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Learn Extracted exam questions A-Level Physics 9702 Physics June 2025 Question Paper 42

9702 Physics June 2025 Question Paper 42

Source PDF on the left, extracted YAML on the right. Compare numbering, marks, options and text.

1 short_answer p. 4
1a 1 mark short_answer p. 4 12.1

Define the radian.

1b short_answer p. 4

The rear wheel and the pedals of a bicycle are connected by a chain that passes around two cogs (toothed wheels), as shown in Fig. 1.1.

The small cog has a radius of $0.038\text{ m}$ and is fixed to the rear wheel so that it rotates with it. The large cog has a radius of $0.15\text{ m}$ and is fixed to the pedals so that it rotates with them. The rear wheel has a radius of $0.46\text{ m}$.

The bicycle is being pedalled so that it moves in a straight line at a constant speed of $17\text{ m}\,\text{s}^{-1}$.

1bi 2 marks calculation p. 4 12.1

Calculate the angular speed of the rear wheel.

angular speed = \hrulefill $\text{rad}\,\text{s}^{-1}$

1bii 2 marks calculation p. 5 12.1

Calculate the period of rotation of the small cog.

period = \hrulefill s

1biii 1 mark calculation p. 5 12.1

Show that the distance moved by point X on the chain during one full rotation of the small cog is $0.24\text{ m}$.

1biv 2 marks calculation p. 5 12.1

Use the information in \textbf{(b)(iii)} to determine the angle through which the large cog rotates during one full rotation of the small cog.

angle = \hrulefill rad

1c 2 marks long_answer p. 5 12.1

The chain of the bicycle in \textbf{(b)} is moved onto a smaller cog fixed to the rear wheel. The speed of the bicycle does not change.

Explain, without calculation, the effect of this change on the angular speed of the pedals.

2 short_answer p. 6
(no root text)
2ai 2 marks short_answer p. 6 13.1

State what is represented by a gravitational field line.

2aii 2 marks short_answer p. 6 13.1

The Earth may be considered as a uniform sphere, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

On Fig. 2.1, draw field lines to represent the Earth’s gravitational field outside the Earth.

2b short_answer p. 6

The Earth’s magnetic field may be considered as being due to the Earth acting as a long solenoid, as shown in Fig. 2.2.

The magnetic poles do not align with the geographic poles, which are on the axis of rotation.

2bi 1 mark short_answer p. 7 20.4

Fig. 2.3 is a copy of Fig. 2.2 without the labels but with two magnetic field lines shown.

On Fig. 2.3, label the magnetic poles with the letters N and S to indicate which one is the magnetic N pole and which one is the magnetic S pole.

2bii 2 marks short_answer p. 7 20.1

On Fig. 2.3, draw field lines to represent the Earth’s magnetic field outside the Earth.

2c short_answer p. 7

An observer moves around the surface of the Earth.

2ci 2 marks long_answer p. 7 13.3

Use your answer in (a)(ii) to explain why the observed gravitational field of the Earth does not vary around the surface.

2cii 3 marks long_answer p. 7 20.1

With reference to your answer in (b)(ii), describe how the observed magnetic field of the Earth varies around the surface.

3 short_answer p. 8
3a 2 marks short_answer p. 8 14.3

Define specific heat capacity.

3b short_answer p. 8

A block of aluminium has a volume of $3.612 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m}^3$ at a temperature of $0\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Aluminium has a density of $2.700 \times 10^3 \text{ kg m}^{-3}$ at $0\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$. It has a density of $2.620 \times 10^3 \text{ kg m}^{-3}$ at $500\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$.

The block is heated so that its temperature increases from $0\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $500\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$ at an atmospheric pressure of $1.01 \times 10^5 \text{ Pa}$. The increase in internal energy of the block is $4.38 \text{ MJ}$.

3bi 2 marks calculation p. 8 4.3

Calculate the mass of the block.

mass = \hrulefill kg

3bii 1 mark calculation p. 8 4.3

Show that the volume of the block at a temperature of $500\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$ is $3.722 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m}^3$.

3biii 2 marks calculation p. 8 16.2

Use the information in \textbf{(b)(ii)} to determine the magnitude of the work done on the block when its temperature is raised from $0\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $500\text{ }^{\circ}\text{C}$.

work done = \hrulefill J

3biv 2 marks long_answer p. 9 16.2

Explain whether the work done on the block is positive or negative.

3bv 3 marks calculation p. 9 14.316.2

Use the first law of thermodynamics to determine, to three significant figures, a value for the specific heat capacity of aluminium. Explain your reasoning. Give a unit with your answer.

specific heat capacity = \hrulefill \quad \text{unit} \quad \hrulefill

3c 1 mark short_answer p. 9 15.2

Without further calculation, suggest with a reason how doubling the pressure in \textbf{(b)} is likely to affect the answer in \textbf{(b)(v)}.

