Answers to test yourself questions

Topic 1
1.1 Measurement in physics
10 −15 −23
  1 Taking the diameter of a proton to be order 10 −15 m we find 8 = 0.3 × 10 = 3 × 10 −24 ≈ 10 −24 s .
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

1017
  3 = 1060
10 −43

75 × 365 × 24 × 3600
  4 A heartbeat lasts or 1 s so ≈ 8 × 4 × 2 × 4 × 107 ≈ 2.6 × 109 ≈ 109.
1

1041
  5 = 1011
10 30
10 21
  6 ≈ 1010
1.5 × 1011
300 300
  7 There are 300 g of water in the glass and hence ≈ = 15 moles of water. Hence the number of molecules
18 20
is 15 × 6 × 10 23 = 90 × 10 23 ≈ 10 25.
6 × 104
  8 There are 6 × 104 g of water in the body and hence ≈ 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 .
4π −15 3 4 × 10
× (10 )
3

10 21
10 ≈ 0.3 × 1013 = 3 × 1012 s ≈ 105 yr
3 × 108
−19 −19
11 a E = 2.5 × 1.6 × 10 = 4.0 × 10 J
8.6 × 10 −18
b E = = 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 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
≈ 9 × 108 ≈ 109 kg m −3 .
4π
(6.4 × 106 )3
3
10 3 105
100 × 2
16 In SI units the acceleration is 3600 = 4 × 10 3 = 10 ≈ 6.25 m s −2 ≈ 0.7g .
4 4 16
17 Assuming a mass of 70 kg made out of water we have 7 × 104 g of water in the body and
7 × 104
hence ≈ 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.
Fe ke 2 9 × 109 × (1.6 × 10 −19 )2 9 × 109 × 3 × 10 −38 3 × 1044 1044
18 The ratio is = 2 = −11 −31 2 ≈ −11 −62 ≈ ≈ ≈ 5 × 1042.
Fg Gm 6.7 × 10 × (9.1 × 10 ) 7 × 10 × 81 × 10 63 20
−2
N kg m s
19 f = cm x k y . The units of m is kg i.e. M and those of k are = = kg s −2 = M T −2 . Hence
m m

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
k
Thus, f = c .
m
1.2 × 9.81 × 5.55
20 P = = 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
1 2
21 E K = × 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
22 a ≈ =5
43 50
b 2.80 × 1.90 ≈ 3 × 2 = 6
312 × 480 300 × 500
c ≈ = 1000
160 150
8.99 × 109 × 7 × 10 −16 × 7 × 10 −6 1010 × 50 × 10 −22
d ≈ ≈ 10 −16
(8 × 10 2 )2 60 × 104
6.6 × 10 −11 × 6 × 10 24 50 × 1013
e ≈ ≈ 10
(6.4 × 106 )2 40 × 1012

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 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

a 20 ∆Q ∆a ∆b 1 1
24 a Q0 = = = 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
∆Q ∆a 0.3
d Q0 = 1.00 × 10 2 ; = 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
e Q0 = 2 = 25; = 2× +2× = 2× +2× = 3.0 × 10 −1 ⇒ ∆Q = 25 × 3.0 × 10 −1 = 7.5 ≈ 8
20 Q0 a b 100 20
Hence Q = 25 ± 8
2.8 × 14 2
25 F0 = = 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
1
Hence F = (68.6 ± 20) N ≈ (7 ± 2) × 10 N
∆A ∆R 0.1
26 a A0 = π R 2 = 18.096 cm 2. =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 = 2π 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 .
∆ A ∆a ∆b 0.2 0.3
27 A0 = ab = 37.4 cm 2. = + = + = 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.

