AQA GCSE Synergy Paper 4: Physical sciences Higher June 2025 question paper 8465/4H

Figure 1 shows how the extension of three different springs varies with the force applied to each spring.

Describe the relationship between force and extension for spring A.

Which spring in Figure 1 has the greatest spring constant?

Give a reason for your answer.

Tick () one box.

Spring A Spring B Spring C

Reason

Figure 2 shows a baby in a ‘baby-bouncer’.

The baby sits in a harness which is held by a spring.

When the baby jumps, the baby bounces up and down.

The spring of the baby-bouncer is extended by 0.60 m.

The elastic potential energy stored by the spring is 75.6 J.

Calculate the spring constant of the spring.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

Choose the unit from the box.

The spring does not extend past the limit of proportionality when the baby is in the baby-bouncer.

How does the work done to stretch the spring compare with the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?

Tick () one box.

Work done is less than elastic potential energy stored.

Work done is equal to elastic potential energy stored.

Work done is greater than elastic potential energy stored.

This question is about acids and alkalis.

Universal indicator is used to measure the pH of solutions.

Figure 3 shows the colours of universal indicator at different pH values.

A student added universal indicator to nitric acid in a beaker.

The student added drops of potassium hydroxide solution to the nitric acid until pH 7 was reached.

The student could not be sure that the pH of the mixture was 7

Give one reason why.

Use Figure 3.

Name a piece of equipment that could be used to give a more accurate measurement of pH.

Name the type of reaction when potassium hydroxide solution reacts with nitric acid.

The formula of nitric acid is HNO₃

Calculate the relative formula mass (M_r) of nitric acid.

Relative atomic masses (A_r): H = 1 N = 14 O = 16

Potassium hydroxide is an alkali.

Which ion do all alkalis contain?

Tick () one box.

H⁺ K⁺ O²⁻ OH⁻

The concentration of the solution of potassium hydroxide was 5.6 g/dm³.

Calculate the mass of potassium hydroxide in 5 cm³ of the solution.

1 dm³ = 1000 cm³

Figure 4 shows solar panels in a field on a small remote island.

The solar panels provide electricity to a small village.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 03.2 and 03.3.

Which equation links efficiency, total power input and useful power output?

Tick () one box.

efficiency = total power input × useful power output

On a cloudy day, the total power input to the solar panels is 250 000 W.

The efficiency of the solar panels is 0.20

Calculate the useful power output of the solar panels.

Figure 5 shows during one day:

the electrical power demand of the village

the electrical power output of the solar panels.

Determine for how much time the electrical power demand was greater than the electrical power output.

A large battery is used to store excess energy from the solar panels.

The battery transfers power to the village when the power output of the solar panels is less than the demand.

The village is not connected to the National Grid.

Explain why the village needs the solar panels and the battery for a continuous electricity supply.

Use information from Figure 5.

A student investigated how the surface area of magnesium affects the rate of the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid.

Figure 6 shows the apparatus.

This is the method used.

1. Add 50 cm³ of hydrochloric acid to the conical flask.

2. Add 0.07 g of magnesium ribbon to the hydrochloric acid.

3. Insert the stopper into the conical flask as quickly as possible.

4. Start a stopclock.

5. Record the volume of gas collected in the gas syringe every 15 seconds for 90 seconds.

6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with 0.07 g of magnesium powder.

Why is the stopper inserted into the conical flask as quickly as possible in step 3?

Give one control variable in the investigation.

Why do some variables in an investigation need to be controlled?

Tick () one box.

To ensure the investigation is valid.

To make the investigation safe.

To prevent a systematic error.

Table 1 shows the results for magnesium ribbon.

Plot the data from Table 1 on Figure 7.

Draw a line of best fit.

Explain how the rate of reaction would be affected by using magnesium powder instead of magnesium ribbon.

Figure 8 shows a student about to launch a toy aeroplane horizontally.

The student pulled on the aeroplane to stretch the spring.

The student then released the aeroplane.

After the aeroplane was released, the aeroplane accelerated until it passed the student’s hand.

Describe how the energy stores of the aeroplane and spring changed as the aeroplane accelerated.

The spring exerted a force on the aeroplane to make the aeroplane accelerate.

As the aeroplane accelerated, it moved through a distance of 40 cm.

