PHYSICS UNIT 2 MUF0122

2/2015

FINAL EXAMINATION SOLUTIONS

© Monash College Pty Ltd, 2015

Level 3, 222 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior permission of the
Monash College Pty Ltd.
 Optics

1. An object (arrow) with a height of 3 cm is placed 10.0 cm in front of a converging lens of 20.0 cm
focal length as shown below. The position of focal points are marked in the diagram.

a. Carefully and as accurate as possible, locate the image by tracing at least two principal rays
that begin from point P (tip of the arrow).
(2 marks)

f f

1 mark for two correct rays 1 mark for showing extension of rays and
uprightness of image

b. From the following descriptions select one (or more) which are appropriate for the above
image.
(3 marks)

A. Real.
B. Virtual.
C. Inverted.
D. Upright.
E. Enlarged.
F. Diminished.
G. The same size as object.

B , D, E

c. Calculate the height of the image. Show your working.

(2 marks)

Page 2 of 24
2. A light ray travels from vacuum (nA = 1) to a medium such as glass (nG > 1).

a. From the following descriptions select one which is appropriate for the wavelength of the
light. Give appropriate reasoning to support your answer.
(2marks)

A. Increases.
B. Decreases.
C. Remains the same.

B
nA λA = nG λG nG > nA → λG < λA ([1mark]

b. From the following descriptions select one which is appropriate for the frequency of the light.
Give appropriate reasoning to support your answer.

A. Increases.
B. Decreases.
C. Remains the same.
(2 marks)

Frequency is a property of the source ([1mark]

Page 3 of 24
3. A ray of monochromatic yellow light (with wavelength of 660 nm in air) passes from air into a layer
of oil floating on the water surface as shown in the diagram below. The light then emerges from the
oil into the water below. The refractive indices for the yellow light are shown on the diagram.

45°
Air (n1 = 1.00)

Oil (n2 =?)

40°

Water (n3 = 1.33)

a. Calculate the value of n2, the absolute index of refraction for the oil. Show your working.
(2 marks)

sin 45
ni sin 45 = n2 sin 40 [1mark ] ⇒ n2 = 1× = 1.10[1mark ]
sin 40

b. Calculate the wavelength of the yellow light in water. Show your working.
(2 marks)

1
nW λW = n Aλ A ⇒ λW = × 660 = 495 nm 496 nm
1.33

Now consider when the direction of the light is reversed and the light passes from water into the layer of
oil.

c. Calculate the maximum angle of incidence, for which the ray of light can emerge into the oil.
Show your working.
(3 marks)

Maximum angle from high n to low n is critical angle [1 mark], so then ϑoil = 90° [1 mark]

1.10
𝑛𝑛𝑤𝑤 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝜃𝜃𝑐𝑐 = 𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠90° → 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝜃𝜃𝑐𝑐 = × 1 → 𝜃𝜃𝑐𝑐 = 55.8° [1 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚]
1.33

[consequential on Q 3 part a]

End of Optics

Page 4 of 24
 Waves

4. Rank from highest to lowest the following waves which show displacement versus time in the same
medium in terms of:

A B

C D

a. Frequency.
(2 marks)
B, D, C, A

b. Wavelength.
(2 marks)
A, C, D, B

c. Which of the following units is equivalent to meter per second?

(2 marks)
A. Hz. s
B. Hz. m
C. S Hz-1
D. m Hz-1

Page 5 of 24
5.
a. The following diagrams for 1 and 2 show individual transverse waves.

If waves 1 and 2 are superposed, which one of the following A to D best represents the
resultant wave?
(1 mark)

A.

B.

C.

D.

Page 6 of 24
b. From the following descriptions select one which is appropriate for the two waves shown
below.
(1 mark)

A. Out of phase by 180°.

B. Out of phase by 90°.
C. Out of phase by 45°.
D. In phase.

c. The diagram below shows the intensity graph of a double-slit experiment as a function of
distance from the centre.

