AS and Year 1 end-of-course

AQA Physics Answers to further practice questions

Question Answer Marks Guidance

1 B 1

2 B 1

3 D 1

4 A 1

5 C 1

6 C 1

7 D 1

8 B 1

9 B 1

10 D 1

11 A 1

12 D 1

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 AS and Year 1 end-of-course
AQA Physics Answers to further practice questions

Question Answer Marks Guidance

1 (a) (i) h 1 Rearrangement of the equation
speed of electron = m λ for the de Broglie wavelength,
e
–34
6.63 × 10 followed by substitution of values
= 9.11 × 10–31 × 1.2 × 10–9 for h and me from the Data
5 −1 1 Booklet, leads to this answer.
= 6.06 × 10 m s
1 (a) (ii) 1 2 1 You can easily calculate the
kinetic energy EK = 2 me v kinetic energy, but the potential
1 −31 5 2 energy is harder. Remember that
= 2 × 9.11 × 10 × (6.06 × 10 ) energy = work = (charge) ×
−19 (voltage). Since the charge of an
= 1.67 × 10 J
electron is negative, so too is its
potential energy when it is at a
positive potential (+2.8 V).
1 (a) (iii) potential energy = eV 1
−19 −19
= −1.6 × 10 × 2.8 = −4.48 × 10 J
total energy 1
−19 −19
= 1.67 × 10 + (−4.48 × 10 )
−19
= −2.8 × 10 J
1 (b) (i) hc 6.63 × 10–34 × 3.00 × 108 1 Direct substitution of the values
E= λ = 6.50 × 10
–7
for h, c and the given wavelength
−19
= 3.1 × 10 J are all that is needed.
1 (b) (ii) the electron can escape from the group of 1 The trapped electron must gain at
−19
atoms least 2.8 × 10 J for it to escape.
because the energy of the photon exceeds the 1 The photon can pass all of its
(negative) total energy of the trapped electron energy to the electron, which will
−19
then escape with 0.3 × 10 J of
kinetic energy.
2 (a) (i) electromagnetic radiation behaves either as a 1 Until the discovery of the
particle or as a wave photoelectric effect, “light” was
considered to be waves. Only the
photon hypothesis (i.e. particle-
like behaviour) could explain the
photoelectric effect. Thereafter,
electromagnetic radiation had to
be considered to have a dual
identity.
2 (a) (ii) photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle 1
behaviour of electromagnetic radiation
2 (b) (i) work function ϕ = h f − EK (max) 1 A standard calculation involving a
rearrangement of the
−34 15 −19
= (6.63 × 10 ×1.67 ×10 ) − (3.0 × 10 ) 1 photoelectric equation. This time
you are given the frequency of
−19
= 8.1 × 10 J 1 the incident ultraviolet radiation
rather than its wavelength.

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2 (b) (ii) number of electrons released per second is 1 Each photon still has the same
doubled energy, because the frequency is
maximum kinetic energy of the released 1 the same. Therefore the
electrons is unchanged maximum kinetic energy of the
photoelectrons is unaffected. The
intensity is doubled, meaning that
the energy arriving per second is
doubled. This can only be
achieved by doubling the number
of photons striking the surface
per second. One photon releases
one electron, and so the number
of electrons released per second
is also doubled.
2 (b) (iii) none of the electrons in the new metal gain 1 For photoemission to occur, an
enough energy to leave its surface incident photon has to have an
amount of energy that is greater
because the energy of an incident photon is 1 than ϕ. Although these photons
now less than the work function of the new were able to release electrons
material when striking the original
material, they can no longer do
so with the new metal because its
work function is greater.
3 (a) Arrowed lines drawn to show: 2 These lines should form two
• two components at right angles sides of a rectangle, with F as the
• vertical component in line with weight diagonal of the rectangle. For
both marks, the lines must start
from the • in the centre of the kite.
3 (b) (i) Horizontal component of T is T cos 60 1 These answers should really be
= 25 × 0.5 quoted to 2 significant figures i.e.
= 12.5 N or 13 N to 2 significant figures 13 N and 22 N, since the data is
given to only 2 significant figures.
Scale drawing would be more
tedious and is less accurate.
3 (b) (ii) Vertical component is T cos 30 1
= 25 × 0.866
= 21.65 or 22 N to 2 significant figures
3 (c) (i) Vertical component is 2.5 + 21.65 1 The kite is stationary and the
= 24.15 N forces acting on it are therefore
balanced in all directions. The
vertical component of F must be
equal to the total downwards
vertical force i.e. the vertical
component of T + the weight.
3 (c) (ii) Horizontal component is equal to T cos 60 i.e. 1 The forces also balance
12.5 N horizontally.
3 (c) (iii) Magnitude of F is 1 Throughout this question, you
should retain 3 signficant figures
F = 12.52 + 24.152 when carrying out the
= 156.25+ 583.22 calculations but only quote final
answers to 2 significant figures.
= 739.47
Part (iii) could also be done by
= 27.19 scale drawing, for which a final
or 27 N to 2 sig. figs. result of 27 ± 2 N would be
acceptable.

