IBDP Physics 2.4 – Momentum and impulse: IB style Question Bank SL Paper 2

Question

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about momentum. Part 2 is about electric point charges.

Part 1 Momentum

Part 2 Electric point charges

a. State the law of conservation of linear momentum.

[2]
b.

A toy car crashes into a wall and rebounds at right angles to the wall, as shown in the plan view.

The graph shows the variation with time of the force acting on the car due to the wall during the collision.

The kinetic energy of the car is unchanged after the collision. The mass of the car is 0.80 kg.

(i) Determine the initial momentum of the car.

(ii) Estimate the average acceleration of the car before it rebounds.

(iii) On the axes, draw a graph to show how the momentum of the car varies during the impact. You are not required to give values on the y-axis.

[9]
c.

Two identical toy cars, A and B are dropped from the same height onto a solid floor without rebounding. Car A is unprotected whilst car B is in a box with protective packaging around the toy. Explain why car B is less likely to be damaged when dropped.

[4]
d.

Define electric field strength at a point in an electric field.

[2]
e.

Six point charges of equal magnitude Q are held at the corners of a hexagon with the signs of the charges as shown. Each side of the hexagon has a length a.

P is at the centre of the hexagon.

(i) Show, using Coulomb’s law, that the magnitude of the electric field strength at point P due to one of the point charges is

$\frac{{kQ}}{{{a^2}}}$

(ii) On the diagram, draw arrows to represent the direction of the field at P due to point charge A (label this direction A) and point charge B (label this direction B).

(iii) The magnitude of Q is 3.2 μC and length a is 0.15 m. Determine the magnitude and the direction of the electric field strength at point P due to all six charges.

[8]

Markscheme

a.total momentum does not change/is constant; } (do not allow “momentum is conserved”)
provided external force is zero / no external forces / isolated system;

b.

(i) clear attempt to calculate area under graph;
initial momentum is half change in momentum;
$$\left( {\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \times 24 \times 0.16} \right) = 0.96\left( {{\rm{kgm}}{{\rm{s}}^{ – 1}}} \right)$$
Award [2 max] for calculation of total change (1.92kg ms–1)

(ii) initial speed $$= \left( {\frac{{0.96}}{{0.8}} = } \right)1.2{\rm{m}}{{\rm{s}}^{ – 1}}$$;
$$a = \frac{{1.2 – \left( { – 1.2} \right)}}{{0.16}}$$ or $$a = \frac{{ – 1.2 – 1.2}}{{0.16}}$$;
–15(ms–2); (must see negative sign or a comment that this is a deceleration)

or
average force =12 N;
uses F=0.8×a ;
–15(ms–2); (must see negative sign or a comment that this is a deceleration)
Award [3] for a bald correct answer.
Other solution methods involving different kinematic equations are possible.

(iii) goes through t=0.08s and from negative momentum to positive / positive momentum to negative;
curve as shown;
Award marks for diagram as shown.

c.

impulse is the same/similar in both cases / momentum change is same;
impulse is force × time / force is rate of change of momentum;
time to come to rest is longer for car B;
force experienced by car B is less (so less likely to be damaged);

d.

electric force per unit charge;
acting on a small/point positive (test) charge;

e.

(i) states Coulomb’s law as $$\frac{{kQq}}{{{r^2}}}$$ or $$\frac{F}{q} = \frac{{kQ}}{{{r^2}}}$$
states explicitly q=1;
states r=a;

(ii)

arrow labelled A pointing to lower right charge;
arrow labelled B point to lower left charge;
Arrows can be anywhere on diagram.

(iii) overall force is due to +Q top left and -Q bottom right / top right and bottom left and centre charges all cancel; } (can be seen on diagram)
force is therefore $$\frac{{2kQ}}{{{a^2}}}$$;

2.6×106 (N C-1) ;
towards bottom right charge; (allow clear arrow on diagram showing direction)

Question

This question is about the use of energy resources.

Electrical energy is obtained from tidal energy at La Rance in France.

Water flows into a river basin from the sea for six hours and then flows from the basin back to the sea for another six hours. The water flows through turbines and generates energy during both flows.

The following data are available.

Area of river basin $$= 22{\text{ k}}{{\text{m}}^{\text{2}}}$$

Change in water level of basin over six hours $$= 6.0{\text{ m}}$$

Density of water $$= 1000{\text{ kg}}\,{{\text{m}}^{ – 3}}$$

Nuclear reactors are used to generate energy. In a particular nuclear reactor, neutrons collide elastically with carbon-12 nuclei $$\left( {_{\;{\text{6}}}^{{\text{12}}}{\text{C}}} \right)$$ that act as the moderator of the reactor. A neutron with an initial speed of $$9.8 \times {10^6}{\text{ m}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}$$ collides head-on with a stationary carbon-12 nucleus. Immediately after the collision the carbon-12 nucleus has a speed of $$1.5 \times {10^6}{\text{ m}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}$$.

a.

State the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

[1]
b.

