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Our place in the universe: OCR A‑Level Physics B questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics B exam question on 5.1.3 Our place in the universe, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,881 questions

  1. Q33

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 33: A spacecraft approaches a planet. It uses radar to measure its distance from the planet and its average velocity towards the planet. Radar pulses are sent at in

  2. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 3(b)(ii): Calculate the average velocity of the spaceship during its 42‑year journey. average velocity = m s–1 [1]

  3. Q3(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe5.1.1 Creating models
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 3(b)(iii): Explain by using relevant calculations, why the power output of the RTG when the spaceship lands on WST‑A is approximately 79% of its value at launch. Assume th

  4. Q20

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 20: A muon is an unstable particle. The half-life of muons measured at rest is 2.2 μs. The half-life of a muon travelling at speed v is measured by an observer as 8

  5. Q8(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    6 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 8(b)(ii): This question is about the resolution of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) (lines 19–25 and lines 47–51). (ii)* Light emitted from the galaxy at wavelength

  6. Q4

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 4: An asteroid travelling at a constant velocity is observed. A radar pulse emitted at time t = 0.00 s reflects from the asteroid and is detected at time t = 6.00

  7. Q5

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 5: Which of the following statements about the Universe is correct? A Hubble’s Law shows that our galaxy is at the centre of the Universe. B The age of a galaxy ca

  8. Q21

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 21: Pions are particles with a half-life of 1.8 × 10–8 s when they are not moving relative to an observer. Accelerated pions are observed to have a half-life of 3.1

  9. Q13

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 13: Muons are subatomic particles with a decay constant of 4.4 × 105 s–1 when at rest. A muon is travelling at a relative speed of 2.94 × 108 m s–1. What is its obs

  10. Q33

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 33: A spacecraft is tracked by radar from Earth. Radar pulses are sent at intervals of precisely 1800.00 s. The time intervals for the signal to travel from the Ear

  11. Q40(c)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    4 marks6.2.1 Probing deep into matter5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 40(c)(ii): Show that the velocity of an electron accelerated through 50 kV is about 1.2 × 108 m s–1. [4]

  12. Q10(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 10(a): The Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.5 × 1011 m. At this distance the intensity of solar radiation is 1400 W m–2. Calculate the intensity at the distance

  13. Q10(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 10(b): Use your answer to (a) and Stefan’s Law (line 125) to estimate the temperature of a body in thermal equilibrium at 1.4 × 1010 m from the Sun. temperature = K [1

  14. Q10(c)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 10(c): Explain why missions investigating the Sun such as the Parker Solar Probe can have an importance beyond scientific discovery. [2]

  15. Q25

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 25: The distance from the Earth to an asteroid is measured by sending a radar pulse to the asteroid at a known time and recording the time when the return pulse is

  16. Q33(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 33(a): Three of the nearer galaxies in Fig. 33a have a negative velocity. Suggest and explain the effect this has on the wavelength shift for these galaxies. [2]

  17. Q33(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 33(b)(i): Show from the lines of best fit that the best estimate for the Hubble constant H0 was more than eight times (× 8) larger in 1929 than in 1998. [2]

  18. Q33(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 33(b)(ii): Show that the data from Fig. 33b indicate that the ‘big bang’ happened more than 10 billion years ago. 1 Mpc (megaparsec) = 3.1 × 1022 m [2]

  19. Q10

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 10: 10 Which statement about the relativistic factor γ = is correct? v2 1− c2 A as v tends to c, γ tends to 0 B as v tends to 0, γ tends to ∞ C γ can be used to pre

