OCR GCSE Physics
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course version · J249Version from Sept 2018Change version
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Explore your topics
28 topics
Forces4 topics
Electricity2 topics
Magnetism and magnetic fields2 topics
Waves in matter3 topics
Radioactivity2 topics
Energy2 topics
Global challenges3 topics
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific techniques and procedures.
Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures.
Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions and develop and improve experimental procedures.
Exam Structure
Topics P1 to P4 and P9 (Foundation)
1h 45m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Topics P5 to P8, with assumed knowledge of P1 to P4 and P9 (Foundation)
1h 45m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Topics P1 to P4 and P9 (Higher)
1h 45m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Topics P5 to P8, with assumed knowledge of P1 to P4 and P9 (Higher)
1h 45m
Duration
90
Marks
50%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Multiplies mass by volume instead of dividing; divide mass by volume to obtain density.
- •Uses grams or cubic centimetres without converting; convert to kg and m³ so the answer is in kg/m³.
- •Assumes a bigger sample must be denser; keep density fixed for a given material and let mass rise with volume.
- •Writes the unit as kg/m² or kg m³; record density in kg/m³.
- •Credits Thomson with the nuclear model; keep Thomson as electrons in a positive spread and give the nucleus to Rutherford.
- •Says all alpha particles were deflected; most passed through and only a few were deflected strongly.
- •Places electrons anywhere in the atom in the Bohr model; put them in fixed shells or energy levels.
- •Treats the models as guesses with no evidence; link each change to experimental evidence that did not fit.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Write the equation first, then substitute numbers with units so the conversion step is visible.
- •Check the unit asked for in the answer before calculating, and convert mass and volume to kg and m³.
- •Use a quick sense check: dividing a small mass by a small volume should give a plausible density such as several hundred or thousand kg/m³.
- •Name each scientist with the key feature of their model so the examiner can match them quickly.
- •Use the gold-foil scattering result as the evidence that supports the nuclear model.
- •State the reason for change: new evidence contradicted the previous model.
- •Read all options before choosing, since several may contain one true idea and one false one.
- •Check each option against three separate facts: charge, relative size and where the mass sits.
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