# "Explain" questions — Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)

> 70 questions · physics

## How to answer

WHAT + WHY. Every point paired with a because. Structure: X happens because Y. This causes Z because … Assessment Objective: AO2. Every "explain" answer on this spec is marked against exactly this pattern.

## Sample questions

1. [A skier starts from rest at the top of a snow-covered slope and slides to the bottom. At the bottom, the skier is moving…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-skier-starts-from-rest-at-00cada83)
2. [Explain how a microphone converts sound waves into an electrical current.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-a-microphone-converts-sound-066b4504)
3. [Explain how the generator effect is used in a thermal power station to produce an electrical current.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-the-generator-effect-is-0b559bb5)
4. [Explain why the internal energy of a liquid increases as it evaporates, and describe what happens to the arrangement and…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-internal-energy-of-0f6c5f61)
5. [A student rubs a plastic rod with a woollen cloth. The plastic rod becomes negatively charged. Explain why the rod becom…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-rubs-a-plastic-rod-11d2be40)
6. [A tennis ball is dropped from rest and falls vertically downwards towards the ground. Explain why the ball accelerates a…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-tennis-ball-is-dropped-from-12ec1e37)
7. [Explain why a solenoid with an iron core produces a stronger magnetic field than a solenoid without an iron core.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-solenoid-with-an-143f81bf)
8. [Explain why alpha radiation is used in smoke alarms rather than beta or gamma radiation.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-alpha-radiation-is-used-17213d4a)

## Related

- [Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) revision notes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn/edexcel-gcse-physics-1ph0)
- [Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) past papers](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/past-papers/edexcel-gcse-physics-1ph0)
- [Practise with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)