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AQA Physics Answers to further practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
4 (a) (i) (moment = 520 x 0.26) 1 The second mark is for the
= 135.2 correct units of N m.
or 140 N m to 2 sig. figs. 1
4 (a) (ii) 180 x 0.41 and 0.63 X seen 1

135.2 = 180 x 0.41 + 0.63 X ecf from (a) (i) 1

135.2 - 73.8
X= 0.63 1
= 97.46
or 97 N to 2 sig. figs.

allow 105 from use of 140 N m ecf from (a) (i)

4 (a) (iii) 520 – ( 180 + 97.46) = 242.5 1

or 240 N to 2 sig. figs.
2 2
4 (b) (i) v =u +2as Alternatives:
2 2
9.3 = 2 × a × 35 1 9.3 = 70 a
2
v
a = 1.2356 1 OR a = 2 s
-2 2
or 1.2 m s to 2 sig. figs. 9.3
OR 70
OR correct alternative approach
4 (b) (ii) W 520 1 Where a is taken from part (b) (i).
m = g = 9.81 = 53.0 kg
Accept use of a = 1.2 giving 63.6
F = ma or 64 N to 2 sig. figs.
= 53 × 3 a
= 53 × 3 × 1.2356 Allow 53 × 124 = 65.7 N
= 65.49
or 65 N to 2 sig. figs. 1
5 (a) Relevant points include: 4 Other approaches are possible
• force on driver is given by F = m a, where a when answering part (a), e.g.
is the deceleration Energy:
• a larger deceleration produces a larger force • air bag absorbs EK of the driver
• in a collision, ∆v is always the same but the • over a greater distance
time of deceleration ∆t can be different • ∆ EK = force × distance
• use of the air bag increases the time ∆t • so force is reduced
during which the driver decelerates and Effect of pressure:
∆v • air bag increases contact area
reduces the deceleration ∆t • force on driver acts over a
• thereby producing a smaller force, and larger area
reducing injuries • pressure (force per unit area)
on driver is reduced
2 2
5 (b) use of v = u + 2 a s gives 1 On this occasion you are given
0 = 182 + (2 × a × 2.5) the initial speed and the distance,
−2
gives a = − 65 m s 1 rather than the time, over which
−2
and deceleration = 65 m s the impact occurred.

You are asked to calculate the

deceleration, so there shouldn’t
be a minus sign in the answer.
6 (a) volume of air passing over blades per second 1 In 1 s, the air moves a distance of
4 3 −1
= π r 2 L = π × 222 × 15 = 2.28 × 10 m s 15 m; this is the length of the
effective cylinder.

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Question Answer Marks Guidance
6 (b) mass of air per second = V ρ m
4
= 2.28 × 10 × 1.2 1 Just rearrange ρ = V .

4 −1
= 2.74 × 10 kg s 1
6 (c) kinetic energy 1 This calculation shows that the
power output of this large wind
1 2 1 4 2 turbine would be around 3.0 MW
EK per s = 2 m v = 2 × 2.74 × 10 × 15 if it could achieve perfect
6 −1
= 3.08 × 10 J s 1 conversion from kinetic to
electrical energy. Yet a typical
nuclear power station gives an
output of 1200 MW!
6 (d) Relevant points include: 2 The argument here shows you
• if the wind speed were decreased by half, the that the power output from a wind
mass of air passing the blades per second turbine is very low when the wind
would be halved speed is low. At high wind speeds
2 2 1 the power of the wind can be so
• EK ∝ v and v would be reduced to 4 of the dangerous that the blades of a
original value wind turbine have to be stopped
1 to prevent it from being damaged.
• the power available would be only 8 of the Doubling the wind speed
original value increases the power available
from the wind by a factor of 8.
3 5
7 (a) 170 × 10 × cos 40 × 1000 = 1.3 × 10 × 1000 1
8
= 1.302 × 10 J 1
7 (b) (i) P=Fv 1 Ecf wrong force from part (a).
5
= 1.3 × 10 × 7.0
5
= 9.116 × 10 1 Or correct alternative approach
or 910 kW to 2 sig figs. s E
using t = v and P = t .
5 5
7 (b) (ii) total power = 9.1 × 10 + 21 × 10 1 Ecf from (b)(i). Powers of 10
must be consistent for this mark
9.1 (e.g. not 9.1 + 2.1).
percentage = 9.1 + 21 × 100
= 30 % 1 Ecf for power of 10 error in first
mark.

