100+ Free Cambridge IAL Physics Practice Questions

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Question 1

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An electron (charge 1.6 x 10^-19 C) moves at 2.0 x 10^6 m/s perpendicular to a 0.50 T field. What is the magnetic force on the electron?

1.6 x 10^-19 N

1.0 x 10^6 N

1.6 x 10^-13 N

3.2 x 10^-13 N

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Cambridge IAL Physics Exam

5 papers

Assessment components

Cambridge 9702 syllabus 2025-2027

A*-E

Grading scale

Cambridge International

270 marks

Total A-Level marks across Papers 1-5

Cambridge 9702 syllabus

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Cambridge IAL Physics 9702 spans mechanics, waves, electricity, fields, thermal physics, oscillations, quantum and nuclear physics across five papers. Assessment is end-of-course on the A*-E grade scale aligned with the 2025-2027 syllabus.

Sample Cambridge IAL Physics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Cambridge IAL Physics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is an SI base unit?

A.kilogram

B.newton

C.joule

D.watt

Explanation: The seven SI base units include the kilogram (mass), metre, second, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela. The newton, joule and watt are derived units.

2Which prefix represents a factor of 10^-12?

A.pico

B.nano

C.micro

D.femto

Explanation: The SI prefix pico (p) represents 10^-12. Nano is 10^-9, micro is 10^-6 and femto is 10^-15.

3Which set contains only scalar quantities?

A.mass, energy, temperature

B.velocity, force, mass

C.displacement, speed, time

D.acceleration, density, work

Explanation: Scalars have magnitude only. Mass, energy and temperature are all scalar. Velocity, force, displacement and acceleration are vectors.

4Two forces of 6 N and 8 N act at right angles on a point. What is the magnitude of the resultant?

A.10 N

B.14 N

C.2 N

D.48 N

Explanation: For perpendicular vectors the resultant magnitude is sqrt(6^2 + 8^2) = sqrt(100) = 10 N. A classic 6-8-10 right triangle.

5A force of 50 N acts at 30 degrees above the horizontal. What is its horizontal component?

A.43 N

B.25 N

C.50 N

D.29 N

Explanation: Horizontal component = F cos(theta) = 50 cos(30) = 50 x 0.866 = 43 N.

6A micrometer screw gauge reads main scale 7.5 mm and thimble 23. The smallest division on the thimble is 0.01 mm. What is the reading?

A.7.73 mm

B.7.523 mm

C.7.93 mm

D.30.5 mm

Explanation: Reading = main scale + (thimble division x least count) = 7.5 mm + (23 x 0.01) mm = 7.5 + 0.23 = 7.73 mm.

7On an oscilloscope the time-base is set to 5 ms per division. A complete sinusoidal cycle spans 4 divisions. What is the signal frequency?

A.50 Hz

B.20 Hz

C.200 Hz

D.5 Hz

Explanation: Period T = 4 x 5 ms = 20 ms = 0.020 s. Frequency f = 1/T = 1/0.020 = 50 Hz.

8A length is measured as (2.50 +/- 0.02) m. What is the percentage uncertainty?

A.0.8 %

B.2 %

C.0.02 %

D.5 %

Explanation: Percentage uncertainty = (absolute uncertainty / value) x 100 = (0.02 / 2.50) x 100 = 0.8 %.

9A quantity y is calculated from y = a^2 b. If a has 3 % uncertainty and b has 4 % uncertainty, what is the percentage uncertainty in y?

A.10 %

B.7 %

C.12 %

D.5 %

Explanation: Percentage uncertainties add for products, with powers multiplying the uncertainty: delta_y/y = 2 x 3 % + 4 % = 10 %.

10Which choice best describes a measurement that is precise but not accurate?

A.Repeated readings cluster tightly but far from the true value

B.Repeated readings scatter widely around the true value

C.Repeated readings cluster tightly around the true value

D.Single reading happens to match the true value

Explanation: Precision describes the spread of repeated readings (small spread = precise). Accuracy describes closeness to the true value. A precise-but-inaccurate set is tightly clustered but offset.

