Download OCR A Level Physics A Modelling physics (H556/01) and more Exams Reasoning in PDF only on Docsity!
May 2026 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/01 Modelling physics
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
- the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
You can use:
- a scientific or graphical calculator
- a ruler (cm/mm)
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
OCR A Level Physics A Modelling physics (H556/01)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
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 36 pages.
ADVICE
- Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 Which of these physical constants requires the greatest number of different base SI units?
A Avogadro^ constant,^ N A
B Boltzmann constant, k
C Gravitational constant, G
D Molar gas constant, R
Your answer [1]
2 A metal block of mass m is at temperature T 0. An electrical heater of constant power P heats the
block for time t and it reaches a temperature T 1. The overall efficiency of the process is x.
Which expression gives the correct value of c , specific heat capacity of the block?
Pt m ( T 1 – T 0 )
Pt mx ( T 1 – T 0 )
Ptx m ( T 1 – T 0 )
Px mt ( T 1 – T 0 )
Your answer [1]
A
B
C
D
© OCR 2025
5 A material is heated so that it changes state from solid to liquid and after further heating changes
to gas.
Which of the following properties of the particles have increased?
1 Mean kinetic energy
2 Order
3 Spacing
A 1 and 3 only
B 1, 2 and 3
C 2 and 3 only
D 3 only
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
velocity v
L
6 A small particle of mass m is travelling horizontally between two parallel walls with a velocity v.
The weight of the particle is equal to the upthrust caused by the air. The distance between the walls is L. The effect of drag on the particle is negligible.
After colliding with a wall the particle rebounds with a velocity of equal magnitude and travels in the opposite direction, hitting the opposite wall. The motion continues.
Which row in the table is correct?
Change in momentum during each collision
Time between collisions with the same wall
Average force exerted on the wall
A mv^2 L v
mv^2 2 L
B 2 mv^2 L v
mv^2 L
C 2 mv L v
2 mv^2 L
D 2 mv^2 L v
2 m L
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
10 Which of the following determines whether a super red giant evolves to a black hole?
A Dark matter
B Electron degeneracy
C Mass of the core
D The Chandrasekhar limit
Your answer [1]
11 Monochromatic light of wavelength 600 nm is passed through a diffraction grating.
Maxima are formed on a screen 3.0 m from the grating. The distance between the two first order maxima, on either side of the zero maximum, is 1.42 m.
What is the spacing, in m, between lines on the diffraction grating?
A 1.3 × 10 –^6
B 1.4 × 10 –^6
C 2.5 × 10 –^6
D 2.6 × 10 –^6
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
12 Which option correctly gives the likely evolution of the Sun?
Luminosity
Temperature
A 1 2 3
B 1 3
C 2 1 3
D 2 3
Your answer [1]
Sun
© OCR 2025
T
0 A
14 A body moves with simple harmonic motion. Which graph shows the correct relationship between
its period, T , and its amplitude, A?
T
0 A
A
T
0 A
B
C
T
0 A
D
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
15 Which of these statements about the Universe is implied by the Cosmological principle?
A Dark energy is found in every galaxy
B Kepler’s laws can be applied to any solar system
C Matter and anti-matter were formed in the very early Universe
D Microwave background radiation corresponds to a temperature of 2.7 K
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
(iii) Use Fig. 16.1 to calculate the change of momentum of the car in 18 s.
= .............................................. kg m s–^1 [2]
(b) Fig. 16.2 shows a graph of resultant force against time during the test.
Fig. 16.
Resultant force /N
Time / s
(i) Explain, in terms of the forces acting on the car, the shape of the graph in Fig. 16..
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Explain why the value you have calculated in (a)(iii) is the area under the graph in Fig. 16..
. ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
© OCR 2025
(c) The diagram below shows one of the wheels of the car that is driven by the electric motor.
direction of motion of car
wheel
(i) Use Newton’s third law to explain how frictional forces cause the car to accelerate.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Calculate the resultant force acting on the car at t = 12 s, using your answer to (a)(ii).
resultant force =......................................................... N [1]
rotation of
road
© OCR 2025
17 An aircraft is flying horizontally at an altitude of 10 000 m and a constant speed of 220 ms–^1.
While maintaining this speed, the controls are adjusted so that the aircraft is in projectile motion until the altitude is 7500 m.
Throughout the projectile motion the passengers experience apparent weightlessness.
(a)
(i) A condition for projectile motion is constant vertical acceleration. State the other condition.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Show that t , the time taken to reach the new altitude of 7500 m, is about 23 s.
[2]
(iii) Determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the aircraft at time t.
velocity = ........................................................ms–^1
angle to the vertical .......................................................... ° [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
(iv) Explain why the engines of the aircraft must provide thrust during the projectile motion.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b)
(i) The average radius of the Earth is 6400 km.
Show that the ratio below is greater than 0.99.
gravitational field strength at 10 000 m altitude
gravitational field strength at the surface of the Earth
[2]
(ii) Explain why the passengers are described as ‘weightless’ during the projectile motion of the
aircraft.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
(ii) Calculate d.
d = ....................................................... m [3]
(iii) Upthrust forces act at the centre of mass of the fluid displaced.
Explain why the drum cannot float in equilibrium on its side with the long axis horizontal.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2025
(b)
(i) When the vertical drum is displaced a distance x deeper into the water from the equilibrium
position, the magnitude of the resultant force on the drum, F , is given by
F = – kx
where k is a constant and d is measured in m.
By considering the magnitude of the additional upthrust on the drum, show that k is about 8000 Nm–^1.
[2]
(ii) When the drum is released, it oscillates vertically. Explain why the oscillations are simple
harmonic motion.
. ................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) Calculate the natural frequency f of the oscillations.
f = ...................................................... Hz [2]
