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Characteristics of alternating currents past paper questions

A2 Physics 9702 · Alternating currents. 1 understand and use the terms period, frequency and peak value as applied to an alternating current or voltage 2 use equations of the form x = x0 sin ωt representing a sinusoidally alternating current or voltage 3 recall and use the fact that the mean power in a resistive load is half the maximum power for a sinusoidal alternating current 4 distinguish between root-mean-square (r.m.s.) and peak values and recall and use I r.m.s. = I0 / 2 and Vr.m.s. = V0 / 2 for a sinusoidal alternating current

In Cambridge A Level A2 Physics 9702, Characteristics of alternating currents came up in 26 of the 42 papers on Paperstreak, for about 5 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Rectification and smoothing, Discharging a capacitor, Electromagnetic induction, Production and use of ultrasound.

26 questions, newest first

1. 9702/42/O/N/25 Question 7 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) (b) · 5 marks
2. 9702/41/M/J/25 Question 6 part (b(i)) · 2 marks
3. 9702/42/M/J/25 Question 8 parts (a(ii)) (b(i)) (b(iii)) (b(iv)) · 6 marks
4. 9702/43/M/J/25 Question 6 part (b(i)) · 2 marks
5. 9702/42/O/N/24 Question 8 · 9 marks
6. 9702/41/M/J/24 Question 7 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) (b(iii)) (c) · 8 marks
7. 9702/42/M/J/24 Question 7 part (b(v)) · 3 marks
8. 9702/43/M/J/24 Question 7 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) (b(iii)) (c) · 8 marks
9. 9702/42/F/M/24 Question 4 part (d(i)) · 1 mark
10. 9702/41/O/N/23 Question 7 · 8 marks
11. 9702/42/O/N/23 Question 4 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) (b(iii)) (b(iv)) · 7 marks
12. 9702/43/O/N/23 Question 7 · 8 marks
13. 9702/41/M/J/23 Question 5 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
14. 9702/42/M/J/23 Question 7 parts (b(ii)) (b(iii)) · 3 marks
15. 9702/43/M/J/23 Question 5 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
16. 9702/42/F/M/23 Question 9 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
17. 9702/41/O/N/22 Question 7 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) (a(iii)) · 6 marks
18. 9702/42/O/N/22 Question 8 part (b(i)) · 3 marks
19. 9702/43/O/N/22 Question 7 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) (a(iii)) · 6 marks
20. 9702/42/F/M/22 Question 7 parts (b(i)) (b(ii)) · 4 marks
21. 9702/41/O/N/21 Question 9 parts (a) (b(ii)) · 5 marks
22. 9702/42/O/N/21 Question 10 parts (b(ii)) (b(iii)) (c) · 6 marks
23. 9702/43/O/N/21 Question 9 parts (a) (b(ii)) · 5 marks
24. 9702/42/M/J/21 Question 10 · 8 marks
25. 9702/42/F/M/21 Question 10 parts (a) (b) · 3 marks
26. 9702/42/F/M/20 Question 9 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) (b) (c(i)) · 7 marks

More in Alternating currents: Rectification and smoothing.

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