IFYPH001 Physics

THE NCUK INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION YEAR

IFYPH001 Physics
Examination

Examination Session Time Allowed

Semester Two 3 Hours 10 minutes
(including 10 minutes reading time)
1 INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
SECTION A Answer ALL questions. This section carries 40% of the exam
marks.
SECTION B Answer 3 questions. This section carries 60% of the exam
marks.

The marks for each question are indicated in square brackets [ ].

 Answers must not be written during the first 10 minutes.

 Write your Candidate Number clearly on the answer books in the space provided.

 Write the answers in the answer books provided. Additional sheets and Graph
Paper will be provided on request.

 Write the section letter, the question number and numbers to parts of questions
attempted clearly at the start of each answer.

 No written material is to be brought into the examination room.

 No mobile phones are allowed in the examination room.

 An approved calculator may be used in the examination.

 State the units where necessary
 Where appropriate, working should be carried out to 4 significant figures and
answers given to 3 significant figures.
 Full marks will only be given for full and detailed answers. Include diagrams
where these will help to clarify your answers.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 1 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Data, formulae and relationships

Data
–1
c = 3.00  10 m s
8
Speed of light in a vacuum
– 11 –2
G = 6.67  10
2
Gravitational constant N m kg
–2
Acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s (close to the Earth)
–1
Gravitational field strength g = 9.81 N kg (close to the Earth)
– 19
Electronic charge e = – 1.60  10 C
– 31
Electronic mass me = 9.11  10 kg
– 19
Electronvolt 1 eV = 1.60  10 J
– 34
Planck constant h = 6.63  10 Js
– 27
Unified atomic mass unit u = 1.66  10 kg
–1 –1
Molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K mol
Permittivity of free space  0 = 8.85  10 – 12
Fm
–1

k = 1 / ( 4   0 ) = 8.99  10 N m C
9 2 –2
Coulomb Law constant
–7 –2
Permeability of free space  0 = 4   10 N A
NA = 6.02  10 mol
23 -1
Avogadro Constant

Rectilinear motion
For uniformly accelerated motion v=u+at
2
s=ut+½at
2 2
v = u +2as

Forces and moments

Hooke’s law for a spring F =k x (extension x ; stiffness constant k )

Moment of F about O = F  (Perpendicular distance from line of action of F to O)

Dynamics

v  p
Newton’s Law (for constant mass) F mam 
t t
Impulse F t = p
Power P=Fv

Radioactive decay and the nuclear atom

Activity A=N (Decay constant )
-λt
Decay N = No e
Half-life  t ½ = ln 2

Electric current and potential difference

3
Electric current I=nAQv (number of electrons per m n ;
drift velocity v )
2
Electric power P=I R

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 2 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Electrical circuits
Resistors in series R=R1+R2+R3

1 1 1 1
Resistors in parallel   
R R1 R2 R3

Terminal potential difference V=–Ir (E.m.f  ; Internal resistance r)

Heating matter
Change of state: energy transfer = m l (Specific latent heat or specific
enthalpy change l)

Heating and cooling: energy transfer = m c θ (Specific heat capacity c ;

temperature change θ )

Change of internal energy: U = Q + W (Energy added thermally Q;

Work done on body W )
2
Pressure of an ideal gas p=⅓ρ<c > (Average value of square of velocity
2
of gas molecules < c > ; density ρ)

Equation of State for ideal gas pV = nRT (number of moles n; Absolute temp T ;
Pressure p; Volume V; )

Circular motion and oscillations

 v
Angular speed   (Radius of circular path r)
t r

v2
Centripetal acceleration a
r

1 2
Period T  (Frequency f)
f 
Simple Harmonic Motion
displacement x = x0 sin (2  f t). maximum speed = 2  f x0
2
acceleration a = – (2 f ) x

l
For a simple pendulum T  2
g

m
For a mass on a spring T  2
k

Superposition of waves
For interference of light using two slits of slit separation, s
ax
Wavelength  (Fringe width x; Slits to screen distance D)
D

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 3 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Gravitational fields
Gravitational field strength g=F/m
2
For radial field g = G m / r , numerically

Electric fields
Electric field strength E=F/Q
where k = 1 / ( 4   0 )
2
For radial field E=kQ/r
(in free space or in air)
For uniform field E=V/d

Capacitance
2
Energy stored W=½CV
Capacitors in parallel C=C1+C2+C3

1 1 1 1
Capacitors in series   
C C1 C2 C3

Time constant for capacitor to charge or discharge τ=RC

Magnetic fields
Force on a wire F  IB
Field due to a long solenoid B   0 nI
 I
Field due to a long wire B 0
2 r

Magnetic flux =BA

NΦ
E.m.f. induced in a coil =  (Number of turns N)
t
E.m.f. induced in a moving conductor =Blv (length l; speed perp. to Field v )

Mathematics
sin(90 – ) = cos 
o

n
ln (x ) = n ln x
kx
ln (e ) = k x

Equation of a straight line y = mx + c

Surface area of a cylinder = 2  r h + 2  r

2

Surface area of a sphere = 4  r

2

Volume of a cylinder =  r h
2

Volume of a sphere = 4  r / 3
3

For small angles sin   tan    (in radians)

cos   1

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 4 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Section A
Answer ALL questions. This section carries 40 marks.

