AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2024: Question 1

9 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify forces acting on a skydiver, calculate resultant force, interpret a velocity-time graph to find terminal velocity, and calculate distance travelled.

Practise this question

Question

The image shows a multi-part physics question about a skydiver. Figure 1 shows a skydiver jumping from an aeroplane. Figure 2 is a free-body diagram of a skydiver with a 150 N force arrow pointing upwards and a 600 N force arrow pointing downwards. Figure 3 is a velocity-time graph showing velocity in m/s on the y-axis (0 to 50) and time in seconds on the x-axis (0 to 30). The graph shows a curve that starts at the origin, increases rapidly, and then plateaus at approximately 46 m/s after 20 seconds. The questions ask to identify forces, calculate resultant force, identify terminal velocity, and calculate distance using a provided formula.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows a skydiver jumping from an aeroplane.

The skydiver is accelerating downwards.

Figure 1

01.1 Which force causes the skydiver to accelerate?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Electromagnetic force

Gravitational force

Magnetic force

01.2 Which force increases as the skydiver accelerates?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Air resistance

Normal contact force

Tension 3

Figure 2 shows the two forces acting on the skydiver a few seconds after jumping

from the aeroplane.

Figure 2

01.3 Calculate the resultant force acting on the skydiver in Figure 2.

[1 mark]

4Resultant force = N

01.4 Eventually the skydiver stops accelerating and falls at a constant velocity.

What is the resultant force acting on the skydiver when falling at a constant velocity?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

0 N

150 N

600 N

01.5 What name is given to the constant velocity of the skydiver?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Average velocity

Initial velocity

Terminal velocity 5

Figure 3 shows a velocity–time graph for the skydiver.

Figure 3

01.6 How many seconds did the skydiver accelerate for?

Use Figure 3.

[1 mark]

s

01.7 What was the constant velocity of the skydiver?

Use Figure 3.

[1 mark]

6 m/s

01.8 After opening a parachute, the skydiver fell at a constant speed of 3.6 m/s for

25 seconds.

Calculate the distance travelled by the skydiver during this time.

*05* Use the equation:

distance travelled = speed × time

[2 marks]

Distance travelled = m

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme table provides the answers for questions 01.1 through 01.8. It lists: 01.1 gravitational force; 01.2 air resistance; 01.3 450 N; 01.4 0 N; 01.5 terminal velocity; 01.6 20 s (range 18-21); 01.7 46 m/s; 01.8 calculation of 3.6 times 25 equals 90 m. Each part is worth 1 mark, except 01.8 which is worth 2 marks. Total marks for the question is 9.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 gravitational force 1 AO1

6.5.4.1.5

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 air resistance 1 AO1

6.5.4.1.5

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 450 (N) 1 AO2

6.5.1.4

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 0 N 1 AO1

6.5.4.2.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 terminal velocity 1 AO1

6.5.4.1.5

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.6 20 (s) allow an answer in the range 18 1 AO2

– to 21 (s) – – 6.5.4.1.5

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.7 46 (m/s) 1 AO2

6.5.4.1.5 7

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.8 s = 3.6 × 25 1 AO2

6.5.4.1.2

90 (m) 1

Total Question 1 9

How to answer it

Forces and Terminal Velocity in Skydiving

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of weight (gravity) and air resistance, how to calculate resultant forces, the concept of terminal velocity, and your ability to extract data from velocity-time graphs and use the distance equation.

Part 01.1 & 01.2

Identifying Forces

Correct Answers

  • 01.1: Gravitational force
  • 01.2: Air resistance

Key Knowledge

Gravity (weight) is a constant force pulling the skydiver down. Air resistance is a frictional force that increases as the object moves faster through the air.

Part 01.3

Calculating Resultant Force

Using Figure 2

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the two forces: 600 N (down) and 150 N (up).
  2. Since they act in opposite directions, subtract the smaller force from the larger force.
  3. 600 - 150 = 450 N

Exam Technique

Always check the direction of the arrows. If arrows point in opposite directions, you subtract. If they point in the same direction, you add.

Part 01.4 & 01.5

Terminal Velocity Concepts

Correct Answers

  • 01.4: 0 N
  • 01.5: Terminal velocity

Key Knowledge

When an object falls at a constant velocity, the forces are balanced. This means the upward air resistance equals the downward weight. The resultant force is zero.

Common Error

Students often think that if an object is moving fast, there must be a large resultant force. Remember: Constant speed = Zero resultant force.

Part 01.6 & 01.7

Interpreting the Graph

Using Figure 3

How to read Figure 3

  • Acceleration: This is where the line is curved (the speed is changing).
  • Constant Velocity: This is where the line becomes horizontal (flat).

Answers

01.6: 20 seconds (Accept 18–21s)

01.7: 46 m/s

Scale Trap

On the y-axis, there are 5 small squares between 40 and 50. This means each small square represents 2 m/s. The flat line is 3 squares above 40, so: 40 + (3 × 2) = 46 m/s.

Part 01.8

Distance Calculation

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the values: Speed = 3.6 m/s, Time = 25 s.
  2. Use the formula: distance = speed × time
  3. Substitute: 3.6 × 25
  4. Final Answer: 90 m
1 mark for correct substitution, 1 mark for correct answer.

Examiner Insight

Even if you find the multiplication difficult, always write down the numbers you are multiplying. If you write 3.6 × 25 but get the final answer wrong, you still get 1 mark!

Summary Diagram

Visualising the Journey

If you were to draw this journey, you would show:

  • Start: Large arrow down (Weight), no arrow up. High acceleration.
  • Middle: Large arrow down (Weight), small arrow up (Air Resistance). Decreasing acceleration.
  • Terminal Velocity: Arrow down (Weight) and arrow up (Air Resistance) are exactly the same length. Zero acceleration.

Topics

Physics · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.