Answers to test yourself questions

Topic 1
1.1 Measurement in physics
1 Taking the diameter of a proton to be order 10 15 m we find

10 15
23
= 3 10 24 10 24 s .
8 = 0.3 10
3 10

2 The mass of the Earth is about 6 10 24 kg and the mass of a hydrogen atom about 2 10 27 kg so we need
6 10 24
= 3 1051 1051.
2 10 27
3

1017
= 1060
10 43

4 A heartbeat lasts or 1 s so

1041
= 1011
10 30

10 21
1010
1.5 1011

75 365 24 3600
8 4 2 4 107 2.6 109 109.
1

7 There are 300 g of water in the glass and hence

is 15 6 10 23 = 90 10 23 10 25.

300 300

= 15 moles of water. Hence the number of molecules

18
20

8 There are 6 104 g of water in the body and hence

6 104
0.3 104 = 3 10 3 moles of water. Hence the
18

number of molecules is 3 10 3 6 10 23 = 18 10 26 10 27 .
9 The mass is about 1.7 10 27 kg and the radius about 10 15 m so the density is
1.7 10 27
1.7 10 27
18
17
3

45 = 0.5 10 = 5 10 kg m .
4
15 3
4

10
(10 )
3
10

10 21
0.3 1013 = 3 1012 s 105 yr
3 108

19
19
J
11 a E = 2.5 1.6 10 = 4.0 10

b E =

8.6 10 18
= 54 eV
1.6 10 19

12 V = (2.8 10 2 )3 = 2.2 10 5 m 3
13 a = (588 10 9 )1/3 = 8.38 10 3 m

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

14 a 200 g
b 1 kg
c 400 g
15 The mass is about10 30 kg and the radius is 6.4 106 m so the density is of about
10 30

4
(6.4 106 )3
3

9 108 109 kg m 3 .

105
10 3
2
3600 = 4 10 3 = 10 6.25 m s 2 0.7g .
16 In SI units the acceleration is
4
16
4
17 Assuming a mass of 70 kg made out of water we have 7 104 g of water in the body and
100

7 104
0.5 104 = 5 10 3 moles of water. Hence the number of molecules is
18
5 10 3 6 10 23 = 30 10 26 3 10 27 . Each molecule contains 2 electrons from hydrogen and 8 from oxygen
for a total of 10 3 10 27 10 28 electrons.
hence

18 The ratio is

Fe
ke 2
9 109 (1.6 10 19 )2
9 109 3 10 38
3 1044 1044
=
=

5 1042.
11
31 2
11
62
2
Fg Gm
63
20
6.7 10 (9.1 10 )
7 10 81 10

19 f = cm x k y . The units of m is kg i.e. M and those of k are

T = M x (M T 2 )y = M x + y T 2 y .

From this we deduce that

x+y =0
1
1
2y = 1 y = x =
2
2

Thus, f = c

2
N kg m s
=
= kg s 2 = M T 2 . Hence
m
m

k
.
m

1.2 9.81 5.55

= 2.6667 101 W . The answer must be given to 2 s.f. and so
2.450
1.2 9.81 5.55
P=
= 2.7 101 W .
2.450

20 P =

21 E K =

1
2
5.00 12.52 = 3.9063 10 2 J . The answer must be given to 3 s.f. and so E K = 3.91 10 J .
2

243 250

=5
43
50
b 2.80 1.90 3 2 = 6
312 480 300 500
c

= 1000
160
150

22 a

8.99 109 7 10 16 7 10 6 1010 50 10 22

10 16
(8 10 2 )2
60 104

6.6 10 11 6 10 24 50 1013

10
(6.4 106 )2
40 1012

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

1.2 Uncertainties and errors

23 sum = (180 8) N = (1.8 0.8) 10 2 N

dif = (60 8) N = (6.0 0.8) 101 N

24 a Q0 =

a 20
Q a b
1
1
=
= 2;
=
+
=
+
= 0.15 Q = 2.0 0.15 = 0.30 . Hence Q = 2.0 0.3 .
b 10
Q0
a
b
20 10

b Q0 = 2 20 + 3 15 = 85; Q = 2 2 + 3 3 = 13. Hence Q = 85 13 (8.5 0.1) 101

c Q0 = 50 2 24 = 2; Q = 1 + 2 1 = 3. Hence Q = 2 3

d Q0 = 1.00 10 2 ;

Q
a
0.3
= 2
= 2
= 6.00 10 2 Q = 100 6.00 10 2 = 0.06 10 2.
Q0
a
10.0

Hence Q = 1.00 10 2 0.06 10 2 = (1.00 0.06) 10 2

100 2
Q
a
b
5
2
= 2
+2
= 2
+2
= 3.0 10 1 Q = 25 3.0 10 1 = 7.5 8
2 = 25;
20
Q0
a
b
100
20
Hence Q = 25 8

e Q0 =

2.8 14 2
= 68.6 N
8.0
F m
v r 0.1
2 0.2
=
+2
+
=
+2
+
= 0.3464 F = 68.6 0.3464 = 23.7 20 N.
F0
m
v
r
2.8
14 8.0

25 F0 =

1
Hence F = (68.6 20) N (7 2) 10 N

26 a A0 = R 2 = 18.096 cm 2.

