Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2012 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
9702/11/O/N/12 · 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 paper28 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · What is the unit of weight in terms of SI base unit(s)?
1 What is the unit of weight in terms of SI base unit(s)? A kg m s–1 B kg m s–2 C N D J m–1
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Vectors P and Q are drawn to scale
2 Vectors P and Q are drawn to scale. P Q Which diagram represents the vector (P – Q)? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · What is the approximate temperature of a red-hot ring on an electric cooker?
3 What is the approximate temperature of a red-hot ring on an electric cooker? A 100 °C B 200 °C C 400 °C D 800 °C Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · Which list contains only scalar quantities?
4 Which list contains only scalar quantities? A area, length, displacement B kinetic energy, speed, power C potential energy, momentum, time D velocity, distance, temperature
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The density of the material of a coil of thin wire is to be found
5 The density of the material of a coil of thin wire is to be found. Which set of instruments could be used to do this most accurately? A metre rule, protractor, spring balance B micrometer, metre rule, top-pan balance C stopwatch, newton-meter, vernier calipers D tape measure, vernier calipers, lever balance Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A quantity X varies with temperature θ as shown
6 A quantity X varies with temperature θ as shown. X 00 100 °C θ θ is determined from the corresponding values of X by using this graph. X is measured with a percentage uncertainty of ±1 % of its value at all temperatures. Which statement about the uncertainty in θ is correct? A The percentage uncertainty in θ is least near 0 °C. B The percentage uncertainty in θ is least near 100 °C. C The actual uncertainty in θ is least near 0 °C. D The actual uncertainty in θ is least near 100 °C.
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · The measurement of a physical quantity may be subject to random errors and to systematic…
7 The measurement of a physical quantity may be subject to random errors and to systematic errors. Which statement is correct? A Random errors can be reduced by taking the average of several measurements. B Random errors are always caused by the person taking the measurement. C A systematic error cannot be reduced by adjusting the apparatus. D A systematic error results in a different reading each time the measurement is taken. Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · The velocity of an electric car changes as shown
8 The velocity of an electric car changes as shown. 150 velocity / km h–1 100 50 0 0 1 2 3 4 time / s What is the acceleration of the car? A 190 m s–2 B 53 m s–2 C 26 m s–2 D 7.3 m s–2
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · A ball is thrown vertically in air
9 A ball is thrown vertically in air. Neglecting air resistance, which property of the ball can never be zero at any time during the flight? A acceleration B kinetic energy C speed D velocity Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · A golf ball is hit with the same force and direction on the Earth and on the Moon
10 A golf ball is hit with the same force and direction on the Earth and on the Moon. Which diagram best represents the shapes of the paths taken by the golf ball? A B Moon Moon Earth Earth C D Moon Moon Earth Earth Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · An object travelling with velocity v strikes a wall and rebounds as shown
11 An object travelling with velocity v strikes a wall and rebounds as shown. v v Which property of the object is not conserved? A kinetic energy B mass C momentum D speed Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A particle X has speed v and collides with a stationary identical particle Y
12 A particle X has speed v and collides with a stationary identical particle Y. The collision is perfectly elastic. X Y v What are the speed and direction of motion of each of the two particles after the collision? X Y A stationary v to the right v to the right v to the right B 2 2 v to the left v to the right C 2 2 D v to the left stationary Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A mass of 2.0 kg rests on a frictionless surface
13 A mass of 2.0 kg rests on a frictionless surface. It is attached to a 1.0 kg mass by a light, thin string which passes over a frictionless pulley. The 1.0 kg mass is released and it accelerates downwards. mass pulley 2.0 kg 1.0 kg 0.50 m What is the speed of the 2.0 kg mass as the 1.0 kg mass hits the floor, having fallen a distance of 0.50 m? A 1.8 m s–1 B 2.2 m s–1 C 3.1 m s–1 D 9.8 m s–1 Space for working
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q14 · A lead pellet is shot vertically upwards into a clay block that is stationary at the…
14 A lead pellet is shot vertically upwards into a clay block that is stationary at the moment of impact but is able to rise freely after impact. stationary clay block mass 95 g impact velocity 200 m s–1 lead pellet mass 5.0 g The pellet hits the block with an initial velocity of 200 m s–1. It embeds itself in the block and does not emerge. How high above its initial position will the block rise? (Mass of pellet = 5.0 g; mass of clay block = 95 g.) A 5.1 m B 5.6 m C 10 m D 2000 m Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · The diagram shows an experiment to measure the force exerted on a ball by a horizontal…
