Version 1.

AQA Level 1/2 Certificate

June 2013

Physics 8403/1
(Specification 8403)
Paper 1

Final

Mark Scheme
Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the
relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any
amendments made at the standardisation events which all examiners participate in and is the
scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures
that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every examiner
understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for standardisation each
examiner analyses a number of students’ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by
the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the standardisation process,
examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are required to refer
these to the Principal Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further
developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper.
Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be
avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change,
depending on the content of a particular examination paper.

Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available from: aqa.org.uk

Copyright © 2013 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Copyright
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material
from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to
schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.

Set and published by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance.

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered
charity (registered charity number 1073334).
Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

MARK SCHEME

Information to Examiners

1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement and help to
delineate what is acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to
give an overview of the area in which a mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the
mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example:
where consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation;
or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra
details which confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in
ensuring that marking is straightforward and consistent.

2. Emboldening
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any
two from’ is used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the
following lines is a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to
award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or.
(Different terms in the mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free
movement.)

3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which
students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed
in such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error/contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of
error/contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the
question, no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1)
are not penalised.

3
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution? (1 mark)

Student Response Marks

awarded
1 4,8 0
2 green, 5 0
3 red*, 5 1
4 red*, 8 0

Example 2: Name two planets in the solar system. (2 marks)

Student Response Marks awarded

1 Neptune, Mars, Moon 1
2 Neptune, Sun, Mars, 0
Moon

3.2 Use of chemical symbols / formulae

If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical
name, full credit can be given if the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the
context of the question, such action is appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks can be given for a correct numerical answer, as shown in the
column ‘answers’, without any working shown.
However if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can be gained by correct
substitution / working and this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column;
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’
refers to the correct subject.
3.5 Errors carried forward
Any error in the answers to a structured question should be penalised once
only.
Papers should be constructed in such a way that the number of times errors
can be carried forward are kept to a minimum. Allowances for errors carried
forward are most likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be
shown by the abbreviation e.c.f. in the marking scheme.
3.6 Phonetic spelling
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited
unless there is a possible confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be
awarded but is included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer
required.

4
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

Quality of Communication and levels marking

In Question 6(a)(ii) students are required to produce extended written material in English,
and will be assessed on the quality of their written communication as well as the standard of
the scientific response.

Students will be required to:

• use good English
• organise information clearly
• use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.

The following general criteria should be used to assign marks to a level:

Level 1: Basic
• Knowledge of basic information
• Simple understanding
• The answer is poorly organised, with almost no specialist terms and their use
demonstrating a general lack of understanding of their meaning, little or no detail
• The spelling, punctuation and grammar are very weak.

Level 2: Clear
• Knowledge of accurate information
• Clear understanding
• The answer has some structure and organisation, use of specialist terms has been
attempted but not always accurately, some detail is given
• There is reasonable accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar, although there
may still be some errors.

Level 3: Detailed
• Knowledge of accurate information appropriately contextualised
• Detailed understanding, supported by relevant evidence and examples
• Answer is coherent and in an organised, logical sequence, containing a wide range of
appropriate or relevant specialist terms used accurately.
• The answer shows almost faultless spelling, punctuation and grammar.

5
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 1

question answers extra information mark

1(a) 3000 correct substitution of 24/0.008 2

gains 1 mark provided no
subsequent steps are shown

N/m2 or Pa 1

1(b)(i) K accept ringed K in 1

table

1(b)(ii) water exiting bottle one-third of allow less than half vertical height 1
vertical height of K of spout shown, judged by eye

water landing twice the distance accept at least one and a half 1
of the spout shown in the diagram times further out than spout
shown, judged by eye

do not accept water hitting the

side of the sink

ignore trajectory

1(c) water will land on the (vertical) accept sink not long / wide / big 1
side of the sink enough
or
water will dribble down very close
to the bottle
or
that part of the bottle is curved

