WPH12 Unit 2: Past-Paper Analysis (Oct 2019 – Jun 2026) and October 2026 Forecast
Edexcel IAL Physics Unit 2: Waves and Electricity (WPH12). 20 papers, updated 3 October 2026.
Across the 20 WPH12 papers sat from October 2019 to June 2026, every Section B question tested one of 17 recurring topics. Four appeared in almost every paper: circuit calculations (20 of 20), refraction and total internal reflection (19), the photoelectric effect (18) and resistivity (17).
For October 2026 the strongest signal is a return of the waves topics June 2026 left out of Section B, led by refraction and TIR. The most overdue 6-mark questions are the photoelectric effect and two-source interference.
Papers covered: Oct 2019, Jan 2020, Oct 2020, Jan, Jun and Oct of 2021 to 2025, and Jan and Jun 2026. The paper set for June 2020 was sat in October 2020 and is listed as Oct 2020. The January 2025 mark scheme was not available, so that paper is analysed from the question paper alone. The June 2019 paper is excluded because it belongs to the legacy WPH02 specification.
Every Section B part-question was classified by topic and by the method its mark scheme credits. Multiple-choice questions were classified from the stem and the mark scheme rationale. A topic counts once per paper in the frequency figures.
What the papers have in common
Waves and electricity carry similar weight, about 30 marks each on average in the last four papers, and “Explain” is the most used command word.
Each paper is 80 marks in 1 hour 30 minutes. Section A has ten 1-mark multiple-choice questions. Section B has 70 marks over 7 to 11 questions and always includes one starred 6-mark extended response.
Four topics were in Section B of at least 17 of 20 papers
A dot means at least one Section B part-question in that sitting; red marks the four most frequent topics. The outlined column is June 2026, the sitting before October 2026. Multiple-choice questions are not counted.
| Topic | Oct 19 | Jan 20 | Oct 20 | Jan 21 | Jun 21 | Oct 21 | Jan 22 | Jun 22 | Oct 22 | Jan 23 | Jun 23 | Oct 23 | Jan 24 | Jun 24 | Oct 24 | Jan 25 | Jun 25 | Oct 25 | Jan 26 | Jun 26 | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Series, parallel, power | 20/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Resistivity | 17/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Potential dividers, sensors | 15/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| e.m.f. and internal resistance | 15/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge and drift velocity | 13/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Why resistance changes, I–V | 13/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Photons and quantum | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Photoelectric effect | 18/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Intensity and photon flux | 14/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| de Broglie, electron diffraction | 12/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy levels, line spectra | 10/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Waves | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Refraction, critical angle, TIR | 19/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stationary waves | 16/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Diffraction and gratings | 13/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Superposition, coherence | 12/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wave basics and graphs | 11/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Polarisation | 10/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pulse-echo | 9/20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
June 2026 was the only paper without a refraction question, and its Section B also skipped gratings, interference, polarisation and pulse-echo.
Marks by area in the four most recent papers (approximate; each question assigned to its main area, MCQs included):
| Paper | Electricity (marks) | Waves (marks) | Photons and quantum (marks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | 40 | 22 | 18 |
| Jan 2026 | 28 | 34 | 18 |
| Oct 2025 | 27 | 35 | 18 |
| Jun 2025 | 25 | 30 | 25 |
Across Section B of all 20 papers, “Explain” appears about 130 times, “Calculate” about 80, “Determine” about 40, “Show that” about 30, “Deduce” and “State” about 25 each, and “Describe” about 20. “Deduce”, “Assess” and “Evaluate” parts are usually marked as calculation, explicit comparison, then conclusion.
The printed list of formulae covers every Unit 2 equation except ε = I(R + r), the potential-divider ratio, phase difference from path difference, the stationary-wave length rules (λ = 2L for a string, L = λ/4 for a closed tube), A = 4πr2, echo distance = vt/2, E = hc/λ, N = It/e, and the grating relations d = 1/N and tan θ = x/D. Lenses and the Doppler effect do not appear in any WPH12 paper or on the formula list.
The 6-mark extended response
Circuits and sensors have been the starred question 7 times in 20 papers, interference 4, the photoelectric effect 3, pulse-echo and line spectra twice each, and refraction and stationary waves once each.
The mark is up to 4 for indicative points plus up to 2 for linkage, and it cannot exceed the number of distinct points made. Six correct, linked points are needed for 6/6; five points cap the answer at 5.
| Paper | Question | Context | Topic | Points the mark scheme credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | 18(b) | Solar cells in a panel | Series vs parallel cells | Series: same current, p.d.s add. Parallel: same p.d., currents add. P = VI gives equal power. One advantage of each |
| Jan 2026 | 19 | Crack in an aircraft wing | Pulse-echo | Pulses sent; reflection at the crack; echo time measured; speed known; distance = speed × time; halve it |
| Oct 2025 | 17(a) | Thermistor switching a water heater | Thermistor potential divider | Electrons gain energy; more conduction electrons; R falls; series parts share p.d.; smaller share of total R; thermistor p.d. falls |
| Jun 2025 | 17(a) | Tuning fork over a closed tube | Stationary wave in a tube | Fork makes sound waves; reflection at the closed end; superposition; in phase or antiphase; antinodes and nodes; antinode at open end, node at closed end |
| Jan 2025 | 16(b) | LDR connected across a cell | LDR with internal resistance | Mark scheme not available. Expected: LDR resistance falls; current rises; lost volts Ir rise; terminal p.d. falls |
| Oct 2024 | 17(b) | Rays at a water surface seen by a swimmer | Refraction and TIR | Light slower in water; ray A refracts towards the normal; ray B beyond the critical angle so TIR; ray C below it so refracts |
| Jun 2024 | 17(a)(ii) | Gas discharge tube | Excitation and photon emission | p.d. drives a current; energy passes to gas atoms; electrons move up levels; fall back emitting photons; frequency matches the level gap; discrete levels |
| Jan 2024 | 17(b) | Boats near two harbour gaps | Diffraction and interference | Waves from each gap superpose; no path difference at A so constructive; phase difference at B varies with wavelength; odd half-wavelengths destructive; whole wavelengths constructive |
| Oct 2023 | 17(a) | UV on magnesium near a charged gauze | Photoelectric effect | UV photons release electrons from magnesium; photon energy above work function; electrons attracted to positive gauze; reversed polarity stops the current |
| Jun 2023 | 14 | LDR in a series circuit | Circuit power vs light level | LDR R falls (more conduction electrons); total R falls, current rises; e.m.f. unchanged; P = VI for the circuit; total power rises |
| Jan 2023 | 15(a) | Walking past two loudspeakers | Two-source interference | Waves diffract; in phase at X so constructive; path difference changes when walking; destructive where antiphase or λ/2 path difference |
| Oct 2022 | 15(a)(ii) | Sounds at 880 Hz and 882 Hz | Beats | Not coherent; phase difference keeps changing; loud = constructive, in phase; quiet = destructive, antiphase |
| Jun 2022 | 15(a) | Cell with series and parallel resistors | Current and p.d. rules | Current = rate of flow of charge; same in series; junction rule; p.d. = energy per unit charge; p.d.s add in series; equal p.d. in parallel |
| Jan 2022 | 13 | Photoelectric effect | Photon model | E = hf; one photon to one electron; minimum frequency; instant emission; KE depends on frequency; intensity sets number of electrons |
| Oct 2021 | 16(a) | Hydrogen emitting visible light | Line spectra | Atoms absorb energy; electrons move up; drop down releasing photons; discrete levels; few possible gaps; E = hf and v = fλ fix the wavelengths |
| Jun 2021 | 15(b) | Two sources on zinc and copper | Work function reasoning | Source A below threshold for both metals; B above zinc’s but below copper’s; zinc work function between 2.0 and 4.4 eV, copper’s above 4.4 eV |
| Jan 2021 | 16 | Filament lamp and thermistor graphs | I–V characteristics | Filament R rises; ion vibrations; more collisions; thermistor R falls; more conduction electrons; I = nqvA |
| Oct 2020 | 13(b) | Noise-cancelling headphones | Diffraction and interference | Sound diffracts to the far ear; destructive cancels, constructive louder; antiphase vs in phase; ear spacing near half a wavelength |
| Jan 2020 | 13 | Ultrasound scan of an unborn baby | Pulse-echo | Reflection at boundaries; change in density; echo time measured; speed known; distance = speed × time; halve it |
| Oct 2019 | 14(a) | Thermistor switching air conditioning | Thermistor potential divider | More energy, more conduction electrons; R falls; thermistor p.d. falls; fixed resistor p.d. rises; switch circuit across the fixed resistor |
Method bank
Calculation marks are awarded step by step for each “use of” a correct relationship, so a candidate who follows the standard route keeps most marks even with a slip at the end. These are the routes the mark schemes credit.
