Most Common Six-Markers

How To Answer Six-Mark Questions

A strong six-mark answer is not a long story. It is usually six clear points in a logical order. Write in
short sentences. Use the words in the question. If the question says explain, always give a reason using
words such as because, therefore, and so.

• Describe means say what happens.

• Explain means say why it happens.

• Compare means say what is similar and what is different.

• Evaluate means give advantages, disadvantages, and a final judgement.

• Plan an experiment means include equipment, method, measurements, control variables, repeats,
and safety.

Simple structure: Point → Because → Therefore.

1. Toy Car Practical

Question Style: Describe how to investigate the motion of a toy car down a ramp.
Model Answer
Set up a ramp and release a toy car from the same starting point each time. Measure the distance travelled
using a metre ruler or tape measure. Use a stopwatch, light gate, or video analysis to measure the time
d
taken. Calculate the speed using v = . Repeat the experiment several times and calculate a mean to
t
reduce the effect of random errors. Keep control variables the same, such as the height of the ramp, the
starting position, and the surface of the ramp.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Uses a ramp and toy car.

2. 1 mark: Measures distance.

3. 1 mark: Measures time.

4. 1 mark: Calculates speed using v = d/t.

5. 1 mark: Repeats and calculates a mean.

6. 1 mark: Keeps control variables the same.

Common Traps
Do not just write “roll the car and time it”. Name the equipment and say what is measured.

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2. Newton’s Laws

Question Style: Explain the motion of an object using Newton’s laws.

Model Answer
Newton’s first law says that an object remains at rest or moves at constant velocity unless there is a
resultant force. If the forces are balanced, the resultant force is zero, so the object does not accelerate.
Newton’s second law says that F = ma, so a larger resultant force causes a larger acceleration. A larger
mass gives a smaller acceleration for the same force. Newton’s third law says that when two objects
interact, they exert equal and opposite forces on each other. These forces act on different objects, so they
do not cancel each other out.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: States Newton’s first law.

2. 1 mark: Links balanced forces to no acceleration.

3. 1 mark: States or uses F = ma.

4. 1 mark: Explains the effect of force on acceleration.

5. 1 mark: Explains the effect of mass on acceleration.

6. 1 mark: Describes equal and opposite interaction forces.

Common Traps
Do not say equal and opposite forces cancel if they act on different objects.

3. Hooke’s Law Practical

Question Style: Describe how to investigate Hooke’s law for a spring.

Model Answer
Hang a spring from a clamp stand and place a ruler next to it. Measure the original length of the spring
before adding any masses. Add known masses one at a time and calculate the force using W = mg.
Measure the new length of the spring each time. Calculate the extension using extension = new
length - original length. Plot a graph of force against extension. If the graph is a straight line through
the origin, the spring obeys Hooke’s law until the limit of proportionality is reached.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Uses a spring, masses, ruler, and clamp stand.

2. 1 mark: Measures original length.

3. 1 mark: Adds known masses or forces.

4. 1 mark: Measures new length.

5. 1 mark: Calculates extension.

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 6. 1 mark: Uses a force-extension graph to test proportionality.

Common Traps
Do not confuse length with extension. Extension is the increase in length.

4. How Resistance Happens In A Wire

Question Style: Explain why a metal wire has resistance.

Model Answer
A metal contains free electrons that move through the wire when a potential difference is applied. As the
electrons move, they collide with positive metal ions in the lattice. These collisions transfer energy from
the electrons to the ions. The ions vibrate more, so the wire heats up. These collisions make it harder for
charge to flow, which is called resistance. A longer wire has more collisions, so it has more resistance.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Mentions free electrons.

2. 1 mark: Electrons move when a potential difference is applied.

3. 1 mark: Electrons collide with metal ions.

4. 1 mark: Energy is transferred to the ions.

5. 1 mark: Collisions oppose the flow of charge.

6. 1 mark: Links length, temperature, or thickness to resistance.

Common Traps
Do not say resistance uses up current. Current is not used up.

5. Refractive Index Practical

Question Style: Describe how to determine the refractive index of a glass block.
Model Answer
Place a rectangular glass block on a sheet of paper and draw around it. Shine a ray of light into the block
at an angle using a ray box. Mark the incident ray and emergent ray with crosses. Remove the block and
draw the path of the ray through the glass. Draw a normal at the point where the ray enters the block.
Measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction using a protractor. Calculate the refractive
sin i
index using n = .
sin r
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Uses a glass block and ray box.

2. 1 mark: Draws around the block.

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 3. 1 mark: Marks the incident and emergent rays.

4. 1 mark: Draws a normal.

5. 1 mark: Measures angles of incidence and refraction.

