AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy — Physics Paper 1 (Foundation Tier)

Total marks: 70 · Duration: 75 minutes · Tier: Foundation

Instructions to candidates

• Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
• You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
• This paper covers Topics 18–21: Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, and Atomic Structure.
• You may use the equations given in each question.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 70. The marks for each question are shown in brackets.

Paper

Section A — Multiple Choice (5 marks)

For each question, choose the one correct answer.

1. Which is the correct unit of energy? (1 mark) A) watt B) joule C) newton D) volt

2. Which energy store increases when a ball is lifted higher? (1 mark) A) Chemical B) Thermal C) Gravitational potential D) Nuclear

3. What is the unit of electric current? (1 mark) A) volt B) ohm C) ampere D) joule

4. Which state of matter has a fixed shape and fixed volume? (1 mark) A) Solid B) Liquid C) Gas D) Plasma

5. Which type of nuclear radiation is the most ionising and least penetrating? (1 mark) A) Alpha B) Beta C) Gamma D) X-ray

Section B — Structured Questions (65 marks)

6. A child slides down a playground slide. (a) Name the energy store that decreases as the child slides down. (1 mark) (b) Name the energy store that increases because of friction. (1 mark) (c) State the principle of conservation of energy. (1 mark) (d) Give one way friction on the slide could be reduced. (1 mark)

7. An electric kettle has a power of 2000 W. It is switched on for 90 seconds. Use: energy transferred = power × time (a) Calculate the energy transferred, in joules. (2 marks) (b) State the unit of power. (1 mark) (c) A second kettle transfers the same energy in a shorter time. Compare its power with the first kettle. (1 mark)

8. A lamp is connected to a 6 V battery. The current in the lamp is 0.5 A. Use: potential difference = current × resistance (V = I R) (a) Calculate the resistance of the lamp. (3 marks) (b) The two cells in the battery are then connected in series to give 12 V. What happens to the current in the lamp? (1 mark) (c) Draw the circuit symbol for a switch. (1 mark)

9. The diagram shows two resistors connected in series. [Diagram: a cell connected to resistor R1 = 4 Ω and resistor R2 = 6 Ω in series, with an ammeter.] (a) Calculate the total resistance of the two resistors. (1 mark) (b) State one feature of a series circuit. (1 mark) (c) In a parallel circuit, what happens to the total resistance as more resistors are added? (1 mark)

10. A student investigated how the current through a wire depends on the potential difference. (a) Name the component used to change the potential difference in the circuit. (1 mark) (b) The results gave a straight line through the origin. What does this show about the wire? (2 marks) (c) Name this type of component (one with constant resistance). (1 mark)

11. This question is about the particle model of matter. (a) The density of a metal block is found using density = mass ÷ volume. A block has a mass of 270 g and a volume of 100 cm³. Calculate its density, in g/cm³. (2 marks) (b) Describe the arrangement and movement of the particles in a gas. (2 marks) (c) Ice melts to water. State two things that stay the same and one thing that changes when a solid melts. (3 marks) (d) Explain why heating a gas in a sealed container increases its pressure. (2 marks)

12. Atoms contain a tiny central nucleus. (a) Name the two particles found in the nucleus. (2 marks) (b) An atom is neutral. Explain why, in terms of charges. (2 marks) (c) Define the term isotope. (2 marks) (d) State one use of radioactive isotopes. (1 mark)

13. Many homes use electrical appliances. (a) State the typical potential difference of the UK mains supply. (1 mark) (b) Name the two features that make electrical energy from the mains potentially dangerous. (2 marks)

14. This question is about generating electricity. A country wants to reduce the use of fossil fuels for generating electricity. Compare using a renewable energy resource (such as wind) with using a fossil fuel (such as coal) to generate electricity. In your answer include advantages and disadvantages of each. (6 marks)

15. This question is about energy, electricity and the particle model. (a) Name the energy store of a moving car. (1 mark) (b) Use kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed² to find the KE of a 1000 kg car moving at 4 m/s. (3 marks) (c) State the unit of power. (1 mark) (d) Use power = energy ÷ time to find the power when 6000 J is transferred in 30 s. (2 marks) (e) Define efficiency. (1 mark) (f) Give one way to reduce wasted energy in a device. (1 mark) (g) Use V = I R to find the resistance when V = 12 V and I = 3 A. (3 marks) (h) State what happens to the total resistance when resistors are added in series. (1 mark) (i) Use E = m c ΔT to find the energy to heat 2 kg of water (c = 4200 J/kg°C) by 5 °C. (3 marks) (j) Describe the arrangement of particles in a liquid. (2 marks) (k) Name the change of state from liquid to gas. (1 mark) (l) Name the unit of energy. (1 mark)