2021 Paper 3

Centre Candidate
Surname
Number Number
First name(s) 2
GCE A LEVEL
A420U30-1 O21-A420U30-1
WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2021 – MORNING
PHYSICS – A level component 3

Light, Nuclei and Options
2 hours 15 minutes
For Examiner’s use only
Maximum Mark
Question
Mark Awarded
1. 13
2. 15
A 420U3 01
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
3. 12
01
In addition to this examination paper, you will
require a calculator and a Data Booklet. 4. 19
Section A
5. 10
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 6. 12
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 7. 8
Do not use gel pen or correction fluid.
8. 11
You may use a pencil for graphs and
diagrams only. Section B Option 20
Write your name, centre number and candidate Total 120
number in the spaces at the top of this page.
Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet. If you run out of space, use the additional
page(s) at the back of the booklet, taking care to number the question(s) correctly.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

This paper is in 2 sections, A and B.
Section A: 100 marks. Answer all questions. You are advised to spend about 1 hour 50 minutes
on this section.
Section B: 20 marks; Options. Answer one option only. You are advised to spend about
25 minutes on this section.
The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.
The assessment of the quality of extended response (QER) will take place in question 5(a).
OCT21A420U30101 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. VP*(S21-A420U30-1)

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SECTION A
Answer all questions.
1. (a) (i) Angela holds one polarising filter in front of a filament bulb while rotating another
in front of her eye. Describe how the brightness of the bulb changes as she rotates
the polarising filter through 360°. Both filters are aligned initially. [3]
(ii) She now examines light from a source which is partially polarised (a mixture of
polarised and unpolarised light) by rotating a single polarising filter. Describe and
explain how her observations differ from those of part (a)(i). [2]
02 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

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(b) In the following Young’s double slit set-up, the laser emits unpolarised light. Two polarising
filters are placed after the double slits so that the light from the top slit is vertically polarised
whereas the light from the bottom slit is horizontally polarised. Evaluate whether or not
this set-up can produce the usual equally spaced fringes. [3]
Double slits Vertically aligned

polaroid
LASER
Horizontally
aligned polaroid
A 420U3 01
03
03 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

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(c) While carrying out an experiment with a diffraction grating and a laser of wavelength
633 nm, the n = 2 bright fringe is observed at an angle of 47° as shown in the diagram.
Diffraction
grating
47°
LASER
(i) Calculate the number of lines per mm in the diffraction grating. [3]
(ii) Another laser is used and it is found that the n = 3 bright fringe is at exactly the
same angle (47°) as the n = 2 line of the 633 nm laser. Calculate the wavelength of
the laser. [2]
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2. The lowest frequency stationary wave produced in a pipe, open at one end, and its amplitude
profile is shown in the diagram on the left.
(a) The next stationary wave has three times the frequency. Draw the amplitude profile for
this stationary wave and the third stationary wave in the diagrams above. [3]
(b) Dwight uses a variable-length pipe, open at one end, and a set of tuning forks of different
frequencies, f, to measure the speed of sound in air. He obtains the lengths, L, for the first
stationary waves for all tuning forks and records them in the table.
Variable-length pipe,
open at one end Tuning fork
Water
Frequency, f Length, L / cm Speed of

/ Hz Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3 Mean sound, c / m s–1
256 32.0 32.2 32.2 32.1 329
288 28.5 28.2 27.9 28.2 325
320 25.3 25.4 25.2 25.3 324
341 23.7 23.9 23.7 23.8 325
384 21.0 20.9 20.8 20.9 321
426 18.6 18.6 18.2 18.5 315
480 16.2 16.6 16.0 ................................. .................................
512 15.0 15.3 15.6 15.3 313

