A.

5 All Questions [32 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 1] SPM.1A.HL.TZ0.9

A spacecraft, moving with speed v relative to Earth, passes Earth on its
way to a planet. As the spacecraft passes Earth, clocks on Earth and in
the spacecraft show zero.

The planet is a distance D from Earth, according to an observer on Earth.

What are the readings on the Earth clock and on the spacecraft clock
when the spacecraft arrives at the planet?

[1]

Markscheme

A
2. [Maximum mark: 6] SPM.2.HL.TZ0.2
A spacecraft is flying past a space station at a relative speed of 0.80c. Beacons, R
and F, at each end of the space station emit light pulses at the same time
according to observers on the space station. The pulses are emitted 1200 m apart
as measured by space station observers.

(a) Calculate γ for a speed of 0.80c. [1]

Markscheme

= 1. 67 ✓
1 5
γ = 2
=
1−0.80 3

(b) Calculate, for the reference frame of the spacecraft,

(b.i) the distance between the light pulses. [1]

Markscheme

«Δx′= γ(Δx − vΔt) =»

5

3
× 1200 = 2000 «m»

Allow ecf from 1a.

L0
Allow use of L =
γ
.

(b.ii) the time between the light pulses. [2]

 Markscheme

v 5 0.80
«Δt′= γ(Δt −
c
2
Δx) =»
3
(0 − 8
× 1200) ✓
3×10

Δt'«−»5.3 «μs» ✓

Allow use of Δt = γΔt0.

(c) Determine which light pulse happened first. [2]

Markscheme

Because Δt′< 0✓

F occurred first ✓

2nd MP only awarded if correct interpretation of 1st MP.

3. [Maximum mark: 1] EXE.1A.HL.TZ0.12
The spacetime diagram shows coordinate axes of reference frames of
Earth (x, ct) and of a spaceship (x', ct'). Three events P, Q and R are plotted.

Which statement is correct about the order of the events according to

an observer on the spaceship?

A. P and Q are simultaneous, R happens later.

B. Q and R are simultaneous, P happens earlier.

C. Q and R are simultaneous, P happens later.

D. P and R are simultaneous, Q happens earlier. [1]

Markscheme

D
4. [Maximum mark: 1] EXE.1A.HL.TZ0.13
Two spaceships, X and Y move in opposite directions away from a
space station. The speeds of the spaceships relative to the space station
are u and v.

What is the speed of Y in the reference frame of X?

u−v
A. 1−
uv

2
c

u−v
B. 1+
uv

2
c

u+v
C. 1−
uv

2
c

u+v
D. 1+
uv
[1]
2
c

Markscheme

D
5. [Maximum mark: 1] EXE.1A.HL.TZ0.14
A spaceship is travelling at 0.60c from Earth when it launches a probe at
0.10c relative to the spaceship and away from Earth.

What is the speed of the probe relative to Earth?

A. 0.50c

B. 0.66c

C. 0.75c

D. 0.90c [1]

Markscheme

B
6. [Maximum mark: 1] EXE.1A.HL.TZ0.15
The spacetime diagram shows an inertial reference frame S and a
second inertial frame S’ that is moving relative to S.

The origins of the frames coincide when the clocks in both frames
show zero.

Event X is shown for the S reference frame.

Which event occurs at the same position in the S’ reference frame as X

? [1]

Markscheme

C
7. [Maximum mark: 1] EXE.1A.HL.TZ0.16
A spaceship leaves Earth and travels at a speed of 0.60c relative to the
Earth to a point P.

P is 3.0 lightyears from Earth.

The spaceship then returns to Earth. Ignore the time taken to reverse
the direction of the spaceship.

What is the time taken for the total journey to and from P as measured
by an observer in the spaceship?

A. 6.3 years

B. 5.0 years

C. 8.0 years

D. 10 years [1]

Markscheme

8. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a

Show that the speed of the spacecraft is 0.80c as measured in S. [1]

Markscheme

moves 4 ly in 5 years OR slope of angle with time axis is 0.8 ✓

Allow evidence for mark on the graph.

