PMT

Mark Scheme (Results)

January 2022

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced

Subsidiary Level In Physics (WPH15) Paper 01
Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and
Cosmology
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January 2022
Question Paper Log Number P70958A
Publications Code WPH15_01_2201_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2022
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exactly the same way as they mark the last.
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not according to their perception of where the grade
boundaries may lie.
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scheme should be used appropriately.
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awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if
deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark
scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award
zero marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of
credit according to the mark scheme.
 Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will
provide the principles by which marks will be awarded
and exemplification may be limited.
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of the mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team
leader must be consulted.
 Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the
candidate has replaced it with an alternative response.
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Question Answer Mark

Number

1 B is the correct answer, as this is part of the definition of s.h.m. (1)

2 B is the correct answer (1)
A is incorrect, as this would increase the value of LV
C is incorrect, as it’s not necessary to stir boiling water
D is incorrect, as this would increase the value of LV
3 (1)
D is the correct answer, as 𝑇 = 2π and T = 2 × 8.25s

4 C is the correct answer, as the activity halves in each half-life period (1)
5 A is the correct answer, as 𝑝𝑉 ∝ 𝑇 (1)
6 D is the correct answer, as this is a statement of Hubble’s law (1)
7 B is the correct answer (1)
A is incorrect, as background count rate varies from place to place
C is incorrect, as the background count is not constant
D is incorrect, as some detector are more sensitive than others
8 (1)
B is the correct answer, as 𝐼 =
9 B is the correct answer (1)
A is incorrect, as the lines may be shifted into any region of the spectrum
C is incorrect, as the intensity of the lines is not related to the redshift
D is incorrect, as the wavelengths of the emitted lines is not affected
10 D is the correct answer, (1)
A is incorrect, as 56Fe is the most stable isotope
B is incorrect, as the graph shows the binding energy per nucleon
C is incorrect, as high mass nuclei could be fused as long as energy is supplied

Question Answer Mark

Number
11 At least 1 cycle of a sinusoidal graph (1)

Displacement axis shows amplitude as 5 cm (1)

Use of 𝑎 = (−)𝜔 𝑥 and 𝜔 = to calculate T (1)

(1) 4
Time axis shows period as calculated value of T

Example of calculation

8.0 cm s
𝜔= = 1.26 s
5.0 cm
2π
𝑇= = 4.97 s
1.26 s

Total for question 11 4

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Question Answer Mark

Number
12 Energy transferred energy transferred energy transferred (1)
= +
from hot liquid to ice to cold water

[This may be implicit]

Use of 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐∆𝜃
(1)
Use of 𝐸 = 𝑚𝐿
(1)
Mass of ice required to cool drink to 58 oC is 2.4 × 10−2 kg
Or Final temperature using 4 g of ice is 69 oC
(1)
Valid conclusion based on a consideration of their calculated value in
comparison with a corresponding value in the question.
(1) 5

Example of calculation

Energy transferred energy transferred energy transferred

= +
from hot liquid to ice to cold water

0.275 kg × 3750 J kg K × (71.5 − 58.0)K

= m × 3.34 × 10 J kg + m × 4190 J kg K × (58.0 − 0)K

∴ 1.39 × 10 J = m × (3.34 × 10 + 2.43 × 10 ) J kg

. ×
∴𝑚= = 2.41 × 10 kg = 24 g
. ×
So 4 g would not bring the temperature below the ideal serving
temperature.

Total for question 12 5

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Question Answer Mark

Number
13(a) Use of 𝑝𝑉 = 𝑁𝑘𝑇 (1)

Temperature converted to kelvin (1)

(1) 3
V = 6.9 m3

Example of calculation

𝑝𝑉
= a constant
𝑇

8.4 × 10 Pa × 𝑉 1.02 × 10 Pa × 7.50 m

=
(273 − 48) K (273 + 22.5)K

1.02 × 10 Pa × 7.5 m × (273 − 48) K

∴𝑉= = 6.93 m
(273 + 22.5)K × 8.4 × 10 Pa

13(b) Use of 𝑚〈𝑐 〉 = 𝑘𝑇 (1)

Decrease = 1.5 × 10−21 J (1) 2

Example of calculation
3
∆(mean kinetic energy) = 1.38 × 10 JK (−48 − 22.5)K
2

∴ ∆(mean kinetic energy) = −1.46 × 10 J

Total for question 13 5

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Question Answer Mark

Number
14 Max kinetic energy read from graph (1)

Use of 15.6 eV to calculate number of nitrogen molecules ionised (1)

Use of 250 to calculate range of β particle (1)

Range of β particle read from graph (1)

Comparison of their two ranges with conclusion (1)

OR

Max kinetic energy read from graph (1)

