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Question 19M.2.HL.TZ1.2a.iv

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Date May 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 19M.2.HL.TZ1.2a.iv
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Outline Question number a.iv Adapted from N/A
a.iv.
[Maximum mark: 2]
19M.2.HL.TZ1.2a.iv

A beam of electrons each of de Broglie wavelength 2.4 × 10–15 m is incident on a thin film of silicon-30  ( 14 30 Si ) . The variation in the electron intensity of the beam with scattering angle is shown.

(a.iv)

Outline why deviations from Rutherford scattering are observed when high-energy alpha particles are incident on nuclei.

[2]

Markscheme

nuclear forces act ✔

nuclear recoil occurs ✔

significant penetration into nucleus / probing internal structure of individual nucleons ✔

incident particles are relativistic ✔

Examiners report

Candidates struggled with this question. The vast majority of responses were descriptions of Rutherford scattering with no connection made to the deviations when high-energy alpha particles are used. Many of the candidates who did appreciate that this was a different situation from the traditional experiment made vague comments about the alpha particles “hitting” the nucleus.

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