UNIT 5 FAQ

1. Discuss the use of standard candles in astronomy.

Ans: A standard candle is an astronomical object with a known luminosity, of which its luminous
properties are independent of its position. This can then be used to calculate distances. The
radiation flux from the object can be measured, and its observed brightness is compared with its
luminosity. The distance can then be determined by use of the inverse square law. This only works
for astronomical objects commonly found in the universe.

2. What assumption can you make when calculating the specific heat capacity of a metal?

Ans: *Based on placing heated washers (𝑇 and 𝑚 known) into water

When determining the value of specific heat capacity of a metal, it is assumed that all of the energy
is transferred from the material to water. The mass of the washers (metal) being used will be
measured using a balance, as will the mass of the water.

A thermometer will be used to measure the temperature of the water before and after the heated
washers are plunged into the water. It is assumed all energy gained by the water has come from the
washers, so SHC of the metal can be determined by comparing values to those calculated using
SHC value of water.

𝑚𝑚𝑐𝑚 𝛥𝑇𝑚 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝛥𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

3. State and explain how the process of fusion is able to release energy, the conditions necessary for fusion to occur
and why these conditions are difficult to replicate.

Ans: In nuclear fusion, small nuclei join together to make a larger nucleus. Energy is released as a result
of the binding energy per nucleon increasing. This happens as the mass of the fused nucleus is less
than the mass of the initial nuclei, and so energy is released according to 𝛥𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐 2 .

A very high temperature is needed to overcome the electrostatic force of repulsion between the
nuclei. A high pressure and density is needed so that a high collision rate is maintained.

The challenge posed by a need for very high temperatures is that there are confinement problems.
Any contact with the container causes the temperature to fall, which stops the fusion process.
Therefore, very strong magnetic fields are needed to ensure plasma doesn’t contact container walls.

4. An article stated that ‘the internal energy of the air in the balloon could become zero if the temperature of the gas
became low enough’. Explain what is meant by internal energy of the air and discus whether the statement is
correct.

Ans: The internal energy is the sum of the molecular, kinetic and potential energies. In an ideal gas, the
molecules only have kinetic energy and do no have potential energy. The air molecules are in a
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continual, random motion based on 𝐸𝑘 = 2 𝑘𝑇, provided 𝑇 is greater than zero Kelvin.

* If temperature was at absolute zero, then the kinetic energy would also be reduced to zero and so
the statement is correct.
 * Air is not an ideal gas and so the molecules will still have potential energy. Therefore, the statement
is incorrect.

5. State what is meant by redshift and explain how it allows the distance to a galaxy to be determined.

Ans: Red shift is a fractional increase in light’s wavelength received due to the recession of the light
source from the Earth. The equation 𝑣 = 𝑧𝑐 can be used to determine the velocity. Based on
Hubble’s law, the recessional velocity can be equated to distance based on the equation 𝑣 = 𝐻0 𝑑 .

6. Discuss the potential advantages of nuclear fusion, compared with nuclear fission, as a means of supplying our
power demands.

Ans: The fuel used for nuclear fusion is hydrogen; which is virtually unlimited. In comparison, fission relies
on uranium which is a limited resource. When uranium undergoes fission, the daughter nuclei are
also radioactive and so must be stored for a long time until its activity decreases. Fusion products
are not radioactive and can be released.

In meeting energy demands, fusion provides a greater energy output per unit mass than fission,
making it better to meet out power demands.

7. Outline the technical difficulties of producing a practical nuclear fusion reactor and comment on safety and
production of radioactive waste.

Ans: The main challenge with producing a practical fusion reaction is based on the need for an extremely
high temperature. The plasma at this high temperature must not come into contact with the reactor
walls, as this would decrease the temperature and fusion would stop. This requires extremely strong
magnetic fields, which also requires large energies. The fusion process is safe due to the fact that an
uncontrolled chain reaction will not be likely to occur. The process will not produce any radioactive
waste, however the material in the reactor may become radioactive due to absorption of free
neutrons.

8. Using ideas about molecules and momentum explain why the pressure of a gas increases with temperature.

Ans: With an increase in temperature, the molecules move faster; having a greater kinetic energy. This
results in a greater collision rate with the walls of the container. There is a greater rate of change of
momentum and as a result of this there is a greater force exerted on the container walls.

𝑚(𝑣−𝑢) 𝑚𝛥𝑣
𝐹= = [if 𝑣 is greater, 𝐹 is greater]
𝑡 𝑡

9. Describe the similarities and differences between electric and gravitational fields

Ans: A gravitational field is a region in which a mass experiences a force due to its mass whereas electric
fields are regions in which a charge experiences a force by virtue of its charge.

Both types of field have an infinite range, and both forces in each type of field varies as an inverse
square.
 The forces between masses is always attractive, whereas between electric charges the forces can be
both attractive or repulsive.

At a given separation, the force between unit charges is greater than the force between masses at
the same separation.

