# "Explain" questions — Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)

> 90 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 ski racer descends a snow-covered slope. As she moves down the slope, her gravitational potential energy decreases and…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-ski-racer-descends-a-snow-covered-01502ec4)
2. [A plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth. After rubbing, the rod is found to carry a negative charge. Explain how the rod be…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-plastic-rod-is-rubbed-with-0750c035)
3. [A steel spring is stretched by hanging weights from it. At first, the extension increases in proportion to the load. Whe…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-steel-spring-is-stretched-by-0806c593)
4. [A spacecraft is travelling through deep space, far from any planet or star, with its engines switched off. A student cla…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-spacecraft-is-travelling-through-deep-107e4fca)
5. [An artificial satellite is moved from a low orbit to a higher orbit around the Earth, whilst its orbital period remains …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/an-artificial-satellite-is-moved-from-127e9473)
6. [A radioactive isotope used in smoke detectors undergoes alpha decay. Explain why an alpha emitter with a long half-life …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-radioactive-isotope-used-in-smoke-132a4597)
7. [A bicycle dynamo generates electricity to power a front lamp. The dynamo works by rotating a permanent magnet inside a f…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-bicycle-dynamo-generates-electricity-to-153f61a2)
8. [A cyclist travelling at high speed collides with a stationary bollard and comes to a sudden stop. Explain why a cyclist …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-cyclist-travelling-at-high-speed-1ade5f24)

## Related

- [Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) revision notes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn/pearson-edexcel-international-gcse-physics-4ph1)
- [Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) past papers](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/past-papers/pearson-edexcel-international-gcse-physics-4ph1)
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