Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2016 Feb/March Paper 1 · Variant 2
9702/12/F/M/16 · 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 paper20 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The prefixes nano (n), micro (µ) and pico (p) are often used with units
1 The prefixes nano (n), micro (µ) and pico (p) are often used with units. Which row shows their correct values? n µ p A 10–6 10–9 10–12 B 10–6 10–12 10–9 C 10–9 10–6 10–12 D 10–12 10–9 10–6
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · A crane has an arm to which is attached a frictionless pulley
2 A crane has an arm to which is attached a frictionless pulley. A cable passes over the pulley and supports a load of 10 kN as shown. F frictionless pulley 10 kN 30° 30° crane arm load 10 kN The crane arm exerts a force F on the pulley. What is the value of F ? A 5.0 kN B 8.7 kN C 10 kN D 17 kN
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · The SI unit of specific heat capacity is J kg–1 K–1
3 The SI unit of specific heat capacity is J kg–1 K–1. What is the unit of specific heat capacity expressed in SI base units? A m s–2 K–1 B kg m s–1 K–1 C m2 s–2 K–1 D kg m2 s–1 K–1
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Quantity X has a fractional uncertainty of x
4 Quantity X has a fractional uncertainty of x. Quantity Y has a fractional uncertainty of y. X ? What is the fractional uncertainty in Y 2 A x + y B x – y C x + 2y D x – 2y
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · PQR and XYZ are wires in a circuit
5 PQR and XYZ are wires in a circuit. A galvanometer connects Q and Y as a null indicator. P Q R X Y Z When the galvanometer reads zero, which statement is correct? A The potential difference between Q and Y is infinite. B The potential difference between Q and Y is zero. C The resistance between Q and Y is infinite. D The resistance between Q and Y is zero.
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · An object has an initial velocity u and an acceleration a
6 An object has an initial velocity u and an acceleration a. The object moves in a straight line through a displacement s and has final velocity v. The above quantities are related by the equation shown. v 2 = u 2 + 2as Which condition must be satisfied in order for this equation to apply to the motion of the object? A The direction of a is constant and the direction of a is the same as the direction of s. B The direction of a is constant and the direction of a is the same as the direction of u. C The magnitude of a is constant and the direction of a is constant. D The magnitude of a is constant and the direction of a is the same as the direction of v.
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · A car is travelling at constant velocity
7 A car is travelling at constant velocity. Its brakes are then applied, causing uniform deceleration. Which graph shows the variation with distance s of the velocity v of the car? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 s 0 s 0 s 0 s
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · A ball is thrown across a flat field
8 A ball is thrown across a flat field. path of ball Which statement describes the motion of the ball, when the effects of air resistance are ignored? A The ball lands with the same velocity at which it is thrown. B The horizontal component of acceleration is constant throughout the motion. C The horizontal and vertical components of acceleration are both zero at the highest point of the motion. D The horizontal and vertical components of velocity are both zero at the highest point of the motion.
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which statement defines force?
9 Which statement defines force? A When a force acts on a body that is free to move, the force is the product of the mass of the body and its acceleration. B When a force acts on a body that is free to move, the force is the rate of change of momentum of the body. C When a force acts on a body that is free to move, the force is the work done by the force divided by the distance moved by the body. D When a force acts on a lever and causes a moment, the force is the moment divided by the perpendicular distance of the force from the pivot.
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A particle of mass m, travelling with speed u, collides with a stationary particle of…
10 A particle of mass m, travelling with speed u, collides with a stationary particle of mass M. The velocities of the two particles before and after the collision are shown. u 3 M u α m M β m u 2 before collision after collision Which vector diagram correctly shows the momenta before and after the collision? A B mu mu α β β α mu mu 2 Mu 2 Mu 3 3 C D mu mu α β β α mu mu 2 Mu 2 Mu 3 3
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · An object falls freely from rest in a vacuum
11 An object falls freely from rest in a vacuum. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of the object. v 0 0 t Which graph, using the same scales, represents the object falling in air? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a uniform beam PQ
12 The diagram shows a uniform beam PQ. The length of the beam is 3.0 m and its weight is 50 N. The beam is supported on a pivot 1.0 m from end P. A load of weight W is hung from end P and the beam is in equilibrium. 3.0 m 1.0 m P Q W pivot What is the value of W ? A 25 N B 50 N C 75 N D 100 N
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · Two forces, each of magnitude F, act at points V and W on an object
13 Two forces, each of magnitude F, act at points V and W on an object. The two forces form a couple. The shape of the object is a right-angled triangle with sides of lengths x and y, as shown. F V y x W F Which expression gives the torque exerted by the couple? A Fx B Fy C 2Fx D 2Fy
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · A giant squid of length 20.0 m is vertical in seawater, with the top of the squid at a…
