Information you may need:

Mass of a proton 1.67x10-27 kg

Mass of a neutron 1.65x10-27 kg
Mass of an electron 9.1x10-31kg
Charge on an electron 1.6x10-19C
Plancks constant 6.63 x 10-34

Spectral Lines
Element Wavelength/nm Colour
Cadmium 644 Red
509 Green
480 Blue
Section 1: The standard model

Orders of magnitude


1. The diagram shows a simple model of A B
the atom.
++
+ ++

Match each of the letters A, B, C and
D with the correct word from the list C
below.
D
electron neutron nucleus proton

2. In the following table the numbers or words represented by the letters A, B, C,

D, E, F and G are missing.
Order of Object Match each letter with the
magnitude/m correct words from the list
below.
10 15 A
10 14 B
10 diameter of nucleus
10 Diameter of hydrogen diameter of proton
atom diameter of Sun
10 4 C distance to nearest galaxy
10 0 D height of Ben Nevis
10 3 E size of dust particle
10 7 Diameter of Earth your height
10 9 F
10 13 Diameter of solar system
21
10 G

The standard model of fundamental particles and interactions

1. Name the particles represented by the following symbols.

(a) p (b) p (c) e (d) e
(e) n (f) n (g) v (h) v

2. A particle can be represented by a symbol MA X where M represents the mass

number, A the atomic number and X identifies the type of particle, for example
a proton can be represented by 11 p . Give the symbols, in this form, for the
following particles.

(a) (b) e (c) (d) n (e)

3. Copy and complete the table by placing the Quarks Leptons
fermions in the list below in the correct column of
the table.

bottom charm down

electron electron neutrino muon
muon neutrino strange tau
tau neutrino top up

4. (a) State the difference between a hadron and a lepton in terms of the type
of force experienced by each particle.
(b) Give one example of a hadron and one example of a lepton.

5. Information on the sign and charge relative to proton charge of six types of
quarks (and their corresponding antiquarks) is shown in the table.

Quark name Charge relative Antiquark Charge relative

to size of proton name to size of proton
charge charge
up +2/3 antiup 2/3
charm +2/3 anticharm 2/3
top +2/3 antitop 2/3
down 1/3 antidown +1/3
strange 1/3 antistrange +1/3
bottom 1/3 antibottom +1/3

Calculate the charge of the following combinations of quarks:

(a) two up quarks and one down quark
(b) one up quark and two down quarks
(c) two antiup quarks and one antidown quark
(d) one antiup quark and two antidown quarks.

6. Neutrons and protons are considered to be composed of quarks.

(a) How many quarks are in each neutron and in each proton?
(b) Comment briefly on the different composition of the neutron and proton.

7. (a)Briefly state any differences between the ranges of the strong and weak
nuclear forces.
(b)Give an example of a particle decay associated with the weak nuclear force.
(c)Which of the two forces, strong and weak, acts over the greater distance?
Section 2: Forces on charged particles
Electric fields

1. Draw the electric field pattern for the following point charges and pair of charges:
(a) (b) (c)

2. Describe the motion of the small positive test charges in each of the following fields .

(a) (b)
+ test charge + test charge
+ -

(c) (d)
+ - + -
+ - + -
-Q +Q
+ - + -
+ - + -
3. What is meant by a voltage of 960V?

4. An electron volt (eV) is a unit of energy. It represents the change in potential energy of
an electron that moves through a potential difference of 1 V (the size of the charge on
an electron is 16 10 19 C).
What is the equivalent energy of 1 eV in joules?

5. The diagram shows an electron B A

accelerated from rest between two +500 V
+ -
parallel conducting plates A and B. + -
The p.d. between the plates is 500 V. -e
+ -
(mass of electron = 91 10 31 kg + -
charge on electron = 16 10 19 C)

(a) Calculate the electrical work done in moving the electron from plate A to plate
B.
(b) How much kinetic energy has the electron gained in moving from A to B?
(c) What is the speed of the electron just before it reaches plate B?
6. Electrons are fired from an electron gun at a screen.

The p.d. across the electron gun is 2000 V.

The electron gun and screen are in a vacuum.
After leaving the positive plate the electrons travel at a constant speed to the screen.
Calculate the speed of the electrons just before they hit the screen.

7. A proton is accelerated from rest across a p.d. of 400 V.

Calculate the increase in speed of the proton.

8. In an X-ray tube electrons forming a beam are accelerated from rest and strike a
metal target.
The metal then emits X-rays.
The electrons are accelerated across a p.d. of 25 kV. The beam of electrons forms a
current of 30 mA.
(a) (i) Calculate the kinetic energy of each electron just before it hits the target.
(ii) Calculate the speed of an electron just before it hits the target.
(iii) Find the number of electrons hitting the target each second.
(mass of electron = 91 10 31 kg
charge on electron = 16 10 19 C)
(b) What happens to the kinetic energy of the electrons?

9. Sketch the paths which

(a) an alpha-particle
(b) a beta-particle
(c) a neutron
would follow if each particle, with the same velocity, enters the electric fields shown
in the diagrams. (Students only studying this unit should ask for information on these
particles.)
Charged particles in a magnetic field

1. An electron travelling with a constant velocity enters a region where there is a

uniform magnetic field. There is no change in the velocity of the electron. What
information does this give about the magnetic field?

