CIE A-Level Physics 9702 Paper 5 Practice Paper (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation) - 30 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes, answers and mark scheme

CIE A-Level Physics 9702 Paper 5 Practice Paper (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation) – 30 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes, answers and mark scheme

2026-10-30

TutorZone original practice paper – CIE A-Level Physics 9702 Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation)

2 questions, 11 parts – 30 marks – 1 hour 15 minutes – calculator allowed

Total 30 marks · 1 h 15 min · 11 parts

Marks distribution 15 + 15 = 30

Level A2 (second year of A-Level)

Paper comparison

Paper	Time	Marks	Role
Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation)	1 h 15 min	30	this paper
Paper 4 (A Level structured)	2 hours	100	other A Level paper
Paper 3 (AS practical skills)	2 hours	40	AS paper
Paper 2 (AS structured)	1 h 15 min	60	AS paper

Data and formulae

Quantity	Value
Acceleration of free fall g	9.81 m s-2
Elementary charge e	1.60 x 10-19 C
Electron rest mass	9.11 x 10-31 kg
Planck constant h	6.63 x 10-34 J s
Speed of light c	3.00 x 108 m s-1
Permittivity of free space e0	8.85 x 10-12 F m-1

Questions

Total: 30 marks · 1 h 15 min · calculator allowed

Q 1 · Planning: frequency of a stretched wire and tension [15]

(a) A student investigates how the frequency f of a stretched wire depends on the tension T. The length and the material of the wire are kept the same. State the independent variable, the dependent variable and two control variables. [2]

(b) Describe how the tension T is changed in steps between 2.0 N and 8.0 N and how each value of T is found accurately. [3]

(c) Describe how the wire is made to resonate and how its frequency f is measured accurately. [4]

(d) Theory gives f = (1/2l) x sqrt(T/mu). State which graph should be plotted to test this relationship, the expected shape of the graph and the meaning of the gradient. [3]

(e) Give three precautions that improve the reliability of this experiment and state one safety risk. [3]

Q 2 · Analysis and evaluation: capacitor discharge [15]

(a) A 6.00 V capacitor discharges through a 220 k ohm resistor. The student obtains the data below. Complete the last column, ln (V / V), to two decimal places.

t / s	V / V	ln (V / V)
0	6.00
10	3.64
20	2.21
30	1.34
40	0.81
50	0.49

[2]

(b) Plot a graph of ln (V / V) against t and draw the best-fit straight line. Describe the line you obtain. [3]

(c) Determine the gradient of your line and give its unit. [2]

(d) During discharge V = V0 exp(-t/RC), so the gradient of ln V against t equals -1/(RC). Use your gradient to find the capacitance C. [2]

(e) The resistor is marked with a tolerance of plus or minus 5% and the gradient read from the graph has an uncertainty of plus or minus 3%. Find the percentage and the absolute uncertainty in C. [2]

(f) Evaluate two sources of error in this experiment and suggest one specific improvement for each. [4]

