Cambridge International AS Level

Physics 9702

Mechanics, materials, waves, electricity and particle physics (AS content).

Exam year

Syllabus version: 2025–2027 syllabusChecked against the Cambridge syllabusExam year 2027 is covered by the 2025–2027 syllabus.

Subject review complete (19 Oct 2026). All 28 AS Level Physics questions were re-solved and checked against the syllabus and Cambridge mark-scheme conventions, and their auto-marking was tested with correct and incorrect answers.

Paper 1 Multiple Choice31%
Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions46%
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills23%

Original questions28

Topics covered12/12

Papers3

Mock papers5

What is assessed

3 components. Question formats: multiple choice, structured, practical.

Paper 1 Multiple ChoiceAS

1 h 15 min40 marks31% of AS

Forty four-option multiple-choice items on the AS Level content, testing AO1 and AO2.

What the paper looks like

40 one-mark, four-option items in 75 minutes (under 2 minutes each) covering all AS topics roughly in syllabus order. Many need a short calculation with the data sheet; others test definitions, units, graph reading, circuit reasoning and qualitative ideas. Distractors are built from typical slips (wrong power, missed factor of 2, unit prefix). Calculator allowed.

Multiple choiceData and formulae sheet provided

Checked against the Cambridge syllabus

Paper 2 AS Level Structured QuestionsAS

1 h 15 min60 marks46% of AS

Compulsory structured questions on the AS Level content, testing AO1 and AO2.

What the paper looks like

About 6–8 compulsory multi-part questions totalling 60 marks, each 7–12 marks with parts of 1–4 marks. Command words: define, state, calculate, show that, explain, describe, sketch, determine. Questions combine recall (definitions, laws) with calculations, graph work (gradients, tangents, areas) and short explanations. Show working and units; calculator and data sheet provided.

StructuredData and formulae sheet provided

Checked against the Cambridge syllabus

Paper 3 Advanced Practical SkillsAS

2 h40 marks23% of AS

Two laboratory-based questions (about 1 hour and 20 marks each) assessing AS practical skills (AO3); contexts may lie outside the syllabus content.

What the paper looks like

Two laboratory questions (about 1 hour and 20 marks each). Question 1 is usually a graph-based investigation: collect six or more sets of readings, tabulate with units and consistent precision, plot a graph, find gradient and intercept, and relate to a given equation. Question 2 is a shorter experiment with uncertainty estimates, a test of a relationship, and identification of limitations with matching improvements.

PracticalStructuredLaboratory apparatus provided (as listed in confidential instructions)

Checked against the Cambridge syllabus

Assessment overview

From the 2025–2027 syllabus. Checked against the Cambridge syllabus

AS Level

Paper 1Paper 2Paper 3

Assessment objective	AS Level weighting
AO1 Knowledge and understanding	40%
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information	40%
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations	20%

Changes in this syllabus version

Wording of learning outcomes 3.3.3, 7.5.2, 15.3.4 and 25.3.1 updated.
Assessment structure unchanged from the previous syllabus; textbooks endorsed for exams from 2022 remain suitable.

Command words used in Physics papers (15)

Calculate: Work out a value from the facts or figures given
Comment: Give an opinion based on evidence or knowledge
Compare: Point out similarities and/or differences
Define: Give the exact meaning of a term
Describe: Give the main features or characteristics
Determine: Reach an answer using the information provided
Explain: Give reasons or purposes, showing how and why, with supporting evidence
Give: Provide an answer from a source or from memory
Identify: Name, select or recognise
Justify: Back up a case or answer with evidence or argument
Predict: Say what is likely to happen using the information available
Show (that): Set out clear working that leads to the stated result
Sketch: Draw simply by hand, showing the key features
State: Express clearly and briefly
Suggest: Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar situation where several valid answers are possible

Examiner guidance from recent reports (14)

Physical quantities and units. When a quantity is raised to a power, multiply its percentage uncertainty by that power (side length cubed gives three times the uncertainty). Keep absolute and percentage uncertainties distinct and never add them together.