2. The diagram shows a beam of electrons as it S N S N

enters the magnetic field between two magnets.

The electrons will: beam of

A be deflected to the left (towards the N pole) electrons
B be deflected to the right (towards the S pole)
C be deflected upwards
D be deflected downwards
E have their speed increased without any change in direction.

3. The diagrams show particles entering a region where there is a uniform magnetic
field.
Use the terms: up; down; into the paper; out of the paper; left; right; no
change in direction to describe the deflection of the particles in the
magnetic field.
magnetic field magnetic field magnetic field

proton alpha
electron
particle
(a) (b) (c)

magnetic field proton

neutron
electron

magnetic field
(d)
(e) magnetic field
(f)

electron
x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x x proton
x x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x
magnetic field
magnetic field
(h)
(g)
4. An electron enters a region of space where there is a uniform magnetic field. As it
enters the field the velocity of the electron is at right angles to the magnetic field lines.
The energy of the electron does not change although it accelerates in the field.
Use your knowledge of physics to explain this effect.

Particle accelerators

1. In an evacuated tube, an electron initially at rest is accelerated through a p.d. of 500 V.

(a) Calculate, in joules, the amount of work done in accelerating the electron.
(b) How much kinetic energy has the electron gained?
(c) Calculate the final speed of the electron.

2. In an electron gun, electrons in an evacuated tube are accelerated from rest through a
potential difference of 250 V.
(a) Calculate the energy gained by an electron.
(b) Calculate the final speed of the electron.

3. Electrons in an evacuated tube are fired from an electron gun at a screen. The p.d.
between the cathode and the anode of the gun is 2000 V. After leaving the anode, the
electrons travel at a constant speed to the screen. Calculate the maximum speed at
which the electrons will hit the screen.

4. A proton, initially at rest, in an evacuated tube is accelerated between two charged

plates A and B. It moves from A, where the potential is 10 kV, to B, where the potential
is zero. Calculate the speed of the proton at B.

5. A linear accelerator is used to accelerate a beam of electrons, initially at rest, to high

speed in an evacuated container. The high- speed electrons then collide with a
stationary target. The accelerator operates at 3.0 kV and the electron beam current is
1.7 mA.
(a) Calculate the gain in kinetic energy of each electron.
(b) Calculate the speed of impact of each electron as it hits the target.
(c) Calculate the number of electrons arriving at the target each second.
(d) Give a reason for accelerating particles to high speed and allowing them to
collide with a target.

6. The power output of an oscilloscope (cathode-ray tube) is estimated to be 30W. The

potential difference between the cathode and the anode in the evacuated tube is 15
kV.
(a) Estimate the number of electrons striking the screen per second.
(b) Calculate the speed of an electron just before it strikes the screen, assuming
that it starts from rest and that its mass remains constant.
7. In an oscilloscope electrons are accelerated between a cathode and an anode and then travel
at constant speed towards a screen. A p.d. of 1000 V is maintained between the cathode and
anode. The distance between the cathode and anode is 50 10 2 cm. The electrons are at rest
at the cathode and attain a speed of 187 10 7 m s 1 on reaching the anode. The tube is
evacuated.
(a) (i) Calculate the work done in accelerating an electron from the cathode to the
anode.
(ii) Show that the average force on the electron in the electric field is 32010 13 N.
(iii) Calculate the average acceleration of an electron while travelling from the
cathode to the anode.
(iv) Calculate the time taken for an electron to travel from cathode to anode.
(v) Beyond the anode the electric field is zero. The anode to screen distance is 012
cm. Calculate the time taken for an electron to travel from the anode to the
screen.

(b) Another oscilloscope has the same voltage but a greater distance between cathode
and anode.
(i) Would the speed of the electrons be higher, lower or remain at 187 10 7 m s 1 ?
Explain your answer.
(ii) Would the time taken for an electron to travel from cathode to anode be
increased, decreased or stay the same as in (a) (iv)? Explain your answer.

8. In an X-ray tube a beam of electrons, initially at rest, is accelerated through a potential

difference of 25 kV. The electron beam then collides with a stationary target. The electron
beam current is 5 mA.
(a) Calculate the kinetic energy of each electron as it hits the target.
(b) Calculate the speed of the electrons at the moment of impact with the target assuming
that the electron mass remains constant.
(c) Calculate the number of electrons hitting the target each second.
(d) What happens to the kinetic energy of the electrons?
9. On the same diagram shown right, sketch the
paths that : ++++++++++
(a) an electron, +
(b) a proton and
(c) a neutron Path of particles
would follow if each particle entered the
given electric fields with the same velocity.

10. In the following examples identify the charge of particle (positive or negative) which
is rotating in a uniform magnetic field. (X denotes magnetic field into page and
denotes magnetic field out of page.)

