AQA GCSE Physics, Foundation tier sample questions and answers (8463)
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40 sample questions and answers
Taken from every topic of AQA GCSE Physics, Foundation tier, specification 8463. The full guide has 1,263.
Paper 1
Atomic Structure
186 questions in the guide, across 11 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.
Paper 1
Electricity
235 questions in the guide, across 13 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
What is the unit of resistance and its symbol?
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The ohm, Ω. -
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
How does the potential difference across each component in a parallel circuit compare?
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It is the same across each component. -
Direct and alternating potential difference, and mains electricity
How many wires are there in the cable that connects most electrical appliances to the mains?
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Three.
Paper 1
Energy
157 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.
Paper 2
Forces
313 questions in the guide, across 18 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. -
Pressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over A
Write the equation for pressure at a surface using symbols.
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p = F ÷ A, where p is pressure, F is the force normal to the surface and A is the area. -
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.
Paper 2
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
55 questions in the guide, across 4 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.
Paper 1
Particle Model of Matter
117 questions in the guide, across 6 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.
Paper 2
Space Physics
55 questions in the guide, across 3 subtopics. More from this topic
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Our solar system, and the orbits of satellites
What is a nebula?
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A cloud of dust and gas in space. -
Our solar system, and the orbits of satellites
Explain why a star stays roughly the same size for most of its life.
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The outward effect of the fusion energy balances the inward pull of gravity, so the star is in equilibrium. -
The life cycle of a star
Name the stage that follows the main sequence for a star about the size of the Sun.
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It becomes a red giant. -
The life cycle of a star
Which elements are not produced by fusion during a star's ordinary life?
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Elements heavier than iron. -
Red-shift
Red-shift is seen in whichever direction we look. Explain why this suggests the universe is expanding rather than that we sit at its centre.
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Space is stretching everywhere, so an observer in any galaxy would see the other galaxies moving away.
Paper 2
Waves
145 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation
Write the wave equation using the symbols for wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
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v = f λ. -
Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary
Write the equation linking period and frequency in symbols and give the unit of period.
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T = 1 / f, with the period T measured in seconds, s. -
Reflection of waves
State the law of reflection.
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The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. -
Types and uses of electromagnetic waves
Which group of the electromagnetic spectrum has the highest frequency?
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Gamma rays. -
Radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays
What two things decide how harmful an exposure to radiation is?
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The type of radiation and the size of the dose.
AQA GCSE Physics, Foundation tier Active Recall Guide
The other 1,223 questions, with the answers printed after each section.