| Topic | Typical ask | Route the mark scheme credits | Where marks are lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series, parallel, power, energy | Power in one resistor; energy in a time | Parallel formula, add series parts, I = V/R for the circuit, split current or p.d., then P = I2R or V2/R; W = VIt or Pt | Using the supply p.d. for one branch; minutes not converted; kWh |
| Resistivity | ρ, length or thickness of a conductor; ρ from an R against l graph | A = πd2/4 or width × thickness, then ρ = RA/l; graph route ρ = gradient × A | mm not converted before squaring; diameter used as radius |
| Potential dividers | Voltmeter reading; whether a sensor circuit switches | Read R off the graph, ratio V1/V2 = R1/R2 (or I = V/R_total then V = IR), compare with the switching p.d., conclude | p.d. found across the wrong component; no explicit comparison |
| e.m.f. and internal resistance | r from readings; ε and r from a graph; why V < ε | Lost volts = ε − V, r = lost volts ÷ I; V against I: intercept ε, gradient −r; R against 1/I: gradient ε, intercept −r | Gradient sign; reading an intercept off a false origin |
| Charge and drift velocity | v in a wire; why v differs between two wires | v = I/(nqA) with A = πr2; same current in series so v ∝ 1/(nA); N = It/e | Diameter as radius; ignoring that series wires carry the same current |
| Why resistance changes | Filament, thermistor or LDR explanation | Metal: lattice vibrations rise, more collisions, I falls, R = V/I rises. Thermistor or LDR: more conduction electrons, I = nqvA rises, R falls | Collision argument used for a thermistor; no link back to R = V/I |
| Photoelectric effect | v_max or E_k in eV; whether emission occurs | f = c/λ, E = hf, compare with φ, E_k = hf − φ, v = √(2E_k/m); each eV–J conversion earns its own mark | eV and J mixed; threshold check skipped |
| Intensity and photon flux | Photons per second; panel efficiency | P = I × A (4πr2 for a point source), N = P/(hf) = Pλ/(hc); efficiency = useful out ÷ total in; electrons per second = I/e | πr2 for a point source; cm2 not converted |
| de Broglie | λ of an electron accelerated through V | E_k = eV in joules, v = √(2E_k/m), p = mv, λ = h/p | Wrong mass for the particle; square root dropped |
| Energy levels | Wavelength of an emitted photon; whether a photon is absorbed | Gap in eV × 1.6 × 10−19, f = ΔE/h, λ = c/f; compare photon energy with each gap | A level value used instead of the gap; partial absorption assumed |
| Refraction and TIR | Angle of refraction; whether TIR occurs; speed in a material | n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2; n = c/v; sin C = 1/n or n2/n1; incidence angle from geometry; compare with C | Angle measured from the surface; 1/n used when the second medium is not air |
| Stationary waves | Speed, frequency, tension or μ; which string fits | Count loops for λ (string λ = 2L/n, closed tube L = λ/4), v = √(T/μ) with T = mg and μ = m/l, f = v/λ; f2 against T has gradient 1/(4L2μ) | λ = L instead of 2L; g = 10; grams not converted |
| Diffraction grating | Lines per mm; wavelength; highest order | tan θ = x/D, nλ = d sin θ, N = 1/d (÷ 1000 for per mm); highest order n ≤ d/λ with θ = 90°, rounded down | x/D used as sin θ; per mm and per m confused; order rounded up |
| Superposition | Loud and quiet positions; coherence | Phase difference = (path difference ÷ λ) × 360°; nλ constructive, (n + ½)λ destructive; coherent = same frequency and constant phase difference | “Out of phase” instead of antiphase or 180° |
| Wave basics | Frequency from an oscilloscope; speed-of-sound method | T = divisions × time-base over several cycles, f = 1/T, v = fλ; λ from moving the microphone between in-phase positions | λ read from a displacement–time graph |
| Polarisation | Unpolarised vs plane polarised; rotating filters | Unpolarised: oscillations in all planes perpendicular to travel; plane polarised: one plane; one filter rotated: no change for unpolarised light, maximum to zero every 90° for polarised light | Plane not tied to the direction of travel; one filter said to dim unpolarised light |
| Pulse-echo | Distance to a crack or fish; choice of frequency | Distance = vt/2; shorter pulses and higher frequency (shorter λ) resolve finer detail | Not halving; pulse duration confused with time between pulses |
How each topic is asked
Each topic recycles two to four question archetypes; what changes is the context, and once or twice a paper an unfamiliar given equation. References are paper and question number.
