Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2025 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 4
9702/14/M/J/25 · 40 questions · 40 marks · 75 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 · The number of atoms in a mobile phone handset may be estimated by dividing the…
1 The number of atoms in a mobile phone handset may be estimated by dividing the approximate volume of the handset by the approximate volume of an atom. What is a reasonable estimate of the number of atoms in a mobile phone handset? A 1017 B 1026 C 1032 D 1037
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Which unit is not equivalent to a unit of energy?
2 Which unit is not equivalent to a unit of energy? A N m B V C C W s D kg m s–2
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Calipers are used to determine the thickness of the wall of a glass tube
3 Calipers are used to determine the thickness of the wall of a glass tube. wall glass tube The following measurements are made. internal diameter of the tube = (10.0 ± 0.1) mm external diameter of the tube = (12.0 ± 0.1) mm What is the thickness of the wall of the tube? A (1.0 ± 0.1) mm B (1.0 ± 0.2) mm C (2.0 ± 0.1) mm D (2.0 ± 0.2) mm
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · The diagram shows two fixed pins, Y and Z
4 The diagram shows two fixed pins, Y and Z. A length of elastic is stretched between Y and Z and around pin X, which is attached to a trolley. Y 50 mm X 80 mm P trolley 30 mm Z X is at the centre of the elastic and the trolley is to be propelled in the direction P at right angles to YZ. The tension in the elastic is 4.0 N. What is the force accelerating the trolley in the direction P when the trolley is released? A 2.4 N B 3.2 N C 4.8 N D 6.4 N
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · A student cycles uphill from home to a shop, taking 10 minutes
5 A student cycles uphill from home to a shop, taking 10 minutes. The student then spends 5 minutes in the shop before cycling home downhill at twice the initial speed. Which graph could show the variation with time of the distance travelled by the student? A B 2 2 distance distance / km / km 1 1 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20 time / minutes time / minutes C D 2 2 distance distance / km / km 1 1 0 0 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20 time / minutes time / minutes
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · A ball is released from rest from a window at a height of 12 m above the ground
6 A ball is released from rest from a window at a height of 12 m above the ground. Air resistance is negligible. What is the time taken after release for the ball to reach the ground? A 1.1 s B 1.2 s C 1.6 s D 2.4 s
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · Which word equation is not correct?
7 Which word equation is not correct? A force = change of momentum B force = mass acceleration moment C force = perpendicu lar distance from the pivot work done D force = displaceme nt in the direction of the force
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · A skydiver is falling vertically with terminal velocity when their parachute opens fully
8 A skydiver is falling vertically with terminal velocity when their parachute opens fully. Which statement describes the motion of the skydiver for the first few seconds after the parachute opens fully? A falling with non-uniform acceleration and increasing speed B falling with non-uniform acceleration and decreasing speed C falling with uniform acceleration and increasing speed D falling with uniform acceleration and decreasing speed
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Two gliders are travelling towards each other on a horizontal air track
9 Two gliders are travelling towards each other on a horizontal air track. Glider P has mass 0.30 kg and is moving with a constant speed of 1.2 m s–1. Glider Q has mass 0.60 kg and is moving with a constant speed of 1.8 m s–1. 1.2 m s–1 1.8 m s–1 air air glider P track glider Q mass 0.30 kg mass 0.60 kg The gliders have a perfectly elastic collision. What are the speeds of the two gliders after the collision? speed of P speed of Q / m s–1 / m s–1 A 1.2 0.6 B 2.0 1.4 C 2.8 0.2 D 3.6 0.6
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · Which statement about a couple is correct?
10 Which statement about a couple is correct? A It acts to produce both translational motion and rotation. B It acts to produce rotation only. C It acts to produce translational motion only. D It acts to produce neither rotation nor translational motion.
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · A picture frame hangs from a string
11 A picture frame hangs from a string. The string is supported by a pin. The frame is in equilibrium. pin string frame Which diagram shows the vector triangle of forces acting on the picture frame? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · A solid metal cuboid of density 2700 kg m–3 has sides of lengths 1.0 m, 2.0 m and 4.0 m
12 A solid metal cuboid of density 2700 kg m–3 has sides of lengths 1.0 m, 2.0 m and 4.0 m. 4.0 m cuboid 1.0 m 2.0 m The cuboid can be placed on a horizontal surface so that it rests on any one of its six faces. What is the largest pressure that the cuboid can exert on the surface due to its weight when it rests on one of its six faces? A 11 kPa B 26 kPa C 53 kPa D 110 kPa
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · A cylindrical iceberg of height H floats in sea water
13 A cylindrical iceberg of height H floats in sea water. The top of the iceberg is at height h above the surface of the water. iceberg h H sea water The density of ice is i and the density of sea water is w. What is the height h of the iceberg above the sea water? H A 1 i H B i 1 H C w H D i w w i w
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · In which situation is work done on an object?
