AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 8
14 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate the acceleration of a trolley using a sloping runway, light gate, and varying resultant force.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
08 A student investigated the acceleration of a trolley.
Figure 13 shows how the student set up the apparatus.
Figure 13
08.1 Before attaching the mass holder the student placed the trolley at the top of the
runway. The trolley rolled down the runway without being pushed.
What change to the apparatus in Figure 13 could be made to prevent the trolley from
starting to roll down the runway?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Move the wooden block to the left.
Shorten the length of the runway.
Use a taller wooden block.
08.2 The student attached the mass holder to the string.
The string rubbed along the edge of the bench as the mass holder fell to the floor.
Suggest what the student could do to prevent the string from rubbing.
[1 mark]
The light gate and data logger were used to determine the acceleration of the trolley.
The student increased the resultant force on the trolley and recorded the acceleration
of the trolley.
*30* Table 4 shows the results.
Table 4
Resultant force in newtons Acceleration in m/s²
0.05 0.08
0.10 0.18
0.15 0.25
0.20 0.32
0.25 0.41
Figure 14 is an incomplete graph of the results.
Figure 14
08.3 Complete Figure 14.
• Choose a suitable scale for the x-axis.
• Plot the results.
• Draw a line of best fit. 32
[4 marks]
08.4 Describe the relationship between the resultant force on the trolley and the
acceleration of the trolley.
*31* [1 mark]
08.5 Describe how the investigation could be improved to reduce the effect of random
errors.
[2 marks]
08.6 Write down the equation that links acceleration (a), mass (m) and resultant force (F).
[1 mark]
08.7 The resultant force on the trolley was 0.375 N.
The mass of the trolley was 0.60 kg.
Calculate the acceleration of the trolley.
Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
[4 marks]
Acceleration (2 significant figures) = m/s2
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 8
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.1 Move the wooden block to the 1 AO3
left. 4.5.6.2.2
RPA7
08.2 use a pulley (on the edge of the allow any feasible method to 1 AO3
bench) stop the string from rubbing 4.5.6.2.2
RPA7
08.3 suitable scale 1 AO2
4.5.6.2.2
points plotted correctly allow 5 correctly plotted for RPA7
2 marks OR 3–4 correctly
plotted for 1 mark
line of best fit 1
08.4 (directly) proportional allow a correct description of 1 AO3
direct proportionality 4.5.6.2.2
RPA7
ignore positive correlation
allow weight (added to mass
holder) for force
allow f = ma for 1 mark
08.5 repeat the 1 AO3
measurements/investigation 4.5.6.2.2
RPA7
ignore anomalies and calculate 1
the mean / average
08.6 resultant force = mass × 1 AO1
acceleration 4.5.6.2.2
RPA7
or
F = m a
16 08.7 0.375 = 0.60 × a 1 AO2
4.5.6.2.2
0.375 RPA7
a =
0.60 1
a = 0.625 (m/s2)
a = 0.63 (m/s2)
Total 14
How to answer it
Investigating Acceleration (Required Practical)
What this question tests
This question assesses your knowledge and understanding of the Acceleration Required Practical (RPA7). You will be tested on experimental apparatus setup, controlling variables, plotting and interpreting graphs (specifically recognizing direct proportionality), reducing random errors, recalling Newton's Second Law equation ( F = m × a ), and performing multi-step calculations using correct significant figures.
Part (08.1) - Apparatus Setup
Preventing premature movement
✅ Correct Answer
Move the wooden block to the left. (Tick the first box)
💡 Key Knowledge
To keep a trolley stationary on a sloping runway without a mass holder attached, the runway must be made level (horizontal). Moving the wooden block supporting the runway to the left lowers that end, reducing the slope angle to zero.
🧠 Exam Technique
Read options carefully. Shortening the runway changes its length rather than its angle, and a taller wooden block would increase the slope angle, making the trolley roll down faster.
Part (08.2) - Friction Reduction
Preventing the string from rubbing
✅ Correct Answer
Use a pulley on the edge of the bench.
❌ Common Errors
Students sometimes suggest adding more lubricant or changing the string material. While friction is reduced slightly, the physical alignment over the bench edge demands a rotating wheel (pulley) to properly redirect the force vertically without drag.
Part (08.3) - Graph Completion
Plotting results and drawing a line of best fit
💡 Mark Breakdown (4 Marks)
- Mark 1: Suitable scale chosen for the x-axis (occupies more than half the grid).
- Marks 2 & 3: Points plotted correctly (5 points correct = 2 marks; 3–4 points correct = 1 mark).
- Mark 4: A single, thin, straight line of best fit drawn through the points.
🧠 Exam Technique
Always use a sharp pencil and a ruler. Ensure your scale is linear and spreads the data out across the grid. Do not just dot-to-dot the points unless they form a perfect straight line naturally.
Part (08.4) - Describing Relationships
Force and Acceleration Correlation
✅ Correct Answer
Directly proportional (or a description stating that as force increases, acceleration increases at a constant rate, passing through the origin).
❌ Common Errors
Writing just "positive correlation" or "proportional" will lose marks. The strict scientific term required for full credit is directly proportional because doubling the force doubles the acceleration, and the line passes through (0,0) .
Part (08.5) - Reducing Random Errors
Improving reliability
✅ Correct Answers (2 Marks)
- 1. Repeat the measurements / investigation.
- 2. Ignore anomalies and calculate a mean (average).
🧠 Exam Technique
Distinguish between random errors and systematic errors. Random errors are reduced by taking multiple repeat readings and calculating a mean. Systematic errors (like zero errors) are reduced by recalibrating equipment.
Part (08.6) - Equation Recall
Newton's Second Law formula
✅ Correct Answer
resultant force = mass × acceleration OR F = m × a
💡 Key Knowledge
Standard symbols must be clear. Avoid ambiguous abbreviations unless standard ( F , m , a are universally accepted).
Part (08.7) - Calculation of Acceleration
Step-by-step calculation (4 marks)
📐 Step-by-Step Working
- State equation: F = m × a
- Substitute values: 0.375 = 0.60 × a
- Rearrange: a = 0.375 / 0.60
- Calculate raw value: 0.625 m/s²
- Apply significant figures: Round to 2 s.f. to get 0.63 m/s²
❌ Common Calculation Traps
Forgetting to round to the specified 2 significant figures will lose the final accuracy mark. 0.625 correctly rounds up to 0.63 .
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P5: Forces · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.