Use of 15.6 eV to calculate number of nitrogen molecules ionised (1)

Range of β particle read from graph (1)

Use of range to calculate number of molecules ionised (1)

Comparison of their two numbers of molecules with conclusion (1) 5

Example of calculation

Maximum Ek = 0.52 MeV→ 0.55 MeV

5.3 × 10 eV
𝑁= = 3.40 × 10
15.6 eV

3.40 × 10
Range = = 136 cm = 1.36 m
250 cm

Range of β particle = 1.2 m → 1.4 m

Total for question 14 5

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Question Answer Mark

Number
15 λmax read from graph [450 nm → 500 nm] (1)

Use of 𝜆 𝑇 = 2.898 × 10 mK (1)

Use of 𝐿 = 𝜎𝐴𝑇 (1)

Use of 𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 (1)

DP = 4.6 × DSun so statement is incorrect (1) 5

Or DP = 3.2 × 109 m, which is more than twice Sun’s diameter, so statement is
incorrect

Example of calculation

2.898 × 10 mK
𝑇= = 6170 K
470 × 10 nm

2.65 × 10 W
𝐴= = 3.22 × 10 m
5.67 × 10 W m K × (6170 K)
3.22 × 10 m
𝑟= = 1.60 × 10 m
4π
𝐷 2 × 1.60 × 10 m
= = 4.6
𝐷 6.96 × 10 m

Total for question 15 5

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Question Answer Mark

Number
16(a)(i)
𝑀
𝑣∝
𝑟 (1)

Within the central region M changes a lot (so v increases)

Or
Outside the central region M is approximately constant (so v decreases)

As r increases v reaches a peak value as shown on the graph (1)

[A bald description of the graph having a peak value can score MP3] (1) 3

16(a)(ii) There must be more mass (than we can observe) (1)

[Accept statement that there must be a greater gravitational force]
(1) 2
There is dark matter present (in the galaxy)

16(b) (For a closed universe) the density of the universe must be greater than the
critical density (1)

And the (average) density of the universe is uncertain (1) 2

Or the amount of dark matter is uncertain

Total for question 16 7

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Question Answer Mark

Number
17(a) Either
Current carrying coil/conductor in a magnetic field (1)

Coil experiences a force (1)

Force changes direction with current (as current is changing direction) (1)

Or
Current in coil causes a magnetic field (1)

Field interacts with permanent magnet's field, so force on coil (1)

3
Field changes direction with current so force changes direction (1)

17(b)(i) Use of 𝜔 = 2π𝑓 (1)

Use of 𝑣 = −𝐴𝜔 sin 𝜔𝑡 (1)

(1) 3
v = 0.82 m s−1

Example of calculation

𝜔 = 2π rad × 75 s = 471 rad s

𝑣 = 1.75 × 10 m × 471 s × 1 = 0.8247 m s

17(b)(ii) At the equilibrium/undisplaced/central/middle (position) (1) 1

17(c) MAX 2

The driver frequency of the coil matches the natural frequency of the
cone (1)

There is a maximum transfer of energy (from the coil to the cone)

(1)
Resonance occurs (1) 2

[For full marks the response must be related to the question context]

Total for question 17 9

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Question Answer Mark

Number
18(a) Use of 𝑇 = 𝐾𝑅 (1)

K for Earth = 2.96 × 10 (s m ) (1)

K for Mars = 2.97 × 10 (s m ) (1) 3

Example of calculation

𝑇 (3.16 x 10 s)
𝐾= = = 2.959 × 10 s m
𝑅 (1.50 x 10 m)

𝑇 (5.93 x 10 s)
𝐾= = = 2.967 × 10 s m
𝑅 (2.28 x 10 m)
18(b) Either
Use of 𝐹 = with 𝐹 = (1)
( )
Re-arrangement with 𝑣 = to identify K as (1)

K = 2.97 × 10−19 (s2 m−3) (1)

Or
(1)
Use of 𝐹 = with 𝐹 = 𝑚𝜔 𝑟
( )
Re-arrangement with 𝜔 = to identify K as (1)

K = 2.97 × 10−19 (s2 m−3) (1) 3

Example of calculation

𝐺𝑀𝑚
= 𝑚𝜔 𝑟
𝑟

𝐺𝑀 2𝜋
= 𝑟
𝑟 𝑇

(2𝜋)
𝑇 = 𝑟
𝐺𝑀

4π
𝐾= = 2.97 × 10 s m
6.67 × 10 N m kg × 1.99 × 10 kg
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18(c) Use of 𝑇 = 𝐾𝑅 (1)

