1.
(a) speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all inertial observers;
laws of physics are the same for all inertial observers; 2
The words underlined are needed for the mark. Award [1 max] if
both are on the right lines but not precise. Give benefit of the
doubt if inertial is only mentioned once.
(b) constancy of the speed of light / OWTTE;
any sensible comment; 2
eg Maxwell’s equations predicted a value for the speed of
propagation of electromagnetic radiation from constants
associated with the medium that was independent of the motion
of the source or the observer.
(c) idea or name of appropriate experiment;
eg muon experiments
outline of evidence;
eg number of muons at a given height in the atmosphere in a given time
compared with number arriving at the ground. Number at ground seems
high given the lifetime of a muon.
link to a prediction; 3 max
eg numbers consistent with time dilation formula.
[7]
2. (a) the speed of light in vacuum is the same for all inertial observers;
the laws of Physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference; 2
(b) (i) this faster than light speed is not the speed of any physical object /
inertial observer and so is not in violation of the theory of SR; 1
u−v
(ii) u = with v = –0.80 c and u = 0.80 c so that
uv
1− 2
c
0.80c + 0.80c
u = ;
0.80c 0.80c
1+
c2
1.60 c
u= ;
1.64
u = 0.98 c; 3
[6]
1
3. (a) Award [2] for good understanding and [1 max] for some understanding.
a means by which the position of an object can be located / OWTTE;
some detail eg reference to origin / axes; 2
Answers will be open-ended.
(b) c – v; 1
(c) c; 1 max
u−v
(d) u = ;
uv
1− 2
c
c−v
substitute u = c to get u = ;
cv
1− 2
c
c − v c (c − v )
= = = c; 3
v c−v
1−
c
Accept answers using + instead of –.
Award [1] for recognition of correct formula to use and [1] for
correct substitution and [1] for at least some arithmetic.
(e) (i) time interval of an event that is observed to happen at the same
place / OWTTE; 1
(ii) γ = 2.0;
1
2.0 = ;
v2
1− 2
c
arithmetic to give v = 0.87 c; 3
[11]
4. (a) means of locating an object in space; 1
(b) (i) observer O: light from flashes arrives simultaneously at O;
because takes same time, as measured by O, to reach
O / because O is at rest with respect to A and B;
observer C: flash from A reaches C before flash from B;
because speed of light independent of reference frame; 4
9 .0
(ii) γ= = 1.25 ;
7 .2
2
−0.5
v2
1 − 2 = 1.25 ;
c
v = 0.6c; 3
Award [0] if use of γ = 0.8.
[8]
5. (a) rest mass energy is the energy that is needed to create the particle at rest /
reference to E0 = m0c2;
total energy is the addition of the rest energy and everything
else (kinetic etc) / reference to mass being greater when in
motion / E = mc2; 2 max
(b) realization that betas are electrons;
so me = 0.511 MeV c–2;
2.51
γ= ; (= 4.91) 3
0.511
Ignore any spurious calculation from Lorentz factor equation
here as the use of this equation is rewarded below.
(c) (i) correct substitution into Lorentz factor equation;
to give v = 0.979c = 2.94 × 10 m s–1; 2
distance
(ii) correct substitution into speed = ;
time
to give time = 1.26 ns; 2
(d) (i) the detector / the laboratory / OWTTE; 1
(ii) same answer as (c) (i) = 2.94 × 108 m s–1; 1
(iii) realization that length contraction applies;
37
distance = = 7.5 cm; 2
[13]
6. (a) proper time is the time measured in a FR at rest with respect to events;
clock is at rest with respect to muon; 2
(b) calculated value of gamma, = 5.0;
Tg 10 .2
Tm = = = 2.0 μs ; 2
γ 5.0
[4]
7. c is constant in all FR / OWTTE;
shorter path length to L for Nino;
3
so flash on L seen first by Nino;
[3]
8. (a) transformations made under the assumptions that time measurements
(and space measurements) are independent of the observer; 1
Accept “absolute”.
(b) (i) u x = u x' + v = 0.9800c + 0.9800c =1.9600c ; 1
Accept − 1.9600c corresponding to − values of v and u x .
'
u x' + v 0.9800 c + 0.9800 c
ux = = ;
0.9800 c (0.9800 c )
(ii)
u x' v 1+
1+
c 2 c2
ux = 0.9998c; 2
Accept − 0.9998c corresponding to − values of v and u x .
