AQA A Level Physics Paper 2 June 2017 question paper 7408/2

A number of assumptions are made when explaining the behaviour of a gas using the molecular kinetic theory model.

State one assumption about the size of molecules.

Figure 1 shows how the pressure changes with volume for a fixed mass of an ideal gas.

At A the temperature of the gas is 27^oC. The gas then undergoes two changes, one from A to B and then one from B to C.

Calculate the number of gas molecules trapped in the cylinder using information from the initial situation at A.

Calculate, in K, the change in temperature of the gas during the compression that occurs between A and B.

Deduce whether the temperature of the gas changes during the compression from B to C.

Compare the work done on the gas during the change from A to B with that from B to C on Figure 1.

The magnets produce a uniform horizontal magnetic field in the region between them. A copper wire DE is connected in the circuit shown in Figure 2 and is clamped horizontally at right angles to the magnetic field.

Figure 3 shows a simplified plan view of the copper wire and magnets.

When the apparatus is assembled with the switch open, the reading on the electronic balance is set to 0.000 g. This reading changes to a positive value when the switch is closed.

Which of the following correctly describes the direction of the force acting on the wire DE due to the magnetic field when the switch is closed?

Tick (✓) the correct box.

Label the poles of the magnets by putting N or S on each of the two dashed lines in Figure 3.

Define the tesla.

The magnets are 5.00 cm long. When the current in the wire is 3.43 A the reading on the electronic balance is 0.620 g.

Assume the field is uniform and is zero beyond the length of the magnets.

Calculate the magnetic flux density between the magnets.

An alternating electric field between the D-shaped regions accelerates charged particles. The magnetic field causes the charged particles to follow a circular path.

Figure 4 shows the path followed by a proton that starts from O.

Explain why it is not possible for the magnetic field to alter the speed of a proton while it is in one of the D-shaped regions.

Derive an expression to show that the time taken by a proton to travel round one semi-circular path is independent of the radius of the path.

The maximum radius of the path followed by the proton is 0.55 m and the magnetic flux density of the uniform field is 0.44 T.

Ignore any relativistic effects.

Calculate the maximum speed of a proton when it leaves the cyclotron.

State what happens to a neutron that is incident on the moderator.

State what happens to a neutron that is incident on a control rod.

A slow-moving neutron is in collision with a nucleus of an atom of the fuel which causes fission.

Describe what happens in the process.

A thermal nuclear reactor produces radioactive waste.

State the source of this waste and discuss some of the problems faced in dealing with the waste at various stages of its treatment.

Your answer should include:

the main source of the most dangerous waste

a brief outline of how waste is treated

problems faced in dealing with the waste, with suggestions for overcoming these problems.

Extra space is available on the next page if needed

Calculate the binding energy, in MeV, of a nucleus of⁵⁹₂₇ Co.

A nucleus of iron Fe-59 decays into a stable nucleus of cobalt Co-59. It decays by ⁻ emission followed by the emission of -radiation as the Co-59 nucleus de-excites into its ground state.

The total energy released when the Fe-59 nucleus decays is 2.52 × 10⁻¹³ J.

The Fe-59 nucleus can decay to one of three excited states of the cobalt-59 nucleus as shown in Figure 5. The energies of the excited states are shown relative to the ground state.

Calculate the maximum possible kinetic energy, in MeV, of the ⁻ particle emitted when the Fe-59 nucleus decays into an excited state that has energy above the ground state.

Following the production of excited states of⁵⁹₂₇ Co, -radiation of discrete wavelengths is emitted.

State the maximum number of discrete wavelengths that could be emitted.

Calculate the longest wavelength of the emitted -radiation.

longest wavelength = m 9

State what is represented by gravitational field lines.

Figure 6 shows the gravitational field above a small horizontal region on the surface of the Earth.

Suggest why the field lines converge over a small area at K.

A ball travelling at constant speed passes position J moving towards position K in Figure 6.

Assume friction is negligible.

Explain any change in the speed of the ball as it approaches K.

Figure 7 shows lines of force for the electric field surrounding two charged objects L and M.

Explain why the lines of force shown in Figure 7 cannot represent a gravitational field.

State which object L or M has a charge with the greater magnitude.

State which object L or M has a positive charge.

Draw, on Figure 7, an equipotential line that passes through point N. Do not extend your line beyond the given field lines.

Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit

where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.

Pluto is a dwarf planet. The mean orbital radius of Pluto around the Sun is 5.91 10⁹ km compared to a mean orbital radius of 1.50 10⁸ km for the Earth.

Calculate in years the orbital period of Pluto.

A small mass released from rest just above the surface of Pluto has an

Assume Pluto has no atmosphere that could provide any resistance to motion.

Calculate the mass of Pluto.

Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

Figure 8 shows the variation in gravitational potential with distance from the centre of Pluto for points at and above its surface.

A meteorite hits Pluto and ejects a lump of ice from the surface that travels vertically at an initial speed of 1400 m s¹.

Determine whether this lump of ice can escape from Pluto.

What is the temperature difference of the water between the top and bottom of the waterfall?

The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.

What is the average rate at which thermal energy is gained by the water?

What is the number of molecules of CO₂ in 2.2 kg of the gas?

The distance between the centre of Pluto and the centre of Charon is d. X is the point at which the resultant gravitational field due to Pluto and Charon is zero.

What is the distance of X from the centre of Pluto?

What is the force of gravitational attraction between them when they are furthest apart?

What is the kinetic energy of X ?

Which graph best represents how the electric field strength E varies with the distance x in the space between the two plates?

What is the average acceleration of the particle?

What is the work done on the electron?

Which row correctly identifies the charge on the plates and the electric field strength between the plates?

What is the change in the energy stored by the capacitor?

What is the capacitance of a capacitor with square plates of side 2l separated by a

What fraction of the original charge remains on the capacitor 4.8 s after the discharge begins?

Initially the plane of the coil is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines as shown in Figure X.

The coil is rotated about a vertical axis by 90° in a time of 0.20 s so that its plane becomes parallel to the field lines as shown in Figure Y. Assume that the rate of change of flux linkage remains constant.

What is the emf induced in the coil?

What is the peak current in the resistor?

What conditions for the transmission voltage and the transmission current give the most efficient transfer of energy through the National Grid?

What is the peak power dissipated in the lamp?

The results of the tests are shown in the table.

What is the radiation emitted by the source?

What is the decay constant of nobelium - 259 ?

A pure sample of nuclide Y containing 3 N nuclei has an activity 6 A.

What is the half-life of nuclide Y ?

What is the total activity of 1.0 g of cobalt - 60 ?

What is the radius of a nucleus of the uranium nuclide²³⁸₉₂U?

What is the energy released in this process?