Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2017 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
9702/11/M/J/17 · 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 scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · A student creates a table to show reasonable estimates of some physical quantities
1 A student creates a table to show reasonable estimates of some physical quantities. Which row is not a reasonable estimate? quantity value A current in a fan heater 12 A B mass of an adult person 70 kg C speed of an Olympic sprint runner 10 m s–1 D water pressure at the bottom of a garden pond 106 Pa
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · A particle travels in a straight line with speed v
2 A particle travels in a straight line with speed v. v . The particle slows down and changes direction. The new speed of the particle is 2 v in the same direction as the initial path of the particle. The new velocity has a component of 4 Through which angle has the particle turned? A 27° B 30° C 45° D 60°
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · The speed v of a liquid leaving a tube depends on the change in pressure ∆P and the…
3 The speed v of a liquid leaving a tube depends on the change in pressure ∆P and the density ρ of the liquid. The speed is given by the equation ∆ n v = k P ρ where k is a constant that has no units. What is the value of n ? A 1 B 1 C 3 D 2 2 2
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · The values of displacement, velocity and acceleration of a vehicle can be deduced from…
4 The values of displacement, velocity and acceleration of a vehicle can be deduced from graphs representing its motion. Often the areas under these graphs, or the gradients of the graphs, are used. What would not give a value for a displacement, a velocity or an acceleration? A area under a velocity-time graph B gradient of a displacement-time graph C gradient of a velocity-time graph D gradient of an acceleration-time graph
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · A ball is released from rest above a hard, horizontal surface
5 A ball is released from rest above a hard, horizontal surface. The graph shows how the velocity of the bouncing ball varies with time. At which point on the graph does the ball reach its maximum height after the first bounce? velocity D A 0 0 C time B
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · A ball is kicked upwards at an angle of 45° to horizontal ground
6 A ball is kicked upwards at an angle of 45° to horizontal ground. After a short flight, the ball returns to the ground. It may be assumed that air resistance is negligible. What is never zero during the flight of the ball? A the horizontal component of the ball’s acceleration B the horizontal component of the ball’s velocity C the vertical component of the ball’s momentum D the vertical component of the ball’s velocity
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · The mass of a rocket-propelled truck is approximately equal to the mass of the fuel in…
7 The mass of a rocket-propelled truck is approximately equal to the mass of the fuel in its tank. The fuel is ignited and the truck is propelled along horizontal tracks by a constant force. The effect of air resistance is negligible. During a test run the fuel is consumed at a constant rate. Which statement describes the acceleration of the truck during the test run? A The acceleration of the truck decreases as the fuel is consumed. B The acceleration of the truck increases as the fuel is consumed. C The acceleration of the truck remains constant. D The acceleration of the truck is zero and the truck moves at a constant velocity.
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · An object is dropped at time t = 0 from a high building
8 An object is dropped at time t = 0 from a high building. Air resistance is significant. Three graphs are plotted against time. the height of the object above the ground the speed of the object the magnitude of the resultant force on the object X 0 0 time Y 0 0 time Z 0 0 time What are the quantities X, Y and Z? magnitude of height of the object speed of the object the resultant force above the ground on the object A X Y Z B X Z Y C Y Z X D Z Y X
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · A student attempts to find the density ρ of aluminium by taking measurements of a…
9 A student attempts to find the density ρ of aluminium by taking measurements of a rectangular sheet. mass m = 51.6 ± 0.1 g length l = 100.0 ± 0.1 cm width w = 10.0 ± 0.1 cm thickness t = 0.20 ± 0.01 mm He uses the equation ρ = m l to calculate the density. w t What is the calculated value of density with its uncertainty? A 0.26 ± 0.01 g cm–3 B 0.26 ± 0.02 g cm–3 C 2.6 ± 0.1 g cm–3 D 2.6 ± 0.2 g cm–3
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The graph shows how the momentum of a motorcycle changes with time
10 The graph shows how the momentum of a motorcycle changes with time. 5000 momentum / kg m s–1 00 10 time / s What is the resultant force on the motorcycle? A 500 N B 5000 N C 25 000 N D 50 000 N
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · A particle with mass and charge is moving from left to right in a uniform gravitational…
11 A particle with mass and charge is moving from left to right in a uniform gravitational field and a uniform electric field. The gravitational field is downwards. The gravitational force and the electric force on this particle act in opposite directions. What could be the sign of the charge on the particle and the direction of the electric field? direction of sign of charge electric field A negative down B negative up C positive left D positive right
