AQA GCSE Physics -Paper 2 questions and solutions
Scalar - answersquantities with only magnitude such as speed, distance, time and mass.
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Vector - answersquantities with a magnitude and direction e.g. acceleration, force momentum and weight. A vector
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quantity can be represented as an arrow, the size representing the magnitude and the direction, the direction.
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Non-contact force - answersthe objects are physically separate e.g. magnetism/gravity/electrostatic. ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3 non-contact forces - answersmagnetism
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gravity
electrostatic
Contact force - answersobjects are physically touching . ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3 contact forces - answersfriction
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resistance
tension
Gravity - answersWeight is the force acting on an object due to gravity, it acts on an objects 'centre of mass' and is directly
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proportional to mass
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Weigh Equation - answersWeight = mass x grav. field strength
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Resultant forces - answersA number of forces acting on an object may be replaced by a single force that has the same
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effect as all the original forces acting together, this single force is the called the resultant force.
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In a tug of war, 1000N to the left and 800N to the right. The resultant force is 200N to the left
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Free-Body force diagrams - answersWhen an object is acted on by more than one force you can draw a free-body force
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
diagram to work out the resultant force on the object. It shows the forces acting on an object without any other objects or
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
other forces shown. Each force is shown on the diagram by a vector, which is an arrow pointing in the direction of the force
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the normal force is that component of the contact force that is perpendicular to the surface that an object contacts)
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
How to resolve forces (force diagram steps) - answers1. Decide on a scale of N per cm.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
2. Draw the 2 given forces, giving respect to their length (more cm if more N) and the angle that you are given
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3. Draw a line connecting the end of the 2 other lines to form a triangle
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4. Measure the length of this line, then convert it to N by using the scale
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1/ 20ro roroororo
,Relationship between Joules and work done - answersWhen a force causes and object to move, work is done on the obje ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
so when the force causes displacement. One joule of work is done when a force of 1 newton displaces an object 1 metre.
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Joule = 1 newton-metre.
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Equation for word done - answerswork done = force x distance ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Elastic Deformation - answersWhen an elastic object is stretched, bent, twisted or compressed it will return to its original
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
form
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Inelastic Deformation - answersPolyethene bags will not return to their original shape after being deformed, this is
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
inelastic.
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Hooke's Law - answersThe extension of an elastic object is directly proportional to the force applied as long as the limit of
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
proportionality is not exceeded:
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Equation for force (Hooke's law) - answersforce = spring constant x extention ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Extension and compression's relationship with elastic potential energy explanation - answersA force that stretches or
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
compresses a spring does work and elastic potential energy is stored in the spring, provided the spring is not elastically
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
deformed, the work done and elastic potential energy are equal. Before the limit of proportionality is breeched the
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
relationship is linear (directly proportional) afterwards it is non-linear
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Elastic potential energy equation (given) - answersElastic potential energy = 1/2 x spring constant x extension^2
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Moment meaning - answersThe turning effect of a force is called its 'moment'
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Moment equation - answersmoment = force x distance ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Balancing - answersIf an object is balanced the clockwise moment is equal to the anticlockwise moment.
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Levers - answersA lever consists of a load, effort and pivot, levers use moments to multiply a force, they allow a larger for
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
to act on the load that is supplied by the effort.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Engine Gears - answersEngine gears have two main jobs, producing torque and speed, however they are inversely
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
proportional so gears are made to make a compromise between the two in any given situation.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
When starting a car we want high torque, which means being able to carry a greater load , and consequentially less spee
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
In low gears this is achieved as... - answers1. The engine causes a small cog on the engine axle to rotate.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
2. The small cog on the engine axle is connected to a larger cog on the wheel axle, which increases the torque (moment)
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exerted.
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3.A high turning force but low speed is exerted on the wheel (low gear)
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
When a car is already moving, we want a high speed which is achieved as... - answers1.The engine causes a larger cog o
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the engine axle to turn.
ro ro ro ro ro
2.The larger cog on the engine axle is connected to a smaller cog on the wheel axle, causing a high rate of rotation, but a lo
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
turning force.
