Cambridge International AS & A Level
PHYSICS 9702/22
Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions May/June 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2025 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 15 printed pages.
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9702/22 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
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Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
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GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.
Science-Specific Marking Principles
1 Examiners should consider the context and scientific use of any keywords when awarding marks. Although keywords may be present, marks
should not be awarded if the keywords are used incorrectly.
2 The examiner should not choose between contradictory statements given in the same question part, and credit should not be awarded for
any correct statement that is contradicted within the same question part. Wrong science that is irrelevant to the question should be ignored.
3 Although spellings do not have to be correct, spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other
syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. ethane / ethene, glucagon / glycogen, refraction / reflection).
4 The error carried forward (ecf) principle should be applied, where appropriate. If an incorrect answer is subsequently used in a scientifically
correct way, the candidate should be awarded these subsequent marking points. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme
where necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
5 ‘List rule’ guidance
For questions that require n responses (e.g. State two reasons …):
• The response should be read as continuous prose, even when numbered answer spaces are provided.
• Any response marked ignore in the mark scheme should not count towards n.
• Incorrect responses should not be awarded credit but will still count towards n.
• Read the entire response to check for any responses that contradict those that would otherwise be credited. Credit should not be
awarded for any responses that are contradicted within the rest of the response. Where two responses contradict one another, this
should be treated as a single incorrect response.
• Non-contradictory responses after the first n responses may be ignored even if they include incorrect science.
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6 Calculation specific guidance
Correct answers to calculations should be given full credit even if there is no working or incorrect working, unless the question states ‘show
your working’.
For questions in which the number of significant figures required is not stated, credit should be awarded for correct answers when rounded
by the examiner to the number of significant figures given in the mark scheme. This may not apply to measured values.
For answers given in standard form (e.g. a 10n) in which the convention of restricting the value of the coefficient (a) to a value between 1
and 10 is not followed, credit may still be awarded if the answer can be converted to the answer given in the mark scheme.
Unless a separate mark is given for a unit, a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark is not awarded.
Exceptions to this general principle will be noted in the mark scheme.
7 Guidance for chemical equations
Multiples / fractions of coefficients used in chemical equations are acceptable unless stated otherwise in the mark scheme.
State symbols given in an equation should be ignored unless asked for in the question or stated otherwise in the mark scheme.
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Annotations guidance for centres
Examiners use a system of annotations as a shorthand for communicating their marking decisions to one another. Examiners are trained during the
standardisation process on how and when to use annotations. The purpose of annotations is to inform the standardisation and monitoring
processes and guide the supervising examiners when they are checking the work of examiners within their team. The meaning of annotations and
how they are used is specific to each component and is understood by all examiners who mark the component.
We publish annotations in our mark schemes to help centres understand the annotations they may see on copies of scripts. Note that there may
not be a direct correlation between the number of annotations on a script and the mark awarded. Similarly, the use of an annotation may not be an
indication of the quality of the response.
The annotations listed below were available to examiners marking this component in this series.
Annotations
Annotation Meaning
Information missing or insufficient for credit
Arithmetic error
Benefit of the doubt given
Contradiction in response, mark not awarded
Incorrect point or mark not awarded
Error carried forward applied
Ignore the response
Mandatory mark not awarded
Power of ten error
Blank page seen
Error in number of significant figures
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Annotation Meaning
Transcription error
Correct point or mark awarded
Incorrect physics
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Abbreviations
/ Alternative and acceptable answers for the same marking point.
() Bracketed content indicates words which do not need to be explicitly seen to gain credit but which indicate the context for an
answer. The context does not need to be seen but if a context is given that is incorrect then the mark should not be awarded.
___ Underlined content must be present in answer to award the mark. This means either the exact word or another word that has
the same technical meaning.
Mark categories
B marks These are independent marks, which do not depend on other marks. For a B mark to be awarded, the point to which it refers
must be seen specifically in the candidate’s answer.
M marks These are method marks upon which A marks later depend. For an M mark to be awarded, the point to which it refers must
be seen specifically in the candidate’s answer. If a candidate is not awarded an M mark, then the later A mark cannot be
awarded either.
C marks These are compensatory marks which can be awarded even if the points to which they refer are not written down by the
candidate, providing subsequent working gives evidence that they must have known them. For example, if an equation
carries a C mark and the candidate does not write down the actual equation but does correct working which shows the
candidate knew the equation, then the C mark is awarded.
If a correct answer is given to a numerical question, all of the preceding C marks are awarded automatically. It is only
necessary to consider each of the C marks in turn when the numerical answer is not correct.
A marks These are answer marks. They may depend on an M mark or allow a C mark to be awarded by implication.
