Paper 2- DP1 (SL) [55 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 4] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.1

A block of mass 45 kg is placed on a horizontal table. There is no friction between the block and
the table.

An object of mass 15 kg is placed on top of the block.

A force F acts on the block so that it accelerates. The acceleration of the object and the acceleration
of the block are the same so that they do not move relative to each other.

The coefficient of static friction between the block and the object is 0.60.

(a) State the nature and direction of the force that accelerates the 15 kg object. [1]

Markscheme

static friction force «between blocks»

AND

directed to the right ✓

(b) Determine the largest magnitude of F for which the block and the object do not
move relative to each other. [3]

Markscheme

F = 60a ✓

Ff = 0.6 × 15 × 9.8 «= 88.2 N» ✓

⇒ F = 350 «N» ✓
F
88. 2 = 15 ×
60

Allow use of a = 0.6g leading to 353 N.

2. [Maximum mark: 4] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.3
A satellite moves around Earth in a circular orbit.

(a) Draw an arrow on the diagram to represent the direction of the acceleration
of the satellite. [1]

Markscheme

arrow normal to the orbit towards the Earth ✓

(b) The following data are given:

Mass of Earth, M = 5.97 × 1024 kg

Radius of Earth, R = 6.37 × 106 m
Orbital period of the satellite, T = 5.62 × 103 s

(b.i) Kepler’s Third Law of orbital motion states that T 2 = kr

3
where k is a constant
and r is the orbital radius of the satellite.
2
4π
Show that k =
GM
. [1]

Markscheme

2
2πr GM mv GM m
use of v orbital =
T
AND either v orbital = √
r
or orbital

r
=
r
2
correctly
manipulated ✓

4π
2

«to yield T 2 = (
GM
)r
3
»
 Allow use of ω.

(b.ii) Determine the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface. [2]

Markscheme

−11 24 2
2 3 6.67×10 ×5.97×10 ×(5620)
r = √
3 GM T

4π
2
= √
4π
2
✓

= 6. 83 × 10
6
«m»

6 6 5
height = «6. 83 × 10 − 6. 37 × 10 =» 4. 6 × 10 «m» ✓
3. [Maximum mark: 6] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.5
The star δ Vel A is a main sequence star that has a black-body spectrum as shown.

(a) Show that the surface temperature of δ Vel A is about 9000 K. [1]

Markscheme

−3
2.9×10
correct substitution into λ max =
T
OR 9350 K ✓

(b) The apparent brightness of δ Vel A is 2.2 × 10−9 W m−2 and it is 6.2 × 1014 km from
Earth.

Estimate the radius of δ Vel A. [3]

Markscheme

Attempted use of L = 4πbd

2
✓

L
use of r√ 4πσT
4
✓

r = 1. 4 Gm ✓

Accept a range of values between 1.3 to 1.5 Gm

(c) The radius of the Sun, R ⊙ , is 7.0 × 105 km.

Sketch, on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the position of δ Vel A.

 [2]

Markscheme

Shows r ≈ 2R ⊙ ✓

Correct position on diagram ✓

✓
 [use of 9000 K gives 2.2R ⊙ ]

4. [Maximum mark: 5] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.6

Small pieces of solid paraffin with a total mass of 30 g at a temperature of 42 °C are mixed with 150
g of liquid paraffin at a temperature of 240 °C. The mixture is stirred until an equilibrium
temperature is reached.

The following data for paraffin are available:

Specific heat capacity of solid paraffin = 0.7 kJ kg−1 K−1

Specific heat capacity of liquid paraffin = 2.13 kJ kg−1 K−1
Specific latent heat of fusion of paraffin = 220 kJ kg−1
Melting point of paraffin = 47 °C

(a) Calculate the theoretical equilibrium temperature of the mixture. [3]

Markscheme

3 3 3
(0. 030 × 0. 7 × 10 × 5) + (0. 030 × 220 × 10 ) + (0. 030 × 2. 13 × 10 )(T − 47)

3
= (0. 150 × 2. 13 × 10 )(240 − T )

One heat capacity term correctly substituted ✓

latent heat correctly substituted (0. 030 × 220 × 10 3 ) ✓

T = 190 «°C» ✓

(b) When the experiment was carried out, the equilibrium temperature of the mixture
was found to be different from the theoretical value.