Question A1

a) Explain the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity. [1]

b) A boat sails 200 metres directly towards south and then 150 metres
directly towards east, in a total time of 80 s.

i. Determine the average speed of the boat during this period of time. [1]

ii. Determine the distance of the boat from its starting position. [2]

iii. Determine the magnitude and direction of the average velocity of the [2]
boat during this time period.

Question A2

An object of mass 2.5 kg is attached to the end of a string and is rotated in a

circle of radius 0.5 m in a vertical plane, with a constant speed of 4.0 m s-1.

a) i. Determine the maximum tension in the string. [2]

ii. Determine the minimum tension in the string. [2]

Question A3

An electric kettle contains 1.4 kg of water at 20°C.

The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg-1 K-1.
The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water is 2.3 MJ kg-1.

a) i. Determine how much heat energy is needed to raise the temperature [2]
of the water to 100°C.

ii. Determine how much further heat energy is required to boil off [1]
0.2 kg of water.

b) Assuming no heat energy is lost, calculate how long it will take to heat [2]
the water to 100°C if the power rating of the kettle is 2.5 kW.

c) If the efficiency of the kettle is 60%, determine how long it will take to [1]
heat the water to 100°C.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 5 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question A4

An ideal step down transformer, connected to a mains voltage of 240 V, is

used to provide a 12 V output for a toy train set.

a) i. If the primary windings of the transformer contain 1000 turns, [2]

determine the number of turns on the secondary windings.

ii. If the toy train takes a current of 4.5 A, determine the current in the [2]
primary windings.

Question A5

A copper rod of length 1.0 m, pointing in an east-west direction, is dropped

from a height of 20.0 m with its axis parallel to the ground.

a) i. Determine the velocity of the rod just before it hits the ground. [3]

ii. The horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field is [2]

1.8 x 10-5 T. Determine the e.m.f. developed across the ends of the
conductor just before it hits the ground.

Question A6

An electron is accelerated from rest through a p.d. of 900 V.

a) i. Determine the kinetic energy gained by the electron. [1]

ii. Determine the momentum gained by the electron. [3]

iii. Determine the de Broglie wavelength of the electron. [1]

Question A7

A Young's double slit experiment uses red light of wavelength 6.00 x 10 -7 m.

The fringe separation is found to be 0.30 mm when the distance from the
double slits to the screen is 0.80 m.

a) i. Determine the separation of the double slits. [2]

ii. The light waves leaving the two slits need to be coherent. Explain [2]
what this means.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 6 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question A8

The centres of charge and mass of two alpha particles, each of mass
6.68 x 10-27 kg are 1 x 10-9 m apart.

a) i. Determine the electrostatic repulsion between these alpha [2]

particles.

ii. Determine the gravitational attraction between these alpha [2]

particles.

iii. Given that the radius of the alpha particle is 2.1 x 10-15 m, determine [2]
the density of the particle.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 7 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Section B
Answer 3 questions. This section carries 60 marks.

Question B1

The table below shows the velocity of a train of mass 15 000 kg moving along
a long straight track.

Velocity/ 0 4 8 12 16 16 16 14 12 10 8
m s-1
Time / s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

a) i. Plot a graph of velocity/m s-1 (y axis) against time/s (x axis). [4]

ii. Use the graph to calculate the value of the maximum acceleration [2]
of the train during this time period.

iii. Use the graph to calculate the maximum deceleration of the train [2]
during this time period.

iv. Use the graph to calculate the total distance travelled by the train [2]
during the 10 s journey.

b) After 10 s the train moves at a constant velocity of 8 m s-1 until it collides

with a stationary truck of mass 2000 kg. The train and truck become
locked together and continue to move forward with a combined velocity.
Before the collision the train can be considered to be moving freely with
negligible resistance due to friction.

i. Determine the combined velocity of the train and truck after the [4]
collision.

ii. Determine the total kinetic energy before the collision. [2]

iii. Determine the total kinetic energy after the collision. [2]

iv. Explain why there is a change in the total kinetic energy. [2]

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 8 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question B2

a) i. Define simple harmonic motion (SHM). [2]

ii. Draw a graph to show how the total energy, kinetic energy and [3]
potential energy of a mass moving with SHM (y axis) vary with
displacement (x axis), on both sides of the equilibrium position.

b) A clock is regulated by a simple pendulum that has a time period of 2 s

and an amplitude of 0.04 m.

i. Determine the length of the pendulum. [2]

ii. Determine the maximum velocity of the free end of the pendulum. [2]

iii. At which position in the motion will maximum velocity occur? [1]

iv. Determine the maximum acceleration of the free end of the [2]
pendulum.

v. At which position in the motion will the acceleration be at its [1]

maximum value?

c) A mass of 300 g is hung from the end of a long spiral spring of negligible
mass and causes the spring to extend by 0.15 m.
The mass is pulled down a further 0.10 m and released so as to oscillate
in a vertical direction with SHM.

i. Determine the time period of the motion. [3]

ii. Determine the position of the mass 2.0 s after it is released. [3]

iii. Determine the direction (up or down), that the mass will be moving [1]
in at this time.