The work done by the spring on the aeroplane was 3.0 J.

Calculate the mean force exerted by the spring on the aeroplane.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

The student launched the aeroplane at different angles to the horizontal.

The student then measured the horizontal distance travelled by the aeroplane.

Figure 9 shows the launch angle of the aeroplane.

After being launched, the aeroplane flew through the air and landed on the ground.

Figure 10 shows how the horizontal distance travelled varies with the launch angle.

The extension of the spring was the same in each test.

Describe how the horizontal distance travelled varies with the launch angle.

Explain how increasing the extension of the spring would affect the horizontal distance travelled by the aeroplane.

This question is about cracking and the products of cracking.

Alkane molecules are often cracked.

Describe the conditions needed for cracking.

Explain how cracking alkane molecules helps to meet the demand for fuels.

The products of cracking include another type of hydrocarbon called alkenes.

Give one use of alkenes.

Do not refer to the use of alkenes as fuels.

Ethene is an alkene.

Figure 11 represents the reaction of ethene with chlorine.

Figure 11

Table 2 shows some bond energy values.

Calculate the overall energy change for the reaction of ethene with chlorine.

_ Overall energy change = ________________ kJ/mol

Figure 12 shows a student playing a game called ‘pool’.

In a game of pool, the player hits the white ball with a wooden cue.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 07.1 and 07.2.

Which equation links kinetic energy (E_k), mass (m) and speed (v)?

Tick () one box.

E_k = mv²

At one time during the game, the kinetic energy of the white ball is 0.0441 J.

The mass of the white ball is 0.180 kg.

Calculate the speed of the white ball.

The moving white ball collides with a stationary black ball.

Figure 13 shows the two balls before and after the collision.

Momentum is conserved in the collision.

What is meant by ‘momentum is conserved’?

Determine the velocity of the black ball after the collision. mass of white ball = 0.180 kg

mass of black ball = 0.160 kg

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

A student investigated how the acceleration of a glider on an air-track varies with the mass of the glider.

Figure 14 shows the apparatus used.

The air blower allows the glider to move along the air-track with almost no friction.

The datalogger calculates the velocity of the glider as the glider passes through the light gate.

The resultant force acting on the glider was constant.

This is the method used.

1. Release the glider from rest at the end of the air-track.

2. Record the velocity of the glider from the datalogger.

3. Calculate the acceleration of the glider.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 two more times.

5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 using gliders of different mass.

Which two measurements does the datalogger need to determine the velocity of the glider?

Tick () two boxes.

Gravitational field strength

Length of card

Mass of glider

Temperature of surroundings

Time for card to pass light gate

Table 3 shows the results for a glider with a mass of 0.75 kg.

Determine the uncertainty in the recorded values of acceleration.

Uncertainty = ± ____________________ m/s²

Figure 15 shows the results.

The student concluded: ‘The acceleration of the glider was inversely proportional to the mass of the glider.’

Explain how the results in Figure 15 show that the student was correct.

Crude oil is a mixture of compounds.

Most of the compounds are hydrocarbons called alkanes.

Propane is an alkane.

The formula of propane is C₃H₈

Complete the general formula for alkanes.

C_nH _________

Table 4 shows information about some alkanes.

Predict the value of X in Table 4.

Explain the trend in boiling points shown in Table 4.

Propane is used as a fuel.

Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of propane (C₃H₈).

Hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated into fractions using fractional distillation.

Figure 16 shows a fractional distillation column.

Explain how crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation.

How do the viscosity and boiling point of heavy fuel oil compare with the other fractions in Figure 16 ?

Tick () one box.

Heavy fuel oil is the least viscous and has the highest boiling point.

Heavy fuel oil is the least viscous and has the lowest boiling point.

Heavy fuel oil is the most viscous and has the highest boiling point.

Heavy fuel oil is the most viscous and has the lowest boiling point.

A student investigated how the resistance of a filament lamp varies with the current in the lamp.

Figure 17 shows the circuit used.

Describe a method the student could use to show how the resistance of the filament lamp varies with the current.

When the potential difference across the filament lamp was 12.0 V, the resistance of the lamp was 30 Ω.

Calculate the power output of the lamp when the potential difference across the lamp was 12.0 V.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.