| Topic | Recurring archetypes | Unusual variants seen |
|---|---|---|
| Series, parallel, power, energy | Network resistance (Jun26 Q12, Oct21 Q15); power in one resistor (Oct20 Q18, Jun25 Q16); energy W = VIt (Jan26 Q16, Oct25 Q12); derive the parallel formula or P = V2/R (Oct21 Q15, Oct23 Q12, Jan24 Q18) | Lightning charge and power (Jan20 Q18); kettle share of daily kWh (Jan21 Q20); headlights in series vs parallel (Jun23 Q16) |
| Resistivity | ρ or length from R = ρl/A (Jun26 Q17, Jan24 Q16, Jun25 Q11); rectangular strips (Jan26 Q15, Oct24 Q15); practical and R–l graph (Oct19 Q15, Jan21 Q19, Oct25 Q13) | Carbon paper thickness (Oct23 Q13); temperature from a resistivity table (Jun22 Q13); air in a lightning channel (Jan20 Q18); heating-panel safety (Jun24 Q14) |
| Potential dividers | Thermistor or LDR sensor, deduce whether it switches (Jun26 Q14, Oct25 Q17, Oct23 Q14, Jun24 Q16); voltmeter reading in a fixed divider (Jan26 Q16, Oct20 Q12); temperature from a reading (Jun21 Q14) | Voltmeter resolution limit (Jan21 Q13); does doubling the e.m.f. double the reading (Jun21 Q14) |
| e.m.f. and internal resistance | ε and r from a V–I graph (Jan26 Q13, Jan24 Q14, Jun23 Q12, Oct22 Q12); r from one reading (Jun25 Q14, Oct24 Q19, Jan20 Q17); terminal p.d. under load (Jun26 Q15); define e.m.f. (Jan20 Q17, Jan25 Q16, Jun25 Q16) | R against 1/I graph (Jan23 Q17); battery heating on a hill (Jun25 Q14); energy over 300 s (Oct21 Q17) |
| Charge and drift velocity | v = I/(nqA) short calculation (Jan26 Q11, Oct25 Q11, Jan21 Q11, Oct22 Q13); explain v in two wires (Jan23 Q13, Jun21 Q11, Oct24 Q12, Jan24 Q16); electrons per second (Jun21 Q18, Jun23 Q11) | Does halving the length double v (Jan22 Q11) |
| Why resistance changes | Filament R rises (Jan26 Q12, Oct25 Q12, Jan25 Q13); thermistor R falls (Jan24 Q18, Oct23 Q14); LDR (Jun26 Q14); I–V graphs (Jan21 Q16, Jun22 Q13, Oct20 Q18) | LED characteristic (Oct24 Q14) |
| Photoelectric effect | v_max or E_k (Jun26 Q19, Oct25 Q15, Jan21 Q17, Jun23 Q17); deduce emission or the metal (Jan25 Q19, Oct24 Q19, Jan23 Q18, Oct22 Q14, Oct20 Q14); particle evidence (Jan22 Q13, Oct23 Q17, Oct21 Q14); define work function (Jan20 Q14, Oct20 Q14, Jun22 Q17) | Wave-model delay of 118 s (Oct20 Q14); E_k–f graph (Jun22 Q17); camera pixels (Jan26 Q21); photomultiplier (Oct24 Q19); multi-layer solar cell (Jan24 Q19) |
| Intensity and photon flux | I = P/A with 4πr2 (Jan21 Q20, Jan22 Q18, Oct21 Q18); panel efficiency (Jan23 Q16, Oct23 Q16, Jun26 Q18); photons per second (Oct22 Q17, Jun25 Q18, Jan26 Q21) | Power of Sirius from intensity over light years (Jan22 Q18); covering the Sahara with panels (Jan20 Q12) |
| de Broglie | λ from a speed (Jan25 Q11, Jan23 Q11, Jun26 Q19); electron accelerated through a p.d. (Jan26 Q14, Jun25 Q15, Oct23 Q15); conclusions from electron diffraction (Oct23 Q15, Oct22 Q11, Oct24 Q11) | Car vs electron (Oct19 Q12); neutron vs atomic radius (Oct20 Q15) |
| Energy levels | Photon wavelength from a transition (Jun26 Q13, Jan22 Q18, Oct19 Q11); why only certain frequencies (Jun26 Q13, Oct21 Q16, Jun25 Q18); photon vs electron excitation (Jan21 Q14, Jun26 Q13, Jun23 Q17) | Given formula for hydrogen levels (Oct20 Q15); nitrogen vs oxygen spectra (Jan20 Q18) |
| Refraction and TIR | n from measured angles (Jan21 Q15, Jan23 Q12, Jun23 Q13, Jun25 Q12); critical angle and deduce TIR (Oct20 Q11, Jun22 Q11, Jan24 Q13, Jan25 Q18); speed in a material (Oct21 Q11, Jan26 Q20, Jun22 Q11) | Red vs violet dispersion (Jun21 Q13); sound channel in the sea (Oct20 Q16); water waves into shallows (Jan20 Q15); fingerprints (Oct23 Q18); refractometer (Jan26 Q20); fibre pulse spreading (Jan25 Q18, Oct22 Q16) |
| Stationary waves | How it forms (Jan26 Q18, Oct24 Q18, Jun23 Q18, Jan25 Q17); string speed, frequency or μ (Jun26 Q16, Jan25 Q17, Oct20 Q17, Jan22 Q15); tube resonance (Jun25 Q17, Oct21 Q12, Jun24 Q15, Jan21 Q21); phase and amplitude of points (Jun22 Q16, Oct24 Q18) | Radio waves and a reflector (Jan26 Q18); humming bridge cables (Oct24 Q18); laser and mirror (Jan24 Q11) |
| Diffraction and gratings | Lines per mm (Jan26 Q17, Jan25 Q14, Jan21 Q18); λ (Jan22 Q14, Oct24 Q16, Oct22 Q18); highest order (Oct25 Q16, Oct24 Q16); explain the maxima (Jan26 Q17, Jan25 Q14, Oct25 Q16); white light (Jun24 Q12, Oct25 Q16, Jan22 Q14); Huygens (Jan20 Q16, Jan24 Q17) | Circular-gap intensity sketch (Jan20 Q16); electron through a 5000 lines per cm grating (Jun25 Q15) |
| Superposition | Two-source loud and quiet (Jan23 Q15, Jan24 Q17, Jan21 Q12, Oct20 Q13); define coherence (Oct25 Q16, Jan24 Q11, Jun22 Q14); path difference to antiphase (Jun22 Q14) | Beats (Oct22 Q15); anti-reflection coating (Oct23 Q16); hologram (Oct24 Q13) |
| Wave basics | Transverse or longitudinal definition (Jan22 Q16, Jan24 Q15, Oct24 Q13, Jan25 Q14); oscilloscope frequency (Jun24 Q15); speed-of-sound practical (Oct19 Q19, Jun21 Q17) | Seismic P and S waves with a given formula (Jun22 Q14); stationary vs progressive (Jun23 Q18) |
| Polarisation | Unpolarised vs plane polarised (Jun21 Q16, Jan23 Q16, Jun23 Q13, Jun25 Q12, Oct25 Q18); rotating filters (Oct25 Q18, Jun25 Q12, Jun24 Q11, Jan21 Q18); polarisation by reflection (Oct19 Q18, Jun23 Q13, Jun25 Q12) | Brewster angle derivation (Oct19 Q18); stress fringes (Jun21 Q16); aerial orientation (Jan26 Q18); three filters (Oct25 Q18) |
| Pulse-echo | Distance = vt/2 (Jun24 Q13, Jun23 Q15, Oct21 Q18); why a higher frequency (Jun25 Q13, Jan22 Q12, Jun23 Q15); full method as the 6-mark (Jan20 Q13, Jan26 Q19) | Satellite laser altimetry (Oct21 Q18); air gap in a steel beam (Jan22 Q12); rail cracks (Oct19 Q17) |
Paper-by-paper breakdown
Newest first. Multiple-choice questions are summarised in one line; Section B rows give marks, topic, context and what was asked, with part marks in brackets. An asterisk marks the 6-mark question.
