AQA GCSE Physics — Paper 1 (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 covers Topics 1–4: 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 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 book on a high shelf has energy in which store? (1 mark) A) Kinetic B) Gravitational potential C) Elastic D) Nuclear

3. Power is the rate of… (1 mark) A) force B) energy transfer C) distance D) charge

4. The current in a series circuit is… (1 mark) A) different at each point B) the same at all points C) zero D) always increasing

5. Which component has a resistance that changes with light? (1 mark) A) Fixed resistor B) LDR C) Diode D) Fuse

6. The energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance depends on its… (1 mark) A) colour B) specific heat capacity C) shape D) charge

7. Which describes the particles in a solid? (1 mark) A) Far apart, fast B) Close, vibrating in fixed positions C) Close, moving freely D) No movement at all

8. An alpha particle is made of… (1 mark) A) 2 protons and 2 neutrons B) 1 electron C) a photon D) 1 proton only

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

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

Section B — Structured Questions (90 marks)

11. Energy is transferred in many situations. (13 marks) (a) A ball is dropped. Describe the energy transfer as it falls. (2 marks) (b) State the principle of conservation of energy. (1 mark) (c) An electric heater has a power of 1500 W and is used for 120 s. Use E = P t to calculate the energy transferred. (2 marks) (d) A motor is 60% efficient. Explain what this means. (2 marks) (e) Use efficiency = useful output ÷ total input to find the useful output if the input is 200 J and efficiency is 0.6. (2 marks) (f) Give two ways to reduce energy losses from a house. (2 marks) (g) Name one renewable and one non-renewable energy resource. (2 marks)

12. A circuit contains a battery and two components. (13 marks) (a) The pd across a resistor is 6 V and the current is 0.4 A. Use V = I R to calculate the resistance. (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 at constant temperature. (2 marks) (f) Explain why the resistance of a filament lamp increases as it gets hotter. (3 marks)

13. Electricity is supplied to homes. (12 marks) (a) Name the three wires in a three-pin 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 the states of matter. (14 marks) (a) Use density = mass ÷ volume to calculate the density of a 240 g block with a volume of 80 cm³. (2 marks) (b) Describe how the particles are arranged 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 the temperature stays constant while a solid is melting, 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 2 kg of water (c = 4200 J/kg°C) by 10 °C. (3 marks)

15. Atoms can be radioactive. (15 marks) (a) Describe the nuclear model of the atom (where the protons, neutrons and electrons are). (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 activity of a source halves every 2 hours. What name is given to this time? (1 mark) (e) Give one use and one danger of radioactivity. (2 marks) (f) Extended response: Compare alpha, beta and gamma radiation in terms of their penetrating power and what stops each. (3 marks)

16. This question covers energy, electricity, the particle model and the atom. (23 marks) (a) Define power. (1 mark) (b) Use E = P t to find the energy transferred by a 2000 W heater in 60 s. (2 marks) (c) Use efficiency = useful output ÷ total input to find the efficiency when useful output is 300 J and total input is 500 J. (2 marks) (d) Give two ways to reduce thermal energy loss from a house. (2 marks) (e) Use V = I R to find the potential difference when I = 0.3 A and R = 30 Ω. (3 marks) (f) State what is true about the current at every point in a series circuit. (1 mark) (g) Use density = mass ÷ volume to find the density of a 600 g block of volume 200 cm³. (2 marks) (h) Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a gas. (2 marks) (i) Use E = m c ΔT to find the energy to heat 0.5 kg of water (c = 4200 J/kg°C) by 20 °C. (3 marks) (j) Name the change of state from solid directly to gas. (1 mark) (k) Define the term isotope. (2 marks) (l) Name the type of nuclear radiation that is stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium. (1 mark) (m) Give one use of radioactivity. (1 mark)