The Physics Question Bank

Hints for every question on the June 2023 GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 Higher (8464/P/2H). Get the paper from AQA’s GCSE Combined Science page (Filter → Question papers → June 2023 → pick Physics Paper 2H). The hints tell you which equation to use and what to watch out for – but not the answer. Try each question first, and only open a hint if you’re stuck. ← All past papers

Question 1 – Electromagnetic spectrum and light (9 marks)

💡 Show hints for Question 1

• 01.1 Order by wavelength (longest first): radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma. Use the groups already named on Figure 1 to work out which are missing.
• 01.2 Similarity: something true of all EM waves (transverse, same speed in a vacuum). Difference: compare wavelength or frequency – say which is bigger.
• 01.3 Change of direction at a boundary because the wave changes speed.
• 01.4 Copy it from the equation sheet.
• 01.5 v = f λ, rearranged to f = v ÷ λ. Enter both powers of ten with the ×10ˣ button – and show the rearranged equation with numbers in for the method marks.

Question 2 – Force and acceleration practical (13 marks)

💡 Show hints for Question 2

• 02.1 (6 marks) Required practical. Name the extra equipment (light gates and data logger, or ruler, stopwatch and marked distances; masses on a hanger over a pulley). Steps: vary the force by moving masses from the trolley to the hanger (keeps total mass constant); measure what you need to calculate acceleration; repeat for at least five forces; repeat and take means.
• 02.2 Which law is F = m a?
• 02.3 a ∝ F. What factor has the force been multiplied by? Multiply the acceleration by the same factor.
• 02.4 Copy it from the equation sheet.
• 02.5 F = m a, rearranged to m = F ÷ a. Unit: kg.

Question 3 – Ripple tank (8 marks)

💡 Show hints for Question 3

• 03.1 “Accurate” is the key word: measure across as many whole wavelengths as you can on Figure 4, divide by the number of waves, then scale up (1.0 mm on the figure = 5.0 mm on the screen). Show every step.
• 03.2 Mean = total ÷ 5, so the total = mean × 5. Subtract the four values you know.
• 03.3 Precise = repeat readings are close together. Which option describes that? (Close to the true value is accuracy.)
• 03.4 Compare the direction of the oscillations with the direction of energy transfer for each type – parallel or perpendicular?

Question 4 – The motor effect and magnets (8 marks)

💡 Show hints for Question 4

• 04.1 The word from Newton’s First Law for an object’s tendency to stay still or keep moving.
• 04.2 Use Fleming’s left-hand rule: First finger = Field (N → S), seCond finger = Current (+ → −), thuMb = Motion. Check both directions on Figure 5 carefully.
• 04.3 Name a change (e.g. to the current or the magnet) and explain it: it increases the force on the rod, so from F = m a, the acceleration…
• 04.4 Only repulsion proves something is a magnet (attraction happens with any iron). Bring each end of the bar near one pole of the magnet – what would you need to see?
• 04.5 A compass is a small magnet. What does it do wherever you take it – and what does that tell you must be acting on it?

Question 5 – Hanging chair spring (12 marks)

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• 05.1 Which symbol means “is directly proportional to”?
• 05.2 F = k e, rearranged to k = F ÷ e. Convert 60 mm to m first (÷ 1000).
• 05.3 Two parts: what happens to the spring’s length when the force is removed – and why is that a problem?
• 05.4 E_e = ½ k e², rearranged to e² = 2 E_e ÷ k. Square-root at the end.
• 05.5 (3 marks) Use F = k e to find how far this spring extends with a 750 N person. Compare that with the 30 cm gap to the ground (convert to m). You could also check the energy stored against 1800 J. Finish with a clear judgement – is it suitable?

Question 6 – Dropping a stone (10 marks)

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• 06.1 (4 marks) Use v² − u² = 2 a s, so v² = u² + 2 a s. u is 3.1 m/s (not zero!). Square-root at the end, and give the answer to 2 significant figures.
• 06.2 A vector has size and direction. Describe both: what happens to the speed, and which way is it moving?
• 06.3 (4 marks) Compare the forces. When the stone enters the water, is the upward water resistance bigger or smaller than its weight? What does that do to its speed? As it slows, what happens to the water resistance – until the forces are…? What does a zero resultant force mean for velocity?

Question 7 – Car black box (10 marks)

💡 Show hints for Question 7

• 07.1 Deceleration = gradient of the sloping part of the v–t graph = change in velocity ÷ time taken. Don’t forget the unit (m/s²) – it’s a mark.
• 07.2 (5 marks) Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Thinking: the car is still at its starting speed during the reaction time – use distance = speed × 0.75 s. Braking: the area under the sloping part of the graph (a triangle). Add them.
• 07.3 Big deceleration → big braking force (F = m a). What could that do to the brakes, or to the car’s grip and the driver’s control?

✅ Finished? Mark your paper with the mark scheme, then read the examiners’ report for the questions you found hardest. Find both on AQA’s GCSE Combined Science page (Filter → June 2023).