  20. Q38(a)

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.1.3 Our place in the universe
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 38(a): Explain why the spectrum from the receding galaxy is described as red-shifted. [1]
All 43 questions on Our place in the universe, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q33 (2 marks): A spacecraft approaches a planet. It uses radar to measure its distance from the planet and its average velocity towards the planet. Radar pulses are sent at in
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the average velocity of the spaceship during its 42‑year journey. average velocity = m s–1 [1]
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Explain by using relevant calculations, why the power output of the RTG when the spaceship lands on WST‑A is approximately 79% of its value at launch. Assume th
  4. June 2024, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): A muon is an unstable particle. The half-life of muons measured at rest is 2.2 μs. The half-life of a muon travelling at speed v is measured by an observer as 8
  5. June 2024, Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (6 marks): This question is about the resolution of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) (lines 19–25 and lines 47–51). (ii)* Light emitted from the galaxy at wavelength
  6. June 2023, Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): An asteroid travelling at a constant velocity is observed. A radar pulse emitted at time t = 0.00 s reflects from the asteroid and is detected at time t = 6.00
  7. June 2023, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which of the following statements about the Universe is correct? A Hubble’s Law shows that our galaxy is at the centre of the Universe. B The age of a galaxy ca
  8. June 2023, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Pions are particles with a half-life of 1.8 × 10–8 s when they are not moving relative to an observer. Accelerated pions are observed to have a half-life of 3.1
  9. June 2022, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Muons are subatomic particles with a decay constant of 4.4 × 105 s–1 when at rest. A muon is travelling at a relative speed of 2.94 × 108 m s–1. What is its obs
  10. June 2022, Paper 1, Q33 (4 marks): A spacecraft is tracked by radar from Earth. Radar pulses are sent at intervals of precisely 1800.00 s. The time intervals for the signal to travel from the Ear
  11. June 2022, Paper 1, Q40(c)(ii) (4 marks): Show that the velocity of an electron accelerated through 50 kV is about 1.2 × 108 m s–1. [4]
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q10(a) (2 marks): The Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.5 × 1011 m. At this distance the intensity of solar radiation is 1400 W m–2. Calculate the intensity at the distance
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q10(b) (1 mark): Use your answer to (a) and Stefan’s Law (line 125) to estimate the temperature of a body in thermal equilibrium at 1.4 × 1010 m from the Sun. temperature = K [1
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q10(c) (2 marks): Explain why missions investigating the Sun such as the Parker Solar Probe can have an importance beyond scientific discovery. [2]
  15. November 2021, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): The distance from the Earth to an asteroid is measured by sending a radar pulse to the asteroid at a known time and recording the time when the return pulse is
  16. November 2021, Paper 1, Q33(a) (2 marks): Three of the nearer galaxies in Fig. 33a have a negative velocity. Suggest and explain the effect this has on the wavelength shift for these galaxies. [2]
  17. November 2021, Paper 1, Q33(b)(i) (2 marks): Show from the lines of best fit that the best estimate for the Hubble constant H0 was more than eight times (× 8) larger in 1929 than in 1998. [2]
  18. November 2021, Paper 1, Q33(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the data from Fig. 33b indicate that the ‘big bang’ happened more than 10 billion years ago. 1 Mpc (megaparsec) = 3.1 × 1022 m [2]
  19. November 2020, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): 10 Which statement about the relativistic factor γ = is correct? v2 1− c2 A as v tends to c, γ tends to 0 B as v tends to 0, γ tends to ∞ C γ can be used to pre
  20. November 2020, Paper 1, Q38(a) (1 mark): Explain why the spectrum from the receding galaxy is described as red-shifted. [1]
  21. November 2020, Paper 1, Q38(b) (2 marks): Choose any two lines in the spectrum to show that the shift in wavelength Δλ is proportional to the wavelength in the lab λ. [2]
  22. November 2020, Paper 1, Q38(c) (1 mark): For non-relativistic recession velocities v, the red-shift is given by the equation: λ = v Δλ c Use this formula to show that the recession velocity of the gala
  23. November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): The mirrors are a distance of 0.80 m apart. Calculate this distance in light seconds. distance = light seconds [1]
  24. November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the ‘ticks’ will be further apart for the observer on the platform than for the passenger on the train. [2]
  25. November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use Pythagoras’s theorem to show that, for the shaded triangle in Fig. 2.2, t = . 1 – v 2 c 2 [2]
  26. November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): Slow neutrons outside the nucleus have a half-life of 611 s. ‘Fast’ neutrons released in a fission reactor typically have speeds of up to 5.4 × 107 m s−1. Calcu
  27. November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(d) (2 marks): It has been said that, ‘from the point of view of a photon, it takes no time to cross the Universe’. Use the equation in (b)(ii) to explain this statement. [2]
  28. June 2019, Paper 1, Q34(a)(ii) (2 marks): Show that they are travelling at about 0.75 c. [2]
  29. June 2019, Paper 1, Q34(b) (2 marks): The mean lifetime of π− mesons at low speeds is 2.6 × 10−8 s. Calculate the mean distance the fast mesons will travel before decaying. mean distance = m [2]
  30. June 2019, Paper 1, Q38(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the radius of the S1 orbit is more than 2 × 1014 m. 1 light year ≈ 9.5 × 1015 m. [2]
  31. June 2018, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which of these ages is estimated correctly? A The Earth is about 4 billion years old. B The Sun is about 14 billion years old. C The Milky Way Galaxy is about 2
  32. June 2018, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): 30 The relativistic factor c = 2 v 1 - 2 c Which statement about this factor is correct? A At the speed of sound c is close to zero. B c 1 as v c. C c predicts
  33. June 2018, Paper 1, Q36(a)(i) (2 marks): a big bang expansion [2]
  34. June 2018, Paper 1, Q36(a)(ii) (2 marks): a hot state. [2]
  35. June 2018, Paper 1, Q36(b) (4 marks): The intensity spectrum of thermal radiation depends on temperature T. Photons at the peak of intensity have energy ε ≈ 5 kT. Use this approximation and data fro
  36. June 2017, Paper 1, Q35(a) (2 marks): Use this data to calculate the average velocity of approach of the asteroid relative to Earth. relative velocity = m s–1 [2]
  37. June 2017, Paper 1, Q35(b) (3 marks): The path of the asteroid is shown in Fig. 36.1. After 24 hours the angular shift in position of the asteroid relative to Earth is 1.8 mrad. path of asteroid ast
  38. June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): It takes 4.5 hours for the radio signal from the spacecraft at Pluto to reach the Earth. Calculate the distance of the spacecraft from Earth when the signal was
  39. June 2017, Paper 2, Q6(d)(i) (3 marks): In a measurement it is found that about 9% of the muons remain after travelling through 8 km of atmosphere. Explain why a greater number of muons remain than su
  40. June 2017, Paper 2, Q6(d)(ii) (3 marks): Use your answer to (c) and the measured value of 9% of muons remaining after passing through 8 km of atmosphere to calculate the relativistic factor γ for the m
  41. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7 (2 marks): State the feature of the diagram in Fig. 1 in the article which shows that the distance scale is logarithmic and suggest a possible disadvantage of representing
  42. June 2017, Paper 2, Q10 (3 marks): This question is about measuring stellar distances by parallax. The parallax of the star Sirius is 0.38 arc seconds. One light year is the distance light travel
  43. June 2017, Paper 2, Q12 (6 marks): 12* This question is about spectroscopic measurements of stellar distances. Describe how absorption spectra are formed and how they are useful in establishing t

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