GCSE (9–1) Physics A - J249/02 Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) - Exam Practice Questions

Sep 5, 2026

GCSE (9–1) Physics A (Gateway Science) J249/02 Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) includes exam instructions, marking guidance, and a structured set of assessment questions. Students answer multiple choice and short-answer items across areas such as reaction time, renewable energy, braking distance, radioactive decay and count rate, stopping distances from speed data, wave properties, gamma shielding, work done, lenses and ray diagrams, energy transfer in appliances, thermal energy change, electricity voltage comparisons, electromagnetic radiation uses, carbon isotopes, and wavelength estimation. Section B adds descriptive and diagram-based tasks about orbits, gravity direction, and forces from fusion energy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Section A

Multiple-choice and short answers

Section B

Solar system and forces questions

Diagram and force direction tasks

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Wednesday 1 December 2021– Afternoon F GCSE (9–1) Physics A (Gateway Science) J249/02 Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes You must have: • a ruler (cm/mm) • the Data Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Physics A (inside this document) You can use: • a scientific or graphical calculator • an HB pencil | Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Centre number | | Candidate number | | | First name(s)
Last name | | | | INSTRUCTIONS • Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams. • Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown. • Answer all the questions. • Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 90. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ] . • Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*) . • This document has 28 pages. ADVICE • Read each question carefully before you start your answer. © OCR 2021 [601/8651/3] DC (PQ/CT) 300815/5 OCR is an exempt Charity Turn over 2 SECTION A Answer all the questions. You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section. Write your answer to each question in the box provided. 1 Estimate the reaction time of a student. A 0.02 s B 0.2 s C 2 s D 20 s Your answer [1] 2 Which of the following is a renewable energy source? A Coal B Hydro-electricity C Nuclear fuel D Oil Your answer [1] 3 Which factor can affect the braking distance of a car? A Age of driver B Consumption of alcohol C Mass of car D Tiredness Your answer [1] 3 4 A radioactive source has a count rate of 200 counts per minute (cpm) . The half-life of the radioactive source is 3 minutes. What is the count rate of the radioactive source after 3 minutes? A 0 cpm B 100 cpm C 200 cpm D 400 cpm Your answer [1] 5 The table shows the stopping distances for a car travelling at two different speeds. | Speed
(miles per hour) | Stopping distance
(metres) | | --- | --- | | 30 | 23 | | 70 | 96 | The car now travels at 50 miles per hour. Estimate the stopping distance. A B C D 28 m 53 m 73 m 88 m Your answer [1] © OCR 2021 Turn over 4 6 Water waves are made in a ripple tank. A student counts 4 waves passing a point per second. What has the student worked out? A Amplitude B Frequency C Period D Wave speed Your answer [1] 7 A radioactive source produces gamma rays. The diagram shows a detector and a piece of lead placed near the radioactive source. Radioactive source Detector Connected to counter 1 cm thick lead The count rate is 1840 counts per minute (cpm) without the lead in place. What could the count rate be with the lead in place? A 0 cpm B 160 cpm C 1840 cpm D 2530 cpm Your answer [1] 5 8 A force of 6 N moves through a distance of 3 m in the direction of the force. Calculate the work done. A B C D 0.5 J 2 J 9 J 18 J Your answer [1] © OCR 2021 Turn over 6 9 A student draws ray diagrams for some lenses. Which ray diagram is correct? A B C D Your answer [1] 7 10 A 3.0 kW oven is switched on for 1.5 hours. Calculate the energy transferred by the oven. Use the equation: energy transferred = power × time A 2.0 J B 2.0 kWh C 4.5 J D 4.5 kWh Your answer [1] 11 A student calculates the change in the thermal energy of a 1 kg metal block. The student heats the block and measures the change in temperature. What other quantity is needed? A Density of the metal B Resistance of the metal block C Specific heat capacity of the metal D Volume of the m

FAQs

What are the time and total marks for this paper?

The time allowed is 1 hour 45 minutes. The total mark for the paper is 90.

What questions are included in Section A?

Section A contains questions 1–15 with multiple-choice and short-answer tasks, including physics calculations and concepts like radioactive decay, waves, and work done.

What topics are covered in Section B?

Section B focuses on the solar system, including describing differences between planet and moon orbits, and drawing force direction arrows related to gravity and energy release in the Sun.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair