JAMES RUSE AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

2020
TRIAL HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

Physics

General Instructions • Reading time – 5 minutes

• Working time – 3 hours
• Write using black pen
• Draw diagrams using pencil
• NESA approved calculators may be used
• A data sheet, formulae sheet and Periodic Table are provided

Total marks - 100 Section I – 20 marks (pages 2–11)

• Attempt Questions 1–20
• Allow about 35 minutes for this section

Section II – 80 marks (pages 14–35)

• Attempt Questions 21–35
• Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this section

1
 Section I
20 marks
Attempt Questions 1–20
Allow about 35 minutes for this section
Use the multiple-choice answer sheet for Questions 1–20.

1. A satellite is moved from a higher orbit to a low Earth orbit.

Which statement about the orbit change is correct?

A. The gravitational potential energy of the satellite increases.

B. The change in gravitational potential energy is independent of the mass of the satellite.
C. The work done is the energy required to move the satellite from a very large distance
away to the lower orbit.
D. The work done is the difference between the gravitational potential energy of the
higher orbit and that of the low Earth orbit.

2. A buggy is rounding a banked circular track on the Moon. In order to safely negotiate the bend,
what will the critical speed depend on?

A. The banking angle, the sideways frictional force between the tyres and the tracks and the
radius of the circular track
B. The banking angle, the radius of the circular track and the gravitational field strength of the
Moon

C. The radius of the circular track, the sideways frictional force between the tyres and the
tracks and the gravitational field strength

D. The banking angle, the sideways frictional force between the tyres and the track and the
gravitational field strength

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3. When a nucleus of the radioactive isotope 28𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 decays, a β‾ particle and an anti-neutrino are
emitted.

How many protons and neutrons are there in the resulting daughter nucleus?

Number of protons Number of neutrons

A. 29 36
B. 29 65
C. 28 65
D. 30 35

4. Fission and fusion are both nuclear processes.

Which of the following statements is correct for both processes?

A. Neutrons are released.

B. No harmful radiation is produced.
C. The binding energy per nucleon increases.
D. The total mass increases.

5. The activity of a source is equal to one-half of its initial value after 360 s.

What is the decay constant of the radioactive nuclide in the source?

A. 1.93 x 10-3 s-1

B. 2.57 x 10-3 s-1
C. 3.85 x 10-3 s-1
D. 7.70 x 10-3 s-1

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6. A toy car, moving with speed 𝑣𝑣, successfully completes a manoeuvre in a circular track, as
shown in the diagram below.

Which of the following descriptions best analyses the forces acting on the car while at position
marked X?

A. The normal force equals the centripetal force.

B. The weight force equals the centripetal force.
C. The sum of the normal and weight forces equals the centripetal force.
D. The difference between the normal and weight forces equals the centripetal force.

7. The colour of a of a certain star, assumed to be a black body, is predominantly red in the night
sky.

Given the above chart of the visible spectrum and that 1 THz = 1 × 1012 Hz, what is the
approximate surface temperature of this star?

A. 3443 K
B. 4443 K
C. 5443 𝐾𝐾
D. 6443 𝐾𝐾

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8. The diagram below shows electric field lines in an isolated region of space containing two small
charged spheres, Y and Z.

Which of the following statements is true?

A. The charge on Y is negative and the charge on Z is positive.

B. The strength of the electric field is the same everywhere.
C. The electric field is zero midway between Y and Z.
D. A small negatively charged object placed at point X would tend to move toward the
right.

9. Which row of the table shows the correct relationship between the escape velocity, 𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 and
orbital velocity, 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 , and the relationship between the total energy, 𝐸𝐸 and kinetic energy, 𝐾𝐾
and / or potential energy, 𝑈𝑈 of a satellite in orbit?

Relationship between 𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 and 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 Relationship between 𝐸𝐸, 𝐾𝐾 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎/𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑈𝑈

A. 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = √2𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 1
𝐾𝐾 = − 𝑈𝑈
2
B. 𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = √2𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1
𝐸𝐸 = 𝑈𝑈
2
C 𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = √2𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 1
𝐾𝐾 = 𝑈𝑈
2
D. 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = √2𝑣𝑣𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 1
𝐸𝐸 = − 𝑈𝑈
2

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10. In an experiment to investigate the photoelectric effect, monochromatic light is incident on a
metal surface. The photoelectric current and the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons
are measured.

