Physical quantities: past paper questions
Real questions on physical quantities
The newest 20 of 100 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[2]
The scientists take measurements of several physical quantities at each location. Complete Table 1.1 by stating the SI base unit for each quantity and identifying with a tick (3) whether each quantity is a scalar or a vector. Use the space for any working. Table 1.1 quantity measured scalar SI base unit vector air temp...
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(i)[2]
At one location, the density of the air is 1.1 kg m –3 . A spherical weather balloon is filled with a gas and released from rest. The balloon has radius 0.90 m. Calculate the upthrust acting on the balloon when it is released. upthrust = N
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Explain why an upthrust acts on the balloon.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(iii)[3]
The balloon has weight 19 N. Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the balloon. acceleration = m s –2
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[1]
A graph is plotted of lg T on the y‑axis against lg r on the x‑axis. Determine expressions for the gradient and y‑intercept. gradient =
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
Values of r and T are given for different moons in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 r / 10 8 m T / 10 3 s Pandora 1.42 52 ± 5 Mimas 1.86 81 ± 5 Enceladus 2.38 120 ± 10 Tethys 2.95 170 ± 10 Dione 3.77 240 ± 20 Rhea 5.28 390 ± 30 lg (r / 10 8 m) lg (T / 10 3 s) moon Calculate and record values of lg (r / 10 8 m) and lg (T / 10 3 s)...
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(i)[2]
Plot a graph of lg (T / 10 3 s) against lg (r / 10 8 m). Include error bars for lg (T / 10 3 s).
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[2]
Draw the straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line on your graph. Label both lines. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iii)[2]
Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your answer. gradient = 2.7 2.6 lg (T / 10 3 s) 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.5 2.1 1.9 2.0 1.6 0.1 1.8 1.7 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 lg (r / 10 8 m)
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iv)[2]
y‑intercept = Determine the y‑intercept of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your answer. (iv)
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[1]
Using your answers to (a), (c)(iii) and (c)(iv), determine the values of n and k. Include the absolute uncertainties in n and k. You need not be concerned with units. n =
See it on the paper → - 9702/52 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[1]
Titan is another moon of Saturn. The orbit of Titan has a period of 1.38 × 10 6 s. Determine the value of r for Titan. r = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
Define the radian.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
Calculate the mass of the block. mass = kg (i)
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Show that the volume of the block at a temperature of 500 °C is 3.722 × 10 –3 m 3 .
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(iii)[2]
Use the information in (b)(ii) to determine the magnitude of the work done on the block when its temperature is raised from 0 °C to 500 °C. work done = J
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(iv)[2]
Explain whether the work done on the block is positive or negative.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(v)[3]
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 = unit
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[1]
Without further calculation, suggest with a reason how doubling the pressure in (b) is likely to affect the answer in (b)(v).
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
State the meaning, in the equation, of the symbol T.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Stronger candidates found this straightforward. Most candidates realised that they could use I = nAqv, but the substitution often proved challenging. The most common mistake was to substitute the total number of charge carriers instead of the number density of charge carriers. Another mistake was to substitute the total charge of all the charge carriers in the wire instead of the charge of a singl...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q6(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates realised that the graph line would start from a non-zero value of average drift speed when the distance from X was zero. However, a common misconception was that the average drift speed of the charge carriers would then decrease as the distance from X increased. Although a significant number of candidates realised that the graph line would have a positive gradient, it was usually d...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q6(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question was generally well-answered, with many candidates successfully calculating the correct answer.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/42 Q6(b) (Cambridge)
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