T = 43 hours (1) 2
Example of calculation

𝑇 𝑅
=
𝑇 𝑅

4.22 × 10 m
𝑇= × (172 hour) = 42.6 hours
1.07 × 10 m

Total for question 18 8

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Question Answer Mark

Number
19(a)
Use of trigonometry to calculate the parallax angle
Or Use of trigonometry to calculate distance (1)

(Smallest) parallax angle = 3.3 × 10−7 (rad )

Or max distance = 6.25 × 1017 (m)
(1)
Comparison of calculated value with corresponding value in question with valid conclusion
(1) 3
Example of calculation
1.5 × 10 m
sin 𝛼 =
𝑑
1.5 × 10 m
𝛼 = sin = 3.26 × 10 rad
4.6 × 10 m
. ×
Or 𝛼 = = 3.26 × 10 rad (small angle approximation)
. ×

19(b) The intensity (of radiation from the candle) is measured (1)
The luminosity of the standard candle is known (1)
The inverse square law is used to determine the distance
(1) 3
[Accept reference to I=L/4πd2 with symbols defined]

19(c)(i) Axis labelled with T / K (1)

Reverse logarithmic scale (1)
6000 K in correct position on scale
(1) 3
Example of graph labelling
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19(c)(ii)
Description Zone
High mass hot stars Z1 (1)
Low mass cool stars Z5 (1)
Low mass hot stars Z2 (1) 3
19(c)(iii)
This question assesses a student’s ability to show a coherent and logically structured
answer with linkages and fully-sustained reasoning.
Marks are awarded for indicative content and for how the answer is structured and
shows lines of reasoning.
The following table shows how the marks should be awarded for structure and lines of
reasoning.
Number of marks awarded for structure of
answer and sustained line of reasoning
Answer shows a coherent and logical
structure with linkages and fully sustained 2
lines of reasoning demonstrated throughout
Answer is partially structured with some
1
linkages and lines of reasoning
Answer has no linkages between points and
0
is unstructured

Total marks awarded is the sum of marks for indicative content and the marks for
structure and lines of reasoning
IC points IC mark Max linkage Max final
mark mark
6 4 2 6
5 3 2 5
4 3 1 4
3 2 1 3
2 2 0 2
1 1 0 1
0 0 0 0
Indicative content
IC1 The star is fusing hydrogen in its core
IC2 When fusion ceases (the core of the star cools and) the core
collapses/contracts (under gravitational forces)
IC3 The star (moves to Z4 as it expands and) becomes a red giant star
IC4 Temperature (in the core) is high enough for helium fusion to begin
IC5 Helium begins to run out and then fusion ceases
IC6 The star becomes a white dwarf (in Z2)
6

Total for question 18 18

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Question Answer Mark

Number
20(a)
Top row correct (1)
Bottom row correct (1) 2
Example of calculation

20(b) Use of 1 u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg (1)

Use of ∆𝐸 = 𝑐 ∆𝑚 (1)

Use of 1 J = 1.6 × 10−19 eV (1)

1 u = 934 (MeV) (1) 4

Example of calculation

∆𝐸 = (3.0 × 10 m s ) × 1.66 × 10 kg = 1.494 × 10 J

1.494 × 10 J
∴ ∆𝐸 = = 934 MeV
1.6 × 10 J MeV
20(c) Use of 1 u = 934 MeV (ecf from (b) [Accept calculation from first principles] (1)

The mass of the Fr nucleus is much greater than the mass of the α (1)

Momentum is conserved so (recoil) velocity of Fr nucleus is much less than the

velocity of the α (1)

So the kinetic energy of the α is much greater than the kinetic energy of the Fr
Or (after the decay) the α has most of the kinetic energy (1)
[MP4 dependent upon MP2 or MP3]

OR

Use of 1 u = 934 MeV (ecf from (b) [Accept calculation from first principles] (1)

Mathematical statement of momentum conservation (1)

Use of 𝐸 =
(1)
Or use of 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 and p = mv

Ek calculated and statement that Ek is just less than 5.9 MeV

(1) 4
Or Ek calculated and statement that α has most of the kinetic energy

Example of calculation
ΔE = 6.35 × 10−3 u × 934 MeV u−1 = 5.93 MeV
[5.91 MeV if “show that” value used]
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20(d) Use of 𝜆 𝑡 / = ln2 (1)

Use of 𝐴 = −𝜆𝑁 (1)

Use of 𝑁 = 𝑁 𝑒 (1)

N = 5.6 × 1013 (1) 4

Example of calculation

ln2
𝜆= = 8.10 × 10 s
9.9 × 24 × 3600 s

7.4 × 10 s
𝑁= = 9.13 × 10
8.10 × 10 s
. × × . × ×
𝑁 = 9.13 × 10 ×𝑒 = 5.59 × 10

Total for question 20 14

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