DP Physics (first assessment 2025)

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Question 21M.2.SL.TZ1.1

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Date May 2021 Marks available [Maximum mark: 11] Reference code 21M.2.SL.TZ1.1
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Calculate, Determine, Show that, Sketch, State Question number 1 Adapted from N/A
1.
[Maximum mark: 11]
21M.2.SL.TZ1.1

Two players are playing table tennis. Player A hits the ball at a height of 0.24 m above the edge of the table, measured from the top of the table to the bottom of the ball. The initial speed of the ball is 12.0 m s−1 horizontally. Assume that air resistance is negligible.

The ball bounces and then reaches a peak height of 0.18 m above the table with a horizontal speed of 10.5 m s−1. The mass of the ball is 2.7 g.

(a)

Show that the time taken for the ball to reach the surface of the table is about 0.2 s.

[1]

Markscheme

t = «2dg=» 0.22 «s»
OR

t = 2×0.249.8  ✓ 

Answer to 2 or more significant figures or formula with variables replaced by correct values.

(b)

Sketch, on the axes, a graph showing the variation with time of the vertical component of velocity vv of the ball until it reaches the table surface. Take g to be +10 m s−2.

[2]

Markscheme

increasing straight line from zero up to 0.2 s in x-axis ✓

with gradient = 10 ✓

(c)

The net is stretched across the middle of the table. The table has a length of 2.74 m and the net has a height of 15.0 cm.

Show that the ball will go over the net.

[3]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1 

t=1.3712=«0.114 s» ✓

y=12×10×0.1142=0.065 m ✓

so (0.24 − 0.065) = 0.175 > 0.15  OR  0.065 < (0.24 − 0.15) «so it goes over the net» ✓

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

«0.24 − 0.15 = 0.09 = 12×10×t2 so» t = 0.134 s ✓

0.134 × 12 = 1.6 m ✓

1.6 > 1.37 «so ball passed the net already»  ✓

 

Allow use of g = 9.8.

(d.i)

Determine the kinetic energy of the ball immediately after the bounce.

[2]

Markscheme

ALTERNATIVE 1 

KE = 12mv2 + mgh = 120.0027 ×10.52 + 0.0027 × 9.8 × 0.18 ✓

0.15 «J» ✓

 

ALTERNATIVE 2

Use of vx = 10.5 AND vy = 1.88 to get v = «10.52 + 1.882» = 10.67 «m s−1» ✓

KE = 12 × 0.0027 × 10.672 = 0.15 «J»  ✓

(d.ii)

Player B intercepts the ball when it is at its peak height. Player B holds a paddle (racket) stationary and vertical. The ball is in contact with the paddle for 0.010 s. Assume the collision is elastic.

Calculate the average force exerted by the ball on the paddle. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

[3]

Markscheme

Δv = 21 «m s−1» ✓

F=0.0027 ×210.01

OR

5.67 «N» ✓

any answer to 2 significant figures «N» ✓

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