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Particles and nuclear structure: WJEC A‑Level Physics questions

Every WJEC A-Level Physics exam question on 1.7 Particles and nuclear structure, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,173 questions

  1. Q6(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 1

    6 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 1, question 6(a): + e+ υe π + Give a detailed description of the process, including how conservation laws apply. [6 QER]

  2. Q6(b)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 1, question 6(b)(i): Rhian believes that the only possible combination of u and d quarks for a proton is uud. Justify Rhian’s opinion. [2]

  3. Q6(b)(ii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 1, question 6(b)(ii): Circle the term(s) that can be used to describe a proton. [1] baryon lepton meson hadron anti-particle charged-pion

  4. Q4(a)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(a): 3Li. Complete the table for the lithium atom. One cell has already been completed for you. [3] Number in 7 Particles 3Li atom electrons 3 protons neutrons lepto

  5. Q4(b)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(b)(i): State what a meson is, in terms of quarks. [1]

  6. Q4(b)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(b)(ii): [1]

  7. Q4(b)(iii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    4 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(b)(iii): following series shows the production and decay reactions of the ∆0 particle. The reactions are also partially shown as a flow of quarks. p + n + uu + + Complet

  8. Q4(b)(iv)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(b)(iv): Explain clearly how the up quark number is conserved in both reactions. [Consider both reactions separately.] [2] Production of ∆0 : Decay of ∆0 :

  9. Q4(c)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 4(c): State two features of the decay which suggest that it is a strong interaction. [2]

  10. Q7(a)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    4 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 7(a): In the table below, statements are given which describe different particles or interactions. Complete the table by naming the particle or interaction described.

  11. Q7(b)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 7(b): An antiparticle has a quark composition of u d d. Determine its charge and identify the particle. Show your working clearly. [2]

  12. Q7(c)(i)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 7(c)(i): Consider the following hypothetical interaction. p + n p + p + p + νe The reaction is not possible because it does not obey one or more of the conservation laws

  13. Q7(c)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 7(c)(ii): would allow the reaction to occur. Explain whether or not he is correct. [1]

  14. Q5(a)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    6 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 5(a): Hadrons are a group of particles. Write a detailed account of hadrons, including how they may be subdivided into other groups of particles, giving examples. [6

  15. Q5(b)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 5(b): A high energy interaction between a proton and a pion is shown below. p + π− ➝ n + π+ + π− Use conservation laws to show that the interaction is possible. [3]

  16. Q7(c)(ii)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(c)(ii): State why your answer to (c)(i) and the results of the alpha particle scattering experiment contradict the “plum-pudding” model (see paragraphs 5 & 6). [2]

  17. Q7(e)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(e): Explain why the strong nuclear force is required to hold nuclei together (see paragraphs 6 & 9). [1]

  18. Q7(g)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(g): [1]

  19. Q7(h)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    2 marks1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(h): Calculate the mass of a top quark in kg (see paragraph 15). Note that 1 u ≡ 931 MeV if required. [2]

  20. Q1(a)(i)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.7 Particles and nuclear structure
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 1, question 1(a)(i): the weak nuclear force; [1]
All 37 questions on Particles and nuclear structure, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (6 marks): + e+ υe π + Give a detailed description of the process, including how conservation laws apply. [6 QER]
  2. Summer 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Rhian believes that the only possible combination of u and d quarks for a proton is uud. Justify Rhian’s opinion. [2]
  3. Summer 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Circle the term(s) that can be used to describe a proton. [1] baryon lepton meson hadron anti-particle charged-pion
  4. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(a) (3 marks): 3Li. Complete the table for the lithium atom. One cell has already been completed for you. [3] Number in 7 Particles 3Li atom electrons 3 protons neutrons lepto
  5. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State what a meson is, in terms of quarks. [1]
  6. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): [1]
  7. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(iii) (4 marks): following series shows the production and decay reactions of the ∆0 particle. The reactions are also partially shown as a flow of quarks. p + n + uu + + Complet
  8. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(iv) (2 marks): Explain clearly how the up quark number is conserved in both reactions. [Consider both reactions separately.] [2] Production of ∆0 : Decay of ∆0 :
  9. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4(c) (2 marks): State two features of the decay which suggest that it is a strong interaction. [2]
  10. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (4 marks): In the table below, statements are given which describe different particles or interactions. Complete the table by naming the particle or interaction described.
  11. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (2 marks): An antiparticle has a quark composition of u d d. Determine its charge and identify the particle. Show your working clearly. [2]
  12. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (3 marks): Consider the following hypothetical interaction. p + n p + p + p + νe The reaction is not possible because it does not obey one or more of the conservation laws
  13. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): would allow the reaction to occur. Explain whether or not he is correct. [1]
  14. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q5(a) (6 marks): Hadrons are a group of particles. Write a detailed account of hadrons, including how they may be subdivided into other groups of particles, giving examples. [6
  15. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q5(b) (3 marks): A high energy interaction between a proton and a pion is shown below. p + π− ➝ n + π+ + π− Use conservation laws to show that the interaction is possible. [3]
  16. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(c)(ii) (2 marks): State why your answer to (c)(i) and the results of the alpha particle scattering experiment contradict the “plum-pudding” model (see paragraphs 5 & 6). [2]
  17. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(e) (1 mark): Explain why the strong nuclear force is required to hold nuclei together (see paragraphs 6 & 9). [1]
  18. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(g) (1 mark): [1]
  19. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(h) (2 marks): Calculate the mass of a top quark in kg (see paragraph 15). Note that 1 u ≡ 931 MeV if required. [2]
  20. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): the weak nuclear force; [1]
  21. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): the strong nuclear force. [1]
  22. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): [1]
  23. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how lepton number and charge are conserved in this interaction. [2]
  24. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Write down the number of neutrons in: 10 4Be II. 10 5B I. [1]
  25. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): On the level of baryons the interaction can be written as: n p + e– + νe Show clearly that there is a change in quark flavour in this interaction. [2]
  26. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Complete the table. [3]
  27. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Identify the lepton in the table. [1]
  28. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(b) (2 marks): JJ Thomson, when studying the properties of cathode rays in 1897, discovered the electron. In the early 20th century, Ernest Rutherford, carrying out a series o
  29. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Show clearly that both up-quark number and down-quark number are conserved in this decay. [2]
  30. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Give two reasons for believing that this decay is a strong force interaction. [2]
  31. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q4(d) (2 marks): question: ‘You have discovered many new particles, none of which have had any discernible impact on society. How do you justify the huge expense of continuing w
  32. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q7 (6 marks): The following process describes the decay of a neutron. n → p + e- + νe Give a detailed description of the process, including how conservation laws apply. [6 QE
  33. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q2(a) (2 marks): State the difference between baryons and mesons in terms of quark make-up. [2]
  34. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): [1]
  35. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Identify particle x, explaining how you use the law of conservation of baryon number and one other conservation law. [3]
  36. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): State how lepton number is conserved in the above interaction. [1]
  37. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q2(c) (3 marks): A π0 decays in a typical time of 8 × 10–17 s into two photons as shown. State which force is involved in this interaction, giving two reasons for your answer. [

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