X X X X

X X X X

X X
(a) X X

X X X X
(a) (b)

X X X X

X X X X

X X X X

X X X X
(c) (d)
11. Choose the correct words or phrases from the table to replace the letters A to R in the
descriptions of particle accelerators below.
Letter List of replacement word or phrase Letter List of replacement word or
phrase
A,C,E,M constant magnetic field, alternating D, K spiral of decreasing radius,
magnetic fields, alternating electric spiral of increasing radius,
fields, constant electric fields circular path of fixed radius
B, J, R colliding-beam, fixed-target F perpendicular, parallel
G decreases, increases H physical size, strength
I, O gravitational effects, relativistic L can be varied, is constant
effects
N decreased, increased P, Q the same, different

In a linear accelerator bunches of charged particles are accelerated by a series of

____A____. The final energy of the particles is limited by the length of the accelerator.
This type of accelerator is used in ____B____ experiments.
In a cyclotron the charged particles are accelerated by ____C____. The particles travel in a
____D____ as a result of a ____E____, which is ____F____ to the spiral. The radius of the
spiral increases as the energy of the particles ____G____. The diameter of the cyclotron is
limited by the ____H____ of the magnet. The resultant energy of the particles is limited by
the diameter of the cyclotron and by ____I____.
This type of accelerator is used in ____J____ experiments.
In a synchrotron bunches of charged particles travel in a ____K____ as a result of C shaped
magnets whose strength ____L____. The particles are accelerated by ____M____. As the
energy of the particles increases the strength of the magnetic field is ____N____ to
maintain the radius of the path of the particles. In synchrotron accelerators the particles
can have, in theory, an unlimited series of accelerations as the particles can transit
indefinitely around the ring. There will be a limit caused by ____O____.
In this type of accelerator particles with ____P____ mass and ____Q____ charge can
circulate in opposite directions at the same time before colliding. This increases the energy
of impact. This type of accelerator is used in ____R____ experiments.
Section 3: Nuclear reactions

Fission and fusion

1. Use a periodic table to identify the elements that have thefollowing atomic numbers.
(a) 6 (b) 25 (c) 47
(d) 80 (e) 86 (f) 92

2. The list shows the symbols for six different isotopes.

7 64 109
(i) 3Li (ii) 30Zn (iii) 47 Ag
131 239 257
(iv) Xe
54 (v) 94 Pu (vi) 103 Lw

For each of the isotopes state:

(a) the number of protons
(b) the number of neutrons.

3. The incomplete statements below illustrate four nuclear reactions.

228 224 220 4

90 Th 88 Ra + A 86 Rn 2 He + B

211 211 219 4

82 Pb 83 Bi + C D 86 Rn 2 He

Identify the missing particles or nuclides represented by the letters A, B, C and D.

4. Part of a radioactive decay series is represented below:

235 231 231 227

92 U Th
90 91 Pa 89 Ac

Identify the particle emitted at each stage of the decay.

Such a series does not always give a complete picture of the radiations emitted by
each nucleus. Give an explanation why the picture is incomplete.

5. For a particular radionuclide sample 8 10 7 disintegrations take place in 40 s.

Calculate the activity of the source.

6. How much energy is released when the following decreases in mass occur in various
fission reactions?

28 28
(a) 325 10 kg (b) 201 10 kg
28 28
(c) 162 10 kg (d) 285 10 kg
7. The following statement represents a nuclear reaction involving the release of
energy. Particle Mass
3 27
1H
500890 10
3 2 4 1
1H + 1H 2 He + 0 n 2 27
1H
334441 10
4 27
2He 664632 10
The masses of these particles are given.
n 0
167490 10 27
1

(a) Calculate the decrease in mass that occurs when this reaction takes place.
(b) Calculate the energy released in this reaction.
(c) What is the name given to this type of nuclear reaction?
(d) Calculate the number of reactions required each second to produce a power of 25
MW.

8. Plutonium can undergo the nuclear reaction represented by the statement below:

239
94 Pu + 01n Te + 100 1
42Mo + 3 0 n

The masses of the nuclei and particles involved in the reaction are as follows.
Particle n Pu Te Mo
27 27 27 27
Mass/kg 1675 10 396741 10 227420 10 165809 10

(a) What kind of reaction is represented by the statement?

(b) State the mass number and atomic number of the nuclide Te in the reaction.
(c) Calculate the decrease in mass that occurs in this reaction.
(d) Calculate the energy released in this reaction.

9. (a) What is a chain reaction?

(b) Explain how a chain reaction works in a nuclear reactor and a nuclear bomb.

10. In a nuclear reactor what is the purpose of the following:

(a) the concrete shield surrounding the reactor
(b) the carbon dioxide pumped through the reactor
(c) the graphite moderator
(d) the control rods?

11. Write down some advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear fuel to generate
electricity.

12. (a) Why does radioactive waste worry many people?

(b) Describe the problems with the storage and disposal of radioactive waste?
Section 4: Wave particle duality
Photoelectric effect

1. A long wave radio station broadcasts on a frequency of 252 kHz.

(a) Calculate the period of these waves.
(b) What is the wavelength of these waves?

2. Green light has wavelength 546 nm.

(a) Express this wavelength in metres (using scientific notation).
(b) Calculate: (i) the frequency of these light waves
(ii) the period of these light waves.

3. Ultraviolet radiation has a frequency 20 10 15 Hz.

(a) Calculate the wavelength of this radiation.
(b) Calculate the period of this radiation.

