Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2017 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2
9702/12/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 · What is the approximate average speed of a winning female Olympic athlete running a 100 m…
1 What is the approximate average speed of a winning female Olympic athlete running a 100 m race? A 6 m s–1 B 9 m s–1 C 12 m s–1 D 15 m s–1
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Two forces act on a circular disc as shown
2 Two forces act on a circular disc as shown. 3 N 4 N Which diagram shows the line of action of the resultant force? A B C D 5 N 5 N 5 N 5 N
Mark scheme: A
Q3 · What correctly expresses the volt in terms of SI base units?
3 What correctly expresses the volt in terms of SI base units? A A Ω B W A–1 C kg m2 s–1 A–1 D kg m2 s–3 A–1
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · The current in a block of semiconductor is 30.0 mA when there is a potential difference…
4 The current in a block of semiconductor is 30.0 mA when there is a potential difference (p.d.) of 10.0 V across it. The dimensions of the block and the direction of the current in it are as shown. 15.0 mm 30.0 mA 30.0 mm 15.0 mm The electrical meters used are accurate to ± 0.1 mA and ± 0.1 V. The dimensions of the block are accurate to ± 0.2 mm. What is the resistivity of the semiconductor? A 10.0 ± 0.2 Ω m B 10.0 ± 0.3 Ω m C 10.0 ± 0.5 Ω m D 10.0 ± 0.8 Ω m
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The diameter of a cylindrical metal rod is measured using a micrometer screw gauge
5 The diameter of a cylindrical metal rod is measured using a micrometer screw gauge. The diagram below shows an enlargement of the scale on the micrometer screw gauge when taking the measurement. 40 2 3 30 0.5 mm / rev What is the cross-sectional area of the rod? A 3.81 mm2 B 11.4 mm2 C 22.8 mm2 D 45.6 mm2
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A ball is set in motion at P on a frictionless surface
6 A ball is set in motion at P on a frictionless surface. It moves up slope PQ, along the horizontal surface QR and finally descends slope RS. Q R P S Which graph could represent the variation with time t of the ball’s speed v as the ball moves from P to S? A B v v 0 0 0 t 0 t C D v v 0 0 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · A rubber ball is dropped onto a table and bounces back up
7 A rubber ball is dropped onto a table and bounces back up. The table exerts a force F on the ball. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the force F for the short time that the ball is in contact with the table? A B C D F F F F 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · A golf ball of mass m is dropped onto a hard surface from a height h1 and rebounds to a…
8 A golf ball of mass m is dropped onto a hard surface from a height h1 and rebounds to a height h2. The momentum of the golf ball just as it reaches the surface is different from its momentum just as it leaves the surface. What is the total change in the momentum of the golf ball between these two instants? (Ignore air resistance.) A m 2gh – m 2gh 1 2 B m 2gh + m 2gh 1 2 C m 2 g ( h − h ) 1 2 D m 2 g ( h + h ) 1 2
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · A book of weight W is at rest on a table
9 A book of weight W is at rest on a table. A student attempts to state Newton’s third law of motion by saying that ‘action equals reaction’. book table W If the weight of the book is the ‘action’ force, what is the ‘reaction’ force? A the force W acting downwards on the Earth from the table B the force W acting upwards on the book from the table C the force W acting upwards on the Earth from the book D the force W acting upwards on the table from the floor
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · A metal cylinder is suspended vertically in equilibrium by a cord
10 A metal cylinder is suspended vertically in equilibrium by a cord. The diagram shows the cylinder in four different positions P, Q, R and S. T T T T S R Q water P metal cylinder Which statement explains the variation of the tension T in the cord? A At P and at Q, the tension T in the cord is the same because the difference in pressure between the top and bottom of the cylinder is the same. B At Q, the tension T in the cord is less than at P because, at smaller depth, liquid pressure is smaller. C At R, the tension T in the cord is less than at P because atmospheric pressure is less than water pressure. D At S, the tension T in the cord is greater than at P because atmospheric pressure at S exerts no force on the top or bottom of the cylinder.
