A-Level EDEXCEL 2025 Physics PAPER 3
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Paper
🟐 🟐
Physics
Advanced
PAPER 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics
Marks
Scientific calculator and ruler
Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball‑point pen.
If pencil is used for diagrams/sketches/graphs it must be dark (HB or B).
• Fill in the
centre boxesand
number at the top of this
candidate page with your name,
number.
•• Answer
Answer all
thequestions.
questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 120.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Instructure
questions marked with an asterisk (*), marks will be awarded for your ability to
your answer logically, showing how the points that you make are related or
follow on from each other where appropriate.
Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Try to answer every question.
•• Check your answers if you have time at the end.
You are advised to show your working in calculations including units
where appropriate.
Turn over
, Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.
1 A student investigated the variation of current with applied potential difference (p.d.)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
for a filament bulb. Under normal working conditions the potential difference across the
bulb is 3.0 V.
(a) The circuit diagram shows the circuit the student used.
9.0 V
A
V
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Comment on the suitability of the student’s circuit.
(3)
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, (b) When the p.d. across the bulb was 3.0 V, the student recorded a value of 1.29A for
the current.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
In his conclusion he stated
This will give an accurate value for the working resistance, as the
value of current is precise.
Assess the validity of the student’s statement. You do not need to carry out
a calculation.
(4)
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(Total for Question 1 = 7 marks)
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3
■■■■ Turn over
, 2 A transmitter produces microwaves with a frequency of 10.7 GHz. The microwaves
are directed towards a metal plate. A microwave receiver R is placed between the
transmitter and the metal plate, as shown.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
metal plate
microwave R
transmitter A B
When R is moved along the line AB, the intensity of microwaves received is observed
to increase from minimum to maximum a number of times. The distance between
successive minima is about 1.5 cm.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Explain these observations. Your answer should include a calculation.
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(Total for Question 2 = 5 marks)
4
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Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Paper
🟐 🟐
Physics
Advanced
PAPER 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics
Marks
Scientific calculator and ruler
Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball‑point pen.
If pencil is used for diagrams/sketches/graphs it must be dark (HB or B).
• Fill in the
centre boxesand
number at the top of this
candidate page with your name,
number.
•• Answer
Answer all
thequestions.
questions in the spaces provided
– there may be more space than you need.
Information
•• The total mark for this paper is 120.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
• Instructure
questions marked with an asterisk (*), marks will be awarded for your ability to
your answer logically, showing how the points that you make are related or
follow on from each other where appropriate.
Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Try to answer every question.
•• Check your answers if you have time at the end.
You are advised to show your working in calculations including units
where appropriate.
Turn over
, Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.
1 A student investigated the variation of current with applied potential difference (p.d.)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
for a filament bulb. Under normal working conditions the potential difference across the
bulb is 3.0 V.
(a) The circuit diagram shows the circuit the student used.
9.0 V
A
V
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Comment on the suitability of the student’s circuit.
(3)
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............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
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DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
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2
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, (b) When the p.d. across the bulb was 3.0 V, the student recorded a value of 1.29A for
the current.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
In his conclusion he stated
This will give an accurate value for the working resistance, as the
value of current is precise.
Assess the validity of the student’s statement. You do not need to carry out
a calculation.
(4)
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
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DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
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(Total for Question 1 = 7 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
3
■■■■ Turn over
, 2 A transmitter produces microwaves with a frequency of 10.7 GHz. The microwaves
are directed towards a metal plate. A microwave receiver R is placed between the
transmitter and the metal plate, as shown.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
metal plate
microwave R
transmitter A B
When R is moved along the line AB, the intensity of microwaves received is observed
to increase from minimum to maximum a number of times. The distance between
successive minima is about 1.5 cm.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Explain these observations. Your answer should include a calculation.
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. .....................................................................................................................
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............................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................... DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
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(Total for Question 2 = 5 marks)
4
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