(i) The basin empties over a six hour period. Show that about $$6000{\text{ }}{{\text{m}}^3}$$ of water flows through the turbines every second.

(ii) Show that the average power that the water can supply over the six hour period is about 0.2 GW.

(iii) La Rance tidal power station has an energy output of $$5.4 \times {10^8}{\text{ kW}}\,{\text{h}}$$ per year. Calculate the overall efficiency of the power station. Assume that the water can supply 0.2 GW at all times.

Energy resources such as La Rance tidal power station could replace the use of

fossil fuels. This may result in an increase in the average albedo of Earth.

(iv) State two reasons why the albedo of Earth must be given as an average value.

[10]
c.

(i) State the principle of conservation of momentum.

(ii) Show that the speed of the neutron immediately after the collision is about $$8.0 \times {10^6}{\text{ m}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}$$.

(iii) Show that the fractional change in energy of the neutron as a result of the collision

(iv) Estimate the minimum number of collisions required for the neutron to reduce its initial energy by a factor of $${10^6}$$.

(v) Outline why the reduction in energy is necessary for this type of reactor to function.

[10]

Markscheme

a. only non-renewable is depleted/cannot re-generate whereas renewable can / consumption rate of non-renewables is greater than formation rate and consumption rate of renewables is less than formation rate;

Do not allow “cannot be used again”.

b.

(i) volume released = $$(22 \times {10^6} \times 6 = ){\text{ }}1.32 \times {10^8}{\text{ (}}{{\text{m}}^3}{\text{)}}$$;

volume per second $$\frac{{1.32 \times {{10}^8}}}{{6 \times 3600}}{\text{ }}( = 6111{\text{ }}{{\text{m}}^3})$$;

(ii) use of average depth for calculation (3 m);

gpe lost $$6100 \times 1000 \times 9.81 \times 3$$;

0.18 (GW);

Accept g = 10 m$$\,$$s–2.

Award [1 max] if 6 m is used and an “average” is used at end of solution without mention of average depth.

(iii) converts/states output with units; } (allow values quoted from question without unit)

converts/states input with units; } (allow values quoted from question without unit)

calculates efficiency from $$\frac{{{\text{output}}}}{{{\text{input}}}}$$ as 0.31;

Award [3] for bald correct answer.

eg:

power output $$\frac{{5.4 \times {{10}^8}}}{{365 \times 24 \times 3600}}{\text{ }}\left( { = 17{\text{ kW}}\,{\text{h}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}} \right)$$;

$$= 17 \times 3600000 = 6.16 \times {10^7}{\text{ (W)}}$$;

efficiency = $$\left( {\frac{{6.16 \times {{10}^7}}}{{2.0 \times {{10}^8}}} = } \right){\text{ }}31\%$$$$\,\,\,$$or$$\,\,\,$$0.31;

or

0.2 GW is $$1.752 \times {10^9}{\text{ (kW}}\,{\text{h}}\,{\text{yea}}{{\text{r}}^{ – 1}}{\text{)}}$$;

$$\frac{{5.4 \times {{10}^8}}}{{1.752 \times {{10}^9}}}$$;

efficiency $$= 0.31$$;

(iv) cloud cover / weather conditions;

latitude;

time of year / season;

nature/colour of surface;

c.

(i) (total) momentum unchanged before and after collision / momentum of a system is constant; } (allow symbols if explained)

no external forces / isolated system / closed system;

Do not accept “conserved”.

(ii) final momentum of neutron $$= {\text{neutron mass}} \times 9.8 \times {10^6} – 1{\text{u}} \times 12 \times 1.5 \times {10^6}$$; } (allow any appropriate and consistent mass unit)

final speed of neutron $$= 8.0$$$$\,\,\,$$or$$\,\,\,$$$$8.2 \times {10^6}{\text{ (m}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}{\text{)}}$$;

$$\left( { \approx {\text{8.0}} \times {\text{1}}{{\text{0}}^6}{\text{ (m}}\,{{\text{s}}^{ – 1}}{\text{)}}} \right)$$

Allow use of 1 u for both masses giving an answer of 8.2 $$\times$$ 106 (m$$\,$$s–1).

(iii) initial energy of neutron $$= 8.04 \times {10^{ – 14}}{\text{ (J)}}$$ and final energy of neutron $$= 5.36 \times {10^{ – 14}}{\text{ (J)}}$$; } (both needed)

fractional change in energy $$= \left( {\frac{{(8.04 – 5.36)}}{{8.04}} = } \right){\text{ }}0.33$$;

or

fractional change $$= \left( {\frac{{\frac{1}{2}mv_{\text{i}}^2 – \frac{1}{2}mu_{\text{f}}^2}}{{\frac{1}{2}mv_{\text{i}}^2}}} \right)$$; }(allow any algebra that shows a subtraction of initial term from final term divided by initial value)

$$\left( { = \frac{{{{(9.8 \times {{10}^6})}^2} – {{(8.0 \times {{10}^6})}^2}}}{{{{(9.8 \times {{10}^6})}^2}}}} \right)$$ (allow omission of 106)

$$= 0.33$$; (allow 0.30 if 8.2 used)

Do not allow ECF if there is no subtraction of energies in first marking point.

