32.

(a) Figure 1 shows a pair of parallel metal plates, A and B, fixed vertically 20 mm apart with
a potential difference of 1500 V between them.

20 mm

figure 1
P

0V +1500 V

A B

(i) Draw the electric field lines in the space between the plates and calculate the
electric field strength at P.

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

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

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

(ii) Sketch a graph showing the potential at different points in the space between the
plates.

potential

0V
A B distance
(5)

Polesworth High School 41

 (b) Figure 2 shows a polystyrene ball of mass 5.0 × 10–4 kg suspended midway between the
plates by a long insulating thread. The ball has a conducting surface and carries an
initial charge of –3.0 nC.

figure 2
–3.0nC

20 mm
0V +1500 V

(i) Calculate the force on the ball due to the electric field and hence show that the ball,
when released from rest, will take a time of approximately 0.2 s to reach one
conducting plate. State the direction of motion of the ball.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ii) Explain why the ball will subsequently shuttle backwards and forwards between
the plates and discuss whether or not you consider this motion to be simple
harmonic.

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

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

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

.........................................................................................................................
(8)

Polesworth High School 42

 (c) The same charged ball described in part (b) is suspended at rest between the poles of a
magnet. State the magnitude and direction of the force (if any) on the ball and explain
your answer.

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

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

..................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

33. The diagram shows a magnet placed on a top-pan balance. A fixed horizontal wire, through
which a current can flow, passes centrally through the magnetic field parallel to the pole-pieces.
With no current flowing, the balance records a mass of 201.32g. When a current of 5.0A
flows, the reading on the balance is 202.86 g.

north pole

wire
south pole

201.32 g top-pan balance

(a) (i) Explain why the reading on the balance increased when the current was switched
on.

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

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

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

(ii) State the direction of current flow and explain your answer.

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

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

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

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 (iii) If the length of the wire in the magnetic field is 60 mm, estimate the flux density of
the magnetic field.

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

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

.........................................................................................................................
(6)

(b) Sketch a graph to show how you would expect the balance reading to change if the
current through the wire was changed.

balance reading

current
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

34. (a) State the principle of conservation of linear momentum for two colliding bodies.

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

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

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

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 (b)

h
200 ms –1
G

A bullet of mass 0.010 kg travelling at a speed of 200 m s–1 strikes a block of wood of
mass 0.390 kg hanging at rest from a long string. The bullet enters the block and lodges in
the block. Calculate

(i) the linear momentum of the bullet before it strikes the block,

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

(ii) the speed with which the block first moves from rest after the bullet strikes it.

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

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

(c) During the collision of the bullet and block, kinetic energy is converted into internal
energy which results in a temperature rise.

(i) Show that the kinetic energy of the bullet before it strikes the block is 200 J.

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

(ii) Show that the kinetic energy of the combined block and bullet immediately after
the bullet has lodged in the block is 5.0 J.

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

Polesworth High School 45

 (iii) The material from which the bullet is made has a specific heat capacity of
250 J kg–1 K–1. Assuming that all the lost kinetic energy becomes internal energy
in the bullet, calculate its temperature rise during the collision.

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(5)

(d) The bullet lodges at the centre of mass G of the block. Calculate the vertical height h
through which the block rises after the collision.

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

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

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 13 marks)

35. (a) Collisions can be described as elastic or inelastic. State what is meant by an inelastic
collision.

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

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

(b) A ball of mass 0.12 kg strikes a stationary cricket bat with a speed of 18 m s–1. The ball is
in contact with the bat for 0.14 s and returns along its original path with a speed of
15 m s–1.

Calculate

(i) the momentum of the ball before the collision,

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

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

Polesworth High School 46

 (ii) the momentum of the ball after the collision,

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

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

(iii) the total change of momentum of the ball,

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

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

(iv) the average force acting on the ball during contact with the bat,

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

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

(v) the kinetic energy lost by the ball as a result of the collision,

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

...........................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 7 marks)

Polesworth High School 47

36. The diagram shows a gymnast of weight 720N hanging centrally from two rings, each attached
to cables which hang vertically.

vertical cables

centre of mass ×

(a) State the tension in each cable.

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

(b) The diagram shows the gymnast after he has raised his body so that his centre of mass
moves through a vertical distance of 0.60 m.

20° 20°

centre of mass ×

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 Calculate

(i) the increase in gravitational potential energy of the gymnast,

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

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

(ii) the tension in each cable.

