AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2023: Question 1

11 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze forces and energy in a spring system, including calculations for weight and elastic potential energy, and evaluating an investigation into Hooke's law.

Practise this question

Question

A physics exam question featuring a garden chair hanging from a spring. It includes multiple-choice questions on the direction of weight and the nature of gravitational force. There are two calculation tasks with provided formulas for weight and elastic potential energy, a diagram (Figure 2) showing a spring's original length and extension with slotted masses, a set of four graphs to identify direct proportionality, and a table of experimental results for suggesting improvements.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows a garden chair hanging from a spring.

Figure 1

The weight of the person causes the spring to extend.

01.1 Why does the weight of the person cause the spring to extend?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Weight acts downwards

Weight acts in all directions

Weight acts upwards 3

01.2 Complete the sentence.

Choose the answer from the box.

[1 mark]

a gravitational a frictional an electrostatic

The weight of the person in Figure 1 is force.

The weight of the person causes an extension in the spring of 0.070 m.

The spring constant of the spring is 12 000 N/m.

01.3 Calculate the weight of the person.

Use the equation:

weight = spring constant × extension

[2 marks]

Weight = N

01.4 Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the extended spring.

Use the equation:

elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)2

[2 marks]

Elastic potential energy =5 J

01.5 If there is more than one person on the chair, the spring could become

inelastically deformed.

*03* What is meant by ‘inelastically deformed’?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

The spring extends more when two or more forces act on it.

The spring will not go back to its original length when the force is removed.

The spring extends so that it is twice as long as its original length.6

The manufacturer of the chair investigated the extension of a new spring.

01.6 Figure 2 shows slotted masses hanging from the spring.

The weight of the masses extends the spring.

Figure 2

Which length in Figure 2 represents the extension of the spring?

*05* [1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C7

01.7 Which graph shows that the extension of the spring is directly proportional to the force

applied to the spring?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

01.8 Table 1 shows the results of the manufacturer’s investigation.

Table 1

Force in newtons Extension in metres

100 0.008

200 0.016

Suggest two improvements to the investigation.

*07* [2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 1 shows the correct answers and mark allocations. It specifies 'weight acts downwards' for 01.1, 'a gravitational' for 01.2, and provides the worked solutions for the weight (840 N) and elastic potential energy (29.4 J) calculations. It also identifies 'B' for the extension diagram and graph, and lists acceptable experimental improvements like using a greater range of forces or repeating measurements.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 weight acts downwards 1 AO2

6.5.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 a gravitational 1 AO1

6.5.1.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 W = 12 000 × 0.070 1 AO2

6.5.3

W = 840 (N) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 E = 0.5 × 12 000 × (0.070)2 1 AO2

e

6.5.3

Ee = 29.4 (J) allow 29 (J) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 the spring will not go back to its 1 AO1

original length when the force is 6.5.3

removed

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.6 B 1 AO3

6.5.3

– OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – – RPA18

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.7 B 1 AO1

6.5.3

RPA18 7

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.8 any two from: 2 AO3

• use a greater range of forces allow test more forces 6.5.3

• use forces that are similar to RPA18

the weight of a person

• test more (identical) springs

• find the limit of proportionality allow elastic limit

• repeat (discard anomalous

results) and calculate a mean

Total Question 1 11

How to answer it

Forces, Springs, and Elasticity

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of Hooke's Law, the properties of elastic materials, and the required practical for stretching a spring. Key skills include using the weight and elastic potential energy equations, interpreting graphs of direct proportionality, and evaluating experimental methods.

Part 01.1 & 01.2

Gravity and Weight

Correct Answers

  • 01.1: Weight acts downwards
  • 01.2: a gravitational force

Key Knowledge

Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity. Because gravity pulls objects toward the centre of the Earth, weight always acts vertically downwards.

Part 01.3

Calculating Weight (Hooke's Law)

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the values: Spring constant (k) = 12,000 N/m, Extension (e) = 0.070 m.
  2. Apply the formula: Weight = spring constant × extension
  3. Substitute: 12,000 × 0.070
  4. Final Answer: 840 N

Exam Technique

The equation is provided in the question. Always write down your substitution (the numbers you put into the calculator) to secure the first mark, even if you make a typing error later.

Common Errors

Students often lose marks by not checking units. Here, the extension is already in metres (m). If it were in cm, you would have to divide by 100 first!

Part 01.4

Elastic Potential Energy

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Formula: Eₑ = 0.5 × k × e²
  2. Substitution: 0.5 × 12,000 × (0.070)²
  3. Calculate the square first: (0.070)² = 0.0049
  4. Final Multiply: 0.5 × 12,000 × 0.0049 = 29.4 J

The "Square" Trap

The most common mistake in GCSE Physics is forgetting to square the extension. Always calculate e² before multiplying by the other numbers.

Part 01.5

Inelastic Deformation

Correct Answer

The spring will not go back to its original length when the force is removed.

Key Knowledge

  • Elastic: Returns to original shape.
  • Inelastic (Plastic): Permanently stretched or changed.
Part 01.6 & 01.7

Practical Skills & Graphs

01.6: Measuring Extension

Answer: B

Extension is the increase in length. It is calculated as:
Total Length (C) - Original Length (A) = Extension (B).

01.7: Direct Proportionality

Answer: B

A graph shows direct proportionality if it is a straight line that passes through the origin (0,0).

Part 01.8

Improving the Investigation

Suggested Improvements (Pick Two)

  • Use a greater range of forces: The table only shows two results (100N and 200N). Testing more weights gives a better trend.
  • Repeat and calculate a mean: This helps identify and discard anomalous results, making the data more reliable.
  • Test more identical springs: To see if the results are consistent.
  • Find the limit of proportionality: Add more weight until the graph is no longer a straight line.

Examiner Insight

Top-level responses noticed that the manufacturer only used two data points. In science, you cannot determine a "trend" or "proportionality" with only two points; you need a wider range of data to be certain.

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.