Question Paper Unit A181 02 Modules p1 p2 p3 Higher Tier
Question Paper Unit A181 02 Modules p1 p2 p3 Higher Tier
Question Paper Unit A181 02 Modules p1 p2 p3 Higher Tier
H
Friday 20 January 2012 – Morning
GCSE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCIENCE
PHYSICS A
A181/02 Modules P1 P2 P3 (Higher Tier)
* A 1 3 1 5 0 0 1 1 2 *
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
• Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes above. Please write
clearly and in capital letters.
• Use black ink. HB pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only.
• Answer all the questions.
• Read each question carefully. Make sure you know what you have to do before starting
your answer.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. Additional paper may be
used if necessary but you must clearly show your candidate number, centre number and
question number(s).
• Do not write in the bar codes.
Useful Relationships
Sustainable Energy
Explaining Motion
distance travelled
speed =
time taken
change in velocity
acceleration =
time taken
work done by a force = force × distance moved in the direction of the force
1
kinetic energy = × mass × [velocity]2
2
Electric Circuits
voltage
resistance =
current
Radioactive Materials
1 (a) An astronomer measures the distance to an object in space as about 100 light-years.
The distance from the Sun to the nearest neighbouring star is about 4 light-years.
outside the solar system but inside the Milky Way galaxy
outside the solar system but closer than the nearest stars
(b) Observations of the light from different galaxies show that galaxies are moving away from
each other.
Describe these observations and explain how they are consistent with the idea of an
expanding Universe.
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Another explanation is that new galaxies form in the spaces in between existing galaxies,
pushing them further apart.
How is it possible for scientists to reach different conclusions that account for the same
data?
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(ii) We now accept the big bang theory as the explanation of why the Universe is expanding.
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[Total: 8]
© OCR 2012
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2 This question is about earthquakes and the structure of the Earth.
An earthquake occurs at X.
The diagram shows places where S-waves and P-waves from the earthquake are detected.
earthquake
X
S and P S and P
S and P S and P
P only P only
P only
Explain what we can tell about the structure of the Earth from these results.
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[Total: 6]
He tries to move the ball by making waves on the water with a stick.
(a) Bobby hits the edge of the pond with the stick. He makes 6 complete waves in 12 seconds.
He counts exactly 4 complete waves between his stick and the ball.
(ii) Bobby thinks his ball will be carried by the waves to the shore.
Is Bobby right?
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[Total: 8]
© OCR 2012
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4 Ultraviolet radiation can be harmful.
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[Total: 6]
(a) One factor that makes Venus so much hotter than the Earth is its atmosphere.
(i) Use the data in the table to suggest why Venus is much hotter than the Earth.
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(ii) Scientists suggest other conclusions about Venus from the data in the table.
Use straight lines to join each conclusion to each piece of evidence that supports it.
conclusion evidence
nitrogen 3.5%
no green plants
no ozone layer
[2]
© OCR 2012
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(b) (i) A second reason for the high temperature on Venus is that more energy from the Sun
reaches Venus than the Earth.
Why is this?
(ii) The intensity of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun decreases with distance.
As electromagnetic radiation travels out from the Sun, it spreads out as the surface of a
sphere.
(iii) Experiments show that intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
This is called the inverse square law.
The distance from Venus to the Sun is about 0.7 of the distance from the Earth to the Sun.
How much more intense does this suggest that the radiation reaching Venus will be
compared to the radiation reaching the Earth?
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[Total: 12]
© OCR 2012 Turn over
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6 The Government is considering building new nuclear power stations. The power stations will
produce a lot of electricity and will replace older nuclear power stations and some fossil fuel power
stations. Nuclear waste will be transported to a central location for processing.
A Government inquiry is asking for groups to provide advice on whether to build the power stations
or not.
Identify groups who will want to contribute to the inquiry, including groups for and against the
building of the nuclear power stations. Explain the arguments they may make, including any key
scientific issues.
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[Total: 6]
© OCR 2012
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7 (a) Jenny has drawn a block diagram of a coal-burning power station.
Complete the diagram with the names of the structures that will produce the electricity.
coal furnace
transformer
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National Grid
[3]
(b) There are many different types of power station.
Look at the statements in the table below. Each statement applies to one or more types of
power station.
Complete the table by writing down the letters of the power station types that fit the
statements.
irradiation is a hazard
[7]
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[Total: 14]
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