9. [Maximum mark: 2] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a
According to laboratory observers .
number of muons detected 1
=
number of muons produced 2

Calculate D. [2]

Markscheme

T 1 = 2.00 × 1.56 × 10−6 or 3.12 × 10−6 s ✓

2

D = «3.12 × 10−6 × 0.866 × 3 × 108 =» 811 m

Award [2] for BCA

10. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a

Show that the speed of the spacecraft is 0.80c as measured in S. [1]

Markscheme

moves 4 ly in 5 years OR slope of angle with time axis is 0.8 ✓

Allow evidence for mark on the graph.

11. [Maximum mark: 2] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a
According to laboratory observers .
number of muons detected 1
=
number of muons produced 2

Calculate D. [2]

Markscheme

T 1 = 2.00 × 1.56 × 10−6 or 3.12 × 10−6 s ✓

2

D = «3.12 × 10−6 × 0.866 × 3 × 108 =» 811 m

Award [2] for BCA

12. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a

Show that the speed of the spacecraft is 0.80c as measured in S. [1]

Markscheme

moves 4 ly in 5 years OR slope of angle with time axis is 0.8 ✓

Allow evidence for mark on the graph.

13. [Maximum mark: 2] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a
According to laboratory observers .
number of muons detected 1
=
number of muons produced 2

Calculate D. [2]

Markscheme

T 1 = 2.00 × 1.56 × 10−6 or 3.12 × 10−6 s ✓

2

D = «3.12 × 10−6 × 0.866 × 3 × 108 =» 811 m

Award [2] for BCA

14. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a

State the value of the maximum distance between the stars that can be
measured in any reference frame. [1]

Markscheme

4.8 «light years» ✓

15. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a
Determine the speed of the spaceship relative to Earth. [1]

Markscheme

0.6 c

OR

= 1.8 × 108 «m s−1» ✓

16. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a

Determine the speed of the spaceship relative to Earth. [1]

Markscheme

0.6 c

OR

= 1.8 × 108 «m s−1» ✓

17. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a

State the value of the maximum distance between the stars that can be
measured in any reference frame. [1]

Markscheme

4.8 «light years» ✓

18. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a
State the value of the maximum distance between the stars that can be
measured in any reference frame. [1]

Markscheme

4.8 «light years» ✓

19. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a

State the value of the maximum distance between the stars that can be
measured in any reference frame. [1]

Markscheme

4.8 «light years» ✓

20. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a

Determine the speed of the spaceship relative to Earth. [1]

Markscheme

0.6 c

OR

= 1.8 × 108 «m s−1» ✓

21. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.2.HL.TZ2.a
Determine the speed of the spaceship relative to Earth. [1]

Markscheme

0.6 c

OR

= 1.8 × 108 «m s−1» ✓

22. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.2.HL.TZ1.a

State the speed of the flash of light according to an observer on the
ground using Galilean relativity. [1]

Markscheme

c–v ✔

Examiners report

The speed of a flash of light from different viewpoints. Most of the prepared
candidates well stated the speed of the flash using Galilean relativity,
Maxwell’s theory and Einstein’s theory.
23. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.2.HL.TZ2.ai
Define an inertial reference frame. [1]

Markscheme

a coordinate system which is not accelerating/has constant

velocity/Newtons 1st law applies ✔

OWTTE

Both “inertial” and “reference frame” need to be defined

Examiners report

In defining an inertial frame of reference far too many candidates started

with the words ‘ a frame of reference that...... ’ instead of ‘a coordinate system
that.....’

24. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.2.HL.TZ2.a

Define proper length. [1]

Markscheme

the length measured «in a reference frame» where the object is at rest ✔

Examiners report

Proper length is quite well understood. A common mistake is to mention

that it is the length measured by a reference frame at rest.
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