'
(c) in (b)(i) v > c;
since this is not possible, then the Galilean transformation equation
is not applicable; 2
[6]
9. (a) RME: rest mass times c2;
TE: sum of RME + kinetic energy (assuming no potential energy); 2
(b) 938 MeV; 1
(c) m0c2 = m0 c2 + Ve;
Ve = m0 c2 − m0 c2
Ve = m0 c2 ( − 1);
Ve = 938(4.0);
V = 3750 MV; 4
[7]
10. (a) rest mass energy: E = m0 c2 where m0 is the rest mass;
total energy: sum of rest mass energy and kinetic energy; 2
(b) energy = 2 0.51 = 1.02MeV;
estimate because only rest-mass energy considered / KE not considered; 2
(c) curved line through origin always “above” given line after about 0.4c;
asymptotic at v = c; 2
4
[6]
11. E = 2.0 109 eV + 938 106 eV = 2.9(38) 109 eV;
substitution into E2 = p2 c2 + m02 c4;
to give p2c2 = (2938MeV)2 − (938MeV)2
p = 2.8 103 MeVc−1;
[3]
12. (a) to measure the speed of the Earth through the ether / to search for an
absolute frame of reference / OWTTE; 1
(b)
moveable mirror
fixed mirror
light source
observer
line and arrows to show reflection from the moveable mirror;
line and arrows to show reflection from the fixed mirror;
ray from A to observer; 3
(c) light from the two mirrors will (should) now take different times to
reach the observer / OWTTE;
hence there will be a shift in the interference pattern; 2
(d) by moving the mirror (backwards or forwards), any shift in the pattern
can be measured / OWTTE; 1
(e) no shift in interference pattern observed;
supports the idea that the speed of light does not depend on the speed of the
source / speed of observer / that there is no absolute reference system; 2
[9]
5
1
13. (a) (i) γ= = 5.03;
1 − 0.98 2
time = × proper time = 5.03 × 2.2 × 10–6 = 1.1 × 10–5 s; 2
Award [1] for a time of 4.4 × 10–7 s which indicates correct
calculation of the gamma factor. Award [1] for incorrect gamma
factor but calculation otherwise correct.
(ii) x = vt
x = 0.98 × 3 × 108 × 1.1 × 10–5;
x = 3200 m; 2
(iii) x = vt
x = 0.98 × 3 × 108 × 2.2 × 10–6;
x 650 m; 2
(iv) 1. The observer at rest on the surface of the Earth:
distance travelled by muon is 3200 m > 3000 m;
hence a few muons arrive on Earth’s surface before decaying; 2
2. The observer at rest relative to the muon:
distance separating muon and Earth is length contracted to
3.0km × 1 – 0.982 ≈ 600 m;
distance travelled by Earth is 650 m > 600 m;
hence when Earth meets particles a few are still muons; 3
(b) qV = ∆E = (γ – 1)moc2;
qV = (5.03 – 1) × 106 MeV c–2 = 427 MeV;
V = 427 MV 430 MV; 3
[14]
14. (a) in order that the star could be seen; 1
(b) in order that the degree / amount of bending of the light by the Sun can
be measured / OWTTE; 1
(c) path showing bending by the Sun; 1
Note that a correct diagram may also include rays from the other
side of the Sun.
Only accept rays from the star that at the point of closest
approach to the Sun are no more than about 1 cm from the Sun’s
surface.
6
A
S
Sun
Earth
orbit path of
Earth about Sun
(d) the theory predicts that space-time is curved / warped by the presence
of matter;
the light ray takes the shortest path between the star and Earth in the
curved / warped space; 2 max
To award [2], space-time must be mentioned. An answer such as
“gravity bends light” would only receive [1].
(e) see diagram; 1
Position must be consistent with bent ray.
[6]
15. (a) correct substitution into E2 = p2c2 + m02c4;
p2c2 = (1.533)2 – (0.511)2 = 2.089(MeV2)
so p = 1.45 MeV c–1 (= 7.71 × 10–22 Ns); 2
(b) realization that energy is sufficient to create electron / positron pair (at rest);
momentum must be conserved so some particles must have KE so
not all the 1.533 is available for particle creation / OWTTE;
so it is not possible; 3
Award [0] for a “bald” statement without any attempt at
justification.
[5]
16. (a) since the speed of light is independent of the speed of the source;
Alex’s source will appear to be moving away from Elspeth;
so according to the Doppler effect the light will appear to be redshifted; 3
(b) because of the principle of equivalence;
the situation is the same as if Elspeth were observing light emitted
from the surface of a planet / OWTTE; 2
[5]
7
17. (a) E = 2mpc2; 1
(b) use E2 = p2c2 + mp2c4 to give 4mp2c4 = p2c2 + mp2 c4;
such that 3mp2c4 = p2c 2;
to give p = 1.6 × 103 MeV c–1; 3
Watch for correct units.
[4]
18. (a) if object is dense / massive enough it will cause severe warping of space-time;
such that light entering the space-time surrounding the object cannot escape; 2
Do not accept “light cannot escape”.
(b) use of RSCH =
2GM
2
c
2 6.67 10 −11 2 10 31
= ;
(310 )8 2
= 3 104m; 2
[4]
19. (a) an observer cannot tell the difference between the effect of acceleration
(in one direction) and a gravitational field (in the opposite direction); 1
Accept “It is impossible to distinguish between inertial or
gravitational forces” or “there is no way in which gravitational
effects can be distinguished from inertial effects” / OWTTE.
(b) any correct argument to show that light would be expected to be bent in
an accelerating frame (eg observer in lift / rocket etc);
application of principle of equivalence to show that light must also
be bent in a gravitational field;
gravitational lensing is the bending of light around a massive astronomical
object; to produce multiple images or magnified images of a region of space
that is further away / OWTTE; 4
The final [2] marks can be awarded for a clearly drawn and fully
labelled diagram.
[5]
