HSC 1995 - Q.

33

QUESTION 33.

(d) The diagram below shows a diffraction grating and a light-intensity pattern. The 4
incident light has a wavelength of 590 nm.

0·5 m

40 mm
monochromatic
light
( λ = 590 nm) 20 mm
d

0 mm

20 mm

40 mm

diffraction graph of
grating light intensity

(i) Determine d, the spacing of the gaps in the diffraction grating.

(ii) Calculate the distance between two adjacent maxima if the wavelength of
the incident light is increased to 633 nm.
 HSC 2006 - Q. 26

2006 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Marks
Question 26 (4 marks)

Beginning in the late 19th century, observations and experiments on black body 4
radiation and the photoelectric effect led physicists to revise their existing model of
light.

Use the above as an example to explain how scientists test and validate models.
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437 – 27 –
 HSC 2019 - Q. 25

Question 25 (4 marks)

The diagram shows a model of electromagnetic waves. 4

E
Propagation
Oscillating direction
charge v
B

Relate this model to predictions made by Maxwell.

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7986310363
 HSC 2003 - Q. 26

Marks
Question 26 (6 marks)

Describe Einstein’s contributions to Special Relativity and to Quantum Theory and 6

how these contributions changed the direction of scientific thinking in the Twentieth
Century.
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– 27 –
 HSC 2008 - Q. 24

2008 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I (continued)

Student Number

Marks
Question 24 (6 marks)

How did Einstein’s theory of special relativity and his explanation of the photoelectric 6
effect lead to the reconceptualisation of the model of light?

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436b – 17 –
 HSC 2003 - Q. 25

Marks
Question 25 (5 marks)

A physics student was conducting an investigation on the photoelectric effect. The

student used an infrared laser with a wavelength of 1.55 × 10−6 m for this investigation.

(a) Calculate the energy of a photon from this laser. 2

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(b) When the laser light was shone onto a photo-cell, no current was detected. The 3
student increased the intensity of the light but still detected no current.

Explain this observation.

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– 26 –
 HSC 2005 - Q. 25

Question 25 (6 marks)

A student conducts an experiment using a photoelectric cell as shown in the diagram.

Grid Metal surface

Light enters

Vacuum tube

100 V
µA

Light is shone through a grid onto a metal surface. The metal is at earth potential and the grid
is at 100 V, so that any electrons emitted from the surface produce a current in the external
circuit.

The student shines light sources of different photon energies onto the metal surface and records
the current flowing for each. The light sources are adjusted so that their intensities are equal.
The results are recorded in the table and shown on the graph.

Photon energy (eV) Photo-current (µA)

0.50 0
0.90 0
1.20 0.5
1.70 2.8
1.75 4.0
1.90 8.0
2.20 9.2
2.50 9.4

Question 25 continues on page 23

– 22 –
 Marks
Question 25 (continued)

10
Photo-current (µA)

0
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Photon energy (eV)

(a) On the grid provided, draw the straight line of best fit in the region where the 1
photo-current varies greatest with photon energy.

(b) From the line drawn on your graph, estimate the minimum energy (work 1
function) for photoelectric emission.

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(c) The experiment is repeated, but the intensities of the light sources are doubled. 2
Predict the results of this new experiment by drawing a second line on the graph.

(d) Justify the line you have drawn in part (c). 2

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End of Question 25

– 23 –
 HSC 2009 - Q. 27

2009 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 27 (7 marks)

In an experiment to investigate the photoelectric effect, light is shone onto a silver

surface and the resulting maximum electron kinetic energy is measured and recorded.

Light wavelength (nm) Electron kinetic energy (eV)

250 0.25
215 1.08
187 1.90
167 2.73
150 3.56

(a) Determine the frequency of the highest energy photons used in the experiment. 2

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(b) What effect would changing the intensity of the light have on the measured 1
electron kinetic energy?

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Question 27 continues on page 22

437 – 21 –
 HSC 2010 - Q. 31

Question 31 (5 marks)

(a) What is the energy of a photon having a wavelength of 1000 nm? 2

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(b) Explain why light having a wavelength longer than a certain value does not 3
produce an electric current in a photocell.

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– 24 –
© Board of Studies NSW 2010
 HSC 2011 - Q. 29

2011 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 29 (5 marks)

(a) Calculate the number of photons, λ = 450 nm, which are required to transfer 3
1.0 × 10−3 J of energy.

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(b) A 1 W beam of light transfers 1 J per second from one point to another. 2

With reference to the particle model of light, contrast a 1 W beam of red light
and a 1 W beam of blue light.
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3435 – 21 –
 HSC 2017 - Q. 21

Question 21 (5 marks)

A laser emits light of wavelength 550 nm.

(a) Calculate the frequency of this light. 2

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(b) The electrons in a specific metal must absorb a minimum of 5 × 10–19 J in order 3
to be ejected from its surface.

Explain why electrons will not be ejected from this metal when photons of
wavelength 550 nm strike its surface. Support your answer with relevant
calculations.

Do NOT write in this area.

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0730310295
 HSC 2019 - Q. 23

Question 23 (3 marks)

A student investigated the photoelectric effect. The frequency of light incident on 3

a metal surface was varied and the corresponding maximum kinetic energy of the
photoelectrons was measured.

