Page 51 Data-based question: Car testing Page 56 Data-based question: Edwin Hubble’s data

147 + 157+ 143 continued

1. = 149 g km–1 3. The original Hubble constant was around a factor of
3
2. The statement is true in that the average amount of 10 out. This suggests that the method was invalid
CO2 emitted per kilometer driven (149) is less than (Hubble’s original method for measuring the
150 g km–1. However, it is not reliably true distances to galaxies was flawed).
as one of the tests gave a reading higher than
150 g km–1. Page 57 Data-based question: Using supernovae to
test Hubble’s law
Page 52 Communication skills: Using and 1. 12000
interpreting a range of discipline-specific terms
and symbols
10000
1. World population – accurate, not precise (statement
is true to nearest ten billion – 1 significant figure);
Moon orbit – accurate and precise; 8000
Speed of light – not accurate, but precise (second speed (km s–1)
digit is incorrect); 6000
Languages spoken – not accurate nor precise
(there are approximately 7000 languages).
4000
Page 54 What is the Doppler effect?
1. 340 2000
= 0.49 m
698
2. 1 0
= 1.43 ms 0 50 100 150
698
distance (Mpc)
3. 16 × 1.43 × 10–3 = 2.3 × 10–2 m
4. 0.49 – 2.3 × 10–2 = 0.47 m 2. Strong linear trend.
3. 70 km s–1 Mpc–1
Page 56 Data-based question: Edwin Hubble’s data
4. Reliable as most of the data points are close to the
1. 586 km s–1 Mpc–1 (accept range 580 to 595) line of best fit and there are no clear anomalies.
2. Reliable as the data points follow the trend well (or (accept reverse argument).
accept unreliable, as many data points lie away
from the trend line).

Summative assessment
Using the radar gun
1. Reflection.

2. 3 × 108
= 0.02 m
1.8 × 1010

3. Speed of radio waves from the radar gun is very high (3 × 108 m s–1); the speed of
the car relative to the wave speed will be very low; speed of the car is a tiny
fraction of the wave speed; this fraction corresponds to the percentage change in
frequency, hence a very small change in frequency would be expected from the
radar gun.
13.89
a) 50 km h–1 = 13.89 m s–1; = 4.63 × 10–8
3 × 108
b) 1.8 × 1010 × 4.63 × 10–8 = 833 Hz

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1
 c) Frequency has increased, wave speed remains the same; c = f𝜆 so wavelength
is inversely proportional to frequency; this means that wavelength must
have decreased.
d) The detected frequency would be lower than the original frequency; The
frequency will change by the same fraction as if the car were moving towards
the radar gun.

Calibrating the speed camera

4. a) Award marks for:
Sensible method; includes a suitable range of speeds; includes zero speed;
method of measuring speed; frequency of emitted waves is measured;
frequency of reflected waves is measured; repeats taken.
b) Credit any sensible suggestion with a suitable method of controlling the
variable, for example:
 The frequency of waves produced by the radar gun should remain
constant;
 This can be controlled by using the same radar gun.

5. Appreciation that calculating the value of the independent variable using the
dependent variable would not result in an experiment; independent variable and
dependent variable must be measured independently so that any relationship
between them can be explored. Or idea that experiments are used to test a theory.
Suitable method of measuring speed such as timing over a fixed distance; Suitable
measurements with measuring instruments are described; any calculations
required are described.

6. Directly proportional.

7. The data is reliable as it follows a strong linear trend; To improve reliability more
repeats could be taken, allowing an average to be calculated for each data point.

8. Line of best fit used to calculate gradient; gradient = 120 Hz m–1 s (allow ±5)

9. The change in frequency that corresponds to 20 m s–1 is 2400 Hz (allow 2500 Hz);
measurement is only ±100 Hz (allow ±50); 2,500 Hz would be consistent with
20 m s–1; radar gun would have to detect 2,600 Hz (consistent with assumptions
above) to be confident of a speed greater than 20 ms–1.

10. Calculation of speed from change in frequency; consideration of measurement to

nearest 100 Hz; conversion to km h–1; consideration of 10%; conclusion.
For example:
A change of 1,800 Hz corresponds to 15 m s–1; radar gun only measures to the
nearest 100 Hz so the change in frequency could have been as low as 1,700 Hz
(accept 1750); at 1,700 Hz, the car is travelling at 14 m s–1 which is equivalent to
50.4 km h–1; 10% above speed limit is 44 km h–1; since 50.4 > 44, evidence is
that the car was speeding.

Avoiding being caught by speed cameras

11. Credit any sensible suggestions. For example:
 Fire the radio waves in the direction of the traffic motion. Cars will not
detect radio waves until they are closest to the radar gun.
 Use a radar gun which is switched on only when the motorist is close
enough for their speed to be detected. The motorist would not be able to
detect the radar gun in advance and would not be able to slow down.
 Use a different frequency of radio waves that is not compatible with current
radar detectors. This would make the radar gun harder to detect.

2 © Oxford University Press 2018

 12. Credit sensible arguments. Points might include:
 Speed cameras are installed along roads for safety purposes.
 They ensure that motorists are driving at an appropriate speed for their
surroundings.
 By avoiding speed cameras and driving at an inappropriate speed, the motorist
is potentially endangering themselves, pedestrians and other motorists.
 This is especially relevant in certain settings, for example around a school,
where road hazards may constantly be changing.
 It is usually not ethical to avoid speed cameras.

13. a) A repeat measurement increases reliability of data; there could be mistakes in

measurements if only one set of data is taken. This could lead to speeding cars
being missed or motorists wrongly being accused of speeding; a second
measurement would confirm the validity of the first.
b) The time interval between the capturing of the two photos is measured. The
lines on the road can be used to determine the position of the car in each
photo; from this, the distance travelled by the car in this time interval can be
determined; dividing this distance by the time interval will give the average
speed of the car during this time interval.

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