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

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

(c) The gymnast now raises his legs so that they become horizontal, without raising the rest
of his body. State and explain whether his gravitational potential energy is changed by
this manoeuvre.

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

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

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

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

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

....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

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37. A simple pendulum and a mass-spring system are taken to the Moon, where the gravitational
field strength is less than on Earth. Which line, A to D, correctly describes the change, if any, in
the period when compared with its value on Earth?

period of pendulum period of mass-spring system

A decrease decrease
B increase increase
C no change decrease
D increase no change
(Total 2 marks)

b
38. A body moves with simple harmonic motion of amplitude A and frequency .
2π

What is the magnitude of the acceleration when the body is at maximum displacement?

A zero

B 4π2Ab2

C Ab2
4π 2 A
D
b2
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 50

39.

X l

A ball of mass m, which is fixed to the end of a light string of length l, is released from rest at
X. It swings in a circular path, passing through the lowest point Y at speed υ. If the tension in
the string at Y is T, which one of the following equations represents a correct application of
Newton’s laws of motion to the ball at Y?

mυ 2
A T= – mg
l

mυ 2
B T – mg =
l

mυ 2
C mg – T =
l

mυ 2
D T+ = mg
l
(Total 2 marks)

40. The gravitational potential difference between the surface of a planet and a point P, 10 m above
the surface, is 8.0 J kg–1. Assuming a uniform field, what is the value of the gravitational field
strength in the region between the planet’s surface and P?

A 0.80 N kg–1

B 1.25 N kg–1

C 8.0 N kg–1

D 80 N kg–1
(Total 2 marks)

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41. If the potential difference between a pair of identical, parallel, conducting plates is known, what
is the only additional knowledge required to determine the electric field strength between the
plates?

A the permittivity of the medium between the plates

B the separation and area of the plates

C the separation and area of the plates and the permittivity of the medium between the
plates

D the separation of the plates

(Total 2 marks)

42. Which one of the following statements about electric field strength and electric potential is
incorrect?

A Electric potential is a scalar quantity.

B Electric field strength is a vector quantity.

C Electric potential is zero whenever the electric field strength is zero.

D The potential gradient is proportional to the electric field strength.

(Total 2 marks)

43. Which line, A to D, gives correct units for both magnetic flux and magnetic flux density?

magnetic flux magnetic flux destiny

A Wb m–2 Wb
B Wb T
C Wb m–2 T m–2
D T m–2 Wb m–2
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 52

44.

axle
P Q

I uniform
magnetic
field B
I

S R

A coil, mounted on an axle, has its plane parallel to the flux lines of a uniform magnetic field B,
as shown. When a current I is switched on, and before the coil is allowed to move,

A there are no forces due to B on the sides SP and QR.

B there are no forces due to B on the sides PQ and RS.

C sides SP and QR tend to attract each other.

D sides PQ and RS tend to attract each other.

(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 53

45.

S S S
P Q R
N N N

Three identical magnets P, Q and R are released simultaneously from rest and fall to the ground
from the same height. P falls directly to the ground, Q falls through the centre of a thick
conducting ring and R falls through a ring which is identical except for a gap cut into it. Which
one of the statements below correctly describes the sequence in which the magnets reach the
ground?

A P and R arrive together followed by Q.

B P and Q arrive together followed by R.

C P arrives first, followed by Q which is followed by R.

D All three magnets arrive simultaneously.

(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 54

46.

200 g

500 g

Figure 1 Figure 2

(a) When a 200 g mass is suspended from a spring, as in Figure 1, it produces an extension
of 3.5 cm. Calculate the spring constant, k, for this spring.

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

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

(b) A spring identical to that in part (a) is joined to the lower end of the original one and a
500 g mass is suspended from the combination, as shown in Figure 2.

(i) State the value of the new spring constant for this combination of two springs.

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

Polesworth High School 55

 (ii) When the 500 g mass is displaced it performs small vertical oscillations. Calculate
the number of oscillations made in one minute.

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

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

47. (a) A 2.0 µF capacitor is charged through a resistor from a battery of emf 4.5 V. Sketch a
graph on the axes below to show how the charge stored, Q, varies with the potential
difference, V, across the capacitor during the charging process. Mark appropriate values
on the axes of the graph.

0
Q
0
(2)

Polesworth High School 56

 1
(b) (i) Show that the energy stored by a charged capacitor is given by E = 2
QV.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ii) Calculate the energy stored by the capacitor in part (a) when the potential
difference across it is 1.5 V.

