VCAA Physics How do things move without contact?
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
The definition of magnetic field is
a region of space through which the total magnetic flux is measured.
a region of space surrounding a body in which another body experiences a force of attraction.
a region of space around an electrically charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other electrically charged particles or objects.
a region of space near a magnet, electric current or moving electrically charged particle in which a magnetic force acts on any other magnet, electric current or moving electrically charged particle.
Reveal Answer
a region of space through which the total magnetic flux is measured.
This describes the domain for calculating magnetic flux, which is the integral of the magnetic field over an area, rather than defining the field itself.
a region of space surrounding a body in which another body experiences a force of attraction.
This is a generic definition that could apply to gravitational or electric fields; it fails to specify that the force is magnetic or that it acts on magnets and moving charges.
a region of space around an electrically charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other electrically charged particles or objects.
This is the definition of an electric field, which exerts forces on stationary or moving electric charges, whereas magnetic fields specifically affect moving charges or magnetic materials.
a region of space near a magnet, electric current or moving electrically charged particle in which a magnetic force acts on any other magnet, electric current or moving electrically charged particle.
This accurately defines a magnetic field by identifying its sources (magnets, currents, moving charges) and its effect (exerting magnetic force on similar entities).
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.
Reveal Answer
| 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 |
| 2 |
Provides some relevant information | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Two satellites in circular orbits around Earth have the same mass but are travelling at different speeds.
This means that
they orbit Earth at different radii.
they will have the same kinetic energy.
they orbit Earth with the same period.
the gravitational force exerted on them by Earth will be the same.
Reveal Answer
they orbit Earth at different radii.
The orbital speed of a satellite is given by . Since their speeds are different, their orbital radii must also be different.
they will have the same kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy is calculated as . Since their speeds are different, their kinetic energies cannot be the same.
they orbit Earth with the same period.
According to Kepler's Third Law (), satellites at different radii will have different orbital periods.
the gravitational force exerted on them by Earth will be the same.
The gravitational force depends on the orbital radius (). Since their radii are different, the forces exerted on them will also be different.
The escape velocity from the surface of a planet, which has no atmosphere, is . A mass is launched at to the planet's surface at .
What will be the subsequent motion of the mass?
A circular orbit around the planet
An elliptical orbit around the planet
A parabolic trajectory, returning to land with velocity
A trajectory reaching zero velocity at an infinite distance
Reveal Answer
A circular orbit around the planet
A circular orbit requires a negative total energy and a launch parallel to the surface at a specific orbital velocity, which is less than the escape velocity.
An elliptical orbit around the planet
An elliptical orbit requires the total energy of the system to be negative, meaning the launch velocity must be strictly less than the escape velocity.
A parabolic trajectory, returning to land with velocity
While the trajectory is indeed a parabola, an object launched at or above escape velocity will overcome the planet's gravity and never return to land.
A trajectory reaching zero velocity at an infinite distance
At escape velocity, the total energy (kinetic plus gravitational potential) of the mass is exactly zero. Regardless of the outward launch angle, it will escape the planet's gravitational field and reach zero velocity at an infinite distance.
Two objects on different planets experience different accelerations due to gravity.
| Object | Mass (kg) | Acceleration due to gravity (m s) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 79 | 1.6 |
| B | 32 | 3.7 |
Determine which object has the greatest force acting on it. Show your working.
Reveal Answer
Force on object A = down
Force on object B = down
Object A experiences the greatest force.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Recognises the scenario relates to relationship between the force due to gravity and mass | 1 |
Provides appropriate mathematical reasoning | 1 |
Identifies the object experiencing the greatest force acting on it | 1 |
Kepler’s third law
describes the elliptical orbit of planets.
combines Newton’s first law of motion with uniform circular motion.
equates the area of the arc sweep of a planet to the time taken to complete it.
describes the relationship between uniform circular motion and the Law of Universal Gravitation.
Reveal Answer
describes the elliptical orbit of planets.
This describes Kepler's First Law, also known as the Law of Ellipses, which states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
combines Newton’s first law of motion with uniform circular motion.
Kepler's laws are not derived from combining Newton's first law with uniform circular motion; rather, the third law relates orbital period to distance.
equates the area of the arc sweep of a planet to the time taken to complete it.
This describes Kepler's Second Law, or the Law of Equal Areas, which states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.
describes the relationship between uniform circular motion and the Law of Universal Gravitation.