15 The diagram shows an experiment to measure the force exerted on a ball by a horizontal air flow. 30° air flow The ball is suspended by a light string and weighs 0.15 N. The deflection of the string from vertical is 30°. What is the force on the ball from the air flow? A 0.075 N B 0.087 N C 0.26 N D 0.30 N
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · A student balances a 30 cm ruler on a fulcrum set at the 15 cm mark
16 A student balances a 30 cm ruler on a fulcrum set at the 15 cm mark. She then places a 50 g mass on the 23 cm mark and a 20 g mass on the 11 cm mark, as shown. 20 g 50 g 0 7 11 23 30 Which mass should she place on the 7 cm mark to restore the balance? A 30 g B 40 g C 47 g D 133 g Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · A sledge slides down a slope at a constant velocity
17 A sledge slides down a slope at a constant velocity. The three forces that act on the sledge are the normal contact force C, the weight W and a constant frictional force F. Which diagram represents these forces acting on the sledge? A B C D F F C C W W W W C C F F
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · The kinetic energy of a particle is increased by a factor of 4
18 The kinetic energy of a particle is increased by a factor of 4. By what factor does its speed increase? A 2 B 4 C 8 D 16
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q19 · A piston in a gas supply pump has an area of 600 cm2 and it moves a distance of 40 cm…
19 A piston in a gas supply pump has an area of 600 cm2 and it moves a distance of 40 cm during one stroke. The pump moves the gas against a fixed pressure of 5000 Pa. How much work is done by the piston during one stroke? A 1.2 × 102 J B 1.2 × 104 J C 1.2 × 106 J D 1.2 × 108 J Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · A railway engine accelerates a train of total mass 800 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000 kg) from…
20 A railway engine accelerates a train of total mass 800 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000 kg) from rest to a speed of 50 m s–1. How much work must be done on the train to reach this speed? A 1.0 × 106 J B 2.0 × 106 J C 1.0 × 109 J D 2.0 × 109 J
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q21 · Water from a reservoir is fed to the turbine of a hydroelectric system at a rate of 500…
21 Water from a reservoir is fed to the turbine of a hydroelectric system at a rate of 500 kg s–1. The reservoir is 300 m above the level of the turbine. The electrical output from the generator driven by the turbine is 200 A at a potential difference of 6000 V. What is the efficiency of the system? A 8.0 % B 8.2 % C 80 % D 82 %
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · Which row correctly describes the spacing, ordering and motion of the molecules in water…
22 Which row correctly describes the spacing, ordering and motion of the molecules in water and in ice when both are at a temperature of 0 °C? spacing ordering motion A molecules in ice are a regular pattern of molecules in both ice closer together than molecules in both ice and water have the molecules in water and water same average speed B molecules in ice are a regular pattern of molecules in ice travel closer together than molecules in ice but not more slowly than those molecules in water in water in water C molecules in ice are a regular pattern of molecules in ice travel further apart than molecules in both ice more slowly than those molecules in water and water in water D molecules in ice are a regular pattern of molecules in both ice further apart than molecules in ice but not and water have the molecules in water in water same average speed Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Three springs are arranged vertically as shown
23 Three springs are arranged vertically as shown. P Q R W Springs P and Q are identical and have spring constant k. Spring R has spring constant 3k. What is the increase in the overall length of the arrangement when a force W is applied as shown? A 5 W B 4 W C 7 kW D 4 kW 6 k 3 k 2 Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · The diagram shows the stress-strain graph for two wires X and Y of different materials up…
24 The diagram shows the stress-strain graph for two wires X and Y of different materials up to their breaking points. Both wires have the same initial dimensions. stress X Y 00 strain Which statement is not correct? A Material X extends elastically. B Material X extends more than material Y when loaded with the same force. C Material X has a larger ultimate tensile stress. D Material X is brittle.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A steel wire and a brass wire are joined end to end and are hung vertically with the…
25 A steel wire and a brass wire are joined end to end and are hung vertically with the steel wire attached to a point on the ceiling. The steel wire is twice as long as the brass wire and has half the diameter. A large mass is hung from the end of the brass wire so that both wires are stretched elastically. The Young modulus for steel is 2.0 × 1011 Pa and for brass is 1.0 × 1011 Pa. What is the ratio of the extension of the steel to the extension of the brass? A 2 B 4 C 8 D 16 Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · The diagram shows a graph of displacement against time for a sound wave
26 The diagram shows a graph of displacement against time for a sound wave. displacement 00 time The intensity of the sound is halved. Which graph shows the displacement of this sound wave? A B displacement displacement 00 00 time time C D displacement displacement 00 00 time time Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What do not travel at the speed of light in a vacuum?