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(i) Explain why the speed of sound is given by:
c = 4Lf
where c is the speed of sound in air. [2]
(ii) Complete the table for the 480 Hz tuning fork. [2]
Space for calculations.
(iii) Dwight determined that the maximum uncertainty in the measured length was
± 0.3 cm and used this as the uncertainty in each mean length. He then produced
the following table.
A 420U3 01
07
Frequency, f Speed of sound, c
/ Hz / m s–1
256 329 ± 3
288 325 ± 3
320 324 ± 4
341 325 ± 4
384 321 ± 5
426 315 ± 5
480 .................... ±6
512 313 ± 6
For the 512 Hz tuning fork, explain how Dwight obtained the figure 313 ± 6 m s–1
(you may assume that the frequency of the tuning fork is exact). [2]

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Examiner
–1 only
(iv) Dwight researches the speed of sound at 20 °C and finds that it should be 343 m s .
He concludes that the values of the speed of sound in the table are inaccurate and
that some systematic error is responsible. Discuss whether or not these data are
inaccurate and actually show a systematic error. [2]
(v) Dwight’s teacher comments that there is an end correction that must be included for
sound waves in pipes. She states that the actual equation for the speed of sound is:
c = 4 × (L + 0.3d) × f
where 0.3d is known as the end correction and d is the diameter of the pipe. She
measures the diameter of the pipe as 5.0 cm and corrects Dwight’s data:
Frequency, f Speed of sound, c

/ Hz / m s–1
256 344 ± 3
288 342 ± 3
320 343 ± 4
341 345 ± 4
384 344 ± 5
426 341 ± 5
480 ..................... ±6
512 344 ± 6
Calculate a corrected value for the speed of sound using the 480 Hz tuning fork
data. [2]
(vi) Discuss to what extent the final values are accurate and consistent with the
published value of 343 m s–1. [2]
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3. (a) For the optical fibre shown, calculate the angles θ and φ. [3]
n3 = 1.55
n1 = 1.00 θ n2 = 1.58
φ
21.1°
(b) Hence, determine whether the ray shown will travel a long distance along the optical fibre
without a rapid drop in intensity. [3]

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(c) Consider data sent down the core along two different paths – the central axis and at 11°
to the central axis as shown in the diagram.
11° n2 = 1.58
(i) Calculate the time delay between pulses sent along both paths when the length of
the optical fibre is 3.5 km. [4]
A 420U3 01
11
(ii) Hence, calculate the highest number of pulses per second that can be sent along
the optical fibre without overlap, explaining your reasoning. [2]
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4. Greg uses the following set-up to investigate the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic
field and to determine the magnetic flux density.
Wire
Y
Magnet
X
Electronic balance
The portion XY of the wire which is in the magnetic field, has been placed carefully so that the
A 420U3 01
current is from X to Y at 90° to the direction of the magnetic field.
While there is no current, the balance is reset to display 00.00 g.
13
When there is a current in the direction shown, the electromagnetic force results in a negative
reading on the display of the balance.
This signifies an upward force on the magnet and a downward force on the wire.
(a) (i) Greg states that the forces on the wire and the magnet are a Newton’s third law pair
of forces. Explain briefly why Greg is correct. [2]
(ii) The left pole of the magnet is a north pole. Explain how this is consistent with the
information above, naming the rule that you used. [1]

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(b) Greg varies the current, I, in the wire and notes the electronic balance reading each time
and uses these to calculate the magnetic force, F. He records all his results in a table.
Current, I Balance Magnetic force, F

/A reading / g / mN
0.80 0.69 .......................
1.60 1.37 13.4

2.40 2.06 20.2
3.20 2.74 .......................
4.00 3.43 33.6

4.80 4.11 40.3
(i) Complete the table. [2]


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(ii) Plot a graph of F against I and draw a line of best fit. [3]
F / mN
40
35
30
25
A 420U3 01
20
15
15
10
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
I/A