14 In which situation is work done on an object? A The object slides with a constant velocity along a horizontal frictionless surface in a vacuum. B A person holds the object at arm’s length and at a fixed height above the ground. C A person pushes the object up a frictionless ramp. D The stationary object floats partially submerged in water.
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · An electric motor operating a lift has an output power of 20 kW
15 An electric motor operating a lift has an output power of 20 kW. motor cable 20 m lift and passengers 1500 kg The lift and passengers have a combined mass of 1500 kg. The motor raises the lift at constant speed through a distance of 20 m. How long does it take? A 6 s B 15 s C 30 s D 60 s
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · In which situation is the least amount of energy transferred?
16 In which situation is the least amount of energy transferred? A A student and a motorcycle of total mass 80 kg come to rest from a speed of 2.0 m s–1. B A student of mass 50 kg falls a vertical distance of 2.0 m. C A student pushes a car with a horizontal force of 70 N for a horizontal distance of 2.0 m. D A student switches on a 70 W lamp for 20 s.
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · What is the definition of strain?
17 What is the definition of strain? A extension per unit cross-sectional area B extension per unit original length C force per unit cross-sectional area D force per unit extension
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · A spring of unstretched length 0.10 m is suspended vertically from a support
18 A spring of unstretched length 0.10 m is suspended vertically from a support. A weight of 2.0 N is attached to the bottom of the spring and its length increases to 0.15 m. An additional weight of 4.0 N is then added to the bottom of the spring. The spring obeys Hooke’s law. How much extra elastic potential energy is stored in the spring due to the addition of the 4.0 N weight? A 0.067 J B 0.13 J C 0.20 J D 0.40 J
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · Two progressive waves meet at a fixed point P
19 Two progressive waves meet at a fixed point P. The variation with time of the displacement of each wave at point P is shown in the graph. displacement 0 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 time / s What is the phase difference between the two waves at point P? A 45 B 90 C 135 D 180
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · A microphone is connected to a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO)
20 A microphone is connected to a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO). The diagram shows the waveform on the display of the CRO when the microphone detects a sound. The y-gain is set to 1 V div–1. The time-base is set to 2.0 ms div–1. Which row gives the amplitude and frequency of the waveform? amplitude / V frequency / Hz A 3 125 B 3 250 C 6 125 D 6 250
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A progressive longitudinal wave is travelling horizontally from left to right
21 A progressive longitudinal wave is travelling horizontally from left to right. A graphical representation of the wave at one instant in time is shown. 0 0 Which row could give the correct labels for the x-axis and y-axis of this graph? x-axis y-axis A distance displacement of particles to the right B distance displacement of particles upwards C time displacement of particles to the right D time displacement of particles upwards
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · A vehicle is moving with a speed of 30.0 m s–1 directly towards a stationary observer
22 A vehicle is moving with a speed of 30.0 m s–1 directly towards a stationary observer. The horn of the vehicle emits sound of frequency 440 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 340 m s–1. What is the frequency of the sound heard by the observer? A 401 Hz B 404 Hz C 479 Hz D 483 Hz
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Which row could describe electromagnetic waves?
23 Which row could describe electromagnetic waves? type of wave speed in free space A longitudinal faster for shorter wavelengths B longitudinal the same for all wavelengths C transverse faster for shorter wavelengths D transverse the same for all wavelengths
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · A horizontal beam of light is incident normally on a polarising filter
24 A horizontal beam of light is incident normally on a polarising filter. The incident light is vertically polarised and has an intensity of 24 W m–2. The direction of the transmission axis of the filter is at an angle of 30 to the vertical. What is the intensity of the light in the transmitted beam? A 18 W m–2 B 21 W m–2 C 28 W m–2 D 32 W m–2
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · A pipe of length 100 cm is open at both ends
25 A pipe of length 100 cm is open at both ends. A loudspeaker situated at one end of the pipe can emit sound of different wavelengths. 100 cm loudspeaker pipe Which wavelength can produce a stationary wave in the pipe? A 50 cm B 75 cm C 150 cm D 300 cm
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · A student makes a sound at point R near a building
26 A student makes a sound at point R near a building. A second student, standing at point S around the corner of the building, hears the sound. The building is a solid structure and there are no other structures nearby. R building S Which effect best explains how the student at point S is able to hear the student at point R? A diffraction B interference C polarisation D reflection
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · Red light of a single wavelength from a laser is incident on a double slit
27 Red light of a single wavelength from a laser is incident on a double slit. A pattern of interference fringes is observed on a flat screen that is placed parallel to the double slit. Which change increases the separation of the interference fringes on the screen? A Decrease the distance from the double slit to the screen. B Decrease the separation of the slits. C Replace the red light with blue light. D Replace the red light with green light.
