AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Higher), 2021: Question 2

10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Answer multiple-choice, graph interpretation, calculation and application questions about vectors, acceleration, velocity-time graphs, resultant force and live data transmission for a rugby player wearing a tracking device.

Practise this question

Question

The question page is about professional rugby players wearing a tracking device that measures velocity and acceleration. It includes a labelled black-and-white photo of one player tackling another, followed by several short questions: two multiple-choice items about vector quantities, a velocity-time graph for a player running with the ball, a calculation of acceleration between 0 and 1.6 seconds, a description of motion between 3.4 and 3.6 seconds, the equation linking acceleration, mass and resultant force, a force-mass calculation, and a final question asking for one advantage of data being sent to a computer during the game. The velocity-time graph has time in seconds on the x-axis and velocity in metres per second on the y-axis; the line rises uniformly from 0 to 4.0 m/s by 1.6 s, stays flat at 4.0 m/s until about 3.4 s, then falls steeply to 0 m/s by 3.6 s.
Question text

02 Professional rugby players wear a tracking device that measures their velocity

and acceleration.

Figure 2 shows a player wearing a tracking device.

The player is tackling another player who is running with the ball.

Figure 2

02.1 Velocity and acceleration are both vector quantities.

What is a vector quantity?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A quantity with both magnitude and direction

A quantity with direction only

A quantity with magnitude only 7

02.2 Which of the following is a vector quantity?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Displacement

Distance

Time

Work done 8

Figure 3 shows a velocity–time graph for the player running with the ball.

Figure 3

02.3 Determine the acceleration of the player between 0 and 1.6 s.

[2 marks]

Acceleration = m/s2

02.4 Describe the motion of the player between 3.4 s and 3.6 s.

[1 mark]

The force exerted on the player when she is tackled causes her to accelerate.

*0082.*5 Write down the equation which links acceleration (a), mass (m) and

resultant force (F).

[1 mark]

02.6 The player accelerates at 25 m/s2 when a resultant force of 1800 N acts on her.

Calculate the mass of the player.

[3 marks]

Mass = kg

02.7 The tracking device sends data to a computer during the game.

Suggest one advantage of the data being sent during the game.

[1 mark]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme is a table with columns for question number, answers, extra information, mark, and AO/specification reference. It gives the answers: vector means a quantity with both magnitude and direction; displacement is the vector quantity; acceleration from the graph is found from the gradient, (4 minus 0) divided by (1.6 minus 0), giving 2.5 m/s squared; the motion from 3.4 to 3.6 seconds is constant deceleration, with large deceleration or decelerates to a stop allowed; the force equation is resultant force equals mass times acceleration or F = ma; the mass calculation is 1800 = m × 25 so m = 72 kg; and an advantage of live transmission is that performance can be monitored during the game without waiting until the end. The total is 10 marks.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

02.1 a quantity with both magnitude 1 AO1

and direction 6.5.1.1

02.2 displacement 1 AO1

6.5.4.1.1

02.3 (4 - 0) 1 AO2

gradient =

(1.6 - 0) 6.5.4.1.5

acceleration = 2.5 m/s2 allow use of a = Δv / t 1

02.4 constant deceleration allow large deceleration 1 AO2

allow decelerates to a stop 6.5.4.1.5

02.5 resultant force = mass × allow force = mass × 1 AO1

acceleration acceleration 6.5.4.2.2

or

F = ma

02.6 1800 = m × 25 1 AO2

6.5.4.2.2

1800

m = 1

m = 72 (kg) 1

02.7 performance can be monitored allow do not have to wait until 1 AO3

during the game the end of the game to 6.6.2.4

download data

Total 10

How to answer it

Tracking Motion in Rugby Players

What this question tests

This question checks your understanding of vectors, reading a velocity-time graph, using gradient = acceleration, knowing F = ma, and applying a simple rearrangement. It also tests whether you can give a short, clear explanation of a technology advantage.

Question overview

Total marks: 10   |   Topics: forces, motion, vectors, graphs, data logging

The answers are mostly one-mark recall or simple calculation marks. To score full marks, use the exact physics words: magnitude, direction, displacement, gradient, deceleration, and resultant force.

Part (a) — 02.1 What is a vector quantity?

1 mark

✅ Correct answer

A quantity with both magnitude and direction

This is the mark scheme wording. For 1 mark, you only need the idea of size + direction.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Magnitude means size or amount.
  • Direction tells you which way it acts or moves.
  • Examples of vectors: velocity, acceleration, force, displacement.

🧠 Exam technique

Use the exact phrase from the mark scheme. A short definition is best in a 1-mark question.

❌ Common errors

  • Writing only “direction” or only “magnitude”.
  • Giving an example instead of a definition.
  • Mixing up vectors with scalars.

Part (b) — 02.2 Which of the following is a vector quantity?

