Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2011 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
9702/12/O/N/11 · 40 questions · 40 marks · ≈45 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper24 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · Which quantity can be measured in electronvolts (eV)?
1 Which quantity can be measured in electronvolts (eV)? A electric charge B electric potential C energy D power 10 − 3 T Hz
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · What is the ratio ?
2 What is the ratio ? 10 3 kHz A 10–9 B 10–6 C 100 D 103
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · The following physical quantities can be either positive or negative
3 The following physical quantities can be either positive or negative. s : displacement of a particle along a straight line θ : temperature on the Celsius scale q : electric charge V : readings on a digital voltmeter Which of these quantities are vectors? A s, θ, q, V B s, q, V only C θ, V only D s only Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · A micrometer is used to measure the diameters of two cylinders
4 A micrometer is used to measure the diameters of two cylinders. diameter of first cylinder = 12.78 ± 0.02 mm diameter of second cylinder = 16.24 ± 0.03 mm The difference in the diameters is calculated. What is the uncertainty in this difference? A ± 0.01 mm B ± 0.02 mm C ± 0.03 mm D ± 0.05 mm
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · The speedometer in a car consists of a pointer which rotates
5 The speedometer in a car consists of a pointer which rotates. The pointer is situated several millimetres from a calibrated scale. What could cause a random error in the driver’s measurement of the car’s speed? A The car’s speed is affected by the wind direction. B The driver’s eye is not always in the same position in relation to the pointer. C The speedometer does not read zero when the car is at rest. D The speedometer reads 10 % higher than the car’s actual speed. Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · The velocity of an object during the first five seconds of its motion is shown on the…
6 The velocity of an object during the first five seconds of its motion is shown on the graph. 20 velocity / m s–1 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 time / s What is the distance travelled by the object in this time? A 4 m B 20 m C 50 m D 100 m Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · A stone of mass m is dropped from a tall building
7 A stone of mass m is dropped from a tall building. There is significant air resistance. The acceleration of free fall is g. When the stone reaches its terminal velocity, which information is correct? magnitude of magnitude of the magnitude of the the acceleration force of gravity force of air resistance of the stone on the stone on the stone A g mg mg B zero mg mg C zero zero mg D zero zero zero
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The variation with time t of the distance s moved by a body is shown below
8 The variation with time t of the distance s moved by a body is shown below. s 0 0 t What can be deduced from the graph about the motion of the body? A It accelerates continuously. B It starts from rest. C The distance is proportional to time. D The speed changes. Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · A golf ball is hit by a club
9 A golf ball is hit by a club. The graph shows the variation with time of the force exerted on the ball by the club. force 00 time Which quantity, for the time of contact, cannot be found from the graph? A the average force on the ball B the change in momentum of the ball C the contact time between the ball and the club D the maximum acceleration of the ball Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A group of students investigating the principle of conservation of momentum use a small…
10 A group of students investigating the principle of conservation of momentum use a small truck travelling over a frictionless surface. Sand is dropped into the truck as it passes X. At Y, a trapdoor in the bottom of the truck opens and the sand falls out. X Y How does the velocity of the truck change when the sand is added to the truck at X and then leaves the truck at Y? at X at Y A decreases increases B decreases stays the same C stays the same increases D stays the same stays the same
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · An object of mass 20 kg is travelling at a constant speed of 6.0 m s–1
11 An object of mass 20 kg is travelling at a constant speed of 6.0 m s–1. It collides with an object of mass 12 kg travelling at a constant speed of 15 m s–1 in the opposite direction. The objects stick together. What is the speed of the objects immediately after the collision? A 1.9 m s–1 B 9.0 m s–1 C 9.4 m s–1 D 21 m s–1 Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · Two possible displacements of an object are represented by the vectors P and Q
12 Two possible displacements of an object are represented by the vectors P and Q. Q P Which vector best represents the resultant displacement (P – Q) of the object? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Two co-planar forces act on the rim of a wheel
13 Two co-planar forces act on the rim of a wheel. The forces are equal in magnitude. Which arrangement of forces provides only a couple? A B C D Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · A trailer of weight 30 kN is hitched to a cab at X, as shown in the diagram
14 A trailer of weight 30 kN is hitched to a cab at X, as shown in the diagram. cab trailer X 30 kN 10 m 10 m What is the upward force exerted by the cab on the trailer at X? A 3 kN B 15 kN C 30 kN D 60 kN
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · When a horizontal force F is applied to a frictionless trolley over a distance s, the…
15 When a horizontal force F is applied to a frictionless trolley over a distance s, the kinetic energy of the trolley changes from 4 J to 8 J. If a force of 2F is applied to the trolley over a distance of 2s, what will the original kinetic energy of 4 J become? A 16 J B 20 J C 32 J D 64 J
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · The kinetic energy of a vehicle of mass 1000 kg is 4.5 × 105 J
16 The kinetic energy of a vehicle of mass 1000 kg is 4.5 × 105 J. It is braked with a total constant braking force of 6000 N. What will be its stopping distance? A 37 m B 75 m C 150 m D 300 m Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · In many old-style filament lamps, as much as 92 J of energy is emitted as thermal energy…
17 In many old-style filament lamps, as much as 92 J of energy is emitted as thermal energy for every 8 J of energy emitted as light. What is the efficiency of the lamp, as the percentage of electrical energy converted to light energy? A 8 % B 9 % C 91 % D 92 %
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · What is the unit of power in SI base units?