Section B continues on the next page.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 9 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question B3

a) i. Distinguish between progressive longitudinal and progressive [2]

transverse waves.

ii. Which type of wave can be polarised? [1]

b) A monochromatic ray travels at a speed of 2.00 x 108 m s-1 inside a block

of glass, towards its boundary with air.

i. Determine the refractive index of the glass. [2]

ii. Determine the minimum angle of incidence at the boundary for total [3]
internal reflection to occur.

c) Monochromatic light of frequency 8.57 x 1014 Hz is incident normally on a

plane diffraction grating ruled with 800 lines per mm.

Determine the 3rd order diffraction angle for this light. [4]

d) The same source of monochromatic light is used in an experiment to

investigate the photoelectric effect. It is found that the maximum kinetic
energy of the electrons emitted from the metallic surface is 1.0 x 10 -19 J.

i. Determine the energy of the photons of light. [2]

ii. Determine the work function of the surface. [3]

iii. Determine the minimum frequency of radiation that will cause [3]
photoelectrons to be emitted from this metallic surface.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 10 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question B4

A
A radionuclide X is described by Z X

a) i. Give the name of the quantity A. [1]

ii. Give the name of the quantity Z. [1]

iii. What information do these quantities provide about the nucleus X? [2]

b) i. Describe the penetrating power and range of an alpha particle. [2]

ii. Describe the penetrating power and range of a beta particle. [2]

c) Copy out and complete the following equations for radioactive decay:

i. 220

decay
 Po + ? [2]
86 Rn
ii. 228  decay
  Th + ? [2]
89 Ac

d) A sample of Magnesium-23 has an initial activity of 2.0 MBq and a half life
of 12 s.

i. Determine the activity of the sample after 60 s. [2]

ii. Determine the decay constant of the sample. [2]

iii. Determine the initial number of Magnesium-23 atoms in the sample. [2]

iv. Determine the activity of the sample after 5 s. [2]

Section B continues on the next page.

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 11 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question B5

a) Explain what is meant by the e.m.f. of an electrical power source. [1]

b) A battery can supply a current of 0.8 A through a resistor R1 when the

p.d. across its terminals is 1.4 V. When R1 is replaced by a second
resistor, R2, the current increases to 1.2 A and the terminal p.d. falls to
0.9 V.

i. Determine the value of R1. [1]

ii. Determine the value of R2. [1]

iii. Determine the internal resistance of the battery. [2]

iv. Determine the e.m.f. of the battery. [2]

c) Consider the potential divider circuit shown below:

10 Ω

10 V 40 Ω 60 Ω Vout

Determine the output voltage Vout. [3]

5Ω 2Ω
I1 I2

10 Ω 4Ω 3Ω

50 V I3 4V

d) Consider the circuit above. Use Kirchhoff’s laws to:

i. Determine the current I1 flowing through the 10 Ω resistor. [3]

ii. Determine the current I2 flowing through the 2 Ω resistor. [3]

iii. Determine the current I3 flowing through the 4 Ω resistor. [3]

iv. In which direction will the electrons be flowing through the 4 V [1]
power source?

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 12 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Question B6

a) i. Sketch a graph showing force (y axis) plotted against extension [3]

(x axis) for a typical ductile material such as brass.

ii. On the graph label the following items:

I The elastic limit. [1]

II The region of plastic deformation. [1]

b) A brass wire 1.5 m long, of circular cross section and diameter 0.8 mm is
stretched by a load of 5.0 kg. Young’s modulus for brass is 1.0 x 1011 Pa.

i. Determine the stress on the wire. [2]

ii. Determine the stretched length of the wire. Give your answer to 4 [2]
significant figures.

c) i. State Boyle’s law. [1]

ii. A gas cylinder of volume 2.00 x 10-3 m3 contains 1.50 moles of

helium at a temperature of 300 K.

I Determine the pressure inside the cylinder. [2]

II Determine the number of atoms of helium in the cylinder. [2]

III If the molar mass of helium is 4.0 x 10-3 kg determine the [2]
mass of one atom of helium.

iii. A quantity of gas is now released from the cylinder until the
pressure falls to 5.00 x 105 Pa. The temperature remains constant.

I Determine the number of moles of gas remaining in the [2]

cylinder.

II Determine the mass of gas that has been released. [2]

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 13 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Blank Page

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 14 of 15

 IFYPH001 Physics

Blank Page

V1 1112 © 2011 Northern Consortium UK Ltd Page 15 of 15