June 2026
MCQs: 1 SI base unit for charge (A s); 2 NTC thermistor heated: R falls, n rises; 3 compression vs rarefaction: pressure and density; 4 180° phase difference gives a destructive minimum; 5 conditions for TIR; 6 pulse-echo ice thickness (vt/2); 7 drift velocity in wires of different diameter; 8 resistor in series with a diode, R = (1.5 − 0.7)/I; 9 grating angle for the first order; 10 refraction angle into a glass block.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Power | Kettle element, 18 Ω at 13 A: power from P = I2R |
| 12 | 3 | Series and parallel | Total resistance of 27 Ω, 55 Ω and 600 Ω combined |
| 13 | 9 | Energy levels | Neon lamp: why only certain frequencies (3); photon λ from −2.1 eV to ground (4); why a photon fails to excite a ground-state electron (2) |
| 14 | 7 | Potential divider, LDR | Screen-brightness sensor, 5.0 kΩ and 3.3 V: deduce whether brightness drops at 90% light (5); why LDR resistance falls (2) |
| 15 | 8 | e.m.f. and internal resistance | Car battery and 93 mΩ starter motor: opener (1); terminal p.d. from ε = V + Ir (4); why a larger internal resistance could stop the motor (3) |
| 16 | 12 | Stationary waves | Wire over a pulley: units check of v = √(T/μ) (2); why the graph is straight through the origin (2); show μ ≈ 1.2 × 10−3 kg m−1 with 200 g (4); tension from a pattern at 45 Hz (4) |
| 17 | 7 | Resistivity | Graphene polymer strip, 1.5 V and 0.12 A: resistivity with a width × thickness area (4); deduce whether doubling the length doubles R (3) |
| 18 | 13 | Intensity, efficiency, cells | Solar panel at 57°: show output ≈ 260 W at 20% and 2.2 m2 (4); evaluate a national supply suggestion at 5 h per day (3); *series vs parallel cells (6) |
| 19 | 9 | Photoelectric, de Broglie | Metal with φ = 6.80 × 10−19 J: show v_max ≈ 1.5 × 106 m s−1 (4); de Broglie λ of that electron (2); final part (3) |
January 2026
MCQs: 1 I–V graph of a diode; 2 charge Q = It (5 mA for 8 min); 3 hydrogen energy levels; 4 LDR divider as light increases; 5 phase difference from path difference; 6 speed on a string from T and μ; 7 stationary-wave graph for a string; 8 p.d. along a uniform wire; 9 TIR condition θ > sin−1(1.40/1.75); 10 longitudinal wave: pressure and displacement.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Drift velocity | 1.25 A in a wire: v from I = nqvA |
| 12 | 3 | Why R changes | Filament: how resistance changes as it heats |
| 13 | 3 | e.m.f. and r | ε and r from a battery’s V–I graph |
| 14 | 5 | de Broglie | Electron through 4.8 kV: show E_k ≈ 7.7 × 10−16 J (2); de Broglie λ (3) |
| 15 | 9 | Resistivity, series and parallel | Heater strips 1.64 mm × 0.20 mm: show R ≈ 5 Ω (3); strips in parallel (2); current at 12 V (2); why series strips give a different power (2) |
| 16 | 7 | Potential divider, energy | 6.8 kΩ and 4.7 kΩ divider: voltmeter reading (3); power (2); energy to a motor at 2.5 A for 1.5 min (2) |
| 17 | 7 | Diffraction grating | 635 nm laser, maximum 0.78 m from O at 4 m: lines per mm (4); why there is a maximum at X (3) |
| 18 | 8 | Stationary waves, polarisation | Radio waves and a reflector: how antinodes form (3); speed from 157 MHz (3); why a horizontal aerial detects nothing (2) |
| 19 | 6 | Pulse-echo | *Ultrasound finding the depth of a crack in an aircraft wing |
| 20 | 8 | Refraction and TIR | Refractometer: speed in glass, n = 1.75 (2); deduce the glycerol sample (4); why no light reaches region XY (2) |
| 21 | 12 | Photoelectric, intensity | Camera pixels under 380 nm UV: show photon energy ≈ 5.2 × 10−19 J (3); percentage of photons releasing electrons from intensity and pixel size (5); effect of removing the UV (4) |
October 2025
MCQs: 1 I–V graph of a filament bulb; 2 wavelength of a longitudinal wave; 3 frequency from an oscilloscope (5 ms per division); 4 de Broglie expression; 5 25° in radians; 6 bat echolocation distance; 7 stationary wave on a string; 8 five identical cells in parallel: ε and r; 9 photon frequency from energy levels; 10 terminal p.d. with 4 Ω load, 12 V and 2 Ω internal resistance.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Drift velocity | Wire of 2.8 × 10−6 m2 at 2.5 A |
| 12 | 6 | Energy, why R changes | Coffee machine, 230 V and 18 Ω: energy in 38 s (3); why the element’s resistance rises (3) |
| 13 | 5 | Resistivity practical | R against length graph: ρ = gradient × area, compared with a data table |
| 14 | 8 | Refraction and TIR | Semicircular block: no refraction on entry (1); refraction angle at the curved face (2); exit ray (1); distance x at the critical angle, radius 45 mm (4) |
| 15 | 16 | Photoelectric, intensity | UV detector: how electrons are released (4); show photon energy ≈ 5 × 10−19 J (3); E_k max in eV, φ = 2.2 eV (3); photons per second on 0.020 m2 (3); more intensity, more current (3) |
| 16 | 12 | Grating, coherence | Coherent light (1); why bright dots form (3); first-order angle at 532 nm (2); why no third order (3); white-light pattern (3) |
| 17 | 11 | Thermistor divider | *How water temperature changes the thermistor p.d., via conduction electrons (6); deduce whether the heater switches off at 65 °C with 300 Ω (5) |
| 18 | 10 | Polarisation | Unpolarised vs plane polarised (3); rotating one filter changes nothing (2); three filters, middle one turned 45° (5) |
June 2025
MCQs: 1 speed of light in oil, n = 1.47; 2 TIR at a Perspex–air boundary; 3 unit equal to the coulomb (J V−1); 4 which change raises a string’s frequency; 5 transition emitting the highest frequency; 6 NTC thermistor heated: meter readings; 7 1 m path difference at λ = 2 m gives π; 8 charge from a solar lamp’s stored energy; 9 E_k max depends on frequency; 10 drift velocity in two wires in series.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | Resistivity | Wire of 65 mΩ and 0.25 m with A = πr2 |
| 12 | 9 | Refraction, polarisation | Glass block: incidence angle (1); refraction at n = 1.5 (2); unpolarised vs polarised (3); rotating a filter over reflected light (3) |
| 13 | 6 | Pulse-echo | Concrete cracks: deduce whether a 200 µs pulse can detect the crack (4); why a higher frequency finds shorter cracks (2) |
| 14 | 7 | e.m.f. and r | E-bike cells: r from a 10 Ω load reading 1.4 V (3); why the battery heats on a steep hill (4) |
| 15 | 9 | de Broglie, diffraction | Electron diffraction tube: define diffraction (2); show λ ≈ 1.8 × 10−11 m at 4.9 kV (4); would a 5000 lines per cm grating show a first order (3) |
| 16 | 11 | Circuits | e.m.f. meaning (1); show the ammeter reads ≈ 20 mA (3); resistor X (3); power in 100 Ω (2); discuss a voltmeter prediction (2) |
| 17 | 11 | Stationary waves | *How a stationary wave forms in a closed tube (6); frequency at 340 m s−1 (3); why the real frequency is a little lower (2) |
| 18 | 14 | Energy levels, photon flux | UV glue lamp: why mercury atoms emit photons (2); show screen energy ≈ 130 J (4); number of 395 nm photons (4); effect of a higher lamp p.d. (2); why closer is faster (2) |
January 2025
