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AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027
| PHYSICS | 75 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEASUREMENTS & UNCERTAINTIES - Questions 1-8
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. Ampere
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ampere (A) is the base SI unit for electric current. Newton, joule, and volt are derived
units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'nano' (n) represents:
A. 10⁻⁶
B. 10⁻⁹
C. 10⁻¹²
D. 10⁻³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: nano = 10⁻⁹. micro = 10⁻⁶, pico = 10⁻¹², milli = 10⁻³. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Random Error
The student is reviewing errors. Random error affects:
A. Accuracy but not precision
B. Precision but not accuracy
C. Both accuracy and precision
D. Neither
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random errors cause scatter around a mean, reducing precision. They do not
systematically shift the mean, so accuracy is not necessarily affected. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Systematic Error
The student is reviewing errors. A systematic error is caused by:
A. Unpredictable fluctuations
B. Faulty calibration of equipment
C. Biological variation
D. Small sample size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic errors are consistent, directional errors due to faulty calibration, zero error, or
biased methods. They affect accuracy. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Uncertainty Calculation
The student is reviewing uncertainties. A length is measured as 12.0 cm ± 0.1 cm. The percentage
uncertainty is:
A. 0.83%
B. 1.2%
C. 8.3%
D. 12%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: % uncertainty = (0..0) × 100 ≈ 0.83%. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Combining Uncertainties
The student is reviewing uncertainties. Two masses, 2.0 ± 0.1 kg and 3.0 ± 0.2 kg, are added. The
absolute uncertainty in the total mass is:
A. ±0.1 kg
B. ±0.2 kg
C. ±0.3 kg
D. ±0.4 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For addition, absolute uncertainties add: 0.1 + 0.2 = ±0.3 kg. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Significant Figures
The student is reviewing significant figures. The number 0.00320 has how many significant figures?
A. 2
B. 3
, 3
C. 4
D. 5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leading zeros are not significant. 3, 2, and the trailing zero after the decimal are
significant = 3 s.f. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Order of Magnitude
The student is reviewing orders of magnitude. The diameter of a typical atomic nucleus is
approximately:
A. 10⁻¹⁰ m
B. 10⁻¹⁵ m
C. 10⁻⁶ m
D. 10⁻³ m
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nuclear diameter is about 10⁻¹⁵ m (1 femtometre). Atomic diameter is ~10⁻¹⁰ m. [100%
CORRECT]
SECTION 2: PARTICLES & RADIATION - Questions 9-16
Q9: Alpha Particle
The student is reviewing particles. An alpha particle consists of:
A. 2 protons and 2 neutrons
B. 2 protons and 2 electrons
C. 4 protons
D. 1 proton and 1 neutron
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alpha particle = helium nucleus = 2 protons + 2 neutrons. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Beta-Minus Decay
The student is reviewing beta decay. In beta-minus decay, a neutron transforms into:
A. A proton, an electron, and an antineutrino
B. A proton, a positron, and a neutrino
C. A neutron, an electron, and a neutrino
D. A proton and an electron only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: n → p + e⁻ + ν̄ₑ. The electron and antineutrino are emitted. [100% CORRECT]
AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027
| PHYSICS | 75 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: MEASUREMENTS & UNCERTAINTIES - Questions 1-8
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. Ampere
D. Volt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ampere (A) is the base SI unit for electric current. Newton, joule, and volt are derived
units. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prefixes
The student is reviewing prefixes. The prefix 'nano' (n) represents:
A. 10⁻⁶
B. 10⁻⁹
C. 10⁻¹²
D. 10⁻³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: nano = 10⁻⁹. micro = 10⁻⁶, pico = 10⁻¹², milli = 10⁻³. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Random Error
The student is reviewing errors. Random error affects:
A. Accuracy but not precision
B. Precision but not accuracy
C. Both accuracy and precision
D. Neither
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Random errors cause scatter around a mean, reducing precision. They do not
systematically shift the mean, so accuracy is not necessarily affected. [100% CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Systematic Error
The student is reviewing errors. A systematic error is caused by:
A. Unpredictable fluctuations
B. Faulty calibration of equipment
C. Biological variation
D. Small sample size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic errors are consistent, directional errors due to faulty calibration, zero error, or
biased methods. They affect accuracy. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Uncertainty Calculation
The student is reviewing uncertainties. A length is measured as 12.0 cm ± 0.1 cm. The percentage
uncertainty is:
A. 0.83%
B. 1.2%
C. 8.3%
D. 12%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: % uncertainty = (0..0) × 100 ≈ 0.83%. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Combining Uncertainties
The student is reviewing uncertainties. Two masses, 2.0 ± 0.1 kg and 3.0 ± 0.2 kg, are added. The
absolute uncertainty in the total mass is:
A. ±0.1 kg
B. ±0.2 kg
C. ±0.3 kg
D. ±0.4 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For addition, absolute uncertainties add: 0.1 + 0.2 = ±0.3 kg. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Significant Figures
The student is reviewing significant figures. The number 0.00320 has how many significant figures?
A. 2
B. 3
, 3
C. 4
D. 5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leading zeros are not significant. 3, 2, and the trailing zero after the decimal are
significant = 3 s.f. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Order of Magnitude
The student is reviewing orders of magnitude. The diameter of a typical atomic nucleus is
approximately:
A. 10⁻¹⁰ m
B. 10⁻¹⁵ m
C. 10⁻⁶ m
D. 10⁻³ m
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nuclear diameter is about 10⁻¹⁵ m (1 femtometre). Atomic diameter is ~10⁻¹⁰ m. [100%
CORRECT]
SECTION 2: PARTICLES & RADIATION - Questions 9-16
Q9: Alpha Particle
The student is reviewing particles. An alpha particle consists of:
A. 2 protons and 2 neutrons
B. 2 protons and 2 electrons
C. 4 protons
D. 1 proton and 1 neutron
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alpha particle = helium nucleus = 2 protons + 2 neutrons. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Beta-Minus Decay
The student is reviewing beta decay. In beta-minus decay, a neutron transforms into:
A. A proton, an electron, and an antineutrino
B. A proton, a positron, and a neutrino
C. A neutron, an electron, and a neutrino
D. A proton and an electron only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: n → p + e⁻ + ν̄ₑ. The electron and antineutrino are emitted. [100% CORRECT]
