Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 3
9702/13/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 paper20 pages
Mark scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · Which statement is not a reasonable estimate?
1 Which statement is not a reasonable estimate? A Atmospheric pressure at sea level is about 1 × 105 Pa. B Light takes 5 × 102 s to reach us from the Sun. C The frequency of ultraviolet light is 3 × 1012 Hz. D The lifespan of a man is about 2 × 109 s.
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · Three of these quantities have the same unit
2 Three of these quantities have the same unit. Which quantity has a different unit? energy A distance B force C power × time D rate of change of momentum
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · Which group of quantities contains only vectors?
3 Which group of quantities contains only vectors? A acceleration, displacement, speed B acceleration, work, electric field strength C displacement, force, velocity D power, electric field strength, force
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · An ammeter is calibrated so that it shows a full-scale deflection when it measures a…
4 An ammeter is calibrated so that it shows a full-scale deflection when it measures a current of 2.0 A. The diagram shows the display of this ammeter when it is measuring a current. 4 6 2 8 0 10 2 3 1 4 0 5 Which current is the ammeter measuring? A 0.75 A B 1.5 A C 3.8 A D 7.5 A
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The width of a table is measured as (50.3 ± 0.1) cm
5 The width of a table is measured as (50.3 ± 0.1) cm. Its length is measured as (1.40 ± 0.01) m. What is the area of the table and its absolute uncertainty? A (0.7 ± 0.1) m2 B (0.704 ± 0.006) m2 C (0.704 ± 0.011) m2 D (70.4 ± 0.6) m2
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A stone is projected horizontally at time t = 0 and falls
6 A stone is projected horizontally at time t = 0 and falls. Air resistance is negligible. The stone has a horizontal component of velocity vH and a vertical component of velocity vV. Which graph shows how vH and vV vary with time t ? A B velocity velocity vV vH vH vV 0 0 0 t 0 t C vV D velocity velocity vH vH vV 0 0 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · Two isolated spheres have masses 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg
7 Two isolated spheres have masses 2.0 kg and 4.0 kg. The spheres collide and then move apart. During the collision, the 2.0 kg mass has an average acceleration of 8.0 m s–2. What is the average acceleration of the 4.0 kg mass? A 2.0 m s–2 B 4.0 m s–2 C 8.0 m s–2 D 16 m s–2
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · A mass is placed on a frictionless slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal
8 A mass is placed on a frictionless slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal. The mass is then released. What is its acceleration down the slope? A 4.9 m s–2 B 5.7 m s–2 C 8.5 m s–2 D 9.8 m s–2
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · A parachutist falls vertically from rest at time t = 0 from a hot-air balloon
9 A parachutist falls vertically from rest at time t = 0 from a hot-air balloon. She falls for some distance before opening her parachute. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the speed v of the parachutist? A B v v 0 0 0 t 0 t C D v v 0 0 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · A ship of mass 8.4 × 107 kg is approaching a harbour with speed 16.4 m s–1
10 A ship of mass 8.4 × 107 kg is approaching a harbour with speed 16.4 m s–1. By using reverse thrust it can maintain a constant total stopping force of 920 000 N. How long will it take to stop? A 15 seconds B 150 seconds C 25 minutes D 250 minutes
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · A rigid, hollow sphere is immersed deep in water and released from rest
11 A rigid, hollow sphere is immersed deep in water and released from rest. It experiences an upthrust which propels it towards the surface of the water. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of its upward velocity v? A B v v 0 0 0 t 0 t C D v v 0 0 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · A flat metal disc has radius R
12 A flat metal disc has radius R. Forces of magnitude F are applied tangentially at the edge of the disc. The forces are in the plane of the disc. Which arrangement of forces produces only a torque of magnitude 2FR ? A B C D F F 2F 2F R R R R F 2F F 2F
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The diagram shows the jib of a crane at an angle of 35° to the vertical
13 The diagram shows the jib of a crane at an angle of 35° to the vertical. A cable passes over a frictionless pulley and carries a load of 1830 N. R pulley cable 35° 35° jib cable 1830 N The force R that the pulley exerts on the cable is in line with the jib. The cable and the pulley are in equilibrium. What is the value of R ? A 1000 N B 1500 N C 2100 N D 3000 N
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · What is a unit for density?
14 What is a unit for density? A N m–3 B g mm–1 C kg cm–2 D µg mm–3
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · Which statement about energy is not correct?
15 Which statement about energy is not correct? A Energy is never lost but it may be transferred between different forms. B In an inelastic collision, the total energy is constant. C The efficiency of a system is the ratio of the useful energy output to the total energy input. D When a machine does work, friction reduces the total energy.