Which row of the table correctly shows the change, if any, in the photoelectric current and in
the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons when light of the same intensity but higher
frequency is incident on the same metal surface?

photoelectric current maximum kinetic energy

A. no change increases
B. decrease no change
C. decreases increases
D. no change decreases

11. An alpha particle moves at right angles to a uniform magnetic field and experiences a force F.
A beta particle moves at right angles to a magnetic field of half the magnetic flux density but
at ten times the velocity of the alpha particle.

What will be the magnitude of the force on the beta particle?

A. 0.25 F
B. 0.40 F
C. 2.5 F
D. 5.0 F

12. Intensity maxima are produced on a screen when a parallel beam of monochromatic light is
incident on a diffraction grating. Light of a longer wavelength can be used or the distance from
the diffraction grating to the screen can be increased.

Which row gives the change in appearance of the maxima when these changes are made
independently?

Longer wavelength Distance from grating to screen increased

A. closer together more widely spaced
B. more widely spaced more widely spaced
C. more widely spaced closer together
D. closer together closer together

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13. A beam of unpolarised light of intensity 𝐼𝐼0 , is incident on a polariser. The polarisation axis of
the polariser is initially vertical, as shown.

How does the intensity 𝐼𝐼, of the transmitted light vary with the rotation angle, from 00 to 1800 ?

𝐼𝐼 from 00 to 900 𝐼𝐼 from 900 to 1800

A. constant at 𝐼𝐼0 constant at 𝐼𝐼0

B. increases decreases
C. 1
constant at 2 𝐼𝐼0
1
constant at 2 𝐼𝐼0

D. decreases increases

14. Part of the energy production process in the Sun involves the fusion of two protons which forms
into a deuteron. This results in the release of 0.42 MeV of energy.

What is the mass equivalent of this energy release?

0.42
A. u
931.5

0.42
B. kg
𝑐𝑐 2

C. 0.42 × 931.5 u

0.42 × 1.602 × 10−19

D. kg
𝑐𝑐 2

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15. A bubble chamber is an instrument containing liquid hydrogen which permits the paths of
charged particles to be observed. Bubbles are formed along the path followed by a charged
particle as it collides with molecules of hydrogen.

The figure represents a bubble chamber photograph of a moving electron which is spiralling
in a plane towards the centre under the influence of a force due to a constant magnetic field.

As the electron spirals in, what must be the effect of the force and its speed due to magnetic
field?

A. The speed is increasing and the size of the force on it is increasing.

B. The speed is decreasing and the size of the force on it is decreasing.
C. The speed is constant and the force on it is constant
D. The speed is increasing and the size of the force on it is decreasing

16. A transformer has an efficiency of 80%. It has 7000 turns on its primary coil and 175 turns on
its secondary coil. When the primary of the transformer is connected to a 240 V ac supply, the
secondary current is 8.0 A.

What are the primary current and secondary voltage?

Primary current I. Secondary voltage

(mA) (V)

A. 250 6.0
B. 160 6.0
C. 250 9600
D. 160 9600

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17. A magnetic field of strength B links a coil. The direction of the field is normal to the plane of
the coil.

Which of the following graphs shows how the induced emf, Ɛ in the coil varies with t?

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18. T Tauri stars are very young low mass stars, still in the process of gravitational contraction.
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram below shows data for a range of stars.

Identify in which area, A, B, C or D, on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram T Tauri stars are likely to
be found.

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

19. How does the current flow through the resistor R in circuit 2 behave once the switch S in circuit
1 is closed?

A. From point Y to X
B. From point X to Y
C. The current oscillates between X and Y
D. There is no current through the resistor

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20. The figure below shows five energy levels of an atom X. Five transitions between the levels are
indicated, each of which produces a photon of definite frequency.

Which of the spectrum correctly corresponds to the transitions indicated?

(Low) frequency (high)

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 BLANK PAGE

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 James Ruse Agricultural High School
Student Number

TRIAL HSC EXAMINATION 2020

Physics
Multiple Choice Answer Sheet

1. A B C D

2. A B C D

3. A B C D

4. A B C D

5. A B C D

6. A B C D

7. A B C D

8. A B C D

9. A B C D

10. A B C D

11. A B C D

12. A B C D

13. A B C D

14. A B C D

15 A B C D

16. A B C D

17. A B C D

18. A B C D

19. A B C D

20. A B C D

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 Student Number

Mark

Section II - 80 marks

Attempt Questions 21 – 35

Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this part

Instructions • Write your Student Number at the top of this page.

