NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

2010 H2 Prelim Physics Paper 2 Suggested Solutions

1(a)
A systematic error is one that occurs consistently more or consistently less than the
actual reading. [1]
A random error is one that gives a scatter of readings about a mean value. [1]

(b)
Method 1:
Volume = π(d/2)2h = 40.46 cm3
∆vol/vol = ∆h/h + 2(∆d/d) = 0.0206 [1]
∆vol = (0.0206)(40.46) = 0.8 cm3 [1]

Method 2
∆vol = 1 cm3 (given by question)

Conclusion:
Method 1 has a ∆vol that has 1 more d.p. than Method 2 [1], hence Method 1 is more
precise.

2
(a) (i) [1]

1 mistake : minus 0.5 mark

2 mistakes : zero mark
(ii) The gutter is in rotational equilibrium. [2]
Taking moment about the right side of the gutter,

Tcosθ (1.5) = Mgcosθ(1.5/2) where θ is the angle of inclination.

T = M/2(9.81)

Since T = weight of empty bucket, hence mass of empty bucket =

M/2 = 25.0 g

(b) (i) Dirty water flows into the bucket. The heavier bucket now provides a [1]
clockwise moment about the pivot that is greater than that by the
weight of the gutter.
The gutter is lifted and subsequent clean water flows along the gutter
into the tank.

(ii) The bucket will only gradually start to move downwards as it fills with [1]
water and hence the motion is less jerky.

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(c) (i) Considering the vertical motion: [3]

vf2 = 2gh + vi2
velocity of water just before hitting bottom of bucket vf = 2.80 ms-1,
where h = 30+10 cm and vi = 0.50sinθ, sin-1θ = 5/150

Resultant force on water, assuming all water comes to rest upon

impact
dm dV
= (2.80 – 0) = (2.80 – 0) ρ
dt dt
50x10-6(1000)(2.80-0) = 0.140 N

(ii) The assumption made in (c)i is that the final speed of the water is [2]
zero. Otherwise, the water will rebound. The change in momentum of
the water and hence the force on the bucket will be larger.

3 (i)
Field lines should not cross one another.
Fields line should originate or enters the charge perpendicularly.
The number of field lines interacting with the -2q charge by the +4q charge should be
more than the lines interacting with the –q charge.
Straight parallel field lines are used for uniform electric field. The field lines
interacting by the +4q should not be parallel as it is a non-uniform electric field.
The shape of the electric field lines interacting 2 charges of different magnitude are
asymmetrical.

(ii)

-2q

-q +4q

-q

−q −q − 2q
(iii) Total electric potential at the +4q charge, V = + +
4πε o x 4πε o x 4πε o x

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− 4q
=
4πε o x

Work done by external agent, W = Q ∆V

− 4q
= (+4q) ( 0- ( )
4πε o x
16q 2
=
4πε o x

4(a) Faraday's Law states that the magnitude of the induced emf E in a circuit is
directly proportional to the rate of change of flux-linkage or to the rate of cutting
of magnetic flux. Lenz's Law states that the direction of the induced current
tends to oppose the change in magnetic flux that causes it.

(b)(i) The alternating current in the primary coil produces an alternating magnetic
flux in the bar which links to the secondary coil. Since there is a rate of change
in the magnetic flux linkage, there will be induced alternating voltage in the
secondary coil.

(ii) The bar is displaced from its equilibrium position because there is force
acting on it to accelerate it together with the vehicle. This accelerating force is
provided by the bending of the blades.

(iii) Since the magnetic flux in the bar is non-uniform, the magnetic flux in the
secondary coil changes when bar is displaced. By Faraday’s law, since the
secondary voltage is proportional to rate of change of magnetic flux, the
amplitude of secondary voltage changes.

Note: For this qn, the magnetic flux at that point in the bar decreases with
increasing distance away from primary coil. The area of bar at which the primary
coil enclosed has constant magnetic flux.

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5
(a) (i) Let n be the number of storeys. [1]

N (0.1) = 2/5
N=4
(ii) Exponential decay in amplitude; constant period or slightly [1]
reduced; period labeled on the graph.
(iii) A building of 14 storeys will have natural frequency (0.714 Hz) [1]
which is smaller than the driving frequency of 2.5 Hz. [B1]
Hence resonance does not take place.

(iv) If one of the buildings have a natural frequency that matches the [1]
driving frequency of an earthquake.[B0.5] That building will topple
and crash into the other building thus causing more damages and
casualties.[B0.5]
(b) At maximum displacement, acceleration, a = ω2xo = (2πx1.5)2(xo) = 107 [2]
ms-2
Hence amplitude of vibration of one building is 1.2 m. [1]
Hence minimum building separation = 1.2 + 1.2 = 2.4 m. [1]
(c) When the natural frequency matches the driving frequency, the building which [1]
undergoes forced oscillation will resonate, meaning it vibrates with large
amplitude due maximum energy transfer from the earthquake to it.

Q6. The He-Ne laser consists of a mixture of gaseous He and Ne atoms.

