Physics — A-Level

Practice Paper 1 (Cambridge International A-Level Physics)

Exam code:9702

36 questions · 72 marks · ≈ 72 min · spans 36 of 108 topics

Assembled from the topic question banks — not an official Cambridge International paper

Guided practice

11 markeasy

What is a reasonable estimate of the number of seconds in a year?

Choose your answer

5 × 10⁵ s

1 × 10⁶ s

3 × 10⁷ s

7 × 10⁸ s

21 markhard

The current $I$ through a semiconductor diode is given by:

$I=I_{0}e^{\frac{-qV}{nT}}$

where $I_{0}$ is the initial current, $q$ is the charge of an electron, $V$ is the applied potential difference, $T$ is the temperature, and $n$ is a constant.

What is the unit of $n$ * *when expressed in SI base units?

Choose your answer

kg m² s⁻² K⁻¹

kg m² s⁻⁴ K⁻¹

kg⁻¹ m⁻² s² K

kg⁻¹ m⁻² s⁴ K

31 markhard

A steel wire is stretched in an experiment to determine the Young modulus for steel.

The uncertainties in the measurements are given below.

Measurement	Uncertainty
load on wire length of wire diameter of wire extension	±2% ±0.2% ±1.5% ±1%

What is the percentage uncertainty in the Young modulus?

Choose your answer

1.3%

1.8%

4.7%

6.2%

41 markhard

A glider is descending at a constant speed at an angle of 15° to the horizontal. The diagram shows the directions of the lift L, air resistance R and weight W acting on the glider.

cie-ial-images9

Which vector triangle could represent the forces acting on the glider?

Choose your answer

51 markhard

A sprinter runs a 200m race in a straight line. He accelerates from the starting block at a constant acceleration of 2.5 m s^–2 to reach his maximum speed of 10 m s^–1. He maintains this speed until he crosses the finish line.

Which time does it take the sprinter to run the race?

Choose your answer

8 s

20 s

22 s

40 s

61 markhard

Two blocks X and Y, of masses m and 4 m respectively, are accelerated along a smooth horizontal surface by a force F applied to block X as shown

cie-ial-images102png

What is the magnitude of the force exerted on block Y by block X during this acceleration?

Choose your answer

$\frac{F}{4}$

$\frac{F}{5}$

$\frac{4F}{5}$

$\frac{5F}{4}$

71 markeasy

A skydiver has a weight of 800 N, and experiences a drag force of 450 N.

What is the magnitude and direction of the resultant force of the skydiver?

	Magnitude / N	Direction
A	1250	Downwards
B	350	Upwards
C	1250	Upwards
D	350	Downwards

Choose your answer

81 markmedium

A molecule of mass m travelling at speed v hits a wall in a direction perpendicular to the wall. The collision is elastic.

What are the changes in the momentum and in the kinetic energy of the molecule caused by the collision?

	Change in momentum	Change in kinetic energy
A B C D	0 mv mv² 2mv	0 mv² 0 0

Choose your answer

91 markeasy

Two parallel forces, each of magnitude F, act on a body as shown

cie-ial-physics-mcq-4-1-q9

What is the magnitude of the torque on the body produced by this couple?

Choose your answer

2 Fd

2Fs

101 markhard

The diagram shows two fixed pins, Y and Z. A length of elastic is stretched between Y and Z and around pin X, which is attached to a trolley.

cie-ial-images194png

X is at the centre of the elastic and the trolley is to be propelled in the direction P at right angles to YZ. The tension in the elastic is 4 N.

What is the force accelerating the trolley in the direction P when the trolley is released?

Choose your answer

2.4 N

3.2 N

4.8 N

6.4 N

111 markmedium

A beam of α-particles collides with a lead sheet. Each α-particle in the beam has a mass of 6.6 × 10^–27 kg and a speed of 1.5 × 10⁷ m s^–1

5.0 × 10⁴ α-particles per second collide with an area of 1.0 cm² of lead. Almost all of the α-particles are absorbed by the lead so that they have zero speed after collision.

What is an estimate of the average pressure exerted on the lead by the α-particles?

Choose your answer

5.0 × 10^–15 Pa

5.0 × 10^–13 Pa

5.0 × 10^–11 Pa

5.0 × 10^–9 Pa

121 markmedium

The diagram shows the design of a water wheel which drives a generator to produce electrical energy. The flow rate of the water is 200 kg s^–1. The generator supplies a current of 32 A at a voltage of 230 V.

cie-ial-images212png

Ignoring any changes in kinetic energy of the water, what is the efficiency of the system?

