AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 2
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Analyze forces, terminal velocity, and resultant forces acting on falling hailstones using graphs and multiple-choice questions.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
02 Hailstones are small balls of ice. Hailstones form in clouds and fall to the ground.
Figure 3 shows different-sized hailstones.
Figure 3
02.1 Which force causes the hailstones to fall to the ground?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Air resistance
Gravitational force
Magnetic force
Tension 7
02.2 As the hailstones begin to fall they accelerate.
Which force increases as the hailstones accelerate?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Air resistance
Gravitational force
Magnetic force
Tension
02.3 After a short time hailstones fall at terminal velocity.
Which of the following statements is true at terminal velocity?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The hailstones begin to slow down.
The mass of the hailstones increases.
The resultant force on the hailstones is zero.8
A scientist investigated how the terminal velocity of hailstones varies with their
diameter.
Figure 4 shows the results.
Figure 4
02.4 Estimate the terminal velocity for a hailstone with a diameter of 80 mm.
Show how you obtain your answer.
[2 marks]
Terminal velocity = m/s
02.5 Give one reason why a hailstone with a large diameter has a greater terminal velocity
than a hailstone with a smaller diameter.
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
It has a greater power.
It has a greater pressure.
It has a greater temperature.
It has a greater weight. 10
After falling, the hailstone hits the ground.
Figure 5 shows the forces acting on the hailstone at the moment it hits the ground.
Figure 5
02.6 What is the magnitude of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
0.15 N
0.48 N
0.63 N
0.78 N
02.7 What is the direction of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5?
*09* [1 mark]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 2
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
02.1 gravitational force 1 AO1
4.5.6.1.5
AO /
Spec. Ref.
02.2 air resistance 1 AO1
4.5.6.15
AO /
Spec. Ref.
02.3 the resultant force on the 1 AO1
hailstones is zero 4.5.6.1.5
AO /
Spec. Ref.
02.4 line extrapolated to 80 mm allow a straight line 1 AO3
4.5.6.1.5
46 (m/s) allow 44 – 48 but not if 1
inconsistent with their
extrapolated line
AO /
Spec. Ref.
02.5 it has a greater weight 1 AO3
4.5.6.1.5
AO / 9
Spec. Ref.
02.6 0.48 (N) 1 AO2
4.5.1.4
AO /
Spec. Ref.
02.7 upwards allow up 1 AO2
ignore north 4.5.1.4
Total Question 2 8
How to answer it
Forces, Acceleration, and Terminal Velocity
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of forces acting on falling objects, how to interpret graph data (including line extrapolation), forces at terminal velocity, and calculating resultant forces from opposing vector values.
Falling Force
✅ Correct Answer
Gravitational force (Tick the second box)
💡 Key Knowledge
All objects with mass near the Earth experience a non-contact pull towards the centre of the Earth due to gravity, causing them to fall when dropped.
Forces During Acceleration
✅ Correct Answer
Air resistance (Tick the first box)
💡 Key Knowledge
As an object speeds up, the frictional force of the air pushing against it (air resistance / drag) increases. This eventually balances out the downward gravitational force.
Conditions at Terminal Velocity
✅ Correct Answer
The resultant force on the hailstones is zero. (Tick the third box)
💡 Key Knowledge
Terminal velocity is reached when the upward drag force equals the downward weight. Because the opposing forces are balanced, the resultant force becomes zero, meaning acceleration stops.
Extrapolating Graph Data
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Locate 80 mm on the horizontal (diameter) axis.
- Carefully extend (extrapolate) the straight line trend on Figure 4 up to a diameter of 80 mm using a ruler.
- Read across to the vertical (terminal velocity) axis to find the corresponding value.
Answer: 46 m/s (Acceptable range: 44 to 48 m/s provided it matches your drawn line).
🧠 Exam Technique & Common Errors
Examiner Insight: Students frequently lose the second mark here by misreading graph gridlines or failing to draw a clean, ruled straight line extension. Always use a sharp pencil and a ruler when extrapolating lines of best fit!
Size and Terminal Velocity
✅ Correct Answer
It has a greater weight. (Tick the final box)
💡 Key Knowledge
Larger hailstones have a greater mass, hence a greater weight ( W = mg ). A higher downward force means they need a much larger upward air resistance to balance it, which only happens at higher speeds.
Calculating Resultant Force
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify opposing forces from Figure 5: Upward force = 0.63 N , Downward force = 0.15 N .
- Subtract the smaller force from the larger force:
0.63 N - 0.15 N = 0.48 N
Correct Answer: 0.48 N (Tick the second box)
❌ Common Errors
Some students mistakenly add the two force values together ( 0.63 + 0.15 = 0.78 N ) instead of subtracting them when forces act in opposite directions.
Direction of Resultant Force
✅ Correct Answer
Upwards (Accept up )
💡 Key Knowledge
Since the upward force ( 0.63 N ) is greater than the downward force ( 0.15 N ), the overall resultant force acts in the direction of the larger force.
Topics
Physics · P5: Forces
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.