# 9702/11 October/November 2017

> 9702/11 October/November 2017: 40 questions, 40 marks. Difficulty 0.31, deviation 0.14, algebraic 0.21, text density 0.33. CIE IAL Physics 9702 P1.

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CIE IAL · Physics · 2017 October/November

This Physics 9702 Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) paper contains 40 questions worth 40 marks. The profile below reports five mark-weighted difficulty and complexity measures, and every question row repeats them. Full question text and mark scheme open in the Interactive Practice Hub.

- CIE IAL
- 9702 P1
- 40 questions
- 40 marks
- Free paper
- [Practise this paper](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4)
- [All 9702 P1 papers](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)

Core finding

**9702/11 October/November 2017 is a past paper for CIE IAL Physics 9702 Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), with 40 questions worth 40 marks.** Its mark-weighted Difficulty Measure is 0.31 on a 0.20–0.75 scale, with a Difficulty Deviation of 0.14 and a mark split of 60.0% Easy, 37.5% Medium and 2.5% Hard. Algebraic complexity averages 0.21; text density and modelling average 0.33. All five measures use 40 part-level tags, not candidate results. Every question row below repeats them and opens the Interactive Practice Hub for that question.

## Difficulty & complexity profile

All five measures are mark-weighted and calculated from 40 parts carrying 40 part marks. Difficulty tags cover 40 parts, algebraic tags 40 and text-density tags 40. Tags are internal metadata, not official exam-board ratings.

- **Difficulty Measure**: 0.31 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Easy
- **Difficulty Deviation**: 0.14 — 0 = uniform; higher = more mixed
- **Difficulty Ratio**: 60.0 / 37.5 / 2.5 — % Easy / Medium / Hard
- **Algebraic Complexity Measure**: 0.21 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Low
- **Text Density and Modelling Measure**: 0.33 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Medium

Scale: Easy 0.20 · Medium 0.45 · Hard 0.75, and Low 0.20 · Medium 0.45 · High 0.75 for the two complexity measures. [How each band is defined and how the values are calculated →](https://www.examsci.com/guides/difficulty-and-complexity-measures/)

### Definitions and calculation

| Measure | Paper value | Formula |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Difficulty Measure** | 0.31 | Σ(d_i × w_i) / Σw_i, with d = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |
| **Difficulty Deviation** | 0.14 | √(Σw_i(d_i − μ)^2 / Σw_i) |
| **Difficulty Ratio** | 60.0% Easy / 37.5% Medium / 2.5% Hard | marks in band / all tagged marks |
| **Algebraic Complexity Measure** | 0.21 | Σ(c_i × marks_i) / Σmarks_i, with c = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |
| **Text Density and Modelling Measure** | 0.33 | Σ(t_i × marks_i) / Σmarks_i, with t = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |

w_i equals the part marks, except for a Hard part worth 4 or more marks, where w_i = marks^0.75 to offset the accessible starter steps inside long structured questions.

## Question list

Each measure is recalculated from the parts of that question and uses the same weights as the paper profile.

