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Mechanical properties of matter: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 6(a)(i): Define strain. [1]

  2. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 6(a)(ii): The maximum strain shown on the graph is approximately 10–21. Calculate the force that would produce the same strain in a copper wire of diameter 2 mm. Young mo

  3. Q6(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 6(a)(iii): By considering the answer to (ii), suggest why it is very difficult to detect the strain caused by gravitational waves. [2]

  4. Q8

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 8: The stress-strain graphs for four materials A, B, C and D are shown. stress B A C D strain Which material has the greatest ultimate tensile strength? Your answe

  5. Q24(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 24(b)(ii): Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring. elastic potential energy = J [2]

  6. Q18(a)(iv)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 18(a)(iv): There is an area between the two curves that you have drawn on the graph. 1. State the name of the derived SI unit of this area. [1] 2. Explain the significance

  7. Q15

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 15: A spring has a force constant of 4900 N m–1. A force is applied to the spring, causing it to compress by 0.50 m. What is the change in the elastic potential ene

  8. Q16

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 16: Which graph shows the stress-strain characteristics of a brittle material? A B stress stress strain strain C D stress stress strain strain Your answer [1]

  9. Q4

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 4: Which row in the table correctly identifies the elastic limit, fracture and ultimate tensile strength in the graph below? Q P R stress 0 strain 0 Elastic limit

  10. Q5

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 5: A wire of cross-sectional area 3.9 × 10–6 m2 carries a load of 240 N. The strain in the wire is 5 0.30%. Which value of the Young modulus, in Pa, is correct and

  11. Q21(b)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 21(b): The student extends their investigation to determine the Young modulus of copper. They make measurements to determine the length and the cross-sectional area of

  12. Q21(c)(i)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 21(c)(i): Show that an expression for the Young modulus E is E = kL A L = length of wire A = cross-sectional area of wire k = force constant of wire [2]

  13. Q21(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 21(c)(ii): The student records the following results for a copper wire. L = 2.0 m ± 0.05 % A = 2.9 × 10–8 m2 ± 2 % k = 1670 N m–1 ± 1.25 % Calculate the value of the Young

  14. Q21(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 21(c)(iii): The student researches the Young modulus of copper. They find a value of 1.17 × 1011 N m–2. Determine whether this value is consistent with your answer to (c)(i

  15. Q16(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 16(b)(i): Use the graph to show that the elastic potential energy E in the cord is about 1 J. [3]

  16. Q13

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 13: A load is suspended from two wires P and Q as shown below. ceiling P L 1.5 L Q load Both wires have the same diameter. The table below shows some data for these

  17. Q22(c)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 22(c): Calculate the maximum energy E stored in the compressed spring. E = J [2]

  18. Q13

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 13: The force F against extension x graph for a material being stretched is shown. 20 F / N 10 0 0 5 10 x / mm What is best estimate for the energy stored in the ma

  19. Q17(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    6 marks5.3.1 Simple harmonic oscillations3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 17(b): (b)* A student wants to determine the Young modulus E of the metal of the strip in (a). The student clamps the metal strip to the edge of a table using a G-clam

