Q1.Observations of the H-α line in the spectrum of a star indicate the presence of hydrogen.

The H-α line has a wavelength of 656 nm and is produced by a transition of electrons into
the −3.4 eV energy level.

Calculate the energy level that the electron moves from when emitting a photon
corresponding to a wavelength of 656 nm. Give your answer in J.

energy level ................................................... J

Q2.Figure 1 shows data for the variation of the power output of a photovoltaic cell with load
resistance. The data were obtained by placing the cell in sunlight. The intensity of the
energy from the Sun incident on the surface of the cell was constant.

Figure 1

Load resistance / Ω

(a) Use data from Figure 1 to calculate the current in the load at the peak power.

Page 2
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (3)

(b) The intensity of the Sun’s radiation incident on the cell is 730 W m –2. The active
area of the cell has dimensions of 60 mm × 60 mm.

Calculate, at the peak power, the ratio

(3)

(c) The average wavelength of the light incident on the cell is 500 nm. Estimate the
number of photons incident on the active area of the cell every second.

Page 3
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (2)

(d) The measurements of the data in Figure 1 were carried out when the rays from the
sun were incident at 90° to the surface of the panel. A householder wants to
generate electrical energy using a number of solar panels to produce a particular
power output.

Identify two pieces of information scientists could provide to inform the production of
a suitable system.

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

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

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q3.The diagram below shows the lowest three energy levels of a hydrogen atom.

Page 4
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (a) An electron is incident on a hydrogen atom. As a result an electron in the ground
state of the hydrogen atom is excited to the n = 2 energy level. The atom then emits
a photon of a characteristic frequency.

(i) Explain why the electron in the ground state becomes excited to the n = 2
energy level.

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the frequency of the photon.

frequency = ......................................... Hz
(3)

(iii) The initial kinetic energy of the incident electron is 1.70 × 10–18 J.

Calculate its kinetic energy after the collision.

Page 5
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 kinetic energy = ............................................ J
(2)

(iv) Show that the incident electron cannot excite the electron in the ground state
to the n = 3 energy level.

(2)

(b) When electrons in the ground state of hydrogen atoms are excited to the n = 3
energy level, photons of more than one frequency are subsequently released.

(i) Explain why different frequencies are possible.

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) State and explain how many possible frequencies could be produced.

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

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q4. (a) When free electrons collide with atoms in their ground state, the atoms can be
excited or ionised.

(i) State what is meant by ground state.

Page 6
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 ...............................................................................................................

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

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Explain the difference between excitation and ionisation.

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

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

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

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

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

...............................................................................................................
(3)

(b) An atom can also become excited by the absorption of photons. Explain why only
photons of certain frequencies cause excitation in a particular atom.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

........................................................................................................................
(4)

(c) The ionisation energy of hydrogen is 13.6 eV. Calculate the minimum frequency
necessary for a photon to cause the ionisation of a hydrogen atom. Give your
answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

Page 7
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 answer ..........................................Hz
(4)
(Total 12 marks)

Q5. (a) A fluorescent tube is filled with mercury vapour at low pressure. In order to emit
electromagnetic radiation the mercury atoms must first be excited.

(i) What is meant by an excited atom?

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

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Describe the process by which mercury atoms become excited in a

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

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

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

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(3)

(iii) What is the purpose of the coating on the inside surface of the glass in a
fluorescent tube?

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

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

Page 8
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 .............................................................................................................

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

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

.............................................................................................................
(3)

(b) The lowest energy levels of a mercury atom are shown in the diagram below. The
diagram is not to scale.

energy / J × 10–18

................................................. 0
n = 4 ________________________ –0.26

n = 3 ________________________ –0.59
n = 2 ________________________ –0.88

ground state n = 1 ________________________ –2.18

(i) Calculate the frequency of an emitted photon due to the transition level n = 4
to level n = 3.

answer = ........................................ Hz
(3)

(ii) Draw an arrow on the diagram above to show a transition which emits a
photon of a longer wavelength than that emitted in the transition from level n =
4 to level n = 3.
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 9
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Page 10
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com