scattered by small particles in the atmosphere,
overlapping in the microwave region of the EM spectrum. they can be used in haze photography. It is also employed
in the identification of the molecular structure of many
organic compounds.
Microwaves
Microwaves have many applications – including Visible light
mobile phone, satellite communication, radar (radio
detection and ranging) and cooking. They are also used As already mentioned, the receptors in the human eye
in the analysis of fine details concerning atomic and are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation between about
molecular structure. Microwaves are the main carriers of 400 nm to 700 nm, and radiation in this region is referred
communication between repeater stations. They use “line- to as light or ]. Visible light is detected by stimulating nerve
of-sight” technology where relay stations are placed in endings of the retina of the eye or by photographic film
high positions 50 km apart. and photocells. The eye is most sensitive to the green and
yellow parts of the visible spectrum. It can be generated by
They are produced by special electronic semi-conductor the re-arrangement of outer orbital electrons in atoms and
devices called Gunn diodes, or by vacuum tube devices molecules. These excited electrons emit light and other
such as klystrons and magnetrons. They are detected by electromagnetic radiation of a certain frequency when
point contact diodes, thermistor bolometers and valve they lose energy as happens in gas discharge tubes. Visible
circuits.

420
 Electromagnetic Waves

light can cause photochemical reactions in which radiant hydrogen and oxygen, but are less able to penetrate dense
energy is converted into chemical energy. material such as bone containing the heavier element
calcium. Because X-rays are detected by photography, the
photographic plate placed beneath the body can be used
Ultra-Violet radiation to identify possible bone fractures.

Ultra-violet radiation produces EM waves between about X-rays are ideal for identifying flaws in metals. They are
10-7 m to 10-9 m. It is generated by the orbital electrons also used in CAT scans (computerised axial tomography).
of atoms of the Sun, and other instruments such as high- Because tissues absorb X-rays differently, when a body
voltage discharge tubes and mercury vapour lamps. Like is scanned, the internal organs and tissues can be
visible light, UV radiation can cause photochemical identified from the analysis of the images produced by the
reactions in which radiant energy is converted into computer.
chemical energy as in the production of ozone in the
atmosphere and the production of the dark pigment X-radiation can ionise gases and cause fluorescence.
(melanin) that causes tanning in the skin. It also helps to Because X-rays produce interference patterns when they
produce vitamin D on our skin. However, too much UV interact with crystals in rocks and salts, the structure of
radiation can cause melanoma cancers. these regular patterns of atoms and molecules can be
determined by this process of X-ray diffraction.
UV radiation has the ability to ionise atoms and this is
the reason why ozone is produced in the atmosphere. This X-rays can damage living cells and continued use and
ozone is capable of killing bacteria and therefore it can be exposure to X-rays is discouraged. Radiologists who work
put to good use in the sterilisation of many objects. in X-ray Departments always stand behind lead-lined walls
when an X-ray is being taken. On the other hand, some
The atoms of many elements emit UV radiations that are types of diseased cells are damaged more easily than are
characteristic of those elements, and this quality allows healthy cells. Therefore, if X-rays are carefully controlled,
many unknown substances to be identified. UV radiation they can be used to destroy cancerous cells, as is the case
can be detected by photography and the photo-electric with the use of certain lasers in radiation therapy.
effect. Furthermore, certain crystals fluoresce when they
absorb UV radiation, and this is put to use in washing
powders to make the “whites look whiter”. Gamma radiation

OPTION
The gamma radiation region of the EM spectrum
X-Radiation overlaps with the X-ray region and their use in cancer
therapy overlaps with the last statement made about X-
X-radiation produces EM waves between about 10–8 m ray use in radiotherapy. These high frequency rays are
to 10–18 m. It can be generated by the rapid deceleration highly penetrating and are produced by natural and
(stopping) or deflection of fast-moving electrons when artificial radioactive materials. As such, gamma rays will
they strike a metal target or other hard objects. It can also pass through metres of air and need large thicknesses
be generated by the sudden change in energy of innermost of concrete or lead to absorb them in order to protect
orbital electrons in atoms. The maximum frequency humans from danger. Gamma radiation can be detected
produced is determined by the energy with which the by an ionisation chamber as found in a Geiger-Müller
fast-moving electrons from the source strike a target. This counter.
energy is in turn determined by the accelerating voltage of
an X-ray machine.

X-rays can penetrate different materials to different

degrees. ‘Hard’ X-rays (near the gamma end) are more
penetrating than ‘soft’ X-rays (near the ultra-violet end).
Apart from the penetration increasing with increased
frequency of the X-rays, the penetrating power also
depends on the nature of the material being penetrated.
The higher the atomic mass of a material, the less is the
penetration. For example, X-rays can easily penetrate skin
and flesh containing mainly the lighter atoms carbon,

421
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

the spectrum are combined together and they appear as an

G.1.3 Dispersion of EM waves off-white colour.

prism 2
G.1.3 Describe what is meant by the dispersion of V R
EM waves. White Red White light I
light O
Violet
Red B
G.1.4 Describe the dispersion of EM waves in Violet G
Y

terms of the dependence of refractive index prism 1

on wavelength.
© IBO 2007
Figure 1808  Synthesis of white light.

When a narrow beam of white light undergoes refraction

on entering a prism, the light spreads out into a spectrum G.1.4 Dispersion and dependance
of colours. The colours range from red at one side of the
band, through orange, yellow, green, indigo (light purple), of the refractive index on
to violet at the other side of the band. We say that the
spectrum of white light is continuous because the colour wavelength
bands gradually change from one colour to the next
without there being any gaps. The separation of the white We now know that the refractive index of the prism material
light into its component colours is due to dispersion as is different for each colour. It is greater for violet light than
shown in Figure 1807. For clarity their angular separation it is for red light. The colour of visible light depends on the
is exaggerated. wavelength of the light. Red light has a longer wavelength
Screen
than orange light, which in turn has a longer wavelength
than yellow light and so on. Each wavelength of light has
White a different speed when it enters a medium, and different
Red
light
Orange media have different refractive indexes. Therefore, the
Yellow dependence of the index of refraction on wavelengths (and
Green as a result on frequency) is also called dispersion. Each
prism Blue
Indigo
wavelength of light has a different velocity in different
Violet media such as glass and oil.
OPTION

Figure 1807   Dispersion due to a prism Dispersion is the separation of a mixture of different
wavelengths initially travelling together, when they enter a
This form of dispersion was first explained by Sir Isaac new medium where velocity depends on a frequency, and
Newton. When he isolated a particular spectrum colour hence each frequency has a different refractive index. For
produced when white light was passed through a prism, example, the refractive index for glass is smaller for red
and then passed it through a second prism, he found light than it is for blue light, and so on.
there was no further colour change. He concluded that
the colours produced had not been “introduced” by the Figure 1809 shows how the refractive index and
prism, but rather were components of the white light. The wavelength change for the colours produced when light
red and violet light, being components, are incident on from a mercury vapour lamp is incident on a certain glass
the prism at the same angle. However, upon entering the prism.
prism the violet ray is refracted through a greater angle
than the red ray. Refractive Index Colour Wavelength / nm
1.651 Violet 404.8
As well as separating the spectrum into its different colours, 1.643 Blue 435.8
Newton also showed that the colours could be recombined
1.625 Green 546.1
or synthesised to produce white light. Two methods to
1.621 Yellow 579.1
show this synthesis are shown in Figure 1808. In the first
method two prisms are aligned as shown to produce white
light. In the second method, a disc containing coloured Figure 1809  Refractive indices of different wavelengths
sectors of the rainbow is rotated rapidly. The colours of

422
 Electromagnetic Waves

Radiation can relate to the transmission of electromagnetic

G.1.5 Transmission, absorption energy through space. All regions of the electromagnetic
spectrum can transmit radiation to the surroundings.
and scattering of radiation For example, all hot bodies transfer thermal energy
with energies mainly in the infrared region between two
substances which are not in contact with each other. All
G.1.5 Distinguish between transmission, the incoming radiation I from one object can be absorbed
absorption and scattering of radiation. A, transmitted T or scattered S (reflected) from another
object. I = T + A + S
G.1.6 Discuss examples of the transmission,
absorption and scattering of EM radiation. Because electromagnetic waves are produced as a result
© IBO 2007
of the movement of electric charges, they have energy
or electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation,
Quantum physics began in 1900 with the proposals of whatever its frequency (or wavelength) can only be emitted
Max Planck. He found that radiation absorbed or emitted if energy is supplied to the source of radiation – the charge
by a black body could not be explained using classical that is undergoing acceleration. This energy produced
physics. Planck proposed that electromagnetic radiation can be absorbed and detected in various ways such as the
could not be emitted or absorbed continuously as proposed heating of food in a microwave oven. Some objects can
by classical physics but rather it is emitted or absorbed in then re-radiate the absorbed energy and transmit that
“little bursts” or “packets” of energy. We now call these energy to another place. This was already discussed in
photons and we say that radiation is quantised. Chapter 8 when the greenhouse effect was discussed.

This statement is given mathematically as: If the radiation is not absorbed or scattered by an object,
it will continue on its transmission path at the speed of
E = hf light.

where E is the energy of the photon in J or MeV, and h is a In terms of this chapter, radiation scattering is the
constant called Planck’s constant. It has a value of 6.6 × 10-34 J s. deflection of EM radiation from its original path due to
its collisions with particles in a medium. The scattered
radiation after a single collision with a single molecule
Example could be in many directions with different frequencies. It

OPTION
may cause a change in polarisation or it may interact at the
atomic or molecular level.
A photon of blue light has a wavelength of 450 nm.
Calculate the
G.1.6 Examples of transmission,
(a) photon’s frequency
(b) photon’s energy absorption and scattering

of em radiation
Solution
When electromagnetic radiation in the visible region is
transmitted from the Sun and enters the earth’s atmo-
c
(a) c = f × λ ⇔ f = -- sphere, most of the short-wavelength radiation in the
λ
8 indigo-violet region is absorbed in the higher atmosphere.
3 × 10 m s –1 However, the continuous spectrum produced by a
---------------------------------
450 × 10 –9 m spectroscope on the earth’s surface still has large amounts
= 6.7 × 1014 Hz of indigo and violet. So why doesn’t the sky appear violet.
The answer lies in the way in which the human eye is
(b) E = h × f = ( 6.6 × 10 – 34 J s ) × ( 6.7 × 10 14 Hz ) sensitive to some colours more than others. Our eye
consists of three types of receptors, called cones, in our
= 4.4 × 10-19 J or 2.8 eV retina – red, blue and green cones that respond more to
colours within these wavelengths.

423
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

A further factor known as Rayleigh scattering needs to be

examined. Lord Rayleigh found that the amount of light G.1.7 Explain the terms monochromatic and
scattered is inversely proportional to the fourth power of coherent.
the wavelength for small particles.
G.1.8 Identify laser light as a source of coherent
Amount of scattering = k 1 / λ4 light.

Let us compare the scattering of red light with a wavelength G.1.9 Outline the mechanism for the production
of 660 nm with that of blue light with a wavelength of of laser light.
470 nm.
G.1.10 Outline an application of the use of a laser.
© IBO 2007
Amount of scattering of red

= k 1 / (660 × 10-9) 4 = k 1/ 1.9 × 10-25 = k 5.3 × 1024

G.1.7,8 The terms monochromatic
Amount of scattering of blue
and coherent
= k 1 / (470 × 10-9) 4 = k 1/ 4.9 × 10-26 = k 2.0 × 1025
A monochromatic source of radiation is one that has
The ratio k 2.0 × 1025 / k 5.3 × 1024 = 3.9. So the blue light an extremely narrow band of frequencies or extremely
is scattered more than the red light. small narrow wavelength band (or colour in the case of
visible light). Most sources of light emit many different
So on a clear day, the sky appears blue because certain wavelengths. Laser light is monochromatic.
molecules in the air scatter blue light more than red,
orange and yellow light. A clear cloudless day-time sky is When the filament of a light globe emits light, the atoms on
blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the filament do not maintain a constant phase relationship
the sun more than they scatter red light.  When we look because the filament atoms act independently from each
towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours other. The light emitted is incoherent. However, in a laser,
because the blue light has been scattered out and away each photon of light is in phase with all the other photons.
from the line of sight. Laser light is coherent.
OPTION

It is a misconception to think that light is scattered by Laser light is a coherent and monochromatic source of
particulate matter in the atmosphere. The scattering that electromagnetic radiation.
occurs is mainly due to the scattering that occurs when
the transmitted radiation is scattered off nitrogen and
oxygen molecules. Remember from chapter 8 that it is the Mechanism for the production of
molecular dipole moments of the greenhouse gases that
absorb radiation in the low infrared region. Therefore, it laser light
is believed that water vapour is not responsible for the
scattering effect. The word laser is an acronym derived from ‘Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’. A
When the Sun rises or sets, most of the blue light has been laser is an instrument that has a power source and a light-
scattered and the Sun’s rays have to travel through more amplifying substance. The power source provides the
atmosphere. The red cone receptors are more sensitive to energy that causes atoms in the light- amplifying substance
red light and we see what appears to be red, orange and to become excited. There are a variety of solid, liquid and
yellow light . gas lasers available on the market. The common laser used
in the laboratory uses a helium- neon gas mixture as the
light-amplifying substance.

The operation starts with the light-amplifying substance

absorbing non-coherent radiation from a power source.
It then re-emits some of the energy provided in the form
of a coherent, monochromatic beam of photons of great
intensity. The light produced is a nearly perfect plane

424
 Electromagnetic Waves

wave. The intensity is in fact increased due to the emitted

Energy
waves being coherent. 1.

To gather information about the energy levels of an atom

Energy
or a molecule, scientists investigate the radiation absorbed
incident light 2.
or emitted when an atom or molecule, (more specifically
the electrons), undergo a transition. Recall continuous,
emitted light
absorption and emission spectra that were introduced in
earlier chapters.
Figure 1811  Stimulated emission
In Figure 1810, an incident photon is absorbed and the
system makes a transition to an excited state. Later, the In spontaneous emission, the phase of the light from
system makes a transition to the ground state (or a lower one atom is unrelated to that from another atom, and
state) with the emission of a photon. the resultant radiation is incoherent. With stimulated
emission, the phase of radiation emitted by an atom is the
Energy same as the phase of every other atom, and the resultant
1. radiation is coherent.
resonance absorption
Stimulated emission has important application in modern
optics. Masers and lasers
incident light Energy
2.
spontaneous emission
MASER
Microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

Energy
LASER
3.
Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

emitted light Both apply the same principles, and only differ in the
frequency range in which they operate.
Figure 1810  Spontaneous emission.
A ruby laser consists of a transparent crystal rod of

OPTION
This is a two-step process - the first step is called resonance aluminium oxide containing 0.05% chromium with a flash
absorption, and the second step is called spontaneous tube wrapped around it as shown in Figure 1812. Both
emission. The incident photon is not the same photon as ends of the crystal rod are silvered, one end such that it
the emitted photon, and the photons are not correlated. is totally reflecting and the other partially silvered so that
some of the light can be transmitted as a beam.
However, if an atom or molecule is initially in an excited
state, and the energy of the incident photon is equal to ruby rod

the difference in the energy between the excited state and

the ground state of the atom or molecule (E2 – E1), then a
photon is emitted in the same direction, and in phase, as
the original photon. Therefore, the resulting radiation is
coherent and correlated. This process is called stimulated
emission. See Figure 1811.
mirrored partially mirrored
surface atoms
surface

Figure 1812  A diagram of the ruby laser

Figure 1813 shows the energy levels of the chromium atom.

In the ruby laser, light of energy equivalent to 2.25 eV is
absorbed from the flash tube, and this raises the electrons
of chromium from the ground state E1 to an excited state
E3. These electrons quickly undergo spontaneous emission
and fall to level E2 known as the metastable energy state.

425
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

If the incident radiation from the flash tube is intense Once this is achieved, the neon atoms have a metastable
enough more electrons are transferred to the E2 energy state at 18.70 eV, and population inversion allows
level than remain in the ground state – a condition known stimulated emission to occur.
as population inversion.

The metastable state is an unusual excited state of chromium G.1.9 Important applications of
and other atoms and molecules because the electrons can
remain in this state for a longer period before they decay lasers
to the ground state.
The theoretical basis of the laser was first proposed by
2.25 eV E 3 Albert Einstein in 1915. The first design was proposed by
Townes and Schawlow in 1958, and the first working laser
spontaneous emission
was produced by Maiman in 1960. Even for a time
thereafter, there was very little interest in the applications
1.79 eV E2 of laser beams. However, in the past 20 years their
applications have become extensive in technology,
absorption industry, medicine and communications.
stimulated emission

In medicine, lasers are mainly used in the treatment of

E1 tumours, and in eye surgery such as retina attachment and
corneal correction. Other applications include the cutting
Figure 1813  Energy levels of chromium. of tissue and blood vessels without causing bleeding,
vaporising blood clots and stones, in dental examinations,
When some electrons in E2 decay to the ground state in removing tattoos and some birthmarks.
by stimulated emission, they emit photons of energy
equivalent to 1.79 eV and wavelength of 694.3 nm. Malignant tissue absorbs laser radiation more strongly
than does healthy tissue. Laser beams of a specific
Population inversion is achieved slightly differently in the wavelength, pulse rate, power density and energy dose are
helium-neon laser. The ruby laser requires three energy chosen to suit the absorption properties of the particular
states and the helium-neon laser requires four energy tumour. As well as laser therapy to correct the optical
states. See Figure 1814. properties of the lens of the eye, ruby lasers are used to
OPTION

repair retinal damage through a process called retinal

A mixture of about 15% helium gas and 85% neon gas photocoagulation. If a tear appears in the retina, the laser
is enclosed in a discharge tube. The helium electrons are “spot welds” the retina correctly into position.
excited to a state equivalent to 20.61 eV. The neon atoms
require 20.66 eV to excite the electrons to their required Lasers can used as communication devices to transmit
excited state. This is 0.05 eV above that which is required and receive voice messages and television signals better
for the helium atoms. In order to achieve the required than conventional means, and the fibre optics used to
0.05 eV for excitation, the neon atoms collide with the send the beams are slowly replacing metal wires. Other
excited helium atoms and their kinetic energies supply the communication devices include photocopiers, printers
extra 0.05 eV needed. and bar code readers. In military operations, the success
of laser guidance systems in weapons is clear to most of
us.
Helium collision EN Neon
EH 3 stimulated emission
2
1.96 eV
EN
2 In industry, lasers are used for surveying and for cutting
materials including fabrics and microelectronic circuits.
Industrial lasers can produce temperatures of greater than
absorption 20.16 eV 20.66 eV 18.70 eV spontaneous emission 5500 °C and are commonly used for welding and cutting
materials. The “teeth” in carpentry saws, the holes in
sewing needles, the holes in the teat of a baby’s bottle, holes
EH EN in metals, are all produced by lasers. The laser is usually a
1 1
solid-state ruby laser that uses a pulsating beam of light.
Figure 1814  Energy levels in the helium-neon laser

426
 Electromagnetic Waves

Of special interest is the laser used to read the data

on Compact Discs (CDs), Compact Disc Read-Only- Exercise G.1
Memory (CD-ROMs) and Digital Video (or Versatile)
Discs (DVDs). As a laser beam scans the disc the light is
either reflected from the metal surface or scattered by a pit 1. Describe how are electromagnetic waves
or hole in the disc. Optical sensors convert the information produced?
back into digital data. This data can then be amplified to
produce audio, text and pictures. 2. List five characteristics of electromagnetic waves.

A compact disc consists of a hard, plastic disc, 120 mm in 3. A photon of red light has a wavelength of 700 nm.
diameter that is coated with a highly refractive material/ Calculate the:
metal (usually aluminium) with a coating of plastic
to protect the metal surface. To “burn” a master CD, a (a) photon’s frequency
recording laser is focussed on the disc to produce a series (b) photon’s energy.
of up to 3 billion pits on one side only. The pits or lack
of such represent the digital data. This series of pits can 4. The wavelength of the electromagnetic waves
form a spiral up to 5 km long and the CD can store up to detected in the air loop in the Hertz experiment
�����������
650 Mb (megabytes) of data. The master disc is copied, and were about 1 m. In which region of the EM
is read by the scanning laser in CD players. The main use spectrum are they found?
of CDs is to store audio sounds. CD-ROMs have become
popular recently. These store data in the form of text, still 5. Describe how long and medium radio waves pass
and moving pictures and audio sounds. The newest optical around obstacles such as buildings and
��������������
mountains.
disc storage is the DVD. It has a bigger capacity and it can
run faster. It can store data on one or on both sides up to 6. Draw a table showing the order of magnitude of
17 Gb (gigabyte). DVDs need a different type of player, the frequencies for the different regions
���������������
of the
and these have proliferated in recent years. electromagnetic spectrum.

Scientists use lasers to produce a superheated gas that we 7. Describe how the frequency of X-rays is related to
call plasma. It is hoped that research in this area may one their penetration of matter.
day make nuclear fusion reactors commercially viable.
8. Identify a possible source of the radiation in each

OPTION
The viewing of a laser beam directly may do permanent region of the EM spectrum. Give one way of
damage to the retina. Lasers with a power between 3 and detecting each source.
4 mW are considered a probable hazard. Helium-neon
lasers used for education have a fraction of a milliwatt 9. Describe how the SI unit, the metre, is defined in
power output and should be treated with respect. terms of the speed of light.

10. (a) With the aid of a diagram, describe the

dispersion of white light by a prism.
(b) Explain how a factor of the prism causes
the dispersion to occur.

11. (a) What does the term LASER stand for?

(b) In simple terms, how is laser radiation
produced?
(c) Give one application of the use of lasers in
each of technology, industry and medicine.

427
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

g.2 (sl and HL) optical instruments

G.2.1 Define the terms principal axis, focal point, G.2.1 Terminology for ray
focal length and linear magnification
as applied to a converging (convex) lens. diagram construction

G.2.2 Define the power of a convex lens and the It is important to understand the meaning of the terms
dioptre. used with lenses when describing the geometrical optics,
and constructing ray diagrams.
G.2.3 Define linear magnification.
© IBO 2007
centre of curvature C

the centre of the sphere of which the lens is made.

Introduction
radius of curvature R
A lens is a transparent object with at least one curved
surface but more commonly two curved faces. The amount the radius of the sphere from which the lens is made.
of refraction is determined by the refractive index. Most
lenses are made of glass but perspex (lucite) and quartz pole P
lenses are common. They are used to correct defects of
vision using spectacles and in optical instruments such central point of the refracting surface.
as cameras, microscopes and refracting telescopes. The
curved surfaces of lenses may be spherical, parabolic or principal axis
cylindrical but we will restrict our discussion to thin lenses
with spherical surfaces. line that passes through the centre of curvature and the
centre of the refracting surface.
Lenses are either convex (converging) or concave
(diverging) as shown by the ray diagrams that locate the principal focus F
focus in Figure 1815.
OPTION

point through which rays parallel and close to the principal

axis pass after refraction if the lens is convex, or appear to
Principal come from if the lens is concave.
axis F Principal axis F
F F
(real focus) (virtual focus) Optical centre
Optical centre
focal
focal length focal length f
length
Lens axis lens axis
converging lens diverging lens the distance between the principal focus and the centre of
the refracting surface. From the definition it can be seen
Figure 1815  Converging and diverging lenses that
1
Lenses come in various shapes as shown in Figure 1816. f = -- R
2
Convex Concave
Converging Diverging aperture
lenses lenses
the length of the refracting surface on which the incident
rays can be refracted.

principal focal plane

double Planoconvex convex double Planoconccave concave
convex meniscus concave meniscus the plane that passes through the principal focus and is
perpendicular to the principal axis.
Figure 1816  Some lenses

428
 Electromagnetic Waves

1. A ray passes through the optical centre without

G.2.2 Power of a convex lens and any deviation

dioptre 2. A ray parallel to the principal axis refracts so that

it passes through the����������������������������
principal focus if convex,
The power of a convex lens P is the reciprocal of the focal or appear to diverge from the principal focus if
length. It is a measure of the strength of a lens as used by concave
optometrists and opthalmologists.
3. A ray passing through, or appearing to come,
P = --1- from the principal focus refracts
����������������������������
so that it travels
f
parallel to the principal axis.
The unit for the lens power is the dioptre D with the unit m-1.

So if a lens has a focal length of 40 cm, the power

object
X Principal O'
= 1 /0.40 m = 2.5 D. O axis
F F
image
The power of a converging lens is positive and the power
of a diverging lens is negative as we will find out later in
this section.

G.2.3 Linear magnification object

image Principal axis F
O F O'

The linear or lateral magnification m of a lens is given by

the ratio of the height of an image to the height of its object
or the ratio of the image distance to the object distance Figure 1817  Spherical lens construction rules
di h
m = – ----- = ----i- Figure 1817 shows the ray diagrams for an object placed
do ho
at different positions along the principal axis, and gives
where di and do are the image and object distances examples of the uses of the lens for each situation.

OPTION
respectively and hi and ho the image and object heights
respectively. Linear magnification has no units. Note that a concave lens gives only one type of image, so
only one ray diagram need be drawn. A concave lens gives
A negative magnification when both do and di are positive an erect, diminished virtual image.
indicates that the image is inverted.
A virtual image is an image that appears to come from
a single point when rays are extrapolated to that point
G.2.4 Construct ray diagrams to locate the image as shown by the dashed lines in the first and last case of
formed by a convex lens. Figure 1818. A real image is an image that can be seen
on a screen that has been put at the point where the rays
G.2.5 Distinguish between a real image and a intersect at a single point.
virtual image.
© IBO 2007

G.2.6 Apply the convention “real is positive,

virtual is negative” to the thin lens formula.
Ray diagrams to find images of
G.2.7 Solve problems for a single convex lens
lenses using the thin lens formula.
© IBO 2007

It is possible to use graphical techniques to locate images

formed by lenses. At least two rays are drawn for the
three construction rules as shown for a converging and a
diverging lens in Figure 1817.

429
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Position of object Diagram Properties of image

a. virtual O C
b. erect
1. image c. same side as object
L o
Between F & L (but further away)
F obj F
d. magnified
L O'
A F F
i
f
No image is formed
2. L obj (i.e., at infinity)
At F F F do di E
parallel rays

a. real
3. obj b. inverted Figure 1819  A ray diagram
Between F and L c. opposite side to
F F 2F
2F object and beyond
2F ∆ AOL is similar to ∆ EIL. Therefore,
d. magnified
AO do
-------- = AL o
a. real
4. b. inverted ------- ⇒ --- = -----
At 2F
F
L
F 2F
obj
c. at 2F and on the IE IL i di
opposite side
d. same size
This is equation 1.
a. real
5. obj b. inverted
Beyond 2F L c. between F & 2F
2F F F 2F
and on opposite side ∆ CLF is similar to ∆ FIE. Therefore,
d. smaller
CL LF
object at infinity a. real ------- = -------
6.
F parallel rays b. inverted IE FI
At infinity c. at F & on opposite
L F 2F side
d. smaller Because
CL AO
a. virtual CL = EB then ------- = --------
7.
b. upright
c. closer to lens than
IE IE
For any position object
object d. smaller AO LF
image ∴------- = -------
O F IE FI

but LF = f and FI = LI – LF = di – f
f
Figure 1818  Images formed by lenses ∴AO
-------- = -----------
IE di – f
The thin lens equation This is equation 2.
OPTION

In terms of the focal length f, the lens equation is stated as From equations (1) and (2), we get,
1 1 1 do
----- + ---- = --
d0 di f ----- = -------f---- and d i f = d o ( d i – f )
di di – f
where do is the object distance and di is the image distance. Divide both sides by d0dl × f:
The convention used for determining the sign of do, di and di f d ( di – f ) 1 1
1
f are: ------------ = -----o---------
--------- ⇒ ----- = -- – ----
do d i f dodi f do f di
1. real distances are positive So that,
1 1 1
----- + ---- = ---
2. virtual distances are negative do d i f

3. the focal length and the radius of curvature of This equation is quite often written in textbooks as:
a lens are positive if�����������������������������
converging, and negative if
diverging. 1/f=1/u+1/v

The lens equation can be derived using geometry and Many optical devices contain more than one thin lens. The
algebra. Consider Figure 1819, the following ray diagram: final image produced by the system of lenses is determined
by firstly finding the image distance of the first lens and
using this value along with the distances between lenses to
find the object distance for the second lens.

430
 Electromagnetic Waves

Example Example

A small object is 15.0 cm from a concave lens with a focal Two converging lenses each of focal length 10 cm are
length of 10.0 cm. Locate the image and determine its 15 cm apart. Find the final image of an object that is 15 cm
magnification. from one of the lenses.

Solution Solution

1 1 1
Using the formula ---
-- + ---- = -- , we have that
d o di f This problem can be solved either graphically or algebraically.
1 1 1 In any case, a diagram as in the figure below can help to
---------- + ---- = --------- ⇔ d i = –6.0 cm roughly see the position of the final image.
15.0 d i 10.0
So that the image is a virtual image located 6.0 cm in front
of the lens.
F2 F 2'
The magnitude is given by F1 F 1'

di ( –6.0 cm )
m = –----- = –------------------------ = + 0.40
do 10.0 cm 15 cm 15 cm

The virtual image is erect and has a magnification of 0.40. 30 cm

1 1 1
Again, we use the expression, ---
-- + ---- = -- so that,
d o di f
��������
Example
1 1 1
------ + ---- = ----- ⇔ d i = 30 cm
15 di 10
An object 1.2 cm high is placed 6.0 cm from a double The image is not formed because the light rays strike the
convex lens with a focal length of 12.0 cm. Locate the second lens before reaching the image position. However, the

OPTION
image and determine its magnification. unformed image acts as a virtual object for the second lens.
Since the unformed image is on the transmission side of the
second lens, it is a virtual object.
Solution
So, we now have,
1 1 1 1 1 1
From the formula, ---
-- + ---- = -- , we have, --------- + ---- = ----- ⇔ d i = 6 cm
d o di f –15 d i 10
1 1 1
------- + ---- = --------- ⇔ d i = –12.0 cm The image is 6 cm on the transmission side of the second
6.0 d i 12.0 lens.
The image is a virtual image located 12.0 cm in front of the
lens.

Then, for the magnitude, we use the formula,

di ( –12.0 cm )
m = –----- = –--------------------------- = + 2
do 6.0 cm
The virtual image is erect and has a magnification of 2.0.

431
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

an eventual sharp image being formed on the retina of the

Exercises G.2 eye.

Linear magnification was previously defined as the ratio

1. An object 1.0 cm high is placed 5.0 cm from a of the height of an image to the height of its object, or the
double convex lens with a focal length of 12.0 cm. ratio of the image distance to the object distance. In some
Locate the image and describe its nature and its circumstances this means of describing magnification can
magnification. be misleading because it is assumed in such cases that
the object is bigger than its image. However, sometimes
2. Using geometric construction rules, draw the the image size is bigger than the object size but appears
following ray diagrams to show the position and smaller because it is further away (it makes a smaller
properties of the image formed when: angle at the eye than does the object). In this case, linear
magnification does not always give the measure of the
(a) An object outside the principal focus using ratio of the apparent size of the image. Therefore, we need
a convex lens a more useful term for these occasions and the concept of
(b) An object outside the principal focus using angular magnification is used.
a convex lens
The size of any image formed on the retina of the eye
3. An small object is 16.0 cm from a concave lens depends on the angle subtended by the object at the eye.
with a focal length of 12.0 cm. Locate the image The closer the object is to the eye the greater will be the
and determine its magnification. angle and thus the angular magnification. However, if
an object is too close to the eye then there is difficulty
4. An object 1.2 cm high is placed 6.0 cm from a focusing the image.
double convex lens with a focal length of 12.0 cm.
Locate the image and determine its magnification. The range over which an eye can sharply focus an image
is determined by what are known as the near point and
5. Two converging lenses each of focal length 10 cm far point of the eye. The near point is the position of the
are 15 cm apart. Determine the final image of an closest object that can be brought into focus by the unaided
object that is 15 cm from one of the lenses. eye. The near point varies from person to person but it has
been given an arbitrary value of 25 cm. The far point is
the position of the furthest object that can be brought into
The simple magnifying glass
OPTION

focus by the unaided eye. The far point of a normal eye is

at infinity.

G.2.8 Define the terms far point and near point for The ability of the eye to focus over this range is called
the unaided eye. accommodation and this is controlled by the ciliary
muscles pulling or relaxing in order to change the
G.2.9 Define angular magnification. focal length of the flexible eye lens. The eye has most
accommodation for prolonged viewing when viewing at
G.2.10 Derive an expression for the angular the far point.
magnification of a simple magnifying glass
for an image formed at the near point and The apparent size of an object can be increased by using a
at infinity. converging lens to allow the object to be brought closer to
© IBO 2007
the eye, thus increasing the size of the image on the retina.
This is the basis behind the simple magnifier.

G.2.8 Far point and near point

G.2.9 Angular magnification
for the unaided eye
Consider the two diagrams of Figure 1821. In case (a), a
The main purpose for the manufacture of magnifying small object y is at the near point Xnp. The size of the image
optical instruments that operate in the visible region of on the retina depends on the angular magnification θ0.
the electromagnetic spectrum is to increase the angular
size of the object or its angular magnification. We rely on

432
 Electromagnetic Waves

(a)

y (a) y0
θ0
x np θ0

(b)

y θ

f
y
Figure 1821  The simple magnifier (b)
θ
In case (b), a converging lens of focal length f is placed in F

image
front of the eye. The lens allows the eye to be closer than
the near point to the object. Therefore, the focal length of
the double convex lens can be less than the near point. L
This results in a greater angular magnification θ at the
retina. Figure 1822

When the object is at the focal point of the lens, parallel From Figure 1822 (a), tan θ0 = y0 / L Therefore θ0 = y0 / L
rays emerge from the lens and enter the eye as if they came
from an object at infinity. This is the most comfortable But M = θ / θ0 = (y / L) ÷ (y0 / L) = y / y0
state for prolonged viewing.
So, in the case of a magnifying glass:
The ratio θ / θ0 is called the angular magnification M or
magnifying power of the lens. M (angular magnification) = m (linear magnification)
θ
M = -------
θo This means that M = d­i / do
1 1 1
where θ = the angle subtended at the eye by the image and If we multiply ----- + ---- = -- by d0 we get d­i / do = d­i / f - 1
d o di f

OPTION
θ0 = the angle subtended at the unaided eye by the object
when it is at the near point. Therefore,

The difference between the angular magnification and M = d­i / f - 1

the linear magnification is that the angular magnification
is the ratio of the apparent sizes of the object and the So if the focal length is 3 cm and the image distance is at
image whereas the linear magnification is the real size of the near point of the eye, then the image distance will be
the object and the image. negative. So:

M = (-25 / 3) – 1 = -8.33 – 1 = -9.3

G.2.10 Expression for angular
Therefore, the angular magnification or the magnifying
magnification power of the lens is 9.3.

From Figure 1822 (b), for small angles tan θ ≈ θ So it should be clear that a lens of a small focal length is
required and this is why a simple magnifying glass has
But tan θ = y / L Therefore θ = y / L smooth, curved faces. However, there is an upper limit to
the angular magnification since images become distorted
if the radius of curvature becomes too great.

Simple magnifiers are used as the eyepiece in compound

microscopes and both reflecting and refracting telescopes
to view the image formed by another lens system.

433
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Example Solution

(a) Draw a ray diagram for an object that is inside the (a) The following figure shows the correct construction.
focal length of a double convex lens. The image virtual, erect and magnified.

(b) For this lens, the focal length is 8.0 cm and the
distance of the object from the lens forms an
image at the near point of the eye. If the distance
of the lens from the eye is 5.0 cm, calculate the y
distance of the object from the lens.
θ
F

image
Solution
d0 = 5 cm
25 cm

(a) The ray diagram is shown in the following Figure. (b) M = (-25 / 8.0) – 1 = -3.125 – 1 = - 4.125

The magnifying power of the lens is 4.1

image
L
F obj F

The compound microscope and

(b) Remember the near point is the position of the
closest object that can be brought into focus by the astronomical telescope
the unaided eye. Also that virtual distances are
negative.Therefore,
G.2.11 Construct a ray diagram for a compound
di = - (25 – 5) = - 20 cm. microscope with final image formed
OPTION

close to the near point of the eye (normal

We use the expression, 1 / d0 = - 1 / di + 1 / f where adjustment).

1 / d0 = - (-1/20) + 1 / 8 = 0.13 G.2.12 Construct a ray diagram for an astronomical

telescope with the final image at infinity
d0 = 7.7 cm (normal adjustment).

G.2.13 State the equation relating angular

Example magnification to the focal lengths of the
lenses in an astronomical telescope in
normal adjustment.
A double convex lens has a focal length is 8.0 cm. An
object is placed 5.0 cm from the lens. G.2.14 Solve problems involving the compound
microscope and the astronomical
(a) Draw a ray diagram to show the position of the telescope.
© IBO 2007
image and describe the nature of the image.

(b) Determine the magnifying power of the lens if the G.2.11 The compound microscope
image is at the near point of the eye
The schematic diagram for a compound microscope is
shown in Figure 1825. It is used to see very small objects
at close distance. In its simplest form, it consists of two
converging lenses.

434
 Electromagnetic Waves

G.2.12,13 The astronomical

ho Fe' Fe
Fo' Fo
h
β
fe
telescope
fo
Telescopes are used to view objects that are often large and
that are far away. There are three basic types of telescopes
hi

1. The reflecting telescope

2. The astronomical refracting telescope

3. The terrestrial refracting telescope.

Figure 1825  Schematic diagram of a compound
microscope A refracting astronomical telescope shown in Figure 1826
uses the properties of a two converging lens combination
The objective lens has a short focal length. The object is - the objective lens, and the eyepiece that acts as a simple
placed just outside the focal length of the objective. The magnifier.
image produced by the objective is real, magnified and
inverted. (This image is slightly coloured due to chromatic
aberration as will be explained in the next section). The
rays from distant object
image acts as a real object for the eyepiece. eyepiece objective lens

Fo & FE
The eyepiece is placed close to the eye and has a longer β
α
Image
focal length. It acts as a simple magnifier so that the final rays from virtual
image is an inverted, magnified and virtual image that is image at infinity

positioned at the near point.

If the eyepiece is placed so that the image of the objective Figure 1826  A reflecting astronomical telescope
falls at the first principal focus of the eyepiece, then the
image can be viewed at infinity. However, to gain a greater The objective lens has a long focal length, and a large

OPTION
angular magnification, the eyepiece is placed a little inside diameter so that large quantities of light from a distant
the first principal focus of the eyepiece so that the final object can enter the telescope. The object distance, being
image is at the near point of the viewer. This virtual image very far away, is much larger than the focal length of
is fairly free of colour. the lens, and this produces an image that is very small
(diminished), real and inverted at the focal length of the
The overall magnification is given by the product of the objective Fo. This real image is placed just inside the focal
angular magnification of the eyepiece and the linear length of the eyepiece FE.
magnification of the objective.
h The eyepiece has a short focal length. It is placed in position
M = ----i × --h--- to produce an inverted, virtual image at infinity.
h ho

These values are normally printed on the microscope by As a rough estimate (allowing for accommodation), the
the manufacturer. For example, if a microscope has an diagram shows that the objective and the eyepiece need to
20× eyepiece and the objective being used is 40×, then the be separated by a distance equivalent to the sum of their
magnification is 800 times. focal lengths, Fo + FE

The angular magnification is given by:

β FO
M = --- = –------ -
α FE

The negative sign for the focal length ratio indicates that
the image is inverted. The equation also indicates that the
angular magnification is optimum when an objective of

435
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

large focal length and an eyepiece of small focal length are

used.������������������������������������������������������
When specifying a refracting telescope, the diameter
of the objective lens is frequently quoted. The bigger the
diameter, the more light is collected thus allowing for 0.3 cm
greater resolution of what is being viewed. 2.00 cm 15.0 cm

For distant objects such as the Moon, it does not cause

major problems when viewing the inverted image. The
objective eyepiece
terrestrial refracting telescope as shown in Figure 1827 f = 1.50 cm f =10.0 cm
incorporates a third converging lens called the inverting
lens so that the image is upright.
(a) Determine the image distance and the
objective lens magnification of the objective lens.

(b) Determine the object distance of the eyepiece.

β Fo α
Image (c) Calculate the image distance of the eyepiece
inverting lens
(d) Calculate the magnification of the microscope.

Figure 1827  A refracting terrestrial telescope

Solution
An image that forms the object for the inverter is at twice
the focal length of the inverter. Therefore, the image is real
and upright and very diminished, and is formed at twice (a) 1 / di = 1 / f – 1 / d0 = 1 / 1.50 – 1 / 2.00 = 0.167 cm-1
the focal length (on the transmission side) of the inverter.
This image is just inside the focal length of the eyepiece as d0 = 6.00 cm
before and is viewed as an enlarged, virtual and upright
image. Magnification = - 6 cm / 2 cm = -3

Overall, it should be understood that the magnifying (the negative sign shows us that the image is
OPTION

powers of telescopes are not as crucial as their light- inverted).

gathering power. Furthermore, there is a limit to the size
of the objective lens before aberrations are produced, and (b) d0 of the eyepiece = 15.0 – 6.00 = 9.00 cm.
it is difficult to support large, heavy lenses by their edges.
(c) 1 / di = 1 / f – 1 / d0 = 1 / 10.0 – 1 / 9.00 = -0.011 cm-1

G.2.14 Problems and the d0 = -9.00 × 10-1 cm

compound microscope and (the negative sign indicates the image is virtual).

the astronomical telescope (d) Magnification = magnification of the objective

lens × magnification of the eyepiece
= -3 × – (90 / 9) = 30 times
Example

Example
A compound microscope consists of an objective lens
with a focal length of 1.50 cm and an eyepiece with a focal
length of 10.0 cm. The lenses are separated by a distance The following Figure shows 3 rays of light coming from
of 15.0 cm as shown in the Figure below (not to scale). An a distant star and passing through the objective lens of a
object of height 0.3 cm is placed at a distance of 2.00 cm telescope. The focal length of the objective lens and the
from the objective lens. eyepiece are fO and fE.

436
 Electromagnetic Waves

Aberrations
f0 fE

G.2.15 Explain the meaning of spherical aberration

image and of chromatic aberration as produced by
a single lens.

G.2.16 Describe how spherical aberration in a lens

objective may be reduced.

G.2.17 Describe how chromatic aberration in a

(a) Complete the ray diagram to show the formation lens may be reduced.
© IBO 2007
of the final image.

(b) Label the principal focus of the eyepiece lens fE G.2.15 Spherical and chromatic
and the image of the star formed by the objective
lens. State where the final image is formed by the aberration in lenses
telescope.
An aberration is an image defect of which blurring and
(c) The telescope has a magnification of 65.0 and distortion are the most common image defects. Aberrations
the lenses are 70.0 cm apart. Determine the focal can occur with the use of both lenses and mirrors.
length of the two lenses.
In practice it is found that a single converging lens with a
large aperture is unable to produce a perfectly sharp image
Solution because of two inherent limitations:

1. spherical aberration
(a) and (b) The Figure above has now been completed. The
image formed is at infinity. 2. chromatic aberration

Spherical aberration occurs because the rays that refract

OPTION
f0 fE at the outer edges of a lens will have a different focal length
to those rays that refract near the principal focus. To put it
another way, spherical aberration occurs because the rays
image incident near the edges of a converging lens are refracted
more than the paraxial rays as shown in Figure 1831.

objective

image at
infinity

(c) M = - fO / fE = -65 fO = 65 fE Also, fO + fE = 70.0 cm.

Figure 1831  The circle of least confusion

So, 65 fE + fE = 70.0 66 fE = 70 fE = 1.06 cm and fO = 68.9 cm. This produces an area of illumination rather than a point
image even when monochromatic light is used called the
circle of least confusion. Spherical aberration causing
curving of the image at its edges. So if the object was a
series of square grids as shown in Figure 1832 then the
image would be distorted at the edges.�

437
 chaptEr 18 (option g)

Exercise G.3

1. A simple optical device is placed inside a box as

shown in the diagram. An object O, placed as
shown, produces a real magnified image I. Refer to
the following Figure.
OBJECT IMAGE
optical
Figure 1832 Spherical aberration object device
image
To reduce spherical aberration, the lens can be ground to
be slightly non‑spherical to adjust for the circle of least
confusion or by using different combinations of lenses The optical device is
put together. Alternatively, a stop (an opaque disc with a
hole in it) is inserted before the lens so that the aperture A. a convex lens
size can be adjusted to allow only paraxial rays to enter. B. a concave lens
However, this reduces the light intensity and introduces C. a convex mirror
diffraction of light. D. a concave mirror

Recall from your studies that the property refractive index 2. Which of the following is an incorrect statement
is a function of wavelength
sin i λ1 A. the magnifying power of an astronomical
1n2 = -sin
--------- = -----
r λ2 telescope can be increased by substituting
an eyepiece of greater focal length
Because visible light is a mixture of wavelengths, the B. with a simple astronomical telescope things
refractive index of the lens is different for each wavelength look upside down
or colour of white light. Consequently, different wavelengths C. the eye lens of a human produces a real,
are refracted by different amounts as they are transmitted in diminished inverted image on the retina
the medium of the lens. For example, blue light is refracted D. refracting telescopes produce less chromatic
OPTION

more than red light as shown in Figure 1833. aberration than reflecting telescopes.
Canada
B balsam

R
R 3. An object 4.0 cm high is placed 15.0 cm from a
B
convex lens of focal length 5.0 cm. On graph paper
R
draw a ray diagram to determine the position and
B
Red Blue R
nature of the image.
Focus Focus B
Converging crown Diverging flint
glass lens glass lens

Achromatic doublet 4. An object 4.0 cm high is placed 15.0 cm from a

concave lens of focal length 5.0 cm. On graph
Figure 1833 Refraction of red and blue light paper draw a ray diagram to find the position and
nature of the image.
Each colour must therefore have a different focal length
and it further follows that focal length is a function of 5. Place the following into the convex lens or concave
wavelength. lens category:

Chromatic aberration produces coloured edges around Magnifying glass, eye lens, camera lens, the
an image. It can be minimised by using an achromatic objective lens of a microscope, a lens to correct
doublet that is made from a converging crown glass lens short‑sightedness, spotlight lens.
and a diverging flint glass lens that are adhered together by
canada balsam as drawn in the right of Figure 1833. Since 6. Determine the position, nature and magnification
the chromatic aberration of converging and diverging of the image of an object placed 15 cm from a
lenses is opposite, a combination of these two lenses will convex lens of focal length 10 cm.
minimise this effect.

438
 Electromagnetic Waves

7. A convex lens with a focal length of 8 cm is to be

used to form a virtual image that is four times the G.3 (SL and HL)
size of the object. Where must the lens be placed ?
Two-source
8. A slide projector is place 5.0 m from a screen.
Determine the focal length of a lens that would be interference
used to produce an image that is five times as large
as the object? of waves
9. A convex lens with a focal length of 4.0 cm is
placed 20.0 cm from a concave lens with a focal G.3.1 State the conditions necessary to observe
length of 5.0 cm. Find the position of the image interference between two sources.
when the object is placed 12.0 cm in front of the
convex lens. G.3.2 Explain, by means of the principle of
superposition, the interference pattern
10. A double concave lens has a refractive index of produced by waves from two coherent
1.5 and radii of curvature of 10.0 cm and 15 cm. point sources.
Determine its focal length.
G.3.3 Outline a double-slit experiment for light
11. A refracting telescope has an objective lens and draw the intensity distribution of the
with a diameter of 102 cm and a focal length observed fringe pattern.
of 19.5 m. If the focal length of the eyepiece is
10.0 cm, calculate the angular magnification of the G.3.4 Solve problems involving two-source
telescope. interference.
© IBO 2007

12. Determine the angle of minimum deviation for a

prism with an apex angle of 60° and a refractive G.3.1,2 The principle of
index of 1.6.
superposition and two
13. Can a rectangular prism be used to disperse white
light? Explain your answer. source interference

OPTION
14. Describe the meaning of spherical and chromatic Please refer to topics 4.5.5 and 4.5.6. However, we will
aberration, and a method to reduce the effect of each. reiterate the condition for the interference of waves from
two sources to be observed. The two sources must be
15. Refer to the following table. Choose the correct coherent, that is they must have the same phase or the
combination of lenses that are used in either phase difference between them must remain constant.
the compound microscope or the refracting
astronomical telescope. Also, to reinforce topics 4.5.6 and 4.5.6, included in Figure
1826 is another example of two source interference
optical objective lens Eyepiece
instrument We can obtain evidence for the wave nature of sound by
compound long focal length Long focal length showing that sound produces an interference pattern.
A
microscope Figure 1836 shows the set up for demonstrating this.
compound long focal length Short focal length
B X microphone
microscope speaker

refracting short focal Long focal length

C astronomical length CRO

telescope signal
generator

refracting long focal length Short focal length

D astronomical
speaker
telescope Y

Figure 1836  Interference using sound waves

439
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

The two speakers are connected to the same output of

the signal generator and placed about 50 cm apart. The
coloured filter
signal generator frequency is set to about 600 Hz and the
microphone is moved along the line XY which is about
one metre from the speakers. As the microphone is moved S1
along XY the trace on the cathode ray oscilloscope is seen to
go through a series of maxima and minima corresponding
S2
to points of constructive and destructive interference of
single slit
the sound waves. double slit
screen
An interesting investigation is to find how the separation
of the points of maximum interference depends on the Figure 1837  Young’s double slit experiment
frequency of the source and also the distance apart of the
speakers. Young allowed sunlight to fall onto a narrow single slit. A
few centimetres from the single slit he placed a double slit.
The slits are very narrow and separated by a distance equal
A note on the coherence of light to about fourteen slit widths. A screen is placed about a
metre from the double slits. Young observed a pattern of
sources multi- coloured “fringes” in the screen. When he placed
a coloured filter between the single slit and double slit
In the demonstration of the interference between two he obtained a pattern which consisted of bright coloured
sound sources described above, if we were to move one of fringes separated by darkness.
the speakers from side to side or backwards and forwards
the sound emitted from the two speakers would no longer The single slit essentially ensures that the light falling on
be in phase. No permanent points of constructive or the double slit is coherent. The two slits then act as the two
destructive interference will now be located since the speakers in the sound experiment or the two dippers in
phase difference between the waves from the two sources the ripple tank. The light waves from each slit interfere and
is no longer constant i.e., the sources are no longer produce the interference pattern on the screen. Without
coherent. the filter a pattern is formed for each wavelength present
in the sunlight. Hence the multi-coloured fringe pattern.
Light from an incandescent source is emitted with a
OPTION

completely random phase. Although the light from two You can demonstrate optical interference for yourself. A
separate sources will interfere, because of the randomly double slit can be made by smoking a small piece of glass
changing phase no permanent points of constructive or and then drawing two parallel lines on it. If you then look
destructive interference will be observed. This is why a through the double slit at a single tungsten filament lamp
single slit is needed in the Young’s double slit experiment. you will see the fringe pattern. By placing filters between
By acting as a point source, it essentially becomes a the lamps and the slits you will see the monochromatic
coherent light source. The light emitted from a laser is fringe pattern.
also very nearly coherent and this is why it is so easy to
demonstrate optical interference and diffraction with a You can also see the effects of optical interference by
laser. looking at net curtains. Each “hole” in the net acts as a
point source and the light from all these separate sources
interferes and produces quite a complicated interference
G.3.2 Young’s double slit experiment pattern.

This is one of the great classic experiments of physics A laser can also be used to demonstrate optical interference.
and did much to reinforce the wave theory of light. The Since the light from the laser is coherent it is very easy to
experiment was carried out by Thomas Young in about demonstrate interference. Just point the laser at a screen
1830. and place a double slit in the path of the laser beam.

It is essentially the demonstration with the ripple tank Let us now look at the Young’s double slit experiment in
and the sound experiment previously described, but using more detail. The geometry of the situation is shown in
light. The essential features of the experiment are shown Figure 1838.
in Figure 1837.

