Thursday 22 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Physics A (Gateway Science)
J249/03 (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Physics A
(inside this document)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) J249/03 (Higher Tier)
QP and MS summer 2025
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 Which force is a contact force?
A Electrostatic
B Friction
C Gravity
D Magnetic
Your answer
[1]
2 A crane lifts a steel beam of mass 500 kg to the top of a building 50 m high.
What is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the beam?
Use the equation: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
Gravitational field strength = 10 N / kg
A 2500 J
B 5000 J
C 25 000 J
D 250 000 J
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg.
Calculate the weight of the astronaut on the Moon.
Use the Equation Sheet.
The gravitational field strength on the Moon is 1.6 N / kg.
A 8.0 N
B 50 N
C 128 N
D 800 N
Your answer
[1]
4 The force–extension graph for a rubber band, during loading and unloading, is shown.
Force Loading
Unloading
Extension
Which row describes the behaviour of the rubber band?
Deformation Obeys Hooke’s Law?
A elastic no
B elastic yes
C plastic no
D plastic yes
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 A current–carrying wire is in a magnetic field.
Under which conditions will the wire experience the smallest force?
Use the Equation Sheet.
Magnetic flux density
Current in wire (A) Length of wire (m)
of field (mT)
A 6 4 0.8
B 8 4 0.5
C 8 5 0.4
D 12 6 0.2
Your answer
[1]
6 An object is 1.0 m below the surface of a swimming pool.
Which statement describes the vertical forces acting on the object if it is not moving?
A Upthrust = water resistance
B Upthrust > water resistance
C Upthrust = weight
D Upthrust > weight
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025
GCSE (9–1) Physics A (Gateway Science)
J249/03 (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Physics A
(inside this document)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) J249/03 (Higher Tier)
QP and MS summer 2025
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 Which force is a contact force?
A Electrostatic
B Friction
C Gravity
D Magnetic
Your answer
[1]
2 A crane lifts a steel beam of mass 500 kg to the top of a building 50 m high.
What is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the beam?
Use the equation: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
Gravitational field strength = 10 N / kg
A 2500 J
B 5000 J
C 25 000 J
D 250 000 J
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg.
Calculate the weight of the astronaut on the Moon.
Use the Equation Sheet.
The gravitational field strength on the Moon is 1.6 N / kg.
A 8.0 N
B 50 N
C 128 N
D 800 N
Your answer
[1]
4 The force–extension graph for a rubber band, during loading and unloading, is shown.
Force Loading
Unloading
Extension
Which row describes the behaviour of the rubber band?
Deformation Obeys Hooke’s Law?
A elastic no
B elastic yes
C plastic no
D plastic yes
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 A current–carrying wire is in a magnetic field.
Under which conditions will the wire experience the smallest force?
Use the Equation Sheet.
Magnetic flux density
Current in wire (A) Length of wire (m)
of field (mT)
A 6 4 0.8
B 8 4 0.5
C 8 5 0.4
D 12 6 0.2
Your answer
[1]
6 An object is 1.0 m below the surface of a swimming pool.
Which statement describes the vertical forces acting on the object if it is not moving?
A Upthrust = water resistance
B Upthrust > water resistance
C Upthrust = weight
D Upthrust > weight
Your answer
[1]
© OCR 2025