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · In a machine, many couples act on a rotating object as shown
11 In a machine, many couples act on a rotating object as shown. 25 N 50 N 30 N 16 N 6.5 cm 4.0 cm 16 N 30 N 10 cm 50 N 25 N 12 cm What is the resultant torque acting on the rotating object? A 4.7 N m B 8.6 N m C 9.3 N m D 17.1 N m
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A uniform beam is pivoted at P as shown
12 A uniform beam is pivoted at P as shown. Weights of 10 N and 20 N are attached to its ends. The length of the beam is marked at 0.1 m intervals. The weight of the beam is 100 N. At which point should a further weight of 20 N be attached to achieve equilibrium? 0.6 m 0.4 m 0.1 m A B C D P 10 N 20 N pressure ?
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · What are the SI base units of the quantity density A s–2 B kg2 s–2 C kg2 m2 s–2 D m2 s–2
13 What are the SI base units of the quantity density A s–2 B kg2 s–2 C kg2 m2 s–2 D m2 s–2
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · Which quantities are conserved in an inelastic collision?
14 Which quantities are conserved in an inelastic collision? kinetic energy total energy linear momentum A conserved not conserved conserved B conserved not conserved not conserved C not conserved conserved conserved D not conserved conserved not conserved
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · A cyclist is travelling at a constant speed up a hill
15 A cyclist is travelling at a constant speed up a hill. The frictional force resisting the cyclist’s motion is 8.0 N. The cyclist uses 450 J of energy to travel a distance of 20 m. What is the increase in the gravitational potential energy of the cyclist? A 160 J B 290 J C 440 J D 610 J
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · A stone of mass m falls from rest at the top of a cliff of height h into the sea below
16 A stone of mass m falls from rest at the top of a cliff of height h into the sea below. Just before hitting the sea the stone has speed v. What is the average force of air resistance acting on the stone during its fall? m ( v 2 − 2 gh ) v 2 v 2 A mg B C m g − D m gh −2 h 2 h
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · A railway engine accelerates a train of total mass 1200 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000 kg) from…
17 A railway engine accelerates a train of total mass 1200 tonnes (1 tonne = 1000 kg) from rest to a speed of 75 m s–1. How much useful work must be done on the train to reach this speed? A 3.4 × 106 J B 6.8 × 106 J C 3.4 × 109 J D 6.8 × 109 J
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q18 · What is a correct derivation of the equation relating power, force and velocity?
18 What is a correct derivation of the equation relating power, force and velocity? work done A power = and work done = force × displacement time taken force × displaceme nt so power = time taken so power = force × velocity work done B power = and work done = force × distance time taken force × distance so power = time taken so power = force × velocity work done force C power = and work done = time taken displaceme nt force so power = × time taken displaceme nt force so power = velocity work done force D power = and work done = distance time taken force so power = distance × time taken force so power = velocity
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · A cable on a suspension bridge supports a weight of 19.3 × 105 N
19 A cable on a suspension bridge supports a weight of 19.3 × 105 N. This weight causes the cable to stretch by 47 mm. A lorry crossing the bridge then increases the force on the cable to 23.3 × 105 N. The force-extension graph for the cable is shown. 23.3 × 105 force / N 19.3 × 105 0 0 47 57 extension / mm What is the increase in strain energy in the cable when the lorry is crossing the bridge? A 21 kJ B 23 kJ C 45 kJ D 66 kJ
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · What are the units of stress, strain and the Young modulus?