Intensity

Distance from centre

Indicated position

From the following descriptions which one best describes the path difference that waves from the
two slits should have in order to give a minimum at the indicated position. Give an appropriate
reason to support your answer.
(2 marks)

A. Half a wavelength.
B. One wavelength.
C. Three wavelengths.
D. More than three wavelengths.

For minimum: P.d = (m +1/2)λ, m=3, p.d = 3.5λ

Page 7 of 24
6. A stationary research ship uses sonar to send a 1.18 × 10 3 Hz sound waves down through the ocean
water. The reflected sound wave from the flat ocean bottom 324 m directly below the ship is
detected 0.425 s after it was sent from the ship.

a. Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave in the water. Show your working.
(2 marks)
2 × 324 V 1525
V= = 1525 m / s[1mark ], λ = = = 1.29 m[1mark ]
0.425 f 1180
b. Determine the period of the sound wave in the water. Show your working.
(2 marks)
1 1
T= = = 8.47 ×10 − 4 s
f 1180

7. The diagram below compares two long pipes each of length 4m. PIPE ONE is open at both ends,
whilst PIPE TWO is open at one end and closed at the other. In the following the speed of sound in
air is 344ms−1.

PIPE ONE PIPE TWO Open at one

Open at both ends end closed at other

4.0 m 4.0 m

a. In the diagram above draw the pressure variation graph of the fundamental harmonic for
PIPE ONE.
(1mark)

b. In the diagram above draw the displacement variation graph of the fundamental harmonic
for PIPE TWO.
(1 mark)

c. Which of PIPE ONE or PIPE TWO produces the lowest frequency? Give appropriate
reasoning to support your answer.
(2 marks)

Lowest frequency → Largest wavelength, λ1 = 2×4 =8 m, λ2 =

4×4=16m, PIPE TWO produces lowest frequency.

d. Calculate the frequency of the next harmonic above the fundamental for PIPE TWO.
(2 marks)

4 4× 4 V 344
λ= L= = 5.33 m[1mark ], f = = = 64.5 Hz[1mark ]
3 3 λ 5.33

Page 8 of 24
 8. Noise from trains can be a problem for nearby residents, in this problem we model the passing train
as a point source. The sound intensity 2.0 m from a passing train is 3.5 × 10-3 W m-2.

a. Calculate the sound intensity level 2.0 m from the passing train. Include the appropriate unit
to your answer.
(2 marks)
3.5 ×10 −3
β = 10 log = 95.4 dB
10 −12
b. Calculate the sound intensity due to the train at a distance 10.0 m from it. Assume that sound
radiates uniformly in all directions. Show your working including the unit.
(2 marks)
2
I10  R2 
=  ⇒ I10 = 3.5 ×10 −3 × 0.04 = 1.4 ×10 − 4 Wm − 2
I 2  R10 

9. In an idealized experiment, two loudspeakers S1 and S2 are separated by a distance of 3.64 m and
are connected to the same audio oscillator. Each speaker emits a pure sinusoidal sound wave at
frequency f and the two waves are in phase. Chris stands on the centre line at position O between the
speakers a distance 5.55 m from the centre of the speakers as shown in the diagram. The speed of
sound in air v = 344 m.s-1 and the loudspeakers are assumed to be point sources.

Q
S1
S1
X1
1.82 m 1.82
P P
0.43m 0.43
5.55
O O
1.82 X2
1.82 m

5.55 m S2
S2

Chris standing at O hears a loud sound. As she moves perpendicular to the centre line towards the point Q,
she stops at the point P, a distance of 0.43 m from O, where the sound first becomes very faint. Calculate
the frequency of the pure tone emitted by the speakers. Show your working.
(4 marks)

X 1 = (1.82 − 0.43) 2 + 5.552 = 5.72 [1mark ], X 2 = (1.82 + 0.43) 2 + 5.552 = 5.5.99[1mark]