440
 Electromagnetic Waves

But S X is the path difference between the waves as they

2
travel to P. We have therefore that
P
θ’ yd
y path difference =
S1 D
θ Q There will therefore be a bright fringe at P if
d
yd
S2 X = nλ
D
D
screen Suppose that there is a bright fringe at y = y corresponding
1
to n = n then
1
Figure 1838  The geometry of Young’s double slit
y1 d
experiment =nλ
D 1

S1 and S2 are the two narrow slits that we shall regard as If the next bright fringe occurs at y = y this will correspond
2
two coherent, monochromatic point sources. The distance to n = n +1. Hence
1
from the sources to the screen is D and the distance
y2 d
between the slits is d. = (n +1)λ
D 1

The waves from the two sources will be in phase at Q This means that the spacing between the fringes y – y is
2 1
and there will be a bright fringe here. We wish to find the given by
condition for there to be a bright fringe at P distance y
D
from Q. y –y = d λ
2 1

The waves from the two sources will be in phase at Q Young actually use this expression to measure the
and there will be a bright fringe here. We wish to find the wavelength of the light he used and it is a method still
condition for there to be a bright fringe at P distance y used today.
from Q.
We see for instance that if in a given set up we move the
We note that that D (≈ 1 metre) is very much greater than slits closer together then the spacing between the fringes
either y or d. (≈ few millimetres) This means that both θ will get greater. Effectively our interference pattern spreads

OPTION
and θʹ are very small angles and for intents and purposes out, that is there will be fewer fringes in a given distance.
equal. We can also increase the fringe spacing by increasing
the distance between the slits and the screen. You will
From the diagram we have that also note that for a given set up using light of different
wavelengths, then “red” fringes will space further apart
y
θ= than “blue” fringes.
D
And In this analysis we have assumed that the slits act as point
sources and as such the fringes will be uniformly spaced
S 2X and of equal intensity. A more thorough analysis should
θʹ =
d take into account the finite width of the slits, This has the
(Remember, the angles are very small) effect of modifying the interference pattern as is discussed
in Option H.
Since θ ≈ θʹ then

y S 2X
=
D d

441
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Returning to Figure 1838 we see that we can write the path Solution
difference S2X as

S X = dtan θʹ Using the small angle approximation we have

2

λ 5 × 10 −7
But since θʹ is a small angle the sine and tangent will be θ = =
nearly equal so that d 10 −3
-4
= 5 × 10 rad
S X = dsinθʹ
2
The fringe spacing is given by
And since θʹ ≈ θ then Dλ 1.5 × 5 × 10 −7
y= =
S X = dsinθ
d 10 −3
2
= 0.75 mm
The condition therefore for a bright fringe to be found at a
point of the screen can therefore be written as
Exercise
dsinθ = nλ

Figure 1839 shows the intensity distribution of the fringes In Figure 1836, the distance between the speakers is
on the screen when the separation of the slits is large 0.50 m and the distance between the line of the speakers
compared to their width. The fringes are of equal intensity and the screen is 2.0 m. As the microphone is moved
and of equal separation. along the line XY, the distance between successive point
of maximum sound intensity is 0.30 m. The frequency of
the sound waves is 4.4 × 103 Hz. Calculate a value for the
Intensity
speed of sound.

G.4 (SL and HL)

distance along screen
Diffraction
OPTION

Figure 1839  The intensity distribution of the fringes

grating
It is worth noting that if the slits are close together, the
intensity of the fringes is modulated by the intensity
distribution of the diffraction pattern of one of the slits. G.4.1 Describe the effect on the double-slit
intensity distribution of increasing the
number of slits.
G.3.4 Solve problems on two
G.4.2 Derive the diffraction grating formula for
source interference normal incidence.

G.4.3 Outline the use of a diffraction grating to

Example measure wavelengths.

G.4.4 Solve problems involving a diffraction

Light of wavelength 500 nm is incident on two small grating.
© IBO 2007
parallel slits separated by 1.0 mm. Determine the angle
where the first maximum is formed?

If after passing through the slits the light is brought

to a focus on a screen 1.5 m from the slits calculate the
observed fringe spacing on the screen.

442
 Electromagnetic Waves

The next position will be when n = 2 (the second order)

G.4.1,2 Increasing the number of and this give θ = 38°.

slits and the diffraction For n = 3, sinθ is greater than 1 so with this set up we only
obtain 5 fringes, one zero order and two either side of the
grating formula zero order.

If we examine the interference pattern produced when The calculation shows that the separation of the orders
monochromatic light passes through a different number is relatively large. At any angles other than 18° or 38° the
of slits we notice that as the number of slits increases the light leaving the slits interferes destructively. We can see
number of observed fringes decreases, the spacing between that the fringes will be sharp since if we move just a small
them increases and the individual fringes become much angle away from 18° the light from the slits will interfere
sharper. We can get some idea of how this comes about destructively.
by looking at the way light behaves when a parallel beam
passes through a large number of slits. The diagram for An array of narrow slits such as described above is
this is shown in Figure 1840. usually made by cutting narrow transparent lines very
close together into the emulsion on a photographic plate.
(Typically 200 lines per millimetre). Such an arrangement
is called a diffraction grating.
θ
d θ
1 The diffraction grating is of great use in examining the
spectral characteristics of light sources.
2
telescope

3 G.4.3 Spectra and measuring

Figure 1840  A parallel beam passing through several slits wavelength

The slits are very small so that they can be considered All elements have their own characteristic spectrum.
to act as point sources. They are also very close together (See 7.1.4) An element can be made to emit light either by
such that d is small (10–6 m). Each slit becomes a source heating it until it is incandescent or by causing an electric

OPTION
of circular wave fronts and the waves from each slit will discharge through it when it is in a gaseous state. Your
interfere. Let us consider the light that leaves the slit at school probably has some discharge tubes and diffraction
an angle θ as shown. The path difference between wave gratings. If it has, then look at the glowing discharge tube
1 and wave 2 is dsinθ and if this is equal to an integral through a diffraction grating. If for example, the element
number of wavelengths then the two waves will interfere that you are looking has three distinct wavelengths then
constructively in this direction. Similarly wave 2 will each wavelength will be diffracted by a different amount
interfere constructively with wave 3 at this angle, and wave in accordance with the equation dsinθ = nλ.
3 with 4 etc., across the whole grating. Hence if we look
at the light through a telescope, that is bring it to a focus, Also if laser light is shone through a grating on to a
then when the telescope makes an angle θ to the grating a screen, you will see just how sharp and spaced out are the
bright fringe will be observed. The condition for observing maxima. By measuring the line spacing and the distance
a bright fringe is therefore of the screen from the laser, the wavelength of the laser
can be measured.
dsinθ = nλ
If your school has a set of multiple slits say from a single
Suppose we use light of wavelength 500 nm and suppose slit to eight slits, then it is also a worthwhile exercise to
that d = 1.6 × 10–6 m. examine how the diffraction pattern changes when laser
light is shone through increasing numbers of slits.
Obviously we will see a bright fringe in the straight on
position θ = 0 (the zero order). If white light is shone through a grating then the central
image will be white but for the other orders each will be
The next position will be when n = 1 (the first order) and spread out into a continuous spectrum composed of an
substitution in the above equation gives θ = 18°. infinite number of adjacent images of the slit formed by

443
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

the wavelength of the different wavelengths present in the emanating from the discharge tube and which gave rise
white light. At any given point in the continuous spectrum to the fluorescence at the screen. He concluded that the
the light will be very nearly monochromatic because of the rays originated from the point where the electrons in the
narrowness of the images of the slit formed by the grating. discharge tube (at this time the electron had not been
This is in contrast to the double slit where if white light is discovered and in his published paper Rontgen referred
used, the images are broad and the spectral colours are not to cathode rays) struck the side of the tube or the anode.
separated. Furthermore, the rays travelled in straight lines from their
point of production and were capable of great penetrating
power, quite a thick sheet of aluminium being necessary
G.4.4 Solve problems involving a to stop them entirely; they could pass through a 1000 page
book without any noticeable decrease in intensity. Perhaps
diffraction grating more striking was their ability to ‘photograph’ the bone
structure of the hand and other parts of the body.

Exercise In 1912, seventeen years after their discovery, Von Laue

demonstrated that X-rays are very short wavelength
electromagnetic radiation (≈ 10-10 to 10-11 m). So in fact
Light from a laser is shone through a diffraction grating on X-rays are high energy photons.
to a screen. The screen is a distance of 2.0 m from the laser.
The distance between the central diffraction maximum Figure 1841 is a schematic representation of a modern X-
and the first principal maximum formed on the screen ray(Coolidge) tube.
is 0.94 m. The diffraction grating has 680 lines per mm.
Estimate the wavelength of the light emitted by the laser. electron evacuated glass tube
beam

G.5 (HL only) X-rays heavy metal target

anode

G.5.1 Outline the experimental arrangement for

the production of X-rays.
heated cathode X -rays
OPTION

G.5.2 Draw and annotate a typical X-ray

spectrum. Figure 1841  The principle of a modern X-ray tube

G.5.3 Explain the origins of the features of a Electrons are produced by the heated cathode. The
characteristic X-ray spectrum. potential difference between cathode and anode may range
from about 10 kV to 50 kV. The anode, which is often oil
G.5.4 Solve problems involving accelerating cooled because of the large amount of thermal energy
potential difference and minimum produced is faced with a heavy metal such as tungsten or
wavelength. molybdenum.
© IBO 2007

As a result of the electrons striking the metal anode, X-rays

G.5.1 Production of X-rays are ejected from the metal. The production of X-rays is
sometimes referred to as the inverse photoelectric effect.
In 1895 whilst experimenting with a discharge tube
William Rontgen discovered X-rays. He had completely
covered a discharge tube with black cardboard and was G.5.2/3 A typical X-ray spectrum
working in a darkened room. About a metre from the tube
he noticed a weak light shimmering on a bench nearby. and understanding its origin
The source of this strange light was a hexa-cyanoplatinate
coated screen and when the discharge tube was turned A great deal of work has been done in measuring the
off the fluorescence from this screen disappeared. During wavelengths of X-rays produced when electron beams of
the next seven weeks, Rontgen conducted a series of very various energy strike targets made from different elements.
extensive experiments to determine the nature of the rays The results obtained using a molybdenum target are shown

444
 Electromagnetic Waves

in Figure 1842 The electrons have been accelerated through There is, however, another very important mechanism for
25 kV and also through 15 kV. There are several features of the production of X-rays. If an electron has a sufficiently
these curves which are immediately apparent. For both high energy it can ionize an atom of the target not by
the spectra produced by electrons of 25 keV and 15 keV removing one of the electrons in an outer shell but by
energies there is a minimum wave­length λmin produced. removing an electron from one of the inner electron energy
The 25 keV curve also shows two distinct peaks called the levels. The ground state energy level is often referred to
Kα and the Kβ lines . the K-shell (n = 1) and the next energy level, the M-shell
(n = 2) For example, suppose an incident electron removes
Let us see if we can understand these curves. a K-shell electron, the vacancy in this shell can now be
filled by an electron of the L-shell, or the M-shell or other
6 shells, making a transition to the K-shell. A transition
Kα from the L-shell to the K-shell gives rise to the Kα peak
5 shown in Figure 1842.
Intensity / relative units

4 An electron which makes a transition from the M -shell to

25 kV
a vacancy created in the K -shell gives rise to the Kβ line. If
3
an incident electron ionizes a target atom by ejecting an
2 Kβ L-shell electron then electron transitions from the M-shell
and N-shell to fill the vacancy give rise to X-ray lines called
1 the Lα and Lβ respectively. It is apparent that the wavelength
15 kV of the lines in an X-ray spectrum will be characteristic of a
0 1.0 2.0 3.0
particular element. In fact in 1913 Moseley, who measured
λ, Å the X-ray spectra produced by many different elements,
showed that the frequency of a given line (say the Kβ line)
Figure 1842  A typical X-ray spectrum was related to the proton number Z. This was of vital
importance since at this time Z was just regarded as a
When electrons strike a target most of them usually lose number that referred to the position of the element in the
their energy gradually by making ‘glancing’ collisions periodic table. Moseley was in fact able to show that the
with the atoms of the target material. The effect of this is position of certain elements should be reversed. He was
to increase the average kinetic energy of the atoms and so also able to fill in several gaps in the table by predicting the
increase the temperature of the target. It is for this reason existence of new elements, such as Technetium and

OPTION
the target in a high energy X-ray tube must be cooled, Promethium. Unfortunately, Moseley was killed in the ill-
usually by a flow of oil. If it were not cooled the tempera­ fated Dardanelles expedition in August 1915.
ture rise could be sufficient to melt the target. About 99 per
cent of the energy of the electron beam goes into heating G.5.4 Solve X-ray problems
the target. However, each glancing collision will result in
the electron emitting radiation due to its acceleration. It is
these glancing collisions that result in the continuous part Exercise
of the spectrum. The continuous spectrum is sometimes
referred to as ‘bremsstrahlung’ , the German for ‘braking
radiation’, a very descriptive name indeed. A few electrons 1. Calculate the minimum wavelength of X-ray
will lose all their energy in one collision and this rapid photons produced when electrons that have been
acceleration of the electron results in an energetic pulse accelerated through a potential difference of 25 kV
of electromagnetic radiation, i.e. a high energy photon. strike a heavy metal target.
If an electron is accelerated from rest through a potential
difference V then the maximum energy of the photon that 2. The ground state energy level of a fictitious
is produced when it is brought to rest is Ve such that element is 20 keV and that of the next state is
hc 2.0 keV. Calculate the wavelength of the Kα line
Ve = hf = associated with this element.
λmin
where λmin is the minimum wavelength of the photon
produced, hence
������
hc
λmin =
Ve
445
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

Each lattice ion (represented by a dot) acts as a source of

G.5.5 Explain how X-ray diffraction arises from secondary waves. In general as these waves overlap they
the scattering of X-rays in a crystal. will tend to interfere in a random manner. However, those
waves that are scattered at angles equal to the angle at which
G.5.6 Derive the Bragg scattering equation. the X-rays are incident on the ion, will stand a chance of
reinforcing constructively with another scattered wave.
G.5.7 Outline how cubic crystals may be used to The direction of two such waves are shown in Figure 1843
measure the wavelength of X-rays. by the ray labelled 1 that is scattered by the first layer and
by the ray labelled 2 that is scattered by the second layer.
G.5.8 Outline how X-rays may be used to Ray 2 travels an extra path difference AB + BC where AB =
determine the structure of crystals. BC = dsinθ, d being the spacing between adjacent crystal
layers and θ the angle between the incident X-ray and the
G.5.9 Solve problems involving the Bragg crystal layer. The two waves will interfere constructively if
equation. the path difference between them is an integral number of
© IBO 2007
wavelengths i.e.

G.5.5,6 Scattering of X-rays by 2dsinθ = nλ

crystals and the Bragg where n = 1, 2 ..etc

equation This equation is known as the Bragg scattering equation

However, there are many more planes from which the

X-Ray Diffraction X-rays can be scattered. For example the planes such as
those labelled XY and XʹYʹ in Figure 1843 must also be
As mentioned above, in 1912, Von Laue showed that considered. By considering a perfect cubic crystal lattice
X‑rays are very short wavelength electromagnetic waves. array it is possible to predict the diffraction pattern that
In order to show this, he had the idea that the apparent results from X-ray scattering. We consider this in the next
symmetry of the spacing and position of the atoms in section.
a crystal might act as a kind of diffraction grating. The
resulting diffraction pattern is very complicated since we
G.5.7
OPTION

are dealing in effect with a three-dimensional grating. the cubic crystal and the

Shortly after Von Laue’s work, William Bragg showed the measurement of X-ray
diffraction pattern produced by X-rays interacting with a
crystal actually arose from the scattering of the X-rays by wavelength
the crystal lattice planes.
By assuming a perfect cubic lattice array it is possible to
Figure 1843 illustrates the principle of Bragg’s predict the resulting interference pattern produced. Such
interpretation of X-ray diffraction by crystals. It also a pattern is produced by a zinc sulphide crystal and a
shows the constructions necessary to find the condition sodium chloride crystal. Once it is known that a crystal
for the scattered rays to interfere constructively. has perfect cubic symmetry the wavelength of the incident
1 X-rays may be measured. Consider a crystal which consists
2 of two elements combined to form a cubic lattice. Let the
Y Y’ compound have a density ρ and molecular weight M, then
M
θ θ the mass of one molecule is N , where NA is Avogadro’s
First plane A

θ θ
C
number and M is the molar mass. The number molecules
A
n/ per unit volume is given by
Second plane
B
ρ ρ NA
n/ = =
M M
X X’ NA

Figure 1843  Bragg reflection from crystal lattice planes

446
 Electromagnetic Waves

and since the crystal under study is diatomic the number The three maxima a1, b1, c1, correspond to first ­ order
of atoms N per unit volume is given by maximum interference for three distinct wavelengths
present in the X-ray beam and a2, b2, c2 to second-order
2 ρ NA
N= interference. The detector measures the first order maxima
M as occurring at an angle 2θ, where θ is the angle that the
Now let n equal the number of atoms along the edge of crystal face makes with the incident beam. The wave­
a unit cube of the crystal and d equal the spacing of the lengths of the X-rays can now be calculated from the Bragg
individual atoms. con­dition equation and the value of d as calculated. X-ray
spectrometers are used extensively at the present day for
The length of the unit cube is therefore nd and the volume measuring X-ray wavelengths, the only modification to
n3d3. But n3 is just the number N of atoms in the unit cube, the Bragg spectrometer being the use of a fluorite crystal
therefore rather than a sodium chloride crystal.
2 NA ρ d 3
n3 d 3 = Nd3 = =1
M
G.5.8 X-ray crystallography
so that
1
Another consequence of Bragg’s work is the branch of
 M 3
d =  physics known as X-ray crystallography in which X-rays
 2 NA ρ  of known wave­lengths are used to explore the crystal
Bragg was able to check his explanation experimentally structure of different elements and compounds. This is a
by constructing an X-ray spectrometer. The principle of question of working back from the dif­fraction pattern to
such an instrument is shown in Figure 1844. A collimated determine the crystal structure that would produce such
beam of X-rays is incident on a crystal of sodium chloride a pattern. It was in this way that, in 1952, Francis Crick
which may be rotated to be at any angle to the direction of and James Watson unraveled the structure of the DNA
the incident beam. molecule.

The intensity of the scattered beam is measured at different

angles by the detector shown. The results of such an G.5.8 Solve problems involving
experiment are shown in the graph in Figure 1845.
the Bragg equation
X-ray intensity

detector
b1

OPTION
Exercise a1 c1

incident X-ray b2
beam θ θ A beam of monochromatic X-rays a2 are c2scattered from
a crystal of sodium chloride. Use the following data to
Bragg
determine the wavelength of the X-rays angle
in the θ
beam.

(a)
Figure 1844  Principle of the X-ray crystal spectrometer (b) occurs
Bragg angle at which first maximum = 18°

molecular mass of sodium chloride = 58

X-ray intensity

density of sodium chloride = 2.2 × 103 kg m-3

b1
a1 c1

b2
a2 c2

Bragg angle θ

(b) crystal spectrum of e.g

Figure 1845  A typical X-ray
sodium chloride

447
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

G.6 (HL ONLY) Thin-film interference

In this topic parallel films will be discussed before moving Consider light from an extended source incident on a thin
on to discuss wedge films. This means that we will start film. We also consider a wave from one point of the source
with Statement G.6.5 whose direction is represented by the ray shown. Some
of this light will be reflected at A and some transmitted
through the film where some will again be reflected at B
Parallel films (some will also be transmitted into the air). Some of the
light reflected at B will then be transmitted at C and some
reflected and so on. If we consider just rays 1 and 2 then
G.6.5 State the condition for light to undergo these will be not be in phase when the are brought to a focus
either a phase change of π, or no phase by the eye since they have travelled different distances. If
change, on reflection from an interface. the path difference between them is an integral number of
half wavelengths then we might expect the two waves to
G.6.6 Describe how a source of light gives rise to be out of phase. However, ray 1 undergoes a phase change
an interference pattern when the light is of π on reflection but ray 2 does not since it is reflected at a
reflected at both surfaces of a parallel film. boundary between a more dense and less dense medium.
(See chapter 4) Hence if the path difference is an integral
G.6.7 State the conditions for constructive and number of half- wavelengths rays 1 and 2 will reinforce
destructive interference. i.e. ray 1 and 2 are in phase. However, rays 3, 5, 7 etc will
be out of phase with rays 2, 4, 6 etc but since ray 2 is more
G.6.8 Explain the formation of coloured fringes intense than ray 3 and ray 4 more intense than ray 5, these
when white light is reflected from thin pairs will not cancel out so there will be a maximum of
films, such as oil and soap films. intensity.

G.6.9 Describe the difference between fringes If the path difference is such that wave 1 and 2 are out of
formed by a parallel film and a wedge film. phase, since wave 1 is more intense than wave 2, they will
not completely annul. However, it can be shown that the
G.6.10 Describe applications of parallel thin films. intensities of waves 2, 3, 4, 5... add to equal the intensity of
wave 1. Since waves 3, 4. 5... are in phase with wave 2 there
OPTION

G.6.11 Solve problems involving parallel films. will be complete cancellation.

© IBO 2007

The path difference will be determined by the angle at

G.6.5,6 Parallel films which ray 1 is incident and also on the thickness (and the
actual refractive index as well) of the film. Since the source
You might well be familiar with the coloured pattern of is an extended source, the light will reach the eye from
fringes that can be seen when light is reflected off the many different angles and so a system of bright and dark
surface of water upon which a thin oil film has been spilt fringes will be seen. You will only see fringes if the film
or from light reflected from bubbles. We can see how these is very thin (except if viewed at normal incidence) since
patterns arise by looking at Figure 1846. increasing the thickness of the film will cause the reflected
rays to get so far apart that they will not be collected by the
pupil of the eye.
Extended 1
light source air 2
3

4
C
A
Oil film

B
Water

Figure 1846  Reflection from an oil film

448
 Electromagnetic Waves

Also from the diagram we see that, where φ is the angle of

G.6.7 The conditions for refraction

constructive and DE = 2cosφ

destructive interference From which opd = 2ndcosφ

From the argument above, to find the conditions for Bearing in mind the change in phase of ray 1 on reflection
constructive and destructive interference we need only we have therefore that the condition for constructive
find the path difference between ray 1 and ray 2. Figure interference is
1847 shows the geometry of the situation. 1
2nd cos φ =  m + --- λ, m = 1, 2, …
2
1 2
And for destructive interference 2ndcosφ = mλ

Each fringe corresponds to a particular opd for a particular

F
φ’ φ’ value of the integer m and for any fringe the value of the
angle φ is fixed. This means that it will be in the form of
A B
an arc of a circle with the centre of the circle at the point
E
where the perpendicular drawn from the eye meets the
φ d surface of the film. Such fringes are called fringes of
equal inclination. Since the eye has a small aperture
C these fringes, unless viewed at near to normal incidence
(φ = 0), will only be observed if the film is very thin. This is
φ because as the thickness of the film increases the reflected
rays will get further and further apart and so very few will
D enter the eye.

Figure 1847  The geometry of interference

G.6.8 White light fringes
The film is of thickness d and refractive index n and the

OPTION
light has wavelength λ. If the line BF is perpendicular to If white light is shone onto the film then we can see why
ray 1 then the optical path difference (opd) between ray 1 we get multi-coloured fringes since a series of maxima and
and ray 2 when brought to a focus is minima will be formed for each wavelength present in the
white light. However, when viewed at normal incidence,
opd = n(AC + CB) – AF it is possible that only light of one colour will under go
constructive interference and the film will take on this
We have to multiple by the refractive index for the path colour. We look at an example of this in G.6.11 below.
travelled by the light in the film since the light travels more
slowly in the film. If the light travels say a distance x in a
material of refractive index n then in the time that it takes G.6.9 Describe the difference
to travel this distance, the light would travel a distance nx
in air. between fringes formed by

If the line CE is at right angles to ray 2 then we see that a parallel film and a wedge

AF = nBE film

From the diagram AC = CD so we can write We will consider this topic when we discuss wedge films
later in this chapter.
opd = n(CD +CB) – nBE = nDE

449
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

the radar waves and n the refractive index of the film

G.6.10 describe applications of at this wavelength.

parallel thin films

Example

Thickness of oil films

A plane-parallel glass plate of thickness 2.0 mm is
The exercise in G.6.10 will help explain this use. illuminated with light from an extended source. The
refractive index of the glass is 1.5 and the wavelength of the
light is 600 nm. Calculate how many fringes are formed.
Non-reflecting films
A very important but simple application of thin film Solution
interference is in the production of non-reflecting
surfaces.
We assume that the fringes are formed by light incident at
A thin film of thickness d and refractive index n1 is coated all angles from normal to grazing incidence.
onto glass of refractive index n where n1 < n. Light of
wavelength λ that is reflected at normal incidence will At normal incidence we have 2nd = mλ
λ
undergo destructive interference if 2n1 d = , that is
2
λ From which,
d=
4 n1 2 × 1.5 × 2 × 10 –3
m = ------------------------------------------- = 10 , 000
6 × 10 –7
(remember that there will now no phase change at the glass
interface i.e. we have a rare to dense reflection) At grazing incidence the angle of refraction φ is in fact the
critical angle.
The use of such films can greatly reduce the loss of
1
light by reflection at the various surfaces of a system of Therefore, φφ = arcsin  ------  = 42 °
 1.5 
lenses or prisms. Optical parts of high quality systems
are usually all coated with non-reflecting films in order i.e. cosφ = 0.75
OPTION

to reduce stray reflections. The films are usually made

by evaporating calcium or magnesium fluo­ride onto the At grazing incidence 2ndcosφ = m / λ
surfaces in vacuum, or by chemical treatment with acids
which leave a thin layer of silica on the surface of the glass. From which,
The coated surfaces have a purplish hue by reflected light. 2 × 1.5 × 2 × 10 –3 × 0.75
This is because the condition for destructive interference m = ------------------------------------–---7--------------------- = 7500
6 × 10
from a particular film thickness can only be obtained for
one wavelength. The wavelength chosen is one that has a The total number of fringes seen is equal to m – m / = 2500.
value corresponding to light near the middle of the visible
spectrum. This means that reflection of red and violet light
is greater combining to give the purple colour. Because of Exercise
the factor cosφ, at angles other than normal incidence, the
path difference will change but not significantly until say
about 30° (e.g. cos 25° = 0.90). When viewed from above, the colour of an oil film on
water appears red in colour. Use the data below to estimate
It should be borne in mind that no light is actually lost by the minimum thickness of the oil film.
a non-reflecting film; the decrease of reflected intensity is
compensated by increase of transmitted intensity. average wavelength of red light = 630 nm

Non-reflecting films can be painted onto aircraft to refractive index of oil for red light = 1.5
suppress reflection of radar. The thickness of the film
λ
is determined by nd = where λ is the wavelength of refractive index of water for red light = 1.3
4

450
 Electromagnetic Waves

In going from one fringe to another m changes by 1 and

G.6.1 Explain the production of interference this means that the thickness d of the wedge will change by
fringes by a thin air wedge. λ/2. Hence the fringes are of equal thickness and parallel
to each other. By measuring the fringe spacing for a given
G.6.2 Explain how wedge fringes can be used to wedge the angle of the wedge can be determined which
measure very small separations. means that the thickness of the “spacer” forming the
wedge can also be determined.
G.6.3 Describe how thin-film interference is used
to test optical flats.
G.6.2 Explain how wedge fringes
G.6.4 Solve problems involving wedge films.
© IBO 2007
can be used to measure very

small separations
G.6.1 Wedge films
The example in G.6.4 below illustrates the principle of
Suppose that the edges of the film are not parallel but using the fringes produced in a wedge film to determine
actually form a wedge such that the thickness of the film small separations.
varies. Such a wedge can be made for example by taking
two microscopes slides and placing a thin piece of wire at
the end of one of the slides. The other slide is then rested G.6.3 Describe how thin-film
on this slide.
interference is used to test
Figure 1848 shows an arrangement for observing the
fringes formed by such a wedge. optical flats

Wedge films can be used to test optical surfaces for flatness.

travelling microscope
If a wedge is made of two surfaces one of which is perfectly
plane but the other has irregularities, the observed fringe
pattern will be irregular in shape. The irregular surface
monochromatic
light glass plate can then be re-polished until the fringes are all completely

OPTION
parallel and of equal thickness.
slides

wire G.6.4 Solve problems involving

Figure 1848  An arrangement to observe the fringes wedge films

When the monochromatic light strikes the glass plate

some of it will be reflected down onto the wedge. Some Example
of the light reflected from the wedge will be transmitted
through the glass plate to the travelling microscope. A
system of equally spaced parallel fringes (fringes of equal A wedge film is made by wrapping a single turn of sticky-
thickness) is observed. tape about one end of a microscope slide and placing
another slide on top of it. The microscope slides are 4.8 cm
The travelling microscope enables the fringe spacing to be long and the wavelength of the light is 500 nm. The fringe
measured. The fringes can also be observed by the naked spacing is measured as 0.8 mm. Determine the thickness
eye. of the sticky-tape.

At normal incidence the condition for a bright fringe to

be formed is: Solution

 1
2 nd =  m +  λ
 2 4.8
In a length of 5 cm there will be ---------- = 60 fringes.
0.08

451
 Chapter 18 (Option G)

The 60th fringe is formed where the wedge has thickness d,

the thickness of the sticky-tape. Since the wedge encloses
air (n =1) then,

2d = 60 × l = 60 × 5 × 10–7

To give, d = 1.5 × 10–5.

Therefore, the thickness of the sticky tape is 1.5 × 10–5 m.

comparison between fringes formed by

a parallel film and those formed by a
wedge film.

For a parallel film, the fringes are of equal inclination, that

is they form arcs of a circle whose centre is located at the
end of a perpendicular drawn from the eye to the surface
of the film.

For a wedge film, the fringes are parallel and of equal

thickness.
OPTION

452
 Relativity

RELATIVITY
H.1

H.2

H.3
(HL) D.1 (SL) Introduction to Relativity

(HL) D.2 (SL) Concepts and Postulates of Special Relativity

(HL) D.3 (SL) Relativistic Kinematics

19
H.4 Some Consequences of Special Relativity

H.5 Evidence to Support Special Relativity

H.6 Relativistic Momentum and Energy

H.7 General relativity

H.8 Evidence to support general relativity

H.1 (HL) D.1 (SL) Introduction to Relativity

TOK  Introduction

This is another opportunity, as with Quantum Mechanics to discuss the concept of a ‘paradigm shift’ and its relation to
the development of scientific understanding. In particular, the Einstein Theory of Relativity gives rise to the completely
different view of space and time to that put forward by Newton.

OPTION
an experiment to measure the acceleration due to gravity
H.1.1 Describe what is meant by a frame of at the earth’s surface by timing the period of oscillation
reference. of a simple pendulum whilst on a fair-ground merry-
go-ground. You would certainly expect to get some very
H.1.2 Describe what is meant by a Galilean unusual results. Your overall perspective of the world
transformation. would in fact be very different from the world observed
by somebody not on the ride. You might well expect the
H.1.3 Solve problems involving relative laws of physics to be different. Yet we all live on a merry-
velocities using the Galilean go-round. The earth spins on its axis as it orbits the sun.
transformation equations. Fortunately the earth spins relatively slowly compared to
© IBO 2007
the merry-go-round so most of the time we can ignore
the effects. However, because of the Earth’s rotation, the
A frame of reference acceleration due to gravity has a different value at the poles
to that at the equator. Also you certainly cannot ignore

A ll measurement must be made relative to some

frame of reference. Usually this frame of reference in
physics experiments will be your school laboratory and in
the rotation of the Earth when making astronomical
observations or measurements.

mathematics, the conventional Cartesian reference frame Newton was well aware of the complications produced by
consists of three mutually perpendicular axes x, y and z. making measurements relative to the Earth. Furthermore,
he felt that for the laws of physics to be precisely valid then
To understand why the concept of a frame of reference is all observations must be made in a reference system that
some important, suppose that you were asked to carry out it is at rest or in a reference system that is moving with

453
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

uniform speed. Based on the work of Galileo he stated a Suppose now that Mary observes an object in her
theory of “relativity” as follows: “The motions of bodies reference system to be moving with speed u' in the x
included in a given space are the same among themselves, direction, then clearly Paul will observe the object to be
whether the space is at rest or moves uniformly forward in moving with speed u = u' + v, hence we have u' = u – v. It
a straight line”. The question of course arises, at rest with is not difficult to show that if Mary were to measure the
respect to what or at uniform speed with respect to what? acceleration of an object as a' then Paul would measure
the acceleration of the object as a = a'. In this respect they
In this option we shall see how the search for a reference would both interpret Newton’s Second Law (in it’s basic
system that truly is at rest led to a radical re-think about the form, F = ma) identically. This means that there is no
nature of space and time culminating in the two relativity mechanics experiment that Mary or Paul could carry out
theories of Einstein. We shall in fact see that the Laws of to determine whether they were at rest or whether they
Physics are always true even if you live on a fair ground were moving at constant speed in a straight line.
merry-go-round.

A frame of reference which is moving with uniform speed H.1.3 (D.1.3) Solve problems
or which is at rest is known as an inertial reference frame.
When your maths teacher draws the conventional x and involving relative velocities
y axes on the board he or she is in fact expecting you to
regard this as an inertial reference frame and ignore any using the Galilean
effects of the Earth’s motion. Following in your maths
teacher’s footsteps we will for the time being assume in this transformation equations
section on Special Relativity that we are dealing with truly
inertial reference frames. (A space ship far away from any
gravitational effects drifting along with constant velocity is Exercise
a pretty good approximation of an inertial reference frame).

1. The diagram below shows three buoys A, B and C

H.1.2 (D.1.2) Describe what in a river. The river flows in the direction shown
and the speed of the current is 2.0 m s–1.
is meant by a Galilean C
direction of current at 2.0 m s–1
OPTION

transformation
AB = AC
In Figure 1901 Paul regards his reference system to be at Y v = 3.0 m s –1
rest and Mary’s reference system to be moving away from
him at a constant speed ‘v’ X
A B
v = 3.0 m s – 1
y y‘ v
Paul Mary The distance AB is equal to the distance AC. A
swimmer X swims from A to B and back with a
steady speed of 3.0 m s–1 relative to the water. At
the same time X leaves A a swimmer Y sets off to
P C and back with the same steady speed relative to
x x‘ the water.

Figure 1901  Reference systems (a) Determine, for an observer on the bank the
speed of
Mary measures the point P to be at the point x'. Paul on i. X as she swims towards B.
the other hand will measure the point to be at the point x ii. X as she swims back to A.
as measured in his reference system where x = x' + vt and iii. Y as he swims towards C.
t is the time that has elapsed from the moment when the iv. Y as he swims back to A.
two reference systems were together. We have therefore (b) Calculate the ratio of the times for the two
that, x' = x – vt. (Note that in all that follows we will only journeys?
consider motion in the x–direction)

454
 Relativity

H.2 (HL) D.2 (SL) Concepts and Postulates

of Special Relativity
pulse as 3 × 108 m s–1 in her reference system and that the
H.2.1 Describe what is meant by an inertial frame relative velocity between Paul and Mary is 2 × 108 m s–1.
of reference. This means that Paul would measure the speed of the
pulse to be 5 × 108 m s–1. This, according to Maxwell, is not
H.2.2 State the two postulates of the special theory possible. Also it would seem that by measuring the speed
of relativity. of light pulses Mary and Paul have a means of determining
whether they are at rest or not. This seems odd.
H.2.3 Discuss the concept of simultaneity.
© IBO 2007
We have also seen that the laws of mechanics are the same
for all inertial observers so we would expect the laws of
Introduction electromagnetism to be the same for all inertial observers.
If however, we apply the rules for a Galilean transformation
In 1864 Clerk Maxwell published his electromagnetic (something that is beyond the scope of this book) we find
theory of light in which he united the separate studies of that the laws of electromagnetism are different for different
Optics and Electromagnetism. His theory was one of the observers. Clearly something is wrong.
great unification points in physics comparable with the
Galileo/Newton idea that the laws of celestial and terrestrial Furthermore, if light is an electromagnetic wave, what
mechanics were the same. The source of the electric and is the nature of the medium that supports its motion?
magnetic fields is electric charge. If an electric charge is To answer this question, physicists of the time proposed
stationary with respect to you then you will measure an that an invisible substance called the ether permeates
electrostatic field. If the charge is moving with constant all of space. It was also proposed that this medium is at
velocity relative to you then you will measure a magnetic rest absolutely and is therefore the reference system with
field as well. However, if the charge is accelerated then the respect to which the laws of physics would hold exactly for
fields are no longer static and according to Maxwell they all inertial observers. Putting it another way, an inertial
radiate out from the charge, moving through space with observer should be able to determine his of her speed with
the speed of light. Suppose that the charge in question is a respect to the ether. We shall return to the question of the

OPTION
small charged sphere suspended by a string. If it oscillates ether later on in the chapter. Meanwhile we shall see how
with a frequency of 1000 Hz then it is a source of long- Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity resolves the problem
wave radio waves, at a frequency of 109 Hz it becomes a we seem to have with Maxwell’s theory and the speed of
source of television signals. If it oscillates with a frequency light.
of 1012 Hz it is a source of infrared radiation, at about
1015 Hz it would look yellow and at 1018 Hz it would be
emitting x-rays. Of course all this is a bit absurd but it H.2.1 (D.2.1) describe what is meant
does illustrate the fact that the source of all radiation in
the electromagnetic spectrum is the accelerated motion of by an inertial frame of
electric charge.
reference
Maxwell’s theory also showed that the speed with which
electromagnetic waves travel depends only on the electric To Einstein it seemed that not only the Laws of Mechanics
and magnetic constants of the medium through which they should be the same for all observers but all the Laws of
travel. In a vacuum this means that the speed depends only Physics including Maxwell’s laws. This was an idea first
on ε0, the permittivity of free space and μ0, the permeability proposed by Poincaré. However, Einstein realised that this
of free space (see Chapters 7 & 9) This is fact means that idea must alter completely the then accepted notions of
the speed of light (or any other electromagnetic wave) time and space. In the Special theory (or restricted theory
is independent of the speed of the observer. This has far as it is sometimes called) he confined himself to inertial
reaching consequences. frames of reference, that is non- accelerating reference
frames. We have mentioned inertial reference frames in
Let us return to our two observers Paul and Mary above. H.1.1. Another way of describing an inertial frame is to
Suppose that Mary were to measure the speed of a light note that it is a frame in which Newton’s first law hold true.

455
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

Clearly, if a reference frame is accelerating, then objects in v

the reference frame will not remain at rest or continue to
move with uniform motion in a straight line. Y

H.2.2 (D.2.2) state the two X

postulates of the special

theory of relativity Figure 1902  Situation A

There are two postulates of the Special theory: Consider observer, Y, who is at the mid-point of the train.
Just as the train reaches a point where she is opposite X,
1. the laws of physics are the same for all inertial lightning strikes both ends of the train. X sees these two
observers events to take place simultaneously. Refer to Figure1903.

2. all inertial observers will measure the same value v

for the free space velocity of light irrespective of
their velocity relative to the source. Y

Another way of looking at the second postulate is to

recognise that it means that speed of light is independent X
of the speed of the source.

We have seen that the laws of mechanics are the same for all
inertial observers. However, the laws of electromagnetism Figure 1903  Situation B
do not appear to be so. As we have already seen, if they
were, then we would have a means of finding an absolute But this will not be the case for Y. Since the speed of light
reference system. The laws of electromagnetism had been is independent of the speed of the source, by the time the
verified by careful experiment and were certainly not in light from each of the strokes reaches Y the train will have
error. Einstein realised that in fact what was in error was moved forward Figure 1904.
OPTION

the not the laws of electromagnetism but the nature of the

Galilean transformation itself. A Galilean transformation v
does not take into account the second postulate and it also
assumes that time is an absolute quantity. It assumes in Y
fact that all inertial observers will measure the same value
for given time intervals. But if, as we shall see, the second
postulate of relativity is correct then this cannot be the
case. X

a b
H.2.3 (D.2.3) discuss the concept of
Figure 1904  Situation C
simultaneity
So in effect the light from the strike at the front of the train
To see why we can no longer regard time as being absolute will reach Y before the light from the strike at the rear of
let us see how two���������������������������������������
events that occur at different points the train. That is, Y has moved forward and in doing so,
in space and which are simultaneous for one observer has moved closer to where the lightning first hit, so that
cannot be simultaneous for another observer who the light travels a shorter distance in getting to Y. Whereas
observes the events from a different frame of reference. ���
In the light from the back of the cart needs to travel further
Figure 1902 observer Y is in a train which is moving with (a > b) and so takes more time to get to Y.
constant speed v as measured by the observer X who is
standing by the side of the railway tracks. Y will not see the two events as occurring simultaneously.

456
 Relativity

We might ask ‘which observer is correct? Are the two Where c is the free space velocity of light, and
events simultaneous?’ In fact both observers are correct. 1
γ = -----------------------
What is simultaneous for one observer is not simultaneous
for the other; there is no preferred reference frame. The
 v2 
 1 – -----
interpretation of any sequence of events will depend on an  c 2
individual’s frame of reference.
and ∆t and ∆t' refer to a time interval in the respective
Einstein proposed that the three dimensions of space and reference systems.
the one dimension of time describe a four dimensional
space-time continuum and that different observers will The Lorentz transformation equations are embedded
describe the same event with different space time co- in the Maxwell equations – the equations that express
ordinates. We shall see later on in the chapter how this the behaviour of electric and magnetic fields. There is a
idea is developed further. certain amount of irony here. Newton was well aware of
the concept of relativity and as we have seen, took steps to
address the issue in terms of the Galilean transformations.
H.3 (HL) D.3 (SL) Maxwell on the other hand put his equations together
without addressing the relativity issue. When the issue
Relativistic was addressed by Lorentz, this led to a complete re–
assessment of how we think of time and space. The major
Kinematics contribution that Einstein made was to realise that the
Lorentz transformation equations can also be derived
from the second postulate of Special Relativity. This is not
H.3.1 Describe the concept of a light clock. difficult to do but we shall not do so here.

H.3.2 Define proper time interval. According to the Special Theory all the laws of physics
must transform according to the Lorentz transformation
H.3.3 Derive the time dilation formula. equations. The constancy of the speed of light is contained
within the laws of electromagnetism but not within
H.3.4 Draw and annotate a graph showing Newton’s laws under a Galilean transformation. Hence
the variation with relative velocity of the Newton’s laws must transform according to the Lorentz
Lorentz factor equations.

OPTION
H.3.5 Solve problems involving time dilation.
© IBO 2007
H.3.1,2 (D.3.1,2) describe the
concept of a light clock/
Introduction
define proper time interval
Shortly after Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism
where published it was found, unlike Newton’s Laws, To understand the Lorentz equations and to see the effect
that they did not keep their same form under a Galilean that they have on our conventional understanding of
transformation. Lorentz found that for them to keep the space and time, let us first look at how our understanding
same form the transformations in the following table have of time is affected.
to be applied.
Let us return to the observer in the moving train. The
Galilean Lorentz observer has set up an experiment in which she times how
x´ = x – vt x´ = γ(x – vt) long it takes for a light pulse to bounce back and forth
Δt´ = Δt Δt´ = γ Δt between two mirrors separated by a vertical distance d
as shown in Figure 1906. This set up is effectively a light
clock.
Figure 1905  Galilean–Lorentz transformation equations

457
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

v
A
Y
d light
B C

Figure 1908
Figure 1906  A simple light clock
If we let t2 – t1 = ∆t and t'2 – t'1 = ∆t', then, the distance that
As measured by Y the pulse leaves the top mirror at time the train travels is BC = v∆t.
t'1 and reaches the bottom mirror at time t'2. The time
interval t'2 – t'1 is given by The distance that X measures for the path of the pulse is
AC = c∆t'.
d
t′2 – t′1 = ---, where c is the speed of light.
c
The distance that Y measures for the path of the pulse is
This time measured by Y is known as the proper time. In AB = c(t'2 – t'1)�.
general, the term proper time refers to the time interval
between two events as measured in the reference system Applying Pythagoras’s theorem to the triangle, we have
in which the two events occur at the same place.
2 2 2 2 2 2
AC = AB + B C ⇒ [ c ∆ t] = [ c ∆t′ ] + [ v ∆t ]

H.3.3 (D.3.3) Derive the time 2 2 2

⇔ c ( ∆t ) = c ( ∆t′ ) + v ( ∆ t)
2 2 2

2 2
dilation formula From which we have ( c 2 – v 2 ) ∆t2 = c ( ∆t′ )
 2 
2 c
How will the observer X who is by the side of the tracks So that, ( ∆t ) =  ---------------- ( ∆t′ ) 2
see the light clock?  c 2 – v 2

Suppose that at the time that the light pulse leaves the Rearranging this equation, we have
OPTION

top mirror, X and Y are directly opposite each other. X 2 1

measures this time as t1 and the time that the pulse reaches --------- ( ∆t′ ) 2
( ∆t ) = -----------
 2
the bottom mirror as t2 v 
 1 – ----2
v ( t 2 – t1 )
 c 
Therefore (taking the positive square root) we have that
1
∆t = ------------------ ∆t′
d light v 2
v
1 – -----
2
c
X 1
Or, lettingγγ = ------------------ , we have ∆t = γ∆t'.
2
v
1 – -----
2
c

Figure 1907 �t = γ∆t' is

The equation ∆ ������������������������������������
stated in the IB data booklet as
∆t = γ∆t0 where t0 is the proper time.
By the time that the light pulse reaches the bottom mirror,
the train will have moved forward a distance v(t2 – t1) as What this effectively means is that to observer X, the
measured by X and he will see the pulse follow the path as light pulse will take a longer time to traverse the distance
shown in Figures 1907 and 1908. between the mirrors compared to the time measured by
observer Y. This phenomenon is known as time dilation.

458
 Relativity

As stated above, the “bouncing” light pulse can effectively

be regarded as a clock. We reach the conclusion therefore

velocity as a fraction of the speed of light

that any type of clock in an inertial reference systems
1.0
which is moving relative to an observer in another inertial 0.9

reference system will appear to run slower as measured by 0.8

0.7
this observer. This effectively means that time is slowed 0.6

for the moving observer. It has been said, tongue in cheek, 0.5
0.4
that if you want to live longer, then keep running. If there 0.3
0.2
were a clock on the train then to X it would not tell the 0.1
same time as a clock on the ground nor would the clock
0 1 2 3 4 5
on the ground tell the same time to Y as the clock in the γ function
train. Time can no longer be regarded as absolute. We
must also bear in mind that the situation is symmetric and Figure 1909
to observer Y, a clock in observer X’s system will appear to
run slower than a clock in her own system. From this graph you can see that for two observers with
a relative speed of about 0.98c then a time interval of one
You might also like to ponder the following: is the speed second as measured by one observer will be measured as a
of light the same for all inertial observers because time is time interval of nearly 5 seconds by the other observer.
not absolute or is time not absolute because the speed of
light is the same for all inertial observers? This is the sort
of question that keeps the philosophers happy for ages. H. 3.5 (D.3.5) solve problems
From the physicist’s point of view, what is of importance
is that the Special Theory has been verified experimentally involving time dilation
and that all the predictions that it makes have also been
verified experimentally. The Special Theory of Relativity is
part of the accepted framework of Physics. Example

H.3.4 (D.3.4) draw and annotate An observer sets up an experiment to measure the time of
oscillation of a mass suspended from a vertical spring. He
a graph showing the measures the time period as 2.0 s. To another observer this

OPTION
time period is measured as 2.66 s. Calculate the relative
variation with relative velocity between the two observers

velocity of the Lorentz

Solution
factor

In terms of predicted time dilations we are actually Since the measured event occurs at the same place in which
looking at some very small differences when considering the time period is measured as 2.00 s, then
everyday situations. For our two observers X and Y above
if for example the train is moving at 30 m s–1 relative to 2.66 = γ × 2.00
1
observer X then a time interval of 1 second as recorded by γ = 1.33 = ------------------
Y will be recorded as 1.00001 seconds by X. For this time such that 2 or
v
dilation to be noticeable then clearly we must have relative 1 – ----2-
velocities between observers which are close to the speed c
 2
of light. Figure 1909 shows the variation with relative 2 1 v  1
1.33 = ------------- ⇒  1 – ---2-  = ------------ ( = 0.57 )
speed between inertial observers of the γ function 2  c  2
v 1.33
1 – ----2-
c .
2
Therefore v----- = 0.43 so that v = 0.66c.
2
c

459
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

This is a very high speed to say the least and in one time We define the proper length of the rod as the length of
period the observers will have moved about 4 × 109 m the rod measured by the observer at rest with respect to
apart. Which makes the whole thing strange. However we the rod.
will look at a more realistic example later in the chapter.
Suppose that end A of the rod is at x'1 and B is at x'2 as
measured by Mary. The rod is at rest in Mary’s system
H.3.6 Define proper length. therefore the proper length of the rod is ( x′2 – x′1 ) = L′
(say).
H.3.7 Describe the phenomenon of length
contraction. If we apply the Lorentz transformation then x'1 and x'2 are
given by x′1 = γ( x1 – vt1 ) and x′2 = γ( x2 – vt2 ) where x2
The derivation of the length contraction formula is and x2 are the respective ends of the rod as measured by
not required Paul.

H.3.8 Solve problems involving length contraction The length of the rod as measured by Paul can therefore
© IBO 2007
have many different lengths depending on the choice of t1
and t2, the times when the rod is measured. To make any
sense, the length of the moving rod (from Paul’s point of
Length contraction view) is defined as the length when the ends are measured
simultaneously i.e. t1 = t2.

H.3.6,7 (D.3.6,7) define proper Hence the proper length of the rod

length/describe the L ′ = ( x′ 2 – x′ 1 ) = γ( x 2 – x1 ) .

phenomenon of length Hence the length L of the rods measured by Paul will be
given by L' = γL
contraction L
0
This equation is written as L = -----
γ- in the data booklet
We now consider how the Special Theory affects our where L0 is the proper length. �����������������������������
(You will not be expected to
concept of space. derive this equation in an examination).
OPTION

In Figure 1910 Mary is moving at a constant velocity v Since γ is always greater than unity L will always be
in the x direction relative to Paul who regards himself as less than the proper length. To Paul the rod will appear
being at rest. AB is a rod, which is at rest with respect to contracted in the direction of motion.
Mary.

y’
Exercises
y
v
Paul Mary

1. Use the definition of the γ function to confirm its

value as shown by the previous graph when the
A B
velocity is 0.5c, 0.8c and 0.95c.
x x’
x 1‘ x2 ‘ 2 Mary measures the time between two events as
being separated by an interval of 2.0 ms. Paul
Figure 1910 measures the interval to be 2.5 ms. Calculate the
relative velocity of Mary and Paul.
In terms of Galilean relativity Mary and Paul would both
obtain the same value for the length AB of the rod. But this
is not the case if we apply the Lorentz transformations.

460
 Relativity

H.3.8 (D.3.8) solve problems Exercises

involving length
1 A spaceship is travelling away from the Earth with
contraction a speed of 0.6c as measured by an observer on the
Earth. The rocket sends a light pulse back to Earth
every 10 minutes as measured by a clock on the
Example 1 spaceship.

(a) Calculate the distance that the rocket

Mary is travelling in a space ship, which is not accelerating. travels between light pulses as measured by
To her the length of the space ship is 100 m. To Paul i. the observer on Earth.
who is travelling in another space ship, which is also ii. somebody on the spaceship?
not accelerating, Mary’s space ship has a length of 98 m. (b) If the earth observer measures the length of
Calculate the relative velocity of Paul and Mary. the spaceship as 60 m determine the proper
length of the spaceship.

Solution 2. Calculate the relative velocity between two inertial

observers which produces a 50% reduction in the
proper length.
100
The proper length is 100 m therefore γ = -------- = 1.02
98
1
so that γ = 1.02 = --------------.
2
v
1 – ----2-
c

1 1
Therefore -------------2- = -----------------2- = 0.96
v ( 1.02 )
1 – -----
2
c
giving v2 = 0.04c2,

OPTION
so that v = 0.2c.

Example 2

To Paul his space ship measures 150m. Determine the

length that it will appear to Mary? Solution

The γ factor is the same for both Paul and Mary but at this
time 150 m is the proper length so Mary will see the ship
contracted by a factor ¹⁄ γ i.e. 147 m.

Since both observers are inertial observers both will

observe the length contraction and both observers will be
correct.

461
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

H.4 Some Consequences of Special

Relativity
appear as about 5 seconds for Paul. So when Mary returns
H.4.1 Describe how the concept of time dilation to earth she will be about 39 years old and Paul will be
leads to the “twin paradox”. about 77 years old. But if all motion is relative why can’t
we regard Paul as being the person in motion and Mary at
H.4.2 Discuss the Hafele-Keating experiment. rest? As we shall see, it has been verified experimentally
that time does go slower in moving reference frames. So
H.4.3 Solve one-dimensional problems involving this is the paradox. By symmetry the only possible result is
the relativistic addition of velocities. that Paul and Mary must be the same age when they meet
© IBO 2007
up again on Earth. However, for Mary to come back to
Earth from the star she has to turn round and this involves
an acceleration so this is no longer a symmetrical situation.
The twin paradox She also has to accelerate away from the Earth and slow
down to land back on Earth. This, therefore is the way
round the paradox - there is no paradox. The observer that
H.4.1 Describe how the concept experiences the acceleration is the person that is moving.
If both observers are in inertial reference frames then they
of time dilation leads to can never meet to compare their ages or their clocks unless
one of them slows down and the observer that slows down
the “twin paradox” is no longer in an inertial reference system.

It might well have occurred to some of you during the

discussion of time dilation that if there is no preferred H.4.2 Discuss the Hafele-Keating
reference system why doesn’t the observer on the train
perceive that clocks on the other side of the tracks run experiment
slower than his own clocks? In fact, we could just as well
have described the experiment the other way round so In order to test Einstein’s theory of relativity with actual
OPTION

that the observer on the tracks was the one carrying out clocks rather than “light clocks”, in October, 1971, Hafele
the experiment with the bouncing light pulse. Proper time and Keating took four caesium atomic beam clocks aboard
would then be the time measure in his reference system. commercial airliners. The airliners flew around the world
The Special theory tells us that both observers are correct. twice, once eastward and once westward. The times read
This introduces the famous so called “twin paradox”. by the clocks were then compared with clocks at U.S. Naval
Observatory. According to Einstein’s theory the clock
Paul and Mary are twins born sometime in the future should have lost 40 ns during the eastward trip and should
when inter-stellar star travel is common place. When they have gained 275 ns during the westward trip as compared
are 30 years old, Mary sets off in a space ship to travel with the atomic time scale of the U.S. Naval Observatory.
to Alpha Centauri and back, a total distance of 8.6 light The “flying” clocks actually lost 59 ns during the eastward
years. Her space ship travels at an average speed of 0.98c. trip and gained 273 ns during the westward trip. Where
The round trip for her will take about 9 years. However, to the errors and the corresponding standard deviations were
Paul all Mary’s clocks will appear to run slower, her heart taken into account, the agreement between the theory
will beat slower, in fact everything will be slowed down and experiment was excellent providing an unambiguous
from Paul’s point of view. If you refer to the previous time evidence for the resolution of the twin paradox.
dilation graph you will see that 1 second for Mary will

462
 Relativity

Velocity addition ux + v
u′x = ------------------
u v
1 + ----x--- -   for ux in the negative x direction
H.4.3 Solve one-dimensional c
2

problems involving the

Exercises
relativistic addition of

velocities 1. Use the Lorentz velocity transformation equations

to show that any two inertial observers will always
In Figure 1911 (a) Mary is in a train which is moving with measure the same value for the velocity of light.
speed v relative to Paul who is standing at the side of the
tracks.
Speed of object relative to Mary u’ = u – v Mass and energy
Mary
u v
Paul
P H.4.4 State the formula representing the
equivalence of mass and energy.

