Physics and physical Natural Sciences interview problems
Explain what happens and why, then put numbers on it. Type your thinking, take a hint when you are stuck, then answer the follow-ups.
The problems
Up versus down
FreeA ball is thrown straight up and caught at the same height. Allowing for air resistance, does it take longer going up or coming down?
Try it freeBlue sky, red sunset
In the rehearsalWhy is the sky blue in the middle of the day, but the sun looks red at sunset?
Atoms in a person
In the rehearsalRoughly how many atoms are there in a human body?
The melting ice cube
In the rehearsalAn ice cube floats in a glass of water filled exactly to the brim. When the ice melts, does the glass overflow?
Two ramps
In the rehearsalTwo balls start together from rest at the same height. One rolls along a straight sloping track to a point lower down; the other along a track with a gentle dip in the middle, below the straight one, rising again to the same end point. Which arrives first?
A geostationary satellite
In the rehearsalA geostationary satellite stays above the same point on the equator. How far from the centre of the Earth must it orbit?
Two bulbs in series
In the rehearsalTwo incandescent filament bulbs rated 60 W and 100 W at 230 V are connected in series across 230 V. First model each resistance as fixed at its rated operating value and use dissipated power as a proxy for brightness. Which dissipates more power? What might change for real bulbs?
Salt on icy roads
In the rehearsalWhy do councils spread salt on icy roads? Would it still work on a very cold night, at −25 °C?
Rehearse all 8
Hints, follow-ups and Mia's marks on every attempt, for 12 months.
Oxbridge Interview Rehearsal: two subjects
£249 once. No VAT is charged.
Introductory price £249 until 31 December, then £399.
Rehearse every problem in two subjects you choose, with hints, follow-ups and Mia's marks, for 12 months.
- All 8 problems in each of your two subjects, chosen after you pay
- Hints when you are stuck, then the tutor's follow-up questions
- Mia's marks on up to 60 attempts a day, within a fair-use allowance for each interview season: thinking aloud, using hints, checking, reasoning
- Your next problem picked from your weakest skill
- Your latest 300 attempts saved, with re-attempts side by side
Access for 12 months, until 6 November 2027. Choose your subjects after paying, on a free account. Full refund within 14 days, for any reason.
By paying you agree to our Terms and get access straight away, which ends your 14-day cancellation right. Your full refund within 14 days, for any reason, still applies.Oxbridge Interview Rehearsal: all subjects
£349 once. No VAT is charged.
Introductory price £349 until 31 December, then £499.
Every problem in all seven subjects, for joint courses and for practising beyond your own subject.
- All 56 problems: Maths, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Law and PPE
- Hints when you are stuck, then the tutor's follow-up questions
- Mia's marks on up to 60 attempts a day, within a fair-use allowance for each interview season: thinking aloud, using hints, checking, reasoning
- Your next problem picked from your weakest skill
- Your latest 300 attempts saved, with re-attempts side by side
Access for 12 months, until 6 November 2027. Use it on a free account. Full refund within 14 days, for any reason.
By paying you agree to our Terms and get access straight away, which ends your 14-day cancellation right. Your full refund within 14 days, for any reason, still applies.Acceptance rates
What the universities say
“You may be asked to explore unfamiliar ideas, think through problems aloud or consider new perspectives.”
University of Oxford: Interviews“Students do make mistakes, and that's fine”
“It's not assumed that a less-talented student will need more help on any given problem”
University of Oxford: Sample interview questions“we may ask you to solve a problem and talk us through your thought processes”
Oxford Mathematical Institute: Interviews“Our tutors are not mind readers, so if you don't say anything our tutors can't tell what you are thinking!”
Oxford Computer Science: How to apply“the people interviewing you are interested in how you work out your answers and how you think”
University of Cambridge: Preparing for your interview