4 short_answer p. 10
4a short_answer p. 10

The equation of state for an ideal gas may be written as

$$pVA = NBT$$

where $p$ is the pressure of the gas, $V$ is the volume of the gas, $A$ is the Avogadro constant, $B$ is another constant and $N$ is the number of molecules of the gas.

4ai 1 mark short_answer p. 10 15.2

State the meaning, in the equation, of the symbol $T$.

4aii 1 mark short_answer p. 10 15.2

Identify the constant $B$.

4b short_answer p. 10

The product $pV$ for an ideal gas is also given by

$$pV = \frac{1}{3} Nm \langle c^2 \rangle$$
4bi 2 marks short_answer p. 10 15.3

State the meanings, in this equation, of the symbols $m$ and $\langle c^2 \rangle$.

$m$: \hrulefill

$\langle c^2 \rangle$: \hrulefill

4bii 2 marks calculation p. 10 15.3

Use the equations in (a) and (b) to derive an expression, in terms of $A$, $B$ and $T$, for the mean kinetic energy $E_{\text{K}}$ of a molecule of the gas.

$E_{\text{K}} =$ \hrulefill

4c 2 marks short_answer p. 11 15.3

On Fig. 4.1, sketch the variation with $T$ of the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) speed of the molecules of an ideal gas.

5 short_answer p. 12
5a 2 marks short_answer p. 12 17.1

State what is meant by simple harmonic motion.

5b short_answer p. 12

A block is suspended by a spring. The block oscillates vertically with simple harmonic motion.

The velocity $v$ of the block varies with time $t$ according to

$$v = 0.56 \cos 16t$$

where $v$ is in $\text{ms}^{-1}$ and $t$ is in $\text{s}$.

5bi 1 mark calculation p. 12 17.1

Calculate the period of the oscillation.

period = \hrulefill $\text{s}$

5bii 2 marks calculation p. 12 17.1

Determine the amplitude $x_0$ of the oscillation.

$x_0$ = \hrulefill $\text{m}$

5biii 1 mark calculation p. 12 17.1

Use your answer in (b)(ii) to determine the equation for $v$ in terms of the displacement $x$ of the block, where $v$ is in $\text{ms}^{-1}$ and $x$ is in $\text{m}$.

$v$ = \hrulefill

5biv 3 marks short_answer p. 13 17.1

On Fig. 5.1, sketch the variation of $v$ with $x$.

6 short_answer p. 14

Two parallel metal plates X and Y are separated by a distance of $0.041 \text{ m}$, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

There is a vacuum between the plates. An electron is at rest at the centre of plate X.

A potential difference (p.d.) of $58 \text{ kV}$ is applied across the plates. This causes the electron to accelerate towards plate Y.

6a 1 mark short_answer p. 14 18.2

On Fig. 6.1, use the symbols $+$ and $-$ to indicate which of plates X and Y is the positive plate and which is the negative plate.

6b short_answer p. 14
6bi 2 marks calculation p. 14 18.2

Calculate the electric field strength $E$ between the plates. Give a unit with your answer.

$E = \hrulefill \text{ unit } \hrulefill$

6bii 2 marks calculation p. 14 18.2

Determine the acceleration of the electron.

$\text{acceleration} = \hrulefill \text{ m}\,\text{s}^{-2}$

6c short_answer p. 15

Many electrons are now accelerated from rest from plate X to plate Y in Fig. 6.1. When the electrons hit plate Y, the absorption of their kinetic energies results in the emission of electromagnetic waves.

6ci 3 marks calculation p. 15 24.2

Show that the minimum wavelength of these electromagnetic waves is $21\text{ pm}$.

6cii 1 mark short_answer p. 15 7.4

State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that contains these waves.

6ciii 2 marks long_answer p. 15 24.2

Explain how these electromagnetic waves may be used to form images of internal body structures.

7 short_answer p. 16

Fig. 7.1 shows a circuit containing a capacitor of capacitance $C$ and a resistor of resistance $R$.

Initially, the switch is open and the potential difference (p.d.) across the capacitor is $12\text{ V}$.

The switch is closed at time $t = 0$ and the capacitor discharges through the resistor.

Fig. 7.2 shows the variation of the charge $Q$ on the capacitor with the p.d. $V_C$ across the capacitor as the capacitor discharges. Fig. 7.3 shows the variation of the current $I$ in the resistor with the p.d. $V_R$ across the resistor as the capacitor discharges.

7a 1 mark short_answer p. 16 19.3

State the relationship between $V_C$ and $V_R$.

