AS

PHYSICS
7407/2
Paper 2
Mark scheme
June 2022
Version: 1.0 Final

*226A7407/2/MS*
 MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/2 – JUNE 2022

Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.

Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk

Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their
own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged
to a third party even for internal use within the centre.

Copyright © 2022 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

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 MARK SCHEME – AS PHYSICS – 7407/2 – JUNE 2022

Physics - Mark scheme instructions to examiners

1. General

The mark scheme for each question shows:

• the marks available for each part of the question

• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what is
acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area in which a
mark or marks may be awarded.

The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.

At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.

In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent.

2. Emboldening

2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used,
with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. Different terms in the
mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.

3. Marking points

3.1 Marking of lists

This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which candidates have provided
extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.

Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of errors / contradictions
equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be awarded.

However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the mark scheme) are not
penalised.

3.2 Marking procedure for calculations

Full marks can usually be given for a correct numerical answer without working shown unless the question
states ‘Show your working’. However, if a correct numerical answer can be evaluated from incorrect
physics then working will be required. The mark scheme will indicate both this and the credit (if any) that
can be allowed for the incorrect approach.

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However, if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can usually be gained by correct substitution / working and
this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column or by each stage of a longer calculation.

A calculation must be followed through to answer in decimal form. An answer in surd form is never
acceptable for the final (evaluation) mark in a calculation and will therefore generally be denied one mark.

3.3 Interpretation of ‘it’

Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct subject.

3.4 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors

Allowances for errors carried forward are likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be
shown by the abbreviation ECF or conseq in the marking scheme.

An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in the marking
scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an incorrect transfer of a numerical
value from data given in a question.

3.5 Phonetic spelling

The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited (eg fizix) unless there is a
possible confusion (eg defraction/refraction) with another technical term.

3.6 Brackets

(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is included to
help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.

3.7 Ignore / Insufficient / Do not allow

‘Ignore’ or ‘insufficient’ is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to
gain the marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.

‘Do not allow’ means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given, will still mean
that the mark is not awarded.

3.8 Significant figure penalties

Answers to questions in the practical sections (7407/2 – Section A and 7408/3A) should display an
appropriate number of significant figures. For non-practical sections, an A-level paper may contain up to
2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting the final answer in a calculation to
a specified number of significant figures (sf). This will generally be assessed to be the number of sf of the
datum with the least number of sf from which the answer is determined. The mark scheme will give the
range of sf that are acceptable but this will normally be the sf of the datum (or this sf -1).

An answer in surd form cannot gain the sf mark. An incorrect calculation following some working can
gain the sf mark. For a question beginning with the command word ‘Show that…’, the answer should be
quoted to one more sf than the sf quoted in the question eg ‘Show that X is equal to about 2.1 cm’ –
answer should be quoted to 3 sf. An answer to 1 sf will not normally be acceptable, unless the answer is

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an integer eg a number of objects. In non-practical sections, the need for a consideration will be indicated
in the question by the use of ‘Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures’.

3.9 Unit penalties

An A-level paper may contain up to 2 marks (1 mark for AS) that are contingent on the candidate quoting
the correct unit for the answer to a calculation. The need for a unit to be quoted will be indicated in the
question by the use of ‘State an appropriate SI unit for your answer’. Unit answers will be expected to
appear in the most commonly agreed form for the calculation concerned; strings of fundamental (base)
units would not. For example, 1 tesla and 1 Wb m–2 would both be acceptable units for magnetic flux
density but 1 kg m2 s–2 A–1 would not.

3.10 Level of response marking instructions

Level of response mark schemes are broken down into three levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are two marks in each level.

Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.

Determining a level

Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower
levels of the mark scheme.

When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
the level. ie if the response is predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be
placed in level 2.

The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help you to determine the appropriate level. There
will be an answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme.
This answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.

You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.

Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points mentioned
in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.

An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

01.1 (±) 0.04 (m)  Correct answer only 1 AO3

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

 requires at least one line to be well-drawn i.e.

01.2 Gmax line ruled through bottom of first error bar and through top 1 3 3×
thin, single, continuous
of fifth error bar OR Gmin line ruled through top of first error bar For  expect a 3 sf value. Accept 2 sf value only if AO2
2
and through bottom of sixth error bar 1 it comes from expected range. Condone 4 sf value.
Gmax between 10.7 and 10.9 2 For 3 accept 2 or 3 sf values only
Gmin between 8.7 and 8.9 3 For 23 at least one Δt2 step  0.08 (s2) (i.e. half
width of grid)
Ignore any unit given with Gmax or Gmin

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

01.3 Gmax + Gmin If no other mark given, allow 1 mark for a value of 2 2×
uses g = with their values from 01.2 1
2 9.7 (m s−2) from a well-drawn best-fit line. AO3
evaluates mean of their Gmax and Gmin to 2 sf 2 Give no credit for an unsupported answer.
Treat “10” as a 2 sf answer.