Choose your answer

14 %

16 %

22 %

47 %

131 markeasy

A stone of weight 4.0 N in the Earth’s gravitational field is moved from P to Q and then to R along the path shown.

How much potential energy does the stone gain?

cie-ial-images225png

Choose your answer

120 J

200 J

280 J

1200 J

141 markeasy

The stress-strain graph for bone is shown below.

cie-ial-images250png

What is the Young modulus of bone?

Choose your answer

2 × 10⁶N m⁻²

2 × 10⁸N m⁻²

1 × 10⁶N m⁻²

1 × 10⁸N m⁻²

151 markeasy

A spring is extended with varying forces; the graph below shows the results.

cie-ial-images287png

What is the energy stored in the spring when the extension is 30 mm?

Choose your answer

0.25 J

0.95 J

0.095 J

0.19 J

161 markeasy

A sound wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a speed of 330 m s^–1

If two waves have a phase difference of 60˚, what is the possible distance between two points on the wave?

Choose your answer

6.6 m

2.2 m

1.1 m

0.03 m

171 markhard

Fig 1.1 shows two longitudinal waves, wave A and wave B, over time t. Wave A has an intensity of I_A.

cie-7-2-mcq-hard-q5-cie-ial-physics

Fig. 1.1

Assuming both waves have equal amplitude, what is the intensity of wave B?

Choose your answer

$\frac{1}{4}I_{A}$

$\frac{1}{2}I_{A}$

$2I_{A}$

$4I_{A}$

181 markhard

Fig. 1.1 is a graph of the observed wavelength against time of a sound wave emitted from a single source. The emitted sound wave has a frequency $f_{s}$ . The sound travels at a constant velocity directly towards an observer and a frequency of $f_{T}$ is observed. It then travels directly away from the observer and a frequency of $f_{A}$ is observed.

cie-mcq-hard-7-3-q3-cie-ial-physics

Fig. 1.1

What is the value of the ratio $\frac{f_{A}}{f_{T}}$ ?

Choose your answer

$\frac{25}{17}$

$\frac{25}{21}$

$\frac{17}{25}$

$\frac{21}{25}$

191 markeasy

Which of the following is the approximate range of frequencies of infrared radiation?

Choose your answer

1 × 10¹⁴ – 1 × 10¹⁶ Hz

1 × 10¹² – 1 × 10¹⁴ Hz

1 × 10⁹ – 1 × 10¹¹ Hz

1 × 10³ – 1 × 10⁹ Hz

201 markhard

Unpolarised light of intensity I₀ is incident on a polariser that has a vertical transmission axis, as shown in the diagram below.

cie-ial-images351png

Which graph shows the intensity of the transmitted light ?

cie-ial-physics-mcq-7-2-q23

Choose your answer

211 markhard

An investigation to sound waves reflected by a wall was carried out. The frequency f of the wave was adjusted until a stationary wave is formed with an antinode with a distance x closest to the wall.

Which expression gives f in terms of x and the speed of sound *c *?

Choose your answer

$f=\frac{c}{2x}$

$f=\frac{c}{4x}$

$f=\frac{2c}{x}$

$f=\frac{4c}{x}$

221 markhard

Sound diffracts around a loudspeaker aperture of diameter 15 cm.

The speed of sound is 340 m s⁻¹, and the frequency of the sound is 3 kHz.

What effect would be observed?

Choose your answer

No diffraction

Slight diffraction

Significant diffraction

Not enough information to tell

231 markhard

A beam of monochromatic light with wavelength λ is shone through a double slit at distance D away from a screen. An interference pattern is produced where the distance between the fringes is $x$ .

What would the distance between the double slit and the screen need to be for the fringe distance to remain $x$ when a light beam of wavelength $\frac{3}{4}λ$ is used instead?

Choose your answer

$\frac{1}{4}D$

$\frac{1}{3}D$

$\frac{3}{4}D$

$\frac{4}{3}D$

241 markeasy

The diagram shows a diffraction grating with a slit distance (d) and a monochromatic source of light incident on the grating.

$q6_diffraction_aqa-as-physics-mcq$

What happens to the angle of diffraction when the distance between the slits on the grating is reduced?

Choose your answer

The angle of diffraction remains the same

The angle of diffraction is decreased

The angle of diffraction is increased

There is not enough information to know what will happen

251 markhard

An electron beam of current 50 μA flows in a cathode-ray oscilloscope. The time-base causes the beam to sweep horizontally across the screen at 1.0 × 10⁴ cm s^–1

What is the number of electrons arriving at the screen in one centimetre length of the horizontal trace?