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(iii) Explain to what extent the data show that the force is proportional to the current.
[3]
(iv) The length of the portion XY of the wire is 5.0 cm. Determine the magnetic flux
density, B, of the field between the poles of the magnet and quote it to an appropriate
number of significant figures. [4]
(v) Nancy claims that the forces on the vertical portions of the wire have not been
considered in the answer to part (iv) and that the answer will be inaccurate because
of this. Evaluate whether or not Nancy is correct. [2]
(vi) The value of the magnetic flux density in part (iv) is slightly inaccurate for another
reason which has nothing to do with human error or meter inaccuracies. Discuss
what might be the cause of this inaccuracy. [2]
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5. (a) Describe the appearance of line emission spectra and absorption spectra, how they can
be produced and explain the atomic processes responsible for their production. [6 QER]

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(b) The energy levels of a gas are shown below.
–1.31 eV
– 3.12 eV
– 5.41 eV
Transitions between these energy levels provide two visible photon energies and one
ultraviolet photon energy. Add to the diagram below to indicate the two absorption lines
expected for this gas within the wavelength range shown. [4]
A 420U3 01
19
400 500 600 700
Wavelength / nm

10

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6. A photocell is used to demonstrate the photoelectric effect.
Photocell
+
V nA
_
(a) Explain what is meant by the photoelectric effect. [3]
(b) Light of frequency 655 THz and intensity 96.0 W m –2 is incident on the photocell which has
an emitting surface area of 2.50 cm2.
(i) Calculate the number of photons per second incident on the photocell. [4]

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(ii) Calculate the current, given that only 0.54 % of the incident photons lead to electrons
that are collected at the anode. [2]
(c) Explain how the maximum kinetic energy of electrons can be measured using this
apparatus. [3]
A 420U3 01
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12

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7. The following is a nuclear reaction that is believed to take place in stars.
3 1 4 +
2 He + 1H 2 He + e + νe
(a) Show how conservation of baryon number, charge and lepton number apply to this
reaction. [3]
(b) The electron neutrino indicates that this is a weak force interaction. State another clear
indicator that this reaction is a weak force interaction. [1]
(c) The masses of the particles in the reaction are:
Particle Mass / kg Particle Mass / kg Particle Mass / kg

3
5.006 × 10 –27
4
6.645 × 10 –27 νe
2 He 2 He 0
1
1H 1.673 × 10 –27 e+ 9.11 × 10 –31 ................................ ................................
Calculate the energy released in the reaction. [2]
3
(d) Another more common nuclear reaction for 2 He in stars is:
3 3 4 1
2 He + 2 He 2 He + 2 1H
Sophie claims that this is a strong nuclear force reaction. Determine whether or not Sophie

is correct. [2]

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8. (a) State Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law of electromagnetic induction. [3]
(b) (i) Varying magnetic, B, fields can lead to heating effects. Explain why the metal ring
becomes hot in the set-up shown below. [2]
Thin metal ring
Rapidly changing
B -field
(ii) Calculate the current in the ring if the rate of change of the B -field is 67 T s–1, the
ring has a radius of 7.0 cm and a resistance of 0.087 Ω. [3]

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(c) The rapidly changing electromagnetic fields of microwaves are known to cause heating
effects but are also thought, by some, to cause cancer.
The Devon town of Totnes has banned the modern mobile phone network 5G even though
this network is limited to an intensity of 10 W m –2, the same as all other microwave mobile
networks.
The intensity of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun on Totnes is around 1 000 W m –2.
Discuss whether Totnes Council has used scientific information wisely in their decision
making. [3]
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SECTION B: OPTIONAL TOPICS
Option A – Alternating Currents
Option B – Medical Physics
Option C – The Physics of Sports
Option D – Energy and the Environment
Answer the question on one topic only.
Place a tick (√) in one of the boxes above, to show which topic you are answering.
You are advised to spend about 25 minutes on this section.

