Mark Scheme (Results)

Summer 2023

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced

Subsidiary Level In Physics (WPH12)
Paper 01
Unit 2: Waves and Electricity
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Summer 2023
Question Paper Log Number: P71946A
Publications Code: WPH12_01_2306_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2023
General Marking Guidance

• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners

must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they
mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must
be rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not
according to their perception of where the grade boundaries
may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark
scheme should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if
the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also
be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is
not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide
the principles by which marks will be awarded and
exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the
mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must
be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
Using the Mark Scheme

Examiners should look for qualities to reward rather than faults to penalise. This does
NOT mean giving credit for incorrect or inadequate answers, but it does mean
allowing candidates to be rewarded for answers showing correct application of
principles and knowledge. Examiners should therefore read carefully and consider
every response: even if it is not what is expected it may be worthy of credit.

The mark scheme gives examiners:

• an idea of the types of response expected
• how individual marks are to be awarded
• the total mark for each question
• examples of responses that should NOT receive credit.

/ means that the responses are alternatives and either answer should receive full
credit.
( ) means that a phrase/word is not essential for the award of the mark, but helps the
examiner to get the sense of the expected answer.

Phrases/words in bold indicate that the meaning of the phrase or the actual word is
essential to the answer.
ecf/TE/cq (error carried forward) means that a wrong answer given in an earlier part
of a question is used correctly in answer to a later part of the same question.

Candidates must make their meaning clear to the examiner to gain the mark. Make
sure that the answer makes sense. Do not give credit for correct words/phrases which
are put together in a meaningless manner. Answers must be in the correct context.

Quality of Written Communication

Questions which involve the writing of continuous prose will expect candidates to:
• write legibly, with accurate use of spelling, grammar and punctuation in order to
make the meaning clear
• select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose and to complex
subject matter
• organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when
appropriate.

Full marks will be awarded if the candidate has demonstrated the above abilities.
Questions where QWC is likely to be particularly important are indicated (QWC) in the
mark scheme, but this does not preclude others.
Question
Answer Mark
Number
1 A is the correct answer as diffraction is the spreading of waves as they (1)
pass an object

B is not the correct answer as interference is not the spreading of waves

C is not the correct answer as reflection is not the spreading of waves
D is not the correct answer as refraction is not the spreading of waves
2 B is the correct answer as decreasing the time period increases the (1)
frequency (f = 1/T)

A is not the correct answer as amplitude is unaffected by time period

C is not the correct answer as speed is affected by both time period and
wavelength
D is not the correct answer as wavelength is affected by both time period and
speed
3 A is the correct answer as frequency is unchanged when travelling into a (1)
different medium

B is not the correct answer as some of the light intensity becomes the reflected
light.
C is not the correct answer as the speed decreases when travelling into a more
optically-dense substance
D is not the correct answer as the wavelength decreases when travelling into a
more optically-dense substance
4 C is the correct answer as the p.d. across a uniform wire is directly (1)
proportional to its length

A is not the correct answer as this does not show a directly proportional
relationship
B is not the correct answer as this does not show a directly proportional
relationship
D is not the correct answer as this does not show a directly proportional
relationship
5 𝒉 (1)
D is the correct answer as v = 𝝀𝒎

𝑚
A is not the correct answer as v is not equal to
ℎ𝜆

𝜆𝑚
B is not the correct answer as v is not equal to ℎ

ℎ𝜆
C is not the correct answer as v is not equal to 𝑚

6 C is the correct answer as the path difference of 1.5λ is equivalent to a (1)

phase difference of π radians

A is not the correct answer as 0 radians would mean that the path difference
was 0, λ, 2λ etc.
B is not the correct answer as π/2 radians would mean that the path difference
was 0.25λ, 1.25λ etc.
D is not the correct answer as 3π/2 radians would mean that the path difference
was 0.75λ, 1.75λ etc.
7 D is the correct answer as coherence can only occur if the waves have the (1)
same frequency

A is not the correct answer as coherence does not require waves to be in

antiphase, they just need a constant phase difference
B is not the correct answer as coherence does not require waves to be in phase,
they just need a constant phase difference
C is not the correct answer as waves can still be coherent, even if their
amplitudes are different.
8 D is the correct answer as decreasing the distance between the central (1)
maximum and the first order maximum would require sinθ to be reduced
(presuming that the distance from the diffraction grating to the screen is
𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽
unchanged), and λ = 𝒏

A is not the correct answer as this does not affect sinθ

B is not the correct answer as this would increase the distance between the
central maximum and first order maximum
C is not the correct answer as more lines per mm would make d smaller, so as
𝑛𝜆
d= , which would make sinθ increas
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
9 A is the correct answer. The power of the Sun is constant, so IA is constant (1)
for all the planets. IE x 4π (1.49 × 1011 m)2 = IJ × 4π (7.78 × 1011m)2

B is not the correct answer as 4π cancels in the equation

C is not the correct answer as the radius of orbit has not been squared
D is not the correct answer as 4π cancels in the equation and the radius of the
orbit has not been squared
10 A is the correct answer as decreased temperature results in a decrease in (1)
lattice vibrations

