DP Physics (last assessment 2024)

Test builder »

Question 20N.3.HL.TZ0.7b(ii)

Select a Test
Date November 2020 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 20N.3.HL.TZ0.7b(ii)
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number b(ii) Adapted from N/A
b(ii).
[Maximum mark: 2]
20N.3.HL.TZ0.7b(ii)

In the Pound–Rebka–Snider experiment, a source of gamma rays was placed 22.6m vertically above a gamma ray detector, in a tower on Earth.

(b(ii))

Explain the cause of the frequency shift for the gamma rays in your answer in (a) if the tower and detector were accelerating towards the gamma rays in free space.

[2]

Markscheme

gamma rays travel at c

detector accelerates towards source so «by Doppler effect» λ reduced so frequency increases

 

Award [1 max] for reference to principle of equivalence without further explanation.

Examiners report

Some candidates did score marks although it was not as simple as anticipated for a classical question.