Module 5

Physics Paper 2 Section C

1. a) A doctor needs to monitor the blood flow through a patients heart.
The doctor injects a radioactive isotope into the bloodstream of the patient. The
radiation emitted by the isotope is then detected outside the body. Table 1 shows
the characteristic of six radioisotopes.

State of
matter

Isotope
Xenon-133
Water
Hydrogen-3
Iridium-192
Polonium-210
Polonium-213
Technetium-99

Characteristics
Radiation
Half-life
emitted

Penetrating
power

Gas

Beta particle

5 days

Medium

Liquid

Beta particle

12 years

Medium

Solid

Gamma ray

74 days

High

138 days

Low

1 second

Low

6 days

High

Solid
Solid
Solid

Alpha
particle
Alpha
particle
Gamma ray
Table 1

i) What is an alpha particle?

[1 mark]
ii) Based on Table 1;
1) Explain the suitability of each characteristic of the isotope which can be used to
monitor the blood flow through a patients heart.
2) Select the most suitable isotope to be used to monitor the blood flow and give
your reason.
[10 marks]
b) The doctor uses a radioactive isotope, iodine-131, to find the volume of blood in a
patients body. Table 2 gives the details about iodine-131.

Proton number
Nucleon number
Radiation emitted

Iodine-131
53
131
Beta particles and gamma rays
Table 2

Describe the structure of an atom of iodine-131

[2 marks]

Module 5
Physics Paper 2 Section C
c) A sample of iodine-131 which initially produces a radioactivity of 120 000 counts per
second is used by the doctor. The doctor injects the whole sample into the patients
arm. Ten small samples of blood, each of volume 3.0 cm3 , are taken from the other
arm at every 2 minutes.
Table 3 shows the count rates from the nine samples.
Sample number

10

Time after injection

(minute)
Radioactivity
(counts per second)

10

12

14

16

18

20

16

26

38

44

43

46

45

47

Table 3
i) State two reason why different count rates for the radioactivity are obtained from
ten samples.
[2 marks]
ii) Calculate the average value for the last five samples. This is the average
radioactivity from a volume of 3.0 cm3 of blood.
[1 mark]
iii) Using your answer in c)(ii), determine the volume of blood in the patients body,
which has total count of 120 000 per second.
[2 marks]
iv) Sample number 8 is kept. The radioactivity is measured again after 16 days.
Estimate the value obtained given that the half-life of iodine-131 is 8 days.
[1 mark]
d) Describe one precaution which the doctor must take when handling radioactive
sources.
[1 mark]

Module 5
Physics Paper 2 Section C
2

Richard works in the R&D of a factory that produces non-stick frying pan. He is
entrusted to study the properties of four different materials to select a suitable
material to make non-stick frying pans.
Material

Density ( kg m-3 )

Melting point ( o C )

P
Q
R
S

6000
8500
5000
3000

500
900
200
300

Specific heat capacity

(J kg-1 o C-1 )
500
250
300
450

(i) What do you understand by:

a) density
b) specific heat capacity
[2 marks]
(ii) Explain the suitability of each feature in the table above
[6 marks]
(ii) Hence determine the most suitable material to be used and give reasons for your
choice.
[2 marks]

Module 5
Physics Paper 2 Section C
3.

Diagrams shows two transformers P and Q.

(a) i. What is meant by a transformer?

[1 mark]

ii. Based on the diagram, which transformer is a step-up transformer?

Give one reason.
[2 marks]
(b) Calculate the output voltage of
i. transformer P
ii. transformer Q
[4 marks]
(c) In a real transformer, some energy is lost in the transformer. Therefore, its efficiency
is not 100%. List the factors that cause the power loss in a transformer.
[(3 marks]
(d) The transmission of electricity over the National Grid Network uses high voltage
cables. You are assigned to study the characteristics of cables which could be used as
transmission cables. Table below shows the characteristics of four transmission
cables.
Cable
W
X
Y
Z

Resistivity/
m-1
3.0 x 10-7
1.8 x 10-8
7.5 x 10-7
7.0 x 10-8

Density/kg m-3

Cost

5 x 105
2 x 103
8 x 102
4 x 103

Low
Medium
High
Medium

Rate of thermal
expansion
High
Low
Medium
High

i. Explain the suitability of the of the characteristics of the cables to be used as

transmission cable.
[8 marks]
ii. Determine the most suitable transmission cable to be used and give one reason for
your choice.
[2 marks]

Module 5
Physics Paper 2 Section C
4. (a) Diagram 4.1 shows a convex mirror which is part of a sphere with center, C and
radius of 40 cm.

Diagram 4.1
(i) What is meant by virtual image?
[1 mark]
(ii) What is the focal length of the mirror?
[1 mark]
(iii) A convex mirror is used to form an image of an object. Using a scale of 10 cm to 1
cm, draw two ray diagrams to show the formation of the image when the object is
placed 10 cm and then 50 cm from the mirror.
Describe the images formed in both cases.
[8 marks]
(b) Diagram 4.2 shows the location where a mirror is to be placed at a sharp bend of
a road to help road users see vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

Diagram 4.2

Module 5
Physics Paper 2 Section C
As a road engineer, you are to choose the design of a mirror to be placed at the bend of
the road.
Table 4 contains the specifications of four mirrors.
Mirror
A
B
C
D

Type of mirror
Plane
Plane
Convex
Convex

Material
Glass
Stainless steel
Glass
Stainless steel

Weight
80 N
95 N
75 N
80 N

Reflectivity of surface
High
Medium
Low
High

Table 4
Using the information in Table 4, determine the suitability of each characteristic and
decide which mirror is the most suitable.
Give reasons for your choice.
[10 marks]