18 What is the unit of power in SI base units? A kg m s–2 B kg m s–3 C kg m2 s–2 D kg m2 s–3
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · In an experiment to demonstrate Brownian motion, smoke particles in a container are…
19 In an experiment to demonstrate Brownian motion, smoke particles in a container are illuminated by a strong light source and observed through a microscope. The particles are seen as small specks of light that are in motion. What causes the Brownian motion? A collisions between the smoke particles and air molecules B collisions between the smoke particles and the walls of the container C convection currents within the air as it is warmed by the light source D kinetic energy gained by the smoke particles on absorption of light Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · A horizontal plate of area 0.036 m2 is beneath the surface of a liquid of density 930 kg…
20 A horizontal plate of area 0.036 m2 is beneath the surface of a liquid of density 930 kg m–3. The force on the plate due to the pressure of the liquid is 290 N. What is the depth of the plate beneath the surface of the liquid? A 0.88 m B 1.13 m C 8.7 m D 9.1 m
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · The graph shows the relationship between stress and strain for three wires of the same…
21 The graph shows the relationship between stress and strain for three wires of the same linear dimensions but made from different materials. P stress Q R 0 0 0.1 1.0 strain Which statements are correct? 1 The extension of P is approximately twice that of Q for the same stress. 2 The ratio of the Young modulus for P to that of Q is approximately two. 3 For strain less than 0.1, R obeys Hooke’s law. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 2 only Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · The graph shows the effect of applying a force of up to 5 N to a spring
22 The graph shows the effect of applying a force of up to 5 N to a spring. 14 spring length / cm 11 10 0 5 force / N What is the total increase in length produced by a 7 N force, assuming the spring obeys Hooke’s law? A 4.2 cm B 5.6 cm C 15.2 cm D 19.6 cm Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · The following force-extension graphs are drawn to the same scale
23 The following force-extension graphs are drawn to the same scale. Which graph represents the deformed object with the greatest amount of elastic potential energy? A B force force 00 00 extension extension C D force force 00 00 extension extension Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · A wave that can be polarised must be A longitudinal
24 A wave that can be polarised must be A longitudinal. B progressive. C stationary. D transverse.
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · Which statement about electromagnetic radiation is correct?
25 Which statement about electromagnetic radiation is correct? A Waves of wavelength 5 × 10–9 m are high-energy gamma rays. B Waves of wavelength 3 × 10–8 m are ultra-violet waves. C Waves of wavelength 5 × 10–7 m are infra-red waves. D Waves of wavelength 9 × 10–7 m are light waves. Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · The diagram shows two sinusoidal waveforms
26 The diagram shows two sinusoidal waveforms. displacement waveform P 0 0 t / s waveform Q displacement 0 0 t / s t = 18 s At time t = 0 the waves are in phase. At the dotted line, t = 18 s. At which time is the phase difference between the two oscillations ⅛ of a cycle? A 4.0 s B 4.5 s C 8.0 s D 9.0 s Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · A sound wave is set up in a long tube, closed at one end
27 A sound wave is set up in a long tube, closed at one end. The length of the tube is adjusted until the sound from the tube is loudest. What is the nature of the sound wave in the tube? A longitudinal and progressive B longitudinal and stationary C transverse and progressive D transverse and stationary
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · Two light sources produce visible interference fringes only in certain circumstances
28 Two light sources produce visible interference fringes only in certain circumstances. Which condition enables visible interference fringes to be formed? A using a white light source B using incoherent sources C using one light source which is polarised at right angles to light from the other source D using sources from which the light does not overlap Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · The diagram shows a pair of parallel metal plates 4.0 mm apart connected to a 9.0 V…
29 The diagram shows a pair of parallel metal plates 4.0 mm apart connected to a 9.0 V battery. 4.0 mm 9.0 V What is the electric field strength between the plates? A 4.4 × 10–4 N C–1 B 3.6 × 10–2 N C–1 C 36 N C–1 D 2.3 × 103 N C–1
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Which path shows a possible movement of an electron in the electric field shown?