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · A sphere is acted upon by various forces, all of the same magnitude
12 A sphere is acted upon by various forces, all of the same magnitude. Which system of forces provides a resultant torque but zero resultant force on the sphere? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · A uniform horizontal footbridge is 12 m long and weighs 4000 N
13 A uniform horizontal footbridge is 12 m long and weighs 4000 N. It rests on two supports X and Y as shown. 12 m 4 m support support X Y A man of weight 600 N is a distance of 4 m from support X. What is the upward force on the footbridge from support X? A 2200 N B 2300 N C 2400 N D 2600 N
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · A metal block has a mass of 750 g
14 A metal block has a mass of 750 g. 60% of the mass is magnesium and the remainder is copper. The density of magnesium is 1.7 g cm–3. The density of copper is 9.0 g cm–3. What is the density of the block? A 2.5 g cm–3 B 4.6 g cm–3 C 5.4 g cm–3 D 10.7 g cm–3
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · A man climbs slowly at a steady speed to the top of a ladder
15 A man climbs slowly at a steady speed to the top of a ladder. What is the main energy transfer taking place for the man as he climbs? A chemical potential to gravitational potential B chemical potential to kinetic C kinetic to gravitational potential D thermal (heat) to kinetic
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · During an interval of time, fuel supplies energy X to a car
16 During an interval of time, fuel supplies energy X to a car. Some of this energy is converted into kinetic energy as the car accelerates. The rest of the energy Y is lost as thermal energy. What is the efficiency of the car? X Y X − Y X − Y A B C D X − Y X − Y X Y
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · A railway engine accelerates a train of total mass 800 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000 kg) from…
17 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 useful 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
Q18 · A mass is raised vertically
18 A mass is raised vertically. In time t, the increase in its gravitational potential energy is Ep and the increase in its kinetic energy is Ek. What is the average power input to the mass? E p − E E p + E A (Ep – Ek)t B (Ep + Ek)t C k D k t t
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · Water flows from a lake into a turbine that is a vertical distance of 90 m below the…
19 Water flows from a lake into a turbine that is a vertical distance of 90 m below the lake, as shown. lake 90 m turbine The mass flow rate of the water is 2400 kg min–1. The turbine has an efficiency of 75%. What is the output power of the turbine? A 26 kW B 35 kW C 1.6 MW D 2.1 MW
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · A wire of diameter d and length l hangs vertically from a fixed point
20 A wire of diameter d and length l hangs vertically from a fixed point. The wire is extended by hanging a mass M on its end. The Young modulus of the wire is E. The acceleration of free fall is g. Which equation is used to determine the extension x of the wire? M l Mg l 4 Mg l 4 Mg l A x = B x = C x = D x = π d 2 E π d 2 E π dE π d 2 E
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The variation of the compression of a spring with the force applied to it is shown in the…
21 The variation of the compression of a spring with the force applied to it is shown in the graph. 5.0 compression / cm 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 force / N A block slides along a horizontal frictionless surface towards the spring, as shown. spring block The block is brought to rest by the spring. When the spring reaches a compression of 4.0 cm, all of the kinetic energy of the block is transferred to the elastic potential energy of the spring. What is the kinetic energy of the block when it first makes contact with the spring? A 0.16 J B 0.32 J C 16 J D 32 J
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q22 · A longitudinal wave travels through a long spring
22 A longitudinal wave travels through a long spring. The spring is shown at one instant. What is the wavelength of the wave? spring A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · A sound wave has a frequency of 2500 Hz and a speed of 1500 m s–1
23 A sound wave has a frequency of 2500 Hz and a speed of 1500 m s–1. What is the shortest distance from a point of maximum pressure in the wave to a point of minimum pressure? A 0.15 m B 0.30 m C 0.60 m D 1.20 m
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · A sound wave is displayed on the screen of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) as shown
24 A sound wave is displayed on the screen of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) as shown. 1 cm The time-base of the c.r.o. is set at 2.5 ms cm–1. What is the frequency of the sound wave? A 50 Hz B 100 Hz C 200 Hz D 400 Hz
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A car travelling in a straight line at a speed of 30 m s–1 passes near a stationary…
25 A car travelling in a straight line at a speed of 30 m s–1 passes near a stationary observer while sounding its horn. The true frequency of sound from the horn is 400 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 336 m s–1. What is the change in the frequency of the sound heard by the observer as the car passes? A 39 Hz B 66 Hz C 72 Hz D 78 Hz
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · Which list shows electromagnetic waves in order of increasing frequency?
