IB Physics HL Theme B: The particulate nature of matter questions

Exam-style multiple choice and written questions with full markschemes. Check multiple choice answers straight away, or type, photograph or draw a written answer and get it marked.

Type

Multiple choice Written

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Question 1

Paper 2Medium8 marks

Satellite measurements estimate the daily-mean incident and reflected short-wave solar power per unit area for regions with the same underlying surface type. The two regions measured on day 2 were observed in the same season and had approximately matched cloud cover.

Observation	Latitude	Cloud cover	Incident solar power / W m⁻²	Reflected solar power / W m⁻²
Day 1	30°N	Low	250	50
Day 2	30°N	Extensive	250	90
Day 2	60°N	Extensive	180	81

(a)

Determine the albedo for each of the three observations.

[3]

(b)

Calculate the absorbed solar power per unit area at 30°N on day 1 and day 2.

[2]

(c)

Use your answers to (a) and (b) to explain how changing cloud cover affects the daily albedo and absorbed solar power per unit area at 30°N.

[2]

(d)

State what the comparison between the two day-2 observations suggests about the dependence of albedo on latitude.

[1]

Question 2

Paper 2Medium13 marks

A laboratory investigates the pressure exerted by a gas on flat panels. In each trial, a panel forms one wall of a chamber. The outer face of the panel is evacuated, and a sensor measures the force exerted by the gas perpendicular to the panel. The panel area is changed between trials. The measured forces are shown in Figure 1.

(a)

Write the equation defining pressure, P, in terms of force and area, and state what the force represents.

[2]

(b)

Use Figure 1 to determine the pressure represented by the graph, in Pa.

[3]

(c)

A further panel is exposed to gas at the pressure determined in (b). The area of the panel is 0.075 m². Determine the magnitude of the force exerted on the panel.

[2]

(d)

A panel of area 0.12 m² is exposed to gas at the pressure determined in (b). The panel is tilted. Determine the magnitude of the force exerted on it and state the force’s direction relative to the panel.

[3]

(e)

A student concludes that gas pressure increases with panel area because the force shown in Figure 1 increases. Assess this conclusion using the graph.

[3]

Question 3

Paper 2Medium7 marks

A positive charge $q$ moves between the terminals of component P or component Q in the direction of conventional current. $W$ is the electrical work transferred to the component. For each component, the potential difference is constant during the measurements. Figure 1 shows measured values of $W$ for different values of $q$ Treat potential differences as magnitudes.

(a)

Explain why the gradient of a graph of $W$ against $q$ represents the potential difference across a component.

[2]

(b)

Determine the potential difference across component P using Figure 1.

[2]

(c)

A positive charge of $0.60\ \mathrm{C}$ passes through component Q. Determine the work transferred to Q. State which component transfers more energy per unit charge, and by what factor.

[3]

Question 4

Paper 2Medium9 marks

The circuits in Figure 1 are used to compare solid samples X and Y. The sources are ideal and the ammeters have negligible resistance. The samples have equal length and cross-sectional area and are each maintained at $20^\circ\mathrm{C}$

(a)

Identify which sample is an insulator.

[1]

(b)

Determine the resistance of each sample.

[3]

(c)

The voltage across X is then reduced to $1.5\ \mathrm{V}$ Its temperature remains at $20^\circ\mathrm{C}$ and its resistance is assumed unchanged. Calculate the electrical energy transferred to X in $40\ \mathrm{s}$ Show your working.

[3]

(d)

Explain, in terms of the mobility of charge carriers, why the readings in Figure 1 are consistent with X being a conductor and Y an insulator.

[2]

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