IB Physics Paper 2 · SL structured questions practice papers
SL · 50 marks · 1h 30m. Each generated paper follows the SL & HL Paper 2 · SL structured questions format, with the same number and style of questions as the real exam, and comes with an IB-style mark scheme.
Sample Paper 2 · SL structured questions questions
Question 1Structured · 13 marksA* challenge
A planet of mass 6.4 × 1023 kg and radius R = 3.4 × 106 m has no atmosphere. G = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2. Kepler’s third law also applies to an elliptical orbit if the radius is replaced by the semi-major axis (half the longest diameter of the ellipse).
(a)
A probe is launched vertically at 4.0 km s−1. Determine the maximum height above the surface that it reaches.
[3]
(b)
A second probe is launched horizontally from the surface. Its greatest distance from the centre of the planet is 3R. Determine its launch speed.
[5]
(c)
Determine the time the second probe takes to reach its greatest distance from the planet.
[3]
(d)
Show that the second probe has the same total energy as a probe in a circular orbit of radius 2R.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
≈ 6.0 × 10⁶ m
½v² − GM/R = −GM/r ✓ r = 9.4 × 106 m ✓ height ≈ 6.0 × 106 m ✓
semi-major axis = (R + 3R)/2 = 2R ✓ T = 2π√((2R)³/GM) ✓ half the period ≈ 8.5 × 103 s ✓
3
(d)
both −GMm/4R
½(3GM/2R) − GM/R = −GM/4R per kg ✓ circular orbit at 2R: −GM/2(2R) = −GM/4R ✓
2
Question 2Structured · 9 marksA* challenge
A block of mass 0.25 kg on a frictionless horizontal surface is attached to a spring of spring constant 24.5 N m−1. It oscillates with simple harmonic motion of amplitude 0.05 m.
(a)
Show that the total energy ET can be written as ET = ½kx02.
[2]
(b)
Calculate the period of oscillation.
[2]
(c)
Calculate the speed of the block when its displacement is half the amplitude.
[2]
(d)
Determine the shortest time for the block to move from the equilibrium position to a displacement of half the amplitude.
[2]
(e)
Determine the fraction of the total energy that is kinetic at this displacement.
[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
E = ½mω²x₀² with ω² = k/m
ET = ½mω2x02✓ ω2 = k/m so ET = ½kx02✓
2
(b)
0.635 s
T = 2π√(m/k) ✓ = 0.635 s ✓
2
(c)
0.429 m s−1
v = ω√(x02 − x2) ✓ = 0.429 m s−1✓
2
(d)
0.0529 s
x = x0sin ωt so ωt = π/6 ✓ t = T/12 = 0.0529 s ✓
2
(e)
0.75
¾ ✓
1
Question 3Structured · 9 marks
Water falls through a vertical height of 150 m to the turbines of a hydroelectric power station at a rate of 20 m3 s−1. The density of water is 1000 kg m−3.
(a)
Calculate the rate at which the gravitational potential energy of the water decreases.
[2]
(b)
The overall efficiency is 80%. Determine the electrical power output.
[1]
(c)
Calculate the speed of the water as it reaches the turbines, assuming no energy losses in the pipes.
[2]
(d)
The station runs at full power for 5 hours each day. Calculate the electrical energy produced each day, in MJ.
[2]
(e)
State two energy transfers that reduce the efficiency.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
29.4 MW
mass per second = 20000 kg s−1✓ P = 20000 × 9.81 × 150 = 29.4 MW ✓
2
(b)
23.5 MW
23.5 MW ✓
1
(c)
54.2 m s−1
½v2 = gh ✓ v = 54.2 m s−1✓
2
(d)
423792 MJ
E = Pt = 23.5 × 106 × 18000 ✓ 423792 MJ ✓
2
(e)
friction, heating
thermal energy from friction in the pipes/turbine ✓ resistive heating in generator coils/cables (or sound) ✓
2
Question 4Structured · 6 marks
A straight wire of length 0.25 m carries a current of 3.0 A in a uniform magnetic field of 0.40 T.
(a)
Calculate the force on the wire when it is perpendicular to the field.
[1]
(b)
Calculate the force when the wire is at 30° to the field.
[1]
(c)
Calculate the magnetic field strength 5.0 cm from a long straight wire carrying 3.0 A.
[2]
(d)
Explain why two parallel wires carrying currents in the same direction attract.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
0.30 N
F = BIL = 0.30 N ✓
1
(b)
0.15 N
F = BIL sin30° = 0.15 N ✓
1
(c)
1.2 × 10−5 T
B = μ0I/2πr ✓ = 1.2 × 10−5 T ✓
2
(d)
each in other’s field
each wire is in the magnetic field of the other ✓ the force from F = BIL on each is towards the other wire ✓
2
Question 5Structured · 6 marks
An electric kettle of power 2.2 kW heats 1.5 kg of water from 20 °C to 100 °C. Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg−1 K−1.
(a)
Calculate the minimum time taken.
[2]
(b)
The kettle is left on for a further 60 s. Calculate the mass of water that boils away. (L = 2.26 × 106 J kg−1)
[2]
(c)
Explain, in molecular terms, why the temperature stays constant while the water boils.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
230 s
Q = mcΔT = 504 000 J ✓ t = 229 s ✓
2
(b)
0.058 kg
Q = 2200 × 60 = 132 000 J ✓ m = 0.058 kg ✓
2
(c)
energy increases PE, not KE
energy supplied increases the potential energy of molecules (breaking bonds) ✓ mean kinetic energy, and so temperature, stays constant ✓
2
Question 6Structured · 10 marks
Coherent light of wavelength 532 nm is incident on two narrow slits 0.25 mm apart. Fringes are observed on a screen 2 m away.
(a)
Explain what is meant by coherent light and why it is needed.
[2]
(b)
Calculate the fringe spacing.
[2]
(c)
Explain, in terms of path difference, the formation of a dark fringe.
[2]
(d)
The apparatus is immersed in water of refractive index 1.33. Calculate the new fringe spacing.
[2]
(e)
One slit is covered with a filter that halves the intensity of the light passing through it. Describe the effect on the pattern.
[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
constant phase difference
constant phase difference (and same frequency) ✓ so that the interference pattern is stable ✓
2
(b)
4.26 mm
s = λDd✓ 4.26 mm ✓
2
(c)
half-wavelength path difference
the path difference is an odd number of half wavelengths ✓ waves arrive in antiphase and interfere destructively ✓
2
(d)
3.20 mm
wavelength in water = 5321.33 = 400 nm ✓ spacing = 3.20 mm ✓
2
(e)
dark fringes less dark
fringe positions unchanged ✓ minima are no longer completely dark (and maxima less bright), so contrast is reduced ✓
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 IB-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not IB past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in