AQA IGCSE Physics Structured Questions
AQA IGCSE Physics Structured Questions
Question 1: Forces and Motion
Define acceleration and state its SI unit. A car accelerates from rest to 20 m/s in 5 seconds. Calculate its acceleration.
Question 2: Energy
State the Law of Conservation of Energy. Describe two examples of energy transfers, clearly identifying the initial and final energy forms.
Question 3: Electricity
A circuit contains a 12 V battery and two resistors, 4 Ω and 8 Ω, connected in series. Calculate the total resistance of the circuit and the current flowing through it.
Question 4: Electromagnetism
Explain the motor effect. Describe one practical application of the motor effect.
Question 5: Waves
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum, listing at least four regions in order of increasing wavelength. State one use for X-rays.
Question 6: Light
State the Law of Reflection. A light ray strikes a plane mirror at an angle of incidence of 30°. What is the angle of reflection?
Question 7: Sound
Explain what is meant by the amplitude and frequency of a sound wave. How does the speed of sound generally compare in solids, liquids, and gases?
Question 8: Radioactivity
Describe the process of alpha decay, including the change in atomic number and mass number of the nucleus. State one safety precaution when handling radioactive sources.
Question 9: Thermal Physics
Define specific heat capacity. A 2 kg block of copper requires 7600 J of energy to raise its temperature by 10 °C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of copper.
Question 10: Space Physics
Describe the main difference between a geostationary satellite and a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite in terms of their orbital period and use.
Answer Key
Answer 1: Forces and Motion
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. SI unit: m/s². Calculation: a = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time = (20 m/s - 0 m/s) / 5 s = 4 m/s².
Answer 2: Energy
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. Examples: 1. A falling object: Gravitational potential energy (initial) is converted to kinetic energy (final). 2. A lamp: Electrical energy (initial) is converted to light energy and thermal energy (final).
Answer 3: Electricity
Total resistance (series) = R1 + R2 = 4 Ω + 8 Ω = 12 Ω. Current = Voltage / Resistance = 12 V / 12 Ω = 1 A.
Answer 4: Electromagnetism
The motor effect is when a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force. Practical application: Electric motors, loudspeakers.
Answer 5: Waves
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation. In order of increasing wavelength: Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet, Visible light, Infrared, Microwaves, Radio waves. Use of X-rays: Medical imaging (e.g., to detect bone fractures).
Answer 6: Light
The Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane. Therefore, the angle of reflection is 30°.
Answer 7: Sound
Amplitude of a sound wave is the maximum displacement of particles from their equilibrium position, related to the loudness of the sound. Frequency is the number of complete waves (or vibrations) passing a point per second, related to the pitch of the sound. The speed of sound is generally greatest in solids, then liquids, and slowest in gases (Solids > Liquids > Gases).
Answer 8: Radioactivity
Alpha decay is the process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus). During alpha decay, the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by 2, and the mass number decreases by 4. Safety precaution: Keep a safe distance from the source, use tongs to handle, wear protective clothing, minimize exposure time, store in a lead-lined container.
Answer 9: Thermal Physics
Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C. Calculation: E = mcΔT ⇒ c = E / (mΔT) = 7600 J / (2 kg × 10 °C) = 380 J/kg°C.
Answer 10: Space Physics
A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth directly above the equator with an orbital period of 24 hours, matching the Earth's rotation, so it appears stationary from the ground. It is primarily used for telecommunications and broadcasting. A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite orbits much closer to Earth, typically with an orbital period of about 90-120 minutes. LEO satellites are often used for Earth imaging, remote sensing, and providing global internet coverage.