AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2022: Question 4
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate the insulating properties of different materials by measuring the time taken for water temperature to decrease, calculating mass from energy transfer, and comparing thermal conductivity.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 A student investigated the insulating properties of different materials.
Figure 4 shows some of the equipment used by the student.
Figure 4
This is the method used:
1. Wrap insulating material around the can.
2. Put a fixed volume of boiling water in the can.
3. Place the lid on the top of the can.
4. Measure the time taken for the temperature of the water to decrease by a fixed
amount.
5. Repeat steps 1–4 using the same thickness of different insulating materials.
04.1 Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this investigation.
[2 marks]
Independent variable
Dependent variable
The student used two different types of thermometer to measure the temperature
changes.
Figure 5 shows a reading on each thermometer.
Figure 5
*0124.*2 What is the resolution of thermometer B?
[1 mark]
Resolution = °C
04.3 Thermometer A is more likely to be misread.
Give one reason why.
[1 mark]
04.4 For one type of insulating material, the temperature of the water decreased from
85.0 °C to 65.0 °C.
The energy transferred from the water was 10.5 kJ.
specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C
Calculate the mass of water in the can.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]
Mass = kg
04.5 Table 2 shows the results for two insulating materials.
Table 2
Material Time for temperature to decrease by 20 °C
in seconds
X 450
Y 745
Explain how the results in Table 2 can be used to compare the thermal conductivity of
the two materials.
[2 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.1 independent variable: (type of) do not accept thickness of 1 AO1
insulation / material material 4.1.2.1
RPA2
dependent variable: time 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.2 0.1 (ºC) 1 AO3
4.1.2.1
RPA2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.3 viewing angle affects allow judgement needed in 1 AO3
measurement reading the position (of the liquid 4.1.2.1
or in the thermometer) RPA2
parallax error
allow the level of the liquid may
be between lines
allow number of lines may be
miscounted
ignore harder to read
ignore lines are close together–HYSICS– –
ignore human error
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.4 E = 10 500(J) 1 AO2
4.1.1.3
10 500 allow a correct substitution and 1 RPA2
m = rearrangement using an
4200 × (85-65)
incorrectly / not converted value
12 of E
m = 0.125 (kg) allow a correct calculation using 1
an incorrectly / not converted
value of E
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.5 (same) temperature decrease in allow converse answer 1 AO1
a shorter time means a higher 4.1.2.1
thermal conductivity RPA2
(because) the rate of energy 1
transfer is higher
– HYSICS – –
Total Question 4 9
Question 5
How to answer it
Thermal Insulation Investigation
What this question tests
This question assesses your practical skills and understanding of thermal energy transfer (Energy topic). You will be tested on identifying variables, determining instrument resolution, explaining experimental errors like parallax, applying the specific heat capacity equation, and interpreting how thermal conductivity relates to cooling rates.
Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables
✅ Correct Answers
- Independent variable: Type of insulation / material
- Dependent variable: Time (for temperature to decrease)
❌ Common Errors
- Writing "thickness of material" for the independent variable. The method explicitly states the student used the same thickness of different materials.
- Giving vague answers like "temperature" instead of specifying "time" for the dependent variable.
Reading Thermometer Resolution
✅ Correct Answer
0.1 (or 0.1 °C )
💡 Key Knowledge
Resolution is the smallest change in a quantity that can be measured by an instrument. For Thermometer B's digital readout, it can display values to one decimal place, making its resolution 0.1 °C.
Why Analogue Thermometers are Misread
✅ Correct Answers
- Viewing angle affects measurement / Parallax error
- Judgement needed in reading the position of the liquid
- Level of liquid may fall between scale lines
🧠 Exam Technique
Always use the scientific term parallax error or explicitly mention "eye level / viewing angle" when discussing analogue liquid-in-glass thermometers.
Calculating Mass from Energy Transferred
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify the equation: Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change ( E = m c ΔT )
- Convert units: Energy must be in Joules. Convert kilojoules to Joules: 10.5 kJ = 10,500 J
- Calculate temperature change (ΔT): 85.0 °C - 65.0 °C = 20.0 °C
- Rearrange and substitute:
m = E / (c × ΔT)
m = 10500 / (4200 × 20) - Final Answer: m = 0.125 kg
❌ Common Calculation Traps
- Unit Prefix Trap: Forgetting to convert 10.5 kJ into 10,500 J will result in a mass that is out by a factor of 1,000!
- Temperature subtraction error: Getting the wrong delta T value by mixing up the start and end temperatures.
Comparing Thermal Conductivity
✅ Correct Answer
- Material X has a shorter time to decrease by 20 °C, meaning it has a higher thermal conductivity (and a higher rate of energy transfer).
- Material Y takes a longer time (745 s vs 450 s), meaning it is a better insulator / has a lower thermal conductivity.
💡 Key Knowledge
High thermal conductivity means thermal energy conducts through the material quickly. Therefore, a good insulator must have a low thermal conductivity, retaining heat longer and taking more time to cool down.
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · Required Practicals · P1: Energy · P3: Particle Model of Matter
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.