do not accept goes out of the sink

Total 7

6
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 2

question answers extra information mark

2(a)(i) turning accept turning ringed 1

in the box

2(a)(ii) point at which mass (or weight) accept the point from which the 1
may be thought to be weight appears to act
concentrated
allow focussed for concentrated

do not accept most / some of the

mass
do not accept region / area for
point

2(b) 600 (Nm) 2

400 × 1.5 gains 1 mark provided
no subsequent steps shown

2(c)(i) plank rotates clockwise accept girl moves downwards 1

do not accept rotates to the right

(total) CM > (total) ACM accept moment is larger on the 1

girl’s side

weight of see-saw provides CM answer must be in terms of 1

moment

maximum of 2 marks if there is no

reference to the weight of the
see-saw

Question 2 continues on the next page . . .

7
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 2 continued

question answers extra information mark

2(c)(ii) W = 445 (N) 3

W × 1.5 = (270 × 0.25) + (300 × 2.0)

gains 2 marks

allow for 1 mark:

total CM = total ACM either stated
or implied
or
(270 × 0.25) + (300 × 2.0)
if no other marks given

Total 10

8
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 3

question answers extra information mark

3(a) C 1

3(b) increase 1

decrease 1

3(c)(i) modern satellites are heavier accept converse 1

3(c)(ii) G 1

greatest mass accept heaviest, dependent mark 1

3(c)(iii) radius is fixed accept diameter / circumference / 1

distance from centre
accept length and time of orbit is
fixed

(so) speed is fixed accept acceleration is constant 1

do not allow velocity is fixed

Total 8

9
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 4

question answers extra information mark

4(a)(i) 20 1

20 000 1
either order

accept ringed answers in box

4(a)(ii) (frequency) above human range accept pitch for frequency 1

or
(frequency) above 20 000 (Hz) do not accept outside human
range

allow ecf from incorrect value in

(a)(i)

4(a)(iii) any one from: 1

• pre-natal scanning accept any other appropriate
scanning use

do not accept pregnancy testing

• removal / destruction of
kidney / gall stones

• repair of damaged tissue / accept examples of repair, eg

muscle alleviating bruising, repair scar
damage, ligament / tendon
damage, joint inflammation

accept physiotherapy

accept curing prostate cancer or

killing prostate cancer cells

• removing plaque from teeth cleaning teeth is insufficient

4(b) 7.5 × 10−4 (m) 2

1.5 × 103 = 2.0 × 106 × λ gains
1 mark

Question 4 continues on the next page . . .

10
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 4 continued

question answers extra information mark

4(c) for reflected waves must be clear whether referring to 2

any two from: emitted or detected / reflected
• frequency decreased waves
• wavelength increased if not specified assume it refers to
reflected wave

• intensity has decreased allow amplitude / energy has

decreased
allow the beam is weaker

Total 8

11
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 5

question answers extra information mark

5(a) the oscillation / vibration (causing a movement causes the wave is 1

the wave) insufficient

for a transverse wave is accept direction of wave travel 1

perpendicular to the direction of
energy transfer

and for a longitudinal wave is accept direction of wave travel 1

parallel to the direction of energy
transfer

if no marks awarded allow 1 mark

for correctly linking perpendicular
with transverse and parallel with
longitudinal

the marks may be scored by the

drawing of two correctly labelled
diagrams

5(b) for radio waves: accept converse for each mark

are transverse 1

travel at speed of light / higher 1

speed

have greater frequencies 1

can travel through vacuum 1

accept sound waves are not

electromagnetic for 1 mark

Total 7

12
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 6

question answers extra information mark

6(a)(i) award 1 mark for each correct 4

label

6(a)(ii) 6

Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the quality of communication (QoC) as
well as the standard of the scientific response. Examiners should also refer to the
information on page 5 and apply a best-fit approach to the marking.

