2025 OCR A Level Physics A H556/02 Exploring physics, Exams of Physics

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Oxford Cambridge and RSA - 2025

Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning

A Level Physics A

H556/02 Exploring physics

Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes

(Verified Question Paper With Mark

Scheme Combined June 2025)

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 100.
• 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 32 pages.

ADVICE

• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.

© OCR 2025 [601/4743/X] DC (ST/CB) 356052/

OCR is an exempt Charity Turn over

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3 The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon, E , for nuclei of

different nucleon number, A.

E

0 A

Which of the following statement(s) correctly describe nuclear processes?

1 Fission of nuclei to the right of X releases energy 2 Fusion of nuclei to the left of X releases energy 3 Fission of nuclei to the right of X can happen spontaneously

A Only 1

B Only 2

C Only 2 and 3

D 1, 2 and 3

Your answer [1]

4 The current in a copper wire of radius 2.5 × 10 –4^ m is 1.4 A.

The number density of charge carriers (electrons) in copper is 8.5 ×

28 m

3

. What is the mean drift velocity of the electrons in the wire?

A 2.1 × 10

• mm s -

B 0.13 mm s–

C 0.52 mm s

D 1.9 mm s–

Your answer [1]

X

© OCR

5 An isotope has a half-life of 243 years.

One sample of this isotope has activity A 1.

A second sample of the same isotope has activity A 2.

What is the ratio:

mass of isotope in first sample mass of isotope in second sample

A 243 A

1 A 2

A 1

C A

1 A 2

A 2

Your answer [1]

6 A student wants to determine the count-rate from a beta-emitting source in the

laboratory.

Which procedure would be the best to determine the count-rate?

A Measure the counts over a long period of time

B Place the radiation detector (Geiger tube) about 1 metre away from the source

C Place the source close to a very strong magnet

D Place the source inside a lead box when measuring the counts

Your answer [1]

B

D

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9 The radius R of the nucleus of an unknown isotope with nucleon number is

calculated using the formula

R = r 0 A 1/3^ , where r 0 is a constant.

The percentage uncertainty in r 0 is

±5%. The percentage uncertainty

in A is ±3%.

What is the percentage uncertainty in R?

A ± 2%

B ± 4%

C ± 6%

D ± 8%

Your answer

[1]

10 The diagrams show representations of a progressive wave.

displaceme

nt

/

cm

0

displacement / cm

time 0

/ ms

distance / cm

Which row of the table correctly identifies its properties?

Amplitude / cm Frequency / Hz

A 0.10 400

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B 0.85 2500

C 0.85 400

D 0.10 2500

Your answer

[1]

© OCR Turn over

14 Many types of charged particles can be created in particle accelerators.

The charge on an unknown particle is measured in four different

experiments. Which experimental result for the charge on the particle

is impossible?

A 1.6 × 10

• C

B 2.1 × 10 –19^ C

C 6.4 × 10

• C

D 9.6 × 10 –19^ C

Your answer [1]

15 Ultrasound scanning uses waves of a particular type and frequency.

Which row of the table is correct for these waves?

Type Frequency range

A Longitudinal Up to 20 kHz

B Longitudinal Above 20 kHz

C Transverse Up to 20 kHz

D Transverse Above 20 kHz

Your answer [1]

© OCR

BLANK PAGE

DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE

© OCR

(e) This question is about a clockwise circuit loop

starting at X. This loop is shown beneath the graph.

Assume the battery has negligible internal resistance. The resistance of the ammeter is also negligible.

V

0 Battery region

Resistor

region

position

LED

region

Circuit loop (^) A X X

On the axes above this loop, complete the graph to show the variation of the potential difference

V relative to the point X with the position along this loop. [4]

© OCR Turn over

17* ‘Wave-particle duality’ refers to the idea that:

• particles, such as electrons, can show behaviour characteristic of waves
• waves, such as visible light, can show behaviour characteristic of particles.

Describe each model.

Describe the experimental evidence that justifies the model.

You do not need to describe in detail how the experiments are carried out. [6]

Additional space if required

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18 X-rays are used for diagnostic imaging in a hospital.

The diagram shows the structure of an X-ray tube.

Glass envelope

Rotating anode

A

X-rays (^) Tube window

(a) Name the component labelled A on the diagram.

.................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Suggest why the anode is made to rotate.

.................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) X-rays are produced at characteristic wavelengths which depend on the material of

the anode.

Describe how the electrons from component A are responsible for producing X-rays.

.................................................................................................................................. [2]

© OCR

(d) An electron strikes the anode. The kinetic energy of the electron changes from 150

keV to 60 keV.

Calculate the minimum wavelength, λ , of the X-ray photon emitted by the

interaction of the electron with the anode.

λ =................................................m [3]

(e) A radiologist targets a uniform beam of X-rays at a tumour 4.6 cm below the skin of

a patient. The beam is at right angles to the surface of the skin.

The intensity of the X-ray beam at the tumour is 30% of the incident

intensity. Calculate the attenuation coefficient, μ , of the tumour tissue

in cm–1.

μ =............................................cm–1^ [2]

© OCR

.................................................................................................................................. [4]

d

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20 Superposition is a characteristic property of waves.

(a) Draw a diagram in the space below to show how superposition between two

waves can cause destructive interference.

[2]

(b) In an experiment to determine the wavelength λ of red light, a laser is placed in

front of a double slit. The red light from the laser is incident normally at the double

slits. Equally spaced light and dark fringes are visible on a distant screen.

The distance between the double slits is d and the distance between the slits and the

screen is D. A diagram of the apparatus is shown below.

Laser

diagram not to scale

(i) Show that the fringe spacing, x , is approximately

x ≈^

Dλ

State clearly any approximations you make.

D

θ

x

d

Scree n