4. Calculate the energy of one photon of blue light which has a frequency of
65010 14 Hz.

5. Calculate the energy of one photon of red light which has a wavelength of
64410 7 m.

6. A photon of radiation has an energy of 390 10 -19 J.

Calculate the wavelength of this radiation in nm.

7. In an investigation into the

ultraviolet lamp
photoelectric effect a clean zinc plate is
attached to a coulombmeter, as shown.
The threshold frequency of radiation zinc plate
for zinc is 650 10 14 Hz.

(a) The zinc plate is initially negatively

- 3 5 coulombmeter
charged.
A lamp is used to shine ultraviolet
radiation of frequency 67 10 14 Hz onto
the zinc plate.
Describe and explain what happens to
the reading on the coulombmeter.

(b) The zinc plate is again negatively charged.

Describe and explain the effect each of the following changes has on the
reading on the coulombmeter:
(i) moving the ultraviolet lamp further away from the zinc plate
(ii) using a source of red light instead of the UV lamp.
 (c) The zinc plate is now positively charged and the UV lamp is again used to
irradiate it. Describe and explain the effect this has on the positive reading on
the coulombmeter.
(d) What nature of light does this behaviour provide the evidence for?

8. In a study of photoelectric currents, the graph shown

was obtained.

(a) What name is given to the frequency f o ?

(b) Explain why no current is detected when the
frequency of the incident radiation is less
than f o .
0
9. For a certain metal, the energy required to eject an
electron from the atom is 33010 19 J
(a) Calculate the minimum frequency of radiation required to emit a
photoelectron from the metal.
(b) Explain whether or not photoemission would take place using radiation of:
(i) frequency 4 10 14 Hz
(ii) wavelength 5 10 7 m.

10. The minimum energy required to remove an electron from zinc is 610 10 19 J.
(a) What is the name is given to this minimum energy?
(b) Calculate the value of f o for zinc.
(c) Photons with a frequency of 12 10 15 Hz strike a zinc plate, causing an
electron to be ejected from the surface of the zinc.
(i) Calculate the amount of energy the electron has after it is released
from the zinc.
(ii) What kind of energy does the electron have after it is released?

11. Radiation of frequency 50 10 14 Hz can eject electrons from a metal surface.

(a) Calculate the energy of each photon of this radiation.
(b) Photoelectrons are ejected from the metal surface with a kinetic energy of
70 10 20 J. Calculate the work function of this metal.

12. An argon laser is used in medicine to remove fatty deposits in arteries by

passing the laser light along a length of optical fibre. The energy of this light is
used to heat up a tiny metal probe to a sufficiently high temperature to
vaporise the fatty deposit.
The laser has a power of 80 W. It emits radiation with a wavelength of 490 nm.

(a) How much energy is delivered from the laser in 5 s?

(b) Calculate the number of photons of this radiation required to provide the 5
s pulse of energy from the 80 W laser.

13. The apparatus shown is used to investigate photoelectric emission from a metal
plate when electromagnetic radiation is shone on the plate.
The irradiance and frequency of the incident radiation can be varied as
required.

glass tube
incident light
metal plate vacuum

(a) Explain what is meant by photoelectric emission from a metal.

(b) What is the name given to the minimum frequency of the radiation that
produces a current in the circuit?
(c) A particular source of radiation produces a current in the circuit. Explain
why the current in the circuit increases as the irradiance of the incident
radiation increases.

14. State whether each of the following statements is true or false.

(a) Photoelectric emission from a metal occurs only when the frequency of the
incident radiation is greater than the threshold frequency for the metal.
(b) The threshold frequency depends on the metal from which photoemission
takes place.
(c) When the frequency of the incident radiation is greater than the threshold
frequency for a metal, increasing the irradiance of the radiation will cause
photoemission from the metal to increase.
(d) When the frequency of the incident radiation is greater than the threshold
frequency for a metal, increasing the irradiance of the radiation will increase
the maximum energy of the electrons emitted from the metal.
(e) When the frequency of the incident radiation is greater than the threshold
frequency for a metal, increasing the irradiance of the incident radiation will
increase the photoelectric current from the metal.
Section 5: Interference and diffraction
1. Explain how it is possible for interference to occur in the following situations:
(a) a single loudspeaker emitting sound in a room with no other objects in the
room
(b) receiving radio reception in a car when passing large buildings.

2. In an experiment on interference of sound, two loudspeakers A and B are connected

in such a way that they emit coherent sound waves.

The loudspeakers are placed 2 m

apart.
As a girl walks from X to Y she hears a
point of maximum loudness at point P and
the next maximum of loudness at
point Q.
X
(a) Calculate the distances AQ and BQ.
(b) Calculate the wavelength of the sound.
(c) Calculate the frequency of the sound.
(speed of sound in air is 330 m s 1 )

3. A microwave transmitter is placed in front of a metal plate that has two slits A and B
as shown.

A microwave detector is moved along the line from C to D.

