AQA A-Level Physics sample questions and answers (7408)
Guide overview All 13 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
65 sample questions and answers
Taken from every topic of AQA A-Level Physics, specification 7408. The full guide has 3,682.
Paper 1, Paper 3
Measurements and Their Errors
87 questions in the guide, across 3 subtopics. More from this topic
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Use of SI units and their prefixes
What power of ten does the SI prefix centi (c) represent?
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10⁻². -
Use of SI units and their prefixes
What operation must be performed on an energy value in joules to express it in electronvolts?
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Divide the energy in joules by 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹. -
Limitation of physical measurements
State the formula for percentage uncertainty.
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Percentage uncertainty = (Δx / x) × 100%, where Δx is the absolute uncertainty and x is the measured value. -
Limitation of physical measurements
What is a zero error?
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A zero error is a type of systematic error where an instrument gives a non-zero reading when the true value is zero. -
Estimation of physical quantities
A value of 4 lies between 10⁰ and 10¹. Which order of magnitude is it closer to, and why?
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It is closer to 10¹ (order of magnitude 1), because 4 exceeds the boundary value of approximately 3.16.
Paper 1, Paper 3
Particles and Radiation
314 questions in the guide, across 11 subtopics. More from this topic
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Constituents of the atom
What is the relative mass of a proton?
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1. -
Stable and unstable nuclei
Why do unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay?
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To become more stable by emitting radiation. -
Particles, antiparticles and photons
According to the photon model, how is electromagnetic radiation emitted and absorbed?
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As discrete packets of energy called photons. -
Particle interactions
Which fundamental interaction is responsible for electron capture?
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The weak interaction. -
Classification of particles
How does the baryon number of a meson compare with that of a baryon?
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A meson has baryon number 0, whereas a baryon has baryon number +1 (or −1 for an antibaryon).
Paper 1, Paper 3
Waves
191 questions in the guide, across 6 subtopics. More from this topic
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Progressive waves
State the wave equation that relates wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
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c = fλ, where c is wave speed, f is frequency and λ is wavelength. -
Progressive waves
In a direct-timing method to measure the speed of sound in air, how is the sound pulse generated?
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A sharp sound (e.g. a clap or starting pistol) is generated at a measured distance from a detector or observer. -
Longitudinal and transverse waves
What type of wave are electromagnetic waves classified as?
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Transverse waves. -
Longitudinal and transverse waves
What does Polaroid material do to light passing through it?
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It transmits light oscillating in one plane only and absorbs light oscillating in other planes. -
Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary waves
Calculate the frequency when length = 0.5 m, tension = 48 N, mass per unit length = 0.004 kg/m.
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Frequency = (1 ÷ (2 × 0.5)) × √(48 ÷ 0.004) = 110 Hz.
Paper 1, Paper 3
Mechanics and Materials
285 questions in the guide, across 10 subtopics. More from this topic
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Scalars and vectors
State the mathematical relationship used to find the magnitude of the resultant of two perpendicular vectors A and B.
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R = √(A² + B²), using Pythagoras' theorem. -
Moments
Why must the two forces forming a couple not act along the same line?
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If they acted along the same line, they would cancel completely and produce no rotation; acting along different lines allows them to create a turning effect. -
Motion along a straight line
What does the area under a velocity–time graph represent?
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The area under the curve equals the displacement. -
Projectile motion
State the equation used to calculate the vertical velocity of a projectile at a given time.
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vᵧ = uᵧ + gt, where uᵧ is the initial vertical velocity, g is acceleration due to gravity, and t is time. -
Newton's laws of motion
What is the relationship between the direction of the resultant force on an object and the direction of its acceleration?
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The resultant force has the same direction as the acceleration it produces.
Paper 1, Paper 3
Electricity
157 questions in the guide, across 6 subtopics. More from this topic
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Basics of electricity
Define potential difference.
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Potential difference is the work done per unit charge. -
Basics of electricity
In the equation R = V/I, what physical quantity does R represent?
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R represents the resistance of the component. -
Current–voltage characteristics
Describe the shape of the current–voltage characteristic for a filament lamp.