The following results were obtained.

Frequency (× 1014 Hz) 11.2 13.5 15.2 18.6 20.0

Maximum kinetic energy (eV) 0.6 1.3 2.3 3.3 4.2

Plot the results on the axes below and hence determine the work function of the metal
in electron volts.

4
Do NOT write in this area.

3
Maximum kinetic energy (eV)

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Frequency (× 1014 Hz)

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1024310360
 HSC 2017 - Q. 23

Question 23 (5 marks)

Using examples from special relativity, explain how theories in science are validated 5
in different ways.
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Office Use Only – Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line.
5654310295
 HSC 2001 - Q. 16
Question 16 (4 marks) Marks

Muons are very short-lived particles that are created when energetic protons collide
with each other. A beam of muons can be produced by very-high-energy particle
accelerators.

The high-speed muons produced for an experiment by the Fermilab accelerator are
measured to have a lifetime of 5.0 microseconds. When these muons are brought to
rest, their lifetime is measured to be 2.2 microseconds.

(a) Name the effect demonstrated by these observations of the lifetimes of the 1
muons.
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(b) Calculate the velocity of the muons as they leave the accelerator. 3

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 HSC 2002 - Q. 19

Marks
Question 19 (4 marks)

In one of Einstein’s famous thought experiments, a passenger travels on a train that

passes through a station at 60% of the speed of light. According to the passenger, the
length of the train carriage is 22 m from front to rear.

(a) A light in the train carriage is switched on. Compare the velocity of the light 1
beam as seen by the passenger on the train and a rail worker standing on the
station platform.

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(b) Calculate the length of the carriage as observed by the rail worker on the station 3
platform.

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– 18 –
 HSC 2005 - Q. 17

Marks
Question 17 (6 marks)

Einstein’s 1905 theory of special relativity made several predictions that could not be
verified for many years.

(a) State ONE such prediction. 1

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(b) Describe an experiment to test this prediction. 2

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(c) Explain how technological advances since 1905 have made it possible to carry 3
out this experiment.

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– 14 –
 HSC 2007 - Q. 19

Question 19 (6 marks)

This flowchart represents one model of scientific method used to show the relationship between
theory and the evidence supporting it.

Observation

Problem raised

New hypothesis

Experiment to test hypothesis

Collection of data

Analysis of results

Support for hypothesis Lack of support

New theory or law

Question 19 continues on page 15

– 14 –
 Marks
Question 19 (continued)

Analyse Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity and the evidence supporting it as an 6

application of this model of scientific method.

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End of Question 19

– 15 –
 HSC 2009 - Q. 18

2009 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 18 (4 marks)

The nearest galaxy to ours is the Large Magellanic Cloud, with its centre located
1.70 × 105 light years from Earth. Assume you are in a spacecraft travelling at a speed
of 0.99999 c toward the Large Magellanic Cloud.

(a) In your frame of reference, what is the distance between Earth and the Large 2
Magellanic Cloud?

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(b) In your frame of reference, how long will it take you to travel from Earth to the 2
Large Magellanic Cloud?

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435a – 11 –
 HSC 2012 - Q. 28

2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 28 (7 marks)

(a) Outline ONE piece of evidence supporting Einstein’s theory of relativity. 2

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(b) What criteria are used to test and validate a theory? 3

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(c) The distance between the cathode and screen in a cathode ray tube is 40 cm. 2

If an electron travels through the tube at 3.0 × 107 m s–1, what is the apparent
distance from the cathode to the screen in the electron’s frame of reference?

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4005 – 25 –
 HSC 2019 - Q. 27

Question 27 (6 marks)

(a) Outline a thought experiment that relates to the prediction of time dilation. 3
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(b) Outline experimental evidence that validated the prediction of time dilation. 3
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Office Use Only – Do NOT write anything, or make any marks below this line. 
1032310369
 HSC 2010 - Q. 23

2010 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Physics
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 23 (5 marks)

A train is travelling on a straight horizontal track. A student on the train attaches a

mass on a string to the ceiling of the train. The student observes that the mass remains
stationary in the position shown.

Mass

(a) Why does the mass hang with the string at an angle to the vertical? 2

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(b) The string then breaks and the mass falls. 3

Indicate the path of the mass on the diagram above. Explain why the mass has
taken this path.

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3432 – 15 –
 HSC 2001 - Q. 29

Marks
Question 29

(c) A student carried out an experiment to examine the spectra of various light 4
sources through spectroscopes as shown in the diagram. The student observed
three different spectra.

Full range
of colours

X
Incandescent Spectroscope
lamp

Two yellow lines

on a dark
background

Y
Sodium vapour Spectroscope
lamp

Range of colours
with two
black lines

Z
Incandescent Sodium Spectroscope
lamp vapour

Account for the differences in the three observed spectra.

– 29 –
(c) A student carried out an experiment to examine the spectra of various light
HSC 20014 - Q. 30
sources through spectroscopes as shown in the diagram. The student observed
three different spectra.

Full range
of colours

X
Incandescent Spectroscope
lamp

Two yellow lines

on a dark
background

Y
Sodium vapour Spectroscope
lamp

Range of colours
with two
black lines

Z
Incandescent Sodium Spectroscope
lamp vapour

Account for the differences in the three observed spectra.

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