98[1mark ]
λ V 344
At P 1st destructive int erference ∴ X 2 − X 1 = [1mark ], f = = = 654 Hz[1mark ]
Alternatively:
2 λ 2( X 2 − X 1 ) 637Hz[1mark]
if instead use Δx = lλ/d [1mark] = (5.55/3.64)λ, where Δx = 0.86 [1 mark]; f = v/ λ[1mark] = 610 Hz[1mark]
Difference because of “questionable” approximation made for long distance of 5.55 >> 0.86

End of waves

Page 9 of 24
 Electricity & Magnetism

10.

a. Two charged balls are repelling each other as they hang from the ceiling, as shown below.
From the following descriptions select one which best represents their charges.
(1 mark)

A. One is positive, the other is negative.

B. Both are positive.
C. Both are negative.
D. Either both are positive or both are negative.

b. A proton and an electron are held apart a distance of 1 m and then released. As they
approach each other, what happens to the force between them?
(1 mark)

A. It gets bigger.
B. It gets smaller.
C. It stays the same.

A
p e

c. Which particle feels the larger force at any moment of time?

(1 mark)

Neither, both feel the same amount of force

Page 10 of 24
11. Figures 1 and 2 below show two separate pairs of charged objects, (A, B) and (A, C).

A B

+q d +2q

Figure 1

A C
+q d +q
Figure 2

a. Would B or C experience the greater electric field due to the object A, or would they both
experience the same?
(1 mark)

Both would experience the same electric field.

b. Would B or C experience the greater electric force due to the object A, or would they both
experience the same?
(1mark)

Object B would experience greater electric force.

c. A proton and an electron start from rest in a constant electric field created by two oppositely
charged plates. The proton is released from the positive plate and electron from the negative
plate. Which of the following best represents their kinetic energy when they reach the
opposite plates. Support your answer with appropriate reasoning.
(2 marks)
A. Proton has more kinetic energy than electron.
B. Electron has more kinetic energy than proton.
C. Both acquire the same kinetic energy.
D. They both acquire the same kinetic energy but with opposite signs.

They both have the same initial electric potential energy Since PE=qV, q in magnitude
is the same for both, by conservation of energy they both would have the same kinetic
energy.
Page 11 of 24
12. Two space heaters in your living room are operated at 240 V. Heater 1, has twice the resistance of
heater 2.

a. Which one has the greater power?

(1mark)
2 2
V V
P1 = , P2 = ∴ P2 > P1
2R R

b. Which one carries the greater current?

(1mark)

P
I= , ⇒ I 2 > I1
V

13. Carefully state the Kirchhoff’s first and second rules and clearly state on what principle of physics
they are based.
(4 marks)

Junction rule: at any junction point, the sum of all currents entering the junction must equal the sum of
all current leaving the junction [1mark]. It is based on conservation of charge.[1mark]

Loop rule: The sum of the changes in potentials around any closed path of a circuit must be zero
[1mark]. This is based on conservation of energy [1mark]

End of Electricity (R,C,A)

Page 12 of 24
14.
a. A positive charge q enters a uniform magnetic field as shown in the figure below.

Which of the following best represents the direction of magnetic force on the positive charge?
(1mark)
B
A. Out of the page.
B. Into the page.
C.
D.
To the right.
To the left.
v
B

b. A horizontal wire carries a current I and is in a downward vertical magnetic field B as shown
in the figure below. The direction of the magnetic force on the wire is into the page.
What is the direction of the current I in the wire?
(1mark)

From left to the right

F
B
c. A loop is initially at rest in between the poles of a magnet as shown in the figure below. A
current is switched on and flows around the loop in the direction shown. Which of the
following best represents what happens to the loop?
(1mark)

A. Moves up.
B. Moves down.

N S
C. Rotates clockwise.
D. Rotates anticlockwise.

