Answer to Sec 3 Higher Paper Revision

1. (a)

V
Vo t

V = 1.24 10-3 25.0 (60.0 20.0) = 1.24 cm3 [1]

V = r2h
h

(b)

1.24

0.50 2

1.6 cm [1]

[1] start from same initial volume

[1] steeper gradient

Vol

(c)

20.0

60.0

Temperature / oC

[Choose any 3 factors to talk about, 1 mark each] Must mention the
properties found in the table that are used for comparison in each case.
Sensitivity
The thermometer using ethyl alcohol has higher sensitivity because ethyl
alcohol has a higher coefficient of volume expansion, for the same rise in
temperature, the change in volume of the liquid, thus the increase in height, is
greater.
Range
The thermometer using ethyl alcohol has a smaller range compared to that using
acetic acid for the same length of thermometer. This is because ethyl alcohol has
a higher coefficient of volume expansion, which means that it will expand by a
larger amount of the same temperature increase.
Responsiveness
The thermometer using acetic acid will be more responsive because acetic acid
has a smaller specific heat capacity. This means that less energy is needed to
raise the temperature of a unit mass of liquid by 1 oC, so less time is needed for
the liquid to achieve uniform temperature throughout.
Suitability of use under different ambient conditions

For very cold environmental conditions where temperatures drop below 0 oC,
ethyl alcohol would be more suitable because it has a very low melting point.
Acetic acid has a higher melting point, so it will freeze below 0 oC.
For hot environmental conditions, acetic acid is more suitable because it has a
higher boiling point. Ethyl alcohol having a lower boiling point is more volatile
and will vaporize easily at higher temperatures.
2. (a)

(i)

average velocity = 9.0 / 1.50 = 6.0 cm/s

(ii)

Yes.
Time/s
0.50
1.00
1.50

Average velocity/cm/s
2.0
4.0
6.0

Final velocity/cm/s
4.0
8.0
12.0

For every 0.50s, velocity increases by 4.0 cm/s, acceleration is thus

constant at 8.0 cm/s2.
(b)

Ranking:
Highest
final
velocity

Lowest
final
velocity

Reasoning:
Ranking is determined by direction of velocity and distance between the final
two positions of the ball.
[1] takes into account direction of velocity
[1] understands that final speed can be compared using distance between
final two positions since the time interval between successive positions is the
same
B and E have same final positive velocity. [1]
A and D have same final negative velocity. [1]
Velocity of B and E < velocity of F [1]
Velocity of A and D < velocity of C [1]
[ Other plausible answers accepted case by case basis. ]

3. A car is moving with the same speed as a bullet as shown in the figure below. To the
driver in the car, the bullet will seem to be stationary.
Bullet moving at the same
speed as the car

An experiment is conducted to see if this is true. However, it is impossible to make a

car move as fast as a bullet with a speed of 370 m/s. To get around this constraint, a
special launcher is built to launch a projectile at a lower speed, which is achievable by
a car. To determine this speed of the projectile, a ballistic pendulum is used.

We can assume the following:

Mass of projectile = m1
Mass of pendulum = m2
Change in height of pendulum = h
Horizontal velocity of projectile = v1
Horizontal velocity of pendulum and embedded projectile just after collision = v2
a. Will v1 to be the same as v2 ? Explain your answer.

[2]

They will be the different [1].

Some of the kinetic energy of the projectile will be transferred to the
pendulum [1]
OR
Energy is lost during collision [1]
OR
Energy is conserved and KE of projectile = KE of pendulum + projectile. Since
the total mass of the pendulum and projectile is higher than that of the
projectile alone, v1 will be higher than v2 .[1]
OR
Momentum is conserved and Momentum of projectile before collision =
momentum of projectile + pendulum after collision. Since the total mass of the

pendulum and projectile is higher than that of the projectile alone, v1 will be
higher than v2 .[1]
To determine the speed of the projectile from the given information, you have to
approach the problem using 2 approaches:
(1) The time interval from just before to just after the collision
(2) The subsequent time interval in which the pendulum moves from the vertical
hanging position to the maximum height.
To analyse (1), conservation of momentum can be used. The total momentum of the
bullet and pendulum before collision must be equal to the total momentum after
collision.
b. Given that momentum can be calculated by p = mv, write down an equation to
show the law of conservation of momentum.
[1]

c. To analyse (2), the law of conservation of energy can be used. Write down an
equation to show this law.
[1]

d. Determine v1 in terms of m1, m2, g and h.

[3]

e. Now, the launcher is calibrated to launch the projectile at a velocity that a car can
achieve. The launcher is then fixed onto the car. When the car has moved to the
velocity the projectile is supposed to be moving at, the launcher is activated to
send the projectile flying.
Will you be able to see the projectile stationary outside the window? Explain your
answer.
[3]
No [1], I will not be able to see the projectile stationary outside the window. This
is because when the projectile is launched on a moving car, its velocity will be
velocity of projectile + velocity of car [1]. Therefore, the projectile is moving
faster than the car [1].
4. (a) Rate of temperature rise = (40 20) / 10 = 2.0 oC/min [1]
(b)

From B to C, the temperature of the oil increase at a decreasing rate. [1]

While the oil is being heated, cooling also takes place. This amount of cooling
increases with greater difference in temperature of the oil and surrounding
based on Newtons Law of Cooling. [1] From B to C, the oil temperature is
substantially higher than room temperature, thus the effect of cooling
becomes greater. [1]
Since thermal energy is supplied at a constant rate but amount of cooling
increases, the temperature of the oil will increase at a decreasing rate.

(c)

Energy loss from the oil to the surroundings, which were followed by
adjustment of temperature back to 80 oC. [1]

(b)

rate of energy supplied = mc( / t) [1] = 100 x 2100 x (2.0 / 60) = 7000 W [1]

(c)

Given the same power supplied, it will take a twice the time for water to be
heated up to the same temperature for the same time when compared to oil.
[1] This is because it has a twice the s.h.c. [1]

[1] for correct and accurate graph.

[-1] if graph is not accurate overall.

5. The diagram below shows how fast thermal energy is being gained from different
places in a house. (1 kWh is the amount of power consumed/generated over a period
of one hour.)
Through roof 40
kWh
34oC
18oC
Through
walls
20 kWh

Airconditioner

15 kWh
People,
electrical
appliances, etc

Through
windows
10 kWh

Gaps around the

door and
windows
20 kWh
Through floor
10 kWh
To keep the house at 18oC, the gained thermal energy has to be removed. Part of this
thermal energy comes from people living in the house and the electrical appliances.
a.

How much thermal energy must be removed by the air-conditioner in order for
the room to remain at 18oC?
[2]

b. The house is then improved in the following ways:

Insulation reduces thermal energy gained through the roof by 50%.
Cavity wall insulation reduces thermal energy gained through the walls by
50%.
Double glazing windows reduce thermal energy gained through the windows
by 30%.
Draught proofing reduces thermal energy gained through the gaps around
windows and doors by 75%.
Fitted carpets reduced thermal energy gained through the floor by 20%.
Determine the amount of thermal energy that the air-conditioner has to be
removed after the improvements are made.
[3]

c. The efficiency of air-conditioners is given by the Coefficient of Performance

(COP). It is defined the ratio of cooling provided by the air-conditioner to the
amount of electrical input required.
Given that air-conditioner used has a COP of 3.41, determine the amount of
electrical energy required to cause the cooling in (b).
[2]

d. The cost of 1 kWh of electricity is $0.19. If it costs $10,000 to fully insulate the
house as described in (b), determine the number of years that the owner will
break-even.
[3]