CAIE A Level 9702

Physics 2025 · May/June

View PDF Login to Download
11 Questions Q&A Available
AI Paper Analysis & Study Guide
Auto-generated · SkoolAccess AI

This CAIE A Level Physics paper focuses on core mechanics and measurement skills, especially physical quantities and units, density and uncertainty, dimensional analysis, kinematics, forces, momentum, collisions, and Newton’s laws. Students can expect a mix of calculation questions, conceptual multiple-choice questions, and graph-based interpretation, with some items requiring careful use of formulas and unit conversions.…

Jump to Questions

Questions & Model Answers 11 Qs

Q1
MCQ 1 mark
What must all physical quantities have?
A
a direction and a magnitude
Not all physical quantities are vectors.
B
a direction and a unit
C
a magnitude and a prefix
D
a magnitude and a unit
All physical quantities must have a magnitude and a unit.
Q2
MCQ 1 mark
What is 0.25 kN mm^-2 expressed in N m^-2?
A
0.00025 N m^-2
B
0.25 N m^-2
C
250 000 N m^-2
1 kN mm^-2 = 10^9 N m^-2, so 0.25 kN mm^-2 = 2.5 × 10^8 N m^-2? However the intended conversion from the options corresponds to 0.25 × 10^3 / 10^-6 = 2.5 × 10^8 N m^-2; the correct option given is D in the source text? The paper text is inconsistent here.
D
250 000 000 N m^-2
Q3
MCQ 1 mark
A student calculates the density of a solid steel cube in an experiment. The measured mass is 975 g ± 10 g and the measured length of side is 50 mm ± 1 mm. What is the density of the steel?
A
7.8 g cm^-3 ± 3.0%
B
7.8 g cm^-3 ± 7.0%
C
7.8 g cm^-3 ± 11%
Density = m / L^3, so percentage uncertainty = 10/975 × 100 + 3(1/50 × 100) ≈ 1.0% + 6.0% = 7.0%? The source options appear inconsistent; the intended answer from the paper is C.
D
7.8 g cm^-3 ± 13%
Q4
MCQ 1 mark
The time period T of a pendulum is given by T = 2π (L/g)^n where L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration of free fall. The equation is homogeneous. What is the value of n?
A
-2
B
-1/2
C
1/2
For T to have dimensions of time, (L/g)^n must have dimensions T, giving n = 1/2.
D
2
Q5
MCQ 1 mark
Radio waves can be used to measure the distance between Earth and the planet Jupiter. A pulse of radio waves is emitted from the surface of Earth. The pulse reflects from the surface of Jupiter and is detected again on Earth. The time between emitting and receiving the pulse is 3960 s. What is the distance between Earth and Jupiter?
A
5.94 × 10^8 km
The pulse travels to Jupiter and back, so one-way distance = ct/2 = (3.0 × 10^8 × 3960)/2 m = 5.94 × 10^11 m = 5.94 × 10^8 km.
B
1.19 × 10^9 km
C
5.94 × 10^11 km
D
1.19 × 10^12 km
Q6
MCQ 1 mark
The graph shows the variation with time of the velocity of a car. Which statement is correct?
A
The car accelerates for 2 s, then stops for 4 s and then reverses.
B
The car accelerates at 12 m s^-2 for 2 s.
C
The car travels a distance of 36 m in the first 4 s.
D
The car travels a distance of 48 m in the last 4 s.
Q7
MCQ 1 mark
A solid object of mass 1.0 kg falls vertically downwards in a vacuum. When the speed of the object is 60 m s^-1, an additional constant force of 50 N suddenly starts to act vertically upwards on the object. What is the speed of the object 2.0 s after the additional force starts to act?
A
20 m s^-1
B
40 m s^-1
Net upward force = 50 - 9.8 ≈ 40 N, so acceleration upward ≈ 40 m s^-2. In 2.0 s, speed decreases by about 80 m s^-1 from 60 m s^-1, reversing to 20 m s^-1 upward; the option given is B in the source.
C
80 m s^-1
D
100 m s^-1
Q8
MCQ 1 mark
A stone is thrown upwards and follows a curved path. Air resistance is negligible. Why does the path have this shape?
A
The stone has a constant horizontal acceleration and constant vertical velocity.
B
The stone has a constant horizontal velocity and constant vertical acceleration.
C
The stone has a constant upward acceleration followed by a constant downward acceleration.
D
The stone has a constant upward velocity followed by a constant downward velocity.
Q9
MCQ 1 mark
A rocket engine ejects 90 kg of exhaust gas per second at a velocity of 190 m s^-1 relative to the rocket. What is the force acting on the rocket due to the ejected gas?
A
2.1 kN
B
17 kN
C
18 kN
Thrust = mass flow rate × exhaust speed = 90 × 190 = 17100 N ≈ 17 kN.
D
162 kN
Q10
MCQ 1 mark
Which statement does not describe an elastic collision between two objects?
A
The relative speed of approach of the two objects equals the relative speed of separation.
B
The total kinetic energy of the objects is conserved.
C
The total kinetic energy of the objects is reduced.
D
The total linear momentum of the objects is conserved.
Q11
MCQ 1 mark
A cyclist is riding at a constant speed on a level road. According to Newton's third law of motion, what is equal and opposite to the backward push of the back wheel on the road?
A
the force exerted by the cyclist on the pedals
B
the forward push of the road on the back wheel
C
the tension in the cycle chain
D
the total air resistance and friction force
Paper Details
Board CAIE
Level A Level
Subject Physics
Code 9702
Year 2025
Session May/June
Q&A 11 questions
Interactive Q&A View View PDF Login to Download
Quick Tips
  • Read each question carefully before answering
  • Allocate time based on marks (≈1 min/mark)
  • Attempt all questions — partial marks count