Suggest the reason for this difference. [2]

Markscheme

Experimental temperature will be lower ✓

Heat loss to the environment ✓

5. [Maximum mark: 6] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.4
A smoke detector uses the radioactive nuclide americium-241.

The americium is contained in a chamber that is open to the air. There are two electrodes in the
chamber that are connected to a power supply and a current sensor.

Americium-241 emits alpha particles that ionize the air in the chamber. Each ionization forms one
positive ion and one electron; these are called an ion pair. The electrons and the positive ions
move towards the electrodes and the sensor detects a current in the air.

When smoke enters the chamber, fewer ion pairs are formed and the current in the sensor
decreases, sounding an alarm.

The chamber is 0.10 m in each dimension.

(a) A nucleus of americium-241 has 146 neutrons. This nuclide decays to

neptunium through alpha emission.

Complete the nuclear equation for this decay.

[2]

Markscheme

Am ✓
241
95

α✓
237 4
Np + 2
93
(b) Outline why the radioactive source is safe for use in a house. [1]

Markscheme

Alpha particles only travel a few cm in air / penetration of alpha particles is poor (and will not
escape the chamber) ✓

OWTTE

The initial activity of the source is 42 kBq. 33% of the alpha particles emitted by this source enter
the chamber and form an ion pair.

Each alpha particle has an initial kinetic energy of 5.5 MeV.

The energy required to form one ion pair is 15 eV.

(c) Calculate the maximum current in the chamber due to the electrons when there is
no smoke in the chamber. [3]

Markscheme

6
5.5×10
Each alpha gives rise to 15
= 3. 67 × 10
5
ion pairs ✓

5
3.67×10 ×42000 9
So 3
= 5. 13 × 10 ion pairs per second ✓

−19 9 −9
current = 1. 6 × 10 × 5. 13 × 10 = 0. 82 × 10 «A» ✓
6. [Maximum mark: 5] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.2
In a microwave oven electromagnetic waves are emitted so that a standing wave pattern
is established inside the oven.

A flat piece of chocolate is placed inside the oven and the microwaves are switched on. The
chocolate is stationary.

Melted spots form on the surface of the chocolate. The diagram shows the pattern of melting on
the chocolate. Each square has a length of 1 cm.

(a) Outline how this standing wave pattern of melted spots is formed. [2]

Markscheme

standing waves form «in the oven» by superposition / constructive interference ✓

energy transfer is greatest at the antinodes «of the standing wave pattern» ✓

(b) Determine, taking appropriate measurements from the diagram, the frequency of
the electromagnetic waves in the oven. [3]

Markscheme
λ = 12. 2 «cm» ✓

8
c 3.0×10
f «= »= −1
✓
λ 1.22×10

f = 2. 46 GHz ✓ correct answer only including power of ten

Allow λ±2 mm.

Condone power of ten error in MP2 only.

7. [Maximum mark: 11] 23N.2.SL.TZ1.2
Monochromatic light enters the base of a plastic beaker that contains water with an oil layer
floating on it. A student draws a diagram to show the directions the light takes as it passes through
the layers. The student’s diagram has one error at position A and one error at position B. The
refractive indices of the materials are shown on the diagram.

The light is refracted at an angle of 32° when it enters the plastic layer as shown.

(a) State, with a reason, the error in the student’s diagram for

(a.i) light crossing the plastic–water interface (position A). [2]

Markscheme

the angle of refraction ought to be greater than the angle of incidence OR the ray should
refract away from the normal ✔
because ray goes from high refractive index/<<optically>> more dense/slower medium to
low refractive index/optically less dense/faster medium ✔

Do not allow use of e.g n1 unless medium one is described e.g. nair

(a.ii) light at the water–oil interface (position B). [2]

Markscheme
 there should be a <<transmitted>> ray in the oil

OR

total internal reflection is not possible ✔

because ray goes from low refractive index/<<optically>> less dense/faster medium to high
refractive index/<<optically>> more dense/slower medium ✔

(b) Calculate the angle of incidence at the air–plastic interface. [2]

Markscheme

Use of Snell’s Law « sin

sin i

r
=
1.60

1
»✔
−1
i = sin «1. 60 × sin 32°» = 58 «°» ✔

‘Use of’ requires a substitution NOT just a statement of a formula

Accept 1.0 rad (unit must be included to show a deliberate attempt to use rad rather than a calculator mistake)

(c) Calculate the critical angle for the plastic–water interface. [2]

Markscheme

sin i

sin r
=
1.33

1.60
and sin r = 1✔

« sin 0. 831» = 56«°» ✔

−1
i =

Accept 0.98 rad (unit required)

(d) The student hypothesizes that the partially-reflected ray of light from the bottom
surface of the plastic is polarized.

