Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2025 Feb/March Paper 1 · Variant 2

Question 1

1 Which quantity is a scalar quantity? A force B momentum C velocity D work

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

2 What is the effect of a systematic error on the measurement of a physical quantity? A It limits the precision of the measured value. B It limits the range of values obtained in repeated measurements. C It results in repeated measurements having different values from each other. D It results in the measured value being different from the correct value.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

3 A car is accelerated by a constant resultant force of 300 N for 5.0 s. The variation with time of the velocity, in cm s–1, of the car is shown. 180 velocity 150 / cm s–1 120 90 60 30 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 time / s What is the mass of the car? A 13 kg B 1000 kg C 1300 kg D 10 000 kg

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

4 An aircraft, initially stationary on a runway, takes off with a speed of 85 km h–1 in a distance of no more than 1.20 km. What is the minimum constant acceleration necessary for the aircraft? A 0.23 m s–2 B 0.46 m s–2 C 3.0 m s–2 D 6.0 m s–2

Accepted Answer

A

Question 5

5 An object is fired upwards from horizontal ground. The object has an initial velocity of 20 m s–1 at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible. Which statement describes the speed of the object after it is fired until immediately before it reaches the ground again? A Its speed decreases to a value greater than zero, then increases to 20 m s–1. B Its speed decreases to a value greater than zero, then increases to a value greater than 20 m s–1. C Its speed decreases to zero, then increases to 20 m s–1. D Its speed decreases to zero, then increases to a value less than 20 m s–1.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 6

6 What is a statement of the principle of conservation of momentum for a system? A The total momentum and the total kinetic energy are always conserved. B The total momentum is conserved only in elastic collisions. C The total momentum is conserved provided that no external forces act. D The total momentum of each object in the system is the product of its mass and velocity.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 7

7 Objects P and Q form an isolated system. Object P has mass 6.0 kg and is moving at a speed of 3.0 m s–1. Object Q has mass 2.0 kg and is moving at a speed of 4.2 m s–1 at an angle of 35° to the path of P. Q 2.0 kg 35° P 4.2 m s–1 6.0 kg 3.0 m s–1 Objects P and Q collide and stick together. What is the magnitude of the component of the final momentum of the combined objects in the original direction of P? A 9.6 kg m s–1 B 11 kg m s–1 C 13 kg m s–1 D 25 kg m s–1

Accepted Answer

B

Question 8

8 An astronaut of mass m in a spacecraft experiences a gravitational force F = mg when stationary on the launchpad. What is the gravitational force on the astronaut when the spacecraft is launched vertically upwards with an acceleration of 0.2g ? A 1.2mg B mg C 0.8mg D 0

Accepted Answer

B

Question 9

9 The diagram shows a child X of mass 20 kg and a child Y of mass 15 kg seated on a uniform plank. child X child Y mass 20 kg mass 15 kg pivot plank mass 7.0 kg The plank has a mass of 7.0 kg and has a pivot at its midpoint. The plank is horizontal and in equilibrium. Which statement about the weight of the plank is correct? A The weight of the plank can be considered to be acting at its midpoint. B The weight of the plank is causing an anticlockwise moment. C The weight of the plank is causing a clockwise moment. D The weight of the plank equals the force on the plank from the pivot.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 10

10 An object is fully submerged in a liquid. upthrust acting on the object A student determines the ratio . weight of the object Which single change would double the value of this ratio? A Use a different liquid that has twice the density and the same volume as the original liquid. B Use a different object that has half the volume and the same density as the original object. C Use a different object that has twice the density and the same volume as the original object. D Use a different object that has twice the volume and the same density as the original object.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 11

11 A shop sign weighing 75 N hangs from a frame attached to a vertical wall. Z 30° X Y 0.50 m wall sign weight 75 N The frame consists of a horizontal rod XY and a rod YZ that is at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. Rod XY is attached to the wall by a hinge at X and has length 0.50 m. Assume that the weights of the rods are negligible. What is the horizontal force exerted by the wall on rod XY? A 0 N B 43 N C 130 N D 150 N

