The particle model: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P1.1 The particle model, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 75 questions on The particle model, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a) (2 marks): Draw lines to connect each state of matter with its correct particle model. State of matter Particle model solid liquid gas [2]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b) (1 mark): Which state of matter is the easiest to compress? Tick (✓) one box. Solid Liquid Gas [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(c) (1 mark): Which state of matter is the least dense? Tick (✓) one box. Solid Liquid Gas [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(d) (1 mark): Which state of matter has the least kinetic energy per particle? Tick (✓) one box. Solid Liquid Gas [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a) (2 marks): Three scientists worked on models of the atom. Draw lines to connect each scientist with the correct description of the scientist’s work. Scientist Scientist’s
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why models change over time. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(c) (2 marks): The diagram shows a model of an atom. A B C Write down which letter, A, B or C, represents the following in the diagram. The nucleus: An electron: [2]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(d) (2 marks): Complete the sentences. Put a ring around the correct statement in each box. negatively charged The nucleus is neutral . positively charged negatively charged n
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(e) (2 marks): One atom has a diameter of 1 × 10–10 m. A molecule has 50 atoms in a line. Calculate the length of this molecule. Write your answer in standard form. Length = m
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a) (3 marks): Describe how to determine the mass and volume of a rectangular polystyrene block. [3]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b) (3 marks): One polystyrene block has a density of 50 kg / m3. The mass of the block is 0.60 kg. Calculate the volume of the block. Use the Equation Sheet. Volume = m3 [3]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): The isotope aluminium-27 has the symbol 2 7 6 3 Al. 1 How many neutrons are in a nucleus of aluminium-27? A 13 B 14 C 27 D 40 Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a) (3 marks): Describe how to determine the mass and volume of a rectangular polystyrene block. [3]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b) (3 marks): One polystyrene block has a density of 50 kg / m3. The mass of the block is 0.60 kg. Calculate the volume of the block. Use the Equation Sheet. Volume = m3 [3]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these scientists discovered a particle called an electron? [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of these scientists developed the Plum Pudding model of the atom? [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which of these scientists suggested that electrons can only move in fixed orbits called electron shells? [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (3 marks): One of these three scientists did an experiment where alpha particles were fired at a thin piece of gold foil. Two important observations were recorded. What di
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(c) (2 marks): A typical atom has a radius of 1.0 × 10–10 m. A molecule consists of 20 of these atoms in a long line. Calculate the length of this molecule. Write your answer
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which word describes the charge on the nucleus of an atom? A Negative B Neutral C Positive D Zero Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): An object has a mass of 37.5 kg and a volume of 0.15 m3. 7 What is the density of the object? Use the equation: density = mass volume 0.0040 kg / m3 A 2.5 kg /
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): What is the correct order, from oldest to newest model, for the development of the atomic theory? A Bohr Thomson Rutherford B Rutherford Bohr Thomson C Thomson
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A molecule is made up of 10 atoms in a row. Which measurement is a typical size for this molecule? 1 × 10–15 m A 1 × 10–13 m B 1 × 10–11 m C 1 × 10–9 m D Your a
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which statement describes the nucleus of an atom? A It contains electrons and protons only. B It contains neutrons only. C It contains protons and neutrons only
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A molecule is made up of 10 atoms in a row. Which measurement is a typical size for this molecule? 1 × 10–15 m A 1 × 10–13 m B 1 × 10–11 m C 1 × 10–9 m D Your a
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which sentence about an atom is correct? A Most of the mass is in the nucleus. B The nuclear radius is much larger than the rest of the atom. C The nucleus has
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): Water has a density of 1000 kg / m3. Water of volume 1 m3 is frozen. The volume of the ice formed is 1.09 m3. What is the density of the ice? Use the Equation S
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a) (2 marks): Explain why some objects float and some objects sink in a liquid. [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b) (1 mark): Use the bar chart to estimate the density of the liquid used. Density = kg / m3 [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c) (1 mark): The student uses the internet to research the densities of five different liquids. Density (kg / m3) Liquid Alcohol 800 Diesel 870 Vegetable oil 910 Dishwashing
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which diagram shows the correct model of an atom? A B Proton Neutron Electrons Protons C D Neutron Electron Protons Neutrons and electrons and protons Your answ
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which row describes the particles in a gas? Distance between particles Arrangement of particles A close together random B close together regular C far apart ran
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): 12 The symbol for an isotope of hydrogen is 1H. What is the correct diagram of the nucleus of this isotope of hydrogen? Key = Neutron = Proton A B C D Your answ
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): What is the correct order of the three states of matter in increasing density? A Gas liquid solid B Liquid gas solid C Liquid solid gas D Solid liquid gas Your
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): A scientist wants to publish a new theory. Which step should the scientist take before publishing the theory? A Check the new theory with a friend. B Have the n
