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Using X-rays: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 6.5.1 Using X-rays, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q18(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 18(a): Name the component labelled A on the diagram. [1]

  2. Q18(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 18(b): Suggest why the anode is made to rotate. [1]

  3. Q18(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 18(c): X-rays are produced at characteristic wavelengths which depend on the material of the anode. Describe how the electrons from component A are responsible for pro

  4. Q18(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 18(d): An electron strikes the anode. The kinetic energy of the electron changes from 150 keV to 60 keV. Calculate the minimum wavelength, λ, of the X-ray photon emitt

  5. Q18(e)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 18(e): A radiologist targets a uniform beam of X-rays at a tumour 4.6 cm below the skin of a patient. The beam is at right angles to the surface of the skin. The inten

  6. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    6 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays6.4.3 Radioactivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 5(b)(ii): To control insect populations, sterilised male insects can be released into the wild. They mate with females, who then produce no offspring, reducing the future

  7. Q22(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays6.4.3 Radioactivity
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 22(c): X-rays and gamma-rays are produced by different physical processes. Briefly describe both processes. [2]

  8. Q23(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(a)(i): Complete the last column of the results table for the 1 mm and 2 mm thicknesses of jelly. [1]

  9. Q23(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(a)(ii): Plot the results from the table on the graph. Three points have already been plotted. [1] 25 ln (light intensity / Wm–2) 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Thickness of

  10. Q23(a)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(a)(iii): Draw a best-fit straight line through your data points. [1]

  11. Q23(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(b)(i): Show how the equation for exponential absorption of light can give a straight line graph with a negative gradient. [2]

  12. Q23(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(b)(ii): Use your graph to determine the intensity of the light I0 before it enters the jelly. I0 = Wm–2 [2]

  13. Q23(b)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 23(b)(iii): Use your graph to determine the constant of proportionality µ in units of mm–1. µ = mm–1 [2]

  14. Q6(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 6(c)(i): Explain why high-energy X-ray photons produce electrons and positrons as they pass through the body. [2]

  15. Q6(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    6 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays6.5.3 Using ultrasound
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 6(c)(ii): A 3D object called a bolus is used in radiotherapy for patients with skin cancer. A bolus targets the maximum radiation dose near the surface of the skin. So us

  16. Q24(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 24(a): Describe, in terms of X-ray photons, the attenuation mechanism of Compton scattering. [2]

  17. Q24(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 24(b)(i): Use the graph to determine the attenuation (absorption) coefficient μ in cm–1 of the tissue. μ = cm–1 [2]

  18. Q24(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 24(b)(ii): Use the graph to determine the exposure time t for the total radiant energy incident per cm2 at a depth of 1.0 cm to be 2.6 J. t = s [3]

  19. Q24(b)(iii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 24(b)(iii): Beyond x = 1.0 cm, the tissue has a larger attenuation coefficient than the value calculated in (i). On Fig. 24.2, sketch the variation of I with x beyond x = 1

