Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2023 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2
9702/12/M/J/23 · 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 stone sinks in water
1 A stone sinks in water. What is a possible value for the density of the stone? A 8 102 kg m–3 B 2 103 kg m–3 C 8 103 N m–3 D 2 104 N m–3
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Gm, Tm, m and pm are all units of length
2 Gm, Tm, m and pm are all units of length. Which unit is the largest and which unit is the smallest? largest smallest unit unit A Gm m B Gm pm C Tm m D Tm pm
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Two measurements for a solid sphere are shown
3 Two measurements for a solid sphere are shown. mass = (32.5 ± 0.1) g diameter = (1.87 ± 0.04) cm These values are used to determine the density of the sphere. What is the percentage uncertainty in the density? A 2.4% B 4.6% C 6.1% D 6.7%
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · An aircraft travels along a horizontal path
4 An aircraft travels along a horizontal path. Two of the forces that act horizontally on the aircraft are the thrust force of the engines and the force due to the wind. The vector diagram for these forces is shown. force due to the wind thrust force of the engines Which vector represents the resultant horizontal force acting on the aircraft due to these two forces? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · A ball travels from point X to point Y around a semicircular track of radius 1.0 m, as…
5 A ball travels from point X to point Y around a semicircular track of radius 1.0 m, as shown. X north ball west east south 1.0 m Y What is the displacement of the ball from X to Y? A 2.0 m B 2.0 m due south C 3.1 m D 3.1 m due south
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A rock is launched vertically upwards from the surface of the Earth and an identical rock…
6 A rock is launched vertically upwards from the surface of the Earth and an identical rock is launched vertically upwards from the surface of Mars. Each rock is launched with an initial velocity of 12 m s–1. Each rock then reaches its maximum height above the surface before returning back down to the surface. The velocity–time graph for each rock is shown. In both cases, air resistance is negligible. 15 velocity / m s–1 10 5 0 time / s 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 –5 Earth Mars –10 –15 What is the difference in the maximum heights of the two rocks? A 12 m B 15 m C 19 m D 24 m
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · Which statement describes the mass of an object?
7 Which statement describes the mass of an object? A the force the object experiences due to gravity B the momentum of the object before a collision C the resistance of the object to changes in motion D the weight of the object as measured by a balance
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · A submarine of total mass 3200 kg is at rest underwater
8 A submarine of total mass 3200 kg is at rest underwater. water surface submarine at rest sea bed The total mass of the submarine is suddenly decreased by 200 kg by pumping water out of the submarine horizontally in a negligible time. The upthrust acting on the submarine is unchanged. The change in the total weight of the submarine causes it to accelerate vertically upwards. What is the initial upwards acceleration of the submarine? A 0.613 m s–2 B 0.654 m s–2 C 9.81 m s–2 D 10.5 m s–2
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · A box in air slides with increasing speed down a rough slope from point P to point Q
9 A box in air slides with increasing speed down a rough slope from point P to point Q. P box Q The slope surface exerts a constant frictional force on the box. As the box moves from P to Q, there are changes to the magnitudes of its acceleration and the total resistive force acting on it. Which row describes the changes? magnitude of magnitude of total resistive acceleration force A increases decreases B decreases decreases C increases increases D decreases increases
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · Two balls, X and Y, approach each other along the same straight line and collide
10 Two balls, X and Y, approach each other along the same straight line and collide. The collision is perfectly elastic. Their initial speeds are uX and uY respectively. After the collision they move apart with speeds vX and vY respectively. Their directions are shown. uX uY before X Y vX vY after X Y Which equation is correct? A uX + uY = vX + vY B uX + uY = vX – vY C uX – uY = vX + vY D uX – uY = vX – vY
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · A rod is pivoted at point O
11 A rod is pivoted at point O. A force F is applied to the rod at point W, as shown. F X rod W O Y What is the moment of the force F about O? A F distance OX B F distance OY C F distance WO D F distance WX
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · A uniform rod XY of weight 10.0N is freely hinged to a wall at X
12 A uniform rod XY of weight 10.0N is freely hinged to a wall at X. It is held horizontal by a force F acting from Y at an angle of 30° to the horizontal, as shown. wall What is the value of F? A 5.0N B 8.7N C 10N D 20N
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · Two solid cubes X and Y are made of material of the same density
13 Two solid cubes X and Y are made of material of the same density. Cube X has twice the mass of cube Y. Cube X has sides of length x. Cube Y has sides of length y. x ? What is the ratio y A 1.26 B 1.41 C 2.00 D 8.00
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · A U-shaped glass tube contains liquid of density 2000 kg m–3, as shown
14 A U-shaped glass tube contains liquid of density 2000 kg m–3, as shown. tube P liquid, density 2000 kg m–3 Q 10.0 cm 6.0 cm What is the difference in pressure due to the liquid between levels P and Q? A 780 Pa B 1200 Pa C 1600 Pa D 2000 Pa
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · A steam turbine is used to drive a generator
15 A steam turbine is used to drive a generator. The input power to the turbine is PI and the output power is PO. The power loss in the turbine is PL, as shown. input power PI output power PO turbine generator power loss PL What is the efficiency of the turbine? P PI PL PO A L B C D P P P P O O I I
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · A variable force is applied to ensure that a constant power is supplied to a train
16 A variable force is applied to ensure that a constant power is supplied to a train. Which graph best shows the variation of the force F applied with the velocity v of the train? A B C D F F F F 0 0 0 0 0 v 0 v 0 v 0 v
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · A block is released from rest and slides a distance x down a straight slope
17 A block is released from rest and slides a distance x down a straight slope. The slope is at an angle @to the horizontal. block The slope is frictionless and air resistance is negligible. The acceleration of free fall is g. Which expression gives the final speed of the block? A jae B 29x sin@ Cc 29x D 29xsin@
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q18 · What is meant by the spring constant of a spring?
