[AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 1] – EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. Which of the following correctly describes the nature of an electric field?
A. A region of space where a magnetic force is exerted on a moving charge.
B. A region of space where an electrostatic force is exerted on a charged particle.
C. A region of space where a gravitational force is exerted on a mass.
D. A region of space where a nuclear force is exerted on a nucleon.
Correct Answer: B. A region of space where an electrostatic force is exerted on
a charged particle.
Rationale: An electric field is fundamentally defined as a region of space in which a
charged particle experiences an electrostatic force. Option B is the correct definition.
Option A describes a magnetic field. Option C describes a gravitational field. Option
D describes a strong nuclear force field.
2. For an object performing simple harmonic motion, what is the relationship
between its acceleration and displacement?
A. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in the same direction.
B. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in the opposite
direction.
C. Acceleration is inversely proportional to displacement and in the opposite
direction.
D. Acceleration is constant for all displacements.
Correct Answer: B. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in
the opposite direction.
Rationale: The defining characteristic of SHM is a = -ω²x. This shows acceleration
(a) is proportional to displacement (x) but acts in the opposite direction, always
,towards the equilibrium position. Option A describes a force that would cause the
object to accelerate away from equilibrium. Option C incorrectly describes the
proportionality. Option D is characteristic of uniform acceleration, not SHM.
3. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Kinetic energy
B. Temperature
C. Acceleration
D. Speed
Correct Answer: C. Acceleration
Rationale: A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. Acceleration (a
vector) fits this definition. Kinetic energy, temperature, and speed are all scalar
quantities; they have magnitude only and no associated direction. This requires
recall of basic physical quantities.
4. A 1.5 Ω resistor and a 2.5 Ω resistor are connected in parallel. What is the
equivalent resistance of this combination?
A. 4.0 Ω
B. 0.94 Ω
C. 1.0 Ω
D. 3.75 Ω
Correct Answer: B. 0.94 Ω
Rationale: For resistors in parallel, the reciprocal of the total resistance is the sum
of the reciprocals of the individual resistances: 1/R_T = 1/1.5 + 1/2.5 = 0.667 + 0.4
= 1.067. Thus R_T = .067 ≈ 0.94 Ω. Option A incorrectly sums the resistances
as for a series circuit. Option C is a common approximation but not accurate.
Option D incorrectly applies the product/sum formula incorrectly.
,5. A student measures the length of a metal rod multiple times, obtaining
values of 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm, 15.1 cm, and 15.9 cm. Which term best describes the
15.9 cm reading?
A. A random error
B. A systematic error
C. An anomaly
D. A zero error
Correct Answer: C. An anomaly
Rationale: An anomaly is a measurement that lies outside the expected range of
other data points, often due to an unpredictable error. The values 15.2, 15.3, and
15.1 cm are consistent, making 15.9 cm the outlier. Random errors cause scatter
around a true value but do not produce such a large isolated discrepancy.
Systematic errors are consistent offsets. Zero error is a specific type of systematic
error.
6. The work function of a metal surface is 2.5 eV. What is the threshold
frequency for photoemission from this surface? (Planck's constant, h = 4.14 ×
10⁻¹⁵ eV·s)
A. 1.04 × 10¹⁵ Hz
B. 6.04 × 10¹⁴ Hz
C. 3.77 × 10¹⁴ Hz
D. 1.66 × 10¹⁵ Hz
Correct Answer: B. 6.04 × 10¹⁴ Hz
Rationale: The threshold frequency (f₀) is the minimum frequency needed to emit
an electron from a surface. The work function (φ) is related to the threshold
frequency by φ = h f₀. Therefore, f₀ = φ / h = 2.5 eV / (4.14 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV·s) ≈ 6.04 ×
10¹⁴ Hz. Option A uses a value of h incorrectly. Option C is a result of a calculation
error. Option D uses the work function incorrectly.
, 7. A stationary firework explodes into two fragments. One fragment has a mass
of 2.0 kg and moves east with a velocity of 25 m/s. The other fragment has a
mass of 3.0 kg. What is the velocity of the second fragment immediately after
the explosion?
A. 16.7 m/s east
B. 16.7 m/s west
C. 37.5 m/s west
D. 0 m/s
Correct Answer: B. 16.7 m/s west
Rationale: This is a conservation of momentum problem. Before the explosion, the
total momentum is zero. Therefore, the total momentum after the explosion must
be zero. m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = 0. So v₂ = -(m₁/m₂)v₁ = -(2.0/3.0)25 = -16.7 m/s. The
negative sign indicates the opposite direction, west. Option A has the wrong
direction. Option C applies an incorrect formula. Option D suggests no motion,
which violates momentum conservation.*
8. In the context of gravitational fields, what does the term 'equipotential
surface' mean?
A. A surface where the gravitational potential is zero.
B. A surface where the gravitational field strength is constant.
C. A surface over which the gravitational potential is constant.
D. A surface where an object will experience no net gravitational force.
Correct Answer: C. A surface over which the gravitational potential is constant.
Rationale: An equipotential surface is a surface where every point has the same
gravitational potential. No work is done by the gravitational field when an object
moves along this surface. Option A is incorrect because V=0 is only one specific
equipotential. Option B describes a uniform field, not an equipotential. Option D
describes a point of equilibrium.