  20. Q21(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marks6.5.1 Using X-rays
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 21(a): A high-energy X-ray photon interacts with an electron of an atom through the Compton effect. Describe this effect. [2]
All 31 questions on Using X-rays, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q18(a) (1 mark): Name the component labelled A on the diagram. [1]
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q18(b) (1 mark): Suggest why the anode is made to rotate. [1]
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q18(c) (2 marks): X-rays are produced at characteristic wavelengths which depend on the material of the anode. Describe how the electrons from component A are responsible for pro
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q18(d) (3 marks): An electron strikes the anode. The kinetic energy of the electron changes from 150 keV to 60 keV. Calculate the minimum wavelength, λ, of the X-ray photon emitt
  5. June 2025, Paper 2, Q18(e) (2 marks): A radiologist targets a uniform beam of X-rays at a tumour 4.6 cm below the skin of a patient. The beam is at right angles to the surface of the skin. The inten
  6. June 2025, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (6 marks): To control insect populations, sterilised male insects can be released into the wild. They mate with females, who then produce no offspring, reducing the future
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q22(c) (2 marks): X-rays and gamma-rays are produced by different physical processes. Briefly describe both processes. [2]
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the last column of the results table for the 1 mm and 2 mm thicknesses of jelly. [1]
  9. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(a)(ii) (1 mark): Plot the results from the table on the graph. Three points have already been plotted. [1] 25 ln (light intensity / Wm–2) 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Thickness of
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(a)(iii) (1 mark): Draw a best-fit straight line through your data points. [1]
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(b)(i) (2 marks): Show how the equation for exponential absorption of light can give a straight line graph with a negative gradient. [2]
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use your graph to determine the intensity of the light I0 before it enters the jelly. I0 = Wm–2 [2]
  13. June 2023, Paper 2, Q23(b)(iii) (2 marks): Use your graph to determine the constant of proportionality µ in units of mm–1. µ = mm–1 [2]
  14. June 2023, Paper 3, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why high-energy X-ray photons produce electrons and positrons as they pass through the body. [2]
  15. June 2023, Paper 3, Q6(c)(ii) (6 marks): A 3D object called a bolus is used in radiotherapy for patients with skin cancer. A bolus targets the maximum radiation dose near the surface of the skin. So us
  16. June 2022, Paper 2, Q24(a) (2 marks): Describe, in terms of X-ray photons, the attenuation mechanism of Compton scattering. [2]
  17. June 2022, Paper 2, Q24(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the graph to determine the attenuation (absorption) coefficient μ in cm–1 of the tissue. μ = cm–1 [2]
  18. June 2022, Paper 2, Q24(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use the graph to determine the exposure time t for the total radiant energy incident per cm2 at a depth of 1.0 cm to be 2.6 J. t = s [3]
  19. June 2022, Paper 2, Q24(b)(iii) (2 marks): Beyond x = 1.0 cm, the tissue has a larger attenuation coefficient than the value calculated in (i). On Fig. 24.2, sketch the variation of I with x beyond x = 1
  20. November 2021, Paper 2, Q21(a) (2 marks): A high-energy X-ray photon interacts with an electron of an atom through the Compton effect. Describe this effect. [2]
  21. November 2021, Paper 2, Q21(b) (4 marks): The diagram below shows a beam of X-rays incident normally on some soft tissue. soft tissue beam of X-rays cyst 2.1 cm The attenuation (absorption) constant of
  22. November 2021, Paper 2, Q21(c) (2 marks): The attenuation coefficients of the cyst and the soft tissues in (b) were similar. This prevented imaging the cyst using a two-dimensional X-ray image. Name a d
  23. November 2020, Paper 2, Q25(a) (1 mark): For the X-ray tubes used in hospital, the X-ray photons have energy of about 105 eV. State the attenuation mechanisms for these photons. [1]
  24. November 2020, Paper 2, Q25(b) (3 marks): With the help of a calculation, explain the minimum photon energy shown on the graph for pair production. [3]
  25. June 2019, Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): The intensity of a beam of X-rays incident on material P is I0. The beam passes through 0.50 cm of material P and 0.50 cm of material Q. 0.50 cm 0.50 cm I0 nI0
  26. June 2019, Paper 2, Q23(a) (3 marks): Describe the basic structure of an X-ray tube and explain how X-ray photons are produced. You may draw a labelled diagram. [3]
  27. June 2019, Paper 2, Q23(b) (4 marks): A beam of X-rays is directed at tissues in a patient. The X-ray photons interact with the atoms of the tissues. Simple scatter is one of the attenuation mechani
  28. June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (11 marks): The students record the number N of gamma photons detected by T in 10 minutes for each different thickness d of lead. The background count is negligible. The re
  29. June 2018, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): A contrast material is used while taking an X-ray image of a patient. Which statement is correct? A Iodine is a contrast material. B Technetium is a contrast ma
  30. June 2018, Paper 2, Q25(b) (4 marks): Describe how the components of a computerised axial tomography (CAT) scanner can produce high-quality images of the internal structures of a patient. [4]
  31. June 2017, Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): There are four important attenuation mechanisms by which X-ray photons may interact when they pass through matter. In which mechanism is the X-ray photon scatte

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