Mark scheme not available; topics read from the question paper. MCQs: 1 meaning of n in I = nqvA; 2 electrons passing in time t; 3 car pulse-echo sensor; 4 two pulses superposing on a string; 5 thermistor cooled: ammeter reading; 6 three identical resistors and a cell; 7 phase of two points on a wave; 8 resistance of a longer copper wire; 9 number of emission frequencies from mercury levels; 10 internal resistance from 9 V, 10 Ω and a 6 V reading.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | de Broglie | Electron at 3.6 × 107 m s−1 |
| 12 | 3 | Intensity, efficiency | Watch solar cell of 6.4 cm2: deduce whether it charges at 750 W m−2 |
| 13 | 6 | Why R changes, resistivity | Hot-wire cutter: R as temperature rises (3); resistivity with d = 0.51 mm, l = 0.14 m (3) |
| 14 | 8 | Wave basics, grating | Transverse wave (1); lines per mm, λ = 650 nm, L = 1.30 m, x = 0.22 m (4); how a first-order maximum forms (3) |
| 15 | 7 | Circuits with a lamp | Filament lamp and 15 Ω: show combined R ≈ 5 Ω (4); power at 3.6 V (3) |
| 16 | 7 | e.m.f., LDR | Define e.m.f. (1); *how brighter light on the LDR changes the terminal p.d. (6) |
| 17 | 10 | Stationary waves | Label nodes and antinodes (1); how it forms (3); why f2 against T has gradient 1/(4l2μ) (3); μ from the graph, l = 0.85 m (3) |
| 18 | 13 | Refraction, TIR, fibres | Refraction entering a fibre (3); deduce TIR at the boundary (3); why pulse intensity and duration change (5); cladding and critical angle (2) |
| 19 | 13 | Photoelectric | Why a range of kinetic energies (3); what the observations show about light (5); deduce current in a photocell, φ = 6.9 × 10−19 J (5) |
October 2024
MCQs: 1 definition of intensity; 2 how an emission line spectrum is produced; 3 echo distance from a wall; 4 displacement–time graph of a water wave; 5 heated wire: resistance and lattice vibrations; 6 thermistor heated: meter readings; 7 de Broglie λ scaling; 8 four-resistor network; 9 motion of two points on a transverse wave; 10 power in 20 Ω in series with 30 Ω.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Electron diffraction | Electron beam through a thin target: what the pattern shows |
| 12 | 3 | Drift velocity | Copper leads and nichrome wire of equal diameter: why drift velocities differ |
| 13 | 4 | Wave basics, interference | Hologram: transverse wave (1); how two light paths interfere constructively (3) |
| 14 | 8 | I–V, power | LED characteristic: circuit diagram (3); power at 2.2 V (3); how resistance changes from 0 to 2.4 V (2) |
| 15 | 7 | Resistivity | Heater strips 1.40 mm × 0.23 mm: resistivity (4); graph reasoning at constant volume (3) |
| 16 | 9 | Grating practical | Laser safety (1); measurements needed (2); show λ ≈ 600 nm (4); greatest order observable (2) |
| 17 | 8 | Refraction and TIR | Speed of light in water (2); *paths of rays A, B and C at the water surface (6) |
| 18 | 14 | Stationary waves | Bridge cables: how a standing wave forms (3); motion of points X and Y (3); show μ ≈ 24 kg m−1 (2); deduce whether the lowest frequency explains the humming (6) |
| 19 | 15 | Photoelectric, circuits | Photomultiplier: describe the effect (2); why some frequencies go undetected (2); deduce whether all visible light is detected, φ = 1.48 eV (4); electron KE after acceleration (3); internal resistance of the 960 V supply (4) |
June 2024
MCQs: 1 heated metal: resistance and related changes; 2 divider with identical resistors; 3 refractive index of oil from angles; 4 evidence that electrons behave as waves; 5 not recorded; 6 threshold frequency definition; 7 ε from terminal p.d. (1.2 V, 6 Ω, 0.5 Ω); 8 string wave speed as tension or length changes; 9 current in a resistor (0.13 A, 4.7 Ω, 1.4 V); 10 finding h from a graph of E_k against 1/λ.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | Polarisation | Phone screen through polarising sunglasses goes black at 90° |
| 12 | 4 | Grating, white light | Why violet sits nearest the centre (2); violet λ with d = 1.62 × 10−6 m (2) |
| 13 | 7 | Pulse-echo | Fish finder: distance to a fish (3); how the pulse interval limits range (2); frequency for accuracy (2) |
| 14 | 14 | Resistivity, circuits | Heating panel: define resistivity (1); measurement method (4); two 2-mark parts on resistance and parallel panels; deduce safety, ρ = 6.4 × 10−3 Ω m, 0.48 mm thick (5) |
| 15 | 11 | Wave basics, stationary waves | Oscilloscope frequency, 1.5 ms per division (3); compare two pipe waves (3); speed of sound from a graph (2); frequency of a 28.2 cm closed pipe (3) |
| 16 | 5 | Potential divider, LDR | Security lamp: LDR resistance at switch-on, 28 mA and 0.62 V (3); a 2-mark part |
| 17 | 13 | Energy levels, de Broglie | Photon frequency (2); *how the discharge tube’s p.d. leads to photon emission (6); photon–electron experiments (3); de Broglie λ at 5.3 × 105 m s−1 (2) |
| 18 | 13 | Photoelectric, TIR, photon flux | 4.75 eV photons on a metal (2); does prism surface Y need silvering, n = 1.52 (4); why photon count alone can’t give intensity (2); percentage of photons detected at 1.0 W (5) |
January 2024
MCQs: 1 ray below the critical angle; 2 LDR conduction electrons as light increases; 3 electron velocity from de Broglie λ; 4 meaning of 1 eV; 5 voltmeter reading in a 10 Ω and 5 Ω divider; 6 p.d. along a uniform wire; 7 frequency from an oscilloscope; 8 intensity at double the distance; 9 two polarising filters rotated; 10 E2 = hc/λ + E1.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Coherence, stationary waves | Laser and mirror: define coherent (1); why a standing wave forms (1) |
| 12 | 3 | Charge and current | Filament bulb: time for 5.0 C to pass |
| 13 | 7 | Refraction and TIR | Hydro-beads invisible in water (2); refraction angle, n = 1.38 (2); what happens at X, with calculation (3) |
| 14 | 9 | e.m.f. and r practical | Why a high-resistance voltmeter reads ε (2); circuit diagram (2); ε and r from a graph (3); why there is a maximum current (2) |
| 15 | 7 | Stationary waves | Harp: transverse wave (1); draw the fundamental (2); deduce the replacement string (4) |
| 16 | 8 | Resistivity, energy, drift velocity | Lightning conductor: cable length, ρ = 1.4 × 10−7 Ω m (3); work done by 1.2 × 104 A for 70 µs (2); assess equal drift velocities (3) |
| 17 | 8 | Diffraction, interference | Huygens’ construction (2); *why boats at different positions oscillate differently (6) |
| 18 | 13 | Thermistor circuits | Thermistor and wire resistor: derive P = V2/R (2); battery p.d. with the thermistor at four times the resistance (4); why thermistor R falls (2); explaining the current change on heating (5) |
| 19 | 13 | Photoelectric, circuits | Multi-layer solar cell: minimum frequency for a 1.86 eV layer (3); which photons each layer absorbs (5); deduce a claim about power in a load resistor (5) |
October 2023