B is not the correct answer as this would only happen if the temperature
increased
C is not the correct answer as a filament is not a semiconductor
D is not the correct answer as a filament is not a semiconductor
Question
Answer Mark
Number
11(a) Calculates total charge (1)
Use of I = ΔQ/Δt (1)
I = 1.28 (A) (1) 3

(MP3 – allow minus sign on answer)

Example of calculation
Total charge = 4.80 × 1020 × 1.60 × 10−19 C = 76.8 C
Q = It, so I = 76.8 C / 60 s = 1.28 A

11(b) Use of V = W/Q or W = VIt (1)

Potential difference = 0.31 V (e.c.f. from (a)) (1)

OR

Use of P = W/t and P = VI (1)

Potential difference = 0.31 V (e.c.f. from (a)) (1) 2

(“show that” value also gives 0.31 V)

(allow answer of 0.3V)
(e.c.f. can be for I or Q value from (a))

Example of calculation
V = W / It = 24 J / (1.28 A × 60 s) = 0.31 V

Total for question 11 5

Question
Answer Mark
Number
12(a) ε = 1.50 V (accept answers in the range 1.48 V to 1.52 V) (1)

Attempt to calculate gradient of graph to find r (1)

r = 0.75 Ω (accept answers in the range 0.72 Ω to 0.78 Ω) (1) 3

12(b) Gradient is doubled (1)

y-intercept is doubled (1) 2

(If no other marks scored, allow “new graph has steeper gradient and y-
intercept has a greater value” for 1 mark)

(If no other marks scored, allow new values for ε and r, consistent with their
answers to (a))

Total for question 12 5

Question
Answer Mark
Number
13(a) Angles as 43° and 65° (+/− 1°) (1)
sin 𝑖 (1)
Use of n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2 (allow use of n = sin 𝑟)
Refractive index in range 1.29 to 1.37 (1) 3

(MP3 dependent on MP1)

Example of calculation
n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2
n1 × sin (43°) = 1.00 × sin (65°)
n1 = 1.33

13(b)(i) Unpolarised light has vibrations/oscillations in many/all planes (1)

Plane polarised light has vibrations/oscillations in one plane only (1)
Including the direction of wave travel (1)

OR
Unpolarised light has vibrations/oscillations in many/all directions (1)
Plane polarised light has vibrations/oscillations in one direction only (1)
Perpendicular to the direction of wave travel (1) 3

(MP3 dependent on either MP1 or MP2)

(MP3 – for “direction of wave travel” allow “direction of energy transfer” or
“direction of propagation”)

13(b)(ii) (Polarising) filter is rotated (1)

Filter not aligned with plane of reflected light, so less light transmitted (1)

OR
(Polarising) filter positioned at 90° (1)

to the plane of the reflected light, so no light transmitted (1)

OR
Place (polarising) filter so that it its plane of polarisation is vertical (1)

Horizontally polarised (reflected light) is not transmitted (1) 2

(Maximum 1 mark if using two filters)

Total for question 13 8
Question
Answer Mark
Number
*14 This question assesses a student’s ability to show a coherent and logically
structured answer with linkages and fully-sustained reasoning. Marks are awarded
for indicative content and for how the answer is structured and shows lines of
reasoning. The following table shows how the marks should be awarded for
indicative content.
IC points IC mark Max linkage mark Max final mark
6 4 2 6
5 3 2 5
4 3 1 4
3 2 1 3
2 2 0 2
1 1 0 1
0 0 0 0
The following table shows how the marks should be awarded for structure and
lines of reasoning.
Number of marks awarded for
structure of answer and
sustained line of reasoning
Answer shows a coherent and logical
2
structure with linkages and fully sustained
lines of reasoning demonstrated throughout
Answer is partially structured with some 1
linkages and lines of reasoning

Answer has no linkages between points and 0

is unstructured

Indicative content
• Resistance of LDR decreases
• Due to increase in number of (conduction) electrons
• So the resistance of circuit decreases
Or This results in greater current in circuit/LDR/resistor
• e.m.f. of the circuit is the same
• And due to P = VI Or P = I2R Or P = V2/R (for whole circuit)
• The power dissipated by the circuit increases 6

(IC2 – allow “number of charge carriers” or “charge carrier density”)

(IC4 – allow “total circuit voltage/p.d.” for “e.m.f.”)
(IC6 – needs to be related to correct V,I,R for whole circuit)

Total for question 14 6

Question
Answer Mark
Number
15(a) Some of the pulse passes/refracts through crack A (1)
(Some of the pulse) reflects from crack (B) (1)
Because the density/material/medium of the crack will be different (to the
metal) (1) 3

15(b) Use of speed = distance / time (1)

Correct factor of 2 in converting time or distance (1)
Depth = 4.1 cm / 0.041 m, hence crack A (1) 3

Example of calculation
1.4 ×10−5 s
Distance = speed × time = 5900 m s−1 × = 0.041 m
2

15(c) Higher frequency means lower wavelength (1)

