Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 4
9702/14/O/N/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 · What is essential to accurately represent all physical quantities?
1 What is essential to accurately represent all physical quantities? A a base unit and a number B a unit and a number expressed in standard form (scientific notation) C a unit and a numerical magnitude D an SI unit and a numerical magnitude
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · A steel rule can be read to the nearest millimetre
2 A steel rule can be read to the nearest millimetre. It is used to measure the length of a bar whose true length is 895 mm. Repeated measurements give the following readings. length / mm 892, 891, 892, 891, 891, 892 Are the readings accurate and precise to within 1 mm? results are accurate results are precise to within 1 mm to within 1 mm A no no B no yes C yes no D yes yes
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · A stone is released from rest and falls vertically to the ground
3 A stone is released from rest and falls vertically to the ground. The time taken to fall to the ground and the distance travelled are measured. The measurements are used to determine the acceleration of free fall. The percentage uncertainty in the measured time is 0.05%. The percentage uncertainty in the measured distance fallen is 0.6%. What is the percentage uncertainty in the calculated value of the acceleration of free fall? A 0.5% B 0.7% C 1.1% D 1.3%
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · An object falls from rest towards the ground
4 An object falls from rest towards the ground. Air resistance is negligible. Which graph shows the variation of the momentum p of the object with time t until it hits the ground? A B p p 0 0 0 t 0 t C D p p 0 0 0 t 0 t
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · A projectile is fired at an angle of 45° upwards from horizontal ground
5 A projectile is fired at an angle of 45° upwards from horizontal ground. Air resistance is negligible. Which row describes the horizontal motion and the vertical motion of the projectile after it is fired until immediately before it reaches the ground again? horizontal motion vertical motion A constant velocity constant acceleration B constant velocity varying acceleration C varying velocity constant acceleration D varying velocity varying acceleration
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · An aircraft on a runway accelerates uniformly from rest to its take-off speed of 58 m s–1
6 An aircraft on a runway accelerates uniformly from rest to its take-off speed of 58 m s–1. The acceleration of the aircraft is 4.2 m s–2, and the aircraft uses 74% of the length of the runway to reach its take-off speed. What is the length of the runway? A 300 m B 540 m C 590 m D 800 m
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · How can the acceleration of an object be determined?
7 How can the acceleration of an object be determined? A from the area under a displacement–time graph B from the area under a velocity–time graph C from the gradient of a displacement–time graph D from the gradient of a velocity–time graph
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The acceleration of free fall on the Earth is different to the acceleration of free fall…
8 The acceleration of free fall on the Earth is different to the acceleration of free fall on the Moon. How do the mass and weight of an object on the Earth compare to its mass and weight on the Moon? mass weight A different different B different same C same different D same same
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · A sphere moves vertically downwards at terminal (constant) velocity in a liquid
9 A sphere moves vertically downwards at terminal (constant) velocity in a liquid. Which statement about the magnitude of the upthrust acting on the sphere is correct? A It is proportional to the acceleration of free fall. B It is equal to the weight of the sphere. C It is proportional to the density of the sphere. D It is proportional to the square of the radius of the sphere.
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · An object of mass 2.0 kg is travelling at a speed of 3.0 m s–1 on a horizontal…
10 An object of mass 2.0 kg is travelling at a speed of 3.0 m s–1 on a horizontal frictionless surface. This object collides head-on with a stationary object of mass 1.0 kg. The two objects stick together on impact. 2.0 kg 1.0 kg 3.0 m s–1 at rest How much kinetic energy is lost on impact? A zero B 2.0 J C 2.4 J D 3.0 J
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · A moving object X collides with a stationary object Y
11 A moving object X collides with a stationary object Y. The objects separate after the collision. The collision is perfectly elastic and there are no external forces acting. Which word equation is not correct? A during the collision, (force acting on object X) + (force acting on object Y) = zero B (relative speed of approach of X and Y) + (relative speed of separation of X and Y) = zero C (total kinetic energy before collision) = (total kinetic energy after collision) D (total momentum before collision) = (total momentum after collision)
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · The diagram shows a stationary sphere that is just fully submerged in a liquid
12 The diagram shows a stationary sphere that is just fully submerged in a liquid. The radius of the sphere is r and the density of the liquid is . The acceleration of free fall is g. The air exerts pressure PA on the surface of the liquid. air surface of liquid liquid sphere What is the pressure at the lowest point of the sphere? A PA + 4 r 3 g 3 B PA – 4 r 3 g 3 C 2r g + PA D 2r g – PA
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · A uniform rod is attached by a hinge at one end to a wall
