Opening Paperstreak

A2 Physics past papers › Topics

Discharging a capacitor past paper questions

A2 Physics 9702 · Capacitance. 1 analyse graphs of the variation with time of potential difference, charge and current for a capacitor discharging through a resistor 2 recall and use τ = RC for the time constant for a capacitor discharging through a resistor 3 use equations of the form x = x0 e–(t / RC) where x could represent current, charge or potential difference for a capacitor discharging through a resistor

In Cambridge A Level A2 Physics 9702, Discharging a capacitor came up in 21 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 Capacitors and capacitance, Rectification and smoothing, Energy stored in a capacitor, Characteristics of alternating currents.

21 questions, newest first

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

More in Capacitance: Capacitors and capacitance, Energy stored in a capacitor.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.