27 What do not travel at the speed of light in a vacuum? A electrons B microwaves C radio waves D X-rays
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · A musical organ produces notes by blowing air into a set of pipes that are open at one…
28 A musical organ produces notes by blowing air into a set of pipes that are open at one end and closed at the other. What is the lowest frequency of sound produced by a pipe of length 10 m? (The speed of sound in the pipe is 320 m s–1.) A 4 Hz B 8 Hz C 16 Hz D 32 Hz
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · Monochromatic light is directed at a diffraction grating as shown
29 Monochromatic light is directed at a diffraction grating as shown. Which diagram shows all the possible directions of the light, after passing through the grating, that give maximum intensity? A B C D Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · An electron is initially at rest in a uniform electric field
30 An electron is initially at rest in a uniform electric field. Which graph shows the variation with time of the velocity of the electron? A B velocity velocity 00 00 time time C D velocity velocity 00 00 time time Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A charged particle is in the electric field between two horizontal metal plates connected…
31 A charged particle is in the electric field between two horizontal metal plates connected to a source of constant potential difference, as shown. charged particle There is a force F on the particle due to the electric field. The separation of the plates is doubled. What will be the new force on the particle? A F B F C F D 2F 4 2
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · The potential difference between point X and point Y in a circuit is 20 V
32 The potential difference between point X and point Y in a circuit is 20 V. The time taken for charge carriers to move from X to Y is 15 s. In this time, the energy of the charge carriers changes by 12 J. What is the current between X and Y? A 0.040 A B 0.11 A C 9.0 A D 25 A Space for working
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · A cylindrical wire of length 10 m and diameter 2.0 mm has a resistance of 0.050 Ω
33 A cylindrical wire of length 10 m and diameter 2.0 mm has a resistance of 0.050 Ω. From which material is the wire made? material resistivity / Ω m A bronze 1.6 × 10–7 B nichrome 1.6 × 10–6 C silver 1.6 × 10–8 D zinc 6.3 × 10–8
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · The I-V characteristics of two electrical components P and Q are shown below
34 The I-V characteristics of two electrical components P and Q are shown below. 2.0 I / A 1.5 P Q 1.0 0.5 0 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 V / V Which statement is correct? A P is a resistor and Q is a filament lamp. B The resistance of Q increases as the current in it increases. C For a current of 1.9 A, the resistance of Q is approximately half that of P. D For a current of 0.5 A, the power dissipated in Q is double that in P. Space for working
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · In a fire alarm system, a thermistor T has a resistance of 2000 Ω at room temperature
35 In a fire alarm system, a thermistor T has a resistance of 2000 Ω at room temperature. Its resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The alarm is triggered when the potential difference between X and Y reaches 4.5 V. 12 V T 150 Ω X Y What is the resistance of the thermistor when the alarm is triggered? A 90 Ω B 150 Ω C 250 Ω D 1300 Ω
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · A network of electrical components is connected across a battery of negligible internal…
36 A network of electrical components is connected across a battery of negligible internal resistance, as shown. V A The resistance of the variable resistor is increased. What is the effect on the readings of the ammeter and voltmeter? ammeter voltmeter A decreases increases B increases decreases C unchanged decreases D unchanged increases Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The diagram shows a potentiometer circuit
37 The diagram shows a potentiometer circuit. E1 R X T Y E2 The contact T is placed on the wire and moved along the wire until the galvanometer reading is zero. The length XT is then noted. In order to calculate the potential difference per unit length of the wire XY, which value must also be known? A the e.m.f. of the cell E1 B the e.m.f. of the cell E2 C the resistance of resistor R D the resistance of the wire XY Space for working
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A class of students used dice to simulate radioactive decay
38 A class of students used dice to simulate radioactive decay. After each throw, those dice showing a ‘6’ were removed. The graph shows the results. 100 number of 80 dice remaining 60 40 20 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 number of throws of the dice What could the scatter of points about the best-fit curve represent for actual radioactive decay? A background count not being taken into account B more than one type of radiation being present C the random nature of radioactive decay D the spontaneous nature of radioactive decay Space for working
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · Which statement about alpha, beta and gamma radiation is correct?
39 Which statement about alpha, beta and gamma radiation is correct? A Alpha radiation has the greatest ionising power. B Beta radiation has the greatest ionising power. C Gamma radiation has the greatest ionising power. D Alpha, beta and gamma radiation have nearly equal ionising powers.
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · In a radioactive decay series, three successive decays each result in a particle being…
40 In a radioactive decay series, three successive decays each result in a particle being emitted. The first decay results in the emission of a β-particle. The second decay results in the emission of an α-particle. The third decay results in the emission of another β-particle. β α β P Q R S Nuclides P and S are compared. Which statement is correct? A P and S are identical in all respects. B P and S are isotopes of the same element. C S is a different element of lower atomic number. D S is a different element of reduced mass. Space for working
Mark scheme: B
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.
3Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy3Linear momentum and its conservation3Density and pressure2Elastic and plastic behaviour2Equilibrium of forces2Errors and uncertainties2Potential dividers2Radioactive decay2Resistance and resistivity2Scalars and vectors2Uniform electric fields2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Electromagnetic spectrum1Energy conservation1Kinetic theory of gases1Potential difference and power1Practical circuits1Progressive waves1SI units1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1Temperature scales1The diffraction grating1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2012 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.