AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy — Paper 4 (Physical Sciences, Foundation Tier)

Total marks: 100 · Duration: 105 minutes · Tier: Foundation

Instructions to candidates

• Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
• You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
• This paper assesses Physical Sciences: energy, electricity, the particle model, atomic structure, forces and waves.
• You may use the equations given in each question.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 100. The marks for each question are shown in brackets.

Paper

Section A — Multiple Choice (10 marks)

For each question, choose the one correct answer.

1. The unit of energy is the… (1 mark) A) newton B) watt C) joule D) volt

2. A stretched spring stores energy in which store? (1 mark) A) Kinetic B) Elastic potential C) Nuclear D) Thermal

3. The unit of electric current is the… (1 mark) A) volt B) ohm C) ampere D) watt

4. In a solid, the particles are… (1 mark) A) far apart and fast B) close and vibrating in fixed positions C) close and free-moving D) not moving

5. Which nuclear radiation is stopped by a sheet of paper? (1 mark) A) Alpha B) Beta C) Gamma D) X-ray

6. Weight is measured in… (1 mark) A) kilograms B) newtons C) joules D) watts

7. A transverse wave vibrates… (1 mark) A) along the direction of travel B) at right angles to the direction of travel C) in a circle D) randomly

8. Two like magnetic poles will… (1 mark) A) attract B) repel C) cancel D) melt

9. The UK mains supply has a potential difference of about… (1 mark) A) 12 V B) 50 V C) 230 V D) 1000 V

10. The rate of energy transfer is called… (1 mark) A) force B) power C) charge D) current

Section B — Structured Questions (90 marks)

11. Energy is transferred in many ways. (12 marks) (a) A ball is dropped. Describe the main energy transfer as it falls. (2 marks) (b) State the principle of conservation of energy. (1 mark) (c) Use E = P t to find the energy transferred by a 1500 W heater in 120 s. (2 marks) (d) Explain what "60% efficient" means. (2 marks) (e) Use efficiency = useful ÷ total to find the useful output when input is 200 J and efficiency is 0.6. (2 marks) (f) Give two ways to reduce energy loss from a home. (2 marks) (g) Name one renewable energy resource. (1 mark)

12. A circuit contains a battery and resistors. (13 marks) (a) Use V = I R to find the resistance when V = 6 V and I = 0.4 A. (3 marks) (b) Draw the circuit symbols for a cell and a lamp. (2 marks) (c) State two features of a series circuit. (2 marks) (d) State what happens to the total resistance when resistors are added in parallel. (1 mark) (e) Describe the I–V graph for an ohmic resistor. (2 marks) (f) Explain why the resistance of a filament lamp increases as it heats up. (3 marks)

13. Electricity is supplied to homes. (12 marks) (a) Name the three wires in a UK plug and give the colour of each. (6 marks) (b) Explain the purpose of the earth wire and the fuse. (4 marks) (c) State the frequency of the UK mains supply. (1 mark) (d) Is mains electricity ac or dc? (1 mark)

14. The particle model explains matter. (13 marks) (a) Use density = mass ÷ volume to find the density of a 240 g block of volume 80 cm³. (2 marks) (b) Describe the arrangement of particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas. (3 marks) (c) Name the change of state from gas to liquid. (1 mark) (d) Explain why temperature stays constant while a solid melts, even though energy is supplied. (3 marks) (e) Define specific heat capacity. (2 marks) (f) Use E = m c ΔT to find the energy to heat 1 kg of water (c = 4200 J/kg°C) by 2 °C. (2 marks)

15. Atoms can be radioactive. (12 marks) (a) Describe the nuclear model of the atom. (3 marks) (b) Define the term isotope. (2 marks) (c) Name the three types of nuclear radiation and rank them from most to least ionising. (4 marks) (d) The time for the activity to halve is called the…? (1 mark) (e) Give one use and one danger of radioactivity. (2 marks)

16. Forces change motion. (12 marks) (a) State the difference between a scalar and a vector, with an example of each. (2 marks) (b) Use weight = mass × g (g = 9.8 N/kg) to find the weight of a 12 kg object. (2 marks) (c) A box has 40 N forwards and 15 N friction backwards. Work out the resultant force. (2 marks) (d) State Newton's First Law of motion. (2 marks) (e) Use force = mass × acceleration to find the force on a 1200 kg car accelerating at 2 m/s². (2 marks) (f) Describe what is meant by terminal velocity. (2 marks)

17. Waves transfer energy. (10 marks) (a) Define amplitude and wavelength. (2 marks) (b) Use wave speed = frequency × wavelength for a wave of frequency 20 Hz and wavelength 1.5 m. (2 marks) (c) State the difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave. (2 marks) (d) Name the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, in order, from radio waves to gamma rays. (3 marks) (e) Give one danger of ultraviolet radiation. (1 mark)

18. Extended response. (6 marks) Explain how the stopping distance of a car is made up of thinking distance and braking distance, and describe factors that increase each one.