A Level Physics 9702, topic 23.1
Mass defect and nuclear binding energy: past paper questions
11 Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 questions on Mass defect and nuclear binding energy (23.1) from 11 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
- 11
- Papers
- 11
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 116
- Average per question
- 10.5 marks
- Largest question
- 13 marks
By type: Structured 11
What the syllabus asks
- understand the equivalence between energy and mass as represented by E = mc2 and recall and use this equation
- define and use the terms mass defect and binding energy
- sketch the variation of binding energy per nucleon with nucleon number
- explain what is meant by nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
- explain the relevance of binding energy per nucleon to nuclear reactions, including nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
- calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions using E = c 2 ∆m
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply4
- Analyse7
- 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
- stateRecall9 questions
express in clear terms
- determineApply8 questions
establish an answer using the information available
- calculateApply6 questions
work out from given facts, figures or information
- explainAnalyse6 questions
set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- defineRecall4 questions
give precise meaning
- sketchApply3 questions
make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features
- suggestAnalyse3 questions
apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals
- labelRecall2 questions
- show thatApply2 questions
- describeApply1 question
state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20263
- 20253
- 20242
- 20233
By session
- May/June5
- Oct/Nov6
By paper
- Paper 411
Questions on this topic
Showing 8 of 11, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 9May/June 2026, paper 41Structured9 marks
Define the mass defect of a nucleus.
- Try this questionQuestion 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured11 marks
State what is meant by a photon.
- Try this questionQuestion 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured8 marks
Radioactive decay is both random and spontaneous. State what is meant by random.
- Try this questionQuestion 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram
State what is meant by nuclear fusion.
- Try this questionQuestion 10May/June 2026, paper 42Structured11 marks
Define the binding energy of a nucleus.
- Try this questionQuestion 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured13 marks
State what is meant by the mass defect of a nucleus.
- Try this questionQuestion 9May/June 2024, paper 42Structured13 marksHas a diagram
State what is meant by the binding energy of a nucleus.
- Try this questionQuestion 9May/June 2023, paper 42Structured11 marks
Define mass defect.