  20. Q21(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.4.2 Mechanical properties of matter
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 21(b)(i): Point A is at the top of the track. The launch speed of the car is now adjusted until the car just reaches A with zero speed. The height of A is 0.20 m above th
All 57 questions on Mechanical properties of matter, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Define strain. [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): The maximum strain shown on the graph is approximately 10–21. Calculate the force that would produce the same strain in a copper wire of diameter 2 mm. Young mo
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): By considering the answer to (ii), suggest why it is very difficult to detect the strain caused by gravitational waves. [2]
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): The stress-strain graphs for four materials A, B, C and D are shown. stress B A C D strain Which material has the greatest ultimate tensile strength? Your answe
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring. elastic potential energy = J [2]
  6. June 2024, Paper 1, Q18(a)(iv) (3 marks): There is an area between the two curves that you have drawn on the graph. 1. State the name of the derived SI unit of this area. [1] 2. Explain the significance
  7. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A spring has a force constant of 4900 N m–1. A force is applied to the spring, causing it to compress by 0.50 m. What is the change in the elastic potential ene
  8. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): Which graph shows the stress-strain characteristics of a brittle material? A B stress stress strain strain C D stress stress strain strain Your answer [1]
  9. June 2023, Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which row in the table correctly identifies the elastic limit, fracture and ultimate tensile strength in the graph below? Q P R stress 0 strain 0 Elastic limit
  10. June 2023, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): A wire of cross-sectional area 3.9 × 10–6 m2 carries a load of 240 N. The strain in the wire is 5 0.30%. Which value of the Young modulus, in Pa, is correct and
  11. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q21(b) (3 marks): The student extends their investigation to determine the Young modulus of copper. They make measurements to determine the length and the cross-sectional area of
  12. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(i) (2 marks): Show that an expression for the Young modulus E is E = kL A L = length of wire A = cross-sectional area of wire k = force constant of wire [2]
  13. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(ii) (3 marks): The student records the following results for a copper wire. L = 2.0 m ± 0.05 % A = 2.9 × 10–8 m2 ± 2 % k = 1670 N m–1 ± 1.25 % Calculate the value of the Young
  14. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(iii) (2 marks): The student researches the Young modulus of copper. They find a value of 1.17 × 1011 N m–2. Determine whether this value is consistent with your answer to (c)(i
  15. June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the graph to show that the elastic potential energy E in the cord is about 1 J. [3]
  16. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): A load is suspended from two wires P and Q as shown below. ceiling P L 1.5 L Q load Both wires have the same diameter. The table below shows some data for these
  17. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q22(c) (2 marks): Calculate the maximum energy E stored in the compressed spring. E = J [2]
  18. November 2021, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): The force F against extension x graph for a material being stretched is shown. 20 F / N 10 0 0 5 10 x / mm What is best estimate for the energy stored in the ma
  19. November 2021, Paper 1, Q17(b) (6 marks): (b)* A student wants to determine the Young modulus E of the metal of the strip in (a). The student clamps the metal strip to the edge of a table using a G-clam
  20. November 2021, Paper 1, Q21(b)(i) (3 marks): Point A is at the top of the track. The launch speed of the car is now adjusted until the car just reaches A with zero speed. The height of A is 0.20 m above th
  21. November 2021, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the tension T in one length of wire. T = N [3]
  22. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A student investigated four different springs A, B, C and D. A mass of different weight is hung from each spring and the extensions are measured. The results ar
  23. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State the physical quantity represented by the area under the loading curve. [1]
  24. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Determine the energy E transferred when the rubber is stretched to an extension of 0.25 m. E = J [2]
  25. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest why the energy transferred by the rubber during unloading is different to your answer in (ii). [1]
  26. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): the stress σ in the wire σ = Pa [2]
  27. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): the strain ε of the wire ε = [2]
  28. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): the extension x of the wire x = m [2]
  29. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(iv) (2 marks): the elastic potential energy E of the wire. E = J [2]
  30. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): The wire in (b) is replaced by a wire of the same metal and length but double the diameter. The same load is attached to the wire. State and explain the change,
  31. November 2020, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): A spring is stretched by hanging on it a variable mass m. The mass m is always at rest. The spring obeys Hooke’s law. What is the relationship between the elast
