Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to self-assessment questions

Answers to SAQs
Chapter 20
1 Carrier wave frequency is halved, fc=50kHz
Signal wave frequency is halved, fs=5kHz
time for one wave of signal

time for one wave of carrier

Time / s
9 10

c Frequency of signal used to modulate carrier

wave = 5kHz
d Bandwidth = 4535 = 10kHz
7 a
Width of frequency spectrum
= 1700530 = 1170kHz
Number of stations possible
of frequency spectrum = 1170 = 130
= width
bandwidth per station
9
b Very few FM stations are possible. Number
= 1170
200 = 5.85, so only five are possible.
8 If you are concerned about the quality of the
signal that you are listening to, then FM is
better. If you want more stations and are not
in line of sight with the transmitter, then AM
is better.

9 AM covers a larger area than FM. FM can

3 a
The difference in amplitude of the carrier
reach all the inhabitants of a town but the
wave increases, i.e. the heights of the lower
expense of aerials and transmitters means
peaks of the waveform fall and the heights of
this is not possible in rural areas.
the higher peaks rise.
b The time interval decreases between
10

a 14 = (18)+(14)+(12); in binary, 1110
successive instances when the signal
b 16 = (116); in binary, 10000
waveform is at its very highest.
11

a Binary 1111 is (18)+(14)+(12)+(11) = 15
4 a
The maximum difference in frequency
b Binary 0001011 is (18)+(12)+(11) = 11
between the signal and the carrier wave
increases, i.e. the signal has higher and lower
12

frequencies.
b The signal increases and decreases in
frequency more times per second.

5 a
Maximum frequency shift
= frequency deviation amplitude
= 8.03.0 = 24kHz
b Maximum frequency of modulated carrier
wave = frequency of carrier wave + maximum
frequency shift = 500+24 = 524kHz
c Number of times per second the modulated 13
carrier wave increases and decreases in
frequency = frequency of signal
= 16000 times a second

a The value on the vertical axis (the voltage)
has only one of two values, 0 or 1.
b Digital signals can be more easily
regenerated, can be stored and processed
more easily, errors in transmission can be
detected and digital electronic systems are
more reliable.
c Noise is introduced, e.g. by random thermal
motion of electrons. The signal is attenuated
due to energy loss (I2Rt) in the wires.

(P )

5.0

Attenuation = 10lg P1 = 10lg 0.0002

2

= 44dB (or a gain of 44dB).

6 a
Amplitude modulation
b Carrier frequency = 40kHz
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014

Cambridge International A Level Physics

14

Answers to self-assessment questions

(P )

c Method

Attenuation = 10lg P1
2
Substituting known values gives

coaxial

) meaning 3 = lg(6.010
)
P
6.010
Taking inverse logs, 10 = ( P )
Rearranging gives P = ( 6.010 )= 6.010 W
103
3

30 = 10lg 6.010
P
2

2
3

= 6.0103mW

15

Signal-to-noise ratio = 10lg(1.0) = 0.0dB

16

a Given that gain and attenuation expressed
in decibels are logarithmic, we can say that
overall gain
= gain in amplifier + gain in cable
= gain in amplifier attenuation in cable
= 3018 = 12dB
P
b Substitute values in gain = 10lg P2

(
(

)
)

P2
So 12 = 10lg
3 ,
1.010
P2
therefore lg
3 = 1.2
1.010

Advantage

Disadvantage

less attenuation,
noise, interference
than wire pair

more expensive
than wire pair

analogue no ADC and DAC

signal
conversion required

more noise,
interference
than digital

space
wave

satellite use
expensive

can be received by
satellite

sky wave worldwide reception

possible with
multiple reflections

reflection by the
ionosphere is
not reliable

Other answers are possible.

( )
1

Take inverse logs to give output power

P2 = 101.21.0103 = 15.8mW 16mW

17

a Coaxial cable contains a central copper core
surrounded by an insulator and a mesh, or
braid, made of copper wires made into a
tube.
An analogue signal can have any value,
within limits, and is not restricted to just a
few values.
A space wave is an electromagnetic wave
above 30MHz that is not reflected or
refracted back to Earth by the ionosphere
and may be received by a satellite in space or
be detected by line of sight within the Earths
atmosphere.
A sky wave is an electromagnetic wave that is
reflected or refracted back to the Earth by the
ionosphere.
b Space wave frequency greater than 30MHz,
wavelength less than 10m
Sky wave frequency between 3 and 30MHz,
wavelength between 10 and 100m

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014