Page 13 of 24
Question 14 continued.

d. Wire 1 of length L forms a one-turn loop with cross sectional area A and Wire 2 of length 2L
forms a two-turn loop each with cross sectional area A. A bar magnet is dropped through the
one-turn loop and subsequently through the two-turn loop, as shown in the figure below.
Which of the following best describes the magnitude of the maximum induced currents in
these two cases. Give appropriate reasoning to support your answer.
(3 marks)

A. I1 > I2.
B. I2 > I1.
C. I1 = I2 ≠ 0. S S
D. I1 = I2 = 0.

C N N

1 2

∆φ
ε = −N , N 2 = 2 N1 ⇒ ε 2 = 2ε 1 [1mark ],
∆t
ε L i ε 2R
i = , R = ρ ⇒ R2 = 2 R1[1mark ], 1 = 1 × 1 = 1[1mark ]
R A i2 R1 2ε 1

Page 14 of 24
15. Which of the following best represents the voltage across the lightbulb?
(2 marks)
A. 60 V.
B. 120 V.
C. 240 V.
D. 480 V.

C
240 V

16. Corner A of a square with side 52.5 cm is occupied by a +45.0 μC charge and corners B, C and D
are occupied by -27.0 μC charges as shown in the figure below.

B: Q2 C: Q2 = - 27.0 μ C

d =52.5 cm

A: Q1 = + 45.0 μ C D: Q2

a. What is the contribution to the magnitude of the electric field at the centre of the square from the
two charges at B and D? Explain your reasoning.
(2 marks)
Zero
As B and D are equidistant but in opposite directions from the centre, and with the same charge, the
contributions balance out.

b. Calculate the magnitude of electric field at the centre of the square. Show your working.
(2 marks)

Q1 + Q2 (45.0 + 27.0) ×10−6

E = E1 + E2 = k [1mark ] = (8.988 × 10 9
) ×
d2 (0.525) 2
2 2
= 4.70 ×106 N / C[1mark ]

Page 15 of 24
17. A toaster is rated at 1200 W and designed for use with 240 V circuits.
a. Find the resistance of the toaster. Show your working.
(2 marks)
I = P/ V= 1 200/ 2 40 = 5 A, [1mark]
R =V / I= 240/5= 48 Ω [1mark]

b. If it takes 3 minutes to properly make toast, how much energy does it then require?
Show your working.
(1 mark)
3
Energy = P x time = 1.2× 10 x 3 x 60 = 216 kJ. [1 Mark]

18. A particle with a charge of +8 nC is in a uniform electric field E directed to the left. It is released
from rest and moves to the left. After it has moved 3 cm, its kinetic energy is found to be 5.0×10-6J
a. Calculate the potential difference between the starting point and the endpoint (3 cm away).
Show your working.
(1 mark)

W (= KE ) 5.0 ×10 −6
∆V = [1mark ] = = 625 V [1mark ]
q 8 ×10 −9

b. Calculate the magnitude of the electric field.

(1mark)
∆V 625
E= = = 20833 N / C
d 0.03 = 21 × 103 V/m

Page 16 of 24
19. Janelle sets up the circuit shown below. The circuit consists of a 10 V battery and two resistors,
R1 = 40 Ω and R2 = 30 Ω. The battery has negligible internal resistance.
A

V= 10 V

a. Calculate the potential difference across R2.

(2 marks)
V R2
V = ( R1 + R2 )i, V = R2i [1mark ] ⇒ 2 = ⇒ V2 = 4.3 V [1mark ]
V R1 + R2

Janelle now adds a third resistor, R3 = 20 Ω, to the circuit as shown below.

b. Calculate the current through the ammeter A now.

(2 marks)
R1 × R3 A
V =( + R2 )i[1mark ],
R1 + R3
10
i= = 0.23 A[1mark ] V= 10 V
43.3

Page 17 of 24
20. A single horizontal loop of insulated wire of negligible resistance, is situated in a vertically
downward uniform magnetic field provided by an electromagnet, as shown in the figure below. The
area of the coil is 5.0×10-3 m2, and the field strength is 0.25 Tesla.

a. Calculate the magnetic flux through the coil.