18 What is meant by the spring constant of a spring? A extension per unit force B 1 force extension 2 C force extension D force per unit extension
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · A child holds a thin metal wire that is attached to a kite
19 A child holds a thin metal wire that is attached to a kite. The graph shows how the extension of the wire varies with its tension. 150 tension / N wire kite 100 50 0 0 0.15 0.30 0.45 extension / mm A gust of wind increases the tension from 100 N to 150 N. What is the change in the elastic potential energy of the wire caused by the gust of wind? A 3.8 mJ B 19 mJ C 34 mJ D 38 mJ
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · A microphone detects a sound wave
20 A microphone detects a sound wave. The microphone is connected to a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO). The shape of the trace on the screen of the CRO is shown. Which property of the sound wave can be determined by using only the measurement of a horizontal distance on the screen and the value of a control setting of the CRO? A amplitude B frequency C speed D wavelength
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A longitudinal wave is travelling from left to right
21 A longitudinal wave is travelling from left to right. The graph shows the variation of the displacement of the particles with distance along the wave at one instant in time. Displacements to the right are positive; displacements to the left are negative. Which labelled point represents a compression? A displacement B D 0 0 distance C
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · A source X emits a sound wave of constant frequency f
22 A source X emits a sound wave of constant frequency f. The wave is subsequently received at a stationary detector Y. The frequency of the wave that is detected by Y is less than f. What could be the reason for this? A Between X and Y, the wave undergoes diffraction. B Between X and Y, the wave undergoes reflection. C X is moving away from Y. D X is moving towards Y.
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · A beam of visible light is in a vacuum
23 A beam of visible light is in a vacuum. What could be the frequency of the light? A 5.0 105 Hz B 5.0 108 Hz C 5.0 1011 Hz D 5.0 1014 Hz
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · A vertically polarised beam of light of intensity J, is incident normally on a polarising…
24 A vertically polarised beam of light of intensity J, is incident normally on a polarising filter. The transmission axis of the filter is at 45° to the vertical. The beam of light transmitted by this filter is then incident normally on a second filter. The transmission axis of the second filter is horizontal. transmission axis vertically of second filter polarised light transmission axis of first filter What is the intensity of the beam of light after transmission through the second filter? A 0 B tly c th D Io
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A stationary wave is formed by two progressive waves travelling in opposite directions…
25 A stationary wave is formed by two progressive waves travelling in opposite directions along the same line of travel. Which statement about the two progressive waves is not correct? A They must have a constant phase difference. B They must have the same frequency. C They must have the same wavelength. D They must travel at the same speed.
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · The sound from a loudspeaker placed above a tube causes resonance of the air in the tube
26 The sound from a loudspeaker placed above a tube causes resonance of the air in the tube. A stationary wave is formed with two nodes and two antinodes, as shown. loudspeaker 60 cm The tube has height 60 cm. The speed of sound in the air is 340 m s–1. What is the frequency of the sound? A 430 Hz B 570 Hz C 850 Hz D 1700 Hz
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · A continuous progressive water wave in a ripple tank passes through a gap in a barrier…
27 A continuous progressive water wave in a ripple tank passes through a gap in a barrier and diffracts. The width of the gap is greater than the wavelength of the wave. Which change causes the wave to spread over a larger angle as it passes through the gap? A a small decrease in the wavelength of the wave B a small decrease in the width of the gap C a small increase in the frequency of the wave D a small increase in the height of the barrier
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · The diagram shows a view from above of a double-slit interference demonstration
28 The diagram shows a view from above of a double-slit interference demonstration. L is a monochromatic light source with a vertical filament. B is a barrier with two narrow vertical slits and S is a screen upon which interference fringes form. NOT TO SCALE L B S The intensity is I at the point on the screen where the centre of the fringe pattern forms. When one of the slits is covered, what is the intensity at the same point on the screen? I I I I A B C D 2 2 2 2 4
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · Green light of wavelength 550 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating and…
29 Green light of wavelength 550 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating and produces a diffraction pattern on a screen placed 3.5 m from the diffraction grating. The third-order maximum on the screen is a distance of 0.75 m from the zeroth-order (central) maximum. screen NOT TO SCALE zeroth-order 3.5 m (central) maximum green light 0.75 m diffraction grating third-order maximum What is the distance between two adjacent slits in the diffraction grating? A 2.6 10–6 m B 7.7 10–6 m C 7.9 10–6 m D 1.0 10–5 m
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · Which charge can be carried by a charge carrier?
