AQA GCSE Physics — Paper 2 (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 5–8: Forces, Waves, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, and Space Physics.
• 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. Which of these is a scalar quantity? (1 mark) A) Force B) Velocity C) Speed D) Acceleration

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

3. A transverse wave has vibrations that are… (1 mark) A) along the direction of travel B) at right angles to the direction of travel C) circular D) random

4. The unit of frequency is the… (1 mark) A) metre B) second C) hertz D) newton

5. Two north poles brought together will… (1 mark) A) attract B) repel C) cancel out D) melt

6. A step-up transformer is used to… (1 mark) A) decrease voltage B) increase voltage C) change ac to dc D) store charge

7. The Sun is a… (1 mark) A) planet B) moon C) star D) comet

8. Which force keeps a planet in orbit around the Sun? (1 mark) A) Friction B) Gravity C) Magnetism D) Air resistance

9. A car increases its speed. This means it is… (1 mark) A) accelerating B) at constant speed C) stationary D) decelerating

10. Red-shift of light from distant galaxies is evidence that the universe is… (1 mark) A) shrinking B) staying the same C) expanding D) cooling only

Section B — Structured Questions (90 marks)

11. Forces can change the motion of objects. (14 marks) (a) State the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity, 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 a 40 N force 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 needed to accelerate a 1200 kg car at 2 m/s². (2 marks) (f) Explain the difference between mass and weight. (2 marks) (g) Describe what is meant by the terminal velocity of a falling object. (2 marks)

12. Vehicles take a distance to stop. (11 marks) (a) Write the word equation: stopping distance = ________ + ________ (1 mark) (b) Give two factors that increase the thinking distance. (2 marks) (c) Give two factors that increase the braking distance. (2 marks) (d) Use kinetic energy = ½ m v² to find the KE of a 1000 kg car moving at 10 m/s. (3 marks) (e) Explain what happens to a car's kinetic energy when the brakes are applied. (3 marks)

13. Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. (13 marks) (a) Define amplitude and wavelength. (2 marks) (b) Use wave speed = frequency × wavelength to find the speed of a wave with frequency 20 Hz and wavelength 1.5 m. (2 marks) (c) Describe 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 use of infrared and one use of microwaves. (2 marks) (f) Give one danger of ultraviolet radiation. (2 marks)

14. Magnets and electromagnets have many uses. (13 marks) (a) Describe the magnetic field around a bar magnet. (2 marks) (b) Explain the difference between a permanent magnet and an induced magnet. (2 marks) (c) Describe how to make an electromagnet. (2 marks) (d) State two ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet. (2 marks) (e) A wire carries a current in a magnetic field. Name the effect that makes the wire experience a force. (1 mark) (f) Describe how a simple electric motor uses this effect to turn. (4 marks)

15. Our Solar System is part of a galaxy. (13 marks) (a) Name the force that holds the planets in orbit around the Sun. (1 mark) (b) Describe how a star like the Sun was formed. (3 marks) (c) State two objects, other than planets, found in the Solar System. (2 marks) (d) Explain why the speed of a planet in a circular orbit is constant but its velocity is always changing. (2 marks) (e) Describe what is meant by red-shift and what it tells us about the universe. (2 marks) (f) Extended response: A satellite stays in a stable circular orbit. Explain how gravity provides the force for this orbit and what would happen to the orbit if the satellite moved faster. (3 marks)

16. A spring is stretched by a force. (8 marks) (a) Use F = k e to find the spring constant when a force of 12 N causes an extension of 0.06 m. (3 marks) (b) State what is meant by the limit of proportionality. (2 marks) (c) Name the energy store of a stretched spring. (1 mark) (d) Describe a method to investigate how the extension of a spring depends on the force applied. (2 marks)

17. This question covers forces, motion, waves and electromagnetism. (18 marks) (a) Define a scalar quantity and give an example. (2 marks) (b) Use weight = mass × g (g = 9.8 N/kg) to find the weight of a 20 kg object. (2 marks) (c) Use force = mass × acceleration to find the force on a 1500 kg car accelerating at 2 m/s². (3 marks) (d) Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Give one factor that increases each. (2 marks) (e) Use kinetic energy = ½ m v² to find the KE of an 800 kg car moving at 5 m/s. (3 marks) (f) Use wave speed = frequency × wavelength for a wave of frequency 25 Hz and wavelength 2 m. (2 marks) (g) Give two ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet. (2 marks) (h) Give one use of microwaves and one danger of ultraviolet radiation. (2 marks)