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AQA A-LEVEL PHYSICS COMPLETE MARK SCHEME +

SPECIFICATION BANK
YEAR 1 SPECIFICATION CODE 3.1-3.5

Specification
Question Mark Scheme
Code

Describe how you would make a

3.1
direct measurement of the emf ɛ of
Measurements Voltmeter across terminals with nothing else connected to battery
a cell, stating the type of meter you
and their Errors
would use. (1)

Short-range attraction for strong Up to 3 fm

nuclear force (1)

3.2.1 Particles Very short-range repulsion for Up to 0.5 fm

strong nuclear force (1)

Role of strong nuclear force (1) Keeping the nucleus stable

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Why neutrino was hypothesised? To account for conservation of energy in beta decay
(1)

The 4 fundamental interactions (1) Gravity, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, strong nuclear

1. baryons (proton, neutron) and antibaryons (antiproton and antineutron)

The 2 classes of hadrons (2)
2. mesons (pion, kaon)

What does kaon decay into? (1) Pions

What do baryons decay into? (1) Proton

Exchange particle of strong nuclear Pion

force (1)

What does muon decay into? (1) Electron

How are strange particles Strange particles as particles that are produced through the strong interaction and decay through the weak
produced and how do they decay? interaction (eg kaons).
(1)

Strangeness (symbol s) as a quantum number to reflect the fact that strange particles are always created in
What is strangeness? (1)
pairs.
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How does strangeness change in 1. Conservation of strangeness in strong interactions.

strong and weak interactions? (2) 2. Strangeness can change by 0, +1 or -1 in weak interactions.

Decay of the neutron (1) n → p + e- + ̅νe

What are conserved in particle 1. Energy

interactions? (2) 2. Momentum

1. energy is needed to remove an electron from the surface

2. work function φ (of the metal) is the minimum energy needed by an electron to escape from the surface
3.2.2 3. light consists of photons , each of energy E = hf
Electromagnetic Photoelectric Effect – Explain why 4. one photon is absorbed by one electron
Radiation and electrons are released and KE 5. an electron can escape (from the surface) if hf > φ
Quantum varies (8)
Phenomena 6. kinetic energy of an emitted electron cannot be greater than hf - φ
7. an electron below the surface needs to do work/uses energy to reach the surface
8. kinetic energy of such an electron will be less than hf - φ

1. wave theory predicts that incident light (of any frequency) would cause photoelectric emission (from any metal)
2. wave theory could not explain why light below a certain frequency (or below a threshold frequency) could not
Photoelectric Effect – Wave
cause photoelectric emission
Theory Failure (4)
3. this (threshold) frequency is characteristic of the metal (or depends on the metal)
4. wave theory could not explain the instantaneous emission of photoelectrons
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1. (progressive waves travel from centre) to ends and reflect

3.3.1
2. two (progressive) waves travel in opposite directions along the string
Progressive Stationary Wave – Formation of a
3. waves have the same frequency (or wavelength)
and Stationary stationary wave (5)
4. waves have the same (or similar) amplitude
Waves
5. superposition (accept interference)

1. central (bright) fringe would be white

3.3.2 2. side fringes are (continuous) spectra
Refraction, Double-Slit – White light double- 3. (dark) fringes would be closer together (because λred > average λwhite)
Diffraction and slit diffraction (6) 4. the bright fringes would be blue on the side nearest the centre (or red on the side away from the centre)
Interference 5. bright fringes merge away from centre
6. bright fringes wider (or dark fringes narrower)

1. No resultant force
Conditions for equilibrium (2)
2. no resultant moments

Meaning of equilibrium (1) An object is at rest / moving with constant velocity

3.4.1 Force,
Energy and
Definition of moment (1) Force × perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force
Momentum

What is a couple? (1) Couple as a pair of equal and opposite coplanar forces

Definition of moment of couple (1) Force × perpendicular distance between the lines of action of the forces

