AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 8
11 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate the insulating properties of two different materials by measuring temperature changes of hot water over time and calculating thermal energy changes.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
08 A student investigated the insulating properties of two different materials.
The same thickness of each material was used.
Figure 9 shows some of the equipment used by the student.
Figure 9
The student used two different types of thermometer to measure the temperature
changes.
Figure 10 shows a reading on each thermometer.
Figure 10
08.1 What is the resolution of thermometer B?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
0.1 °C
0.4 °C
67.0 °C
67.4 °C 25
08.2 Complete the sentence.
Choose the answer from the box.
*24* [1 mark]
a smaller the same a bigger
Thermometer A has chance of being misread than
thermometer B.
Figure 11 shows the results.
Figure 11
08.3 The mass of water used was 0.12 kg.
specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C
Determine the total change in thermal energy of the water when Material X was used.
Use values from Figure 11.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
[4 marks]
Total change in thermal energy =27 J
08.4 There is an anomalous result on Figure 11.
Draw a ring around the anomalous result.
*26* [1 mark]
08.5 Give two conclusions that can be made from Figure 11.
[2 marks]
Another student investigated how the thickness of the insulation affected the rate of
cooling of hot water.
Figure 12 shows some of the equipment used.
Figure 12
08.6 How would using thick insulation affect the rate of cooling of hot water compared with
using thin insulation?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The rate of cooling would be higher.
The rate of cooling would be lower.
*27* The rate of cooling would not change.
08.7 Predict how using thick insulation would affect the temperature of the water after
10 minutes compared with using thin insulation.
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The temperature would be higher.
The temperature would be lower.
The temperature would be the same.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 8
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.1 0.1 ºC 1 AO3
4.1.2.1
RPA2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.2 a bigger 1 AO3
4.1.2.1
RPA2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.3 identifies 75 (ºC) and 62.5 (ºC) 1 AO2
4.1.1.3
RPA2
Δθ = 12.5 (ºC) allow a correct calculation of 1
temperature change from
misread values
E = 0.12 × 4200 × 12.5 allow a correct substitution using 1
an incorrect temperature change
E = 6300 (J) allow an answer consistent with 1
an incorrect temperature change–HYSICS– –
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.4 point at 7 minutes for material X 1 AO3
ringed 4.1.2.1
RPA2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.5 allow converse answers for 2 AO3
material Y 4.1.2.1
any two from: RPA2
• water wrapped in material X allow water wrapped in material
cooled more slowly X transfers less energy to the
surroundings (in 10 minutes)
allow water wrapped in material
X has a higher final temperature
• material X is a better insulator allow material X is a worse
or (thermal) conductor
the thermal conductivity of
material X is lower
• the rate of cooling decreased allow temperature decreased
with time (for both X and Y) with time (for both X and Y)
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.6 the rate of cooling would be 1 AO3
lower 4.1.2.1
– HYSICS – – RPA2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.7 the temperature would be higher 1 AO3
4.1.2.1
RPA2
Total Question 8 11
How to answer it
Investigating Thermal Insulation
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of required practical work involving thermal insulation, interpreting measuring instruments (resolution), reading graphs, identifying anomalies, describing trends, and applying the specific heat capacity equation ( E = m × c × Δθ ).
Resolution of Measuring Equipment
✅ Correct Answer
0.1 °C
💡 Key Knowledge
Resolution is the smallest change in a quantity being measured by a measuring instrument that gives a perceptible change in the reading.
Comparing Reader Error Risk
✅ Correct Answer
a bigger (Thermometer A has a bigger chance of being misread than thermometer B.)
🧠 Exam Technique
An analogue scale (Thermometer A) requires human interpolation between lines, increasing parallax or reading errors compared to a digital display (Thermometer B).
Calculating Change in Thermal Energy
✅ Correct Answer
6300 J
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Find initial temperature from Figure 11: At time = 0 mins, temperature = 75 °C
- Find final temperature for Material X: At time = 10 mins, temperature = 62.5 °C
- Calculate temperature change (Δθ): 75 - 62.5 = 12.5 °C
- Substitute into the equation (E = m × c × Δθ): E = 0.12 × 4200 × 12.5
- Final Answer: E = 6300 J
❌ Common Errors
Students often forget to subtract the final temperature from the starting temperature properly, or read the wrong time coordinate (e.g., using data from 0 to 5 minutes instead of the whole 10-minute span).
Identifying an Anomalous Result
✅ Correct Answer
A ring drawn clearly around the data point for Material X at 7 minutes (which sits noticeably above the smooth curve of best fit).
🧠 Exam Technique
Look for points that deviate significantly from the general smooth curve or line of best fit established by surrounding data points.
Conclusions from Graph Data
✅ Correct Answers (Any two of):
- Water wrapped in material X cooled more slowly.
- Material X is a better insulator (or thermal conductivity of X is lower).
- The rate of cooling decreased with time (for both X and Y).
💡 Key Knowledge
A shallower gradient on a temperature-time graph indicates a slower rate of cooling and therefore a better thermal insulator.
Effect of Thick Insulation on Cooling Rate
✅ Correct Answer
The rate of cooling would be lower. (Ticked box)
💡 Key Knowledge
Increasing the thickness of an insulating material increases its thermal resistance, reducing the rate of heat transfer to the surroundings.
Predicting Temperature with Thick Insulation
✅ Correct Answer
The temperature would be higher. (Ticked box)
🧠 Exam Technique
Link your previous answer logically: if the rate of cooling is lower (less heat escapes), more thermal energy is retained, resulting in a higher final temperature after 10 minutes.
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P1: Energy · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.