AQA A-Level Physics Complete Exam Prep | High Yield Practice QUESTIONs, Worked Solutions & Examiner Guidance QUESTIONs and well verified answers 2026/27

AQA A-Level Physics Complete Exam Prep | High-
Yield Practice QUESTIONs, Worked Solutions &
Examiner Guidance QUESTIONs and well verified
answers 2026/27

QUESTION 1
What is the quark composition of a positive pion (𝜋 + )?
• A. 𝑢𝑑̅
• B. 𝑑𝑢̅
• C. 𝑢𝑠̅
• D. 𝑢𝑢𝑑
Correct Answer: A. 𝑢𝑑̅
Detailed Rationale: Pions are mesons consisting of a quark and an
antiquark. A positive pion (𝜋 + ) has a charge of +1e. An up quark (𝑢) has
2 1
a charge of + 𝑒 and an anti-down quark (𝑑̅ ) has a charge of + 𝑒.
3 3
2 1
Combining them gives + = +1.
3 3

QUESTION 2
An object is dropped from rest from a height of 45 m. Assuming air
resistance is negligible and 𝑔 = 9.81 m s−2 , what is the time taken for
the object to hit the ground?
• A. 2.1 s

, • B. 3.0 s
• C. 4.5 s
• D. 9.2 s
Correct Answer: B. 3.0 s
1
Detailed Rationale: Using the suvat equation 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 . Since the
2
1
object is dropped from rest, 𝑢 = 0, so 𝑠 = 𝑔𝑡 2 . Rearranging for 𝑡: 𝑡 =
2
2𝑠 2×45
√ 𝑔 = √ 9.81 = √9.17 ≈ 3.03 s, which rounds to 3.0 s.

QUESTION 3
Two coherent sources emit waves of wavelength 𝜆 in phase. At a
specific point, the path difference between the two waves is 3.5𝜆. What
type of interference occurs at this point?
• A. Constructive interference
• B. Destructive interference
• C. Total internal reflection
• D. Standing wave node
Correct Answer: B. Destructive interference
Detailed Rationale: Destructive interference occurs when waves arrive
out of phase, which happens when the path difference is an odd integer
multiple of half a wavelength, i.e., (𝑛 + 0.5)𝜆. Here, 3.5𝜆 = (3 + 0.5)𝜆,
resulting in complete destructive interference (anti-phase).
QUESTION 4

,A copper wire of length 𝐿 and cross-sectional area 𝐴 has a resistance 𝑅.
If the length of the wire is doubled and its radius is also doubled, what
is the new resistance of the wire?
• A. 2𝑅
• B. 0.5𝑅
• C. 4𝑅
• D. 𝑅
Correct Answer: B. 0.5𝑅
𝐿
Detailed Rationale: The resistance formula is 𝑅 = 𝜌 , where cross-
𝐴
2
sectional area 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 . If the radius is doubled (2𝑟), the new area
becomes 𝜋(2𝑟)2 = 4𝐴. If the length is doubled (2𝐿), the new resistance
2𝐿 1 𝐿
is 𝑅new = 𝜌 = (𝜌 ) = 0.5𝑅.
4𝐴 2 𝐴

QUESTION 5
A ball of mass 0.20 kg moving horizontally at 5.0 m s−1 strikes a rigid
wall normally and rebounds in the opposite direction with a speed of
3.0 m s−1 . What is the magnitude of the impulse imparted to the ball?
• A. 0.40 N s
• B. 1.0 N s
• C. 1.6 N s
• D. 2.0 N s
Correct Answer: C. 1.6 N s

, Detailed Rationale: Impulse is equal to the change in momentum: Δ𝑝 =
𝑚(𝑣 − 𝑢). Taking the initial direction of motion as positive, 𝑢 =
+5.0 m s−1 and the rebound velocity is 𝑣 = −3.0 m s−1 . Thus, Δ𝑝 =
0.20 × (−3.0 − 5.0) = 0.20 × (−8.0) = −1.6 N s. The magnitude of
the impulse is 1.6 N s.
QUESTION 6
A wire of original length 𝐿 and cross-sectional area 𝐴 is stretched by a
tensile force 𝐹, producing an extension Δ𝐿. Which expression
represents the Young modulus 𝐸 of the wire's material?
𝐹𝐿
• A.
𝐴Δ𝐿
𝐹Δ𝐿
• B.
𝐴𝐿
𝐴Δ𝐿
• C.
𝐹𝐿
𝐹𝐿Δ𝐿
• D.
𝐴
𝐹𝐿
Correct Answer: A.
𝐴Δ𝐿

Detailed Rationale: The Young modulus is defined as tensile stress
𝜎 𝐹/𝐴 𝐹𝐿
divided by tensile strain: 𝐸 = = = .
𝜀 Δ𝐿/𝐿 𝐴Δ𝐿

QUESTION 7
In the photoelectric effect, the stopping potential of a metal surface
depends directly on which of the following properties of the incident
radiation?
• A. Intensity
• B. Frequency