A Level Physics problem-solving questions
Browse free read-only ProblemBOT examples for A Level Physics. Each preview shows the full problem, topic links and worked-solution guidance, with an option to try the question interactively.
Waves
A water wave has wavelength 0.80 m and frequency 2.5 Hz. (a) Calculate the wave speed. [3] (b) Calculate the time for 15 waves to pass a point. [2] (c) State the effect on wave speed if the frequency increases but the wave continues in the same water depth....
Forces
A 1200 kg car accelerates from rest at 2.5 m/s2. Take g = 9.8 N/kg. (a) Calculate the resultant force on the car. [3] (b) Calculate the weight of the car. [2] (c) Explain why the car can accelerate even though its weight is much larger than the resultant...
Thermal Physics
On a hot day, the air temperature in a sealed, well-insulated bedroom is 24 °C. To cool the room down, a person takes a solid block of ice from the freezer, places it directly in front of an electric fan, and closes the door. The room measures 5.0 m × 4.0 m...
Particles and radiation, Particles
A researcher is investigating the properties of a specific isotope of Lithium, ${}^{7}_{3}\text{Li}$. (a) Calculate the specific charge of the nucleus of a ${}^{7}_{3}\text{Li}$ atom. Give your answer in $\text{C kg}^{-1}$ to an appropriate number of...
Circular Motion, Gravitational Fields
Two identical stars, each of mass m, orbit their common centre of mass in circular orbits of radius r. The stars are separated by a distance 2r. Their orbital period is T. (a) Write down an expression for the gravitational force between the two stars. (1)...
Forces and Motion, Energy & Power
A lift of total mass 6.0 × 10² kg is accelerated vertically upwards from rest by a cable tension of 6.6 × 10³ N. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the lift. (3) (b) The lift reaches a constant speed of 3.0 m s⁻¹. Calculate the power output of the motor when...
Astrophysics
The Sun has absolute magnitude +4.8 and surface temperature 5800 K. A distant star has absolute magnitude −4.2 and surface temperature 3500 K. (a) Calculate the difference in absolute magnitude and hence the ratio of the luminosities of the two stars. [2]...
Forces and Motion, Energy & Power, Materials
A testing rig uses a heavy block of mass $M = 12.0\text{ kg}$ to calibrate a vertical safety spring. The block is initially held at rest against the top of the spring. When released, the block compresses the spring. (a) The block is released from rest and...
Waves, Oscillations, Thermal Physics
A specialized acoustic sensor consists of a small metal sphere of mass $m = 1.20 \times 10^{-2}\text{ kg}$ suspended by a spring. When the sphere is displaced and released, it undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM). An engineer uses an oscilloscope to...
Forces and Motion, Circular Motion, Oscillations
A small robotic probe of mass $m = 0.450\text{ kg}$ is designed to test the surface of a low-gravity asteroid. The probe is launched horizontally from the top of a vertical cliff of height $H = 12.0\text{ m}$ with an initial speed $u$. (a) On this asteroid,...
Waves, Electricity
A specialized "plasma-acoustic" sensor consists of a thin cylindrical tube of length $L = 0.850\text{ m}$ and cross-sectional area $A = 1.20 \times 10^{-4}\text{ m}^2$. The tube is filled with a partially ionized gas where the number density of free...
Waves
A student uses a signal generator to produce a sound wave in a laboratory. The signal is monitored using a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO). The trace on the screen shows a clear sinusoidal wave. The time-base of the CRO is set to $250\text{ }\mu\text{s...
Nuclear Physics
A researcher is investigating the properties of a specific isotope of Gold, $^{197}_{79}\text{Au}$. In a scattering experiment, alpha particles ($^{4}_{2}\text{He}$) are fired at a thin gold foil. (a) Calculate the radius of a $^{197}_{79}\text{Au}$ nucleus....
Gravitational Fields, Nuclear Physics
A hypothetical "Nuclear Star" is a dense, spherical object composed entirely of neutrons. It has a radius $R$ of $12.0\text{ km}$ and a uniform density equal to that of an atomic nucleus, $\rho = 2.30 \times 10^{17}\text{ kg m}^{-3}$. (a) Show that the mass...
Waves
A student uses a signal generator to produce a sound wave in a laboratory. The wave is detected by a microphone connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope screen shows a trace of the wave with the time-base set to $50\text{ \mu s cm}^{-1}$ and the...
Forces and Motion
A high-speed "smart-sled" is tested on a horizontal track for emergency braking systems. The sled, initially travelling at a constant velocity $u$, passes a sensor at $t = 0$. At this instant, the braking system is engaged. The velocity $v$ of the sled as a...
Oscillations
A "magnetic spring" is constructed using two identical small neodymium magnets. One magnet is fixed to the base of a vertical glass tube. The second magnet, of mass $m = 12.0\text{ g}$, is placed inside the tube such that it is repelled by the fixed magnet...