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED
PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. Which of the following correctly describes the nature of an electric field?
A. A region of space where a magnetic force is exerted on a moving charge.
B. A region of space where an electrostatic force is exerted on a charged particle.
C. A region of space where a gravitational force is exerted on a mass.
D. A region of space where a nuclear force is exerted on a nucleon.
Correct Answer: B. A region of space where an electrostatic force is exerted on
a charged particle.
Rationale: An electric field is fundamentally defined as a region of space in which a
charged particle experiences an electrostatic force. Option B is the correct definition.
Option A describes a magnetic field. Option C describes a gravitational field. Option
D describes a strong nuclear force field.
2. For an object performing simple harmonic motion, what is the relationship
between its acceleration and displacement?
A. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in the same direction.
B. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in the opposite
direction.
C. Acceleration is inversely proportional to displacement and in the opposite
direction.
D. Acceleration is constant for all displacements.
Correct Answer: B. Acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and in
the opposite direction.
Rationale: The defining characteristic of SHM is a = -ω²x. This shows acceleration
(a) is proportional to displacement (x) but acts in the opposite direction, always
,towards the equilibrium position. Option A describes a force that would cause the
object to accelerate away from equilibrium. Option C incorrectly describes the
proportionality. Option D is characteristic of uniform acceleration, not SHM.
3. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Kinetic energy
B. Temperature
C. Acceleration
D. Speed
Correct Answer: C. Acceleration
Rationale: A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. Acceleration (a
vector) fits this definition. Kinetic energy, temperature, and speed are all scalar
quantities; they have magnitude only and no associated direction. This requires
recall of basic physical quantities.
4. A 1.5 Ω resistor and a 2.5 Ω resistor are connected in parallel. What is the
equivalent resistance of this combination?
A. 4.0 Ω
B. 0.94 Ω
C. 1.0 Ω
D. 3.75 Ω
Correct Answer: B. 0.94 Ω
Rationale: For resistors in parallel, the reciprocal of the total resistance is the sum
of the reciprocals of the individual resistances: 1/R_T = 1/1.5 + 1/2.5 = 0.667 + 0.4
= 1.067. Thus R_T = .067 ≈ 0.94 Ω. Option A incorrectly sums the resistances
as for a series circuit. Option C is a common approximation but not accurate.
Option D incorrectly applies the product/sum formula incorrectly.
,5. A student measures the length of a metal rod multiple times, obtaining
values of 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm, 15.1 cm, and 15.9 cm. Which term best describes the
15.9 cm reading?
A. A random error
B. A systematic error
C. An anomaly
D. A zero error
Correct Answer: C. An anomaly
Rationale: An anomaly is a measurement that lies outside the expected range of
other data points, often due to an unpredictable error. The values 15.2, 15.3, and
15.1 cm are consistent, making 15.9 cm the outlier. Random errors cause scatter
around a true value but do not produce such a large isolated discrepancy.
Systematic errors are consistent offsets. Zero error is a specific type of systematic
error.
6. The work function of a metal surface is 2.5 eV. What is the threshold
frequency for photoemission from this surface? (Planck's constant, h = 4.14 ×
10⁻¹⁵ eV·s)
A. 1.04 × 10¹⁵ Hz
B. 6.04 × 10¹⁴ Hz
C. 3.77 × 10¹⁴ Hz
D. 1.66 × 10¹⁵ Hz
Correct Answer: B. 6.04 × 10¹⁴ Hz
Rationale: The threshold frequency (f₀) is the minimum frequency needed to emit
an electron from a surface. The work function (φ) is related to the threshold
frequency by φ = h f₀. Therefore, f₀ = φ / h = 2.5 eV / (4.14 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV·s) ≈ 6.04 ×
10¹⁴ Hz. Option A uses a value of h incorrectly. Option C is a result of a calculation
error. Option D uses the work function incorrectly.
, 7. A stationary firework explodes into two fragments. One fragment has a mass
of 2.0 kg and moves east with a velocity of 25 m/s. The other fragment has a
mass of 3.0 kg. What is the velocity of the second fragment immediately after
the explosion?
A. 16.7 m/s east
B. 16.7 m/s west
C. 37.5 m/s west
D. 0 m/s
Correct Answer: B. 16.7 m/s west
Rationale: This is a conservation of momentum problem. Before the explosion, the
total momentum is zero. Therefore, the total momentum after the explosion must
be zero. m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = 0. So v₂ = -(m₁/m₂)v₁ = -(2.0/3.0)25 = -16.7 m/s. The
negative sign indicates the opposite direction, west. Option A has the wrong
direction. Option C applies an incorrect formula. Option D suggests no motion,
which violates momentum conservation.*
8. In the context of gravitational fields, what does the term 'equipotential
surface' mean?
A. A surface where the gravitational potential is zero.
B. A surface where the gravitational field strength is constant.
C. A surface over which the gravitational potential is constant.
D. A surface where an object will experience no net gravitational force.
Correct Answer: C. A surface over which the gravitational potential is constant.
Rationale: An equipotential surface is a surface where every point has the same
gravitational potential. No work is done by the gravitational field when an object
moves along this surface. Option A is incorrect because V=0 is only one specific
equipotential. Option B describes a uniform field, not an equipotential. Option D
describes a point of equilibrium.