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

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 7 marks)

48. (a) An electron moves parallel to, but in the opposite direction to, a uniform electric field, as
shown in Figure 1.

electron

electric
field
Figure 1

(i) State the direction of the force that acts on the electron due to the electric field.

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

Polesworth High School 57

 (ii) What is the effect of this force on the motion of the electron?

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

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

(b) An electron, which is travelling in a horizontal path at constant speed, enters a uniform
vertical electric field as shown in Figure 2.

electron

electric
field

Figure 2

(i) Sketch on Figure 2 the path followed by the electron.

(ii) Explain the motion of the electron whilst in this field.

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

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

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Polesworth High School 58

49. The simplified diagram shows an experimental arrangement to investigate the collision of two
trolleys.

card
Light gate G 1 Light gate G 2

trolley A trolley B

In the experiment, trolley A is travelling at speed ν. It collides with and sticks to, the initially
stationary trolley B.

(a) State the measurements you would need to take so that you could determine the speed of

(i) trolley A before the collision,

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

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

(ii) trolleys A and B after the collision.

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

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

(b) Explain how you would verify that momentum was conserved in this collision, indicating
what other measurements would be required.

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

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

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

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

Polesworth High School 59

 (c) State and explain what you would do to minimise the effects of friction on the motion of
the trolleys.

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

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

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

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

50. A mass M hangs in equilibrium on a spring. M is made to oscillate about the equilibrium
position by pulling it down 10 cm and releasing it. The time for M to travel back to the
equilibrium position for the first time is 0.50 s. Which line, A to D, is correct for these
oscillations?

amplitude/cm period/s
A 10 1.0
B 10 2.0
C 20 2.0
D 20 1.0
(Total 2 marks)

51. A wave motion has period T, frequency f, wavelength λ and speed υ. Which one of the
following equations is incorrect?

A 1 = Tf

υ
B T=
λ

υ
C λ=
f

D Tυ = λ
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 60

52. Which one of the following statements is true when an object performs simple harmonic motion
about a central point O?

A The acceleration is always away from O.

B The acceleration and velocity are always in opposite directions.

C The acceleration and the displacement from O are always in the same direction.

D The graph of acceleration against displacement is a straight line.

(Total 2 marks)

53. A girl of mass 40 kg stands on a roundabout 2.0 m from the vertical axis as the roundabout
rotates uniformly with a period of 3.0 s. The horizontal force acting on the girl is approximately

A zero.

B 3.5 × 102 N.

C 7.2 × 102 N.

D 2.8 × 104 N.
(Total 2 marks)

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54. Which one of the following graphs correctly shows the relationship between the gravitational
force, F, between two masses and the distance, r, between them?

F F

r 1
r
A B

F F

r2 1
r2
C D
(Total 2 marks)

55. For a particle moving in a circle with uniform speed, which one of the following statements is
incorrect?

A The velocity of the particle is constant.

B The force on the particle is always perpendicular to the velocity of the particle.

C There is no displacement of the particle in the direction of the force.

D The kinetic energy of the particle is constant.

(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 62

56. A satellite is in orbit at a height h above the surface of a planet of mass M and radius R. What is
the velocity of the satellite?

A
GM ( R + h)
R

GM ( R + h)
B
R

GM
C
( R + h)

GM
D
( R + h)
(Total 2 marks)

57.

50 V 40 V 30 V 20 V 10 V (potential)

R P S
X X'

0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 0.5 m

The diagram shows how the electric potential varies along a line XX’ in an electric field. What
will be the electric field strength at a point P on XX’ which is mid-way between R and S?

A 5.0 V m–1

B 10 V m–1

C 20 V m–1

D 30 V m–1
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 63

58.

N S

A wire lies perpendicularly across a horizontal uniform magnetic field of flux density
20 × 10–3 T so that 0.30 m of the wire is effectively subjected to the field. If the force exerted on
this length of wire due to a current in it is 30 × 10–3 N downward, what is the current in the
wire?

A 0.45 A from P to Q

B 0.45 A from Q to P

C 5.0 A from P to Q

D 5.0 A from Q to P
(Total 2 marks)

59. An electron moves due North in a horizontal plane with uniform speed. It enters a uniform
magnetic field directed due South in the same plane. Which one of the following statements
concerning the motion of the electron in the magnetic field is correct?

A It continues to move North with its original speed.

B It slows down to zero speed and then accelerates due South.

C It is accelerated due West.

D It is accelerated due North.

