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Combined Science A (Gateway) · OCR J250 · Physics Paper 6 · Foundation · June 2023

OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway) Physics Paper 6 Foundation June 2023 question paper J250/06

1h 10m 60 marks

Practise the past exam questions by topic

OCR J250 · Paper 6

17 questions
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Question 1

In an experiment, three students work out values for the speed of sound.

StudentSpeed of sound (m / s)
1313
2330
3320

What is the range of values for the speed of sound?

A 313 m / s – 320 m / s

B 313 m / s – 330 m / s

C 320 m / s – 330 m / s

D 321 m / s – 330 m / s

Question 1, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 1

Question 3

A student calculates the efficiency of an energy transfer.

The input energy is 1600 J. The useful output energy is 1200 J.

Which answer shows the correct calculation?

Use the Equation Sheet.

Question 3, shown as an image
Question 3, shown as an image
Question 3, shown as an image
Question 3, shown as an image
Question 3, shown as an image

[1]

Question 4

Four drivers travel along the same road at 30 mph.

Each driver sees a red traffic light.

The graph shows the distance each driver travels after seeing the red light, but before pressing the brakes.

Which driver has the quickest reaction time?

Figure for question 4
Question 4, shown as an image

[1]

Question 5

A 200 g bar of chocolate is melted in a saucepan.

The specific latent heat of melting chocolate is 31.2 J / g.

How much energy is needed to melt the bar of chocolate?

Use the equation: thermal energy for a change in state = mass × specific latent heat

A 0.156 J

B 6.24 J

C 156 J

D 6240 J

Question 5, shown as an image

[1]

Question 6

A transformer has an output potential difference of 24 V.

The output current is 5 A.

What is the power output of the transformer?

Use the Equation Sheet.

A 0.21 W

B 4.8 W

C 120 W

D 240 W

Question 6, shown as an image

[1]

Question 9

Which sentence describes the law of conservation of energy ?

A Energy can be created in a power station.

B Energy can be transferred into power.

C Energy can only be transferred between stores.

D Energy can only be destroyed in the surroundings when it is wasted.

Question 9, shown as an image

[1]

Question 11

(a)

Which sentence is a disadvantage of using wind turbines? Tick (✓) one box.

Question 11, shown as an image

[1]

(b)

Which sentence is an advantage of using solar panels? Tick (✓) one box.

Question 11, shown as an image

[1]

(c)

Which energy resource produces the most energy per kilogram of fuel?

Question 11, shown as an image

coal gas oil nuclear

[1]

(d)
Figure for question 11
(d)(i)

Which energy resource can be used to cope with the extra demand for electricity starting at X ?

Question 11, shown as an image

tidal gas wind turbines solar

[1]

(d)(ii)

Use the graph to estimate the maximum demand for electricity.

[1]

(d)(iii)

At 12:00, the demand for electricity is 34 GW.

Calculate the percentage decrease in demand for electricity from 12:00 to 13:00.

Question 11, shown as an image

Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

[3]

(d)(iv)

Suggest a reason for the decrease in demand for electricity at 12:00.

[1]

Question 12

(a)

A car travels along a road at 20 m / s.

Fig. 12.1 shows how the velocity of the car changes when the driver sees a hazard in the road at time = 0 seconds.

Fig. 12.1

Figure for question 12
(a)(i)

Describe the motion of the car in part B of Fig. 12.1.

[1]

(a)(ii)

Name the distance travelled by the car in part A of Fig. 12.1. Tick (✓) one box.

Question 12, shown as an image

[1]

(a)(iii)

Calculate the distance travelled by the car in part A of Fig. 12.1.

Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time

[2]

(b)

Draw lines to match each situation to its correct speed.

Figure for question 12

[2]

(c)

Fig. 12.2 shows how acceleration changes with the mass of a car.

Fig. 12.2

Figure for question 12
(c)(i)

Use Fig. 12.2 to determine the acceleration of a car with a mass of 960 kg.

Acceleration =........ m / s2

[1]

(c)(ii)

Use Fig. 12.2 to estimate the acceleration of a car with a mass of 1400 kg. Show your working on the graph.

