Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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The Interaction of Matter with Radiation (DP IB Physics: HL)

Exam Questions

4 hours44 questions
1
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1 mark

Which of the following is evidence for the wave nature of electrons?

  • Electron diffraction from crystals

  • The photoelectric effect

  • Continuous energy spectrum in β decay

  • Pair production

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2
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1 mark

Which of the following experiments provides evidence for the particle nature of light?  

  • Gamma decay

  • Young's double slit

  • The photoelectric effect

  • Electron diffraction

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3
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1 mark

According to the de Broglie equation, the wavelength of the electron is

  • directly proportional to the mass of the electron

  • inversely proportional to the square of the velocity of the electron

  • directly proportional to the velocity of the electron

  • inversely proportional to the mass of the electron

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4
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1 mark

Which expression states the minimum energy of a photon before undergoing pair production?

  • mc2

  • 2mc2

  • 1 halfmc2

  • 3mc2

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5
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1 mark

As a consequence of the uncertainty principle, which two quantities cannot be known at the same time?

  • Energy and momentum

  • Position and energy

  • Energy and time

  • Time and momentum

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6
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1 mark

Which of the following statements about quantum tunnelling is incorrect?

  • Increasing the barrier length decreases the effect of tunnelling probability

  • The wavefunction can travel through a finite barrier

  • The probability of finding a particle in a particular region is its wavefunction squared

  • The wavefunction can travel through an infinite barrier

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7
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1 mark

Which graph has a gradient equal to hc?

q8_the-photoelectric-effect_aqa-as-physics-mcq

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    8
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    1 mark

    Which of the following metals will exhibit the photoelectric effect most readily?

     

    metal

    work function / eV

    A

    sodium

    2.3

    B

    caesium

    2.1

    C

    calcium

    2.9

    D

    silver

    4.3

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      9
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      1 mark

      Three statements about the wavefunction are

      1. It is normalised
      2. The square of the wavefunction gives the probability of finding the particle in that region
      3. The wavefunction is equal to 1 outside an infinite square well

      Which of the statement(s) are true?

      • I and III

      • I and II

      • II and III

      • II only

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      1
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      1 mark

      A subatomic particle of mass m has an uncertainty in its position r, denoted by Δr. What is the uncertainty in its velocity, Δv

      • fraction numerator h m over denominator 4 pi increment r end fraction

      • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi increment r end fraction

      • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi m increment r end fraction

      • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi end fraction

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      2
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      1 mark

      Violet light is incident on a metal surface, producing photoelectrons. 

      12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2

      The variation of photocurrent I with potential difference V is shown. 

      12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2-question-diagram-2_2

      The light source is changed to red light of the same intensity as the violet light. Which graph shows the variation of photocurrent I with potential difference V for the red light? The results for the violet light are shown as a dashed line. 

      • 12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2-option-a

      • 12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2-option-b

      • 12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2-option-c

      • 12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q2-option-d

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      3
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      1 mark

      Which expression is proportional to the probability of finding an electron in a particular region of space? 

      • The magnitude of the wave function

      • The square of the magnitude of the wave function

      • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi cross times u n c e r t a i n t y space i n space m o m e n t u m end fraction

      • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 pi cross times u n c e r t a i n t y space i n space e n e r g y end fraction

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      4
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      1 mark

      The graphs show the variation with distance x of the square of the magnitude of the wave function, psi squared, of a particle. Which graph corresponds to a particle with the largest uncertainty in momentum? 

      12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q4-options

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        5
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        1 mark

        The graph shows how the wave function Ψ of an electron varies with distance x

        12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q5

        Which of the following graphs shows the probability straight double-struck capital p of finding the electron at each position along the distance x?

        12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q5-options 

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          6
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          1 mark

          According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, conjugate quantities are pairs of quantities that cannot be known simultaneously with unlimited precision. What unit represents the product of two conjugate quantities?  

          • kg2 m s–1

          • kg m2 s

          • kg m2 s–1

          • kg m2 s–2

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          7
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          1 mark

          Alpha particles of mass m are accelerated from rest through a potential difference ΔV. Which of the following gives the de Broglie wavelength of the alpha particles as a result of the acceleration? 

          Use the following data: 

          • Planck's constant is h
          • The magnitude of charge on an electron is e
          • h m increment V

          • square root of 2 h m increment V e end root

          • square root of fraction numerator h over denominator m increment V end fraction end root

          • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 4 m increment V e end root end fraction

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          8
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          1 mark

          Which expression evaluates the de Broglie wavelength of an electron of mass m and charge e in the n = 2 state of hydrogen? 

          • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 2 m e end root end fraction

          • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 3.4 m e end root end fraction

          • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 6.8 m e end root end fraction

          • fraction numerator h over denominator square root of 13.6 m e end root end fraction

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          9
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          1 mark

          The electron wave function Ψ is a function of position and time. Which expression evaluates the probability of discovering the electron in some volume ΔV?  

          • psi

          • psi squared

          • open vertical bar psi close vertical bar squared

          • open vertical bar psi close vertical bar squared increment V

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          10
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          1 mark

          According to the Bohr model for hydrogen, visible light is emitted when electrons make transitions from excited states down to the state with n = 2. 

          The dotted line in the diagram represents such a transition, from n = 3 to = 2, in the spectrum of hydrogen. 

          12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q10-diagram

          Which of the following diagrams could represent the visible light emission spectrum of hydrogen? 

          12-1-hl-mcq-medium-q10-real_options

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            1
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            1 mark

            An electron in a one-dimensional box, known as the “electron in a box” model, is a fundamental quantum mechanical approximation describing the translational motion of a single electron confined inside an infinitely deep well from which it cannot escape.

            According to the “electron in a box” model, which of the following expressions is not a permitted value for the momentum of an electron moving in a box of length L?