| Question | Topic | Marks | Difficulty Measure | Algebraic Complexity Measure | Text Density and Modelling Measure | Practice |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Q1** FRQ | [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=a0a97394-5e36-4eaf-9afa-34fd7b2892b1&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q2** FRQ | [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=42d3044c-2084-4ce0-a510-c83b743f1b94&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q3** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=b733f64d-81a8-4068-a576-7608a63266b6&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q4** FRQ | [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=2ba9bc25-f876-4851-9079-fe2cb71a3221&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q5** FRQ | [2.2 Errors and uncertainties](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/errors-and-uncertainties/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=5a92ca21-b495-4b98-913d-1c455c8a194c&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q6** FRQ | [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=45e85b2a-ecd8-47e6-a6ff-dcbe42780150&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q7** FRQ | [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=ebf555b8-b2bb-4616-ab9c-59562748f365&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q8** FRQ | [5.1 Types of force](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=85b7bf1f-609e-4d69-bada-e2928594f902&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q9** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=de077352-0735-40b5-984f-ef8f53eb9ac2&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q10** FRQ | [4.3 Linear momentum and its conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/linear-momentum-and-its-conservation/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=7cd3f702-7c73-4fed-a1fb-75983707f425&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q11** FRQ | [4.3 Linear momentum and its conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/linear-momentum-and-its-conservation/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=7e369987-1cb5-48fe-978d-97893c236eb2&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q12** FRQ | [5.1 Types of force](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=c01b1d56-43f7-4910-be58-abc532231376&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q13** FRQ | [5.2 Turning effects of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/turning-effects-of-forces/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=da06606b-6280-4019-8139-1d5010e9439b&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q14** FRQ | [5.3 Equilibrium of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equilibrium-of-forces/) | 1 | 0.75 Hard | 0.45 Medium | 0.75 High | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=9f0f30fb-18e1-4a18-a6ab-7d6ac3f9a499&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q15** FRQ | [5.4 Density and pressure](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/density-and-pressure/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=deb50ec0-2b46-46f9-b5f0-97949eb3d28e&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q16** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=885b793b-2bea-4a2a-bb5c-919414afdff7&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q17** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=0f41dd38-acd2-447b-85e5-e5766de52780&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q18** FRQ | [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=49c60b44-1b8d-48ef-a5cd-196ac574bffa&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q19** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=72aca802-ceb7-4fc8-9280-863d41e87309&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q20** FRQ | [9.2 Elastic and plastic behaviour](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/elastic-and-plastic-behaviour/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=ebdd554a-a90d-4a87-bee2-730397c06fde&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q21** FRQ | [9.1 Stress and strain](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/stress-and-strain/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=2f7870da-c7de-4c72-b28c-8ad70747a5b9&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q22** FRQ | [14.1 Progressive waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/progressive-waves/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=a2716443-4a68-475a-b44d-15406cc8fd02&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q23** FRQ | [14.3 Determination of frequency and wavelength of sound waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=d3210b9c-92d1-494b-9a84-401bb3172d77&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q24** FRQ | [14.5 Electromagnetic spectrum](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electromagnetic-spectrum/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=e6db5e35-5058-4cb4-ac96-0d78ab5ead72&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q25** FRQ | [14.4 Doppler effect](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=59771768-4c39-42ac-ac25-818cb67113f0&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q26** FRQ | [14.1 Progressive waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/progressive-waves/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=4a6a5183-e715-4479-bb08-6c0fd2626c6e&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q27** FRQ | [15.1 Stationary waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/stationary-waves/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=93e5f3b5-fc1a-485c-ae63-dcdaab680ff2&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q28** FRQ | [15.3 Interference, two-source interference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=90c418fc-9e0d-456c-bca3-80f497a91602&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q29** FRQ | [14.1 Progressive waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/progressive-waves/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=07f8021e-788a-4e60-ae53-7dda5a36caa3&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q30** FRQ | [15.4 Diffraction gratings](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=cabc6850-eee0-45f2-b44b-2e2c2f22e815&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q31** FRQ | [5.3 Equilibrium of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equilibrium-of-forces/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=61fd1436-1ceb-4141-b51f-c2e156bfb757&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q32** FRQ | [17.2 Uniform electric fields](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=48ef56dd-a2b0-4684-94bd-07a312fa96b2&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q33** FRQ | [19.1 Electric current](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electric-current/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=b3fc1475-e619-4b13-9f9b-5ba563a1b8d3&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q34** FRQ | [19.2 Potential difference and power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/potential-difference-and-power/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=f9379ddd-bc1b-4e03-b30b-9de71c6fa423&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q35** FRQ | [19.3 Resistance and resistivity](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/resistance-and-resistivity/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=d4178d0c-b948-4d10-b123-65f22faa46ae&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q36** FRQ | [20.1 Practical circuits](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/practical-circuits/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=8662efdc-7647-4b04-aa48-16bb292d15f9&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q37** FRQ | [20.2 Kirchhoff’s laws](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/kirchhoff-s-laws/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=9681d771-e394-4ae1-b499-6b233a578dbb&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q38** FRQ | [20.3 Potential dividers](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/potential-dividers/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=884ec7c7-18e4-4298-a7ac-03a4ba642210&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q39** FRQ | [26.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=1870d2f4-c58c-4374-8b4f-6630161751d8&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |
| **Q40** FRQ | [26.2 Fundamental particles](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/fundamental-particles/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=0364608f-d6ee-4b82-b7f2-9b873e263ed4&question_id=7bc01c61-ad05-425d-91eb-b57a057fa351&source_detail=9702%2F11+October%2FNovember+2017) |

## Topics in this paper

- [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/)
- [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/)
- [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [6.4 Power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [14.5 Electromagnetic spectrum](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electromagnetic-spectrum/)
- [2.2 Errors and uncertainties](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/errors-and-uncertainties/)
- [15.3 Interference, two-source interference](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/)
- [5.1 Types of force](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [5.3 Equilibrium of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equilibrium-of-forces/)
- [6.3 Potential energy and kinetic energy](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [4.3 Linear momentum and its conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/linear-momentum-and-its-conservation/)

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## Paper FAQ

**How are the difficulty and complexity measures calculated?**

Each part is weighted by its official marks. Difficulty uses Easy 0.20, Medium 0.45 and Hard 0.75; algebraic complexity and text density and modelling use Low 0.20, Medium 0.45 and High 0.75. A Hard part worth 4 or more marks is down-weighted to marks^0.75, so the accessible starter steps inside a long structured question do not inflate the difficulty result. This paper's Difficulty Measure is 0.31 from 40 parts.

**What does the Difficulty Deviation show?**

It is the mark-weighted standard deviation of the part difficulty values around the paper mean. A value of 0 would mean every tagged part has the same difficulty; this paper's deviation is 0.14, so its parts are more mixed than a single-level paper.

**Is the Difficulty Ratio based on question counts or marks?**

It is based on official marks, not question counts. This paper's shares are 60.0% Easy, 37.5% Medium and 2.5% Hard; the three shares sum to 100% before rounding.

**Are these official difficulty ratings?**

No. They are derived from the platform's part-level difficulty and static-question-profile tags. They are not exam-board grade boundaries and are not calculated from candidate outcomes. Use them to compare the demand profile of papers, not to predict a grade.

**Why does each question row show its own measures?**

Each row recalculates the same mark-weighted formula from that question's parts. A single-part MCQ therefore shows the tag value directly, while a multi-part structured question blends the tags of its parts using the same Hard-part decay as the paper profile.

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