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A-LevelPhysicsOscillations9702/43 · May/June 2017 · Q29 Marks

A bar magnet of mass 180 g is suspended from the free end of a spring, as illustrated in Fig. 2.1. spring magnet coil [Figure 2.1] The magnet hangs so that one pole is near the centre of a coil of wire. The coil is connected in series with a resistor and a switch. The switch is open. The magnet is displaced vertically and then allowed to oscillate with one pole remaining inside the coil. The other pole remains outside the coil. At time t = 0, the magnet is oscillating freely as it passes through its equilibrium position. At time t = 3.0 s, the switch in the circuit is closed. The variation with time t of the vertical displacement y of the magnet is shown in Fig. 2.2. [Figure 2.2]

  1. (a)Determine, to two significant figures, the frequency of oscillation of the magnet. frequency = .............................................. Hz [2][2]
  2. (b)State whether the closing of the switch gives rise to light, heavy or critical damping.[1]
  3. (c)Calculate the change in the energy ΔE of oscillation of the magnet between time t = 2.7 s and time t = 7.5 s. Explain your working. ΔE = .............................................. J [6][6]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [C1] e.g. period = 3 / 2.5
  2. [A1] frequency = 0.83 Hz
  3. [B1] light (damping)
  4. [B1] at 2.7 s, A₀ = 1.5 (cm)
  5. [B1] energy = ½ m × 4π²f²A₀²
  6. [C1] = ½ × 0.18 × 4π² × 0.83² × (1.5 × 10⁻²)² = 5.51 × 10⁻⁴ (J)
  7. [B1] at 7.5 s, A₀ = 0.75 (cm)
  8. [C1] energy = ½ × 5.51 × 10⁻⁴ or energy = ½ × 0.18 × 4π² × 0.83² × (0.75 × 10⁻²)² energy = 1.38 × 10⁻⁴ (J)
  9. [A1] change = (5.51 × 10⁻⁴ – 1.38 × 10⁻⁴) = 4.13 J

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About this question

Topic
Oscillations, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 9 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, May/June 2017 Paper 4 Variant 3, question 2.

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