Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge Pre-U Certificate

* 9 6 5 1 4 2 9 9 9 9 *

PHYSICS (PRINCIPAL) 9792/02

Paper 2 Written Paper May/June 2016
2 hours
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.
For Examiner’s Use
Section 1
Answer all questions. 1
You are advised to spend about 1 hour 30 minutes on this section.
2
Section 2
Answer the one question.
You are advised to spend about 30 minutes on this section. 3
The question is based on the material in the Insert.
4
Electronic calculators may be used.
You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use
appropriate units. 5

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. 6
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question
or part question.
7

Total

The syllabus is approved for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate.

This document consists of 25 printed pages, 3 blank pages and 1 insert.

DC (ST/SW) 102142/7
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Data

gravitational field strength close to Earth’s surface g = 9.81 N kg–1

elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10 –19 C

speed of light in vacuum c = 3.00 × 108 m s–1

Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10 –34 J s

permittivity of free space ε 0 = 8.85 × 10 –12 F m–1

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

electron mass me = 9.11 × 10 –31 kg

proton mass mp = 1.67 × 10 –27 kg

unified atomic mass constant u = 1.66 × 10 –27 kg

molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K –1 mol –1

Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 10 23 mol –1

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

Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ = 5.67 × 10–8 W m–2 K– 4

Formulae

uniformly accelerated s = ut + 1 at 2 change of state ΔE = mL

2
motion
sin θ1
v 2 = u 2 + 2as refraction n =
sin θ2

u+v v1
s = t n =
2 v2

heating ΔE = mcΔθ

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d(NΦ)
diffraction electromagnetic induction E = –
dt
single slit, minima nλ = b sinθθ
Hall effect V = Bvd
grating, maxima nλ = d sinθθ
ax t
double slit interference λ =
D time dilation t' = 2
1 – v2
c
λ
Rayleigh criterion θ ≈
b 2
length contraction l' = l 1 – v2
c
photon energy E = hf

1 3
h kinetic theory 2m c2 = 2 kT
de Broglie wavelength λ =
p
work done on/by a gas W = p ΔV
simple harmonic motion x = A cos ω t
dN
v = –Aω sin ω t radioactive decay = –λN
dt
a = –Aω 2 cos ωt
N = N 0e– λ t
F = –mω 2x
In2
t1 =
1 λ
E = 2
mA2ω 2 2

1 attenuation losses I = I0e–μx

energy stored in a W = 2 QV
capacitor
mass-energy equivalence ΔE = c 2Δm
tt
–
capacitor discharge Q = Q0e RC
RC –13.6 eV
hydrogen energy levels En =
n2
Q1Q2
electric force F = h
4 π ε 0r 2 Heisenberg uncertainty ΔpΔx
2π
principle
Q1Q2
electrostatic potential W =
energy 4 π ε 0r Wien’s displacement law λ max ∝
1
T
Gm1m2
gravitational force F = – Stefan’s law L = 4πσ r 2T 4
r2

Gm1m2 electromagnetic radiation Δλ ≈ Δf ≈ v

gravitational potential E = – r from a moving source λ f c
energy

magnetic force F = BIl sinθ

F = BQv sinθ

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Section 1

You are advised to spend 1 hour and 30 minutes answering the questions in this section.

1 (a) A column of liquid has a depth h and a uniform cross-sectional area A. Fig. 1.1 shows the
column.

Fig. 1.1

The liquid has a density ρ. The gravitational field strength is g.

(i) Determine an expression for the weight of the column of liquid.

[2]

(ii) Show that the pressure p on the lower surface of the column due to the weight of the
liquid is given by

p = hρg.

[1]

(b) Investigations on board a research ship in the Pacific Ocean, above the Marianas Trench,
determine the density of the seawater.
The value obtained is 1.03 × 103 kg m–3.
Divers descend to a depth of 10.9 m in this seawater.

(i) Calculate the pressure due to this depth of seawater.

pressure = .................................. Pa [1]

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(ii) The pressure is measured at a depth of 10 900 m below sea level in the Marianas Trench.
This depth is exactly 1000 times greater than the depth to which the divers descend.

The pressure, however, is not exactly 1000 times greater than the value obtained in
(b)(i).

