CAPE Physics Unit 2 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2

28 questions and parts from this paper. Open one to see it in full, then practise it on Quelpr and get it marked against the mark scheme.

1. 1(a)1 markDefine the term 'capacitance' as it relates to electric circuits.
2. 1(b)3 marksThe formula below is used to calculate the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor: C = εA/d. State the meaning of EACH symbol on the right-hand side of the formula and the SI unit in which each quantity is usually…
3. 1(c)3 marksUsing the formulae to calculate the electric field, E, in a parallel plate capacitor and the charge, Q, on the plates, show that E = (1/ε) * (Q/A).
4. 1(d)(i)3 marksCalculate the capacitance of the system formed by the cloud, air and the ground.
5. 1(d)(ii)3 marksCalculate the energy stored in the cloud-ground capacitor.
6. 1(d)(iii)2 marksCalculate the value of the electric field in the cloud-ground capacitor.
7. 1(d)(iv)3 marksState how the values calculated in (d) (i), (ii) and (iii) will change if the true value of the permittivity of air was used.
8. 1(e)(i)2 marksComplete Columns 3 and 4 of Table 1.
9. 1(e)(ii)4 marksOn the grid provided in Figure 1 on page 9, plot a graph of ln (Q/Q₀) versus t. Draw the line of best fit through the points.
10. 1(e)(iii)4 marksDetermine the slope of the graph in (e) (ii) and state what this value represents.
11. 1(e)(iv)2 marksBased on the result obtained in (e) (iii), estimate the duration of the lightning strike.
12. 2(a)8 marksState the meaning of EACH symbol in the table below and use Figure 2 to determine each value.
13. 2(b)5 marksCalculate the power dissipated in the circuit in Figure 3.
14. 2(c)(i)2 marksUse Figure 2 to determine the times in the given cycle at which the diode in Figure 4 starts and stops conducting.
15. 2(c)(ii)2 marksDetermine the peak voltage across the load in Figure 4.
16. 2(c)(iii)1 markIn the space provided below, sketch ONE cycle of the output voltage across the load in Figure 4 on page 13.
17. 2(d)6 marksComplete the table below by inserting THREE characteristics of an ideal operational amplifier and a real operational amplifier. For EACH characteristic, state the associated values for an ideal operational amplifier and…
18. 2(e)(i)2 marksCalculate the voltage gain of the circuit in Figure 5.
19. 2(e)(ii)2 marksDetermine the value of the output voltage when the input voltage is 2 V.
20. 2(e)(iii)2 marksIf the input voltage is now 5 V, state the value of the output voltage, giving a reason for your response.
21. 3(a)(i)6 marksIdentify the components labelled A, B, C and state the role of EACH component identified.
22. 3(a)(ii)2 marksDefine the term 'stopping potential'.
23. 3(b)(i)2 marksUsing the equation f = c/λ, complete Column 3 of Table 2.
24. 3(b)(ii)3 marksOn the axes provided in Figure 7 on page 19, plot a graph of stopping potential, V_s, versus frequency, f. Draw the line of best fit through the points.
25. 3(b)(iii)3 marksUse the graph in (b) (ii) to determine the threshold wavelength for the material of the photosensitive emitting plate.
26. 3(b)(iv)2 marksExplain what is meant by the 'work function of a material'.
27. 3(b)(v)6 marksCalculate the maximum velocity of the ejected photoelectrons.
28. 3(b)(vi)6 marksCalculate the slope of the graph in (b) (ii) and use it to determine a value for Planck's constant.