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Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 2

9646 Physics November 2010
Examiner Report

PHYSICS
Paper 9646/01
Multiple Choice

Question
Number

Key

Question
Number

Key

1
2
3
4
5

A
C
C
D
A

21
22
23
24
25

C
A
A
B
A

6
7
8
9
10

B
B
A
B
B

26
27
28
29
30

B
C
C
D
A

11
12
13
14
15

D
D
D
B
B

31
32
33
34
35

C
C
B
A
D

16
17
18
19
20

D
B
C
C
D

36
37
38
39
40

D
A
B
C
C

This was a well designed paper with all questions showing a positive discrimination.
candidates found more accessible were Questions 9, 16, 18, 27, 33 and 39.

The questions which

There were a few questions that were accessible to only the very best candidates. One of these questions
was Question 1. A is the correct answer. High precision implies low random error: good accuracy implies
low systematic error.
The next of these questions was Question 10. The key is B. The reason for this is that the gas is doing
work on its surroundings. If this pressure is not constant then p varies so a constant external pressure is
essential for the equation to be used. The hint in the question is the word must. If the pressure of the gas
is somehow kept constant as it expands but the pressure of the surroundings is changing then the work done
by the gas on the surroundings will require a more detailed analysis than just pV.
Question 11 was also found to be challenging for many candidates. The correct analysis uses v2 = 2 as for
an object starting from rest with constant acceleration. Since a is constant and therefore the force causing
the acceleration is constant, the equation power = force x velocity gives power = constant x s.

UCLES 2010

RESTRICTED
Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 2
9646 Physics November 2010
Examiner Report
Question 20 was another question that caused difficulty. This question involved a two dimensional
distribution of energy rather than the more usual three dimensional distribution. The energy is spread over a
distance 8 times greater so the amplitude is reduced by a factor of 8, i.e. 0.71 mm.
The last of these more challenging questions was Question 32. At any time the magnetic flux is the same
for all the coils. The flux density is greatest where the area is least, so the greatest variation of flux density is
for coil C. This question had excellent discrimination.
From the Examiners viewpoint the paper produced a reasonable spread of marks for the candidates sitting
the paper.

UCLES 2010