GCSE

Question 1

Describe the characteristics of alpha particles and beta particles in terms of their deflection in an electric field.

Answer 1

beta particles have a smaller mass so are deflected more than alpha particles
beta particles have a smaller mass than alpha but alpha particles have a greater charge than beta
alpha particles and beta particles are deflected in opposite directions in
an electric field

Question 2

The braking distance of the car depends on the speed of the car.

For the same braking force, explain what happens to the braking distance if the
speed doubles.

You should refer to kinetic energy in your answer.

Answer 2

if speed doubles then KE increase by a factor of 4
work done to stop the car increases by a factor of 4
work done = force x distance but force is constant
so if work done increases by a factor of 4, distance increases by a factor of 4

Question 3

Advantages of turning off electrical appliances not in use:

Answer 3

less fossil fuels burned
less greenhouse gases produced conserve fossil fuels

Question 4

If energy is not usefully transferred it is…

Answer 4

wasted

Question 5

What fossil fuel power station has the shortest start up time?

Answer 5

gas (already in a state to turn a turbine)

Question 6

What forms the National Grid?

Answer 6

cables and transformers

Question 7

Why would you be waiting for something (e.g. wait 20 seconds after turning on fan)

Answer 7

so that it reaches a steady/same speed/temperature etc

Question 8

How would you increase evaporation?

Answer 8

• temperature increase
• less humid
• more windy (wind carries water vapour which dries the air)

Question 9

Charge can only flow if there is… which means current can only flow if there is a….

Answer 9

potential difference

Question 10

Resistance

Answer 10

opposes/slows down flow of charge

Question 11

Potential difference is the…

Answer 11

driving force that pushes the charge around

Question 12

Direct current

Answer 12

current that always flows in the same direction

Question 13

If three resistors are identical in a series circuit then the p.d. of each resistor must be…

Answer 13

1/3 of the cells p.d.

Question 14

The voltmeter is always in…

Answer 14

parallel

Question 15

Why should you switch off the circuit?

Answer 15

to prevent the wire/resistor from getting hot
which would increase the resistance

Question 16

How does a fuse work?

Answer 16

if current is above the value of the fuse
fuse melts
breaks circuit

Question 17

How can you can get an electric shock touching a car?

Answer 17

charge builds up on the metal frame of the car so when you touch it you complete the circuit and it flows through you to the earth (as you are 0V)

Question 18

Why may the conclusion not be correct for all types of objects (e.g. fridges)?

Answer 18

small number sampled`

Question 19

Why shouldn’t you work with electrical appliances without turning off the mains?

Answer 19

can get an electric shock
if live wire is touched

Question 20

Static electricity between cloth and rod.

Answer 20

when rubbing the cloth on the rod, the friction causes electrons to move from rod to cloth.
rod loses electrons and cloth gains electrons
rod gains a positive charge, cloth gains a negative charge

Question 21

Materials in which electricity passes straight through are called…

Answer 21

conductors

Question 22

An electric shock is caused by

Answer 22

the build-up of charge

Question 23

Materials in which electricity is inhibited from passing through are called…

Answer 23

insulators

Question 24

What happens to the charge on a rod when you rub it with your hands?

Answer 24

it is lost to the earth/body

Question 25

Why is static electricity not safe when it comes to using a fuel?

Answer 25

can cause a spark that can ignite the fuel/explosion

Question 26

Newton’s 1st law of motion

Answer 26

no resultant force = stationary or constant speed

Question 27

Newton’s 3rd law of motion

Answer 27

2 objects interact = equal forces that act in opposite directions

Question 28

Why are gases easy to compress

Answer 28

large gaps between particles
so easy to push particles closer together/no force between particles

Question 29

Digital dataloggers have a higher…

Answer 29

resolution

Question 30

Why would the temperature of a solid at 56 degrees celsius continue to decrease?

Answer 30

temperature of solid is higher than surroundings
energy will be transferred to surroundings so temperature will continue to decrease until solid reaches room temperature

Question 31

Radiation

Answer 31

all objects emit and absorb infrared radiation
the hotter the object the more it emits
shiny surfaces are poor emitters and absorbers (they reflect radiation/heat)

Question 32

When do you use a bar chart?

Answer 32

if independent variable is categoric
if independent variable is discrete (but e.g. protons - can’t have 1/2 a proton)

Question 33

Transfer of heat energy will stop when…

Answer 33

temperatures are the same

Question 34

Methods to reduce heat loss in a house:

Answer 34

draught excluders - prevent convection
carpet
curtains
loft insulation
cavity wall insulation
double glazing
paint wall white