AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 6
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate atmospheric pressure, including scale of the atmosphere, state of matter of the atmosphere, pressure variations with height, and calculation of pressure at the surface of a lake.
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Question text
06 The Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere.
06.1 The radius of the Earth is 6400 km.
Which of the following could be an approximate depth of the Earth’s atmosphere?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
100 km
6400 km
100 000 km
640 000 km
06.2 What state of matter is most of the Earth’s atmosphere?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Gas
Liquid
Solid 26
Figure 12 shows how atmospheric pressure varies with height above sea level.
Figure 12
06.3 The highest point above sea level in England is the top of a mountain called
Scafell Pike.
The height above sea level of Scafell Pike is 978 m.
Determine the atmospheric pressure at the top of Scafell Pike.
Use Figure 12.
[1 mark]
Atmospheric pressure = Pa
*0266.*4 Determine the difference between the atmospheric pressure at sea level and at the
top of Scafell Pike.
Use Figure 12 and your answer from Question 06.3
[1 mark]
Difference in atmospheric pressure = Pa
06.5 A student climbs Scafell Pike.
Why does the atmospheric pressure decrease as the student climbs higher?
[2 marks]
Tick ( ) two boxes.
The air exerts a greater force on the student.
The density of the air decreases.
The mass of air above the student decreases.
The temperature of the air increases.
The volume of air above the student increases.28
06.6 Figure 13 shows a mountain lake.
Figure 13
The lake has a surface area of 2000 m2.
Atmospheric pressure exerts a force of 188 000 000 N on the surface of the lake.
Calculate the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the lake.
Use the equation:
force
pressure =
area
[2 marks]
Atmospheric pressure = Pa
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 6
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.1 100 km 1 AO3
4.5.5.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.2 gas 1 AO1
4.5.5.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.3 90 000 (Pa) allow 89 500 to 90 500 1 AO2
4.5.5.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.4 101 000 – 90 000 = 11 000 (Pa) allow ecf from question 06.3 1 AO2
4.5.5.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.5 the density of the air decreases 1 AO2
4.5.5.2
the mass of air above the 1
student decreases
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.6 188 000 000 1 AO2
P = 4.5.5.1.1
2000
94 000 (Pa) 1
Total Question 6 8
How to answer it
Atmospheric Pressure and Earth's Atmosphere
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of Earth's atmosphere, states of matter, interpreting line graphs to find atmospheric pressure at different altitudes, explaining pressure changes with height, and applying the pressure equation ( pressure = force ÷ area ). You will need skills in graph reading, data extraction, and structured calculation.
Scale and Size of the Atmosphere
✅ Correct Answer
100 km
💡 Key Knowledge
- The Earth's radius is given as 6400 km .
- The atmosphere is very thin compared to the radius of the Earth itself.
- An approximate depth of 100 km is scientifically accepted as the boundary of the atmosphere (the Kármán line).
State of Matter of the Atmosphere
✅ Correct Answer
Gas
💡 Key Knowledge
- Air is a mixture of gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen).
- Gases have particles with high kinetic energy, far apart, and free to move in all directions.
Reading Atmospheric Pressure from a Graph
✅ Correct Answer
90 000 Pa (Acceptable range: 89 500 to 90 500 )
🧠 Exam Technique
- Locate 978 m on the horizontal x-axis (Height above sea level).
- Move vertically up to the line, then horizontally across to the y-axis to read the pressure.
- Double-check the scale of the grid: each small square on the x-axis represents 20 m , and each small square on the y-axis represents 250 Pa .
Calculating Pressure Difference
✅ Correct Answer
101 000 - 90 000 = 11 000 Pa (Allows Error Carried Forward from 06.3)
📐 Calculation Steps
- Identify atmospheric pressure at sea level from Figure 12 ( 101 000 Pa where height = 0 m).
- Subtract your pressure value at the top of Scafell Pike from 06.3.
Explaining Atmospheric Pressure Decrease
✅ Correct Answer (Tick TWO boxes)
- The density of the air decreases.
- The mass of air above the student decreases.
❌ Common Errors
Students often incorrectly guess temperature or volume properties. Remember: atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of air molecules above you. As you go higher up a mountain, there is less air above you (less mass), meaning fewer collisions and lower density.
Calculating Atmospheric Pressure from Force and Area
✅ Correct Answer
P = 188 000 000 / 2000 = 94 000 Pa
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- State the equation: pressure = force ÷ area
- Substitute values: pressure = 188 000 000 N ÷ 2000 m²
- Calculate final answer: 94 000 Pa
❌ Calculation Traps
Avoid mixing up multiplication and division. Always write out the formula substitution line clearly to secure method marks even if your final arithmetic has a zero error.
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.