Principle of Conservation of Momentum

Momentum and Energy –
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Explosion causing probe to
separate into probe + capsule (10)
Energy
Hooke’s Law – State Hooke’s Law
3.4.2 Materials
(2)
Superconductivity (3)
3.5 Electricity
Superconductivity – Resistance of
cable when made superconducting
1. momentum is conserved because there are no external forces acting on the overall system (probe plus capsule)
ñ or because it is free space
2. they are moving in free space and are therefore so far from large masses that gravitational forces are
negligible
3. during the explosion, there are equal and opposite forces acting between the probe and the capsule
4. these are internal forces that act within the overall system
5. because momentum has to be conserved, and it is a vector, the capsule must move along the original line of
movement after the explosion
1. total energy is always conserved in any physical process because energy can be neither created nor destroyed
2. however, energy may be converted from one form to another
3. the probe is already moving and has kinetic energy
4. in the explosion, some chemical energy is converted into kinetic energy (and some energy is lost in heating the
surroundings)
5. the system of probe and capsule has more kinetic energy than the probe had originally, because some kinetic
energy is released by the explosion
1. the force (needed to stretch a spring is directly) is proportional to the extension (of the spring from its natural
length)
2. up to the limit of proportionally
1. superconductivity means a material has zero resistivity/resistance
2. resistivity decreases with temperature or idea of cooling
3. becomes superconducting when you reach the critical/certain/transition temperature
1. the resistance decreases (to zero)! 6 copper still has resistance
2. but this is in parallel with filaments (which have zero resistance)
3. hence total resistance is zero
4. current goes through filaments
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YEAR 2 SPECIFICATION CODE 3.6 – 3.8

Specification
Question Mark Scheme
Code

3.6.1 Periodic
Motion Circular Motion – Why object is
1. direction changes meaning that velocity is not constant
still accelerating with constant
2. acceleration involves change in velocity (or acceleration is rate of change of velocity)
(*This is in paper speed (2)
1 A-Level)

1. The motion of molecules is random.

2. No attraction between molecules
3. Volume of molecules are negligible (compared to volume of container)
Assumptions – Kinetic Theory (5) 4. Collisions between molecules (or molecules and the wall of the container) are elastic.
5. The time taken for a collision is negligible (compared to the time between collisions).

3.6.2 Thermal RAVED Acronym

Physics

Experiment – To determine
absolute zero and its value (6)
1. Constant mass of gas (may come from the experiment if it is clear that the gas is trapped) and constant volume
(or constant pressure).
2. Record pressure (or volume) for a range of temperatures.(the experiment must involve changing the
temperature with pressure or volume being the dependent variable)
3. How the temperature is maintained / changed / controlled. (The gas must be heated uniformly by a
temperature bath or oven)
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4. Describe or show a graph of pressure against temperature (or volume against temperature) that is linear. The
linear relationship may come from a diagram / graph or a reference to the Pressure Law or Charles’ Law line
of best fit is continued on implies a linear graph).
5. Use the results in a graph of pressure against temperature (or volume against temperature) which can be
extrapolated to lower temperatures which has zero pressure (or volume) at absolute zero, which is at 0 K or
−273 °C.
6. Absolute temperature is the temperature at which the volume (or pressure or mean kinetic energy of molecules)
is zero / or when the particles are not moving.

3.7.1 - 2 1. force of attraction between two point masses (or particles)

Newton’s Law – State Newton’s
Gravitational 2. proportional to product of masses
Law of Gravitation (3)
Fields 3. inversely proportional to square of distance between them

Faraday’s law - Why a larger emf 1. greater flux (linkage) or more flux lines (at same distance)
3.7.3 Electric
would be induced for a stronger 2. greater rate of change of flux (linkage)
Fields
magnet (3) 3. emf proportional to rate of change of flux (linkage)

Dielectrics – why increase in the

1. In the polar dielectric molecules align in the field with positive charged end toward the negative plate.
3.7.4 energy stored when the polythene
2. Work is done on the capacitor separating the positively charged surface of the dielectric from the negatively
Capacitance sheet is pulled out from between
charged plate (or vice versa)
the plates (2)

1. induced emf ∝ (or =) rate of change of flux (linkage)

2. flux (linkage) through the coil changes as it is rotated
Electromagnetic Induction – Why
3.7.5 Magnetic
magnitude of emf greatest at 90 3. from maximum at θ =0,180° to zero at 90°and270°
Fields
and 270 degrees (5)
4. rate of change is greatest when plane of coil is parallel to B [or reference to ε = BANω sin ωt, orε = BANω

sin θ]
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5. because coil then cuts flux lines perpendicularly [or ε = BANω sin ωt shows ε is greatest when ωt=90°or 270