(iv) $${(0.33)^n} = {10^{ – 6}}$$;

$$n = 13$$; (allow n = 12 if 0.3 is used)

(v) neutrons produced in fission have large energies;

greatest probability of (further) fission/absorption (when incident neutrons have thermal energy or low energy);

Do not accept “reaction” for “fission reaction”.

Examiners report

a. Many candidates continue to give weak responses to questions in which they are asked to compare renewable and non-renewable resources. Although the “it cannot be used again” answer has largely disappeared, many candidates still fail to appreciate that the issue is about the rate at which the resource can be replaced.

b.

(i) This was often well done, although occasional recourse was made to inappropriate physics (see bii). Candidates should note that in questions where the final answer is quoted (typically “Show that …..” questions) candidates are strongly advised to quote answers to one more significant figure than in the question.

(ii) The rare candidate who understood the physics here was able to give a clear account of the solution. Many failed to spot the factor of a half in the water level change and introduced a factor of two later and arbitrarily. Others completely misunderstood the (simple) nature of the problem and used a random equation from the data booklet (usually $$1/3\rho A{v^3}$$). This of course gained no marks. A simple initial diagram would have helped many to avoid errors.

(iii) As in question 1 there were far too many candidates who clearly do not understand and have not practised the problem of converting between energy units. Effective use of units would have made this an easy calculation. Explanations were few and candidates were clearly struggling with this aspect of energy.

(iv) Many candidates were able to give one coherent reason but two distinct answers were rare.

c.

(i) As is often the case with this question, candidates state that “momentum is conserved” and fail to explain what this means. There was much confusion with energy conservation rules.

(ii) Calculations of the final speed of the neutron were confused with little or no explanation of the equations. It was often not clear what mass values (if any) were being used in the solution.

(iii) There were few clear solutions to this problem. Some candidates did not appreciate the meaning of fractional energy change and others were still travelling along the momentum route from an earlier part, scoring few, if any, marks.

(iv) Candidates had evidently not considered the mechanical issues of moderation in their learning. There was little recognition that the change in fractional energy is 0.33$$n$$ where $$n$$ is the number of collisions. The most frequent answer was that the change is 0.33$$n$$.

(v) There was more clarity about the reasons for moderation but even so, answers were poorly expressed. Only a minority recognised that the probability of absorption is greatest at low neutron incident energy.

Question

Part 2 Momentum

b.

State the law of conservation of momentum.

[2]
c.

Far from any massive object, a space rocket is moving with constant velocity. The engines of the space rocket are turned on and it accelerates by burning fuel and ejecting gases. Discuss how the law of conservation of momentum relates to this situation.

[3]
d.

Jane and Joe are two ice skaters initially at rest on a horizontal skating rink. They are facing each other and Jane is holding a ball. Jane throws the ball to Joe who catches it. The speed at which the ball leaves Jane, measured relative to the ground, is 8.0 m s–1.
The following data are available.
Mass of Jane = 52 kg
Mass of Joe = 74 kg
Mass of ball = 1.3 kg

Use the data to calculate the

(i) speed v of Jane relative to the ground immediately after she throws the ball.

(ii) speed V of Joe relative to the ground immediately after he catches the ball.

[4]

Markscheme

b

if the net external force acting on a system is zero;
the momentum of the system remains constant/unchanged/the same;

or

for a closed system;
the momentum remains constant/unchanged/the same;
Award [1] for “momentum before collision equals momentum after collision”.
Do not accept “momentum is conserved”.

c.

identifies the system as rocket + exhaust gases / total momentum of rocket and gas is equal before and after; (it must be clear that this is the system, a mention of rocket and gases is not enough)

no external forces act on this system / closed system;

increase/change in momentum of the gases is equal and opposite to the increase/change of momentum of the rocket;

d.

(i) attempts to use conservation of momentum, eg 8.0×1.3=52×v;
v=0.20(ms-1);
Award [2] for a bald correct answer.

(ii) identifies new mass as 75.3(kg);
V=0.14(ms-1);

Examiners report

b

A common error re-emerged in this examination. If asked to state a law of conservation a candidate must not simply say that the “quantity is conserved”. This tells the examiner nothing (other than that the candidate has read the question) and will never attract marks. This is a simple examination skill that many candidates continue to fail to learn.

c.

Few were able to give adequate discussions of the how momentum conservation applies to one of the most common cases discussed in teaching at this level, that of a rocket in free space. There was no clear recognition that the system is closed or even what the system is or that the important factor is the change in momentum of the fuel and therefore the rocket. These are difficult ideas for candidates to grasp but examiners expected better attempts from the most able.

d.

(i) This was well done.

(ii) About one-third of candidates failed to recognise that the mass of Joe needs to have the mass of the ball added to it for a correct solution of the problem