A Level Physics 9702 Paper 12, May/June 2026

Which row correctly identifies scalar and vector quantities?

What are the base units for intensity? A ${\text{kg s}}^{-3}$ B $\text{kg s}$ C ${\text{kg m}}^2{\text{s}}^{-3}$ D ${\text{kg m}}^4{\text{s}}^{-3}$

Three coplanar forces, $P$, $Q$ and $R$, act at a point. The three forces are in equilibrium. The magnitude of $P$ is increased by 10%. The directions of the forces are unchanged. Which percentage increase, if any, is required to the magnitudes of $Q$ and $R$ for the forces to be once again in equilibrium?

A metal rod is exactly 62.00 cm long. The length of the rod is measured using two different devices, X and Y. The reading on device X is 61.5 cm. The reading on device Y is 62.65 cm. Which device gives the more precise reading for the length, and which device gives the more accurate reading for the length?

One object moves directly from P to R. In a shorter time, a second object moves from P to Q to R. Which statement about the two objects is correct for the journey from P to R? A They have the same average speed. B They have the same average velocity. C They have the same displacement. D They travel the same distance.

A small glider moves along a horizontal air track as shown. At each end of the air track, the glider has a perfectly elastic collision with a fixed buffer. The glider moves at a constant speed between collisions. Which graph represents the variation with time $t$ of the velocity $v$ of the glider as it moves between the two buffers? A B C D

The diagram shows an arrangement to stop trains that are travelling too fast. Trains coming from the left travel at a speed of $50{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. At marker 1, the driver must apply the brakes so that the train decelerates uniformly in order to pass marker 2 at no more than $10{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. The train carries a detector that notes the times when the train passes each marker and will apply an emergency brake if the time between passing marker 1 and marker 2 is less than $20\text{ s}$. How far from marker 2 should marker 1 be placed? A $200\text{ m}$ B $400\text{ m}$ C $500\text{ m}$ D $600\text{ m}$

An experiment is performed to measure the acceleration of free fall $g$. A body falls between two fixed points. Four measurements are taken. Which measurement is not required for the calculation of $g$? A the distance fallen by the body B the initial velocity of the body C the mass of the body D the time taken for the body to fall

What is the definition of linear momentum? A force per unit time B mass per unit velocity C product of force and time D product of mass and velocity

A hollow steel object is dropped from rest in air. The object reaches a terminal velocity $v$ before hitting the ground. Which change results in an increase in the terminal velocity? A Drop a solid steel object of the same dimensions from the same height. B Drop the object from a greater height. C Throw the object downwards from the same height with an initial velocity $0.5v$. D Throw the object upwards from the same height with an initial velocity $0.5v$.

A bowling ball of mass $4.50\text{ kg}$ falls a short distance vertically into a tray of sand. The bowling ball decelerates uniformly in the sand. The deceleration of the bowling ball when it is in contact with the sand is $8.00\times {10}^2{\text{ m s}}^{-2}$. What is the magnitude of the force exerted on the bowling ball by the sand as it decelerates? A $44.1\text{ N}$ B $3560\text{ N}$ C $3600\text{ N}$ D $3640\text{ N}$

Which statement is not a requirement of a pair of forces that obey Newton’s third law of motion? A The forces act in opposite directions. B The forces act on different objects. C The forces act on objects in contact. D The forces are of equal magnitude.

A hydrometer is a device for measuring the density of liquids. It consists of a weighted bulb at the bottom of a calibrated tube. The hydrometer is floating in a liquid at room temperature. The length of the tube above the level of the liquid is $h$. Which change causes $h$ to decrease? A adding more liquid into the cylinder B decreasing the density of the liquid C increasing the air pressure above the liquid D increasing the density of the liquid

Torque is the result of a pair of forces acting to cause a turning effect. Torque is calculated as the product of force and distance. Which row gives the correct description of the force and the distance used to calculate the torque of a couple?

