A Level Physics 9702, topic 15.3
Kinetic theory of gases: past paper questions
18 Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 questions on Kinetic theory of gases (15.3) from 18 papers, 2023 to 2026. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 18
- Papers
- 18
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 190
- Average per question
- 10.6 marks
- Largest question
- 13 marks
By type: Structured 18
What the syllabus asks
- state the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases
- explain how molecular movement causes the pressure exerted by a gas and derive and use the relationship pV = 1/3Nm<c 2 >, where <c 2 > is the mean-square speed (a simple model considering one-dimensional collisions and then extending to three dimensions using 1/3<c 2 > = <cx 2 > is sufficient)
- compare pV = 1/3Nm<c 2 > with pV = NkT to deduce that the average translational kinetic energy of a molecule is 3 – 2 kT
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply7
- Analyse11
- Not banded0
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- stateRecall17 questions
express in clear terms
- determineApply11 questions
establish an answer using the information available
- sketchApply8 questions
make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features
- useApply7 questions
- explainAnalyse6 questions
set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- completeApply5 questions
- calculateApply4 questions
work out from given facts, figures or information
- suggestAnalyse4 questions
apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals
- giveRecall2 questions
produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory
- show thatApply2 questions
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20261
- 20255
- 20246
- 20236
By session
- May/June9
- Oct/Nov9
By paper
- Paper 418
Questions on this topic
Showing 11 of 18, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2026, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram
State the two assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases that relate to collisions of particles with each other and with the walls of the container of the gas.
- Try this questionQuestion 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram
State the value of absolute zero on: the Celsius temperature scale
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram
State what is meant by the Avogadro constant.
- Try this questionQuestion 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured11 marks
State Newton’s law of gravitation.
- Try this questionQuestion 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured9 marksHas a diagram
State three of the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.
- Try this questionQuestion 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured12 marks
Define gravitational potential at a point.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2025, paper 41Structured8 marks
State what is meant by the internal energy of a system.
- Try this questionQuestion 3May/June 2024, paper 41Structured12 marksHas a diagram
State what is meant by an ideal gas.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2023, paper 41Structured12 marksHas a diagram
State two of the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2025, paper 42Structured8 marksHas a diagram
The equation of state for an ideal gas may be written as where is the pressure of the gas, is the volume of the gas, is the Avogadro constant, is another constant and is the number of molecules of the gas.
- Try this questionQuestion 2May/June 2024, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram
With reference to thermal energy, state what is meant by two objects being in thermal equilibrium.