(1 mark)

Φ = BA = 0.25 × 5.0 ×10 −3 = 1.25 ×10 −3 Wb

Suppose that the field provided by the magnet drops from 0.25 Tesla to zero over a period of 15 s
following the parabolic shape shown in the diagram.
Magnetic field [T]
0.25

Time [s]

15

b. During the time from zero to 15s. (Give appropriate reasoning for your answers.)
i. When would the emf be a maximum?
(1 mark)
t = 15s; gradient a maximum
ii. When would the emf be a minimum?
(1 mark)
t = 0s; gradient a minimum

c. Calculate the average e.m.f. measured across the ends of the coil during the time that the
magnetic field is changing from zero to 15s.
(1mark)
∆Φ 0 − 1.25 ×10 −3
ε =− =− = 8.3 ×10 −5 V
∆t 15

Page 18 of 24
21. Judy is doing some experiments involving electromagnetic induction. She sets up a rectangular loop
of wire ABCD in a magnetic field of strength 0.6 T as shown in the figure below. The length of side
AB is 10 cm and the length of BC is 8 cm.
C D

B A
-1
Judy now moves the loop to the right at a constant speed of 2.0 m S as shown below. In doing so
she removes the loop out of the magnetic field.

a. Calculate the voltage induced when the loop is moved out to the right at a speed of 2.0 m s-1.
(2 marks)

∆Φ = 0 − 0.6 × (0.10 × 0.08) = −4.8 ×10 −3 , C D

0.10
∆t = = 0.05s, [1mark ] 2.0 m s-1
2.0
− 4.8 ×10 −3
ε =− = 0.096 V [1mark ]
0.05

B A

b. Now consider the loop is placed back completely into the field again, as shown in the
diagram. Judy then rotates the loop about the dotted line as shown below, at the frequency of
10 Hz. Calculate the magnitude of the average voltage generated when the loop is rotated by
180° starting from the position shown.

C D

B A
(3 marks)

1 1 1
∆t = × = 0.5 × = 0.05 s[1mark ],
2 f 10
∆Φ = Φ f − Φ i = −4.8 × 10 −3 − (+4.8 ×10 −3 ) = −9.6 ×10 −3 Wb[1mark ],

− 9.6 × 10 −3
ε =− = 0.19 V [1mark ]
0.05

Page 19 of 24
 22. At an electrical power station a generator generates 1100 MW of power at 11 KV. It is stepped up
using transformer T1 to 550 KV for transmission through transmission wires that have a total
resistance of 5.0 Ω. It is then stepped down using transformerT2 to 55 KV at the substation. Figure
below shows this in a schematic diagram. Assume the transformers are ideal.

Transmission
Generator T1 T2 Substation
wires

Rtotal = 5.0 Ω

550 KV 55 KV
1100 MW at 11KV

a. Calculate the current I in the primary windings of transformer T1.

(1mark)
1100 ×10 6
P = VI ⇒ I = = 1.0 ×105 A
11×10 3

b. Calculate the current I in the secondary windings of transformer T1.

(1mark)

VP I S 11 × 103
= ⇒ I S = (1.0 × 105 ) = 2000 A
VS I P 550 × 103

c. Calculate the total electrical power loss in the transmission wires when the electricity is
transmitted at 550 KV.
(1mark)

P = I S ×R = (2000) 2 × 5.0 = 2.0 ×107 W

2

End of Electricity and Magnetism

Page 20 of 24
 Modern Physics

23.
a. When a neutron is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number of the nucleus
(2 marks)
A. Increases by 1.
B. Decreases by 1.
C. Does not change.
D. none of the given answers

b. What happens to the half-life of a radioactive substance as it decays?

(2 marks)
A. It remains constant.
B. It increases.
C. It decreases.
D. It could do any of these.

c. A radioactive substance decays and the emitted particles (α, β, γ) pass through a uniform
magnetic field pointing out of the page as shown in the figure below. Select the particles
which would be bending in directions 1 and 3.

(2 marks)
Direction 1: β

Direction 3: α
B field

Source
In a sample you have 16 μg of 38Sr90 , which has a half-life of 29 years.

d. How much 38Sr90would remain in the sample after 87 years.

