Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2016 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
9702/11/M/J/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 · Three wires each exert a horizontal force on a vertical pole, as shown
1 Three wires each exert a horizontal force on a vertical pole, as shown. Which vector diagram shows the resultant force R acting on the pole? A B C D R R R R
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Which pair of quantities do not have the same SI base units?
2 Which pair of quantities do not have the same SI base units? A electromotive force and electric potential difference B pressure and stress C spring constant and moment of a force D torque and work
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A lift is supported by two steel cables, each of length 10 m and diameter 0.5 cm
3 A lift is supported by two steel cables, each of length 10 m and diameter 0.5 cm. steel cables 10 m NOT TO SCALE lift The cables extend by 1 mm when a man of mass 80 kg steps into the lift. What is the best estimate of the value of the Young modulus of the steel? A 2 × 1010 N m–2 B 4 × 1010 N m–2 C 2 × 1011 N m–2 D 4 × 1011 N m–2
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · When performing an experiment, a student should minimise the uncertainty of any…
4 When performing an experiment, a student should minimise the uncertainty of any measurement. In which case is the student reducing the systematic error in a measurement? A adjusting a voltmeter needle pointer to the zero position before using it to measure a potential difference B measuring the diameter of a wire at several points and orientations C measuring the mass of 100 paperclips to determine the mass of one paperclip D timing 20 oscillations of a mass on a spring to determine the period of one oscillation
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · A calibration graph is produced for a faulty ammeter
5 A calibration graph is produced for a faulty ammeter. 1.0 ammeter reading / A 0 0 1.0 true current / A Which ammeter reading will be nearest to the true current? A 0.2 A B 0.4 A C 0.6 A D 0.8 A
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · A car accelerates uniformly from velocity u to velocity v in time t
6 A car accelerates uniformly from velocity u to velocity v in time t. velocity S v Q R u T P W N V U 00 t t time 2 On the graph, which area equals the distance travelled by the car in time t ? A NPTU + PQST B NPW V + VRSU C NPW V + WRST D PST + PQS
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · A student uses a spring gun to launch a steel ball with a constant horizontal velocity
7 A student uses a spring gun to launch a steel ball with a constant horizontal velocity. He varies the height h of the gun and measures the horizontal displacement r of the ball when it hits the ground. gun h r Which graph shows the variation with height h of the horizontal displacement r ? A B r r 00 00 h h C D r r 00 00 h h
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · Two cars X and Y are positioned as shown at time t = 0
8 Two cars X and Y are positioned as shown at time t = 0. They are travelling in the same direction. X is 50 m behind Y and has a constant velocity of 30 m s–1. Y has a constant velocity of 20 m s–1. 30 m s–1 X 20 m s–1 50 m Y What is the value of t when X is level with Y? A 1.0 s B 1.7 s C 2.5 s D 5.0 s
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Which statement about a perfectly elastic collision between two bodies in an isolated…
9 Which statement about a perfectly elastic collision between two bodies in an isolated system is correct? A Both total kinetic energy and total momentum are conserved. B Total kinetic energy is conserved, but total momentum is not conserved. C Total momentum is conserved, but total kinetic energy is not conserved. D Neither total kinetic energy nor total momentum is conserved.
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · Two spheres approach each other along the same straight line
10 Two spheres approach each other along the same straight line. Their speeds are u1 and u2 before they collide. After the collision, the spheres separate with speeds v1 and v2 in the directions shown below. u1 u2 v1 v2 before collision after collision The collision is perfectly elastic. Which equation must be correct? A u1 – u2 = v2 + v1 B u1 – u2 = v2 – v1 C u1 + u2 = v2 + v1 D u1 + u2 = v2 – v1
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · The diagram shows a man standing on a platform that is attached to a flexible pipe
11 The diagram shows a man standing on a platform that is attached to a flexible pipe. Water is pumped through the pipe so that the man and platform remain at a constant height. flexible pipe platform water in vertical jet of water out, mass flow rate 40 kg s–1 The resultant vertical force on the platform is zero. The combined mass of the man and platform is 96 kg. The mass of water that is discharged vertically downwards from the platform each second is 40 kg. What is the speed of the water leaving the platform? A 2.4 m s–1 B 6.9 m s–1 C 24 m s–1 D 47 m s–1
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · Forces are applied to a rigid body
