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Candidate signature ________________________________________________________________________

AQA Level 1/2 Certificate

PHYSICS
Paper 1

Wednesday 25 May 2016 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

Materials
For this paper you must have:
 a ruler
 a calculator
 the Physics Equations Sheet (enclosed).

Instructions
 Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
 Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
 Answer all questions.
 You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box around each
page or on blank pages.
 Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.

Information
 The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
 The maximum mark for this paper is 90.
 You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
 You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
 Question 5(a) should be answered in continuous prose.
In this question you will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.

Advice
 In all calculations, show clearly how you work out your answer.

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Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

1 Forces can affect the motion of objects.

1 (a) (i) An object is stationary.

A resultant force is applied to the object.

Which of the following correctly describes the new motion of the object?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.

Tick ()

The object accelerates.

The object moves at constant velocity.

The object remains stationary.

1 (a) (ii) An object is moving at a constant velocity.

A resultant force is applied to the object.

Which of the following correctly describes the new motion of the object?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.

Tick ()

The object accelerates.

The object moves at the same constant velocity.

The object moves at a greater constant velocity.

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1 (b) A package is dropped from an aircraft.

Figure 1 shows the velocity-time graph for the package.

Figure 1

C D

Velocity

B
A
Time

1 (b) (i) What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.

Tick ()

Acceleration

Distance travelled

Speed

1 (b) (ii) Between A and B the graph is a straight line.

Describe the motion of the package between A and B.

[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1 (b) (iii) Name the downward force acting on the package between A and B.
[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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1 (b) (iv) The acceleration of free fall is 10 m/s2.

On Figure 1, mark with an X a point on the graph where the package could have an
acceleration of 5 m/s2.
[1 mark]

1 (b) (v) When the package has an acceleration of 5 m/s2, the resultant force acting on
the package is 300 N.

Calculate the mass of the package.

Give the unit.

Use the correct equation from Section A of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mass = _________________ Unit _______________

1 (b) (vi) Which of the following describes the motion of the package between C and D
in Figure 1?
[1 mark]
Tick () one box.

Tick ()

Falling through the air at constant velocity

Sliding to a halt along the ground

Stationary on the ground

____
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2 A star goes through a life cycle.

2 (a) Stars have very large masses. Stars form when enough dust and gas from space is
pulled together.

2 (a) (i) What causes the dust and gas to be pulled together?
[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2 (a) (ii) Smaller masses are also formed from dust and gas. They do not become stars.

What do these smaller masses become?

[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2 (b) Some stars are much bigger than the Sun. At the end of its life, one of these bigger
stars gave off a large burst of gamma radiation.

2 (b) (i) What is gamma radiation?

[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2 (b) (ii) Just before leaving the main sequence period of its life cycle, fusion was taking place
in the core of the star.

Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

atoms electrons nuclei

Fusion is the joining of two _____________________________________ .

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2 (c) The life cycle of a star after the main sequence period depends on the size of the star.

A particular star is much bigger than the Sun.

What are the stages, after the main sequence, in the life cycle of this star?

Complete Figure 2 by stating the stages in order.

[4 marks]

Figure 2

Main sequence star

____
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3 Some appliances transfer energy more efficiently than others.

3 (a) (i) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

conduction current power

The rate at which energy is transferred by an appliance is called

__________________________ .

3 (a) (ii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

destroyed dissipated stored

Energy cannot be created or ________________________________________ .

3 (b) Figure 3 shows a Sankey diagram for an electric cooker.

Figure 3

50 J of 45 J of energy
electrical to heat the food
energy

5 J of light energy

Calculate the efficiency of the cooker.

Use the correct equation from Section C of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Efficiency = _______________

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3 (c) A student measured the amount of electrical energy transferred by a light bulb during
a 2.5 hour time period.

Her results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Time Electrical energy transferred

in hours in kilojoules (kJ)

0.0 0

0.5 80

1.0 190

1.5 260

2.0 365

2.5 435

Figure 4 shows a graph of electrical energy transferred against time.

Figure 4

500

400

300
Electrical
energy
transferred
in kJ
200

100

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Time in hours

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3 (c) (i) Use the data in Table 1 to complete the graph in Figure 4.

The first two points have been plotted for you.

[1 mark]

3 (c) (ii) Draw a line of best fit on the graph in Figure 4.

[1 mark]

3 (c) (iii) How much electrical energy was transferred by the light bulb in the first 45 minutes?
[1 mark]

Energy transferred = ________________________ kJ

3 (c) (iv) The student used a 50 W light bulb to get her results.

She then repeated the experiment using a 25 W light bulb.

On Figure 4, draw a line to represent her results for the 25 W light bulb.
[2 marks]

____
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4 Waves may be longitudinal or transverse.

4 (a) (i) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

an electromagnetic a radio a sound

One example of a longitudinal wave is ________________________________________ wave.

4 (a) (ii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

a light a mechanical an ultraviolet

One example of a wave that can be transverse or longitudinal

is ________________________________________ wave.

4 (a) (iii) Describe the difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves.
[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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4 (b) Table 2 shows how the air temperature and speed of sound vary with height above
sea level.

Table 2

Height above Speed of sound Air temperature

sea level in m in m/s in °C

0 340 15

1 500 334 5

3 000 −5

4 500 322 −15

6 000 316 −25

7 500 310 −35

9 000 304 −45

10 500 295 −55

12 000 295 −55

13 500 295 −55

4 (b) (i) Suggest a value for the speed of sound when the height above sea level is 3000 m.
[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Speed of sound = _________________________ m/s

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4 (b) (ii) Describe any patterns shown by the data in Table 2.

