Physics paper 2 (Common)

Explain why compressing the springs in the floor helps objects to go higher. (2)

(as a spring decompresses) the elastic potential energy of the spring decreases

(as the object leaves the floor) the kinetic energy of the object increases

or

the gravitational potential energy of the gymnast increases

Explain why investigations of spring should be done on the floor rather than on a table. (2)

objects could fall (off the spring)

(so) less likely to cause injury / damage (if done on the floor)

Give one two properties that is the same for all types of electromagnetic wave (2)

speed (in a vacuum/air)

transfer energy

What is meant by ‘transverse wave’? (1)

oscillations / vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

Which group of electromagnetic waves is used for satellite communications? (1)

microwaves

Which colour of visible light has the shortest wavelength? (1)

violet

Describe a risk linked to each group of high frequency electromagnetic wave (3)

(ultraviolet and /or X-rays and / or gamma rays) can cause mutations in genes / DNA

• ultraviolet can cause skin to age and / or skin cancer

• X-rays and / or gamma rays increase the risk of cancers

Explain how oscillations in a transmitter enable information to be transferred to the detector in the other object. (4)

radio waves are produced (by the transmitter)

the detector absorbs the waves / energy

(which produces) an alternating current

with the same frequency as the (transmitted) waves

Give changes to the electromagnet that would increase the force exerted on a permanent magnet. (3)

• move the electromagnet closer to the permanent magnet

• add more turns to the coil / electromagnet

• increase the current (in the coil / electromagnet)

Give changes to the electromagnet that would reverse the direction of the force exerted on the permanent magnet. (3)

• reverse the current in the coil / electromagnet

• turn the electromagnet around (to reverse the poles)

• wrap the coil (around the iron core) in the opposite direction

Explain how the weight of an object changes, as it is accelerated upwards. (3)

weight depends on mass and gravitational field strength

mass decreases

therefore the weight decreases

Explain why the velocity of an object decreases when there is more resultant force. (3)

gravitational force acts on the object (in the opposite direction to the motion of the object)

(and) there are no forces in the direction that the object is moving

(so) resultant force is towards the ground / Earth

Explain why the parachutes allow a passengers module to fall with a lower terminal velocity. (3)

parachutes increase the effective area

(so) there is the same air resistance at a lower speed

(so) resultant force is zero at a lower speed (with the parachutes open)