Answers and mark scheme

Q	Part	Answer	Mark points	marks
1	(a)	Independent variable: the tension T, provided by weights of weight mg hung on the end of the wire. Dependent variable: the frequency f. Control variables: the vibrating length l, the linear density mu (same wire) and the mode of vibration (fundamental in every run).	1 mark: T independent, f dependent 1 mark: two controls (length l, linear density mu / same wire, fundamental mode)	2
1	(b)	Pass the wire over a pulley at the edge of the bench and hang a weight holder on the end. Add slotted masses in steps (for example 100 g at a time), measure the total mass m on a top-pan balance and use T = mg with g = 9.81 N/kg. Take seven settings from 2.0 N to 8.0 N (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 N) and let the wire settle before each measurement.	1 mark: pulley and hanging weights provide the tension 1 mark: mass measured on a balance, T = mg used 1 mark: at least six settings between 2.0 N and 8.0 N	3
1	(c)	Drive an electromagnet placed near one end of the wire from a signal generator and raise the frequency slowly while watching the amplitude at the centre of the wire; resonance is when the amplitude is greatest and a small paper rider at the centre is thrown off. Read the frequency on a frequency meter as f. For better precision, time 50 oscillations (f = 50/t) and average three repeats.	1 mark: signal generator driving an electromagnet 1 mark: resonance judged by maximum amplitude (paper rider thrown off) 1 mark: frequency meter reading, or n oscillations timed and f = n/t 1 mark: three repeats averaged / reading uncertainty mentioned	4
1	(d)	Plot f on the y-axis against sqrt(T) on the x-axis; the graph should be a straight line through the origin with gradient 1/(2l x sqrt(mu)). The gradient gives the linear density, mu = 1/(4 l^2 x gradient^2), which is then compared with the maker value. Clear curvature would show that the relationship does not hold or that there is a systematic error.	1 mark: f against sqrt(T), axes labelled 1 mark: expected straight line through the origin 1 mark: gradient = 1/(2l sqrt(mu)), mu obtained from the gradient	3
1	(e)	(i) Measure the vibrating length l with a metre rule to plus or minus 1 mm, taking the length between the two bridges to avoid end effects. (ii) Wait until the wire is at rest after each change of mass before measuring the frequency. (iii) Take three readings at each tension and average them, scanning in 0.1 Hz steps near resonance. Safety: the masses can fall, so place a soft pad under the bench, and never load the wire beyond its elastic limit in case it snaps.	1 mark: length measured carefully / end effects reduced 1 mark: readings taken at rest / three repeats averaged 1 mark: safety risk (falling masses or snapping wire) with a precaution	3
2	(a)	The values of ln (V / V) are 1.79, 1.29, 0.79, 0.29, -0.21 and -0.71; because V is divided by 1 V the quantity is dimensionless.	1 mark: three rows correct 1 mark: all six rows correct (allow plus or minus 0.02)	2
2	(b)	The points lie on a straight line of negative gradient, showing that V decays exponentially with t. Both axes must be labelled (the vertical axis is dimensionless but still labelled ln (V/V)), each point marked with a cross, and the best-fit line need not pass through every point.	1 mark: axes labelled (ln (V/V) and t / s) with suitable scales 1 mark: six points plotted correctly 1 mark: best-fit straight line (not forced through every point)	3
2	(c)	Using two points on the line, for example (0, 1.79) and (50, -0.71): gradient = (-0.71 – 1.79) / (50 – 0) = -2.50 / 50 = -0.050, with unit s-1.	1 mark: method (delta y over delta x from two points on the line) 1 mark: value -0.050 s-1 (allow -0.045 to -0.055)	2
2	(d)	The magnitude of the gradient is 1/(RC), so C = 1 / (R x 0.050) = 1 / (2.20e5 x 0.050) = 1 / 1.10e4 = 9.1e-5 F, that is 91 microfarad.	1 mark: correct use of C = 1/(R x \|gradient\|) 1 mark: 9.1e-5 F (91 microfarad)	2
2	(e)	C is found from the product of R and the gradient, so the percentage uncertainties add: 5% + 3% = 8%. Hence the absolute uncertainty is 91 x 0.08 = 7 microfarad and C = (91 plus or minus 7) microfarad.	1 mark: percentages added to give 8% 1 mark: absolute uncertainty about 7 microfarad, written (91 plus or minus 7) microfarad	2
2	(f)	(i) The voltmeter does not have infinite resistance, so part of the discharge current flows through it; the real time constant is shorter than RC and C comes out low. Improvement: use a data logger or electrometer of very high input resistance and record V against t automatically. (ii) Manual timing and reading give a systematic lag, worst in the first seconds when V changes fastest. Improvement: sample every 0.5 s with a data logger and take V0 from the same record. It is also acceptable to note that the percentage error in V is largest at low V, so only data above about 0.5 V should be plotted.	2 marks: two sources identified (voltmeter resistance / manual timing lag) 2 marks: matching improvements (high-impedance logger / automatic sampling, V0 from the same record)	4

Topic breakdown

Question	Topic	Marks
1	Planning: frequency of a stretched wire and tension	15
2	Analysis and evaluation: capacitor discharge	15

Common lost marks

Plotting V rather than ln V, which gives a curve and a gradient that is not 1/(RC).
Omitting the unit s-1 for the gradient, or putting ln V into C = 1/(R x gradient) as if it were a voltage.
Writing only “measure the frequency” in the planning question without saying how resonance is obtained.
Counting only the 5% resistor tolerance and forgetting the 3% uncertainty in reading the gradient.

How to use this paper Sit the paper closed-book in 75 minutes, then mark point by point with the answer booklet; redo every lost mark and note whether it was the formula, the substitution or the unit.

Syllabus reference Format follows the CIE 9702 Physics syllabus (2025-2027) Paper 5: 1 h 15 min, 30 marks, planning, analysis and evaluation.

Frequently asked

What does Paper 5 test?
Paper 5 is the planning, analysis and evaluation paper: 1 hour 15 minutes, 30 marks. Question 1 asks you to design an experiment (variables, method, data handling, safety); Question 2 gives data for you to complete a table, plot a graph, find a gradient and an uncertainty, and evaluate the errors.

Can I do this paper without having done the experiment?
Yes. Paper 5 tests experimental design and data handling, not hands-on experience, but you must be fluent with graphs, gradients, logarithmic linearisation and percentage uncertainties.

Why plot ln V instead of V?
Taking logs of V = V0 exp(-t/RC) gives the straight line ln V = ln V0 – t/(RC), whose gradient is exactly -1/(RC) and so gives C. A plot of V against t is a curve from which the constant cannot be read easily.

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