30 Which charge can be carried by a charge carrier? A 1.1 10–19 C B 4.0 10–19 C C 4.8 10–19 C D 9.1 10–19 C
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A resistor of resistance R is connected across a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) E…
31 A resistor of resistance R is connected across a cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and negligible internal resistance. Which single change to the circuit would lead to the largest increase in the power dissipated in the resistor? A doubling the value of E B doubling the value of R C halving the value of E D halving the value of R
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · An electrical cable is made up of one thick strand of copper wire that is surrounded by…
32 An electrical cable is made up of one thick strand of copper wire that is surrounded by eight thin strands of copper wire. All nine strands of wire are connected in parallel with each other. A cross-section of the cable is shown. thick strand, cross-sectional thin strand, area 4A cross-sectional area A Each thin strand of wire has cross-sectional area A and length L. The thick strand of wire has cross-sectional area 4A and length L. The cable has total resistance R. Which expression gives the resistivity of copper? 4 A 12 A 4 AR 12 AR A B C D 33 RL RL L L
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · A car has sensors for detecting the light intensity and temperature of its environment
33 A car has sensors for detecting the light intensity and temperature of its environment. The sensors make use of a light-dependent resistor (LDR) and a thermistor. The car moves from a warm and dark environment into a cold and bright environment. What are the changes to the resistances of the LDR and thermistor? resistance resistance of of LDR thermistor A increases increases B increases decreases C decreases increases D decreases decreases
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · A student assembles the circuit shown
34 A student assembles the circuit shown. lamp 1 lamp 2 Which row describes the state of the two lamps? lamp 1 lamp 2 A off off B on off C off on D on on
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · Kirchhoff’s first law is a consequence of the conservation of which quantity?
35 Kirchhoff’s first law is a consequence of the conservation of which quantity? A charge B energy C momentum D potential difference
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Three identical cells each have electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and negligible internal…
36 Three identical cells each have electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and negligible internal resistance. The cells are connected to three identical resistors, each of resistance R, as shown. E R E R R E What is the potential difference across one of the resistors? E 2E A 0 B C D E 3 3
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · In the potentiometer circuit shown, the reading on the ammeter is zero
37 In the potentiometer circuit shown, the reading on the ammeter is zero. power supply A sliding contact uniform metal wire The light-dependent resistor (LDR) is then covered and the ammeter gives a non-zero reading. Which change could return the ammeter reading to zero? A decreasing the supply voltage B increasing the supply voltage C moving the sliding contact to the left D moving the sliding contact to the right
Mark scheme: C
Question 38
38 What are isotopes? A nuclei of different elements with the same number of neutrons B nuclei of different elements with the same number of nucleons C nuclei of the same element with different numbers of neutrons D nuclei of the same element with different numbers of protons
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · A neutron n 1 0 is fired at a 235 U nucleus
39 A neutron n 1 0 is fired at a 235 U nucleus. The neutron is absorbed by the nucleus which then splits 92 to form nuclei of 141 Ba and 92 Kr. 56 36 What is the number of free neutrons emitted when the 235 U nucleus splits? 92 A 0 B 1 C 2 D 3
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · A + meson has a charge of +e, where e is the elementary charge
40 A + meson has a charge of +e, where e is the elementary charge. It consists of an up quark and one other quark. What could be the other quark in the + meson? A anti-down B anti-up C bottom D charm
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 radiation2Energy conservation2Kirchhoff’s laws2Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion2Resistance and resistivity2Scalars and vectors2Stationary waves2Diffraction1Doppler effect for sound waves1Elastic and plastic behaviour1Electric current1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equations of motion1Equilibrium of forces1Errors and uncertainties1Fundamental particles1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Interference1Linear momentum and its conservation1Non-uniform motion1Polarisation1Potential difference and power1Potential dividers1Practical circuits1Progressive waves1SI units1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Transverse and longitudinal waves1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.