Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge
A metal wire of resistance R is stretched uniformly so that its length doubles. Its volume and resistivity do not change.
What is its new resistance?
- A R
- B 8R
- C 4R
- D 2R
Show answer
Answer: C
10 free AS Level Physics Waves, Electricity & Particles questions written in the style of Cambridge Physics papers: 4 multiple-choice and 6 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 4 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.
This topic covers Waves, Superposition, Electricity, D.C. circuits, Particle physics. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Waves, Electricity & Particles paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Waves, Electricity & Particles paper →A metal wire of resistance R is stretched uniformly so that its length doubles. Its volume and resistivity do not change.
What is its new resistance?
Answer: C
Two wires A and B are of the same material and length. A has twice the diameter of B. The same current flows in each. What is the ratio of the drift speed in A to that in B?
Answer: A
A pipe is closed at one end and open at the other. The lowest frequency of the stationary sound wave in the pipe is 340 Hz.
Which frequency can NOT be produced by the pipe?
Answer: A
Which statement defines the volt?
Answer: B
Light of wavelength 589 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 600 lines per millimetre.
Calculate the angle of the second-order maximum.
Determine the highest order of maximum that can be observed.
The grating is replaced by a double slit with separation 0.5 mm. The screen is 2 m away. Calculate the fringe separation.
The source is replaced by white light. Describe the appearance of the first-order maximum of the grating.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | 45.0° d = 1.67 × 10−6 m C1 d sin θ = nλ C1 45.0 A1 | 3 |
| (b) | 2 sin θ ≤ 1 used C1 2 A1 | 2 |
| (c) | 2.36 × 10−3 m λ = ax ÷ D C1 2.36 × 10−3 A1 | 2 |
| (d) | a spectrum, violet nearest the centre and red furthest spectrum / colours separated B1 violet (blue) nearest centre, red furthest B1 | 2 |
Monochromatic light of wavelength 428 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 600 lines per millimetre. Calculate the angle of the second-order maximum.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 30.9 ° d = 1/(600 × 103) m C1 d sin θ = nλ C1 30.9 A1 | 3 |
A wire of length 2.5 m and diameter 0.30 mm is made of a metal of resistivity 1.1 × 10−6 Ω m.
Define resistivity in words, or by stating the meaning of each symbol in an equation.
Calculate the resistance of the wire.
A current of 0.50 A passes through a copper wire with the same cross-section. The number density of free electrons in copper is 8.5 × 1028 m−3. Calculate the mean drift speed of the electrons.
Explain, in terms of electrons and lattice ions, why the resistance of a metal increases with temperature.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | ρ = RA/L resistance × cross-sectional area / length (ρ = RA/L, symbols explained) B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 38.9 Ω R = ρL/A, A = 7.07 × 10−8 m2 C1 38.9 Ω A1 | 2 |
| (c) | 5.20 × 10−4 m s−1 I = nAvq C1 v = 0.50/(8.5 × 1028 × 7.07 × 10−8 × 1.60 × 10−19) C1 5.20 × 10−4 m s−1 A1 | 3 |
| (d) | ions vibrate more; more frequent collisions with electrons lattice ions vibrate with greater amplitude B1 electrons collide with them more often, reducing drift speed for a given p.d. B1 | 2 |
A stationary wave is formed on a stretched string fixed at both ends.
Explain how the stationary wave is formed.
State two differences between a stationary wave and a progressive wave.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | reflection and superposition of two waves a wave travels to the end and is reflected B1 incident and reflected waves (same frequency, speed, amplitude) superpose B1 | 2 |
| (b) | no energy transfer; amplitude varies; phase Any 2 of: stationary: no energy transfer; amplitude varies with position (nodes/antinodes); points between nodes in phase B2 | 2 |
Light of wavelength 589 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 500 lines per millimetre.
State what is meant by coherent waves.
Explain why a bright first-order maximum is produced at a particular angle.
Calculate the angle of the first-order maximum.
Determine the highest order of maximum that can be observed.
The grating is replaced by one with more lines per millimetre. State and explain the effect on the pattern.
| 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) | 17.1° d = 1/500 mm = 2.00 × 10−6 m C1 sin θ = λ/d C1 θ = 17.1° A1 | 3 |
| (d) | 3 n = d/λ = 3.40 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 | 2 |
A car horn emits sound of frequency 600 Hz. The car moves at 20 m s−1 directly towards, and then away from, a stationary observer. The speed of sound is 340 m s−1.
State the difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave.
Calculate the wavelength of the sound emitted when the car is stationary.
Calculate the frequency heard by the observer as the car approaches.
Calculate the change in observed frequency as the car passes the observer.
Explain, in terms of wavefronts, why the observed frequency is higher as the car approaches.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | transverse: oscillations perpendicular to energy transfer; longitudinal: parallel transverse: particle vibrations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer B1 longitudinal: vibrations parallel to it B1 | 2 |
| (b) | 0.567 m 340/600 = 0.567 m B1 | 1 |
| (c) | 638 Hz fo = fsv/(v − vs) C1 638 Hz A1 | 2 |
| (d) | 70.8 Hz receding: 567 Hz C1 change = 70.8 Hz A1 | 2 |
| (e) | source moves towards the waves it has emitted; wavefronts closer, shorter wavelength the source moves forwards between emitting successive wavefronts B1 so the wavefronts are closer together in front of the car (shorter wavelength) and arrive more often B1 | 2 |
In the 9702 syllabus, Waves, Electricity & Particles covers Waves, Superposition, Electricity, D.C. circuits, Particle physics.
This page has 10 Waves, Electricity & Particles questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Waves, Electricity & Particles paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.
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Meet Riyaz →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