20 What are the units of stress, strain and the Young modulus? Young stress strain modulus A newton metre pascal B newton no unit newton C pascal metre newton D pascal no unit pascal
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · A rubber band is stretched and then relaxed to its original length
21 A rubber band is stretched and then relaxed to its original length. The diagram shows the force-extension graph for this process. Q force P area X R area Y O 0 e 0 extension As the force is increased, the curve follows the path OPQ to extension e. As the force is reduced, the curve follows the path QRO to return to zero extension. The area labelled X is between the curves OPQ and QRO. The area labelled Y is bounded by the curve QRO and the horizontal axis. Which statement about the process is correct? A Area X is the energy which heats the band as it is stretched to extension e. B (Area X + area Y) is the minimum energy required to stretch the band to extension e. C Area X is the elastic potential energy stored in the band when it is stretched to extension e. D (Area Y – area X) is the net work done on the band during the process.
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · The period of an electromagnetic wave is 1.0 ns
22 The period of an electromagnetic wave is 1.0 ns. What are the frequency and wavelength of the wave? frequency / Hz wavelength / m A 1.0 3.0 × 108 B 1.0 × 106 300 C 1.0 × 109 0.30 D 1.0 × 1012 3.0 × 10–4
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · Which statement about progressive longitudinal waves is not correct?
23 Which statement about progressive longitudinal waves is not correct? A The oscillations of the particles are parallel to the direction of travel of the wave energy. B They have a series of nodes and antinodes. C They need a medium through which to travel. D They transfer energy.
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · A bicycle gear wheel is a disc with 50 ‘teeth’ equally spaced around its edge, as shown
24 A bicycle gear wheel is a disc with 50 ‘teeth’ equally spaced around its edge, as shown. The gear wheel is rotated 10 times each second. A springy strip of metal is vibrated by the rotating ‘teeth’. The metal strip produces a sound of frequency that is equal to the frequency of vibration of the strip. gear wheel fixed clamp springy strip of metal teeth The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1. What is the wavelength of the emitted sound? A 0.66 m B 1.5 m C 6.6 m D 500 m
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · An ambulance travels along a straight road at a speed of 30.0 m s–1
25 An ambulance travels along a straight road at a speed of 30.0 m s–1. Its siren emits sound of frequency 2000 Hz. The speed of sound in the air is 340 m s–1. The ambulance passes a man standing at the side of the road. What is the frequency of the sound heard by the man as the ambulance moves towards him and as the ambulance moves away from him? frequency heard as frequency heard as ambulance moves ambulance moves towards man / Hz away from man / Hz A 1820 2180 B 1840 2190 C 2180 1820 D 2190 1840
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · Three different electromagnetic waves P, Q and R have the frequencies shown
26 Three different electromagnetic waves P, Q and R have the frequencies shown. frequency / Hz P 3 × 1010 Q 3 × 1013 R 6 × 1014 Which row identifies P, Q and R? P Q R A infra-red visible ultraviolet B microwave infra-red visible C ultraviolet X-ray gamma ray D visible ultraviolet X-ray
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · Which row describes the oscillations of two moving particles in a stationary wave that…
27 Which row describes the oscillations of two moving particles in a stationary wave that are separated by a distance of half a wavelength? phase amplitude difference A 90° different B 90° same C 180° different D 180° same
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · A parallel beam of red light of wavelength 700 nm is incident normally on a diffraction…
28 A parallel beam of red light of wavelength 700 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating that has 400 lines per millimetre. What is the total number of intensity maxima from the grating? A 6 B 7 C 8 D 9
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · Two wave sources are oscillating in phase
29 Two wave sources are oscillating in phase. Each source produces a wave of wavelength λ. The two waves from the sources meet at point X with a phase difference of 90°. What is a possible difference in the distances from the two wave sources to point X? λ λ λ A B C D λ 8 4 2
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · Which diagram best illustrates the electric field around a positive point charge?
