AS Level Physics Paper 2 · AS Structured Questions practice papers
AS · 60 marks · 1h 15m. Each generated paper follows the 9702 Paper 2 · AS Structured Questions format, with the same number and style of questions as the real exam, and comes with a Cambridge-style mark scheme.
Sample Paper 2 · AS Structured Questions questions
Question 1Structured · 5 marksA* challenge
Define momentum and state the principle of conservation of momentum.
(a)
Define linear momentum.
[1]
(b)
State the principle of conservation of momentum.
[2]
(c)
Explain why a person jumping from a boat makes the boat move backwards.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
mass × velocity
product of mass and velocity B1
1
(b)
total momentum constant if no resultant external force
for a system of interacting bodies, total momentum is constant B1 provided there is no resultant external force B1
2
(c)
momentum zero initially, so equal and opposite
total momentum is initially zero B1 person gains forward momentum so boat gains equal backward momentum B1
2
Question 2Structured · 8 marksA* challenge
A quantity Q is determined using Q = mLT2. The measurements are m = (0.42 ± 0.01) kg, L = (0.810 ± 0.005) m and T = (1.93 ± 0.02) s.
(a)
Determine the SI base units of Q.
[1]
(b)
Calculate Q and its absolute uncertainty. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
[4]
(c)
Distinguish between systematic and random errors, and state how each can be reduced.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
kg m s−2
kg m s−2B1
1
(b)
0.0913 ± 0.005
Q = 0.0913 C1 percentage uncertainties added, with T doubled C1 5.1% C1 ± 0.005, consistent s.f. A1
4
(c)
systematic: readings all too high or too low by the same amount (e.g. zero error), reduced by correcting the instrument; random: scatter about the true value, reduced by repeating and averaging
systematic: consistent shift from true value B1 random: scatter about true value B1 correct method for reducing each B1
3
Question 3Structured · 6 marks
A wire of length 1.5 m and diameter 0.6 mm is made of a metal with Young modulus 1.1 × 1011 Pa. A load of 80 N is hung from it.
(a)
Calculate the stress in the wire.
[2]
(b)
Calculate the extension of the wire.
[2]
(c)
Calculate the elastic potential energy stored.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
2.83 × 108 Pa
A = πd2/4 C1 2.83 × 108 Pa A1
2
(b)
3.86 × 10−3 m
strain = stress/E, x = strain × L C1 3.86 × 10−3 m A1
2
(c)
0.154 J
½Fx C1 0.154 J A1
2
Question 4Structured · 4 marks
The drag force F on a sphere moving through a fluid is given by F = 6πηrv, where r is the radius, v is the speed and η is a constant.
(a)
Determine the SI base units of η.
[3]
(b)
State one quantity that is a vector and one that is a scalar in this equation.
[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
kg m−1 s−1
F in kg m s−2C1 divide by m × m s−1C1 kg m−1 s−1A1
3
(b)
F vector; r scalar
Any 1 of: F (or v) vector; r (or η) scalar B1
1
Question 5Structured · 9 marks
A wire of length 2.00 m and diameter 0.60 mm is suspended vertically and a load of 60 N is hung from it. The Young modulus of the metal is 1.1 × 1011 Pa.
(a)
Define the Young modulus.
[1]
(b)
Calculate the stress in the wire.
[2]
(c)
Calculate the extension of the wire.
[2]
(d)
Use your answer to (c) to calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the wire.
[2]
(e)
Describe the difference between elastic and plastic deformation.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
stress / strain
stress divided by strain (in the region where Hooke’s law applies) B1
1
(b)
2.12 × 108 Pa
A = π(0.30 × 10−3)2C1 stress = 2.12 × 108 Pa A1
2
(c)
3.86 × 10−3 m
strain = stress/E C1 extension = 3.86 × 10−3 m A1
2
(d)
0.116 J
E = ½Fx C1 0.116 J A1
2
(e)
elastic: returns to original shape when load removed; plastic: permanent extension
elastic: the material returns to its original length when the load is removed B1 plastic: permanent deformation remains B1
2
Question 6Structured · 10 marks
Light of wavelength 633 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 400 lines per millimetre.
(a)
State what is meant by coherent waves.
[1]
(b)
Explain why a bright first-order maximum is produced at a particular angle.
[2]
(c)
Calculate the angle of the first-order maximum.
[3]
(d)
Determine the highest order of maximum that can be observed.
[2]
(e)
The grating is replaced by one with more lines per millimetre. State and explain the effect on the pattern.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
constant phase difference
waves with a constant phase difference B1
1
(b)
path difference of one wavelength between adjacent slits; constructive interference
waves from adjacent slits have a path difference of one wavelength B1 so they arrive in phase and interfere constructively B1
2
(c)
14.7°
d = 1/400 mm = 2.50 × 10−6 m C1 sin θ = λ/d C1 θ = 14.7° A1
3
(d)
3
n = d/λ = 3.95 C1 highest order 3 A1
2
(e)
maxima further apart (larger angles); fewer orders
d is smaller so sin θ = nλ/d is larger: maxima more widely spaced B1 fewer orders visible B1
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in