State and explain two possible reasons why the pressure at this depth is not exactly
1000 times greater than the value obtained in (b)(i).

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

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

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

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

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

.......................................................................................................................................[4]

[Total: 8]

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2 (a) Show that the kinetic energy of an object of mass m travelling with speed v is given by the
equation

kinetic energy = ½mv 2.

[3]

(b) A car of mass 1040 kg is travelling along a straight, horizontal road at a constant speed of
28 m s–1. The output power of the engine is 36.0 kW.

(i) Calculate

1. the kinetic energy of the car,

kinetic energy = .................................. J [1]

2. the total resistive force on the car.

force = .................................. N [2]

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(ii) The car then travels at the same speed up a hill. The hill has a gradient of 1.00 m rise for
a distance along the road of 17.0 m.

The total resistive force remains unchanged.

Calculate the new output power of the engine.

power = .................................. W [3]

(c) A lorry of mass 40 000 kg is travelling along a straight, horizontal road. The brakes are applied.
The brakes lock and the wheels stop rotating, causing the lorry to slide along the road.

The coefficient of kinetic friction μk between the lorry and the road is 0.35.

Calculate the magnitude of the frictional force that acts on the lorry.

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

[Total: 12]

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3 An α-particle X has mass m and a speed of 1.30 × 107 m s–1. It collides elastically with a stationary
helium nucleus Y, which also has a mass m.
Fig. 3.1 is a representation of the collision.

_-particle
after collision
_-particle
at collision X
e
X X
_-particle Y helium nucleus
before collision at collision

helium nucleus
Y
after collision

Fig. 3.1

After the collision, the velocity of X is 1.20 × 107 m s–1 at an angle θ to its original direction. The
velocity v of Y is in a direction at 90° to the direction in which X is moving.

(a) Without making any calculations, sketch in the space below Fig. 3.1 a vector triangle to
show conservation of momentum. Label the triangle with the initial momentum p1 of X, the
final momentum p2 of X, and the final momentum p3 of Y.
[2]

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(b) (i) Write an expression for the final kinetic energy E3 of Y, in terms of the initial kinetic energy
E1 and the final kinetic energy E2 of X.

[1]

(ii) Determine the speed of Y after the collision.

speed = .................................. m s–1 [2]

(c) Show that, whatever the size of the angle θ, the angle between the final velocity of X and the
final velocity of Y is always 90°.

[2]

[Total: 7]

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4 A 12.0 V, 24.0 W immersion heater is connected to a 12.0 V supply of negligible internal resistance.

(a) Calculate the resistance of the heater.

resistance = .................................. Ω [2]

(b) The heater is connected into a circuit. Fig. 4.1 is the circuit diagram.

12.0 V

R
heater

Fig. 4.1

The resistance of the heater is constant.

The resistance of the variable resistor is R. The output power of the heater is varied by varying
R from 0 to 15.0 Ω.

(i) Complete the table by determining values for the total resistance of the circuit, the current
in the circuit and the output power of the heater, for different values of R.

total output
current
R/Ω resistance power
/A
/Ω /W
0

3.0

6.0

9.0

12.0

15.0

[3]

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(ii) Fig. 4.2 and Fig. 4.3 represent two variable resistors.

terminal terminal
rotating contact rotating contact
arm arm

terminal terminal resistance

resistance
wire
wire

Fig. 4.2 Fig. 4.3

Fig. 4.2 represents a variable resistor in which the turns of the resistance wire are not equally
spaced. Fig. 4.3 represents a variable resistor in which the turns of the resistance wire are
equally spaced.

The variable resistor used in the circuit in (b)(i) is represented in Fig. 4.2.

Using the completed table in (b)(i), suggest and explain why the variable resistor represented
in Fig. 4.2 is preferable for use in this circuit.

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

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

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

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

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

[Total: 7]

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5 (a) State an observation that shows that, in the same transparent material, visible light of different
frequencies have different refractive indices.

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

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

(b) Fig. 5.1 shows monochromatic light of a certain frequency incident on one end of an optical
fibre. Some of the light enters the core of the fibre.

monochromatic cladding
light source
core

cladding

Fig. 5.1

(i) The refractive index of the core material is 1.59 and the refractive index of the cladding
material is 1.52.