(d.i) Outline what is meant by polarization. [1]

Markscheme

Oscillations « of electric field vector » in one/same plane ✔

Do not allow oscillations in one direction

(d.ii) Explain how the hypothesis can be tested experimentally. [2]

Markscheme

Rotation/change of alignment of polarizing filter ✔

changes intensity ✔
8. [Maximum mark: 11] 23N.2.SL.TZ1.101
A thermometer and an electrical heater are inserted into small holes in a solid aluminium block.

The heater is turned on at time t = 0. The graph shows the variation of the temperature θ of the
block with time t.

(a.i) On the graph, draw the line of best-fit for the data. [1]

Markscheme

smooth curve through all error bars ✔

Curve can start at t = 0.5 min or before.

(a.ii) Estimate the initial temperature of the block. [1]

Markscheme

17 (±1.5) «°C» ✔

If candidates did not score in a) i) but showed a y-intercept, allow ECF from their graph.

(b) Suggest why the temperature of the block approaches a constant value. [2]

Markscheme

there are heat losses OR

block radiates/loses thermal energy ✔

at a rate that equals the power of the heater ✔

Do not accept any reference to thermal equilibrium, unless clearly explained as the balance between energy coming in and out of the
block.

(c) When the temperature has reached a constant value the heater is turned off. The
graph shows the variation of the temperature θ of the block with time t.
 Show that the initial rate of change of the temperature of the block is
approximately −4.0 K min−1. [2]

Markscheme

evidence of tangent line at t=0

OR
use of the curve in its initial part of up to 0.75 min ✔

correct slope calculation ✔

Ignore the sign.

For MP2, allow the use of any two points on the curve other than the ones indicated above, for [1] max.

(d) The power of the heater is 52 W. The mass of the block is 0.85 kg. Determine the
specific heat capacity of aluminium. [2]

Markscheme

52 = 0.85 × c × 4 ✔

Converts to seconds to get

c = «917.6 =» 920 «J kg−1 K−1» ✔

Allow ECF from c)

Allow [1] max for a calculation as in MP1 using a different but consistent set of values, i.e., a T difference in the heating process that
corresponds to a thermal energy provided for that difference.

(e) The percentage uncertainty in the rate of change in (c) is 4 %. The percentage
uncertainty in the power of the heater is 3 % and that in the mass of the block is 1
%.

(e.i) Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the specific heat capacity of aluminium. [2]

Markscheme

percentage uncertainty in c is 8 % ✔
−1 −1
Δc = 917.6×0.08 = 73 « J kg K »
 Allow ECF from d) for MP1, if candidates did not use the rate of cooling, accepting either 8 % or 4 %.
Allow ECF from (d) for MP2.
Allow ECF from MP1.

(e.ii) Write down the value of the specific heat capacity of aluminium, its uncertainty
and its unit. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [1]

Markscheme

c = (9.2±0.7)×102 J kg−1 K−1

Accept 1 or 2 significant figures for c with a 1 s.f. uncertainty OR 3 s.f. for c with a 2 s.f. uncertainty, i.e., consistent expressions.
Allow ECF from d) and e) i).
Accept an alternative unit, e.g. in g or in °C.
9. [Maximum mark: 3] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.1
A ball of mass 0.800 kg is attached to a string. The distance to the centre of the mass of the ball
from the point of support is 95.0 cm. The ball is released from rest when the string is horizontal.
When the string becomes vertical the ball collides with a block of mass 2.40 kg that is at rest on a
horizontal surface.

(a) Just before the collision of the ball with the block,

(a.i) draw a free-body diagram for the ball.

[2]

Markscheme

Tension upwards, weight downwards ✓

Tension is clearly longer than weight ✓

Look for:
(a.ii) show that the speed of the ball is about 4.3 m s−1. [1]

Markscheme

v = √2 × 9. 81 × 0. 95 OR = 4.32 «m s−1» ✓

Must see either full substitution or answer to at least 3 s.f.

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