Therefore greater level of detail possible (1) 2

(MP1 – allow converse statement i.e. “lower frequency means greater

wavelength”)
(MP2 - allow reference to greater resolution or that smaller objects can be
seen)

Total for question 15 8

Question
Answer Mark
Number
16(a) Corresponding values from best fit line (1)
Use of P = VI (1)
Minimum potential difference = 9.0 V (1) 3

Example of calculation
P = VI
At 9.0 V, P = 9.0 V × 3.9 A = 35.1 W

16(b)(i) In parallel, each headlight receives 12 V

Or In series, each headlight receives 6 V (1)

In parallel, headlights will have higher power/brightness

Or In series, headlights will have lower power/brightness (1)

In parallel, if one headlight breaks/fails, the other one remains on

Or In series, if one headlight breaks/fails, the other one goes out (1) 3

16(b)(ii) Use of R = V/I (1)

Use of resistors in parallel formula to calculate RT in parallel (1)
Rseries is not 4 × Rparallel, so student not correct (1) 3

Example of calculation
(Using data from the graph):
𝑉 12.0 V
R of single headlight in parallel = = = 2.61Ω
𝐼 4.6 A
1 1 1
(for parallel headlights), 𝑅 = 2.61 Ω + 2.61 Ω , so RT = 1.30 Ω
T
𝑉 6.0 V
R of single headlight in series = = = 1.88 Ω
𝐼 3.2 A
(for series headlights), RT = 1.88 Ω + 1.88 Ω = 3.76 Ω
3.76 / 1.30 = 2.9, so is 2.9 × less in parallel, not 4 × less

16(c) Use of R = ρl/A (1)

Use of I = nqvA (1)
Drift velocity = 3.4 × 10−4 m s−1 (1) 3

Example of calculation
𝜌𝑙 1.72 ×10−8 Ω m
R = ρl/A, so A = 𝑅
= 0.0175 Ω m−1
= 9.83 × 10−7 m2
4.60 A
v= = 3.4 × 10−4 m s−1
8.49 ×1028 m−3 ×1.60 ×10−19 C × 9.83 × 10−7 m2

Total for question 16 12

Question
Answer Mark
Number
17(a) Electron moves to a higher energy level (1)
Then drops back (down, releasing a photon) (1) 2

(MP1 allow electron is excited. MP2 allow electron is de-excited)

(MP2 allow returns to ground state)
17(b)(i) Use of v = fλ with v = 3.00 × 108 m s−1 (1)
Use of E = hf (1)
Conversion from J to eV (1)
Photon energy = 5.7 eV (1) 4

Example of calculation
v = fλ, f = 3.00 × 108 m s−1 / 218 × 10−9 m = 1.38 × 1015 Hz
E = hf = 6.63 × 10−34 Js × 1.38 × 1015 Hz = 9.12 × 10−19 J
E (in eV) = 9.12 × 10−19 J / 1.60 × 10−19 J eV−1 = 5.70 eV

17(b)(ii) (Differences between) energy levels are discrete

Or only certain jumps/transitions are possible (1)

No difference of 5.7 eV, so not possible (for this photon to be produced) (1) 2

(MP2 – allow comment consistent with their calculated value from b(i))

17(c)(i) Use of hf = Φ + ½ mv2max (1)

Use of Ek = ½ mv2 with m = 9.11 × 10−31 kg (1)
Maximum possible speed = 1.5 × 106 m s−1 (1) 3

Example of calculation
Ek = hf – Φ = 1.63 × 10−18 J – 5.89 × 10−19 J = 1.04 × 10−18 J
1.04 × 10−18 J
Ek = ½ mv2, v = √0.5 × 9.11 ×10−31 kg = 1.5 × 106 m s−1
17(c)(ii) MAX 2 from:
• There is a minimum/threshold frequency for electron release (1)

• Electrons are released instantaneously (1)

• (Changing) intensity does not affect KE/speed/release of an electron (1)

MAX 2 from:

• The energy of a photon increases as frequency increases (1)

• Photon energy has to be greater than the work function (1)

• Each photon only interacts with one electron (1) 3

Total for question 17 14

Question
Answer Mark
Number
18(a) Wave (on string) is reflected (1)

At the end/peg/bridge (1)

Superposition/interference takes place (1) 3

18(b) 𝑇 (1)
Use of v = √𝜇

Use of v = f λ (1)

And λ = 2L (1)

f = 293 (Hz, which is closest to) String 2 (1) 4

Example of calculation
𝑇 71.5 N
v=√ =√ = 187.7 m s−1
𝜇 2.03 ×10−3 kg m−1
v = f λ, so f = 187.7 m s−1 / (2 × 0.32 m) = 293 Hz

18(c) Waves have the same frequency/period (1)

Waves have different speeds/wavelengths (1)

Sound wave has same amplitude for all points

and stationary wave does not (1)

Sound waves transfer energy

and stationary waves do not (1)

Waves on string are transverse

and sound waves are longitudinal (1) 5

(MP2 – do not allow contradictions e.g. “they have different speeds but the
same wavelength”)

Total for question 18 12

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