30 Which path shows a possible movement of an electron in the electric field shown? A B electron beam D C Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · The diagram shows a non-uniform electric field near a positively charged and a negatively…
31 The diagram shows a non-uniform electric field near a positively charged and a negatively charged sphere. Four electrons, A, B, C and D, are shown at different positions in the field. On which electron is the direction of the force on the electron shown correctly? B D + – C A
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · A charge of 8.0 C passes through a resistor of resistance 30 Ω at a constant rate in a…
32 A charge of 8.0 C passes through a resistor of resistance 30 Ω at a constant rate in a time of 20 s. What is the potential difference across the resistor? A 0.40 V B 5.3 V C 12 V D 75 V Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · The graph shows the variation with potential difference (p.d.) of the current in a lamp…
33 The graph shows the variation with potential difference (p.d.) of the current in a lamp filament. current 00 p.d. Which statement explains the shape of this graph? A As the filament temperature rises, electrons can pass more easily through the filament. B It takes time for the filament to reach its working temperature. C The power output of the filament is proportional to the square of the current in it. D The resistance of the filament increases with a rise in temperature.
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · Two electrically-conducting cylinders X and Y are made from the same material
34 Two electrically-conducting cylinders X and Y are made from the same material. Their dimensions are as shown. X Y D 2D L 2L The resistance of each cylinder is measured between its ends. What is the ratio resistance of X ? resistance of Y A 2 B 1 C 1 D 1 1 1 2 4 Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · A power supply of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 12 V and internal resistance 2 Ω is…
35 A power supply of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 12 V and internal resistance 2 Ω is connected in series with a load resistor. The value of the load resistor is varied from 0.5 Ω to 4 Ω. Which graph shows how the power P dissipated in the load resistor varies with the resistance of the load resistor? A B P P 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 resistance of load / Ω resistance of load / Ω C D P P 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 resistance of load / Ω resistance of load / Ω Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Each of Kirchhoff’s laws is linked to the conservation of a physical quantity
36 Each of Kirchhoff’s laws is linked to the conservation of a physical quantity. Which physical quantities are assumed to be conserved in the formulation of Kirchhoff’s first law and of Kirchhoff’s second law? Kirchhoff’s Kirchhoff’s first law second law A energy charge B energy momentum C charge energy D momentum energy
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The diagram shows a potential divider circuit which, by adjustment of the contact X, can…
37 The diagram shows a potential divider circuit which, by adjustment of the contact X, can be used to provide a variable potential difference between the terminals P and Q. X 4 kΩ P 25 V Q 1 kΩ What are the limits of this potential difference? A 0 and 5 V B 0 and 20 V C 0 and 25 V D 5 V and 25 V Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A constant 60 V d.c
38 A constant 60 V d.c. supply is connected across two resistors of resistance 400 kΩ and 200 kΩ. 60 V d.c. supply V 200 kΩ 400 kΩ 200 kΩ What is the reading on a voltmeter, also of resistance 200 kΩ, when connected across the 200 kΩ resistor as shown in the diagram? A 12 V B 15 V C 20 V D 30 V
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · Which statement concerning α-particles is correct?
39 Which statement concerning α-particles is correct? A An α-particle has charge +4e. B An α-particle is a helium atom. C When α-particles travel through air, they cause ionisation. D When α-particles travel through a sheet of gold foil, they make the gold radioactive.
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · A nucleus of the nuclide 241 Pu decays by emission of a β-particle followed by the…
40 A nucleus of the nuclide 241 Pu decays by emission of a β-particle followed by the emission of an 94 α-particle. Which nucleus is formed? A 239 Np B 239 Pa C 237 Np D 237 U 93 91 93 92 Space for working
Mark scheme: C
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 40 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
3Linear momentum and its conservation3Elastic and plastic behaviour2Equations of motion2Errors and uncertainties2Potential dividers2Resistance and resistivity2Scalars and vectors2Uniform electric fields2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Density and pressure1Electric fields and field lines1Electromagnetic spectrum1Energy and momentum of a photon1Equilibrium of forces1Interference1Kinetic theory of gases1Kirchhoff’s laws1Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion1Physical quantities1Polarisation1Potential difference and power1Practical circuits1Progressive waves1Radioactive decay1SI units1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2011 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.