AQA Physics A Level Unofficial Mark Scheme, 7408/1, 4 June 2018
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Integer123
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mattycoates
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AQA Physics A Level Paper 1, Unofficial Mark Scheme
Please feel free to help and correct the mark scheme if it's wrong
Written questions (60 marks)
01
An engineer produces a graph which predicts the speed of a vehicle, whose brakes are faulty, over a certain time. The vehicle has a mass of
.
01.1 Find the decelerating force on the vehicle, after 2.0 s. [3 marks]
Use Newton's second law
.
Acceleration is gradient of tangent at 2.0 s, I think I got
.
Using Newton's second law, the magnitude of the decelerating force is
.
01.2 Deduce whether an 85 m track will be long enough. [3 marks]
Total distance travelled = area under speed-time graph
Counting squares: approximately 23 squares of dimensions
by
.
So distance travelled is about 58 m.
Hence an 85 m track is long enough.
01.3 Discuss the energy changes as the vehicle moves along the track. [2 marks]
The kinetic energy of the vehicle is transferred into thermal energy of the surroundings by resistive forces, air resistance and friction
01.4 Determine whether a ramp of length 85 m at angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal is suitable [3 marks]
By Newton's second law the weight is
. Hence component of weight parallel to slope is
.
By Newton's second law, component of acceleration down the slope is therefore
Using SUVAT, since constant acceleration, the distance travelled when the vehicle stops is
(a negative acceleration is used since the force, and hence the acceleration by Newton's second law
, is in the opposite direction to velocity; and
was read off the graph).
Hence the ramp is sufficient.
01.5 Discuss whether a track or ramp is safer [1 mark]
There are probably other valid points to put here
A track is safer because on a ramp, when the vehicle stops, it may begin to roll down the hill
A ramp is safer because the gravel could mean the driver loses control of the car
02
The de Broglie wavelength,
, and the velocity,
, of some wavelengths is measured.
02.1 Show that the data are consistent with the relationship
. [2 marks]
If de Broglie wavelength is inversely proportional to wavelength, then
.
For two data pairs, the constant was
and for the other pair, the constant was
. Since these constants are approximately equal, the inverse proportionality is supported by the data.
02.2 Calculate a value for Planck's constant using the data [2 marks]
de Broglie wavelength,
, and Planck's constant,
, are related by 
Using
, 
Using the average of the de Broglie wavelengths and the velocities gives
.
Using
,
02.3 Explain how the screen shows that electrons exhibit a wave behaviour [3 marks]
If the electrons exhibited particle behaviour, they would be deflected, or pass straight through the grating, and so a single spot would be seen
However, an interference pattern is seen
Which means the electrons must have diffracted around the atoms in the grating, and so exhibit wave behaviour
02.4 Explain how the light emitted shows that electrons exhibit a particle behaviour [3 marks]
For atoms in screen to emit light, the atoms inside must be excited
If electrons were acting as waves, then a specific energy is required to excite the atoms (which would be very unlikely to happen, and so no light would be emitted
Hence electrons must behave as particles as they transfer enough energy to move the orbital electrons to a higher energy level, and the remaining energy is kinetic energy of the colliding electrons
03
Stationary waves of frequency 370 Hz at a tension of 25 N after formed on a string of a violin, which consists of strings fixed at an end A.
03.1 Explain how stationary waves are formed on the string [3 marks]
A progressive wave travels down the string
And reflects off the end A
These two waves superpose
They have the same frequency and wavelength
03.2 Show that the mass of a 1.0 m length of string is
[2 marks]

is the mass per unit length, i.e. mass of a 1.0 m length

So mass of a 1.0 m length of string is
03.3 Calculate the speed of the wave [1 mark]

03.4 Find the new frequency of the string [4 marks]
When tension is 25 N, extension is ? (read off the graph).
Radius of turning thing is 3.51 mm.
Gain in extension is
Add the extension when the tension is 25 N to this extension. Then look on the graph to find the new tension, in Newtons.
Hence new frequency, using
, is
(or 441 Hz to 3sf)
04
A circuit consists of a
fixed resistor, a thermistor with a resistance of
at room temperature, as well as a variable resistor
.
04.1 The wire used in the
resistor has a resistivity of
. 50 turns of the wire are wrapped around a cylinder of diameter
. Calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire [3 marks]