H.4.5 Define rest mass.

Speed of object relative to Mary u’ = u + v
H.4.6 Distinguish between the energy of a
Mary body at rest and its total energy when
u v
Paul P
moving.

H.4.7 Explain why no object can ever attain the

speed of light in a vacuum.

Figure 1911 (a) and (b) H.4.8 Determine the total energy of an
accelerated particle.

OPTION
© IBO 2007
The object P is moving horizontally with a speed u relative
to Paul. According to a Galilean transformation, Mary
would measure the speed of the object as u' = u – v. If the
object is moving in the other direction, Figure 1911 (b), H.4.4/ H.4.5 state the formula
then the speed would be, as measured by Mary, given by
u' = u + v. representing the equivalence

If P were a light beam, then Mary would measure the of mass and energy/ define
speed of the beam to be c + v.
rest mass
But if we are to believe the Special Theory then this can
not be so since all inertial observers must measure the If a body of mass m is subjected to a force F then according
same value for the speed of light. The Galilean to Newton’s Second Law it’s acceleration a can be
transformations for velocity cannot therefore be correct. computed from the equation F = m a.
It is not difficult to show that if we apply the Lorentz
transformations for displacement and time then the A prediction of the Special Theory, (in order to ensure
velocity transformation equations become that the conservation of momentum holds for all inertial
observers,) is that as the speed of body increases then to
ux – v an observer at rest relative to the body the mass of the
u′x = ----------------- body will increase.
ux v
1 – ------ 2
-   for ux in the positive x direction
c

463
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

If m0 is the mass of the body when it is at rest with respect It is this change in energy which is the gain in the kinetic
to the observer, the so-called rest mass, then its mass m energy of the object and is equal to the work done on the
when moving at a speed v relative to the observer is given object. It is important to understand the significance of
by m = γm0 these equations, namely that energy and mass are entirely
1 equivalent.
remember that γ = ------------------
2
v
1 – ----
c .
2 A word on units
H.4.6 Distinguish between the In the equation E = mc2 , if m is measured in kilograms
and c ms-1, then the unit of E is clearly joules. However,
energy of a body at rest and the theory of relativity only becomes significant for speeds
close to that of c and this usually means we are dealing with
its total energy when moving the acceleration or movement of atomic or sub-atomic
particles. For a example, an electron accelerated from rest
We have seen that as a consequence of the Special Theory through a potential difference of 106 volt will attain an
the mass of a moving object increases. A net force is energy of 1M eV as measured in electron-volt. It is much
needed to accelerate any object and this force does work more convenient to express the energy of particles in eV (or
on the object. In Newtonian mechanics the conservation multiples thereof) such as MeV. Similarly it is much more
of energy leads to the idea that the work done by the net convenient to express their mass in units of MeV c-2. So for
force is equal to the increase in kinetic energy of the object example the rest mass of a proton is 938 MeV c-2
such that
938 ×10 6 × 1.6 ×10 −19
which equals kg = 1.67 × 10-27 kg.
Work done = force × displacement = gain in kinetic energy 9 ×1016
Lets us now look at an example using the idea of mass-
i.e., F × ∆s = ∆( KE ) = 1
2
--- m( ∆v ) energy equivalence.
2
This equation will not apply in Special Relativity. In fact,
if we are still to believe in the conservation of energy we Example
must look for a different relationship between the work
done and the energy transferred. It might be tempting to
OPTION

substitute m as γm0 but this does not in fact lead to the A coal fired power station has a power output of 100 MW.
correct physical interpretation. Calculate the mass of coal that is converted into energy in
one year (3.15 × 107 s).
In thinking along these lines Einstein was led to the idea of
mass and energy being interchangeable such that the gain
in mass of an accelerated body could be equated to a gain Solution
in energy. This led him to the celebrated equation

E = mc2 The energy produced in one year =

In this equation E is the total energy of the object and m is 100 × 10 6 × 3.15 × 10 7 = 3.15 × 10 15 J,
its relativistic mass. If the object is at rest then it has a rest
mass energy given by this represents a mass change of
2 ene rg y 3.15 × 10 15
E 0 = m0 c ∆m = ------------------ = ---------------------------- = 3.5 × 10 –2 kg.
2 16
c 9 × 10
If we combine these two equations in terms of the work
done when a force accelerates an object from rest then at
a certain speed v, the object will have a total mass–energy This actually means that if the coal is weighed before it is
mc2. Its mass–energy will have changed from rest by an burnt and all the ashes and fumes could be weighed after
amount, Ek, where burning there would be a mass deficiency of about 10 g.
Although, we must not forget that some oxygen would have
2 2 2
E k = E – m0 c = mc – m0 c been added.

464
 Relativity

In view of the equivalence of mass energy we can no longer

talk about the conservation of mass and the conservation of (a) classical Newtonian mechanics
energy as two separate laws of physics but instead we have (b) relativistic mechanics.
just one law, the conservation of mass-energy. However,
for many chemical reactions we can use the separate laws
since the mass deficiency involved is usually very small. Solution
For example when one gram mole of carbon combines
with two gram moles of Oxygen, the mass deficiency is
We use the equation v =
2eV (Ve = gain in
only about 10-9 g which is far too small to detect. However, (a) ----------
as we have learned in Chapter 11, the mass energy equation kinetic energy) to give m
plays a very important role in nuclear reactions. 6 –19
4 × 10 × 1.6 × 10 8
v = ---------------------------------------------------
– 31
≈ 8.4 × 10 m s–1.
9.1 × 10
H.4.7 Explain why no object A value which is clearly greater than the speed of light.

can ever attain the speed (b) Using relativistic mechanics we have that the energy
supplied i.e. the work done = V e and this equals
of light in a vacuum the gain in KE of the electron such that
2 2 2 2
Ve = mc – m0 c = γm0 c – m0 c
Newton’s Second Law does not put any upper limit on
the velocity that a body can attain. For example we could 2
2 2 m0 c + Ve
envisage a force of 1000 N acting on an object of mass 1 g So that γm0 c = m0 c + Ve ⇒ γ = -------------------------
2
for a period of 1000s. After this period of time the speed of m0 c
Ve
the object would be 109 m s–1 which is much greater than To give γ = 1 + -----------2- — Equation (1)
the speed of light. However, the Lorentz transformation m0 c
equations show us that if the relative velocity between (We can actually express m0c2 in units of eV =
two observers is c then the time dilation is infinite and –31 16
9.1 × 10 × 9 × 10
the length contraction is zero. Putting it another way, time -----------------------------------------------------
–19
- = 0.51 MeV.
stays still for objects travelling at the speed of light and 1.6 × 10
also the object has no length in the direction of travel. (We can therefore express the mass of the electron as 0.5 MeV c-2.)
Furthermore, the equation for the relativistic increase of

OPTION
mass shows that the mass of the object would be infinite. So substituting 0.5 MeV into equation (1) we have
So not only does the Special Theory put an upper limit on 2 MeV
the velocity that objects can attain (the speed of light) it γ = 1 + ------------------------ = 4.9
0.51 MeV
predicts that this velocity is unattainable. The only thing
that can travel at the speed of light would seem to be light The total energy of the particle after acceleration is γmoc2
itself.
= 4.9 × 0.51 = 2.5 MeV

H.4.8 Determine the total energy Using the equation for the gamma factor, a value of 5 gives
the velocity of the electron as 0.98c.
of an accelerated particle
Let us look at another examples of mass-energy Exercise 14.4
equivalence which brings in the idea of work done and
changes in kinetic energy.
1. Calculate the speed of a particle relative to a
laboratory observer when its kinetic energy is
Example equal to its rest-mass energy

An electron is accelerated through a potential difference

of 2.0 V. Calculate after acceleration the velocity of the
electron applying

465
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

H.5 Evidence to Support Special

Relativity
10
distance to the earth is not 10 km but ---γ--- kilometres = 2 km
H.5.1 Discuss muon decay as experimental and from their point of view, the time to travel this distance
evidence to support Special Relativity. (6.8 × 10-6 s) is just 2.2 half lives. In experiments carried
out at the surface of the earth, the half lives of muons
H.5.2 Solve problems involving the muon decay moving with different velocities have been measured and
experiment. the values have been found to agree closely with the values
predicted by the Special Theory.
H.5.3 Outline the Michelson-Morley experiment

H.5.4 Discuss the result of the Michelson- H.5.3,4 outline the Michelson-
Morley experiment and its implication.
Morley experiment/
H.5.5 Outline an experiment that indicates
that the speed of light in vacuum is discuss the result of
independent of its source.
© IBO 2007
the Michelson-Morley

experiment and its

H.5.1,2 discuss muon decay as
implication
experimental evidence to
We mentioned early in this chapter that it was proposed
support Special Relativity/ that electromagnetic waves were propagated through a
substance called the ether and that this ether permeated
solve problems involving all space. It was further proposed that the ether was
absolutely at rest and this was the reference frame against
OPTION

the muon decay experiment which all measurements should be made.

Direct experimental confirmation for time dilation and In 1887 two American physicists, Michelson and Morley,
length contraction as predicted by the Special Theory devised and carried out an experiment to measure the
is found in the decay of muons. Muons are sub-atomic absolute velocity of the Earth with respect to the ether.
particles, which can be created in high-energy particle The essential principle of the experiment was to find the
accelerators. The muons are unstable and decay with a difference in time that it took light to travel along two
half-life of 3.1 × 10-6 s as measured in a reference frame in paths, one in the direction of travel of the earth through
which they are at rest. (Or at least moving with relatively the ether and one at right angles to the direction of travel
low speeds). However, muons are also created in the upper of the Earth through the ether. Figure 1912 shows the
atmosphere of the earth from cosmic ray bombardment basic set up of the experiment.
and these muons can, and do, have very high velocities.
If we consider muons that are formed at a height of say movable mirror fixed
D mirror
10 km and with a velocity of 0.98c then they will take
3.4 × 10‑5 s to reach the ground. This is about 10 half lives A B
and in this time the majority of the muons would have
diffuse monochromatic
decayed. However, large numbers of muons are in fact
detected at the Earth’s surface. Because they are moving light source
compensator
at such high speeds, time dilation becomes important and plate
beam
at 0.98c the γ factor is 5. To the Earth observer, the half splitter

life is not 3.1 × 10-6 s but γ times this i.e. 15.5 × 10‑6 s. The observer O C
time to reach the ground is now only about 2.2 half-lives
and so plenty of muons will be detected. To the muons the Figure 1912  The Michelson – Morley experiment

466
 Relativity

Light from a diffuse monochromatic source is incident on

the half silvered mirror A. This acts as a beam splitter such H.5.5 Outline an experiment
that some of the light goes on to the moveable mirror and
some on to the fixed mirror C. On reflection from these that indicates that the
mirrors, light from both mirrors arrives at the observer
O. B is a compensator plate equal in thickness to the beam speed of light in vacuum is
splitter.
independent of its source
If the different path length of the two rays on reaching
the observer is a multiple number of wavelengths, then a The decay of a neutral pion (see Topic J.1) into two photons
bright spot of light will be observed at O and if it is an odd suggest that the speed of light is independent of the speed
number of half wavelengths, a dark spot will be observed of the source However more direct evidence to support
at O. However, since a diffuse source is used a great many this comes from astronomical observations of so-called
paths of slightly differing lengths will occur and the overall gamma ray bursters (GRBs). Bursts of gamma rays have
effect will be to observe a series of light and dark fringes at been observed to come from seemingly random parts of
O. An interference pattern in fact. the Universe and are thought to be due to the collapse of a
rapidly rotating neutron star see (E.5.6) that is expanding
If the mirror D is moved backwards or forwards the and contracting. Gamma radiation reaches us from the
interference pattern will be shifted and the amount that expanding near side and the receding far side of the object.
it is shifted will depend on the amount that the mirror D The near and far sides are expected to moving apart at
is moved. speeds close to that of the speed of light. If the speed of
light where dependent on the speed of the source, then
The actual apparatus used by Michelson and Morley was gamma pulses reaching Earth from the two sides of the
very large. The effective length of the two arms was about GRB would result in a separation of the pulses. To within
10 m. One arm was aligned to be parallel to the direction 1 part in 1020, no separation has been observed.
of motion of the Earth in its orbit such that the other arm
was at right angles. If the ether through which the light
travels is at rest relative to the motion of the Earth, then H.6 Relativistic
the light will take slightly different times to traverse the
two paths. Hence there will be an observed shift in the Momentum
interference pattern. The situation is analogous with two
and Energy

OPTION
swimmers in a river both setting off from the same point.
One swims parallel to the direction of the current and one
swims at right angles to the direction of the current. They
each swim the same distance from the starting point and H.6.1 Apply the relation for the relativistic
then return. A little thought will show that the trip for momentum p = γm0u of particles.
the swimmer who sets off at right angles is going to take
longer than the trip for the swimmer who swims parallel H.6.2 Apply the formula EK= (γ -1)m0c2 for the
to the current. kinetic energy of a particle.

The result of the Michelson-Morley experiment was H.6.3 Solve problems involving relativistic
spectacular in as much as no shift in the interference momentum and energy.
© IBO 2007
pattern was observed. Many attempts were made to explain
this non- result before Einstein recognised that there was
no ether and therefore no absolute reference frame and Note: Derivation of the relativistic momentum and energy
that all inertial observers will measure the same value for formulae will not be examined.
the speed of light.
In Classical Physics we saw in Topic 2.3 that there is a
useful relationship between the momentum p and the
kinetic energy Ek of
���������������������
a particle, namely
p2
E k = ----
---
2m
where m is the mass of the particle.

467
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

2 4 6 2 12 2 2
In Special Relativity we can find an equally useful And m0 c = ( 0.51 × 10 eV) = 0.2601 × 10 e V ,
relationship between momentum and energy, but in this
instance the energy E is the total energy of the particle. hence,
12 2 2
2 0.216 × 10 e V
We have that m p = ------------------------------------ = 0.46 MeV c-1 .
m = ------------0------ c
2
v2
1 – ---- Or, p = 2.5 × 10–22 N s
c2
such that if we square both sides and rearrange we have Since particle physicists are often dealing with energies
measured in electron volts, they often express momentum
2 2 2 2 2 2
m c = m0 c + m v in the units MeV c-1 (energy/speed).

If we now multiply through by c2 we have To find the speed we need to find the mass of the electron
after acceleration.
2 2 2 4 2 2
( mc ) = m0 c + (mv ) c
We have that ETotal = mc2 = Ve + moc2
But, mv is the momentum p of the particle and mc is equal 2

to E the total energy. Hence Therefore

2 2 4 2 2
E = m0 c + p c m = (Ve + moc2) c-2 = (0.18 + 0.51) MeV c-2 = 0.68 MeV c-2

This is the relativistic equivalent to the classical equation And v = p/m = 0.46 MeV c-1/0.68 MeV c-2 = 0.68 c.
2
p
E k = ------- and is useful in many different situations. This demonstrates how much easier are relativistic
2m dynamic calculations when we deal in the units MeV for
energy, MeV c–2 for mass and MeV c–1 for momentum.
Example 1

Example 2
Find the momentum and speed of an electron after it
has been accelerated through a potential difference of
OPTION

1.8 × 105 V. A gamma photon that is travelling close to a lead atom,

materialises into an electron-positron pair

Solution e.g. γ → e- + e+

The initial energy of the photon is 3.20 MeV. Neglecting

The total energy E is given by the recoil of the lead atom, calculate the speed and mass of
2
the electron and positron.
E = Ve + m0 c .

If we bear in mind that Solution

2
m0 c is equal to 0.51 MeV, and Ve = 0.18 MeV, then in
this instance we have that For one particle Etot = 1.60 = EK + m0c2 = EK + 0.511
6 2 12 2
E = ( 0.18 + 0.51) × 10 eV E = 0.4761 × 10 eV EK = 1.09 MeV = (1 - γ) m0c2

Also from the relativistic relation between total energy To give γ = 3.13
and momentum, we have
2 2 4 Which gives v = 0.948c
E – m0 c
2
p = -------------2------------   (1)
c m = γm0c2 = 1.6 MeV c-2

468
 Relativity

H.7 General relativity

because High School physics generally makes no attempt
H.7.1 Explain the difference between the terms to distinguish between ‘inertial’ and ‘gravitational’ mass.
gravitational mass and inertial mass.
As we have seen (Chapter 2 and Chapter 9) the concept
H.7.2 Describe and discuss Einstein’s principle of of mass arises in two very different ways in Physics. You
equivalence. met it for the first time in connection with the property of
inertia - all objects are “reluctant” to change their state of
H.7.3 Deduce that the principle of equivalence motion. This “reluctance” is measured by a property of the
predicts bending of light rays in a object called its inertial mass. The concept of inertial mass
gravitational field. is quantified in Newton’s Second law, F = ma.

H.7.4 Deduce that the principle of equivalence But the concept of mass also arises in connection with
predicts that time slows down near a Newton’s gravitational law in which the force between two
massive body. point masses m1 and m2 separated by a distance r is given
© IBO 2007
by
Gm1 m2
F = ------------------
r2
Gravitational mass and inertial
In this respect mass can be thought of as the property
mass of an object, which gives rise to the gravitational force
of attraction between all objects and is therefore called
The Special Theory of Relativity is special in the sense gravitational mass.
that it apples only to inertial reference systems. A logical
question to ask would be “is non-uniform motion also Since gravitational and inertial mass measure entirely
relative?” For example, when a Jumbo jet takes off does different properties there is no reason why we should
it make any difference whether we consider the Earth to consider them to be identical quantities. However,
be at rest with respect to the jet or whether we consider consider an object close to the surface of the Earth which
the jet to be at rest and the Earth accelerating away from has a gravitational mass mg and an inertial mass mI. If the

OPTION
the jet. If accelerated motion is relative then it should be gravitational mass of the Earth is Mg then the magnitude
possible to choose the jet as the fixed reference system. But of the gravitational force exerted on the object is given by
how then do we account for the inertial forces that act on GM g mg
the passengers during take-off? (As the jet accelerates the F = -------------------
passengers are “pushed” back into their seats). After the R2
publication of the Special Theory, physicists were happy to Where R is the radius of the earth.
believe that uniform motion was indeed a special case and
that non-uniform motion was not relative. Einstein could The object will accelerate according to Newton’s Second
not accept this viewpoint and in 1916 he published the law such that
General Theory of Relativity in which he postulated that GM g mg
all motion is relative.
F = ------------------- = mI a
R2
G Mg m
Central to the General Theory is the so-called Mach’s Letting ------------ = k (= constant) so that a = k × ------g-
Principle. Towards the end of the last century Ernst Mach R2 mI
suggested that inertial force and gravitational force are All the experimental evidence points to the fact that the
equivalent. There was evidence for this assumption, which value of a (the acceleration of free fall at the surface of the
has been around since the time that Galileo reportedly earth) is the same for all objects.
dropped objects of different masses from the Leaning
Tower of Pisa and concluded that the acceleration of free Hence we conclude that mg = mI . i.e. gravitational and
fall is the same for all objects. This is something that is taught inertial mass are equivalent.
very early in all High school Physics courses. However,
the reason why this should be so is rarely mentioned

469
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

Einstein’s principle of equivalence The two results (Figures 1913 and 1914) are identical and
according to Einstein there is no physical experiment
The General Theory of Relativity gives the interpretation of that an observer can carry out to determine whether the
the equivalence between gravitational and inertial mass. force acting on the object arises from inertial effects due
to the acceleration of the observer’s frame of reference or
In Figure 1913, a person is in a lift (elevator), far from any whether it arises because of the gravitational effects of a
mass, which is accelerating upwards with acceleration g. nearby mass.

This is the so-called Einstein Principle of Equivalence

g and it can be stated

there is no way in which gravitational effects can be

distinguished from inertial effects.

In this respect Einstein concluded that all motion is

relative. If we consider the situation in Figure 1913 we
can choose the lift to be the fixed reference system and
it is the rest of the Universe that must be considered to
be accelerating. It is this acceleration of the Universe, in
Einstein’s interpretation, that generates what Newton
Figure 1913 called a gravitational field. According to Einstein there
is no absolute choice of a reference system, only relative
If he releases an object as shown he will observe that it motion can be considered.
“falls” to the ground with acceleration g. An outside
observer would say that the ball stays where it is but the
lift floor is accelerating upwards towards the ball with H.7.3 Deduce that the principle
acceleration g.
of equivalence predicts
Another interesting situation arises here in which we can
consider a lift in free fall close to the surface of the Earth. the bending of light in a
When the person in the lift releases the object in this
OPTION

situation then the object will stay where it is. The object gravitational field
is in fact “weightless”. This is the reason that astronauts in
orbit around the Earth are “weightless” – they are in free
fall and although they are in a gravitational field because
of their acceleration they will feel no gravitational force. light
A
acceleration

B
g

Figure 1914 Figure 1915  The space ship is accelerating

In Figure 1914, the lift is at the surface of the Earth and The General Theory predicts that light will be bent by
again the person drops the ball and observes it to accelerate gravity. In Figure 1915 a person is in an accelerating space
downwards with an acceleration g. ship far away from any mass. A ray of light enters through
a window at A. Because of the acceleration of the ship the
An outside observer would say that this is because of the light will strike the opposite wall at point B which is below
gravitational attraction of the Earth. A. To the person in the ship the path of the light ray will
therefore appear to be bent.

470
 Relativity

there is nothing intrinsically wrong in having four

light lines mutually at right angles describing a space–time
A continuum.
B
In Figure 1917 space is represented by the conventional
x–axis and time t by an axis perpendicular to the x–axis.

t
A
Earth B
C
Figure 1916  The space ship is stationary

In Figure 1916 a space ship is at rest on the surface of the

Earth. If the Einstein principle of equivalence is correct
then this situation cannot be distinguished from the
situation described in Figure 1915. The path of a light x
beam entering a window of this space ship will therefore
also appear to be bent. The prediction is therefore that Figure 1917  Time – space graph
light that passes close to large masses will have its path
altered. The line A represents a stationary particle and the line B
represents a particle that starts from the point where A is
at rest and moves with constant velocity away from this
H.7.4 Deduce that the principle point. The line C represents a particle that has certain
velocity at some different point in space and is slowing
of equivalence predicts down as it moves away from this point.

that time slows near a

Gravitational attraction
massive body

OPTION
The General Theory of Relativity essentially does away
with the concepts of gravitational mass and gravitational
H.7.5 Describe the concept of spacetime. force. How then do we account for the gravitational
force of attraction between objects? We have seen that in
H.7.6 State that moving objects follow the Special Relativity, space and time are intimately linked
shortest path between two points in and an event is specified by four co–ordinates of space-
spacetime. time. Einstein proposed that space-time is curved by the
presence of mass. An analogy is to think of a stretched
H.7.7 Explain gravitational attraction in terms of elastic membrane onto which is placed a heavy object. In
the warping of spacetime by matter. the vicinity of the object the membrane will no longer be
© IBO 2007
flat but will curved, see Figure 1918. The curvature will be
greatest close to the object and the general curvature will
also increase as the mass of the object increases.
The concept of spacetime
In the Special Theory space and time are intimately linked.
A very useful way of envisaging this is to represent the
motion of particles in a space–time diagram. Space can be
represented by the Cartesian co-ordinates, x, y and z and
time is represented by an axis at right angles to the other Figure 1918  Spacetime and gravity
three axes. This is obviously impossible to draw or even to
picture mentally so here we will only concern ourselves
with motion in the x–direction. However, mathematically

471
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

We can explain gravitational attraction in terms of this Black holes

“warping” of space.
In 1939 Oppenheimer and Snyder pointed out that the
General Theory predicts the existence of black holes.
During the life-time of some stars there is a period when
they undergo collapse. As they collapse their density
increase and therefore their surface gravity increases.
Radiation leaving the surface will not only be redshifted by
this gravitational field but, as the surrounding space-time
becomes more and more warped as the gravitational field
increases, the path of the radiation will become more and
Figure 1920 more curved. If the surface gravity increases sufficiently
there will come a point when the path of the radiation is so
Consider two objects moving in the direction shown in curved that none of the radiation will leave the surface of
Figure 1920. Each object curves its local space and will the star. The star has effectively become a black hole.
therefore move towards the other object. As the objects
get closer the local space-time will become more curved From a classical point of view we can think of a black hole
and they will behave as though they were experiencing in terms of escape velocity. A star becomes a black hole
an ever increasing force of attraction. If we choose the when the escape velocity at the surface becomes equal to
appropriate geometry to describe the curvature of space the speed of light. The radius at which a star would become
then the objects will move just as if there were an inverse a black hole is known as the Schwarzchild radius after the
square force between them. You can think of the analogy person who first derived the expression for it value.
of two ships at the equator sailing due North. Because of
the curvature of the Earth’s surface they will get closer and General Relativity enables a value for the radius of a
closer together even though they are following a “straight particular star for this to happen to be derived but the
line path”. However, do not take this analogy too literally derivation is beyond the scope of HL physics.
since in Einstein’s theory – it is the objects themselves that
curve the space. The Schwarzchild radius Rsch is given by
2GM
Einstein proposed that all objects will take the shortest R sch = ------------
-
c2
possible distance between two events in space-time. Such
OPTION

a distance is known as a geodesic. The geodesic for a plane (Coincidentally, Newtonian mechanics gives the same
surface is a straight line and for a sphere, a great circle. In value.)
this sense the planets are actually following geodesics in
the particular geometry of the space-time produced by the The surface of a black hole as defined by the Scwarzchild
mass of the sun. radius is called the event horizon since inside the surface
all information is lost.

H.7.8 Describe black holes. It is left as an exercise for you to show that if our Sun were
to shrink until its radius was 3000 m then it would become
H.7.9 Define the term Schwarzschild radius. a black hole.

H.7.10 Calculate the Schwarzschild radius. Of course if no radiation can leave a black hole and all
radiation falling on it will also be trapped, we have to ask
H.7.11 Solve problems involving time dilation how can such things be detected, should they exist. One
close to a black hole. possibility is to observe a black hole as a companion to a
© IBO 2007
binary star system. Another way is to observe the effect that
a black hole has on high frequency gamma radiation as it
passes close to a black hole. Sufficient to say at this point
that astronomers do not doubt the existence of black holes.

472
 Relativity

H.7.11 Solve problems involving H.7.12 Describe the concept of

time dilation close to a gravitational red-shift

black hole Figure 1921 (a) shows a space ship which is accelerating
with acceleration a. On the floor of the spaceship is a light
This also relates to gravitational red-shift see in H.7.12. source, 1, which emits light of a well defined frequency f.
The observer O is at the “top” of the spaceship and another
If a person is outside the gravitational field of a black hole light source 2, identical to light source 1, is placed next to
observes an event that takes place a distance r from a black this observer. At time t = 0 the spaceship starts to accelerate
hole, then the time for the event will be dilated according and at the same instant the two light sources emit light.
to the equation ∆t Bearing in mind that the speed of light is invariant the
∆t = 0
light from source 1 will appear to O to be emitted from a
R
1 − rs source that is moving away from him at speed v, where v =
where RS is the Schwarzschild radius of the black hole. at, t being the time it takes the light from source 1 to reach
him. Compared to the light from source 2 the light from
This effectively means that if the person where to observe source 1 will appear to be Doppler shifted i.e. will be of a
a clock approaching a black hole, the motion of the hands lower frequency than the light emitted from source 2.
of the clock would appear to get slower and slower the
nearer the clock gets to the event horizon of the black hole.
At the event horizon, they would stop moving and time
would stand still.
O O
2 2
Example v = at

A person a distance of 3 RS from the event horizon of a

black hole measures an event to last 4.0 s. Calculate how
long the event would appear to last for a person outside 1 1

OPTION
the field of the black hole. Earth
( a) ( b)

Solution Figure 1921 (a) and (b)

If we consider the space ship to be at rest on the surface of

Substituting in to the above formula gives ∆t = 4.9 s. the earth as shown in Figure 1921 (b), then because of the
principle of equivalence, the same effects will be observed
as in diagram (a). This means that the observed frequency
Gravitational red-shift of light emitted from a source depends upon the position
of the source in a gravitational field. For example light
emitted from the surface of a star will be red-shifted as
H.7.12 Describe the concept of gravitational regards to an observer on Earth. Light emitted from atoms
red�������
‑������
shift. in the star’s corona will not be as red-shifted as much.

H.7.13 Solve problems involving frequency shifts Since frequency is essentially a measure of time this means
between different points in a uniform a consequence of General Relativity is that to an observer
gravitational field. on the top floor of a building, clocks on the ground floor
will appear to run more slowly. The conclusion is that time
H.7.14 Solve problems using the gravitational time slows in the presence of a gravitational field. As mentioned
dilation formula. above, a remarkable consequence of this is that at the
© IBO 2007
event horizon, of a black hole, to an outside observer, time
stops.

473
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

fg ∆h
H.7.13 Solve problems involving f' – f = ∆f = ---------
c
2
---

gravitational red shift so that

∆f g ∆h
----- = -------2---
You will not be expected to prove the red–shift equation in f c
an examination.
This equation can also be derived on the basis of Einstein’s
However, for completeness sake, an elementary proof is principle of equivalence by considering the loss in energy
given here based on the Doppler effect. of a photon from source 1 as it moves to source 2 in the
gravitational field of the earth. The two separate proofs of
In this proof we return to the accelerating space ship in the gravitational redshift equation again show that there is
which there are two light sources, one on the floor of the no difference between inertia and gravity.
ship and the other on the “ceiling”. (Figure 1922)

Example 1

Calculate the redshift that is observed between radiation

O
2 emitted from the surface of a neutron star and radiation
v = gt emitted from the centre of the star if the mass of the star is
1031 kg and its radius is 10 km.
Δh

Solution
1

Figure 1922 We need to calculate g for the star which we do from

GM
g = -------
--
Let the acceleration a = g and let the distance between the 2
r
two sources be ∆h. The time t for the light from source 1 ∆f g ∆h
and then substitute in the equation ----- = ------2----
OPTION

to reach the observer is therefore f c

∆h
t = ------ with ∆h���������������������������������������
�����������������������������������������
= 10 km. You can do this to show that
c
∆f
In this time the speed gained by the O is ----- = 0.74.
f
g∆h
v = g t = ---------- Which is indeed an enormous redshift.
c
Because of the effective Doppler shift of the light from Note that we have assumed that g is constant.
source 2 (remember to the observer O this source will
effectively be moving away from him at speed v = gt when
the light from the source reaches him), the frequency f' Example 2
measured by O will be given by the Doppler shift equation,
i.e.,
v A satellite communication signal has a frequency of 100
f' = f × 1 – -  MHz at the surface of the earth. What frequency will be
c
measured by an astronaut in a satellite which is in orbit
If we now substitute for v then 200 km above the surface of the Earth?
g ∆h
 ----------
c g ∆h
f' = f × 1 – ---------- = f 1 – ----------
c c
2
 
or

474
 Relativity

The Special theory introduced a completely new way of

Solution thinking about time and it was able to account for the
Lorentz transformations encountered in Maxwell’s theory.
It also made several predictions all of which have been
Again, assuming that g is constant we can use the red shift born out by experiment. We therefore accept that the
equation in the form Special Theory tells us the “correct” way in which to think
about time.
∆f g ∆h
----- = ------2----
f c The General Theory introduces a completely new way of
thinking about space, time and gravity and if the theory
g ∆h 9.8 × 200 × 10 3 is to be accepted then it too must account for known
and substitute to get ------2---- = ---------------------------
----------. phenomena and make predictions that can be verified by
c ( 3 × 10 8 ) 2
experiment. In this section we look at some of the evidence
So that, that supports the predictions made by General Relativity.
∆f
----- = 2.2 × 10 –11 ∴-----------∆---f---------- = 2.2 × 10 –11
f 100 × 10 6
Gravitational lensing
⇔ ∆ f = 0.002 Hz
Einstein suggested a method by which the effect of gravity
on the path of light could be detected. The position of a star
H.7.14 Solve problems using the can be measured very accurately relative to the position of
other stars. Einstein suggested measuring the position of a
gravitational time dilation particular star say in June and then again six months later
when the Earth is on the other side of the Sun relative to
formula the star.

Please see example in H.7.11 earlier. apparent position

of star
star
H.8 Evidence
to support

OPTION
general Earth position in
December
Sun
Earth position
in June

relativity
Figure 1923 Gravitational lensing

H.8.1 Outline an experiment for the bending of The path of the light from the star reaching the Earth
EM waves by a massive object. according to Einstein should now be bent as it passes close
to the Sun. This will cause an apparent shift in the position
H.8.2 Describe gravitational lensing. of the star. See Figure 1923.

H.8.3 Outline an experiment that provides Einstein predicted that the path of starlight should be
evidence for gravitational red-shift. deflected by 1.75 seconds of arc as it passes by the Sun.
© IBO 2007
To observe starlight that passes close to the Sun, then
the stars must be observed during the day and the only
Introduction way that this can be done is during a total eclipse of the
Sun. The General theory was published in 1917 and by
For any physical theory to be accepted it must not only good fortune a total eclipse of the Sun was predicted for
explain known phenomena but also make predictions that 29th March 1919 near the Gulf of Guinea and Northern
can be verified experimentally. Brazil. Expeditions were mounted to both destinations
and scientists were able to collect enough photographs
of suitable stars to test Einstein’s prediction. The location

475
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

of the stars indicated that the path of the light had been SUMMARY
deviated by 1.64 seconds of arc, a result that compared
very favourably with the Einstein prediction. However,
recently doubt has been cast on Eddington’s interpretation Special Theory
of the data.

More recently observations have been made of quasar The Postulates

images indicating that the light from the quasars has been
deflected by galaxies or even clusters of galaxies on its I. The Laws of Physics are the same for all inertial
passage to earth. Even more accurate work has been carried observers irrespective of their relative velocity.
out on radio signals transmitted from Earth and reflected
from the planets. Solar space-time curvature will effect the II. All inertial observers will measure the same value
delay times for the echo signals. The experimental results for the free space velocity of light irrespective of
are in excellent agreement with the General Theory. This their relative velocity.
bending of light by large gravitational masses is often
referred to as “gravitational lensing” in analogy with the
bending of light by optical lenses. The Lorentz Transformation
equations
Red shift experiment
Given that
In 1960 Pound and Rebka performed an experiment which – 1--2-
verified gravitational redshift to a high degree of accuracy. v2 1
γ = 1 – ----2-  = ------------------
Instead of light sources they used gamma radiation emitted  c 
v2
from two cobalt–57 sources mounted vertically 22 m above 1 – ----2-
each other. The wavelength of the used gamma radiation c
emitted by the lower of the two sources was “redshifted”
with respect to the other source by an amount predicted then
by the General Theory.
Time dilation
Recently even more accurate experiments have been
OPTION

done with atomic clocks. In 1976 an atomic clock was ∆t = γ∆t0

placed in a rocket and sent to an altitude of 10,000 km.
The frequency at which this clock ran was then compared Length contraction
with the frequency of a clock an the Earth. The observed
L0
differences in frequency confirmed the gravitational L = -----
γ-
redshift predicted by the General Theory to an accuracy
of 0.02 %. Mass increase

m = γm0
Conclusion
Rest mass energy
The General Theory of Relativity is now accepted as
being the correct interpretation of gravity and as such the E0 = m0c2
correct model for our view of space and time. General
Relativity and Quantum Theory form the two great Total energy
theories upon which the whole of Physics rests. To date
all attempts to unify then into one complete theory have E = mc2
been unsuccessful.
Velocity transformation
ux – v
u′ x = -----------------
ux v
1 – --------
c2

476
 Relativity

Relativistic momentum GRAVITATIONAL TIME DILATION EQUATION

p = γm0 u
∆t0
∆t =
Total energy R
1 − rs
2 2
E = γm0 c = E k + m0 c

Energy-momentum equation Experimental evidence

2 2 2 2 4
E = p c + m0 c
Special Theory
velocity as a fraction of the speed of light

The Special Theory is well supported by experimental

1.0
0.9 evidence.
0.8
0.7
0.6 The invariance of the velocity of light in respect of source
0.5
0.4
and observer’s relative motion.
0.3
0.2
0.1
Measured mass increase of accelerated electrons.
0 1 2 3 4 5
γ function The arrival of muons at the surface of the earth and the
measurement of their respective half-lives gives evidence
Figure 1924 of time dilation.

The graph shows how the γ function varies with velocity Pair production gives evidence of the conservation of
and should be referred to in problems in order to verify mass-energy.
if a particular value of the γ function has been calculated
correctly. Nuclear binding energy and nuclear processes all verify
the conservation of mass-energy.

General Relativity

OPTION
General Theory
Postulates Except for some minor perturbations the orbits of the
planets are ellipses and the major axis of the elliptical orbit
I. Mach’s principle - Inertial and gravitational forces is fixed. However it was observed that the major axis of the
are indistinguishable. orbit of Mercury shifts its plane by some 5.75 seconds of
arc per century.
II. Four dimensional space-time is curved as a result
of the presence of mass. By considering the gravitational effects of all the other
planets on the orbit of Mercury, Newton’s theory accounted
III. Objects take the shortest path between two points for all but 43 seconds of arc of the precession of the major
in space-time. axis. However, the General Theory accounts for the entire
precession.

The Einstein Principle of Equivalence The apparent displacement of the measured position of
stars gives evidence of the bending of the path of a ray of
There is no way in which gravitational effects can be light by a gravitational field.
distinguished from inertial effects.
The Pound-Rebka experiment gives evidence of
The Gravitational redshift equation gravitational redshift.
∆f g ∆h
----- = ------2----
f c The existence of black holes gives further evidence of the
warping of space by the presence of matter.

477
 Chapter 19 (Option H)

6. Estimate how far you would have to push a ball of

Exercises 19.6 [miscellaneous] mass 2.0 kg with a force of 50 N until its mass was
4.0 kg?

In the following exercises should a particular value of γ be 7 If another beam of protons is accelerated at the
required then refer to the graph in Section 14.2.5. Relativity same time through the same potential difference
calculations are not really that difficult. In a sense once as in question 5, but in the opposite direction,
you have done one particular type of calculation you can calculate, after acceleration, the relative velocity of
then do any of that type. a proton in one beam with respect to a proton in
the other beam?
1 State the two postulates of the Special Theory of
Relativity and explain with the use of appropriate 8. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of electrons
diagrams how two events that are simultaneous to that have been accelerated through a potential
one observer need not necessarily be simultaneous difference of 1.8 × 105 V.
to another observer in a different reference frame.
9. Explain what is meant by Einstein’s principle of
2 Show that 1 atomic mass unit is equivalent to equivalence.
about 930 MeV.
10. Describe how Einstein’s description of the
3. An electron is moving at a constant velocity of gravitational attraction between two particles
0.90c with respect to a laboratory observer X. differs from that offered by Newton.

(a) Determine the mass of the electron as 11. Summarise the evidence that supports the General
measured by X? Theory of Relativity,
(b) Another observer Y is moving at a constant
velocity 0.50c with respect to X in a 12. γ-rays are emitted from a source placed in a
direction opposite to that of the electron in ground floor laboratory. They are measured to
X’s reference frame. Determine the mass of have a wavelength of 0.05 nm. If the source is
the electron has measured by Y moved to a laboratory on the top floor of the
building they are measured to have a frequency
4 Use the time dilation graph to find the γ function shift of 3.3 × 104 Hz. Estimate the height of the
OPTION

when v = 0.5c and 0.8c and hence calculate the building.

relativistic mass increase of an electron when
travelling at these speeds. 13. Use a spreadsheet to plot a graph that shows the
variation with distance r from a black hole of the
5 A proton is accelerated from rest through a time dilation ∆t of an event.
potential difference of 8.00 × 108 V. Calculate as
measured in the laboratory frame of reference
after acceleration the

i. proton mass.
ii. velocity of the proton.
iii. momentum of the proton (HL only).
iv. total energy of the proton (HL only).

478
 Medical Physics

medical physics
I.1

I.2

I.3
The ear and hearing

Medical imaging

Radiation in medicine
20

The outer ear consists of the pinna, the external auditory

I.1 the ear and canal and the ear-drum (tympanic membrane). Sound
waves reaching the ear are collected by the pinna – it has
hearing an important spatial focussing role in hearing. The sound
waves are directed down the external auditory canal that
is about 2.5 cm long and about 7 mm in diameter. It is
I.1.1 Describe the basic structure of the human ear. closed at one end by the ear drum (tympanic membrane)
that consists of a combination of radial and concentric
I.1.2 State and explain how sound pressure fibres about 0.1 mm thick with an area of about 60 mm2
variations in air are changed into larger that vibrate with a small amplitude. The ear canal is like a
pressure variations in the cochlear fluid. closed organ pipe as the canal is a shaped tube enclosing

OPTION
a resonating column of air that vibrates with an optimum
I.1.3 State the range of audible frequencies resonant frequency around 3 kHz. The ear-drum acts
experienced by a person with normal hearing. as an interface between the external and middle ear. As
sound travels down the ear canal, air pressure waves
I.1.4 State and explain that a change in observed from the sounds set up sympathetic vibrations in the taut
loudness is the response of the ear to a membrane of the ear and passes these vibrations onto the
change in intensity. middle ear structure.

I.1.5 State and explain that there is a logarithmic Stirrup

response of the ear to intensity. Anvil
Semicircular
Canals
© IBO 2007 Hammer Elliptical
window
Bone
I.1.1 Basic structure of the
human ear Auditory
Nerve
The human ear as shown in Figure 2001 consists of 3 sections: Auditory
canal
Cochlea
Tympanic
membrane
1. the external or outer ear
Eustachian
Pinna tube
2. the middle ear

3. the internal or inner ear Figure 2001  Typical human ear

479
 chaPter 20 (OPtiOn i)

The middle ear consists of a small ( around 6 cm3), irregular, window will be amplified, and this higher pressure
air-filled cavity in which, suspended by ligaments, are the will be able to put in motion the denser fluid
ossicles - a chain of three bones called the malleus, incus of the inner ear. This also matches the acoustic
and stapes, more commonly known as the hammer, anvil impedance between the inner ear and the outer
and stirrup. They act as a series of levers with a combined ear to a greater degree.
mechanical advantage of 1.3. Because of their combined
inertia as a result of the ossicle orientation, size and As well as the necessity for acoustic impedance matching,
attachments, they cannot vibrate at frequencies much the middle ear helps to protect the delicate inner ear
greater than 20 kHz. The malleus is attached to the inner cochlea from sudden increases in pressure intensities
wall of the tympanic membrane and the flat end of the through the linking of the middle ear to the back of the
stapes comes up against the oval window (a membrane throat by a tube called the eustachian tube. This tube,
called fenestra ovalis). which is usually shut, equalises the air pressure on each
side of the ear-drum. If the pressures were not equal,
the eardrum will not vibrate efficiently, and if there was
I.1.2 Pressure varIaTIONs IN aIr a sudden large change in pressure, the ear-drum or the
cochlea would rupture. The eustachian tube can be opened
aNd fluId by swallowing, yawning or chewing. We are all aware of
the relief this brings when we experience sudden changes
As the eardrum vibrates in step with air pressure waves in pressure such as in air flights.
of sound, the malleus vibrates also in sympathy with the
eardrum. The mechanical vibrations are then transmitted The inner ear is a complicated bony chamber filled with
by the incus and stapes to the oval membrane and then to fluid and embedded in the bone of the skull. It is divided
the fluid of the inner ear. Because the density of the air in into two parts:
the middle ear and the fluid of the inner ear are different,
they have to be matched in order to prevent excessive 1. The central part together with the semi-circular
reflection of sound energy. The term acoustic impedance canals (three fluid-filled canals) that are concerned
is used to describe the opposition of an elastic medium with maintaining balance and the detection of
to the passage of sound waves through it. Acoustic movement and the position of the body. They do
impedance is directly proportional to the density of a not contribute to the process of hearing.
medium. Because of the air-fluid density difference, we
say that the acoustic impedance between the middle ear 2. A spirally coiled, fluid-filled tube about 3 mm in
OPTION

and the inner ear has to be matched to avoid the loss of total diameter with a volume of 100 mm3 called
energy due to reflection. the cochlea. The cochlea is connected to the brain
by way of the auditory nerve.
Acoustic impedance matching is achieved in three ways:
The cochlea is the most delicate organ in the hearing
1. The round window membrane (fenestra rotunda) process and it contains many intricate structures that will
acts like a pressure release valve. When pressure not be fully investigated at this level. It consists of three
is exerted on the fluid in the inner ear, the round canals – two outer canals, the scala vestibuli (upper) and
window on command from the brain allows the the scala typani (middle), and a lower canal called the
bulk movement of the fluid of the inner ear to scala media as shown in Figure 2002.
occur. This reduces the effective impedance of the
fluid to a value closer to air.
Middle Bone
canal
Overlying
2. The ossicle lever system acts as a force magnifier. Auditory
shelf of tissue Sensory
neurons
If the mechanical advantage of the lever system is Upper
canal
nerve
Hair cells
about 1.3, then the magnification of the force on
the ear-drum to the force on the oval window is
also about 1.3. Lower
canal

Cross section
3. The cross-sectional area of the ear-drum (about through cochlear tube Organ of Corti Basilar membrane
To
auditory nerve

0.6 cm2) is approximately 20 times bigger than the

cross-sectional area of the oval window (about
0.03 cm2). Therefore, the pressure across the oval Figure 2002 A section of the cochlea.

480
 Medical Physics

The pressure wave from the oval window passes through The characteristics of a musical note are its pitch, its
a fluid called perilymph down the spiral of the scala loudness and its quality or timbre.
vestibuli (upper) to its end, and returns via the scala
typani (middle). The pressure variation is absorbed at The pitch is determined by the note’s frequency. This has
the return end by the round window membrane. The two already been defined as the number of vibrations that
chambers make up the helicotrema. Between these two occur in one second measured in Hz or s-1.
chambers is the membranous scala media that contains a
different fluid called endolymph. It is surrounded by the The quality or timbre of a note is very much determined
vestibular membrane (top) and the basilar membrane by the source or instrument producing the note. It
(bottom), and it terminates at the base of the cochlea. The is determined by both the frequency and the relative
scala media contains the sensors in which pressure waves amplitude of the note/s being produced. The timbre of
generate electrical signals that are carried to the brain via noise is poor because it consists of a random mixture
the auditory nerve due to a potential difference between of unrelated frequencies. The timbre of a violin is good
the two different fluids and the membrane between the because the notes produced are mixtures of fundamental
fluids. frequencies and harmonics.

The basilar membrane is embedded with about 20 000 non- Just as the resonance of two vibrating tuning forks mounted
cellular fibres. Located on the top of the basilar membrane in two “sound boards” is the selective reinforcement of the
are a set of hair cells that are suspended by fibres embedded natural frequency of vibration of the “sound boards”, so
in another membrane called the tectorial membrane. too the response of the ear to sound is essentially one of
These components make up the complex structure called resonance due to the vibrations of the sound matching the
the organ of Corti. Although not fully understood, it is natural frequencies of the vibration of parts of the ear. The
believed that when the basilar membrane moves, the hair- external auditory canal is like a closed pipe and exhibits
like fibres move back and forth and stimulate the hair cells slight resonance at approximately 3000 Hz. The middle ear
of the organ of Corti to initiate neural impulses. displays a slight but broad resonance between about 700
Hz and 1400 Hz, and is greatest at about 1200 Hz. The
This can be dealt with in terms of the different areas of the cochlea of the inner ear displays excellent transmission
eardrum and oval window, together with the lever action of between about 600 Hz and 6000 Hz.
the ossicles. Although the concept of impedance matching
is not formally required, students should appreciate
that, without a mechanism for pressure transformation I.1.4,5 Observed loudness and the

OPTION
between media of different densities (air and fluid), most
sound would be reflected, rather than transmitted into the logarithmic response of the
cochlear fluid.
ear to intensity frequency

I.1.3 Range of audible response

frequencies for humans The human perception of loudness at different frequencies

is not constant and varies considerably over the audible
The range of frequency audible to the human ear varies frequency range as shown in the intensity-logarithmic
considerably from individual to individual, but the average frequency diagram of Figure 2004. A logarithmic scale for
range is from 20–20 000 Hz or 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The upper frequency is preferred so that the wide range of audible
limit but it is around 20 kHz for a young, normal individual frequencies can be examined on the same graph.
but it decreases with age.

Sound waves below 20 Hz are termed subsonic or infra-

sonic. Below this frequency, sounds waves in the cochlea
merely move the perilymph fluid in the helicotrema but
they do not disturb the basilar membrane and the fibres
of the organ of Corti. Sound waves of frequencies greater
than 20 kHz are called ultrasonic and the characteristics
of ultrasound will be examined later this chapter in the
section concerning medical imaging.

481
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

basilar membrane. Depending on the frequency of the

stimulation to the oval membrane, the travelling wave
102 140 will produce a maximum amplitude at some well-defined
Sound Intensity / W m–2

100 120 jet taking off

point along the length of the basilar membrane:

Intensity level / dB
10–2 100
thunder
10–4 80 1. low frequencies produce an amplitude peak far
shouting
10–6 60 from the oval window and the hair fibres already
10–8 40 quiet talking mentioned are actually longer. Therefore, there
10–10 20 is a greater membrane mass found here, and the
whispers
10–12 0 amount of perilymph set in vibration is large.
10 100 1000 10 000
Frequency / Hz 2. high frequencies produce amplitude peaks
close to the oval window and the hair fibres are
Figure 2004  Frequency range of the average ear shorter and thinner. Therefore, there is a smaller
membrane mass found here, and the amount of
The minimum detectable intensity for a given frequency perilymph set in vibration is smaller.
is called the threshold intensity of hearing and it is the
envelope of the curve in the above diagram. For example, 3. Medium frequencies produce an amplitude peak
the threshold of hearing between 2-3 kHz is 10-12 Wm‑2 around 2000 Hz and the hair fibres have a length
and at 90 Hz, the threshold of hearing is about 10-8 Wm‑2. and thickness in between cases 1 and 2.
From the graph, we can see that the intensity level of the
sound increases as the range of frequencies that can be Therefore, the cochlea can distinguish between different
detected increases, up to a maximum intensity level of 100 frequencies due to the complex fibres and hair cells and
dB where the audio range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz is reached. there are corresponding neurones along the length for each
The ear is most sensitive to sounds at a frequency around frequency. The specific neural impulses can then travel
3 kHz. This is no accident as the the cochlear tube length along the auditory nerve to the brain. The travelling waves
is 2.5 cm and it acts like a closed pipe with a standing wave produced are not standing waves because the travelling
of ¼ λ. ( this is approximate because it is more a travelling wave will lose energy as it moves along the length of the
wave due to changing speed and wavelength). This would basilar membrane and it will as such have a changing
give us λ = 10cm. If the speed of sound is 330 ms-1, then velocity and wavelength.
the frequency would equal 3000 Hz. Why do you think
OPTION

alarms and the human scream are around 3000 Hz?

Loudness
At the normal conversation level of 60 dB, the approximate
frequency range is between 50 Hz and 14 kHz. The audible The loudness of a note is a subjective quantity. It is not a
frequency range for the different intensity levels is shown measure of intensity level. Although loudness takes into
by the threshold of hearing envelope in the diagram. account the logarithmic measure of the ear’s response to
intensity dB, it does not take into account the hearing of
The ability of the ear to distinguish different frequencies the listener or the frequency response of the listener’s ear
is called frequency discrimination. At frequencies below to different frequencies. Therefore, loudness is determined
50Hz, it is hard for the ear to discriminate the individual by the intensity and the frequency of a sound. Loudness is
pitch. From 60Hz to 1000Hz, a pitch differing by 2–3Hz measured in phons. A change in the observed loudness of
can be discriminated when listened to separately. Above a sound is the response of the ear to a change in intensity.
1000Hz, the ability to discriminate close frequencies
decreases by about 2Hz per 1000Hz. Above this value, Just as an audible frequency is dependent on the sound
frequency discrimination is acute. level intensity, so too is loudness intensity. However, it
is also dependent on the energy transfer mechanisms
The ability to discriminate frequencies is controlled by of the ear. The basilar membrane and the hair cells are
the cochlea. Refer to Figures 2001 and 2002 again. As the affected, and as the sound intensity is increased the nerve
foot of the stirrup ossicle pushes inward onto the oval fibres become more stimulated and this creates a greater
membrane, a pressure wave is produced in the perilymph impulse frequency to the brain. The brain registers this as
fluid. The basilar membrane is forced to bulge towards an increase in loudness. A graph of loudness perception is
the round window, and this in turn bulges outwards. The shown in Figure 2005. Equal changes in sound intensity
elastic tension causes a travelling wave to move along the are not perceived as equal changes in loudness.