  32. November 2020, Paper 1, Q16(e) (3 marks): The steel tow bar used to pull the car has length 0.50 m and diameter 1.2 × 10–2 m. The Young modulus of steel is 2.0 × 1011 Pa. Calculate the extension x of th
  33. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The stress against strain graph for a particular material is shown below. stress 0 strain 0 Which term is correct for a property of this material? A brittle B d
  34. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q23(b)(i) (3 marks): The wire has cross-sectional area 8.2 × 10−7 m2 and original length 62 cm. The Young modulus of steel is 2.0 × 1011 Pa. The wire obeys Hooke’s law. Calculate th
  35. June 2019, Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): A graph showing the variation of the stress σ with strain ε for a material is shown below. 160 σ / MPa 80 0 0 0.1 0.2 ε / % What is the Young modulus of the mat
  36. June 2019, Paper 1, Q16(a) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by the ultimate tensile strength of a material. [1]
  37. June 2019, Paper 1, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how a suitable measuring device may have been used by the engineers to demonstrate that the cable had uniform cross-section. [2]
  38. June 2019, Paper 1, Q16(c) (2 marks): Determine the breaking stress σ of the cable. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the cable remains constant during the test. σ = Pa [2]
  39. June 2019, Paper 1, Q16(d) (2 marks): Explain why the work done on the cable when its extension changes from 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm is greater than when its extension changes from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. [2]
  40. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(iii) (2 marks): The cables A and B have the same length and cross-sectional area. The material of cable B has Young modulus 1.29E, where E is the Young modulus of the material
  41. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(a) (6 marks): (a)* A student is investigating the stretching of materials. The student applies varying loads to material J and determines the stress and the strain until the
  42. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): A student is designing a three-legged wooden stool as shown in Fig. 2.2. Fig. 2.2 The stool must be able to support the weight of an adult. The maximum compress
  43. June 2018, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): One end of a spring is fixed and a force F is applied to its other end. The elastic potential energy in the extended spring is E. The spring obeys Hooke’s law.
  44. June 2018, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The table below shows some data on two wires X and Y. Wire Young modulus of Cross-sectional area of wire / mm2 material / GPa X 120 1.0 Y 200 2.0 The wires X an
  45. June 2018, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): The S-wave of an earthquake causes a sudden movement of the building displacing the sphere 0.71 m from its equilibrium position relative to the building. Use yo
  46. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): One end of a wire is fixed to the ceiling and a 3.0 kg object is suspended from its other end. The wire has diameter 0.62 mm and negligible mass. What is the te
  47. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(d) (2 marks): The force constant of each spring is 24 N m−1. Calculate the energy stored in each spring. energy = J [2] 14
  48. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): The original length of the steel cable is 1.73 m and it has a cross-sectional area of 11.0 mm2. The Young modulus of steel is 210 GPa. Calculate the extension x
  49. June 2017, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Four materials A, B, C and D have the same length and cross-sectional area. The force against extension graph for each material up to the breaking point is show
  50. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): The flat end of a uniform steel cylinder of weight 7.8 N is glued to a horizontal ceiling. The cylinder hangs vertically. The breaking stress for the glue is 13
  51. June 2017, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): A tensile force of 4.5 N is applied to a spring. The spring extends elastically by 3.2 cm. What is the elastic potential energy of the spring? A 0.072 J B 0.14
  52. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The force F against extension x graphs for four different wires A, B, C and D up to their breaking points are shown below. A F B C D 0 x 0 Which wire has the gr
  53. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (3 marks): The stress in the concrete pillar is 1.1 × 105 Pa. The original length of the pillar was 2.3 m. The Young modulus of concrete is 1.4 × 1010 Pa. Calculate the co
  54. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): The top ends of two springs, S1 and S2, are attached to a rod. rod S2 S1 x 3 x A mass is hung from the bottom end of S1. The extension of S1 is x. The elastic p
  55. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Two guitar strings of equal length, but of different thickness, are under the same tension. The strings are made of the same material. The thinner string has a
  56. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (6 marks): (a)* A student wishes to determine experimentally the breaking stress of a metal in the form of a thin wire. Describe with the aid of a diagram how this experim
  57. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): A group of students are investigating the loading and unloading of glass and rubber. Glass is a brittle material and rubber is a polymeric material. Sketch the

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