Ecf from (b)(i), but must have

attempted to calculate total power
9.1
e.g. 21 gains zero.

7 (c) Relevant points include: any 2

• surface area of the sail
• wind speed/strength/power/KE/force (not air
resistance)
• acceleration or speed of the ship
8 (a) λ = 2 L = 2 × 38 = 76 m 1 The aerial is transmitting short
use of c = f λ gives wave (high frequency) radio
signals at the fundamental
c 3.00 × 108 frequency of vibration of the
f= λ = 76 aerial wire. Note that these are
6
= 3.95 × 10 Hz (= 3.95 MHz) electromagnetic waves that travel
at the speed of light.

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8 (b) (i) angle u between cable and ground is given by 1 The aerial support system must
12 be in equilibrium. Resolving
sin θ = 14 horizontally at a point at the top of
∴ θ = 59.0 ° the aerial mast leads to this
resolving horizontally, 1 result, because the tension in the
T = 110 cos 59.0 °= 56.7 N cable P acts downwards along its
length.
8 (b) (ii) cross-sectional area of copper wire 1 This calculation shows the
2 –3 2
πd π × (4.0 × 10 ) importance of working to 3
A= 4 = 4 significant figures throughout
−5 2
= 1.26 × 10 m when you are expecting the final
F 56.7 1 answer to be accurate to 2
stress in copper wire = A = 1.26 × 10–5 significant figures. If you round up
6 −2 1 the values of F and A to 2
= 4.5 × 10 Pa (or N m )
significant figures, the final
6
answer becomes 4.4 × 10 Pa.
8
8 (b) (iii) Relevant points include: any 2 3.0 × 10
• breaking stress is ≈ 67 × stress in wire (or Ratio of stresses = 4.5 × 106 =
much higher than it) 67.
• copper is ductile, or could extend much more Movement of either mast
before breaking outwards would increase the
• because of plastic deformation strain in the aerial wire, producing
• extension to breaking point is unlikely a corresponding increase in
stress. Additional calculations
would show that the copper wire
would have to extend by about 10
cm before the breaking stress
was reached.
2 2
9 (a) (i) V 230 1 V
R = P = 60 = 880 Ω Combining P = I V and I = R
2
V
gives P = P . This allows you to
find the resistance, although you
could do this in two steps (finding
I, and then R).
2
9 (a) (ii) cross-sectional area A = π r 1 Rearrangement of the resistivity
−5 2 −8 2
= π × (8.0 × 10 ) = 2.01 × 10 m equation leads to the answer in
(ii).
RA 1
ρ = L gives
RA 880 × 2.01 × 10–8
L= ρ = 7.0 × 10
–5

= 0.253 m 1
9 (b) Relevant points include : 3 This type of question may tempt
ρL you to try to be vague, but it is
• reference to resistance R = A much preferable to show that you
2 know some physics. The answer
 70 
• A is reduced to   of the original area presented here satisfies the
 80  requirements of the question very
 6.4  fully. You are not required to
• ρ is reduced to   of the original resistivity calculate the new power, but if
 7.0  you were to do so you would find
• R therefore increases as the filament ages −8 2
that A’ = 1.54 × 10 m , R’ =
• power decreases to a value less than 60 W 1050 Ω and the new power would
2
V be 50 W.
because P = P and V is unchanged

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Question Answer Marks Guidance
10 (a) (i) wire-wound resistor is B 2 The superconductor has zero
resistance at low temperature; its
10 (a) (ii) thermistor is C resistance then suddenly
increases at the transition
10 (a) (iii) superconductor is A temperature. The thermistor is
made from semiconducting
material whose resistance
decreases as the temperature
increases. 2 marks for getting all
three answers correct, 1 mark for
getting at least one correct.
2
10 (b) cross-sectional area A = π r 1 You are presented with two
−4 2 −8 2
= π × (1.15 × 10 ) = 4.15 × 10 m possible hurdles in (b). You have
to remember to halve the
RA 26 × 4.15 × 10–8 1 diameter of the wire before using
ρ= L = 1.00
2
A = π r , and you have to recall
−6
= 1.1 × 10 1 the unit of resistivity.