13 A uniform rod is attached by a hinge at one end to a wall. The other end of the rod is supported by a wire so that the rod is horizontal and in equilibrium. wire wall hinge rod Which arrow shows the direction of the force on the rod from the hinge? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · A couple is applied to a tap, as shown
14 A couple is applied to a tap, as shown. F pivot tap d d F What is the torque of the couple? Fd A B Fd C 2Fd D 4Fd 2
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · A uniform beam rests on two supports, X and Y, as shown
15 A uniform beam rests on two supports, X and Y, as shown. X Y 700 N 200 N 6.0 m 10.0 m 20.0 m not to scale The beam has length 20.0 m and weight 200 N. A man of weight 700 N stands on the beam at a distance of 6.0 m from support X. The beam is in equilibrium. What is the contact force of support X on the beam? A 310 N B 450 N C 590 N D 900 N
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · The diagram shows a block P of mass M connected by a string over a frictionless pulley to…
16 The diagram shows a block P of mass M connected by a string over a frictionless pulley to a block Q of mass m. Block P moves up the slope with a constant velocity v. The slope is at angle @ to the horizontal. The acceleration of free fall is g. The resistive forces on the blocks are negligible. Which expressions give the energy transferred per unit time to block P? 1 mgv 2 Mgvsing 3. (M+ m)gv A 1and2 B 1 only C 2and3 D 2only
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · A toy car travels around a vertical loop track
17 A toy car travels around a vertical loop track. toy car 58 cm 32 cm The toy car is released from rest at a height of 58 cm above the bottom of the vertical loop. The car is at a height of 32 cm when it is at the top of the vertical loop. Assume that no resistive forces act on the car. What is the speed of the car at the top of the vertical loop? A 0.87 m s–1 B 2.3 m s–1 C 2.5 m s–1 D 3.4 m s–1
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
Q18 · The total energy supplied to an electric motor is E
18 The total energy supplied to an electric motor is E. Energy Q is wasted and the remaining energy does useful work. What is the efficiency of the motor? Q Q Q ( 1 – ) Q A B – 1 C 1 – D E E E E
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · An object travels between two points
19 An object travels between two points. The change in gravitational potential energy Ep of the object is given by Ep = mgh where m is the mass of the object, h is its change in height and g is the acceleration of free fall. What is a necessary condition in order for the above equation to be valid? A The object must have a constant acceleration of 9.81 m s–2. B The object must be travelling in a uniform gravitational field. C The object must be travelling only in a vertical direction. D The resultant force on the object must be equal to its weight.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · A cylindrical steel rod with negligible weight has a diameter of 1.5 cm and a length of…
20 A cylindrical steel rod with negligible weight has a diameter of 1.5 cm and a length of 5.2 cm. The rod is firmly attached at the top end. The rod is firmly attached to a machine at the other end that applies a constant force of 363 N to the rod. This causes the rod to extend to a length of 7.4 cm and to have a minimum diameter of 0.60 cm in the position shown. unextended rod extended rod 5.2 cm minimum 7.4 cm diameter of 0.60 cm 1.5 cm What is the maximum stress acting on the steel rod when the length is 7.4 cm? A 2.1 106 Pa B 3.2 106 Pa C 5.7 106 Pa D 1.3 107 Pa
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The graph shows the variation in extension with force for a sample of rubber
21 The graph shows the variation in extension with force for a sample of rubber. force is force applied force is removed 0 0 extension The top line shows the variation in extension as a force is applied. The bottom line shows the variation in extension as the force is removed. What is represented by the area between the two lines? A the work done as the force is applied B the work done as the force is applied minus the work done as the force is removed C the work done as the force is removed D the work done as the force is removed plus the work done as the force is applied
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Two identical springs have the same spring constant k
22 Two identical springs have the same spring constant k. The springs are connected in parallel. The length of the unstretched springs is x. A force F is applied to the spring combination. The length of the springs is now y. x y F Both springs are deformed within their limits of proportionality. Which expression gives the elastic potential energy stored in one of the springs? A 1 F ( y – x ) B 1 F ( y – x ) C 1 k ( y – x ) 2 D k(y – x)2 4 2 4
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · Which expression gives the formula for the spring constant?
23 Which expression gives the formula for the spring constant? 2Fx 2 F F A Fx B C D x x 2
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · A transverse progressive wave travels along a string
24 A transverse progressive wave travels along a string. The graph shows the variation with distance of the displacement of the string at time t = 0. direction of travel of the wave displacement P 0 0 distance Which graph represents the variation with time of the velocity of point P on the string? A B velocity velocity 0 0 0 time 0 time C D velocity velocity 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · Which statement about electromagnetic waves is correct?
25 Which statement about electromagnetic waves is correct? A A wave of wavelength 5.0 10–6 m is invisible to the human eye. B They can all travel at different speeds in free space. C They cannot be polarised. D They consist of vibrating atoms.
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · For a progressive transverse wave, what describes the term diffraction?