MCQs: 1 quantity without units in nλ = d sin θ; 2 diode I–V statement; 3 increasing detail in an ultrasound scan; 4 why drift velocity is small; 5 displacement–time graph statement; 6 wavelength of a standing wave; 7 which string sections are in phase; 8 tension for the same speed on a string twice as long; 9 lowest photon frequency from three levels; 10 windscreen photographs through a polarising filter.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | Pulse-echo | Locating objects from reflected waves and their return time |
| 12 | 3 | Series and parallel | Derive R1R2/(R1 + R2) from conservation of charge and energy |
| 13 | 7 | Resistivity, e.m.f. | Carbon resistivity paper, 8.8 Ω: layer thickness, ρ = 3.7 × 10−5 Ω m (3); internal resistance from a 1.4 V reading (3); voltmeter reading at 3.0 cm (1) |
| 14 | 8 | Thermistor divider | Heater switch: whether it switches on below 10 °C, with the thermistor p.d. (6); why thermistor R changes (2) |
| 15 | 11 | Electron diffraction | Graphite rings: conclusions about electrons and graphite (4); show work done ≈ 4 × 10−16 J at 2400 V (2); maximum velocity (2); pattern at higher p.d. (3) |
| 16 | 11 | Interference, efficiency | Anti-reflection coating: why some wavelengths vanish (3); which wavelength, n = 2.3, d = 6.5 × 10−8 m (4); solar array efficiency from 5.4 × 106 J per hour (4) |
| 17 | 13 | Photoelectric | *Explain the gauze-and-ribbon observations (6); effect of a brighter UV lamp (3); whether 633 nm light releases electrons from magnesium, φ = 3.7 eV (4) |
| 18 | 14 | Refraction and TIR | Ray along the normal, using wavefronts (4); show the glass–water critical angle ≈ 60° (3); complete the ray path (3); fingerprints as light and dark regions (4) |
June 2023
MCQs: 1 diffraction named; 2 shorter period, higher frequency; 3 reflection and refraction at a glass block; 4 p.d. along a uniform wire; 5 electron speed from de Broglie λ; 6 18 cm path difference at λ = 12 cm: antiphase; 7 meaning of coherent; 8 widening grating maxima; 9 sunlight intensity at Jupiter; 10 why a cooling filament’s resistance falls.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 5 | Charge, energy | 4.80 × 1020 electrons in 60 s: show I ≈ 1.3 A (3); p.d. from 24 J (2) |
| 12 | 5 | e.m.f. and r practical | ε and r from a graph (3); the graph with two cells (2) |
| 13 | 8 | Refraction, polarisation | Refractive index of water from a diagram (3); unpolarised vs plane polarised (3); filter to cut reflected glare (2) |
| 14 | 6 | LDR circuit | *Why the circuit’s power changes as light on the LDR increases |
| 15 | 8 | Pulse-echo | Metal beam cracks: why crack B returns a pulse (3); which crack from timings at 5900 m s−1 (3); MHz rather than kHz (2) |
| 16 | 12 | Circuits, I–V, drift velocity | Headlight graph: minimum p.d. for 35 W (3); parallel vs series (3); deduce a claim with graph data (3); drift velocity in the wiring (3) |
| 17 | 14 | Energy levels, photoelectric | Why a photon interaction causes emission (2); photon energy in eV at 218 nm (4); could hydrogen emit it (2); max speed, φ = 5.89 × 10−19 J (3); why this shows particle behaviour (3) |
| 18 | 12 | Stationary waves | Guitar: how a stationary wave forms (3); which string from 32 cm and μ = 2.03 × 10−3 kg m−1 (4); string wave vs sound in air (5) |
January 2023
MCQs: 1 I–V graph identification; 2 frequency unchanged entering glass; 3 ray at an air–glass boundary; 4 quantities in nλ = d sin θ; 5 bat echo at 6.0 ms; 6 LDR divider as light decreases; 7 number of transitions between three levels; 8 compressions and rarefactions; 9 energy = VQ with 1.5 V and 0.4 C; 10 incorrect statement about stationary waves.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | de Broglie | λ of a moving particle from its speed |
| 12 | 6 | Refraction | Prism: refractive index from 50° and 32° (3); ray leaving the prism (1); speed in glass, n = 1.63 (2) |
| 13 | 8 | Drift velocity | Equal-length wires, Z twice the diameter of W: why drift velocity is equal (4); compare other quantities in a table (4) |
| 14 | 10 | Thermistor circuit | Show voltmeter ≈ 6 V at 23 mA (3); thermistor power (3); effect of cooling on both meters (4) |
| 15 | 8 | Interference | *Why sound fades to nothing walking past two speakers (6); why two lamps give no steady pattern (2) |
| 16 | 11 | Efficiency, polarisation | Minimum panel efficiency for a pump at 1040 W m−2 (4); why it is a minimum (2); unpolarised vs plane polarised (3); show sunlight is unpolarised (2) |
| 17 | 11 | e.m.f. and r | Show R = ε/I − r (2); ε and r from an R against 1/I graph (3); comment on a claim that r varies (3); line for two cells (3) |
| 18 | 13 | Photoelectric | E_k in eV at 3.51 × 105 m s−1 (3); deduce the metal at 310 nm (4); why there is a threshold frequency (4); criticise an intensity claim (2) |
October 2022
MCQs: 1 quantities that give wave speed; 2 transition emitting a given photon; 3 NTC thermistor heated in a divider; 4 displacement at a compression; 5 which component’s I–V graph is missing; 6 why metal resistance rises with temperature; 7 electrons passing in 45 s at 1.25 A; 8 effect that does not occur at a glass block; 9 ultrasound kidney scan; 10 unit equal to the volt.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | Electron diffraction | Electron beam through metal foil onto a screen |
| 12 | 7 | e.m.f. and r practical | Circuit diagram (3); how ε and r come from the V–I graph (4) |
| 13 | 10 | Circuits, resistivity, drift velocity | Resistor R from 0.14 A and 1.54 V (4); wire area for d = 0.15 mm (2); wire length (2); drift velocity (2) |
| 14 | 7 | Photoelectric | Why E_k max is below the photon energy (3); deduce the light source, φ = 3.68 eV (4) |
| 15 | 12 | Superposition, strings | Show 880 Hz and 882 Hz sound alike (2); *beats, with coherence and phase (6); tension drop for a frequency change (4) |
| 16 | 11 | Refraction, fibres | Show the core–cladding critical angle ≈ 75° (3); ray at the boundary from a scale drawing (3); time along 70.0 km (3); lower-index cladding traps more light (2) |
| 17 | 11 | Photon flux, intensity | Red LED: show power ≈ 0.1 W (2); photons per minute at 627 nm (4); effect of swapping the LED (2); assess an intensity claim (3) |
| 18 | 9 | Diffraction grating | Second-order angle from θ1 = 14.0° (2); method for λ (3); check the stated grating at 650 nm and 2.00 m (4) |
June 2022
MCQs: 1 conditions for TIR; 2 what a displacement–time graph cannot give; 3 power from intensity × 4πr2; 4 one filter rotated in unpolarised light; 5 grating first-order wavelength; 6 Q = It with time in seconds; 7 photon vs electron across a 10.2 eV gap; 8 p.d. between two divider wires; 9 LDR conduction electrons; 10 diffraction as a wave property.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8 | Refraction and TIR | Measure the incidence angle, refract at n = 1.58 and draw the ray (5); critical angle from v = 1.96 × 108 m s−1 (3) |
| 12 | 8 | Thermistor circuit | Milliammeter reading at 54 °C (4); voltmeter as it cools (2); power in the 2.0 kΩ resistor unchanged (2) |
| 13 | 8 | I–V, drift velocity, resistivity | Sketch a filament I–V graph (2); drift velocity in the filament (3); temperature from a resistivity table (3) |