°]

1. a neutron is slowed by the moderator

Thermal Nuclear Reaction – How
constant rate of fission is
maintained with neutrons (8)
3.8 Nuclear
Physics
2. taking about 50 collisions to reach thermal speeds
3. then absorbed by uranium-235 to cause a fission event
4. one neutron released goes on to cause a further fission is the critical condition
5. a neutron may leave the reactor core without further interaction a neutron could be absorbed by uranium-238
6. a neutron could be absorbed by a control rod
7. a neutron could be scattered by uranium-238
8. a neutron could be scattered by uranium-235

1. it is easy to stay out of range or easy to contain an α source or β/γ have greater range/are more difficult to
Nuclear Waste – Why spent fuel screen
rods present greater hazard than 2. most (fission fragments) are (more) radioactive/unstable
unused fuel rods (4) 3. and are initially most likely to be beta emitters/(which also) emit γ radiation/are neutron rich/heavy
4. ionising radiation damages body tissue/is harmful

TURNING POINTS IN PHYSICS SPECIFICATION CODE 3.12

Specification
Question Mark Scheme
Code
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1. Gas atoms are ionised

Cathode Rays – How they are
3.12.1.1 2. (positive ions generated near the cathode are attracted to the cathode causing free) electrons emitted from
produced in a gas discharge tube
Cathode Rays the cathode
(3)
3. Electrons are accelerated toward the anode (by the potential difference)

3.12.1.2 Thermionic Emission – Effect of 1. The number of electrons (per second) in the beam will increase
Thermionic increasing filament current (2) 2. Because the filament will become hotter and will emit more electrons (per second)
Emission of
Electrons
Thermionic Emission – Effect of 1. The speed of the electrons will increase
increasing anode potential (2) 2. Because the electrons (from the filament) are attracted towards the anode with a greater acceleration

Specific Charge Determination – 1. (magnetic) force on each electron in the beam is perpendicular to velocity
What electrons are in circular path 2. no work is done on each electron by (magnetic) force so Ke (or speed) is constant
with constant speed in a magnetic 3. magnitude of (magnetic) force is constant because speed is constant
field (4) 4. (magnetic) force is always perpendicular to velocity so is centripetal
3.12.1.3 Specific
Charge of the
Electron 1. specific charge for the electron ≈ 2000 × specific charge of H+ (accept = and accept any value between
1800 and 2000)
Specific Charge Determination –
2. which was the largest known specific charge before the specific charge of 2 the electron was
Significance (2)
determined/measured
3. (or which could be due to a much greater charge or a much smaller mass of the electron)

3.12.1.4 1. Measure the terminal speed of the falling droplet

Principle of Experiment – Describe how 2. At the terminal speed weight = viscous force (+ upthrust)
Millikan’s Millikan’s experiment with charged
3. mg=6πƞrv and m=4πr3ρ/3 so r2 = 9ƞv/2ρg
Determination of oil droplets enables the electronic
the Electronic charge to be determined (9) 4. r could be determined as density of drop, viscosity of air and g are known (r is the only unknown)
Charge 5. m can be determined if r is known
6. Apply pd between the plates so electric field = V / d and adjust until droplet is stationary
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7. QV / d = mg so Q can be found
8. Make a number of measurements to find Q
9. Results for Q are in multiples of 1.6 × 10−19C so Q can be found

Corpuscular theory – to explain

1. Appreciation that one component changes speed while the other component at right angles does not
the refraction of light as it passes
2. When entering a denser medium a corpuscle / light accelerates or its velocity / momentum increases
from one substance into a
perpendicular to the interface
substance of higher optical density
3. There is a (short range) attractive force between light corpuscle and the (denser) material
3.12.2.1 (3)
Newton’s
Corpuscular
Theory of Light Huygen’s Wave Theory vs
Newton’s Corpuscular Theory - 1. Light (was shown by experiment to) travel slower in (optically) denser medium
why the corpuscular theory was 2. Newton’s theory required light to travel faster, wave theory suggested slower speed
rejected in favour of a wave 3. Newton’s theory could not explain the slower speed or Huygens theory could explain the slower speed
theory to explain refraction (3)

