Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
9702/11/O/N/18 · 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 paper24 pages
Mark scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The radius of the Earth is approximately 6.4 × 106 m, and the radius of the Moon is…
1 The radius of the Earth is approximately 6.4 × 106 m, and the radius of the Moon is approximately 1.7 × 106 m. A student wishes to build a scale model of the Solar System in the classroom, using a football of radius 0.12 m to represent the Earth. Which object would best represent the Moon? A basketball B cherry C golf ball D tennis ball
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it delivers energy to the surface
2 When a beam of light is incident on a surface, it delivers energy to the surface. The intensity of the beam is defined as the energy delivered per unit area per unit time. What is the unit of intensity, expressed in SI base units? A kg m–2 s–1 B kg m2 s–3 C kg s–2 D kg s–3
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · A ship is travelling with a velocity of 8.0 km h–1 in a direction 30° east of north
3 A ship is travelling with a velocity of 8.0 km h–1 in a direction 30° east of north. What are the components of the ship’s velocity in the east and north directions? component of velocity component of velocity in east direction in north direction / km h–1 / km h–1 A 4.0 4.0 B 4.0 6.9 C 4.6 6.9 D 6.9 4.0
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the diameter of a copper wire
4 A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the diameter of a copper wire. The reading with the wire in position is shown in diagram 1. The wire is removed and the jaws of the micrometer are closed. The new reading is shown in diagram 2. 15 20 10 15 0 5 0 10 diagram 1 diagram 2 What is the diameter of the wire? A 1.90 mm B 2.45 mm C 2.59 mm D 2.73 mm
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · A digital meter has an accuracy of ±1%
5 A digital meter has an accuracy of ±1%. The meter is used to measure the current in an electrical circuit. The reading on the meter varies between 3.04 A and 3.08 A. What is the value of the current, with its uncertainty? A (3.06 ± 0.02) A B (3.06 ± 0.04) A C (3.06 ± 0.05) A D (3.06 ± 0.07) A
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · A tennis ball is thrown horizontally in air from the top of a tall building
6 A tennis ball is thrown horizontally in air from the top of a tall building. The effect of air resistance is not negligible. What happens to the horizontal and to the vertical components of the ball’s velocity? horizontal component vertical component of velocity of velocity A constant constant B constant increases at a constant rate C decreases to zero increases at a constant rate D decreases to zero increases to a maximum value
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · Water is pumped through a hose-pipe at a rate of 90 kg per minute
7 Water is pumped through a hose-pipe at a rate of 90 kg per minute. Water emerges horizontally from the hose-pipe with a speed of 20 m s–1. What is the minimum force required from a person holding the hose-pipe to prevent it moving backwards? A 30 N B 270 N C 1800 N D 108 000 N
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · A ball of mass m is thrown vertically into the air
8 A ball of mass m is thrown vertically into the air. When the ball has speed v, the air resistance acting on the ball is F. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the ball when its speed is v as it rises and as it falls? acceleration when acceleration when ball is rising ball is falling A g – m F g – m F B g – m F g + m F C g + m F g – m F D g + m F g + m F
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · What is a statement of the principle of conservation of momentum?
9 What is a statement of the principle of conservation of momentum? A A force is equal to the rate of change of momentum of the body upon which it acts. B In a perfectly elastic collision, the relative momentum of the bodies before impact is equal to their relative momentum after impact. C The momentum of a body is the product of the mass of the body and its velocity. D The total momentum of a system of interacting bodies remains constant, providing no resultant external force acts on the system.
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A charged particle is placed in a uniform field of force
10 A charged particle is placed in a uniform field of force. The direction of the force on the particle is opposite to the direction of the field. What is the field and what is the charge on the particle? field charge on particle A electric negative B electric positive C gravitational negative D gravitational positive
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · A uniform rod of length 200 cm is freely pivoted at point P
11 A uniform rod of length 200 cm is freely pivoted at point P. The rod is held horizontally in equilibrium by a 60 N weight that is attached to the rod by a string passing over a frictionless pulley. frictionless uniform rod pulley 40 cm 30° P 200 cm weight 60 N What is the weight of the rod? A 30 N B 60 N C 80 N D 140 N
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · A ladder rests in equilibrium on rough ground against a rough wall
12 A ladder rests in equilibrium on rough ground against a rough wall. P rough G wall Q rough ground The weight W of the ladder acts through the centre of gravity G. Forces also act on the ladder at P and at Q. These forces are P and Q respectively. Which vector triangle represents the forces on the ladder? A B C D P P P P W W Q Q W Q W Q
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · A vertical tube, closed at one end, is immersed in water
13 A vertical tube, closed at one end, is immersed in water. A column of air is trapped inside the tube. water surface 20.0 cm water 30.0 cm air 30.0 cm vertical tube The density of water is 1000 kg m–3. What is the difference between the pressure of the air in the tube and the atmospheric pressure? A 1960 Pa B 2940 Pa C 4910 Pa D 7850 Pa
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · A rocket is fired upwards