(Total 2 marks)

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60. To celebrate the Millennium in the year 2000, a footbridge was constructed across the River
Thames in London. After the bridge was opened to the public it was discovered that the
structure could easily be set into oscillation when large numbers of pedestrians were walking
across it.

(a) What name is given to this kind of physical phenomenon, when caused by a periodic
driving force?

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

(b) Under what condition would this phenomenon become particularly hazardous? Explain
your answer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Suggest two measures which engineers might adopt in order to reduce the size of the
oscillations of a bridge

measure 1 ...........................................................................................................

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

measure 2 ...........................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

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61. A student used a voltage sensor connected to a datalogger to plot the discharge curve for a
4.7 µF capacitor. She obtained the following graph.

potential difference/V 6

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
time/ms

Use data from the graph to calculate

(a) the initial charge stored,

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

(b) the energy stored when the capacitor had been discharging for 35 ms,

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

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

(c) the time constant for the circuit,

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

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

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

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

Polesworth High School 66

 (d) the resistance of the circuit through which the capacitor was discharging.

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

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

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

62. A rectangular coil measuring 20 mm by 35 mm and having 650 turns is rotating about a
horizontal axis which is at right angles to a uniform magnetic field of flux density 2.5 × 10–3 T.
The plane of the coil makes an angle θ with the vertical, as shown in the diagrams.

ax 35
is mm S

N
θ
mm

N S
20

front view

(a) State the value of θ when the magnetic flux through the coil is a minimum.

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

(b) Calculate the magnetic flux passing through the coil when θ is 30°.

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

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

Polesworth High School 67

 (c) What is the maximum flux linkage through the coil as it rotates?

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

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

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

212
63. (a) When an α particle is emitted from a nucleus of the isotope 83 Bi , a nucleus of thallium,
Tl, is formed. Complete the equation below.

212
83 Bi → α + Tl
(2)

(b) The α particle in part (a) is emitted with 6.1 MeV of kinetic energy.

(i) The mass of the α particle is 4.0 u. Show that the speed of the α particle
immediately after it has been emitted is 1.7 × 10–7 m s–1. Ignore relativistic effects.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 (ii) Calculate the speed of recoil of the daughter nucleus immediately after the α
particle has been emitted. Assume the parent nucleus is initially at rest.

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

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

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

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 8 marks)

64. Protons and pions are produced in a beam from a target in an accelerator. The two types of
particles can be separated using a magnetic field.

(a) State the quark composition of

(i) a proton,

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

(ii) a positive pion, π+.

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

Polesworth High School 69

 (b) A narrow beam consisting of protons and positive pions, all travelling at a speed of
1.5 ↔ 107 m s–1, is directed into a uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.16 T, as
shown in the diagram.

proton path
beam of protons
and pions

uniform magnetic field

perpendicular to the plane
of the diagram

(i) Calculate the radius of curvature of the path of the protons in the field.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ii) Sketch, on the diagram above, the path of the pions from the point of entry into the
field to the point of exit from the field.

Polesworth High School 70

 (iii) If the magnetic field were increased, how would this affect the paths of the
particles?

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(7)
(Total 9 marks)

65. (a) A satellite moves in a circular orbit at constant speed. Explain why its speed does not
change even though it is acted on by a force.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) At a certain point along the orbit of a satellite in uniform circular motion, the Earth’s
magnetic flux density has a component of 56 µT towards the centre of the Earth and a
component of 17 µT in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the orbit.

satellite orbit

EARTH

17µT
56µT

satellite

Polesworth High School 71

 (i) Calculate the magnitude of the resultant magnetic flux density at this point.

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

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

(ii) The satellite has an external metal rod pointing towards the centre of the Earth.
Calculate the angle between the direction of the resultant magnetic field and the
rod.

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

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

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

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

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

(iii) Explain why an emf is induced in the rod in this position.

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

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

66. The diagram represents part of an experiment that is being used to estimate the speed of an air
gun pellet.

k
bloc olley
tr

θ
pellet

The pellet which is moving parallel to the track, strikes the block, embedding itself. The trolley
and the block then move along the track, rising a vertical height, h.

Polesworth High School 72

 (a) Using energy considerations explain how the speed of the trolley and block immediately
after it has been struck by the pellet, may be determined from measurements of h.
Assume frictional forces are negligible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) The following data is collected from the experiment

mass of trolley and block 0.50 kg

mass of pellet 0.0020 kg
speed of trolley and block immediately after impact 0.40 m s–1

Calculate

(i) the momentum of the trolley and block immediately after impact,

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

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

(ii) the speed of the pellet just before impact.

