AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 2

7 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Calculate the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy of a rider on a water slide, and identify factors affecting friction and stopping distance.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 4 shows a theme park ride called AquaShute, featuring a rider on a sled sliding down a water slide. This is followed by four sub-questions: 02.1 asks how water affects friction between the sled and slide with three tick-box options; 02.2 asks to calculate gravitational potential energy given mass, height, and gravitational field strength; 02.3 asks to calculate kinetic energy given speed and mass; and 02.4 asks to give two factors affecting how far the sled moves before stopping.
Question text

02 Figure 4 shows a theme park ride called AquaShute.

Figure 4

02.1 Riders of the AquaShute sit on a sled and move down a slide.

There is a layer of water between the sled and the slide.

How does the layer of water affect the friction between the sled and the slide?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

The friction is decreased.

The friction is increased.

The friction is not affected. 7

02.2 The mass of one rider is 62.5 kg.

The height of the slide is 16.0 m.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

*06* Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the rider at the top of the slide.

Use the equation:

gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height

[2 marks]

Gravitational potential energy = J

02.3 At the bottom of the slide the speed of the rider is 12 m/s.

The mass of the rider is 62.5 kg.

Calculate the kinetic energy of the rider at the bottom of the slide.

Use the equation:

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2

[2 marks]

8 Kinetic energy = J

02.4 When a rider reaches the bottom of the slide, the sled decelerates and stops.

Give two factors that will affect how far the sled will move before it stops.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme table for Question 2 lists answers and marks for sub-questions 02.1 through 02.4. Question 02.1 awards 1 mark for 'the friction is decreased'. Question 02.2 awards 2 marks for substituting values into Ep = mgh and calculating 9800 J. Question 02.3 awards 2 marks for substituting into Ek = 0.5mv^2 and calculating 4500 J. Question 02.4 awards 2 marks for any two from speed at bottom of slide, friction between sled and ground, or air resistance, with allowances for mass, weight, or surface type.

Question 2

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

02.1 the friction is decreased 1 AO1

4.1.2.1

02.2 Ep = 62.5 × 9.8 × 16.0 1 AO2

4.1.1.2

E p = 9800 (J) 1

02.3 E = 0.5 × 62.5 × 122 1 AO2

k

4.1.1.2

Ek = 4500 (J) 1

02.4 Any two from: 2 AO1

• speed (at bottom of slide) 4.1.1.1

• friction (between sled and allow mass/weight of rider (and

ground) sled)

allow surface type

• air resistance

Total 7

How to answer it

Energy Calculations and Friction Study Guide

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of energy stores (gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy), the formula-based calculations associated with them, how friction is affected by lubrication (water), and the factors that influence stopping distance and deceleration on moving rides.

Part (02.1) - Friction and Lubrication

How water affects friction between the sled and slide

✅ Correct Answer

Tick: The friction is decreased.

1 mark

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Water acts as a lubricant between two solid surfaces.
  • Lubricants separate solid surfaces and reduce the direct contact and interlocking of microscopic surface roughness.

Part (02.2) - Gravitational Potential Energy Calculation

Calculating E_p at the top of the slide

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify given values: Mass ( m ) = 62.5 kg, Height ( h ) = 16.0 m, Gravitational field strength ( g ) = 9.8 N/kg.
  2. State the equation: E_p = m × g × h
  3. Substitute values: E_p = 62.5 × 9.8 × 16.0
  4. Calculate result: E_p = 9800 J
2 marks (1 for correct substitution, 1 for correct final answer)

❌ Common Errors & Traps

  • Forgetting to include or misremembering units ( J or Joules).
  • Typing values incorrectly into the calculator—always double-check multiplication steps.

Part (02.3) - Kinetic Energy Calculation

Calculating E_k at the bottom of the slide

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify given values: Mass ( m ) = 62.5 kg, Speed ( v ) = 12 m/s.
  2. State the equation: E_k = 0.5 × m × v²
  3. Substitute values: E_k = 0.5 × 62.5 × 12²
  4. Square the speed first: 12² = 144
  5. Complete calculation: E_k = 0.5 × 62.5 × 144 = 4500 J
2 marks (1 for correct substitution and squaring, 1 for correct final answer)

🧠 Exam Technique

Always follow the standard BODMAS/Order of Operations rule in physics equations containing squared terms: square the velocity before multiplying by mass and 0.5 to avoid calculator input errors.

Part (02.4) - Factors Affecting Stopping Distance

Factors influencing how far the sled moves before stopping

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any 2)

  • Speed (at the bottom of the slide)
  • Friction (between the sled and ground/braking area)
  • Air resistance
  • Also allowed: Mass/weight of rider (and sled), surface type
2 marks (1 mark for each valid factor, up to 2)

❌ Examiner Commentary & Lost Marks

Students frequently lose marks here by giving vague terms like "how heavy they are" without referencing mass/weight properly, or mentioning general terms like "weather" instead of specific physical factors like air resistance or friction.

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.