30 Which diagram best illustrates the electric field around a positive point charge? A B C D + + + +
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · The path of an electron with initial speed v in the uniform electric field between two…
31 The path of an electron with initial speed v in the uniform electric field between two parallel plates is shown. plates x The vertical deflection x is measured at the right-hand edge of the plates. The distance between the plates is halved. The potential difference between the plates remains the same. What will be the new deflection of the electron with the same initial speed v ? A x B 2 x C 2x D 4x
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · The current in a circuit component is 2.00 µA
32 The current in a circuit component is 2.00 µA. How many electrons pass through the component each second? A 1.25 × 1013 B 1.25 × 1016 C 1.25 × 1019 D 1.25 × 1025
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · The filament of a 240 V, 100 W electric lamp heats up from room temperature to its…
33 The filament of a 240 V, 100 W electric lamp heats up from room temperature to its operating temperature. As it heats up, its resistance increases by a factor of 16. What is the resistance of the filament at room temperature? A 36 Ω B 580 Ω C 1.5 kΩ D 9.2 kΩ
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · Two wires have the same length and the same resistance
34 Two wires have the same length and the same resistance. Wire X is made of a metal of resistivity 1.7 × 10–8 Ω m and wire Y is made of a metal of resistivity 5.6 × 10–8 Ω m. The diameter of wire X is 0.315 mm. What is the diameter of wire Y? A 0.17 mm B 0.33 mm C 0.57 mm D 1.0 mm
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · A cell has a constant electromotive force
35 A cell has a constant electromotive force. A variable resistor is connected between the terminals of the cell. The resistance of the variable resistor is decreased. Which statement about the change of the cell’s terminal potential difference (p.d.) is correct? A The terminal p.d. is decreased because more work is done moving unit charge through the internal resistance of the cell. B The terminal p.d. is decreased because the current in the variable resistor is decreased. C The terminal p.d. is increased because more work is done moving unit charge through the variable resistor. D The terminal p.d. is increased because the current in the variable resistor is increased.
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Four resistors are connected in a square as shown
36 Four resistors are connected in a square as shown. Q 2 Ω 4 Ω P R 8 Ω 6 Ω S The resistance may be measured between any two junctions. Between which two junctions is the measured resistance greatest? A P and Q B Q and S C R and S D S and P
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · A circuit is set up as shown
37 A circuit is set up as shown. P Q V V A The variable resistor is adjusted so that the ammeter reading decreases. How do the readings of the voltmeters change? reading on reading on voltmeter P voltmeter Q A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · In a television programme to illustrate scientific models, a presenter fires a gun many…
38 In a television programme to illustrate scientific models, a presenter fires a gun many times at a bale of hay. Two small cannon balls are embedded within the hay some distance apart from each other. The hay bale measures approximately 2 m × 2 m × 2 m and the cannon balls are made of iron, approximately spherical, and about 5 cm in diameter. What might the presenter be illustrating? A α-particle scattering B β– decay C conservation of momentum D double-slit interference
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · A certain nuclide, uranium-235, has nucleon number 235, proton number 92 and neutron…
39 A certain nuclide, uranium-235, has nucleon number 235, proton number 92 and neutron number 143. Data on four other nuclides are given below. Which nuclide is an isotope of uranium-235? nucleon number proton number neutron number A 235 91 144 B 236 92 144 C 237 94 143 D 238 95 143
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · During β– decay, which change takes place to the quark composition of the nucleus that…
40 During β– decay, which change takes place to the quark composition of the nucleus that emits the β– particle, and which other particle is emitted? other particle quark change emitted A down to up antineutrino B down to up neutrino C up to down antineutrino D up to down neutrino
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.
3Atoms, nuclei and radiation2Elastic and plastic behaviour2Errors and uncertainties2Linear momentum and its conservation2Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion2Practical circuits2Progressive waves2Resistance and resistivity2SI units2Density and pressure1Doppler effect for sound waves1Electric current1Electric fields and field lines1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equations of motion1Equilibrium of forces1Fundamental particles1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Interference1Physical quantities1Potential dividers1Scalars and vectors1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Transverse and longitudinal waves1Turning effects of forces1Uniform electric fields1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.