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · An electric kettle is rated as having an input power of 1.50 kW and an efficiency of 65.0%
16 An electric kettle is rated as having an input power of 1.50 kW and an efficiency of 65.0%. The kettle is switched on for 2.00 minutes. How much energy is transferred to the water in the kettle? A 0.975 kJ B 117 kJ C 180 kJ D 277 kJ
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · On a planet, a gravitational force F acts on a mass of 6.0 kg
17 On a planet, a gravitational force F acts on a mass of 6.0 kg. The mass is moved by force F a distance of 30 m in the direction of the gravitational field. The work done by the field is 450 J. What is the force F on the mass and what is the acceleration of free fall g on the planet? F / N g / m s–2 A 0.067 0.011 B 0.067 0.40 C 15 2.5 D 15 90
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q18 · A girl of mass 50 kg runs up a flight of 20 steps in 7.0 seconds
18 A girl of mass 50 kg runs up a flight of 20 steps in 7.0 seconds. Each step is 25 cm high. What is the useful average output power provided by the girl to climb the flight of steps? A 18 W B 36 W C 350 W D 2500 W
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · In an experiment to measure the Young modulus of a metal, a wire of the metal of diameter…
19 In an experiment to measure the Young modulus of a metal, a wire of the metal of diameter 0.25 mm is clamped, as shown. wire clamp pulley pulley marker F scale The wire passes from a clamp, around a frictionless pulley, and then to a second frictionless pulley where loads F are applied to it. A marker is attached to the wire so that the total length of wire between the clamp and the marker is initially 3.70 m. A scale is fixed near to this marker. The graph shows how the reading on the scale varies with F. 8.0 marker position 7.0 on scale / mm 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 F / N What is the Young modulus of the metal? A 5.5 × 1010 Pa B 9.4 × 1010 Pa C 1.6 × 1011 Pa D 2.2 × 1011 Pa
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · A scientist is investigating the properties of a new material
20 A scientist is investigating the properties of a new material. She plots a force-extension graph for the material up to its breaking point. force R Q P 0 0 extension Which statement must be correct? A The area under the graph from P to R is the strain energy stored in the material. B The area under the graph from P to R is the work done in stretching the material. C The material stretches elastically from Q to R. D The material stretches plastically from P to Q.
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A progressive sound wave in air has amplitude x0 and intensity I
21 A progressive sound wave in air has amplitude x0 and intensity I. The amplitude of the wave increases to 3x0. What is the new intensity of the wave? I I A B C 3I D 9I 9 3
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · The variation with distance x of the displacement y of a transverse wave on a rope is…
22 The variation with distance x of the displacement y of a transverse wave on a rope is shown at time t = 0. The wave has a frequency of 0.5 Hz. A point X on the rope is marked. The diagram shows the original position of X and four new positions. What is the position of X at time t = 1 s? direction of C D propagation y X A 0 0 x B
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · A sound wave is detected by a microphone
23 A sound wave is detected by a microphone. The output from the microphone is connected to the Y-input of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.). The trace on the c.r.o. is shown. The time-base is set at 0.20 ms per division. What is the frequency of the sound wave? A 1000 Hz B 1250 Hz C 2000 Hz D 2500 Hz
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · A bat flies directly towards a fixed ultrasound detector at a speed of 25.0 m s–1…
24 A bat flies directly towards a fixed ultrasound detector at a speed of 25.0 m s–1 emitting pulses of ultrasound of frequency 40.0 kHz. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1. Which frequency does the ultrasound detector record? A 37.0 kHz B 37.2 kHz C 43.0 kHz D 43.3 kHz
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · An electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of 1.0 × 10–7 m
25 An electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of 1.0 × 10–7 m. To which region of the electromagnetic spectrum does this wave belong? A infra-red B ultraviolet C visible D X-ray
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · The diagram shows a stationary wave on a string
26 The diagram shows a stationary wave on a string. The stationary wave has three nodes N1, N2 and N3. N1 N2 N3 Which statement is correct? A All points on the string vibrate in phase. B All points on the string vibrate with the same amplitude. C Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and in phase. D Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and the same amplitude.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · In which situation does diffraction occur?