482
 Medical Physics

I.1.6 Define intensity and also intensity level (IL).

102
Sound Intensity / W m–2

120 phon I.1.7 State the approximate magnitude of

100
80 phon the intensity level at which discomfort
10–2
is experienced by a person with normal
10–4 hearing.
40 phon
10–6
10–8 I.1.8 Solve problems involving intensity levels.
20 phon
10–10 I.1.9 Describe the effects on hearing of short-
10–12
0 phon term and long-term exposure to noise.

10 100 1000 10 000 I.1.10 Analyse and give a simple interpretation

Frequency / Hz of graphs where IL is plotted against the
logarithm of frequency for normal and for
Figure 2005  Curves of equal loudness defective hearing.
© IBO 2007
perception for the human ear

Each curve is of equal loudness perception and is measured I.1.6 Sound intensity and
in units called phons. The relationship between sound
intensity and loudness is logarithmic. A hundredfold intensity level
increase in intensity is perceived to be a twentyfold
increase in loudness. So a ten times increase in intensity The ear and the brain in combination produce a very
would raise the loudness by a factor of two. sensitive instrument that can detect properties such as pitch
and loudness. Pitch is a measure of frequency. Loudness is
It can be shown that: a measure of the power carried in a longitudinal sound
wave. Sound waves travel in a three-dimensional medium
Loudness increase α the intensity increase / initial intensity such as air (gas) or bone (solid) but these travelling sound
waves form two-dimensional fronts that are perpendicular
k dI
i.e. dL = to the direction of the wave propagation. Therefore, it is
I

OPTION
more appropriate to define the transport of sound energy
If we integate this expression we get L = k ln I + C where as the average power per unit area rather than as the
C is a constant. total power in the wave because of the two-dimensional
wavefronts that are detected in the air-brain combination.
When I = Io, L = 0. Therefore,
The average power per unit area of a sound wave that is
C = -k ln Io incident perpendicular to the direction of propagation is
called the sound intensity. The units of sound intensity
So ΔL = k ln I - -k ln Io are watts per square metre, W m -2.
P av
= k ln (I / I0)
I = --------
A
As the sound intensity spreads out from its source, the
This is further evidence of the logarithmic reponse to a intensity I is reduced as the inverse square of the distance
change in intensity. d from the source. Therefore,
1
I ∝ -----
d2
For example, doubling the distance from a sound source
would cause the sound intensity to become one-quarter
that at the original distance.

483
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

In a sound wave, the medium particles such as air

molecules, vibrate in simple harmonic motion parallel I.1.7 Intensity levels and the
to the direction of wave propagation. Just as the energy
in simple harmonic motion is proportional to the square pain threshold
of the amplitude (A) and the square of the frequency, so
too sound intensity is directly proportional to the square Figure 2003 shows the intensity levels of some recognisable
of the amplitude and the square of the frequency of the sounds.
particle vibrations.
Sound Intensity --I-- Decibels Description
I ∝ A2 W m-2 I0 dB
Just detectable 10-12 100 0 Hearing
The ear-brain combination can accommodate a range of threshold
sound intensities. The just detectable sound intensity known Whisper 10-10 102 20
as the threshold of hearing I0 is taken to be 10-12 W m -2. The Library 109 103 30 Very quiet
sound intensity that produces a sensation of pain called Normal office 107
10 505
Quiet
the pain threshold is taken to be 1 W m-2. Normal 106 106 60
conversation (2m)
A sound wave can also be considered as a pressure wave Machine shop 102 1010 100 Constant
because the particle vibrations cause harmonic variations exposure
in the density of the medium. The pressure variations impairs
corresponding to the hearing threshold and the pain hearing
threshold are 3 × 10–5 Pa to 30 Pa repectively superimposed Rock concert 100 1012 120 Pain
on atmospheric pressure of about 101 kPa. threshold
Overhead thunder 101 1013 130
Because of the extreme range of sound intensities to which Nearby jet take-off 103 1015 150
the ear is sensitive - a factor of 1012 - (curiously about the
same factor as the range of light intensities detectable by Figure 2003  Intensity levels of some common sounds.
the human eye), and because loudness (a very subjective
quantity) varies with intensity in a non-linear manner, a At very high dB levels, a number of physiological effects
logarithmic scale is used to describe the intensity level of a have been noticed. Above 130 dB, nausea, vomiting and
sound wave. The intensity level of sound, IL, is defined as: dizziness can occur. Noise greater than 140 dB can cause
OPTION

b = log  ---I- temporary deafness. Noise around 190 dB can cause major
10 I 0 permanent damage to the ear in a short time.
where I is the intensity corresponding to the level b and I0
is the threshold intensity or threshold of hearing taken as
10-12 W m-2. b is measured in bels B, named after Alexander I.1.8 Problems - sound intensity
Graham Bell, one of the inventors of the telephone.
Because the bel is a large unit, it is more convenient to use and intensity level
the decibel dB (one-tenth of a bel).
b = 10 log  --I-- dB
10 I 0 Example 1
Using this scale, the threshold of hearing is:
I 
b = 10 log  ---0- = 10 log e 1 = 0 dB The sound intensity at a distance of 20 m from a fire alarm
10  I 0 is 5.0 × 10–3 W m–2. Calculate the sound intensity at a
The pain threshold is: distance of 50 m.
0
b = 10 log  ---10
--- ---- = 10 log 10 10 12 = 120 dB
---
10  10 – 12 

484
 Medical Physics

Solution I.1.9 Short-term and long-term

exposure to noise
1
Given that I ∝ ----2- ⇒ Id 2 = k (a constant).
d As already mentioned, the decibel is a logarithmic scale
Therefore, whose sound intensity level is given by:
I
2
I1 d 1 = I 2 d 2 .
2 b = 10 log  ----
10 I 0

So that (5.0 × 10–3 W m–2) (20 m)2 = I2 × (50 m)2 Physically, every 6 dB increase corresponds to a doubling
( 5.0 × 10 –3 W m–2 ) ( 20 m ) 2 of the sound pressure level. For our perception, every
∴I2 = -------------------------------------------2--------------------------- 10 dB increase sounds to twice as loud.
( 50 m )
= 8.0 × 10 –4 W m –2 For adults (subjects) there are established ranges of the
sound intensity level of the degree of a hearing loss at each
Example 2 frequency interval as shown in Figure 2006.

120
Calculate the sound intensity level in dB of a sound from a Loud 110 Profound deafness
loudspeaker with a sound intensity of 8.0 × 10-4 W m-2 100
90
80 Severe hearing loss

Intensity level /dB

Solution 70 Moderately sever e hearing loss
60
Moderate hearing loss
50
I 40
b = 10 log  ---- dB Mild hearing loss
10 I 0 30
20
Normal hearing
8.0 × 10 –4 W m–2 10
= 10 log  -------------------------------------------- dB Soft
10 10 –12 W m–2 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Frequency (logarithmic scale) / Hz
= 89 dB

OPTION
Low pitch High pitch

example 3 Figure 2006  Degrees of hearing on an audiogram

These ranges are:

A sound level meter placed near a circular saw registers a
value of 92 dB. What is the intensity in W m–2 corresponding 10 dB to 20 dB (normal hearing)
to this intensity level.
21 dB to 45 dB (mild hearing loss)

Solution The subject will have difficulty hearing soft speech or

normal conversations but would manage fine if the speech
is clear. Mild hearing loss in the high frequencies in both
We have that: ears suggests noise damage. The subject would miss some
I
b = 10 log  ---- dB consonant sounds such as s’s, z’s, th’s, v’s, even under
10 I 0 perfect listening conditions. Under noisy conditions, the
I W m –2 subject would experience more difficulty with hearing
∴92 = 10 log  --------------------------------- dB
10  10 –12 W m– 2 these sounds. The subject does not need a hearing aid, but
9.2 = log ( I × 10 12 ) should protect their remaining hearing by avoiding loud
10 noise and using effective ear protection.
⇔ 10 9.2 = I × 10 12
∴I = 10 9.2 × 10 –12 46 dB to 60 dB (moderate hearing loss)
= 1.6 × 10 –3 W m–2

485
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

The subject will experience difficulty with multi Otosclerosis is a condition found in adults in which the
conversations especially if there is background noise. stapes bone begins to grow a spongy mass that prevents
Much of the loudness of speech will be lost and there it from vibrating correctly in the oval window. Surgery
will be confusion amongst heard words due to the can sometimes improve the hearing loss. A heavy blow to
misinterpretation of consonant sounds. The volume for the auricle bone or the head can cause perforations in the
TV and radio would need to be increased. A hearing aid eardrum or damage to any of the ossicles. The conductive
would help provided that the speech discrimination was mechanism is disrupted and there may be no surgical
good and the background noise is minimised. solution.

61 dB to 75 dB (moderately severe hearing loss)

inner ear disorders
This is a common result amongst the old due to the effects
of an ageing inner ear. The subject has moderately severe A sensory hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear
hearing loss in both ears usually in the higher frequencies without damage or abnormality of the outer and/or middle
meaning that it would be hard to distinguish one word ear. In most cases, sensory hearing losses are irreversible
from another. A hearing aid is needed to amplify soft through surgical intervention. Cochlear implants are a
sounds considerably, moderate sounds a little and loud possible solution in some cases. Most sensory hearing
sounds not at all but the aid must also leave the low losses are of a hereditary or congenital nature but post-
frequencies unchanged. birth acquired sensory hearing loss can also occur.

76 dB to 90 dB (severe hearing loss) Hereditary hearing loss is due to the genetic make-up of
the subject. The cochlea and its associated neural functions
Normal conversational speech is inaudible. A hearing aid or the auditory nerve can be impaired by the genetic
will only help a little. The subject is likely to lip-read. make- up in association with other degenerative diseases
of the nervous system, albinism or metabolic disorders.
91 dB (profound hearing loss) Congenital hearing loss is due to a condition occurring
during pregnancy and foetal formation. It may be caused
It is unlikely that a hearing aid will help. Hearing losses by maternal rubella, the breakdown of red blood cells
can be conductive, sensory or neural. causing neonatal jaundice, birth injury, drug ingestion or
degrees of prematurity to name but a few.
A conductive hearing loss occurs due to an abnormality
OPTION

in the outer and/or middle ears, and as a result, the sound Post-birth acquired sensory hearing loss results from
energy cannot be conducted to the inner ear and then to trauma, disease or toxic agents that damage the structures
the brain as it should be. of the inner ear. It can occur in infants, children and adults.
Noise-induced sensory hearing loss can permanently
damage the hair cells of the inner ear and prevent proper
Outer ear disorders stimulation of incoming sound signals. Many common
drugs including antibiotics, aspirin and quinine if taken
These are often due to obstruction of the ear canal due in large amounts can damage the structures of the cochlea
to either an accumulation of wax or growths in the bony and the semi-circular canals. The measles and mumps
external ear that prevent sound energy from reaching the viruses are well known to cause sensory hearing loss.
eardrum. Furthermore, bacterial or fungal infections can Some statistical analyses suggest that sensory losses due to
cause swelling that obstructs the pathway of the external degenerative changes associated with aging will affect 30%
auditory canal. One form of this is called swimmer’s ear. of people in the 65–70 age category.
In most cases, conductive hearing loss can be treated
medically or surgically. A neural hearing loss is when the outer, middle and inner
ear are functioning normally but there is an abnormality
or growth of tissue on the auditory nerves. Common
Middle ear disorders problems are loss of hearing to one ear, ringing in the ear
(tinnitus) and balance problems. Degenerative diseases
A common complaint called ‘fluid in the ear’ arises when caused by multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or
the eustachian tube is unable to drain fluid to the throat. traumas due to a stroke or brainstem and brain injury
It can be caused by allergies or infections in the throat and cause damage to the auditory structure.
it causes severe earaches. It is quite common in children.

486
 Medical Physics

It is not only the degree of hearing loss but also the range using a vibrating tuning fork placed on the mastoid bone
of audible sounds that affects a hearing- impaired person, behind the ear (bone conduction). Once the audiologist
and this selective frequency loss can lead to a loss of speech does this initial test, the subject is asked to sit in an acoustic
discrimination. Not only is the volume or quantity of sound booth and listen to a number of pure tones (pure tone
affected but also the quality of the sound can be distorted. audiometry), and indicate when the tones can be heard. The
The lack of discrimination can be measured using speech tones are reduced in intensity until they can just be heard.
discrimination scores that the audiologist then shades onto The hearing threshold is then marked on an audiogram.
an audiogram. A speech discrimination score is shown by
the shading on the audiogram in Figure 2007. For air conduction, hearing is measured with pure tones
through a set of headphones placed on the ears. The
100 subject is asked to push a button when they hear certain
frequencies. This is known as the air threshold method as
90 sound must travel through the air of the ear canal, through
the middle ear, and through the inner ear cochlea.
80
70 When the sensitivity of the inner ear needs to be directly
measured, the bone conduction method is used. This
60
Intensity / dB

method allows for the outer ear and the middle ear to be
50 OO bypassed. A vibrator is placed on the mastoid bone behind
Vowel sounds the ear, and this is held in place by a small metal band
40 stretching over the top of the head. This method transmits
EE Consonant
30 sounds sound by direct vibration of the bone and these vibrations
are carried by the skull bones, tissues and fluids directly to
20 the cochlea in the inner ear.
Th
10
The standard audiogram reads

Frequency (logarithmic scale) / Hz 1. the frequency in hertz from the lowest to the
highest pitch within an audible hearing range of
Figure 2007  An audiogram the average person on the horizontal axis.

OPTION
Generally, vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u) are recognised at The range used is 125 Hz or 250 Hz on the left side and
frequencies lower than 1000 Hz, and consonant sounds 8000 Hz on the right side. The scale is based upon octave
(s, z, th, v), are found above this frequency. Speech intervals of a particular note like on a piano keyboard.
discrimination can greatly affect the quality of sound. For Lows are to the left of 1750 Hz and highs are to the right of
example, missing many consonants would mean that the this imaginary vertical line.
subject may experience difficulty distinguishing one word
from another. 2. the loudness (intensity) in decibels is on the
vertical axis and from –10 dB to 0 dB at the
bottom, and 110 dB at the top.
I.1.10 Hearing tests and
0 dB does not mean the recognition of no sound but
audiograms rather it is the softest sound that a person will hear 50%
of the time. Normal hearing is in the 0 to 20 dB range at
The science of hearing is called audiology. Audiometry all frequencies. Soft sounds are below 35 dB, moderate
is the measurement of hearing for various frequencies of sounds are then from 35 dB to 70 dB, and loud sounds are
sound, particularly of impaired hearing. An audiogram is above 70 dB.
a graph of a person’s hearing ability and is a measure of the
softest sound that a person hears at least 50% of the time. 3.  represents the left ear and  represents the
right ear in air threshold hearing curves detected
Hearing tests are carried out by audiologists and the using headphones. If the bone-conduction
tests begin with an initial recognition of the problem in vibrator technique is used to determine the
the surgery with the use of pure sounds from beeps and threshold, a > is used for the left ear, and a < is
whistles being made in each ear (air conduction) or by used for the right ear.

487
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

A typical audiogram is illustrated in Figure 2008 for a (b) For each of the parts listed below, label
normal hearing range - all requencies are in the 0 – 20 there position on the diagram, and explain
dB band. If all the  and  readings fall above the 20 dB their function:
line then you have normal hearing. If anything is below (i) ear drum
this line, then you have a hearing loss. Sometimes, a (ii) ossicles
frequency interval showing a 3000 Hz and 6000Hz line is (iii) semi-circular canals
included making the audiogram longer by two intervals. (c) If there was no mechanism for pressure
Figure 2008 shows a normal audiogram obtained using transformation between the media (air,
the air or bone conduction method. bones and fluids) of the ear what would
happen to most of the sound entering the
ear?
100
(d) Label the cochlea, Using arrows, show the
90
approximate position within the cochlea
intensity level /dB

80
70 where high frequency and low frequency
60 sounds are processed to produce neural
50 impulses.
40 (e) Label the remaining arrows that are given
30 in the figure.
20
10 2. Which of the following are good estimates of the
250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 appropriate sound intensity level for some sounds?
frequency (logarithmic scale) / Hz
A. normal speech 60 dB
Figure 2008  A normal audiogram B. the hearing threshold 100 dB
C. thunder 60 dB
A comparison of the air and bone hearing curves can D. the pain threshold 120 dB
determine whether the hearing defect is conductive (when E. a noisy factory 100 dB
the air conduction curve shows a hearing loss but the bone
conduction curve is normal), sensorineural (when the air 3. Calculate the intensity level in dB of a sound
conduction and bone conduction curves show the same having an intensity of magnitude 1.0 × 10-5 W m-2.
amount of hearing loss), or a combination of both.
OPTION

4. By how many dB does a sound level increase if its

intensity is trebled?
Exercises I.1
5. A circular saw and a grinder when operated
alone produce sound levels of 90 dB and 70 dB
1. The figure below shows a cross-section of the respectively. Calculate the sound level intensity
human ear. when both machines are operated together.

6. The intensity of sound 30 m from a busy street

is 1.0 × 10-4 W m-2. Calculate the intensity at a
distance of 120m from the street?

7. Distinguish the difference between the terms

sound intensity and sound intensity level as applied
to sound and hearing.

8. The sound intensity at a distance of 20m from a

fire alarm is 5.0 × 10-3 Wm-2. Calculate the sound
intensity at a distance of 40 m.

(a) Draw 3 vertical lines to differentiate

between the outer, middle and inner ear.

488
 Medical Physics

9. Calculate the intensity level in dB of a sound (b) If the cross-sectional area of the eardrum
from a loudspeaker with a sound intensity of is 60 mm2 and the cross-sectional area of
7.0 × 10‑4 Wm-2. the oval window is 3.0 mm2, calculate the
pressure amplification of the oval window.
10. A sound level meter placed near a circular saw
registers a value of 96 dB. Determine the intensity 14. Give an interpretation of the audiogram below.
in Wm-2 corresponding to this intensity level.
110
11. State how many dB does a sound level increase if 100
its intensity is doubled? 90
80

Intensity level /dB

12. The figure below shows how the typical threshold of 70
60
hearing varies with frequency for the average ear.
50
40
pain 30
140 20
120 discomfort 10
Intensity level / dB

100 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

Frequency (logarithmic scale) / Hz
80
60 (a) Outline how the data for this audiogram
was obtained from the patient.
40
(b) Describe a possible interpretation of the
20 audiogram in terms of the possible cause of
0 the hearing disorder.
(c) Determine the sound intensity in Wm-2 that
10 100 1000 10 000 is just audible at a frequency of 1000Hz.
Frequency / Hz (d) Would a hearing aid help the patient?
Explain your answer.
Use the graph to find
15. State the approximate frequency range of spoken

OPTION
(a) the frequency range over which a sound of word?
intensity 10-6 Wm-2 can just be heard.
(b) the frequency at which the ear is most
sensitive.
(c) how much less intense a sound of 250 Hz
must be than a sound of 10 000 Hz if it is to
be just heard.

13. The figure below shows a schematic diagram of the

ossicles positioned as levers between the eardrum
and the oval window.
pivot

oval window 2
--- l
3 l
A2
F2 A1
F1 ear drum

inner ear middle ear outer ear

(a) With reference to the diagram, explain how

pressure amplification to the inner ear occurs.

489
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

I.2 medical imaging

Electrons are released from the tungsten filament by
I.2.1 Define the terms attenuation coefficient and thermionic emission. Because the large number of electrons
half-value thickness. released experience forces of repulsion, the electron stream
tends to spread out. To prevent this spreading out so that a
I.2.2 Derive the relation between attenuation small area of the anode target material is bombarded, the
coefficient and half-value thickness. cathode-focusing cup produces electrical forces that cause
the electron stream to converge onto the anode target at a
I.2.3 Solve problems using the equation focal spot. Most of the energy of the electrons is converted
I = I0 e–µx. to heat in this collision due to their sudden deceleration
with less than 1% being converted to X-radiation. Because
I.2.4 Describe X-ray detection, recording and large amounts of heat are produced at the focal spot of the
display techniques. electron beam, the tungsten disc anode is made to rotate
using an induction motor so that the heat loading on any
I.2.5 Explain standard X-ray imaging techniques particular point on the disc is reduced.
used in medicine.

I.2.6 Outline the principles of computed I.2.1–I.2.2 X-Ray attenuation

tomography (CT).
© IBO 2007
coefficient and half-value

Introduction thickness

In Chapter 18 Option G , the production of X‑rays and The attenuation of an X-ray beam is the reduction in its
their nature in terms of bremsstrahlung radiation intensity due to its passage through matter. When a beam
(continuous spectrum) and characteristic line spectrum of X‑rays passes through a material such as the soft tissue
were discussed, and you might want to look at this section of the body or bone, some of the X‑rays will be absorbed.
as back-up material.
There are four attenuation mechanisms where energy can
OPTION

There are a number of X-ray tubes used for medical be lost due to absorption in matter:
purposes. The tubes can be classified as either diagnostic
(medical imaging) or therapeutic (radiation therapy). 1. simple coherent scattering
We will concentrate in this section on diagnostic details
because we are interested in medical imaging at the 2. the photoelectric effect
moment. Most diagnostic X-ray machines use a rotating
anode X-ray tube as shown in Figure 2012. 3. Compton scattering

Released electrons Motor windings 4. pair production.

Lead–lined steel Tungsten anode
compartment
Filament Rotor

low Energy X–ray photon high Energy X–ray photon

low Energy X–ray photon
annihilation photon

positron
Vacuum tube electron
recoil electron
( b) electron ( c) ( d)
(a)

– V + X–ray photon light photon very high Energy

X-rays X–ray photon

Figure 2012  Rotating-anode X-ray tube. Figure 2013  The mechanisms of attenuation

Electrons with a very high potential difference (typically Simple coherent scattering (see Figure 2013(a)) occurs
around 15 000V in hospital machines) are accelerated when the energy of the incoming X-ray photon is smaller
between the cathode and the anode. A focusing cup usually than the energy required to remove inner-shell electrons
made of molybdenum contains a tungsten filament. from an atom. When the incident X-ray photon interacts

490
 Medical Physics

with an atom, it is scattered in a new direction without a A beam of homogeneous, monoenergetic X‑rays contains
loss of energy. It is the dominant mechanism in soft tissue photons of only one energy and thus only one wavelength.
in the 1-30 keV range. When a beam of monoenergetic X‑rays of intensity I0 passes
through a medium with a thickness x, the attenuation or
In the photoelectric effect mechanism (see Figure 2013(b)), fractional reduction in intensity I is given by:
the incoming X-ray photon has an energy greater than
the energy required to remove inner-shell electrons, and I = I0 e –µx
photoelectrons and positive ions are produced. As other
electrons in the atom fill the vacant spots of the ejected where μ = the constant of proportionality called the
photoelectrons, characteristic lower-energy photon emission linear attenuation coefficient. Its value depends on the
occurs. It is the dominant mechanism in soft tissue in X-ray energy concerned and the nature of the absorbing
the 1-100 keV range. The optimum photon energy for material. It has units m-1.
diagnostic radiography is around 30 000 kV where the
photoelectric effect predominates because this gives the The intensity of the monoenergetic beam decreases
maximum contrast between body tissues and bones. exponentially with absorber thickness. The value of the
attenuation coefficient increases as the X-ray energy
Compton scattering (see Figure 2013 (c)) occurs when decreases and higher absorption results. Figure 2014
the X-ray photon ejects outer-shell recoil electrons and shows a small thickness of lead absorbing X‑rays.
the X-ray photon moves off in a different direction with Io lead lead
Io
a slightly lower energy. It is the dominant mechanism in

Intensity
Intensity
soft tissue in the 0.5-5 MeV range. High energy X-ray
photons can produce electron-positron pairs. It is the
x / nm x / nm
dominant mechanism in soft tissue above 5 MeV. The Soft X–rays Hard X–rays
Compton scatter is used in therapeutic radiology where
higher energies are preferred. When matter (such as an Figure 2014  Attenuation in a slab of lead.
electron) collides with its corresponding antimatter
(such as a positron), both particles are annihilated, and 2 The most penetrating radiation with short wavelengths
gamma rays with the same energy but with a direction at (~ 0.01 nm) are termed hard X‑rays. Very little absorption
180 degrees to each other are produced. The direction of occurs when they pass through the lead slab. Long
the gamma rays produced is in accordance with the law wavelength (~1 nm) X‑rays are easily absorbed by the
of conservation of momentum and the electron- positron lead slab and these are called soft X‑rays. They are less

OPTION
annihilation gives energy equal to E = mc2 (0.51 MeV penetrating and more absorbing than hard X‑rays.
each). This is depicted in Figure 2013(d).
The quality (penetrating power) of a monoenergetic beam
The attenuation (reduction in intensity) of X‑rays occurs of X‑rays can be described in terms of the half-value
in two ways: thickness (HVT) in a given material.

1. the intensity of the X-ray beam may decrease with The half-value thickness is the thickness of a material that
distance from the source (tungsten target) as they reduces the intensity of a monoenergetic X-ray beam to
diverge or spread out in spherical wavefronts. half its original value.

2. the intensity of the X-ray beam decreases as the Figure 2015 shows the exponential decay of attenuation
X-ray photons are scattered or absorbed by a and the corresponding half-value thickness of an absorbing
material. material.

The radiation emitted by an X-ray tube is heterogeneous 100

because it is made up of photons with a range of energies.

% transmission

The filters already mentioned filter out the low energy

50
photons to improve the X-ray quality. These photons would I
---- = e–μx
Io
only be absorbed by the skin or surface tissue of a person
being X-rayed, and one aim is to minimise any excess
half–value
radiation dose because of the invasive characteristics of X- thickness
Thickness of absorber,x / m

radiation.
Figure 2015  The exponential decay of attenuation

491
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Since the half-value thickness is the thickness of a material

that reduces the intensity of a monoenergetic X-ray beam I.2.3 Problems on X-Ray
to half its original value, then at this instance:
attenuation coefficient
1
If x = x1 ⁄ 2 then I = --- I0 .
2
and half-value thickness
Using I = I0 e –µx , we have:
1 I = I e –µx1 ⁄ 2 ⇔ 1 = e –µx1 ⁄ 2 ⇔ ln ( 0.5 ) = –µx
-- 0 0 --- 1 ⁄2 Example 1
2 2

⇔ – ln ( 0.5 ) = µx1 ⁄ 2
The half-value thickness of a 30 keV X-ray photon in
⇔ 0.6931 = µx1 ⁄ 2 aluminium is 2.4 mm. If the initial intensity of the X-ray
beam is 4.0 × 102 kW m–2.
That is,
(a) What is the intensity after passing through 9.6 mm
0.6931 of aluminium?
x1 ⁄ 2 = ---------------
µ
(b) Calculate the linear attenuation coefficient of the
We can also determine a value for the linear attenuation aluminium.
coefficient for a monoenergetic beam by plotting a graph
of ln I against × because: (c) What is the intensity of the beam after passing
through 1.5 mm of aluminium?
I = I0 e-μx. Take loge of both sides.

ln I = ln I0 + ln­e e-μx Solution

ln I = - μx + ln I0
(a) Intensity after passing through 2.4 mm would be
ln I half the initial intensity.
y - intercept = lnI0
OPTION

Intensity after passing through 4.8 mm would be a

quarter of the initial intensity.

Intensity after passing through 7.2 mm would be an

eighth of the initial intensity.
Gradient = - μ
Intensity after passing through 9.6 mm would be
one-sixteenth of the initial intensity

New intensity = 1/16 (4.0 × 102 kWm-2) = 25 kWm-2

0.6931 0.6931
(b) x1 ⁄ 2 = 0.6931
---------------- ⇔ µ = ---------------- = --------------- =
µ x1 ⁄ 2 2.4
thickness x 0.29

Figure 2016  The linear attenuation coefficient for a Therefore, the linear attenuation coefficient is
monoenergetic beam 0.29 mm-1 or 2.9 × 102 m-1. Be careful of the units
here because if the value is 0.29 per mm then it is
From Figure 2016 we can see that the gradient of the 290 per m.
straight line is equal to -μ and the y-intercept is equal to
lnI0. (c) I = I 0 e – µx = 4.0 × 10 5 × e –( 290 × 0.0015 ) = 2.59 × 105

The intensity is 2.59 × 102 kW m-2.

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 Medical Physics

(c) The attenuation (reduction in intensity) of X‑rays

Example 2 occurs in two ways:

1. the intensity of the X-ray beam may decrease

(a) What is meant by the term attenuation when with distance from the source (tungsten
referring to X‑rays? target) as they diverge or spread out in
spherical wavefronts.
(b) Name two mechanisms responsible for the 2. the intensity of the X-ray beam decreases as
attenuation of X‑rays by matter. the X-ray photons are scattered or absorbed
by a material.
(c) Name two ways in which the attenuation of X‑rays
occur. (d) A beam of homogenous, monoenergetic X‑rays
contains photons of only of one energy and thus only
(d) Define the term attenuation coefficient. one wavelength. When a beam of monoenergetic
X‑rays of intensity I0 passes through a medium
(e) State the two factors upon which the value of the with a thickness x, the attenuation or fractional
attenuation constant depends. reduction in intensity I is given by :

(f) The transmission of X‑rays by matter can depend I = I0 e – µx

upon the thickness of the material in the path of
the X‑rays. Where µ = the constant of proportionality called the
linear attenuation coefficient. It has units m-1.
(i) Sketch a graph of percentage transmission
versus the thickness of the absorbing (e) Its value depends on the energy of the X-ray
material. photons and the nature of the absorbing material.
(ii) By using your graph, explain the meaning
of the term half-value thickness. (f) (i) See the graph below which shows the expo-
nential attenuation by an absorbing material.

Solution 100

OPTION
% transmission

(a) The attenuation of an X-ray beam is the reduction

in its intensity due to its passage through matter. 50 I
---- = e–μx
(When a beam of X‑rays passes through a material Io
such as the soft tissue of the body or bone, some of
the X‑rays will be absorbed).
half–value Thickness of absorber,x / m
thickness
(b) There are four attenuation mechanisms where
energy can be lost due to absorption in matter: (ii) The quality (penetrating power) of a
monoenergetic beam of X‑rays can be
1. simple coherent scattering described in terms of the half-value thickness
2. the photoelectric effect HVT in a given material. The half-value
3. Compton scattering thickness is the thickness of a material that
4. pair production reduces the intensity of a monoenergetic X-
ray beam to half its original value.

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 Chapter 20 (Option I)

I.2.4 X-Ray detection, recording X– rays from patient

plastic front
and display techniques front
intensifying double sided film
screen
felt pad
Figure 2018 (a) shows the components of the process of a metal back
patient being X-rayed to produce a radiographic image on
a photographic plate. Figure 2018 (c)  Image intensifying screen

The standard X-ray machine used in radiography can

X–ray tube produce images of some of the internal organs of the
body and bones. Air pockets, fat and soft tissues can be
lead collimators differentiated from each other because they can attenuate
the X-ray beam in different ways. Bones produce a white
scattered X–rays image because they contain heavier body elements such as
calcium and phosphorus in a dense matrix that attenuate
patient
the X-ray beam more than the softer tissues. Tissues that
X–ray film contain lighter elements such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen
and oxygen produce a grey image on the radiograph. It is
easy to distinguish a black lung image because it contains
lower density air when compared with more dense water
Figure 2018 (a)  Producing a radiographic image. that is present in abundance in tissues.

The X-ray beam passes through the glass wall of the X‑ray Certain parts of the body are difficult to image against the
tube, a layer of oil then a 3 mm thick aluminium plate to background of other body parts. In order to improve the
filter out low energy radiation. It is then collimated by contrast of the image, solutions of heavy elements with a
lead plates. The aim is to produce a narrow beam because large attenuation co-efficient can be introduced into the
any random scatter increases the blur of the radiographic body. These materials are known as contrast-enhancing
image. The amount of exposure time the patient experieces media. Barium and bismuth can be introduced through
is strictly controlled. The X‑rays enter the patient where the mouth or the rectum for the imaging of the alimentary
they are either scattered or absorbed. In order to decrease canal or the appendix. It is common for people with
OPTION

blurring on the radiograph due to scattering, a lead grid possible stomach pain or gastro-intestinal ulcers to be
system is inserted before the photogaphic film. Direct asked to drink a “barium sulfate meal” before an X-ray is
X‑rays pass between the grid while the scattered X‑rays taken. An iodine solution can be introduced intravenously
are absorbed by the lead plates, see Figure 2018 (b).The to enhance the image of the cardiovascular system, the
direct X‑rays then fall on an intensifying screen cassette kidney and the brain. However, the contrast of the image
containing double-sided film sandwiched between two produced in soft tissue anatomy is not very clear in many
fluorescent screens, see Figure 2018 (c). situations. Over the past 20 years, this clarity has been
greatly improved by using X‑rays and electronic detection
and display together in computed tomography imaging.
X – ray beam

I.2.5 X-Ray quality and imaging

techniques

As the relative intensity of the X‑rays is increased so too

transmitted radiation does the electromagnetic spectral range. We say the X-ray
scattered radiation quality has increased. The quality of an X-ray beam is a
grid term used to describe its penetrating power.

There are a number of ways that the quality of an X-ray

Figure 2018 (b)  Reducing scatter machine can be increased.

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 Medical Physics

1. Increasing the tube voltage.

20mA
1.0
2. Increasing the tube current.

Relative intensity
3. Using a target material with a relatively high
10 mA
atomic number Z. 0.5

4. Using filters.

Tube voltage 50 100 150 200

Photon energy / keV
When the accelerating voltage between the cathode and
anode of an X-ray tube is increased, the frequency of the Figure 2020  Effect of tube current on X-ray quality.
X-radiation increases. Therefore, the radiation has more
energy and the penetration increases. As the intensity per The following effects can be observed:
unit area increases due to the higher potential, so too does
the spectral spread as shown in Figure 2019. (a) the spectral shape remains the same.

High voltage
(b) Emax remains the same as the voltage is constant.
Characteristic X–rays
Relative intensity

Low voltage
(c) the total intensity (given by the area under the
spectrum) increases as the area under the curve is
proportional to I.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Target material

Photon energy / keV
The target material must have a high melting point so
Figure 2019  Effect of tube voltage on X-ray quality. that it will not melt with the large heat generated by the
accelerated electrons bombarding it. Furthermore, the

OPTION
The following effects can be observed: target material must have a relatively high atomic number
so that the mass, size and number of protons in the atoms
(a) Emax increases. ensure a greater probability that the bombarding electrons
make the necessary collisions to produce X-rays. Common
(b) λmin decreases. target materials include tungsten (Z = 74) and platinum
(Z = 78). Tungsten is more widely used because of its high
(c) the peak of the continuous spectrum moves melting point (3370 0C). See Figure 2021.
towards higher energies.
1.0 K – lines
(d) the total intensity given by the area under the
curve increases, and is ∝ V2 .
Relative intensity

high Z
L – lines K – lines
(e) more characteristic line spectrum may appear.
0.5
low Z
Tube current
Increasing the tube current will increase the rate of
0 E max
thermionic emission from the cathode. Because there are Photon energy / keV
more electrons available to produce X-ray photons, the
overall intensity increases. Figure 2020 demonstrates the Figure 2021  Effect of target material on X-ray quality
effects observed when the tube current is increased.

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 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Figure 2021 shows the effects observed when the atomic

number is increased. Example

We then note that:

An X-ray tube has a beam current of 35 mA and it is
(a) Emax remains constant. operated at a voltage of 30 kV.

(b) the characteristic line spectra are shifted to higher (a) At what rate does the machine transform energy?
photon energies.
(b) How many electrons reach the target each second?
(c) the X-ray intensity increases as the area under the
curve is directly proportional to Z. (c) What is the maximum energy of the X‑rays
produced? (Assume no thermal energy loss).

Filters (d) What is the minimum wavelength of the X‑rays

produced?
A thin sheet of material is placed in the path of the X-ray
beam, and selectively absorbs more lower-energy photons
than high-energy photons. The effect of selective filtration Solution
is shown in Figure 2022.

(a) P = VI = (3 × 104 V) (3.5 × 10­-2 A) = 1.05 kW

(b) q = It = (3.5 × 10-2 A) (1 s) = 3.5 × 10-2 C

Relative intensity

no filter
1 C is the charge on 6.25 × 1018 electrons . Thus
removed by filter the number of electrons reaching the target
with filter
= (6.25 × 1018 e C-1 ) ⋅ (3.5 × 10-2 C)

= 2.2 × 1017 electrons per second

Photon energy / keV

OPTION

(c) E = eV = (1.6 × 10-19 C) × (30 000 V) = 4.8 × 10-15 J

E min E max
hc hc
(d) E = ----- ⇔ λ = -----
λ E
Figure 2022  Effect of filtration on X-ray quality
= 6.63 × 10-34 Js × 3 × 108 ms-1 / 4.8 × 10-15 J
The following effects can be observed:
= 4.143 × 10-11 m
(a) Emax does not change.
= 0.0414 nm
(b) There is a shift in Emin towards higher energies.

(c) There is a reduction in X-ray output. I.2.6 Computed tomography

Although the intensity is reduced, the beam is more Standard X-ray imaging techniques record a longitudinal
penetrating because of the removal of lower energy image on a photographic plate producing 30 shades of
photons. The X‑rays are said to be harder. grey. Computed tomography (CT) imaging, also called
computed axial tomography (CAT) imaging, uses X‑rays,
scintillation detectors and computer technology to build
up an axial scan of a section of an organ or part of the
body with 256 grey shades. The tube voltages are about
130 kV, and the exposure times are greater than that of
standard radiography. (Tomography means the study of
body section radiography).

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 Medical Physics

A patient lies on a table that passes through a circular many diagnostic applications including the detection of
scanning machine about 60-70 cm in diameter called a cancerous tumours and blood clots.
gantry. The gantry can be tilted, and the table can be moved
in the horizontal and vertical directions. X‑rays from the
gantry are fired at the organ being scanned and attenuation I.2.7 Describe the principles of the generation
occurs dependant on the type of tissue being investigated. and the detection of ultrasound using
The image produced on the computer monitor is a series piezoelectric crystals.
of sections or slices of an organ built up to create a three-
dimensional image. A schematic diagram of one section is I.2.8 Define acoustic impedance as the product
shown in Figure 2023. of the density of a substance and the speed
of sound in that substance.
X–ray tube mounted Banana–shaped detector
on gantry made up of many small
detectors
X–rays I.2.9 Solve problems involving acoustic
impedance.

computer
I.2.10 Outline the differences between A-scans
lead collimators and B-scans.

I.2.11 Identify factors that affect the choice of

Monitor diagnostic frequency.
© IBO 2007

Figure 2023  Section using a CT scanner I.2.7 Ultrasound generation

A fan beam of around 100 X-ray pulses is produced as the and detection
X-ray tube and the photomultiplier detectors around the
patient make a 3600 rotation. A cross-section or slice of As already mentioned, ultrasound is sound with
an organ from 1 mm to 10 mm in thickness is obtained frequencies greater than 20 000 Hz. Just as transverse
with each rotation. The slice thickness is controlled by electromagnetic waves interact with matter as is the
the lead collimators. About 1000 profiles or pictures are case with X-radiation, CAT and MRI, so too ultrasound
obtained in each rotation. A series of slices can be made to mechanical waves interact with matter. Three properties

OPTION
produce a 3-dimensional picture of an entire organ. The they possess are: they can be reflected, refracted and
time required for the complete scan of an entire organ absorbed by a medium.
is normally from 3-5 seconds. However, short scanning
times of 500 ms can be used when the anatomical region SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) was developed
being investigated is affected by the patient’s motion and during World War 1. It is basically the use of sound waves
breathing. to detect and estimate the range of submerged objects. In
the 1930s it had its applications in medical therapy. In the
The detectors send the information to a series of computers 1940s diagnostic ultrasound developed in parallel with
and a host computer oversees the entire operation. The SONAR.
plane of the tomographic image is divided into small pixel
areas of about 1 mm2, each of which can be given a grey Ultrasound from 20 000Hz to several billion hertz can be
shade value from 1 (black) to 256 (white). The thickness of produced by ultrasound transducers (a device that converts
each slice is simultaneously built into a volume pixel called energy from one form to another) using mechanical,
a voxel. The image is produced on a computer monitor, electromagnetic and thermal energy. Normal sound waves
and this image can be manipulated and reconstructed are not useful for imaging because their resolution is poor
to get rid of interference by subtracting the background. at long wavelengths. Medical ultrasound uses frequencies
The required well-contrasted image of the organ being in the range greater than 1 MHz to less than 20 MHz. In
investigated is then obtained. this range with speeds around 1500 m s-1 in body tissue
the wavelengths are about 1-2 mm.
CAT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images for
nearly every part of the body including the brain and The common transducer used in ultrasound is the
vessels, the heart and vessels, the spine, abdominal organs piezoelectric crystal transducer. In 1880, Pierre and Jacques
such as the liver and kidneys. They are being used in Curie observed that when a quartz crystal is subjected

497
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

to mechanical deformation, a tiny electric potential Medium Velocity Density Acoustic

difference is produced between the faces of the crystal, ms-1 kg m-3 impedance
and conversely the application of an electric potential kg m-2s-1 × 106
would deform the crystal and make it vibrate. This is Air (20 °C, 101.3 kPa) 344 1.21 0.0004
known as the piezoelectric effect. Today, the piezoelectric water (20 °C) 1482 998 1.48
transducers used in ultrasound have certain ceramic whole blood (37 °C) 1570 1060 1.66
materials in place of crystals. These transducers operate Brain 1541 1025 1.60
over the entire range of ultrasound frequencies. Liver 1549 1065 1.65
Kidney 1561 1038 1.62
When ultrasound meets an interface between two media,
Skull bone 4080 1912 7.80
the ultrasound wave can undergo reflection, transmission,
Muscle 1580 1075 1.70
absorption and scattering. This is similar to when light from
air enters glass. The same laws of reflection and refraction Soft tissue (37 °C) 1540 1060 1.66
occur. For example, with refraction (transmission) the Lens of eye 1620 1136 1.84
frequency of the ultrasound source will remain constant
but a change in the wave’s velocity as it crosses the Figure 2024  The approximate speed of sound in some
boundary will change the wavelength. biological materials

In a typical ultrasound scan, a piezoelectric transducer The greater the difference in acoustic impedance between
is placed in close contact with the skin. To minimise the two materials, the greater will be the proportion of the
acoustic energy lost due to air being trapped between pulse reflected. If I0 is the initial intensity and Ir is the
the transducer and the skin, a gel is applied between reflected intensity for normal incidence, it can be shown
the transducer and the skin. The pulse produced by the that:
transducer reflects off various tissue interfaces. The pulse
is again detected by the same transducer as a reflected Ir / I0 = (Z2 – Z1)2 / (Z2 + Z1)2
wave or echo. The electronic representation of the data
generated from the repetition of this process is displayed on where Z1 is the acoustic impedance of material 1 and Z2 is
an oscilloscope as an ultrasonic image. Thus the distance, the acoustic impedance of material 2.
size and location of hard and soft tissue structures can be
determined.
I.2.9 Solving problems on
OPTION

I.2.8 Acoustic impedance acoustic impedance

In ultrasound imaging, it is the reflected portion of the

ultrasound beam that is used to produce the image. The Example
greater the difference in the characteristics of the media
boundary, the more energy will be reflected to give an
echo. The major characteristic is called the acoustic (a) The speed of an ultrasound in blood is 1570 ms‑1
impedance of a medium. It is a measure of how easy it is and the density of the blood is 1060 kgm-3.
to transmit sound through that medium and it has been Calculate the acoustic impedance of blood.
found that acoustic impedance depends on both the speed
of the sound wave (v) and the density of the medium being (b) Calculate the thickness of a slice of muscle tissue if
considered (r) in the following way: its fundamental resonant frequency is 1.5 MHz.

Z = rv (c) The time delay for a pulse going through fat is

0.133 ms and the speed of ultrasound in the fat is
The unit of acoustic impedance is the rayl. This is equivalent 1450 ms-1. Determine the depth of the fat.
to the SI unit kg m-2 s-1. Figure 2024 gives the speed, density
and acoustic impedance for some biological materials.

498
 Medical Physics

This mode is seldom used but when it is, it measures the

Solution size and distance to internal organs and other organs such
as the eye.

(a) Z = r v = 1570 ms-1 × 1060 kgm-3 = 1.66 × 106 kg m-2 s-1.

B-Scan imaging
(b) The wavelength of the resonant frequency =
v / f = 1580 ms-1 / 1.5 × 106 Hz In the B-scan mode (brightness-modulated scan), an
array of transducers scan a slice in the body. Each echo
= 1.05 × 10-3 m. Now the ultrasound has to go down and is represented by a spot of a different shade of grey on an
back. Therefore, the actual wavelength will be half of this = oscilloscope. The brightness of the spot is proportional to
0.53 mm. the amplitude of the echo as shown in Figure 2026.
skin
(c) The time taken to reach the boundary of the fat

= ½ × 1.33 × 10-4 s = 6.65 × 10-4 s
transducer organ
Distance = speed × time = 1450 ms-1 × 6.65 × 10-4 s = 9.6 cm moves across
skin

I.2.10 A-Scan and B-scan imaging

A-scan
A scan produced by a single transducer when a single bit
of information with a one-dimensional base is displayed Figure 2026  B-scan mode
is called an A-scan (amplitude-modulated mode). The
transducer scans along the body and the resulting echoes The scan head containing many transducers is arrayed
are plotted as a function of time as shown in Figure 2025. so that the individual B-scans can be built up to produce
The A-mode measures the time lapsed between when the a two-dimensional image. The scan head is rocked back

OPTION
pulse is sent and the time the echo is received. The first and forth mechanically to increase the probability that the
echo is from the skin, the second and third pulses are from pulse will strike irregular interfaces.
either side of the first organ, the fourth and fifth echo are
from either side of the second organ. The pulse intensity
decreases due to attenuation. I.2.11 Choice of diagnostic
skin ultrasound emitted by transducer frequency

Resolution (the fine detail that can be detected) is an

organ important factor in ultrasound imaging. A patient may
transducer
have a small tumour say in the liver and the doctor wants to
see the photo of the fine detail. The smaller the wavelength,
ultrasound echo returning to transmitter
the greater the resolution. That is, higher frequency
ultrasound gives more finer detail. If the ultrasound
pulse strength
beam is reflected, transmitted, absorbed and scattered,
its intensity will decrease. If the frequency of the source
is increased too much, the attenuation (the reduction
time in intensity) in fact increases as does the penetration
Figure 12.25 A-scan mode. depth. Furthermore, the resolution also decreases if the
frequency is increased beyond an optimum point. In a
Figure 2025  A-scan mode typical pulse-echo diagnostic procedure, the maximum
mean ultrasound power delivered is about 10-4W, and the
frequency is in the range 1-5 MHz.

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 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Although the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance are

I.2.12 Outline the basic principles of nuclear beyond the scope of this course, the basic principles of this
magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging. phenomenon will be outlined in the next few paragraphs.

I.2.13 Describe examples of the use of lasers in Recall that when a current is passed through a coiled wire
clinical diagnosis and therapy. (solenoid), the magnetic field produced is similar to that
© IBO 2007
produced by a simple bar magnet. At the microscopic
level, it is known that a charged particle such as a proton
I.2.12 Basic principles of nuclear or an electron acts like a tiny current loop. As a result, the
nuclei of certain atoms and molecules also behave like
magnetic resonance (NMR) small magnets due to the rotation or spin of their nuclear
protons or neutrons. Spin is in two directions and when
imaging nuclei have equal numbers of protons and neutrons, the
spin is equal in both directions and there is no net spin.
The phenomenon known as nuclear magnetic resonance However, if there are different numbers of protons and
is the basis of the diagnostic tool known as magnetic neutrons, the spins do not cancel and there is a net spin.
resonance imaging - MRI. It is a technique used for This happens with hydrogen nuclei.
imaging blood flow and soft tissue in the body. It is the
preferred diagnostic imaging technique for studying the If hydrogen nuclei are placed in a strong external
brain and the central nervous system. magnetic field, they will tend to align their rotation axes
with the external field direction. However, the laws of
Rather than using X‑rays as the source of radiation, it quantum mechanics allow certain alignment angles, and
uses radiation in the radio region of the electromagnetic as a result the nuclear magnets cannot come into perfect
spectrum and magnetic energy to create cross-sectional alignment with the external field. Some will align with the
slices of the body. magnetic field and others align themselves in the opposite
direction to the magnetic field. In fact, they precess like
The patient is laid on a table and moved into a chamber small magnetic tops wobbling at fixed angles around the
containing magnets that can produce a uniform strong magnetic field direction.
magnetic field around 2 T as shown in Figure 2027. Pulses
of non-uniform radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic Now when a weak oscillating magnetic field in the form
waves bombard the patient. At particular RF frequencies, of pulses of radio waves are superimposed on the strong
OPTION

the atoms in the tissues absorb and emit energy. This magnetic field, the oscillating field rotates at right angles
information is sent to a computer that decodes the to the strong field. If the radio frequency is not a certain
information and produces a two-dimensional or three- frequency known as the Larmor frequency, the axis of the
dimensional image on a computer monitor screen. rotating particle will wobble as described previously. If
the applied frequency is equal to the Larmor frequency
superconducting of precession, the charged particles resonate and absorb
magnet
energy from the varying radio wave magnetic field. The
magnetisation of the material is changed and this is
detected by a radio-frequency signal emitted from the
sample.

The strength and duration of the radio signals absorbed

and emitted are dependent on the properties of the tissue
being examined. The proton in the hydrogen atom has a
saddle coil
(producing horizontal field gradient) strong resonance signal and its concentration is abundant
in body fluids due to the presence of water. Bone shows no
saddle coil
(producing vertical field gradient) MRI signal. MRI is ideal at detecting brain and pituitary
tumours, infections in the brain, spine and joints and in
Figure 2027  MRI magnetic fields diagnosing strokes.

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 Medical Physics

Lasers are commonly used in conjunction with endoscopy

I.2.13 Lasers in clinical diagnosis which uses optical fibres to look inside the body. An
endoscope consists of two basic parts – a flexible tube
and therapy fitted with a camera and a bright light that can be inserted
through a small incision, and a viewing monitor that
Lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of magnifies the transmitted image of the part of the body
radiation) have many applications in both the diagnostic being examined. The endoscope is used as the viewing
and therapeutic areas of medicine. The nature of lasers device for the surgical instruments being used. Because
and how they are produced has been covered in Chapter lasers are highly collimated they can be for transmission
18 Option G if you wish to explore them further. For this along optical fibres. For example, the neodymium YAG
option we will restrict our findings to establish their use laser can be used with the endoscope to help to destroy
in medicine. Some basics need to be mentioned. Firstly, cancers in parts of the gut, the colon and airways. It can
lasers are a collimated, coherent, monochromatic source also be used to treat blood clots in the legs and coagulate
of photons with the same energy. This means that they are bleeding ulcers of the stomach. Recently, the Nd-Yag laser
parallel, single wavelength, in-phase waves. Secondly, from has been used to remove fatty deposits in blood vessels.
their source, they can be continuous or pulsed. Although
their average power is the same, the pulsed laser at the Lasers are also used in pulse oximetry which is a non-
peak of its pulse has greater power than the continuous invasive technique used to monitor the oxygen content of
models. There are many different types of lasers that can hemoglobin. It is critical that intensive care patients and
be made to use different frequencies of the electromagnetic patients being taken to hospital in an ambulance after a
spectrum. Some of the lasers used in medicine are given trauma are monitored. A small clip is attached to a part
in Figure 2028. of the body that is transparent to laser light. A laser light
source with two different wavelengths – one in the infra-
Type of Wavelength Power/W or Endoscope red and one in the red region – is partially absorbed by
laser /nm energy/J fibre the hemoglobin by different amounts dependant upon the
transmission amount of saturated or unsaturated oxygen that is present.
Carbon 10600 0.1–50 W No A processor connected to the laser probe can determine
dioxide the proportion of the hemoglobin that is oxygenated.
Neodymium 1064 0.5–100 W Yes
yttrium Carbon dioxide lasers cannot be used in optical fibres
aluminium because they operate in the far infra-red region and

OPTION
garnet their energy is absorbed by the fibre. However, they have
Nd - YAG become a major laser in operations for cutting the skin
Argon 488 -514 1–10 W Yes and surface tissue, cauterizing bleeding blood vessels,
Dye 550 -700 0.05–5 W Yes doing fine surgery of the brain and fallopian tubes and
depending on treating cervical cancer.
the dye used
Nd- YAG 1064 0.1–1 J per No Argon lasers that produce blue-green light are used to
(Q-switched) nanosecond remove red birthmarks and some tattoos. It is also used
Nd- YAG 1064 0.1–1 J per Yes to treat eye diseases in diabetic patients and re-attaching
(pulsed) microsecond detached retinas.
Dye (pulsed) 550 -700 0.01–0.1 Yes
depending on J per The excimer laser is commonly used to correct eye defects
the dye used microsecond by vaporising excess tissue in the reshaping of the corneal
Excimer 193 0.0–0.J per Yes surface.
(pulsed) nanosecond
The advantages and disadvantages of diagnostic techniques
Figure 2028  Types of medical lasers are summarised with the other imaging techniques in
Figure 2029.