14 A giant squid of length 20.0 m is vertical in seawater, with the top of the squid at a depth of 8.00 m. The density of seawater is 1050 kg m–3. What is the difference in pressure between the top and the bottom of the squid? A 82 000 Pa B 206 000 Pa C 288 000 Pa D 389 000 Pa
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · The force diagram shows an aircraft accelerating
15 The force diagram shows an aircraft accelerating. At the instant shown, the velocity of the aircraft is 40 m s–1. velocity 40 m s–1 600 kN lift 200 kN 500 kN air resistance engine thrust 600 kN weight At which rate is its kinetic energy increasing? A 2.4 MW B 8.0 MW C 12 MW D 20 MW
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · A man is running in a straight line
16 A man is running in a straight line. What is an approximate value of his kinetic energy? A 10 J B 100 J C 1000 J D 10 000 J
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q17 · The pump of a water pumping system uses 2.0 kW of electrical power when raising water
17 The pump of a water pumping system uses 2.0 kW of electrical power when raising water. The pumping system lifts 16 kg of water per second through a vertical height of 7.0 m. What is the efficiency of the pumping system? A 1.8% B 5.6% C 22% D 55%
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · A metal wire is stretched by a load
18 A metal wire is stretched by a load. The force-extension graph is shown. force 0 0 extension What is represented by the area under the whole graph? A the change in gravitational potential energy of the wire B the energy that would be released from the wire if the final load was removed C the energy transferred into heat energy in the wire D the work done in stretching the wire
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · The Young modulus of steel is twice that of copper
19 The Young modulus of steel is twice that of copper. A 50 cm length of copper wire of diameter 2.0 mm is joined to a 50 cm length of steel wire of diameter 1.0 mm, making a combination wire of length 1.0 m, as shown. fixed support copper wire steel wire weight The combination wire is stretched by a weight added to its end. Both the copper and the steel wires obey Hooke’s law. extension of steel wire What is the ratio ? extension of copper wire A 4 B 2 C 1 D 0.5
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · With which types of wave can the Doppler shift be observed?
20 With which types of wave can the Doppler shift be observed? A all types of wave B light and sound waves only C sound waves and water waves only D sound waves only
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · A distant star is receding from the Earth with a speed of 1.40 × 107 m s–1
21 A distant star is receding from the Earth with a speed of 1.40 × 107 m s–1. It emits light of frequency 4.57 × 1014 Hz. The speed of light is 3.00 × 108 m s–1. The Doppler effect formula can be used with light waves. What will be the frequency of this light when detected on Earth? A 2.04 × 1013 Hz B 4.37 × 1014 Hz C 4.57 × 1014 Hz D 4.79 × 1014 Hz
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · The graph shows the variation with time of the displacement of two separate waves X and Y
22 The graph shows the variation with time of the displacement of two separate waves X and Y. displacement wave Y 0 0 time wave X Wave X has frequency f and amplitude A. What is the frequency and what is the amplitude of wave Y? frequency amplitude A 1 f 1 A 2 2 B 1 f 2A 2 C 2f 1 A 2 D 2f 2A
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · Diffraction is a term used to describe one aspect of wave behaviour
23 Diffraction is a term used to describe one aspect of wave behaviour. What does diffraction make possible? A the ability to hear around corners B the ability to hear high frequency and low frequency sound waves C the ability to hear loud and quiet sounds D the ability to hear sound through a brick wall
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · The diagram represents the pattern of stationary waves formed by the superposition of…
24 The diagram represents the pattern of stationary waves formed by the superposition of sound waves from a loudspeaker and their reflection from a metal sheet (not shown). W X Y Z W, X, Y and Z are four points on the line through the centre of these waves. Which statement about these stationary waves is correct? A An antinode is formed at the surface of the metal sheet. B A node is a quarter of a wavelength from an adjacent antinode. C The oscillations at X are in phase with those at Y. D The air particles oscillate perpendicular to the line WZ.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A musical instrument called a bugle is a long tube with a mouthpiece at one end
25 A musical instrument called a bugle is a long tube with a mouthpiece at one end. The other end is open and flared, as shown. A musician maintains stationary sound waves with a node at the mouthpiece and an antinode at the other end. The lowest frequency of sound that the bugle can produce is 92 Hz. Which different frequencies of sound can be produced by the bugle? A 92 Hz, 138 Hz, 184 Hz, 230 Hz, 276 Hz B 92 Hz, 184 Hz, 276 Hz, 368 Hz, 460 Hz C 92 Hz, 276 Hz, 460 Hz, 644 Hz, 828 Hz D 92 Hz, 276 Hz, 828 Hz, 2484 Hz, 7452 Hz
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · Monochromatic light of wavelength 5.30 × 10–7 m is incident normally on a diffraction…
26 Monochromatic light of wavelength 5.30 × 10–7 m is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The first order maximum is observed at an angle of 15.4° to the direction of the incident light. What is the angle between the first and second order diffraction maxima? A 7.7° B 15.4° C 16.7° D 32.1°
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · The diagram shows an electron in a uniform electric field
27 The diagram shows an electron in a uniform electric field. In which direction will the field accelerate the electron? electron A electric D B field C
