Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Examinations
A Level
Physics
AH556/03 Unified physics
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Thursday 15 June 2023 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/03 Unified physics
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
* 9 9 1 0 5 0 6 6 2 8 *
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
* H 5 5 6 0 3 *
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 answers should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 70.
• 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 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2023 [601/4743/X] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (ST/SG) 321125/5 Turn over
, 2
1 The MAVEN spacecraft orbits Mars and studies its upper atmosphere.
(a) The diagram below shows the orbit of MAVEN around Mars.
orbit of MAVEN
Mars
(i) Mark an X on the diagram to show the point in the orbit where MAVEN has maximum
acceleration. [1]
(ii) Explain how Kepler’s 1st law applies to MAVEN’s orbit around Mars.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2023
, 3
(b) The table shows data for four orbits around Mars.
Phobos and Deimos are moons of Mars.
An areostationary orbit for Mars is the equivalent of a geostationary orbit for Earth.
Average distance from
Orbit Time period / hours
centre of Mars / km
MAVEN 4.5 6 500
Phobos 7.7 9 400
Deimos 30 23 000
Areostationary 25 20 000
(i) Show that Kepler’s 3rd law applies to this data.
[2]
(ii) Suggest two reasons why MAVEN was not placed in an areostationary orbit.
1 ........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
2 ........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2023 Turn over
Examinations
A Level
Physics
AH556/03 Unified physics
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Thursday 15 June 2023 – Morning
A Level Physics A
H556/03 Unified physics
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
* 9 9 1 0 5 0 6 6 2 8 *
• the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
* H 5 5 6 0 3 *
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 answers should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 70.
• 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 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2023 [601/4743/X] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (ST/SG) 321125/5 Turn over
, 2
1 The MAVEN spacecraft orbits Mars and studies its upper atmosphere.
(a) The diagram below shows the orbit of MAVEN around Mars.
orbit of MAVEN
Mars
(i) Mark an X on the diagram to show the point in the orbit where MAVEN has maximum
acceleration. [1]
(ii) Explain how Kepler’s 1st law applies to MAVEN’s orbit around Mars.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2023
, 3
(b) The table shows data for four orbits around Mars.
Phobos and Deimos are moons of Mars.
An areostationary orbit for Mars is the equivalent of a geostationary orbit for Earth.
Average distance from
Orbit Time period / hours
centre of Mars / km
MAVEN 4.5 6 500
Phobos 7.7 9 400
Deimos 30 23 000
Areostationary 25 20 000
(i) Show that Kepler’s 3rd law applies to this data.
[2]
(ii) Suggest two reasons why MAVEN was not placed in an areostationary orbit.
1 ........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
2 ........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2023 Turn over