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

01.4 absolute uncertainty in g 1 Mark each point independently. If no other mark 2 1 x AO3
given, allow 1 mark for a percentage uncertainty (1 1 x AO2
or 2 sf) based on the full range (rather than half the
range).
For 1 must use their Gmax AND/OR their Gmin e.g.
G - Gmin OR Gmax – their g
g = max
2
OR their g – Gmin

May be seen in working for percentage uncertainty

e.g.
 Gmax - g  OR  g - Gmin 
   100    100
 g   g 

OR  Gmax - Gmin 
   100
 Gmax + Gmin 

their  g
percentage uncertainty in g =  100 2
their g For 2 allow 1 or 2 sf

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

01.5 systematic (error)  'zero error' is neutral 1 AO1

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

01.6 points/line displaced to right owtte Must refer to a property of the graph; comments 1 AO3
about error bars are neutral; ignore (new)
OR calculated values of t2.
Accept ‘gradient is decreased’ / ‘graph (or line)
line moves down becomes a curve of decreasing gradient’ owtte.
No credit for ‘points move down’ / ‘t2 values are
OR increased’.
(vertical) intercept is decreased / now has negative intercept  Allow answers in form of their own diagram or on
Figure 2.

Total 10

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

02.1 0.879 (m)  1 AO3

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

02.2 Correct answer gives 0.15(1) (Ω m−1). 2 2×

AO3
correctly determines R4 OR divides their incorrect R4 by their 1 Correct R4 = 0.13(3) 
02.1 1
12Allow a correction to m if their 02.1 is in mm

correct R4
evaluates 2 Condone 3 sf answer
their 02.1 2

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

02.3 Treat references to zero error as neutral unless 3 3×

micrometer screw gauge explicitly linked to reducing random error. AO1
OR For 1 allow ‘micrometer’ or ‘screw gauge’ or
digital (vernier) callipers 1 travelling microscope.
Reject ‘(vernier) callipers’.

repeat measurements at different points (along the wire)

Accept “readings” for “measurements”.
OR
Repeat “experiment” is insufficient.
repeat measurements in different directions / orientations
OR
repeat measurements AND reject / discard anomalies 2

For 3 some mention of repeat (measurements)

calculate average / mean (from repeated measurements) 3
owtte must be seen in body of answer

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

use of A = d 1
2

For 1 allow POT in d: either A =  × 0.38 OR

02.4 2
2 2×
4 AO3
4
−7
A = π × 0.19 OR A = 1.1(3) (× 10 ) seen
2

For 2 expected answer is 1.7 × 10−8 (Ω m)

ρ = their 02.2 × 1.1(3) × 10−7 (Ω m) 2 If no other mark given, allow 1 mark for 6.8 × 10−8
( Ω m)

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

02.5 decrease R1 / 2.2 MΩ by a factor of 30 Unless quantitative change identified, must give 1 AO3
new resistance, e.g.
OR
(new) R1 is 73 kΩ
increase R2 / 3.9 kΩ by a factor of 30
(new) R2 is 120 kΩ
OR
(new) R3 is 2.3 kΩ
increase R3 / 75 Ω by a factor of 30 

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

02.6 2.1 (mm)  allow > 2 sf answer rounding to 2.1 (mm) 1 AO2

Total 10

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

03.1 attempts to calculate energy stored during 2.6 hr period Correctly rounded answer gains both marks. 2 2×
(Calculator value is = 2.16666667) AO2
OR
For 1✓ stored energy = 93.6 kJ
attempts to calculate average output power during 12 hr
period using their energy stored 1✓ For 1✓ condone use of t in hours. (2.6 hr = 9360 s;
12 hr = 43200 s)

If no other mark given, award 1 mark for calculating

2.2 (W) 2✓
charge transfer during 2.6 hr period as 18.7 kC

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

03.2 Max 2 from: ✓ ✓ Apply list principle. Do not allow reference to 2 2×

applications e.g. cooking food. AO1
For first point, allow weak descriptions in terms of
microwaves are transverse; sound are longitudinal;
parallel and perpendicular oscillations/vibrations
microwaves have higher frequency (than sound); with direction of energy transfer.
microwaves can be polarised but sound can’t;
microwaves can travel through a vacuum but sound
can’t/requires a medium OR sound are mechanical waves but
microwaves are EM waves

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

03.3 For 1✓ do not accept “in phase” or fixed path 2 2×

difference. AO1
fixed/constant phase difference 1✓
For 2✓ condone “same wavelength”.
same frequency 2✓
Ignore reference to other features e.g. amplitude or
type of wave.