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3. The wheel rotates quickly, causing a high speed
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2/ 20
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,Unit for pressure - answersPressure is a measure of force per unit of area, the si unit is Pascals (Pa) which is one N/m^2
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Pressure Equation - answersPressure = force normal to the surface/area ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Manometer with oil and water - answersThe pressure is equal at each end of the tube, so the less dense oil is ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
higher.(p=hdg)(on sheet)
ro ro
Buoyancy - answersThe partially or fully submerged object experiences more pressure at the bottom that on top, this
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
creates a resultant up thrust force called buoyancy.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Why objects float - answersAn object will rise or float if it is less dense than the substance it is in or if it displaces an amoun
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the substance that it is floating in greater than it weights, steel ships have a lot of air in them and therefore weigh less than
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the equivalent amount of water that the ship displaces, so it floats this is because the up thrust from the pressure is greate
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than the down force of the weight.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Atmospheric pressure and how it varies by altitude - answersAir pressure is created by air molecules colliding with a ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
surface, if we consider the density of these particles being same at all attitudes, the fact the volume of the earth's
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
atmosphere increases as we rise in altitude then we can tell that the air pressure will decrease as there is more space for
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the same amount of particles to bump into each other. Also air is naturally less dense further away from the ground,
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
reducing collisions and therefore pressure.
ro ro ro ro ro
Distance - answersHow far an object moved regardless of direction (scalar). ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Displacement - answersThe length of a straight line from the starting point to the finish point with its direction (vector). ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Walking speed estimate - answers1.5 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Running speed estimate - answers3 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Cycling speed estimate - answers6 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Car speed estimate - answers13-30 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Train speed estimate - answers50 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Aeroplane speed estimate - answers250 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Equation for distance - answersDistance travelled = speed x time ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Velocity - answersVelocity is a vector quantity representing speed in a certain direction. This means that a circular motio
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
at a constant rate has a constant speed but a constantly changing velocity.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Characteristics of a distance-time graph - answers- a flat line means no movement, a change in time but not in distance. ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
- a straight positive line represents a constant movement.
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- a concave curve represents an acceleration, a convex represents deceleration.
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- the speed at any point during an acceleration or deceleration can be determined by drawing a tangent
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3/ 20 ro roroororo
Scalar - answersquantities with only magnitude such as speed, distance, time and mass.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Vector - answersquantities with a magnitude and direction e.g. acceleration, force momentum and weight. A vector
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
quantity can be represented as an arrow, the size representing the magnitude and the direction, the direction.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Non-contact force - answersthe objects are physically separate e.g. magnetism/gravity/electrostatic. ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3 non-contact forces - answersmagnetism
ro ro ro ro ro
gravity
electrostatic
Contact force - answersobjects are physically touching . ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3 contact forces - answersfriction
ro ro ro ro
resistance
tension
Gravity - answersWeight is the force acting on an object due to gravity, it acts on an objects 'centre of mass' and is directly
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
proportional to mass
ro ro ro
Weigh Equation - answersWeight = mass x grav. field strength
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Resultant forces - answersA number of forces acting on an object may be replaced by a single force that has the same
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
effect as all the original forces acting together, this single force is the called the resultant force.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
In a tug of war, 1000N to the left and 800N to the right. The resultant force is 200N to the left
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Free-Body force diagrams - answersWhen an object is acted on by more than one force you can draw a free-body force
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
diagram to work out the resultant force on the object. It shows the forces acting on an object without any other objects or
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
other forces shown. Each force is shown on the diagram by a vector, which is an arrow pointing in the direction of the force
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the normal force is that component of the contact force that is perpendicular to the surface that an object contacts)
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
How to resolve forces (force diagram steps) - answers1. Decide on a scale of N per cm.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
2. Draw the 2 given forces, giving respect to their length (more cm if more N) and the angle that you are given
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3. Draw a line connecting the end of the 2 other lines to form a triangle
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
4. Measure the length of this line, then convert it to N by using the scale
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
1/ 20ro roroororo
,Relationship between Joules and work done - answersWhen a force causes and object to move, work is done on the obje ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
so when the force causes displacement. One joule of work is done when a force of 1 newton displaces an object 1 metre.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Joule = 1 newton-metre.
ro ro ro ro
Equation for word done - answerswork done = force x distance ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Elastic Deformation - answersWhen an elastic object is stretched, bent, twisted or compressed it will return to its original
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
form
ro
Inelastic Deformation - answersPolyethene bags will not return to their original shape after being deformed, this is
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
inelastic.
