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Rectification and smoothing past paper questions

A2 Physics 9702 · Alternating currents. 1 distinguish graphically between half-wave and full-wave rectification 2 explain the use of a single diode for the half-wave rectification of an alternating current 3 explain the use of four diodes (bridge rectifier) for the full-wave rectification of an alternating current 4 analyse the effect of a single capacitor in smoothing, including the effect of the values of capacitance and the load resistance

In Cambridge A Level A2 Physics 9702, Rectification and smoothing came up in 16 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 Characteristics of alternating currents, Discharging a capacitor, Energy stored in a capacitor.

16 questions, newest first

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

More in Alternating currents: Characteristics of alternating currents.

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