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

8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify interaction force pairs, read weight from a newtonmeter, calculate mass, and describe weight changes based on a gravitational field strength graph.

Practise this question

Question

The image shows a multi-part physics question. Figure 4 depicts a hand holding a newtonmeter measuring a suitcase's weight; the needle indicates 196 N. Questions 02.1 and 02.2 are multiple-choice questions about the size and direction of the interaction forces between the suitcase and newtonmeter. Question 02.3 asks for the weight reading from the dial. Question 02.4 asks to calculate mass given g = 9.8 N/kg and the formula mass = weight / gravitational field strength. Figure 5 is a graph of gravitational field strength versus time, showing a linear decrease for the first 15 minutes followed by a constant value until 25 minutes. Question 02.5 asks to describe how the weight of the suitcase will change over the 25-minute period using the graph.
Question text

02 Figure 4 shows a person using a newtonmeter to measure the weight of a suitcase.

Figure 4

There is a pair of forces acting between the suitcase and the newtonmeter.

02.1 How does the force on the suitcase compare with the force on the newtonmeter?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

The force on the suitcase is smaller.

The forces are the same size.

The force on the suitcase is bigger.9

02.2 Which sentence describes the directions in which the pair of forces act?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

They act in opposite directions.

They act in the same direction.

They act in perpendicular directions.

02.3 What is the weight of the suitcase shown on the newtonmeter in Figure 4?

[1 mark]

Weight = N

02.4 Calculate the mass of the suitcase.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Use your answer from Question 02.3 and the equation:

weight

mass =

gravitational field strength

[2 marks]

10 Mass = kg

02.5 The suitcase is loaded into an aeroplane. The aeroplane takes off and its height

above the ground increases. The aeroplane then flies at a constant height.

Figure 5 shows how the gravitational field strength in the aeroplane varies for the

first 25 minutes of the flight.

Figure 5

Describe how the weight of the suitcase will change during the first 25 minutes of

the flight.

Use Figure 5.

[3 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 2 shows: 02.1 'the forces are the same size' (1 mark); 02.2 'they act in opposite directions' (1 mark); 02.3 '196 (N)' (1 mark); 02.4 'm = 196 / 9.8' and '20 (kg)' (2 marks total, allowing error carried forward from 02.3); 02.5 awards 3 marks for: 'the weight will decrease (as the gravitational field strength decreases)', 'the weight will then become constant', and 'at 15 mins'.

Question 2

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

02.1 the forces are the same size 1 AO1

6.5.4.2.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

02.2 they act in opposite directions 1 AO1

6.5.4.2.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

02.3 196 (N) 1 AO2

6.5.1.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

02.4 allow ecf from question 02.3 AO2

196 6.5.1.3

m =

9.8

20 (kg) – – 1 –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

02.5 the weight will decrease (as the 1 AO3

gravitational field strength 6.5.1.3

decreases)

the weight will then become 1

constant

at 15 mins dependent on MP1 or MP2 1

allow a value in the range 14 to

16 mins

allow for the last 10 minutes

allow at the maximum height 9

Total Question 2 8

How to answer it

Forces, Weight, and Mass

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of Newton’s Third Law (interaction pairs), your ability to read scales accurately, and your skill in calculating mass from weight. It also tests how you interpret graphs to describe changes in physical quantities.

Parts 02.1 & 02.2

Newton's Third Law

Interaction Pairs

💡 Key Knowledge

  • When two objects interact, they exert forces on each other.
  • These forces are equal in size.
  • These forces act in opposite directions.

✅ Correct Answers

  • 02.1: The forces are the same size.
  • 02.2: They act in opposite directions.
Part 02.3

Reading the Newtonmeter

Interpreting Scale Divisions

🧠 Exam Technique

To read a circular scale:

  1. Find two numbered marks (e.g., 180 and 200).
  2. Calculate the difference: 200 - 180 = 20.
  3. Count the small gaps between them (5 gaps).
  4. Divide: 20 ÷ 5 = 4 units per small line.
  5. The needle is one small line before 200. So: 200 - 4 = 196.

✅ Correct Answer

196 N

1 Mark: For the exact value.
Part 02.4

Calculating Mass

Using the Weight Equation

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the values: Weight (W) = 196 N (from 02.3), Gravitational field strength (g) = 9.8 N/kg.
  2. Use the formula provided: mass = weight ÷ gravitational field strength
  3. Substitute: mass = 196 ÷ 9.8
  4. Solve: mass = 20 kg

❌ Common Errors

  • Units: Don't forget that mass is measured in kg and weight in N .
  • ECF (Error Carried Forward): If you got 02.3 wrong, you can still get full marks here if you divide your answer by 9.8 correctly!

✅ Correct Answer

20 kg

2 Marks: 1 for substitution, 1 for correct answer.
Part 02.5

Interpreting the Graph

Weight vs. Gravitational Field Strength

💡 Key Knowledge

Weight is directly proportional to gravitational field strength (W = m × g). This means whatever the graph of g does, the weight will do the same (as long as mass doesn't change).

🧠 Exam Technique

When asked to "describe" a graph, break it into sections based on time:

  • 0 to 15 mins: The line goes down.
  • 15 to 25 mins: The line is horizontal (flat).

✅ Correct Answer

  • The weight will decrease (for the first 15 minutes).
  • The weight then becomes constant / stays the same.
  • This change happens at 15 minutes.
3 Marks: One for each point above.

❌ Common Errors

Students often forget to mention the specific time (15 minutes) where the change occurs. To get full marks on "describe" questions involving graphs, always look for the point where the trend changes.

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.