Pearson Edexcel
International
Advanced Level
WPH15/01
PHYSICS
January 2026
Official Question Paper
, Pearson Edexcel International
Advanced Level
2026
Physics (Pearson Edexcel)
UNIT 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and
Cosmology
, Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
Thursday 15 January 2026
Morning (Time: 1 hour 45 minutes) Paper
reference WPH15/01
Physics
▲ ▲
International Advanced Level
UNIT 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations
and Cosmology
You must have: Total Marks
Scientific calculator, ruler
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
If pencil is used for diagrams/sketches/graphs it must be dark (HB or B).
• centre
Fill in the boxesand
number at candidate
the top of this page with your name,
number.
•• Answer
Answer all
thequestions.
questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
• Show all your working out in calculations and include units where appropriate.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 90.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
• Intothe
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
question marked with an asterisk (*), marks will be awarded for your ability
structure your answer logically, showing how the points that you make are
• The list of data, formulae and relationships is printed at the end of this booklet.
related or follow on from each other where appropriate.
Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
•• Try to answer every question.
Check your answers if you have time at the end. Turn over
P79147RA
©2026 Pearson Education Ltd.
C:1/1/1/1
, SECTION A
Answer ALL questions.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
For questions 1–10, in Section A, select one answer from A to D and put a cross in the box .
If you change your mind, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a
cross .
1 A student investigated the absorption of gamma radiation. He measured the
background radiation.
Which of the following should he do to correct the count rate for the gamma radiation?
A add the background count
B subtract the background count
C add the background count rate
D subtract the background count rate
(Total for Question 1 = 1 mark)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
2 Earthquakes can cause buildings to oscillate. The effects can be reduced by damping the
oscillations using ductile materials.
Which of the following describes a ductile material?
A It behaves elastically under compression.
B It can undergo significant plastic deformation.
C It withstands a large stress before breaking.
D It has a large Young modulus.
(Total for Question 2 = 1 mark)
3 Which of the following is a unit for intensity?
A W m–2
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
B Nm
C J s–1
D J m–1
(Total for Question 3 = 1 mark)
2
■■■■
International
Advanced Level
WPH15/01
PHYSICS
January 2026
Official Question Paper
, Pearson Edexcel International
Advanced Level
2026
Physics (Pearson Edexcel)
UNIT 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and
Cosmology
, Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
Thursday 15 January 2026
Morning (Time: 1 hour 45 minutes) Paper
reference WPH15/01
Physics
▲ ▲
International Advanced Level
UNIT 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations
and Cosmology
You must have: Total Marks
Scientific calculator, ruler
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
If pencil is used for diagrams/sketches/graphs it must be dark (HB or B).
• centre
Fill in the boxesand
number at candidate
the top of this page with your name,
number.
•• Answer
Answer all
thequestions.
questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
• Show all your working out in calculations and include units where appropriate.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 90.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
• Intothe
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
question marked with an asterisk (*), marks will be awarded for your ability
structure your answer logically, showing how the points that you make are
• The list of data, formulae and relationships is printed at the end of this booklet.
related or follow on from each other where appropriate.
Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
•• Try to answer every question.
Check your answers if you have time at the end. Turn over
P79147RA
©2026 Pearson Education Ltd.
C:1/1/1/1
, SECTION A
Answer ALL questions.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
For questions 1–10, in Section A, select one answer from A to D and put a cross in the box .
If you change your mind, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a
cross .
1 A student investigated the absorption of gamma radiation. He measured the
background radiation.
Which of the following should he do to correct the count rate for the gamma radiation?
A add the background count
B subtract the background count
C add the background count rate
D subtract the background count rate
(Total for Question 1 = 1 mark)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
2 Earthquakes can cause buildings to oscillate. The effects can be reduced by damping the
oscillations using ductile materials.
Which of the following describes a ductile material?
A It behaves elastically under compression.
B It can undergo significant plastic deformation.
C It withstands a large stress before breaking.
D It has a large Young modulus.
(Total for Question 2 = 1 mark)
3 Which of the following is a unit for intensity?
A W m–2
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
B Nm
C J s–1
D J m–1
(Total for Question 3 = 1 mark)
2
■■■■