A
R
0.1
=2
= 2
= 0.0833 A = 18.096 0.0833 = 1.51 2 cm 2 .
A0
R
2.4

2
2
Hence A = (18.096 2) cm (18 2) cm .
S R 0.1
b S0 = 2 R = 15.08 cm.
=
=
= 0.04167 S = 15.08 0.04167 = 0.628 cm 2.
S0
R
2.4
Hence S0 = (15.08 0.628) cm (15 1) cm .

27 A0 = ab = 37.4 cm 2.

A a b 0.2 0.3
=
+
=
+
= 0.080749 A = 37.4 0.080749 = 3.02 3 cm 2.
A0
a0 b0 4.4 8.5

2
2
Hence A = (37.4 3) cm (37 3) cm .

P0 = 2(a + b ) = 25.8 cm . P = 2 a + 2 b = 2 0.2 + 2 0.3 = 1.0 cm . Hence P = (25.8 1) cm (26 1) cm.

28

T 1 L
T 1
(assuming g is accurately known). Hence
=
= 2% = 1% .
T0
2 L0
T0
2

29

V
R h
= 2
+
= 2 4% + 4% = 12%
V0
R0 h0

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

30 The line of best-fit does not go through the origin. There is a vertical intercept of about 4 mA. Lines of maximum
and minimum slope give intercepts of about 0 and 9 mA implying an error in the intercept of about 4 mA. The
intercept is thus (4 4) mA . This just barely includes the origin so the conclusion has to be that they can be
proportional.
100
linear fit for: data set: current / mA
y = mx + b
m(slope): 209.0
b(Y-intercept): 5.000
correlation: 0.9976

Current / mA

80

60

40

20

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
x

31 The vertical intercept is about 10 mA. No straight line can be made to pass through the origin and the error bars
unless a systematic error of about 10 mA in the current is invoked.
100
linear fit for: data set: current / mA
y = mV + b
m(slope): 169.0
b(Y-intercept): 10.00
correlation: 0.9998

Current / mA

80

60

40

20

0.0

0.1

0.2
0.3
Voltage / mV

0.4

0.5

However, a line of best fit that is a curve can also be fitted through the data and that does go through the origin.
(However, it may be objected that this particular functional form is chosen at low voltages we might expect a
straight line (Ohms law). So a different functional form may have to be tried.)
100

Current / mA

auto fit for: data set: current / mA

y = AV^B
A: 158.4 + / 7.459
B: 0.7878 + / 0.03784
RMSE: 1.523

50

0.0

0.1

0.2
0.3
Voltage / mV

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

0.4

0.5

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

P
and the side of the
2
2
P2
P 2 P2
P
P
square 4a = P a = . The circle area is then Ac = =
. The square area is As = =
and is
4
2
4
4
16
smaller.

32 Let P the common perimeter. Then the radius of the circle satisfies 2 R = P R =

33 a The initial voltage V0 is such that lnV0 = 4 V0 = e 4 = 55 V .

V0
27 V , lnV = ln 27 3.29 . From the graph when lnV 3.29 we find t 7 s .
2
t
so a graph of lnV versus time gives a straight
c Since V = V0e t /RC , taking logs, lnV = lnV0
RC
1
42
line with slope equal to
. The slope of the given graph is approximately
= 0.10. Hence
RC
0 20
1
1
1

= 0.10 R =
=
= 2 106 .
RC
0.10 C 0.10 5 10 6
b When V =

34 We expect L = kM and so ln L = ln k + ln M . A graph of ln L versus ln M is shown below. The slope is a.

lnL
10
9
8
7
6
5
0

0.5

1.5

Drawing a best-fit line gives:

2.5

lnM

lnL 10
8
6
4
2

0.5

1.5

2.5

3
lnM

Measuring the slope gives = 3.4 .

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

1.3Vectors and scalars

35

36 a A + B:

length 9cm

F 18N

q 49

A+B

AB

B
A

b A B:

length 4.5cm

F 9N

14 below horizontal.

c A 2B :

length 6.1cm

F 12.2N

50 below horizontal.

scale:
1cm 2N

A 2B

2B

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

37 The components are:

Ax = 12 cos 30 = 10.39

Ay = 12 sin 30 = 6.00

Bx = 8.00 cos 80 = 1.389

Ay = 8.00 sin 80 = 7.878

Hence
a ( A + B )x = 10.39 + 1.389 = 11.799
( A + B )y = 6.00 + 7.878 = 13.878

The vector A + B has magnitude

= arctan

11.799 2 + 13.878 2 = 18.2 and is directed at an angle

13.878
= 49.6 to the horizontal.
11.799

b ( A B )x = 10.39 1.389 = 9.001

( A B )y = 6.00 7.878 = 1.878

The vector A B has magnitude 9.0012 + 1.878 2 = 9.19 and is directed at an angle
1.878
= arctan
= 11.8 (below) the horizontal.
9.001
c ( A 2B )x = 10.39 2 1.389 = 7.612

( A 2B )y = 6.00 2 7.878 = 9.756

The vector A 2B has magnitude 7.612 2 + 9.756 2 = 12.4 and is directed at an angle
9.756
= arctan
= 52.0 (below) the horizontal.
7.612
38 a

4.0 2 + 4.0 2 = 5.66 cm in a direction = 180 + arctan

2
2
b 124 + 158 = 201 km in a direction = arctan

0 2 + 5.0 2 = 5.0 m at = 270 or = 90.