Kepler's Third Law () is physically derived by equating the centripetal force in uniform circular motion to the gravitational force defined by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
Which change would produce the greatest increase in magnetic field strength inside a current-carrying solenoid?
decreasing the thickness of the wire
increasing the length of the solenoid
adding more turns of wire to the solenoid
using an alternating current instead of a direct current
Reveal Answer
decreasing the thickness of the wire
Decreasing wire thickness increases electrical resistance, which would reduce the current (for a fixed voltage) and consequently decrease the magnetic field strength.
increasing the length of the solenoid
The magnetic field strength is inversely proportional to the length ; increasing the length while keeping the number of turns constant decreases the turn density, weakening the field.
adding more turns of wire to the solenoid
The magnetic field strength inside a solenoid is directly proportional to the number of turns (); increasing the number of turns increases the turn density , which increases the field strength according to .
using an alternating current instead of a direct current
Alternating current produces a magnetic field that fluctuates in magnitude and direction, and inductive reactance often reduces the current compared to DC, which would not increase the field strength.
Two asteroids experience a gravitational force of N between them. Their masses are kg and kg.
Calculate the distance between the two asteroids. Show your working. (m to two significant figures)
Reveal Answer
Distance between asteroids = m (to two significant figures)
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Recognises the scenario relates to Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation | 1 |
Provides appropriate mathematical reasoning | 1 |
Calculates the distance between the asteroids | 1 |
Two satellites, and , are in stable circular orbits around the Earth. The radius of satellite 's orbit is three times that of satellite 's orbit. Both satellites have the same kinetic energy.
Show that the mass of is three times the mass of .
Reveal Answer
Substitute :
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Shows all relevant steps to determine the mass ratio | 3 |
Makes progress towards determining mass ratio | 2 |
Provides some relevant information | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Calculate the electric field strength experienced at a distance of m from the centre of a helium nucleus.
Reveal Answer
This is the value for the electric potential (), not the electric field strength ().
This value represents the electric potential calculated incorrectly by using the mass number (4) instead of the atomic number (2) for the charge.
Using the formula with the charge of a helium nucleus ( C), the result is .
This result comes from incorrectly using the mass number (4) instead of the atomic number (2) to calculate the total charge ().
An alpha particle with a charge of C moves through an electric field, accelerating from rest through a potential difference of 240 V.
Determine the velocity of the particle at the end of its acceleration, expressing your answer in scientific notation. (m/s to 2 significant figures)
Reveal Answer
The change in potential energy of an electric charge moving through an electric field is equivalent to the work done on the charge.
The work done on an object is equal to the change in kinetic energy.
Velocity = (to 2 significant figures)
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Recognises the scenario relates to work done on a moving charge in an electric field | 1 |
Identifies that work done on the charge equates to its kinetic energy | 1 |
Provides appropriate mathematical reasoning | 1 |
Determines the velocity | 1 |
An experiment was conducted to determine the force experienced by an 85 cm wire with a 2.4 A current flowing through it in an external magnetic field. It was rotated through varying angles within the magnetic field such that data analysis identified the relationship .
What is the order of magnitude of the strength of the external magnetic field?
T
T
T
T
Reveal Answer
T
This value is too small. The calculated magnetic field strength is approximately , which is two orders of magnitude larger than .
T
Comparing the experimental relationship to the theoretical formula , we see that . Solving for gives , which is on the order of .
T
This value is significantly larger than the actual magnetic field. The calculation yields , whereas represents an extremely strong magnetic field not supported by the data.
T
This value is far too large. The calculated field strength is approximately , which is six orders of magnitude smaller than .
Electrical potential energy is the
intensity of an electric field at a particular location.
difference in potential that tends to give rise to an electric current.
capacity of electric charge carriers to do work due to their position in an electric circuit.
work done on an electron in accelerating it through an electrical potential difference of one volt.
Reveal Answer
intensity of an electric field at a particular location.
This describes electric field strength (), which is the force exerted per unit charge at a specific location, not the energy.
difference in potential that tends to give rise to an electric current.
This describes electric potential difference (voltage), which is the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points.
capacity of electric charge carriers to do work due to their position in an electric circuit.
Electrical potential energy is the stored energy a charge possesses due to its position in an electric field, representing the capacity to do work.
work done on an electron in accelerating it through an electrical potential difference of one volt.
This is the specific definition of an electron-volt (eV), a unit of energy, rather than the general definition of electrical potential energy.
Saturn has 83 moons. One of them, Enceladus, has a mass and a circular orbit of radius .
The mass of Saturn is .
Which one of the following is closest to the gravitational force of attraction between Enceladus and Saturn?
0 N
1300 N
Reveal Answer
0 N
The gravitational force between two objects with mass is never zero, as gravity acts over infinite distances.
1300 N
This value is far too small and likely results from a significant calculation error, such as ignoring the exponents in the scientific notation.
This value is incorrect and may result from failing to square the orbital radius in the denominator of the gravitational force formula.
Using Newton's law of universal gravitation, , we calculate .
Particles move at a rate of 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 = ______ (two significant figures)
Reveal Answer
Average speed (to two significant figures)
| 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 |