Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 22M.2.AHL.TZ2.7 |
Level | Additional Higher Level | Paper | Paper 2 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
Command term | Calculate | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
An environmental scientist is asked by a river authority to model the effect of a leak from a power plant on the mercury levels in a local river. The variable measures the concentration of mercury in micrograms per litre.
The situation is modelled using the second order differential equation
where is the time measured in days since the leak started. It is known that when and .
If the mercury levels are greater than micrograms per litre, fishing in the river is considered unsafe and is stopped.
The river authority decides to stop people from fishing in the river for longer than the time found from the model.
Show that the system of coupled first order equations:
can be written as the given second order differential equation.
Find the eigenvalues of the system of coupled first order equations given in part (a).
Hence find the exact solution of the second order differential equation.
Sketch the graph of against , labelling the maximum point of the graph with its coordinates.
Use the model to calculate the total amount of time when fishing should be stopped.
Write down one reason, with reference to the context, to support this decision.
Markscheme
differentiating first equation. M1
substituting in for M1
therefore AG
Note: The AG line must be seen to award the final M1 mark.
[2 marks]
the relevant matrix is (M1)
Note: is also possible.
(this has characteristic equation) (A1)
A1
[3 marks]
EITHER
the general solution is M1
Note: Must have constants, but condone sign error for the M1.
so M1A1
OR
attempt to find eigenvectors (M1)
respective eigenvectors are and (or any multiple)
(M1)A1
THEN
the initial conditions become:
M1
this is solved by
so the solution is A1
[5 marks]
A1A1
Note: Award A1 for correct shape (needs to go through origin, have asymptote at and a single maximum; condone ). Award A1 for correct coordinates of maximum.
[2 marks]
intersecting graph with (M1)
so the time fishing is stopped between and (A1)
days A1
[3 marks]
Any reasonable answer. For example:
There are greater downsides to allowing fishing when the levels may be dangerous than preventing fishing when the levels are safe.
The concentration of mercury may not be uniform across the river due to natural variation / randomness.
The situation at the power plant might get worse.
Mercury levels are low in water but still may be high in fish. R1
Note: Award R1 for a reasonable answer that refers to this specific context (and not a generic response that could apply to any model).
[1 mark]
Examiners report
Many candidates did not get this far, but the attempts at the question that were seen were generally good. The greater difficulties were seen in parts (e) and (f), but this could be a problem with time running out.