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Option A – Alternating Currents
9. (a) The coil shown has a cross-sectional area of 24.0 cm2, 350 turns and is rotated at a
frequency of 50 Hz in a uniform magnetic field of 9.2 mT. The angle, θ, shown is zero at
time t = 0.
N B S
(i) State at which values of θ the maxima and minima values of flux through the coil
occur. [2]
(ii) Explain at which value of θ the maximum induced emf occurs. [2]
(iii) Calculate the induced emf when t = 2.5 ms. [3]

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(b) The following RCL circuit is set up.
variable frequency a.c. supply
Vrms = 4.5 V
85 Ω 4.2 mH
60 nF
(i) Show that the resonance frequency of the circuit above is approximately 10 000 Hz.
[1]
(ii) Explain why the maximum rms current is approximately 50 mA. [1]
(iii) Show that the rms current in the circuit is approximately 17 mA when the frequency
is 16 kHz. [3]

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(iv) Use the results of parts (i), (ii) and (iii) to sketch a graph of rms current against
frequency for the circuit on the axes provided. [3]
120
rms current / mA
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20
Frequency / kHz

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(c) Caitlin claims that the graph below shows the variation of rms current with frequency for
the RCL circuit shown (the same circuit as in part (b) but with the resistance halved).
Determine whether or not Caitlin is correct. [5]
120
rms current / mA
variable frequency a.c. supply

100
Vrms = 4.5 V
80
42.5 Ω 4.2 mH 60
60 nF
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20
Frequency / kHz
20

32
Examiner
Option B – Medical Physics only
10. (a) The electrons in an X-ray tube are accelerated by a pd of 45 kV.
(i) Determine the kinetic energy in Joule with which an electron hits the target after
accelerating through this voltage. [2]
(ii) Determine the minimum wavelength of the X-rays. [2]
(iii) The X-ray tube has an efficiency of 0.5 % and the anode current is 0.12 A. Calculate
the power of the X-rays produced. [2]
IR
(b) The fraction,
, of ultrasound reflected at a boundary between two materials of
I0
acoustic impedance Z1 and Z2 is given by the equation:
I R (Z2 – Z1 )2
=
I 0 (Z + Z )2
2 1
Using the information given in the table below determine the fraction of ultrasound that is
reflected at the air / skin boundary. [2]
Speed of
Medium Density / kg m –3
ultrasound / m s–1
air 1.300 340
skin 1.075 × 103 1 590

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(c) (i) A magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner can be used to detect tumours in a
patient’s body. Describe the effect a strong magnetic field has on hydrogen and
how the hydrogen absorbs and emits radio waves. [2]
(ii) The MRI scanner has a magnetic field of 1.4 T. Determine the wavelength of
electromagnetic radiation that should be used to detect the tumour. [2]
(d) Explain how PET scanners work. [3]

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(e) Doctors are concerned that a patient, who has a pacemaker fitted, has developed deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clots in the leg leading to slow blood flow. They have the
choice of the following techniques to diagnose this.
X-ray MRI ultrasound CT scan radioactive tracers
Evaluate the suitability of all five types of imaging techniques for detecting blood clots in
the leg. [5]
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Option C – The Physics of Sports
11. (a) (i) Explain which player, A or B, is in a more stable position. [2]
Player A
Player B
(ii) Explain what is meant by the statement that the coefficient of restitution of a netball
ball and the floor of the court is 0.8. [2]
(iii) Use the data in the table to show that a wood floor surface has the greater coefficient
of restitution. [2]
Surface Mean drop height / m Mean bounce height / m

wood 1.25 0.62
rubber mesh 1.30 0.51

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(b) (i) In a practice match a player applies spin to the ball when passing to a team-mate. A
spectator suggests that applying spin has no effect on the flight of the ball. Explain
whether the spectator is correct. [3]
(ii) Determine the torque applied to the ball to enable it to spin at a rate of 7.3 rad s–1
from rest in 0.3 s. The mass of the ball is 450 g and diameter 220 mm. The moment
2
of inertia is given by the equation I = 3 mr2. [4]
(iii) During a different pass of the ball; the rotational kinetic energy of the ball is 4.4 J.
Determine the number of revolutions per second of the ball. [3]

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(c) A player aims to shoot a goal. The horizontal distance is 4.8 m and the height of the
scoring hoop is 3.0 m. The ball is thrown with an initial speed of 8.0 m s–1 at an angle of
30° above the horizontal, from a height of 1.8 m. Assume that air resistance is negligible
for this part.
4.8 m
3.0 m
1.8 m
(i) Determine the time of flight for the ball to reach the scoring hoop. [2]
(ii) Evaluate whether or not a goal is scored. [2]
20