8.0 2 + 0 2 = 8.0 N at = 0.

39 a

4.0
= 225.
4.0

158
= 52.
124

3.00
= 56.3
2.00
5.00
= 112
2.00 2 + 5.00 2 = 5.39 at = 180 arctan
2.00
2.00 2 + 3.00 2 = 3.61 at = arctan

0 2 + 8.00 2 = 8.00 at = 90

4.00 2 + 2.00 2 = 4.47 at = arctan

2.00
= 26.6
4.00
1.00
= 9.46
6.00 2 + 1.00 2 = 6.08 at = arctan
6.00

40 The displacement has components rx = 4 2 = 2 and ry = 8 2 = 6.

41 A diagram is:

change

initial

final

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ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

The magnitude of the change n the velocity vector is

with the horizontal as shown in the diagram.

10 2 + 10 2 = 14.1 m s 1. The vector makes an angle of 45

42 A diagram is:
change

initial

final
30

The other two angles of the triangle are each

p

43

sin 30

1
(180 30) = 75. Using the sine rule we find
2

p
sin 30
p = p
= 0.518 p 0.52 p.
sin 75
sin 75

The components of the velocity vector at the various points are:

A: v Ax = 4.0 m s 1 and v Ay = 0
B: vBx = +4.0 m s 1 and vBy = 0
C: vCx = 0 and vCy = 4.0 m s 1
Hence
a From A to B the change in the velocity vector has components vBx v Ax = +4.0 ( 4.0) = 8.0 m s 1 and
vBy v Ay = 0 0 = 0 .
b From B to C the change in the velocity vector has components vCx vBx = 0 4.0 = 4.0 m s 1 and
vCy vBy = 4.0 0 = 4.0 m s 1.
c From A to C the change in the velocity vector has components vCx v Ax = 0 ( 4.0) = +4.0 m s 1 and
vCy v Ay = 4.0 0 = 4.0 m s 1. The change in the vector from A to C is the sum of the change from A to B
plus the change from B to C.

= 10.0 cos 40 = 7.66 and Ay = 10.0 sin 40 = +6.43

= 10.0 cos 35 = 8.19 and Ay = 10.0 sin 35 = 5.74
= +10.0 cos 68 = +3.75 and Ay = 10.0 sin 68 = 9.27
= +10.0 cos(90 48) = +7.43 and Ay = 10.0 sin(90 48) = 6.69
= 10.0 cos(90 30) = 5.00 and Ay = 10.0 sin(90 30) = 8.66

45 The vector we want is C = ( A + B ) . The components of A and B are:
Ax = 6.0 cos 60 = +3.0 and Ay = 6.0 sin 60 = +5.20;

Bx = 6.0 cos 120 = 3.0 and Ay = 6.0 sin 120 = +5.20. Hence

and C y = ( +5.20 + 5.20) = 10.4 . The magnitude of the vector C therefore is 10.4units
C x = ( +3.0 3.0) = 0
and is directed along the negative y axis.
44

A Ax
B Ax
C Ax
D Ax
E Ax

C
C

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

46 a Ax = 12.0 cos 20 = +11.28 and Ay = 12.0 sin 20 = +4.10;

B = 14.0 cos 50 = +9.00 and Ay = 14.0 sin 50 = +10.72. Hence the sum has components:
 x
Sx = +11.28 + 9.00 = 20.28 and Sy = +4.10 + 10.72 = 14.82 . The magnitude of the sum is thus
14.82
20.28 2 + 14.82 2 = 25.1. Its direction is = arctan
= 36.2.
20.28
b Ax = 15.0 cos 15 = +14.49 and Ay = 15.0 sin 15 = +3.88;
B = 18.0 cos 105 = 4.66 and By = 18.0 sin 105 = +17.39. Hence the sum has components:
 x
Sx = 14.49 4.66 = 9.83 and Sy = +3.88 + 17.39 = 21.27. The magnitude of the sum is thus
21.27
= 65.2.
9.832 + 21.27 2 = 23.4 . Its direction is = arctan
9.83

c Ax = 20.0 cos 40 = +15.32 and Ay = 20.0 sin 40 = +12.86;

B = 15.0 cos 310 = +9.64 and By = 15.0 sin 310 = 11.49. Hence the sum has components:
 x
Sx = 15.32 + 9.64 = +24.96 and Sy = +12.86 11.49 = +1.37. The magnitude of the sum is thus
1.37
24.96 2 + 1.37 2 = 25.0. Its direction is = arctan
= 3.14.
24.96

physics for the IB Diploma Cambridge University Press 2015

ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1