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · An electromagnetic wave is incident normally on a diffraction grating
28 An electromagnetic wave is incident normally on a diffraction grating. A second-order maximum is produced at an angle of 30 to the direction of the incident light. The grating has 5000 lines per cm. What is the wavelength of the wave? A 2.5 10–7 m B 5.0 10–7 m C 1.0 10–6 m D 5.0 10–5 m
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · The resistance of a lamp is 10 and the potential difference across it is 6.0 V
29 The resistance of a lamp is 10 and the potential difference across it is 6.0 V. How many electrons pass through the lamp in a time of 24 hours? A 5.2 104 B 9.0 1019 C 5.4 1021 D 3.2 1023
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · What is equivalent to one volt?
30 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
Q31 · The resistance of some electrical components may change with changing conditions
31 The resistance of some electrical components may change with changing conditions. Which component’s resistance increases? A a filament lamp as the potential difference (p.d.) across it increases B a light-dependent resistor (LDR) as the intensity of the light incident on it increases C a metallic conductor at constant temperature as the current through it increases D a thermistor as its temperature increases
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · Gold is sometimes used to make very small connecting wires in electronic circuits
32 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 2.3 10–8 m. What is the resistance of the wire? A 3.6 10–18 B 5.8 10–13 C 9.2 10–4 D 6.8 10–3
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · A cell of constant electromotive force (e.m.f.) and negligible internal resistance is…
33 A cell of constant electromotive force (e.m.f.) and negligible internal resistance is separately connected into four different circuits. In which circuit does the power dissipated by the lamp stay the same as the variable resistor is adjusted? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · The sum of the electrical currents into a point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the…
34 The sum of the electrical currents into a point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents out of the point. Which statement is correct? A This is Kirchhoff’s first law, which results from the conservation of charge. B This is Kirchhoff’s first law, which results from the conservation of energy. C This is Kirchhoff’s second law, which results from the conservation of charge. D This is Kirchhoff’s second law, which results from the conservation of energy.
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 6.0V and negligible internal resistance is…
35 A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) 6.0V and negligible internal resistance is connected to three resistors, as shown. OV 6 my 60Q 0.12A The current in the battery is 0.12A. What is resistance R? A 12Q B 300 C 500 D 60
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · A potentiometer circuit may be used to determine the unknown electromotive force (e.m.f.)…
36 A potentiometer circuit may be used to determine the unknown electromotive force (e.m.f.) E of a cell. The circuit diagrams shown include a battery of known e.m.f. and negligible internal resistance, a uniform resistance wire XY and a galvanometer. Which circuit diagram shows a suitable arrangement for determining E? A B X Y X Y E E C D X Y X Y E E
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · A uranium atom with a charge of +2e has a nucleon number of 235 and a proton number of 92
37 A uranium atom with a charge of +2e has a nucleon number of 235 and a proton number of 92. e is the elementary charge. What is the total number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this charged atom? A 235 B 325 C 327 D 329
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A nucleus W of a radioactive isotope emits a – particle and forms nucleus X
38 A nucleus W of a radioactive isotope emits a – particle and forms nucleus X. Nucleus X emits an -particle to form nucleus Y. Nucleus Y emits a – particle to form nucleus Z. Which statement about Z is correct? A Z is a nucleus of a different element from W and has a higher nucleon number. B Z is a nucleus of a different element from W and has a lower nucleon number. C Z is a nucleus of the same element as W and has a higher nucleon number. D Z is a nucleus of the same element as W and has a lower nucleon number.
Mark scheme: D
Q39 · Which particle is not a lepton?
39 Which particle is not a lepton? A electron B neutrino C neutron D positron
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · How many flavours (types) of antiquark are there?
40 How many flavours (types) of antiquark are there? A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6
Mark scheme: D
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.
3Density and pressure2Equations of motion2Fundamental particles2Kirchhoff’s laws2Progressive waves2Resistance and resistivity2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Diffraction1Doppler effect for sound waves1Elastic and plastic behaviour1Electric current1Electromagnetic spectrum1Equilibrium of forces1Errors and uncertainties1Interference1Linear momentum and its conservation1Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion1Non-uniform motion1Physical quantities1Polarisation1Potential difference and power1Potential dividers1Practical circuits1Radioactive decay1Scalars and vectors1SI units1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Transverse and longitudinal waves1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2025 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 4. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.