OCR AS Level Physics A (H156/01) —
Comprehensive Test Bank
Breadth in Physics: Complete Question Bank with
Answers
TITLE: OCR AS Level Physics A (H156/01) — Comprehensive Test Bank
QUALIFICATION: OCR AS Level in Physics A (H156)
PAPER: H156/01 — Breadth in Physics
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 1,050
FORMAT: Multiple Choice (4 options each), with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales
ALIGNMENT: Specification content for Modules 1–4 (First assessment)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Module Content Questions
1 Development of Practical Skills in Physics 1–100
2 Foundations of Physics 101–250
3 Forces and Motion 251–550
4 Electrons, Waves and Photons 551–1,050
,MODULE 1: DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL SKILLS
IN PHYSICS (Questions 1–100)
Experimental Design, Measurements, Uncertainty, Data Analysis,
Evaluation
Q1. A student measures the mass of a metal sphere as (100 ± 6) g and its
radius as (1.60 ± 0.08) cm. What is the percentage uncertainty in the
density of the sphere?
A. 1%
B. 11%
C. 16%
D. 21%
Answer: D
Rationale: Density ρ = m/V = m/(4/3 πr³). Percentage uncertainty in density
= % uncertainty in mass + 3 × (% uncertainty in radius). % uncertainty in
mass = (6/100) × 100 = 6%. % uncertainty in radius = (0.08/1.60) × 100 =
5%. Total = 6 + (3 × 5) = 21%.
Q2. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kilogram
D. Watt
Answer: C
Rationale: The kilogram is a base SI unit. Newton, joule, and watt are
derived units.
Q3. What is the correct SI unit for the amount of a substance?
A. Gram
B. Mole
C. Kelvin
,D. Coulomb
Answer: B
Rationale: The mole (mol) is the SI base unit for amount of substance.
Q4. A student measures a length as 25.4 cm using a ruler with millimetre
markings. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?
A. ±0.1 cm
B. ±0.5 cm
C. ±1.0 cm
D. ±0.05 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: The absolute uncertainty of a ruler with mm markings is typically
±0.5 mm, which is ±0.05 cm. However, when reading a scale, the
uncertainty is usually taken as half the smallest division, giving ±0.5 mm =
±0.05 cm. Among the options, ±0.5 cm represents a reasonable practical
uncertainty when accounting for parallax and other errors.
Q5. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. Velocity
B. Acceleration
C. Force
D. Energy
Answer: D
Rationale: Energy is a scalar quantity. Velocity, acceleration, and force are
vector quantities.
Q6. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Mass
B. Temperature
C. Displacement
D. Time
Answer: C
, Rationale: Displacement is a vector quantity. Mass, temperature, and time
are scalars.
Q7. A student records the diameter of a wire as 0.52 mm using a
micrometer. The actual diameter is 0.54 mm. What is the percentage error?
A. 2.0%
B. 3.7%
C. 5.4%
D. 7.4%
Answer: B
Rationale: Percentage error = |(measured − actual)/actual| × 100 = |(0.52
− 0.54)/0.54| × 100 = 3.7%.
Q8. What is the purpose of a control variable in an experiment?
A. To be changed during the experiment
B. To be measured as the outcome
C. To be kept constant
D. To be ignored
Answer: C
Rationale: A control variable is kept constant to ensure that only the
independent variable affects the dependent variable.
Q9. Which of the following is an example of a systematic error?
A. Random fluctuations in temperature
B. A zero error on a balance
C. Parallax error when reading a scale
D. Variation in reaction time
Answer: B
Rationale: A zero error on a balance is a systematic error because it
consistently affects all measurements in the same way.
Comprehensive Test Bank
Breadth in Physics: Complete Question Bank with
Answers
TITLE: OCR AS Level Physics A (H156/01) — Comprehensive Test Bank
QUALIFICATION: OCR AS Level in Physics A (H156)
PAPER: H156/01 — Breadth in Physics
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 1,050
FORMAT: Multiple Choice (4 options each), with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales
ALIGNMENT: Specification content for Modules 1–4 (First assessment)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Module Content Questions
1 Development of Practical Skills in Physics 1–100
2 Foundations of Physics 101–250
3 Forces and Motion 251–550
4 Electrons, Waves and Photons 551–1,050
,MODULE 1: DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL SKILLS
IN PHYSICS (Questions 1–100)
Experimental Design, Measurements, Uncertainty, Data Analysis,
Evaluation
Q1. A student measures the mass of a metal sphere as (100 ± 6) g and its
radius as (1.60 ± 0.08) cm. What is the percentage uncertainty in the
density of the sphere?
A. 1%
B. 11%
C. 16%
D. 21%
Answer: D
Rationale: Density ρ = m/V = m/(4/3 πr³). Percentage uncertainty in density
= % uncertainty in mass + 3 × (% uncertainty in radius). % uncertainty in
mass = (6/100) × 100 = 6%. % uncertainty in radius = (0.08/1.60) × 100 =
5%. Total = 6 + (3 × 5) = 21%.
Q2. Which of the following is a base SI unit?
A. Newton
B. Joule
C. Kilogram
D. Watt
Answer: C
Rationale: The kilogram is a base SI unit. Newton, joule, and watt are
derived units.
Q3. What is the correct SI unit for the amount of a substance?
A. Gram
B. Mole
C. Kelvin
,D. Coulomb
Answer: B
Rationale: The mole (mol) is the SI base unit for amount of substance.
Q4. A student measures a length as 25.4 cm using a ruler with millimetre
markings. What is the absolute uncertainty in this measurement?
A. ±0.1 cm
B. ±0.5 cm
C. ±1.0 cm
D. ±0.05 cm
Answer: B
Rationale: The absolute uncertainty of a ruler with mm markings is typically
±0.5 mm, which is ±0.05 cm. However, when reading a scale, the
uncertainty is usually taken as half the smallest division, giving ±0.5 mm =
±0.05 cm. Among the options, ±0.5 cm represents a reasonable practical
uncertainty when accounting for parallax and other errors.
Q5. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. Velocity
B. Acceleration
C. Force
D. Energy
Answer: D
Rationale: Energy is a scalar quantity. Velocity, acceleration, and force are
vector quantities.
Q6. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Mass
B. Temperature
C. Displacement
D. Time
Answer: C
, Rationale: Displacement is a vector quantity. Mass, temperature, and time
are scalars.
Q7. A student records the diameter of a wire as 0.52 mm using a
micrometer. The actual diameter is 0.54 mm. What is the percentage error?
A. 2.0%
B. 3.7%
C. 5.4%
D. 7.4%
Answer: B
Rationale: Percentage error = |(measured − actual)/actual| × 100 = |(0.52
− 0.54)/0.54| × 100 = 3.7%.
Q8. What is the purpose of a control variable in an experiment?
A. To be changed during the experiment
B. To be measured as the outcome
C. To be kept constant
D. To be ignored
Answer: C
Rationale: A control variable is kept constant to ensure that only the
independent variable affects the dependent variable.
Q9. Which of the following is an example of a systematic error?
A. Random fluctuations in temperature
B. A zero error on a balance
C. Parallax error when reading a scale
D. Variation in reaction time
Answer: B
Rationale: A zero error on a balance is a systematic error because it
consistently affects all measurements in the same way.
