Wednesday 20 May 2026 – Afternoon
AS Level Physics A
H156/02 Depth in physics
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
GCE
*
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Physics A
H156/02: Depth in physics
* H 1 5 6 0 2 *
*
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. AS Level
Centre number Candidate number
Mark Scheme for June 2026
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.
• 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 70.
• 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 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Cambridge 2026 [601/4742/8] Cambridge is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ/TC) 368331/5 Turn over
Cambridge
, 2
1 A student measures the mass M of 500 sheets of paper.
The student then measures the length L and width W of one sheet of paper.
Cambridge is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to
The values of M, L and W are recorded in the table.
meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. Cambridge qualifications include
Quantity Measurement AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills,
Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT,
M 2520 g business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
L (29.7 ± 0.1) cm
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
W (21.0 ± 0.1) cm needs of students and teachers. Cambridge is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus
made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications
(a) State the measuring instrument used to measure L and W. and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
..................................................................................................................................................... [1] This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
(b) indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
(i) Calculate the area A of one sheet of paper.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
Cambridge 2026
A = ................................................... cm2 [2]
(ii) Calculate the pressure p that the 500 sheets of paper exert on a bench.
p = ............................................. N cm–2 [2]
Cambridge 2026
Cambridge
, H156/02 Mark Scheme June 2026
3
The density of this paper is 1.2 g cm–3.
MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Calculate the thickness t of one sheet of paper. PREPARATION FOR MARKING
volume RM ASSESSOR
Use the formula: thickness =
area
1. Make sure that you have accessed and completed the relevant training packages for on-screen marking: RM Assessor Online Training;
Essential Guide to Marking.
2. Make sure that you have read and understood the mark scheme and the question paper for this unit. These are posted on the RM Cambridge
Assessment Support Portal
3. Log-in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice responses (“scripts”) and the number of required standardisation responses.
t = .................................................... cm [2] YOU MUST MARK 10 PRACTICE AND 10 STANDARDISATION RESPONSES BEFORE YOU CAN BE APPROVED TO MARK LIVE SCRIPTS.
(d) Explain how the student can determine the thickness of one sheet of paper experimentally. MARKING
.......................................................................................................................................................... 1. Mark strictly to the mark scheme.
.......................................................................................................................................................... 2. Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria.
..........................................................................................................................................................
3. The schedule of dates is very important. It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% (traditional 40% Batch 1 and 100% Batch 2)
..................................................................................................................................................... [2] deadlines. If you experience problems, you must contact your Team Leader (Supervisor) without delay.
4. If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by telephone or the RM Assessor messaging system, or by email.
5. Crossed Out Responses
Where a candidate has crossed out a response and provided a clear alternative then the crossed out response is not marked. Where no alternative
response has been provided, examiners may give candidates the benefit of the doubt and mark the crossed out response where legible.
Rubric Error Responses – Optional Questions
Where candidates have a choice of question across a whole paper or a whole section and have provided more answers than required, then all responses
are marked and the highest mark allowable within the rubric is given. Enter a mark for each question answered into RM assessor, which will select the
2
Cambridge 2026 Turn over
AS Level Physics A
H156/02 Depth in physics
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
GCE
*
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Physics A
H156/02: Depth in physics
* H 1 5 6 0 2 *
*
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. AS Level
Centre number Candidate number
Mark Scheme for June 2026
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.
• 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 70.
• 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 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Cambridge 2026 [601/4742/8] Cambridge is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ/TC) 368331/5 Turn over
Cambridge
, 2
1 A student measures the mass M of 500 sheets of paper.
The student then measures the length L and width W of one sheet of paper.
Cambridge is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to
The values of M, L and W are recorded in the table.
meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. Cambridge qualifications include
Quantity Measurement AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills,
Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT,
M 2520 g business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills.
L (29.7 ± 0.1) cm
It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and the
W (21.0 ± 0.1) cm needs of students and teachers. Cambridge is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus
made is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications
(a) State the measuring instrument used to measure L and W. and support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society.
..................................................................................................................................................... [1] This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination. It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners. It does not
(b) indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before marking
commenced.
(i) Calculate the area A of one sheet of paper.
All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the report
on the examination.
Cambridge 2026
A = ................................................... cm2 [2]
(ii) Calculate the pressure p that the 500 sheets of paper exert on a bench.
p = ............................................. N cm–2 [2]
Cambridge 2026
Cambridge
, H156/02 Mark Scheme June 2026
3
The density of this paper is 1.2 g cm–3.
MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Calculate the thickness t of one sheet of paper. PREPARATION FOR MARKING
volume RM ASSESSOR
Use the formula: thickness =
area
1. Make sure that you have accessed and completed the relevant training packages for on-screen marking: RM Assessor Online Training;
Essential Guide to Marking.
2. Make sure that you have read and understood the mark scheme and the question paper for this unit. These are posted on the RM Cambridge
Assessment Support Portal
3. Log-in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice responses (“scripts”) and the number of required standardisation responses.
t = .................................................... cm [2] YOU MUST MARK 10 PRACTICE AND 10 STANDARDISATION RESPONSES BEFORE YOU CAN BE APPROVED TO MARK LIVE SCRIPTS.
(d) Explain how the student can determine the thickness of one sheet of paper experimentally. MARKING
.......................................................................................................................................................... 1. Mark strictly to the mark scheme.
.......................................................................................................................................................... 2. Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria.
..........................................................................................................................................................
3. The schedule of dates is very important. It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% (traditional 40% Batch 1 and 100% Batch 2)
..................................................................................................................................................... [2] deadlines. If you experience problems, you must contact your Team Leader (Supervisor) without delay.
4. If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by telephone or the RM Assessor messaging system, or by email.
5. Crossed Out Responses
Where a candidate has crossed out a response and provided a clear alternative then the crossed out response is not marked. Where no alternative
response has been provided, examiners may give candidates the benefit of the doubt and mark the crossed out response where legible.
Rubric Error Responses – Optional Questions
Where candidates have a choice of question across a whole paper or a whole section and have provided more answers than required, then all responses
are marked and the highest mark allowable within the rubric is given. Enter a mark for each question answered into RM assessor, which will select the
2
Cambridge 2026 Turn over