The zero- order maximum of radiation is detected at C and the first-order maximum
is detected at D.
AD = 052 m and BD = 055 m.
(a) Calculate the path difference between paths AD and BD.
(b) What is the wavelength of the microwaves?
(c) Calculate the path difference from slits A and B to the second-order maximum.
(d) Calculate the path difference from slits A and B to the minimum of intensity
between C and D.
(e) Calculate the path difference from slits A and B to the next minimum after D.
(f) What is the path difference from slits A and B to point C?
4. A microwave interference experiment is set up as shown.

E and F are two slits in a metal plate. A

microwave detector is moved along the line GH.
H is the second minimum from the straight
through point at G.

Measurement of distances EH and FH gives: EH =

0421 m and FH = 0466 m.

Calculate the wavelength and frequency of the microwaves used.

5. A source of microwaves is placed in front of a metal sheet that has two slits S 1 and
S 2 as shown.

A microwave detector shows a minimum

at P. P is the position of the second-order
minimum, ie it is the third minimum from
the centre.
S 1 P = 0400 m S 2 P = 0475 m

Calculate the wavelength of the microwaves.

6. A grating has 400 lines per millimetre.

Calculate the spacing between the lines on this grating.

7. A grating with 600 lines per millimetre is used with a monochromatic source of
light. The first-order maximum is produced at an angle of 205 to the straight
through position.
(a) Calculate the wavelength of the light from the source.
(b) A grating with 1200 lines per millimetre is now used.
Calculate the angle between the zero maximum and the new first-order
maximum.

8. Light of wavelength 600 nm is shone onto a grating having 400, 000 lines per metre.
Calculate the angle between the zero maximum and first-order maximum.

9. Light of wavelength 650 10 7 m is shone onto a grating. The angle between the
zero- and third-order maxima is 31.5 .
(a) Calculate the spacing between the slits on the grating.
(b) Calculate the number of lines per mm on the grating.

10. Light of wavelength 500 nm is used with a grating having 500 lines per millimetre.
 Calculate the angle between the first- and second-order maxima.

11. White light, with a range of wavelengths from 440 nm to 730 nm, is shone onto a
grating having 500 lines per millimetre. A screen is placed behind the grating.

(a) Describe the pattern seen on the screen.

(b) Explain the type of pattern produced.
(c) Calculate the angle between the extremes of the first-order maximum, ie the
angle between violet and red.

12. A source of white light is set up in front of a grating. A green filter is placed
between the source and the grating. The grating has 300 lines per millimetre.
A pattern of bright and dark bands is produced on a screen.

(a) What is the colour of the bright bands produced on the screen?
(b) Explain what happens to the spacing between the bright bands on the screen
when each of the following changes is made:
(i) using a blue filter instead of a green filter
(ii) using a grating with 600 lines per millimetre
(iii) using a source producing a greater irradiance of light
(iv) moving the screen closer to the grating.

Section 6: Refraction of light

1. A ray of monochromatic light passes from air into rectangular blocks of different
materials A, B and C as shown.

Calculate the refractive index n of each of the materials for this light .

2. A ray of monochromatic light passes from air into a thin glass walled container of
water, a rectangular block of ice and a rectangular block of diamond as shown in the
diagrams.
 Calculate the values of the angles x, y and z in each of the diagrams.

3. A ray of monochromatic light passes from air into a certain

material as shown.

The refractive index of the material is 135.

(a) Calculate the value of angle r.
(b) Calculate the velocity of the light in the
material.

7
4. A ray of light of wavelength 600 10 m passes from air into glass as shown.

(a) Calculate the refractive index of the glass for this light.
(b) Calculate the speed of this light in the glass.
(c) Calculate the wavelength of this light in the glass.
(d) Calculate the frequency of this light in air.
(e) State the frequency of this light in the glass .
5. A ray of light of wavelength 500 nm passes from air into
perspex.

The refractive index of the perspex for this light is 150.

(a) Calculate the value of angle r.

(b) Calculate the speed of light in the perspex.
(c) Calculate the wavelength of this light in the
perspex.
6. The refractive index for red light in crown glass is 1513 and for violet light it is
1532.

(a) Using this information, explain why white light can produce a spectrum when
passed through crown glass.

(b) A ray of white light passes through a semi-circular block of crown glass as
shown and produces a spectrum.

(i) Which exit ray is red and which exit ray is violet?
(ii) Calculate the angle of refraction in air for each of the
exit rays.
(iii) Find angle x, the angle between the red and violet
rays.

7. A ray of white light is dispersed, by a glass prism, producing a spectrum S.

The angle x is found to be 07 .

The refractive index for red light in this glass is
151. Calculate the refractive index for blue
light.

8. Calculate the critical angle for each material using the refractive n index given in the
table below.

Material n
Glass 154
Ice 131
Perspex 150

9. A beam of infrared radiation is refracted by a type of glass as shown.

(a) Calculate the refractive index of the glass for infrared.

(b) Calculate the critical angle of infrared radiation for this glass.
10. A ray of light enters a glass prism of absolute refractive index 152, as shown.

(a) Explain why the ray does not change direction on entering the glass prism.
(b) Calculate the value of angle X.
(c) Why does the ray undergo total internal reflection at O?
(d) Redraw the complete diagram showing the angles at O with their values.
(e) Explain what would happen when the experiment is repeated with a prism of
material with refractive index 130.

