Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
AQA A-level Physics Paper 2 (7408/2) Study
Guide 2026
Materials
For this paper you must have: For Examiner’s Use
• a pencil and a ruler Question Mark
• a scientific calculator
1
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor. 2
3
Instructions
4
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 5
• Answer all questions. 6
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 7–31
outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of TOTAL
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked.
• Show all your working.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 85.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*JUN257408201*
7408/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 Information about the radius of a nucleus can be deduced from the closest approach
of alpha particles and from electron diffraction.
0 1 . 1 Alpha particles, each with a kinetic energy of 5.59 MeV, are fired at a thin foil made of
(
gold 197 )
79 Au atoms.
Some of the alpha particles are scattered through an angle of 180°.
Estimate the radius of a 197
79 Au nucleus from this information.
[3 marks]
radius of nucleus = m
0 1 . 2 Explain why your answer to Question 01.1 is an estimate.
[2 marks]
*02*
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 3 Electron diffraction gives a more precise value for the radius of the nucleus. box
Sketch, on Figure 1, a graph of intensity against angle for electron diffraction by
a nucleus.
Go on to state the feature of this graph that is used to determine the radius of
the nucleus.
[2 marks]
Figure 1
Question 1 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
, 4
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Results from electron-diffraction experiments lead to the equation: box
1
R = R0 A 3
Show that the equation provides evidence for the constant density of nuclear material.
[2 marks]
9
*04*
IB/M/Jun25/7408/2
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
AQA A-level Physics Paper 2 (7408/2) Study
Guide 2026
Materials
For this paper you must have: For Examiner’s Use
• a pencil and a ruler Question Mark
• a scientific calculator
1
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor. 2
3
Instructions
4
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 5
• Answer all questions. 6
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 7–31
outside the box around each page or on blank pages.
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of TOTAL
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked.
• Show all your working.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 85.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*JUN257408201*
7408/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 Information about the radius of a nucleus can be deduced from the closest approach
of alpha particles and from electron diffraction.
0 1 . 1 Alpha particles, each with a kinetic energy of 5.59 MeV, are fired at a thin foil made of
(
gold 197 )
79 Au atoms.
Some of the alpha particles are scattered through an angle of 180°.
Estimate the radius of a 197
79 Au nucleus from this information.
[3 marks]
radius of nucleus = m
0 1 . 2 Explain why your answer to Question 01.1 is an estimate.
[2 marks]
*02*
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 3 Electron diffraction gives a more precise value for the radius of the nucleus. box
Sketch, on Figure 1, a graph of intensity against angle for electron diffraction by
a nucleus.
Go on to state the feature of this graph that is used to determine the radius of
the nucleus.
[2 marks]
Figure 1
Question 1 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
, 4
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 4 Results from electron-diffraction experiments lead to the equation: box
1
R = R0 A 3
Show that the equation provides evidence for the constant density of nuclear material.
[2 marks]
9
*04*
IB/M/Jun25/7408/2