501
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Advantages Disadvantages
• Relatively cheap to use. • Highly reflective Exercise I.2
• Abundant ultrasound boundaries between
machines. bone/tissue and air/ tissue
• No ionising radiation. prevent effective imaging. 1. Describe the function of the following parts of an
• Non-invasive • High frequency X-ray tube:
Ultrasound

• Good for soft-tissue ultrasound has low

diagnosis. penetrative ability. (a) the filament
• Can break down • A limit to the size of (b) the potential difference across the
gallstones and kidney objects that can be electrodes
stones. detected. (c) the tungsten target
• Good for measuring bone
density. 2. Calculate the wavelength and frequency of an
• Simple to use. • Poor at body-function X‑ray with an energy of 30 000 V.
• Cheapest alternative. diagnosis.
• Abundant X-ray • Not good for 3. Explain why the target in an X-ray tube is
machines. differentiating one mounted on a disc that rotates at 3600 revolutions
• Good for certain structure from another. per minute.
X-rays

structures. • Resolution not as good as

others. 4. Explain why you would not use hard X‑rays for
• Sometimes enhancing imaging tissues.
materials need to be
ingested. 5. An X-ray tube has a beam current of 40 mA and it
• Radiation dangerous to is operated at a voltage of 100 kV.
health.
• Good for 3D images • Not good for organ (a) Calculate the rate at which the machine
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Computed Tomography

showing structure. function. transforms energy.

• Creates cross-sections. • Radiation not good for (b) Determine how many electrons reach the
• Resolution better than the health. target each second.
basic X-ray radiography. • More expensive than (c) Calculate the maximum energy of the
• Good for tumours and standard X-ray. X‑rays produced. (Assume no thermal
OPTION

other lesions. energy loss).

• Good for stroke (d) Calculate the minimum wavelength of the
detection. X‑rays produced.
• No ionising radiation. • Most expensive.
• Clearest images of the • Scan time up to 40 6. The half-value thickness of 30 keV X-ray photons
brain. minutes. in aluminium is 4.8 mm. The initial intensity of
• Best image of the central • Cannot be used with the X-ray beam is 2.59 × 102 kW m-2.
nervous system. heart pacemakers and
metal prostheses. (a) Determine the intensity of the beam after
passing through 9.6 mm of aluminium.
(b) Calculate the linear attenuation coefficient
of the aluminium.
(c) Determine the intensity of the beam after
passing through 1.2 mm of aluminium.

Figure 2029  Advantages and 7. Describe what is meant by the term X-ray quality,
disadvantages of imaging techniques and name two ways in which the quality can be
increased.

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 Medical Physics

8. The half-value thickness of 30 keV X-ray photons Medium Velocity Density Acoustic
in aluminium is 2.4 mm. If the initial intensity of ms-1 kg m-3 Impedance
the X-ray beam is 4.0 × 102 kW.m-2 kg m-2 s-1 × 106
Air (20 °C, 101.3 kPa) 344 1.21 0.0004
(a) Determine the intensity of the beam after water (20 °C) 1482 998 1.48
passing through 9.6 mm of aluminium  whole blood (37 °C) 1570 1060 1.66
(b) Calculate the linear attenuation coefficient Brain 1541 1025 1.60
of the aluminium. Liver 1549 1065
(c) Determine the intensity of the beam after Kidney 1561 1038 1.62
passing through 1.5 mm of aluminium.
Skull bone 4080 1912
Muscle 1580 1075 1.70
9. CAT and MRI scanners produce tomographic
images of parts of the body in diagnostic tests.
(i) Calculate the acoustic impedance for
(a) Describe what is meant by the term the liver and the skull bone
tomography. (ii) Predict whether ultrasound could
(b) Outline the method by which CAT scans be used to obtain images of the lung.
are collected. Explain your prediction.
(c) Give two diagnostic applications that CAT (d) What is the function of the gel used in
scans are used for. ultrasound?
(d) Discuss the advantages that a CAT scan (e) Identify the factors that affect the choice
has when compared to conventional X-ray of the diagnostic frequency used in
techniques. ultrasound.
(f) Distinguish between A-scans and B-scans
10. MRI is proving to be an extremely useful used in ultrasound diagnosis.
technique for imaging blood flow and soft tissue (g) Discuss some of the advantages and
in the body. It is the preferred diagnostic imaging disadvantages of ultrasound in medical
technique for studying the brain and the central diagnosis.
nervous system.
12. State and explain which imaging technique is
(a) Describe the basic principles employed to normally used to

OPTION
collect an MRI scan of body tissues
(b) State the property of the hydrogen atom (i) examine the growth of a foetus
makes it such a useful atom for MRI (ii) detect a broken bone
diagnosis? (iii) detect a tumour in the brain.
(c) Give two diagnostic applications that MRI
scans are used for. 13. The following figure shows the variation in
(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages intensity I of a parallel beam of X‑rays after it has
that a MRI scan has when compared to been transmitted through a thickness x of lead.
other diagnostic techniques.

11. Ultrasound is a useful device in medical diagnosis 20

and imaging.
I 15
(a) Describe how ultrasound is different to 10
other types of radiation used in medical
5
diagnosis.
(b) Explain the SONAR principle used in 0
medical ultrasonic diagnosis. 2 4 6 8 10
x / mm
(c) Below is data relating to ultrasound
transmission in various media.

503
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

The linear attenuation coefficient was 8 m-1 m for a (ii) The mean speed in tissue and muscle
1.2 MeV radiation incident on a tissue. of the ultrasound used in this scan is
2.0 × 103 m s–1. Using data from the
(a) Calculate the thickness of the tissue that graph above, estimate the depth d of
is required to reduce the intensity of the the organ beneath the skin and the
radiation by half. length l of the organ O.
(b) Define half-value thickness.
(c) Estimate the half-value thickness for this (c) Is the scan above an A-scan or a B-scan. Explain
beam in lead from the graph. the difference between these types of scan.
(d) Determine the thickness of lead that is
required to reduce the intensity by 40% of
the initial value. I.3 RADIATION IN
(e) Another sample of lead has a half-value
thickness of 4 mm. Determine the thickness MEDICINE
of this lead that would reduce the radiation
intensity by 80%.
I.3.1 State the meanings of the terms exposure,
14 (a) State a typical value for the frequency that is absorbed dose, quality factor (relative
used in ultrasound imaging. biological effectiveness) and dose
(b) The figure below shows an ultrasound equivalent as used in radiation dosimetry.
transmitter / receiver placed in contact with
the skin. I.3.2 Discuss the precautions taken in situations
involving different types of radiation.
d

I.3.3 Discuss the concept of balanced risk.

(Students should appreciate that codes of
practice have been developed for conduct
X
involving the use of radiations).

I.3.4 Distinguish between physical half-life,

Transmitter/
receiver l biological half-life and effective half-life.
OPTION

I.3.5 Solve problems involving radiation dosimetry.

skin
fat layer
I.3.6 Outline the basis of radiation therapy for
There is a layer of fat and an organ X at distance d cancer.
from the fat layer. The organs length is l.
I.3.7 Solve problems involving the choice of
On the following graph, the pulse strength of the radio‑isotope suitable for a particular
reflected pulses is plotted against time t where t is diagnostic or therapeutic application.
the time lapsed between the pulse being transmitted
and the time that the pulse is received. I.3.8 Solve problems involving particular
diagnostic applications.
© IBO 2007

A
pulse strength

D
I.3.1 Terms used in Dosimetry
B

Dosimetry is the study of radiation. Recall that radiation

0 50 100 150 200 250 300
t / μs can be transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves
or as energetic particles, and that when sufficient energy is
(i) Indicate on the Figure the origin of the absorbed by an atom, it can cause the release of electrons
reflected pulses shown on the graph. and the formation of positive ions. When radiation causes
ions to form it is called ionising radiation. Ionising

504
 Medical Physics

radiation is produced by X‑rays, CAT, radioactive tracers The relative sensitivity of different types of cells to
and radiopharmaceuticals, as well as by many other ionising radiation can be summarised using the following
natural and artificial means. four characteristics known as the Laws of Bergonie and
Tribondeau:
When ionising radiation penetrates living cells at the
surface or within the body, it may transfer its energy 1. Age
to atoms and molecules through a series of random
collisions. The most acute damage is caused when a large Younger cells are more sensitive than older cells.
functioning molecule such as DNA is ionised leading to
changes or mutations in its chemical structure. If the DNA 2. Differentiation
is damaged it can cause premature cell death, prevention or
delay of cell division, or permanent genetic modification. Simple cells are more sensitive than highly complex cells.
If genetic modification occurs, the mutated genes pass the
information on to daughter cells. If genetic modification 3. Metabolic rate
occurs in sperm or egg cells, the mutated genes may be
passed on to offspring. Cells that use energy rapidly are more sensitive than those
with a slower metabolism.
Since the body is 65% water by weight, most of the radiation
energy is absorbed by the water content. This energy can 4. Mitotic rate
produce ions (H+, OH-, H3O+) and electrically neutral free
radicals of water. These ions and free radicals can cause Cells that divide and multiply rapidly are more sensitive
chemical reactions with other chemical constituents of the than those that replicate slowly.
cell. For example, OH- ions and OH free radicals that form
the strong oxidising reagent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), All living things are being exposed to cosmic radiation
which can interfere with the carbon-carbon double bonds from the Sun and space, and terrestrial radiation from
within the DNA molecule causing rupture of the double the lithosphere (uranium and thorium series and isotopes
helical strands. Free radicals may also cause damage to of radon) It is important that we have measures in place
enzymes that are required for the metabolism of the cell to monitor both this background and artificial radiation
or they can effect the membranes that are vital for the produced in medicine and the nuclear industry. In 1928,
transport of materials within the cell. the body now known as the International Commission
on Radiological Protection (ICRP) was set up to make

OPTION
Ionising radiation appears to affect different cells in recommendations as to the maximum amounts of
different ways. Cells of the reproductive organs are very radiation which people could safely receive.
radiation–sensitive and sterility is a common outcome
after radiation exposure. Bone and nerve cells are relatively Radiation dosimetry deals with the measurement of the
radiation-resistant. However, radiation of bone marrow absorbed dose or dose rate resulting from the interaction
leads to a rapid depletion of stem cells that can then induce of ionising radiation with matter. The ways of measuring
anaemia or even leukemia. and monitoring radiation will now be discussed.

Exposure to radiation results in a range of symptoms

including skin burns, radiation sickness (nausea, vomiting, Exposure
diarrhoea, loss of hair, loss of taste, fever, loss of hair) and
cancer, leukemia and death. It has been found that when X‑rays and γ-radiation pass
through matter, a measurement of their ionising ability
External exposure to α particles is fairly harmless as gives a good indication of the total energy absorbed. It is
they will be absorbed by a few microns of skin. Internal also known that the energy absorbed per kilogram in air
exposure after ingestion is very damaging as the α- and tissue is similar.
particles are very ionising and they can interact with body
fluids and gases. β-particles are more penetrating but The term exposure X is defined for X-radiation and
because of their irregular paths upon entering body tissue γ‑radiation as the total charge Q of ions of one sign (either
they are considered to have low ionising ability. X‑rays electrons or positrons) produced in air when all the β-
and γ-radiation have high ionising ability (but not as particles liberated by photons in a volume of air of mass m
high as ingested α-particles), and are a common cause of are completely stopped in air
disruption to normal cellular metabolism and function.

505
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Q Where f is a factor dependant on the material involved

X = ---
m and the types of photon interactions involved.
It can be seen that the units for exposure are C kg-1.

The measurement of exposure has limited applications Dose equivalent & quality factor
because it only applies to X‑rays and γ-radiation, and it
only refers to ionisation in air and not to absorption in body Although the different types of ionising radiation may all
materials. It would be better to have a monitoring quantity be measured in units of absorbed dose, equal quantities
that applies to all forms of radiation in all material. of different types of radiation measured in grays, may not
have identical biological effects. Neutrons and α‑particles
dissipate their energy more densely causing more
Absorbed dose cellular damage than less densely ionising radiations like
β‑particles, X‑rays and γ-radiation even when the absorbed
A more useful quantity is absorbed dose D. It is defined dose is the same. For this reason, a further quantity called
as the amount of energy E transferred to a particular unit dose equivalent H has been introduced.
mass m.
E H = QDN
D = ----
m
where Q is a dimensionless quantity called the quality
The SI unit of absorbed dose is J kg-1 otherwise known as factor of the radiation, and N is another dimensionless
the Gray Gy. quantity that is the product of all other modifying factors
that might alter the potentially harmful biological effects
The absorbed dose is difficult to measure directly and of the absorbed dose (currently assigned a value of 1).
as a result it is usually calculated from measurements of
exposure. The relationship between exposure and absorbed The unit of dose equivalent is the Sievert Sv and
dose can be determined for X‑rays and γ-radiation. On 1Sv = 1 J kg-1. The millisievert mSv is the more common
average, the energy required to release one electron or measure of dose equivalent.
positron is found to be 34 eV in air. Now 1 eV = 1.6 × 10-19 J,
and 1 C is the charge on 6.25 × 1018 electrons. The quality factors of some radiations are given in Figure
2034.
Therefore, an exposure of 1 C kg-1 corresponds to a dose of
OPTION

6.25 × 1018 electrons per kg Radiation type Quality factor

β, γ, X 1
= (34) (1.6 × 10 -19 J) (6.25 × 1018 electrons) per kilogram slow neutrons 5
fast neutrons, protons, α 10
= 34 J kg-1 heavy recoil nuclei 20

= 34 Gy Figure 2034  Quality factors of some radiation

Therefore, the absorbed dose is equal to 34 Gy × the

exposure Relative biological effectiveness
D Gy = 34X Ckg-1 in air, where X = exposure. During the 1950s neutrons, protons and heavy charged
particles that had been discovered as interacting with
This is the value for the energy absorbed for air. The energy matter needed to be measured. These were particles
absorbed per kilogram for other biological materials will whereas X‑rays and γ-radiation were photons. It was also
depend on the type of material and the photon interactions recognised that these particles laid down energy more
(scattering, photoelectric effect and Compton scattering). densely along their tracks (more energy per unit length)
Therefore, each medium will have its own absorption than did electrons, and that more energy per unit length was
property and identical exposure will lead to different laid down by 250 keV X‑rays than was by X‑rays generated
absorbed doses in different materials. in the megavolt range. These differences were expressed as
a ratio called the relative biological effectiveness N. The
D Gy = f X C kg-1 for other media relative biological effectiveness is defined as:

506
 Medical Physics

The β-dose is monitored by comparing the blackening

absorbed dose of 250 keV X–rays for a given effect
RBE = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- through the open window and different thicknesses of
absorbed dose of another X–ray magnitude to produce the same
plastic. The dural (an alloy of aluminium) window absorbs
In 1962, the ICRU replaced the RBE with the dose beta and low-voltage X‑rays and gamma rays. The lead/tin
equivalent quantity (the RBE factor is conceptually related window absorbs all but the highest energy X and gamma
to the quality factor). The reason for this was because the rays. The cadmium/lead window absorbs most of the X
biological effect of radiation exposure varies according to and gamma rays but thermal neutrons interact with the
the type and energy of radiation, and because equal doses cadmium to produce gamma radiation which blackens the
of various types of radiation do not necessarily result in film.
equal biological effects. Therefore, the terms quality factor
and relative biological effectiveness can be taken to mean The badges are assessed every two to four weeks and the
the same thing. TLD every 3 months. The ICRP recommends that the
effective dose to industry workers should not exceed an
average of 20 mSv per year over any five-year period, with
I.3.2 Protections and precautions the proviso that the effective dose should not exceed 50
mSv in any one year. Members of the public should not
in radiation situations receive more than 1 mSv per year from non-medical,
artificial sources. It is considered that a dose of 250 mSv of
The exposure time to the radioactive source has to be whole body irradiation, or 750 mSv to a part of the body
carefully monitored. is an overdose.

As the intensity of the radiation obeys the inverse square badge casing
law for distance from the source, keeping a safe distance
from the source is the best means of protection. Workers
dural
in the industry often use mechanised calipers and tongs different
that operate within a confined area behind thick lead-glass thicknesses cadmium/lead
of plastic
viewing windows to manipulate the radioactive source. lead/tin

Shielding materials are always used. For example, a

suitable thickness of perspex sheet will stop beta rays, and
open photographic film
lead, concrete and water will absorb gamma and X‑rays. window

OPTION
Lead aprons are often used on patients to stop any stray
radiation. Figure 2035  The principle of a radiation ‘film badge’

All radioactive sources must be completely contained to For the patient, it is known that radiation doses to the bone
prevent the spread of contamination. marrow in the order of 3 000 to 4 000 mSv have lethal
effects within a month in about half of the exposed people
Radiation detectors such as a film badge as shown in Figure in the absence of specialised medical treatment. Single
2035 or a thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) are worn doses over 2 000 mSv absorbed by the testes or 3 000 mSv
by all workers employed in any industry using ionising absorbed by the ovaries can cause permanent sterility. The
radiation. The film badge is basically a double emulsion specialised medical treatment in the case of doses up to
photographic film that is placed inside a holder with an 10 000 mSv would include isolation of the patient in a
area of 3 cm by 5 cm that contains different thicknesses of sterile environment, selective treatment with antibiotics
plastic, an open window and 3 different metal plates. It is and stimulation of leukocyte production in order to offset
pinned to clothing and over a period of time the exposure damage to white blood cells. Bone marrow transplant
to radiation results in a darkening of specific areas of the may also be necessary. So you can see that protection is
photographic film. One side is coated with a large grain, paramount in any medical diagnosis or therapy. Some
fast emulsion that is sensitive to low levels of exposure. typical radiation doses used in medicine are given in
The other side of the film is coated with a fine grain, slow Figure 2036.
emulsion that is less sensitive to exposure. If the radiation
exposure causes the fast emulsion in the processed film to Medical Source mSv
be darkened to a degree that it cannot be interpreted, the Annual cosmic radiation reference at sea level 0.3
fast emulsion is removed and the dose is computed using Chest X-ray 0.03
the slow emulsion.

507
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Dental X-ray 0.14 As already mentioned, film badges or thermoluminescent

Mammography 0.4 badges are worn for monitoring purposes.
Head CT 1.8
Abdomen CT 7.2 The typical universal trefoil radiation symbol should be
Thyroid radiopharmaceutical 2.0 clearly signposted in any area where a radioactive source
Heart scan radiopharmaceutical 17 is being used.
Soft tumour radiopharmaceutical 22
In addition, all workers at risk of being exposed to radiation
Thyroid therapy 8 000
should obey the following basic rules:

Figure 2036  Radiation doses 1. �������������������������������������������

“Wear laboratory coats or other protective
clothing at all times in areas where radioactive
materials are used.  
I.3.3 Balance risk and
2. ���������������������������������������������������
Wear disposable gloves at all times while handling
protection of the individual radioactive materials 

The type of radiation, the strength of the source, the 3. ��������������������������������������������������

Either after each procedure or before leaving any
distance from the source, the exposure time, the origin of area, monitor your hands for contamination in
the source (external or internal), the portion of the body low-background area.  
being irradiated and the general health of the individual
needs to be monitored carefully. For this reason, it became 4. ������������������������������������������������
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or apply cosmetics in
necessary for the ICRP to make recommendations for any area where radioactive material is stored or
radiation protection. In 1977, the ICRP formulated general used.  
guidelines, the main features being:
5. �������������������������������������������������
Do not store food, drink, or personal effects in
1. No practice shall be adopted unless its areas where radioactive material is stored or used.  
introduction produces a positive net benefit
6. ��������������������������������������������������
Wear required personnel monitoring devices at all
2. All exposures shall be kept As Low As Reasonably times while in areas where radioactive materials
Achievable (ALARA) with economic and social are used or stored.  
OPTION

factors being taken into account

7. �������������������������������������������������
Dispose of radioactive waste only in designated,
3. The dose equivalent to individuals shall not exceed labeled and properly shielded receptacles.
the limits recommended for the appropriate
circumstances by the Commission. 8. ��������������������������
Never pipette by mouth.  

This system has set guidelines to establish procedures and 9. �������������������������������������������������

Confine radioactive solutions in CLEARLY labeled
principles to minimise radiation exposure of patients and containers.  
workers. The main components involve the way in which
the source is isolated and the protection offered to the 10. ���������������������������������������������������
Secure all radioactive material when not under the
individual. constant surveillance and immediate control of the
authorized users and their staff.”
In industry, full protective clothing including coats,
gloves, overshoes and in some cases respirators, prevent
contamination through the skin and wounds.

508
 Medical Physics

I.3.4 Physical, biological and I.3.5 Solving problems in

effective half-life radiation dosimetry

Recall the definition of half-life. The physical half-life TR

of a radioactive nuclide is the time taken for half the nuclei Example 1
present to disintegrate radioactively.

If a radioactive nuclide is administered to a patient, not Claculate the absorbed dose in air when the exposure is
only is it disintegrating within the body but it is also being 1 unit.
removed from the body by biological processes such as
respiration, urination and defaecation. Therefore, the
activity of the radioactive nuclide within the body will be Solution
considerably less than the physical half-life due to pure
radioactive decay. It has been found that the amount of
the radioactive substance administered often decreases Average ionisation energy in air = 34 eV
exponentially with time. In order to take this factor into
account, the quantity called biological half-life is used. Exposure of one unit = 1 C kg -1
The biological half-life TB of a material is the time taken
for half the radioactive substance to be removed from the Energy absorbed = 34e / e = 34 J kg-1
body by biological processes.
Absorbed dose = E /m = 34 J / 1kg = 34 Gy
Therefore, the effective half-life TE of the radioactive
substance will be less than the physical half-life due to the
biological half-life component. Example 2

If λR and λB are the fractions of the radioisotope removed

per second by physical decay and biological processes How much energy is absorbed when a person of mass
respectively, then the total fraction removed per unit time 70 kg receives an effective dose equivlent to 30 mSv, half
λE is given by: the dose equivalent being acquired from radiation of

OPTION
quality factor 1 and half from radiation of quality factor 3
λE = λR + λB

The effective decay constant is related to the effective half- Solution

life by:

λE = 0.693 / TE H1 = D 1 × 1 = 15 mSv ∴ D 1 = 15 mJ kg – 1

and it then follows that: H 2 = D 2 × 3 = 15 mSv ∴ D 2 = 5 mJ kg –1

0.693 / TE = 0.693 / TR + 0.693 / TB Therefore, energy absorbed by 70 kg = 70 kg × 20 mJ kg-1 =

1400 mJ = 1.4 J
So that, 1 1 1
------ = ------- + -------
TE TR TB
Example 3

The isotope iodine-131 can be used to treat malignant

growths in the thyroid gland. The isotope has a physical
half-life of 8 days and a biological half-life of 21 days.
Calculate its effective half-life and determine the time it
would take the activity to decrease to 1/8th of its initial
activity.

509
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

Solution Example 5

1 / TE = 1 / 8 + 1 / 21 α- radiation and γ- radiation have different quality factors.

State which type of radiation has the largest quality factor,
1 / TE = 0.1726 and explain why the radiations have different effects for
the same absorbed dose.
TE = 5.8 days

1/8 is 3 effective half-lives. So the time is 3 × 5.8 days Solution

= 17.4 days.

α–particles have the largest quality factor because they cause

Example 4 more ionisation per unit length of their track.

(a) Describe what is meant by the term quality factor I.3.6 Radiation therapy for cancer
(relative biological effectiveness).
It is often useful for some medical conditions to destroy or
A person of mass 75 kg has his whole body exposed weaken malfunctioning cells using radiotherapy because
to monochromatic X‑rays of energy 250 keV. rapidly dividing cells are particularly sensitive to damage
Because of this exposure, he receives a dose by radiation. For this reason, some cancerous growths
equivalent of 0.50 mSv in 2.0 minutes. can be controlled or eliminated by irradiating the area
containing the growth. Depending on the cancerous
(b) Deduce that the person absorbs approximately 109 growth, the radiotherapy administered can be of three
photons per second. different types:

1. Internal radiotherapy - where the radioisotope is

Solution localised in the affected organ.
OPTION

2. External radiotherapy (teletherapy and X-ray

(a) Different radiations of the same intensity cause therapy) - where the radioactive source used is
different amounts of ionization in the body. The outside the body.
quality factor compares the relative biological
effectiveness of different types of radiation to that of 3. Brachytherapy - where the radioactive source is
X‑rays that are given a quality factor of 1. temporarily implanted in the body at the site to be
irradiated.
(b) D = E / m Therefore D =0.5 mSv = 5 × 10-4 Jkg-1.
With internal radiotherapy, the radioactive isotope
E = m × D = 75 kg × 5.0 × 10-4 Jkg-1 = 3.75 × 10-3 J. administered is taken up by that part of the body that
is specific to the biological path of the disease site.
W = qV = 250 × 103 eV × 1.6 × 10-19 C = 4.0 × 10-14 J. Alternatively, the radioactive source may be attached to a
biological compound such as immunoglobulin molecules
So the number of photons in 1 second (monoclonal antibodies) that after insertion lodges at
= 3.75 × 10-3 J / (120 s × 4.0 × 10-14 J) the disease site. β-emitters are mainly used in internal
radiotherapy as they deposit their energy close to the
= 7.8 × 108 ≈ 109 photons per second. site being treated and as a result do little damage to the
surrounding tissue.

Iodine-131, iodine-123, phosphorus-32, samarium-153

and yttrium-90 are some radioisotopes used in internal
radiotherapy.

510
 Medical Physics

Iodine-131 is used either as a diagnostic or therapeutic or breast. After a time period calculated to give the correct
radiation source. It has a half-life of 8 days and emits dose, the implant wire is removed to shielded storage. This
β-particles as well as γ-radiation. It is used to treat the procedure gives less overall radiation to the body, is more
thyroid gland for cancers and other abnormal conditions localised to the target tumour and is cost effective.
such as hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid). It is given
to the patient orally as a sodium iodide solution and is
absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract where it passes into Radioactive tracers (radioisotopes)
the bloodstream. It then concentrates in the thyroid where
it is used to make hormones specific to that gland. Iodine- Radioactive tracers have been used since the 1960s to assist
123, a γ-emitter, is also used. in the diagnosis of body metabolism (chemical reactions
within the cells of organs and tissues) and diseases. The
Phosphorus-32 is used to control a disease called radioisotopes used are called radioactive tracers and the
polycythemia vera. In this disease, an excess of red blood imaging technique is called isotope scanning, nuclear
cells is produced in the bone marrow. Phosphorus-32 is scanning or nuclear imaging.
used to control this excess.
The stable isotopes of chemicals in the body carry out
Samarium-153 ethylene diamine tetramethylene phos- their physiological processes in a normal fashion on most
phonate, known commercially as Quadramet, is used occasions. However, when these normal functions are
internally to reduce pain associated with primary tumours disrupted various illnesses are generated at both the cellular
of the breast, prostrate and some other cancers. and organ level. If a specific radioisotope is introduced
into the body, generally by intravenous injection, it should
Yttrium-90 is used for liver cancer therapy. behave in the same manner as the equivalent stable
isotope of the same element. The path or accumulation of
External radiotherapy called teletherapy commonly the radioactive tracer can then be pinpointed with the use
uses the isotope cobalt-60 as a source of γ-radiation. It of a detecting device.
is produced by neutron bombardment of the common
isotope cobalt-59 in a cyclotron. It produces penetrating If the radioactive tracer is of the preferred gamma-emitter
gamma rays of sufficiently high energy around 1.25 type, its path can be detected by a gamma camera (a
MeV. This is equivalent to X‑rays generated at 3 MV. The scintillation counter) that is traced over the body system
equipment requirements for teletherapy are simpler than or an organ and the activity of the tracer can be “imaged”.
X‑rays and do not have high voltage hazards associated For example, a gamma camera scan (scintigram) of the

OPTION
with X‑rays. The tumour to be irradiated is pinpointed heart could be taken and abnormalities in heart function
using laser beams. The cobalt-60 source is located near could be analysed on the lack of uptake (a cold spot) or the
the centre of a lead-filled steel container known as a head. excessive uptake (a hot spot) of the radioactive tracer.
During therapy, a shutter is opened by a motor and the
emerging gamma rays are collimated before striking α-emitters and β-emitters do not pass far enough through
the patient. In order to minimise the impact on healthy the body to be easily detected. However, blood and fluid
tissue, multiple-beam and rotational therapy are used for samples can be taken and the radioactive tracer activity can
deep tumours. Either the radioactive source is rotated or be detected and measured with other radiation detectors.
the patient is rotated. Unfortunately, the radioactivity of
cobalt-60 cannot be switched off like an X-ray. There are a number of organ specific chemicals. Certain
stable isotopes tend to accumulate in particular parts of the
Cobalt-60 therapy is losing favour these days with body. Some examples include iodine in the thyroid gland,
preference in developed countries to linear accelerators calcium and strontium isotopes in the bone or potassium
(betatrons or linacs) that use X‑rays or high-energy and rubidium in the muscles. By attaching radioisotopes
protons. The results for cancers of the pelvis, cervix, to these chemicals, the tracer can be directed to the organ
larynx and pituitary gland have been more successful with of interest.
X–rays than cobalt-60.
It is important that any radioactive tracer used has a short
Iridium-192 implants (brachytherapy) that emit β- half-life in the order of minutes, hours or a day as long
particles and low energy γ-radiation are now commonly half-life radioisotopes would emit potentially dangerous
used to treat breast cancer and cancers of the mouth. radiation for a long time period.
These are produced in wire form and are introduced
through a catheter to the target area – usually in the head

511
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

One of the most popular radiopharmaceuticals is

technetium-99m. It has a short half-life of 6 hours and I.3.7,8 solve problems
it is considered to be non-toxic. It can be manufactured
in major hospitals from its parent nuclide molybdenum- involving the choice
99 with a half-life of 66 hours. This means it can produce
99m
Tc for over a week before it needs to be replenished. It of a radioisotope and
is an excellent tracer for many diagnostic purposes. Figure
2037 describes this radioisotope together with others in diagnostic applications
terms of their main applications.

Radioisotope Half-life Applications Exercise I.3

Au-198 2.7 days Liver imaging
Ga-67 72 hours Soft-tissue tumour detection
Sr-85 64 days Bone imaging 1. Calculate the absorbed dose in air when the
Th-201 74 hours Coronary artery disease exposure is 2 units.
diagnosis
I-122 3.6 minutes Brain blood flow 2. Determine how much energy is absorbed when
I-123 13.1 hours Brain, kidney, heart studies a person of mass 50 kg receives an effective dose
I-131 8.04 days Thyroid imaging equivalent of 20 mSv, half from radiation of
Tc-99m 6 hours Imaging of quality factor 1 and half from radiation of quality
brain,thyroid,lungs, liver, factor 2.
spleen, kidney, gall bladder
3. A certain source produces an exposure rate of 500
Xe-127 36.4 days Imaging of brain disorders
µC kg-1h -1 at 1.0 m from the source. Determine
such as dementia
the distance a barrier must be placed if the
exposure rate at the barrier is not to exceed 30 µC
Figure 2037  Some radioisotopes kg-1h-1?
used in medical scanning table
4. Iodine-131 can be used to label albumen that is
found in blood serum. It has a physical half-life
of 8 days and a biological half-life of 21 days.
OPTION

Calculate the effective half-life when iodine-131 is

used for this purpose.

512
 Medical Physics

5. Radioactive substances have been used since 8. (a) Outline the biological effects that can occur
the 1960s to assist in the diagnosis of body when a person is subjected to ionising
metabolism (chemical reactions within the cells of radiation.
organs and tissues) and diseases. (b) Define the terms exposure, absorbed dose,
quality factor and dose equivalent as used in
(a) Discuss the use of radioactive tracers in radiation dosimetry.
medical diagnosis and in the study of body Explain, with reference to α and γ radiation,
(c) ���������������������������
function. the distinction between absorbed dose and
(b) Explain why radioactive tracers of the dose equivalent.
gamma-emitter type are preferred. (d) Calculate the absorbed dose per kilogram
(c) Certain stable isotopes tend to accumulate in air when a person is subjected to an
in particular parts of the body. Give an exposure of 1 unit. (the average ionisation
example of such a stable isotope and the in air is 34 eV)
body part where accumulation occurs. (e) Determine how much energy is absorbed
(d) Describe why it is important that any when a person of mass 50 kg receives an
radioactive tracer used has a short half-life. effective dose equivalent of 30 mSv, half
(e) One of the most popular radioisotopes is the dose equivalent being acquired from
technetium-99m. It has a short half-life of radiation of quality factor 1, and half from
6 hours, a gamma ray emission of 140 keV, radiation of quality factor 3.
and it is considered to be non-toxic. It can (f) Discuss the precautions required in
be manufactured in major hospitals from situations involving radiation and the types
its parent nuclide molybdenum-99 with a of protection that may be used.
half-life of 66 hours. State two reasons why (g) Explain the difference between biological
these physical properties of 99mTc make it an half-life, physical half-life and effective
excellent radioisotope for nuclear scanning. half-life.
(h) Iodine-131 can be used to label albumen
6. �������������������������������������������
Explain why, when using radioactive tracer that is found in blood serum. It has a
elements in the treatment of cancer, it is better to physical half-life of 8 days and a biological
use radioactive isotopes that have a long physical half-life of 20 days.
half-life and a short biological half-life. (i) Calculate the effective half-life when
iodine-131 is used for this purpose.

OPTION
7. A beam of protons with a quality factor 11 is (ii) What percentage activity will remain
directed at a tumour of mass 0.10 kg. Each after 40 days?
proton has an energy of 4.2 MeV and 1.9 × 1010 (i) Discuss the different mechanisms and
are incident on the tumour each second. A dose different types of sources that can be used
equivalent of 250 Jkg-1 is required to destroy the in radiation therapy for cancer.
tumour. If all the incident protons are absorbed
within the tumour, determine the exposure time
needed to destroy the tumour.

513
 Chapter 20 (Option I)

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OPTION

514
 Particle Physics

PARTICLE PHYSICS
J.1

J.2

J.3
Particles and interactions

Particle accelerators and detectors

Quarks
21
J.4 Leptons and the standard model

J.5 Experimental evidence for the quark and standard model

J.6 Cosmology and strings

TOK  The study of particles

The study of particles has been fundamental to our understanding of the composition and the behaviour of matter and
as such particle physics can be called the foundation stone on which all other branches of science are based. The basic
structure of the atom was supposedly first proposed by Democritus in 480 B.C. when he stated that all matter was composed
of “atomos”. The exploration of the atom through the findings of Henri Becquerel, Marie Curie, James Clerk Maxwell,
Heinrick Geissler, Julius Plücker, William Crookes, Heinrick Hertz, J.J. Thomson, Robert Millikan, Ernest Rutherford, Hans
Geiger, Ernest Marsden, Neils Bohr, James Chadwick, Max Planck, C.T.R. Wilson, Albert Einstein, Louis de Broglie, Erwin
Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, Wilhelm Röntgen, Enrico Fermi, Paul Dirac, Wolfgang Pauli, Hideki Yukawa, Richard
Feynmann, Murray Gell-Mann, Carlo Rubbia and Stephen Hawking to mention but a few, have revolutionised the world
over the last 120 years. Their research has led to the development of nuclear power stations (and unfortunately nuclear

OPTION
bombs), radioisotopes and medical imaging techniques, the chemical and petrochemical industries, lasers, electronics
and computers, and, has revitalised the sciences of astrophysics and cosmology.

So when and how were atoms created? There is strong evidence to suggest that the elementary particles that make up
atoms were created within the first seconds of the Big Bang – when time and space began from a “singularity”. Atoms are
the very complex end-products of this event as the elementary particles combined over the following few thousands of
years. In order to understand the origin of matter, it is necessary to try and re-create the intense heat conditions of the
Big Bang in the laboratory. Particle accelerators and their detectors try to imitate the original conditions in order to find
these elementary particles and to develop a model of the nature of matter and energy. This is the branch of Physics that
has become known as particle physics.

Particle physics had its beginnings in the 1920s when the nature of high-energy particles from outer space known as
cosmic rays were studied at high altitudes. It was found that more particles existed other than protons, neutrons and
electrons. The leptons –positron and muon, the baryons – Lamda, Sigma plus and the Xi minus, and the mesons – Kaon
zero, Kaon plus and Kaon minus were discovered in cosmic radiation using cloud chamber and emulsion detectors.

Further particles were discovered in the 1950s using cloud chambers, bubble chambers, scintillation counters as detectors.
More particles were discovered in nuclear reactions. It was soon realised that if more particles were to be found, then
reactant particles would need to accelerated to high speeds in order to produce high-energy product particles of large
mass or to resolve product particles of small size. By the beginning of the 1930s, the van der Graaf accelerator (named
after Robert van der Graaf) was developed to accelerate positive charges with very high potential differences to give the
charges kinetic energy up to 30 MeV.

515
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

In Figure 2101, a voltage of 50 kV is applied to a pointed conductor at the bottom so that electrons are pulled off the
moving belt insulator and the positive charges produced are moved to the top of the belt where they are transferred to
the dome. Since there is no electric field inside a hollow conductor, the charges move to the outside of the dome. The
conducting dome is hollow so as to allow a large charge build-up on its outside. The van der Graaf charge generator is
connected to an evacuated accelerator tube containing hydrogen or helium ions. These are repelled by the high positive
voltage and are accelerated to an earthed target.

When these ions are crashed into a target material, new particles of different masses and sizes can be produced. There
are currently several hundred composite and elementary particles with corresponding antiparticles that have been
identified.

In 1930, Ernest Lawrence developed a small cyclotron, and between the 1980s and 1990s, we saw the developments of the
Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre (SLAC, California) electron-positron linear collider (3 km long), the Geneva CERN
(Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) large electron-positron circular collider (27 km circumference) and
the Fermilab tevatron (6.4 km circumference near Chicago) which collides protons and anti-protons inside electronic
detectors. CERN presently has 2 accelerators that are being continually upgraded. These accelerators and others in
Germany, Japan, Russia and China will be studied fully in Section J2.

Particle phycisists have discovered hundreds of new varieties of particles with many weird names such as quarks,
neutrinos, gauge bosons and muons with each having its own colour, charge. Particle physicists talk about the “flavor”
of some elementary particles. The up, down and strange quarks were originally called vanilla, chocolate and strawberry
and thus the term flavor has stuck. Murray Gell-Mann was quite a comedian and when he came up with the term “quark”
to describe a group of elementary particles, scientists asked him for the origins of the word. During various lectures he
was known to call them quirks, quorks but the word quark stuck and it has its origins in James Joyce’s novel “Finnegan’s
Wake” - ….” Three quarks for Muster Mark”. Such is the menagerie of terms that some have coined the term “sub-atomic
zoo” to describe the variety of particles.

As has been mentioned a number of times already in this textbook, there are 4 fundamental forces: the strong force, the
electromagnetic force, the weak force and gravity, and all particles are governed by these forces. In the past 50 years,
particle theorists have organised what has been found by particle experimenters into a theory that may explain a standard
model of elementary particles and unite the forces into a Grand Unified Theory (GUT). Maxwell was able to show in the
OPTION

1860s that the electric force and the magnetic force could be unified into a single electromagnetic force and his theory
has been further refined into quantum electrodynamics (QED). In the 1960s, electromagnetism and the weak force
were unified into the electroweak theory which predicted the existence of the Z particle as one of the exchange particles
that mediate the weak force. Particle experimenters found the Z particle and particle theorists were found to be correct
in their prediction. In 1973, the discovery of asymptotic freedom established quantum chromodynamics QCD as the
correct theory to explain the nature of the strong force. The calculations done by Gross, Wilczek and Politzer showed
that quarks were held together very strongly at distances that are comparable to the size of a proton, and this explained
the concept of quark confinement. Now the search is on to find the link between the strong force, the electromagnetic,
the weak force and gravity.

These major breakthroughs in particle physics has spurred on the developments in astrophysics and cosmology that hope
to answer the questions concerning the origin and evolution of the universe - why does it have its shape and form and
will it reach a point where it will stop expanding.

Perhaps one of the best outcomes of particle physics is that it has brought scientists from many nationalities into a
collaborative working environment. Accelerators are very expensive to construct and operate, and the CERN accelerator
that passes underground into Switzerland and France is funded by 19 European countries and employs over 100 research
physicists, over 800 applied physicists and engineers, over 1000 technicians and 1000+ office and administration staff
and craftsmen.

This option offers the TOK student an opportunity to reflect on the nature of observation, the meaning of measurement and
the meaning of evidence among other things.

516
 Particle Physics

+
+ + +
+
1. Leptons
+ + spark
+ Leptons are particles that can travel on their own meaning
+
that they are not trapped inside larger particles. Six distinct
+ + metal sphere
types called ‘flavors’ have been identified along with their
+ + +
antiparticles.
+
+ insulating column
+ belt First generation ordinary matter included in this category
+ are the electron with a size of less than 10-18 m, with its
conducting stand
+ antiparticle the positron, and the neutrino, with its
antiparticle the antineutrino. Electrons have a negative
charge, while positrons have a positive charge. Neutrinos
are neutral in charge. Leptons interact via the weak nuclear
connecting wire
force, but not the strong, as well as the gravitational force,
Figure 2101  A Van de Graaff accelerator and where a lepton is charged, the electromagnetic force.

There are other leptons which are believed to have existed

j.1 (HL) D4 (SL) in the early moments of the Big Bang and may be found
in cosmic rays and particle accelerators. They are the
particles and second generation muon and the muon neutrino and
their antiparticles that are heavier than the electron,
interactions and the third generation tau and tau neutrino (found at
the Stanford collider but not found in nature) and their
respective antiparticles that are even heavier still than the
Description and classification of muon.

particles Leptons have an electric charge of -1, +1 or 0 as can be

seen in Figure 2102. The top Roman numerals give the
generation of each lepton and the bottom number in the
J.1.1 State what is meant by an elementary particle. table gives the rest mass of each lepton relative to the rest
mass of a proton mp.

OPTION
J.1.2 Identify elementary particles.
Leptons
J.1.3 Describe particles in terms of mass and I II III
various quantum numbers. electron -1 muon -1 tau -1
e­- μ- τ-
J.1.4 Classify particles according to spin. 0.005 0.1 1.9
electron 0 muon 0 tau 0
J.1.5 State what is meant by an antiparticle. neutrino neutrino neutrino
νe νμ ντ
J.1.6 State the Pauli exclusion principle. ~0 ~0 <0
© IBO 2007
Antileptons
I II III
J.1.1-1.2 Elementary particles
positron +1 antimuon+1 antitau +1
–
identified e+ ū τ–
0.005 0.1 1.9
Particles are called elementary particles if they have no electron 0 muon 0 tau 0
internal structure, that is, they are not made out of any antineutrino antineutrino antineutrino
smaller constituents. The elementary particles are the – – –
νe+ νμ ντ
leptons, quarks and exchange particles. ~0 ~0 <0

There are three classes of elementary particles - quarks, Figure 2102  Standard model for the leptons
leptons and exchange particles (gauge bosons).

517
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

In spite of the different masses of each flavor of leptons, Quarks

they have identical spin of a ½ and the same angular I II III
momentum. UP CHARM TOP
u + 2/3 c + 2/3 t +2/3
The muon is unstable and decays into an electron, an 1/3 1.7 186
electron antineutrino and a muon neutrino on average DOWN STRANGE BOTTOM
every 2.2 μs through the weak force interaction.The tau d - 1/3 s - 1/3 b - 1/3
lepton decays on average every 3 × 10-13 s. 1/3 0.5 4.9
Antiquarks
Leptons are found in many environments. The electron I II III
is the charge-carrier in conductors and semi-conductors. ANTI UP ANTI CHARM ANTI TOP
Electron antineutrinos are found in the beta decay of a – – –
u - 2/3 c - 2/3 t - 2/3
neutron into a proton. The remaining flavors are found in 1/3 1.7 186
nuclear reactors, particle accelerators and cosmic rays. ANTI DOWN ANTI STRANGE ANTI BOTTOM
– – –
d + 1/3 s + 1/3 b + 1/3
1/3 0.5 4.9
2. Quarks
Quarks with a size of less than 10-18 m can never be found Figure 2103  Standard model for the quarks
in isolation as they are trapped inside other composite
particles called hadrons of which the proton, the neutron Five flavors of quarks have been identified and the top
and mesons are examples. Hadrons are classified as: flavor is believed to exist. Quarks can experience weak
interactions that can change them from one flavor to
another.
(a) Mesons
Examples are the Pions π+, π - and π0, the Kaons Κ+, Κ- and 3. Exchange particles - gauge
Κ0, J/PSI, J/ψ and Eta η0. Mesons can mediate the strong
nuclear force and this will be discussed futher in a later bosons
section. Like the first and second generation leptons,
mesons only exist for a short time and they are thus very Exchange particles are elementary particles that transmit
OPTION

unstable. the forces of nature. Figure 2104 lists the 6 exchange

particles and some of their properties.

(b) Baryons Force Exchange Rest mass Charge Spin

particle mp
Baryons are the heavyweights amongst particles that make strong Gluons g 0 0 1
up matter, including the proton and the neutron. Other W+
baryons include Lamda Λ0, Sigma Σ+, Σ0 and Σ-, Cascade 89 +1 1
W-
Ξ0 and Ξ- and Omega Ω- particles to name but a few. 89 -1 1
weak Z0
99 0 1
Higgs boson
Hadrons are not elementary particles because they are > 86 0 1
(hypothetical)
composed of quarks. Mesons consist of a quark and an
electromagnetic photons 0 0 1
antiquark. Baryons have three quarks. A proton has 2 up
gravity graviton 0 0 2
and 1 down quarks - uud, and the neutron has 2 down and
I up quarks – ddu. Hadrons interact predominantly via the
strong nuclear force, although they can also interact via Figure 2104  Standard model for the exchange particles
the other forces. Figure 2103 shows the generation, names,
symbols, charges and rest mass (bottom left) relative to the Recall that when an electron transition occurs from a high
rest mass of the proton of the flavors of quarks. energy level to a lower energy level, the energy difference
is emitted in the form of a quanta of electromagnetic
energy called a photon. The other exchange particles
are similarly associated with quanta of energy. However,

518
 Particle Physics

Name Mass Charge Spin Lifespan Name Mass Charge Spin Lifespan
Leptons mesons
electron e- 0.511 MeV -1 ½ stable pion (pi-zero) π 0 135 MeV 0 0 0.8 × 10-16 s
positron e+ 0.511 MeV +1 ½ stable pion (pi-plus) π + +1
140 MeV 0 2.6 × 10-8 s
muon and -1 (pi-minus) π - -1
– 105.6 MeV ½ 2 × 10 s -6
0 short 10- 6s
antimuon μ + μ- +1 kaon (K-zero) K0 498 MeV 0
–– -1 long 5 × 10- 8s
tau and antitau τ τ+ 1.784 GeV ½ 3 × 10-13 s kaon (K-plus) K+ +1
+1 494 MeV 0 1.2 × 10-8 s
electron neutrino/ (K-minus) K- -1
– < 50 ev 0 ½ stable J/psi 3.1 Gev 0 1 10-20 s
antineutrino γe γe
baryons
muon neutrino/
– < 0.5Mev 0 ½ stable proton p 938.8 Mev +1 ½ stable
antineutrino γμ γμ­ –
antiproton p 938.8 Mev -1 ½ stable
tau neutrino/ neutron n in nuclei:
– < 50 Mev 0 ½ stable – 939.6 Mev 0 ½
antineutrino γτ γτ anti-neutron n stable
Quarks lamda Λ
– 1.115 Gev 0 ½ 2.6 × 10-10 s
up and +2/3 anti-lamda Λ
~ 5 Mev ½ stable sigma
anti-up u ū -1/3 1.192 Gev 0 ½ 6 × 10-20 s
down and -1/3 (sigma-zero) Σ0
– ~ 10 Mev ½ variable sigma
anti-down d d +1/3 1.189 Gev +1 ½ 0.8 × 10-10 s
strange and -1/3 (sigma-plus) Σ+
– ~ 100 Mev ½ variable sigma
anti-strange s s +1/3 1.197 GeV -1 ½ 1.5 × 10-10 s
charm and +2/3 (sigma-minus) Σ-
– ~ 1.5 Gev ½ variable
anti-charm c c -1/3 xi (xi-minus) Ξ- 1.321 GeV -1 ½ 1.6 × 10-10 s
bottom and -1/3 xi (xi-zero) Ξ0 1.315 GeV 0 ½ 3 × 10-10 s
– ~ 4.7 Gev ½ variable
anti-bottom b b +1/3 omega minus Ω- 1.672 GeV -1 3/2 0.8 × 10-10 s
– -1/3
top and anti-top t t > 30 Gev ½ variable
+1/3
Gauge Bosons Figure 2106  Properties of some mesons and baryons
photon 0 0 1 stable
W-plus and W- +1 10-25 s the proton while the other exchange particles have zero

OPTION
81 GeV 1 mass? This new force model will be explained more fully
minus -1
Z 93 GeV 0 1 10-25 s in section J.1.7.
gluon 0 0 1 stable
J.1.3 Elementary particles - mass
Figure 2105  Properties of leptons,
quarks and exchange bosons and quantum numbers

when we talk of a classical force we define it in terms of the “Students must be aware that particles (elementary as
rate of change in momentum. When looking at subatomic well as composite) are specified in terms of their mass
particles, quantum mechanics and relativity replace and various quantum numbers. They should consider
classical Newtonian mechanics and a more sophisticated electric charge, spin, strangeness, colour, lepton
notion of force is required that is descibed in terms of an number and baryon number.” © IBO 2007
interaction. It has become evident that the meaning of
force transmission if a particular interaction is to occur
is related to the energy and momentum that is carried by Mass
a quanta of the force field. This new force model will be
explained more fully in section J.1.7. All the classes of particles have distinct masses. Let us now
introduce some common classes of particles in Figure 2105
However, one thing that is obvious when looking at the and Figure 2106 showing their distinct masses, charge,
standard model for exchange particles is that the weak spin and their life-spans. Because the kilogram is a large
force exchange particles have mass whereas the others do unit in which to measure mass, the preferred unit for mass
not. Why do they have mass nearly 100 times the mass of in particle physics is the electron-volt.

519
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

However, one electron-volt is too small and as such The orbital quantum number is related to the orbital
we usually talk in mega and giga electron-volts. The angular momentum. In the Bohr model:
rest energy E0 of a particle can be defined as the energy
associated with its rest mass m0. The Theory of Relativity L = mvrn = n h/2π where n = 1,2,3…
demonstrated that mass and energy are equivalent as given
by the equation E0 = m0c2, so energy can be measured in In the Schrödinger model:
electron-volt and rest mass can be measured in eV/c2. It
is often convenient to assume that the c2 is therefore mass L = √ l(l – 1) × h where l = 0,1,2…(n – 1)
and just talk of a relative particle mass being measured in
MeV or GeV. Angular momentum is a vector and as such the magnetic
quantum number relates to the direction of the angular
momentum. Spin will be discussed soon.
Quantum numbers
Just as leptons can exist in lepton energy levels, so too
The Quantum Mechanics model of the atom was proposed can other elementary particles and their composites –
in 1925 and 1926 to overcome some of the inadequacies the hadrons. This has already been discussed in section
of the Bohr model of the atom. Remember that the Bohr 13.2.3.
model had its limitations because although it could
account for the wavelengths of light absorbed and emitted Therefore, each elementary particle or a composite of
for the hydrogen atom, it could not be applied to any other elementary particles can be specified in terms of its mass
atom. Furthermore, it could not account for the hyperfine and various quantum numbers.
lines that existed due the tiny splitting of energy levels.

While quantum mechanics retained some aspects of the Conservation of energy

Bohr model, it predicted that the electrons were spread
out in space in electron clouds of negative charge as a In particle physics, the total energy of the particles before
result of the wave nature of the electrons. These electron a reaction or decay must be equal to the total energy of the
clouds can have various three-dimensional shapes such particles after the decay. The law of conservation of energy
as spheres, dumbbells and donuts. The different states manifests itself in 2 forms in particle physics:
in which an electron can exist are determined by four
quantum numbers: • The kinetic energy which is dependant on the
OPTION

velocity of the particles

• the principal quantum number n where n = 1,2,3… • Their mass energy is given by E = mc2.
• the orbital quantum number l where l = 0 to n-1
• the magnetic quantum number ml where ml = -l to +l It can be seen that the greater the mass of a particle, the
• the spin quantum number ms where ms = + ½ or – ½ greater is the mass energy that a particle has. It has been
shown that if a particle decays into other particles then the
Without going into too much depth here, the principal mass of a decaying particle has to be greater or equal to the
quantum number is similar to the n number of energy mass of the products. Let us say that particle X decays and
levels in the Bohr model, and it applies not only to electrons forms Y and Z.
but to all leptons and baryons. These particles are called
fermions (particles that have a half-integer spin). It defines X→Y+Z
the distinct energy levels or shells in which fermions can
be located. The maximum number of fermions that the However, if energy is to be conserved, the kinetic energy
principal energy level can accommodate is 2n2. So, when of particles Y and Z must be taken into account:
n = 1, there can be two fermions, and when n=2, there can
be 8 fermions and so on. Fermions move in orbitals which X → Y + EKY + Z + EKZ
can be depicted as a three-dimensional probability region.
For each value of n, there are n2 orbitals. So, for the third Therefore, the mass of X > the mass of Y + the mass of Z
principal energy, level, n=3, and therefore there will be 9
orbitals. On the other hand, a reaction between 2 particles in their
initial state can have less mass than the total mass of the
products because initial particles can introduce energy
into the reaction so that energy is conserved.