            • fraction numerator h over denominator 4 L end fraction

            • fraction numerator 3 h over denominator 2 L end fraction

            • fraction numerator 3 h over denominator L end fraction

            • fraction numerator 4 h over denominator L end fraction

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            2
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            1 mark

            A vacuum photocell is connected in series with a power supply, a variable resistor, and a sensitive ammeter. A voltmeter is connected in parallel across the photocell.

            q28_the-photoelectric-effect_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            Monochromatic light of frequency f illuminates the cathode, which has a threshold frequency f0. Photoelectrons are emitted and collected by the anode. A photocurrent is measured by the ammeter.

            The potential difference across the photocell, V, is increased until the ammeter reads zero. 

            Which of the equations below does not correctly relate the potential V at which the current decreases to zero to the threshold frequency f0 and frequency f?

            • V space equals space h over e open parentheses f space minus space f subscript 0 close parentheses

            • f subscript 0 space equals space fraction numerator h f space minus space e V over denominator h end fraction

            • h space equals space fraction numerator e V over denominator open parentheses f space minus space f subscript 0 close parentheses end fraction

            • V space equals space fraction numerator e over denominator h f subscript 0 space minus space h f end fraction

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            3
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            1 mark

            The first three wavefunctions are shown for a particle confined in a box of length L.

            ubBA9nmv_wavefunction-probability

            For which wave function is the probability of finding the particle near x space equals space L over 2 the smallest?

            • n = 1

            • n = 2

            • n = 3

            • The probability is the same (and non-zero) for each wavefunction

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            4
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            1 mark

            A beam of electrons of wavelength λ is incident on an aperture of width d. The beam is travelling along the z direction. The width d is of a size comparable to λ

            E87kCd~j_single-slit-uncertainty-mcq

            After passing through the aperture, the component of momentum in the x direction is px, the component in the y direction is py and the component in the z direction is pz.

            Which of the following shows the uncertainty in px, py and pz

              Δpx Δpy Δpz
            A. fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction
            B. fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction 0
            C. 0 0 fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction
            D. 0 fraction numerator h over denominator 4 straight pi d end fraction 0

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              5
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              1 mark

              In 1890 Johannes Rydberg discovered an empirical formula that enabled the wavelengths of the light in the atomic line spectrum of hydrogen to be calculated. The formula is:

              1 over lambda space equals space R subscript H open parentheses 1 over n squared minus 1 over m squared close parentheses

              Where λ is the wavelength, n and m are integers and RH is the Rydberg constant.

              In 1913 Niels Bohr published his theory of the hydrogen atom. This theory enabled the Rydberg formula to be derived. His theory also showed that the energy levels En of the hydrogen atom are given by the formula: 

              E subscript n space equals space fraction numerator 2.2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 18 end exponent over denominator n squared end fraction

              Where En is measured in joules. 

              Which of the following is a valid expression for the Rydberg constant?

              • R subscript H space equals space 2.2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 18 end exponent

              • R subscript H space equals space fraction numerator 2.2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 18 end exponent over denominator h c space open parentheses 1 minus n squared over m squared close parentheses end fraction

              • R subscript H space equals space fraction numerator 2.2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 18 end exponent over denominator h c end fraction

              • R subscript H space equals space 2.2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 18 end exponent space open parentheses fraction numerator n squared minus m squared over denominator m squared minus n squared end fraction close parentheses

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              6
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              1 mark

              An electron is confined to a box. The energy difference between the first and the fourth states is 15.0 eV.

              Which would be the best order of magnitude estimate for the length of the box?

              • 10−9 m

              • 10−10 m

              • 10−11 m

              • 10−12 m

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              7
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              1 mark

              A square plate made of zinc with side length d is given a charge of Q and then illuminated with an ultraviolet lamp of wavelength λ. The lamp has an output power of 100 W.

              The lamp is placed a distance r above the surface and positioned such that the UV light is incident normally on the zinc surface.

              Which of the following is the correct expression for the time taken for the zinc plate to become electrically neutral?

              • fraction numerator h c over denominator 100 e end fraction open parentheses fraction numerator Q over denominator lambda d squared end fraction close parentheses

              • fraction numerator h c over denominator 100 e end fraction open parentheses fraction numerator Q over denominator lambda r squared end fraction close parentheses

              • fraction numerator h c over denominator 25 straight pi e end fraction open parentheses fraction numerator Q d squared over denominator lambda r squared end fraction close parentheses

              • fraction numerator pi h c over denominator 25 e end fraction open parentheses fraction numerator Q r squared over denominator lambda d squared end fraction close parentheses

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              8
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              1 mark

              An alpha particle with energy E is incident upon a potential barrier and has a certain probability of quantum tunnelling through the barrier.

              Consider the following statements:

              I. The energy of the alpha particle is increased

              II. The width of the potential barrier is increased

              III. The alpha particle is replaced by an electron with energy E

              Which statements would lead to an increase in the probability of finding a particle that has escaped a potential barrier?

              • I and II only

              • I and III only

              • II and III only

              • I, II and III

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              9
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              1 mark

              Consider the following statements regarding the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom:

              I.
              The momentum of an electron is equal to the Planck constant divided by its de Broglie wavelength
              II.
              The angular momentum of the atom is quantised
              III.
              The energy levels are quantised
               

              Which statements originate from the idea that the circumference of the orbit must be an integer number of the de Broglie wavelength?

              • I and II only

              • I and III only

              • II and III only

              • I, II and III

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              10
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              1 mark

              An atom in an excited state has an orbital radius of 10−12 m.

              Which would be the best order of magnitude estimate for the energy of this state according to the uncertainty principle?

              • 101 eV

              • 103 eV

              • 106 eV

              • 1010 eV

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