04.2 The
resistor is rated with a power of
. Deduce whether the
resistor is suitable for the circuit. [2 marks]
and so the resistor is not suitable since when operating at maximum power, the voltage across it must be larger than the voltage of the voltage source.
04.3 Calculate the resistance of R. Give your answer to two significant figures [5 marks]
Voltage across parallel section is 5.0 V
Using potential dividers, and sharing the voltage according to resistance,
.
Hence
.
Hence
, to two significant figures.
04.4 Explain what happens to the output voltage as the thermistor's temperature increases [2 marks]
As the temperature of the thermistor increases, the resistance across it decreases.
Hence the resistance of the parallel section decreases, and its share of the voltage is lower - therefore a lower output voltage.
05
Two acrobats jump off a platform. They move in a horizontal circle with a time period of 5.2 s, 5 m below the platform, with their ropes making an angle of 28.5 degrees with the vertical.
05.1 Show that the linear speed is about
. [2 marks]




05.2 Find the tension in the cable supporting the acrobats [3 marks]
For this question there's a bit of a debate over whether to resolve horizontally or vertically, so I've included both methods
By Newton's second law
Resolving vertically,
Other answer: by Newton's second law, centripetal force is
Resolving horizontally,
.
05.3 Explain what happens to the forces on the pole if the mass of one acrobat is significantly larger than the other [3 marks]
There is a larger downwards force on the platform and hence pole
By Newton's third law, the ground will exert a larger support force on the pole
This large downwards force acts on one side of the platform and so will create a much larger clockwise/anticlockwise moment
The pole may hence topple
06
Two trains are moving towards each other. A has a mass of 16000 kg and a speed of
and B has a mass of 12000 kg and a speed of
.
06.1 State one quantity not conserved in an inelastic collision. [1 mark]
Kinetic energy
06.2 Show that the speed the combined trains move with after collision is
[3 marks]
Assume moving east has a positive velocity, so moving west has a negative velocity.
Conservation of momentum

06.3 Calculate the impulse exerted on each truck, give a unit. [2 marks]
Newton's second law
Trains move off east (as answer to 06.1 was a positive velocity, and the method took moving east as being a positive velocity) so impulse is
.
06.4 Explain what happens if the collision is completely elastic [2 marks]
If completely elastic, kinetic energy is conserved
The trains rebound off each other and move in the opposite direction to each other (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision);"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision)[/url] and train B has a higher speed
Multiple choice questions (25 marks)
07 What is the unit for the quantity given by the area under a force-time graph? [1 mark]
since the unit is
(not sure which option)
08 Which gives the greatest uncertainty? [1 mark]
Diameter (I think option C)
26 How long will the battery last for? [1 mark]
48 hours (I think option B)
30 What is the maximum kinetic energy of the oscillating item? [1 mark]
31 Which graph shows the gravitational potential energy of an object performing simple harmonic motion? [1 mark]
The one which resembled the letter U (I think option D)
Ones I can't remember numbers for:
? A current of
passes, how many doubly charged ions pass in 1 minute? [1 mark]
Can't remember the answer
? What is the specific charge of a fluoride ion, an atom of the element
has lost one electron [1 mark]
(not sure which option)
? Einstein's theory of special relativity: What is the minimum frequency of a gamma photon, when two photons are released from the annihilation of a muon and an antimuon? [1 mark]
I think
(not sure which option)
? Hooke's law: what is the extension in spring Q? [1 mark]
0.061 m (option D)
? Photons are incidient with an energy of
. How many possible wavelengths of emitted EM radiation are there? [1 mark]
3
? Newton's second law: find the thrust of the rocket [1 mark]
I think it was
, I used Newton's second law to get
, for the mass and acceleration I can't remember properly (not sure which option)
? Which set of forces cannot have a zero resultant? [1 mark]
3 N, 6 N, 10 N (I think option D)
? What is the combined resistance in
of the two putty cylinders? [1 mark]
(not sure which option)
? What is the maximum kinetic energy of photons emitted from a metal surface with work function 4.1 eV, when photons of 290 mm wavelength are incident?
0.19 eV (option A)
? How to measure the voltage across a component? [1 mark]
Voltmeter across the component, in parallel, with infinite resistance (not sure which option)
? Young modulus: what change in the wire is required for an extension of
[1 mark]
Radius:
, length
(I think option B)
? Young's double slit experiment: what change will increase fringe spacing? [1 mark]
Decreasing slit separation (I think option D)
? What is the correct path of the ray? [1 mark]
The one with total internal reflection (I think option D)
? What is the refractive index of the glass [1 mark]
1.67 (not sure which option)
? Identify the quark composition of particle
in the equation [1 mark]
(not sure which option)
? What is a property about the missing particle in this beta minus decay equation? [1 mark]
It is an antiparticle (I think option B)
? How long does the projectile's journey take? [1 mark]
2.9 s (I think option C)
? Diffraction grating: what was the wavelength of light used? [1 mark]
590 nm (not sure which option)
? What is the phase difference between displacement and acceleration for an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion? [1 mark]
radians (not sure which option)
? What is the path difference of the waves? [1 mark]
(not sure which option)
Please feel free to help and correct the mark scheme if it's wrong