11. The absolute refractive indices of water and diamond are 133 and 242,
respectively.

(a) Calculate the critical angles for light in each of these materials when
surrounded by air.
(b) Comment on the effect of the small critical angle of diamond on the beauty of
a well-cut diamond.

Section 7: Spectra
Irradiance and inverse square law

1. A satellite is orbiting the Earth. The satellite has solar panels, with a total area of 15
m 2 , directed at the Sun. The Sun produces an irradiance of 14 kW m 2 on the solar
panels. Calculate the power received by the solar panels.

2. A 100 W light source produces an irradiance of 02 W m 2 at a distance of 2 m.

The light source can be considered to be a point source.
(a) What is meant by an irradiance of 0.2Wm -2 ?
(b) Calculate the irradiance produced at a distance of:
(i) 1 m from the source
(ii) 4 m from the source.
3. An experiment is performed to measure the irradiance produced at different
distances from a point source of light. The results obtained are shown in the table.

Distance from point source d /m 10 14 22 28 30

Irradiance I /W m 2 85 43 176 108 94

(a) Sketch the apparatus that could be used to obtain these results.
(b) Use an appropriate format to show the relationship between the irradiance I
and the distance d.
(c) Calculate the irradiance at a distance of 5 m from the source.
(d) At what distance from the source is the irradiance 150 W m 2 ?

2
4. The radiation from the Sun produces an irradiance of 200 W m at a certain point
on the surface of the Earth.

(a) What area of solar cells would be required to produce a power output of 1 MW
when the cells are considered to be 100% efficient?
(b) The cells are only 15% efficient. What additional area of solar cells is required
to produce a power output of 1 MW?

5. An experiment is set up in a darkened laboratory with a small lamp L1 with a power

P. The irradiance at a distance of 050 m from the lamp is 12 W m 2 . The experiment
is repeated with a different small lamp L2 that emits a power of 05 P.
Calculate the irradiance at a distance of 025 m from this lamp.

Line and continuous spectra

1. When the light emitted by a particular material is observed through a spectroscope,

it appears as four distinct lines.

(a) What name is given to this kind of emission spectrum?

(b) Explain why a series of specific, coloured lines is observed.
(c) The red line in the spectrum coincides with a wavelength of 680 nm.
Calculate the energy of the photons of light that produced this line.
(d) The spectroscope is now used to examine the light emitted from a torch bulb
(filament lamp). What difference is observed in the spectrum when compared
with the one in the diagram?
2. The diagram shows some of the energy levels for two atoms X and Y.

(a) (i) How many downward transitions are

possible between these energy levels of
each atom?
(ii) How many lines could appear in the
emission spectrum of each element as a
result of these energy levels?
(iii) Copy the diagram of the energy levels for
each atom and show the possible transitions.

(b) Which transition in each of these diagrams gives rise to the emitted radiation of:
(i) lowest frequency
(ii) shortest wavelength?

3. The diagram shows some of the electron energy levels of a particular element.

(a) How many lines could appear in the emission spectrum of this element as a
result of these levels?
(b) Calculate the frequencies of the photons arising from:
(i) the largest energy transition
(ii) the smallest energy transition.
(iii) Show whether any of the emission lines in the spectrum correspond to
frequencies within the visible spectrum.
4. The diagram shows some of the electron energy levels in a hydrogen atom.

W3 1360 1019 J

(a) How many emission lines are W2 2416 1019 J

possible from electron
transitions between these W1
energy levels? 5424 1019 J
(b) Which of the following
radiations could be absorbed by
the electrons in a hydrogen W0 2176 1019 J
atom?
(i) frequency 292 10 15 Hz
(ii) frequency 157 10 15 Hz
(iii) wavelength 489 10 7 m.

5. Explain why the absorption spectrum of an atom has dark lines corresponding to
frequencies present in the emission spectrum of the atom.

6. (a) Explain the presence of the Fraunhofer lines, the dark lines that appear in the
spectrum of sunlight.
(b) How are Fraunhofer lines used to determine the gases that are present in the
solar atmosphere?

7. The light from a star can be analysed to show the presence of different elements in
the star. How can the positions of the spectral lines for the elements be used to
determine the speed of the star?

8. A bunsen flame is placed between a sodium vapour lamp and a screen as shown.
A sodium pencil is put into the flame to produce vaporised sodium in the flame.
sodium pencil
(a) Explain why a dark shadow of the dark shadow
flame is seen on the screen.

(b) The sodium vapour lamp is now

replaced with a cadmium vapour
lamp. Explain why there is now no
dark shadow of the flame on the
screen. sodium bunsen screen
vapour
lamp
Solutions

Section 1: The standard model

Orders of magnitude

1. A= electron; B = proton; C = nucleus; D = neutron

2. A = diameter of proton; B = diameter of nucleus; C = size of dust particle; D =

your height; E = height of Ben Nevis; F = diameter of Sun; G = distance to
nearest galaxy

The standard model of fundamental particles and interactions

1. (a) proton (b) antiproton (c) electron (d) positron

(e) neutron (f) antineutron (g) neutrino (f) antineutrino

1
2. (a) 1
1 p (b) 0
1 e (c) 0
1 e (d) 0 n (e) 1
0 n

3. Quarks: bottom, charm, down, strange, top, up

Leptons: electron, electron neutrino, muon, muon neutrino, tau, tau neutrino

4. (a) Leptons are particles that are acted on by the weak nuclear force but not
by the strong nuclear force. Hadrons are particles that are acted on by
the weak and strong nuclear force.
(b) Leptons any one of electron, electron neutrino, muon, muon neutrino,
tau and tau neutrino. Hadron any one of up, down, charm, strange, top
and bottom.