10. Explain the impact an overestimation in the proximity of Polaris (closest visible start to Earth) would have on our
estimation of the age of the universe.

Ans: If Polaris was closer, its luminosity would be less than had been thought. As Polaris is used as a
comparison, it would mean that distances to other astronomical objects would also be less than
initially thought. This would mean the Hubble constant would be greater based on 𝑣 = 𝐻0 𝑑 , and
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since the age of the universe is determined from , it would mean the universe would be younger
𝐻0
than initially thought.

11. Describe how Hubble was able to determine the velocities of nebulae and explain how his conclusion provides
evidence for an expanding universe.
𝑣 𝛥𝜆 𝛥𝑓
Ans: In order to determine a value of velocity, the doppler shift formula 𝑧 = = = is used.
𝑐 𝜆 𝑓
Hubble found that the Nebulae were moving away from us. He recognized that galaxies further away
were moving faster, based on the equation 𝑣 = 𝐻0 𝑑 , where 𝑣 is the velocity, 𝐻0 is the Hubble
constant and 𝑑 is the distance; measured in Mpc. The conclusion was that all galaxies are moving
away from each other, providing evidence for universal expansion.

12. For stars that are relatively close to the Earth, describe how parallax measurements can be used to determine their
distances from the Earth.

Ans: The star must be viewed from two positions at 6 month intervals; this makes the value more
accurate. The change in angular position of the star against a background of fixed stars is measured,
and then trigonometry is used to calculate the distance to the star. The diameter of the Earth’s orbit
is known to be 2 AU.

13. Fusion reactors could become a better alternative to fission reactors. Explain why this is the case and give reasons
why practical fusion reactors are still only at the experimental stage.

Ans: Fission reactors require a fuel source which is limited, whereas fusions fuel source is hydrogen which
is very abundant. Fusion is a better alternative clue to the fact that it produces less radioactive waste
than fission process. Its main product, Helium, isn’t radioactive at all. It is still only at its experimental
stage due to the need for very high temperatures and densities required for fusion to take place.
These lead to confinement problems. In order to maintain fusion, very strong magnetic fields are
needed as the plasma must not come into contact with the walls of the reactor. At the moment, the
input energy would be greater than the output energy.

14. Explain, in terms of the physical processes occurring in the star, why white dwarf stars are so named and where
they would be located on a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Ans: White dwarf stars are the remnant of red giant stars. There is no fusion occurring in a white dwarf.
They have a small surface area compared to others, and so are not very luminous based on
 𝐿 = 𝜎𝐴𝑇 4 . They are very hot and emit all visible wavelengths and so appear white.

15. Particles in the nucleus are held together by a force scientists call nuclear binding energy. It is possible to overcome
the binding energy in some large atoms, such as uranium atoms, causing the atoms to undergo fission. Comment
on this.

Ans: Binding energy is the energy released when a nucleus is formed, or the energy required to split a
nucleus into its constituent parts. Binding energy isn’t a force, and we can’t overcome the binding
energy. It is inaccurate to say that the atoms undergo fission, it is the nuclei that undergo fission.
However, fission is the splitting of a large mass nucleus into less massive nuclei.

16. Describe an experiment using absorbers of different materials that could be carried out to identify 3 different
sources of radiation. Explain how data collected can be used to distinguish between the 3 sources.

Ans: Background count must be recorded without any sources present. Using tongs or forceps, place one
source close to the GM tube. Place a sheet of paper between the source and the GM tube. If it
reduces the activity to background levels, it is indicating that the source is an alpha emitter. If paper
causes no change in activity, the source will be a gamma emitter. If the count rate decreases but is
still above the background count, the source will be a beta emitter.

17. State what is meant by a Doppler shift and describe how it was used to study the movement of galaxies.

Ans: Doppler shift is the change in wavelength due to relative motion between an observer and a wave
source. The wavelength of the spectrum of light emitted by the galaxy is compared to that emitted in
a lab.

𝛥𝜆 𝑣
= is used to calculate 𝑣 , the relative velocity of recession of the galaxy.If 𝛥𝜆 is a decrease in
𝜆 𝑐

wavelength, the galaxy is approaching our galaxy and vice versa.

18. By considering relevant properties of each type of radiation, determine whether α, β, or γ radiation would be most
appropriate to irradiate metallic surgical instruments sealed in plastic packages.

Ans: 𝛼 radiation is unsuitable for this purpose as it is highly ionising and so will not penetrate the plastic
packaging. It also doesn’t travel more than a few centimeters of air.

𝛽 is moderately ionising and so will not penetrate the metallic body of the instrument; making it
unsuitable for this job.

The most suitable radiation to use to irradiate metallic instrument is gamma, 𝛾 . This will penetrate the
plastic and the metallic instrument. It is, however, weakly ionising and so we need a strong source to
guarantee sterilization. Also, excellent shielding will be needed as gamma is highly penetrative.