520
 Particle Physics

Conservation of charge (Q) Spin will be discussed shortly and the other attributes will
be studied in detail in sections J3 and J4.
Electric charge is given the symbol Q. As noted previously,
antiparticles are identical to their corresponding particle
in mass, but differ in electric charge. For example, the J.1.4 Elementary particles and
positron is the antiparticle which corresponds to the
electron, so it has a mass of 9.11 × 10-31 kg, but an electric spin
charge of ‘+1’. But charge is not the only difference between
particles and antiparticles. The existence of the spin quantum number was not part
of the Schrödinger equation but experiments suggested
that there was a missing link as hyperfine lines could be
Example seen in the hydrogen emission spectrum. It was thought
that these very fine lines could be due to the angular
momentum associated with the spinning of the electron.
Determine whether the following reactions can occur: However, no one really knows what spin is other than the
fact that it is an intrinsic attribute of an elementary particle
(a) e- + p → ν + n that is a fermion. In other words, just as mass and charge
cannot be changed for a certain particle so too spin cannot
(b) π ­- + p → Σ- + Κ+ be changed. To confuse matters even further, we know
that spin can be gained and lost just as speed and angular
(c) p + n → p + n + π­+ momentum can be gained or lost. So really spin can have
two attributes. The intrinsic attribute will be dealt with
(d) e+ + e- → μ+ + νμ here and the second attribute will be dealt with later.

Paul Dirac was able to devise a mathematical description

Solution to demonstrate how spin within a system of particles is
dependant on the spin of the constituent particles. By
taking the property of angular momentum that we do
(a) e- + p → ν + n know, we can compare spin to its behaviour.

Q -1 + 1 = 0 + 0 charge is conserved. The rules for spin are:

OPTION
(b) π ­- + p → Σ- + Κ+ • Leptons, quarks and lighter baryons can have a
total spin of ½ with two different states – spin up
Q -1 + 1 = -1 + 1 charge is conserved. + ½ and spin down – ½ – with the spin down state
having slightly less energy than the spin up state.
(c) p + n → p + n + π­+ • Mesons have a spin number equal to 0 or 1
• Gauge bosons have a spin number equal to 1
Q 1 + 0 ≠ 1 + 0 + 1 charge is not conserved. • Some heavier baryons have a spin number of 3/2
• Integral spin can be 0, 1, 2….. and half-integral
(d) e+ + e- → μ+ + νμ and half-integral spin can be 1/2, 3/2, 5/2…

Q 1 + -1 ≠ 1 + 0 charge is not conserved.

J.1.5 Antiparticles
Lepton number is also not conserved as we will see later.
All particles have antiparticles which are identical to the
particle in mass and half-integral spin but are opposite
in charge to their corresponding particle. In 1928, Paul
Dirac, while tryng to combine special relativity and
Other particle specifications electromagnetic theories mathematically, came to the
conclusion that particles with the same mass but opposite
There are other specifications that make particles unique charge might exist somewhere in the Universe. In 1932,
according to the quantum mechanical model such as spin, Carl Anderson found that cosmic radiation travelling
strangeness, colour, baryon number and lepton number. through a bubble chamber during pair production split up

521
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

into an electron path and a path with the same mass as an

electron but in an opposite direction. Thus the positron J.1.6  Pauli exclusion principle
had been discovered. In Figure 2107, incoming gamma
radiation (from the bottom) produces two circular tracks The Pauli exclusion principle states that an orbital can
of a positron (to the left) and an electron (to the right), only contain a maximum of two electrons and when the 2
and a secondary electron-positron track. electrons occupy an orbital they have opposite spin.

This principle is also extended to the shell model that

explains nuclear energy states. It perplexed physicists as
to how a dense collection of strongly interacting nucleons
could collide in the nucleus without the loss of energy
during scattering. However, the Pauli exclusion principle
explains why there is no loss of energy because only one
nucleon can occupy a given energy state. The lower energy
states will fill up first and particles in a higher energy state
cannot lose their energy by dropping to a lower energy
state because these energy levels are already full. Of course
scattering can raise fermions to a higher energy level but
scattering which would lower the energy is not possible
according to the Pauli exclusion principle.

Fundamental interactions

J.1.7 List the fundamental interactions.

J.1.8 Describe the fundamental interactions in

terms of exchange particles.

J.1.9 Discuss the uncertainty principle for time

OPTION

and energy in the context of particle

Figure 2107  Electron-positron pair creation creation.
© IBO 2007

Further evidence came with the discovery of the J.1.7 Types of fundamental
antineutrino during beta-minus decay. It was not until
1955 that the antiproton was discovered. In particle interactions
accelerators, beams of electrons and positrons or protons
and antiprotons are accelerated in opposite directions There are four fundamental interactions and some of
and are then collided with each other in detectors. These their properties are shown in Figure 2109. As can be seen
collisions produce enormous amounts of energy and the fundamental interactions are:
the products of the collisions are studied. Today, most
antiparticles have been identified in this way. The question • Gravitational
still remains as to where has all the antimatter gone that • Weak
must have been created during the Big Bang. • Electromagnetic
• Strong
Although antiparticles have the same mass as their particle
pair, they have opposite charge, lepton number, baryon Since the early 1970s the electromagnetic and weak
number and strangeness. Some electrically neutral bosons interactions have been shown to be two aspects of the
and mesons are their own antiparticle. same interaction, the electroweak interaction.

The electromagnetic force is the cause for basic collisions

between charged particles such as:

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 Particle Physics

Weak Electromagnetic Strong

Interaction Gravitational
Electroweak Fundamental Composite
It acts on: Mass-energy Flavour Electric charge Colour charge
Quarks Electrically charged Quarks
On what particles: All Hadrons
Leptons particles Gluons
Exchange particle W+ W-
Graviton? γ Gluons Mesons
is: Z0
Relative strength 10-38 10-5 10-2 1 Not applicable
Range ∞ ~10-18 m ∞ ~10-15 m

Figure 2109  Fundamental interactions and some properties

p+p→p+p force is transmitted almost instantaneously, since photons

travel at the speed of light.
The strong force is mainly responsible for reactions
between hadrons. For example, In 1935, based on the earlier theory of electromagnetic
forces, the Japanese physicist Hideki Yukawa (1907–1981)
p + p → p + p + π0 suggested the interchange of certain particles could also
explain the strong nuclear force. These particles, members
The weak force is the only force in lepton reactions that of the meson family, came to be known as pions (short
produce neutrinoes as they are electrically neutral and for pi mesons). Yukawa suggested that the composite
so will not be affected by the electromagnetic force. For nucleons continuously exchange mesons with nearby
example, nucleons without being altered themselves. Of course,
this interaction must take place in a short enough time
νe + μ­- → e- + νμ frame so as not to violate the law of conservation of
mass-energy. Yukawa suggested the mesons mediate the
strong nuclear force in the same way photons mediate the
J.1.8 Interactions and exchange electromagnetic force and that the strong nuclear force is
responsible for holding nucleons together in the nucleus.
particles Yukawa’s theory started a search for his predicted particle,

OPTION
and in 1947, pions were discovered in cosmic rays by Cecil
The graviton is the exchange particle for the gravitational Frank Powell (1905 – 1969). In 1949, Yukawa received the
force. It is an inverse square force with an infinite range Nobel Prize in Physics for his prediction of the existence of
that affects all particles and acts on all mass/energy and it pions. One year later, Powell also received the Nobel prize
has a rest mass of zero. for his discovery of mesons, and developing the method
that enabled their discovery.
The W+, W- and Z0 are the exchange particles involved
in the weak nuclear interaction. They were predicted in The strong force due to gluons only occurs within hadrons.
1979 and then measured at the CERN particle accelerator The force that holds the nucleus together is caused by
in 1982 by Carlo Rubbia. According to the electroweak “leakage” from the gluon exchange. For example, in
unification theory, the weak and electromagnetic forces interactions between protons and neutrons there is an
should have the same strength but the experimental data exchange of pions. Gluons are the exchange particle that
showed that this was not the case. However, under certain are responsible for quark colour. Just as the positive and
conditions a high strength force can have the appearance negative charges are associated with the electromagnetic
of a weak strength force provided the exchange particles force, a three colour charge are associated with quarks and
have a large mass, as does the W and Z particles. gluons that bind the quarks together. The linking between
quarks and antiquarks is done by gluon clumps called
The photon is the exchange particle that is responsible for “glueballs”. Colour will be dicussed in detail in section J3.
the electromagnetic force and its energy is given by the
Planck relationship E = hf = hc / λ. The electromagnetic

523
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

the photon can transfer some or all of its energy to the

J.1.9 Heisenberg’s uncertainty particle the uncertainty in the energy ΔE could be given
by the equation ΔE = hc/λ. So if we multiply the time and
principle energy equations, the result is ΔE Δ t ≈ h. Heisenberg’s
calculations arrived at the equation:
In 1927, the German physicist Werner Heisenberg
(1901 - 1976) introduced the world to what would become (ΔE) (Δ t) ≥ h / 4π
known as the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. In simple
terms, it deals with the inability to measure precisely both This form of the mathematical uncertainty principle
the position and momentum of electrons. The reason lies describes that the energy of a particle can be uncertain or
in the main method of measuring these quantities, that is, nonconserved by an amount ΔE for a time (Δ t) ≈ h / 4π.
photon bombardment. Heisenberg theorized that photon This fact will become important when we look at Feynman
bombardment of electrons would automatically change diagrams.
both the position and the motion of the target electron,
as that electron absorbed energy from the collision with
the photon. J.1.10 Describe what is meant by a Feynman
diagram.
The best measurements are obtained using photons of short
wavelength, but those photons also have high frequencies, J.1.11 Discuss how a Feynman diagram may
and hence, high energies. However, a collision with a higher be used to calculate probabilities for
energy photon will have a much great impact on the electron fundamental processes.
than one with a lower energy photon. When lower energy
photons are used, the resulting measurements are much J.1.12 Describe what is meant by virtual particles.
less accurate due to the longer wavelengths of the photons.
Therefore, any increase in the accuracy of a position J.1.13 Apply the formula for the range R for
measurement must be accompanied by a corresponding interactions involving the exchange of a
decrease in the accuracy of the momentum measurement. particle.
There are implications of this inability to simultaneously
measure accurately both position and momentum. Without J.1.14 Describe pair annihilation and pair
being able to pinpoint the position and momentum of an production through Feynman diagrams.
electron at a given point in time and space, it is virtually
OPTION

impossible to simultaneously observe both its wave and J.1.15 Predict particle processes using Feynman
particle properties. If these properties cannot be observed diagrams.
© IBO 2007
for electrons, then it is also impossible to observe them for
light. Furthermore, other pairs of physical quantities related
to the motion of an object, such as time and energy, are also J.1.10 Feynman diagrams
impossible to measure simultaneously.
The mediation of exchange forces can be easily represented
Mathematically, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle can using Feynman diagrams, so named for their inventor,
be stated as: the American physicist Richard Feynman (1918–1988).
They were developed by Feynmann as a graphical tool
(Δx )(Δ p) ≥ h / 2π to examine the conservation laws that govern particle
interactions according to quantum electrodynamic
So if the position x is small, then the uncertainty in the theory.
momentum p will be greater and vice-versa.
A typical Feynman diagram in Figure 2110 depicting
Another useful form of the uncertainty principle can be how 2 electrons approach each other, exchange a virtual
used to relate energy and time. Suppose a particle has photon and as a result repel each other. Be careful here –
an uncertainty in position Δx approximately equal to its they do not depict the track of a particle or how a particle
wavelength λ and a photon used to detect it is travelling at conserves energy and momentum in the classical sense
the speed of light c. because the Heisenberg uncertainty principle tells us of
the uncertainty in position and momentum, so the path
So, Δx / c ≈ λ / c. Therefore, the measured time when of the particle is not known in much detail. Each point at
the particle is at this position would be Δ t ≈ λ / c. Since which lines come together is called a vertex. Lines with

524
 Particle Physics

arrows represent particles and the direction of their travel

while wavy lines represent the virtual particle. J.1.12 Virtual particles
Early in the century, scientists began to search for an
e– explanation of the four fundamental forces, particularly
e–
how they can act over a distance. One of the mechanisms
suggested was the exchange of virtual particles. A virtual
particle is a particle that cannot be observed during an
interaction. A virtual photon is said to be the ‘carrier’ of
e– the electromagnetic force. An example of this would be
e– virtual
photon the exchange of virtual photons between charged particles
as a mechanism for the repulsions and attractions that
Figure 2110  Feynman diagram for the make up the electromagnetic force.
electromagnetic force between 2 electrons
The analogy that is often used for repulsion of charged
Each point at which lines come together is called a vertex. particles is to imagine the particles are like two people
Lines with arrows represent particles and the direction of sitting on big frictionless frisbees on an icy pond. If one
their travel while wavy lines represent the virtual particle. person throws a heavy object to the second person, the
Backward arrows represent antiparticles. first person will recoil in the opposite direction to the
object flight and the second person will recoil in the same
They are space time diagrams with the vertical direction direction as the object flight.
representing time and the horizontal direction representing
space, in this case ct. At each vertex, the conservation laws A similar analogy for attraction could be of children
of charge, lepton number and baryon number must be exchanging pillows. Imagine two children standing facing
obeyed. Feynman diagrams are a shorthand method for one another, each holding a pillow. The children can
studying the probability for particle interactions. exchange their pillows in one of two ways. They can grab
them from one another, at the same time pulling on each
Some of the interactions using Feynman diagrams are other, an action analogous to an attractive force. The other
shown in Figure 2111. possibility is that they can throw them at one another, at
the same time stepping back to catch the pillows, which
is analogous to a repulsive force. If charged particles such
e–

OPTION
p as electrons exchanged photons in the same manner, the
e– e–
ve attractive and repulsive electromagnetic forces could be
W– explained quite simply. Photons emitted by one electron
cause it to recoil, as it transfers momentum and energy to
e– the other electron. Then the second electron undergoes the
e– virtual
n
photon same process almost immediately. The closer two charges
are, the more energetic the virtual photons exchanged,
Electromagnetic Weak
while the further away two charges are, the less energetic
p
their virtual photons. Because the exchange must be very
blue rapid, the photons exchanged are called virtual photons,
green n
suggesting they are not observable. These virtual photons
π
are said to carry the electromagnetic force, or in other
green- words, to mediate the force. Figure 2112 shows the
p n
green
antiblue blue Feynman diagram for the force of attraction between an
gluon electron and a positron.
between quarks between nucleons

Strong Interaction
.Figure 2111  Some interactions using
Feynman diagrams

525
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

γ photons that are exchanged during the interaction. The

whole process begins when the two electrons were an
infinite distance apart. They then move to their point of
e– e– closest approach where virtual photons are absorbed and
emitted in a very short period of time during which the
state’s energy becomes uncertain. The system is allowed to
move through this state with some probability that energy
e+ conservation is not violated. The electrons then move an
e+ infinite distance apart.
γ

J.1.13 Range for interactions

Figure 2112  Force between an electron and positron
involving the exchange of

J.1.11 Probabilities for a particle

fundamental processes The electromagnetic force has an infinite range and so it

only needs a zero mass exchange particle but the weak and
Feynmann diagrams are a reliable shorthand picture for strong forces have ranges of 10-18 m and 10-15 m respectively.
the probability calculations during particle interactions. To understand their behaviour we give them large mass
The events that occur in an electromagnetic interaction exchange particles. To create an exchange particle of large
are the emission and absorption of photons by charged mass will require an amount of energy at least as large as
particles. The magnitude of the force as determine by E = m0c2 where m is the rest mass of the particle. This state
F=qE is proportional to the number of photons. That is, according to the uncertainty principle cannot last longer
the greater the force on a charged particle, the greater the than:
number of photons that it will emit or absorb. It has been
said that “the charge on a particle is proportional to the Δ t ≈ h / 4π(ΔE) ≈ h / 4π mc2
probability that it will emit or absorb photons”.
Now speed = distance / time and distance = speed × time.
Now why is it that when two electrons approach each The furthest distance that it can move called the range R
OPTION

other from an infinite distance that one electron emits a that is equal to cΔt. So R ≈ cΔt. Therefore, upon substitution
photon and recoils while the other absorbs the photon and we get:
acquires its own momentum? Where does the energy used
to create the virtual photons come from? It appears that R ≈ h / 4π m0c
the law of conservation is violated.
From this relationship it can be seen that the range of an
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle for energy-time interaction is inversely proportional to the rest mass of
demonstrates that as the electrons approach each other, the virtual exchange particle.
work is being done against the electrostatic force of
repulsion and the electrons will gain energy. If the Now it is possible by using this equation to determine the
electrons are to interact via the exchange of a virtual mass of the virtual exchange particles for the strong and
photon, then this will occur in a time Δt. In order to weak forces.
measure ΔE with precision, the energy state must last for:

Δ t ≥ h / 4π(ΔE) Example

Therefore, a photon with energy ΔE can be created

provided it exists for a a very short time Δt without Calculate the approximate masses of the virtual exchange
violation of the law of conservation of energy. The virtual particles for the strong and weak forces.
photons in fact only last for about 10-20 s.

Photons have an infinite range and the single photon

can be considered to consist of an infinite number of

526
 Particle Physics

The gamma rays result from conversion of matter to

Solution energy, according to Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc2.
For example, an electron and positron annihilating one
another at rest release an amount of energy equal to:
The strong force has a range ≈ 10-15m. Substituting, we get:
E = mc2 = (2 × 9.11 × 10-31 kg) × (3 × 108 ms-1)2
10-15 m ≈ h 6.63 × 10-34 Js
= = 2 × 10-28 kg
-15m c m
4π
10 m0 ≈ h0 4π × 6.63 ×m10
10 -15
×-34
3 ×Js108 ms-1 = 1.64 × 10-13 J = 1.03 MeV.
= = 2 × 10-28 kg
4π m0c m0 4π × 10-15 m × 3 × 108 ms-1
The-18strong force has a range ≈ 10-34
-18
m. Substituting, we get: The energy released is higher if the particles annihilate in
10 m ≈ h = 6.63 × 10 Js = 2 × 10-25 kg a collision where one or both contributes kinetic energy
-18m 0c m0
4π
10 m ≈ h = 4π × 10 -18
m × 3
-34× 10 ms
6.63 × 10 Js
8 -1
= 2 × 10-25 kg to the process.
4π m0c m0 4π × 10-18 m × 3 × 108 ms-1
Particle–antiparticle pairs can also be produced when
Yukawa used a similar idea to predict the mass of the a gamma ray with sufficient energy passes close by a
exchange particle of the strong force and this led to the nucleus. The process is the reverse of annihilation and is
discovery of the pi-meson (pion) in 1947. Electroweak called pair production. The law of conservation of mass-
theory predicted that the Z0, W- and W+ were the carriers of energy requires particles and antiparticles to be produced
the weak force and they were discovered at CERN in 1983. in pairs.

This model cannot be used for the gluon – the exchange Figure 2114 gives the Feynman diagrams for pair
particle between quarks. The graviton with an infinite range annihilation and pair production.
should have a rest mass similar to the photon but it has not
been detected.
e– e–
e–
J.1.14 Pair annihilation and pair e–
e– e–
production
electron-positron electron-positron
When matter (such as an electron) collides with its annihilation pair production

OPTION
corresponding antimatter (such as a positron), both
particles are annihilated, and 2 gamma rays with the Figure 2114  Feynman diagrams for electron-positron
same energy but with a direction at 1800 to each other are annihilation and production
produced. This is called pair annihilation. The direction
of the gamma rays produced is in accordance with the law Note that the backward arrow is an antiparticle, in this
of conservation of momentum and the electron- positron case a positron. Also remember the space-time concept
annihilation gives energy equal to E = mc2 . This is depicted of the Feynman diagram with time progressing upwards.
in Figure 2113. Even though the arrow of the antiparticle is downwards,
positron emitted by the antiparticle is still progressing upwards in time.
nucleus collides with
electron
Provided sufficient energy is available, particles other than
γ – ray photons can be produced.
positron path

J.1.15 Predicting particle

processes
γ – ray
A number of particle processes have already been
Figure 2113  Electron-positron annihilation introduced in the preceding sections. Let us look at some
more examples as shown in Figure 2115.
When particles and antiparticles collide, they can annihilate
one another, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays.

527
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

Exercise J.1
(a) (b)
νμ e- s u

1. Describe the difference between an elementary

particle and a composite particle.

2. Neutrons and protons are classified as hadrons,

whereas electrons are classified as leptons.
(c) (d) Describe the concept underlying this type of
e- d classification.
νμ
-
W
π+ W+ 3. (a) Describe the properties of the neutrino.
νe (b) Explain the reasons that led Enrico Fermi
μ+ to predict the existence of the neutrino.
u

μ- νμ 4. The neutrino belongs to the same family as the

Figure 2115  Some examples of Feynman diagrams A. neutron.

B. proton.
In (a), a muon neutrino interacts with a photon exchange C. electron.
particle to become an electron. In (b), a strange quark D. baryon.
emits an exchange particle and becomes an up quark. This
is an example of a flavour change as it transforms into a 5. Hadrons differ from the other two families in that
member of another generation. In (c), a negative muon
emits a W- particle and becomes a muon neutrino. The A. they mainly interact via the electromagnetic
W- particle changes to particle-antiparticle pair in the force.
form of an electron and an electron antineutrino. In (d), B. they mainly interact via the gravitational
a positive pion decays into a positive muon and a muon force.
neutrino. The up quark and the antidown quark annihilate C. they mainly interact via the strong nuclear
to produce a W+ particle. Note the backward direction of force.
OPTION

the antidown quark. The W+ then decays into a positive D. they mainly interact via the weak
muon and a muon neutrino. interaction force.

More complicated interactions can be demonstrated. For 6. State the name and give the charge of each of the
example, the electromagnetic interaction leads to photon– symbols given, and classify the particles as either
photon scattering (that is, scattering of light by light). The quarks, baryons, mesons, leptons or gauge bosons:
particles in the loop are electrons or positrons and this
interaction is shown in Figure 2116. 1. e+ 2. d 3. π+ 4. νe 5. Λ 6. Σ+
7. τ+ 8. Ξ0 9. K- 10. g 11. Ω 12. γ
-

photon
photon
13. μ+ 14. Z 15. νμ 16. ū 17. τ - 18. c

7. Determine whether the following reactions can

photon occur:
photon

(a) e- + p → n + n
Figure 2116  Electrons or positrons are in the loop (b) π ­- + p → Σ- + Κ+
(c) p + n → p + n + π­+
(d) K0 → π0 + π0 +π+

8. (a) State the Pauli exclusion principle

(b) Does the principle only apply to leptons?

528
 Particle Physics

9. State the spin number for each of the following 17. Calculate the energy released when a proton and
particles: antiproton annihilate one another

1. e+ 2. n 3. π+ a. at rest.
4. νe 5. Λ 6. Σ+ b. in a collision where each has kinetic energy
7. τ+ 8. Ξ0 9. K- of 25 MeV (assume no energy is lost).
10. g 11. Ω- 12. γ
13. μ+ 14. Z 15. νμ 18. If a γ-ray is to produce a neutron-antineutron pair,
determine the minimum energy, in MeV, that it
10. Antiparticles differ from their corresponding must have.
particle in their
19. Explain how photon exchange mediates the force
A. charge. between two electrons.
B. rest mass.
C. family. 20. Predict the Feynman diagram particle processes as
D. rest energy. shown in the figure below.
(a) (b)
νμ μ- d u
11. Define the terms antiparticle and antimass.

12. Describe how baryons differ from mesons.

13. Of the proton, neutron, and electron, state which

would

a. travel in a straight line through a magnetic (c) (d)

field. e+
νμ
b. travel in a curved path in a magnetic field. W +
W-
π-
c. travel in a curved path of greatest radius in
a magnetic field. νe
μ-
u
14. Describe the quarks that make up a proton and

OPTION
a neutron in terms of the type of quark and their μ+ νμ
overall charge.

15. (a) Describe what is meant by pair annihilation.

(b) Calculate the energy of each photon
produced when an electron and positron,
initially at rest, are annihilated.
(c) Describe the direction of travel of the
photons.
(d) Determine the threshold photon frequency
for electron-positron pair production.

16. Pair production results when

A. particles and antiparticles annihilate one

another.
B. particles of sufficient energy pass close to a
nucleus.
C. gamma rays of sufficient energy pass close
to a nucleus.
D. gamma rays and particles annihilate one
another.

529
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

J.2 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS & DETECTORS

Particle accelerators Let us take the situation of a proton of mass M with energy
E equal to 50Mc2 colliding with another proton of mass M,
then the collision energy would be close to:
J.2.1 Explain the need for high energies in order
to produce particles of large mass. (100M2c4)1/2 = 10Mc2.

J.2.2 Explain the need for high energies in order This is only 20% of the original energy. So the collision
to resolve particles of small size. energy is much less than E/2 if the initial energy is much
bigger than mc2.
J.2.3 Outline the structure and operation of a
linear accelerator and of a cyclotron. However, if two particle beams travelling in opposite
directions collide head on with each other, the total kinetic
J.2.4 Outline the structure and explain the energy of the combined system will be zero. Therefore,
operation of a synchrotron. all the energy of the two particles becomes available as
collision energy. The total available energy is given by:
J.2.5 State what is meant by bremsstrahlung
(braking) radiation. Eavail ~ (2Mc2E)1/2 + Mc2 + mc2

J.2.6 Compare the advantages and This can be written as:

disadvantages of linear accelerators,
cyclotrons and synchrotrons. Ea 2 = 2Mc2E + (Mc2)2 + (mc2)2

J.2.7 Solve problems related to the production of This is a large amount of energy and new particles that have
particles in accelerators. mass greater than the original particles can be formed. For
© IBO 2007
example, 2 protons can produce 2 protons, a K+ and a K-
provided the original protons are accelerated to a speed
J.2.1 High energies and particles close to the speed of light.
OPTION

with large mass

J.2.2 High energies to resolve
The large hadron collider that is due to go online in
November 2007 at CERN is the biggest and most particles
complex scientific experiment in particle physics. The
circular tunnel with a diameter of 8.5 kilometres set Because all particles have wave properties and this is why
90 m underground will whirl protons beams in opposite particles can be used as probes to find small particles.
directions around the 27 kilometre circumference until Most particles in nature have long wavelengths relative to
they travel at 99.999999% the speed of light. The proton the particles that are being sought. But if a probe particle’s
beams will be collided and the annihilation will produce momentum is increased the wavelength decreases as
1400 GeV of energy so that an array of particles will be can be seen by using the de Broglie equation λ = h / p.
created. But why is there a need to have so much energy Beams of GeV particles would be travelling at relativistic
available? speeds. We can assume that they would be travelling at
approximately the speed of light. Therefore,
When a particle with low energy E and mass M collides
with a particle of the same mass at rest, the collision λ = h / p = h/mv ≈ h/mc = hc /mc2
energy is equal to E/2 and the remaining energy equal
to E/2 goes to their energy of motion. However, at very In order to resolve a particle of size d, the de Broglie
high energy, special relativity has to be taken into account wavelength of the probe particle used to scatter from it
and the actual collision energy is approximately equal to must be of the same order of magnitude as d. To probe
(2Mc2E)1/2. down to smaller scales, the probe’s wavelength has to be
made smaller. At high energies the de Broglie wavelength
ECOLL ~ (2Mc2E)1/2 of an electron is small enough to resolve particles inside

530
 Particle Physics

the proton. In effect, the electrons can diffract off quarks high frequency supply

inside the protons. If the probe particle such as electron can

be considered one source and the particle being probed as
another source, then according to the Rayleigh criterion, if
the central maximum of one diffraction pattern coincides
with the first minimum of the other diffraction pattern, to target
then the two sources will just be resolved.
drift tubes
So as the energy of the particles increases in the accelerator,
the momentum of the particles increases and therefore the Figure 2118  Drift tube accelerator
wavelength decreases.
As the protons enter a drift tube, they travel with a constant
velocity. At the gaps, the protons are accelerated and this is
J.2.3 Linear accelerators and why the tubes have to be progessively longer in size.

cyclotrons Knowing that W = qV = ½ mv2, then making v the subject

of the equation, we get:
Recall that an electric field can change the kinetic energy
of charged particles. A magnetic field cannot change the v = √ (2qV / m)
kinetic energy of charged particles but it can change their
direction. The path of a charged particle in an electric field By knowing the alternating potential difference and the
is parabolic and in a magnetic field it is circular. For an frequency of the electric source, the time that a particle is
electric field, F = qE and W = qV = ½ mv2. For a magnetic in each tube can be calculated by taking half the period of
field, F = qvB and qvB = mv2 / r. When a uniform electric the alternating potential difference. Therefore, the length
field and a uniform magnetic field are perpendicular to of each drift tube can be calculated.
each other, they are known as crossed fields, and if the
force exerted on a charged particle beam by each field The largest travelling-wave accelerator is at Stanford
is the same magnitude, then they can be used to select a University in the USA. It is electron-positron collider that
particle a single velocity from a beam containing particles is 3.2 km long. It is capable of accelerating electrons to
with differing velocities, a velocity selector, according to: an energy of 50 GeV in an evacuated system of storage
rings and the linear accelerator. The SLAC unit has been

OPTION
qE = qvB so that v = E/B responsible for the the discovery of the tau lepton and the
J/Psi meson as well as the up, down and strange quarks and
antiquarks directly observed due to electron scattering.
Linear accelerators The electrons and positrons gain their energy by giving
them a kick with microwave electromagnetic radiation.
A linear accelerator (LINAC) is a device that accelerates The basic components of the Stanford linear accelerator
charged particles in a straight line inside a long evacuated collider are:
tube. There are 2 types of linacs:
• the electron gun
• Drift tube accelerators as at Berkeley university • the positron producer unit
• Travelling wave accelerators as at Stanford university • 2 storage rings
• the linear accelerator
In the drift tube accelerator at Berkeley, protons are • the klystrons
accelerated to 31 MeV through a series of hollow cylindrical • the Stanford positron-electron accelerating ring
electrodes of increasing length called drift tubes as shown (SPEAR)
in Figure 2118. These electrodes are connected alternately • particle detectors inside the Stanford synchrotron
to opposite terminals of a high-frequency alternating research laboratory (SSRL)
potential difference produced by a magnetron.
At SLAC, the electrons are produced by an electron gun
by thermionic emission and then their speed is regulated
inside a klystron so that they arrive in bunches at the output
cavity with the required microwave wavelength before
they enter the accelerator. Some of the electrons are sent

531
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

to a damping ring and some are sent down the linac where Cyclotrons
they are diverted and collided with tungsten to produce
positron bunches which are then diverted by magnets back Linacs are used to make radioisotopes for medical
to a second damping ring. So why do we need damping diagnosis and therapy. The X-rays produced by
rings in a linear accelerator? The reason is that the bunches synchrotron radiation can be used to study the structure
of electrons and positrons tend to spread out if introduced of matter at the molecular level. A machine that is more
directly into the linear accelerator. Therefore, the particles commonly used for medical purposes is the cyclotron that
are sent to the small storage rings where the bunches lose was first invented by Ernest O Lawrence in the 1930s. A
energy due to synchrotron radiation (X-rays). The bunches schematic diagram of a cyclotron is shown in Figure 2120.
are re-accelerated with electric (F = qE) field as they pass The cyclotron is basically like a linac that has been
through a special cavity that sorts the bunches so that only wrapped into a tight spiral. It has the following important
those that have the required direction are fed into the two components:
linear accelerator lines.
• a source of charged particles usually protons,
Upon returning to the linear accelerator the bunches gain deuterons or helium nuclei
speed up to 99.9% the speed of light within the first few • 2 semi-circular boxes called dees
metres. The two lines are made of 80 000 small copper • a uniform magnetic field
discs about 2 cm thick with a small aperture (hole) that • an evacuated chamber
are joined together over the 3.2 km journey. Microwaves • an high-frequency alternating potential difference
klystrons placed along the track produce current in the
copper that then produces oscillating electromagnetic Protons are injected into the first D-sector near the centre
fields of the required sort so that all the microwaves are of the cyclotron and they move in a circular path according
in phase. The electron and positron bunches must arrive to r = mv / qB. If the proton takes time t to move a distance
in the copper discs just at the right moment when they πr to move through this dee, then t = πr / v. Therefore,
can be accelerated by the electric field. The positrons from these equations:
with opposite charge to the electrons will have to arrive
at a point when the oscillating electric field is in the t = πm / qB
opposite direction to that of the electron so that they can
be accelerated in the same direction as the electrons down This demonstrates that the time to travel around a dee is
the accelerator. constant for a constant magnetic field intensity, and that
the time is independent of the velocity and radius.
OPTION

After reaching the end of the linear accelerator, the

particle bunches are diverted into the SPEAR storage ring
that is 80 m in diameter. Dipole magnets separated by the Source
required distance keep the particle bunches circulating in
the ring with speeds up to 4 GeV. Again the particles lose Ion
energy due to synchrotron radiation and they have to be Detector
re-accelerated by electric fields at certain cavity points.
When they have the required energies, they are sent to
detectors at the Stanford synchrotron research laboratory
for analysis after the electron and positron bunches are
collided. Figure 2119 shows a schematic layout of the
SLAC. Alternating
P.D.
SSRL
PEP II SPEAR PEP II IR-2
Low Energy Ring detector
Figure 2120  Schematic diagram of a cyclotron
North Damping Ring Positron Source
Beam
Positron Return Line End
e-gun

Switch
Yard Station A

Final Focus SLD

There is a high-frequency alternating potential difference
between the dees that accelerates the protons into the
Test Beam
Linac
200 MeV
injector

NLCTA

South Damping Ring

PEP II
High Energy Ring
End
Station B
second D-sector. Since its velocity has increased it will
3 km
now travel in a path of larger radius because r = mv / qB.
After leaving the second D-sector, the polarity of of the
Figure 2119  Schematic layout of the SLAC potential difference is reversed and it is again accelerated
into the first D-sector. The protons follow a spiral path

532
 Particle Physics

that can consist of hundreds of loops. Upon reaching (16.8 miles) circumference
27 km Experimental
the maximum radius loop, the protons are deflected by a hall
charged plate and are incident on a target material with
energies of up to 25 MeV. Antiprotons
Protons

The energy gained E can be calculated for any radius

Large
according to: synchroton

E = ½ mv2 = ½ m(qBr / m)2

Since the potential difference must reverse twice each Accumulator

ring
cycle, then the period T of each cycle will be given by:
Small
synchroton Linear acceletor
T = 2πm / qB and therefore f = qB / 2πm
Figure 2121 The CERN electron-positron collider
This frequency is known as the cyclotron frequency or the
resonance frequency. This is usually 10 MHz which is in Firstly, beams of particles are injected into smaller
the radio frequency range. synchrotron rings. They consist of two evacuated tubes
at low pressure with large radii through which batches of
When the particles have energies of about 20 MeV, they particles can travel, one for a batch of particles and one
become appreciably more massive according to the theory for a batch of antiparticles. The batches are accelerated by
of relativity. This slows them down and they become an alternating potential difference of radio frequency as
unsynchronised with the alternating potential difference they move from cavity to cavity. At CERN, there are 14
when they travel across the gaps between the dees. The acceleration points. The tubes are surrounded by bending
solution is to use a synchrocyclotron. An oscillator (radio- magnets that keep the particles moving in the same
frequency generator) that accelerates the particles around circular path, and, focusing magnets that keep the particles
the dees is automatically adjusted to stay in step with the travelling through the center of the tube in a focused beam.
accelerated particles. As the beams gain momentum, the magnetic flux density
has to be increased to keep them traveling in a circular
path. When the particle beams have been accelerated
J.2.4 sTrucTurE aNd OPEraTION Of to many million electron volts, they are injected into a

OPTION
much larger synchrotron ring, and computers are used
a syNchrOTrON to maintain the relationship between the magnetic field
and oscillator frequency of the electric field to compensate
Two of the most famous synchrotrons are the large for the relativistic increase in mass. In a few seconds, the
hadron collider at CERN and the proton-antiproton particles reach energies greater than 1 GeV and are ejected,
Tevatron collider at Fermilab just outside Batavia, Illinois. either directly into experiments or toward targets that
Schematic diagrams for CERN’s electron-positron collider produce a variety of elementary particles upon collision
and Fermilab’s Tevatron are shown in Figures 2121 and with the accelerated particles.
2122. Synchrotrons are the most powerful members of
the accelerator family, the main components being: Proton
synchroton Protons Antiprotons

• a source of particles and antiparticles

• radio-frequency accelerating cavities
2
• bending magnets 5
• focusing magnets Antiproton Detector
storage 3
• detector ring
Main ring 4
6.4

m
k

(4
m iles
) cir
cum
ference

Tevatron

Figure 2122 The Fermilab proton-antiproton collider

533
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

Synchrotrons have a big radius because according to the

equation r = mv / qB, the larger the radius the greater are J.2.7 Problem solving of
the velocities that can be achieved and thus the greater
the kinetic energy of the particles. Remember it is not the particles in colliders
magnetic flux density that allows them to gain momentum
but rather the alternating potential difference of radio
frequency. Example 1

J.2.5 Bremmstrahlung radiation Calculate the wavelength and comment on the resolution
of a beam of 1.5 GeV electrons
When a fast-moving particle is rapidly decelerated or
deflected by another target particle, it radiates most of
its energy in the form of photons in what is known as Solution
bremsstrahlung or braking radiation in the X-ray region
of the electromagnetic spectrum. These photons can create
a variety of other particles. λ = h / p = h/mv ≈ h/mc = hc /mc2 where mc2 = 1.5 GeV.

The energy of the photons is given by: × 10-34 Js × 3 × 108 ms-1

1.5 × 109 eV × 1.6 × 10-19 JeV-1
W =eV = hc / λmin
= 8.3 × 10-16 m.

J.2.6 Advantages and This is less than the size of the nucleus and thus the resolution
should be good.
disadvantages of colliders

Figure 2123 lists some of the advantages and disadvantages Example 2

of the linac, cyclotron and the synchrotron.

Advantages Disadvantages A drift tube accelerator has an alternating potential

OPTION

Easier and less expensive Radiation loss big for difference of 50 kV, with a frequency of 10 MHz applied
accelerator

to a row of tubular electrodes. Calculate the length of the

Linear

to build. Do not need big small particles. Cannot

magnets. Do not need be used to study large first drift tube if electrons are to arrive at the right time to
large radii. particles. be accelerated in the next gap.
Cheap to build. Cannot be used for
Cyclotron

Good for medical use. massive particles.

Solution

Good for studying Radiation losses are big.

Synchrotron

massive particles. Very expensive to build. Knowing that W = qV = ½ mv2, then making v the subject
Can produce very high Need expensive of the equation, we get:
energy particles. magnets.
Higher chance for a v = √ (2qV / m) = √ [(2 × 1.6 × 10-19 C × 50 × 103 V ) ÷
collision in detectors. (9.11 × 10-31 kg)] = √8.78 × 1014

v = 2.96 × 107 ms-1.
Figure 2123  Advantages and disadvantages of colliders
f = 10 × 106 Hz and so T = 1 × 10-7 s.

534
 Particle Physics
2 × π × 1.673 × 10-27 kg × 15 × 106 s-1
B =
2 × π × 1.6731.6
××1010 kgC×=150.99
× 10
B=
-27-19
T6 s-1
1.6 × 10-19 C = 0.99 T
The average time for the polarity to change in the tube (b) mv2/r = qvB and therefore v = rqB / m. So,
lengths = T/2 = 0.5 × 10-7.
v = 0.5 m × 1.6 × 10-19 C × 0.99 T
v= 0.5 m × 1.6 × -27-19 C × 0.99 T 7
10
1.673 × 10 kg = 4.7 × 10 ms-1
Therefore, the length of the tube =
1.673 × 10-272 kg = 4.7 × 107 ms-27-1
EK = ½ mv = 0.5 × 1.673 × 10 kg × (4.7 × 107 ms-1)2
vt = 2.96 × 107 ms-1 × 5 × 10-8 m = 1.48 m.
= 1.84 × 10-12 J

Example 3 = 11.5 MeV.

The synchrotron at Fermilab has a diameter of 2.0 km. Particle detectors

Estimate the magnetic flux density needed to move a
proton beam of 350 GeV.
J.2.8 Outline the structure and operation of the
bubble chamber, the photomultiplier and
Solution the wire chamber.

J.2.9 Outline international aspects of research

mv2 / r = qvB where r = 1000 m. into high-energy particle physics.

If we assume that the proton beam is travelling at J.2.10 Discuss the economic and ethical
approximately the speed of light, then mv2 / r ≈ mc2 / r where implications of high-energy particle physics
mc2 = 350 GeV. Therefore, 9 research.
mc2 (350 × 10 eV × 1.6 × 10-19 JeV-1) ≈ 1.2 T. © IBO 2007
B2≈ qcr ≈ × 109 eV-19× 1.6 × 10-198 JeV-1-1)
(350
mc (1.6 × 10 C × 3 × 10 ms × 1000) ≈ 1.2 T.
B ≈ qcr ≈
(1.6 × 10-19 C × 3 × 108 ms-1 × 1000)
J.2.8 Structure and operation of
Example 4 detectors

OPTION
Bubble chambers
A cyclotron is operated at an oscillator frequency of 15
MHz and has a dee radius of 0.50 m. We are all familiar with the vapour trails of jet aircraft,
providing a record of the jet’s movement. The trails consist
(a) Calculate the magnetic flux density needed to of fine water droplets condensed on the jet’s exhaust fumes,
accelerate protons in the cyclotron. creating a long thin cloud. This is sort of the basis behind
cloud chambers. However, with the advent of particle
(b) Determine the kinetic energy of the protons in accelerators, the energetic particles could hurtle through
MeV. the cloud chamber without decaying or interacting with
chamber’s thin gas.

Solution Now when you open a bottle of soda you can explain that
there is a fall in pressure as you release the bottle’s cap
causing bubbles to rise up through the liquid. A young
(a) Since the potential difference must reverse twice Michigan physicist, Donald Glaser (born 1926) used this
each cycle, then the period T of each cycle will be idea to create a bubble chamber. He reasoned that if you
given by: T = 2πm / qB and therefore f = qB / 2πm put a liquid under pressure at close to its boiling point and
and B = 2πmf / q. So, then you lowered the pressure, the liquid would begin to
boil because lowering the pressure decreases the normal
2 × π × 1.673 × 10-27 kg × 15 × 106 s-1
B= boiling point of a liquid. But if you lower the pressure
1.6 × 10-19 C = 0.99 T
rapidly, no gas is formed even though it is above the
liquid’s boiling point. This state is called a “superheated
liquid”. It is an unstable state that can only exist for a short

v = 0.5 m × 1.6 × 10-19 C × 0.99 T

535
1.673 × 10 kg = 4.7 × 107 ms-1
-27
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

period unless no disturbance happens in the liquid. But if several more electrons. These are then accelerated to the
a disturbance such as charged particles moving through next dynode and so on. An avalanche of electrons builds
the liquid occurred, bubbles would form along the path up down the tube with perhaps 106 electrons arriving at
of the charged particles as they ionise the particles in the the anode 1 nanosecond later. The voltage pulse at the
liquid, and these paths can be photographed. final resistor can be counted by an electronic system. The
height of each pulse carries information about the number
By repeating cycles of lowering and rapidly increasing of ion-pairs created in the scintillator by the emission.
the pressure, many paths of charged particle could be So, the received signals from the photomultiplier are
obtained. measured, digitised, and the information is transmitted to
higher computers to reconstruct the events of a collision.
Glaser chose diethyl ether as the liquid because of its low
vapour pressure but this was replaced with liquid hydrogen The wire chamber (spark counter)
at the suggestion of L.W. Alvarez. Bubble chambers are
easy to handle and the particle’s path can be viewed from The wire chamber operates on the principle of a Geiger-
all angles to give a three-dimensional picture. However, Müller tube. This tube is a very sensitive type of ionisation
the data acquisition is slow and the bubble chamber has chamber that can detect single ionising events. It consists
been phased out as a particle detector. of a cylindrical metal cathode (the wall of the tube) and a
wire anode as shown in Figure 2125.
Photomultipliers

The main instrument used for studying radioactivity and +400 V

mica + -
X-rays at the beginning of the 1900s was the electroscope. window
A more convenient and accurate instrument is the wire anode

scintillator or scintillation counter. This was the method

used by Geiger and Marsden and Rutherford to count metal cathode pulse output
alpha-particles as they were scattered from thin gold foil.
The alpha-particles emitted by the radium source have Figure 2125  Schematic diagram of the Geiger-Müller tube
kinetic energy which can be converted to tiny flashes of
light called scintillations. The tube is filled with argon gas. The mica window allows
various types of radiation to enter. A potential difference
A scintillation counter consists of an appropriate phosphor around 400 V is maintained between the anode and the
OPTION

such as zinc sulfide combined with a photomultiplier tube cathode, and because the anode is very thin, an intense
as shown in Figure 2124. Not only alpha-particles but also electric field is created near it. When radiation enters
the weak flashes of beta-particles and gamma radiation the tube and produces a few ions, the tube dramatically
can be detected. increases the number of ions to produce a pulse of charge.
As negative charge accelerates towards the wire anode, they
signal
photoelectron 2V 4V anode 10V have sufficient energy to produce ion-pairs. The electrons
released by this secondary ionisation create more ion-pairs
scintillator in an “electron avalanche”. All the electrons are absorbed
by the wire to produce a large pulse of anode current. And
the resistance of the gas is said to have broken down.
vacuum
photon
dynodes
The positive ions being more massive are slower to move
towards the cathode and after a short time there are so
photocathode 1V 3V 5V many positive ions near the anode that the electric field
0V
around the wire is cancelled out and thus prevents more
ionisation. So the electron avalanche and the associated
Figure 2124  A photomultiplier unit anode current are cancelled out.

It produces an electrical pulse for each ionizing emission This process is known as gas amplification and as many as
it detects. Each flash of light in the scintillator can knock 108 electrons can be produced in a single ionising event.
an electron out of the surface of the photocathode. This is
at negative voltage so the electron is accelerated towards
the first dynode, gaining enough energy to knock out

536
 Particle Physics

The wire chamber differs from the Geiger- Müller tube in

that it has planes of thin wires spaced millimetres apart J.2.10 Economic and ethical
inside the chamber. The data collected gives the arrival
time of a particle as well as its track. In many particle aspects of high-energy
physics experiments, beams of particles are maintained by
by focusing and bending magnets in what is known as a particle research
beam line. In this way, particles of interest can be kept
circulating until needed. Wire chambers are placed along This last section urges the reader to apply the IB Learner
the beam line to identify individual particles and their profile and to reflect on the IB MYP Science assessment
momentum. criterion called “One World” that examines the good and
bad effects of the impact of science and technology on
society and the social, political, economic, environmental
J.2.9 International aspects of and ethical implications that are involved as a result of this
activity.
particle research
The economic implications of high-energy particle
“Students should be aware that governments need research are high as the facilities cost millions of dollars
to collaborate to construct and operate large-scale to setup and maintain. Some organizations argue that this
research facilities. There are very few accelerators, for money could be better spent to remove poverty from the
example, CERN, DESY, SLAC, Fermilab and Brookhaven. world, to fight the HIV epidemic or to improve the social
Results are disseminated and shared by scientists in standing of citizens. Even at the height of the Cold War,
many countries”. Western and Soviet scientists collaborated in the field of
© IBO 2007
particle physics.

As already mentioned in the introduction to this chapter, This section is for you the reader to decide through
the number of employees at the facilities mentioned gathering the facts and debating for and against particle
above is quite high and researchers and engineers from all research.
countries are selected for their expertise to work at these
facilities. CERN and DESY (Germany) are funded by the
European Economic Community (EEC). Exercise J.2

OPTION
The various facilities share the information that gather in a
joint collaboration. This is necessary because some operate 1. Calculate the total energy and wavelength of a
at the lepton level and others at the hadron level. The proton that has kinetic energy of 30 GeV.
researchers would love to be the first to make predictions
and then track down the remaining enigmas of the grand 2. Calculate the strength of a magnetic field use in
unified theory (GUT) such as the Higgs boson, and there a cyclotron in which a deuteron makes 1.5 × 107
has been some fierce rivalry in the early days of particle revolutions per second.
physics. However, the cooperation needed to solve the
mysteries of cosmology and particles has continued 3. Calculate the wavelength and comment on the
throughout the last century or so. resolution of a beam of 3.2 GeV protons.

4. A drift tube accelerator has an alternating

potential difference of 30 kV, with a frequency of
15 MHz applied to a row of tubular electrodes.
Calculate the length of the first drift tube if
electrons are to arrive at the right time to be
accelerated in the next gap.

5. The synchrotron at Fermilab has a diameter of

2.0 km. Estimate the magnetic field intensity
needed to move a proton beam of 300 GeV.

537
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

6. A cyclotron is operated at an oscillator frequency 11. At CERN, protons are injected into the 200 m diameter,
of 15 MHz and has a dee radius of 0.50 m. 28 GeV synchrotron ring with an energy of 50 MeV.
The tube is filled with protons which are injected with
(a) Calculate the magnetic flux density needed a proton current of 100 mA for 6 μs. There are 14
to accelerate deuterons in the cyclotron. acceleration points spaced evenly around the ring with
(b) Determine the kinetic energy of the protons a potential difference between the electrodes of each
in MeV. accelerator of 4 kV. The final energy of the proton is 28
GeV. If relativistic effects are ignored:
7. Estimate the maximum resolving power that
attainable using 370 GeV protons. (a) calculate the speed of the proton at injection
(b) determine the time it takes to go around the
8. The hadron track at CERN has a diameter of ring at this speed
8.5 km. Estimate the time it would take a high- (c) calculate the momentum of the proton at
energy proton to make one revolution in the injection
collider. (d) determine the number of protons that were
injected
9. The following figure is a sketch of the path of the (e) deduce by how much the energy of a
pair production of an proton and antiproton. proton increases in each revolution of the
There is a magnetic field pointing out of the page. synchrotron
(f) estimate the number of times a proton must
go around the accelerator to obtain its final
A maximum energy.
B
J.3 (HL), d5 (SL) QUARKS
J.3.1 List the six types of quark.

J.3.2 State the content, in terms of quarks and

(a) Explain which of the tracks is due to the antiquarks, of hadrons (that is, baryons and
OPTION

antiproton, A or B. mesons).
(b) Deduce whether the particles have the same
energy. J.3.3 State the quark content of the proton and
(c) Calculate the minimum energy required for the neutron.
the pair production in GeV.
J.3.4 Define baryon number and apply the law of
10. An ion gun in an evacuated container consists conservation of baryon number.
of 2 parallel conducting plates separated by a
distance of 2.0 cm. A potential difference of 50 kV J.3.5 Deduce the spin structure of hadrons (that
is applied across the plates. Protons enter between is, baryons and mesons).
the plates and drift with negligible speed into a
region between the plates. The negative plate has a J.3.6 Explain the need for colour in forming
small hole where protons can be ejected. bound states of quarks.

(a) Calculate the electric field strength between J.3.7 State the colour of quarks and gluons.
the plates.
(b) Determine the energy of the protons that J.3.8 Outline the concept of strangeness.
are ejected through the hole of the negative
plate. J.3.9 Discuss quark confinement.
(c) Deduce that the speed of the protons
ejected through the hole is approximately J.3.10 Discuss the interaction that binds nucleons
3.1 × 10-6 ms-1. in terms of the colour force between quarks.
© IBO 2007
(d) Describe why the apparatus is evacuated.

538
 Particle Physics

The three quarks initially proposed were named Up

J.3.1 Types of quarks (symbol u), Down (symbol d), and Strange (symbol s). Up
and down have charges of +2/3e and -1/3e respectively,
In 1963, the American physicist Murray Gell-Mann and zero strangeness, while strange has a charge of -1/3,
(born in 1929), and the Israeli physicist Yuval Ne’eman but a strangeness value of –1. Baryons are built by grouping
independently developed a new classification system for quarks in threes. For example, the proton is duu, while the
the hundreds of elementary particles known at that time. neutron is ddu.
Gell-Mann called his new theory the eightfold way.
Note that these groupings support the law of conservation
Gell-Mann realised that if baryons and mesons were of charge.
organised according to their charge, strangeness, and
spin (angular momentum), simple patterns emerged. He Once the idea of quarks had been proposed, scientists
used a new quantity called hypercharge, which was the began to hunt for evidence of their existence. Physicists
sum of the baryon and strangeness numbers, as well as at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre used electron
the spin number, to place each particle on a graph. What beams to bombard liquid hydrogen (protons), and soon
emerged were hexagon-shaped patterns, with six particles discovered tiny, point-like charge concentrations inside
forming the hexagon and two particles at the centre of the proton. These charge points were determined to have
each hexagon, hence the name eightfold way. Subsequent the predicted charges, verifying that quarks do indeed
work lead to triangle-shaped patterns consisting of ten exist.
particles.
Scientists then proceeded to try to make quarks, using
The true test of any theory is its ability to not only explain colliding beams of electrons and positrons, such as the
known phenomena, but also to make predictions of new ones used in the LEP Collider at the European Laboratory
phenomena. When Gell-Mann’s diagrams were initially for Particle Physics. In 1974, a new quark was discovered
set up, all of the particles on them were known, except one. that had a charge of +2/3e. The new quark was named
That one particle was called omega minus (Ω–). Using his charm (symbol c) because of its “magical” ability to solve
diagrams, Gell-Mann was able to predict the strangeness, certain theoretical problems. Another new quark, named
isotopic spin, charge, and mass of the new particle, which bottom or beauty (symbol b), was discovered in 1977.
gave physicists more than enough information to begin Bottom carries a charge of -1/3e. Because quarks must
searching for the particle. It took only seven months for the occur in pairs, a sixth quark has been proposed, with the
existence of the predicted particle to be verified. Murray suggested names top or truth (symbol t) and a predicted

OPTION
Gell-Mann received the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physics for his charge of +2/3e. Some properties of quarks are given in
new classification scheme. Figure 2127.

