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2013
PHYSICS
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Total: 90 marks
PART A
20 marks
PART B
45 marks
PART C
25 marks
Marks
Use the multiple choice answer sheet on page 10.
Page 2
Marks
PART A
1.
Sonar
Global Positioning System
FM radio
AM radio
A student conducted an experiment where she measured the angle of refraction of a ray of
light for varying angles of incidence, as the light travelled from air into a transparent plastic
rectangular prism. After several trials, the following graph was produced.
Sin of Refracted angle
2.
0.50
X
X
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0 X
0 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80
(A)
3.
(B)
0.62
low
(C)
1.6
low
(D)
0.62
high
Plastic 2
Which of the following best describes how the light behaved as it crossed the boundary
from Plastic 1 into Plastic 2?
(A)
Wavelength
increased
Frequency
no change
(B)
no change
increased
(C)
decreased
no change
(D)
no change
decreased
Page 3
Marks
4.
A technician records a signal intensity of 10 000 units when he is 1 km from the antenna of a
transmission tower. He then travels to a second site and repeats the measurement finding the
signal strength from the antenna is now 15 625 units.
How far is the technician from the antenna at the second location?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
5.
6.
410 m
640 m
800 m
1250 m
A magnetic compass sits directly below a straight length of conductor wire attached in an
electric circuit.
Compass
below wire
Not to Scale
Conducting wire
E
S
The power is switched on and a large electric current passes through the wire.
Which of the following describes the likely behaviour of the compass needle after the
switched is closed?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Page 4
Marks
7.
R
3
6
8.
1
2
3
4
Two resistance test wires of the same length and made from the same material were attached
in turn into the electric circuit shown below.
A
Test wire
V
The results recorded for each Test wire are shown in the table below.
Voltmeter
(V)
1.8
5.9
10.4
Test wire 1
Ammeter
(A)
0.089
0.285
0.468
V/I
()
20.2
20.7
22.2
Voltmeter
(V)
1.9
6.0
10.7
Test wire 2
Ammeter
(A)
0.047
0.145
0.241
V/I
()
40.4
41.4
44.4
Page 5
Marks
9.
Which of the following was most significant in increasing our understanding of electricity?
(A) Voltas development of the electrochemical cell provided the first continuous
source of electric currents to study.
(B) The debate between Galvani and Volta created a lot of interest in research into
electricity.
(C) Galvani had shown that electricity was associated with muscle tissue in animals
leading to whole new area of study.
(D) Galvani and Voltas work led almost immediately to the discovery of the atom and
its components.
10.
A light globe is connected in a circuit with a 6 V DC power supply. When the power is
switched on, a current of 2.4 A flows through the globe.
Which of the following statements is correct?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
11.
A small, charged, polystyrene ball of mass 25 g is placed between two horizontal parallel
metal plates, as shown below. When released the polystyrene ball remains stationary.
E = 500 N C-1
490 C
(B)
+490 C
negative
(C)
490 mC
positive
(D)
+490 mC
negative
Page 6
Marks
12.
S
X
Which of the following best indicates the direction of the compass needle when placed at
point X?
(A)
13.
(B)
(C)
(D)
Choose the option which best describes the effect of increasing temperature on the resistance
of a conductor.
(A) The resistance increases because electrons lose more energy when they collide with
lattice particles in the conductor.
(B) The resistance increases because electrons undergo more collisions with lattice
particles in the conductor.
(C) The resistance decreases because the electrons move through the conductor more
quickly.
(D) The resistance decreases because the heat energy causes more electrons to be
released by atoms in the conductor.
14.
Z
Which of the following statements is true?
(A) The reading on A1 will be twice the reading on A2
(B) The potential difference across each resistor is the same
(C) The potential difference between points X and Y will be higher than the potential
difference between point Y and Z.
(D) If the potential difference across the power supply is 12V, then the reading on the
voltmeter V1 will also be 12V.
Page 7
Marks
15.
The diagram below represents the electric field surrounding a positive charge.
16.
Which of the following scientists was the first to provide experimental evidence of an
expanding Universe?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
17.
Olbers
Einstein
Friedmann
Hubble
Three stages in the formation of stars and galaxies are listed below.
I.
II.
III.
Which of the following gives the correct sequence outlining how the accretion of galaxies
and stars occurred?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
II I III
III II I
I III II
II III I
Page 8
Marks
18.
19.
Which answer correctly identifies the primary source of energy for each stellar object listed?