Ωm 1
11 (a) P 48 1 The power supply provides
current I = V = 12 = 4.0 A current for all eight elements.
11 (b) (i) 4.0 1 Identical elements must all have
current in each element = 8 the same resistance. Thus the
= 0.50 A current is divided equally at the
junction of the parallel
connections.
11 (b) (ii) resistance of each element 2 Resistors connected in parallel
have the same pd across each of
V 12 them. In this case every element
= I = 0.50 = 24 Ω has a pd of 12 V across it.
11 (c) (i) when in series, current in each element = 4.0 A 1 Power P = I V, and to do the
same job the rear window heater
must give the same heating effect
– it still requires a current of 4.0 A
to provide 48 W, as the pd is
fixed at 12 V.
11 (c) (ii) total resistance of heater 1 The total resistance of eight
identical elements connected in
V 12 series is eight times the
= I = 4.0 = 3.0 Ω 1 resistance of one of them.
resistance of each element
3.0
= 8 = 0.375 Ω
11 (d) if one element fails the whole unit no longer 1 This would not happen if a single
works element were to fail in the parallel
arrangement.
−1
11 (e) (i) ohm metre (or Ω m) 1 Not ohm per metre (Ω m ).
11 (e) (ii) resistivity 1 Each element has a rectangular
RA cross-section, so the cross-
ρ= L sectional area = width ×
–3 –3
0.375 × 0.12 × 10 × 3.0 × 10 thickness. Part (i) has already
= 0.75 tested whether you know the unit,
−7
= 1.8 × 10 (Ω m) 1 so it wouldn’t matter if you got it
wrong in the final answer.

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12 (a) RA First mark for substitute and
use of ρ = L rearranging of equation.
-7
1.7 × 10 ×0.75 1
R= 1.3 ×10
-7
Bald 0.98 gets both marks.
R = 0.98 Ω 1
Final answer correct to 2 or more
sig. figs.
12 (b) (i) use of P = V I
I = 2.08 A 1
12 (b) (ii) V = 2.08 × 0.98 = 2.04 V 1 C.E. from (a) and (b)(i).
12 (b) (iii) emf = 12 + 2 × 2.04 = 16.1 V 2 C.E. from (b)(ii).

If only use one wire then C.E. for

second mark.
12 (c) Relevant points include: 2 No C.E. from first mark.
• lamp would be less bright
• as energy/power now wasted in internal
resistance/battery OR terminal pd less OR
current lower (due to greater resistance)
13 (a) (i) P and Q oscillate at the same frequency. 1

They both oscillate with a constant amplitude 1

which is greater for P than for Q

and with a phase difference of  radians (or

o
180 ). 1
13 (a) (ii) The displacement of R is always zero as R is 1
stationary.
13 (a) (iii) They oscillate in phase. 1

13 (b) (i) Wavelength = 0.40 m. 1

speed = frequency × wavelength = 510 Hz × 1

-1
0.40 m = 204 m s
13 (b) (ii) Third harmonic frequency f = 3fo so
fo = 510  3 = 170 Hz 1

gives

So 1

–4 –1
= 2.4 × 10 kg m
1
14 (a) single frequency (or wavelength or photon 1 Not single colour accept ‘very
energy) narrow band of frequencies’.

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14 (b) subsidiary maxima (centre of) peaks further 2 For second mark: One square
away from centre tolerance horizontally. One whole
subsid max seen on either side.
subsidiary maxima peaks further away from
centre AND central maximum twice width of Central higher than subsid and
subsidiaries AND symmetrical subsid same height +/- 2 squares.
Minima on the x axis +/- 1 square.

Must see 1 whole subsidiary for

14 (c) One from:
• don’t shine towards a person
• avoid (accidental) reflections
• wear laser safety goggles
• ‘laser on’ warning light outside room
• stand behind laser
• other sensible suggestion
• eye/skin damage could occur
14 (d) Relevant points include:
• central white (fringe)
• each/every/all subsidiary maxima are
composed of a spectrum (clearly stated or
implied)
• each/every/all subsidiary maxima are
composed of a spectrum (clearly stated or
implied) AND (subsidiary maxima) have violet
(allow blue) nearest central maximum OR red
furthest from centre
• fringe spacing less / maxima are wider / dark
fringes are smaller (or not present)
second mark
2 Allow green goggles for red laser,
‘high intensity goggles’, etc.
Not ‘goggles’, ‘sunglasses’
any 3 Allow ‘white in middle’.
For second mark do not allow
‘there are colours’ or ‘there is a
spectrum’ on their own.
Allow ‘rainbow pattern’ instead of
spectrum but not ‘a rainbow’.
If they get the first, the second
and third are easier to award.
Allow full credit for annotated
sketch.

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