Written questions (60 marks)
01
An engineer produces a graph which predicts the speed of a vehicle, whose brakes are faulty, over a certain time. The vehicle has a mass of

01.1 Find the decelerating force on the vehicle, after 2.0 s. [3 marks]
Use Newton's second law

Acceleration is gradient of tangent at 2.0 s, I think I got

Using Newton's second law, the magnitude of the decelerating force is

01.2 Deduce whether an 85 m track will be long enough. [3 marks]
Total distance travelled = area under speed-time graph
Counting squares: approximately 23 squares of dimensions


So distance travelled is about 58 m.
Hence an 85 m track is long enough.
01.3 Discuss the energy changes as the vehicle moves along the track. [2 marks]
The kinetic energy of the vehicle is transferred into thermal energy of the surroundings by resistive forces, air resistance and friction
01.4 Determine whether a ramp of length 85 m at angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal is suitable [3 marks]
By Newton's second law the weight is


By Newton's second law, component of acceleration down the slope is therefore

Using SUVAT, since constant acceleration, the distance travelled when the vehicle stops is



Hence the ramp is sufficient.
01.5 Discuss whether a track or ramp is safer [1 mark]
There are probably other valid points to put here
A track is safer because on a ramp, when the vehicle stops, it may begin to roll down the hill
A ramp is safer because the gravel could mean the driver loses control of the car
02
The de Broglie wavelength,


02.1 Show that the data are consistent with the relationship

If de Broglie wavelength is inversely proportional to wavelength, then

For two data pairs, the constant was


02.2 Calculate a value for Planck's constant using the data [2 marks]
de Broglie wavelength,



Using


Using the average of the de Broglie wavelengths and the velocities gives

Using


02.3 Explain how the screen shows that electrons exhibit a wave behaviour [3 marks]
If the electrons exhibited particle behaviour, they would be deflected, or pass straight through the grating, and so a single spot would be seen
However, an interference pattern is seen
Which means the electrons must have diffracted around the atoms in the grating, and so exhibit wave behaviour
02.4 Explain how the light emitted shows that electrons exhibit a particle behaviour [3 marks]
For atoms in screen to emit light, the atoms inside must be excited
If electrons were acting as waves, then a specific energy is required to excite the atoms (which would be very unlikely to happen, and so no light would be emitted
Hence electrons must behave as particles as they transfer enough energy to move the orbital electrons to a higher energy level, and the remaining energy is kinetic energy of the colliding electrons
03
Stationary waves of frequency 370 Hz at a tension of 25 N after formed on a string of a violin, which consists of strings fixed at an end A.
03.1 Explain how stationary waves are formed on the string [3 marks]
A progressive wave travels down the string
And reflects off the end A
These two waves superpose
They have the same frequency and wavelength
03.2 Show that the mass of a 1.0 m length of string is




So mass of a 1.0 m length of string is

03.3 Calculate the speed of the wave [1 mark]

03.4 Find the new frequency of the string [4 marks]
When tension is 25 N, extension is ? (read off the graph).
Radius of turning thing is 3.51 mm.
Gain in extension is

Add the extension when the tension is 25 N to this extension. Then look on the graph to find the new tension, in Newtons.
Hence new frequency, using


04
A circuit consists of a



04.1 The wire used in the





04.2 The




04.3 Calculate the resistance of R. Give your answer to two significant figures [5 marks]
Voltage across parallel section is 5.0 V
Using potential dividers, and sharing the voltage according to resistance,

Hence

Hence

04.4 Explain what happens to the output voltage as the thermistor's temperature increases [2 marks]
As the temperature of the thermistor increases, the resistance across it decreases.
Hence the resistance of the parallel section decreases, and its share of the voltage is lower - therefore a lower output voltage.
05
Two acrobats jump off a platform. They move in a horizontal circle with a time period of 5.2 s, 5 m below the platform, with their ropes making an angle of 28.5 degrees with the vertical.
05.1 Show that the linear speed is about