Some of the monochromatic light in the core strikes the boundary with the cladding.

Calculate the critical angle for the light in the core that strikes the boundary.

critical angle = ..................................° [2]

(ii) Calculate the speed of light in the core material.

speed of light = .................................. m s–1 [1]

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(c) There are many possible paths along the optical fibre in (b) that light can follow. Fig. 5.2
shows two of these paths. Light that travels along the centre of the core travels a shorter
distance than light that is repeatedly reflected at an angle of incidence of 88°.

cladding

light 88° core

source

cladding

Fig. 5.2 (not to scale)

(i) The fibre is 50 km long. A signal is transmitted through the fibre.

Calculate the extra time taken by a signal that takes the longer path through the fibre.

extra time = .................................. s [4]

(ii) Fig. 5.3 shows an input signal and the corresponding output signal at the end of the fibre.

input signal output signal

from many paths

Fig. 5.3

Suggest two reasons for the differences between the output signal and the input signal
shown in Fig. 5.3.

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

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

2. ........................................................................................................................................

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

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(d) A world record was set when pulses of information lasting only 1.00 × 10–11 s were sent along
a 50.0 km optical fibre. The time delay calculated in (c)(i) makes this seem impossible.

It is possible to make optical fibres in which the refractive index is not constant. The refractive
index of such fibres is high at the centre, but decreases as the distance from the centre line
increases.

(i) Explain how using an optical fibre of this design reduces the effect of time delays.

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

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

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

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

(ii) Suggest one other design of optical fibre that makes sending pulses of this duration
possible.

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

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

[Total: 13]

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6 (a) Fig. 6.1 represents two waves travelling together through the same space.

Fig. 6.1

(i) Use Fig. 6.1 to estimate the phase difference between the waves and state the unit for
phase difference.

phase difference = .................................. unit .............. [2]

(ii) State and explain whether or not the waves represented in Fig. 6.1 are coherent.

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

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

(b) Microwaves of wavelength 5.00 mm pass through a single slit of width 14.0 mm. After passing
through the slit, the microwaves form a pattern. The intensity of the microwaves varies with
the angle measured from the incident direction.

(i) Determine two angles, of different magnitudes, at which destructive interference occurs.

angle 1 = .........................................................

angle 2 = .........................................................
[2]

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(ii) Using the axes in Fig. 6.2, sketch a graph to show how the intensity of the microwaves
varies with the angle measured from the incident direction.

intensity

0
0 angle

Fig. 6.2
[3]

[Total: 8]

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7 A radiation detector consists of a detector (Geiger-Müller) tube connected to a counter. The

detector is placed on a laboratory bench. The total count in one minute is recorded on five separate
occasions.

The readings are:

25 22 22 27 24

A sample of radioactive material contains two radioactive isotopes A and B. Each isotope decays
to an isotope that is stable. The radioactive properties of the sample are to be investigated.

The sample is placed on the bench and is moved close to the Geiger-Müller tube, as shown
in Fig. 7.1.

radioactive sample

counter
Geiger-Müller tube

bench
Fig. 7.1

The count rate and the corresponding time t are recorded every two hours for 18.0 hours.
The results are shown in the table.

t / hours count rate / counts s–1

0 236.4
2.0 146.6
4.0 97.9
6.0 71.9
8.0 56.2
10.0 47.7
12.0 43.5
14.0 40.4
16.0 40.8
18.0 40.2

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Use the graph paper in Fig. 7.2 to plot an appropriate graph, and explain what can be deduced
about the activity of the sample at t = 0 and the half-lives of the two isotopes in the sample.

Fig. 7.2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

..........................................................................................................................................................
[8]

[Total: 8]

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8 Visible light of wavelength 380 nm is shone onto a metal target in a vacuum and photoelectrons
are emitted. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is 2.73 × 10–19 J.

(a) Calculate

(i) the energy of a photon of light of wavelength 380 nm,

energy = .................................. J [2]

(ii) the work function of the metal in joules,

work function = .................................. J [1]

(iii) the work function of the metal in electron-volts,

work function = ................................ eV [1]

(iv) the threshold frequency for the metal.

frequency = .................................. Hz [2]

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(b) It is observed that a decrease in the intensity of the light does not affect the maximum kinetic
energy of the photoelectrons.