5. (a) +e (b) 0 (c) e (d) 0

6. (a) 3
(b) For the neutron the three quarks must give a charge of zero. For the
proton the three quarks must give a charge of +e.

7. (a) Strong force has a range of less than 10 14 m; weak force has a range of
less than 10 17 m.
(b) Beta decay
(c) Strong force.
Section 2: Forces on charged particles

Electric fields

1. (a) + (b) - (c) + -

2. (a) outwards (b) inwards (c) left (d) right

3. 960 Joules of energy supplied to every coulomb of charge passing through supply

4. 16 x 10 -19 J 5. (a) 80 x 10 -17 J

(b) 80 x10 -17 J
(c) 13 x 10 7 m s 1

6. 265 x 10 7 m s 1
7. 277 x 10 5 m s 1

8. (a) (i) 40 x 10 -15 J (b) converted to heat energy and x-rays

(ii) 94 x 10 7 m s 1

(iii) 19 x 10 16

9. (a)

(b)

(c)

Charged particles in a magnetic field

1. Magnetic field is in the same plane and in the same or opposite direction to
the velocity of the electron.

2. C: be deflected upwards

3. (a) no change in direction (b) out of the paper

(c) into the paper (d) no change in direction
(e) up (f) left
(g) left (h) down

4.
Magnetic field causes electron to change direction
Changing direction means changing velocity ie. acceleration
E k only depends on size of velocity, which is unchanged
Particle accelerators

1. (a) 8 10 17 J (b) 8 10 17
J
(c) 133 10 7 m s 1

17
2. (a) 4 10 J (b) 937 10 6 m s 1

3. 265 10 7 m s 1
4. 138 10 6 m s 1

5. (a) 4.8 10 16 J (b) 3.25 10 7 m s 1

(c) 106 10 16
(d) To obtain sub-nuclear particles

6. (a) 125 10 16 (b) 726 10 7 m s 1

7. (a) (i) 16 10 16 J (b) (i) Same since Q and V same

(iii) 352 10 17 m s 2
(ii) Longer since acceleration is
(iv) 531 10 11 s smaller
(v) 642 10 11 s

8. (a) 40 10 15 J (b) 938 10 7 m s 1

(c) 313 10 16 (d) Heat and X-rays are produced

9. (a) Electron accelerated towards positive plate

(b) Proton accelerated towards negative plate but less curved than that of
electron
(c) Neutron straight through.

10. (a) Negative (b) Positive

(c) Positive (d) Negative

11. A = alternating electric fields; B = fixed-target; C = alternating electric fields; D

= spiral of increasing radius; E = constant magnetic field; F = perpendicular; G =
increases; H = physical size; I = relativistic effects; J = fixed-target; K = circular
path of fixed radius; L = can be varied; M = alternating magnetic fields; N =
increased; O = relativistic effects; P = the same; Q = opposite; R = colliding
beam.

Section 3: Nuclear reactions

Fission and fusion

1. (a) Carbon (C) (b) Manganese (Mn) (c) Silver (Ag)

(d) Mercury (Hg) (e) Radon (Rn) (f) Uranium (U)
2. (i) ( a) 3 (b) 4
(ii) ( a) 30 (b) 34
(iii) ( a) 47 (b) 62
(iv) (a) 54 (b) 77
(v) (a) 94 (b) 145
(vi) (a) 103 (b) 154

223
3. A is 42 He or B is 216
84 Po C is 0
1 e or D is 88 Ra

4. then then This doesnt include heat energy released

5. A = 2 10 6 Bq

11 11
6. (a) 293 10 J (b) 181 10 J
11 11
(c) 146 10 J (d) 257 10 J

29
7. (a) 3209 10 kg (b) 289 10 12 J
(c) fusion (d) 865 10 18

8. (a) fission
(b) mass number 136, atomic number 52
(c) 162 10 28 kg
(d) 146 10 11 J

9. (a) self-sustaining ie. products from one reaction initiate the next
(b) neutrons released from each reaction collide with nuclei to induce next reaction

10. (a) absorbs neutrons and other radiations to prevent leakage

(b) coolant transfers heat from reactor to boilers
(c) moderator slows neutrons
(d) absorb neutrons to control number of reactions

11. Various, eg. adv: vast amount of energy from small amount of fuel
disadv: controlling heat energy produced, containing radioactive waste
products

12. (a) Various, eg. storage of waste, controlling energy, historical disa sters
(b) Stays radioactive for a long time, needs to contained in material which absorbs
radiation
Section 4: Wave particle duality

