AQA CERTIFICATE

PHYSICS
Paper 2
Mark Scheme

8403/2
June 2014

Version: 1.0 Final

Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the
relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments
made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was
used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers
the students’ responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same
correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’
scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for.
If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been
raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Assessment Writer.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular
examination paper.

Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available from aqa.org.uk

Copyright © 2014 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this
booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any
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 MARK SCHEME – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/2 – June 2014

MARK SCHEME

Information to Examiners

1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
 the marks available for each part of the question
 the total marks available for the question
 the typical answer or answers which are expected
 extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate
what is acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview
of the area in which a mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark
scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example:
where consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation;
or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details
which confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that
marking is straightforward and consistent.

2. Emboldening
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two
from’ is used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following lines is
a potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award
the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. (Different
terms in the mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.)

3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which
students have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in
such a situation is that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error/contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of
error/contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the
question, no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not
penalised.

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 MARK SCHEME – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/2 – June 2014

Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution? (1 mark)

Student Response Marks

awarded
1 4,8 0
2 green, 5 0
3 red*, 5 1
4 red*, 8 0

Example 2: Name two planets in the solar system. (2 marks)

Student Response Marks awarded

1 Neptune, Mars, Moon 1
2 Neptune, Sun, Mars, 0
Moon

3.2 Use of chemical symbols / formulae

If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name,
full credit can be given if the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the
question, such action is appropriate.
3.3 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks can be given for a correct numerical answer, as shown in the column
‘answers’, without any working shown.
However if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can be gained by correct
substitution / working and this is shown in the ‘extra information’ column;
3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers
to the correct subject.
3.5 Errors carried forward
Any error in the answers to a structured question should be penalised once only.
Papers should be constructed in such a way that the number of times errors can be
carried forward are kept to a minimum. Allowances for errors carried forward are
most likely to be restricted to calculation questions and should be shown by the
abbreviation e.c.f. in the marking scheme.
3.6 Phonetic spelling
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited unless
there is a possible confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be
awarded but is included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer
required.

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Quality of Written Communication and levels marking

In Question 5(e) students are required to produce extended written material in English, and will be
assessed on the quality of their written communication as well as the standard of the scientific
response.

Students will be required to:

 use good English
 organise information clearly
 use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.

The following general criteria should be used to assign marks to a level:

Level 1: Basic
 Knowledge of basic information
 Simple understanding
 The answer is poorly organised, with almost no specialist terms and their use
demonstrating a general lack of understanding of their meaning, little or no detail
 The spelling, punctuation and grammar are very weak.

Level 2: Clear
 Knowledge of accurate information
 Clear understanding
 The answer has some structure and organisation, use of specialist terms has been
attempted but not always accurately, some detail is given
 There is reasonable accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar, although there may
still be some errors.

Level 3: Detailed
 Knowledge of accurate information appropriately contextualised
 Detailed understanding, supported by relevant evidence and examples
 Answer is coherent and in an organised, logical sequence, containing a wide range of
appropriate or relevant specialist terms used accurately.
 The answer shows almost faultless spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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 MARK SCHEME – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/2 – June 2014

Question 1

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

1(a) pitch 1 AO1

2.3c
loudness 1

1(b)(i) as length (of prongs) decreases accept converse 1 AO3

frequency/ pitch increases 2.3c
accept negative correlation

ignore inversely proportional

1(b)(ii) 8.3 (cm) accept 8.3 ± 0.1 cm 1 AO1

2.3c

1(b)(iii) (8.3 cm is) between 7.8 (cm) and ecf from (b)(ii) 1 AO3
8.7 (cm) 2.3c

(so f must be) between 384 (Hz) 1

and 480 (Hz)

410 (Hz) ≤ f ≤ 450 (Hz) 1

if only the estimated frequency

given, accept for 1 mark an
answer within the range

1(c)(i) electronic 1 AO2

2.3f

1(c)(ii) frequency is (very) high accept frequency above 1 AO2/AO3

20 000 (Hz) or audible range 2.3b

so tuning fork or length of prongs 1

would be very small (1.2 mm)

