Thursday 22 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Physics B (Twenty First Century Science)
J259/01 Breadth in physics (Foundation Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Physics B
(inside this document)
You can use:
F
• 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 answers 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 [ ].
• This document has 32 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century
Science) J259/01 Breadth in physics (Foundation
Tier) Question Paper and Mark Scheme summer
2025
, 2
1 A student is experimenting with an iron nail and a bar magnet.
(a) First, they place a paper clip close to the iron nail.
The nail does not attract the paper clip.
Then they place a bar magnet touching the end of the nail.
The nail now attracts the paper clip, so the paper clip is attached to the nail.
(i) Which of these is a correct description of the nail?
Tick (✓) one box.
Electromagnet
Induced magnet
Permanent magnet
[1]
(ii) What happens to the paper clip when the bar magnet is taken away?
Tick (✓) one box.
It becomes a permanent magnet.
It falls off the nail.
It stays permanently attached to the nail.
[1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(iii) Paperclips can be made from different metals.
Which two of these metals could the paperclip in this experiment be made from?
Tick (✓) two boxes.
Copper
Nickel
Steel
[1]
(b) The diagram shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
S N
Complete the table to show the property of a magnetic field that is shown by each feature of the
diagram.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Feature of the Direction of Poles of the Type of Strength of
diagram magnetic field magnet magnet magnetic field
Arrows
Distance between lines
S and N
[3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(c) Explain why a magnetic compass can be used to support the idea that the Earth’s core is
magnetic.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
GCSE (9–1) Physics B (Twenty First Century Science)
J259/01 Breadth in physics (Foundation Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Physics B
(inside this document)
You can use:
F
• 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 answers 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 [ ].
• This document has 32 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century
Science) J259/01 Breadth in physics (Foundation
Tier) Question Paper and Mark Scheme summer
2025
, 2
1 A student is experimenting with an iron nail and a bar magnet.
(a) First, they place a paper clip close to the iron nail.
The nail does not attract the paper clip.
Then they place a bar magnet touching the end of the nail.
The nail now attracts the paper clip, so the paper clip is attached to the nail.
(i) Which of these is a correct description of the nail?
Tick (✓) one box.
Electromagnet
Induced magnet
Permanent magnet
[1]
(ii) What happens to the paper clip when the bar magnet is taken away?
Tick (✓) one box.
It becomes a permanent magnet.
It falls off the nail.
It stays permanently attached to the nail.
[1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(iii) Paperclips can be made from different metals.
Which two of these metals could the paperclip in this experiment be made from?
Tick (✓) two boxes.
Copper
Nickel
Steel
[1]
(b) The diagram shows the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
S N
Complete the table to show the property of a magnetic field that is shown by each feature of the
diagram.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Feature of the Direction of Poles of the Type of Strength of
diagram magnetic field magnet magnet magnetic field
Arrows
Distance between lines
S and N
[3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(c) Explain why a magnetic compass can be used to support the idea that the Earth’s core is
magnetic.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