Explain this observation and describe how it changes the way in which electromagnetic waves
are understood.

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

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

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

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

(c) (i) Explain why the photoelectrons do not all have the same energy.

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

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

(ii) The experiment is repeated using a filament lamp that shines white light onto the metal
target. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is unchanged.

State and explain what this result shows about the radiation from the filament lamp.

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

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

[Total: 12]

End of Section 1

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Section 2

You are advised to spend about 30 minutes answering this section.

Your answers should, where possible, make use of any relevant Physics.

9 A tidal barrage across the La Rance estuary in Brittany is used to generate electricity.

On a particular day, this power station is operating and supplying energy to the French national
grid.

(a) (i) State the useful energy change that occurs during this time.

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

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

(ii) Suggest two mechanisms by which energy is wasted as thermal energy during the
operation of the power station.

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

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

2. ........................................................................................................................................

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

(b) The variation in sea level is measured at La Rance.

Fig. 9.1 shows how sea level varies with time after the largest high tide of the year.

6
sea level / m
4

mean sea level 0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
time / hours
–2

–4

–6

–8

Fig. 9.1

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At high tide, sluice gates are closed and water is trapped in the estuary.

At the next low tide, the gates are opened and seawater of density 1.03 × 103 kg m–3 flows
through the generators at a rate of 2100 m3 s–1.

(i) Calculate the rate at which the water loses gravitational potential energy.

rate = ...................................... J s–1 [2]

(ii) The power station operates with an efficiency of 0.905 (90.5%).

Calculate the output power (in megawatts) of the power station.

output power = ...................................... MW [1]

(iii) The output power is supplied to the national grid at 225 kV.
Calculate the current supplied.

current = ...................................... A [1]

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(c) At La Rance, the annual output of energy is 540 000 000 kWh from 24 generators within the
barrage, each of which is rated at 10 MW.

(i) Calculate the capacity factor CF of the La Rance power station.

capacity factor = .......................................[3]

(ii) Suggest and explain one reason why it is not possible for the capacity factor of a tidal
power station to be equal to 1.00.

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

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

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

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

(d) The ultimate energy source for fossil fuel, biofuel, solar energy, wave energy and wind energy
power stations is the thermonuclear fusion reaction taking place within the Sun. This is not
the case for a tidal power station.

Discuss the origin of the energy transformed by the La Rance power station and explain the
effect on the Earth of the power station.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(e) The Moon’s tidal force FM is a factor that gives rise to the formation of tidal bulges on the
surface of the Earth.

Fig. 9.2 shows a small mass of surface seawater positioned on the line joining the Earth to
the Moon.

mass m

Moon

Earth

Fig. 9.2 (not to scale)

The tidal force F is the difference between the actual force exerted on the mass m on the
surface of the Earth and the force that would be exerted on the same mass if it were placed at
the Earth’s centre.

(i) Show that the Moon’s tidal force FM on the small mass m is given by the equation

2GMmR
FM = ,
r3
where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Moon, R is the radius of the
Earth and r is the radius of the Moon’s orbit.

[3]

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(ii) The table gives data for the Earth, Moon and Sun.

radius of Moon’s orbit 3.84 × 108 m

radius of Earth 6.38 × 106 m
radius of Earth’s orbit 1.50 × 1011 m
mass of Sun 1.99 × 1030 kg
mass of Earth 5.97 × 1024 kg
mass of Moon 7.35 × 1022 kg

1. Calculate the magnitude of the Moon’s tidal force FM on 1.00 kg of seawater, at the
position shown in Fig. 9.2.

FM = ...................................... N [2]

2. When the Earth, Moon and Sun are in a straight line the Sun’s tidal force on the
mass m in Fig. 9.2 is FS.
FM
Calculate the ratio and comment on the significance of your answer.
FS

FM
= ............................................
FS
....................................................................................................................................

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

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

(iii) The gravitational forces of the Sun and of the Moon on the Earth give rise to spring and
neap tides.

Describe, in terms of tidal forces, when and how spring tides are formed.

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

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

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

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

[Total: 25]

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