| 14 | 11 | Wave speeds, interference | Seismic P- and S-wave speeds from given formulae (4); why S-waves can’t cross liquids (2); coherence (2); why A is a minimum (3) |
| 15 | 12 | Circuit rules, e.m.f. | *Current and p.d. in a series-parallel circuit (6); total resistance 18.8 Ω (3); method for internal resistance (3) |
| 16 | 12 | Stationary waves | Formation over a pulley (3); show a node at R from 30 Hz and 0.300 kg (5); phase of S and T (2); amplitude of S and T (2) |
| 17 | 11 | Work function, de Broglie, photoelectric | Define work function (1); incident wavelength from an electron λ of 1.50 nm (6); test a zinc E_k–f graph (4) |
January 2022
MCQs: 1 volt as J C−1; 2 electron speed from de Broglie λ; 3 Kirchhoff’s second law; 4 why a thermistor’s resistance falls; 5 and 6 speeds in three media from ray bending; 7 antiphase points on a stationary wave; 8 diode graph; 9 λ/8 path difference is π/4; 10 LDR circuit power as light increases.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8 | Resistivity, drift velocity | ρ from 2.0 Ω and 0.45 m (2); drift velocity at 3.0 V (3); does halving the length double v (3) |
| 12 | 7 | Pulse-echo | Air gap in a steel beam: method (4); why a higher frequency (3) |
| 13 | 6 | Photoelectric | *The photoelectric effect explained with photons |
| 14 | 9 | Grating, interference | λ with 450 000 lines per m (4); how bright dots form (3); white-light pattern (2) |
| 15 | 8 | Stationary waves | Why node positions are hard to judge (1); hanging mass from a node-spacing graph (5); line for another mass (2) |
| 16 | 12 | Waves, refraction, polarisation | Transverse vs longitudinal (2); no refraction at normal incidence (1); ray through two prisms (4); refraction angle from 1.40 to 1.55 (3); polarisation shows light is transverse (2) |
| 17 | 10 | Circuits | Electrons per second in the 6.0 Ω branch (6); argue a power claim (4) |
| 18 | 10 | Energy levels, intensity | Wavelength for a 1.9 eV gap (4); power of Sirius from intensity at 8.60 light years (4); why the spectrum is discrete (2) |
October 2021
MCQs: 1 V–I graph identification; 2 measurements for a grating wavelength; 3 meaning of v in I = nqvA; 4 thermistor heated: electrons and resistance; 5 ohm in other units; 6 string wave speed with a hanging mass; 7 microwave paths half a wavelength apart; 8 slider on a uniform wire; 9 diffraction through gaps; 10 sound displacement diagram.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | Refraction and TIR | Gemstones: identify the material from 50° and 21° (3); exit ray with calculation (4); silicon carbide instead (2) |
| 12 | 7 | Stationary waves | Resonance tube: how the wave forms (2); speed of sound at 440 Hz and 19.3 cm (3); effect of measuring to the wrong point (2) |
| 13 | 7 | Resistivity, power | 12 V 60 W filament: wire length, d = 0.25 mm (4); evaluate two lamps in series on 24 V (3) |
| 14 | 9 | Photoelectric | Gold-leaf electroscope: why waves can’t explain it (2); max speed, φ = 4.3 eV (4); discuss a longer-wavelength suggestion (3) |
| 15 | 8 | Series and parallel | Derive the parallel formula (3); show a five-resistor network ≈ 3 Ω (3); which resistor to replace (2) |
| 16 | 8 | Line spectra | *Why hydrogen emits only certain wavelengths (6); why air emits many (2) |
| 17 | 11 | e.m.f. and r | r from 12 Ω, 107 mA and 50 J in 300 s (5); why larger R brings V closer to ε (2); graphical method (4) |
| 18 | 11 | Intensity, photons, pulse-echo | ICESat-2: solar intensity at 1.50 × 1011 m (3); photon energy at 532 nm (3); orbit height from 3.20 ms (2); why only 532 nm counts (1); flat ice above sea level (2) |
June 2021
MCQs: 1 watt in base units (kg m2 s−3); 2 wave speed = λ/T; 3 bulb power from intensity at 2.0 m; 4 more tension, faster string waves; 5 electron speed from de Broglie λ; 6 thermistor I–V graph; 7 minimum displacement in a longitudinal wave; 8 possible transition from −0.54 eV; 9 sonar depth = vt/2; 10 16 cm path difference = 2λ, constructive.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 5 | Drift velocity | Copper wires, W twice Z’s diameter: purpose of the resistor (1); ratio table for n, I, A and v (4) |
| 12 | 8 | e.m.f. and r | Why the voltmeter reads below 9.0 V (3); reading with 270 Ω and 15 Ω (3); chemical energy for 12 C (2) |
| 13 | 9 | Refraction, dispersion | Red and violet separation across a block (5); which colour is totally internally reflected (4) |
| 14 | 8 | Thermistor circuit | Temperature from a 3.42 V reading (4); assess “doubling ε doubles the reading” (4) |
| 15 | 10 | Photoelectric | Show 280 nm ≈ 4.4 eV (4); *conclusions about two metals from sources A and B (6) |
| 16 | 9 | Polarisation | Unpolarised vs plane polarised (3); intensity graph as a filter turns 0° to 90° (3); stress patterns (3) |
| 17 | 8 | Speed of sound practical | Method with a two-beam oscilloscope (5); microphone move between two photographs (3) |
| 18 | 13 | Resistivity, power, charge | Show one resistor ≈ 24 Ω, ρ = 1.10 × 10−6 Ω m (3); assess power above 12 W (4); electrons per second (3); why power fell as it warmed (3) |
January 2021
MCQs: 1 base units of power; 2 parallel combination formula; 3 pulse length and resolution; 4 photoelectric effect needs photons; 5 V–I graph for a cell; 6 ε = I(R + r); 7 frequency from a displacement–time graph; 8 TIR at 45°; 9 photon momentum h/λ; 10 current = charge ÷ time.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | Drift velocity | Wire of 0.40 mm radius at 5.1 A |
| 12 | 4 | Superposition | Positions A and B: constructive and destructive, with phase or path difference |
| 13 | 4 | LDR divider | LDR resistance from readings (2); voltmeter resolution limit (2) |
| 14 | 4 | Energy levels | Electron vs photon of 12.3 eV exciting hydrogen |
| 15 | 5 | Refraction | Define refraction (2); refractive index from a diagram (3) |
| 16 | 6 | I–V characteristics | *Filament lamp vs thermistor |
| 17 | 9 | Photoelectric | v_max at 20 nm, φ = 3.68 eV (5); effect of intensity and wavelength changes (4) |
| 18 | 9 | Polarisation, grating | Test for polarisation (2); grating spacing (1); lines per mm at 532 nm (3); improving the measurement (3) |
| 19 | 9 | Resistivity practical | Circuit (2); ρ from a V–l graph (4); power at a given length (3) |
| 20 | 9 | Intensity, photons, energy | Phone at 0.25 m vs a 4.5 W m−2 limit (3); photon energy in eV at 902 MHz (3); kettle share of daily use (3) |
| 21 | 9 | Stationary waves | Recorder frequency with λ = 2L (3); sliding sections to keep pitch (3); tension change from 432 Hz to 440 Hz (3) |
October 2020
MCQs: 1 wave speed needs both graphs; 2 3λ/8 path difference is 135°; 3 grating wavelength via tan θ; 4 derived quantity; 5 ultrasound and the lungs; 6 thermistor graph; 7 resistivity of a cube; 8 only transverse waves polarise; 9 drift velocity in wires in series; 10 Kirchhoff with an LDR.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 4 | Refraction | Water to glass (2); critical angle (2) |
