Thin lenses: past paper questions
Real questions on thin lenses
The newest 20 of 77 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(ii)[1]
(ii) On Figure 7.2, draw another ray from the top of O and continue the ray until it crosses the path of the ray in Figure 7.2. [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iii)[1]
(iii) +The converging lens forms an image of object O. On Figure 7.2, draw an arrow to represent the image of O and label it I. [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(iv)[1]
(iv) On Figure 7.2, indicate one principal focus for the converging lens. Indicate the principal focus by writing an F. [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[3]
6 (a) Complete the definition of the ‘principal focus’ of a lens. principal focus lens point principal axis where ..........
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[3]
Figure 6.1 is a full-scale diagram of a converging lens and an object O. q'Y | | | | 1: yi yoy | | | | | 00S ee ee ee 2 oO F | F principal axis \oi if \ if iy | | | \i/ Figure 6.1 The two points labelled F show the positions of the focal points. On Figure 6.1, draw two rays to locate the position of the image. Label th...
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[1]
(a) Measure the height h, of the illuminated object in Figure 3.2. Give your answer in centimetres to the nearest millimetre. Include the unit. Ng Fetes UNIt ee [2]
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[1]
On Figure 3.1, measure the distance v between the centre of the lens and the screen.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(i)[1]
Use the information on Fig. 6.2 to determine the focal length of the lens. focal length of lens = cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(ii)[2]
State two characteristics of the image in Fig. 6.2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(iii)[1]
The object is moved so that it is 6 cm to the left of the lens. State one characteristic of the image formed when the object is in this position.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(i)[1]
1-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6b(ii)[1]
A lens is used to correct the long-sightedness. Draw a lens suitable for this correction. lens to correct long-sightedness
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
On Fig. 3.1, measure, to the nearest 0.1 cm, the object distance x from the centre of the lens to the illuminated object. x = cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Fig. 3.1 is drawn to a scale of one-fifth full size. Calculate the actual object distance X. X = cm (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
Fig. 3.2 shows the illuminated object. illuminated object image On Fig. 3.2, draw a diminished, inverted image in the space provided.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Calculate the value d = (Y – X). d = cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[2]
The focal length f of the lens can be found using the equation: f = (D 2 – d 2 ) . 4D Use the value of D from (a) and d from (b)(ii) to calculate a value f 1 for the focal length of the lens. Give your answer to 3 significant figures. f 1 = cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3d[1]
The student repeats the procedure in (a) and (b) for an object to screen distance D = 100.0 cm. The student records the values of X, Y and d. 18.1 cm X = 81.8 cm Y = Calculate a second value f 2 for the focal length of the lens using the equation in (c). f 2 = cm 63.7 cm d =
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3e[1]
statement Support your statement with a calculation. State whether your values of f 1 and f 2 from (c) and (d) can be considered equal. (e) Two quantities can be considered to be equal within the limits of experimental accuracy if their values are within 10% of each other.
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2025 · Q3f(i)[1]
State one technique to use when doing this type of experiment to ensure that the image on the screen is focused as clearly as possible.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates lacked a clear understanding of what is meant by ‘focal length’. Some candidates gave a correct answer of 20 cm but almost every possible combination of distances was seen in other answers. The most common incorrect values were 36 cm and 56 cm.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q6(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates successfully chose two correct characteristics, and all three possible answers were seen. Some candidates gave one or two incorrect answers, and sometimes contradictions were seen. The most common contradiction was to say ‘real’ and ‘virtual’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q6(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates used optics terminology correctly. Incorrect responses included virtual, enlarged or diminished.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/42 Q6(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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