OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/02 Exploring physics
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
1 The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon, E, for nuclei of different nucleon number, A.
(Graph: 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]
2 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 A₂.
What is the ratio: mass of isotope in first sample / mass of isotope in second sample?
A 243 × A₁/A₂
B A₁/(243 × A₂)
C A₁/A₂
D A₂/A₁
, Your answer [ ] [1]
3 A student wants to determine the count‑rate from a beta‑emitting source in the laboratory. Which
procedure would be the best to determine the count‑rate?
A Measure the counts over a long period of time
B Place the radiation detector (Geiger tube) about 1 metre away from the source
C Place the source close to a very strong magnet
D Place the source inside a lead box when measuring the counts
Your answer [ ] [1]
4 The radius R of the nucleus of an unknown isotope with nucleon number A is calculated using the
formula R = r₀ A^{1/3}, where r₀ is a constant.
The percentage uncertainty in r₀ is ±5%. The percentage uncertainty in A is ±3%. What is the
percentage uncertainty in R?
A ±2%
B ±4%
C ±6%
D ±8%
Your answer [ ] [1]
5 The diagrams show representations of a progressive wave.
(Graphs: displacement‑time and displacement‑distance graphs)
Which row of the table correctly identifies its properties?
Amplitude / cm Frequency / Hz
A 0.10 400
B 0.85 2500
C 0.85 400
D 0.10 2500
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/02 Exploring physics
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
1 The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon, E, for nuclei of different nucleon number, A.
(Graph: 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]
2 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 A₂.
What is the ratio: mass of isotope in first sample / mass of isotope in second sample?
A 243 × A₁/A₂
B A₁/(243 × A₂)
C A₁/A₂
D A₂/A₁
, Your answer [ ] [1]
3 A student wants to determine the count‑rate from a beta‑emitting source in the laboratory. Which
procedure would be the best to determine the count‑rate?
A Measure the counts over a long period of time
B Place the radiation detector (Geiger tube) about 1 metre away from the source
C Place the source close to a very strong magnet
D Place the source inside a lead box when measuring the counts
Your answer [ ] [1]
4 The radius R of the nucleus of an unknown isotope with nucleon number A is calculated using the
formula R = r₀ A^{1/3}, where r₀ is a constant.
The percentage uncertainty in r₀ is ±5%. The percentage uncertainty in A is ±3%. What is the
percentage uncertainty in R?
A ±2%
B ±4%
C ±6%
D ±8%
Your answer [ ] [1]
5 The diagrams show representations of a progressive wave.
(Graphs: displacement‑time and displacement‑distance graphs)
Which row of the table correctly identifies its properties?
Amplitude / cm Frequency / Hz
A 0.10 400
B 0.85 2500
C 0.85 400
D 0.10 2500