The density of paper is $800{\text{ kg m}}^{-3}$. A typical sheet of paper has a width of $210\text{ mm}$ and a length of $300\text{ mm}$. The thickness of a pack of 500 sheets of paper is $50\text{ mm}$. What is the mass of a single sheet of paper? A $0.5\text{ g}$ B $5\text{ g}$ C $50\text{ g}$ D $500\text{ g}$

Which statement about equilibrium is correct? A If a system is in equilibrium then there must be no forces acting on it. B If a system is in equilibrium then there must be no resultant torque on it. C If there are no moments due to forces acting on a system then it must be in equilibrium. D If there is no resultant force acting on a system then it must be in equilibrium.

An object of weight $3.0\text{ N}$ is moved vertically at a constant velocity $v$ by an electric motor. The electric motor has an efficiency of 25%. The object travels a vertical distance of $1.2\text{ m}$ in $3.0\text{ s}$. Assume that the useful output energy of the motor is equal to the increase in gravitational potential energy of the object. What is the electric power supplied to the motor? A $0.3\text{ W}$ B $1.2\text{ W}$ C $4.8\text{ W}$ D $30\text{ W}$

An alpha particle has $2.2\times {10}^{-13}\text{ J}$ of kinetic energy. What is the speed of the alpha particle? A $4.1\times {10}^6{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ B $5.8\times {10}^6{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ C $8.1\times {10}^6{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ D $1.2\times {10}^7{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$

An initially unstretched spring is stretched within its limit of proportionality to a length of $80\text{ mm}$. The work done stretching the spring is $0.010\text{ J}$. The spring constant of the spring is $22.5{\text{ N m}}^{-1}$. What is the unstretched length of the spring? A $30\text{ mm}$ B $50\text{ mm}$ C $60\text{ mm}$ D $110\text{ mm}$

What is meant by elastic deformation of a wire under tension? A deformation for which the elastic potential energy is proportional to the extension B deformation for which the extension is proportional to the tensile force C deformation for which the extension remains constant as the tensile force is removed D deformation for which the extension returns to zero when the tensile force is removed

The graph shows the variation of force with extension for a metal object deformed within its limit of proportionality. What does the shaded area represent? A the elastic limit of the object B the elastic potential energy stored in the object at an extension of $P$ C the spring constant of the object D the Young modulus of the metal at an extension of $P$

What is the order of these principal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum from shortest to longest wavelength? A infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation B ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, visible light C ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation D visible light, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation

The graph shows the displacement of each particle in a transverse wave against distance at one instant in time. The speed of the wave is $1.6{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. What is the frequency of the wave? A $0.050\text{ Hz}$ B $0.080\text{ Hz}$ C $5.0\text{ Hz}$ D $8.0\text{ Hz}$

The siren on an emergency vehicle emits a sound of constant frequency $1100\text{ Hz}$. The driver in a stationary car hears the sound at a frequency of $1000\text{ Hz}$. The speed of sound in air is $340{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. What is the velocity of the emergency vehicle? A $31{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ away from the stationary car B $34{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ away from the stationary car C $31{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ towards the stationary car D $34{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ towards the stationary car

A source of sound of constant power $P$ is situated in an open space. The intensity $I$ of sound at distance $r$ from this source is given by the equation shown. $$I=\frac{P}{4\pi r^2}$$ How does the amplitude $a$ of the vibrating air molecules vary with the distance $r$ from the source? A $a\propto \frac{1}{r}$ B $a\propto \frac{1}{r^2}$ C $a\propto r$ D $a\propto r^2$

Water waves diffract as they pass through a gap. Which combination produces the greatest amount of diffraction?