Accepted Answer

C

Question 12

12 A student takes measurements to calculate the density of a liquid in a beaker. The height of the liquid in the beaker is 0.20 m  2%. The internal diameter of the beaker is 0.05 m  3%. The mass of the liquid is 0.36 kg  10%. What is the percentage uncertainty in the calculated density of the liquid? A 2% B 5% C 15% D 18%

Accepted Answer

D

Question 13

13 The diagram shows a uniform plank XY of length 4.0 m and weight 300 N. child plank X Y support 4.0 m The plank rests on fixed supports at its ends X and Y. A child of weight 600 N stands in different positions on the plank. The support at end X exerts a force F vertically upwards on the plank. What is the magnitude of F when the child stands at X and when the child stands at Y? F / N when F / N when child is at X child is at Y A 600 0 B 600 150 C 750 0 D 750 150

Accepted Answer

D

Question 14

14 Which relationship is used in the derivation of the equation shown? power = force  velocity A displacement = velocity  time B force = mass  acceleration C momentum = mass  velocity D velocity = acceleration  time

Accepted Answer

A

Question 15

15 A block is released from rest at the top of a slope inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The slope
has length L as shown in the diagram.

c7
There are no resistive forces acting on the block.

What is the speed of the block at the bottom of the slope?

A 4.43V/Lcos9¢ B  4.43VLsin@ C 19.6Lcos@ D 19.6Lsin6é

Accepted Answer

B

Question 16

16 A skateboarder and her skateboard have a total mass of 70 kg. She pushes on the ground with her foot to create a forward force F of 25 N on herself and the skateboard, as shown in the diagram. total mass of skateboarder and skateboard 70 kg F = 25 N The skateboarder and skateboard travel forwards a distance of 0.50 m before the skateboarder lifts her foot from the ground. What is the work done by F on the skateboarder and skateboard? A 13 J B 50 J C 340 J D 360 J

Accepted Answer

A

Question 17

17 A turbine at a hydroelectric power station is situated at a vertical distance of 30 m below the level of the surface of a large lake. The water passes through the turbine at a rate of 340 m3 per minute. The overall efficiency of the turbine and generator system is 90%. The density of water is 1000 kg m–3. What is the useful power output of the power station? A 0.15 MW B 1.5 MW C 1.7 MW D 90 MW

Accepted Answer

B

Question 18

18 A projectile is launched at 45° to the horizontal with initial kinetic energy E. Assuming air resistance to be negligible, what will be the kinetic energy of the projectile when it reaches its highest point? A 0.50E B 0.71E C 0.87E D E

Accepted Answer

A

Question 19

19 A wire is extended by a tensile force so that its deformation is elastic. What is meant by elastic deformation? A The extension of the wire is proportional to the tensile force. B The extension of the wire is not proportional to the tensile force. C When the tensile force is removed, the wire does not return to its original length. D When the tensile force is removed, the wire returns to its original length.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 20

20 A bolt is subjected to a tensile force, as shown. bolt X Y tensile 2d d tensile force force The bolt has a circular cross-section. At end X, the diameter is 2d. At end Y, the diameter is d. What is the ratio stress at Y ? stress at X A 0.25 B 0.50 C 2.0 D 4.0

Accepted Answer

D

Question 21

21 The graph shows the relationship between force acting on a compression spring and change in length of the spring. 180 160 140 force / N 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 change in length / mm One of these springs is placed in each corner of a horizontal square plate. The axis of each spring is in a vertical direction. These four springs support a total load of 160 N. What is the total elastic potential energy stored in the four springs? A 0.048 J B 0.19 J C 0.38 J D 0.77 J

Accepted Answer

B

Question 22

22 Which row correctly identifies the properties of all electromagnetic waves?

transverse | longitudinal can travel
wave wave in free space
A v x v
B v x x
Cc x v v
D x v x

key
/ = property of an electromagnetic wave

X = not a property of an electromagnetic wave

Accepted Answer

A

Question 23

23 What is the approximate range of wavelengths in free space for infrared radiation? A 100 nm to 400 nm B 300 m to 30 cm C 400 nm to 700 nm D 800 nm to 1000 m