6. 1 mark: Uses n = sin i/ sin r.

Common Traps
Angles must be measured from the normal, not from the surface of the block.

6. Dangers Of Electromagnetic Waves And Wavelength

Question Style: Compare how the dangers of electromagnetic waves change with wavelength.
Model Answer
Electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths have higher frequencies. Higher frequency waves transfer
more energy per photon. Radio waves and microwaves have long wavelengths, so they are generally less
dangerous, although microwaves can cause heating. Infrared radiation can burn skin because it transfers
thermal energy. Ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength and can damage skin cells, causing sunburn
and increasing the risk of cancer. X-rays and gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths, so they are
ionising and can damage DNA or kill cells.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Shorter wavelength means higher frequency.

2. 1 mark: Higher frequency means more energy.

3. 1 mark: Microwaves and infrared can cause heating.

4. 1 mark: Ultraviolet can damage skin cells.

5. 1 mark: X-rays and gamma rays are ionising.

6. 1 mark: Ionising radiation can damage DNA or cause cancer.

Common Traps
Do not say all electromagnetic waves are equally dangerous. The danger generally increases as wavelength
decreases.

7. Doppler Effect

Question Style: Explain the Doppler effect for sound or light waves.
Model Answer
The Doppler effect is the change in observed frequency when a source of waves moves relative to an
observer. If the source moves towards the observer, the wavefronts become closer together. This makes

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the wavelength shorter and the observed frequency higher. For sound, this means a higher pitch. If
the source moves away, the wavefronts spread out. The wavelength becomes longer and the observed
frequency becomes lower. For light from distant galaxies, a lower observed frequency means red-shift.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Defines the Doppler effect.

2. 1 mark: Source and observer move relative to each other.

3. 1 mark: Moving towards gives shorter wavelength.

4. 1 mark: Shorter wavelength gives higher frequency.

5. 1 mark: Moving away gives longer wavelength.

6. 1 mark: Longer wavelength gives lower frequency or red-shift.

Common Traps
Do not say the actual wave speed changes in the same medium. The observed frequency changes.

8. Comparing Energy Sources

Question Style: Evaluate different energy sources for generating electricity.

Model Answer
Fossil fuels are reliable because they can generate electricity when demand is high. However, they release
carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change. Nuclear power produces a large amount of energy
and does not release carbon dioxide during operation. However, it produces radioactive waste and has
expensive decommissioning costs. Renewable sources such as wind and solar do not use fuel and produce
no direct carbon dioxide emissions. However, they are intermittent because they depend on weather
conditions. Overall, a mixture of energy sources is often best because it improves reliability while reducing
pollution.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Gives an advantage of fossil fuels.

2. 1 mark: Gives a disadvantage of fossil fuels.

3. 1 mark: Gives an advantage of nuclear power.

4. 1 mark: Gives a disadvantage of nuclear power.

5. 1 mark: Gives an advantage and disadvantage of renewables.

6. 1 mark: Gives a justified conclusion.

Common Traps
For evaluate, do not only list facts. You need a final judgement.

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9. Conduction, Convection And Radiation

Question Style: Explain how energy is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation.
Model Answer
Conduction happens mainly in solids. Particles at the hot end vibrate more and transfer energy to
neighbouring particles by collisions. In metals, free electrons also transfer energy through the metal.
Convection happens in fluids, which means liquids and gases. When a fluid is heated, it expands, becomes
less dense, and rises. Cooler, denser fluid sinks, forming a convection current. Radiation transfers energy
by infrared waves and does not need a medium, so it can travel through a vacuum.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Conduction happens by particle vibrations or collisions.

2. 1 mark: Free electrons transfer energy in metals.

3. 1 mark: Convection happens in liquids and gases.

4. 1 mark: Heated fluid expands and becomes less dense.

5. 1 mark: Less dense fluid rises and cooler fluid sinks.

6. 1 mark: Radiation is infrared and can travel through a vacuum.

Common Traps
Do not say convection happens in solids. Convection needs a fluid.

10. Pressure In Gases

Question Style: Explain why the pressure of a gas increases when it is heated at constant volume.
Model Answer
Heating transfers energy to the gas particles. The particles gain kinetic energy and move faster. They
collide with the walls of the container more often. Each collision also has a greater change in momentum
because the particles are moving faster. This increases the force on the walls of the container. Since
pressure is force divided by area, and the area is unchanged, the pressure increases.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Heating gives particles more energy.

2. 1 mark: Particles gain kinetic energy.

3. 1 mark: Particles move faster.

4. 1 mark: Collisions with the walls happen more often.

5. 1 mark: Collisions produce a greater force.

