Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
Paper 3
Section B Astrophysics
Monday 8 June 2026 Morning Time allowed: The total time for
both sections of this paper is
Materials
2 hours. You are advised to
For this paper you must have:
• a pencil and a ruler spend approximately
• a scientific calculator 50 minutes on this section.
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor.
Instructions For Examiner’s Use
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. Question Mark
• Answer all questions. 1
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 2
outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
3
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 4
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 5
to be marked.
• Show all your working. TOTAL
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 35.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*jun2674083BA01*
IB/M/Jun26/G4007/V9 7408/3BA
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section B box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 A reflecting telescope is used to view a star.
The objective mirror of the telescope causes significant spherical aberration.
0 1 . 1 Complete the paths of the rays on Figure 1 to show how spherical aberration occurs
when using a concave mirror.
[2 marks]
Figure 1
0 1 . 2 Explain the effect of spherical aberration on the image of the star.
[1 mark]
3
*02*
IB/M/Jun26/7408/3BA
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 . 1 Draw, on Figure 2, the ray diagram for a Cassegrain telescope. box
Your diagram should show the paths of two rays up to the eyepiece. Both rays should
initially be parallel to the principal axis.
[3 marks]
Figure 2
Question 2 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
IB/M/Jun26/7408/3BA
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
Paper 3
Section B Astrophysics
Monday 8 June 2026 Morning Time allowed: The total time for
both sections of this paper is
Materials
2 hours. You are advised to
For this paper you must have:
• a pencil and a ruler spend approximately
• a scientific calculator 50 minutes on this section.
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor.
Instructions For Examiner’s Use
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. Question Mark
• Answer all questions. 1
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 2
outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
3
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 4
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 5
to be marked.
• Show all your working. TOTAL
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 35.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*jun2674083BA01*
IB/M/Jun26/G4007/V9 7408/3BA
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section B box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 A reflecting telescope is used to view a star.
The objective mirror of the telescope causes significant spherical aberration.
0 1 . 1 Complete the paths of the rays on Figure 1 to show how spherical aberration occurs
when using a concave mirror.
[2 marks]
Figure 1
0 1 . 2 Explain the effect of spherical aberration on the image of the star.
[1 mark]
3
*02*
IB/M/Jun26/7408/3BA
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 . 1 Draw, on Figure 2, the ray diagram for a Cassegrain telescope. box
Your diagram should show the paths of two rays up to the eyepiece. Both rays should
initially be parallel to the principal axis.
[3 marks]
Figure 2
Question 2 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
IB/M/Jun26/7408/3BA