Main Sequence stars
Red Giants
(A)
Fusion of hydrogen
Fusion of helium
(B)
Fusion of helium
Fusion of hydrogen
(C)
Fusion of hydrogen
Fusion of carbon
(D)
Fusion of helium
Fusion of carbon
Studies of blackbody radiation and spectral analysis have been crucial in advancing our
understanding of stars.
Which of the following best describes important details about a star that have been
revealed through these studies?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
20.
A sample of radioactive material is enclosed in a small lead box with a single hole in the box
to allow any radiation being produced to emerge and travel through a uniform magnetic field
region. Three different forms of radiation are observed, labelled X, Y and Z.
uniform magnetic
field region
X
Radioactive sample
Z
Y
Page 9
Marks
PART A
20 marks
Student No. .....................
Choose the most appropriate answer and fill in the response circle completely.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Page 10
Marks
PART B
50 marks
Question 21 (4 marks)
(a)
Draw a labelled diagram showing how parallel light rays are reflected off a concave mirror.
Parallel rays
Arrows
Focus
mirror
(b)
2 correct = 1 mark
Convex mirrors are used in driveways with bends to allow cars around the bend to be seen.
OR Convex mirrors are used in shops to allow a wider field of view from one vantage point.
Question 22 (2 marks)
Draw diagrams to show:
(a)
(b)
Page 11
Marks
Question 23 (6 marks)
A ray of light enters a different medium as shown in the diagram.
38
air
640
medium
a)
Calculate the refractive index of the medium, giving your answer to 2 significant figures.
b)
Calculate the speed of the ray of light in this medium, showing all working.
c)
Calculate the critical angle for this medium, giving your answer to the nearest degree.
( )
Question 24 (3 marks)
There are many types of electromagnetic waves.
(a)
(b)
Identify two electromagnetic wavebands NOT filtered out by the Earths atmosphere.
Page 12
Marks
Question 25 (4 marks)
Consider the diagram below.
Parallel
plates
5 mm
40 mm
(a)
Complete the diagram by showing the charge polarity of the two parallel plates
(b)
(c)
Question 26 (2 marks)
A circuit breaker stops the flow of current in a circuit when the current exceeds a pre-set value. A
fuse plays a similar role.
What advantage does a circuit breaker have over a fuse?
A circuit breaker can be reset (after the fault in the circuit has been repaired) whereas a fuse
needs replacing, having melted.
Page 13
Marks
Question 27 (3 marks)
Complete the diagram below to show the shape of the electric field pattern between the two charges
shown and indicate a null point in the electric field.
A null point is a position where the electric field strength is zero.
+1 C
+2 C
Marking Criteria
Correctly draws: shape& arrow direction; concentration of lines;
position of null point
Any 2 of the above
Any 1 of the above
Marks
3
2
1
Question 28 (2 marks)
In some countries, household electricity operates at 110 V. In Australia, the supply voltage is 240 V.
Explain the consequences of plugging in a 110 V hair dryer into an Australian power point.
Marking Criteria
Correctly explanations for TWO appropriate consequences: which
must include an explanation of why the large current flows
One of the above or a description of consequences only with no
explanation
Marks
2
1
Too large a current will flow through the hairdryer because of the high voltage, since I = V/R
and R doesnt change whilst V increases.
This will lead to the hairdryer to overheat, possibly melting its fuse or melting the circuitry
(possibly bursting into flame).
OR
This could lead to the tripping of the circuit breaker in the household powerpoint circuit that
the hairdryer is plugged into.
Page 14
Marks
Question 29 (4 marks)
On the diagram below, clearly label the North (N) and South (S) ends of the solenoid.
S
Question 30 (4 marks)
Consider the circuit diagram below:
4
S1
12
A
2
20V
(a)
Determine the total resistance of the circuit when the switch S1 is closed.
(
(b)
Determine the current flowing through the ammeter when the switch S1 is closed.
(c)
Determine the power dissipated in the 2 resistor when the switch S1 is closed.
(d)
Determine the voltage across the 4 resistor when the switch S1 is opened.
Page 15
Marks
Question 31 (2 marks)
The following table provides some of the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
Type
Nature
Charge
Deflection in
a magnetic field
Ionising
ability
Alpha
helium nucleus
positive
(iii)
high
Beta
(i)
negative
large
medium
Gamma
high frequency
(ii)
none
(iv)
electromagnetic radiation
Identify (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).
