AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 3

10 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze the energy transfers during a vertical box jump, calculate kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and explain the effects of changing the jump height.

Practise this question

Question

Question 3 displays Figure 4 showing five stages, labelled A to E, of a person performing a vertical box jump onto a raised platform. Stage A shows the person crouching before the jump; B shows the person jumping upward with arms raised; C shows the person landing in a crouch on top of the box; D shows the person beginning to stand up on the box; and E shows the person fully standing upright on the box. Sub-questions include identifying stages with least gravitational potential energy and greatest kinetic energy, calculating kinetic energy using a given equation, calculating gravitational potential energy using a given equation, explaining the difference in take-off speed for a higher box, and suggesting a reason for increased injury risk when falling from a higher box.
Question text

03 A person performs a ‘vertical box jump’.

Figure 4 shows five different stages, A, B, C, D and E, of the jump.

Figure 4

03.1 Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

[2 marks]

A B C D E

The person has the least gravitational potential energy at stage .

The person has the greatest kinetic energy at stage13 .

03.2 The person in Figure 4 has a mass of 60 kg.

The person leaves the ground with a speed of 5.5 m/s.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the person.

Use the equation:

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

[2 marks]

Kinetic energy = J

03.3 The person has a mass of 60 kg.

The height of the jump is 1.5 m.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the person at a height of 1.5 m.

Use the equation:

gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height

[2 marks]

Gravitational potential energy =14 J

03.4 The person jumps onto a box higher than the one in Figure 4, on page 12.

To jump onto a higher box, the person’s speed when leaving the ground is different.

Explain how the speed is different when jumping onto a higher box.

You should answer in terms of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.

[3 marks]

03.5 Suggest one reason why a person is more likely to be injured when falling off a

higher box.

[1 mark]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 3 with a 10-mark total. 03.1 awards 1 mark for A and 1 mark for B (must be in this order). 03.2 awards 1 mark for substitution (0.5 × 60 × 5.5 squared) and 1 mark for 907.5 J (allow 908 or 910). 03.3 awards 1 mark for substitution (60 × 9.8 × 1.5) and 1 mark for 882 J (allow 880). 03.4 awards 3 marks: gravitational potential energy is greater, so kinetic energy is greater, so must leave the ground at greater speed. 03.5 awards 1 mark for greater velocity/speed when hitting the ground or greater force exerted by the ground.

Question 3

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 must be in this order

A 1 AO2

B 1 AO3

6.1.1.1

6.1.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.2 E = 0.5 × 60 × 5.52 1 AO2

k

6.1.1.2

Ek = 907.5 (J) allow 908 (J) or 910 (J)

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.3 Ep = 60 × 9.8 × 1.5 1 AO2

6.1.1.2

Ep = 882 (J) allow 880 (J) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.4 gravitational potential energy 1 AO1

(on the box) is greater 6.1.1.2

so the kinetic energy (leaving 1

the ground) is greater

(so must leave the ground at a) 1

greater speed – – 8464/P/1F –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.5 greater velocity / speed (when 1 AO3

hitting the ground) 6.1.1.2

or 11

greater force (exerted by the

ground)

Total Question 3 10

How to answer it

Energy Changes in a Vertical Box Jump

📋 What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to identify energy stores (gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy) during motion, calculate values using standard energy equations, and explain multi-step energy transfers when moving to a higher level.

Question 03.1 • 2 Marks

Identifying Energy Stores Across Stages

Matching motion stages (A to E) to kinetic and gravitational potential energy

✅ Correct Answer

  • Least gravitational potential energy at stage: A
  • Greatest kinetic energy at stage: B
Mark scheme note: Must be written in this specific order (1 mark each).

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE): Depends on vertical height ( Ep = m × g × h ). Stage A is when the person crouches lowest to the ground.
  • Kinetic Energy (KE): Depends on speed ( Ek = ½ × m × v² ). Stage B is just as they leave the floor at maximum takeoff speed.

❌ Common Errors

  • Choosing C or D for greatest KE: at the peak of the jump, vertical velocity momentarily drops towards zero.
  • Thinking stage B has the least GPE because their feet are still on the ground—their centre of mass is already higher than in stage A.
Question 03.2 • 2 Marks

Calculating Kinetic Energy

Using mass and takeoff velocity

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Identify values:
Mass ( m ) = 60 kg
Speed ( v ) = 5.5 m/s
2. Substitute into equation:
Ek = 0.5 × 60 × (5.5)²
3. Compute answer:
Ek = 30 × 30.25 = 907.5 J
Allow 908 J or 910 J (rounded to 2 significant figures).

🧠 Exam Technique

  • BODMAS/Order of Operations: Always square the speed first before multiplying by 0.5 and mass:
    (5.5)² = 30.25 .
  • Write down the full substitution step clearly. Even if you make a calculation error on your calculator, you will still secure 1 method mark!

❌ Common Calculation Traps

  • Forgetting to square the speed: 0.5 × 60 × 5.5 = 165 J (scores 0/2).
  • Squaring the whole product: (0.5 × 60 × 5.5)² . Only speed is squared!
Question 03.3 • 2 Marks

Calculating Gravitational Potential Energy

Using mass, gravitational field strength, and vertical height

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Identify values:
Mass ( m ) = 60 kg
Height ( h ) = 1.5 m
Gravitational field strength ( g ) = 9.8 N/kg
2. Substitute into equation:
Ep = 60 × 9.8 × 1.5
3. Compute answer:
Ep = 882 J
Allow 880 J (rounded to 2 s.f.).

💡 Key Knowledge

The standard unit for all energy values is the Joule (J). The unit was already provided on the answer line, but always check if conversion from kJ is requested (not required here).

Question 03.4 • 3 Marks

Explaining Jump Speed for a Higher Box

Linking launch speed, kinetic energy, and gravitational potential energy

✅ Model Answer (3 Marks)

  • Mark 1: The gravitational potential energy on the higher box is greater (since height is greater).
  • Mark 2: Therefore, more kinetic energy is needed when leaving the ground.
  • Mark 3: So the person must leave the ground at a greater speed.

🧠 Structuring "In Terms Of" Questions

  • The question explicitly instructed: "answer in terms of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy".
  • Follow the energy flow logically:
    Higher box → More GPE needed → More KE required at start → Faster takeoff speed.

❌ Common Errors

  • Only stating "the speed is faster" without referencing both GPE and KE (scores only 1 mark max).
  • Saying "more power is needed" or "more effort" instead of using specific scientific energy terms.
Question 03.5 • 1 Mark

Risk of Injury From a Higher Box

Reasoning impact physics

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any One)

  • Greater speed / velocity when hitting the ground.
  • Greater impact force exerted by the ground on the person.

❌ Insufficient Answers

  • "It's further to fall" (this just repeats the question stem).
  • "Because it hurts more" (too vague, no physics principle).

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.