Q1 · 2020 · Paper 2Simple familiar1 mark
QUESTION 1
Explain why an object with mass cannot travel at the speed of light in a vacuum.
WORKED SOLUTION
1 markQCAA guide · typeset solution
ANSWER
See worked solution below.
Worked solution
An object with mass cannot travel at the speed of light
because as its velocity approaches 1c, its momentum
approaches infinity.
• states that as velocity approaches the speed of
light (or equivalent), the object’s momentum
approaches infinity [1 mark]
OR
• states that as velocity approaches the speed of
light (or equivalent), the energy required to
accelerate the object approaches infinity [1 mark]
One QCAA sample method typeset for web; criterion wording is adapted from the official marking guide.
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