A Level Physics 9702 Paper 22, May/June 2026

By placing one tick ($\mathrm{✓}$) in each row, complete Table 1.1 to identify whether each of the listed quantities is a scalar or a vector. Table 1.1

A car moves in a straight line along a road. Figure 1.1 shows the variation with time $t$ of the velocity $v$ of the car. State the feature of the graph that represents the distance travelled by the car between $t=0$ and $t=40\text{ s}$.

Calculate the distance travelled by the car between $t=0$ and $t=40\text{ s}$.

Determine the maximum magnitude of the acceleration of the car.

At $t=25\text{ s}$, the car is at a point P. At $t=40\text{ s}$, the car is at a distance of $150\text{ m}$ from P. After $t=40\text{ s}$, the car travels with a constant acceleration of $-0.25{\text{ ms}}^{-2}$ until the car is again at point P. Calculate the speed of the car when it is at point P for the second time.

At $t=0$, the displacement of the car is zero. On Figure 1.2, sketch the variation of the displacement of the car with $t$ from $t=0$ to $t=80\text{ s}$. Values for displacement are not required.

State the conditions required for an object to be in equilibrium.

A block rests in equilibrium on the centre of a uniform horizontal plank. The block is attached to two ropes, each of which passes over a fixed pulley and then attaches to an end of the plank as shown in Figure 2.1. Where the ropes attach to the block and to the plank, the angle between the ropes and the vertical is $\theta$. There is negligible friction between the pulleys and the ropes. The mass of the block is $8.1\text{ kg}$. The mass of the plank is $4.5\text{ kg}$. Figure 2.2 shows the directions of the forces acting on the plank and the block. The weight of the plank is $W_{\text{P}}$, the weight of the block is $W_{\text{B}}$, the tension in each rope is $T$ and the forces that the plank and the block exert on each other each have magnitude $R$. Use Figure 2.2 to show that $$R+W_{\text{P}}=W_{\text{B}}-R\mathrm{.}$$

Use the equation in 2(b)(i) to calculate the magnitude of $R$.

The extension of each rope in 2(b) is proportional to the force applied to it. State the name of the law that describes this behaviour.

The ropes have elastic deformation. State what is meant by elastic deformation.

State what is meant by a progressive wave.

Calculate the period of the waves.

Points A and B are at the centre of the dippers. Point P is shown on Figure 3.1. The distance from A to P is $3.9\text{ m}$. The distance from B to P is $2.4\text{ m}$. Determine the speed of the waves.

A ball of mass $0.44\text{ kg}$ is placed at P, where it floats on the surface of the lake. The amplitude of the vertical oscillation of the ball is $15\text{ cm}$. Calculate the difference in the gravitational potential energy $\mathrm{\Delta }E$ of the ball between its highest and lowest points.

The frequency of oscillation of the dippers is increased to $4.0\text{ Hz}$ without changing their amplitude of oscillation. The ball remains at the same position on the surface of the lake. State and explain whether the amplitude of the oscillation of the ball increases, decreases or remains the same.

Calculate the speed of the train.

The train is powered by an electric motor. The useful output power of the motor is $1.1\times {10}^5\text{ W}$. Define power.

Determine the resistive force $F$ acting on the train as it moves from point X to point Y.

The current in the motor is $95\text{ A}$. The potential difference (p.d.) across the motor is $1400\text{ V}$. Calculate the percentage efficiency of the motor.

Three resistors of resistances $R_1$, $R_2$ and $R_3$ are connected in a network in parallel as shown in Figure 5.1. The currents in the resistors are $I_1$, $I_2$ and $I_3$ respectively. The total current entering the network is $I_{\text{T}}$. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistors is $V$. Derive the equation $$\frac{1}{R_{\text{T}}}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}+\frac{1}{R_3}$$ where $R_{\text{T}}$ is the total resistance of the network.

Two identical resistance wires, each of resistance $2.8\mathrm{\Omega }$, are connected in parallel to a battery with negligible internal resistance and electromotive force (e.m.f.) $12\text{ V}$ as shown in Figure 5.2. Calculate the current in the battery.

Each resistance wire has a cross-sectional area of $6.1\times {10}^{-6}{\text{ m}}^2$. The wires are made from a metal with a number density of charge carriers (free electrons) of $8.5\times {10}^{28}{\text{ m}}^{-3}$. Calculate the average drift speed of the charge carriers in the wires.

A component X is added to the circuit in 5(b) as shown in Figure 5.3. The current in the battery is now $5.0\text{ A}$. The resistance of each resistance wire remains $2.8\mathrm{\Omega }$. State the name of component X.

Determine the resistance of component X.

A change in the environment of component X causes the current in the battery to decrease. The resistance of the resistance wires remains constant. State and explain how the environment of X has changed.

One of the conclusions from the $\alpha$-particle scattering experiment was that the atom is mostly empty space. State the observation from the experiment that provides evidence for this conclusion.

An $\alpha$-particle travelling with a speed of $5.60\times {10}^6{\text{ ms}}^{-1}$ collides with a stationary gold nucleus of mass $197\text{ u}$. After the collision, the $\alpha$-particle is travelling with a speed of $5.38\times {10}^6{\text{ ms}}^{-1}$ in the opposite direction to its initial motion. No external forces act on this system. Show that the momentum of the $\alpha$-particle before the collision is $3.72\times {10}^{-20}\text{ kg}{\text{ ms}}^{-1}$.

Use conservation of momentum to calculate the speed of the gold nucleus after the collision.

The absolute uncertainty in each of the measured speeds of the $\alpha$-particle is $\pm 5\times {10}^4{\text{ ms}}^{-1}$. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the change in velocity of the $\alpha$-particle.

Determine the number of up quarks in a nucleus of ${}_1^2\text{H}$.

Describe the general quark composition of a meson.