1
AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 3 2026/2027 |
PHYSICS | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PRACTICAL SKILLS & MEASUREMENTS - 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. Mole
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mole (mol) is a base SI unit for amount of substance. Newton, joule, and volt are
derived units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Derived Units
The student is reviewing derived units. The watt (W) is equivalent to:
A. J s
B. J s⁻¹
C. J s⁻²
D. J⁻¹ s
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Power = energy/time, so 1 W = 1 J s⁻¹. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'femto' (f) represents:
A. 10⁻¹²
B. 10⁻¹⁵
C. 10⁻⁹
D. 10⁻⁶
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: femto = 10⁻¹⁵. pico = 10⁻¹², nano = 10⁻⁹, micro = 10⁻⁶. [100% CORRECT]
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Q4: Reading a Micrometer
The student is reviewing measurement. A micrometer screw gauge has a main scale reading of 3.5
mm and a thimble reading of 24 divisions (0.01 mm each). The reading is:
A. 3.524 mm
B. 3.74 mm
C. 3.524 cm
D. 3.74 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reading = 3.5 mm + (24 × 0.01 mm) = 3.5 + 0.24 = 3.74 mm. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Vernier Caliper
The student is reviewing measurement. A vernier caliper has a main scale reading of 2.4 cm and the
vernier scale's 6th division aligns. If the vernier has 10 divisions equal to 9 mm, the reading is:
A. 2.46 cm
B. 2.406 cm
C. 2.64 cm
D. 2.04 cm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Least count = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm. Reading = 2.4 cm + (6 × 0.01 cm) = 2.46 cm. [100%
CORRECT]
Q6: Measuring Small Thickness
The student is reviewing practical skills. To measure the thickness of a single sheet of paper
accurately, the best method is:
A. Use a metre ruler
B. Measure 100 sheets and divide by 100
C. Use a stopwatch
D. Use a thermometer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring multiple sheets and dividing reduces percentage uncertainty. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Using a Stopwatch
The student is reviewing measurement. Human reaction time affects timing measurements by
approximately:
A. ±0.01 s
B. ±0.2 s
, 3
C. ±2 s
D. ±0.001 s
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Typical human reaction time is about 0.2 s. Repeating and averaging reduces random
error. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Calibration
The student is reviewing practical skills. Calibration of a measuring instrument involves:
A. Comparing its readings with a known standard
B. Cleaning the instrument
C. Increasing its range
D. Reducing its sensitivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Calibration checks accuracy against a standard, identifying systematic error. [100%
CORRECT]
Q9: Parallax Error
The student is reviewing errors. Parallax error when reading a scale is avoided by:
A. Looking from an angle
B. Ensuring the eye is level with the reading
C. Using a magnifying glass
D. Reading from below
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eye must be perpendicular to the scale at the point of reading to avoid parallax. [100%
CORRECT]
Q10: Zero Error
The student is reviewing errors. A zero error on a micrometer is:
A. A random error
B. A systematic error
C. A parallax error
D. A reading error
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zero error shifts all readings by the same amount, so it is systematic. It must be
subtracted from readings. [100% CORRECT]
AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 3 2026/2027 |
PHYSICS | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PRACTICAL SKILLS & MEASUREMENTS - 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. Mole
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mole (mol) is a base SI unit for amount of substance. Newton, joule, and volt are
derived units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Derived Units
The student is reviewing derived units. The watt (W) is equivalent to:
A. J s
B. J s⁻¹
C. J s⁻²
D. J⁻¹ s
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Power = energy/time, so 1 W = 1 J s⁻¹. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'femto' (f) represents:
A. 10⁻¹²
B. 10⁻¹⁵
C. 10⁻⁹
D. 10⁻⁶
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: femto = 10⁻¹⁵. pico = 10⁻¹², nano = 10⁻⁹, micro = 10⁻⁶. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Reading a Micrometer
The student is reviewing measurement. A micrometer screw gauge has a main scale reading of 3.5
mm and a thimble reading of 24 divisions (0.01 mm each). The reading is:
A. 3.524 mm
B. 3.74 mm
C. 3.524 cm
D. 3.74 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reading = 3.5 mm + (24 × 0.01 mm) = 3.5 + 0.24 = 3.74 mm. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Vernier Caliper
The student is reviewing measurement. A vernier caliper has a main scale reading of 2.4 cm and the
vernier scale's 6th division aligns. If the vernier has 10 divisions equal to 9 mm, the reading is:
A. 2.46 cm
B. 2.406 cm
C. 2.64 cm
D. 2.04 cm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Least count = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm. Reading = 2.4 cm + (6 × 0.01 cm) = 2.46 cm. [100%
CORRECT]
Q6: Measuring Small Thickness
The student is reviewing practical skills. To measure the thickness of a single sheet of paper
accurately, the best method is:
A. Use a metre ruler
B. Measure 100 sheets and divide by 100
C. Use a stopwatch
D. Use a thermometer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring multiple sheets and dividing reduces percentage uncertainty. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Using a Stopwatch
The student is reviewing measurement. Human reaction time affects timing measurements by
approximately:
A. ±0.01 s
B. ±0.2 s
, 3
C. ±2 s
D. ±0.001 s
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Typical human reaction time is about 0.2 s. Repeating and averaging reduces random
error. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Calibration
The student is reviewing practical skills. Calibration of a measuring instrument involves:
A. Comparing its readings with a known standard
B. Cleaning the instrument
C. Increasing its range
D. Reducing its sensitivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Calibration checks accuracy against a standard, identifying systematic error. [100%
CORRECT]
Q9: Parallax Error
The student is reviewing errors. Parallax error when reading a scale is avoided by:
A. Looking from an angle
B. Ensuring the eye is level with the reading
C. Using a magnifying glass
D. Reading from below
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eye must be perpendicular to the scale at the point of reading to avoid parallax. [100%
CORRECT]
Q10: Zero Error
The student is reviewing errors. A zero error on a micrometer is:
A. A random error
B. A systematic error
C. A parallax error
D. A reading error
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zero error shifts all readings by the same amount, so it is systematic. It must be
subtracted from readings. [100% CORRECT]
