1
AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 1 2026/2027 |
PHYSICS | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR ERRORS - Questions 1-10
Q1: SI Base Units
The student is reviewing SI base units. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kelvin
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kelvin (K) is a base SI unit for thermodynamic temperature. The newton, joule, and
volt are derived units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Derived Units
The student is reviewing derived units. The pascal (Pa) is equivalent to:
A. N m
B. N m⁻²
C. N m²
D. N m⁻¹
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pressure = force / area, so 1 Pa = 1 N m⁻². [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'pico' (p) represents:
A. 10⁻⁹
B. 10⁻¹²
C. 10⁻⁶
D. 10⁻³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: pico = 10⁻¹². nano = 10⁻⁹, micro = 10⁻⁶, milli = 10⁻³. [100% CORRECT]
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Q4: Random Error
The student is reviewing errors. Random error:
A. Affects accuracy but not precision
B. Affects precision but not accuracy
C. Affects both accuracy and precision
D. Affects neither
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random errors cause scatter around a mean, reducing precision. They can be reduced by
averaging. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Systematic Error
The student is reviewing errors. A systematic error:
A. Causes readings to be consistently too high or too low
B. Causes random scatter
C. Can be eliminated by taking more readings
D. Is always due to human error
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Systematic errors shift all readings in the same direction, affecting accuracy. They cannot
be reduced by averaging. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Uncertainty
The student is reviewing uncertainty. A metre ruler with 1 mm divisions has an uncertainty of:
A. ±0.1 mm
B. ±0.5 mm
C. ±1 mm
D. ±2 mm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncertainty is half the smallest division: ±0.5 mm. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Percentage Uncertainty
The student is reviewing percentage uncertainty. A measurement is 5.0 cm ± 0.1 cm. The percentage
uncertainty is:
A. 0.5%
B. 1%
C. 2%
D. 5%
, 3
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: % uncertainty = (0..0) × 100 = 2%. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Combining Uncertainties
The student is reviewing uncertainties. When adding two quantities, uncertainties are:
A. Added
B. Subtracted
C. Multiplied
D. Divided
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For addition/subtraction, absolute uncertainties add. For multiplication/division,
percentage uncertainties add. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Significant Figures
The student is reviewing significant figures. The number 0.00450 has how many significant figures?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 5
D. 6
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leading zeros are not significant. 4, 5, and the trailing zero after decimal are significant =
3 s.f. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Order of Magnitude
The student is reviewing orders of magnitude. The diameter of an atom is approximately:
A. 10⁻¹⁵ m
B. 10⁻¹⁰ m
C. 10⁻⁶ m
D. 10⁻³ m
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atomic diameter is about 10⁻¹⁰ m (1 Å). Nuclear diameter is ~10⁻¹⁵ m. [100% CORRECT]
SECTION 2: PARTICLES AND RADIATION - Questions 11-30
Q11: Atomic Structure
AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 1 2026/2027 |
PHYSICS | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR ERRORS - Questions 1-10
Q1: SI Base Units
The student is reviewing SI base units. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kelvin
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kelvin (K) is a base SI unit for thermodynamic temperature. The newton, joule, and
volt are derived units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Derived Units
The student is reviewing derived units. The pascal (Pa) is equivalent to:
A. N m
B. N m⁻²
C. N m²
D. N m⁻¹
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pressure = force / area, so 1 Pa = 1 N m⁻². [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'pico' (p) represents:
A. 10⁻⁹
B. 10⁻¹²
C. 10⁻⁶
D. 10⁻³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: pico = 10⁻¹². nano = 10⁻⁹, micro = 10⁻⁶, milli = 10⁻³. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Random Error
The student is reviewing errors. Random error:
A. Affects accuracy but not precision
B. Affects precision but not accuracy
C. Affects both accuracy and precision
D. Affects neither
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random errors cause scatter around a mean, reducing precision. They can be reduced by
averaging. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Systematic Error
The student is reviewing errors. A systematic error:
A. Causes readings to be consistently too high or too low
B. Causes random scatter
C. Can be eliminated by taking more readings
D. Is always due to human error
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Systematic errors shift all readings in the same direction, affecting accuracy. They cannot
be reduced by averaging. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Uncertainty
The student is reviewing uncertainty. A metre ruler with 1 mm divisions has an uncertainty of:
A. ±0.1 mm
B. ±0.5 mm
C. ±1 mm
D. ±2 mm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncertainty is half the smallest division: ±0.5 mm. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Percentage Uncertainty
The student is reviewing percentage uncertainty. A measurement is 5.0 cm ± 0.1 cm. The percentage
uncertainty is:
A. 0.5%
B. 1%
C. 2%
D. 5%
, 3
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: % uncertainty = (0..0) × 100 = 2%. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Combining Uncertainties
The student is reviewing uncertainties. When adding two quantities, uncertainties are:
A. Added
B. Subtracted
C. Multiplied
D. Divided
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For addition/subtraction, absolute uncertainties add. For multiplication/division,
percentage uncertainties add. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Significant Figures
The student is reviewing significant figures. The number 0.00450 has how many significant figures?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 5
D. 6
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leading zeros are not significant. 4, 5, and the trailing zero after decimal are significant =
3 s.f. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Order of Magnitude
The student is reviewing orders of magnitude. The diameter of an atom is approximately:
A. 10⁻¹⁵ m
B. 10⁻¹⁰ m
C. 10⁻⁶ m
D. 10⁻³ m
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atomic diameter is about 10⁻¹⁰ m (1 Å). Nuclear diameter is ~10⁻¹⁵ m. [100% CORRECT]
SECTION 2: PARTICLES AND RADIATION - Questions 11-30
Q11: Atomic Structure