Photoelectric effect

6
1. (a) 397 10 s (b) 119 10 3 m

7
2. (a) 546 10 m (b) (i) 549 10 14 Hz
(ii) 182 10 15 s

7 16
3. (a) 15 10 m (b) 50 10 s

19 19
4. 431 10 J 5. 309 10 J

6. 510 nm

7. (a) f>f o electrons released from plate counter increases to zero

(b) (i) I 1 d 1 2 =I 2 d 2 2 less photons strike the plate per sec counter slower to
reach zero
(ii) f red <f o no electrons released no change in counter
(c) counter stays the same since electrons released are attracted back to plate
(d) particle nature of light

8. (a) threshold frequency

(b) f>f o no electrons released

9. (a) 498 10 14 Hz (b) (i) f<f o so no (ii) f=6x10 14 Hz>f o so yes

10. (a) work function (b)9.20 10 14 Hz

(c)(i) 1.86 10 19 J (ii) E k

19 19
11. (a) 33 10 J (b) 26 10 J

12. (a) 40 J (b) 99 10 19

13. (a) electrons released from surface of metal when struck by a photon of f > f o
(b) Threshold frequency
(c) more photons per sec strike plate more electrons released per sec

14. (a) T (b) T (c) T (d) F (e) T

Section 5: Interference and diffraction

1. (a) Sounds reflected off walls interfere with sounds directly from speaker
(b) Radio waves diffracting round buildings interfere with e ach other and
radio waves reflected off other buildings.

2. (a) AQ = 124 m, BQ = 13 m (b) 06 m

(c) 550 Hz

2 2
3. (a) 30 10 m (b) 30 10 m
2 2
(c) 60 10 m (d) 15 10 m
2
(e) 45 10 m (f) 0m

4. Wavelength = 30 10 2 m
Frequency = 10 10 10 Hz

6
5. 003 m 6. 25 10 m

7
7. (a) 584 10 m (b) 445 o

8. 139 o

6
9. (a) 373 10 m (b) 268

10. 155 o

11. (a) dark and bright fringes / spectra at bright fringes

(b) light of different wavelength/colour diffract at different angles (dsin=m)
(c) 87 o

12. (a) green

(b) (i) b < r sin decreases smaller spacing
(ii) d decreases sin increases larger spacing
(iii) d, m and all constant sin constant and spacing unchanged
(iv) spacing increases with distance from source smaller spacing

Section 6: Refraction of light

1. material A n = 127
material B n = 137
material C n = 153

2. (a) x = 321 o (b) y = 409 o (c) z = 559 o

3. (a) 217 o (b) 22 10 8 m s 1

4. (a) 152 (b) 197 10 8 m s 1

(c) 395 10 7 m (d) 50 10 14 H

(e) 50 10 14 Hz
5. (a) 307 o (b) 2.00 10 8 m s 1
(c) 3.33 10 7
m

6. (a) n for different colours is different so angle of refraction is different

(sin 2 =nsin 1 )
(b) (i) ray 1 violet ray 2 red
(ii) ray 1 = 6020 , ray 2 = 6149 o
o

(iii) 129 o

7. 154

8. glass = 405
ice = 498
perspex = 418

9. (a) 14 (b) 456

10. (a) sin 2 =nsin 1 , sin90 = 0 sin 2 =0 2 = 90 o (b) 45 o

o
(c) sin c =1/n c =41 and x> c (d) sin c =1/n c =50.3 o and x< c
ray refracted at 66.8 o
11. (a) water = 488
diamond = 244

Section 7: Spectra

Irradiance and inverse square law

1. 21 kW

2. (a) 0.2 Joules of energy per second strike every square metre
(b) (i) 08 W m 2 (ii) 005 W m 2

3. (b) I x d 2 = constant:
Distance from point source d /m 10 14 22 28 30
Irradiance I /W m 2 85 43 176 108 94
2
Ixd 85 84.3 85.2 84.7 84.6
 2
(c) 34 W m (d) 075 m

4. (a) 5000 m 2 (b) 28333 m 2

2
5. 24 W m

Line and continuous spectra

1. (a) line spectrum (b) photons produced by electrons falling

between energy levels specific to the material
19
(c)293 10 J (d)continuous spectrum

2. (a) (i) X 3; Y 6 (b) (i) X 2 to X 1 : Y 3 to Y 2

(ii) X 3; Y 6 (ii) X 2 to X o ; Y 3 to Y o

3. (a) 6 lines (b) (i) 20 1015 Hz

(ii) 22 10 14 Hz
(iii) E 2 E 1, E 3 E 1

4. (a) 6 lines (b) (iii)

5. Photons of specific energies are absorbed for electrons to jump corresponding

energy level transitions.

6.(a) Elements present in solar atmosphere absorb photons of specific energies

corresponding energy level transitions.

(b)Absorption line spectra observed correspond with line spectra of specific

elements.

7. As the star moves away spectral lines shift towards red as described by Doppler
effect. The size of shift can be used to determine speed.

8(a) Photons from sodium lamp are absorbed by sodium vapour atoms since they
have specific energies corresponding to energy level transitions.

(b) Energy level transitions in Cadmium vapour differ from energies of photons fr om
sodium lamp.