Time dilation: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.12.3.3 Time dilation, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 13 questions on Time dilation, as a list

June 2025, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.1 (4 marks): The observer on P measures the distance from O to P as 1.4 × 1014 m. Some of the cargo is food and must experience a journey time of no more than 10 days. Deter
June 2024, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.4 (1 mark): The timer in Figure 3 records a time of 29.8 ns. What is the proper time interval for an electron travelling from the detector to the aluminium block? Tick ()
November 2021, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.2 (4 marks): A pair of detectors is set up to measure the intensity of a parallel beam of unstable particles. In the reference frame of the laboratory, the detectors are sep
November 2021, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.3 (1 mark): In calculations involving time dilation, it is important to identify proper time. Identify the proper time in the calculation in Question 04.2. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.2 (2 marks): Measurements of muons created by cosmic rays can be used to demonstrate relativistic time dilation. State the measurements made and the observation that provide
November 2020, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.3 (3 marks): As the muons travel through the atmosphere, their speeds are reduced by interaction with the particles in the air. Discuss, with reference to relativity, the ef
June 2018, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.4 (4 marks): One consequence of the special theory of relativity is length contraction. Experimental evidence for length contraction is provided by the decay of muons produc
June 2017, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.1 (4 marks): A student models a spacecraft journey that takes one year. The spacecraft travels directly away from an observer at a speed of 1.2 × 107 m s−1. The student pred
June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate how many muons will reach the Earth’s surface for every 1000 that are produced at a height of 10.7 km. [3 marks] number of muons
June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following statements is correct? Tick () the correct answer. [1 mark] if correct For an observer in a laboratory on Earth, the distance travelled
June 2014, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): A space probe is to be sent from the Earth to the star to arrive 5.0 years later, according to an observer on Earth. Assuming the space probe’s velocity is cons
June 2014, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the time taken for this journey in years registered by a clock in the space probe. [3 marks] time taken years
June 2010, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(b) (4 marks): A beam of identical particles moving at a speed of 0.98c is directed along a straight line between two detectors 25m apart. Figure 5 The particles are unstable

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