6. 1 mark: Pressure increases because P = F/A.

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Common Traps
Do not say the particles get bigger. The particles move faster.

11. Density Of An Irregular Object

Question Style: Describe how to find the density of an irregular solid.

Model Answer
Measure the mass of the object using a balance. Put water into a measuring cylinder and record the
initial volume. Carefully lower the object into the water until it is completely submerged. Record the
final volume of the water. The volume of the object is the final volume minus the initial volume. Calculate
m
the density using ρ = . Repeat the measurements and calculate a mean if possible.
V
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Measures mass using a balance.

2. 1 mark: Uses water displacement.

3. 1 mark: Records initial volume.

4. 1 mark: Records final volume.

5. 1 mark: Calculates volume by subtraction.

6. 1 mark: Uses density equals mass divided by volume.

Common Traps
The object must be completely submerged, but the water must not overflow unless using a displacement
can.

12. Loudspeaker

Question Style: Explain how a loudspeaker produces sound.

Model Answer
An alternating current flows through the coil in the loudspeaker. The coil is placed in the magnetic field
of a permanent magnet. A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force. Because the
current is alternating, the direction of the force keeps reversing. The coil and cone vibrate backwards and
forwards. The vibrating cone makes nearby air particles vibrate, producing a sound wave.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Alternating current flows in the coil.

2. 1 mark: The coil is in a magnetic field.

3. 1 mark: A force acts on the current-carrying coil.

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 4. 1 mark: The force reverses direction.

5. 1 mark: The coil and cone vibrate.

6. 1 mark: Vibrations produce sound waves in air.

Common Traps
The cone vibrates. Do not say the permanent magnet vibrates.

13. Motor Effect

Question Style: Explain how the motor effect causes a coil to rotate.
Model Answer
A current flows through a coil placed in a magnetic field. The current-carrying sides of the coil experience
forces because they are in a magnetic field. The forces on opposite sides of the coil act in opposite
directions. This produces a turning effect, or moment, on the coil. A split-ring commutator reverses the
current every half turn. This keeps the coil rotating in the same direction.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Current flows through the coil.

2. 1 mark: The coil is in a magnetic field.

3. 1 mark: Current-carrying wires experience a force.

4. 1 mark: Opposite sides experience forces in opposite directions.

5. 1 mark: The forces create a turning effect.

6. 1 mark: The commutator keeps rotation in the same direction.

Common Traps
Do not forget the split-ring commutator in a direct current motor.

14. Transformer

Question Style: Explain how a transformer changes voltage.

Model Answer
An alternating current in the primary coil produces a changing magnetic field. The iron core transfers this
changing magnetic field to the secondary coil. The changing magnetic field through the secondary coil
induces a potential difference. If the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil, the transformer
is step-up. If the secondary coil has fewer turns, the transformer is step-down. For an ideal transformer,
Vp Np
= .
Vs Ns
How It Scores Six Marks

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 1. 1 mark: Alternating current flows in the primary coil.

2. 1 mark: A changing magnetic field is produced.

3. 1 mark: The iron core links the field to the secondary coil.

4. 1 mark: A potential difference is induced in the secondary coil.

5. 1 mark: More secondary turns means step-up; fewer means step-down.

6. 1 mark: Uses the transformer turns-ratio equation.

Common Traps
Transformers need alternating current. They do not work with steady direct current.

15. National Grid

Question Style: Explain why the National Grid uses high voltages to transmit electricity.
Model Answer
The National Grid transfers electrical power from power stations to homes and businesses. Step-up
transformers increase the voltage before transmission. For the same power, increasing the voltage decreases
the current because P = IV . A smaller current means less energy is wasted as heating in the transmission
cables. This is because power loss in cables depends on I 2 R. Near homes, step-down transformers reduce
the voltage to a safer value for consumers.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Step-up transformers increase voltage.

2. 1 mark: Uses P = IV .

3. 1 mark: Higher voltage means lower current for the same power.

4. 1 mark: Lower current reduces heating in cables.

5. 1 mark: Links losses to I 2 R or wasted thermal energy.

6. 1 mark: Step-down transformers reduce voltage near consumers.

Common Traps
Do not say high voltage is safer. It is used to reduce current and reduce energy loss.

16. Detecting Radioactivity

Question Style: Describe how to detect and compare radioactive emissions.

Model Answer
A Geiger-Muller tube connected to a counter can be used to detect ionising radiation. First measure
the background count without the source present. Then place the radioactive source at a fixed distance

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from the detector and record the count rate. Subtract the background count rate to find the corrected
count rate. To test penetration, place different absorbers between the source and detector, such as paper,
aluminium, and lead. Repeat readings and calculate a mean to improve reliability. Keep the distance and
time interval the same each time.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Uses a Geiger-Muller tube and counter.

