Free OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century) (J259) Exam Questions and Answers
OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century) (J259) is OCR's GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century) qualification, specification J259, taken in England. It is sat at Foundation or Higher tier. The questions here come from OCR's published question papers from June 2018 to June 2025, plus its specimen papers, with answers and marking guidance taken from OCR's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Candidates comparing OCR GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century) (J259) exam dumps, ExamTopics and other practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free PDF, then sit the timed exam simulation before booking with OCR.
Last updated: October 16, 2026
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Question #1
Jamal is listening to the radio. He can hear a musical instrument playing a steady note. What type of wave is the sound that Jamal hears? Put a ring around the correct answer.
Correct answer: B
Explanation
One mark for longitudinal.
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Question #2
Jamal is listening to the radio. The sound waves that Jamal hears have a frequency of 400 Hz and a wavelength of 0.84 m. Calculate the speed of the sound waves. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength Wave speed = ____ m/s
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: 336 m/s (340 m/s also allowed)
Explanation
If the answer is 336 m/s award 2 marks. Method mark for 0.84 × 400. Accuracy mark for 336 m/s. 340 m/s is allowed.
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Question #3
The diagram shows the inside of a three-pin plug. Put a tick (✓) in the correct box in each row to show the correct descriptions of the live, neutral and earth wires. | Wire | Connected to the National Grid | Is at the same voltage as the ground | | Live | | | | Neutral | | | | Earth | | |
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Correct answer: Live: connected to National Grid. Neutral: connected to National Grid. Earth: at the same voltage as the ground.
Explanation
All 3 rows correct gets 2 marks. 2 correct gets 1 mark. No marks if only one is correct.
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Question #4
The diagram shows the inside of a three-pin plug. Put a ring around the voltage between the live and neutral wires.
Correct answer: C
Explanation
One mark for 230 V.
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Question #5
The diagram shows the inside of a three-pin plug. Batteries supply direct current (d.c). Another type of current is alternating current (a.c). Each statement in the table below may be true about d.c, or true about a.c, or true for both d.c and a.c. Put a tick (✓) in the correct box in each row. | | True only for d.c | True only for a.c | True for both | | The current always flows in the same direction. | | | | | The domestic supply in the UK uses this. | | | |
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Correct answer: 'Current always flows in the same direction' is true only for d.c. 'The domestic supply in the UK uses this' is true only for a.c.
Explanation
One mark for each row correct (2 marks in total).
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Question #6
Alex is planning his journey to school. Alex usually walks to school. Which is the most likely speed at which Alex walks? Put a ring around the correct answer.
Correct answer: B
Explanation
One mark for 1.2 m/s.
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Question #7
Alex is planning his journey to school. He could travel by car. A car travels at 36 km/h (kilometres per hour). Which is the correct calculation to work out this speed in m/s (metres per second)? Put a ring around the correct answer.
Correct answer: D
Explanation
One mark for (36 × 1000)/3600.
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Question #8
In the end Alex decides to cycle to school. The graph shows the first part of this journey. Put a tick (✓) in the one correct box in each row. | | A | B | C | D | | In which section does Alex have an average speed of 3.5 m/s? | | | | | | In which section does Alex slow down? | | | | |
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Average speed of 3.5 m/s: section A. Alex slows down: section C.
Explanation
One mark for each row correct (2 marks in total).
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Question #9
In the end Alex decides to cycle to school. The graph shows the first part of this journey. Calculate the acceleration in section A of the journey. Use the equation: acceleration = change in speed ÷ time Acceleration = ____ m/s²
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: 0.7 m/s²
Explanation
If the answer is 0.7 m/s² award 3 marks. Mark 1: read the change in speed from the graph as 7 − 0 m/s. Just 7 or just 10 is allowed for this mark. Mark 2: 7 ÷ 10. Mark 3: 0.7 m/s². Using any data points from section A is allowed, e.g. 3.5 ÷ 5.
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Question #10
Eve has a mass of 23 kg. Calculate Eve’s weight. Gravitational field strength = 10 N/kg Weight = ____ N
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: 230 N
Explanation
If the answer is 230 N award 3 marks. Mark 1: recall weight = mass × gravitational field strength. Mark 2: 23 × 10. Mark 3: 230 N.
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