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Option D – Energy and the Environment
12. (a) The graph below shows the radiation received from the Sun at the top of the Earth’s
atmosphere as a function of wavelength.
Spectral
intensity
0 500 1 000 1 500 2 000 2 500

Wavelength / nm
Describe how a graph of the radiation emitted from the Earth detected by a satellite

outside the atmosphere would be different from the graph shown. [3]

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(b) (i) State Archimedes’ principle. [2]
(ii) Harry adds a block of ice to a measuring cylinder containing saltwater. This causes
the measuring cylinder reading to increase by 100 cm3. The density of saltwater is
1 020 kg m –3 and the density of ice is 920 kg m –3. Determine the volume of the block
of ice above the surface. [3]
(iii) The block of ice is left to melt. Harry says the ice melting will dilute the saltwater,
decreasing its density. He suggests that adding an identical cube of ice would now
increase the measuring cylinder reading by more than 100 cm3. Evaluate whether
or not Harry is correct. [2]

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(c) (i) An offshore turbine has blades which sweep out an area of radius 82 m. The area
swept out by the blades is always at right angles to the wind direction.
When the incoming air speed is 14 m s–1, the energy transferred to the turbine from
the air per second as it passes through the blades is 16 MW. Determine the mean
speed of the air after it has passed through the blades. (Density of air = 1.2 kg m –3.)
[3]
Area, A
14 m s–1
Reduced air speed
(ii) Under the above conditions the turbine can produce an electrical energy output of
210 MWh in 24 hours. Calculate the efficiency of the electricity production. [2]

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(d) (i) Define the U value of a building structure. [1]
(ii) A room inside a building has one external wall measuring 5 m × 4 m. The graph
below shows how the energy transferred through the wall per second varies with
the temperature inside the room. (The temperature outside the building remains
constant.)
70
Energy transferred through the wall per second / W
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Temperature of room / °C
Use the graph to determine the temperature outside the building and the U value of
the wall. [3]

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(iii) The external wall consists of three layers as shown.
Concrete block
Insulation
Brick
Bob uses the thermal conductivity values of the three materials to calculate a
theoretical energy loss per second when the room temperature is 10 °C. He notices
his correctly calculated value is greater than 24 J s–1. Give a reason for this. [1]
20
END OF PAPER

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Centre Candidate

WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2021 – MORNING

PHYSICS – A level component 3

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

OCT21A420U30101 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. VP*(S21-A420U30-1)

Answer all questions.

02 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

Double slits Vertically aligned

03 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

04 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

05 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

Frequency, f Length, L / cm Speed of

480 16.2 16.6 16.0 ................................. .................................

512 15.0 15.3 15.6 15.3 313

06 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

where c is the speed of sound in air. [2]

07 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

Frequency, f Speed of sound, c

08 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

09 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

10 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

11 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE

12 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

13 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

Current, I Balance Magnetic force, F

0.80 0.69 .......................

1.60 1.37 13.4

3.20 2.74 .......................

4.00 3.43 33.6

(i) Complete the table. [2]

14 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

15 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

16 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

17 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

18 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

19 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

(a) Explain what is meant by the photoelectric effect. [3]

20 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

21 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

(c) The masses of the particles in the reaction are:

Particle Mass / kg Particle Mass / kg Particle Mass / kg

Calculate the energy released in the reaction. [2]

22 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

23 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

Thin metal ring

24 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

25 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE

26 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)

SECTION B: OPTIONAL TOPICS

Option A – Alternating Currents

Option B – Medical Physics

Option C – The Physics of Sports

Option D – Energy and the Environment

Answer the question on one topic only.

You are advised to spend about 25 minutes on this section.

27 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1) Turn over.

(iii) Calculate the induced emf when t = 2.5 ms. [3]

28 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. (A420U30-1)