OCR A Level Physics A
OCR A Level Physics A Module 2: Foundations of Physics Exam Questions
Free OCR A Level Physics A exam questions for Module 2: Foundations of Physics, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers SI units and prefixes, estimation, measurement, uncertainties, graphs, scalars and vectors, and resolving and Adding vectors.
Module 2: Foundations of Physics exam questions
1 question pack 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 OCR A Level Physics A Module 2: Foundations of Physics
Module 2 of OCR A Level Physics A, Foundations of Physics, sets out the tools used throughout the course. It covers physical quantities and SI units, prefixes and estimation, making measurements and analysing data including precision, accuracy and uncertainties, and the nature of scalars and vectors. Although it is a short module, it is assessed across all the papers because almost every calculation depends on it. Examiners check that you can derive units, spot homogeneous equations, combine uncertainties, draw error bars and lines of worst fit, and resolve or add vectors by calculation and scale drawing.
What you need to know
- Units and prefixes The six SI base units used in the course (kg, m, s, A, K, mol), deriving units of other quantities such as the newton (kg m s-2), checking homogeneity of equations, and prefixes from pico to tera.
- Estimation Making sensible order-of-magnitude estimates of physical quantities, such as the mass of a person or the power of a kettle.
- Errors and uncertainties Systematic and random errors, precision and accuracy, absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties, and the rules for combining them in sums, products and powers.
- Graphs Plotting graphs with error bars, drawing best fit and worst acceptable lines, and finding the uncertainty in a gradient or intercept.
- Scalars and vectors Scalars have magnitude only; vectors have magnitude and direction. Add vectors with a triangle or by calculation, and resolve a vector into perpendicular components F cos(theta) and F sin(theta).
Common mistakes in Module 2: Foundations of Physics
- Confusing precision with accuracy. Precise readings have little spread; accurate readings are close to the true value.
- Adding absolute uncertainties when quantities are multiplied. For products and quotients, add percentage uncertainties; for a power, multiply the percentage uncertainty by the power.
- Giving the kilogram prefix wrongly in unit derivations. The base unit of mass is the kilogram, not the gram.
- Treating mass or energy as vectors. Mass, energy, speed and distance are scalars; force, velocity, displacement, acceleration and momentum are vectors.
- Using sin and cos the wrong way round. The component adjacent to the angle uses cos(theta); the opposite component uses sin(theta).
Try three Module 2: Foundations of Physics exam-style questions
1. The side of a square is measured as 2.50 m plus or minus 0.05 m. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in its area. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Percentage uncertainty in length = 0.05 / 2.50 x 100 = 2%; area depends on length squared so uncertainty = 2 x 2% = 4%.
2. A force of 20 N acts at 30 degrees above the horizontal. Calculate its horizontal and vertical components. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Horizontal = 20 cos 30 = 17.3 N; vertical = 20 sin 30 = 10 N.
3. Show that the unit of power can be written as kg m2 s-3. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Power = work done / time = force x distance / time; units = (kg m s-2 x m) / s = kg m2 s-3.
Module 2: Foundations of Physics FAQs
What does OCR A Level Physics A Module 2: Foundations of Physics cover?
Physical quantities and SI units, making measurements and analysing data including uncertainties, and the nature of scalar and vector quantities.
Which papers is Module 2 examined in?
Module 2 is assessed in all three A Level papers because its skills underpin every other module.
How do I find the uncertainty in a gradient?
Draw the best fit line and the steepest or shallowest line that still passes through all error bars, then use the difference between the two gradients as the absolute uncertainty.
