AQA
A-Level Physics
Paper 2: Fields, Nuclear Physics, and Electricity
Monday 09 june 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Student Details
Name: ________________________
Candidate Number: _____________
Centre Number: ________________
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
a calculator
a ruler
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for diagrams.
Write the information required on the front cover of your answer book.
The Paper Reference is 7408/2.
In Section A, answer EITHER Context 1 OR Context 2.
In Section B, answer ONE essay
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
There are 40 marks for Section A, 40 marks for Sections B
, Advice
You are advised to spend 1 hour on Section A, 1 hour on Sections B
Section A
Answer EITHER Context 1 OR Context 2
Context 1: Electric Fields around a Point Charge
A small positive charge is placed in the vicinity of a fixed positive point charge. The electric field around
the fixed charge can be represented by field lines and measured using test charges.
Table 1: Electric Field Strength vs Distance
Distance from Charge (m) Electric Field Strength (N/C)
0.1 900
0.2 225
0.3 100
0.4 56.25
0.5 36
Questions – Context 1
1(a) Calculate the factor by which the electric field changes when the distance doubles from 0.1 m to 0.2
m. [3]
1(b) Define the term electric field strength. [2]
1(c) Explain one reason why the electric field is weaker at greater distances. [4]
1(d) Analyse how the force on a test charge would change if the magnitude of the point charge were
doubled. [9]
1(e) Evaluate the advantages and limitations of using field lines to represent electric fields. [17]
Context 2: Radioactive Decay
A sample of radioactive isotope X has a half-life of 4 hours. Its activity is measured at regular intervals to
determine the decay curve.
A-Level Physics
Paper 2: Fields, Nuclear Physics, and Electricity
Monday 09 june 2025 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Student Details
Name: ________________________
Candidate Number: _____________
Centre Number: ________________
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
a calculator
a ruler
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for diagrams.
Write the information required on the front cover of your answer book.
The Paper Reference is 7408/2.
In Section A, answer EITHER Context 1 OR Context 2.
In Section B, answer ONE essay
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
There are 40 marks for Section A, 40 marks for Sections B
, Advice
You are advised to spend 1 hour on Section A, 1 hour on Sections B
Section A
Answer EITHER Context 1 OR Context 2
Context 1: Electric Fields around a Point Charge
A small positive charge is placed in the vicinity of a fixed positive point charge. The electric field around
the fixed charge can be represented by field lines and measured using test charges.
Table 1: Electric Field Strength vs Distance
Distance from Charge (m) Electric Field Strength (N/C)
0.1 900
0.2 225
0.3 100
0.4 56.25
0.5 36
Questions – Context 1
1(a) Calculate the factor by which the electric field changes when the distance doubles from 0.1 m to 0.2
m. [3]
1(b) Define the term electric field strength. [2]
1(c) Explain one reason why the electric field is weaker at greater distances. [4]
1(d) Analyse how the force on a test charge would change if the magnitude of the point charge were
doubled. [9]
1(e) Evaluate the advantages and limitations of using field lines to represent electric fields. [17]
Context 2: Radioactive Decay
A sample of radioactive isotope X has a half-life of 4 hours. Its activity is measured at regular intervals to
determine the decay curve.
