AQA A LEVEL PHYSICS PAPER 1 ACTUAL
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What is meant by ionisation energy? (2). Answer: Minimum
energy required to remove an electron from an atom (1) from the
ground state (1)
◉Why do emitted electrons have a kinetic energy that varies up to a
maximum value? (4). Answer: Energy of a photon is fixed/constant
(1)
Energy is required for electrons to overcome work function ø (1)
Electrons deeper into/below the surface of the metal require more
energy to overcome work function and therefore have less KE(1)
Maximum KE = Energy of photon - work function ø (1)
◉Explain how (bright ring) diagram is evidence of the wave-particle
duality of electrons?. Answer: Diffraction pattern maxima/minima
(bright and dark areas) (1)
Diffraction is a property of waves- proves wave-behaviour of
electrons (1)
, ◉What is meant by the ground state?. Answer: The lowest energy
state of an atom
◉Explain the difference between excitation and ionisation (2).
Answer: An electron receives a discrete amount of energy for BOTH
(1)
Excitation promotes an electron to a higher energy level
Ionisation is when an electron receives enough energy to leave the
atom
◉Explain why only photons of certain frequencies cause excitation
(4). Answer: discrete energy levels (1)
Electrons need to absorb a DISCRETE amount of energy to move to a
higher energy level (1)
Photons need to have a certain frequency to provide this energy,
because E=hf (1)
interaction is a 1:1 reaction all of the photon's energy is absorbed
(1)
◉Explain how excitation takes place in a fluorescent tube. Answer:
Electrons flow through the tube to the applied PD causing a current
to flow (1)
Electrons collide with mercury atoms in the tube (1)
This raises electrons in the mercury atom to a higher energy level
(1)
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What is meant by ionisation energy? (2). Answer: Minimum
energy required to remove an electron from an atom (1) from the
ground state (1)
◉Why do emitted electrons have a kinetic energy that varies up to a
maximum value? (4). Answer: Energy of a photon is fixed/constant
(1)
Energy is required for electrons to overcome work function ø (1)
Electrons deeper into/below the surface of the metal require more
energy to overcome work function and therefore have less KE(1)
Maximum KE = Energy of photon - work function ø (1)
◉Explain how (bright ring) diagram is evidence of the wave-particle
duality of electrons?. Answer: Diffraction pattern maxima/minima
(bright and dark areas) (1)
Diffraction is a property of waves- proves wave-behaviour of
electrons (1)
, ◉What is meant by the ground state?. Answer: The lowest energy
state of an atom
◉Explain the difference between excitation and ionisation (2).
Answer: An electron receives a discrete amount of energy for BOTH
(1)
Excitation promotes an electron to a higher energy level
Ionisation is when an electron receives enough energy to leave the
atom
◉Explain why only photons of certain frequencies cause excitation
(4). Answer: discrete energy levels (1)
Electrons need to absorb a DISCRETE amount of energy to move to a
higher energy level (1)
Photons need to have a certain frequency to provide this energy,
because E=hf (1)
interaction is a 1:1 reaction all of the photon's energy is absorbed
(1)
◉Explain how excitation takes place in a fluorescent tube. Answer:
Electrons flow through the tube to the applied PD causing a current
to flow (1)
Electrons collide with mercury atoms in the tube (1)
This raises electrons in the mercury atom to a higher energy level
(1)
