AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), November 2021: Question 2
12 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Analyse the energy stores, energy transfers, and power of an athlete during far-leaping, including calculations of gravitational potential energy and speed.
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Question text
02 In a sport called far-leaping, an athlete uses a long pole to cross a river.
Figure 4 shows an athlete far-leaping.
Figure 4
Figure 5 shows the athlete in different stages of far-leaping.
Figure 5
02.1 Complete the sentence.
Choose answers from the box.
[2 marks]
chemical nuclear kinetic
elastic potential gravitational potential
Between positions A and B the athlete speeds up. There is
an increase in the athlete’s energy and
a decrease in the athlete’s store of energy.
02.2 Between positions B and C the athlete jumps to the pole and climbs up it.
Which statement describes a change in the athlete’s energy between
positions B and C?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Elastic potential energy decreases.
Elastic potential energy increases.
Gravitational potential energy decreases.
Gravitational potential energy increases.10
02.3 The pole falls over from position C. The athlete lets go of the pole and lands at
position D.
The change in height of the athlete between positions C and D is 3.0 m.
mass of athlete = 50 kg
gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg
Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the athlete between
positions C and D.
Use the equation:
change in gravitational
*09* potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × change in height
[2 marks]
Change in gravitational potential energy =11 J
02.4 The kinetic energy of the athlete at position D is 1600 J.
mass of athlete = 50 kg
Calculate the speed of the athlete at position D.
Use the equation:
2 × kinetic energy
speed = �
mass
Choose the unit from the box.
[3 marks]
m/s J/kg J/s
Speed = Unit
Figure 5 is repeated below.
Figure 5
02.5 At positions A and E, the athlete is standing still.
Why does the athlete have less energy in position E than in position A?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Energy has been transferred from the athlete to the air.
The air temperature has decreased.
The height of the athlete above the water has increased.13
02.6 Athletes have a large power output when they are far-leaping.
What is meant by the power of an athlete?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The rate at which the athlete transfers energy.
The size of the maximum force exerted by the athlete.
The total energy transferred by the athlete.
02.7 A second athlete crossed the same river by far-leaping.
The second athlete had less power than the first athlete when running between
position A and position B.
Complete the sentences.
Choose answers from the box.
Each answer may be used once, more than once or not at all.
[2 marks]
less than the same as more than
Two factors that could explain why the second athlete had less power than
the first athlete are:
1. The time taken by the second athlete to run between position A and position B
was the first athlete.
2. The work done by the second athlete was
the first athlete.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
02.1 kinetic answers must be in this order 1 AO1
6.1.1.1
chemical 1
02.2 gravitational potential energy 1 AO1
increases 6.1.1.1
02.3 Ep = 50 × 9.8 × 3.0 1 AO2
6.1.1.1
Ep = 1470 (J) allow 1500 (J) 1 6.1.1.2
02.4 1600 1 AO2
speed =√2 ×
allow 8.0
speed = 8
1 AO2
m/s
1 AO1
6.1.1.1
6.1.1.2
02.5 energy has been transferred 1 AO3
from the athlete to the air 6.1.2.1
02.6 the rate at which the athlete 1 AO1
transfers energy – COMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – – 6.1.1.4
02.7 more than answers must be in this order 1 AO1
6.1.1.4
less than 1
Total 12
How to answer it
Energy Changes, Transfers, and Power in Athletics
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy – Physics Paper 1 (Topic: Energy)
- Identifying changes in energy stores (chemical, kinetic, gravitational potential).
- Calculating gravitational potential energy using Ep = m × g × h .
- Rearranging and calculating velocity from kinetic energy: v = √(2Ek / m) and recalling correct standard units.
- Understanding energy dissipation to surroundings (air/thermal stores).
- Defining power as the rate of energy transfer and linking it to work done and time taken ( P = W / t ).
Energy Store Changes While Running
Between positions A and B the athlete speeds up.
✅ Correct Answers
There is an increase in the athlete’s kinetic energy [1 mark] and a decrease in the athlete’s chemical store of energy [1 mark] .
Note: Words must be written in this exact order.
🧠 Exam Technique
- "Speeds up" = object is gaining speed, which directly means an increase in the kinetic energy store.
- Humans fuel movement by respiring food stores, which depletes their internal chemical energy store.
Energy Store Changes While Climbing
Between positions B and C the athlete jumps to the pole and climbs up it.
✅ Correct Answer
Tick (✓) fourth box:
Gravitational potential energy increases. [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
Any time an object is raised against gravity (moves higher upwards), energy is shifted into its gravitational potential energy store.
❌ Common Errors
Confusing elastic potential with climbing. A pole can bend (storing elastic energy), but the athlete climbing higher directly increases gravitational potential energy.
Calculating Gravitational Potential Energy Change
Falling from position C to D: height change = 3.0 m, mass = 50 kg, g = 9.8 N/kg
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Change in Ep = mass × gravitational field strength × change in height
Change in Ep = 50 × 9.8 × 3.0 [1 mark]
Change in Ep = 1470 J [1 mark]
(Allow 1500 J if rounded to 2 significant figures)
🧠 Exam Technique & Traps
- Always write out your full substitution line clearly. Even if you punch the wrong buttons on your calculator, you will secure the first method mark!
- No unit conversions were required here ( kg , N/kg , and m are standard).
Calculating Speed from Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy at position D = 1600 J, mass = 50 kg
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
speed = √((2 × kinetic energy) / mass)
speed = √((2 × 1600) / 50) [1 mark]
(2 × 1600) / 50 = 3200 / 50 = 64
speed = √64 = 8 (or 8.0) [1 mark]
Unit = m/s [1 mark]
❌ Common Errors to Avoid
- Forgetting the square root: Leaving the answer as 64. Remember √64 = 8!
- Picking the wrong unit: J/kg and J/s are distractors. Speed is always measured in metres per second ( m/s ).
Energy Dissipation to Surroundings
Why does the athlete have less energy in position E than in position A?
✅ Correct Answer
Tick (✓) first box:
Energy has been transferred from the athlete to the air. [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge: Dissipation
During exercise and motion, mechanical work against air resistance and friction causes energy to be transferred as thermal energy (heat) to the surroundings (the air). This energy is "wasted" or dissipated.
Understanding and Comparing Power
02.6: Definition of Power [1 mark]
Tick (✓) first box:
The rate at which the athlete transfers energy.
💡 Rule of thumb: In physics, "power" is always the rate of energy transfer (or rate of doing work).
02.7: Factors Affecting Power [2 marks]
The second athlete had less power than the first athlete:
1. The time taken by the second athlete was more than the first athlete. [1 mark]
2. The work done by the second athlete was less than the first athlete. [1 mark]
🧠 Exam Technique: Linking the Formula P = W / t
Use the equation Power = Work done ÷ time to deduce changes easily:
- To get less power, the denominator ( time ) must be larger → takes more than the original time.
- To get less power, the numerator ( work done ) must be smaller → transfers less than the original work.
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.