2. 1 mark: Measures background radiation.

3. 1 mark: Measures count rate from the source.

4. 1 mark: Subtracts background count.

5. 1 mark: Uses absorbers to compare penetration.

6. 1 mark: Repeats and controls distance or time.

Common Traps
Always mention background radiation. It is a common lost mark.

17. Fission And Fusion

Question Style: Compare nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Model Answer
Nuclear fission is the splitting of a large unstable nucleus into smaller nuclei. It releases energy and
usually releases neutrons. These neutrons can cause further fission reactions, producing a chain reaction.
Nuclear power stations use controlled fission to generate electricity. Nuclear fusion is the joining of two
small nuclei to form a larger nucleus. Fusion releases energy and happens in stars, but it needs extremely
high temperatures and pressures because the nuclei must overcome electrostatic repulsion.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Fission is the splitting of a large nucleus.

2. 1 mark: Fission releases energy and neutrons.

3. 1 mark: Neutrons can cause a chain reaction.

4. 1 mark: Fusion joins small nuclei.

5. 1 mark: Fusion happens in stars.

6. 1 mark: Fusion needs very high temperature and pressure.

Common Traps
Do not mix them up. Fission splits. Fusion joins.

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18. Life Cycle Of Stars

Question Style: Describe the life cycle of a star like the Sun and a massive star.
Model Answer
A star begins as a nebula, which is a cloud of gas and dust. Gravity pulls the material together to form
a protostar. When the core becomes hot and dense enough, hydrogen nuclei fuse and the star enters the
main sequence. A star like the Sun expands into a red giant, then loses outer layers and becomes a white
dwarf. A much more massive star becomes a red supergiant. It may then explode as a supernova, leaving
behind a neutron star or a black hole.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Starts as a nebula.

2. 1 mark: Gravity forms a protostar.

3. 1 mark: Fusion begins in the core.

4. 1 mark: Main sequence stage.

5. 1 mark: Correct path for a Sun-like star.

6. 1 mark: Correct path for a massive star.

Common Traps
Do not say stars burn fuel like a fire. Stars release energy by nuclear fusion.

19. Evidence For The Big Bang Theory

Question Style: Explain the evidence for the Big Bang theory.
Model Answer
Light from distant galaxies is red-shifted, meaning its wavelength is increased. This shows that galaxies
are moving away from us. More distant galaxies have greater red-shift, so they are moving away faster.
This suggests that the Universe is expanding. If the Universe is expanding now, then in the past it must
have been much smaller, hotter, and denser. Cosmic microwave background radiation is also evidence
because it is leftover radiation from the early Universe.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Distant galaxies show red-shift.

2. 1 mark: Red-shift means wavelength increases.

3. 1 mark: Galaxies are moving away.

4. 1 mark: More distant galaxies move away faster.

5. 1 mark: This supports an expanding Universe.

6. 1 mark: Cosmic microwave background radiation supports the Big Bang.

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Common Traps
Do not say the Big Bang was an explosion into empty space. It was the expansion of space itself.

20. Terminal Velocity Of A Parachutist

Question Style: Explain the motion of a parachutist from jumping out of a plane to landing.
Model Answer
When the parachutist first jumps, their weight acts downwards and air resistance is small. There is a
resultant downward force, so the parachutist accelerates downwards. As their speed increases, air resis-
tance increases. Eventually, air resistance equals weight, so the resultant force is zero and the parachutist
reaches terminal velocity. When the parachute opens, air resistance suddenly increases because the sur-
face area is much larger. This creates a resultant upward force, so the parachutist decelerates. A new,
lower terminal velocity is reached when air resistance again equals weight, allowing the parachutist to
land more safely.
How It Scores Six Marks

1. 1 mark: Weight acts downwards and air resistance acts upwards.

2. 1 mark: At first, weight is greater than air resistance, so the parachutist accelerates downwards.

3. 1 mark: As speed increases, air resistance increases.

4. 1 mark: Terminal velocity is reached when air resistance equals weight.

5. 1 mark: Opening the parachute increases surface area and air resistance.

6. 1 mark: The parachutist decelerates and reaches a new, lower terminal velocity.

Common Traps
Do not say the parachutist stops moving when the forces are balanced. Balanced forces mean constant
velocity, not no motion.
Final Six-Marker Checklist
Before moving on, check that you have included:

• Key physics words from the question.

• A reason, not just a statement.

• An equation if one fits.

• Units where needed.

• Control variables for practical questions.

• A final sentence that directly answers the question.

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