26 For a progressive transverse wave, what describes the term diffraction? A the change in observed frequency of a wave due to a movement of the wave source B the spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap or around an obstacle C when oscillations of a wave are confined to one plane D the resultant displacement of two waves is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves when the waves meet
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · An aircraft flies at a velocity vs directly away from a stationary observer
27 An aircraft flies at a velocity vs directly away from a stationary observer. The aircraft emits a sound of constant frequency. The speed of sound in air is v. The frequency of the sound heard by the observer on the ground is 500 Hz. The speed of the aircraft is increased so that it flies away from the observer at a greater velocity. The observer now hears a sound of frequency 250 Hz. Which expression gives the new velocity of the aircraft? v + v A 2(v + vs) B s C 2vs + v D 2vs – v 2
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · What may be observed with light waves but not with sound waves?
28 What may be observed with light waves but not with sound waves? A diffraction B interference C polarisation D reflection
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · A wire is fixed at both ends and is vibrated by a source of frequency f
29 A wire is fixed at both ends and is vibrated by a source of frequency f. A stationary wave is formed on the wire with a total of two antinodes. The frequency of the source is increased to 3f and a new stationary wave is formed. What is the total number of antinodes on the new wave? A 4 B 5 C 6 D 9
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · A parallel beam of red light of wavelength 700 nm is incident normally on a diffraction…
30 A parallel beam of red light of wavelength 700 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating that has 400 lines per millimetre. What is the total number of intensity maxima from the grating? A 6 B 7 C 8 D 9
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · Two light sources are used to produce an interference pattern
31 Two light sources are used to produce an interference pattern. Interference fringes appear when the two sources emit waves that are coherent. What is meant by coherent waves? A The two waves are emitted with the same frequency. B The two waves are emitted with constant phase difference. C The two waves are emitted with the same intensity. D The two waves are emitted with zero phase difference.
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which component has the I–V graph shown?
32 Which component has the I–V graph shown? I 0 0 V A filament lamp B metallic conductor at constant temperature C resistor of fixed resistance D semiconductor diode
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · The diagram shows an electrical circuit containing a light-dependent resistor (LDR)
33 The diagram shows an electrical circuit containing a light-dependent resistor (LDR). power supply potentiometer ammeter 4 8 12 16 0 20 A LDR What is the circuit diagram for this circuit? A B A A C D A A
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · A copper wire of length 2 m has a circular cross-section
34 A copper wire of length 2 m has a circular cross-section. There is a constant current in the wire when it is connected to a mobile phone in order to charge the battery. The wire has a fault. A 1 m length of the wire has half the diameter of the other 1 m length. The power dissipated in the thicker length of wire is P. What is the power dissipated in the thinner length of wire? A 1 P B 1 P C 2P D 4P 4 2
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · A wire carries a current of 5.6 A
35 A wire carries a current of 5.6 A. What is the number of conduction electrons that pass a point on the wire in a time of 20 s? A 1.8 1018 B 2.2 1019 C 3.5 1019 D 7.0 1020
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · Four resistors of resistance R, 2R, 3R and 4R are connected to form a network
36 Four resistors of resistance R, 2R, 3R and 4R are connected to form a network. A battery of negligible internal resistance and a voltmeter are connected to the resistor network as shown. 3R 4R V 2R R The voltmeter reading is 2 V. What is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery? A 2 V B 4 V C 6 V D 10 V
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The circuit diagram shows a battery with internal resistance r, two resistors, a switch…
37 The circuit diagram shows a battery with internal resistance r, two resistors, a switch and a voltmeter. The switch is open. r V The switch is now closed. What happens to the current in the battery, and what happens to the reading on the voltmeter, when the switch is closed? current in battery reading on voltmeter A increases decreases B increases remains the same C remains the same decreases D remains the same remains the same
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · What is the correct equation for + decay?
38 What is the correct equation for + decay? A neutron proton + electron + electron antineutrino B neutron proton + electron + electron neutrino C proton neutron + positron + electron antineutrino D proton neutron + positron + electron neutrino
Mark scheme: D
Q39 · A nucleus of polonium, 214 Po, decays by emitting an -particle to become a nucleus of…
39 A nucleus of polonium, 214 Po, decays by emitting an -particle to become a nucleus of lead. 84 The nucleus of lead is also unstable and decays by emitting a – particle to form a nucleus of bismuth which then decays by emitting a – particle to produce a nucleus X. What is the number of neutrons in nucleus X? A 126 B 128 C 130 D 210
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · Which combination of three quarks has no overall charge?
40 Which combination of three quarks has no overall charge? A down, strange, strange B up, charm, strange C up, charm, top D up, down, strange
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.
3Equations of motion3Linear momentum and its conservation3Density and pressure2Energy conservation2Equilibrium of forces2Errors and uncertainties2Physical quantities2Resistance and resistivity2Atoms, nuclei and radiation1Diffraction1Doppler effect for sound waves1Electric current1Electromagnetic spectrum1Fundamental particles1Gravitational field1Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy1Interference1Kirchhoff’s laws1Polarisation1Potential dividers1Practical circuits1Progressive waves1Radioactive decay1Stationary waves1Stress and strain1The diffraction grating1Turning effects of forces1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2025 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 4. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.