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Date May 2013 Marks available 2 Reference code 13M.3.HL.TZ2.18
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Calculate Question number 18 Adapted from N/A

Question

This question is about relativistic mechanics.

A proton, after acceleration from rest through a potential difference V, has momentum 1600MeVc–1.

Calculate the speed of the proton after acceleration.

Markscheme

γ=1855938=1.977 or γ1=917938;

vc=11γ2=0.86c or v=1600938×1.997c=0.86c;

Award [2] for a bald correct answer.
Watch for ECF from (a).

Examiners report

in (b) gamma was often obtained correctly to find V - but many more got lost. Surprisingly no useful 'Pythagorean triangles' were seen which make understanding this topic much easier.

Syllabus sections

Option A: Relativity » Option A: Relativity (Additional higher level option topics) » A.4 – Relativistic mechanics (HL only)
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