7b short_answer p. 16

Determine:

7bi 2 marks calculation p. 16 19.1

the capacitance $C$, in $\mu\text{F}$

$C =$ \hrulefill $\mu\text{F}$

7bii 2 marks calculation p. 17 19.3

the resistance $R$, in $\text{k}\Omega$

$R = \hrulefill \text{ k}\Omega$

7biii 2 marks calculation p. 17 19.3

the time constant $\tau$ of the circuit.

$\tau = \hrulefill \text{ s}$

7c 3 marks long_answer p. 17 19.3

Use Fig. 7.2, Fig. 7.3 and your answer in (a) to explain why the variation of $Q$ with $t$ is exponential in nature.

8 short_answer p. 18

Fig. 8.1 shows a circuit that produces rectification of an alternating input voltage.

The input voltage $V_{\text{IN}}$ is sinusoidal. The rectified output voltage $V_{\text{OUT}}$ is applied across resistor R.

The variation of $V_{\text{IN}}$ with time $t$ has amplitude $V_0$ and period $T$, as shown in Fig. 8.2.

The root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of $V_{\text{IN}}$ is 6.0 V.

8ai 1 mark short_answer p. 18 21.2

State the type of rectification produced by the circuit of Fig. 8.1.

8aii 1 mark calculation p. 18 21.1

Calculate $V_0$.

$V_0 = \hrulefill \text{ V}$

8b short_answer p. 19

Resistor R has resistance $45\,\Omega$.

Assume that there is no p.d. across the diode when it is conducting.

8bi 2 marks calculation p. 19 21.1

Determine the peak power $P_0$ in the resistor.

$P_0 =$ \hrulefill W

8bii 3 marks short_answer p. 19 21.121.2

On Fig. 8.3, sketch the variation of the power $P$ in the resistor with $t$ between $t = 0$ and $t = 2T$.

8biii 2 marks long_answer p. 19 21.1

Use the answer in \textbf{(b)(ii)} to explain why the mean power in the resistor is $\frac{1}{4} P_0$.

8biv 1 mark calculation p. 19 21.1

Use the information in \textbf{(b)(iii)} to determine the r.m.s. value of $V_{\text{OUT}}$.

r.m.s. voltage = \hrulefill V

9 short_answer p. 20
9a 2 marks short_answer p. 20 22.2

State what is meant by the photoelectric effect.

9b short_answer p. 20

The photoelectric effect is investigated in two stages using the circuit shown in Fig. 9.1.

The polished metal plate Y is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation of frequency $f$ and constant power.

In stage 1 of the investigation, frequency $f$ is set to a constant value of $2.5 \times 10^{15}\text{ Hz}$. The current $I$ in the ammeter is varied by adjusting the potentiometer P. Fig. 9.2 shows the variation of $I$ with the voltmeter reading $V$. There is a value $V_{\text{S}}$ of $V$ at which the current just falls to zero.

In stage 2 of the investigation, stage 1 is repeated for different values of frequency. As frequency $f$ is varied, the voltmeter reading $V_{\text{S}}$ at which the current just falls to zero is measured. Fig. 9.3 shows the variation of $V_{\text{S}}$ with $f$.

9bi 3 marks long_answer p. 21 22.2

Explain, with reference to photons, why $V_{\text{S}}$ depends on the frequency of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

9bii 3 marks long_answer p. 21 22.2

State \textbf{three} quantitative conclusions that can be drawn from the results in Fig. 9.2 and Fig. 9.3. Use the space for any working.

  1. \hrulefill
  2. \hrulefill
  3. \hrulefill
10 short_answer p. 22

Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process.

10a 1 mark short_answer p. 22 23.2

State the meaning, in this context, of the term spontaneous.

10b short_answer p. 22

Two radioactive isotopes X and Y each decay to form a stable isotope. A sample initially contains only atoms of isotope X. At this time, its activity is $4A$. Another sample initially contains only atoms of Y. At this time, its activity is $A$.

Fig. 10.1 shows the variation of the activity of each sample with time $t$ between $t = 0$ and $t = 6T$.

10bi 3 marks short_answer p. 22 23.2

Complete Table 10.1 to give expressions, in terms of either or both of $A$ and $T$, for the quantities indicated for each of the samples.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline sample & half-life & decay constant & initial activity & initial number of nuclei \ \hline X & & & $4A$ & \ \hline Y & & & $A$ & \ \hline \end{tabular}

10bii 3 marks calculation p. 23 23.2

Determine, in terms of $T$, the time at which the two samples will have equal activities.

time = \hrulefill $T$

10c 2 marks long_answer p. 23 23.2

A radiation detector is placed near to one of the samples in (b).

Explain why the count rate measured by the detector is less than the activity of the sample.

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