0 marks Level 1 (1–2 marks) Level 2 (3–4 marks) Level 3 (5–6 marks)

No relevant There is a basic There is a clear There are clear and

content. description of at least description of the detailed descriptions
one of either ciliary function of ciliary of the functions of
muscle or iris in terms muscle and iris both ciliary muscle
of function. or and iris.
a full, detailed
description of either
ciliary muscle or iris.
examples of the physics points made in
the response:

Ciliary muscle:
• changes the shape of the lens
• relaxes to flatten lens
• allowing light to be focused from distance
• contracts to round lens
• allowing light to be focused from close
objects

Iris:
• controls the amount of light entering the
eye
• expands / relaxes making pupil smaller
• in bright light
• contracts making pupil larger
• in low light
• helps protects the retina (in bright light)
Question 6 continues on the next page . . .

13
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 6 continued

question answers extra information mark

6(b) eyeball being too short 1

6(c)(i) magnified 1

upright 1

6(c)(ii) v = −6(cm) 3
max 2 marks if no minus sign

6(cm) gains 2 marks

1/v = 1/12 – 1/4 = −1/6

gains 2 marks

1/12 = 1/4 + 1/v

gains 1 mark

−5.99(cm)
using decimals gains 3 marks

6(d) it is virtual 1

Total 17

14
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 7

question answers extra information mark

7(a)(i) nuclear reactor 1

star 1

7(a)(ii) nuclei are joined (not split) accept converse in reference to 1

nuclear fission

do not accept atoms are joined

7(b)(i) any four from: 4

• neutron
• (neutron) absorbed by U ignore atom
(nucleus) do not accept reacts
do not accept added to
• forms a larger nucleus
• (this larger nucleus is)
unstable
• (larger nucleus) splits into
two (smaller) nuclei / into
Ba and Kr
• releasing three neutrons and accept fast-moving for energy
energy

7(b)(ii) 56 (Ba) 1

57 (La) if proton number of Ba is incorrect 1

allow 1 mark if that of La is 1
greater

accept e for β 1

scores 3 marks

Total 10

15
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 8

question answers extra information mark

8(a) north (pole) accept N 1

north (pole) both needed for mark

8(b) reverses accept changes direction 1

8(c)(i) first finger: 1

(direction of) (magnetic) field

second finger: 1
(direction of) (conventional)
current

8(c)(ii) into (plane of the) paper 1

8(c)(iii) less current in wire accept less current / voltage / 1

more resistance / thinner wire

weaker field allow weaker magnets / magnets 1

further apart

do not accept smaller magnets

rotation of magnets (so) field is no 1

longer perpendicular to wire

8(d)(i) reverse one of the magnets do not accept there are no 1

numbers on the scale

8(d)(ii) systematic or zero error accept all current values will be 1

too big

accept it does not return to zero

accept it does not start at zero

Total 10

16
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 9

question answers extra information mark

9(a) water heated by radiation (from accept IR / energy for radiation 1

the Sun)

water used to heat buildings / 1

provide hot water
allow for 1 mark heat from the
Sun heats water if no other marks
given

references to photovoltaic cells /

electricity scores 0 marks

9(b) 2 (minutes) 3
1.4 × 103 = 168 × 103
t
gains 1 mark

calculation of time of 120

(seconds) scores 2 marks

9(c)(i) 150 (kWh) 1

9(c)(ii) £60(.00) or 6000 (p) 2

an answer of £6000 gains 1 mark

allow 1 mark for 150 × 0.4(0)

150 × 40

allow ecf from (c)(i)

Question 9 continues on the next page . . .

17
 Mark Scheme – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/1 – June 2013

8403/1

Question 9 continued

question answers extra information mark

9(c)(iii) 25 (years) 3
an answer of 6000/240
or
6000 / their (c)(ii) × 4
gains 2 marks

an answer of 6000 / 60
or
6000 / their (c)(ii) gains 1 mark,
ignore any other multiplier of
(c)(ii)

9(c)(iv) any one from: 1

• will get £240 per year accept value consistent with
calculated value in (c)(iii)
• amount of light is constant
throughout the year
• price per unit stays the same
• condition of cells does not
deteriorate

9(d) any one from: 1

• angle of tilt of cells
• cloud cover
• season / shade by trees
• amount of dirt

Total 13

UMS Conversion Calculator www.aqa.org.uk/umsconversion

18