Kinematics. Instantaneous acceleration on a curved v–t graph needs a tangent drawn at exactly the stated time; dividing the final velocity by total time gives only the average. Use a large tangent triangle to read the gradient.

Dynamics. For a falling object, resultant force = weight − drag, not just the drag. When explaining motion towards terminal velocity, say which force changes and why the resultant force (and so acceleration) decreases.

Forces, density and pressure. Convert centimetres to metres before taking moments, and state the pivot you are using. Give answers to two or three significant figures in line with the data, not one.

Work, energy and power. Write full equations with a subject (e.g. ΔE<sub>P</sub> = mgΔh), not just “mgh”. In energy-chain problems, the kinetic energy gained equals the energy supplied minus every other energy change, such as the gain in gravitational potential energy.

Deformation of solids. Elastic potential energy is ½kx², so keep the square on the extension when substituting. Do not confuse a stress value with a force, and use the original length of the stretched section in strain.

Electricity. Cross-sectional area of a wire is πd²/4, not a surface area. When asked how a quantity changes, give the factor (e.g. “one quarter of the original”) rather than just “decreases”.

D.C. circuits. Write e.m.f. definitions in terms of energy transferred per unit charge around the complete circuit; p.d. refers to energy transferred from electrical to other forms in a component. Show Kirchhoff loop equations explicitly.

Particle physics. Use technical words carefully: nucleus vs nuclide, atom vs molecule. In β decay questions, remember the (anti)neutrino and the quark change (d → u for β⁻, u → d for β⁺).

Gravitational fields. Define potential as work done per unit mass bringing a small test mass from infinity; “per unit mass” is essential. Potential is always negative and increases towards zero at infinity.

Ideal gases. Identify T as thermodynamic temperature in kelvin. Distinguish the kinetic energy of one molecule (3/2 kT) from the total for N molecules, and label symbols so the examiner can tell which you mean.

Oscillations. Resonance answers should mention both driving frequency equal to natural frequency and maximum amplitude. For damping, name the type (light, critical, heavy) and link amplitude loss to energy being removed by resistive forces.

Capacitance. Read log or exponential graphs carefully, checking powers of ten on the axes. To explain exponential discharge, link charge → p.d. across capacitor → current through resistor → rate of loss of charge.

Quantum physics. A photon is a quantum (discrete packet) of electromagnetic energy, not a “part” of a wave. Energies in eV need multiplying by 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ only when converting to joules; do not multiply a p.d. in volts by e unnecessarily.

Topic map

Practice types

Free sample questions

Which of the following is the Young modulus expressed in SI base units?

kg m⁻¹ s⁻²
kg m s⁻²
kg m⁻² s⁻²
kg m² s⁻²

Answer: A. kg m⁻¹ s⁻²

Young modulus = stress/strain, and strain has no unit, so its unit is the pascal, N m⁻². A newton is kg m s⁻², so N m⁻² = kg m s⁻² × m⁻² = kg m⁻¹ s⁻².

A metal cube has side length (2.50 ± 0.02) cm and mass (48.0 ± 0.5) g. What is the percentage uncertainty in…

A metal cube has side length (2.50 ± 0.02) cm and mass (48.0 ± 0.5) g. What is the percentage uncertainty in the density calculated from these values?

1.8%
2.6%
3.4%
4.4%

Answer: C. 3.4%

ρ = m/l³. Percentage uncertainty = %m + 3 × %l = (0.5/48.0)×100 + 3 × (0.02/2.50)×100 = 1.04% + 2.40% = 3.4%. Forgetting the power of 3 gives 1.8%; using a factor of 2 gives 2.6%.

FAQs

Are these official 9702 past-paper questions?

No. They are original questions written to match the Physics syllabus topics. Official past papers are available to schools through Cambridge.

Why choose an exam year?

Cambridge updates syllabuses periodically. Your exam year selects the matching configuration so topics and components follow the right version.

How do AS and A Level differ here?

Both pathways share code 9702. AS pages include AS topics and components only; A Level pages add the A Level content and papers.

Is a calculator allowed?

In this configuration a scientific calculator is permitted for the listed papers. Check your syllabus for the exact rule.