14 A rocket is fired upwards. As it accelerates upwards after leaving the launch pad, which forms of energy are changing? A chemical energy, gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy B chemical energy and gravitational potential energy only C chemical energy and kinetic energy only D gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy only
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · A mass m is on top of a platform that is supported by gas in a cylinder of…
15 A mass m is on top of a platform that is supported by gas in a cylinder of cross-sectional area A, as shown. mass m platform h gas The platform has negligible mass and can move freely up and down. The gas is heated and expands so that the mass is raised through a height h. Atmospheric pressure is p. gain in gravitatio nal potential energy of the mass What is the ratio ? work done by the gas mg mg pA mg − pA A B C D pA mg + pA mg mg
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q16 · An 8.00 N weight is attached to the lower end of a spring which is fixed at its upper end
16 An 8.00 N weight is attached to the lower end of a spring which is fixed at its upper end. The weight is initially held at rest at position X and the spring is unstretched. The weight is then released and falls to position Y, which is 4.00 cm below X. The weight oscillates and then eventually comes to rest at O, which is 2.00 cm below X. X 2.00 cm 8.00 N O 4.00 cm Y 8.00 N 8.00 N spring position after final position after unstretched initial drop many oscillations How much energy is lost from the system? A 0.04 J B 0.08 J C 0.16 J D 0.32 J
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · The force resisting the motion of a car is proportional to the square of the car’s speed
17 The force resisting the motion of a car is proportional to the square of the car’s speed. The magnitude of the force at a speed of 20.0 m s–1 is 800 N. What useful output power is required from the car’s engine to maintain a steady speed of 40.0 m s–1? A 32 kW B 64 kW C 128 kW D 512 kW
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Two wires X and Y are made from the same material
18 Two wires X and Y are made from the same material. Wire Y has twice the diameter and experiences twice the tension of wire X. The wires obey Hooke’s law and have the same original length. wire X wire Y diameter d diameter 2d tension T tension 2T Wire X has extension e. What is the extension of wire Y? e e A B C e D 2e 4 2
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · What is represented by the gradient of a graph of force (vertical axis) against extension…
19 What is represented by the gradient of a graph of force (vertical axis) against extension (horizontal axis) for a wire obeying Hooke’s law? A elastic limit B spring constant C stress D Young modulus
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Forces are applied to the ends of a rod so that its length increases
20 Forces are applied to the ends of a rod so that its length increases. The variation with load L of the extension e of the rod is shown. e P 0 0 L The point P is the elastic limit. Which shaded area represents the work done during the plastic deformation of the rod? A B e e P P 0 0 0 L 0 L C D e e P P 0 0 0 L 0 L
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · The graph shows the variation of a quantity P with a quantity Q for a sound wave…
21 The graph shows the variation of a quantity P with a quantity Q for a sound wave travelling in air. P 0 0 Q What could P and Q be? P Q A amplitude intensity B frequency wavelength C speed frequency D wavelength period
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · A vibration generator produces a progressive wave on a rope
22 A vibration generator produces a progressive wave on a rope. The diagram shows the rope at one instant. The wave travels at a speed of 4.0 m s–1. rope 4.0 m s–1 length / m 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 What are the wavelength and the frequency of the wave? wavelength frequency / m / Hz A 0.13 15 B 0.13 30 C 0.27 15 D 0.27 30
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · The diagram shows the waveform of a signal displayed on a cathode-ray oscilloscope
23 The diagram shows the waveform of a signal displayed on a cathode-ray oscilloscope. The time-base is set at 5.0 ms per division. The Y-gain is set at 5.0 mV per division. What are the amplitude and the frequency of the signal? amplitude frequency / mV / Hz A 10 50 B 10 100 C 20 50 D 20 100
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · A jet aircraft travels at a speed of 0.8v where v is the speed of sound
24 A jet aircraft travels at a speed of 0.8v where v is the speed of sound. The aircraft approaches a stationary observer. The frequency of sound emitted by the aircraft is 100 Hz. Which frequency does the observer hear? A 56 Hz B 180 Hz C 400 Hz D 500 Hz
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · A telescope detects and analyses some electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 2 cm
25 A telescope detects and analyses some electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 2 cm. Which type of telescope is it? A microwave telescope B optical telescope C radio telescope D X-ray telescope
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · What may be used to produce stationary waves?
26 What may be used to produce stationary waves? A blowing air over the top of an empty bottle B making a loud sound near a mountain C passing monochromatic light through a double slit D passing water waves through a narrow slit
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · What is an example of the diffraction of a wave?
27 What is an example of the diffraction of a wave? A laser light travelling along an optic fibre B light waves forming images on a cinema screen C microwaves passing the edge of a metal plate D sound waves diverging as they pass through air
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · When the light from two lamps falls on a screen, no interference pattern can be obtained
28 When the light from two lamps falls on a screen, no interference pattern can be obtained. Why is this? A The lamps are not point sources. B The lamps emit light of different amplitudes. C The light from the lamps is not coherent. D The light from the lamps is white.