Question 1 continues on the next page

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Question 1 continued

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

1(d) 285.7 (Hz) accept any correct rounding 286, 3 AO2

290, 300 1.8d/4.2b
allow 2 marks for 285
allow 2 marks for correct
substitution 0.0035 = 1/f

allow 1 mark for T = 0.0035 s

allow 1 mark for an answer of

2000

Total 13

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Question 2

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

2(a)(i) dispersion 1 AO1

2.5b

2(a)(ii) violet green red must be in correct order 1 AO1

2.2a

2(b)(i) normal 1 AO1

2.5a

2(b)(ii) C 1 AO2
2.5a

2(b)(iii) (n =) sin i / sin r 1 AO1

2.5d
same i 1

different r for different colours different colours show different 1

amounts of refraction
or

(n =) speed in air / speed in glass

(1)

same speed in air (1)

different speeds in glass for

different colours (1)

2(c)(i) Refractive index increases as accept converse 1 AO3

wavelength decreases 2.5d
allow negative correlation

allow inversely proportional

Question 2 continues on the next page

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Question 2 continued

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

2(c)(ii) 1.980…  108 (m/s) Accept any correct rounding 2 AO2

198019802 2.0 x 108 2 x 108 2.5c
allow 1 mark for correct
substitution
1.515 = 3  108 / speed of light in
glass

2(d) need separate colours emits white light is insufficient on 1 AO3

its own 2.5a

can’t measure angles with ignore accuracy 1

enough precision/ resolution/
detail

2(e)(i) reflection do not accept refraction 1 AO1

2.5f
total internal (reflection) do not accept refraction 1

angle of incidence (within glass) do not accept reference to air 1

greater than critical angle 1

2(e)(ii) 41.10(66…)° accept 41, 41.1 3 AO2

2.5e
allow 1 mark for correct
substitution ie 1.521 = 1 / sin C

allow 2 marks for correct

substitution ie sin C = 0.657

Total 19

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Question 3
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

3(a) (average) time taken for the 1 AO1

amount/number of nuclei/ atoms 6.2h
(of the isotope in a sample) to
halve
or accept (radio)activity for count
time taken for the count rate (from rate
a sample containing the isotope)
to fall to half

3(b) 60 ±3 (days) 1 AO2

6.2h
indication on graph how value 1
was obtained

3(c)(i) cobalt(-60) 1 AO1/AO3

6.2f
gamma not deflected by a dependent on first marking point 1
magnetic field
or accept (only) emits gamma
gamma have no charge
gamma has no mass is
insufficient
do not accept any reference to
half-life

3(c)(ii) strontium(-90) 1 AO1/AO3

6.2e,g
any two from: 2
 only has beta
 alpha would be absorbed
 gamma unaffected
 beta penetration / absorption if thorium(-232) or radium(-226)
depends on thickness of given, max 2 marks can be
paper awarded

3(c)(iii) cobalt(-60) 1 AO1/AO3

6.2h
shortest half-life accept half-life is 5 years 1
dependent on first marking point

so activity/ count rate will 1

decrease quickest

Question 3 continues on the next page

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Question 3 continued

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

3(c)(iv) americium(-241) / cobalt(-60) / 1 AO1/AO3

radium(-226) 6.2g

gamma emitter 1

(only gamma) can penetrate lead do not allow lead fully absorbs 1
(of this box) gamma

Total 14

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 MARK SCHEME – AQA Certificates Physics – 8403/2 – June 2014

Question 4

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

4(a)(i) live 1 AO1

4.2f

4(a)(ii) react faster 1 AO1

4.2h

4(a)(iii) live and neutral 1 AO1

4.2h

4(b)(i) ammeter 1 AO3

4.2e
to measure current accept to measure amps 1

plus any one from: 2

 variable resistor (1) accept variable power supply
to vary current (1) accept change or control

 switch (1)
to stop apparatus getting hot /
protect battery
or
to reset equipment (1)

 fuse (1)
to break circuit if current is
too big (1)

