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2020 HSC Physics
2020 HSC Physics
Physics
General • Reading time – 5 minutes
Instructions • Working time – 3 hours
• Write using black pen
• Draw diagrams using pencil
• Calculators approved by NESA may be used
• A data sheet, formulae sheet and Periodic Table are provided at
the back of this paper
1140
Section I
20 marks
Attempt Questions 1–20
Allow about 35 minutes for this section
1 The diagram shows a model used to explain the refraction of light passing from medium
X into medium Y.
Medium X
Medium Y
A. Malus
B. Planck
C. Newton
D. Huygens
2 Which of the following is NOT required for the operation of AC induction motors?
A. Brushes
B. Stator winding
C. Magnetic fields
D. Current applied to the rotor
– 2 –
3 What was the basis for Maxwell’s prediction of the velocity of electromagnetic waves?
Decay graph
450
400
350
Mass remaining (grams)
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Time (years)
A. 0.0030
B. 0.0069
C. 2.0
D. 100
– 3 –
What change to the initial velocity would make the ball’s time of flight shorter?
10
12
Visual magnitude
14
16
18
20
22
−0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
The stars plotted on this Hertzsprung–Russell diagram have approximately the same
A. age.
B. colour.
C. luminosity.
D. mass.
– 4 –
Voltage
Time
Which diagram represents the device that has the output shown?
A.
Solid iron core
AC
Output
supply
B. Axis of
rotation
N S
Rotation
Output
C. S
N
Rotation
Output
D. S
N
Rotation
Output
– 5 –
148
U
146
Number of neutrons
144
142
R
140
Q
138
136
134
87 88 89 90 91 92 93
Atomic number
Which row of the table correctly shows the decay process R and product Q?
Process R Product Q
A. a Pa-230
B. b Pa-234
C. a Th-230
D. b Th-234
– 6 –
10 An electron travelling in a straight line with an initial velocity, u, enters a region between
two charged plates in which there is an electric field causing it to travel along the path as
shown.
Charged plate
u
e–
Charged plate
A magnetic field is then applied causing a second electron with the same initial velocity
to pass through undeflected.
Which row of the table shows the directions of the electric and magnetic fields when the
second electron enters the region between the plates?
The mass of the reactants is 7.023787704 u and the mass of the products is 7.018652532 u.
– 7 –
12 In which of the following would the satellite have the greatest escape velocity from
Earth?
Earth Satellite
mass 1600 kg
4r
A.
Earth Satellite
mass 900 kg
3r
B.
Earth Satellite
mass 500 kg
2r
C.
Earth Satellite
mass 200 kg
r
D.
– 8 –
13 The graph shows the relationship between the frequency of light used to irradiate two
different metals, and the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted.
Metal X
Metal Y
Maximum
kinetic
energy
(arbitrary
unit)
0 Frequency
4 8 12 (× 1014 Hz)
Suppose that light having a frequency of 8 × 1014 Hz is used to irradiate both metals.
– 9 –
Wire X I
Wire Y I
F
The magnitude and direction of the force on wire Y are represented by the vector F.
The current in wire Y is then doubled and its direction is reversed. The current in wire X
remains unchanged.
Which vector arrow represents the force on wire X after the change to the current in wire
Y?
A. B.
C. D.
– 10 –
15 A rocket returns to Earth for reuse after launching satellites, using its engines to make a
controlled landing.
The rocket having a mass of 7800 kg is on approach to the ground, travelling horizontally
at 20 m s–1 as shown in the diagram, when the engine thrust is changed to 90 000 newtons.
20 m s–1
Which diagram shows the trajectory of the rocket following this change of thrust?
A. B.
Ground Ground
C. D.
Ground Ground
– 11 –
Control rods
Moderator
Fuel rods
When the reactor is operating normally, the moderator, control rods and coolant work in
combination to maintain a controlled nuclear reaction in the fuel rods.
The moderator is a liquid which slows down neutrons to increase the rate of fission. The
control rods absorb free neutrons. The coolant reduces the core temperature.
Which action would compensate for the effect of the loss of moderator?
– 12 –
0.95c
X
Sensor
Which statement about the light pulse is correct as observed by X or Y in their respective
frames of reference?
– 13 –
18 An observer sees Io complete one orbit of Jupiter as Earth moves from P1 to P2, and
records the observed orbital period as tP . Similarly, the time for one orbit of Io around
Jupiter was measured as Earth moved between the pairs of points at Q, R and S, with the
corresponding measured periods of Io being tQ , tR and tS .
Io
Jupiter
NOT TO
SCALE
P2 P1
Q S
Sun
R
Earth’s
orbit
A. tP
B. tQ
C. tR
D. tS
– 14 –
19 A conductor PQ is in a uniform magnetic field. The conductor rotates around the end P
at a constant angular velocity.
P Path of Q
B
Which graph shows the induced emf between P and Q as the conductor completes one
revolution from the position shown?
A. B.
C. D.
– 15 –
A ball is launched from the position shown with a velocity u towards north at an angle
to the horizontal.
North
The ball follows a trajectory around the wall before landing on the ground, opposite its
Assume that there is no friction between the ball and the wall.
Which statement correctly describes the net force acting on the ball during its motion?
– 16 –
Centre Number
Physics
Student Number
Section II Answer Booklet
80 marks
Attempt Questions 21–34
Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this section
Do NOT write in this area.
Instructions • Write your Centre Number and Student Number at the top of this
page.
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Office Use Only – Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line.
