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IB Physics HL B: Particulate Nature of Matter

Practise IB Physics HL particle models through shared-core and HL work on gases, thermal energy, circuits, radiation and power, using data precisely.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

B. The particulate nature of matter question 1

[Maximum number: 9]

Ceres is a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt. The following data are available.

 Mean distance of Ceres from the Sun =4.4×1011 m Mean power output of the Sun =3.8×1026 W\begin{array}{ll} \text { Mean distance of Ceres from the Sun } & =4.4 \times 10^{11} \mathrm{~m} \\ \text { Mean power output of the Sun } & =3.8 \times 10^{26} \mathrm{~W} \end{array}

Question (a)

(a)

Determine the mean temperature of Ceres assuming that it acts as a black-body radiator.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Ceres has a solid rocky core covered with solid ice. The mean temperature is higher than your answer in (a)(i) because radioactive nuclei in the centre of Ceres are decaying. Outline how the energy from the radioactive decay reaches the surface.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

At low temperatures such as the mean temperature of Ceres, water undergoes a phase change directly from solid to gas.

[ 4 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Compare the molecular conditions of the solid phase and the gas phase at the same temperature.

[ 3 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

The maximum surface temperature of Ceres is 38C-38^{\circ} \mathrm{C}. Observations show that significant quantities of water vapour are released from the surface of Ceres every second when the temperature is at this maximum. Calculate the mean kinetic energy of a molecule of water vapour at this temperature.

[ 1 ]

B. The particulate nature of matter question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows a simple model of the energy balance in the Earth surface-atmosphere system. The intensities of the radiations are given.

Figure for Question B. The particulate nature of matter question 2 — IB Physics HL

What is the average intensity radiated by the atmosphere towards the surface?

A

100Wm2100 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}

B

150Wm2150 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}

C

240Wm2240 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}

D

390Wm2390 \mathrm{Wm}^{-2}

B. The particulate nature of matter question 3

[Maximum number: 7]

A boat is moved from land to water by rolling it across a set of cylindrical airbags.

Figure for Question B. The particulate nature of matter question 3 — IB Physics HL

Question (a)

(a)

When fully inflated, an unloaded airbag has a diameter of 1.80 m and a length of 24.0 m . At a temperature of 15C15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}, an airbag can hold 4200 mol of gas.

[ 7 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Show that the pressure in an airbag is about 0.2 MPa .

When the boat is placed on the airbags, the airbags are compressed so that the effective contact area is as shown in the diagram.

Figure for Question (i) — IB Physics HL

In this arrangement, the maximum safe pressure before an airbag bursts is four times the value calculated in (a)(i). The boat is supported by airbags on a slope that is at an angle of 4.04.0^{\circ} to the horizontal. There are fifteen airbags supporting the boat at all times.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Estimate the maximum safe mass that this arrangement can hold.

[ 3 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Outline the change in internal energy of the gas in the airbag.

[ 2 ]

B. The particulate nature of matter question 4

[Maximum number: 16]

This question is in two parts

Question (a)

(a)

The plates in (c) are replaced by a cell that has an emf of 12.0 V and internal resistance 5.00Ω5.00 \Omega. A resistor of resistance R is connected in series with the cell. The energy transferred by the cell to an electron as it moves through the resistor is 1.44×1018 J1.44 \times 10^{-18} \mathrm{~J}.

[ 6 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Define resistance of a resistor.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Show that the value of R is 15.0Ω15.0 \Omega.

[ 4 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Calculate the total power supplied by the cell.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

A gas undergoes a thermodynamic cycle. The P-V diagram for the cycle is shown below.

Figure for Question (b) — IB Physics HL

In the changes of state B to C and D to A , the gas behaves as an ideal gas and the changes in state are adiabatic.

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the circumstances in which the behaviour of a gas approximates to ideal gas behaviour.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

State what is meant by an adiabatic change of state.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

With reference to the first law of thermodynamics, explain for the change of state A to B, why energy is transferred from the surroundings to the gas.

[ 4 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Estimate the total work done in the cycle.

[ 3 ]
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