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of the part of the atom labelled Q? [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (2 marks): Which two particles are found within part Q? and [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(iii) (1 mark): What is the name of the particle labelled P? [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(iv) (1 mark): What is the overall charge on an atom? [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b) (2 marks): Suggest why the model of the atom has changed over time. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a) (1 mark): Calculate the volume of one cube. Volume = cm3 [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b)(i) (1 mark): The student makes a mistake when drawing one of the bars. Identify the mistake that the student has made. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b)(ii) (1 mark): Water has a density of 1000 kg / m3. Draw a bar for water in space E on the bar chart. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b)(iii) (2 marks): The student wants to make a simple solid toy boat which can carry a heavy load. Suggest which material the student should use. Explain your answer. Material: Ex
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c) (2 marks): Which two properties affect the density of an object? Put a ring around the two correct answers. mass of particle position specific heat particles arrangement o
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a)(i) (3 marks): The scientists detected that a very small number of particles reflected directly back, some particles were deflected, and most particles passed straight through
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the previous model of the atom needed to change after this experiment. [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the volume of the classroom. Volume = m3 [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b)(ii) (3 marks): The density of air is 0.012 kg / m3. Calculate the mass of air in the classroom. Use the equation: density = mass / volume Mass = kg [3]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following would you find in the nucleus of an atom? A Neutrons and electrons B Neutrons, electrons and protons C Protons and electrons D Protons an
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): Which statement explains why the atomic model has changed over time? A Models can explain different situations. B Models can only be used for a limited time per
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20 (6 marks): 20* A group of students want to determine the density of two small objects, A and B. A is a regular cube made of iron and B is an irregular-shaped object made o
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(a) (2 marks): This is the symbol for Pu-238: 238 94 Pu Draw lines to connect each box with the correct answer. Mass number 94 Number of protons 144 238 Number of neutrons [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): What is the typical size for a small molecule? A 0.1 cm B 0.1 km C 0.1 m D 0.1 nm Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a) (4 marks): Complete the sentences about an atom. Use words from the list. You may use each word once, more than once, or not at all. Atom Electrons Negatively Neutrons Nuc
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): A swimming pool contains 9970 kg of water in 10 m3. Calculate the density of water. Use the equation: density = mass ÷ volume Density = kg / m3 [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): The diagrams, A, B and C, show the particles in three states of matter. A B C Write the letters in the boxes to give the correct order of density, from most to
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why you chose the order in (b)(ii). [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of cube A. Volume of cube A = m3 [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a)(ii) (2 marks): Cube B has the same volume as cube A. The mass of cube B is ten times greater than the mass of cube A. Compare the density of cube B with cube A. Use the equati
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(b) (1 mark): A student researches how the density of air varies with the temperature of the air. Look at the graph of her findings. Density at Atmospheric Pressure Density (
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(c) (1 mark): Give one reason why a solid is more dense than a gas. [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): A sealed boiling tube contains gas. Bung Boiling tube Gas Heat The boiling tube is heated. What happens? A The particles in the gas evaporate. B The particles i
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Different states of matter have different densities. Which of the following shows the states of matter in density order, starting with the lowest density? A Sol
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): An object has a volume of 1.5 m3 and a mass of 3.0 kg. What is the density of the object? Use the equation: density = mass ÷ volume 0.5 kg / m3 A 2.0 kg / m3 B
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): What is the typical diameter of an atom? 1.0 × 10–15 m A 1.0 × 10–10 m B C 1.0 µm D 1.0 mm [1] Your answer
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): A liquid has a volume of 0.01 m3 and a mass of 12 kg. 3 What is the density of the liquid? Use the equation: density = mass ÷ volume 0.12 kg / m3 A 12 kg / m3 B
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Which distances are the same? 1 × 10–3 m and 1 µm A 1 × 10–6 m and 1 mm B 1 × 10–9 m and 1 nm C 1 × 10–12 m and 1 Gm D Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(a)(i) (2 marks): Write down two differences between these models. 1 2 [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): Why did the atomic model change? [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Plot this data onto the graph and draw a line of best fit. 10 8 6 Mass (kg) 4 2 00 2000 4000 6000 8000 Density (kg / m3) [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the pattern shown on the graph. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which statement is true about the nucleus of an atom? A It contains neutrons and ions and has a negative charge. B It contains neutrons and ions and has a neutr
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): The atomic model has changed over time. Why did the model need to change over time? A Models only have a finite lifetime B Computers were invented C The older m
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which factor influences whether an object floats or sinks? A Size of object B Depth of water C Distance from the shore D Density of object Your answer [1]

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