Accepted Answer

D

Question 24

24 The diagram shows a car travelling at a constant speed in a straight line between person P and person Q from point X to point Y. person P person Q X Y The car sounds its horn continuously as it travels. The horn emits sound of constant frequency. Which statements about what person P and person Q hear during the motion of the car are correct? 1 Person P hears a sound of increasing frequency. 2 Person Q hears a sound of decreasing frequency. 3 Person Q always hears a sound of higher frequency than person P. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 3 only D none of them

Accepted Answer

C

Question 25

25 A progressive wave of frequency 300 Hz is travelling with a speed of 600 m s–1. What is the phase difference between two points on the wave that are a distance of 0.50 m apart? A 45° B 90° C 180° D 360°

Accepted Answer

B

Question 26

26 A polarised beam of light with intensity I is incident normally on a polarising filter. The transmitted light has intensity I. The filter is rotated about the normal axis through an angle . The transmitted light has intensity 0.75I. What is the angle  ? A 30° B 42° C 49° D 60°

Accepted Answer

A

Question 27

27 Light waves are emitted from two sources. What is a necessary condition for observable interference fringes to be produced? A The waves must be polarised. B The waves must not be polarised. C The waves must be coherent. D The waves must have equal amplitudes.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 28

28 The diagram shows a water wave in a shallow tank. The wave is diffracted through a gap in a barrier and spreads. The wavelength of the wave is much smaller than the width of the gap. barrier gap The wavelength of the wave and the width of the gap are both changed by a small amount. Which combination of changes must increase the amount of spreading due to diffraction? wavelength width of gap A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases

Accepted Answer

C

Question 29

29 Light of wavelength 567 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The grating has 400 lines per mm. A number of diffraction maxima are observed on the far side of the grating. What is the angle between the second-order maximum and the third-order maximum? A 13.1° B 13.9° C 15.9° D 27.0°

Accepted Answer

C

Question 30

30 Two cylindrical conductors, X and Y, are made from the same material. The conductors have equal lengths, but Y has a smaller diameter than X. X and Y are connected in series to a cell. Which row compares the number of charge carriers per unit time passing through X and through Y and compares the average drift speed of the charge carriers in X and in Y? number of charge average drift speed carriers per unit time of charge carriers A Y greater than X Y greater than X B Y same as X Y same as X C Y greater than X Y same as X D Y same as X Y greater than X

Accepted Answer

D

Question 31

31 A copper wire is 6.4 m long and has a resistance of 0.92 . The resistivity of copper is 1.8  10–8  m. What is the diameter of the wire? A 5.7  10–5 m B 1.0  10–4 m C 4.0  10–4 m D 7.1  10–4 m

Accepted Answer

C

Question 32

32 A thermistor is connected to a cell with negligible internal resistance. Which graph shows the variation with temperature of power, P, dissipated in the thermistor? A B P P 0 0 0 temperature / °C 0 temperature / °C C D P P 0 0 0 temperature / °C 0 temperature / °C

Accepted Answer

A

Question 33

33 A metal electrical conductor has a resistance of 5.6 k. A potential difference (p.d.) of 9.0 V is applied across its ends. How many electrons pass a point in the conductor in one minute? A 6.0  1020 B 1.0  1019 C 6.0  1017 D 1.0  1016

Accepted Answer

C

Question 34

34 Which circuit symbol does not represent an electric component that is designed to emit sound waves? A B C D

Accepted Answer

B

Question 35

35 The diagram shows a junction in a circuit where three wires, P, Q and R, meet. The currents in P and Q are 1 A and 3 A respectively, in the directions shown. Q 3 A 1 A P R How much charge passes a given point in wire R in a time of 5 s? A 0.4 C B 2 C C 10 C D 20 C

Accepted Answer

C

Question 36

36 A cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and internal resistance r is connected in series with a switch S and an external resistor of resistance R. E r P Q R S The potential difference (p.d.) between P and Q is V. Which statement is correct when S is changed from open to closed? A V increases because there is a p.d. across R. B V decreases because there is a p.d. across r. C V remains the same because the decrease of p.d. across r is balanced by the increase of p.d. across R. D V remains the same because the sum of the p.d.s across r and R is still equal to E.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 37