Give appropriate reasoning to support your answer.
(2 marks)

2 μg
After one Half-life (29 years) → 8 μg,
After two Half-life (58 years) → 4 μg,
After three Half-life (87 years) → 2 μg

Page 21 of 24
24. Monochromatic ultraviolet light is incident on a platinum surface, from which electrons are ejected.
The graph below shows the maximum kinetic energy of individual electrons for light of various
frequencies.

Kmax(×10-19 J)

12

10

2
0
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
Frequency (×1015 Hz)
-2

-4

-6

-8

-10

a. Select from the following descriptions one which is appropriate for the best estimate of the
gradient of the above graph.
(2 marks)

A. The charge on the electron.

B. The charge/mass ratio of the electron.
C. Planck’s constant.
D. The work function for platinum.

b. Calculate the minimum photon energy required to remove a single electron from a platinum
surface. Show your working.
(2 marks)

E = h f C [1mark ] = 6.63 ×10 −34 ×1.5 ×1015 = 9.9 ×10 −19 J [1mark ]

Or read directly from intercept with y axis 10 x 10-19 J

c. If another metal had been used instead of platinum, one would expect that
(2 marks)

A. The gradient of the graph and the minimum photon energy would both be different.
B. The gradient of the graph would be different, the minimum photon energy would be the same.
C. The gradient of the graph would be the same, the minimum photon energy would be different.
D. The gradient of the graph and the minimum photon energy would both be the same.

Page 22 of 24
 d. An electron is ejected from the surface of platinum with a kinetic energy of 2.15 eV. Assume
all the energy has come from an incident photon. Calculate the wavelength of that incident
photon. Show your working.
(3 marks)

K = hf − W , hf (energy of photon) = K + W = 2.15 + W [1mark ],

−19 10 −18
W = 10 ×10 J = = 6.25 eV ⇒ hf = E = 2.15 + 6.25 = 8.40 eV [1mark ],
1.6 ×10 −19
hC 4.14 ×10 −15 × 3.00 ×108
E= ⇒λ = = 1.48 ×10 −7 m[1mark ]
λ 8.40

25. The maximum kinetic energy of electrons emitted in the photoelectric effect can be determined by
measuring the potential difference required to stop them. In an experiment, the potential difference
at which the number of electrons reaching the plate drops to zero is 11.3 V.

a. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons in joules.

(2 marks)

K max = qV [1mark ] = 1.6 ×10 −19 ×11.3 = 1.8 ×10 −18 J [1mark ]

b. Which of the following (one or more) would change the stopping potential?
(2 marks)
A. A different metal used.
B. Higher intensity light.
C. Longer wavelength light.
D. A smaller separation between the cathode and the plate.

A,C

26. In an electron microscope, electrons are accelerated from rest across an unknown potential
difference. The de Bröglie wavelength of these electrons are measured to be 1.2 × 10-11 m.

a. Calculate the kinetic energy of these electrons in joules. Show your working.
(3 marks)

h 1 P2
λ = , E = mV = 2
[1mark ] ⇒ P = 2mE , ⇒
P 2 2m
h2 (6.63 × 10− 34 ) 2
E= [1mark ] = = 1.67 × 10−15 J [1mark ]
2mλ 2 − 31
2 × 9.11 × 10 × (1.2 × 10 )−11 2

b. Calculate the unknown potential difference in volts. Show your working.

(2 marks)

[consequential on Q 26a]

Page 23 of 24
27. Two antiparticles, a tau particle and an antitau particle of equal mass, both moving very slowly,
annihilate each other producing two photons, each of energy 1.773 GeV and no other particle.
Calculate the rest mass of a single tau particle in units of kg.
(2 marks)

E 1.773 × 109 × 1.6 × 10−19

m0 = [1mark ] = = 3.2 × 10− 27 kg[1mark ]
c 2
(3 × 10 )
8 2

Page 24 of 24