05.2 Find the tension in the cable supporting the acrobats [3 marks]
For this question there's a bit of a debate over whether to resolve horizontally or vertically, so I've included both methods
By Newton's second law

Resolving vertically,

Other answer: by Newton's second law, centripetal force is

Resolving horizontally,

05.3 Explain what happens to the forces on the pole if the mass of one acrobat is significantly larger than the other [3 marks]
There is a larger downwards force on the platform and hence pole
By Newton's third law, the ground will exert a larger support force on the pole
This large downwards force acts on one side of the platform and so will create a much larger clockwise/anticlockwise moment
The pole may hence topple
06
Two trains are moving towards each other. A has a mass of 16000 kg and a speed of


06.1 State one quantity not conserved in an inelastic collision. [1 mark]
Kinetic energy
06.2 Show that the speed the combined trains move with after collision is

Assume moving east has a positive velocity, so moving west has a negative velocity.
Conservation of momentum


06.3 Calculate the impulse exerted on each truck, give a unit. [2 marks]
Newton's second law

Trains move off east (as answer to 06.1 was a positive velocity, and the method took moving east as being a positive velocity) so impulse is

06.4 Explain what happens if the collision is completely elastic [2 marks]
If completely elastic, kinetic energy is conserved
The trains rebound off each other and move in the opposite direction to each other (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision);"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision)[/url] and train B has a higher speed
Multiple choice questions (25 marks)
07 What is the unit for the quantity given by the area under a force-time graph? [1 mark]


08 Which gives the greatest uncertainty? [1 mark]
Diameter (I think option C)
26 How long will the battery last for? [1 mark]
48 hours (I think option B)
30 What is the maximum kinetic energy of the oscillating item? [1 mark]
31 Which graph shows the gravitational potential energy of an object performing simple harmonic motion? [1 mark]
The one which resembled the letter U (I think option D)
Ones I can't remember numbers for:
? A current of

Can't remember the answer
? What is the specific charge of a fluoride ion, an atom of the element


? Einstein's theory of special relativity: What is the minimum frequency of a gamma photon, when two photons are released from the annihilation of a muon and an antimuon? [1 mark]
I think

? Hooke's law: what is the extension in spring Q? [1 mark]
0.061 m (option D)
? Photons are incidient with an energy of

3
? Newton's second law: find the thrust of the rocket [1 mark]
I think it was


? Which set of forces cannot have a zero resultant? [1 mark]
3 N, 6 N, 10 N (I think option D)
? What is the combined resistance in


? What is the maximum kinetic energy of photons emitted from a metal surface with work function 4.1 eV, when photons of 290 mm wavelength are incident?
0.19 eV (option A)
? How to measure the voltage across a component? [1 mark]
Voltmeter across the component, in parallel, with infinite resistance (not sure which option)
? Young modulus: what change in the wire is required for an extension of

Radius:


? Young's double slit experiment: what change will increase fringe spacing? [1 mark]
Decreasing slit separation (I think option D)
? What is the correct path of the ray? [1 mark]
The one with total internal reflection (I think option D)
? What is the refractive index of the glass [1 mark]
1.67 (not sure which option)
? Identify the quark composition of particle


? What is a property about the missing particle in this beta minus decay equation? [1 mark]
It is an antiparticle (I think option B)
? How long does the projectile's journey take? [1 mark]
2.9 s (I think option C)
? Diffraction grating: what was the wavelength of light used? [1 mark]
590 nm (not sure which option)
? What is the phase difference between displacement and acceleration for an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion? [1 mark]

? What is the path difference of the waves? [1 mark]