ro
Hooke's Law - answersThe extension of an elastic object is directly proportional to the force applied as long as the limit of
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
proportionality is not exceeded:
ro ro ro ro
Equation for force (Hooke's law) - answersforce = spring constant x extention ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Extension and compression's relationship with elastic potential energy explanation - answersA force that stretches or
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
compresses a spring does work and elastic potential energy is stored in the spring, provided the spring is not elastically
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
deformed, the work done and elastic potential energy are equal. Before the limit of proportionality is breeched the
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
relationship is linear (directly proportional) afterwards it is non-linear
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Elastic potential energy equation (given) - answersElastic potential energy = 1/2 x spring constant x extension^2
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Moment meaning - answersThe turning effect of a force is called its 'moment'
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Moment equation - answersmoment = force x distance ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Balancing - answersIf an object is balanced the clockwise moment is equal to the anticlockwise moment.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Levers - answersA lever consists of a load, effort and pivot, levers use moments to multiply a force, they allow a larger for
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
to act on the load that is supplied by the effort.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Engine Gears - answersEngine gears have two main jobs, producing torque and speed, however they are inversely
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
proportional so gears are made to make a compromise between the two in any given situation.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
When starting a car we want high torque, which means being able to carry a greater load , and consequentially less spee
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
In low gears this is achieved as... - answers1. The engine causes a small cog on the engine axle to rotate.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
2. The small cog on the engine axle is connected to a larger cog on the wheel axle, which increases the torque (moment)
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
exerted.
ro
3.A high turning force but low speed is exerted on the wheel (low gear)
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
When a car is already moving, we want a high speed which is achieved as... - answers1.The engine causes a larger cog o
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the engine axle to turn.
ro ro ro ro ro
2.The larger cog on the engine axle is connected to a smaller cog on the wheel axle, causing a high rate of rotation, but a lo
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
turning force.
ro ro
3. The wheel rotates quickly, causing a high speed
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
2/ 20
ro roroororo
,Unit for pressure - answersPressure is a measure of force per unit of area, the si unit is Pascals (Pa) which is one N/m^2
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Pressure Equation - answersPressure = force normal to the surface/area ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Manometer with oil and water - answersThe pressure is equal at each end of the tube, so the less dense oil is ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
higher.(p=hdg)(on sheet)
ro ro
Buoyancy - answersThe partially or fully submerged object experiences more pressure at the bottom that on top, this
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
creates a resultant up thrust force called buoyancy.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Why objects float - answersAn object will rise or float if it is less dense than the substance it is in or if it displaces an amoun
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the substance that it is floating in greater than it weights, steel ships have a lot of air in them and therefore weigh less than
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the equivalent amount of water that the ship displaces, so it floats this is because the up thrust from the pressure is greate
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
than the down force of the weight.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Atmospheric pressure and how it varies by altitude - answersAir pressure is created by air molecules colliding with a ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
surface, if we consider the density of these particles being same at all attitudes, the fact the volume of the earth's
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
atmosphere increases as we rise in altitude then we can tell that the air pressure will decrease as there is more space for
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
the same amount of particles to bump into each other. Also air is naturally less dense further away from the ground,
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
reducing collisions and therefore pressure.
ro ro ro ro ro
Distance - answersHow far an object moved regardless of direction (scalar). ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Displacement - answersThe length of a straight line from the starting point to the finish point with its direction (vector). ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Walking speed estimate - answers1.5 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Running speed estimate - answers3 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Cycling speed estimate - answers6 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Car speed estimate - answers13-30 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Train speed estimate - answers50 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Aeroplane speed estimate - answers250 m/s ro ro ro ro ro
Equation for distance - answersDistance travelled = speed x time ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Velocity - answersVelocity is a vector quantity representing speed in a certain direction. This means that a circular motio
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
at a constant rate has a constant speed but a constantly changing velocity.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
Characteristics of a distance-time graph - answers- a flat line means no movement, a change in time but not in distance. ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
- a straight positive line represents a constant movement.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
- a concave curve represents an acceleration, a convex represents deceleration.
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
- the speed at any point during an acceleration or deceleration can be determined by drawing a tangent
ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro ro
3/ 20 ro roroororo