4(b)(ii) any two from: 2 AO3

 use smaller mass(es) accept use smaller weight(s) 4.2h
 move mass closer to pivot
 reduce gap between coil and
rocker
 more turns (on coil)coil/loop
 iron core in coil

Total 9

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Question 5

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

5(a) (black) is a good absorber of 1 AO1

(infrared) radiation 3.3c

5(b)(i) amount of energy required to melt is insufficient 1 AO1

change (the state of a substance) 3.1g
from solid to liquid (with no
change in temperature)

unit mass / 1kg 1

5(b)(ii) 5.1  106 (J) accept 5 x 106 2 AO2

allow 1 mark for correct 3.1h
substitution ie E = 15  3.4  105

5(c)(i) mass of ice allow volume / weight/ amount/ 1 AO3

quantity of ice 3.1i

5(c)(ii) to distribute the salt throughout 1 AO3

the ice 3.1i

to keep all the ice at the same 1

temperature

5(c)(iii) melting point decreases as the allow concentration for mass 1 AO3
mass of salt is increased accept negative correlation 3.1i
do not accept inversely
proportional

Question 5 continues on the next page

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Question 5 continued

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
accept 60 KJ
5(d) 60 000 (J) allow 2 marks for correct 3 AO2
substitution ie E = 500  2.0  60 4.3g

allow 2 marks for an answer of

1000 or 60

allow 1 mark for correct

substitution ie
E = 500  2.0 or 0.50  2.0  60

allow 1 mark for an answer of 1

Question 5 continues on the next page

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Question 5 continued
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

5(e)
6
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Communication (QC) as
well as the standard of the scientific response. Examiners should also refer to the
information on page 5 and apply a ‘best-fit’ approach to the marking.
0 marks Level 1 (1–2 marks) Level 2 (3–4 marks) Level 3 (5–6 marks)
No There is an attempt at There is a basic description There is a clear
relevant a description of some of some advantages and / or description of the
content advantages or disadvantages for some of advantages and
disadvantages. the methods disadvantages of all
the methods.

examples of the points made in the extra information AO2

response 3.1
energy storage

advantages:
 no fuel costs
 no environmental effects
disadvantages:
 expensive to set up and maintain
 need to dig deep under road
 dependent on (summer) weather
 digging up earth and disrupting habitats
salt spreading
advantages:
 easily available
 cheap
disadvantages:
 can damage trees / plants / drinking
water / cars
 needs to be cleaned away
undersoil heating
advantages:
 not dependent on weather
 can be switched on and off
disadvantages:
 costly
 bad for environment

Total 18

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Question 6

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

6(a)(i) any two from: 2 AO3

 length of coils increased 1.6a
 coils have tilted
 length of loop(s) increased
 increased gap between coils
 spring has stretched / got
longer
 spring has got thinner

6(a)(ii) remove mass accept remove force/ weight 1 AO1

1.6b
observe if the spring returns to its 1
original length / shape (then it is
behaving elastically)

6(b)(i) 8.0 (cm) 1 AO2/AO3

1.6d
extension is directly proportional for every 1.0 N extension 1
to force (up to 4 N) increases by 4.0 cm (up to 4 N)

evidence of processing figures allow spring constant (k) goes 1

eg 8.0 cm is half way between 4.0 from to
cm and 12.0 cm

6(b)(ii) any value greater than 4.0 N and 1 AO3

less than or equal to 5.0 N 1.6d

the increase in extension is dependent on first mark 1

greater than 4 cm per 1.0 N (of
force) added

6(c)(i) elastic potential energy 1 AO1

1.6c

Question 6 continues on the next page

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Question 6 continued

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

6(c)(ii) misread stopwatch 1 AO3

1.6
timed too many complete 1
oscillations

6(c)(iii) 4.3 (s) accept 4.33 (s) 1 AO2

1.6

6(c)(iv) stopwatch reads to 0.01 s 1 AO3

1.6
reaction time is about 0.2 s 1
or
reaction time is less precise than
stopwatch

6(c)(v) use more masses 1 AO3

1.6
smaller masses eg 50 g not exceeding limit of 1
proportionality
Total 17

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