[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

4 (b) (iii) When an aircraft travels at the speed of sound it is travelling at Mach 1.

When an aircraft travels at twice the speed of sound it is travelling at Mach 2.

What speed is Mach 2 at a height of 7500 m above sea level?

[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Speed = ____________________ m/s

4 (b) (iv) A sound wave at a height of 7500 m above sea level has a wavelength of 5.0 m.

Calculate the frequency of this wave.

Give the unit.

Use the correct equation from Section B of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Frequency = __________________________ Unit _____________

____
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5 There are different forms of electromagnetic radiation.

5 (a) In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising
information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

Infrared (IR) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. All objects emit and
absorb IR radiation. Energy can also be transferred by conduction and convection.

Explain how the design of the vacuum flask, shown in Figure 5, reduces energy
transfer from a hot liquid by conduction, convection and IR radiation.
[6 marks]

Figure 5

Plastic stopper

Hot liquid

Vacuum between
walls of flask
Silvered inner surfaces
of walls of flask

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Extra space _________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5 (b) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR) is a form of electromagnetic

radiation filling the Universe.

The Big Bang theory is the only theory that can explain CMBR.

5 (b) (i) What is the Big Bang theory?

[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5 (b) (ii) Name one other observation that supports the Big Bang theory.
[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5 (b) (iii) The cosmic radiation released during the Big Bang was not microwaves but a different
type of electromagnetic radiation.

It could not have been radio waves.

Explain why.
[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

____
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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6 Light waves can be reflected and refracted.

6 (a) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
[1 mark]

equal to greater than less than

When light waves are reflected, the angle of incidence is

______________________________________ the angle of reflection.

6 (b) Figure 6 shows an object placed in front of a plane mirror and the image formed by
reflection of light in the plane mirror.

Figure 6

Plane mirror

Object Image

A B

One ray from point A on the object is reflected in the mirror.

The image of A is formed at B.

Another ray, AC, is shown.

6 (b) (i) Complete the drawing of ray AC to show how the image is formed at B.
[3 marks]

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6 (b) (ii) Describe the nature of the image produced in the plane mirror.

Draw a ring around the correct answer.

[1 mark]

magnified real virtual

6 (c) Optical fibres are used to transmit light.

The refractive index of the glass of one of the optical fibres is 1.45.

Calculate the value of the critical angle for this glass.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

Use the correct equation from Section B of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Critical angle = _______________________ degrees

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6 (d) Figure 7 shows two rays of light, F and G, at the boundary between glass and air.

Figure 7

Air
Glass
G
F

6 (d) (i) What is the dashed line in Figure 7 called?

[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

6 (d) (ii) Explain the paths of the two rays, F and G, in Figure 7.
[4 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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7 Forces can make objects rotate.

7 (a) Figure 8 shows a beam with a pivot at its centre.

A force of 8 N acts on the beam at a distance of 3 m from the pivot.

Figure 8

8N

3m
Beam

Pivot

7 (a) (i) Calculate the clockwise moment produced by the 8 N force acting on the beam.

Use the correct equation from Section A of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Clockwise moment = ________________________ Nm

7 (a) (ii) A downward force of 6 N acts on the beam. The beam is now balanced.

Calculate the distance of the 6 N force from the pivot.

Use the correct equation from Section A of the Physics Equations Sheet.
[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Distance = ______________________ m

7 (a) (iii) On the beam in Figure 8, mark with an X the position of this 6 N force.
[1 mark]

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7 (a) (iv) In Figure 8 the pivot was placed under the centre of mass of the beam.

What is meant by centre of mass?

[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

7 (b) Figure 9 shows a full bottle and a bottle holder.

Figure 9

Centre of mass

Bottle holder

The bottle is balanced. The centre of mass of the bottle and holder is shown at X.

7 (b) (i) Explain why the bottle does not topple.

[3 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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7 (b) (ii) Suggest two changes to the design of this bottle holder that would improve its stability.
[2 marks]

1 ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2 ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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8 Electric current is a flow of electric charge. Electric charge moves easily through some
substances.

8 (a) When there is a direct current (d.c.) in a wire, a magnetic field is produced around
the wire.

Figure 10 shows the shape of part of the magnetic field.

Figure 10

8 (a) (i) Draw arrows on Figure 10 to show the direction of the magnetic field.
[1 mark]

8 (a) (ii) The direction of the current in the wire is reversed.

What happens to the direction of the lines in the magnetic field?

[1 mark]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

8 (b) Describe the difference between d.c. and alternating current (a.c.).
[2 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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8 (c) In Figure 11, a metal saucepan is placed above a wire carrying a.c.

Figure 11

Metal saucepan

Wire carrying a.c.

8 (c) (i) An a.c. is induced in the metal of the saucepan.

Explain why.
[4 marks]

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

8 (c) (ii) Induction cookers use the principle shown in Figure 11 to heat food.

The current in the metal base of the saucepan heats the saucepan.

Suggest two changes that would increase the current in the saucepan in Figure 11.
[2 marks]

1 ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2 ___________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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8 (c) (iii) Figure 12 shows the saucepan on a gas cooker.

Figure 12

Suggest two advantages of an induction cooker compared to a gas cooker.

[2 marks]

1 ___________________________________________________________________________________

2 ___________________________________________________________________________________

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END OF QUESTIONS

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Copyright information

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separate booklet rather than including them on the examination paper or support materials. This booklet is published after each examination series and is
available for free download from www.aqa.org.uk after the live examination series.

Permission to reproduce all copyright material has been applied for. In some cases, efforts to contact copyright-holders may have been unsuccessful and
AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the Copyright Team, AQA, Stag Hill House,
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