AcePapers
A Level Physics (Edexcel specification 9PH0)
General & Practical Principles in Physics
(Paper 3)
Practice question paper
Practice for 9PH0 Paper 3
Time allowed 2 hours 30 minutes
Total marks 120
Equipment Scientific calculator, ruler, protractor, HB pencil
Before you start
• Write in black ink. A pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams.
• Attempt every question and write each answer in the space below it; you may not need
all of the space.
• The number of marks for each part is given in brackets. Use it to judge how much to
write and how long to spend.
• Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) also reward a clear, logically sequenced answer in
which your points are connected.
• In calculations show each step, give the final answer to an appropriate number of
significant figures and include its unit.
• A data and formulae sheet is printed at the back of this paper. You may detach it.
Written by AcePapers
Independent practice paper written for revision. Not an official Pearson paper
and not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson.
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 1
, Answer every question. Where a multiple-choice question has boxes, mark your chosen answer with a
cross. To change it, draw a line through the cross and mark the new box.
1 A student determines the acceleration of free fall, g, by timing a steel ball falling from
rest between an electromagnet and a trapdoor switch connected to an electronic
timer.
(a) The student measures the time t for several heights h. Explain how a graph
of h against t2 can be used to find g. (3)
(b) For h = 0.800 m the mean time was 0.404 s. Calculate a value for g. (2)
g = ................................................ m s−2
(c) The uncertainty in h is ±0.002 m and the uncertainty in t is ±0.002 s.
Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this value of g. (2)
= ................................................ %
(d) Suggest a source of systematic error in this experiment and its effect on the
value of g. (1)
[Question 1: 8 marks]
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 2
, 2 A student determines the resistivity of a metal wire.
(a) Describe how the student should measure the diameter of the wire to obtain
an accurate value. (3)
(b) The student's readings of diameter were 0.27 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.27 mm, 0.28
mm and 0.27 mm. Calculate the mean diameter and its percentage
uncertainty. (3)
(c) A graph of resistance R against length l had a gradient of 18.5 Ω m−1.
Calculate the resistivity of the metal. (2)
Resistivity = ................................................ Ω m
(d) Explain why the current should be switched off between readings. (1)
[Question 2: 9 marks]
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 3
A Level Physics (Edexcel specification 9PH0)
General & Practical Principles in Physics
(Paper 3)
Practice question paper
Practice for 9PH0 Paper 3
Time allowed 2 hours 30 minutes
Total marks 120
Equipment Scientific calculator, ruler, protractor, HB pencil
Before you start
• Write in black ink. A pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams.
• Attempt every question and write each answer in the space below it; you may not need
all of the space.
• The number of marks for each part is given in brackets. Use it to judge how much to
write and how long to spend.
• Questions labelled with an asterisk (*) also reward a clear, logically sequenced answer in
which your points are connected.
• In calculations show each step, give the final answer to an appropriate number of
significant figures and include its unit.
• A data and formulae sheet is printed at the back of this paper. You may detach it.
Written by AcePapers
Independent practice paper written for revision. Not an official Pearson paper
and not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson.
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 1
, Answer every question. Where a multiple-choice question has boxes, mark your chosen answer with a
cross. To change it, draw a line through the cross and mark the new box.
1 A student determines the acceleration of free fall, g, by timing a steel ball falling from
rest between an electromagnet and a trapdoor switch connected to an electronic
timer.
(a) The student measures the time t for several heights h. Explain how a graph
of h against t2 can be used to find g. (3)
(b) For h = 0.800 m the mean time was 0.404 s. Calculate a value for g. (2)
g = ................................................ m s−2
(c) The uncertainty in h is ±0.002 m and the uncertainty in t is ±0.002 s.
Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this value of g. (2)
= ................................................ %
(d) Suggest a source of systematic error in this experiment and its effect on the
value of g. (1)
[Question 1: 8 marks]
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 2
, 2 A student determines the resistivity of a metal wire.
(a) Describe how the student should measure the diameter of the wire to obtain
an accurate value. (3)
(b) The student's readings of diameter were 0.27 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.27 mm, 0.28
mm and 0.27 mm. Calculate the mean diameter and its percentage
uncertainty. (3)
(c) A graph of resistance R against length l had a gradient of 18.5 Ω m−1.
Calculate the resistivity of the metal. (2)
Resistivity = ................................................ Ω m
(d) Explain why the current should be switched off between readings. (1)
[Question 2: 9 marks]
AcePapers · 9PH0 Paper 3 · independent practice material Page 3