26 Which list shows electromagnetic waves in order of increasing frequency? A radio waves → gamma rays → ultraviolet → infra-red B radio waves → infra-red → ultraviolet → gamma rays C ultraviolet → gamma rays → radio waves → infra-red D ultraviolet → infra-red → radio waves → gamma rays
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · The diagram shows a steel wire clamped at one end
27 The diagram shows a steel wire clamped at one end. The other end is attached to a weight hanging over a pulley. weight fixed stand vibrator fixed support A vibrator is attached to the wire near the clamped end. A stationary wave with one loop is produced. The frequency of the vibrator is f. Which frequency should be used to produce a stationary wave with two loops? f f A B C 2f D 4f 4 2
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A parallel beam of light of wavelength 600 nm is incident normally on a diffraction…
28 A parallel beam of light of wavelength 600 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The grating has 300 lines per millimetre. What is the total number of intensity maxima from the grating? A 1 B 3 C 11 D 13
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · A pattern of interference fringes is produced using a red laser, a double slit and a…
29 A pattern of interference fringes is produced using a red laser, a double slit and a screen. The screen is 3.5 m from the double slit. The light from the laser has a wavelength of 640 nm. The pattern of fringes is shown. bright not to fringe scale 72 mm What is the separation of the slits? A 1.2 × 10–4 m B 1.6 × 10–4 m C 3.1 × 10–5 m D 3.3 × 10–9 m
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · The diagram shows two points P and Q which lie 90° apart on a circle of radius r
30 The diagram shows two points P and Q which lie 90° apart on a circle of radius r. A positive point charge at the centre of the circle creates an electric field of magnitude E at both P and Q. P + Q r Which expression gives the work done in moving a unit positive charge from P to Q? π r A 0 B E × r C E × D E × (πr ) 2
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · The diagram shows two parallel horizontal metal plates
31 The diagram shows two parallel horizontal metal plates. The top plate is positively charged and the bottom plate is earthed. + liquid drop plates A small charged liquid drop, midway between the plates, is held in equilibrium by the combination of its weight and the electric force acting on it. The acceleration of free fall is g and the electric field strength is E. What is the polarity of the charge on the drop, and the ratio of charge to mass of the drop? charge polarity mass E A negative g g B negative E E C positive g g D positive E
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · The diagram shows the symbol for a wire carrying a current I
32 The diagram shows the symbol for a wire carrying a current I. I What does this current represent? A the charge flowing past a point in the wire per unit time B the number of electrons flowing past a point in the wire per unit time C the number of positive ions flowing past a point in the wire per unit time D the number of protons flowing past a point in the wire per unit time
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · Which values of current and resistance will produce a rate of energy transfer of 16 J s–1?
33 Which values of current and resistance will produce a rate of energy transfer of 16 J s–1? current / A resistance / Ω A 1 4 B 2 8 C 4 1 D 16 1
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · Which component has the I-V graph shown?
34 Which component has the I-V graph shown? I 00 V A filament lamp B metallic conductor at constant temperature C resistor of fixed resistance D semiconductor diode
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · The circuit shown includes a cell of constant internal resistance and an external…
35 The circuit shown includes a cell of constant internal resistance and an external resistor R. cell V R A A student records the ammeter and voltmeter readings. She then connects a second identical external resistor in parallel with the first external resistor. What happens to the ammeter reading and to the voltmeter reading? ammeter reading voltmeter reading A decreases decreases B decreases stays the same C increases decreases D increases stays the same
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · A computer is used to detect the change of position of a switch
36 A computer is used to detect the change of position of a switch. To detect the change of position, the computer requires a potential difference (p.d.) of 0 V to its input at one switch position and a p.d. of between 5 V and 7 V at the other switch position. For each of the circuits, assume the battery has negligible internal resistance. Which circuit provides an input voltage to the computer that enables it to detect the change of position of the switch? A B 1 kΩ 1 kΩ 9 V 9 V computer computer 1 kΩ input 2 kΩ input voltage voltage C D 2 kΩ 500 Ω 9 V 500 Ω 9 V 2 kΩ computer computer input input voltage voltage
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · In the circuit shown, the battery and ammeter have negligible resistance
37 In the circuit shown, the battery and ammeter have negligible resistance. 12 V A X Y The following combinations of resistors are each separately placed between the terminals X and Y of the circuit. Which combination would give an ammeter reading of 8 A? A B 2 Ω 1 Ω 1 Ω 2 Ω 3 Ω 3 Ω C D 2 Ω 1 Ω 2 Ω 1 Ω 3 Ω 3 Ω
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · The table lists the nucleon number and the proton number of various nuclei
38 The table lists the nucleon number and the proton number of various nuclei. The nuclei are represented by the letters L to T. nucleon proton nucleus number number L 227 89 M 226 89 N 225 89 O 227 90 P 226 90 Q 225 90 R 227 91 S 226 91 T 225 91 Which row in the following table correctly shows three nuclei of the same element, and three nuclei that have the same number of neutrons? same number same element of neutrons A L M N R P N B M P S R S T C O P Q M P S D R P N O P Q
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · A radioactive nucleus is formed by β– decay
39 A radioactive nucleus is formed by β– decay. This nucleus then decays by α-emission. Which graph of nucleon number N plotted against proton number Z shows the β– decay followed by the α-emission? A B 236 236 N N 234 234 232 232 230 230 88 90 92 94 88 90 92 94 Z Z C D 236 236 N N 234 234 232 232 230 230 88 90 92 94 88 90 92 94 Z Z
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · What are the structures of the proton and of the neutron in terms of quarks?
40 What are the structures of the proton and of the neutron in terms of quarks? proton neutron up quark down quark up quark down quark A 1 1 2 2 B 1 2 2 1 C 2 1 1 2 D 2 2 1 1
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.
4Equations of motion3Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy2Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion2Physical quantities2Practical circuits2Progressive waves2Uniform electric fields2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Density and pressure1Doppler effect for sound waves1Electric current1Electric potential1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equilibrium of forces1Errors and uncertainties1Fundamental particles1Interference1Linear momentum and its conservation1Potential difference and power1Potential dividers1Radioactive decay1Resistance and resistivity1Scalars and vectors1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Transverse and longitudinal waves1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.