OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/02 Exploring 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
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 32 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 component of a gamma camera absorbs gamma rays and produces visible light?
A collimator
B computer
C photomultiplier tube
D scintillator
Your answer [ ] [1]
2 What is a reasonable estimate for the diameter of an atom?
A 10−15 m
B 10−12 m
C 10−10 m
D 10−7 m
Your answer [ ] [1]
3 The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon, E , for nuclei of different nucleon number, A.
(Graph described: binding energy per nucleon on y-axis, nucleon number A on x-axis, with a peak marked X)
Which of the following statement(s) correctly describe nuclear processes?
1 Fission of nuclei to the right of X releases energy
2 Fusion of nuclei to the left of X releases energy
3 Fission of nuclei to the right of X can happen spontaneously
A Only 1
B Only 2
C Only 2 and 3
D 1, 2 and 3
Your answer [ ] [1]
4 The current in a copper wire of radius 2.5 × 10−4 m is 1.4 A. The number density of charge carriers (electrons) in copper is 8.5 ×
1028 m−3 . What is the mean drift velocity of the electrons in the wire?
A 2.1 × 10−4 mm s−1
B 0.13 mm s−1
C 0.52 mm s−1
D 1.9 mm s−1
Your answer [ ] [1]
5 An isotope has a half-life of 243 years. One sample of this isotope has activity A1 . A second sample of the same isotope has activity
mass of isotope in first sample
A2 . What is the ratio: mass
of isotope in second sample
?
A 243 A 1
A
2
B 243
A1 2
A
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/02 Exploring 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
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 32 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 component of a gamma camera absorbs gamma rays and produces visible light?
A collimator
B computer
C photomultiplier tube
D scintillator
Your answer [ ] [1]
2 What is a reasonable estimate for the diameter of an atom?
A 10−15 m
B 10−12 m
C 10−10 m
D 10−7 m
Your answer [ ] [1]
3 The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon, E , for nuclei of different nucleon number, A.
(Graph described: binding energy per nucleon on y-axis, nucleon number A on x-axis, with a peak marked X)
Which of the following statement(s) correctly describe nuclear processes?
1 Fission of nuclei to the right of X releases energy
2 Fusion of nuclei to the left of X releases energy
3 Fission of nuclei to the right of X can happen spontaneously
A Only 1
B Only 2
C Only 2 and 3
D 1, 2 and 3
Your answer [ ] [1]
4 The current in a copper wire of radius 2.5 × 10−4 m is 1.4 A. The number density of charge carriers (electrons) in copper is 8.5 ×
1028 m−3 . What is the mean drift velocity of the electrons in the wire?
A 2.1 × 10−4 mm s−1
B 0.13 mm s−1
C 0.52 mm s−1
D 1.9 mm s−1
Your answer [ ] [1]
5 An isotope has a half-life of 243 years. One sample of this isotope has activity A1 . A second sample of the same isotope has activity
mass of isotope in first sample
A2 . What is the ratio: mass
of isotope in second sample
?
A 243 A 1
A
2
B 243
A1 2
A
