IB Physics HL B.1.2 Density Question Bank

Practise HL density calculations for fluids, icebergs, astrophysics and mass flow using supplied data in exam questions.

Exam points

Use density with cosmological, biological and fluid-system data to calculate mass, energy density or flow.
Analyse water’s density maximum and iceberg buoyancy with density ratios, temperature and mass calculations.
Model mass flow from density, area, speed and time, then check the dimensions of each derived quantity.

[Maximum number: 1]

A cylindrical spacecraft of cross-sectional area S moves with velocity v. The spacecraft enters a region of dust of density $\rho$ . All the dust that comes into contact with the forward cross-sectional area of the spacecraft sticks to the spacecraft increasing its mass.

Figure for Question B.1.2—Density question 1 — IB Physics HL

Show that in time $\Delta t$ the mass of the spacecraft will increase by an amount $\rho \operatorname{Sv} \Delta t$ .

Identifies length of cylinder as $v \Delta t$ so volume as $S \times v \times \Delta t$ to show the result

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B.1.2—Density question 1