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GCSE
PHYSICS
Higher Tier Paper 2
Monday 16 June 2025 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have: • a ruler
- a scientific calculator
- a protractor
- the Physics Equations Sheet (enclosed).
Instructions
- Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for drawing.
- Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
- Answer all 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.
- If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
- In all calculations, show clearly how you work out your answer.
Information
- The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
- The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
- You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate.
- You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.
8463/2H
H
For Examiner’s Use Question Mark 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
TOTAL
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
In a thunderstorm, lightning produces visible light waves and sound waves.
. (^) Describe the similarities and differences between visible light waves and sound waves. [6 marks]
A student investigated how the force applied to a spring affects the length ofthe spring. Figure 1 shows the apparatus used. Figure 1
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. What is the independent variable in this investigation? [1 mark] . Describe one risk of harm in this investigation and a safety precaution to reduce the risk. [2 marks] Risk of harm
Safety precaution
. (^3) The student measured the length of the spring using the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
Giveaccuracy of the measurement. two ways the student could have changed the arrangement to improve the
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[2 marks] 1
2
Question 2 continues on the next page
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. (^) Above 6.0 N the line on Figure 2 curves upwards. Explain why. [2 marks]
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Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 02.6 and 02.7.
. Which equation links extension ( e ), force ( F ) and spring constant ( k )? Tick (✓) one box.
force = spring constant × extension
[1 mark]
force = spring constantextension force = extension spring constant
. When the force on the spring is 4.0 N, the extension of the spring is 0.064 m. Calculate the spring constant of the spring. [3 marks]
Spring constant = N/m
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A student investigated the acceleration of a ball dropped from different heights. Figure 3 shows a ‘gravity ball’ that the student used. Figure 3
The button on the gravity ball starts the stopwatch. When the gravity ball hits the floor, the stopwatch stops. This is the method used.
- Measure a vertical height above the floor.
- Hold the gravity ball at the measured height.
- Start the stopwatch on the gravity ball and drop the gravity ball.
- Record the time shown on the stopwatch.
- Repeat steps 1 to 4 using the same height.
- Repeat steps 1 to 5 using different heights.
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. (^4) Figure 4 shows a graph of the height the ball was dropped from against the time squared. Figure 4
The acceleration of the ball can be calculated using the equation: acceleration = 2 × (gradient of the graph) Determine the acceleration of the ball. [3 marks]
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Acceleration of ball = ______________________ m/s^2
Telescopes are used to look at distant objects. Some telescopes use lenses to form an image. Figure 5 shows two parallel rays of light incident on a lens in a telescope. The principal focus of the lens is labelled F. Figure 5
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. What type of lens is shown in Figure 5? [1 mark] . Complete the ray diagram in Figure 5. [2 marks]
Question 4 continues on the next page
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. (^) Why is the electromagnetic radiation from distant galaxies red-shifted? Tick (✓) one box.
All observed light from distant galaxies appears red.
[1 mark]
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Distant galaxies are moving away from our galaxy. Distant galaxies are moving at the speed of light.
. (^) The James Webb Space Telescope has detected electromagnetic radiation from many different galaxies. Electromagnetic radiation from one of the galaxies detected shows the greatest red-shift ever observed. What conclusion can be made about the distance to this galaxy? [1 mark] . (^) The James Webb Space Telescope is an artificial satellite that orbits the Sun at a constant speed. Explain why the velocity of the satellite changes as it orbits the Sun. [3 marks]
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In a world record attempt, a skydiver jumped from a height of 40 km above the Earth.
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. (^) Figure 6 shows an incomplete free-body diagram for the skydiver a few seconds after the start of the jump. Figure 6
The skydiver has not reached terminal velocity. Complete the free-body diagram in Figure 6. [2 marks]
. (^) The skydiver accelerated until reaching terminal velocity.
Explain why the skydiver reached terminal velocity. [4 marks]
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. (^) Explain why the atmospheric pressure acting on the skydiver increased as the skydiver fell. [2 marks]
. (^5) The skydiver opened his parachute. A few seconds after opening the parachute, the resultant vertical force on the skydiver was 240 N upwards. The wind caused a resultant horizontal force of 200 N to the left on the skydiver.
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Draw a vector diagram to determine the resultant force on the skydiver. [4 marks]
Magnitude of resultant force = N Angle to vertical of resultant force = degrees
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A car manufacturer makes two cars, X and Y. The cars are identical, apart from their mass. Car X has a greater mass than car Y.
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. How does the maximum acceleration of car X compare with the maximum acceleration of car Y? [1 mark] . (^) Cars have air bags that inflate to protect the driver if the car stops very suddenly. Explain how air bags reduce the chance of injury to the driver. [3 marks]
Question 6 continues on the next page
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. (^) Car X has a mass of 1400 kg and is travelling at 18 m/s. The driver applies the brakes. The car has a constant deceleration and comes to a stop in a distance of 24 m. Calculate the resultant force on the car.
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Use the Physics Equations Sheet. [5 marks]
Resultant force = N
. Explain why braking causes an increase in the temperature of the brakes. [2 marks]