• Answer the questions in the spaces provided. These spaces provide

guidance for the expected length of response.

• Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations.

• Extra writing space is provided at the back of this booklet. If you use
this space, clearly indicate which questions you are answering and
direct the examiner to your answer.

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Question 21 (2 marks)

A group of scientists investigated Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. They collected data on four
moons of Jupiter and drew to scale, a graph of the radius cubed against the period squared, as shown
below.

Use the graph to determine the mass of Jupiter. 2

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Question 22 (4 marks)

Paul kicks a ball from point P to point R. At the same instant, Quinn starts from point Q and
runs forward, to catch the ball at point R. The initial vertical velocity (𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 ) of the ball is 12.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1
and its horizontal velocity (𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 ) is 10.0 m s−1 .

Ignore air resistance throughout this question.

(a) Calculate the initial velocity of the ball. 2

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(b) Paul kicks the ball from a point 1.00 m above the ground. Quinn jumps and catches the ball
when it is 3.00 m above the ground at point R.

If the ball travels for 2.27 s in the air, determine the horizontal distance (𝑠𝑠) the ball will
cover before Quinn catches it at point R. 2

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Question 23 (5 marks)

Artificial satellites are used to monitor weather conditions on Earth, for surveillance
and for communications. Such satellites may be placed in a geostationary orbit or
low-Earth orbits.

(a) Describe the features of the geostationary orbit and the advantages it offers 2
when a satellite is used for communications.

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(b) Calculate the total energy of a 750 kg satellite when it is raised from the 3
Earth’s surface into a Low-Earth orbit, 400 km above the Earth’s surface.

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Question 24 (5 marks)

Muons are created in the upper atmosphere with speeds of 0.99𝑐𝑐 or more. Their average
lifetime is 2.2 μs measured at low speeds in the laboratory. A simple calculation shows that
most should only travel about 653.4 m before decaying. Thus, very few muons should ever
reach sea level.

(a) Using relativistic mechanics, calculate how far a muon can travel according to an
observer on Earth. 3

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(b) Explain why many more muons reach the surface of Earth than predicted classically. 2

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Question 25 (4 marks)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the nature of light. A parallel beam of

monochromatic light was directed at a very small spherical object and a white screen was
positioned behind the object (Diagram 1).

The pattern observed on the white screen is shown in Diagram 2.

(Note: diagrams not to scale.)

(a) Explain how the pattern in Diagram 2 was produced. 3

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(b) From this experiment, what conclusion can be made regarding the nature of light? 1

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Question 26 (4 marks)

Describe a black body and show how the experimental evidence gathered from the
blackbody radiation curves contributed to a changed model of light. 4

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Question 27 (3 marks)

A beam of laser light is incident normally on a diffraction grating which has 600 lines per
millimetre. A fringe pattern is formed on a screen 2.0 m from the diffraction grating.

The fringe pattern formed on the screen is shown below.

Determine the wavelength of the laser light. 3

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Question 28 (7 marks)

A student conducted an experiment to determine Planck’s constant. The experiment involved

setting up five individual, single frequency light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Each LED only emits one frequency of light when a turn on voltage (voltage above a certain
threshold value) is applied across its terminals.

The relationship between the frequency of the emitted light and the voltage is given by the
equation:
ℎ𝑓𝑓 = 𝑞𝑞(𝑉𝑉0 + 𝑘𝑘), where

ℎ is Planck’s constant
𝑓𝑓 is the frequency of light emitted by the LED,
𝑞𝑞 is the charge on an electron,
𝑉𝑉0 is the turn on voltage and
𝑘𝑘 is the threshold voltage (constant dependent on the material)

The results obtained by the student were tabulated below.

LED Colour Maximum wavelength, 𝜆𝜆 Turn on Voltage, 𝑉𝑉0 1

𝜆𝜆

(𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛) (𝑉𝑉) (× 106 𝑚𝑚−1 )

Blue
346 2.22
Green
395 1.95
Yellow
439 1.75
Red
532 1.45
Infra-red
685 1.12

1
(a) Complete the table above for values of 𝜆𝜆. 1

1
(b) Plot a graph of voltage (on the vertical axis) against 𝜆𝜆 , and draw a line of best fit. 4

Question 28 continues on page 23

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Question 28 (continued)

(c) Use the gradient of the line of best fit to determine a value for Planck’s constant. 2

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Question 29 (6 marks)

Describe the subsequent experimental evidence that supported Newton and Huygens proposed
models of light. 6

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Question 30 (10 marks)

The figures below show a rectangular conducting loop at three instants in time. The loop
moves at a constant speed into and through a region of constant, uniform magnetic field B
directed into the page. The magnetic field is zero outside the region.