27 In which situation does diffraction occur? A A wave bounces back from a surface. B A wave passes from one medium into another. C A wave passes through an aperture. D Waves from two identical sources are superposed.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A student connects two loudspeakers to a signal generator
28 A student connects two loudspeakers to a signal generator. Q signal generator P As the student walks from P to Q, he notices that the loudness of the sound rises and falls repeatedly. What causes the loudness of the sound to vary? A diffraction of the sound waves B Doppler shift of the sound waves C interference of the sound waves D reflection of the sound waves
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · A parallel beam of white light is incident normally on a diffraction grating
29 A parallel beam of white light is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The second-order and third-order spectra partially overlap. Which wavelength in the third-order spectrum appears at the same angle as the wavelength of 600 nm in the second-order spectrum? A 300 nm B 400 nm C 600 nm D 900 nm
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · Two parallel metal plates are at electric potentials of +800 V and +1300 V
30 Two parallel metal plates are at electric potentials of +800 V and +1300 V. Which diagram best represents the electric field between the metal plates? A B +800 V +1300 V +800 V +1300 V C D +800 V +1300 V +800 V +1300 V
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · The diagram shows two metal plates P and Q
31 The diagram shows two metal plates P and Q. There is a potential difference of 700 V between the plates. Plate Q is earthed. –700 V plate P 5.0 mm R plate Q 0 V What is the magnitude and direction of the electric field at point R? A 1.4 × 102 N C–1 from P towards Q B 1.4 × 102 N C–1 from Q towards P C 1.4 × 105 N C–1 from P towards Q D 1.4 × 105 N C–1 from Q towards P
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · The current I in a copper wire can be calculated using the equation shown
32 The current I in a copper wire can be calculated using the equation shown. I = Anvq What does the symbol v represent? A the average drift velocity of the charge carriers B the instantaneous velocity of the charge carriers C the voltage applied across the wire D the volume of the wire
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · Three resistors are to be connected into a circuit with the arrangement shown
33 Three resistors are to be connected into a circuit with the arrangement shown. X 100 Ω 100 Ω Y 100 Ω The power in any resistor must not be greater than 4.0 W. What is the maximum voltage across XY? A 24 V B 30 V C 40 V D 60 V
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · Gold is sometimes used to make very small connecting wires in electronic circuits
34 Gold is sometimes used to make very small connecting wires in electronic circuits. A particular gold wire has length 2.50 × 10–3 m and cross-sectional area 6.25 × 10–8 m2. Gold has resistivity 2.30 × 10–8 Ω m. What is the resistance of the wire? A 3.6 × 10–18 Ω B 5.8 × 10–13 Ω C 9.2 × 10–4 Ω D 6.8 × 10–3 Ω
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · A resistor X of resistance 40 Ω and a variable resistor are connected to a battery of…
35 A resistor X of resistance 40 Ω and a variable resistor are connected to a battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 12 V and internal resistance 2.0 Ω, as shown. 12 V 2.0 Ω 0 – 40 Ω 40 Ω X The resistance of the variable resistor is changed from 0 to 40 Ω. What is the change in power dissipated in resistor X? A 2.4 W B 2.7 W C 3.6 W D 5.6 W
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · All the resistors shown in the resistor networks W, X, Y and Z have the same resistance
36 All the resistors shown in the resistor networks W, X, Y and Z have the same resistance. W X Y Z Which list gives the networks in order of increasing total resistance? A W → Z → Y → X B X → W → Y → Z C X → Y → W → Z D X → Y → Z → W
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · In the circuit shown, the ammeter reading is zero
37 In the circuit shown, the ammeter reading is zero. 50 Ω R 12 V 24 V 100 Ω 200 Ω A What is the resistance of resistor R? A 100 Ω B 200 Ω C 400 Ω D 600 Ω
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · A neutron collides with a nucleus of uranium-235
38 A neutron collides with a nucleus of uranium-235. One possible nuclear reaction that results is represented by the equation 235 U + n 1 0 → 154 Nd + 80 Ge + x 92 60 32 where x represents one or more particles. What does x represent? A one neutron B two electrons C two neutrons D two protons
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · A nucleus Q has the notation Q y
39 A nucleus Q has the notation Q y . x Which of the following is an isotope of Q? A y − 1 Q B y Q C y Q D y − 1 Q x x− 1 x+ 1 x + 1
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · In β– decay, a neutron inside a nucleus changes to a proton
40 In β– decay, a neutron inside a nucleus changes to a proton. Which statement describes the quark composition of the nucleus during the decay? A The number of down quarks decreases by one. B The number of down quarks increases by one. C The number of down quarks stays the same. D The number of up quarks stays the same.
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.
3Non-uniform motion3Progressive waves3Errors and uncertainties2Practical circuits2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Density and pressure1Diffraction1Doppler effect for sound waves1Elastic and plastic behaviour1Electric current1Electric fields and field lines1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equations of motion1Equilibrium of forces1Fundamental particles1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Interference1Kirchhoff’s laws1Linear momentum and its conservation1Mass defect and nuclear binding energy1Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion1Physical quantities1Potential difference and power1Resistance and resistivity1Scalars and vectors1SI units1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Turning effects of forces1Uniform electric fields1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.