How many NESA Physics questions cover Deep inside the Atom?

AusGrader has 56 NESA Physics questions on Deep inside the Atom, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

NESA (HSC) Physics — Deep inside the Atom Questions & Answers | AusGrader

Q20

2025

NESA

1 mark

Q20

1 mark

Consider the possibility of an electron and a positron colliding in a particle accelerator to produce a proton and an antiproton, as shown in the equation below.

electron + positron $\rightarrow$ proton + antiproton

Which statement makes the correct conclusion about the possibility of such a reaction, and provides a plausible reason for this conclusion?

A

The reaction is impossible because electrons and positrons will combine to produce a single neutral particle.

B

The reaction is possible because the masses of the proton and antiproton are the result of their relativistic velocities.

C

The reaction is possible because the masses of the proton and antiproton come mainly from energy supplied by the accelerator.

D

The reaction is impossible because protons are much more massive than electrons and hence the reaction violates the law of conservation of mass.

Q3

2024

NESA

1 mark

Q3

1 mark

Which of the following is a fundamental particle in the Standard Model of matter?

A

Hadron

B

Neutron

C

Photon

D

Proton

Q33

2023

NESA

9 marks

Q33

9 marks

Consider the following statement.

"The interaction of subatomic particles with fields, as well as with other types of particles and matter, has increased our understanding of processes that occur in the physical world and of the properties of the subatomic particles themselves."

Justify this statement with reference to observations that have been made and experiments that scientists have carried out.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Provides a reasoned detailed justification for the statement with explanation referencing at least TWO observations and at least TWO experiments	9
Provides a justification for the statement with explanation referencing at least TWO observations and at least TWO experiments	8
The student response meets all criteria of the 6-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 8-mark band.	7
Provides a justification for the statement with an explanation of an observation/experiment of particle–field interactions and an observation/experiment of particle–particle interactions	6
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band.	5
Provides details of TWO experiments or observations and how they relate to the statement	4
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band.	3
Relates the statement to an experiment or observation OR Describes relevant experiments or observations	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

Q33

2025

NESA

6 marks

Q33

6 marks

Analyse the role of experimental evidence and theoretical ideas in developing the Standard Model of matter.

Experiments and theoretical ideas have both been critical in the development of the Standard Model of matter.

Particle accelerators have been used to verify key ideas about fundamental particles and the structure of matter. Particle accelerators allow for small wavelength 'matter probes' at high energies, giving high resolution for probing the structure of matter.

Examples of particle accelerator use in the development of the Standard Model include:

Verification of the electroweak theory, which says that the electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces are a result of the same interaction.
The discovery of a Higgs Boson, many decades after it was first proposed as necessary in explaining the mass of particles.
Verification of the existence of quarks by showing the protons and neutrons have internal structure.

Earlier experiments used simpler equipment such as the cloud chamber which was used to discover antimatter following its earlier theoretical prediction.

Many experiments have verified earlier theoretical ideas, and these confirmations have then in turn allowed the proposal of further ideas, which have in turn later been verified by experiments.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Provides a detailed analysis of how experimental evidence and theoretical ideas contributed to the development of the Standard Model of matter	6
Provides an analysis of how experimental evidence and theoretical ideas contributed to the development of the Standard Model of matter	5
Describes experiment(s) and idea(s) relating to fundamental particles and/or forces AND links these to the Standard Model of matter	4
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band.	3
Outlines experiments and/or ideas relating to fundamental particles or forces	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

Q22

2023

QCAA

Paper 1

3 marks

Q22

3 marks

Particles move at a rate of $1.3\times10^6$ times per second around a circular particle accelerator with a radius of 35 m.

Calculate the average speed of the particles. Show your working.

Average speed = ______ $ms^{-1}$ (two significant figures)

$C = 2\pi r = 2 \times \pi \times 35 \approx 219.91 \text{ m}$

$f = \frac{1}{T}$

$\therefore v = \frac{2\pi r}{T} = 219.91 \times 1.3 \times 10^6 = 2.86 \times 10^8 \text{ m s}^{-1}$

Average speed $= 2.9 \times 10^8 \text{ m s}^{-1}$ (to two significant figures)

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Recognises the scenario relates to average speed of objects in uniform circular motion	1
Provides appropriate mathematical reasoning	1
Calculates the average speed of the particles	1

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