DP Physics (last assessment 2024)

Test builder »

Question 20N.2.HL.TZ0.b(ii)

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

The de Broglie wavelength λ of a particle accelerated close to the speed of light is approximately

λhcE

where E is the energy of the particle.
A beam of electrons of energy 4.2×108eV is produced in an accelerator.

The electron beam is used to study the nuclear radius of carbon-12. The beam is directed from the left at a thin sample of carbon-12. A detector is placed at an angle θ relative to the direction of the incident beam.

The graph shows the variation of the intensity of electrons with θ. There is a minimum of intensity for θ=θ0.

The accepted value of the diameter of the carbon-12 nucleus is 4.94×10-15m. Estimate the angle θ0 at which the minimum of the intensity is formed.

[2]

Markscheme

sinθ0=2.96×10-154.94×10-15«=0.599» 

37«degrees» OR 0.64/0.65«rad» 

Examiners report

This was answered reasonably well with only the odd omission of the sine in the equation.