| 12 | 6 | Potential divider | Voltmeter reading (2); reasons the real reading is lower (4) |
| 13 | 9 | Sound, interference | Check a wave is suitable via v = fλ (3); *noise-cancelling headphones (6) |
| 14 | 9 | Photoelectric | Define work function (1); identify the metal (3); wave-model delay (3); photon explanation (2) |
| 15 | 8 | Energy levels, de Broglie | Hydrogen energy from a given formula (3); atomic radius vs neutron λ (5) |
| 16 | 9 | Refraction of sound | Sea sound channel: curved path and TIR (5); why the curved path is quicker (2); what changes sound speed (2) |
| 17 | 13 | Stationary waves | Nodes and antinodes (3); show f2 ∝ W (5); measuring f (2); μ from 659 Hz (3) |
| 18 | 12 | Series-parallel, I–V | Power in each of four resistors (6); effect of removing D (2); filament I–V explanation (4) |
January 2020
MCQs: 1 constructive interference at λ path difference; 2 oscillations in polarised waves; 3 two 5 Ω resistors in series and parallel; 4 points on an ideal diode graph; 5 drift velocity = I/nqA; 6 photoelectric observation; 7 NTC thermistor heated: meter readings; 8 transverse vs longitudinal statements; 9 grating set-up; 10 electron diffraction shows wave nature.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 7 | Stationary waves | Wavelength on a 1.70 m string (2); speed with 0.20 kg and μ = 4.5 × 10−3 kg m−1 (3); effect of a new pattern (2) |
| 12 | 6 | Intensity | Sahara solar output vs world demand (4); why sandstorms cut output (2) |
| 13 | 6 | Pulse-echo | *How an ultrasound scan of an unborn baby is produced |
| 14 | 10 | Photoelectric | Define work function (1); UV works but visible doesn’t (2); more intensity, bigger ammeter reading (3); work function at 2.00 × 1015 Hz (4) |
| 15 | 10 | Refraction of water waves | Why waves refract into shallows (2); new direction using v = √(gd) (5); show depth above 170 m (3) |
| 16 | 5 | Diffraction | Huygens through a gap (2); sketch the intensity pattern (3) |
| 17 | 10 | e.m.f. and r | Define e.m.f. (1); car battery r (2); graphical method (3); check a 70% power claim (4) |
| 18 | 16 | Charge, power, resistivity, spectra | Lightning: thunder delay (3); charge (2); power (2); show air resistivity ≈ 0.2 Ω m (3); why it is so low (1); nitrogen line spectrum (4); oxygen differs (1) |
October 2019
MCQs: 1 components whose resistance falls with p.d.; 2 power in the internal resistance; 3 refractive index and speed; 4 intensity effects on photoelectrons; 5 drift velocity scaling; 6 polarisation needs transverse waves; 7 solar efficiency expression; 8 P = V2/R scaling; 9 phase for 7λ/4; 10 spacing of grating maxima.
| Q | Marks | Topic | Context and what was asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | Energy levels | Transition matching a 7.48 × 1013 Hz photon |
| 12 | 4 | de Broglie | Speed a 900 kg car needs for an electron’s λ (3); why the idea fails (1) |
| 13 | 7 | Charge, energy | Car battery energy from 36 000 C at 22 V (2); time over 2.0 m (2); electrons in that time (3) |
| 14 | 9 | Thermistor divider, LDR | *Air-conditioning switch (6); LDR resistance from two voltage pairs (3) |
| 15 | 6 | Resistivity practical | Measurements and instruments (3); graph whose gradient gives ρ (3) |
| 16 | 9 | Stationary waves | How they form (2); units in a given equation (2); wind speed from a vibrating wire (5) |
| 17 | 8 | Pulse-echo | Rail cracks: why pulses reflect (1); crack depth from 24.75 µs (4); deeper cracks hidden (1); train speed limit (2) |
| 18 | 11 | Polarisation | Define plane polarisation (2); reflected and refracted light (2); derive tan θ_B = n (3); θ_B for n = 1.50 (2); violet vs red (2) |
| 19 | 13 | Sound waves | Mark a rarefaction (1); displacement–distance sketch (2); speed-of-sound method (5); same-frequency check (2); uncertainty argument (3) |
October 2026 forecast
The safest Section B bets are refraction and TIR, the photoelectric effect, resistivity, circuit calculations and stationary waves. The 6-mark question is most likely to be the photoelectric effect or two-source interference.
This is a pattern drawn from 20 papers, not inside information. Pearson writes each paper to sample the specification, so any topic can appear. Long-run frequency is the stronger signal; a topic missing from the last paper is a weaker one.
Very likely in Section B
- Refraction, critical angle and TIR: in 19 of 20 papers, and June 2026 is the only paper without it.
- Series, parallel, power and energy: in all 20 papers.
- Resistivity: in 17 of 20, and every paper since October 2023.
- Photoelectric effect: in 18 of 20, and 7 of the last 8.
- Stationary waves on a string or in a tube: in 16 of 20, and 7 of the last 8.
Likely
- Diffraction grating calculation with “explain the maxima”: every paper from January 2024 to January 2026, then only an MCQ in June 2026.
- Thermistor or LDR potential divider with a deduce-whether-it-switches calculation: 15 of 20, and 7 of the last 8.
- e.m.f. and internal resistance: 15 of 20.
- de Broglie wavelength of an accelerated electron: 6 of the last 8.
- Intensity, efficiency and photons per second: 6 of the last 8.
Possible, helped by their absence from June 2026’s Section B
- Superposition, path difference and coherence.
- Polarisation, especially unpolarised vs plane polarised and rotating filters.
- Pulse-echo, which was only an MCQ in June 2026.
- Drift velocity, also only an MCQ in June 2026.
Energy levels were a 9-mark question in June 2026, so they may shrink to an MCQ. Every paper also wraps one or two parts around an unfamiliar given equation, as in June 2022 (seismic waves) and October 2019 (wind on a wire); expect that again.
The 6-mark question
- Photoelectric effect: starred in June 2021, January 2022 and October 2023, and not since.
- Two-source interference: starred four times, most recently January 2024.
- Line spectra or a discharge tube: starred in October 2021 and June 2024.
- Filament lamp vs thermistor I–V explanation: starred only once, in January 2021.
Circuits and sensors remain the most common starred topic overall (7 of 20), so they can never be ruled out, even after June 2026’s series-and-parallel question.
A plausible Section B line-up
- A 2–3 mark opener: drift velocity, charge or power.
- Resistivity with a circular or rectangular cross-section, possibly with a “does doubling the length double R” deduction (5–8 marks).
- Refraction and TIR: refractive index, critical angle, then deduce whether TIR occurs (8–10 marks).
- A thermistor or LDR potential divider: a switching calculation plus a conduction-electron explanation (7–11 marks).
- e.m.f. and internal resistance from a graph or a load reading (5–9 marks).
- Diffraction grating: lines per mm or λ, highest order, and why the maxima form (7–12 marks).
- Stationary waves with v = √(T/μ) (8–12 marks).
- Photoelectric effect combined with photon flux or de Broglie (12–16 marks).
The 6-mark question would sit inside one of these, most likely item 8 or a superposition part attached to item 6.