Gell-Mann’s work did not end with the discovery of the Quark Spin Q B S C B T
omega minus particle. His classification scheme suggested
Charmed
Strange

that the hadrons known in 1964 were not actually Bottom

Baryon
Charge

fundamental particles, but that these baryons and mesons

ness

ness

ness
were actually composed of even more fundamental Top
particles. Up u ½ +⅔ ⅓ 0 0 0 0
Down d ½ -⅓ ⅓ 0 0 0 0
The new fundamental particles were given the whimsical Strange s ½ -⅓ ⅓ -1 0 0 0
name quarks, a name which was apparently taken from Charmed c ½ +⅔ ⅓ 0 +1 0 0
a line in the James Joyce novel, Finnegan’s Wake. The line Bottom b ½ -⅓ ⅓ 0 0 -1 0
reads “Three quarks for Muster Mark.” Top t ½ +⅔ ⅓ 0 0 0 -1

To build all the hadrons known in 1964, only three

quarks were necessary. Gell-Mann soon determined the Figure 2127  Properties of quarks
characteristics such as mass, charge and spin that these
quarks would need. It is interesting to note that these The corresponding symbols for the antiquarks are, Up;
– – – – – –
quarks need to have fractions of the charge on an electron u, Down; d, Strange; s , Charmed; c , Bottom; b, Top; t .
in order to work, a suggestion that was quite revolutionary Their properties are the same as those for quarks except
in the wake of nearly sixty years of evidence that the that they have the opposite signs. For example, an ‘strange’
electron was the smallest unit of charge. quark has a charge of - ⅓ e, a Baryon number of ⅓ and

539
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

a strangeness of –1, meaning that the corresponding

antiquark would have a charge of -⅓, a baryon number of J.3.4 Conservation of baryon
–⅓ and a strangeness of +1.
number (B)

J.3.2 and J.3.3 Quark content of The baryon number is given the symbol B. It was introduced
as a conservation law when it was found that reactions that
the hadrons conserved electric charge were not taking place.

Some properties of the hadrons and their quark content For example, consider the following reaction:
are given in Figure 2128. The symbols Q, B and S stand
for charge, baryon number and strangeness that will be p + p → p + π+
introduced in the next two sections J.3.4 and J.3.6.
Q 1 + 1 = 1 + 1 charge is conserved but the reaction
Name Mass Q B S Spin Quarks does not occur.
Mesons
– – If we apply a couple of simple rules then we can decide
pion (pi-zero) π 0 135 0 0 0 0 u�
u or d�
d
antiparticle self π0 MeV 0 0 0 whether baryon number is conseved. The rules are:
–
pion (pi-plus) π + 140 +1 0 0 0 ud
(pi-minus) π - MeV -1 0 0 • the total number of baryons must remain constant
– • all baryons are assigned a baryon number of 1
kaon (K-zero) K0 498 0 +1 1 0 d�
u
anti-kaon zero K-0 MeV 0 -1 -1 (p, n, Λ, Σ, Ξ)
– • all non-baryons (leptons and mesons) are assigned
kaon (K-plus) K+ 494 +1 +1 1 0 d�s
– a baryon number of 0 (π, Κ, e, μ, τ).
(K-minus) K- MeV -1 -1 -1 s�
u
– • an antiparticle has the opposite baryon number (-1)
J/psi 3.1 0 +1 0 1 c�c
Gev from its particle.
Baryons
proton p 938.8 +1 +1 0 ½ uud If we take the original reaction and look at the baryon
Mev numbers we have:
– – ––
antiproton p 938.8 -1 -1 0 ½ uud
Mev p + p → p + π+
OPTION

neutron n 939.6 0 +1 0 ½ ddu

– –– – Q1+1=1+1
anti-neutron n Mev 0 -1 0 ddu
lamda Λ0 1.115 0 +1 -1 ½ uds
– ––– B1+1≠1+0
anti-lamda Λ0 Gev 0 -1 +1 uds
sigma-zero Σ0 1.192 0 +1 -1 ½ uds
– –––
anti-sigma zero Σ0 Gev 0 -1 +1 uds The reaction does not occur because the baryon number
sigma-plus Σ+ 1.189 +1 +1 -1 ½ uus is not conserved.
– –––
anti-sigma minus Σ- Gev -1 -1 +1 uus
sigma-minus Σ- 1.197 -1 +1 -1 ½ dds Now we will look at an earlier equation:
– –––
anti-sigma plus Σ+ GeV +1 +1 dds
xi-minus Ξ -
1.321 -1 +1 -2 ½ dss π­- + p → Σ- + Κ+
– –––
anti-xi plus Ξ+ GeV +1 -1 +2 ds s
xi-zero Ξ0 1.315 0 +1 -2 ½ uss Q -1 + 1 = -1 + 1 charge is conserved.
– –––
anti-xi zero Ξ0 GeV 0 -1 +2 us s
omega minus Ω- 1.672 -1 +1 -3 3
∕2 sss B 0 + 1 = 1 + 0 baryon number is conserved.
–––
omega plus Ω+ GeV +1 -1 +3 sss
The reaction does occur because electric charge and the
Figure 2128  Properties of some mesons and baryons baryon number is conserved.
and their quark content
Finally, let us take an example that examines the 3
conservation laws introduced so far:

540
 Particle Physics

n→π++π– As can be seen, the Λ0 baryon has an up and a down quark

spinning in opposite directions and the strange quark
energy 1 1/7 + 1/7 mass is greater in the initial particle spinning in the same direction as the up quark. The total
spin is ½ + ½ - ½ = ½). But, for the Σ0 baryon, the up
Q 0 = 1 - 1 charge is conserved and down quarks are spinning in same direction and the
strange quark spins in the opposite direction to the up and
B 1 ≠ 0 + 0 baryon number is not conserved. down quarks. The total spin is ½ + ½ - ½ = ½.

The reaction does not occur.

J.3.6 Colour in forming bound
J.3.5 Spin structure of hadrons states of quarks

The rules for spin as mentioned in section J.1.4 are: After quark theory had been proposed, it was suggested
that quarks and gluons had properties of colour charge
• Leptons, quarks and lighter baryons can have a and colour force respectively. This new theory was
total spin of ½ with two different states – spin up called quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Quarks are
+ ½ and spin down – ½ – with the spin down state differentiated from one another primarily by their charges
having slightly less energy than the spin up state. and their energies. However, they do differ by another
• Mesons have a spin number equal to 0 or 1 property, referred to as their colour, and this colour is
• Gauge bosons have a spin number equal to 1 necessary to satisfy the Pauli exclusion principle. All
• Some heavier baryons have a spin number of 3/2 fermions (leptons, baryons, and quarks) obey the exclusion
• Integral spin can be 0, 1, 2….. and half-integral principle and have a half-integral spin such as ½ , 3/2, 5/2
and half-integral spin can be 1/2, 3/2, 5/2 … The bosons do not obey the exclusion principle and
have whole number spins such as 0,1,2…
The quantum number rules for particles with a spin of ½,
3/2, 5/2 require that they must be distinguishable from The colours assigned to the flavours of quarks are the three
each other in at least one quantum number. These are primary colours, red, green, and blue, and for anti-quarks
the particles that are the building blocks of matter. The cyan, magenta, yellow, although there is no connection
particles that have a spin number of 0, 1, 2…..can all have between the colour property and actual colour. As quarks
the same quantum numbers including position, and these are much smaller than the wavelength of visible light, they

OPTION
are the particles that are associated with forces. would not have any colour at all. Anti-quarks carry the
anti-colours of anti-red, anti-green and anti-blue.
Spin is an important characteristic of some baryons that
contain three quarks. For example the baryons Λ0 and Remember that elementary particles are divided into
Σ0 both have the same three quarks – uds as shown in three main families based on their interactions. The
Figure 2129. lepton family is characterised by its lack of interaction
via the strong nuclear force and is therefore colourless.
0 0
The hadron family is characterised predominantly by its
interactions via the strong nuclear force. Baryons such
as protons and neutrons are also colourless but they
are composed of coloured quarks. It is thought that the
u d u d colour property of the quarks causes strong interactions
whenever one baryon comes close enough to another for
the quarks to feel the effects of colour with one another.
The fact that hadrons have no colour is a consequence of
s s quark confinement to be discussed shortly.

Baryons are composed of quarks of all three colours

and mesons contain quarks of one colour and the
corresponding antiquark such as blue and anti-blue. The
Figure 2129  Internal spin states for Λ0 and Σ0 baryons colours of the quarks are thought to neutralise each other.
So the strong nuclear force can be thought of as arising out

541
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

of the colour force which would make the colour force a However, this reaction does not take place.
fundamental force.
Here are some rules for strangeness:
Just like electrically-charged particles, exchange photons
in an electromagnetic interaction, coloured particles • the strangeness of leptons is zero
exchange gluons during the strong interactions causing • protons, neutrons and pions are assigned a
the particles to be “glued” together. Unlike the photon that strangeness of 0
carries no colour change, gluons carry combinations of a • K+ and K0 mesons are assigned a strangeness of +1
colour and an anti-colour and therefore change the colour • K-, and Λ and Σ baryons are assigned a strangeness
of the quarks when they pass from one to another. These of -1
colours can be mixed such as a red/anti-blue combination. • Ξ baryons are assigned a baryon number of -2
• Ω baryons are assigned a baryon number of -3
The changing of colour is different to what happens in • all antiparticles have the opposite strangeness to
other particle exchanges where there is no change to the their particles.
particles doing the exchanging. This feature of gluons is
important due to the fact that when quarks move apart, So let us assign strangeness to the above example:
the strong force actually gets stronger, rather than weaker.
This accounts for the fact that it highly unlikely that an π–+p→π-+Σ+
individual quark will be observed because gluons are
normally produced in quark-antiquark pairs. There are 8 Q -1 + 1 = -1 + 1 charge is conserved.
combinations of colour/anti-colour for gluons.
B 0 + 1 = 0 + 1 baryon number is conserved.

J.3.8 Conservation of S 0 + 0 ≠ 0 + 1 strangeness is not conserved.

strangeness (S) Therefore, the reaction does not occur.

Another property which differs for particles and their Now let us examine a further nuclear reaction.
corresponding antiparticles is strangeness. Strangeness
(symbol S) is a quantum number introduced in the early p + p → p + p + K+ + K-
1950s to explain the production and decay behaviour of
OPTION

some newly found particles, namely the kaon (symbol Q 1 + 1 = 1 + 1 + 1 + (-1) charge is conserved.
K0) and the lambda hyperon (symbol Λ0). These particles
are always produced in pairs, even though conservation B 1 + 1 = 1 + 1 + 0 + 0 baryon number is conserved and
of mass-energy laws would allow production of single the number of baryons is the same.
particles. Also, they are unstable even though the particles
have much longer lifetimes than would be expected, leading S 0 + 0 = 0 + 0 + 1 + (-1) strangeness is conserved.
scientists to believe they were produced via the strong
force but decay via the weak interaction force. Strangeness Therefore, this reaction can occur.
was found to be conserved in strong nuclear interactions,
but not in weak ones. Antiparticles of those particles Now let us examine the quark content of the particles
that exhibit strange behaviour are assigned strangeness that exhibit strangeness. The K+ meson consist of an up
numbers that are opposite to their corresponding particle’s quark and an anti-strange quark (strangeness of +1),
strangeness number. So strangeness needs to be conserved and K­- consists of a strange quark and an anti-up quark
in all strong and electromagnetic interactions but it does (strangeness of -1). Another example is the Λ baryon that
not need to be conserved in weak interactions. contains uds quarks and has strangeness of -1. Finally, the
Ξ- contains dss quarks and is assigned strangeness of -2.
Let us look at the following example Therefore, it can be seen the number of the strangeness is
negative for each strange quark present and positive for
π–+p→π-+Σ+ each anti-quark present.

Q -1 + 1 = -1 + 1 charge is conserved

B 0 + 1 = 0 + 1 baryon number is conserved.

542
 Particle Physics

J.3.9 Quark confinement J.4.1 Three-family structure in

Colour-charged particles such as quarks and gluons can the standard model
never be found in isolation. They always exist in groups.
In fact it is found that the strong (colour) interaction The standard model of elementary particles is shown in
increases when quarks are tried to be separated. With Figure 2131. This model shows the three generations of
the tremendous energy of modern particle accelerators, leptons and quarks. Figure 2130 is the legend that shows
it was once thought that a quark may be one day found the properties of the elementary particles.
individually. However, all that we get in collisions is more
3-coloured baryons, and, colour and anti-colour mesons. LEGEND
A particle with four quarks has never been found. So, only I Generation
combinations that are colour-neutral can be found. The
property that quarks are always found in groups that are
Name up
colourless is called quark confinement.
1/3 Charge

J.3.10 Interaction that binds RGB Colour

nucleons in terms of the Symbol u ~ 310 Rest mass
colour force between quarks MeVc -2

The interaction between nucleons is the residual Figure 2130  The legend for the elementary particles
interaction between the quarks in the nucleons and this is
a short-range interaction. The standard model is the presently accepted theory
describing the electromagnetic and weak interactions of
quarks and leptons.
J.4 LEPTONS AND
THE STANDARD J.4.2 Conservation of lepton

OPTION
MODEL number (L)

The lepton number is given the symbol L. As already

J.4.1 State the three-family structure of quarks mentioned, leptons carry the same electric charge and
and leptons in the standard model. react via the weak and electromagnetic forces but not the
strong force. They have partner neutrinos and they are
J.4.2 State the lepton number of the leptons in split into 3 generations - Le, Lμ and Lτ.
each family.
Neutrinos must accompany their partner leptons. But how
J.4.3 Solve problems involving conservation laws does one know if a neutrino or an antineutrino is involved
in particle reactions. in a reaction or a decay. Basically, the rules are:

J.4.4 Evaluate the significance of the Higgs If the lepton and neutrino are on the same side of an
particle (boson). equation
© IBO 2007

• electrons, negative muons and negative tau must

be accompanied by an antineutrino
• positrons, positive muons and positive tau must be
accompanied by an neutrino.

543
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

Leptons Antileptons
I II III I II III
electron -1 muon -1 tau -1 positron +1 antimuon+1 antitau +1
–-
e­- μ- τ- e+ ū τ
0.511 106.6 1784 0.511 101.6 1784
electron 0 muon 0 tau 0 electron 0 muon 0 tau 0
neutrino neutrino neutrino antineutrino antineutrino antineutrino
– – –
νe νμ ντ ν e+ νμ ντ
~0 ~0 < 70 ~0 ~0 <70

Figure 2231 (a)  Leptons and Antileptons

Quarks Antiquarks
I II III I II III
Up Charm Top Anti Up Anti Charm Anti Top
+2/3 + 2/3 +2/3 - 2/3 - 2/3 - 2/3
– – –
u RGB c RGB t RGB u CMY c CMY t CMY
~ 310 1500 > 22500 ~ 310 1500 > 22500
Down Strange Bottom Anti Down Anti Strange Anti Bottom
- 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3
– – –
d RGB s RGB b RGB d CMY s CMY b CMY
~ 310 505 ~ 5000 ~ 310 505 ~ 5000

Figure 2231 (b)  Quarks and Antiquarks

Force Exchange Rest mass Charge Spin Relative Range Colour

particle GeVc-2 strength
strong Gluons g 0 0 1 < 10-18 m Yes
weak W+ 81 +1 1 10 -19
< 10-15 m Colour neutral
W- 81 -1 1
Z0 93 0 1
OPTION

Higgs boson > 83 0 1

hypothetical
Electromagnetic photons 0 0 1 10-2 Infinite Colour neutral
gravity graviton 0 0 2 10-30 Infinite Colour neutral

Figure 2131 (c) Properties of elementary particles

If the lepton and neutrino are on the opposite side of an • the total number in each generation must always
equation remain the same
• the electron and electron-neutrino are assigned a
• electrons, negative muons and negative tau must lepton electron number of 1
be accompanied by an neutrino • the negative muon and muon-neutrino are
• positrons, positive muons and positive tau must be assigned a lepton muon number of 1
accompanied by an antineutrino. • the negative tau and tau-neutrino are assigned a
lepton tau number of 1
Again, this can be understood in terms of a new • all other particles are assigned a lepton number of 0
conservation rule – the conservation of lepton number. • an antiparticle has the opposite lepton number (-1)
The rules for lepton number conservation are: from its particle.

544
 Particle Physics

For example, consider the following reaction:

Solution
νe + μe → e- + νμ

Le 1 + 0 = 1 + 0 first generation lepton number is (a) Q -1 ≠ +1 + (+1). Charge is not conserved.

conserved
Le 0 ≠ 0 + 1. Lepton number is not conserved.
Lμ 0 + 1 = 0 + 1 second generation lepton number is
conserved. Lμ 0 ≠ 1 + 0. Muon number is not conserved.

Therefore the reaction can take place. (b) Q 0 = 0 + 0. Charge is conserved.

Now let us look at a second equation: B 1 = 1 + 0 Baryon number is conserved and the
number of baryons is the same.
n + νe → p + μ-
(c) Although charge is conserved, the lepton generation
Le 0 + 1 ≠ 0 + 0 first generation lepton number is not number is not conserved.
conserved
(d) Although charge is conserved, baryon number is not
Lμ 0 + 0 ≠ 0 + 1 second generation lepton number is conserved.
not conserved.
(e) This reaction occurs. Charge is conserve and there is
Therefore the reaction cannot take place. a pair of strange hadrons.

Q1+1=1+1+0
J.4.3 Solving problems using
B1+1=1+1+0
conservation laws
S 0 + 0 = 0 + -1 + 1
Electric charge, total energy, momentum, baryon
number and family lepton number are conserved in all
J.4.4 Significance of the higgs

OPTION
particle reactions. Strangeness is conserved in strong
and electromagnetic interactions, but not always in weak
interactions. boson

Scientists have gathered a lot of evidence about the structure

Example and constituents of the atom but as yet, it is not known
how particles get their masses. Furthermore, particle
theorists have wondered why the W and Z bosons have
Indicate the validity of each of the following decay large masses rather than being massless like the photon.
processes. State the reason for your choice. Peter Higgs proposed that particles can acquire mass as a
result of interactions with a hypothetical extra electroweak
(a) π - → μ + + νe force field called the Higgs field. Higgs reasoned that if
we start out with a particle H that has mass but no other
(b) Ξ0 → Λ0 + π0 conservation characteristics and bring it close to another
particle, say a proton, then H can interact with the proton
(c) μ- → e- + νe + νμ because there is a force between them. If H and the proton
interact, then H must be a boson.
(d) p+p→p+p+n
When particles are created and annihilated in accelerators,
(e) p + p → p + Σ+ + K0 particles are said to arise from ‘fields’ that are spread out in
space and time. By using quantum mechanics mathematics,
Higgs found that if H was in its lowest energy state of a field
– empty space – the field would not be zero. Therefore, the

545
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

Higgs particle (boson) that interacts with other particles 5. No particles of fractional charge have been
can gain mass as a result of the interaction. confirmed thus far. Does this mean that quarks do
not exist? Explain.
Now the search is on to find the Higgs particle, and it is
hoped that once the hadron collider is commisioned at the 6. Explain why is it impossible thus far to detect
end of 2007 at CERN, that this elusive boson will be found. It single quarks?
is important to find it because it plays an important role in the
unification of different forces. If it is not found, then particle 7. List 3 quarks that will produce a baryon with a
physics is back to the drawing board, a new theory will have charge of:
to be proposed to replace the Grand Unifying Theory.
(a) +1
(b) -1
Exercise J.3 (c) 0

8. By using the the conservation rules determine the

1. Given the following particles, and their quark missing particle in the following reactions.
composition, determine the charge of each
particle: (a) K+ → π+ + π0
(b) π- + p → n+
a. Λ; uds (c) π- + p → Λ+
b. Σ; uus (d) π0 → γ + e+ +
–
c. π+ ; ud (e) K+ → νμ+
–
d. K-; us
9. Determine whether the following nuclear
2. The weak force is reactions will occur.

(a) the only force affecting neutrons (a) p + p → p + K+ + Λ0

(b) responsible for radioactive decay (b) n + νe → μ- + p
–
(c) the only force affecting protons (c) p + n → energy
(d) responsible for stability of the nucleus (d) μ+ + e- → energy
3. Strangeness must be conserved in: (e) p + νe → e+ + Λ0 + K0
–
OPTION

(f) p + νμ → μ+ + n
(a) weak interactions (g) p + νe → e- + Σ+ + K+
(b) in electromagnetic interactions only (h) K+ → π+ + π0
(c) in strong interactions interactions only (i) Λ0 → p + K-
(d) in both strong and electromagnetic
interactions. 10. State the quark content of the following particles
and name the particle/antiparticle pairs.
4. State the name of the force carrier in the Feynman
diagram shown in the Figure below. Explain why (a) Λ0
you have chosen this force carrier. (b) Σ+
(c) π0
(d) K+
ν (e) π-
ν

11. Identify the equation for the decay of a neutron by

beta-decay. Explain this decay using a Feynman
diagram.
e- virtual photon
e-

546
 Particle Physics

J.5 EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR THE

QUARK AND STANDARD MODELS
approach zero for very close confinement. On the other
J.5.1 State what is meant by deep inelastic hand, if the quarks move apart, the force of attraction
scattering. becomes stronger. This discovery is known as asymptotic
freedom and it established quantum chromodynamics
J.5.2 Analyse the results of deep inelastic QCD as the correct theory to explain the nature of the
scattering experiments. strong force. The calculations done by Gross, Wilczek and
Politzer showed that quarks are held together very strongly
J.5.3 Describe what is meant by asymptotic at distances that are comparable to the size of a proton,
freedom. and this explained the concept of quark confinement, that
was previously mentioned in section J3.
J.5.4 Describe what is meant by neutral current.
Quark confinement can be visualized by using what is
J.5.5 Describe how the existence of a neutral known as the “bag model” as shown in Figure 2134.
current is evidence for the standard model.
© IBO 2007

D
U D
U
J.5.1 – J.5.2 Deep inelastic U U U
U
U U D
U U
U U D
D
U D
U U
scattering D
U
U U D
U
D
U
Electrons can be used in collisions to indirectly identify
protons inside the nucleus, and we now know that at high
energies the de Broglie wavelength of an electron is small Figure 2134  The bag model of quark confinement
enough to resolve particles inside the proton.
In a normal proton, the quarks are close together and are

OPTION
However, before the late 1960s, particle accelerators could free to move within the proton “bag”. However, when you
not produce the energies needed to probe inside protons. supply energy of the order of a GeV per femto distance,
However, when the SLAC linac came on line, electrons 10-15 m, the bag stretches like a balloon. The energy needed
could be accelerated up to 20 GeV. Low energy electrons to remove a quark is much larger than that to produce a
tend to be scattered away by protons. However, if the quark-antiquark pair. So instead of removing the quark,
electron has sufficient energy, it can probe deep inside you just get a shower of mesons produced.
the proton. The collision is inelastic because the proton
is disrupted and produces new particles. In effect, the
electrons can diffract off quarks inside the protons causing J.5.4 – J.5.5 Neutral currents
one quark to move away from the other two, and this
shattering produces a stream of hadrons. and the z0 intermediate

These and later experiments have provided evidence for boson

the existence of quarks, gluons and colour.
Recall that the weak interaction is mediated by the W+, the
W- and the Z0 intermediate bosons.
J.5.3 Asymptotic freedom
In the 1960s, it was thought that the weak force that was
In 1973, David Gross and Frank Wilczek working responsible for radioactive decay was carried by the W+ and
at Princeton university and David Politzer working W- intermediate bosons. However, when the electroweak
independently at Harvard university found that as quarks theory that unified the electromagnetic and weak force
inside a meson or baryon get closer together, the force of was proposed by Sheldon Glashow and Steven Weinberg at
attraction between them gets weaker so as to asymptotically Harvard and Abdus Salam at Imperial College, London,

547
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

it became obvious that the weak force should also have

a neutral charge carrier. If this was the case, there must J.6 COSMOLOGY
be reactions in which the charges of interacting particles
were not moved between particles. They termed such a AND STRINGS
reaction a neutral current reaction. The neutral current
was finally discovered at CERN in 1983. The discovery of
neutral current Z0 interaction was of great significance in J.6.1 State the order of magnitude of the
establishing the validity of the electroweak theory. temperature change of the universe since
the Big Bang.
Electroweak forces can be classified as:
J.6.2 Solve problems involving particle
• The electromagnetic interaction mediated by the interactions in the early universe.
photon.
• The charged-current weak interaction mediated by J.6.3 State that the early universe contained
the W+ and W- intermediate bosons. almost equal numbers of particles and
• The neutral-current weak interaction mediated by antiparticles.
the Z0 intermediate boson.
J.6.4 Suggest a mechanism by which the
Let us examine these interactions and their exchange predominance of matter over antimatter
particles to see how they are unique to certain reactions. has occurred.
The photon carries no electric charge and therefore there
is no charge change between the incoming and outgoing J.6.5 Describe qualitatively the theory of strings.
© IBO 2007
particles. The W+ and W– cause exchange of charge such as
when a neutral muon-neutrino is changed into a charged
muon. The W is involved in processes such as the decay
of the neutron, beta decay and pion decay. The Z0 carries J.6.1 Temperature change since
no electric charge and so an incident particle such as the
neutrino remains as an outgoing neutrino. These neutral the big bang
particles can also be exchanged via the photon and thus the
link between the electromagnetic force and the weak force Before we look at the Big Bang theory, there were a number
can be seen it what we term electroweak unification. of important facts that had been established about the
OPTION

Universe. Firstly, it was known that the approximate age

Just as an interaction of the Z0 with a lepton does not of the universe was 20 × 109 years old as calculated from
change its charge, the interaction with a quark does not Hubble’s Law. Secondly, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson
change the colour of the quark. This fits perfectly with discovered cosmic microwave background radiation.
the lepton-quark standard model that predicts weak The intensity of this radiation at a wavelength of 7.35 cm
interaction processes involving the exchange of a massive, corresponded to blackbody radiation (Stefan’s Law) of
neutral particle (the Z0 boson). 2.7 K, the present temperature of the universe.

With the further knowledge gained from particle physics,

there has been some convincing evidence as to how the
universe began and how it has evolved in what is termed
the standard model. Before the Big Bang, there was no
time and space but just a point of extremely dense matter
known as a singularity. There was a huge release of energy
that was accompanied with temperatures of the order
of magnitude greater than 1032 K, and the four forces in
nature would have been unified into a single force. Because
the quantum effect of gravity has not yet been solved, we
begin the journey at 10-43 s when the temperature was
1032 K. At this temperature, no atoms could have formed.
Instead, it is thought that universe consisted of photons
and other elementary particles. The universe would have
been opaque because as soon as the photons emitted

548
 Particle Physics

radiation, they would have been scattered and absorbed photons, W and Z plus gluons. The gravitational force
by electrons and positrons. This energy would have spread “condensed out”. There was a slight imbalance between the
out in all space dimensions and the temperature would matter and anti-matter already occurring.
have dropped.
At about 1027 K and 10-35 s, it is thought that the strong
force separated out and because the quarks were too
J.6.2 Particle interactions in the close to each other, the strong force could not bind them
to form hadrons. There was a sea of quarks, gluons and
early universe leptons. However, as the quarks started to separate, quark
confinement occurred and hadrons began to form. During
Let us examine the evolution of the universe from its the hadron era, the excess of matter over antimatter of the
beginning to now in more detail. It has already been GUT era meant that there was a slight excess of quarks
established that we can only surmise what happened versus antiquarks creating an excess of baryons versus
after 10-43 s. Figure 2132 demonstrates the variation of anti-baryons.
temperature with time in the evolutionary process.
At about 1015 K and 10-12 s, it is believed the weak force
separated from the electromagnetic force.
0

10 4 At about 1013 K and 10-6 s, it is thought that hadrons with an

Stars, galaxies

10 8
energy of about 1GeV started to annihilate each other and
there existed pair-production/annihilation equilibrium.
Temperature K

12
10
Nucleo However, once the energy had dropped below 1GeV, the
synthesis
10
16
pair production of nucleons could not take place. There
MATTER

was a slight excess of energy from the annihilations left

Lepton era

10
20 Radiation
era
24
enough energy to form some leftover nucleons, and it
10
Hadron
is this mass that is in the universe today. Light particles
10
28 era such as the photon and lighter leptons thus dominated the
10
32 universe in equal numbers and thus began the lepton era.
GUT era

0 10 -43s 10-35s 10 -6s 10 -4s 1s 10s 10 2s 10 3s 10 6y 10 10y At about 1010 K and 1 s, it is believed that the lighter leptons
Time with energy about 1 MeV were still able to create electrons,

OPTION
positrons and photons in equal numbers and equilibrium
Figure 2135  Variation of temperature with time of the between pair-production and annihilation still existed.
universe. However, within a few seconds, electrons and positrons
started to annihilate each other in larger numbers and
The average kinetic energy of a particle is given by the their numbers dropped and there was a slight excess of
expression: electrons over positrons. At about 10s, there was a large
excess of photons and neutrinos and the radiation era
E = 3/2 kT began.

where k is Boltzmann’s constant that has a value of At about 109 K and 3.2 s, crucial events began to occur as
1.38 × 10-23 JK-1. Because we are dealing with such large atoms of hydrogen, helium, deuterium and lithium started
energies this equation can be stated as E = kT. to form in what is known as nucleosynthesis. Let us do a
quick calculation of the temperature for average kinetic
Prior to 10-43 s, it is speculated that the four forces were energy of particles around 500 keV.
unified into only one force and it is believed that the
temperature was around 1032 K. This means that the energy E = 3/2 kT and T = 2/3 E/k
of a particle would be approximately:
= 0.67 × 500 × -23
10 eV × 1.6 × 10 JeV
3 -19 -1

E = (1.38 × 10-23 JK-1 × 1032 K) ÷ (1.6 × 10-19 JeV-1) = 1019 GeV. 1.38 × 10 JK-1 = 3.9 × 109 K

The particles had so much energy that the symmetry of the The universe was cooling too quickly for heavier atoms to
four forces was disrupted and the strong, electromagnetic form and nucleosynthesis stopped.
and weak forces created an array of quarks, leptons,

549
 Chapter 21 (Option J)

At about 3000 K and 300 000 years, free electrons with

energies of a few electron-volts were bound to nuclei to
form atoms. The photons that were previously ionizing
atoms were free to spread throughout the universe. The
universe became transparent. The photon radiation
became red-shifted and the radiation cooled to 2.7 K and
they formed the cosmic background radiation that we
detect form every part of the universe. So from this point
the universe became matter-dominated.

J.6.3 – J.6.4 Particle and

antiparticles in the

universe

The early universe contained almost equal numbers

of particles and antiparticles with a small imbalance
favouring matter over anti-matter. However, once photons
had reached energies at which they could not undergo pair
production from their interaction with particles and anti-
particles, matter dominated over anti-matter.

J.6.5 String theory

The failure to reconcile gravitation with quantum theory
has created the idea of a string as the fundamental building
block of matter. The known fundamental particles are
modes of vibration of the string similar to the harmonics
OPTION

of an ordinary vibrating string.

Quantum theory has failed so far to determine the mass

of the top quark or to combine gravitation with the
other fundamental forces. String theory is an intriguing
alternative to quantum theory that proposes that each
fundamental particle consists of an oscillating string of a
small size compared with the proton. Rather than talking
about mathematical particles, string theory talks about
oscillating strings that are lines or loops of about 10-35 m,
and membranes in small dimensions other than the three
dimensions that we presently use. Although the strings are
identical in length, it is the mode of vibration of the strings
that account for the mass and other properties of what we
call a particle.

550
 Glossary

A
active solar heating
the use of solar collectors to convert solar energy into
heat energy.

a.f (audio frequency) amplifier adiabatic

an amplifier that amplifies signals in the approximate expansion or contraction is one in which no thermal
range 10 Hz to 20 Hz energy Q is allowed to flow into or out of the system. For
the entire adiabatic process, Q = 0.
aberration
an image defect of which blurring and distortion are aerial
the most common image defects. Aberrations can occur a conductor designed to detect a transmitted EM signal
with the use of both lenses and mirrors.
air resistance
absolute magnitude (M) a term that refers to the drag force exerted on object as
the apparent magnitude of a star if it were at a distance they move through the atmosphere.
of 10 pc from Earth.
albedo (α)
absolute zero at a surface, is the ratio between the incoming radiation
the point where molecular motion becomes a minimum and the amount reflected expressed as a coefficient or as
– the molecules have minimum kinetic energy but a percentage. (Latin for white)
molecular motion does not cease.
alpha-particle
absorbed dose (D) a doubly ionised helium atom, that is a helium nucleus.
the amount of energy E transferred to a particular unit
mass m. The SI unit of absorbed dose is J kg-1 otherwise AM
known as the Gray (Gy). see amplitude modulation

absorption spectrum ammeter

occurs when white light passes through a substance in the an instrument used to measure the current flowing in an
gaseous phase. Dark lines in the white light correspond to electric circuit and is always connected in series.
the wavelengths characteristic of the emission spectrum
of the particular substance. A-mode scan
measures the time lapsed between when the pulse is
AC transformer sent and the time the echo is received. The first echo
a device that can be used for increasing or decreasing ac is from the skin, the second and third pulses are from
voltages and currents. either side of the first organ, the fourth and fifth echo are
from either side of the second organ. The pulse intensity
acceleration decreases due to attenuation.
see average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration
ampere
accommodation defined in terms of the force per unit length between
the ability of the eye to focus over this range is called parallel current-carrying conductors.
accommodation and this is controlled by the ciliary
muscles pulling or relaxing in order to change the amplifier
focal length of the flexible eye lens. The eye has most any device that amplifies a signal
accommodation for prolonged viewing when viewing at
the far point. amplitude
the maximum displacement of a particle from its
accuracy equilibrium position when executing SHM For wave
is an indication of how close a measurement is to the motion it is the maximum displacement of the medium
accepted value indicated by the relative or percentage through which the wave travels.
error in the measurement. An accurate experiment has a
low systematic error. amplitude modulation (AM)
the encoding of information on to a carrier wave by
acoustic impedance producing variations in the amplitude of the carrier
a measure of how easy it is to transmit sound through wave.
a aprticular medium. The unit of acoustic impedance is
the rayl. angle of incidence
the angle between the direction of travel of the incident
wave and the normal to the boundary

551
Glossary

angle of refraction astronomical unit (AU)

the angle between the direction of travel of the refracted the average distance between Earth and the Sun.
wave and the normal to the boundary 1 AU = 1.50 × 1011 m.

angular frequency (ω) atomic mass unit (u)

2π times the linear frequency. this is 1/12th of the mass of an atom of carbon-12.

angular magnification attenuation

the ratio θ/θ 0 is called the angular magnification M or of an X-ray beam is the reduction in its intensity due to
magnifying power of the lens. its passage through matter.

antineutrino average acceleration

a particle with zero rest mass and zero charge that results change in velocity over an interval of time divided by the
from beta-minus decay and decay of a free neutron. time interval

antinode average speed

a point on a stationary wave where the displacement is change in distance over an interval of time divided by
zero. the time interval

antiparticles average velocity

all particles have antiparticles which are identical to the change in displacement over an interval of time divided
particle in mass and half-integral spin but are opposite by the time interval
in charge to their corresponding particle. Although
antiparticles have the same mass as their particle pair, Avogadro’s number
they have opposite charge, lepton number, baryon one mole of a substance at 0°C and 101.3 kPa pressure
number and strangeness. Some electrically neutral (STP) contains 6.02 x 1023 particles.
bosons and mesons are their own antiparticle.

aperture
the length of the refracting surface on which the incident
rays can be refracted.
B
bandwidth
apparent brightness the frequency range covered by the sideband frequencies
the apparent brightness of a star (b) is the energy received
from the star per unit time per unit area of the Earth’s baryons
surface. the ‘heavyweights’ amongst particles that make up
matter, including the proton and the neutron. Other
apparent magnitude (m) baryons include Lamda Λ0, Sigma Σ+, Σ0 and Σ-,
a measure of how bright a star appears. The scale is Cascade Ξ0 and Ξ- and Omega Ω- particles to name but
defined such that a difference in apparent magnitude a few.
of 5 corresponds to a factor of 100 in brightness. This
means that 100 stars of magnitude 6 will produce as becquerel
much power per unit area at the surface of the Earth as a this is 1 nuclear disintegration per second.
single star of apparent magnitude 1. The higher the value
of m the less bright is the star. beta particle
a negative or a positive electron associated with
artificial transmutation radioactive decay.
a process by which nuclei of an element can be induced
to from nuclei of a different element often by the Big Bang Theory
bombardment with neutrons. postulates that the Universe emerged from an enormously
dense and hot state about 14 billion years ago. The size of
APPCDC the universe at its beginning was assumed to be extremely
Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and small with enormous temperature and pressure. It
Climate, an organisation that proposed that, rather than is assumed that a gigantic “explosion” occurred that
imposing compulsory emission cuts, it would work in created space, time and matter.
partnership to complement the Kyoto protocol. The six
countries involved were Australia, China, India, Japan,
South Korea and the USA.

552
 Glossary

binary stars centre of curvature C

two stars that orbit a common centre of gravity. the centre of the sphere of which the lens is made.

biological half-life (TB) centripetal acceleration

of a material is the time taken for half the radioactive the acceleration of a particle traveling in a circle.
substance to be removed from the body by biological
processes. centripetal force
the general name given to the force causing a particle to
black hole travel in a circle.
an object whose gravitational field strength at it surface
is large enough to prevent light escaping from its surface/ cepheid variables
an object whose escape velocity at its surface is equal to stars whose luminosity varies with a regular frequency.
or greater than the free space speed of light.
Chandrasekhar limit
black-body radiation the maximum mass of a star for it to become a white
the radiation emitted by a ‘perfect’ emitter. The radiation dwarf. (1.4Msun)
is sometimes called ‘temperature radiation’ because
the relative intensities of the emitted wavelengths are change of state (of an ideal gas)
dependant only on the temperature of the black body. if some macroscopic property of the system has changed
eg. phase, temperature, pressure, volume, mass, internal
breeder reactor energy.
a nuclear fission reactor that creates or ‘breeds’ more
fissionable material than consumed. chemical energy
energy associated with chemical reactions.
bremsstrahlung
when a fast-moving particle is rapidly decelerated or chromatic aberration
deflected by another target particle, it radiates most of produces coloured edges around an image. It can be
its energy in the form of photons in what is known as minimised by using an achromatic doublet. It is made
bremsstrahlung or braking radiation in the X-ray region from converging crown glass lens and a diverging flint
of the electromagnetic spectrum. glass lens that are adhered together by canada balsam

Brewster angle (ϕ) coal

the angle to the normal at which reflected light is an organic material made up primarily of carbon, along
completely plane polarized. with varying amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
and sulfur. It is a sedimentary rock.
Brewster’s law
the refractive index n of a substance is related to the Coaxial cable
Brewster angle (ϕ) by n = tanϕ. consists of a thin copper wire surrounded by an insulator
which in turn is surrounded by a copper grid. This grid
Brownian motion is also surrounded by an insulator.
the random, zig-zag motion observed when larger
molecules or particles in motion collide with smaller cochlea
molecules. the most delicate organ in the hearing process and it
contains many intricate structures that will not be fully
B-scan mode investigated at this level. It consists of three chambers
(brightness-modulated scan), an array of transducers - two outer chambers, the scala vestibuli (top) and the
scan a slice in the body. Each echo is represented by a scala typani (bottom), and an inner chamber called the
spot of a different shade of grey on an oscilloscope. scala media.

C
coefficient of volume (or cubical expansion) (β)
the fractional change in volume per degree change in
temperature and is given by the relation:

carrier wave coherent

the name given to the wave that is altered by the when the filament of a light globe emits light, the
superposition of the signal wave atoms on the filament do not maintain a constant
phase relationship because the filament atoms act
cell phones independantly from each other.The light emitted is
another name for mobile phones incoherent. However, in a laser, each photon of light is in
phase with all the other photons. Laser light is coherent.

553
Glossary

combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) convection

a jet engine is used in place of the turbine to turn the the process in which a temperature difference causes
generator. Natural gas is used to power the jet engine the mass movement of fluid particles from areas of high
and the exhaust fumes from the jet engine are used to thermal energy to areas of low thermal energy (the colder
produce steam which turns the generator. region).

compression conventional current

digital data can be compressed enabling the same flows from the positive to negative terminal.
bandwidth to be used by several different broadcasting
channels coolant
a material that circulates through the reactor core and
computed tomography (CT) imaging removes thermal energy transferring it to where it can
also called computed axial tomography (CAT) imaging, do useful work by converting water into steam.
uses X-rays, scintillation detectors and computer
technology to build up an axial scan of a section of an Coulomb’s Law
organ or part of the body with 256 grey shades. the force F between two point charges q1 and q2 was
directly proportional to the product of the two point
conduction charges and inversely proportional to the square of the
the process by which a temperature difference causes the distance between them r2.
transfer of thermal energy from the hotter region of the
body to the colder region by particle collision without crest
there being any net movement of the substance itself. the maximum displacement of a medium through which
a wave travels.
conductor
have a low electrical resistance and are therefore able critical angle
to carry an electric current withour much energy the angle, measured to the normal, at which a ray incident
dissipation as heat. on a boundary between two media, will undergo total
internal reflection in the more dense medium.
cones
photoreceptors that have slow response rates, and are critical mass
insensitive at low light levels but are sensitive to particular the smallest possible amount of fissionable material that
wavelengths of light, and give us our colour vision. There will sustain a chain reaction.
are around 6.5 million of them. It is thought that the
cones can be divided into three colour groups - red cones crude oil
(64%), green cones (32%), and blue cones (2%). a product of the decomposition of marine plants and
animals that were rapidly buried in sedimentary basins
Conservation of energy where there was a lack of oxygen.
states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but
only transformed into different forms. (See conservation cyclotron
of mass-energy and first law of thermodynamics) basically like a linac that has been wrapped into a tight
spiral. it has the following important components.
Conservation of mass-energy dampingthe decrease with time of the amplitude of
states that mass and energy are interchangeable and in oscillations.
any interaction mass-energy is conserved.

constellation
a collection of stars that form a recognisable group as
viewed from Earth (e.g the Plough)
D
data transfer rate
constructive interference the number of bits transmitted per second also called bit
occurs when two or more waves overlap and their rate.
individual displacements add to give a displacement that
is greater than any of the individual displacements. DC amplifier
another name for an operational amplifier
control rods
the rate of nuclear fission in the reactor core can be de Broglie hypothesis
controlled by inserting or removing the control rods. Any particle with momentum can exhibit wave-like
The control rods are constructed of materials that absorb properties and its wavelength is given by the de Broglie
neutrons. formula .

554
 Glossary

E
degree of uncertainty
of a measurement is equal to half the limit of reading.

demodulator
removes the carrier wave leaving only the signal waves. eccentricity
the earth’s orbit around the Sun is not circular but rather
derived quantity elliptical and this will affect its orbit every 100 000 and
a quantity involving the measurement of two or more 400 000 years which in turn leads to climate change.
fundamental quantities.
eddy currents
destructive interference any conductor that moves in a magnetic field has emf
occurs when two or more waves overlap and their induced in it, and as such current, called eddy currents,
individual displacements add to give a displacement that will also be induced in the conductor. This current has
is less than any of the individual displacements. a heating effect in the soft iron core of the transformer
which causes a power loss termed an iron loss.
differential amplifier
another term for an operational amplifier effective half-life (TE ) of the radioactive substance will be
less than the physical half-life due to the biological half-life
diffraction component.
the bending and/or spreading of waves when they meet
an obstruction or pass through an aperture. efficiency
of an energy conversion process is the ratio of the useful
diffusion energy output to the total energy input, usually expressed
a property observed in solids, liquids and gases as as a percentage.
something spreads out.
Einstein photoelectric equation
dioptre relates the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted
the unit for the lens power is the dioptre D with the unit electrons, f is the frequency of the incident light, f0 is the
m-1. threshold frequency and h is the Planck constant

dispersion Einstein Principle of Equivalence

when a narrow beam of white light undergoes refraction states that it is impossible to distinguish between
on entering a prism, the light spreads out into a spectrum gravitational and inertial effects.
of colours. The colours range from red at one side of the
band, through orange, yellow, green, indigo, to violet at elastic potential energy
the other side of the band. The separation of the white the energy associated with a system subject to stress e.g.
light into its component colours is due to dispersion. a stretched spring

displacement electric current

distance traveled in a specified direction the rate at which charge flows past a given cross-section.

Doppler Effect electric field strength (electric field intensity)

the phenomenon of the change in frequency that arises at any point in space, E is equal to the force per unit
from the relative motion between a source and observer. charge exerted on a positive test charge, it is a vector
quantity.
dosimetry
the study of radiation. electric potential difference
between two points in a conductor is defined as the
drag force power dissipated per unit curretn in moving from one
see air resistance point to another.

drift velocity electric potential energy

electrons entering at one end of the metal cause a similar defined in terms of a point charge moving in an electric
number of electrons to be displaced from the other field as ‘The electric potential at a point in an electric
end, and the metal conducts. Even though they are field is defined as being the work done per unit charge
accelerated along their path, it is estimated that the drift in bringing a small positive point charge from infinity
velocity is only a small fraction of a metre each second to that point’.
(about 10‑4  m s-1).

555
Glossary

electric potential energy emissivity

the energy associated with a particle due to its position the ratio of the amount of energy radiated from a material
in an electric field. at a certain temperature and the energy that would come
from a blackbody at the same temperature and as such
electrical energy would be a number between 0 and 1.
this is energy that is usually associated with an electric
current and that is sometimes referred to incorrectly as energy
electricity. the capacity to do work

electrical resistance energy balance climate model

the ratio of the potential difference across the material to the word “balance” infers that the system is in equilibrium
the current that flows through it. The units of resistance with no energy being accumulated in the earth’s surface
are volts per ampere (V A-1). However, a separate SI unit and atmosphere. This model attempts to account for the
called the ohm Ω is defined as the resistance through difference between the incoming radiation intensity and
which a current of 1 A flows when a potential difference the outgoing radiation intensity, and the simplest energy
of 1 V is applied. balance model chooses temperature as the only variable
to be considered.
electrical strain gauge
when a metal conducting wire is put under vertical energy degradation
strain, it will become longer and thinner and as a result when energy is transferred from one form to other forms,
its resistance will increase. An electrical strain gauge is a the energy before the transformation is equal to the
device that employs this principle. energy after (Law of conservation of energy). However,
some of the energy after the transformation may be in a
electromagnetic waves less useful form, usually heat. We say that the energy has
waves that consist of oscillating electric and magnetic been degraded.
fields. They are produced by the accelerated motion of
electric charge. energy density
the amount of potential energy stored in a fuel per unit
electromotive force (emf) mass, or per unit volume depending on the fuel being
the work per unit charge made available by an electrical discussed.
source.
entropy
electron flow a thermodynamic function of the state of the system and
flows from the negative to the positive terminal. can be interpreted as the amount of order or disorder of
a system.
electron microscope
a microscope that utilizes the wave properties of equipotential lines
electrons. lines that join points of equal potential in a gravitational
or electric field.
electron-volt (eV)
the energy acquired by an electron as a result of moving equipotential surface
through a potential difference of one volt. all points on an equipotential surface at the same
potential.
electrostatics
the study of stationary electric charges. equipotentials
regions in space where the electric potential of a charge
elementary particles distribution has a constant value.
particles that have no internal structure, that is, they are
not made out of any smaller constituents. The elementary ether
particles are the leptons, quarks and exchange particles. a substance that was thought to permeate the whole of
space and that was at absolute rest.
emission spectra
the spectra produced by excited gaseous atoms or evaporation
molecules a change from the liquid state to the gaseous state that
occurs at a temperature below the boiling point.

556
 Glossary

evaporative cooling first law of thermodynamics

as a substance evaporates, it needs thermal energy input a statement of the Law of Conservation of Energy in
to replace its lost latent heat of vaporisation and this which the equivalence of work and thermal energy
thermal energy can be obtained from the remaining transfer is taken into account. It can be stated as the
liquid and its surroundings. heat added to a closed system equals the change in the
internal energy of the system plus the work done by the
exchange particles system.
elementary particles that transmit the forces of nature.
flux linkage (Φ)
exponential decay If is the flux density through a cross-sectional area of a
when a quantity continuously halves in value in conductor with coils
equal intervals of time, the quantity is said to decay
exponentially. focal length (f)
the distance between the principal focus and the centre
exposure of the refractingsurface.
is defined for X-radiation and γ-radiation as the total
charge (Q) of ions of one sign (either electrons or forced oscillations
positrons) produced in air when all the β-particles oscillations resulting from the application of an external,
liberated by photons in a volume of air of mass m are usually periodic force.
completely stopped in air.
fossil fuels
extrapolation naturally occurring fuels that have been formed from
extending the line of best fit outside the plotted points the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.
of a graph. The common fossil fuels are peat, coal, crude oil, oil
shale, oil tar and natural gas.

F fractional uncertainty
see relative uncertainty.

far point frame of reference

the position of the furthest object that can be brought a set of coordinates used to define position
into focus by the unaided eye. The far point of a normal
eye is at infinity. Fraunhofer diffraction
diffraction resulting from the source of light and the
Faraday’s Law screen on which the diffraction pattern is produced
can be stated as ‘the magnitude of the induced emf in a being an infinite distance from the diffracting aperture.
circuit is directly proportional to the rate of change of
magneitc flux of flux linkage. frequency
linear frequency (f ) is the number of complete oscillations
feedback resistance a system makes in unit time.
the value of the resistance that feeds the output signal of
a operational amplifier back to the input. frequency modulation (FM)
the encoding of information on to a carrier wave by
Feynman diagrams producing variations in the frequency of the carrier
so named for their inventor, the American physicist wave.
Richard Feynman (1918–1988). They were developed
by Feynmann as a graphical tool to examine the Fresnel diffraction
conservation laws that govern particle interactions diffraction resulting from either or both the source of
according to quantum electrodynamic theory. light and the screen on which the diffraction pattern is
produced being a finite distance from the diffracting
film badge aperture.
a double emulsion photographic film that is placed inside
a holder with an area of 3 cm by 5 cm that contains frictional force
different thicknesses of plastic, an open window and 3 the force that arises between two bodies in contact.
different metal plates. It is pinned to clothing and over
a period of time the exposure to radiation results in a fundamental
darkening of specific areas of the photographic film. (see first harmonic)

first harmonic (also fundamental)

the first possible mode of vibration of a stationary wave.

557
Glossary

fundamental interactions/forces gravitational red-shift

all forces that appear in nature may be identified as one of the observed frequency of light emitted from a source
four fundamental interactions, either the gravitational, depends upon the position of the source in a gravitational
weak, electromagnetic or strong interaction. field.

fundamental units gravitational time dilation

kilogram, metre, second, ampere, mole and Kelvin. the slowing of time due to a gravitational field

G
graviton
the exchange particle for the gravitational force. It is an
inverse square force with an infinite range that affects
all particles and acts on all mass/energy and it has a rest
galaxies mass of zero.
A collection of stars held together by gravity.

gamma ray bursters

astronomical objects that emit intense bursts of gamma
radiation thought to be due to the collapse of a rapidly
H
rotating neutron star hadrons
are not elementary particles because they are composed
gamma ray(s) of quarks. Mesons consist of a quark and an antiquark.
high frequency electromagnetic radiation, that is high Baryons have three quarks. A proton has 2 up and 1
energy photons. down quarks - uud, and the neutron has 2 down and I up
quarks – ddu. Hadrons interact predominantly via the
generator strong nuclear force, although they can also interact via
is essentially a device for producing electrical energy the other forces.
from mechanical energy.
half-life
geodesic see radioactive half-life
the shortest path followed by an object moving in space-
time half-value thickness
is the thickness of a material that reduces the intensity of
geostationary satellite a monoenergetic X-ray beam to half its original value.
a satellite that orbits Earth in a circular orbit above the
equator and has an orbital period of one sidereal day harmonic series
a series of musical notes arising from a particular
gluons fundamental frequency.
the exchange particle that is responsible the quark colour.
Just as the positive and negative charges are associated harmonics
with the electromagnetic force, a three colour charge are the different possible modes of vibration of a stationary
associated with quarks and gluons that bind the quarks wave.
together.
heat
gravitational lensing the thermal energy that is absorbed, given up or
the bending of light by a gravitational field transferred from one object to another.

gravitational mass heat capacity

the mass that gives rise to the gravitational attraction see thermal capacity
between bodies as defined by Newton’s law of gravity.
heat engine
gravitational potential any device that converts thermal energy into work.
the gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational
field is defined as the work done per unit mass in moving heat exchanger
a point mass from infinity to the point. a system basically acting as a heat engine driven by
chemical reactions (the combustion of fossil fuels) or by
gravitational potential energy nuclear reactions. The working fluid is water heated in a
the energy associated with a particle due to its position boiler that is converted to steam at high pressure.
in a gravitational field.

