GCSE Physics Daily Practice (Higher)
Mark Scheme — 18 marks total
Higher TierMarking Instructions
- • Accept equivalent answers unless the mark scheme states otherwise.
- • M marks are for method — award even if the final answer is wrong.
- • A marks are for accuracy — only award if the method mark has been earned.
- • B marks are independent and can be awarded without other marks.
- • Where a range of answers is acceptable, this is indicated in the mark scheme.
A student drops a ball from 1.8m and measures that it bounces to 1.2m. (a) Calculate the GPE at 1.8m if the ball has mass 0.1 kg. (g = 10 N/kg) (b) Calculate the KE just before hitting the floor. (c) Calculate the efficiency of the bounce.
Acceptable Answer
(a) GPE = mgh = 0.1 × 10 × 1.8 = 1.8 J (b) KE = GPE (conservation of energy, ignoring air resistance) = 1.8 J (c) Useful output = GPE at 1.2m = 0.1 × 10 × 1.2 = 1.2 J. Efficiency = 1.2/1.8 × 100 = 66.7%
Two resistors of 6Ω and 3Ω are connected in parallel to a 6V supply. (a) Calculate the combined resistance. (b) Calculate the total current from the supply. (c) Calculate the current through each resistor.
Acceptable Answer
(a) 1/R = 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/6 + 2/6 = 3/6 = 1/2. R = 2Ω (b) I = V/R = 6/2 = 3A (c) Through 6Ω: I = 6/6 = 1A. Through 3Ω: I = 6/3 = 2A. Check: 1 + 2 = 3A ✓
Describe how a nuclear power station generates electricity. Include the energy transfers involved.
Acceptable Answer
Nuclear fission of uranium-235 releases thermal energy (nuclear store → thermal store). This heats water to produce steam. Steam drives a turbine (thermal → kinetic). The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity (kinetic → electrical). Steam is condensed by cooling water and recycled.
A car of mass 800 kg accelerates from 10 m/s to 30 m/s. (a) Calculate the change in kinetic energy. (b) If this takes 8 seconds, calculate the average power.
Acceptable Answer
(a) KE₁ = ½ × 800 × 10² = 40,000 J. KE₂ = ½ × 800 × 30² = 360,000 J. Change = 320,000 J = 320 kJ (b) P = E/t = 320,000/8 = 40,000 W = 40 kW