AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), 2022: Question 4
14 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate the thermal insulation of wetsuit materials, calculate energy for melting ice using latent heat, and determine material mass using density.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 Figure 6 shows a swimmer wearing a wetsuit.
The wetsuit helps to keep the swimmer warm.
Figure 6
A student wrapped a thermometer in a piece of wetsuit material and placed the
thermometer in water containing ice.
Figure 7 shows the apparatus.
Figure 7
04.1 After 30 seconds in the water the temperature of the thermometer had
decreased by 7.5 °C
Calculate the average decrease in temperature each second.
[2 marks]
Average decrease in temperature each second = °C
The student recorded the temperature of the thermometer after 30 seconds for four
materials. Each piece of material was the same size and thickness.
In each test the starting temperature of the thermometer was 21.0 °C
Table 2 shows the results.
Table 2
Material W X Y Z
Temperature in °C 13.5 8.0 16.0 12.0
04.2 Complete Figure 8 using the data in Table 2.
You should:
• label the y-axis
• draw the bars for materials Y and Z.
[2 marks]
Figure 8
04.3 Which material is the best thermal insulator?
Give a reason for your answer.
[2 marks]
Tick ( ) one box.
W X Y Z
*18* Reason
04.4 The student tested a new material with a greater thermal conductivity than material Z.
The piece of new material was the same size and thickness as the piece of material Z.
What was the temperature of the thermometer after 30 seconds?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Less than 12.0 °C
Exactly 12.0 °C
Greater than 12.0 °C 20
04.5 During the investigation 0.0150 kg of the ice melted. The temperature of the water
and ice did not change.
specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 334 000 J/kg
Calculate the energy needed to melt the ice.
Use the equation:
energy to melt the ice = mass × specific latent heat
[2 marks]
Energy needed to melt the ice = J
The student wanted to determine the density of a wetsuit material.
The student measured the length of one side of a cube of wetsuit material with:
• a micrometer
• a ruler.
Table 3 shows the results.
Table 3
Length in cm
Equipment
Measurement Measurement Measurement
12 3
Micrometer 0.581 0.557 0.576
Ruler 0.621 0.6 0.6
04.6 Complete the sentence.
Choose the answer from the box.
[1 mark]
calibration precision reproducibility resolution
The results show that compared to the ruler the micrometer has a higher
.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 04.7 and 04.8.
04.7 Write down the equation that links density (ρ), mass (m) and volume (V).
[1 mark]
04.8 The student calculated the volume of the cube of wetsuit material to be 0.186 cm3
The density of the cube was 0.300 g/cm3
Calculate the mass of the cube.
Give your answer in grams.
[3 marks]
Mass = g
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 4
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.1 7.5 1 AO2
Δθ =
30 6.1.2.1
Δθ = 0.25 (°C)
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.2 bar Y drawn to 16 allow ± half a small square 1 AO2
and bar Z drawn to 12 6.1.2.1
y-axis labelled ‘temperature in unit must be present 1
°C’
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.3 Y 1 AO3
6.1.2.1
because it showed the smallest reason only scores if Y is 1
change in temperature chosen
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.4 less than 12.0 °C 1 AO3
6.1.2.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.5 13
E = 0.0150 × 334 000 1 AO2
6.3.2.3
E = 5010 (J) 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.6 resolution 1 AO3
6.3.1.1
RPA17
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.7 mass 1 AO1
density =
volume 6.3.1.1
or
m
ρ =
V
AO /
Spec. Ref.
𝑚𝑚
04.8 0.300 = 1 AO2
0.186
6.3.1.1
m = 0.300 × 0.186 1
m = 0.0558 (g) 1
Total Question 4 14
How to answer it
Thermal Insulation and Density of Materials
What this question tests
This question assesses your ability to interpret experimental data, construct bar charts, understand thermal conductivity, and perform calculations involving specific latent heat and density. It also tests your knowledge of measurement precision and resolution.
Calculating Rate of Change
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify the total decrease: 7.5 °C
- Identify the time taken: 30 seconds
- Divide decrease by time: 7.5 / 30
- Result: 0.25 °C/s
Examiner Tip
Whenever a question asks for a value "each second" or "per second," it is asking for a rate. This almost always involves dividing the change by the time.
Data Representation (Bar Chart)
Required Elements
- Y-axis Label: Must be "Temperature in °C".
- Bar Y: Drawn exactly to the 16 line.
- Bar Z: Drawn exactly to the 12 line.
Common Pitfalls
Students often lose the label mark by forgetting the unit (°C). For the bars, ensure they are the same width as the existing bars for W and X to keep the graph professional.
Identifying the Best Insulator
Key Knowledge
A thermal insulator reduces the rate of energy transfer. In this experiment, the best insulator will keep the thermometer the warmest (closest to the starting temperature of 21.0 °C).
Correct Answer
Material: Y
Reason: It showed the smallest change in temperature (or it had the highest final temperature).
Thermal Conductivity
Understanding the Concept
Thermal Conductivity is a measure of how quickly heat travels through a material.
Higher conductivity = Heat moves faster.
Since the water is colder than the thermometer, a material with higher conductivity than Z will let heat escape faster, resulting in a lower final temperature than Z's 12.0 °C.
Correct Choice
✅ Less than 12.0 °C
Specific Latent Heat Calculation
The Calculation
Energy = mass × specific latent heat
E = 0.0150 kg × 334,000 J/kg
E = 5010 J
Exam Technique
The equation is provided in the question. Always write out the substitution (the numbers in the formula) before the final answer to secure "method marks" even if you make a calculator error.
Measurement and Resolution
Resolution
Resolution is the smallest change in a quantity that gives a perceptible change in the reading.
The micrometer measures to 0.001 cm, while the ruler only measures to 0.1 cm.
Sentence Completion
The micrometer has a higher resolution.
Density Calculations
The Equation (04.7)
density = mass / volume
Or using symbols: ρ = m / V
Calculating Mass (04.8)
- Rearrange: mass = density × volume
- Substitute: m = 0.300 g/cm³ × 0.186 cm³
- Calculate: m = 0.0558
- Final Answer: 0.0558 g
Calculation Traps
- Rearrangement: Many students accidentally divide when they should multiply. Use a formula triangle if it helps!
- Units: Always check if units match. Here, density is in g/cm³ and volume is in cm³, so the mass will naturally be in grams (g).
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy · P3: Particle Model of Matter
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.