2.1 and 2.

2 Misc and data analysis [52 marks]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about mechanics and thermal physics. Part 2 is about nuclear physics.

Part 1 Mechanics and thermal physics

The graph shows the variation with time t of the speed v of a ball of mass 0.50 kg, that has been released from rest above the Earth’s
surface.

The force of air resistance is not negligible. Assume that the acceleration of free fall is g = 9.81ms−2 .

1a. State, without any calculations, how the graph could be used to determine the distance fallen. [1 mark]

Markscheme
the area under the curve;

Examiners report
[N/A]
1b. (i) In the space below, draw and label arrows to represent the forces on the ball at 2.0 s. [7 marks]

(ii) Use the graph opposite to show that the acceleration of the ball at 2.0 s is approximately 4 ms −2 .

(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the force of air resistance on the ball at 2.0 s.

(iv) State and explain whether the air resistance on the ball at t = 5.0 s is smaller than, equal to or greater than the air resistance at t = 2.0 s.
Markscheme
(i) arrows as shown, with up arrow shorter;

(ii) drawing of tangent to curve at t = 2.0 s;

calculation of slope of tangent in range 3.6 − 4.4ms −2 ;
Award [0] for calculations without a tangent but do not be particular about size of triangle.

(iii) calculation of F = ma = 0.50 × 4 = 2N

R(= mg −ma = 0.50×9.81− 0.50× 4) ≈ 3N;

(iv) the acceleration is decreasing;

and so R is greater;
or
air resistance forces increase with speed;
since speed at 5.0 s is greater so is resistance force;

Examiners report
[N/A]
 After 10 s the ball has fallen 190 m.
1c. [6 marks]
(i) Show that the sum of the potential and kinetic energies of the ball has decreased by 780 J.

(ii) The specific heat capacity of the ball is 480 J kg −1 K−1 . Estimate the increase in the temperature of the ball.

(iii) State an assumption made in the estimate in (c)(ii).

Markscheme
(i) loss of potential energy is mgΔh=0.50×9.81×190=932J;
gain in kinetic energy is 1 mv2 = 1 0.50 × 252 = 156J;
2 2
loss of mechanical energy is 932–156;
≈780J

(ii) mcΔθ =780J;

Δθ = ( 0.5780480 ) ≈ 3K/3∘C ;
×

(iii) all the lost energy went into heating just the ball / no energy transferred to surroundings / the ball was heated uniformly;

Examiners report
[N/A]
 This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about forces. Part 2 is about internal energy.

Part 1 Forces

A railway engine is travelling along a horizontal track at a constant velocity.

On the diagram above, draw labelled arrows to represent the vertical forces that act on the railway engine.
2a. [3 marks]

Markscheme

The shaded box shows the acceptable range of position for W/mg.
single downward arrow labelled W/weight or mg/gravity force; (do not allow gravity)
two upward arrows labelled reaction/contact forces; (do not allow for only one arrow seen)
arrow positions as shown in diagram;

Examiners report
[N/A]

Explain, with reference to Newton’s laws of motion, why the velocity of the railway engine is constant.
2b. [2 marks]
 Markscheme
horizontal forces have resultant of zero; (must describe or imply horizontal force)
valid statement linked to theory ( e.g. Newton 1/Newton 2/conservation of momentum)
explaining why zero force results in constant velocity/zero acceleration;

Examiners report
[N/A]

The constant horizontal velocity of the railway engine is 16 ms –1. A total horizontal resistive force of 76 kN acts on the railway
2c. [2 marks]
engine.

Calculate the useful power output of the railway engine.

Markscheme
power =16×76000;
1.2 MW;

Examiners report
[N/A]

–1
2d. The power driving the railway engine is switched off. The railway engine stops, from its speed of 16 ms , without braking in a [2 marks]
distance of 1.1 km. A student hypothesizes that the horizontal resistive force is constant.

Based on this hypothesis, calculate the mass of the railway engine.

Markscheme
162
acceleration= (= 0.116);
2× 1100
m=(
7.6× 104
0.116
=) 6.5 × 105kg;
Award [2] for a bald correct answer.

or

use of Fs= 1 mv2;

2
m = ( 2×
7.6× 104× 1100
=) 6.5 × 105kg;
162
Award [2] for a bald correct answer.
 Examiners report
[N/A]

2e. Another hypothesis is that the horizontal force in (c) consists of two components. One component is a constant frictional force of 19 [5 marks]
kN. The other component is a resistive force F that varies with speed v where F is proportional to v3.

(i) State the value of the magnitude of F when the railway engine is travelling at 16 ms –1.

(ii) Determine the total horizontal resistive force when the railway engine is travelling at 8.0 ms–1.

Markscheme
(i) 57 kN;
F16
(ii) F8 = ;
23
F 8=7.1(kN);
total force =19+7.1(kN);
=26 kN;
Award [4] for a bald correct answer.

or

k = ( 57× 10 ) = 13.91;
3

3
16
F 8=(13.91×83)=7.1(kN);
total force=19+7.1(kN);
=26 kN;
Award [4] for a bald correct answer.
 Examiners report
[N/A]

2f. On its journey, the railway engine now travels around a curved track at constant speed. Explain whether or not the railway engine [3 marks]
is accelerating.

