A-level Physics extended-response trainer

AQA 7408

ORIGINAL

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.

Board and spec code confirmed against AQA 7408 · registry checked 2026-07-11How this checking works

How to use it: write your full answer in the box, 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.

Compulsory — measurements and Young modulus

Describe and explain

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.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — nuclear fission and safety

Discuss

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.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — particles and conservation laws

Explain and show

In beta-minus decay, a neutron changes into a proton, an electron and an electron antineutrino. Explain this decay in terms of quarks and an exchange particle, and show that charge, baryon number and electron-family lepton number are conserved.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — stationary waves on a string

Explain and compare

A stationary wave is formed on a stretched string by two waves of equal frequency and amplitude travelling in opposite directions. Five complete node-to-node intervals have a total length of 0.800 m, and the frequency is 120 Hz. Explain how the stationary wave is formed, how the measurements determine its wavelength and speed, and how it differs from a progressive wave.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — projectile motion

Calculate and discuss

A ball is projected horizontally at 15.0 m s⁻¹ from a platform 19.6 m above level ground. Assume g = 9.80 m s⁻². Calculate the time of flight, horizontal range, impact speed and direction when air resistance is negligible. Discuss how air resistance would change the motion.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — emf and internal resistance

Describe and explain

Describe an experiment to determine the emf and internal resistance of a cell. Include the circuit, measurements, graph and precautions needed for a reliable result.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — resonance and damping

Explain and discuss

A machine applies a periodic driving force to a platform that can oscillate. Explain the difference between free and forced vibrations, how resonance can produce a dangerous amplitude, and how increased damping changes the platform's response.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — capacitor discharge

Describe and explain

A student has a capacitor, a known resistor, a dc supply, a switch, a voltmeter and a data logger. Describe how the student can determine the capacitance from a discharge experiment. Explain the expected graphs and how the quality and safety of the experiment can be improved.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Compulsory — Rutherford scattering

Explain

In an alpha-particle scattering experiment, most alpha particles pass straight through a thin metal foil, some are deflected through small angles and a very small fraction are deflected through angles greater than 90 degrees. Explain how these observations led to the nuclear model and why they could not be explained by a model with positive charge spread throughout the atom.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Q10

Option — Astrophysics: telescopes

Compare and evaluate

An observatory can use telescope A, a refractor with objective diameter

0.20\,\text{m}

, or telescope B, a reflector with objective diameter

0.40\,\text{m}

. Both observe at wavelength

5.5\times10^{-7}\,\text{m}

. A faint binary star has angular separation

2.0\times10^{-6}\,\text{rad}

. Compare the brightness, resolution and aberrations of the images and evaluate which telescope should be used.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Q11

Option — Medical physics: imaging

Discuss and recommend

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.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Q12

Option — Engineering physics: engine cycles

Analyse and evaluate

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 evaluate the proposal.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Q13

Option — Turning points: wave-particle duality

Discuss

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.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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Q14

Option — Electronics: communication pathways

Discuss and recommend

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 microwave link. Discuss how each pathway works, its advantages and disadvantages, and recommend a solution.

[6 marks]

Total for this question: 6

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