A-level Physics 6-marker trainer
Original AQA A-level Physics level-of-response practice: two compulsory-content questions plus one for each Paper 3 option. Build a coherent answer across the requested areas, then compare it with genuine AQA-style level descriptors and indicative content.
How to use it: write your full answer first, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the points you made. AQA marks these by level — a detailed, linked answer — not by counting points, so the tick count is only a rough guide. Read the model answer to see what a Level 3 looks like.
A student is given a long metal wire, a micrometer, a metre rule, a clamp, a pointer and a set of slotted masses. Describe a method to determine the Young modulus of the metal. Include the measurements, the analysis and how the student should improve the reliability of the result.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
A country plans to keep spent fuel under water at each nuclear power station for several years, then reprocess some of it and place the remaining high-level waste in a deep geological store. Discuss the physics behind the hazards and the methods in this plan, and justify whether it is a suitable long-term strategy.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
An observatory can use telescope A, a refractor with objective diameter 0.20 m, or telescope B, a reflector with objective diameter 0.40 m. Both observe at wavelength 5.5 x 10−7 m. A faint binary star has angular separation 2.0 x 10−6 rad. Compare the brightness, resolution and aberrations of the images and assess which telescope should be used.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
A pregnant patient has a fluid-filled cyst in the abdomen. Doctors want an initial image showing its position and then frequent measurements of its size. Discuss the production of ultrasound and CT images, their strengths and limitations in this case, and recommend an imaging plan.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
An ideal engine cycle receives 820 J by heating and has a net work output of 260 J per cycle. A proposed real engine with the same energy input has an indicated work output of 180 J per cycle and loses 45 J per cycle to friction and auxiliary systems. It completes 20 cycles each second. Analyse the efficiencies and brake power, explain why the real output is smaller, and assess the proposal.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
A student claims that light is only a wave and electrons are only particles. Discuss experimental evidence that challenges both parts of this claim. Your answer should link the observations to the wave or particle models and reach a conclusion about wave-particle duality.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
A weather station on a remote island must send continuous low-data-rate measurements to a mainland centre 600 km away. There is no direct line of sight. The designer is considering a 200 kHz ground-wave link, a 10 MHz sky-wave link or a 12 GHz satellite space-wave link. Discuss how each pathway works, its advantages and disadvantages, and recommend a solution.
Write your full answer first — then mark it.
The 6-markers are where the grades are
Send me your answer to one of these and I'll mark it like the examiner would — your first lesson is free.