plumiEinstein’s theory of special relativity: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.12.3.2 Einstein’s theory of special relativity, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q04.3
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All 9 questions on Einstein’s theory of special relativity, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.3 (1 mark): Spaceships A and B are travelling towards each other along the same straight line. The speed of B is 0.30c with respect to P. Figure 5 shows the situation. Figu
- June 2023, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.1 (2 marks): State the other postulate and explain how it is consistent with the equation: c = 0 0 1 [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.1 (1 mark): State what is meant by an inertial frame of reference. [1 mark]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.2 (1 mark): The Michelson-Morley experiment provides evidence for one of the postulates of Einstein’s theory of special relativity. State this postulate. [1 mark]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.3 (1 mark): State the other postulate of Einstein’s theory of special relativity. [1 mark]
- June 2017, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.2 (2 marks): In practice, the gravitational field of the Sun affects the motion of the spacecraft and it does not travel directly away from the Earth throughout the journey.
- June 2016, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a) (1 mark): The theory of special relativity is based on two postulates. One of these postulates is that the speed of light in free space is invariant. State the other post
- June 2014, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a) (1 mark): One of the two postulates of Einstein’s theory of special relativity is that physical laws have the same form in all inertial frames of reference. Explain in te
- June 2010, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a) (1 mark): One of the two postulates of Einstein’s theory of special relativity is that the speed of light in free space, c, is invariant. Explain what is meant by this st
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