# 4-mark practice questions — OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)

> 108 questions · physics

## How to answer

4-mark questions are the shortest levels-of-response band. Aim for four scientific ideas, each in its own short sentence.

## Sample questions

1. [Explain why gamma radiation is more hazardous to living cells than alpha radiation when a radioactive source is located …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-gamma-radiation-is-more-04410592)
2. [A student connects a battery, a lamp, and a switch in a series circuit. The student then adds a second identical lamp in…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-connects-a-battery-a-05292994)
3. [Explain how red-shift and cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) each provide evidence for the Big Bang Theory.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-red-shift-and-cosmic-microwave-0c4a0640)
4. [A worker in a nuclear power plant is exposed to radiation from radioactive materials. Describe the precautions the worke…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-worker-in-a-nuclear-power-0db639aa)
5. [A homeowner installs cavity wall insulation in their house. Explain how cavity wall insulation reduces the rate at which…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-homeowner-installs-cavity-wall-insulation-0e47f162)
6. [A chocolate manufacturer heats solid chocolate in a large vat until it melts completely. Once all the chocolate has melt…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-chocolate-manufacturer-heats-solid-chocolate-0fbf367f)
7. [Describe how you could use a plotting compass and a straight bar magnet to investigate the shape of the magnetic field a…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-you-could-use-a-1016ff2c)
8. [A ice skater glides across a smooth ice rink at a constant velocity. She then pushes off a barrier at the edge of the ri…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-ice-skater-glides-across-a-11be6045)

## Related

- [OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) revision notes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn/ocr-gcse-physics-a-gateway-science-j249)
- [OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) past papers](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/past-papers/ocr-gcse-physics-a-gateway-science-j249)
- [Practise with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)