An input power/ optical pumping is passed through the sample and this excites the
atoms in the sample. [1 m]

The important feature in the He-Ne laser is that the E2 state of He is a meta-stable state
and the E3 state of Ne is also a meta-stable state and since the both energy difference
is very close to each other, the excited He atoms can transfer its energy rather efficiently
and continuously to the ground state Ne atoms during collision. [2 m]

The lasing transition for Ne is from the E3 to E2 state which is the population inversion
region, giving rise to red photons/ laser. [1 m]

In practice, mirrors are positioned at the two ends of the sealed glass tube to reflect the
emitted radiation back and forth along the tube so as to stimulate more emission from
the excited Ne atoms. [1 m]

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7 (a)(i) reading from graph, weight before take-off = 600 N

Mass = 600/9.81 = 61.2 kg

(ii) reading from graph = 3280 ± 10 (N)

(iii) reading from graph g = 9.2 N kg-1

pull on astronaut = 9.2 x 61.2 = 563 N

(b)(i) Any 2 of the following:

As the rocket fuel is burnt up so during the ascent, the mass of rocket gets less.
Thus for the same force on less mass gives greater acceleration.

The resultant force in the following cases will be greater and thus its acceleration
will be greater also. The cases are:

Less friction as atmosphere is less dense.

The gravitational field strength is lesser as distance from Earth increases.

(ii) The area under the force time graph in Fig 7.1 will not give the momentum of
the astronaut as the given force in the figure is the force on the astronaut due to the
cabin. To give the momentum of the astronaut, the force should be the net force or
resultant force acting on the astronaut.

(c) centripetal acceleration = value of g

distance from Earth = (6.71 – 6.37) x 106 = 340 km
which gives g = 8.83 ms-2 from the Figure 7.2.

(d) (i) centripetal acceleration = 8.83 ms-2= v2/r

v2 = 8.83 x 6.71 x 106
v = 7700 ms-1

(ii) k.e. = ½mv2 = ½ x 61.2 x (7700)2

= 1.81 x 109 J

(e)

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(9.2, 3.5)

(2.4, 1.5)

(i) Draw the best fit graph.

(ii)
Gradient = (3.5 – 1.5)/(9.2 – 2.4) =2.0/6.8 = 0.294
Using point (9.2, 3.5) and gradient = 0.294, y = mx+c
3.5 = 0.294 (9.2) + c
C = y-intecept = 0.795
1 p
2
= +q
T M
Hence p = 0.294
q = 0.795
(iii) From the experimental data, a straight line is obtained with gradient =0.294
and a y-intercept of 0.795 as seen in the best fit line drawn. Hence the
experimental data follows the given relationship which confirms its validity.
(iv)
2 pT 3
∆T = x (percentage mass loss).
M
1 0.294
When M = 0.5 kg, 2
= + 0.795
T 0.5
T = 0.850 s

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2(0.294)(0.850) 3
∆T = x 0.1 = 0.0723 s = 0.08 s
0 .5

The period T obtained from the experiment is accurate to the fourth decimal place.
Since the uncertainty found is up to 2 decimal places, therefore the experiment
conducted is able to detect the changes it is able to detect up to the fourth decimal
place.

Description Points

1. Diagram
A
- Correct connection of voltmeter/CRO (or any appropriate instrument)
to measure the p.d. across the high voltage supply in order to
measure the breakdown voltage.
- The use of thermocouple/ temperature sensor attached to data 2m (All 3 must be
logger (or any appropriate instrument) to measure the temperature of present in order to get
the air in the chamber. 2m). Award 1m for any
- Use of pressure gauge/ pressure sensor (or any appropriate 2.
instrument) attached to data logger to measure pressure
B
- Correct use of the 2 electrodes 1m
1m
- Appropriate heating element (preferably a circuit). Do not accept
Bunsen burner.

2. Variables
Independent Variable: Temperature of air between the electrodes. 1m(must be all correct)
Dependent Variable: voltage when spark is first seen, measured by the
voltmeter.
Control Variables:
- Always ensure that distance between the electrode is kept constant. 1m (At least these 2
-The use of vacuum/air pump to regulate the constant pressure in the must be present)
chamber.

3. Measurement
a) Keep the pressure of air constant by the use of pressure gauge and
air/vacuum pump.
b) Use the heater to increase the temperature of air in steps of 5oC. This 1m
can be done by passing a constant current through the circuit. Temperature
(T) will be measured by the instrument listed in Diagram. (Note that
students must mention the use of calibration curve if thermocouple is used.) 1m
c) At a certain temperature, use the high voltage supply to slowly increase

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the voltage across the electrodes until a spark is first seen. Record this 1m
voltage (V)
d) Then reset the voltage and repeat a-c to get 10 sets of readings of V and
T.
4.Analysis
A table which contains values of V and T is recorded. A graph of lg(V) vs 1m
lg(T) is then plotted and the gradient and y-intercepts of the graph are
determined. Then the relationship between the v and p could be determined
in the form V = kTn, where the constants n is the gradient and k = 10y-intercept

5. Precaution
The risks involved in this experiment can be substantial.
- Keep hands dry and wear gloves to prevent electrocuted when handling
high voltage supply.
- Ensure that the pressure do not exceed too much by constantly monitoring
the pressure sensor and regulating the air/ vacuum pump. 1m (only if they give 2
- Any reasonable precaution. precautions)

6. Additional Details
- Thickness between the electrodes must be kept constant at all times 1m (Any 1 reasonable
- Air chamber must be properly sealed to have reliable pressure readings details and they must
- Time must be allowed for air in chamber to reach an equilibrium give at least 3 details)
temperature.
- Any reasonable detail.

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