∆T 1 ∆L ∆T 1
28 = (assuming g is accurately known). Hence = × 2% = 1% .
T0 2 L0 T0 2
∆V ∆R ∆h
29 = 2× + = 2 × 4% + 4% = 12%
V0 R0 h0

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 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
80 m(slope): 209.0
b(Y-intercept): 5.000
correlation: 0.9976
Current / mA

60

40

20

0
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
80 m(slope): 169.0
b(Y-intercept): 10.00
correlation: 0.9998
Current / mA

60

40

20

0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Voltage / mV

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 (Ohm’s law). So a different functional form may have to be tried.)
100

auto fit for: data set: current / mA

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

50

0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Voltage / mV

4 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 1 physics for the IB Diploma © Cambridge University Press 2015
 P
32 Let P the common perimeter. Then the radius of the circle satisfies 2π R = P ⇒ R = and the side of the
2π
2
P  P  P2 P 2 P2
square 4a = P ⇒ a = . The circle area is then Ac = π   = . The square area is As =   = and is
4 2π 4π  4 16
smaller.
33 a The initial voltage V0 is such that lnV0 = 4 ⇒ V0 = e 4 = 55 V .

V0
b When V = ≈ 27 V , lnV = ln 27 ≈ 3.29 . From the graph when lnV ≈ 3.29 we find t ≈ 7 s .
2
t
c Since V = V0e − t /RC , taking logs, lnV = lnV0 − so a graph of lnV versus time gives a straight
RC
1 4−2
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 Ω .
RC 0.10 × C 0.10 × 5 × 10 −6
34 We expect L = kM α and so ln L = ln k + α ln M . A graph of ln L versus ln M is shown below. The slope is a.
lnL
10

0 lnM
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
–5

Drawing a best-fit line gives:

lnL 10

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

lnM

Measuring the slope gives α = 3.4 .

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 1.3 Vectors and scalars

35

 
36 a A + B:
length 9 cm
⇒ F  18 N
q  49°

A+B

A–B

B
A

 
b A − B: scale:
length 4.5 cm 1 cm ↔ 2 N

⇒ F  9 N
 Θ  14° below horizontal.

c A − 2B :
length 6.1 cm
⇒ F  12.2 N
Θ  50° below horizontal.

A – 2B

2B

6 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 Bx = 8.00 × cos 80° = 1.389

Ay = 12 × sin 30° = 6.00 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 11.799 2 + 13.878 2 = 18.2 and is directed at an angle

13.878
θ = arctan = 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
θ = 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
θ = arctan − = −52.0° (below) the horizontal.
7.612
4.0
38 a 4.0 2 + 4.0 2 = 5.66 cm in a direction θ = 180° + arctan = 225°.
4.0
2 2 158
b 124 + 158 = 201 km in a direction θ = arctan − = −52°.
124
c 0 2 + 5.0 2 = 5.0 m at θ = 270° or θ = −90°.

d 8.0 2 + 0 2 = 8.0 N at θ = 0°.

3.00
39 a 2.00 2 + 3.00 2 = 3.61 at θ = arctan = 56.3°
2.00
5.00
b 2.00 2 + 5.00 2 = 5.39 at θ = 180° − arctan = 112°
2.00
c 0 2 + 8.00 2 = 8.00 at θ = 90°
2.00
d 4.00 2 + 2.00 2 = 4.47 at θ = arctan − = −26.6°
4.00
1.00
e 6.00 2 + 1.00 2 = 6.08 at θ = arctan = 9.46°
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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 The magnitude of the change n the velocity vector is 10 2 + 10 2 = 14.1 m s −1. The vector makes an angle of 45°
with the horizontal as shown in the diagram.
42 A diagram is:
change

initial
final
30˚

1
The other two angles of the triangle are each (180° − 30°) = 75°. Using the sine rule we find
2
∆p p sin 30°
= ⇒ ∆p = p × = 0.518 p ≈ 0.52 p.
sin 30° sin 75° sin 75°
43 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.
44 A Ax = −10.0 cos 40° = −7.66 and Ay = −10.0 sin 40° = +6.43
B Ax = −10.0 cos 35° = −8.19 and Ay = −10.0 sin 35° = −5.74
C Ax = +10.0 cos 68° = +3.75 and Ay = −10.0 sin 68° = −9.27
D Ax = +10.0 cos(90° − 48°) = +7.43 and Ay = −10.0 sin(90° − 48°) = −6.69
E Ax= −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 10.4 units
C x = −( +3.0 − 3.0) = 0
and is directed along the negative y – axis.

B A
B

C
A

8 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 θ = 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
9.832 + 21.27 2 = 23.4 . Its direction is θ = arctan = 65.2°.
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 θ = arctan = 3.14°.
24.96

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