AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 6

8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Describe how to use a syringe and pressure gauge to investigate gas pressure and volume, describe the relationship between pressure and volume, and identify particle properties that change with temperature.

Practise this question

Question

An exam question with three parts based on an investigation of gas pressure and volume. Figure 9 shows a syringe connected to a pressure gauge. Table 2 provides data showing volume in cm3 and pressure in kPa. Question 6.1 asks to describe how to use the equipment to obtain the data (4 marks). Question 6.2 asks to describe what happens to pressure when volume is halved (2 marks). Question 6.3 asks to tick two boxes to identify properties of air particles that change when temperature increases (2 marks).
Question text

06 A student used the equipment in Figure 9 to investigate how the pressure of a gas

varies with the volume of the gas.

Figure 9

The syringe is filled with air.

Table 2 shows the results.

Table 2

Volume in cm3 Pressure in kPa

24 100

20 120

12 200

10 21 240

06.1 Describe how the student could use the equipment in Figure 9 to obtain the data

shown in Table 2.

[4 marks]

06.2 Describe what happens to the pressure of the air when the volume of the air

is halved.

[2 marks]

06.3 The temperature of the air in the syringe remained constant during the student’s

investigation.

Which two properties of the air particles would change if the temperature increased?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two boxes.

kinetic energy

mass

shape

speed

volume

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides a level-based response for question 6.1 with indicative content including recording initial volume and pressure, changing volume with the plunger, reading pressure, and repeating. For question 6.2, it accepts that pressure doubles when volume is halved (2 marks) or increases (1 mark). For question 6.3, it awards marks for ticking 'kinetic energy' and 'speed'.

Question 6

AO/

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref

06.1 Level 2: The method would lead to the production of a valid AO3

3–4

outcome. Key steps are identified and logically sequenced. 4.3.3.2

Level 1: The method would not necessarily lead to a valid

outcome. Some relevant steps are identified, but links are not 1–2

made clear.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content:

• record the initial volume of air

• record the initial pressure

• push the plunger of the syringe

• to decrease the volume of air

• read the new value on the pressure gauge

• record the new value of the volume

• repeat for different volumes

06.2 (when the volume is halved) the 2 AO3

pressure doubles 4.3.3.2

allow for 1 mark when the

volume is halved the pressure

increases

06.3 kinetic energy 1 AO1

4.3.3.1

speed 1

Total 8

How to answer it

Gas Pressure and Volume Investigation

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of required practical procedures involving gas pressure and volume (Boyle's Law), data interpretation, and particle theory of gases (how changing temperature affects particle kinetic energy and speed).

Question 06.1 — 4 Marks

Describe how to use the equipment to obtain the data

✅ Correct Method (Level 2)

  • Record the initial volume of air from the syringe scale.
  • Record the initial pressure from the pressure gauge.
  • Push the plunger of the syringe to decrease the volume of air.
  • Read and record the new value of volume and the corresponding pressure gauge reading.
  • Repeat this process for several different volumes.

🧠 Exam Technique (Levels of Response)

This is a 4-mark extended writing question marked using a Level of Response rubric:

  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): A logical, coherent method that would produce valid results. Steps are sequenced correctly.
  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): Some relevant steps are identified (e.g., reading pressure and volume), but the sequence is missing or unclear.

❌ Common Errors & Examiner Commentary

Students often lose marks by forgetting to state that you must record both the volume and pressure values at each step, or by failing to mention repeating the process for multiple volumes to establish a trend.

Mark breakdown: Level 2 (3–4 marks) for a logical, valid method covering initial readings, changing volume, taking new readings, and repeating. Level 1 (1–2 marks) for fragmented steps.
Question 06.2 — 2 Marks

Describe what happens to the pressure when volume is halved

✅ Correct Answer

The pressure doubles (or increases by a factor of 2).

💡 Key Knowledge (Boyle's Law)

For a fixed mass of gas at a constant temperature, pressure and volume are inversely proportional. If you squeeze the gas into half the space (volume divided by 2), the particles hit the container walls twice as often, so the pressure doubles.

Mark breakdown: 2 marks for stating the pressure doubles. (1 mark is awarded if a student vaguely states that "the pressure increases").
Question 06.3 — 2 Marks

Properties of air particles when temperature increases

✅ Correct Answers (Tick Two Boxes)

  • ☑ kinetic energy
  • ☑ speed

💡 Key Knowledge (Particle Theory)

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. When temperature increases, particles move faster, meaning both their speed and kinetic energy increase. Mass, shape, and individual particle volume do not change.

Mark breakdown: 1 mark for each correct tick. If more than two boxes are ticked, marks are lost for every incorrect extra tick.

Topics

Physics · P3: Particle Model of Matter

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.