37 What is a general description of a baryon? A It consists of three quarks that must all be the same flavour. B It consists of three quarks that do not need to be the same flavour. C It consists of two quarks that must both be the same flavour. D It consists of two quarks that do not need to be the same flavour.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 38

38 A stationary nucleus has nucleon number A. The nucleus decays by emitting a proton with speed v to form a new nucleus with speed u. The new nucleus and the proton move away from one another in opposite directions. Which equation gives v in terms of A and u? A v = ( 4 A  – 1)u B v = (A – 1)u C v = Au D v = (A + 1)u

Accepted Answer

B

Question 39

39 What is the change to the quark composition of a nucleus that takes place during + decay? A down to antiup B down to up C up to antidown D up to down

Accepted Answer

D

Question 40

40 What is the charge, in terms of the elementary charge e, on a charm quark? 2 e 1 e 1 e 2 e A – B – C + D + 3 3 3 3

Accepted Answer

D

Question paper16 pages

Mark scheme3 pages

Questions as text

Q1 · Which quantity is a scalar quantity?

Q2 · What is the effect of a systematic error on the measurement of a physical quantity?

Q3 · A car is accelerated by a constant resultant force of 300 N for 5.0 s

Q4 · An aircraft, initially stationary on a runway, takes off with a speed of 85 km h–1 in a…

Q5 · An object is fired upwards from horizontal ground

Q6 · What is a statement of the principle of conservation of momentum for a system?

Q7 · Objects P and Q form an isolated system

Q8 · An astronaut of mass m in a spacecraft experiences a gravitational force F = mg when…

Q9 · The diagram shows a child X of mass 20 kg and a child Y of mass 15 kg seated on a uniform…

Q10 · An object is fully submerged in a liquid

Q11 · A shop sign weighing 75 N hangs from a frame attached to a vertical wall

Q12 · A student takes measurements to calculate the density of a liquid in a beaker

Q13 · The diagram shows a uniform plank XY of length 4.0 m and weight 300 N

Q14 · Which relationship is used in the derivation of the equation shown?

Q15 · A block is released from rest at the top of a slope inclined at an angle to the horizontal

Q16 · A skateboarder and her skateboard have a total mass of 70 kg

Q17 · A turbine at a hydroelectric power station is situated at a vertical distance of 30 m…

Q18 · A projectile is launched at 45° to the horizontal with initial kinetic energy E

Q19 · A wire is extended by a tensile force so that its deformation is elastic

Q20 · A bolt is subjected to a tensile force, as shown

Q21 · The graph shows the relationship between force acting on a compression spring and change…

Q22 · Which row correctly identifies the properties of all electromagnetic waves?

Q23 · What is the approximate range of wavelengths in free space for infrared radiation?

Q24 · The diagram shows a car travelling at a constant speed in a straight line between person…

Q25 · A progressive wave of frequency 300 Hz is travelling with a speed of 600 m s–1

Q26 · A polarised beam of light with intensity I is incident normally on a polarising filter

Q27 · Light waves are emitted from two sources

Q28 · The diagram shows a water wave in a shallow tank

Q29 · Light of wavelength 567 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating

Q30 · Two cylindrical conductors, X and Y, are made from the same material

Q31 · A copper wire is 6.4 m long and has a resistance of 0.92 

Q32 · A thermistor is connected to a cell with negligible internal resistance

Q33 · A metal electrical conductor has a resistance of 5.6 k

Q34 · Which circuit symbol does not represent an electric component that is designed to emit…

Q35 · The diagram shows a junction in a circuit where three wires, P, Q and R, meet

Q36 · A cell of electromotive force (e.m.f.) E and internal resistance r is connected in series…

Q37 · What is a general description of a baryon?

Q38 · A stationary nucleus has nucleon number A

Q39 · What is the change to the quark composition of a nucleus that takes place during + decay?

Q40 · What is the charge, in terms of the elementary charge e, on a charm quark?

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