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Date May 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19M.3.HL.TZ2.13
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 2
Command term Explain Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

A solid sphere is released from rest below the surface of a fluid and begins to fall.

Draw and label the forces acting on the sphere at the instant when it is released.

[1]
a.

Explain why the sphere will reach a terminal speed.

[2]
b.

The weight of the sphere is 6.16 mN and the radius is 5.00 × 10-3 m. For a fluid of density 8.50 × 102 kg m-3, the terminal speed is found to be 0.280 m s-1. Calculate the viscosity of the fluid.

[2]
c.

Markscheme

Both forces must be suitably labeled.

Do not accept just ‘gravity’

Award [0] if a third force is shown.

a.

«as the ball falls» there is a drag force ✔

when drag force+buoyant force/upthrust =«-» weight

OR

When net/resultant force =0 ✔

«terminal speed occurs»

OWTTE

Terminal speed is mentioned in the question, so no additional marks for reference to it.

b.

any evidence (numerical or algebraic) of a realisation that

6 π η r v + ρ g V = W  ✔

« η = 6.16 × 10 3 4.366 × 10 3 6 π × 0.005 × 0.280 »

η = 0.0680 «Pas»

 

c.

Examiners report

The question was generally well answered but many candidates did not realise that the drag force would only be present when the ball starts moving.

a.

Many candidates could explain correctly that the drag force would increase as the speed increases and that the weight would be balanced by the buoyant force and the drag force.

b.

When the condition for forces in equilibrium was correctly formed, many candidates managed to obtain the correct answer. The working was often poorly presented making it difficult to mark or award marks for the process.

c.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Engineering physics » Option B: Engineering physics (Additional higher level option topics) » B.3 – Fluids and fluid dynamics (HL only)
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Option B: Engineering physics » Option B: Engineering physics (Additional higher level option topics)
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