12 Forces are applied to a rigid body. The forces all act in the same plane. In which diagram is the body in equilibrium? A B C D F F F F 1 F 1 F 1 F 1 F 2 2 2 2 1 F 1 F 2 2 F F F F
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A solid metal cylinder stands on a horizontal surface, as shown
13 A solid metal cylinder stands on a horizontal surface, as shown. area A cylinder x surface The cylinder has length x and cross-sectional area A. The cylinder exerts a pressure p on the surface. The acceleration of free fall is g. Which expression gives the density of the metal of the cylinder? gx p gx pA A B C D p gx pA gx
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · A trailer of weight 30 kN is attached to a cab at X, as shown in the diagram
14 A trailer of weight 30 kN is attached 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 at X by the cab on the trailer? A 3 kN B 15 kN C 30 kN D 60 kN
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · The diameter of a solid metal sphere is measured using a micrometer screw gauge
15 The diameter of a solid metal sphere is measured using a micrometer screw gauge. The diagram shows an enlargement of the shaft of the micrometer screw gauge when taking the measurement. 3 4 40 30 20 The mass of the sphere is 0.450 g. What is the density of the metal used to make the sphere? A 965 kg m–3 B 1340 kg m–3 C 7720 kg m–3 D 10 700 kg m–3
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Some gas in a cylinder is supplied with thermal energy q
16 Some gas in a cylinder is supplied with thermal energy q. The gas does useful work in expanding at constant pressure p from volume V0 to volume VF, as shown. volume V0 gas pressure p volume VF Which expression gives the efficiency of this change? pV0 V F p ( V F − V ) ( V − V ) A B C 0 D F 0 q V q q V q 0 0
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · The power P required to move an object through a medium at constant speed depends on the…
17 The power P required to move an object through a medium at constant speed depends on the speed v and the resistive force F acting on the object. The resistive force F also depends on the speed v. Which row shows a possible relationship between speed v, resistive force F and power P ? resistive force F power P A proportional to v constant B proportional to v proportional to v C proportional to v 2 proportional to v 2 D proportional to v 2 proportional to v 3
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Which amount of energy is not 2400 J?
18 Which amount of energy is not 2400 J? A the decrease in gravitational potential energy of a body of mass 60 kg when it moves vertically downwards through 40 m near the Earth’s surface B the energy transferred in 15 s by a machine of power 160 W C the kinetic energy of a body of mass 12 kg moving at a speed of 20 m s–1 D the work done by a gas expanding against a constant external pressure of 120 kPa when its volume increases by 0.020 m3
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · A hammer with 10 J of kinetic energy hits a nail and pushes it 5.0 mm into a plank
19 A hammer with 10 J of kinetic energy hits a nail and pushes it 5.0 mm into a plank. Both the hammer and nail come to rest after the collision. What is the approximate average force that acts on the nail while it moves through 5.0 mm? A 0.050 N B 2.0 N C 50 N D 2000 N
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · A number of identical springs are joined in four arrangements
20 A number of identical springs are joined in four arrangements. Which arrangement has the same spring constant as a single spring? A B C D load load load load
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · A sample of material is stretched by a tensile force to a point beyond its elastic limit
21 A sample of material is stretched by a tensile force to a point beyond its elastic limit. The tensile force is then reduced to zero. The graph of force against extension is shown below. force Y X Z 00 extension Which area represents the net work done on the sample? A X B X + Y C Y + Z D Z
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Two sound waves have frequencies of 250 Hz and 300 Hz
22 Two sound waves have frequencies of 250 Hz and 300 Hz. The speed of sound is 340 m s–1. What is the difference between the wavelengths of the two waves? A 0.23 m B 1.1 m C 1.4 m D 6.8 m
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · Which electromagnetic waves have the wavelengths of 10–2 m, 10–5 m, 10–10 m and 10–13 m?
23 Which electromagnetic waves have the wavelengths of 10–2 m, 10–5 m, 10–10 m and 10–13 m? 10–2 m 10–5 m 10–10 m 10–13 m A infra-red microwaves visible light X-rays B microwaves infra-red X-rays gamma rays C microwaves visible light ultraviolet gamma rays D radio waves microwaves ultraviolet X-rays
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Which statement concerning a stationary wave is correct?
24 Which statement concerning a stationary wave is correct? A All the particles between two successive nodes oscillate in phase. B The amplitude of the stationary wave is equal to the amplitude of one of the waves creating it. C The wavelength of the stationary wave is equal to the separation of two adjacent nodes. D There is no displacement of a particle at an antinode at any time.
