AQA GCSE Physics, Higher tier sample questions and answers (8463)
Guide overview All topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
40 sample questions and answers
Taken from every topic of AQA GCSE Physics, Higher tier, specification 8463. The full guide has 1,495.
Paper 1
Atomic Structure
190 questions in the guide, across 11 subtopics. More from this topic
-
The structure of an atom
Where in an atom are the electrons found?
Show the answer
Surrounding the nucleus, outside it. -
Mass number, atomic number and isotopes
How is the number of neutrons in an atom worked out?
Show the answer
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?
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and neutrons.
Paper 1
Electricity
239 questions in the guide, across 13 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current
What must a closed circuit include before electrical charge will flow round it?
Show the answer
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?
Show the answer
The ohm, Ω. -
Light-dependent resistors, and investigating resistance
Which two quantities must be measured in order to determine the resistance of a component?
Show the answer
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?
Show the answer
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?
Show the answer
Three.
Paper 1
Energy
158 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
-
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.
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
Δθ = 6300 ÷ (0.5 × 4200) = 3 °C. -
Power
State the equation for power in terms of work done and time.
Show the answer
Power = work done ÷ time, or P = W ÷ t.
Paper 2
Forces
386 questions in the guide, across 22 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Scalars, vectors, forces and the resultant force
What is a force?
Show the answer
A force is a push or a pull acting on an object because of its interaction with another object. -
Work done and energy transfer
How many joules is one newton-metre?
Show the answer
One newton-metre is equal to one joule. -
Moments, levers and gears
Write the equation for the moment of a force using symbols.
Show the answer
M = Fd, where M is the moment, F is the force and d is the perpendicular distance from the pivot. -
Pressure in a column of liquid, upthrust and floating
What is upthrust?
Show the answer
It is the resultant upward force on a submerged or partly submerged object caused by the pressure difference between its top and bottom surfaces. -
Distance, displacement and speed
A cyclist ends a journey 5 km east of the start. State the cyclist's displacement in full.
Show the answer
The displacement is 5 km to the east, giving both the size and the direction.
Paper 2
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
129 questions in the guide, across 9 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Poles of a magnet
When two magnets are brought close together, does only one of them feel a force?
Show the answer
No, the two magnets exert a force on each other, so both feel a force. -
Magnetic fields around a magnet
What kind of force acts between a magnet and a magnetic material such as iron?
Show the answer
The force is always one of attraction. -
The compass, and plotting a magnetic field
What does a compass tell you about the magnetic field at the place where it is put?
Show the answer
It shows the direction of the magnetic field at that point. -
Electromagnetism
Why is the field of a solenoid stronger than the field of the same wire held straight?
Show the answer
Because the fields produced by all the separate turns add together. -
Fleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakers
What force acts on a current-carrying wire that lies along the direction of the magnetic field?
Show the answer
There is no force on it, because the full force acts only when the conductor is at right angles to the field.
Paper 1
Particle Model of Matter
124 questions in the guide, across 6 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Density of materials
A liquid has a density of 1200 kg/m³. Calculate the mass of 0.050 m³ of the liquid.
Show the answer
Mass = 1200 × 0.050 = 60 kg. -
Density of materials
Describe how the density of a liquid is determined in the laboratory.
Show the answer
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?
Show the answer
The mass is conserved, so it stays the same. -
Changes of state and internal energy
Define the internal energy of a system.
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
ΔE = mcΔθ.
Paper 2
Space Physics
60 questions in the guide, across 3 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Our solar system, and the orbits of satellites
Describe how the Sun was formed.
Show the answer
A cloud of dust and gas was pulled together by gravitational attraction. -
Our solar system, and the orbits of satellites
For an object moving in a circular orbit, in which direction does the gravitational force on it act?
Show the answer
Towards the centre of the orbit. -
The life cycle of a star
Name the stage that follows the main sequence for a star about the size of the Sun.
Show the answer
It becomes a red giant. -
The life cycle of a star
Which elements are not produced by fusion during a star's ordinary life?
Show the answer
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.
Show the answer
Space is stretching everywhere, so an observer in any galaxy would see the other galaxies moving away.
Paper 2
Waves
209 questions in the guide, across 10 subtopics. More from this topic
-
Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation
Write the wave equation using the symbols for wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
Show the answer
v = f λ. -
Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary
What is the unit of frequency and what does one of these units mean?
Show the answer
The hertz, Hz; a frequency of 1 Hz means one wave passes a point each second. -
Reflection of waves
State the law of reflection.
Show the answer
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. -
Sound waves
Why is human hearing restricted to a limited range of frequencies?
Show the answer
Converting sound waves into vibrations of the solid parts of the ear only works over a limited range of frequencies. -
Ultrasound, echo sounding and seismic waves
Give one industrial use of ultrasound.
Show the answer
Imaging the inside of a metal casting to find hidden flaws.
AQA GCSE Physics, Higher tier Active Recall Guide
The other 1,455 questions, with the answers printed after each section.