AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2021: Question 4
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate how the angle of a ramp affects the force required to hold a trolley stationary, including measuring angles, identifying zero errors, plotting graphs, and calculating work done.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 A student investigated how the angle of a ramp affects the force required to hold a
trolley stationary on the ramp.
Figure 10 shows the equipment used.
Figure 10
04.1 Measure the angle Y in Figure 10
[1 mark]
Angle Y = degrees
Figure 11 shows the newtonmeter before the investigation started.
Figure 11
04.2 What type of error is shown on the newtonmeter in Figure 11?
[1 mark]
*18* Tick ( ) one box.
Human error
Random error
Zero error
04.3 How can this error be corrected after the measurements have been taken?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Add 0.5 N to each measurement
Multiply each measurement by 0.5 N
Subtract 0.5 N from each measurement20
Table 2 shows the corrected results.
Table 2
Angle of ramp in degrees Force in newtons
50.9
10 1.7
15 2.6
20 3.4
25 4.2
30 5.0
Figure 12 is an incomplete graph of the results
Figure 12
04.4 Plot the missing results from Table 2 on Figure 12.
[2 marks]
04.5 Figure 13 shows a person in a wheelchair using two different ramps to enter a van.
Figure 13
The ramps are at different angles to the ground.
Explain one advantage of using the long ramp compared with using the short ramp.
[2 marks]
04.6 A force of 160 N is used to move the wheelchair up the long ramp.
The ramp is 2.5 m long.
Calculate the work done to move the wheelchair up the ramp.
Use the equation:
work done = force × distance
[2 marks]
Work done = J
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 4
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.1 30 (°) 1 AO2
4.5.2
04.2 zero error 1 AO3
4.5.2
04.3 subtract 0.5 N from each 1 AO3
measurement 4.5.2
04.4 points plotted correctly allow 5 correctly plotted for 2 AO2
2 marks, 2–4 correctly plotted 4.5.2
for 1 mark
allow ± half a square
ignore any attempt at a line of
best fit
04.5 the long ramp has a smaller allow description (eg shallower 1 AO3
angle gradient / less steep) 4.5.2
(so) less force is needed (to allow (so) less force is needed 1
hold the wheelchair stationary to move the wheelchair up the
on the ramp) ramp
04.6 W = 160 × 2.5 1 AO2
4.5.2
W = 400 (J) 1
Total 9
How to answer it
Forces, Ramps and Work Done Investigation
What this question tests
This question assesses your ability to interpret experimental equipment, identify measurement errors (specifically zero errors), plot data accurately onto line graphs, explain physical phenomena involving ramps, and apply the work done equation ( work done = force × distance ).
Measuring Angle Y
✅ Correct Answer
30 (degrees)
🧠 Exam Technique
Carefully inspect the protractor or angle indicator shown in Figure 10. Ensure you read the correct scale matching the orientation of the ramp.
Identifying and Correcting Errors
✅ Correct Answers
- 04.2: Zero error (The newtonmeter pointer sits at 0.5 N before any force is applied).
- 04.3: Subtract 0.5 N from each measurement
💡 Key Knowledge
A zero error is a type of systematic error where an instrument gives a non-zero reading when the true value should be zero. Because the un-loaded newtonmeter reads +0.5 N, every subsequent reading is too high by 0.5 N and must be corrected by subtraction.
❌ Common Errors
Students frequently confuse zero errors with random errors (which cause scatter and can be reduced by taking mean averages) or human errors (a vague term avoided in rigorous scientific analysis).
Plotting Graph Results
✅ Correct Answer
All remaining 5 data points from Table 2 accurately plotted onto Figure 12.
• 2 marks for all 5 points plotted correctly.
• 1 mark for 2 to 4 points plotted correctly.
(Note: Allow ± half a square tolerance. Ignore any lines of best fit drawn).
🧠 Exam Technique
Use a sharp pencil and a cross ( × ) or dot inside a circle to plot points. Double-check your coordinates against the table axes (e.g., at 5°, force is 0.9 N; at 10°, force is 1.7 N) before making your final mark.
Analyzing Ramp Angles
✅ Correct Answers
Advantage 1: The long ramp has a smaller angle (or shallower gradient / less steep).
Advantage 2: (So) less force is needed to hold the wheelchair stationary / move it up the ramp.
💡 Key Knowledge
As an inclined plane becomes less steep, the component of gravitational force acting down the slope decreases. This directly links back to the trend shown in Table 2, where smaller angles require smaller forces.
Calculating Work Done
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- State the equation:
work done = force × distance - Substitute values:
W = 160 × 2.5 - Calculate final answer:
W = 400 J
❌ Common Calculation Traps
Always check that your values are in standard SI units before multiplying. Omitting units or incorrectly rounding intermediate steps can cost you accuracy marks.
Topics
Physics · P5: Forces
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.