Standard candles past paper questions

A2 Physics 9702 · Astronomy and cosmology. 1 understand the term luminosity as the total power of radiation emitted by a star 2 recall and use the inverse square law for radiant flux intensity F in terms of the luminosity L of the source F = L / (4πd 2) 3 understand that an object of known luminosity is called a standard candle 4 understand the use of standard candles to determine distances to galaxies

In Cambridge A Level A2 Physics 9702, Standard candles came up in 18 of the 42 papers on Paperstreak, for about 3 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Stellar radii, Hubble’s law and the Big Bang theory, Mass defect and nuclear binding energy, Kinetic theory of gases.

18 questions, newest first

9702/42/O/N/25 Question 9 part (d) · 3 marks
9702/42/F/M/25 Question 10 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) · 4 marks
9702/41/O/N/24 Question 10 part (b(i)) · 2 marks
9702/42/O/N/24 Question 2 parts (c(i)) (c(ii)) · 5 marks
9702/43/O/N/24 Question 10 part (b(i)) · 2 marks
9702/41/M/J/24 Question 10 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) · 5 marks
9702/43/M/J/24 Question 10 parts (a(i)) (a(ii)) · 5 marks
9702/42/F/M/24 Question 10 part (a(ii)) · 2 marks
9702/41/O/N/23 Question 3 part (c(i)) · 2 marks
9702/42/O/N/23 Question 10 part (b(i)) · 1 mark
9702/43/O/N/23 Question 3 part (c(i)) · 2 marks
9702/41/M/J/23 Question 10 part (b) · 2 marks
9702/42/M/J/23 Question 9 part (c(i)) · 3 marks
9702/43/M/J/23 Question 10 part (b) · 2 marks
9702/42/F/M/23 Question 10 parts (a) (b) · 3 marks
9702/41/O/N/22 Question 9 parts (a) (b(i)) · 3 marks
9702/43/O/N/22 Question 9 parts (a) (b(i)) · 3 marks
9702/42/F/M/22 Question 12 parts (a) (b) · 3 marks

More in Astronomy and cosmology: Stellar radii, Hubble’s law and the Big Bang theory.

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