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · Continuous water waves are diffracted through a gap in a barrier in a ripple tank
25 Continuous water waves are diffracted through a gap in a barrier in a ripple tank. Which change will cause the diffraction of the waves to increase? A increasing the frequency of the waves B increasing the width of the gap C reducing the wavelength of the waves D reducing the width of the gap
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · A parallel beam of light of wavelength 450 nm is incident normally on a diffraction…
26 A parallel beam of light of wavelength 450 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating which has 300 lines / mm. What is the total number of intensity maxima observed? A 7 B 8 C 14 D 15
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · Fringes of separation x are observed on a screen 1.00 m from a double slit that is…
27 Fringes of separation x are observed on a screen 1.00 m from a double slit that is illuminated by yellow light of wavelength 600 nm. At which distance from the slits would fringes of the same separation x be observed when using blue light of wavelength 400 nm? A 0.33 m B 0.67 m C 0.75 m D 1.50 m
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · A charged particle is moving in a uniform electric field
28 A charged particle is moving in a uniform electric field. For the motion of the particle due to the field, which quantity has a constant non-zero value? A acceleration B displacement C rate of change of acceleration D velocity
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Which diagram could represent the electric field lines between two oppositely charged…
29 Which diagram could represent the electric field lines between two oppositely charged conducting surfaces? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · There is a current in a resistor for an unknown time
30 There is a current in a resistor for an unknown time. Which two quantities can be used to calculate the energy dissipated by the resistor? A the current in the resistor and the potential difference across the resistor B the resistance of the resistor and the current in the resistor C the total charge passing through the resistor and the potential difference across the resistor D the total charge passing through the resistor and the resistance of the resistor
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · Two copper wires of equal length are connected in parallel
31 Two copper wires of equal length are connected in parallel. A potential difference is applied across the ends of this parallel arrangement. Wire S has a diameter of 3.0 mm. Wire T has a diameter of 1.5 mm. What is the value of the ratio current in S ? current in T A 1 B 1 C 2 D 4 4 2
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · A 100 Ω resistor conducts a current with changing direction and magnitude, as shown
32 A 100 Ω resistor conducts a current with changing direction and magnitude, as shown. 2 current / A 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 time / ms –1 What is the mean power dissipated in the resistor? A 100 W B 150 W C 250 W D 400 W
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · Which graph shows the I–V characteristic of a filament lamp?
33 Which graph shows the I–V characteristic of a filament lamp? A B C D I I I I 00 00 00 00 V V V V
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · In the circuit shown, X is a variable resistor whose resistance can be changed from 5.0 Ω…
34 In the circuit shown, X is a variable resistor whose resistance can be changed from 5.0 Ω to 500 Ω. The e.m.f. of the battery is 12.0 V. It has negligible internal resistance. 40 Ω 12.0 V X output What is the maximum range of values of potential difference across the output? A 1.3 V to 11.1 V B 1.3 V to 12.0 V C 1.5 V to 11.1 V D 1.5 V to 12.0 V
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · There is a current from P to R in the resistor network shown
35 There is a current from P to R in the resistor network shown. 3 V 6 V Q P R S 5 V The potential difference (p.d.) between P and Q is 3 V. The p.d. between Q and R is 6 V. The p.d. between P and S is 5 V. Which row in the table is correct? p.d. between p.d. between Q and S S and R A 2 V 4 V B 2 V 10 V C 3 V 4 V D 3 V 10 V
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Two resistors of resistances R1 and R2 are connected in parallel
36 Two resistors of resistances R1 and R2 are connected in parallel. R1 X Y R2 What is the combined resistance between X and Y? R 1 R 2 R 1 + R 2 R 1 A R1 + R2 B C D R 1 R + 2 R 1 R 2 R 2
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · A voltmeter is used to monitor the operation of an electric motor
37 A voltmeter is used to monitor the operation of an electric motor. The motor speed is controlled by a variable resistor. A fixed resistor is used to limit the speed. The current in the motor is gradually changed. In which circuit is the voltmeter reading proportional to the current in the motor? V M + A supply – V M + B supply – V M + C supply – M + D V supply –
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · Which statement describes β– decay in terms of a simple quark model?
38 Which statement describes β– decay in terms of a simple quark model? A A down quark changes to an up quark and emits an electron and an electron antineutrino. B A down quark changes to an up quark and emits a positron and an electron neutrino. C An up quark changes to a down quark and emits an electron and an electron antineutrino. D An up quark changes to a down quark and emits a positron and an electron neutrino.
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · Which word equation represents β+ decay?
39 Which word equation represents β+ decay? A proton → neutron + electron + electron antineutrino B proton → neutron + electron + electron neutrino C proton → neutron + positron + electron antineutrino D proton → neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · Which statement about the alpha-particle scattering experiment provides evidence for the…
40 Which statement about the alpha-particle scattering experiment provides evidence for the existence of the nucleus? A A tiny proportion of the alpha-particles are deflected through large angles. B Slower alpha-particles are deflected through larger angles. C The kinetic energies of the deflected alpha-particles are unchanged. D The number of alpha-particles deflected depends on the thickness of the foil.
Mark scheme: A
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.
3Equations of motion3Linear momentum and its conservation3Atoms, nuclei and radiation2Density and pressure2Elastic and plastic behaviour2Errors and uncertainties2Practical circuits2Resistance and resistivity2Characteristics of alternating currents1Diffraction1Electric fields and field lines1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equilibrium of forces1Fundamental particles1Interference1Kirchhoff’s laws1Potential difference and power1Potential dividers1Progressive waves1Scalars and vectors1SI units1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1The first law of thermodynamics1Turning effects of forces1Uniform electric fields1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.