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Question Answer Marks
1(a) acceleration and displacement identified as vectors (and no others) B1
speed, temperature and gravitational potential energy identified as scalars (and no others) B1
1(b)(i) W = Fs or W = mas B1
s = v2 / 2a or a = v2 / 2s or as = v2 / 2 B1
W = ma(v2 / 2a) or W = m(v2 / 2s)s or W = m(v2 / 2) B1
and (so EK )= ½mv2
OR (B1)
W = Fs or W = mas
F = mv / t and s = ½vt (B1)
W = mv / t ½vt and (so EK )= ½mv 2 (B1)
OR (B1)
W = Fs or W = mas
a = v / t and s = ½vt (B1)
W = m(v / t)(½vt) and (so EK )= ½mv 2 (B1)
OR (B1)
W = Fs or W = mas
a = v / t and s = ½at2 (B1)
W = m(v / t)(½ (v / t) t2) and (so EK )= ½mv 2 (B1)
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Question Answer Marks
1(b)(ii) kinetic energy = ½ mv2 A1
= ½ 920 172
= 1.3 105 J
1(b)(iii) P = W/t C1
= (4.7 104 + 1.3 105) / 5.8 C1
= 3.1 104 W A1
1(b)(iv) (at/after t = 5.8 s) B1
the kinetic energy (of the car) does not change /
work is done only against resistive forces /
no work is done to accelerate (the car)
so (power output is) less
Question Answer Marks
2(a) force perpendicular distance (of line of action of force to / from the point) B1
2(b)(i) (moment due to weight =) 1.2 270 9.81 B1
(moment due to post =) 1800 (1.6 / cos ) B1
1.2 270 9.81 = 1800 (1.6 / cos ) so = 25(°) or B1
1.2 270 9.81 – 1800 (1.6 / cos ) = 0 so = 25(°)
2(b)(ii) A closed tip-to-tail vector triangle M1
vector labelled F at an angle of 25° 3° anticlockwise from vertical and A1
vector labelled R at an angle of 37° 3° clockwise from vertical
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Question Answer Marks
2(b)(iii) A = F/p C1
= 1800 / (150 103)
= 0.012 m2 A1
Question Answer Marks
3(a) 10.0 cm A1
3(b)(i) v = f C1
= 16 0.40
= 6.4 m s–1 A1
3(b)(ii) (X and Y have a) constant phase difference (of 180°) so (they are) coherent B1
3(c) A single wave of amplitude 10.0 cm B1
A single negative sine wave of wavelength 0.40 m B1
3(d) I A2 C1
IX
= 102 / 202
IY
ratio = 0.25 A1
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Question Answer Marks
4(a) The (total) kinetic energy changes / decreases so (the collision is) inelastic B1
OR (B1)
(relative) speed of approach not equal to / greater than (relative) speed of separation so (collision is) inelastic
4(b)(i) p = mv or 0.25 3.6 or 0.25 5.2 C1
p = 0.25 (3.6 + 5.2)
= 2.2 kg m s–1 A1
4(b)(ii) F = p / ()t C1
= 2.2 / 0.18
= 12 N A1
OR (C1)
F = ma and a = (v–u) / t
= mv / t
= 0.25 (3.6 + 5.2) / 0.18
= 12 N (A1)
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Question Answer Marks
4(c) ½ mv2 = mg()h C1
½ 0.25 5.22 = 0.25 g h1
h1 = 5.22 / 2g
h1 = 1.38
½ 0.25 3.62 = 0.25 g h2 C1
h2 = 3.62/2g
h2 = 0.66
h2 / h1 = 0.66 / 1.38
ratio = 0.48 A1
Question Answer Marks
5(a) the ratio of stress to strain B1
5(b)(i) A = FL / Ex C1
A = e.g. (500 0.81) / (95 109 4.0 10–3) C1
A = 1.1 10–6 m2 A1
OR (C1)
A = kL / E or A = gradient L / E
k = e.g. 500 / 4.0 10–3
k = 1.25 105
A = 1.25 105 0.81 / 95 109 (C1)
A = 1.1 10–6 m2 (A1)
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Question Answer Marks
5(b)(ii) E = ½ kx2 or E = ½ Fx or E = area (under graph) C1
()E = ½ 1.25 105 ((3.0 10–3)2 – (2.0 10–3)2) C1
or
()E =(½ 375 3.0 10–3) – (½ 250 2.0 10–3)
or
()E = ½ (375 + 250) 1.0 10–3
work done = 0.31 J A1
Question Answer Marks
6(a) energy transferred (to the component) per (unit) charge B1
6(b)(i) Q = It C1
= 0.030 4.0 60
= 7.2 C A1
6(b)(ii) I = V/R C1
I1 = 8.0 / (430+240)
= 0.012 A A1
6(b)(iii) I2 = 0.030 – I1 A1
= 0.030 – 0.012
= 0.018 A
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Question Answer Marks
6(b)(iv) R = V / I2 C1
= (8.0 – (0.018 210)) / 0.018
= 230 A1
OR (C1)
resistance of top branch = 8.0 / 0.018
R = 8.0 / 0.018 – 210
= 230 (A1)
OR (C1)
total circuit resistance = 8.0 / 0.030 = 267
1 / 267 = 1 / (210 + R) + 1 / (430 + 240)
1 / 267 – 1 / 670 = 1 / (210 +R)
210 + R = 443
R = 230 (A1)
6(c) (When) the galvanometer reads 0 (A) M1
The ratio of the resistances in the top branch will equal the ratio of the resistances in the bottom branch (so the resistance A1
of X can be determined)
OR (A1)
The ratio of the left pair of resistances will equal the ratio of the right pair of resistances
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Question Answer Marks
7(a) (a particle that) cannot be divided/subdivided (into smaller particles) B1
7(b)(i) (p e) / (14u) = 4.1 107 C1
p = (4.1 107 14 1.66 10–27) / (1.60 10–19) C1
p = 6 (answer should be an integer) A1
7(b)(ii) 14
6X → 14
7Z
B1
0 (−) 0 (−) B1
−1 e or −1
0 B1
0 v (e )
7(c) (the nuclei are undergoing) + decay B1
A correct explanation in terms of charge and a correct explanation in terms of energy B1
Explanations in terms of charge:
• (particles / decay) positively charged so cannot be –
• (particles / decay) positively charged so could be / is +
• – (particles / decay) are negatively charged
• + (particles / decay) are positively charged
Explanations in terms of energy:
• range of energies so not (particles / decay)
• range of energies so is (particles / decay)
• (particles / decay) have a range of energies
• (particles / decay) have discrete energies / not range of energies
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