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

No credit for using double-slit equation.

03.4 evaluates AM from AM2 = 8.002 + 0.342 2 2×
Expect 8.01 (m) for AM and 8.28 (m) for BM AO2
OR evaluates BM from BM2 = 8.002 + 2.142 ✓

8.28 − 8.01 = 0.27 (m) ✓

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

No credit for using double-slit equation.

03.5 statement that path difference = λ/2 OR uses wavelength = 2 2 2×
× their 03.4 answer 1✓ For 1✓ expect to see 0.54 or 0.60 m for wavelength AO2

For 2✓ expect 570 Hz (from 0.3 m) OR 630 Hz

(from 0.27 m) OR 620 Hz (from 0.274 m).
340
evaluates (Hz) 2✓
correct λ If no other mark given, allow 1130 Hz or 1260 Hz.
for 1 mark.

Total 10

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

Allow g sin30 or 9.8sin30

04.1 (a =) 9.81 sin30 = 4.9 (m s–2) seen ✓ 1 AO2
Accept cos60

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

04.2 substitutes into v2 = u2 + 2as e.g. v2 = 2 × 5 × 0.3 Do not allow 9.81 for a in suvat equation. 2 2×
2
AO2
OR uses v = g 0.3 cos 60 ✓
2
−1
1.7 (m s ) ✓

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

04.3 attempt to find area between 0.35 s (B) and 0.80 s (C) 1✓ Max 1 for counting (small) squares AND a 2 1 x AO3
conversion factor of 2 N s stated
1 x AO2

Do not allow use of approximated shapes.

For 1✓ need to see working for at least one part of
the area under the graph.
May see:
Triangle: 0.5×0.05×1100 = 27.5
Trapezium: 0.5×(1100+1300)×0.10 = 120
Trapezium: 0.5×(1000+1300)×0.15 = 172.5
Triangle: 0.5×0.15×1000 = 75

Treat “400” as a 2 sf answer.

answer in range 390 to 400 (N s) 2✓

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Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

04.4 uses a relevant time in suvat equation(s) to get s ✓

1 For 1✓ condone 9.81 for a. 3 2 × AO3
Do not allow 1✓ or 3✓ for solutions that use
1 x AO2
u=1.7 m s-1
For 1✓ allow 0.60 to 0.63 s for duration C to D.
1
1. Direct method: 𝑠 = 2 𝑎𝑡 2

2. a) Obtains u first using 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 OR

1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
1
2. b) Then s using 𝑠 = (𝑢 + 𝑣)𝑡 OR
2

𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠
doubles their s OR halves their C to D duration 2✓ Expect to see u = 1.5 (m s–1)

answer that rounds to 0.5 (m) 3✓ For 3✓ accept 0.44 (m).

Question Answers Additional Comments/Guidance Mark AO

04.5 reads resting force from graph = 360 N OR divides an for 1✓ allow use of their 04.3 with v = 3.2 m s-1 2 1 x AO3
incorrect reading by 5 (4.91 N/kg) 1✓ 1 x AO2
72 or 73 (kg) 2✓

Total 10

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Question Key Answer

05 A (AO1) electron alpha particle

06 C (AO3) 100–1000 N m−1

07 B (AO1) A, K, mol, s

08 A (AO1)

09 C (AO1) antiproton baryon uu d

13 C
10 B (AO1) 6
11 C (AO1) polarised absorbs the incident beam

12 D (AO1) 1.1 × 10−19 J

13 C (AO1) line spectra

14 B (AO1) 10 2.0

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2d
15 C (AO2)

16 A (AO2) 0.8 m

17 B (AO1) 420 Hz

18 C (AO1) The oscillations at two adjacent antinodes are in antiphase.

19 D (AO2) 7

20 A (AO2) 1.5 1.4

21 B (AO1) kinetic energy

22 A (AO2) 14 N

23 C (AO1) consists of two equal and opposite forces Nm

24 D (AO1) tP < tQ dP > dQ

25 A (AO2) increasing upwards constant downwards

26 C (AO2) 980 kJ

27 D (AO2) 290 W

28 B (AO2) 50 g

29 A (AO2)

30 B (AO1) increases.

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31 D (AO2) 1.50 V

32 D (AO1) 270 V

33 A (AO1) charge.

34 C (AO2) the energy dissipated in the whole circuit, divided by the product It.

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