Monday 1 June 2026 – Morning
A Level Physics B (Advancing Physics)
H557/02 Scientific literacy in physics
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
* 2 6 7 8 5 2 0 3 2 4 *
• a clean copy of the Advance Notice Article (inside
this document)
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
* H 5 5 7 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Use the Insert to answer questions in Section C.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© Cambridge OCR 2026 [601/4745/3] Cambridge OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (EV/SW) 364942/6 Turn over
, 2
Section A
1 This question is about lenses and the human eye.
(a)
(i) Complete the equation:
curvature of wave-fronts curvature of wave-fronts
leaving the lens = incident on the lens + ................................................................
[1]
(ii) Figure 1.1 shows wave-fronts leaving a converging lens. The displacement v is equal to the focal
length of the lens.
Figure 1.1
v
Draw four incident wave-fronts in the dotted box in Figure 1.1.
Explain the shape of the wave-fronts you have drawn.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[3]
© Cambridge OCR 2026
, 3
(b) The eye lens and cornea act as a single lens of variable power to form a clear image on the
retina. The retina is the surface of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye.
Figure 1.2 represents an eye focusing an image of a book onto the retina.
The book is held at the near point of a young person. The near point is the nearest object
distance from which an eye can comfortably focus an image on the retina.
Figure 1.2
Book
Cornea
Eye lens Retina
(i) The near point for this young person is 25 cm. The eye lens and cornea have a combined power
of +62 D.
Show that the distance between the eye lens and the retina is 2 cm to one significant figure.
[2]
(ii) A letter in the book has a vertical length of 3.0 mm. The book is at the near point of 25 cm.
Calculate the vertical length of the image of this letter on the retina.
Vertical length = ..................................................... m [2]
(iii) The minimum length of an image on the retina that can be resolved is about 7.0 μm.
Calculate the length of the smallest object the eye can resolve at the near point of 25 cm.
Length = ..................................................... m [1]
© Cambridge OCR 2026 Turn over
A Level Physics B (Advancing Physics)
H557/02 Scientific literacy in physics
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
* 2 6 7 8 5 2 0 3 2 4 *
• a clean copy of the Advance Notice Article (inside
this document)
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
* H 5 5 7 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Use the Insert to answer questions in Section C.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© Cambridge OCR 2026 [601/4745/3] Cambridge OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (EV/SW) 364942/6 Turn over
, 2
Section A
1 This question is about lenses and the human eye.
(a)
(i) Complete the equation:
curvature of wave-fronts curvature of wave-fronts
leaving the lens = incident on the lens + ................................................................
[1]
(ii) Figure 1.1 shows wave-fronts leaving a converging lens. The displacement v is equal to the focal
length of the lens.
Figure 1.1
v
Draw four incident wave-fronts in the dotted box in Figure 1.1.
Explain the shape of the wave-fronts you have drawn.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[3]
© Cambridge OCR 2026
, 3
(b) The eye lens and cornea act as a single lens of variable power to form a clear image on the
retina. The retina is the surface of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye.
Figure 1.2 represents an eye focusing an image of a book onto the retina.
The book is held at the near point of a young person. The near point is the nearest object
distance from which an eye can comfortably focus an image on the retina.
Figure 1.2
Book
Cornea
Eye lens Retina
(i) The near point for this young person is 25 cm. The eye lens and cornea have a combined power
of +62 D.
Show that the distance between the eye lens and the retina is 2 cm to one significant figure.
[2]
(ii) A letter in the book has a vertical length of 3.0 mm. The book is at the near point of 25 cm.
Calculate the vertical length of the image of this letter on the retina.
Vertical length = ..................................................... m [2]
(iii) The minimum length of an image on the retina that can be resolved is about 7.0 μm.
Calculate the length of the smallest object the eye can resolve at the near point of 25 cm.
Length = ..................................................... m [1]
© Cambridge OCR 2026 Turn over