(a) Compare the magnitude and direction of the current at times t1, t2 and t3.

Include an explanation of why there is or is not a current and the direction of the
current if one is present using physics concepts and principles. 5

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Question 30 continues on page 26

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Question 30 (continued)

(b) The loop is removed. A proton travelling to the right in the plane of the page, as
shown below, then enters the region of magnetic field with a speed of 3.0 x 105 ms-1.
The magnitude of the field is 0.030 T. The effects of gravity are negligible.

(i) Calculate the magnitude of the force on the proton as it enters the field. 1

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(ii) On the figure below, sketch a possible path of the proton as it travels through. the
magnetic field. Clearly label the path P1. 1

Question 30 continues on page 27

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Question 30 (continued)

(iii) A second proton now enters the magnetic field at the same point and from the
same direction but at a greater speed than the first proton.

On the figure in part ii (page 26) draw the path of the second proton as it travels
through the field.
Clearly label the path P2. 1

(iv) Next an electric field is applied in the same region as the magnetic field, such
that there is no net force on the first proton as it enters the region.

Calculate the magnitude and indicate the direction of the electric field 2

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End of Question 30

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Question 31 (4 marks)

An electric motor consists of a 100-turn coil of wire on a frame that is free to rotate in a radial
field as shown in the figure above. The field strength is 25.0 mT and the coil dimensions are
0.32 m in length and 0.1 m wide. The effective voltage driving the motor is 120 V DC.

If each of the turns on the coil has an effective resistance of 0.018 ohms, determine:

(a) The current flow from the power supply. 2

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(b) The effective torque supplied by the motor. 2

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Question 32 (3 Marks)

The figure below shows the basic structures in Thomson’s apparatus

From: Thomson, J.J., 1897. “Cathode Rays”, Philosophical Magazine, 44: 293–316.

Identify and describe the function of the structures labelled P-Q, R-R’ and S. 3

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Question 33 (7 marks)

Robert Millikan received a Nobel Prize for determining the charge on the electron. To do this,
he set up a potential difference between two horizontal parallel metal plates. He then sprayed
drops of oil between the plates and adjusted the potential difference until drops of a certain size
remained suspended at rest between the plates, as shown below.

Suppose that when the potential difference between the plates is adjusted until the electric field is
10 000 NC-1 downward, a certain drop with a mass of 3.27 × 10–16 kg remains suspended.

(a) What is the magnitude of the charge on this drop? 2

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(b) Explain why, although the electric field is downward, the electric force on the drop is
upward. 2

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Question 33 continues on page 31

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Question 33 (continued)

(c) If the distance between the plates is 0.01 m, what is the potential difference between
the plates? 1

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(d) The oil in the drop slowly evaporates while the drop is being observed, but the charge on
the drop remains the same.

Indicate whether the drop remains at rest, moves upward, or moves downward.
Give a reason for your answer. 2

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End of Question 33

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Question 34 (8 marks)

Beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experimental discoveries revolutionised
accepted understanding of the nature of matter. The work of Rutherford and Bohr, and later
Schrodinger gave us a better way to understand the structure of the atom.

Assess the contributions of Rutherford, Bohr and Schrodinger to our deeper understanding 8
of the atomic model.

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Question 34 continues on page 33

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Question 34 (continued)

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Question 35 (8 marks)

(a) Calculate the binding energy, in MeV, of a nucleus of 27

59
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 .

Given nuclear mass of 27

59
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 58.93320 u
proton mass = 1.00728 u
neutron mass = 1.00867 u 2

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(b) A nucleus of iron Fe-59 decays into a stable nucleus of cobalt Co-59. It decays by β−
emission followed by the emission of γ-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 the figure below.
The energies of the excited states are shown relative to the ground state. 2

Question 35 continues on page 35

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Question 35 (continued)

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

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(c) Following the production of excited states of 27

59
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 , γ-radiation of discrete 1
wavelengths is emitted.

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

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(d) Calculate the longest wavelength of the emitted γ-radiation. 3

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