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Dat1Guy
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#4
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#4
The first question, find the force; acceleration was 2.5 and mass 1.8 x 10^4 so force was 4.5 ×10^4 N
2nd part, 22.5 small boxes, each had 2.5 metres per box, so about 56 metres to stop, hence less than the 85m
2nd part, 22.5 small boxes, each had 2.5 metres per box, so about 56 metres to stop, hence less than the 85m
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Dat1Guy
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#5
(Original post by mattycoates)
441 Hz for new frequency of string (I think)
441 Hz for new frequency of string (I think)
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adsuudixfra
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the circuits question;
a) dont remember what it was?
b) the resistor was suitable when it took 4V (9v cell - 5v output) by P = V^2 / R
c) 540 was the value of R, only took me about a million tries but im certain now
d) output voltage would decrease, it was a standard potential divider question
a) dont remember what it was?
b) the resistor was suitable when it took 4V (9v cell - 5v output) by P = V^2 / R
c) 540 was the value of R, only took me about a million tries but im certain now
d) output voltage would decrease, it was a standard potential divider question
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usf99
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#7
(Original post by Integer123)
Q1
(a) Find the decelerating force on the vehicle, after 2.0 s. [3 marks]
Use Newton's second law
.
Acceleration is gradient of tangent at 2.0 s.
.
Q1
(a) Find the decelerating force on the vehicle, after 2.0 s. [3 marks]
Use Newton's second law

Acceleration is gradient of tangent at 2.0 s.

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mattycoates
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#8
(Original post by BDunlop)
440 had to be 2sf
440 had to be 2sf
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Quizlet
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#9
(Original post by mattycoates)
oh dear, does that mean I'll drop 1 mark every question for doing 3sf 😬
oh dear, does that mean I'll drop 1 mark every question for doing 3sf 😬
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#10
Q1.3) Describe the energy changes that occur as the car is slowed by the escape road (gravel).
Q1.4) Another type of escape road is an escape ramp, which is a road with a positive incline.
For an escape ramp of length 85m and 35 degrees, deduce whether or not the ramp will stop the car.
I tried relating Ep = mgh and Ke = 1/2 mv^2 for this and the result was that the ramp WOULD stop the car, but I am not guaranteeing this is correct.
Q1.5) Discuss which out of the escape ramp or the escape road would provide a safer stopping experience to the driver.
Here I spoke about the potential of the car to roll backwards down the escape ramp when it reaches the top, which is a danger.
Q1.4) Another type of escape road is an escape ramp, which is a road with a positive incline.
For an escape ramp of length 85m and 35 degrees, deduce whether or not the ramp will stop the car.
I tried relating Ep = mgh and Ke = 1/2 mv^2 for this and the result was that the ramp WOULD stop the car, but I am not guaranteeing this is correct.
Q1.5) Discuss which out of the escape ramp or the escape road would provide a safer stopping experience to the driver.
Here I spoke about the potential of the car to roll backwards down the escape ramp when it reaches the top, which is a danger.
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#11
What did people get for the distance travelled by the vehicle in the loose gravel?
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adsuudixfra
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#13
(Original post by usf99)
couldn't u do f=mv-mu/t
couldn't u do f=mv-mu/t
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(Original post by BDunlop)
What did people get for the distance travelled by the vehicle in the loose gravel?
What did people get for the distance travelled by the vehicle in the loose gravel?
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#15
(Original post by usf99)
couldn't u do f=mv-mu/t
couldn't u do f=mv-mu/t
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#16
(Original post by MathsyTsrUser)
I got 55.6m by working out the area under the graph. It probably should’ve been 2 s.f though
I got 55.6m by working out the area under the graph. It probably should’ve been 2 s.f though

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(Original post by BDunlop)
What did people get for the distance travelled by the vehicle in the loose gravel?
What did people get for the distance travelled by the vehicle in the loose gravel?
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#18
Pretty sure only question which specified Sig figs was the resistance 5 marker so for the frequency anything was fine
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#19
(Original post by MathsyTsrUser)
How did you work out R?
How did you work out R?
1/pr = 1/R + 1/750
then 5v = 9v * pr/(250+pr), solve for R
it was absolutely horrendous, the other way to go about it was
4v = 9v * 250/(250+pr) but still pretty bad
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#20
Q4) Question about two acrobats on ropes attached to a spindle.
(Show that the linear velocity of each acrobat was about 4.5ms^-1)
You had to here use trig (or pythagoras I cant remember) to find the distance from the acrobat and the edge of the spindle.
The diameter of the spindle they are attached to was 2.0m, so you had to half this and add it to the distance between the spindle and acrobat to get around 3.714.
Multiplying the angular velocity by the radius gives you a linear vel. of about 4.5ms^-1
(Show that the linear velocity of each acrobat was about 4.5ms^-1)
You had to here use trig (or pythagoras I cant remember) to find the distance from the acrobat and the edge of the spindle.
The diameter of the spindle they are attached to was 2.0m, so you had to half this and add it to the distance between the spindle and acrobat to get around 3.714.
Multiplying the angular velocity by the radius gives you a linear vel. of about 4.5ms^-1
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