GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE B (TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCIENCE) — Actual May 2025
PAST PAPER: Physics (Foundation Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J260/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Physics (Foundation
Tier) Paper (OCR J260/03) integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to
create a clear and structured revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of
fundamental physics topics, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical
investigation skills. Candidates are required to recall key concepts, interpret straightforward data, and
apply knowledge to familiar contexts. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this
merged resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the analytical and practical skills needed for
high-band responses, and guides learners in producing precise and well-structured answers. This
integrated format strengthens core physics understanding, supports targeted revision, and prepares
students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science)
Foundation Tier Physics examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Alex uses scalar and vector quantities to describe a journey through their school.
(a) Which statement describes a vector quantity?
Tick (✓) one box.
It has both magnitude and direction
It has direction only
It has magnitude only
[1]
(b) Complete the table to show which quantities are scalar and which are vector.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Quantity Scalar Vector
Distance
Speed
Velocity
[2]
(c) A distance–time graph of Alex’s journey is shown.
D E
Distance
B C
A
Time
Between points A and B Alex is walking at constant speed.
(i) Describe Alex’s motion between points B and C.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Describe how Alex’s motion between points C and D is different to their motion between points A
and B.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 A student is researching the structure of different atoms.
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the parts of an atom.
Put a ring around each correct option.
The nucleus of the atom has a negative / neutral / positive charge.
The nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged particles called
electrons / neutrons / protons.
The diameter of the nucleus is about a hundredth / hundred-thousandth / millionth of the
diameter of the atom.
[3]
(b) The table shows information about four different nuclei.
Nucleus Number of protons Number of neutrons
P 3 3
Q 2 2
R 3 4
S 4 3
A proton has a charge of +1.
A neutron has a charge of 0.
(i) Which nucleus has the largest charge?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Which two nuclei are isotopes of the same element?
...................................................................... and ....................................................................... [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Riley and Sam are investigating the speeds of water waves and sound waves.
(a) Fig. 3.1 represents a water wave.
Fig. 3.1
X
Displacement
Distance
Y
Draw lines to connect each description of the water wave with its correct feature.
Description Feature
Amplitude
Arrow X on Fig. 3.1
Frequency
Arrow Y on Fig 3.1
Period
The number of waves
passing a point each second
Wavelength
[3]
© OCR 2025
PAST PAPER: Physics (Foundation Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J260/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Physics (Foundation
Tier) Paper (OCR J260/03) integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to
create a clear and structured revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of
fundamental physics topics, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical
investigation skills. Candidates are required to recall key concepts, interpret straightforward data, and
apply knowledge to familiar contexts. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this
merged resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the analytical and practical skills needed for
high-band responses, and guides learners in producing precise and well-structured answers. This
integrated format strengthens core physics understanding, supports targeted revision, and prepares
students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science)
Foundation Tier Physics examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 Alex uses scalar and vector quantities to describe a journey through their school.
(a) Which statement describes a vector quantity?
Tick (✓) one box.
It has both magnitude and direction
It has direction only
It has magnitude only
[1]
(b) Complete the table to show which quantities are scalar and which are vector.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Quantity Scalar Vector
Distance
Speed
Velocity
[2]
(c) A distance–time graph of Alex’s journey is shown.
D E
Distance
B C
A
Time
Between points A and B Alex is walking at constant speed.
(i) Describe Alex’s motion between points B and C.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Describe how Alex’s motion between points C and D is different to their motion between points A
and B.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
2 A student is researching the structure of different atoms.
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the parts of an atom.
Put a ring around each correct option.
The nucleus of the atom has a negative / neutral / positive charge.
The nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged particles called
electrons / neutrons / protons.
The diameter of the nucleus is about a hundredth / hundred-thousandth / millionth of the
diameter of the atom.
[3]
(b) The table shows information about four different nuclei.
Nucleus Number of protons Number of neutrons
P 3 3
Q 2 2
R 3 4
S 4 3
A proton has a charge of +1.
A neutron has a charge of 0.
(i) Which nucleus has the largest charge?
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Which two nuclei are isotopes of the same element?
...................................................................... and ....................................................................... [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
3 Riley and Sam are investigating the speeds of water waves and sound waves.
(a) Fig. 3.1 represents a water wave.
Fig. 3.1
X
Displacement
Distance
Y
Draw lines to connect each description of the water wave with its correct feature.
Description Feature
Amplitude
Arrow X on Fig. 3.1
Frequency
Arrow Y on Fig 3.1
Period
The number of waves
passing a point each second
Wavelength
[3]
© OCR 2025