1. Central white fringe

Pattern – Interference pattern seen
2. (fringes either side) showing range of colours/spectrum
on white screen with double slit (3)
3. With red furthest and violet closest to centre
3.12.2.2
Significance of
Young’s Double Corpuscular theory vs wave
1. A corpuscular theory predicts only two (bright) lines / high intensity patches of light whereas a wave theory
Slits Experiment theory for light - difference in the
predicts many fringes
appearance of the fringes the
2. Corpuscles can only travel in straight lines OR waves can produce fringes because (diffract and) interfere /
corpuscular theory and by the
superpose / arrive in and out of phase / have different path differences
wave theory for light (2)

3.12.2.3 Fizeau’s Clog Experiment – How 1. Maxwell’s theory of EM waves predicted a value for the speed of electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic nature of light is implied by his 2. Fizeau’s result is close to the predicted speed
Waves result and Maxwell’s theory (3) 3. Implies that light is an electromagnetic wave
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1. wave theory predicts that incident light (of any frequency) would cause photoelectric emission (from any metal)
3.12.2.4 The 2. wave theory could not explain why light below a certain frequency (or below a threshold frequency) could not
Photoelectric Effect – Wave
Discovery of cause photoelectric emission
Theory Failure (4)
Photoelectricity 3. this (threshold) frequency is characteristic of the metal (or depends on the metal)
4. wave theory could not explain the instantaneous emission of photoelectrons

1. Inverse relationship between wavelength and momentum

Electron Diffraction – How electron
3.12.2.5 Wave- 2. Decreasing anode voltage decreases momentum of electrons
diffraction can be used to support
particle Duality 3. Increases ring diameter with increased wavelength
De Broglie’s Hypothesis (4)
4. Hence increase in anode voltage causes decrease in ring diameter

1. Electrons through the middle of the lenses are undeviated

Transmission Electron Microscope 2. Electrons on the edges are deflected by magnetic fields toward the axis of the TEM
– Process of Image Formation (4) 3. The condenser lens deflects the electrons into a wide parallel beam incident uniformly on the sample
4. The objective lens then forms an image of the sample

1. Wavelength depends on speed of electrons

2. Lower the wavelength gives greater the detail
Transmission Electron Microscope 3. Emitted electrons come from a heated cathode and therefore have a speed distribution dependent on
3.12.2.6 Electron – Factors Affecting the Quality and temperature
Microscopes Level of Detail 4. The speed of electrons is not always the same which causes different pathways through the lens and so
aberration
5. The sample thickness reduces the speed of the electrons increasing the wavelength and decreasing the detail

1. electrons have a wave like nature

2. there is a finite probability that electrons can cross the gap
Scanning Tunnelling Microscope - 3. electrons can tunnel across the gap
Process (8) 4. pd is necessary so electrons cross in one direction only (no net transfer of electrons for zero pd)
5. the narrower the gap, the greater the number of electrons (per second) that cross the gap
6. electrons transfer from - to +
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7. constant pd provides one less variable (to affect the current)

8. (de Broglie) wavelength is of the order of the gap width

Outline of experiment procedure:

1. Plane glass block ensures both light rays have same optical path lengths
2. Semi-silvered glass block splits light source so 50 percent light transmits
3. Produces interference pattern
4. Apparatus rotated 90 degrees and pattern observed

3.12.3.1 The Michelson and Morley – Outline Expected result:

Michelson- of experimental procedure +
Morley expected result + actual result and 1. Shift in interference pattern
Experiment significance (9) 2. Ether exists / absolute motion of Earth detected
3. Speed of light would vary along motion of apparatus

Actual result and significance:

1. No shift in interference pattern

2. Ether does not exist
3. Speed of light is invariant in all inertial reference frames

Postulates – Explain what is meant

1. Speed of light in free space independent of motion of source
by speed of light in free space is
2. And of motion of observer
invariant
3.12.3.2-4
Einstein’s Theory
of Special
1. Time between two events depends on speed of observer
Relativity Time Dilation – A twin travelling to
2. Traveller’s journey time is the proper time between start and stop
distant planet and comparison of
3. Journey time measured on Earth > journey time measured by traveller
their ages
4. Traveller younger than twin on return to Earth
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3.12.3.5 Mass Relativity – Why matter particle 1. Energy = mc^2 so energy of particle increases as mass increases
and Energy cannot travel at speed of light (2) 2. Mass -> infinity as v -> c so energy -> infinity which is (physically) impossible