Markscheme
direction of engine is constantly changing;
velocity is speed + direction / velocity is a vector;
engine is accelerating as velocity is changing;
Award [0] for a bald correct answer.

or

centripetal force required to maintain circular motion;

quotes Newton 1/Newton 2;
so engine is accelerating as a force acts;
Award [0] for a bald correct answer.

Examiners report
[N/A]
 Data analysis question.
A small sphere rolls down a track of constant length AB. The sphere is released from rest at A.
The time t that the sphere takes to roll from A to B is measured for different values of height h.

1 1
A student suggests that t is proportional to h
. To test this hypothesis a graph of t against h
is plotted as shown on the axes below. The
1
uncertainty in t is shown and the uncertainty in h
is negligible.

(i) Draw the straight line that best fits the data.
3a. [2 marks]
(ii) State why the data do not support the hypothesis.
 Markscheme
(i) any straight line that goes through all error bars;
(ii) line does not go through origin / (0,0) / zero;

Examiners report
[N/A]

3b. Another student suggests that the relationship between t and h is of the form [9 marks]
1
t = k√
h

where k is a constant.
1
To test whether or not the data support this relationship, a graph of t2 against is plotted as shown below.
h

The best-fit line takes into account the uncertainties for all data points.

1
The uncertainty in t2 for the data point where = 10.0m− 1 is shown as an error bar on the graph.
h
1
(i) State the value of the uncertainty in t2 for = 10.0m− 1.
h

(ii) Calculate the uncertainty in t2 when t = 0.8 ± 0.1s. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant digits.

(iii) Use the graph to determine the value of k. Do not calculate its uncertainty.
(iv) State the unit of k.
Markscheme
(i) ±0.35s2; (accept answers in range 0.3 to 0.4)
Δ(t2)
(ii)
t2
= 2 Δtt ;
Δ (t2) = 0.82 × 2 × 0.1
0.8
;
Δ (t2) = 0.16 ≈ 0.2s2;
answer given to one significant figure;

or
0.1
percentage uncertainty in t = × 100 = 12.5%;
0.8
percentage uncertainty in 2
t =25%;
absolute uncertainty in t=0.25×0.82=0.16≈0.2s 2;
answer given to one significant figure;

(iii)

use of gradient triangle over at least half of line;

value of gradient = 0.30; (accept answers in range 0.28 to 0.32)
=k2 to give k=0.55; (accept answers in range 0.53 to 0.57)
or
k2
equation of line is t2 = ;
h
data values for a point on the line selected;
values substituted into equation to get k=0.55; (accept answers in range 0.53 to 0.57)
Award [2] for answers that use a data point not on the best fit line.
1
(iv) m 2 s;

Examiners report
[N/A]
 Data analysis question.

The movement of glaciers can be modelled by applying a load to a sample of ice.

After the load has been applied, it is observed to move downwards at a constant speed v as the ice deforms. The constant speed v is
measured for different loads. The graph shows the variation of v with load W for a number of identical samples of ice.

The data points are plotted below.

The uncertainty in v is ±20 µm s–1 and the uncertainty in W is negligible.

4a. (i) On the graph opposite, draw error bars on the first and last points to show the uncertainty in v. [2 marks]
(ii) On the graph opposite, draw the line of best-fit for the data points.

Markscheme
(i) both error bars correct (overall length 4 squares) ± 1 square;
2

(ii) smooth curve going through error bars and within half square of other points;

Examiners report
[N/A]
 Theory suggests that the relation between v and W is
4b. [3 marks]
3
v = kW
where k is a constant.
1
To test this hypothesis a graph of v 3 against W is plotted.

At W=5.5 N the speed is 250±20 µm s–1.

1
Calculate the uncertainty in v 3 for a load of 5.5 N.
 Markscheme
20
fractional error in v = (= 0.080);
250
1
fractional error in v 3 = 0.080
3
(= 0.027); (allow ECF from first marking point)
1
uncertainty in v = (0.063 × 0.027 =) 0.00169; (allow 0.00168−0.00170)
3

Allow expression of answer as 0.630±0.002 if calculation above seen.

Award [3] for a bald correct answer.

or
1 3 270 − √
√ 3 230
recognizes uncertainty in v 3 = or √250
3
− √230
3
or √270
3
− √250
3
;
2
= 0.168 ;
conversion to 0.00168ms −1 ;

Examiners report
[N/A]

(i) Using the graph in (c), determine k without its uncertainty.

4c. [5 marks]
(ii) State an appropriate unit for your answer to (d)(i).

Markscheme
(i) large triangle > half line used;
read-offs and substitution correct; (allow power of ten error here)
1
k 3 = 0.012 ± 0.001; (allow ECF)
k=1.73×10–6 m N –3 s–1; (allow correct power of ten only)
Award [0] for use of a single data point.

(ii) m N –3 s–1 or kg−3 m −2 s5;

Examiners report
[N/A]

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