Centre

No.

Surname

Paper Reference

1 5 4 0

Candidate
No.

4 H

Initial(s)

Signature

Paper Reference(s)

1540/4H

Examiners use only

Edexcel GCSE

Team Leaders use only

Physics A [1540]
Paper 4H

Higher Tier
Monday 26 June 2006 Morning
Time: 1 hour

Question Leave
Number Blank

1
2
3
4
5

Materials required for examination

Calculator

Items included with question papers

Nil

Instructions to Candidates
In the boxes above, write your centre number, candidate number, your surname, initial(s) and
signature.
The paper reference is shown above.
Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided in this book.
Show all stages in any calculations and state the units. Calculators may be used.
Include diagrams in your answers where these are helpful.

Information for Candidates

The marks for the various parts of questions are shown in round brackets, e.g.: (2).
This paper has six questions. There is one blank page.

Advice to Candidates
This symbol shows where the quality of your written answer will also be assessed.

Total
This publication may be reproduced only in accordance with
Edexcel Limited copyright policy.
2006 Edexcel Limited.
Printers Log. No.

N22613A
W850/R1540/57570 6/6/6/3/7400

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*N22613A0116*

FORMULAE
You may find the following formulae useful.
energy transferred = current voltage time

E = I V t

pressure volume = constant

P1 V1 = P2 V2

pressure
= constant
temperature

P1 P2
=
T1 T2

frequency =
power =

1
time period

work done
time taken

orbital speed =
force =

2 orbital radius
time period

mass (orbital speed) 2

radius

kinetic energy = electronic charge accelerating voltage

f =

1
T

P=

W
t

v=

2 r
T

F=

m v2
r

KE = e V

*N22613A0216*

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TURN OVER FOR QUESTION 1

*N22613A0316*

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1.

(a) Two methods of sending a signal are

electric current in copper telephone cables

radio waves broadcast from a radio station.

In each method, the strength of the signal received is less than the strength of the
signal emitted.
(i) State the name used to describe this energy loss.
................................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) Explain the loss in signal strength in each case.
electric current in copper telephone cables
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
radio waves broadcast from a radio station
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
(iii) How is a signal boosted to replace the lost energy?
................................................................................................................................
(1)

*N22613A0416*

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(b) Another reason for the strength of a signal decreasing with distance is diffraction.
(i) Explain what is meant by diffraction.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
(ii)
from the
radio
transmitter

The occupiers of the house in the valley notice that when they tune into a
longwave radio signal it is much stronger than when they tune into a shortwave
radio signal.
Explain this in terms of diffraction.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)

Q1

(Total 10 marks)

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*N22613A0516*

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2.

(a) One of the building blocks of communication systems is the transducer.

(i) Name two other building blocks.
1 .............................................................................................................................
2 .............................................................................................................................
(2)
(ii) Explain the function of a transducer.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
(b) The block diagram shows the sound system for a concert hall.

recording
equipment

microphone
amplifier

loudspeaker
(i) The performance can be recorded using a digital system or an analogue system.
Give one example of the type of storage used in each system.
digital .....................................................................................................................
analogue .................................................................................................................
(2)

*N22613A0616*

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(ii) The diagram shows a loudspeaker.

coil on tube attached
to diaphragm
diaphragm
S

electrical
signal

metal case

Explain how the loudspeaker works.

................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(4)

Q2

(Total 10 marks)

TURN OVER FOR QUESTION 3

*N22613A0716*

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3.

(a) The diagram shows a neutron colliding with a uranium-235 nucleus. This produces
a barium-141 nucleus, a krypton-92 nucleus and three other identical particles. This
reaction also releases energy.
141

Ba


235

1
0n


92

Kr

(i) What is this type of reaction called?

................................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) What are the three other identical particles?
................................................................................................................................
(1)
(iii) In what form is the energy released in this reaction?
................................................................................................................................
(1)
(iv) This reaction could produce a chain reaction.
Explain how.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)

*N22613A0816*

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(b) A nuclear reactor uses a chain reaction to produce steam.

(i) Explain how the steam is used to generate electricity.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
(ii) This method of producing steam has the advantage that it does not, under normal
circumstances, produce atmospheric pollution.
However, it does have
disadvantages.
Explain these disadvantages.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(3)

Q3

(Total 10 marks)

TURN OVER FOR QUESTION 4

*N22613A0916*

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4.

Navigation uses signals from GPS satellites. There are 24 GPS satellites in separate orbits
round the Earth. At least four of them can be detected at any time of day or night from
any point on Earth.
The table shows data relating to a GPS satellite and to the Earth.
mass of satellite

1.7 103 kg

radius of satellite orbit

2.7 107 m

radius of Earth

6.4 106 m

orbital speed of satellite

3.9 103 m/s

(a) How high above the Earths surface is the orbital path?
.......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(b) What provides the centripetal force necessary to keep the satellite in orbit?
.......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(c) Calculate the centripetal force on the satellite.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
(3)

10

*N22613A01016*

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(d) Calculate the number of orbits made by the GPS satellite in one day.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
(5)

Q4

(Total 10 marks)

TURN OVER FOR QUESTION 5

*N22613A01116*

11

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5.

(a) The axes on the grid below show the number of neutrons (N) and the number of
protons (Z) in a nucleus. The line showing N = Z has been drawn as a guide.
120

80

N=Z

60
40

50

number of protons,

60

40

30

20

10

0
0

20

N ,snortuen fo rebmun

100

70

(i) On the grid, sketch a curve to show where the stable nuclei are found.
(2)
(ii) Mark with an X on the grid the position of a nucleus which would undergo
decay.
(1)
(b) Quarks are fundamental particles.
(i) Name one other fundamental particle.
................................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) How many quarks make up a proton?
................................................................................................................................
(1)
(iii) How many different types of quark make up a proton?
................................................................................................................................
(1)

12

*N22613A01216*

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(iv) Explain decay in terms of fundamental particles.

................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(4)

Q5

(Total 10 marks)

TURN OVER FOR QUESTION 6

*N22613A01316*

13

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6.

The diagram shows part of a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO).

screen

electron gun

beam of electrons

(a) Explain how the electron gun produces a beam of electrons.

.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
(4)

14

*N22613A01416*

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(b) An alternating voltage is connected to the CRO. The time base is switched on.
The diagram shows the trace on the screen.

1 cm
1 cm
The vertical scale is set at 5 V/cm.
The time base setting is 10 ms/cm.
(i) Use this information and the diagram to calculate
the maximum value of the alternating voltage
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
the frequency of the alternating voltage.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(3)
(ii) The time base is switched off.
Draw the new trace on the diagram above.
(1)

Q6

(Total 10 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 60 MARKS
END

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