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · A beam of light consists of two wavelengths of 436 nm and 654 nm
29 A beam of light consists of two wavelengths of 436 nm and 654 nm. A diffraction grating of 5.00 × 105 lines m–1 produces a diffraction pattern in which the second order of one of these wavelengths occurs at the same angle θ as the third order of the other wavelength. overlapping orders 436 nm θ zero order 654 nm θ What is the angle θ ? A 19.1° B 25.8° C 40.8° D 78.8°
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · Which diagram shows the electric field lines surrounding an isolated negative point…
30 Which diagram shows the electric field lines surrounding an isolated negative point charge? A B C D – – – –
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A beam of electrons is directed into an electric field and is deflected by it
31 A beam of electrons is directed into an electric field and is deflected by it. Diagram 1 represents an electric field in the plane of the paper. Diagram 2 represents an electric field directed perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The lines A, B, C and D represent possible paths of the electron beam. All paths are in the plane of the paper. Which line best represents the path of the electrons inside the field? diagram 1 diagram 2 A B C D electric field electric field into the paper in the plane and perpendicular to the of the paper plane of the paper electrons electrons
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · A charged particle of charge q and mass m is initially at rest in a uniform electric field
32 A charged particle of charge q and mass m is initially at rest in a uniform electric field. The field is produced by parallel metal plates separated by a distance d and having a potential difference V between them. What is an expression for the acceleration of the charged particle? md mV qd qV A B C D qV qd mV md
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · When there is a current of 5.0 A in a copper wire, the average drift velocity of the free…
33 When there is a current of 5.0 A in a copper wire, the average drift velocity of the free electrons is 8.0 × 10–4 m s–1. What is the average drift velocity in a different copper wire that has twice the diameter and a current of 10.0 A? A 4.0 × 10–4 m s–1 B 8.0 × 10–4 m s–1 C 1.6 × 10–3 m s–1 D 3.2 × 10–3 m s–1
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · What is equivalent to one volt?
34 What is equivalent to one volt? A one coulomb per second B one joule per coulomb C one joule per second D one joule second per coulomb squared
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The diagram shows a rectangular block with dimensions x, 2x and 3x
35 The diagram shows a rectangular block with dimensions x, 2x and 3x. top face P 2x 3x Q R R x Q bottom face P Electrical contact can be made to the block between opposite pairs of faces (for example, between the faces labelled R). Which statement describing the electrical resistance of the block is correct? A It is maximum between the faces labelled P. B It is maximum between the faces labelled Q. C It is maximum between the faces labelled R. D It is the same, whichever pair of faces is used.
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · A battery, with internal resistance, is connected to a parallel arrangement of two…
36 A battery, with internal resistance, is connected to a parallel arrangement of two resistors and a switch S, as shown. A V switch S Initially switch S is open. What happens to the voltmeter and ammeter readings when switch S is closed? voltmeter reading ammeter reading A decreases increases B decreases decreases C increases increases D increases decreases
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · A battery is connected to a network of six resistors, as shown
37 A battery is connected to a network of six resistors, as shown. 1.2 V 2.2 V 4.1 V 1.2 V 3.7 V R The potential differences across five of the resistors are labelled on the diagram. What is the potential difference across resistor R? A 4.4 V B 4.6 V C 6.6 V D 11.2 V
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · The diagram shows a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 6 V, connected in series with…
38 The diagram shows a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 6 V, connected in series with a resistor and a uniform resistance wire RQ of length 60 cm. The resistance of RQ is equal to the resistance of the resistor. 6 V R L Q P X Y Terminal X is connected to fixed point R. Terminal Y is connected to point P, a connection that may be made at any position along the wire. L is the distance between R and P. Which graph shows the variation with L of the potential difference (p.d.) V across XY? A B 6 6 V / V V / V 0 0 0 60 0 60 L / cm L / cm C D 6 6 V / V V / V 0 0 0 60 0 60 L / cm L / cm
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · A nucleus emits a β– particle
39 A nucleus emits a β– particle. What is the change to the proton number and to the nucleon number of the nucleus? proton number nucleon number A –1 +1 B 0 –1 C +1 –1 D +1 0
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · How many up quarks and how many down quarks are in a nucleus of the nuclide 37 C l ?
40 How many up quarks and how many down quarks are in a nucleus of the nuclide 37 C l ? 17 up quarks down quarks A 51 60 B 54 57 C 57 54 D 60 51
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.
3Progressive waves3Electric fields and field lines2Equilibrium of forces2Errors and uncertainties2Linear momentum and its conservation2Stress and strain2Uniform electric fields2Density and pressure1Diffraction1Doppler effect for sound waves1Elastic and plastic behaviour1Electric current1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equations of motion1Fundamental particles1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Interference1Kirchhoff’s laws1Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion1Physical quantities1Potential difference and power1Potential dividers1Practical circuits1Radioactive decay1Resistance and resistivity1Scalars and vectors1SI units1Stationary waves1The diffraction grating1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.