Eduqas A Level Physics
Eduqas A Level Physics Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options Exam Questions
Free Eduqas A Level Physics exam questions for Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers waves, interference and diffraction, refraction, photons, lasers, radioactive decay, particles, nuclear energy, magnetism, induction and the option.
Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options exam questions
14 question packs of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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A-Level Physics Flashcards for 2027 Onwards
Every answer is written in mark scheme wording, so you learn exactly what examiners give marks for. Then test yourself with the questions on this page.
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About Eduqas A Level Physics Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options
Component 3 of Eduqas A Level Physics, Light, Nuclei and Options, covers waves and quantum ideas, nuclear and particle physics, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction, plus one option taught by your centre: Alternating Currents, Medical Physics, The Physics of Sports, or Energy and the Environment. It connects photon energy to atomic energy levels and lasers, and links magnetic forces back to field ideas from Component 2. Examiners commonly test double slit and diffraction grating calculations, total internal reflection, the photoelectric effect, half-life and decay equations, binding energy per nucleon, and Faraday's and Lenz's laws.
What you need to know
- 3.1 and 3.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves, polarisation, superposition, stationary waves, diffraction, Young's double slit lambda = a y / D, and the diffraction grating d sin(theta) = n lambda.
- 3.3 Refractive index n = c / v, Snell's law, total internal reflection and critical angle, and multimode dispersion in optical fibres.
- 3.4 and 3.5 Photon energy E = hf, the photoelectric effect and work function, line spectra and energy levels, wave-particle duality and the de Broglie wavelength, population inversion and stimulated emission in lasers.
- 3.6 and 3.7 Alpha, beta and gamma radiation, decay equations, exponential decay A = A0 e^(-lambda t), half-life, and the standard model of quarks and leptons with conservation laws.
- 3.8 Mass-energy equivalence, binding energy per nucleon, and energy released in fission and fusion.
- 3.9 and 3.10 Force on a current F = BIl sin(theta), force on a moving charge F = Bqv sin(theta), fields of wires and solenoids, magnetic flux, Faraday's law and Lenz's law.
- Options One option from Alternating Currents, Medical Physics, The Physics of Sports, and Energy and the Environment, set in the same paper.
Common mistakes in Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options
- Thinking increasing light intensity increases the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons. Intensity increases the number of photoelectrons; maximum kinetic energy depends only on frequency.
- Using nm without converting to m in wave and photon calculations. Convert 400 nm to 4.00 x 10^-7 m first.
- Forgetting that binding energy is the energy needed to separate a nucleus. Fission and fusion release energy because products have a higher binding energy per nucleon.
- Stating Lenz's law as the induced current flowing in the same direction as the change. The induced EMF opposes the change in flux that produces it.
- Using the angle to the surface in Snell's law. Angles are measured from the normal.
Try three Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options exam-style questions
1. Light of wavelength 400 nm falls on a metal with work function 2.3 eV. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons in joules. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
E = hc / lambda = 6.63 x 10^-34 x 3.00 x 10^8 / 4.00 x 10^-7 = 4.97 x 10^-19 J; work function = 2.3 x 1.60 x 10^-19 = 3.68 x 10^-19 J; KE max = 1.29 x 10^-19 J.
2. A sample has an activity of 800 Bq and a half-life of 6.0 hours. Calculate its activity after 24 hours. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
24 / 6 = 4 half-lives; 800 / 2^4 = 50 Bq.
3. Calculate the critical angle for glass of refractive index 1.50 and explain what happens to light hitting the boundary at a larger angle. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
sin C = 1 / 1.50 = 0.667; C = 41.8 degrees; total internal reflection occurs, so all light is reflected back into the glass.
Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options FAQs
What does Eduqas A Level Physics Component 3: Light, Nuclei and Options cover?
The nature of waves and wave properties, refraction, photons, lasers, nuclear decay, particles and nuclear structure, nuclear energy, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction, plus one option.
Which option should I revise?
Only the option your centre has taught: Alternating Currents, Medical Physics, The Physics of Sports, or Energy and the Environment.
What units trip students up in Light, Nuclei and Options?
Electronvolts, nanometres and atomic mass units. Practise converting eV to J (multiply by 1.60 x 10^-19) and u to kg before using E = mc^2.
