AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Higher), 2023: Question 5

9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Investigate the effect of viewing position on a height measurement, calculate the toy’s mass from gravitational potential energy, and explain why the toy is not a closed system.

Practise this question

Question

The question shows Figure 10, a toy with a visible spring underneath it. A child pushes down on the toy to compress the spring, and the spring then launches the toy into the air. Figure 11 shows the toy at its maximum height beside a vertical metre rule, with two student eye positions labelled Position A and Position B to show different viewing angles. Part 05.1 asks why measuring from position B instead of A affects the measured maximum height. Part 05.2 states that the toy’s greatest height is 64 cm and its gravitational potential energy is 0.049 J with gravitational field strength 9.8 N/kg, then asks for the toy’s mass to 2 significant figures. Part 05.3 asks why the child’s toy on its own is not a closed system when the spring launches it and the air temperature increases.
Question text

05 Figure 10 shows a child’s toy.

A child pushes down on the toy to compress the spring. The spring then launches the

toy into the air.

Figure 10

05.1 A student measured the maximum height reached by the toy.

The student placed a vertical metre rule near the toy, and observed the height

reached by the toy.

The student repeated the experiment, observing from a different position.

Figure 11 shows the toy at its maximum height and the two positions of the student.

Figure 11

Observing the toy from position B instead of position A affected the measurement

of the maximum height reached by the toy.

Explain how.

[2 marks]

*20* 22

05.2 The greatest height reached by the toy was 64 cm.

The gravitational potential energy of the toy at this height was 0.049 J.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Calculate the mass of the toy.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

[5 marks]

Mass of toy (2 significant figures) = kg

05.3 When the spring launches the toy into the air, the temperature of the air increases.

Explain why the child’s toy on its own is not a closed system.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Higher), 2023: Question 5

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 the measurement will be more allow parallax error is reduced 1 AO3

accurate

because (in position B) the eye 1

is level with (the maximum AO1

height of) the toy 6.1.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.2 64 cm = 0.64 m 1 AO2

6.1.1.2

0.049 = m × 9.8 × 0.64 allow a correct substitution using 1

an incorrectly / not converted

height

0.049

m = allow a correct rearrangement 1

9.8 × 0.64

using their incorrectly / not

converted height

m = 0.0078125 (kg) allow an answer consistent with 1

their incorrectly / not converted

height

m = 0.0078 (kg) this mark can only be scored if 1

the equation Ep = m g h has

been used

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.3 energy from the toy is dissipated allow energy from the toy is 1 AO1

(to the surroundings / air) transferred to the surroundings / 6.1.2.1

air 6.1.1.1

(but) in a closed system the total 1

energy remains constant

Total Question 5 9

How to answer it

Spring Toy Height, Parallax Error, and Energy

What this question tests

Measurement skills: spotting parallax error and explaining why eye position matters.

Physics calculations: using Eₚ = mgh , converting cm to m, rearranging, and giving an answer to 2 significant figures.

Energy ideas: explaining why the toy is not a closed system because energy is transferred to the surroundings/air.

Question overview

Part (a): Why position B gives a better height measurement

✅ Key idea

The student’s eye should be level with the toy’s maximum height to reduce parallax error.

🧠 Exam technique

For 2 marks, give both points:

  1. The measurement is more accurate.
  2. The eye is level with the toy, so the reading is not distorted.

❌ Common errors

  • Just saying “you can see it better” is not enough.
  • Not naming parallax error loses the accuracy mark.
  • Talking about the metre rule being “more precise” is not the point here.

Part (a) – Explain how position B affects the measurement

✅ Correct answer

The measurement is more accurate because in position B the eye is level with the maximum height of the toy, so parallax error is reduced.

💡 Key knowledge

  • Parallax error happens when an object looks in a different place because you view it from an angle.
  • Looking from eye level means the reading on the metre rule is closer to the true value.

🧠 How marks are awarded

Mark 1: measurement is more accurate / parallax reduced.

Mark 2: eye is level with the toy’s maximum height.

Part (b) – Calculate the mass of the toy

💡 Key knowledge

Use the gravitational potential energy equation:

Eₚ = mgh

Where:

  • Eₚ = gravitational potential energy in J
  • m = mass in kg
  • g = gravitational field strength in N/kg
  • h = height in m

📐 Calculations: step by step

  1. Convert the height: 64 cm = 0.64 m
  2. Substitute into Eₚ = mgh :
    0.049 = m × 9.8 × 0.64
  3. Rearrange to make m the subject:
    m = 0.049 ÷ (9.8 × 0.64)
  4. Calculate:
    m = 0.0078125 kg
  5. Round to 2 significant figures:
    m = 0.0078 kg

✅ Correct answer

Mass of toy = 0.0078 kg

🧠 Exam technique

  • Always convert cm to m before using the equation.
  • Show the substitution as well as the final answer.
  • Use the given value of g = 9.8 N/kg .
  • Give the final answer to 2 significant figures.

❌ Common errors

  • Forgetting to convert 64 cm to 0.64 m .
  • Using g = 10 when the question gives 9.8 .
  • Rearranging incorrectly: the mass must be Eₚ ÷ (gh) .
  • Giving the answer in grams instead of kilograms.
  • Missing the 2 significant figures requirement.
How the 5 marks are earned: one mark for converting the height, one for correct substitution, one for rearranging, one for the calculated value, and one for the final rounded answer using Eₚ = mgh .

Part (c) – Why the toy is not a closed system

✅ Correct answer

Energy from the toy is dissipated to the surroundings/air, so energy leaves the toy system. Therefore the toy on its own is not a closed system.

💡 Key knowledge

  • A closed system does not transfer energy to its surroundings.
  • When the toy launches, some energy is transferred to the air and surroundings, often as thermal energy.
  • In a closed system, the total energy remains constant inside the system boundary.

🧠 Exam technique

To get both marks, say:

  1. Energy is transferred/dissipated to the surroundings or air.
  2. So the toy alone is not a closed system because energy leaves it.

❌ Common errors

  • Only saying “temperature increases” without linking it to energy transfer.
  • Talking about mass leaving the system — this question is about energy, not matter.
  • Writing “the toy uses up energy” instead of explaining transfer to surroundings.

Top-scoring answer patterns

Strong phrasing for part (a)

“The measurement is more accurate because the eye is level with the top of the toy, reducing parallax error.”

Strong phrasing for part (b)

“Convert 64 cm to 0.64 m, use Eₚ = mgh , rearrange, and round to 2 s.f.”

Strong phrasing for part (c)

“Energy is dissipated to the surroundings/air, so the toy on its own is not a closed system.”

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.