AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy Physics, Higher tier sample questions and answers (8464)
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35 sample questions and answers
Taken from every topic of AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy Physics, Higher tier, specification 8464. The full guide has 1,093.
Physics Paper 1
Atomic Structure
142 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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The structure of an atom
Where in an atom are the electrons found?
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Surrounding the nucleus, outside it. -
Mass number, atomic number and isotopes
How is the number of neutrons in an atom worked out?
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Subtract the atomic number from the mass number. -
From the plum pudding model to the nuclear model
Which discovery led scientists to propose the plum pudding model?
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The discovery of the electron. -
Chadwick, the neutron, and comparing the models
Compare the charge and the mass of a neutron with those of a proton.
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A neutron carries no charge while a proton is positively charged, but the two particles have almost the same mass. -
Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation
Name the four kinds of nuclear radiation that may be emitted from a nucleus.
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Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and neutrons.
Physics Paper 1
Electricity
209 questions in the guide, across 11 subtopics. More from this topic
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Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current
What must a closed circuit include before electrical charge will flow round it?
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A source of potential difference, such as a cell or a battery. -
Current, resistance and potential difference
State the word equation linking potential difference, current and resistance.
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Potential difference = current × resistance. -
Ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistors
Name four components whose resistance is not constant.
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A filament lamp, a diode, a thermistor and a light-dependent resistor. -
Light-dependent resistors, and investigating resistance
Which two quantities must be measured in order to determine the resistance of a component?
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The potential difference across it and the current through it. -
Current and potential difference in series and parallel
What happens to the potential difference of the supply in a series circuit?
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It is shared between the components in the circuit.
Physics Paper 1
Energy
154 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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Energy stores and systems
A ball thrown straight upwards is momentarily at rest at the top of its path. State where its energy is stored at that instant.
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In its gravitational potential store. -
Kinetic energy
A cricket ball of mass 0.15 kg is bowled at 40 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy.
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Eₖ = ½ × 0.15 × 40² = 120 J. -
Elastic and gravitational potential energy
A spring stores 2.5 J of elastic potential energy when it is extended by 0.5 m. Calculate its spring constant.
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k = 2 × 2.5 ÷ 0.5² = 20 N/m. -
Energy changes in systems
6300 J of energy is transferred to 0.5 kg of water of specific heat capacity 4200 J/kg °C. Calculate the rise in temperature.
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Δθ = 6300 ÷ (0.5 × 4200) = 3 °C. -
Power
State the equation for power in terms of work done and time.
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Power = work done ÷ time, or P = W ÷ t.
Physics Paper 2
Forces
306 questions in the guide, across 17 subtopics. More from this topic
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Scalars, vectors, forces and the resultant force
What is a force?
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A force is a push or a pull acting on an object because of its interaction with another object. -
Work done and energy transfer
A shopper carries a bag horizontally at a constant height. Explain why no work is done by the upward force supporting the bag.
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The bag moves at right angles to that force, so no distance is moved along its line of action. -
Linear and non-linear extension, and work done on a spring
Write the equation for the energy stored in a stretched spring using symbols.
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Eₑ = ½ke², where k is the spring constant and e is the extension. -
Distance, displacement and speed
A cyclist ends a journey 5 km east of the start. State the cyclist's displacement in full.
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The displacement is 5 km to the east, giving both the size and the direction. -
Velocity and the distance-time relationship
Sort distance, displacement, speed and velocity into scalars and vectors.
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Distance and speed are scalars; displacement and velocity are vectors.
Physics Paper 2
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
81 questions in the guide, across 6 subtopics. More from this topic
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Poles of a magnet
When two magnets are brought close together, does only one of them feel a force?
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No, the two magnets exert a force on each other, so both feel a force. -
Poles of a magnet
A steel paper clip is picked up by a bar magnet but drops off as soon as the magnet is taken away. Explain why.
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The clip becomes an induced magnet in the field and is attracted to the magnet, and it loses its magnetism quickly once the field is removed. -
Magnetic fields around a magnet
What kind of force acts between a magnet and a magnetic material such as iron?
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The force is always one of attraction. -
Magnetic fields around a magnet
How is the direction of the magnetic field at a point defined?
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It is the direction of the force that would act on a north pole placed at that point. -
The compass, and plotting a magnetic field
What does a compass tell you about the magnetic field at the place where it is put?
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It shows the direction of the magnetic field at that point.
Physics Paper 1
Particle Model of Matter
104 questions in the guide, across 5 subtopics. More from this topic
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Density of materials
A liquid has a density of 1200 kg/m³. Calculate the mass of 0.050 m³ of the liquid.
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Mass = 1200 × 0.050 = 60 kg. -
Density of materials
Describe how the density of a liquid is determined in the laboratory.
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An empty measuring cylinder is weighed, a measured volume of liquid is added and it is weighed again, then the mass of the liquid is divided by its volume. -
Changes of state and internal energy
What happens to the total mass of a substance when it changes state?
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The mass is conserved, so it stays the same. -
Changes of state and internal energy
Define the internal energy of a system.
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It is the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles that make up the system. -
Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity
Write the symbol equation linking change in thermal energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change.
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ΔE = mcΔθ.
Physics Paper 2
Waves
97 questions in the guide, across 4 subtopics. More from this topic
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Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation
What evidence shows that air is not carried across a room by a sound wave from a loudspeaker?
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No air is felt moving across the room, because the air particles only vibrate about fixed positions while the wave itself travels. -
Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation
Describe how the frequency of the waves in a ripple tank can be measured.
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Count the number of waves passing a fixed point in 10 s and divide that number by 10. -
Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary
What is the unit of frequency and what does one of these units mean?
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The hertz, Hz; a frequency of 1 Hz means one wave passes a point each second. -
Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary
When a ray meets a boundary, from which line are the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction measured?
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From the normal, the line drawn at right angles to the boundary where the ray meets it. -
Types and uses of electromagnetic waves
Give an example of energy being transferred by an electromagnetic wave to an absorber.
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Radiation from the Sun being absorbed by the ground, which warms up.
AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy Physics, Higher tier Active Recall Guide
The other 1,058 questions, with the answers printed after each section.