Choose your answer

3.1 × 10¹⁰

3.1 × 10¹³

1.3 × 10¹³

8.0 × 10¹⁴

261 markeasy

What is the correct definition for potential difference?

Choose your answer

Energy transferred per unit charge

Energy transferred per unit current

Power transfer per unit charge

Work done per unit current

271 markhard

A thermistor and another component are connected to a constant voltage supply. A voltmeter is connected across one of the components. The temperature of the thermistor is then reduced, but no other changes are made.

In which circuit will the voltmeter reading increase ?

cie-ial-physics-images-9-3-h-q1

Choose your answer

281 markhard

In the circuit below, a voltmeter of resistance R_V and an ammeter of resistance R_A are used to measure the resistance R of the fixed resistor.

cie-ial-images598png

Which condition is necessary for an accurate value to be obtained for *R *?

Choose your answer

R is much smaller than R_V

R is much smaller than R_A

R is much greater than R_V

R is much greater than R_A

291 markhard

Six resistors, each of resistance 5 Ω, are connected to a 2 V cell of negligible internal resistance.

cie-ial-images560png

What is the potential difference between terminals X and Y ?

Choose your answer

$\frac{2}{3}V$

$\frac{8}{9}V$

$\frac{4}{3}V$

$2V$

301 markeasy

In the circuit shown, the 6.0 V battery has negligible internal resistance. Resistors R₁ and R₂ and the voltmeter have resistance 100 kΩ.

cie-ial-images580png

What is the current in the resistor R₂?

Choose your answer

20 µA

30 µA

40 µA

60 µA

311 markhard

Which of the following equations correctly shows an α-particle causing a nuclear reaction ?

Choose your answer

$N_{7}^{14} + H_{2}^{4} e \rightarrow O_{8}^{17} + n_{1}^{1}$

$O_{8}^{17} + H_{2}^{4} e \rightarrow F_{9}^{20} + P_{1}^{1}$

O _ 8 ^ 17 + e _ - 1 ^ 0 -> B _ 5 ^ 13 + H _ 2 ^ 4 e

$N_{7}^{14} + space_{1}^{1} p \rightarrow C_{6}^{11} + H_{2}^{4} e$

321 markeasy

What is a particle that is not made of any smaller particles?

Choose your answer

elementary particle

minimum particle

original particle

atomic particle

339 marksmedium

2 marks

State the difference between angular velocity and linear velocity.

Your answer

3 marks

A moon is in a circular orbit r about a planet. The angular speed of the moon in its orbit is ω. The planet and its moon may be considered to be point masses that are isolated in space.

r and *ω *are related by the expression

 r*<sup>3</sup>*ω*<sup>2</sup> = constant

Io and Europa are moons that are in circular orbits around the planet Jupiter.

Data for Io and Europa are shown in Fig 1.1.

moon	radius of orbit / km	period of rotation around Jupiter / hours
Io	422 000	42.5
Europa	670 900

Fig 1.1

Use the data from Fig 1.1. to determine the angular speed of Europa in its orbit around Jupiter.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

Use the data from Fig 1.1. to determine the angular speed of Europa in its orbit around Jupiter. The angular speed of Europa, ω = 2.0 × 10^–5 rad s^–1.

Calculate the time period of Europa.

T = ................................ years

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

Io and Europa are moons that are in circular orbits around the planet Jupiter. Data for Io and Europa are shown in Fig 1.1.

Fig 1.1

Determine the radius of the orbit of a moon that had double the linear speed of Io but a third of its time period.

Your answer

How did you do?/ 9

3410 marksmedium

3 marks

A bowl-shaped skating ramp can be modelled as a hollow sphere.

A skateboarder with a horizontal speed follows a circular path inside the bowl of radius 2.3 m, as shown in Fig 1.1.

12-2-2a-m-skateboarder-circular-motion

Fig 1.1

The forces acting on the skateboarder are their weight W and the normal reaction force R of the ramp on the skateboarder. R is at an angle *θ *to the horizontal.

Sketch W, R and *θ *on Fig 1.2.

v09BaY6S_12-2-2a-m--forces-on-skateboarder

Fig 1.2

Your answer

3 marks

Extract:

Determine an equation for *W *in terms of *θ *and the resultant force, *F *on the skateboarder.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

A bowl-shaped skating ramp can be modelled as a hollow sphere. A skateboarder with a horizontal speed follows a circular path inside the bowl of radius 2.3 m. The forces acting on the skateboarder are their weight W and the normal reaction force R of the ramp on the skateboarder. R is at an angle θ to the horizontal. Determine an equation for W in terms of θ and the resultant force, F on the skateboarder. F = R cosθ; W = R sinθ. The horizontal component R cosθ is in the same direction as the resultant force, F (towards the centre of the circle).

