OCR A Level Physics A — Paper 2 (H556/02) Exploring Physics
Complete Practice Test Bank — 500 Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales (June 2026 Series)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Module | Topic | Questions |
|---------|--------|-------|-----------|
| I | Module 2 | Foundations of Physics | 60 |
| II | Module 4 | Electrons, Waves and Photons | 120 |
| III | Module 6 | Particles and Medical Physics | 120 |
| IV | Module 1 | Practical Skills (Synoptic) | 80 |
| V | Mixed | Synoptic & Extended Response (Paper 2 Style) | 120 |
| | | Total | 500 |
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EXAM OVERVIEW
Qualification: OCR A Level Physics A (H556)
Paper: H556/02 — Exploring Physics
Exam Date: Monday 1 June 2026 (Morning)
Time Allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Marks: 100
Weighting: 37% of A Level
Format: Section A — Multiple choice (15 marks, recommended 30 minutes). Section B —
Structured questions and extended response (85 marks).
,Modules Assessed: Module 1 (Practical Skills), Module 2 (Foundations of Physics), Module 4
(Electrons, Waves and Photons), Module 6 (Particles and Medical Physics).
Reference Materials:
- OCR A Level Physics A H556/02 June 2026 Question Paper (unofficial reproductions from
Stuvia/Docsity)
- OCR A Level Physics A H556/02 June 2026 Mark Scheme (unofficial from The Student Room
and Docsity)
- OCR A Level Physics A Specification (H556) — Modules 1, 2, 4, 6
- OCR Examiners' Report — Exploring Physics (H556/02)
---
SECTION I: MODULE 2 — FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS (60 Questions)
Subsection A: Physical Quantities and Units (Q1–Q30)
Q1. What is a reasonable estimate for the diameter of an atom?
A. 10⁻¹⁵ m
B. 10⁻¹² m
C. 10⁻¹⁰ m
D. 10⁻⁷ m
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diameter of a typical atom is of the order of 10⁻¹⁰ m (1 Ångström). This is a
standard estimate in atomic physics.
Why Wrong: A — 10⁻¹⁵ m is the scale of the nucleus. B — 10⁻¹² m is between nuclear and
atomic scales. D — 10⁻⁷ m is the scale of larger molecules or small particles, not atoms.
,---
Q2. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kelvin
D. Coulomb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Kelvin (K) is one of the seven base SI units, used for thermodynamic
temperature. The Newton, Joule, and Coulomb are all derived units.
Why Wrong: A — Newton is derived (kg·m·s⁻²). B — Joule is derived (kg·m²·s⁻²). D —
Coulomb is derived (A·s).
---
Q3. The radius R of the nucleus of an isotope with nucleon number A is given by \( R = r_0
A^{1/3} \). The percentage uncertainty in \( r_0 \) is ±5% and in A is ±3%. What is the
percentage uncertainty in R?
A. ±2%
B. ±4%
C. ±6%
D. ±8%
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: For \( R = r_0 A^{1/3} \), the percentage uncertainties add: \( \%R = \%r_0 +
\frac{1}{3}\%A = 5 + \frac{3}{3} = 5 + 1 = 6\% \).
Why Wrong: A — Does not account for the power. B — Incorrect addition. D —
Overestimates.
---
Q4. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. Velocity
B. Force
C. Energy
D. Momentum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Energy has magnitude only and no direction, making it a scalar. Velocity, force,
and momentum are all vector quantities.
Why Wrong: A, B, D — All have both magnitude and direction.
---
Q5. A student measures the length of a wire as 1.234 m using a metre rule with mm
markings. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?
A. ±0.0005 m
B. ±0.001 m
C. ±0.005 m
D. ±0.01 m
Complete Practice Test Bank — 500 Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales (June 2026 Series)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Module | Topic | Questions |
|---------|--------|-------|-----------|
| I | Module 2 | Foundations of Physics | 60 |
| II | Module 4 | Electrons, Waves and Photons | 120 |
| III | Module 6 | Particles and Medical Physics | 120 |
| IV | Module 1 | Practical Skills (Synoptic) | 80 |
| V | Mixed | Synoptic & Extended Response (Paper 2 Style) | 120 |
| | | Total | 500 |
---
EXAM OVERVIEW
Qualification: OCR A Level Physics A (H556)
Paper: H556/02 — Exploring Physics
Exam Date: Monday 1 June 2026 (Morning)
Time Allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Marks: 100
Weighting: 37% of A Level
Format: Section A — Multiple choice (15 marks, recommended 30 minutes). Section B —
Structured questions and extended response (85 marks).
,Modules Assessed: Module 1 (Practical Skills), Module 2 (Foundations of Physics), Module 4
(Electrons, Waves and Photons), Module 6 (Particles and Medical Physics).
Reference Materials:
- OCR A Level Physics A H556/02 June 2026 Question Paper (unofficial reproductions from
Stuvia/Docsity)
- OCR A Level Physics A H556/02 June 2026 Mark Scheme (unofficial from The Student Room
and Docsity)
- OCR A Level Physics A Specification (H556) — Modules 1, 2, 4, 6
- OCR Examiners' Report — Exploring Physics (H556/02)
---
SECTION I: MODULE 2 — FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS (60 Questions)
Subsection A: Physical Quantities and Units (Q1–Q30)
Q1. What is a reasonable estimate for the diameter of an atom?
A. 10⁻¹⁵ m
B. 10⁻¹² m
C. 10⁻¹⁰ m
D. 10⁻⁷ m
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diameter of a typical atom is of the order of 10⁻¹⁰ m (1 Ångström). This is a
standard estimate in atomic physics.
Why Wrong: A — 10⁻¹⁵ m is the scale of the nucleus. B — 10⁻¹² m is between nuclear and
atomic scales. D — 10⁻⁷ m is the scale of larger molecules or small particles, not atoms.
,---
Q2. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kelvin
D. Coulomb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Kelvin (K) is one of the seven base SI units, used for thermodynamic
temperature. The Newton, Joule, and Coulomb are all derived units.
Why Wrong: A — Newton is derived (kg·m·s⁻²). B — Joule is derived (kg·m²·s⁻²). D —
Coulomb is derived (A·s).
---
Q3. The radius R of the nucleus of an isotope with nucleon number A is given by \( R = r_0
A^{1/3} \). The percentage uncertainty in \( r_0 \) is ±5% and in A is ±3%. What is the
percentage uncertainty in R?
A. ±2%
B. ±4%
C. ±6%
D. ±8%
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: For \( R = r_0 A^{1/3} \), the percentage uncertainties add: \( \%R = \%r_0 +
\frac{1}{3}\%A = 5 + \frac{3}{3} = 5 + 1 = 6\% \).
Why Wrong: A — Does not account for the power. B — Incorrect addition. D —
Overestimates.
---
Q4. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. Velocity
B. Force
C. Energy
D. Momentum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Energy has magnitude only and no direction, making it a scalar. Velocity, force,
and momentum are all vector quantities.
Why Wrong: A, B, D — All have both magnitude and direction.
---
Q5. A student measures the length of a wire as 1.234 m using a metre rule with mm
markings. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?
A. ±0.0005 m
B. ±0.001 m
C. ±0.005 m
D. ±0.01 m