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A non-linear curve that bends away from the current axis (towards the voltage axis) at higher currents. -
Current–voltage characteristics
What is the resistance of an ideal ammeter, and why?
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Zero resistance, so it does not affect the current in the circuit it measures. -
Resistivity
Why does the resistance of an ntc thermistor decrease when it is heated?
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Increased thermal energy releases more charge carriers from atoms, increasing the number available for conduction and reducing resistance.
Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3
Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
254 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic
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Circular motion
State the formula for centripetal acceleration in terms of linear speed and radius.
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a = v²/r, where a is centripetal acceleration, v is linear speed, and r is radius. -
Circular motion
Calculate the centripetal acceleration when angular speed = 3 rad s⁻¹, radius = 19.5 m.
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Centripetal acceleration = 3 × 3 × 19.5 = 176 m s⁻². -
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
Calculate the maximum speed when angular frequency = 3.5 rad s⁻¹, amplitude = 0.12 m.
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Maximum speed = 3.5 × 0.12 = 0.42 m s⁻¹. -
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
What is the phase relationship between the velocity-time graph and the displacement-time graph for SHM?
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The velocity-time graph leads the displacement-time graph by a quarter of a period (or π/2 radians). -
Simple harmonic systems
At what point during simple harmonic motion is the potential energy at its greatest value?
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At maximum displacement (the amplitude positions).
Paper 2, Paper 3
Fields and Their Consequences
422 questions in the guide, across 18 subtopics. More from this topic
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Fields
What type of interaction gives rise to gravitational force fields?
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The interaction of mass. -
Gravitational field strength
What is the SI unit of gravitational field strength?
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Newtons per kilogram (N kg⁻¹). -
Orbits of planets and satellites
How is the total energy of an orbiting satellite related to its kinetic and potential energies?
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E_total = Eₖ + Eₚ = GMm/(2r) + (−GMm/r) = −GMm/(2r) -
Electric field strength
State an alternative unit for electric field strength that is equivalent to N C⁻¹.
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Volts per metre (V m⁻¹). -
Capacitance
Why is the farad considered a very large unit in practical circuits?
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Because most capacitors store only small amounts of charge per volt, so capacitances are typically measured in microfarads (μF), nanofarads (nF), or picofarads (pF).
Paper 2, Paper 3
Nuclear Physics
263 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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Rutherford scattering
What observation in Rutherford's experiment indicated the presence of a concentrated positive charge within the atom?
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A small fraction of alpha particles were deflected through large angles -
α, β and γ radiation
How is the radiation type identified from the results of an absorption experiment?
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By observing which absorber causes a significant reduction in count rate. -
Radioactive decay
What two quantities must you know to calculate the activity of a radioactive sample using A = λN?
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The decay constant λ and the number of undecayed nuclei N. -
Nuclear instability
By how much does the nucleon number (A) change during alpha decay?
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The nucleon number decreases by 4 (ΔA = −4). -
Nuclear radius
How is nuclear radius determined from an electron diffraction pattern?
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The angle of the first minimum in the diffraction pattern is related to the nuclear radius.
Paper 3
Astrophysics
333 questions in the guide, across 14 subtopics. More from this topic
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Astronomical telescope consisting of two converging lenses
Where must the intermediate image be positioned relative to the eyepiece for the telescope to be in normal adjustment?
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At the focal point of the eyepiece lens. -
Reflecting telescopes
State one optical advantage that reflecting telescopes have over refracting telescopes.
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Reflecting telescopes are free from chromatic aberration. -
Advantages of large diameter telescopes
Why does using shorter wavelengths of light improve a telescope's angular resolution?
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Shorter wavelengths decrease the minimum resolvable angle θ, allowing finer details to be distinguished. -
Classification by luminosity
Why is brightness described as a subjective scale of measurement?
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Because brightness is based on human perception of light intensity rather than an objective physical measurement. -
Classification by temperature, black-body radiation
What determines the position of the peak on a black-body radiation curve?
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The peak occurs at a characteristic wavelength that depends on the temperature of the black body.