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · The electric field strength at a certain distance from an isolated alpha particle is 3.0…
28 The electric field strength at a certain distance from an isolated alpha particle is 3.0 × 107 N C–1. What is the force on an electron when at that distance from the alpha particle? A 4.8 × 10–12 N B 9.6 × 10–12 N C 3.0 × 107 N D 6.0 × 107 N
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Two large parallel plates X and Y are placed a distance of 5.0 mm apart and connected to…
29 Two large parallel plates X and Y are placed a distance of 5.0 mm apart and connected to the terminals of a 200 V d.c. supply, as shown. X Y P 5.0 mm 200 V A small oil drop at P carries one excess electron. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on the oil drop due to the electric field between the plates? A 6.4 × 10–15 N B 6.4 × 10–18 N C 1.6 × 10–19 N D 4.0 × 10–24 N
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · An electrical conductor has a resistance of 5.6 kΩ
30 An electrical conductor has a resistance of 5.6 kΩ. A potential difference (p.d.) of 9.0 V is applied across its ends. How many electrons pass a point in the conductor in one minute? A 6.0 × 1020 B 1.0 × 1019 C 6.0 × 1017 D 1.0 × 1016
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A fixed resistor of resistance 12 Ω is connected to a battery
31 A fixed resistor of resistance 12 Ω is connected to a battery. There is a current of 0.20 A in the resistor. The current is now doubled. What is the new power dissipated in the resistor? A 0.48 W B 0.96 W C 1.92 W D 4.8 W
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · Which measurements are taken in order to calculate the resistivity of the metal of a…
32 Which measurements are taken in order to calculate the resistivity of the metal of a piece of wire? A p.d., current, area, length B p.d., current, diameter, length C resistance, area, length D resistance, length, radius
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · A 12 V battery is charged for 20 minutes by connecting it to a source of electromotive…
33 A 12 V battery is charged for 20 minutes by connecting it to a source of electromotive force (e.m.f.). The battery is supplied with 7.2 × 104 J of energy in this time. How much charge flows through the battery? A 5.0 C B 60 C C 100 C D 6000 C
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · Three cells with e.m.f.s V1, V2 and V3, have negligible internal resistance
34 Three cells with e.m.f.s V1, V2 and V3, have negligible internal resistance. These cells are connected to three resistors with resistances R1, R2 and R3, as shown. V1 I R1 V2 V3 R2 R3 The current in the circuit is I. Which equation is correct? A V1 + V2 + V3 = I (R1 + R2 + R3) B V1 + V2 – V3 = I (R1 + R2 + R3) C V1 – V2 + V3 = I (R1 + R2 + R3) D V1 – V2 – V3 = I (R1 + R2 + R3)
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · Three resistors, each of resistance R, are connected in a network, as shown
35 Three resistors, each of resistance R, are connected in a network, as shown. R X Y R R The total resistance between points X and Y is 8.0 Ω. What is the value of R ? A 2.7 Ω B 4.0 Ω C 5.3 Ω D 12 Ω
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · In deriving a formula for the combined resistance of three different resistors in series…
36 In deriving a formula for the combined resistance of three different resistors in series, Kirchhoff’s laws are used. Which physics principle is involved in this derivation? A the conservation of charge B the direction of the flow of charge is from negative to positive C the potential difference across each resistor is the same D the current varies in each resistor, in proportion to the resistor value
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · The battery of a car has an internal resistance of 0.10 Ω and an electromotive force of…
37 The battery of a car has an internal resistance of 0.10 Ω and an electromotive force of 12 V. When the battery is connected to the starter motor, the potential difference across the battery terminals is 7.0 V. What is the current supplied to the starter motor? A 50 A B 70 A C 120 A D 190 A
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · A sample of an isotope emits β– particles
38 A sample of an isotope emits β– particles. The emitted β– particles have a range of energies. What must also be emitted? A antineutrinos B neutrinos C antineutrons D neutrons
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · A nucleus of magnesium decays into a nucleus of sodium by emitting a β+ particle
39 A nucleus of magnesium decays into a nucleus of sodium by emitting a β+ particle. The decay is represented by the equation shown. 23 Mg → Na P + 0 β 12 Q + 1 What are the values of P and Q? P Q A 22 11 B 22 13 C 23 11 D 23 13
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · Thorium-234 ( 234 Th) decays by β– emission into a daughter product which in turn decays…
40 Thorium-234 ( 234 Th) decays by β– emission into a daughter product which in turn decays by a 90 further β– emission into a granddaughter product. Which letter in the diagram represents the granddaughter product? A B 92 91 proton 90 number 89 C D 88 232 233 234 235 236 nucleon number
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.
3Practical circuits3Atoms, nuclei and radiation2Doppler effect for sound waves2Energy conservation2Kirchhoff’s laws2Potential difference and power2SI units2Stationary waves2Turning effects of forces2Uniform electric fields2Density and pressure1Diffraction1Elastic and plastic behaviour1Electric current1Electric force between point charges1Equilibrium of forces1Errors and uncertainties1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Linear momentum and its conservation1Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion1Non-uniform motion1Progressive waves1Radioactive decay1Resistance and resistivity1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 Feb/March, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.