Cambridge International A Level Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Answers to EOC questions

Chapter 32 b Electric potential energy
→ kinetic energy of electrons [1]
1 a Radiation that can cause ionisation of the air → internal energy on collision with anode [1]
(or of any other material it passes through). plus X-radiation [1]
[1]
It is likely to have sufficient energy to cause 9 a i Peaks are formed by excitation of an inner
damage to DNA and hence cell mutation. [1] electron in an atom to a higher level. [1]
Energy is given out when it drops back to
b X-ray shadow imaging, CAT scan [1] ground state. [1]
2 Minimum wavelength = hc ii Band is produced by many interactions, [1]
E [1]
6.63 × 10
–34
 × 3 × 10
8
–11 each absorbing different energies. [1]
= –19 = 6.2 × 10  m [1]
20 000 × 1.6 × 10 b i Low-energy X-rays are absorbed by flesh[1]
3 There is a large difference between the so do not contribute to the overall picture.
acoustic impedance of air and skin. [1]
Consequently, a very large percentage of the Filtering these rays reduces the patient’s
ultrasound is reflected. [1] overall exposure to radiation. [1]
The gel is used to match the impedances. [1] ii Aluminium absorbs these low-energy
I 2 X-rays.[1]
4 I r = (Z2 – Z1)2  [1]
0 (Z2 + Z1) c Use of 115 keV [1]
2
= (1.78 – 1.63)2 [1] E = hf leading to
(1.78 + 1.63) 3 –19

= 0.0019 = 0.19% [1] f = 115 × 10  × 1.6 × 10

–34

[1]
6.63 × 10
speed = 5200 = 0.0065 m = 2.78 × 1018 ≈ 2.8 × 1018 Hz [1]
5 Wavelength = frequency 800 000
[1] 10
a Any 5 points for [5] marks:
Optimum thickness is half this, i.e. The patient lies in a vertical ring of X-ray
3.25 × 10–3 m ≈ 3.3 × 10–3 m [1] detectors and the X-ray tube rotates around
the ring. [1]
6 The angular frequency (or velocity) of the The body part is split up into tiny cubes
precession of a proton’s magnetic axis called voxels. [1]
around the direction of the applied field. [1] A voxel is a unit of graphic information that
defines a point in three-dimensional space.
7 Large (relatively) exposure of patient to the [1]
ionising radiation with consequent risks [1] Slices through the body are viewed. [1]
Expensive, because sophisticated equipment The computer combines slices to build up a
is required [1] three-dimensional image of the patient. [1]
Images of ‘slices’ through the patient are
8 a
Diagram showing basic tube with cathode,
shown on the computer screen. [1]
anode (target) [1]
A traditional X-ray picture is formed by
Cathode, anode, vacuum labelled / referred
absorption.[1]
to elsewhere [1]
Denser materials absorb more than less
High potential (50 kV or more) between
dense materials, producing a shadow image.
anode and cathode [1]
[1]
Reference to material for anode / reference to
cooling of anode [1] b CAT gives a better contrast of soft tissues. [1]
Reference to acceleration of electrons across MRI gives better image of dense tissue such
the tube [1] as bone. [1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014

 Cambridge International A Level Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions

11
a i I = I0 e–μx[1]
iii Protons fall back to a lower energy state,[1]
= 4.0 × 105 × exp (–250 × 5 × 10–2)[1] emitting (RF) radiation as they do so. [1]
= 1.5 W [1] The different relaxation times (or words to
ii The long-wavelength / low-energy X-rays that effect) from different tissues enable a
are absorbed, [1] picture to be built up. [1]
which do not contribute to the overall
picture / are absorbed by soft tissue, [1]
reducing the overall exposure to radiation.
[1]
b Any 5 points for [5] marks:
X-rays are scattered as they pass through
the body.[1]
This scattering reduces the sharpness of
the image.[1]
An anti-scatter grid consists of plates that are
opaque to X-rays, [1]
which alternate with transparent material.[1]
The grid is placed between the patient and
the screen. [1]
Grid absorbs scattered X-rays. [1]

12

a Acoustic impedance of a material
= density × speed of sound in the material [1]
When ultrasound goes from one material to
another, some reflects. [1]
The proportion of the signal reflected is
determined by the acoustic impedance of the
two materials. [1]
3 3
b Z = rc = 1.04 × 10  × 1.58 × 10  J [1]
Z = 1.64 × 106 m2 s–1[1]
c i Some energy is reflected at the first
surface, so incident energy is lower at the
second surface. [1]
–6
ii Time between pulses = 3.5 × 10 × 10  s [1]
Distance of travel of pulse = vt
= 1.58 × 103 × 3.5 × 10 × 10–6 s [1]
Diameter of head = 12  × distance
= 2.76 × 10–2 ≈ 28 mm [1]

13

a The ratio of the Larmor frequency to the
applied magnetic field [1]
6 8 –1
b i ω0 = 2π × 48 × 10 = 3.01 × 10  rad s [1]
8
ω
γ = B 0 = 3.01 × 10
1.8 [1]
0

= 1.67 × 108 rad s–1 T–1[1]
ii The frequency of the RF signal is equal
to the natural frequency of the proton
precession,[1]
so the proton absorbs the energy. [1]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014