558
 Glossary

heat pump instantaneous velocity

any device that can pump heat from a low-temperature the rate of change of displacement with time
reservoir to a high-temperature reservoir is called a heat
pump. insulator
the electrons are held tightly by the atomic nuclei and
heat are not as free to move through a material. They can
the non-mechanical transfer of energy between a system accumulate on the surface of the insulator but they are
and its surroundings not conducting.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle intensity

The Uncertainty Principle was proposed by Werner the energy that a wave transports per unit time across
Heisenberg in 1927 as explained in the text unit area of the medium through which it is travelling

Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams interference pattern

a plot of the luminosity (or absolute magnitude) against the overall pattern produced by interfering waves
temperature (or spectral class).
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Hubble’s law in the 1980s, the United Nations Environment
The law states that the relative recession speed between Programme in conjunction with the World
galaxies is proportional to their separation. Meteorological Organization set up a panel of
government representatives and scientists to determine

I
the factors that may contribute to climate change. The
panel was known as the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).

ideal gas internal energy

a theoretical gas that obeys the equation of state of an the sum total of the potential energy and the random
ideal gas exactly. kinetic energy of the molecules of the substance making
up the system.
ideal gases
obey the equation pV = nRT when there are no forces internal resistance
between molecules at all pressures, volumes and the resistance inside a source of electrical energy.
temperatures.
interpolation
induced current drawing the line of best fit between the plotted points of
if the conductor is moved across the magnetic field, then a graph.
a deflection occurs in the needle of the galvanometer
in one direction. After a very short period of time, the inverting amplifier
needle returns to zero on the scale. The current produced an operational amplifier in which the non-inverting
is called an induced current. input is connected to earth.

inertia ionising radiation

a body’s reluctance to change its state of motion. when radiation causes ions to form it is called ionising
radiation.
inertial mass
the mass referred to in Newton’s second law ionization current
the current in a gas that results from the ionization of the
inertial reference frame atoms or molecules of the gas.
a reference frame in which Newton’s first law holds true
ionization
insolation the removal of an electron or electrons from an atom.
incoming solar radiation, it is mainly in the visible region
of the electromagnetic spectrum (0.4 μm to 0.7 μm) and isobaric
short-wave infra-red radiation. a graph of pressure as a function of volume change when
the pressure is kept constant. Such a process is said to be
instantaneous acceleration isobaric. Note that the work done by the gas is equal to
the rate of change of velocity with time the area under the curve.

instantaneous speed
the rate of change of distance with time

559
Glossary

isochoric Kyoto Protocol

a graph of pressure as a function of volume change when this agreement required industrialized countries to
the volume is kept constant. Such a process is said to be reduce their emissions by 2012 to an average of 5 percent
isochoric. When the volume is kept fixed, the curve of below 1990 levels. A system was developed to allow
the transformation is said to be an isochore. countries who had met this target to sell or trade their
extra quota to countries having difficulty meeting their
isolated system reduction deadlines.
a system where no energy of any kind enters or leaves

L
the system.

isothermal process
a thermodynamic process in which the pressure and
the volume are varied while the temperature is kept laminations
constant. In other words, when an ideal gas expands or is to reduce the heating effect due to eddy currents, the
compressed at constant temperature, then the gas is said soft-iron core is made of sheets of iron called laminations
to undergo an isothermal expansion or compression. that are insulated from each other by an oxide layer on
each lamination. This insulation prevents currents from
isotopes moving from one lamination to the next.
atoms of the same element with different numbers of
neutrons in their nuclei. laser
is actually an acronym ‘light amplification by stimulated
emission of radiation’. A laser is an instrument that has

K
a power source and a light-amplifying substance. There
are a variety of solid, liquid and gas lasers available on
the market. The common laser used in the laboratory
uses a helium- neon gas mixture as the light-amplifying
Kelvin temperature substance.
a fundamental quantity. It is the SI unit of thermodynamic
temperature of the triple point of water. One degree latent heat of fusion
Celsius is equal to 1 + 273 = 274 K. the quantiy of thermal energy required to change a
substance from a solid at its melting point completely to
Kepler’s third law a liquid at its melting point.
this is the law of periods and states that that the average
orbital radius R of a planet about the Sun is related to the latent heat of vaporisation
period T of rotation of the plane by R3 = kT2 where k is the quantiy of thermal energy required to change a
a constant. substance from a liquid at its boiling point completely to
a gas at its boiling point.
kilogram
the mass of a particular piece of platinum-iridium alloy Law of conservation of electric charge
that is kept in Sèvres, France. in a closed system, the amount of charge is constant.

kilowatt-hour (kW h) laws of reflection

the energy consumed when 1 kW of power is used for the angle at which the waves are reflected from a barrier
one hour. is equal to the angle at which they are incident on the
barrier (the angles are measured to the normal to the
kinetic energy barrier). All waves, including light, sound, water obey
energy associated with motion this rule. The normal and the rays associated with the
incident and reflected rays all lie in the same plane.
kinetic theory of a gas
when the moving particle theory is applied to gases it is lens
generally called the kinetic theory of gases. a transparent object with at least one curved surface
but more commonly two curved faces. Most lenses are
Kirchoff ’s current law – junction rule made of glass but perspex (lucite) and quartz lenses are
the sum of the currents flowing into a point in a circuit common. They are used to correct defects of vision using
equals the sum of the currents flowing out at that point. spectacles and in optical instruments such as cameras,
microscopes and refracting telescopes.
Kirchoff ’s voltage law – loop rule
in a closed loop the sum of the emfs equals the sum of
the potential drops.

560
 Glossary

Lenz’s Law loudspeaker

also known as the Second Law of Electromagnetic a transducer that converts an amplified electrical signal
Induction and it can be stated as ‘the direction of the into sound.
induced emf is such that the current it causes to flow
opposes the change producing it’. luminosity (L)
the total power radiated by a star.
leptons

M
particles that can travel on their own meaning that
they are not trapped inside larger particles. Six distinct
types called flavors have been identified along with their
antiparticles.
Mach’s Principle
light dependant resistor (LDR) states that inertial and gravitational mass are identical
is a photo-condutive cell whose resistance changes with
the intensity of the incident light. macroscopic property
a property that can be observed. Physical properties
light year such as melting point, boiling point, density, thermal
the distance that light travels in one year. 1 light year (ly) conductivity, thermal expansion and electrical
= 9.46 × 1015 m conductivity can be observed and measured.

limit of reading magnetic flux (Φ)

of a measurement is equal to the smallest graduation of through a small plane surface is the product of the flux
the scale of an instrument. density normal to the surface and the area of the surface.
The unit of magnetic flux is the weber Wb.
line spectrum
produced when the spectrum produced by excited magnetic force
gaseous atoms or molecules is passed through a slit a force experienced when a moving charge or a beam of
and then through a dispersive medium such as a prism moving charges is placed in a magnetic field.
of diffraction grating and then brought to a focus on a
screen. magnifying power
see angular magnification.
linear accelerator (linac)
is a device that accelerates charged particles in a straight main sequence stars
line inside a long evacuated tube. a grouping of stars on a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
that extends diagonally across the graph from high
linear attenuation coefficient temperature, high luminosity to low temperature low
a beam of homogeneous, monoenergetic X-rays luminosity. Stars on the main sequence derive the energy
contains photons of only one energy and thus only one from hydrogen burning in the core of the star.
wavelength.
Malus’ law
linear or lateral magnification m when light of intensity I0 is incident on an analyzer
(of a lens) is given by the ratio of the height of an image whose transmission axis makes angle θ to the electric
to the height of its object or the ratio of the image field vector, the intensity I of the transmitted light is
distance to the object distance. Linear magnification has given by I = I0cos2θ
no units.
mass
longitudinal waves see gravitational mass and inertial mass
in these types of wave, the source that produces the
wave vibrates in the same direction as the direction of mass defect
travel of the wave i.e. the direction in which the energy The difference in mass between a nucleus and the sum
carried by the wave is propagated. The particles of the of the mass of its constituent nucleons. The mass of a
medium through which the wave travels vibrate in the nucleus is always less than the sum of the mass of its
same direction of travel of the wave (direction of energy constituent nucleons.
propagation).
material dispersion
the spreading out of pulses as they travel along an optic
fibre

matter waves
See de Broglie hypothesis

561
Glossary

Maxwell’s theory monomode fibres

states that electromagnetic radiation consists of a fibre in which there is only one transmission axis
oscillating electric and magnetic fields. thereby eliminating modal dispersion

mesons Morse code

hadrons that can mediate the strong nuclear force. Like an electronic communication system that used individual
the first and second generation leptons, mesons only groups electrical pulses to represent letters and that were
exist for a short time and they are thus very unstable. transmitted along wires

metal structure moving particle theory

positive ions in a ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons. the basic assumptions of this moving particle theory
relevant to thermal energy are:
method of mixtures
a common indirect method to determine the specific multiplexing
heat capacity of a solid and liquids is called the method a means of increasing the bit rate by sending different
of mixtures. sets of data apparently simultaneously.

N
metre
the length of path traveled by light in a vacuum during a
time interval of 1/299 792 453 second.

minimum angle of resolution natural frequency

see Rayleigh criterion the frequency of oscillation of a system that is not
subjected to a periodic external force.
mobile phone
a phone that is not connected by a landline to a telephone natural gas
exchange a product of the decomposition of marine plants and
animals that were rapidly buried in sedimentary basins
modal dispersion where there was a lack of oxygen.
a situation in which pulses associated with different
waves in an optic fibre arrive at the detector at different natural greenhouse effect
times a phenomenon in which the natural greenhouse gases
absorb the outgoing long wave radiation from the earth
moderator and re-radiate some of it back to the earth.
a material that will slow down the fast neutrons to the
speed of the slow thermal neutrons needed for a self- natural radioactivity
sustained reaction without absorbing the neutrons when a property associated with certain naturally occurring
they collide with the moderator material. elements in which they emit ionizing radiations.

modes near point

the name given to the different paths followed by different the position of the closest object that can be brought into
waves in an optic fibre focus by the unaided eye. The near point varies from
person to person but it has been given an arbitrary value
modulation of 25 cm.
the alteration of a wave form
nebulae
mole a cloud of interstellar dust and gas.
is the amount of substance that contains as many
elementary particles as there are in 0.012 kg of carbon– nematic liquid crystal
12. The mole is a fundamental unit. a liquid crystal whose molecules are in the shape of a
twisted helix.
momentum
the product of mass and velocity neutron number
the number of neutrons in a nucleus
monochromatic
source of radiation is that has a extremely narrow band neutrons
of frequencies or extremely small narrow wavelength an uncharged nucleon
band (or colour in the case of visible light). Most sources
of light emit many different wavelengths. Laser light is nibble
monochromatic. a 4-bit binary word

562
 Glossary

O
node
a point on a stationary wave where the displacement is
a maximum.

non-renewable source Ohm’s Law

one that is considered to be a temporary source that is provided the physical conditions such as temperature
depleted when it is used. are kept constant, the resistance is constant over a wide
range of applied potential differences, and therefore
NTC thermistor the potential difference is directly proportional to the
(negative temperature coefficient) the resistance current flowing.
decreases when the temperature rises and theytherefore
pass more current. Olber’s paradox
if Newton’s model of a uniform, infinite Universe were
nuclear binding energy correct, then the sky would always be bright. This
the energy required to separate the nucleus into it paradox was first proposed by Henrich Olber in 1823.
individual nucleons or the energy that would be released
in assembling a nucleus from its individual nucleons. operational amplifier
an amplifier with two inputs, very high input impedance
nuclear energy and very high gain.
energy associated with nuclear reactions
Oppenheimer–Volkoff limit
nuclear fission the maximum mass of a neutron star beyond which it
the splitting of a nucleus into two other nuclei. will collapse to a black hole

nuclear fusion optic fibres

the combining of two nuclei into a single nucleus a fibre in which the carrier wave is light.

nuclear magnetic resonance optical microscope

the basis of the diagnostic tool known as magnetic a microscope using visible light and lenses to magnify
resonance imaging (MRI). It is a technique used for small objects (usually used in biology and medicine)
imaging blood flow and soft tissue in the body and is
the preferred diagnostic imaging technique for studying order of magnitude
the brain and the central nervous system. Rather than the power of ten closest to a number.
using X-rays as the source of radiation, it uses radiation
in the radio region of the electromagnetic spectrum and oscillating water column (OWC)
magnetic energy to create cross-sectional slices of the wave energy devices that convert wave energy to electrical
body. energy. These can be moored to the ocean floor or built
into cliffs or ocean retainer walls.
nucleon
a proton or a neutron. oscillations
another word for vibrations.
nucleon number
the number of nucleons in a nucleus ossicles
a chain of three bones in the ear that transmit vibration
nucleosynthesis form the ear drum to the cochlea. They are called the
the different nuclear processes that take place in stars. malleus, incus and stapes, more commonly known as
the hammer, anvil and stirrup.
nuclide

P
the general term for a unique nucleus

numerical aperture
is related to the resolution of a lens, and the wavelength
of the light (see text for formula) pair annihilation
when matter (such as an electron) collides with its
Nyquist Theorem corresponding antimatter (such as a positron), both
states that the sampling signal must be equal to or particles are annihilated, and 2 gamma rays with the
greater than twice the signal frequency. same energy but with a direction at 180 0 to each other
are produced. This is called pair annihilation.

563
Glossary

pair production photoelectric work function

particle–antiparticle pairs can also be produced when The minimum energy φ required to remove an electron
a gamma ray with sufficient energy passes close by a from the surface of a metal by photo-emission. It is
nucleus. The process is the reverse of annihilation and is related to the threshold frequency by φ = hf 0.
called pair production.
photon
parallax The existence of the photon was postulated by Einstein
the apparent displacement of an object due to the motion in 1905 as being a quantum of electromagnetic energy,
of the observer. regarded as a discrete particle having zero mass, no
electric charge, and an indefinitely long lifetime. The
parsec energy E of a photon associated with light of frequency f
a line of length1 AU subtends an angle of 1 arcsecond is given by the Planck equation E = hf.
(one second of arc /4.8 × 10 -6 rad) at a distance of one
parsec. photopic vision
cones are responsible for photopic vision or high light-
Pauli exclusion principle level vision, that is, colour vision under normal light
states that an orbital can only contain a maximum of conditions during the day. The pigments of the cones are
two electrons and when the 2 electrons occupy an orbital of three types – long wavelength red, medium wavelength
they have opposite spin. green and short wavelength blue.

peak current photovoltaic devices

an alternating current varies sinusoidally and the use the photoelectric effect. Photons from radiant energy
maximum current called the peak current. excite electrons in a doped semi-conducting material
such as silicon or germanium, and the element becomes
peat conducting allowing electrons to flow in an external
a brownish material that looks like wood. Although it circuit to produce electrical energy.
can be burnt as a fuel, it contains a lot of water, and is
very smoky when burnt. Under pressure and over time it physical half-life (TR)
will be converted to other forms of coal. of a radioactive nuclide is the time taken for half the nuclei
present to disintegrate radioactively.
percentage uncertainty
is the relative uncertainty multiplied by 100 to produce pixels
a percentage. the smallest element of an image on a LCD or CCD

period Planck constant

the time taken for an oscillating system to make one Max Planck postulated that energy associated with
complete oscillation. oscillating atoms is proportional to the frequency of
oscillation of the atom. The constant (h) relates the
periodicity energy (E) of a photon to its associated frequency (f ).
repetition of motion both in space and in time (E = hf ) (h = 6.2660693 × 10-34 J s)

phase change plasma

a substance can undergo changes of state or phase a super heated gas.
changes at different temperatures. Pure substances
(elements and compounds) have definite melting and plasma confinement
boiling points which are characteristic of the particular plasma has to be confined for 1 second with a density of
pure substance being examined. about 500 trillion atoms per cubic centimetre. Because
fusion is not a chain reaction, thes temperature and
phase difference density conditions have to be maintained for future
the time interval or phase angle by which one wave leads fusions to occur.
or lags another.
polarimeter
photo-electric effect essentially a tube that is bounded at both ends with
The emission of electrons from a metal surface that is polarizing materials.
illuminated with light above a certain frequency
polarization
the rotation of the plane of vibration of the electric vector
of an electromagnetic wave.

564
 Glossary

pole (P) preferential absorption

central point of the refracting surface. the phenomenon in which certain crystals only transmit
the vertical or horizontal component of the electric
pollutants vector of an electromagnetic wave.
substances that have undesirable effects on living things
and property. Air pollution occurs when these pollutants pressure
are introduced into the atmosphere. it is defined as the force exerted over an area. The SI unit
of pressure is the pascal (Pa).
population inversion
in the ruby laser, light of energy equivalent to 2.25 eV is principal axis
absorbed from the flash tube, and this raises the electrons line that passes through the centre of curvature and the
of chromium from the ground state E1 to an excited centre of the refracting surface.
state E3. These electrons quickly undergo spontaneous
emission and fall to level E2 known as the metastable principal focal plane
energy state. If the incident radiation from the flash the plane that passes through the principal focus and is
tube is intense enough more electrons are transferred to perpendicular to the principal axis.
the E2 energy level than remain in the ground state – a
condition known as population inversion. principal focus (F)
point through which rays parallel and close to the
positron principal axis pass after refraction if the lens is convex,
a positively charged electron or appear to come from if the lens is concave.

potential divider principle of superposition

a device that produces the required voltage for a the principle of superposition as applied to wave motion
component from a larger voltage. states the displacement at a point where two or more wave
meet is the vector sum of the individual displacements of
potential energy each wave at that point.
see elastic potential energy, electric potential energy and
gravitational potential energy proper length
the length of an object as measured by an observer at rest
potential gradient with respect to the object
the rate of change of potential ΔV at a point with respect
to distance Δx in the direction in which the change is proper time
maximum is called the potential gradient. the time interval between two events as measured by an
observer that sees the events take place at the same point
power in space.
the rate of working
proton number
power of a convex lens (P) the number of protons in a nucleus
is the reciprocal of the focal length. It is a measure of
the strength of a lens as used by optometrists and protostar
opthalmologists. a stage in the formation of a star in which the star is self-
luminous but in which nuclear fusion as not yet started.
power stations
usually rely on thermal energy, gravitational potential public switched telephone network (PSTN)
energy or wind power to supply the kinetic energy to land based telephone exchange
rotate a turbine. The turbine contains blades that are
made to rotate by the force of water, gas, steam or wind. pulsar(s)
As the turbine rotates, it turns the shaft of a generator. a pulsating radio source believed to be a rapidly rotating
The electrical energy can be produced by rotating coils neutron star.
in a magnetic field.
pulse oximetry
precision a non-invasive technique used to monitor the oxygen
is an indication of the agreement among a number of content of haemoglobin.
measurements made in the same way indicated by the
absolute error. A precise experiment has a low random pump storage systems
error. used in off-peak electicity demand periods. The water is
pumped from low resevoirs to higher resevoirs during
this period.

565
Glossary

Q
radiation shielding
ensures the safety of personnel working inside and
around the reactor from suffering the ill effects of
radiation exposure. There are usually two shields:
quality several metres of high-density concrete to protect the
of an X-ray beam is a term used to describe its penetrating walls of the reactor core from radiation leakage and to
power. help reflect neutrons back into the core and a biological
shield to protect personnel made of several centimetres
quality factor of high density concrete.
this is approximately equal in value to the number
of oscillations that occur before all the energy of an radioactive decay
oscillator is dissipated. The spontaneous emission by the nuclei of certain
atoms, of radiation in the form of alpha particles or beta
quantum particles and/or gamma radiation. The decay process
A discrete packet of energy associated with cannot be controlled by chemical and physical means.
electromagnetic radiation. (see “photon”). Literally from
the Latin “how much”. radioactivity
see natural radioactivity
quantum mechanics
The theory proposed in 1926/7 that replaced Newtonian radius of curvature (R)
physics. the radius of the sphere from which the lens is made.

quantum numbers random uncertainties

the different states in which an electron can exist are are due to variations in the performance of the instrument
determined by four quantum numbers: principal, orbital, and the operator. Even when systematic errors have been
magnetic and spin allowed for, there exists error.

quark confinement rank advance

the property that quarks are always found in groups that as peat became buried beneath more plant matter, the
are colourless is called quark confinement. pressure and temperature increased and the water was
squeezed out of it. As the material became compacted
quarks the peat is converted to lignite, then to sub-bituminous
with a size of less than 10-18 m can never be found in coal and finally bituminous coal. At each stage in the
isolation as they are trapped inside other composite rank advance, the coal has a higher carbon content and a
particles called hadrons of which the proton, the neutron higher energy content per unit mass.
and mesons are examples.
rarefaction
quasars in a sound wave this refers to regions of minimum
very distant and very luminous stellar like objects. pressure.

R
Rayleigh criterion
the images of two sources will be just be resolved by an
image forming system if the central maximum of one
diffraction pattern image coincides with the first minima
r.f (radio frequency) amplifier of the other diffraction pattern image.
an amplifier that amplifies signals in the radio frequency
range (several kHz to about 100 Mhz) real image
an image that can be seen on a screen that has been put at
radiation the point where the rays intersect at a single point.
the energy produced by a source because of its
temperature that travels as electromagnetic waves. It red giant star
does not need the presence of matter for its transfer. An evolutionary phase of main sequence stars usually
with mass less than about 4MSun characterized by low
temperature and high luminosity.

red-shift
the Doppler shift of light observed from receding
objects.

566
 Glossary

S
reflection
occurs when a wave is incident at a boundary between
two different media and results in some of the energy of
the wave being returned into the medium in which it is
travelling before incidence. Sankey diagram
in a Sankey diagram, the thickness of each arrow gives
refraction an indication of the scale of each energy transformation.
occurs when a wave is incident at a boundary between The total energy before the energy transfer is equal to
two different media and results in some of the energy of the total energy after the transfer otherwise the Law of
the incident wave being transmitted across the boundary. conservation of energy would be violated.
If the wavefronts are not parallel to the boundary, the
direction of travel of the wave is changed. scalar
a quantity that has only magnitude
refractive index (n)
This is defined using the angle of incidence of light in scattering
a vacuum and the angle of refraction in the medium the deflection of EM radiation from its original path due
whose refractive index is n. to its collisions with particles in a medium.

relative uncertainty Schmitt trigger

equals the absolute uncertainty divided by the a circuit designed to re-shape digital electrical signals
measurement. It has no units.
scientific notation
renewable energy source expressing numbers to the power of ten
one that is permanent or one that can be replenished
as it is used. Renewable sources being developed for scotopic vision
commercial use include solar energy, biomass, wind rods are responsible for scotopic vision which is the
energy, tidal energy, wave energy, hydro-electric energy ability to see at low light levels or vision “in the dark” or
and geothermal energy. light levels below 0.034 candela per square metre
(-0.034 c dm‑2). They do not mediate colour and are
reshapers sometimes termed “colour blind”. Because they do
a device used to re-shape pulses in an optic fibre not mediate colour, they are said to have low spatial
resolution (acuity).
resolving power
the minimum angle of resolution second
the time for 9 192 631 770 vibrations of the cesium-133
resonance atom.
this occurs when the frequency of forced oscillations is
equal to the natural frequency of the system that is being second law of thermodynamics
forced. implies that thermal energy cannot spontaneously
transfer from a region of low temperature to a region of
rest mass-energy high temperature.
the energy that is equivalent to a body’s rest mass
sensors
rest mass an input transducers that allows for the transfer of
the mass of an object as measured by an observer at rest energy from one form to another.
with respect to the object.
SI unit
rods an international system of units including the metric
photoreceptors that have fast response rates, and are system. SI units are those of Le Système International
sensitive at low light levels but they are insensitive to d’Unités adopted in 1960 by the Conférence Générale
colour. There are around 120 million of them. des Poids et Mesures.

root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value sideband frequencies

the current dissipated in a resistor in an a.c. circuit that a modulated wave consists of the carrier wave plus two
varies between I0 and - I0 would be equal to a current waves one of frequency (fc - fs) and the other of frequency
I0 /√2 dissipated in a d.c circuit. This d.c current is known (fc + fs). The frequencies are called the sideband
as r.m.s. equivalent current to the alternating current. frequencies.

567
Glossary

signal wave spectral classes

the name given to the wave that carries information a classification of stars according to their observed
spectrum
significant figures/digits
(sf/sd) are those digits that are known with certainty speed
followed by the first digit which is uncertain. see average speed and instantaneous speed

simple harmonic motion spherical aberration

occurs when the force acting on a system is directed occurs because the rays that refract at the outer edges of
towards the equilibrium position of the system and is a lens will have a different focal length to those rays that
proportional to the displacement of the system from refract near the principal focus. To put it another way,
equilibrium spherical aberration occurs because the rays incident
near the edges of a converging lens are refracted more
Snell’s law than the paraxial rays
is usually applied to light waves and states that when
light travels from one medium into another spring constant
the constant k relating the extension x of a spring to the
solar constant force F causing the extension F = kx
the average radiant power radiated to an area placed
perpendicular to the outer surface of the earth’s standard form
atmosphere while the earth is at its mean distance from see scientific notation.
the Sun.
standard notation
SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) see scientific notation.
the use of sound waves to detect and estimate the range
of submerged objects. In the 1930s it had its applications stationary waves
in medical therapy. sometimes also referred to as standing waves. Waves in
which there is no propagation of energy between points
sound intensity along the wave. The amplitude of a stationary wave varies
the average power per unit area of a sound wave that is with position along the wave.
incident perpendicular to the direction of propagation is
called the sound intensity. The units of sound intensity steam engine
are watts per square metre, W m-2. As the sound intensity an example of external combustion engines. The fuel
spreads out from its source, the intensity I is reduced as is burnt outside the engine and the thermal energy is
the inverse square of the distance d from the source. transferred to a piston or a turbine chamber by means
of steam.
source independence
the name given to the phenomenon in which audio and Stefan’s law
visual digital data can be transmitted using the same the total area under a spectral emission curve for a certain
channel. temperature T represents the total energy radiated per
metre2 per unit time E and for that assigned temperature
space-time it has been found to be directly proportional to the
a coordinate system consisting of three dimensions of fourth power T4.
space and one of time
Stefan-Boltzmann law
space–time diagram A law that relates the luminosity of an object to its
the representation of the motion of an object in space- absolute temperature and area
time
Stellar cluster
specific heat this is a number of stars that were all created about
see specific heat capacity. the same time and that is held together in a group by
gravitational attraction.
specific heat capacity
is the heat capacity per unit mass. It is defined as stellar interferometer
the quantity of thermal energy required to raise the a radio telescope that consists of two or more parabolic
temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one receiving dishes
degree Kelvin.
step-down transformer
a transformer that if Ns is less than Np it will be a step-
down transformer.

568
 Glossary

T
step-index fibre
an optic fibre in which the refractive index of the
different materials comprising the fibre change by
discrete amounts.
temperature
step-up transformer a scalar quantity that gives an indication of the degree of
a transformer that if Ns is greater than Np then the hotness or coldness of a body. Alternatively, temperature
transformer is a step-up transformer. is a macroscopic property that measures the average
kinetic energy of particles on a defined scale such as
strain viewer the Celsius or Kelvin scales. At the microscopic level,
a device that use polarized light to view the stress temperature is regarded as the measure of the average
produced in materials subject to strain. It consists of two random kinetic energy per molecule associated with its
polaroids with the material under strain placed between movements.
them.
tension force
string theory this arises when a system is subjected to two equal and
an alternative to quantum theory that proposes that each opposite forces.
fundamental particle consists of an oscillating string
of a small size compared with the proton. Rather than terminal velocity
talking about mathematical particles, string theory talks the velocity reached when the magnitude of the frictional
about oscillating strings that are lines or loops of about force acting on a body is equal to the magnitude of the
10-35 m, and membranes in small dimensions other than driving force.
the three dimensions that we presently use.
thermal (heat) capacity
strong nuclear interaction the change in thermal energy for a given change in
the short range force of attraction between nucleons. temperature.

super red-giant star thermal energy (heat)

an evolutionary phase of main sequence stars usually If a system and its surroundings are at different
with mass greater than about 8MSun characterized by low temperatures and the system undergoes a process, the
temperature and very high luminosity energy transferred by non-mechanical means is referred
to as thermal energy (heat). It is measured in joules.
surface heat capacity Cs
the energy required to raise the temperature of a unit thermistors
area of a planet’s surface by one degree Kelvin and is resistors that change resistance with temperature (word
measured in J m-2 K-1. derived from thermal resistors).

synchrotrons thermodynamic cycle

the most powerful members of the accelerator family a process in which the system is returned to the same
state from which it started. That is, the initial and final
system states are the same in the cyclic process.
any object or set of objects that is being investigated. The
surroundings will then be everything in the Universe thermodynamic engine
apart from the system. device that transforms thermal energy to mechanical
energy (work) as in an engine, or mechanical energy
systematic error to thermal energy such as in refrigeration and air-
causes a random set of measurements to be spread about conditioning systems.
a value rather than being spread about the accepted
value. It is a system or instrument error. thermodynamics
the name given to the study of processes in which thermal
energy is transferred as heat and as work.

569
Glossary

U
three phase power
There are 3 conductors on a transmission line to
maximize the amount of power that can be generated.
Each high voltage circuit has three phases. The generators
at the power station supplying the power system have Uncertainty principle
their coils connected through terminals at 120° to each See ‘Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle’
other. When each generator at the power station rotates
through a full rotation, the voltages and the currents rise unit of current
and fall in each terminal in a synchronized manner. is the coulomb per second C s-1 and this unit is called the
ampere (A).
threshold frequency

V
The frequency below which photoelectric emission will
not take place.

threshold intensity of hearing

the minimum detectable intensity for a given frequency variable
is called the threshold intensity of hearing. a quantity that varies when another quantity is changed.
A variable can be an independent variable, a dependent
time dilation variable or a controlled variable. An independent variable
the slowing of time as observed by an inertial observer is altered while the dependent variable is measured.
who assumes to be at rest with respect to another, moving Controlled variables are the other variables that may be
inertial reference system present but are kept constant.

total internal reflection vector

reflection in which all the light incident at a boundary a quantity that has both magnitude and direction
between two media undergoes reflection
vector resolution
transmission rate giving the x and y components of a vector.
another name for bit-rate
velocity
transmutation see average velocity and instantaneous velocity
see artificial transmutation
virtual earth
transverse waves a point in a circuit that is effectively at earth potential
in these types of wave the source that produces the wave (zero volts)
vibrates at right angles to the direction of travel of the
wave i.e. the direction in which the energy carried by virtual image
the wave is propagated. The particles of the medium an image that appears to come from a single point when
through which the wave travels vibrate at right angles rays are extrapolated to that point.
to the direction of travel of the wave (direction of energy
propagation). virtual particle
a particle that cannot be observed during an interaction.
travelling wave A virtual photon is said to be the carrier of the
a wave that propagates energy electromagnetic force.

trough voltmeter
the minimum displacement of a medium through which is used to measure the voltage drop across part of an
a wave travels. electric circuit and is always connected in parallel.

W
tuning circuit
a circuit designed to respond to signals of a certain
frequency

W+, W- and Z0
the exchange particles involved in the weak nuclear
interaction.

wave number
the number of waves per centimeter (cm-1)

570
 Glossary

wave speed
is the speed with which energy is carried in the medium
by the wave. A very important fact is that wave speed
depends only on the nature and properties of the
medium.

wavelength
is the distance along the medium between two successive
particles that have the same displacement

wave-mechanics
Another name for quantum mechanics.

weight
another term for the force of gravity acting on an object

weightlessness
if the weight of an object is defined in terms of a ‘weighing’
process such as the reading on a set of bathroom scales,
which in effect measures the contact force between
the object and the scales, then objects in free fall are
weightless.

Wien Displacement Law

a law that relates the maximum wavelength in the
blackbody spectrum of an object to the absolute
temperature of the object.

work
the product of force and displacement in the direction
of the force.

571
Index

B coal 196
Index coaxial cable 406
bandwidth 395 cochlea 480
baryon number 540 coherent sources 123
A baryons 518 collisions 62
beam line 537 colour 541
a.f (audio frequency) amplifier 397 becquerel 181 colour blindness 355
aberration 437 Bell Jocelyn 382 colour charge 541
absolute magnitude 369 big bang 375, 515 colour force 541
absolute temperature 289 binary stars 365 compact disc 346
absolute zero 77, 274 binary system 345 compact discs (CDs) 427
absorbed dose 506 biological half-life 509 complimentary metal oxide
absorption spectrum 363 black-body radiation 233 semiconductor (CMOS) 349
acceleration 33 black hole 383 compression 115, 398
accommodation 354, 432 black holes 472 computed tomography 496
accuracy 7 Bohr Neils 175 conduction 79
achromatic doublet 438 Boltzmann’s constant 549 conductive hearing loss 486
acoustic impedance 480, 498 Boltzmann Ludwig 290 conductor 155
adiabatic 279 Boyle Robert 97 conservation of energy 253
aerial 397 brachytherapy 510 conservation of mass-energy 465
Airey George 303 Bragg scattering equation 446 constellation 359
air resistance 38 Bragg William 446 constructive interference. 123
albedo 229 breeder reactors 214 contrast-enhancing media 494
AM 396 bremsstrahlung radiation 490, 534 convection 79
ampere 129 Brewster’s law 309 conventional current 165
Ampère Andre Marie 129 Brewster angle 309 convex lens 429
amplifier 404 Brewster David 309 cosmic rays 515
amplitude 115 Broglie Louis de 336 coulomb 157
amplitude modulation 393 Brownian motion 88 Coulomb’s Law 157
analogue 346 Coulomb Charles Augustin 156
Anderson Carl 177 C crest 115
angular magnification 433 Crick Francis 447
antineutrino 178 capacitance 349 critical angle 402
antinodes 123, 294 capacitor 349 critical mass 210
antiparticles 521 Carnot engine 284 crossed fields 531
aperture 428 Carnot Nicolas Léonard Sadi 284 crude oil 196
apparent brightness 362 carrier wave 392 Curie Pierre and Marie 177
apparent magnitude 369 cell phones 413 cyclotron 532
Aristotle 73 Celsius Anders 77 cyclotron frequency 533
ASCII code 348 centre of curvature (C) 428
astronomical unit 367 centrifugal force 67 D
asymptotic freedom 547 centripetal acceleration 67
atomic mass unit 183 centripetal force 67 damping 109
attenuation 403, 490, 499 cepheid variables 372 data transfer rate 399
audiogram 487 Chadwick James 176 Davisson Clinton 337
audiology 487 Chandrasekhar limit 381 Davy Humphry 313
auditory canal 479 charge-coupled device (CCD) 349 de Brahe Tycho 268
Avogadro’s hypothesis 273 Charles Jacques 97 de Broglie equation 530
Avogadro Amadeo 80 chemical energy 62 demodulator 397
Avogadro number 80 chemical potential energy 78 derived quantity 5
Chernobyl 210 destructive interference. 123
chromatic aberration 438 Diesel Rudolf 191
circle of least confusion 437 differential amplifier 408
circular motion 66 diffraction 121, 301

572
 Index

diffraction grating 443 equipotential lines 263 Gay-Lussac 97

diffusion 79 equipotential surface 257 Geiger-Müller counter 421
digital information 346 equipotential surfaces 263 Gell-Mann Murray 516, 539
digital versatile disc 346 error bar 13 generator 322
digital video discs (DVDs) 427 ether 455 geodesic 472
dioptre 429 ethernet 406 geostationary satellite 407
Dirac Paul 177, 521 event horizon 472 Germer Lester 337
dispersion 403, 422 exchange particle 523 Glaser Donald 535
displacement 33 exchange particles 518 Glashow Sheldon 547
Doppler C. J. 297 exponential decay 181 global warming 242
Doppler effect 297 exposure 505 gluons 523
dose equivalent 506 eye 353 Goddard Robert 56
dosimetry 504 Goodricke John 372
drag force 38 F graphs 14
drift tube accelerator 531 gravitational Field 152
drift tubes 531 Faraday’s Law 317 gravitational lensing 475
drift velocity 125 Faraday Michael 157, 313 gravitational mass 469
far point 432 gravitational potential, 255
E feedback resistance 409 graviton 523
Fermi Enrico 178 greek symbols 30
ear-drum 479 Feynman diagrams 524 Gross David 547
Eddington Arthur 47 Feynman Richard 524
effective half-life 509 film badge 507 H
effective resistance 140 filters 495
efficiency 63, 191 first dynode 536 hadrons 518
Einstein Albert 210, 417 first law of thermodynamics 278 Hahn Otto 210
Einstein photoelectric equation 335 Fizeau A.H.L. 416 half-life 181, 343
Einstein principle of equivalence 470 flavors 517 half-value thickness 492
electrical energy 62 Fleming’ s left -hand rule 167 harmonics 295
electrical resistance 130 flux density 228 harmonic series 295
electrical strain gauge 146 flux linkage 317 heat engine 281
electric current 128 FM 396 heat pump 282
electric field strength 157 focal length 428 heavily damped 109
electric potential energy 259, 260 forced oscillations. 111 Heisenberg uncertainty principle 524
electrolysis 313 fossil fuels 195 Heisenberg Werner 340, 524
electromagnetic induction 314 Foucalt Jean 416 Henry Joseph 313
electromagnetic spectrum 418 fovea 355 Hertz Heinrich 416
electromagnetic waves 117, 391 frame of reference 453 Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams 366
electron-volt 127 Fraunhofer diffraction 301 Hertzsprung Ejnar 366
electron microscope 306 free-body diagrams 45 Higgs field 545
electrostatics 155 frequency 115 Higgs particle (boson) 546
electroweak 516 frequency modulation 393 Hooke Robert 44
electroweak theory 548 Fresnel diffraction 302 Hubble’s law 386
elementary particles 517 fuels 200 Hubble Edwin 375
emission spectra 175 fundamental 295 Humanson Milton 375
emissivity 235 fundamental forces 45 Huygens Christian 415
EM spectrum 418 fundamental interactions 522 hydro-electric power 220
endoscopy 501
energy 56, 113, 189 G I
energy balance climate model 237
energy band theory 156 galaxies 358, 384 ideal gas 273
energy density 197 Galilei Galileo 37, 73 induced current, 314
enhanced greenhouse effect 231 gamma radiation 421 induced emf 315
entropy 289 gamma ray bursters 467 inertia 43

573
Index

inertial mass 469 Leavitt Henrietta 372 monochromatic 424

inertial reference frame 454 left-hand palm rule 315 monomode fibres 404
infra-red radiation 420 lens 428 Morse code 406
insolation 229 Lenz’s Law 318 most significant bit 346
instantaneous speed 35 Lenz Heinrich 317 motor effect 167
insulator 156 lepton number 543 moving particle theory 88
intensity 115 leptons 517 multiplexing 399
interference 449 light dependent resistor 145
interference pattern light year 360 N
two point sources 123 linear attenuation coefficient 491
internal combustion engine 190, 282 line spectrum 175 natural frequency 110
internal energy 79, 277 liquid drop model 209 natural gas 196
internal resistance 138 load factor 205 Ne’eman Yuval 539
interpolated resolution 351 longitudinal waves 114 near point 354, 432
inverse photoelectric effect. 444 loudness 483 nebulae 358
inverting amplifier 409 loudspeaker 397 nematic liquid crystal 312
ionising radiation 504 luminosity 361 neutral current reaction 548
ionization current 179 neutron activation 209
isobaric 278 M neutron number 176
isochoric 278 neutrons 176
isolated system 277 Mach’s Principle 469 Newton Sir Isaac 33, 73, 415
isothermal 279 macroscopic 79 nibble 398
isotopes 176 magnetic field 164, 165 nodes 123, 294
magnetic flux 316 non-renewable source 196
J magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nuclear binding energy 184
500 nuclear energy 62
Joliot Frederic 177 magnetron 531 nuclear fission 186, 215
Joule James Prescott 57, 74 magnification 429 nuclear fusion 187, 195
magnifiers 433 nuclear magnetic resonance 500
K magnifying power 433 nuclear power 214
Malus’ law 311 nucleon 176
Kelvin–Planck statement 289 Malus E.L. 308 nucleon number 176
Kepler’s third law 268 Malus Etienne 311 nucleosynthesis 549
Kepler Johannes 268 mass 43 nuclide 176
kinetic energy 59, 78 mass defect 184 numerical aperture 307
kinetic theory 88 material dispersion 403 Nyquist theorem 399
Kirchoff G.R. 139 matter waves 337
Max Planck 423 O
L Maxwell’s theory 416, 455
Maxwell James Clerk 416, 455 Oersted 313
laser light 424 meson 523 Oersted Hans Christian 165
lasers 501 Michelson Albert A. 417 Ohm’s Law 132
latent heat 92 microwaves 420 Ohm Georg Simon 132
latent heat of transformation. 92 middle ear 480 oil shale 197
Lavoisier Antoine 73 Millikan Robert 173 oil tar 197
Law of conservation of electric charge minimum angle of resolution 305 Olber’s paradox 374
155 mobile phone 412 Olber Henrich 374
law of conservation of energy 278 modal dispersion 403 Onnes H. Kammerlingh 132
law of gravitation 151 moderator 212 operational amplifier 408
law of reflection 118 modes 403 Oppenheimer–Volkoff limit 381
Lawrence Ernest 516 modulation 392 optical microscope 306
laws of Bergonie and Tribondeau 505 mole 80 optical path difference (opd) 449
laws of mechanics 455 molecular dipole moment 232 optic fibres 406
least significant bit 346 momentum 51 order of magnitude 1

574
 Index

organ of Corti 481 principal focus 428 resistance 131

oscillations 109 principle of superposition 118, 122 resistivity 131
ossicles 480 projectiles 251 resistor 130
Otto Nikolaus 191 proper length 460 resolution 304, 499
outer ear 479 proper time 458 resonance 112
oval window 480 proton number 176 resonance frequency 533
protostar 379 rest mass 464
P public switched telephone network 413 rest mass energy 464
pulsars 383 retina 354
pair annihilation 527 pulse oximetry 501 right-hand palm rule 167, 315
pair production 527 Römer Ole 415
parallax 367 Q Rontgen William 444
parsec 367 Roosevelt Franklin 210
Pauli exclusion principle 522 quality factor 110, 506 Rumford Count 73
Payne David 404 quantum 334 Russell Henry 366
peat 196 quantum chromodynamics 516, 541 Rutherford Ernest 173
Penzias Arno 548 quantum efficiency 351
percentage error 10 quantum mechanics model 520 S
period 115 quantum numbers 520
periodicity 113 quark confinement 543 Salam Abdus 547
permeability of free space 129 quarks 518, 539 Salter Duck 224
permittivity constant 156 quasars 358, 383 Sankey diagram 192
phase difference 101 scalars 22
phons 483 R Schmitt trigger 411
photo-electric effect 333 Schrödinger Erwin 339
photomultiplier tube 536 r.f (radio frequency) amplifier 397 scientific notation 5
photon 334, 523 radiant power 228 scintillation counter 536
photopic vision 355 radiation 79 scotopic vision 355
photovoltaic devices 218 radiation scattering 423 seismic exploration 206
physical half-life 509 radioactive decay 173, 342 self-inductance 328
piezoelectric crystal 498 radioactive tracers 511 semi-circular canals 480
pinna 479 radioactivity 177 sensors 145
pixels 312, 350 radio-isotopes 511 sideband 395
Planck constant 175, 334, 335, 423 radio-pharmaceuticals 512 signal wave 392
Planck Max 175 radiotherapy 510 significant figures 8
plasma 216 radio waves 419 simple harmonic motion 101, 107
polarimeter 311 radius of curvature (R) 428 singularity 548
polarization 308 random errors 7 SI units 4
polaroid 308 rarefaction 115 Slipher Vesto 375
pole (P) 428 Rayleigh criterion 305 Snell’s law 120
Politzer David 547 Rayleigh Lord 424 Snell Willebrord 120
pollutants 207 Rayleigh scattering 424 solar constant 219, 238
population inversion 426 real image 429 solar heating 218
positron 177 Reber Grote 383 SONAR 497
potential difference 125 red-shift 375, 473 sound intensity 483
potential energy 60 reflection 118 source independence 398
Powel Cecil Frank 523 refraction 119 space-time 471
power 62 refractive index 120 space–time diagram 471
power rating 133 refractive indexes 422 Special Theory 456
power stations 192, 205 refrigerator 283 Specific heat capacity 84
precision 7 relative biological effectiveness 507 speed of light 416
preferential absorption. 308 relative error 10 spherical aberration 437
principal axis 428 renewable energy source 197 spin quantum number 521
principal focal plane 428 reshapers 405 spring constant 44

575
Index

standard model. 548 U

stars
G class 363 ultra-violet radiation 420
M class 363 ultrasound 497
O class 363 uncertainties 4, 10
spectral classes 364 uncertainty principle 340
stationary waves 293 universal gas constant 273
steam engine 202
Stefan-Boltzmann law 362 V
Stefan’s law 234
stellar cluster 359 van der Graaf Robert 515
stellar interferometer 306 vectors 22, 33
step-index 403 velocity 33
strain viewer 311 vertex 524
strangeness 542 virtual earth 409
string theory 550 virtual image 429
strong nuclear interaction 177 virtual particle 525
surface heat capacity 236 visible light 420
synchrotron 533
systematic errors 7 W
T Watson James 447
Watt James 63
target material 495 wave-mechanics 339
teletherapy 511 wavelength 115
tension force 44 wave speed 115
terminal velocity 38 wedge films 451
thermal capacity 83 weight 43
thermal energy 61, 76, 79 weightlessness 270
thermal reactors 211 Weinberg Steven 547
thermistors 146 Wien Displacement Law 362
thermodynamic cycle 190, 280 Wilczek Frank 547
thermodynamics 277 Wilson Robert 548
thermoelectric converters 219 wind turbines 223
thermometric 76 wire chamber 536
Third Law of Thermodynamics 284 work 56, 277
Thomson J. J. 154, 173 work-function 334
threshold frequency 333 working fluid 281
time dilation 458, 459
total internal reflection 402 X
transformer 326
transmission rate 398 X-radiation 421
transmutation 182, 209 X-ray beam 494
transverse waves 114 X-ray crystallography 447
travelling-wave accelerator 531
travelling wave 294 Y
trough 115
tube curren 495 Young’s double slit experiment 440
tube voltage 495 Young Thomas 440
tuning circuit 397 Yukawa Hideki 523
twin paradox 462
types of star 364

576
Errata for IB Physics Textbook (IBID Press, 2007 and 2008)
Chapter 1 Physics and physical measurement
P2 lhc, under Example 2, line 10, 100.5 should read 100.5
P3 rhc, line 5, should read 16 × 5280 × 12 × 12 × 5280
and consequently the answer beneath should be 7.7 × 1011
P11 rhc, within the Solution, 3.71% should read 37.1% (twice), answer is correct
rhc, bottom line, should read 30 ± 0.2 m
P13 rhc, para under 1.2.12 heading
4th line should read ‘m’ rather than ‘cm’
last line of para, should read ‘this section’ instead of ‘Section 1.6.1’
P28 the formula the area of a hollow cylinder should read = 2πrh

Chapter 2 Mechanics
P42 lhc, Solution to Example, should have units of m s–1
P53 rhc, last line of Solution, ignores gravity so total force = 920 N
P64 Example 3 refers to diagram on p65 lhc
P65 lhc, Solution 2, answer should be 0.05 W

Chapter 3 Thermal Physics

P84 rhc, in Example 1, the
object is 0.650 kg of aluminium
temperatures given should be 80 ºC and 20 ºC
P89 rhc, para 3, line 2, should read 0 ºC rather than 25 ºC
P91 rhc, Exercise 5, D should read ‘nineteenth minute to the …’
P93 lhc, Example 2, the specific heat capacity of ice is 2.1 × 103 J kg–1 ºC–1

Chapter 4 Oscillations and waves

P 103 lhc, Equation 4.5 should read a = – const × x
P104 rhc, (c) under the mathematical answer, line 3 should be
rhc, answer for (c) T represents the period of a pendulum and t the time t = ½T
P106 rhc, the bottom left cell of Figure 411 should be

Chapter 5 Electric currents

P135 lhc, 3 lines from bottom, typo, should read 105 rather than 105
P137 lhc, 4 lines from bottom the symbol for Power should be (P) not (F)
P140 lhc, line 2 should read I = I1 = I2 = I3 = …
P143 bottom right, there are errors in the diagram, it should be

P144 lhc, line 3, should read ‘Therefore I (Rg + Rs)

P149 Exercise 15, the power supply is 12V
Exercise 16, the power supply is 15V and the resistance is 3Ω

These errata apply only to the books that were printed in 2007 and 2008 (see flyleaf).
They have all been corrected in the current revised edition ISBN 978–1–876659–28–8
Chapter 6 Fields and forces
P158 lhc, below first equation should be q2 rather than q1
P159 rhc, at the bottom, both answers should read 9 x 109 N
P166 rhc, point 2, should read increasing number of coils per unit length
P170 rhs, the diagram should be

P171 lhc, Exercise 12, line 3, typo, should read 3.0 x 104

Chapter 7 Atomic and nuclear physics

P181 rhc, line 2, within Example, the unit should be Bq as it is below
P183 lhc,
second equation should be
third equation should be
p184 rhc, line 3 ‘radium’ should read ‘radon’
p186 lhc, 3 lines up from bottom, equation should have α instead of e+
p188 lhc, 3rd equation, should produce 2p+

Chapter 8 Energy, power and climate change

P194 rhc, under Exercise 6, option B, the Efficiency should be W / EK
P199 there is an error in the working of the second part of the Solution to Example 2 and
the energy density should be 33.12 kJ g–1
P208 lhc Ex 6 line 3 the unit should be 28 kJ g–1
P210 rhc, error with neutron symbol, the equations should read

P213 lhc, Figure 837, in the lower box, it should read ‘Low temperature reservoir at TL’
P214 lhc, fourth equation Pu should have proton number 94 as shown below

P217 rhc, Exercise 5, option D should read

P221 lhc, 4 lines up should read ‘…the water uphill is more than the …’
P222 rhc, line 4 under the Solution, should read = 0.6 × 735 × 106 J s–1 = 441 MW
p227 lhc,
Ex 7 (b) should read ‘…4.0 × 108 J…’
Ex 8 line 2 should read’… 0.1 s–1’
P239 lhc, under Example 2, line 2 should read 85º N and also under the Solution line 3,
the answer given is correct.

These errata apply only to the books that were printed in 2007 and 2008 (see flyleaf).
They have all been corrected in the current revised edition ISBN 978–1–876659–28–8
Chapter 9 Motion in fields
P253 rhc, the final answer should be 58º (i.e. 90º – 32º).
P259 rhc, line 5 the formula should read

P269 rhc, bottom equation should be

P270 lhc, third equation down should be

Chapter 10 Thermal physics

P276 lhc, Exercise 5, option C should be 1
P283 rhc, Freon (several places) not now used in most countries, replace with HFC
(tetrafluoroethane)

Chapter 11 Wave phenomena

P294 rhc, 6 lines up, the number should be 22.5 cm rather than 15 cm
P298 bottom right and p299 top left denominator in equation should be fΔt
P303 rhc, there is an error in the calculation and the answer should be 5.7 x 10–6 m

Chapter 12 Electromagnetic induction

P319 rhc, Exercise 2, option D, should read 400V
P324 rhc, line 3 the formula should be I = I0 sin (ωT)
P325 lhc, 4 lines from the bottom, formulas should be:
P326 lhc, last line of Solution, omit ‘A2’

Chapter 13 Quantum physics and nuclear physics

P338 lhc, answer to Solution should be 0.14 nm
P339 lhc, answer to Solution should be 1900 nm
P341 rhc, half way down, the formula for ‘d’ and calculation is inverted and the correct
answer should be 5.6 × 10–14 m

Chapter 14 Digital technology

P346 lhc, para 3, beneath heading, para 3, line 3 the value should read 26 instead of 16
P349 rhc, para 3, beneath 14.2.1 heading , line 6 should read 10–3 F
P 352 lhc, Example 1 Solution, answer should be 4.1 megapixels
rhc, Example 2 Solution, bottom line, answer should be 0.060 mV

Chapter 15 Sight and wave phenomena

P356 lhc, para 2 should begin: ‘In colour subtraction…’

Chapter 16 Astrophysics
P368 rhc, Solution, Part (b), error in calculation but answer is correct

Chapter 17 Communications
P395 lhc, Solution, there is a typo in the working but the answer is correct
rhc, 4 lines from the bottom should read (fc – fs) + (fc + fs) = 2fc

Chapter 18 Electromagnetic waves

P428 rhc, ‘Focal length’ heading should have the symbol ‘f’
P434 lhc, Solution, error in working, correct answer should be 5.7 cm

These errata apply only to the books that were printed in 2007 and 2008 (see flyleaf).
They have all been corrected in the current revised edition ISBN 978–1–876659–28–8
Chapter 19 Relativity
Nil

Chapter 20 Medical physics

P483 lhc, 4 lines up should read So ∆L = k ln I – k ln I0
P484 in the second column of the table, the values should be: Library 10–9, Office 10–7,
Conversation 10–6 and Machine shop 10–2.
P499 lhc, Solution at top, (c) has an error in the working but the answer is correct
P510 lhc, Solution at bottom, (b) has an error in the working but the answer is correct

Chapter 21 Particle physics

P527 lhc, at the top, the working has been reset but the answers were correct

rhc, the labels on Figure 2114 should be

P534 rhc, the Solution to example 2 should be v = 4.19 × 10 7 m s–1

p535 lhc, top, the correct answer should now be m = 2.10 m
bottom left and top right, answers are correct but appear in the denominator
p549 bottom right, answer is correct but appears in the denominator

These errata apply only to the books that were printed in 2007 and 2008 (see flyleaf).
They have all been corrected in the current revised edition ISBN 978–1–876659–28–8