Explain why force F is significant to the motion of the skateboarder.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

A skateboarder with a horizontal speed follows a circular path inside the bowl of radius 2.3 m, as shown in Fig 1.1. The forces acting on the skateboarder are their weight W and the normal reaction force R of the ramp on the skateboarder. R is at an angle θ to the horizontal. Determine an equation for W in terms of θ and the resultant force, F on the skateboarder. W = F tanθ

For the radius of the ramp in Fig 1.1, the skateboarder travels at a speed of 6.0 m s^–1.

Show that the angle *θ *is 32°.

Your answer

How did you do?/ 10

357 marksmedium

2 marks

An equation to describe field strength is:

$\mathrm{gravitational} \mathrm{field} \mathrm{strength}=\frac{X}{Y}$

Define X and Y in the equation above.

Your answer

1 mark

Extract:

An equation to describe field strength is: gravitational field strength = X/Y. Define X and Y in the equation above. X is: Force acting on an object with mass; Y is: Mass of object;

Based on your answer to part (a), define the terms in the following equation:

$g=\frac{F}{m}$

Your answer

4 marks

The following text is about gravitational fields.

Complete the following sentences by crossing out the incorrect words:

A gravitational field is a region of space in which objects with mass / charge will experience a force.

The direction of the gravitational field is always directed away from / towards the centre of the mass.

Gravitational forces are always / never attractive.

Gravitational fields around a point mass are uniform / radial.

Your answer

How did you do?/ 7

3614 marksmedium

5 marks

Explain

(i) What is meant by a geostationary orbit.

(3 marks)

(ii) Why it is preferable to have a satellite in this orbit for TV and telephone signals.

(2 marks)

Your answer

4 marks

A satellite of mass m is in orbit around a planet.

The mass *M *of the planet may be considered to be concentrated at its centre.

Show that the time period T of the orbit of the satellite is given by the expression

$T^{2} = ( \frac{4 \pi ^{2} R^{3}}{G M} )$

where R is the radius of the orbit of the satellite and G is the gravitational constant.

Explain your working.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

Show that the time period T of the orbit of the satellite is given by the expression T^2 = (4 π^2 R^3)/(G M) where R is the radius of the orbit of the satellite and G is the gravitational constant.

The radius of a geostationary orbit from the centre of the Earth is 4.2 × 10⁷ m.

Calculate the mass of the Earth.

Your answer

3 marks

Extract:

The radius of a geostationary orbit from the centre of the Earth is 4.2 × 10^7 m.

The radius of the Earth is 6400 km.

Determine the ratio

$\frac{\mathrm{gravitational} \mathrm{field} \mathrm{strength} \mathrm{of} \mathrm{satellite} \mathrm{on} \mathrm{the} \mathrm{Earth}'s\mathrm{surface}}{\mathrm{gravitational} \mathrm{field} \mathrm{strength} \mathrm{of} \mathrm{the} \mathrm{satellite} \mathrm{at} \mathrm{the} \mathrm{geostationary} \mathrm{orbit}}$

Your answer

How did you do?/ 14

Measurement

Uncertainty

load on wire

length of wire

diameter of wire

extension

±2%

±0.2%

±1.5%

±1%

Magnitude / N

Direction

1250

Downwards

350

Upwards

1250

Upwards

350

Downwards

Change in momentum

Change in kinetic energy

A

B

C

D

0

mv

mv²

2mv

0

mv²

0

0

moon

radius of orbit / km

period of rotation around Jupiter / hours

422 000

42.5

Europa

670 900

3410 marksmedium

3 marks

A bowl-shaped skating ramp can be modelled as a hollow sphere.

A skateboarder with a horizontal speed follows a circular path inside the bowl of radius 2.3 m, as shown in Fig 1.1.

12-2-2a-m-skateboarder-circular-motion

Fig 1.1

The forces acting on the skateboarder are their weight W and the normal reaction force R of the ramp on the skateboarder. R is at an angle *θ *to the horizontal.

Sketch W, R and *θ *on Fig 1.2.

v09BaY6S_12-2-2a-m--forces-on-skateboarder

Fig 1.2

Your answer

3 marks

Extract:

Determine an equation for *W *in terms of *θ *and the resultant force, *F *on the skateboarder.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

Explain why force F is significant to the motion of the skateboarder.

Your answer

2 marks

Extract:

For the radius of the ramp in Fig 1.1, the skateboarder travels at a speed of 6.0 m s^–1.

Show that the angle *θ *is 32°.

Your answer

How did you do?/ 10