000001
AQA
MARK SCHEME AQA
AS
PHYSICS
7407/1
Paper 1
Mark scheme
June 2024
S
Version: 1.1 Final IC
YS
PH
Page 1 of 32
,000002
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
S
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
IC
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
YS
PH
2
Page 2 of 32
,000003
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
Physics - Mark scheme instructions to examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what is
acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area in which a
mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
S
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.
IC
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent.
2. Emboldening
YS
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used,
with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. Different terms in the
mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.
PH
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which candidates have provided
extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error/contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors/contradictions
equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the mark scheme) are not
penalised.
3.2 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks can usually be given for a correct numerical answer without working shown unless the
question states ‘Show your working’. However, if a correct numerical answer can be evaluated from
incorrect physics then working will be required. The mark scheme will indicate both this and the credit (if
any) that can be allowed for the incorrect approach.
3
Page 3 of 32
, 000004
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
However, if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can usually be gained by correct substitution/working and
this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column or by each stage of a longer calculation.
A calculation must be followed through to answer in decimal form. An answer in surd form is never
acceptable for the final (evaluation) mark in a calculation and will therefore generally be denied one
mark.
3.3 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
3.4 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors
Allowances for errors carried forward are likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be
shown by the abbreviation ECF or conseq in the marking scheme.
An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in the marking
S
scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an incorrect transfer of a
numerical value from data given in a question.
3.5 Phonetic spelling
IC
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited (eg fizix) unless there is a
possible confusion (eg defraction/refraction) with another technical term.
YS
3.6 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is included to
help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
PH
3.7 Ignore / Insufficient / Do not allow
‘Ignore’ or ‘insufficient’ is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to
gain the marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
‘Do not allow’ means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given, will still
mean that the mark is not awarded.
3.8 Significant figure penalties
Answers to questions in the practical sections (7407/2 – Section A and 7408/3A) should display an
appropriate number of significant figures. For non-practical sections, an A-level paper may contain up to
2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting the final answer in a calculation to
a specified number of significant figures (sf). This will generally be assessed to be the number of sf of
the datum with the least number of sf from which the answer is determined. The mark scheme will give
the range of sf that are acceptable but this will normally be the sf of the datum (or this sf −1).
An answer in surd form cannot gain the sf mark. An incorrect calculation following some working can
gain the sf mark. For a question beginning with the command word ‘Show that…’, the answer should be
quoted to one more sf than the sf quoted in the question eg ‘Show that X is equal to about 2.1 cm’ –
4
Page 4 of 32
AQA
MARK SCHEME AQA
AS
PHYSICS
7407/1
Paper 1
Mark scheme
June 2024
S
Version: 1.1 Final IC
YS
PH
Page 1 of 32
,000002
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
S
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
IC
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
YS
PH
2
Page 2 of 32
,000003
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
Physics - Mark scheme instructions to examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what is
acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area in which a
mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
S
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.
IC
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent.
2. Emboldening
YS
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used,
with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. Different terms in the
mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.
PH
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which candidates have provided
extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error/contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors/contradictions
equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the mark scheme) are not
penalised.
3.2 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks can usually be given for a correct numerical answer without working shown unless the
question states ‘Show your working’. However, if a correct numerical answer can be evaluated from
incorrect physics then working will be required. The mark scheme will indicate both this and the credit (if
any) that can be allowed for the incorrect approach.
3
Page 3 of 32
, 000004
MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/1 – JUNE 2024
However, if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can usually be gained by correct substitution/working and
this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column or by each stage of a longer calculation.
A calculation must be followed through to answer in decimal form. An answer in surd form is never
acceptable for the final (evaluation) mark in a calculation and will therefore generally be denied one
mark.
3.3 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
3.4 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors
Allowances for errors carried forward are likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be
shown by the abbreviation ECF or conseq in the marking scheme.
An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in the marking
S
scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an incorrect transfer of a
numerical value from data given in a question.
3.5 Phonetic spelling
IC
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited (eg fizix) unless there is a
possible confusion (eg defraction/refraction) with another technical term.
YS
3.6 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is included to
help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
PH
3.7 Ignore / Insufficient / Do not allow
‘Ignore’ or ‘insufficient’ is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to
gain the marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
‘Do not allow’ means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given, will still
mean that the mark is not awarded.
3.8 Significant figure penalties
Answers to questions in the practical sections (7407/2 – Section A and 7408/3A) should display an
appropriate number of significant figures. For non-practical sections, an A-level paper may contain up to
2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting the final answer in a calculation to
a specified number of significant figures (sf). This will generally be assessed to be the number of sf of
the datum with the least number of sf from which the answer is determined. The mark scheme will give
the range of sf that are acceptable but this will normally be the sf of the datum (or this sf −1).
An answer in surd form cannot gain the sf mark. An incorrect calculation following some working can
gain the sf mark. For a question beginning with the command word ‘Show that…’, the answer should be
quoted to one more sf than the sf quoted in the question eg ‘Show that X is equal to about 2.1 cm’ –
4
Page 4 of 32