Paper 3
Medical Physics
462 questions in the guide, across 19 subtopics. More from this topic
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Physics of vision
Which type of photoreceptor is highly sensitive to low light intensities?
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Rods are highly sensitive to low light intensities. -
Ear as a sound detection system
Which ossicle connects directly to the oval window, and what is its common name?
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The stapes, commonly called the stirrup. -
Defects of hearing
How does age-related hearing loss appear on audiometric tests?
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The hearing loss is reflected in altered equal loudness curves, showing reduced sensitivity compared to normal hearing. -
Ultrasound imaging
Define attenuation in the context of ultrasound imaging.
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Attenuation is the gradual loss of ultrasound intensity as it travels through tissue, due to absorption and scattering -
Magnetic resonance (MR) scanner
What type of magnet produces the main magnetic field in an MR scanner?
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A superconducting magnet.
Paper 3
Engineering Physics
290 questions in the guide, across 12 subtopics. More from this topic
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Concept of moment of inertia
Explain why the moment of inertia of an extended object is calculated as a summation rather than a single product.
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An extended object consists of many mass elements at different distances from the axis, so each element's contribution (mr²) must be summed to find the total moment of inertia. -
Rotational kinetic energy
Describe how a flywheel reduces variations in rotational speed during operation.
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The flywheel stores energy during periods of excess power input and releases it during periods of high demand, thereby reducing variations in rotational speed. -
Torque and angular acceleration
What is the linear motion equivalent of the equation T = Iα?
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F = ma (Newton's second law), where force replaces torque, mass replaces moment of inertia, and linear acceleration replaces angular acceleration. -
Angular momentum
Calculate the angular momentum when moment of inertia = 43.9 kg m², angular velocity = 18.5 rad s⁻¹.
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Angular momentum = 43.9 × 18.5 = 812 kg m² s⁻¹. -
First law of thermodynamics
Explain why W is positive when a gas expands against external pressure.
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The gas does work on its surroundings, transferring energy out of the system, which by convention is defined as positive work done by the system.
Paper 3
Turning Points in Physics
262 questions in the guide, across 14 subtopics. More from this topic
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Cathode rays
Where do the electrons in a discharge tube originate from?
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Electrons are emitted from the cathode. -
Thermionic emission of electrons
Calculate the electron speed when potential difference = 900 V, electron charge = 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ C, electron mass = 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg.
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Electron speed = √(2 × 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ × 900 ÷ (9.11 × 10⁻³¹)) = 1.78 × 10⁷ m s⁻¹. -
Principle of Millikan's determination of the electronic charge, e
As a falling oil droplet speeds up, what happens to the viscous drag force acting on it?
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The viscous drag force increases with speed. -
Newton's corpuscular theory of light
Why was the corpuscular theory considered to provide a simpler explanation for observed optical phenomena at the time?
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It straightforwardly explained rectilinear propagation and sharp shadows, which wave theory struggled to explain without understanding diffraction. -
Electromagnetic waves
How did Maxwell conclude that light is an electromagnetic wave?
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Maxwell calculated the speed of electromagnetic waves using his formula and found it matched the measured speed of light, leading him to predict that light is an electromagnetic wave.
Paper 3
Electronics
362 questions in the guide, across 18 subtopics. More from this topic
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MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor)
Define VGS for a MOSFET.
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VGS is the voltage between the gate and source terminals. -
Photodiode
In photo-conductive mode, what bias condition is applied to the photodiode?
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A reverse bias is applied. -
Difference between analogue and digital signals
What is sampling rate and what unit is it measured in?
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The sampling rate is the number of samples taken per second, measured in hertz. -
The ideal operational amplifier
Explain why an ideal operational amplifier draws no current from the signal source connected to its inputs.
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Because it has infinite input resistance, so no current flows into either input terminal. -
Non-inverting amplifier configuration
Under what resistor conditions does a non-inverting amplifier achieve its minimum gain of unity?
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Unity gain occurs when Rꜰ = 0 or when R₁ is infinite.
AQA A-Level Physics Active Recall Guide
The other 3,617 questions, with the answers printed after each section.