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

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

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

Polesworth High School 73

 (c) (i) State what is meant by an inelastic collision.

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

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

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

(ii) Use the data from part (b) to show that the collision between the pellet and block is
inelastic.

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

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

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

67. A girl kicks a ball along the ground at a wall 2.0 m away. The ball strikes the wall normally at a
velocity of 8.0 m s–1 and rebounds in the opposite direction with an initial velocity of
6.0 m s–1. The girl, who has not moved, stops the ball a short time later.

(a) Explain why the final displacement of the ball is not 4.0 m.

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

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

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

(b) Explain why the average velocity of the ball is different from its average speed.

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

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

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

Polesworth High School 74

 (c) The ball has a mass of 0.45 kg and is in contact with the wall for 0.10 s. For the period of
time the ball is in contact with the wall,

(i) calculate the average acceleration of the ball.

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

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

(ii) calculate the average force acting on the ball.

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

(iii) state the direction of the average force acting on the ball.

...........................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 8 marks)

68. Which one of the following gives the phase difference between the particle velocity and the
particle displacement in simple harmonic motion?

π
A rad
4

π
B rad
2

3π
C rad
4

D 2π rad
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 75

69. A particle oscillates with undamped simple harmonic motion. Which one of the following
statements about the acceleration of the oscillating particle is true?

A It is least when the speed is greatest.

B It is always in the opposite direction to its velocity.

C It is proportional to the frequency.

D It decreases as the potential energy increases.

(Total 2 marks)

70.

0.8 m
P

π
A model car moves in a circular path of radius 0.8 m at an angular speed of rad s–1.
2
What is its displacement from point P, 6 s after passing P?

A zero

B 1.6 m

C 0.47π m

D 1.6π m
(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 76

71. A small mass is situated at a point on a line joining two large masses ml and m2 such that it
experiences no resultant gravitational force. If its distance from the mass m1 is r1 and its
r1
distance from the mass m2 is r2, what is the value of the ratio ?
r2

2
m1
A
m2 2

2
m2
B 2
m1

m1
C
m2

m2
D m1
(Total 2 marks)

72. Which one of the following has different units to the other three?

A gravitational potential

B gravitational field strength

C force per unit mass

D gravitational potential gradient

(Total 2 marks)

Polesworth High School 77

73. Two horizontal parallel plate conductors are separated by a distance of 5.0 mm in air. The lower
plate is earthed and the potential of the upper plate is + 50 V.

Which line, A to D, gives correctly the electric field strength, E, and the potential, V, at a point
midway between the plates?

electric field strength E/V m–1 potential V/V

A 1 × 104 upwards 25
B 1 × 104 downwards 25
C 1 × 104 upwards 50
D 1 × 104 downwards 50
(Total 2 marks)

74. The diagram shows a vertical square coil whose plane is at right angles to a horizontal uniform
magnetic field B. A current, I, flows in the coil, which can rotate about a vertical axis OO’.

B
O

Which one of the following statements is correct?

A The forces on the two vertical sides of the coil are equal and opposite.

B A couple acts on the coil.

C No forces act on the horizontal sides of the coil.

D If the coil is turned through a small angle about OO’, it will remain in position.
(Total 2 marks)

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75. An α particle and a β– particle both enter the same uniform magnetic field, which is
perpendicular to their direction of motion. If the β– particle has a speed 15 times that of the α
particle, what is the value of the ratio

magnitude of force on β – particle

?
magnitude of force on α particle

A 3.7

B 7.5

C 60

D 112.5
(Total 2 marks)

76. A simple pendulum consists of a 25 g mass tied to the end of a light string 800 mm long. The
mass is drawn to one side until it is 20 mm above its rest position, as shown in the diagram.
When released it swings with simple harmonic motion.

800 mm

20 mm 25 g

(a) Calculate the period of the pendulum.

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

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

Polesworth High School 79

 (b) Show that the initial amplitude of the oscillations is approximately 0.18 m, and that the
maximum speed of the mass during the first oscillation is about 0.63 m s–1.

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

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

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

(c) Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string when the mass passes through the
lowest point of the first swing.

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

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

77. The mass of the nucleus of an isolated copper atom is 63 u and it carries a charge of +29 e. The
diameter of the atom is 2.3 × 10–10 m.

P is a point at the outer edge of the atom.

+ P

nucleus

Polesworth High School 80