AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 1

11 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Answer questions about vectors, resultant forces, speed, Newton's third law, acceleration, and energy changes for a bowling ball hitting a pin.

Practise this question

Question

Question 01 contains a photograph (Figure 1) of a girl bowling a ball down a ten-pin bowling lane, followed by sub-questions 01.1 to 01.6. Question 01.1 asks to identify the definition of a vector. Question 01.2 asks why the ball's velocity decreases. Question 01.3 provides average speed (4.5 m/s) and time (4.0 s) to calculate lane length using distance = speed × time. Question 01.4 shows Figure 2 with a bowling ball hitting a pin with a rightward arrow labelled 'Force of ball on pin', asking to draw the force of the pin on the ball. Question 01.5 asks to calculate acceleration using given change in velocity (0 to 12 m/s) and time (0.15 s). Question 01.6 asks to complete sentences about the displacement, mass, and kinetic energy of the pin using 'decreases', 'increases', or 'stays the same'.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows a girl bowling a ball along a ten-pin bowling lane.

Figure 1

The girl is trying to knock down the ten pins at the end of the bowling lane.

As the ball travels along the lane the velocity of the ball decreases.

01.1 Velocity is a vector.

Which statement describes a vector?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Vectors have direction only.

Vectors have magnitude and direction.

Vectors have magnitude only. 3

01.2 Why does the velocity of the ball decrease as the ball travels along the lane?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

The force of gravity slows the ball down.

There are no forces acting on the ball.

There is a resultant force acting on the ball.

01.3 The ball travels along the lane at an average speed of 4.5 m/s

It takes the ball 4.0 seconds to travel the length of the lane.

Calculate the length of the lane.

Use the equation:

distance travelled = speed × time

[2 marks]

Length of the lane = m

Figure 2 shows the ball hitting one of the pins.

Figure 2

01.4 Draw an arrow on Figure 2 to show the force of the pin on the ball.

[2 marks]

01.5 The velocity of the pin changes from 0 to 12 m/s

It takes 0.15 seconds for the velocity to change.

Calculate the acceleration of the pin.

Use the equation:

change in velocity

acceleration =

time taken

[2 marks]

5Acceleration = m/s2

01.6 When the pin is struck it accelerates.

Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

Each answer can be used once, more than once, or not at all.

[3 marks]

decreases increases stays the same

The displacement of the pin from the girl .

The mass of the pin .

The kinetic energy of the pin .

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 01 with a total of 11 marks. 01.1: 'vectors have magnitude and direction' (1 mark). 01.2: 'there is a resultant force acting on the ball' (1 mark). 01.3: length = 4.5 × 4.0 (1 mark), length = 18 m (1 mark). 01.4: arrow in opposite direction (1 mark), arrow same length drawn from the ball (1 mark). 01.5: a = (12 - 0) / 0.15 (1 mark), a = 80 m/s² (1 mark). 01.6: displacement 'increases' (1 mark), mass 'stays the same' (1 mark), kinetic energy 'increases' (1 mark).

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 vectors have magnitude and 1 AO1

direction 6.5.4.1.3

01.2 there is a resultant force acting 1 AO1

on the ball 6.5.4.2.1

01.3 length of lane = 4.5 × 4.0 1 AO2

6.5.4.1.3

length of lane = 18 (m) 1

01.4 arrow in opposite direction 1 AO1

6.5.4.2.3

arrow same length drawn from 1

the ball

01.5 12 - 0 1 AO2

a =

0.15 6.5.4.1.3

a = 80 (m/s2)

01.6 increases 1 AO2

6.1.1.2

stays the same 1 6.5.4.1.3

increases 1

Total 11

How to answer it

Forces, Motion, and Newton's Third Law in Ten-Pin Bowling

What this question tests

This foundational question assesses core concepts across forces and motion:

  • Recalling definitions of vectors and the effect of resultant forces.
  • Substituting values into standard physics equations to calculate distance and acceleration.
  • Understanding and drawing Newton's third law interaction pairs (equal magnitude, opposite direction).
  • Understanding physical changes during motion (displacement, mass conservation, and kinetic energy).
Question 01.1 • 1 Mark

Vectors and Scalars

Identifying the definition of a vector

✅ Correct Answer

Tick the second box:

"Vectors have magnitude and direction."

awarded for selecting the correct definition [1 mark].

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Vector: Has both size (magnitude) and direction (e.g. velocity, force, displacement, acceleration).
  • Scalar: Has size (magnitude) only (e.g. speed, distance, mass, time).
Question 01.2 • 1 Mark

Resultant Forces

Why the ball's velocity decreases along the lane

✅ Correct Answer

Tick the third box:

"There is a resultant force acting on the ball."

awarded for linking deceleration to an unbalanced (resultant) force [1 mark].

🧠 Exam Technique

According to Newton's First Law, an object moves at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a resultant force. Since the velocity decreases, there must be a non-zero resultant force (friction and air resistance acting against the motion).

❌ Common Errors

Choosing "The force of gravity slows the ball down." Gravity acts vertically downwards, which provides the normal contact force, but it does not directly act along the horizontal lane to slow the ball.

Question 01.3 • 2 Marks

Calculating Distance

Using the equation: distance = speed × time

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify values:
    Speed v = 4.5 m/s
    Time t = 4.0 s
  2. Substitute into formula:
    distance = 4.5 × 4.0 [1 mark]
  3. Calculate final answer:
    distance = 18 m [1 mark]

❌ Common Errors

  • Dividing speed by time instead of multiplying ( 4.5 ÷ 4.0 = 1.125 ). Always check the given equation carefully!
  • Forgetting to write down the working: always show 4.5 × 4.0 to secure the method mark even if you miscalculate.
Question 01.4 • 2 Marks

Newton's Third Law Diagram

Drawing the force of the pin on the ball

✅ Mark Scheme Requirements

  • Arrow pointing to the left (opposite direction to the force of ball on pin) [1 mark]
  • Arrow drawn with the exact same length starting from the ball or the point of contact [1 mark]

💡 Newton's Third Law

"Whenever two objects interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and opposite."

What your diagram must show:
The original arrow points right with a length of approx 3.5 cm from the pin.
Your drawn arrow must start on the ball, point horizontally left (←), and match the original arrow's length precisely using a ruler.

🧠 Top Tip

Always use a ruler to measure the original arrow! If the prompt provides an arrow of length 3 cm, your reaction arrow must also measure 3 cm. Freehand rough sketches often lose the second mark.

Question 01.5 • 2 Marks

Calculating Acceleration

Using acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Determine change in velocity:
    Δv = 12 - 0 = 12 m/s
  2. Substitute into formula:
    a = 12 / 0.15 [1 mark]
  3. Calculate value:
    a = 80 m/s² [1 mark]

❌ Common Errors

  • Multiplying instead of dividing ( 12 × 0.15 = 1.8 ).
  • Inverting the division ( 0.15 ÷ 12 = 0.0125 ). Remember: velocity goes on top, time goes on the bottom.
Question 01.6 • 3 Marks

Completing Sentences: Motion & Energy

Choosing between: increases | decreases | stays the same

✅ Correct Completions

  • The displacement of the pin from the girl increases. [1 mark]
  • The mass of the pin stays the same. [1 mark]
  • The kinetic energy of the pin increases. [1 mark]

💡 Scientific Reasoning

  • Displacement: As the pin is struck, it is knocked further away from the girl, so distance/displacement increases.
  • Mass: Mass is the amount of matter in the pin and does not change during impact.
  • Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy is given by Ek = 0.5 × m × v² . Since the speed increases from 0 to 12 m/s, kinetic energy must increase.

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.