Acceleration =........ m / s2

[2]

Question 13

13* Alpha, beta and gamma radiation have different penetrating powers.

A teacher investigates whether a radioactive source is emitting alpha, beta or gamma radiation.

They place different types of screens between the source and a Geiger-Mϋller tube.

The diagram shows the teacher’s experiment.

Figure for question 13

The table shows the data the teacher collects.

Type of screenSourceCount rate (counts per minute)
noneno20
noneyes2010
paperyes2000
4 mm thick aluminium sheetyes18
1 cm thick lead sheetyes21

Use the table to explain which type of nuclear radiation is emitted by the source.

Describe some other differences between alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

[6]

Question 14

(a)

The diagram shows a sound wave.

Figure for question 14
(a)(i)

Write the letter B, C or D in the correct boxes to label the diagram.

One has been done for you.

Question 14, shown as an image

[2]

(a)(ii)

Which type of wave is a sound wave? Tick (✓) one box.

Question 14, shown as an image

[1]

(b)

A student downloads a physics app to their mobile phone. The app contains an ‘acoustic stopwatch’.

The app works like this:

• When the microphone detects a loud sound, the acoustic stopwatch starts.

• When the microphone detects the next loud sound, the acoustic stopwatch stops.

Question 14, shown as an image
Figure for question 14
(b)(i)

Describe how the student can use the app to measure the speed of sound. Include the names of other equipment that the student will need to use.

[3]

(b)(ii)

Another student suggests using this stopwatch.

Figure for question 14

Suggest why the ‘acoustic stopwatch’ on the mobile phone app is an improvement on using this stopwatch.

[1]

(c)

The wavelength of a sound wave is 0.55 m.

The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s.

Calculate the frequency of the sound wave.

Use the Equation Sheet.

[3]

Question 15

(a)

A car has a mass of 1100 kg.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the car when it is travelling at 10 m / s. Use the equation: kinetic energy = fraction × mass × (speed)2

[2]

(b)

When the car has a kinetic energy of 140 000 J, the driver presses the brakes.

Calculate the braking force if the car stops in a distance of 40 m.

Use the equation: work done = force × distance

[2]

Question 16

A scientist is working with a radioactive material. The radioactive material emits beta radiation.

(a)

Fig. 16.1 shows the scientist walking very close to the radioactive material.

Fig. 16.1

Figure for question 16

Describe the effect of the radioactive material on the scientist as they walk past.

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 16, shown as an image

[1]

(b)

In Fig. 16.2, the scientist knocks the radioactive material onto the floor. They pick up the radioactive material with their bare hands.

Fig. 16.2

Figure for question 16

Describe the effect of the radioactive material on the scientist as they pick it up.

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 16, shown as an image

[1]

(c)

Fig. 16.3 shows the scientist standing behind a lead screen and a lead-glass window. They use a robotic arm to handle the radioactive material.

Fig. 16.3

Figure for question 16

Describe the effect of the radioactive material on the scientist when they are behind the lead screen.

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 16, shown as an image

[1]

Question 17

The frequency of electromagnetic waves can be written as 1 × 10N Hz. 17 N is an integer (a whole number).

The graph shows the typical values of N for different electromagnetic waves.

Figure for question 17
(a)

Which electromagnetic wave has the highest frequency?

[1]

(b)

Which electromagnetic wave is the most dangerous?

[1]

(c)

Ultraviolet waves have a greater frequency than visible waves.

How many times greater?

Question 17, shown as an image

102 103 1013 1014 1016

[1]

(d)

What is the frequency of a typical radio wave on the graph?

Write your answer as an ordinary number without standard form.

[2]

(e)

Which sentence is true about electromagnetic waves? Tick (✓) one box.

Question 17, shown as an image

[1]

(f)

A 0.8 kW microwave oven is used to cook food. The microwave oven transfers 0.56 kWh when it is used to cook food.

Calculate the time the microwave oven is used for.

Use the equation: energy transferred = power × time

[3]

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