1 mark

✅ Correct answer

Displacement

Tick displacement only.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Displacement is a vector because it has direction.
  • Distance is scalar.
  • Time is scalar.
  • Work done is scalar.

🧠 Exam technique

If you are unsure, ask: does it need a direction? If yes, it is probably a vector.

❌ Common errors

  • Choosing distance because it sounds similar to displacement.
  • Thinking work done is a vector — it is not.

Part (c) — 02.3 Determine the acceleration between 0 and 1.6 s

2 marks

📐 Calculations: step by step

  1. Use the gradient of the velocity-time graph.
  2. Read the change in velocity: 4.0 m/s - 0 m/s.
  3. Read the change in time: 1.6 s - 0 s.
  4. Calculate:
    acceleration = (4.0 - 0) ÷ (1.6 - 0)
  5. acceleration = 2.5 m/s²

✅ Correct answer

2.5 m/s²

Full marks are awarded for showing the gradient method or using a = Δv ÷ t, then giving the correct final answer.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time.
  • On a velocity-time graph, gradient = acceleration.
  • The unit of acceleration is m/s².

🧠 Exam technique

  • Always use the correct section of the graph.
  • Show your working so you can earn method marks.
  • Include units in the final answer.

❌ Common errors

  • Using the wrong time interval.
  • Using distance instead of velocity.
  • Forgetting units, or writing m/s instead of m/s².
  • Not reading the graph values carefully.

Examiner insight: students gained credit by identifying the gradient or using a = Δv ÷ t. The top answers showed the numbers clearly before writing the final unit.

Part (d) — 02.4 Describe the motion between 3.4 s and 3.6 s

1 mark

✅ Correct answer

Constant deceleration

You could also say the player decelerates to a stop.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Deceleration means acceleration in the opposite direction to motion.
  • A steep downward line on a velocity-time graph shows a rapid decrease in velocity.

🧠 Exam technique

Describe what the graph shows in physics language: the velocity is decreasing steadily.

❌ Common errors

  • Writing “stops” only, without explaining the motion.
  • Saying “constant speed” when the graph is falling.

Part (e) — 02.5 Write the equation linking acceleration, mass and resultant force

1 mark

✅ Correct answer

F = ma

You could also write resultant force = mass × acceleration.

💡 Key knowledge

  • F = force in newtons (N)
  • m = mass in kilograms (kg)
  • a = acceleration in m/s²

🧠 Exam technique

In AQA GCSE, both forms are accepted. If you remember the words, write them neatly.

❌ Common errors

  • Rearranging it when the question only asks for the equation.
  • Leaving out the result of the equation.

Part (f) — 02.6 Calculate the mass of the player

3 marks

📐 Calculations: step by step

  1. Start with F = ma.
  2. Substitute the values:
    1800 = m × 25
  3. Rearrange to find mass:
    m = 1800 ÷ 25
  4. Calculate the answer:
    m = 72
  5. Final answer: 72 kg

✅ Correct answer

72 kg

The mark scheme gives marks for: substituting into the equation, rearranging, and the final value with the unit.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Use F = ma when force, mass, and acceleration are linked.
  • Mass is measured in kg.
  • Force is measured in N.
  • Acceleration is measured in m/s².

🧠 Exam technique

  • Write the equation first to show your method.
  • Rearrange before calculating.
  • Always include the unit in the final line.

❌ Common errors

  • Dividing the wrong way round.
  • Forgetting to use the resultant force.
  • Leaving the answer as 72 with no unit.
  • Mixing up N, kg, and m/s².

Examiner insight: students who lost marks usually did not rearrange the equation clearly. Top-level responses showed the substitution 1800 = m × 25 before calculating m = 72 kg.

Part (g) — 02.7 Suggest one advantage of data being sent during the game

1 mark

✅ Correct answer

Performance can be monitored during the game.

Also accepted: you do not have to wait until the end of the game to download the data.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Live data lets coaches respond quickly.
  • It can help with tactics, fatigue, or injury monitoring.

🧠 Exam technique

For a 1-mark “suggest” question, give one clear advantage only. Short and specific answers work best.

❌ Common errors

  • Repeating the question without giving an advantage.
  • Writing something too vague like “it is useful”.

Quick recap: answers to remember

✅ Key answers

  • Vector quantity = magnitude and direction
  • Vector example = displacement
  • Acceleration = 2.5 m/s²
  • Motion between 3.4 s and 3.6 s = constant deceleration
  • Equation = F = ma
  • Mass = 72 kg
  • Advantage = performance can be monitored during the game

🧠 How to get full marks

  • Use the correct physics vocabulary.
  • Show calculations clearly.
  • Read graph values carefully.
  • Include units every time.
  • Keep explanations short and direct for 1-mark questions.

Topics

Physics · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Higher), 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.