About the Cambridge IAL Physics Exam

Cambridge International A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702) is a two-year linear qualification assessed across five papers covering AS and A2 content. Paper 1 is a 40-question multiple-choice paper, Papers 2 and 4 are structured written papers, Paper 3 is a practical assessment, and Paper 5 covers planning, analysis and evaluation of experimental data.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 7h 30min total across five papers

Passing Score

Grade E minimum; A*-E pass scale

Exam Fee

£80-£160 per paper (private candidates; centres set final fees) (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))

Cambridge IAL Physics Exam Content Outline

Physical quantities and units

SI base and derived units, prefixes, scalars vs vectors, vector addition and resolution, estimation

Measurement techniques

Rulers, vernier calipers, micrometers, CRO, precision vs accuracy, combining absolute and percentage uncertainties

Kinematics and dynamics

suvat equations, motion graphs, projectile motion, Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, collisions

Forces, energy and deformation

Moments and equilibrium, density and pressure, work, energy, power, Hooke's law, Young modulus

Waves, superposition and electricity

Wave equation, polarisation, interference, diffraction gratings, refraction, DC circuits, Kirchhoff's laws

Particle and nuclear physics (AS)

Nuclear notation, isotopes, alpha/beta/gamma decay, quarks, leptons, hadrons, fission and fusion

Circular motion and gravitational fields

Angular velocity, centripetal force, Newton's gravitation, orbits, geostationary satellites, escape velocity

Thermal physics and oscillations

Ideal gas equation, kinetic theory, internal energy, specific heat and latent heat, SHM, resonance and damping

Electric fields, capacitors and magnetic fields

Coulomb's law, capacitor energy and RC time constant, force on current and charge, electromagnetic induction

Quantum and nuclear physics (A2)

Photoelectric effect, de Broglie waves, energy levels and line spectra, mass-energy equivalence, binding energy

Sensing devices and electronics

Thermistors, LDRs, strain gauges, op-amps as inverting, non-inverting, summing and comparator circuits

How to Pass the Cambridge IAL Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Grade E minimum; A*-E pass scale
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Approximately 7h 30min total across five papers
Exam fee: £80-£160 per paper (private candidates; centres set final fees)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Cambridge IAL Physics Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use Cambridge past papers from June 2022 onwards — earlier papers may reference retired syllabus content

2Practice Paper 1 multiple-choice under strict 1h 15min timing (just under 2 minutes per question)

3For Paper 5, drill the standard planning structure: independent/dependent/control variables, table headings with units, log-graph linearisation

4Quote uncertainty rules consistently: absolute uncertainties add for sums/differences, percentage uncertainties add for products/quotients

Frequently Asked Questions

How many papers does Cambridge IAL Physics 9702 have?

There are 5 papers: Paper 1 (40 MCQ, 1h 15min), Paper 2 (AS structured, 60 marks, 1h 15min), Paper 3 (Advanced Practical, 40 marks, 2h), Paper 4 (A2 structured, 100 marks, 2h), and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation, 30 marks, 1h 15min).

What syllabus version applies for 2026 candidates?

The Cambridge 9702 Physics syllabus for examination in 2025, 2026 and 2027 applies. Always download the current syllabus PDF from cambridgeinternational.org before final revision to confirm content boundaries and formula sheets.

Is the data and formulae booklet provided in the exam?

Yes. A printed data and formulae sheet is supplied for every written 9702 paper. Candidates do not need to memorise constants such as G, k, e, h, c, R or the masses of the electron and proton.

How is Cambridge IAL Physics graded?

Grades A* to E are awarded on the full A-Level. AS-only candidates receive grades a to e. The grade is calculated from total marks across all the components in the chosen route (AS only or full A-Level).

100+ Free Cambridge IAL Physics Practice Questions

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