The diagram shows a beam of light of wavelength ${\lambda }_{\text{X}}$ that is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The diagram shows only the second-order intensity maxima that are produced at an angle of 45° to the direction of the incident beam of light. A replacement beam of light of a different wavelength ${\lambda }_{\text{Y}}$ is now incident normally on the diffraction grating. This new wavelength also produces intensity maxima that are at an angle of 45° to the direction of the incident beam of light. What is a possible value of the ratio $\frac{{\lambda }_{\text{X}}}{{\lambda }_{\text{Y}}}$? A 0.25 B 0.75 C 1.25 D 1.50

A stationary sound wave is formed in a tube of length $L$ that is closed at one end. The diagram shows the positions of the nodes and antinodes of the stationary wave. Which graph shows the variation of the amplitude $a$ of the wave with distance $x$ measured from the closed end of the tube? A B C D

Waves are emitted by two coherent sources. The two waves meet at point X where they have a constant phase difference of 180°. At point X, the amplitude of one of the waves is $0.50\text{ m}$ and the amplitude of the other wave is $0.30\text{ m}$. The waves superpose. What is the amplitude of the resultant wave at point X? A $0\text{ m}$ B $0.20\text{ m}$ C $0.40\text{ m}$ D $0.80\text{ m}$

There is a current in a resistor for an unknown time. Which two quantities can be used to calculate the energy dissipated by the resistor? A the current in the resistor and the potential difference across the resistor B the resistance of the resistor and the current in the resistor C the total charge passing through the resistor and the potential difference across the resistor D the total charge passing through the resistor and the resistance of the resistor

The diagram shows a metal block. The block has sides of length $a$, $b$ and $c$ as shown, and its volume is $V$. Each charge carrier has a charge $-q$ and the number density of the charge carriers in the metal is $n$. It takes each charge carrier an average time of $t$ to pass through the block. What is an expression for the current $I$? A $I=nqabc$ B $I=\frac{nqV}{t}$ C $I=\frac{nqbc}{t}$ D $I=nqaV$

An electrical component is connected into a circuit. Which component and which change causes an increase in the resistance of the component?

A metal wire with circular cross-section has length $L$ and diameter $d$. The resistance of the wire is $R$. The wire is now melted and reformed into a new wire of diameter $0.50d$. The volume of the wire is unchanged. What is the resistance of the new wire? A $R$ B $2R$ C $4R$ D $16R$

A battery with internal resistance is connected by wires to an external resistor. Which statement describes the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the battery? A It is the energy transferred per unit charge in driving charge through a connecting wire. B It is the energy transferred per unit charge in driving charge through the complete circuit. C It is the energy transferred per unit charge in driving charge through the external resistor. D It is the energy transferred per unit charge in driving charge through the internal resistance.

The diagram shows a circuit with a battery connected to a resistor with a resistance of $4.0\mathrm{\Omega }$. The battery has an internal resistance of $2.0\mathrm{\Omega }$. The voltmeter reads $12\text{ V}$. A second resistor of resistance $4.0\mathrm{\Omega }$ is connected in parallel to the first resistor. What is the new reading on the voltmeter? A $6.0\text{ V}$ B $9.0\text{ V}$ C $12\text{ V}$ D $24\text{ V}$

Kirchhoff’s first and second laws are a consequence of the conservation of different quantities. What are those quantities?

A battery of electromotive force (e.m.f.) $18.0\text{ V}$ and negligible internal resistance is connected to a network of three fixed resistors as shown. The current in the battery is $0.108\text{ A}$. What is the resistance of resistor X? A $125\mathrm{\Omega }$ B $167\mathrm{\Omega }$ C $250\mathrm{\Omega }$ D $500\mathrm{\Omega }$

A nucleus P undergoes ${\beta }^{+}$ decay, becoming nucleus Q and emitting two particles X and Y as shown. $$\text{P}\to \text{Q}+\text{X}+\text{Y}$$ Which two particles are X and Y? A electron and antineutrino B electron and neutrino C positron and antineutrino D positron and neutrino

Which particle is a lepton? A neutrino B proton C strange antiquark D up quark

A nucleus decays in a series of stages. At each stage, an $\alpha$-particle or ${\beta }^{-}$ particle is emitted. Which sequence of emitted particles forms a nucleus that is an isotope of the original nucleus? A $\alpha$, $\alpha$, ${\beta }^{-}$, ${\beta }^{-}$ B ${\beta }^{-}$, ${\beta }^{-}$, $\alpha$ C $\alpha$, $\alpha$, $\alpha$, $\alpha$ D ${\beta }^{-}$, ${\beta }^{-}$, ${\beta }^{-}$