(i)
electron
(iii)
small / low
(ii)
none
(iv)
low / weak
Question 32 (3 marks)
In your course, you conducted a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the relationship between
current, voltage and power using a heating coil.
Describe ONE step you undertook to ensure your results were reliable, accurate and valid.
RELIABLE
Repeat the experiment until I obtained similar results (or above 85% efficiency)
Etc
VALID
Etc
ACCURATE
Etc
Page 16
Marks
Question 33 (5 marks)
Study the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram below and then answer the following question.
Effective Temperature (K)
30 000
10 000
7 000
6 000
4 000
Betelgeuse
105
104
103
102
L0
Luminosity
compared
to our Sun
10
1
10-1
Altair
10-2
10-3
10-4
Contrast Altair and Betelgeuse (excluding energy sources), both quantitatively and/or qualitatively,
as appropriate.
Marking Criteria
Answer must correctly compare/contrast 5 of::
Luminosity
Surface Temperature
Colour
Lifetime
4 of the above
3 of the above
2 of the above
1 of the above
Characteristic
Altair
LUMINOSITY
Marks
5
4
3
2
1
Betelgeuse
1000 more luminous.
COLOUR
white
SIZE/MASS
red
much bigger / massive.
SURF. TEMP
8000 K
3000 K
LIFETIME
long lived
Page 17
Marks
Question 34 (4 marks)
Evaluate the impact of the telescope on the development of our current understanding of the Universe, 4
with reference to Galileos observations.
Marking Criteria
A thorough assessment of impact with three observations requiring
three different explanations.
3 of the above
2 of the above
1 of the above
Marks
4
3
2
1
The telescope, as used by Galileo, had a huge impact on the development of our current
understanding of the universe by offering supporting evidence to the Copernican Heliocentric
model of the observable universe, our solar system, over the dominant Ptolemaic Geocentric model
that had existed for approx. 2000 yrs.
Some of Galileos observations were:
Uneven moon surface/sunspots imperfect heavenly bodies.
Phases of Venus Venus orbited the Sun
Moons of Jupiter heavenly bodies orbiting a planet other than Earth
Page 18
Marks
Student No. .....................
PART C
Data Processing
25 marks
__
__
__
__
__
(a)
Write down the meter reading for Friday in the space provided above.
(b)
Determine the electrical energy used, in kW-h, during the Monday to Friday time period.
...
(c)
...
(d)
...
Page 19
Marks
Question 36 (14 marks)
The table below shows some of the data obtained by the Voyager space probe for the moons of the
planet Neptune (1 Earth day = 86 400 s)
(a)
Complete the table below for the five moons shown. ( to 3 significant figures )
Name of
Moon
Orbital Radius,
R
( 106 m )
R3
( 1023 m3 )
Orbital Period
Naiad
48.2
Thalassa
( Earth days)
Orbital Period,
T
( 104 s )
T2
( 108 s2 )
1.12
0.294
2.54
6.45
50.1
1.26
0.311
2.69
7.22
Despina
52.5
1.45
0.355
3.07
9.41
Galatea
62.0
2.38
0.429
3.71
13.7
Larissa
73.5
3.97
0.555
4.80
23.0
Plot a graph of R3 versus T2 on the grid provided and include a line of best fit.
(b)
3
Label on vertical axis (1)
R
( 1023 m3 )
1
5
.
10
15
20
25
T2
( 108 s2 )
JRAHS 2013 Physics Preliminary Examination
Page 20
Marks
(c)
Determine the gradient, k, of this line (to 3 significant figures), including units. Show all
necessary working.
Evidence on graph for working (1)
Units (1)
Value of k (1)
Powers of 10 (1)
It is known (from Keplers laws) that the graph you obtained obeys the following equation:
,
(d)
Derive an algebraic equation for the mass of Neptune, M, in terms of the gradient, k, of this
line.
Recognising
But
(1)
Hence
(e)
Page 21
Marks
Question 37 (7 marks)
The following diagram is a representation of an experiment carried out by students in a Physics
practical. The power supply was kept constant at 5 V.
+ _
variable resistor
x
A
y
wire
V
The graph shows how the ammeter readings vary with the voltmeter readings for the wire.
(a)
...
...
(b)
Use the graph to determine the current flowing through the wire when the voltage is 1 V.
...
(c)
...
(d)
Use the circuit diagram to determine the voltage Vx across x, when the voltmeter reads 1 V.
...
(e)
Page 22