Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Paper 6: Physics 2 Foundation June 2025 question paper 1SC0/2PF

Figure 1 shows two lamps in series in a circuit.

The resistance of each lamp is 12 Ω.

Calculate the total resistance of the lamps in the circuit.

total resistance of lamps =_........

The current in a lamp in Figure 1 is 0.50 A.

The resistance of the lamp is 12 Ω.

Calculate the voltage across this lamp.

Use the equation

V = I × R

The voltage across a different lamp is 4.5 V.

The current in this lamp is 0.40 A.

Calculate the energy transferred to the lamp in 5 minutes.

Use the equation

E = I × V × t

energy transferred =_........

Figure 2 shows a circuit with a switch, two ammeters and two resistors in series with a cell.

Which of these statements is true for the circuit in Figure 2?

The resistance of the circuit is increased by adding one resistor to the circuit.

State how increasing the resistance changes the current in the circuit.

Which of these describes the motion of particles in a liquid?

A student is asked to find the density of a metal key.

Figure 3 shows a metal key and some apparatus.

Using the apparatus shown in Figure 3, describe how the student can find the density of the metal key.

A student heats an aluminium block, as shown in Figure 4.

The aluminium block has a mass of 0.96 kg.

The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 920 J / kg °C.

The temperature of the block increases from 18 °C to 35 °C.

Calculate the change in thermal energy of the aluminium block.

Use the equation

change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × change in temperature

change in thermal energy =_........

Suggest one way the student could reduce the energy loss from the aluminium block during the experiment.

The thermometer does not show the maximum temperature reached by the aluminium block until some time after the heater is switched off.

Give one reason for this.

Which of these is a magnetic material?

Figure 5 shows two magnetic poles facing each other.

There is a uniform magnetic field between the poles.

Draw field lines, on Figure 5, to show the uniform part of the magnetic field. At least one line must have an arrow on it to indicate the direction of the magnetic field.

Figure 5

Figure 6 shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet.

Iron filings are sprinkled onto the magnet.

On Figure 6, draw an X where most of the iron filings will stick.

Explain why most of the iron filings will stick to the point you have labelled with an X.

One use of a magnet is in a plotting compass.

Explain how a plotting compass can be used to show that the Earth has a magnetic field.

State the name of a device that uses a permanent magnet.

Bending or stretching objects can cause distortions.

Which of these small distortions can be described as inelastic ?

Figure 7 shows what happens when weights are added to the end of a wooden strip.

(Source: https://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age16-19/Mechanics/Simple%20harmonic%20 motion/text/Vibrating_cantilever/index.html)

The end of the strip of wood moves down by a distance, d, as shown in Figure 7.

Describe how a student could investigate how the distance, d, depends on the weight added to the wooden strip.

A student conducts a second experiment with the same equipment where they decide to keep the size of the weight constant.

State another variable, other than the weights added, that would affect the distance, d.

Figure 8 shows a spring stretched by some weights.

The extension of the spring is 6.2 cm when a weight of 2 N is added.

Calculate the spring constant, k, of the spring.

Use the equation

spring constant, k =_........ N / m

Work is done when a spring is stretched.

A different spring has a spring constant of 25 N / m.

The spring is stretched by 0.06 m.

Calculate the energy transferred by stretching the spring.

Use the equation

energy transferred =_........

A student places a trolley at the top of a runway, as shown in Figure 9.

The student had to lift the trolley through a height of 26 cm to put it at the top of the runway.

The gravitational potential energy, Δ GPE, of the trolley increases by 4.1 J when lifted to the top of the runway.

The gravitational field strength, g, = 10 N / kg.

Show that the mass of the trolley is about 1.6 kg.

Use the equation

The student releases the trolley and the trolley moves down the runway.

The student assumes that all the extra gravitational potential energy, Δ GPE, stored at the top of the runway is transferred to kinetic energy at the end of the runway.

Calculate the expected value of the velocity of the trolley at the end of the runway.

Use the equation

expected velocity =_........

The light gate, shown in Figure 9, is used to determine the actual velocity of the trolley at the end of the runway.

The actual velocity at the end of the runway is less than the expected velocity as calculated in part (ii).

Suggest one way to reduce the difference between the actual velocity and the expected velocity.

A different student finds out how much power can be generated by running up some stairs in a measured amount of time.

The following quantities are measured:

mass of student = 48 kg

total height of stairs = 2.9 m

time to run up stairs = 3.4 s

Calculate the power the student generated.

Give the answer to 2 significant figures (2 s.f.).

Use the equation

Explain how the total height of the stairs can be found using a 50 cm ruler.

State the frequency of the supply of electricity to homes in the UK (United Kingdom).

The mains supply to the television is 230 V.

The current supplied to the television is 0.53 A.

Calculate the power input to the television.

Use the equation

P = I × V

A plug connects a television to the mains supply.

The plug contains a fuse that is connected to the

A 3 A fuse is used in the plug.

Explain what happens if a fault causes the current to rise to more than 3 A.

A fuse is a safety device.

State one other safety device that can be used in domestic electrical wiring.

*(d) Figure 10 is a diagram showing a part of the National Grid, used to supply electrical power to homes.

Using information from Figure 10, explain how electrical power is distributed from power stations to homes.

Your answer should refer to

• the role of the transformers

• the different voltages

• how energy losses are reduced

Answer lines for this question are on page 23.