5638310365
1141 15330
Question 21 (5 marks)
(a) Calculate the wavelength of light emitted by an electron moving from energy 2
level 3 to 2 in a Bohr model hydrogen atom.
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(b) Describe the behaviour of electrons in the Bohr model of the atom with reference 3
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Question 22 (5 marks)
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(b) Outline TWO limitations of applying special relativity to the analysis of the 3
motion of the capsule.
Do NOT write in this area.
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1024310360
Question 23 (3 marks)
The graph shows data for a motor connected to a 240 V power supply. 3
200
100
0
0 1 2 3 4
Torque, t (Nm)
A circuit breaker cuts the current to the motor if the current exceeds 5 A.
Determine what will happen when the motor produces a torque of 2.95 Nm. Show
relevant calculations.
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5486310366
Question 24 (4 marks)
The graph shows the vertical displacement of a projectile throughout its trajectory.
4
The range of the projectile is 130 m.
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
Do NOT write in this area.
10
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time (s)
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7986310363
Question 25 (4 marks)
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0736310369
Question 26 (8 marks)
(a) Describe the difference between the spectra of the light produced by a gas 2
discharge tube and by an incandescent lamp.
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(b) The graph shows the curves predicted by two different models, X and Y, for the 2
electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object at a temperature of 5000 K.
1.4
Intensity (arbitrary units)
1.2
Do NOT write in this area.
1.0
0.8
0.6
Model X
0.4
0.2 Model Y
0.0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Wavelength (nm)
Identify an assumption of EACH model which determines the shape of its curve.
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6277310365
Question 26 (continued)
(c) The diagram shows the radiation curve for a black body radiator at a temperature 4
of 5000 K.
1.4
1.2
Intensity (arbitrary units)
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
Wavelength (nm)
On the same diagram, sketch a curve for a black body radiator at a temperature
of 4000 K and explain the differences between the curves.
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1032310369
Question 27 (4 marks)
The following apparatus is used to investigate light interference using a double slit. 4
A
B
S
y
S
d
Do NOT write in this area.
Laser light
source
The distance, y, from the slits to the screen can be varied. The adjustment screws (S)
vary the distance, d, between the slits. The wavelength of the laser light can be varied
across the visible spectrum. The diffraction pattern shown is for a specific wavelength
of light.
Explain TWO methods of keeping the distance between the maxima at A and B
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0136310363
Question 28 (7 marks)
A metal rod sits on a pair of parallel metal rails, 20 cm apart, that are connected by a
copper wire. The rails are at 30° to the horizontal.
Copper wire
Rails
Rod
30°
F
A force, F, is applied parallel to the rails to move the rod at a constant speed along the
rails. The rod is moved a distance of 30 cm in 2.5 s.
(a) Show that the change in magnetic flux through the circuit while the rod is 2
moving is approximately 5.2 × 10−2 Wb.
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7037310360
Question 28 (continued)
(b) Calculate the emf induced between the ends of the rod while it is moving, and 2
state the direction of flow of the current in the circuit.
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Explain why the force required to move the rod is different without the magnetic
field.
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2207310364
Question 29 (5 marks)
In an experiment, alpha particles were fired into a thin sheet of beryllium. Unknown
radiation was detected.
Beryllium
Alpha
particle Unknown
source radiation
Alpha particles
Further experiments were conducted in which it was observed that the unknown
radiation:
• was not deflected by an electric field
• caused protons to be ejected from a block of paraffin
• could not produce the photoelectric effect.
Scientists debated the nature of this unknown radiation, hypothesising that it was
gamma radiation.
(b) How did these experiments change the model of the atom? 2
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1619310360
Question 30 (7 marks)
(a) Explain, using an example, how a particle accelerator has provided evidence for 3
the Standard Model of matter.
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0585310361
Question 31 (6 marks)
Sun
×P
Account for the changes in velocity of the comet as it completes one orbit from
position P.
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6577310368
Question 32 (7 marks)
Motor
Pulley
Mass
Explain the factors that limit the speed at which the mass can be pulled along the
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4074310368
Question 33 (9 marks)
A strong magnet of mass 0.04 kg falls 0.78 m under the action of gravity from
9
position X above a hollow copper cylinder. It then travels a distance of 0.20 m through
the cylinder from Y to Z before falling freely again.
Copper
cylinder
The magnet takes 0.5 seconds to pass through the cylinder. The displacement–time
graph of the magnet is shown.
Falling magnet
0
–0.2
–0.4
Distance (m)
–0.6
–0.8
–1.0
–1.2
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Time (s)
Analyse the motion of the magnet by applying the law of conservation of energy.
Your analysis should refer to gravity and the copper cylinder, and include both
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0008310361
Question 34 (6 marks)
A charged particle, q1, is fired midway between oppositely charged plates X and Y, as
shown in Figure 1. The voltage between the plates is V volts.
The particle strikes plate Y at point P, a horizontal distance s from the edge of the
plate. Ignore the effect of gravity.
s
Y 2d
P
v v
d
q1 q2
X X
Figure 1 Figure 2
Plate Y is then moved to the position shown in Figure 2, with the voltage between the
An identical particle, q2, is fired into the electric field at the same velocity, entering
the field at the same distance from plate X as q1.
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8952310367
Question 34 (continued)
(b) Compare the horizontal distances travelled by q1 and q2 in the electric field. 3
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End of paper
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2306310364
Section II extra writing space
If you use this space, clearly indicate which question you are answering.
Office Use Only – Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line.
2770310369
2020 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
Physics
DATA SHEET
1142 – 1 –
FORMULAE SHEET
– 2 –
– 3 –
– 4 –