AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 8
13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Calculate acceleration, time, final velocity, and work done for an electric super-car based on its motion and forces.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
08 Figure 15 shows an electric super-car.
Figure 15
08.1 The battery in an electric car needs to be recharged.
Suggest two factors that affect the distance an electric car can travel before the
battery needs to be recharged.
[2 marks]
Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 08.2 and 08.3.
08.2 Write down the equation which links acceleration (a), change in velocity (Δv) and time
taken (t).
[1 mark]
08.3 The maximum acceleration of the car is 20 m/s2.
Calculate the time taken for the speed of the car to change from 0 m/s to 28 m/s at its
maximum acceleration.
[3 marks]
*34* Time taken = s
08.4 In a trial run, the car accelerates at 10 m/s2 until it reaches its final velocity.
distance travelled by the car = 605 m
initial velocity of the car = 0 m/s
Calculate the final velocity of the car.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]
Final velocity = m/s
*35* Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 08.5 and 08.6.
08.5 Write down the equation which links distance (s), force (F) and work done (W).
[1 mark]
08.6 When travelling at its maximum speed the air resistance acting on the car is 4000 N.
Calculate the work done against air resistance when the car travels a distance of
7.5 km at its maximum speed.
[3 marks]
Work done = J
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 8
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.1 any two from: 2 AO3
4.5.2
• capacity of the battery allow energy/charge stored in
battery
allow efficiency of battery
ignore size of the battery
• speed
• mass / weight
• uphill / downhill allow terrain
• stopping at traffic lights
• condition of the road ignore ‘the road’ only
• (air) temperature ignore ‘weather’ only
• (incorrect) tyre pressure
• streamlining of the car
allow efficiency of engine
allow anything that would use
charge from the battery
or
anything that will reduce the
energy stored
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.2 acceleration = change in allow any correct rearrangement 1 AO1
velocity/time (taken) 4.5.6.1.5
or
Δv v - u
a = allow a =
t t
v
do not accept a =
t
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.3 28 1 AO2
20 = 4.5.6.1.5
t
t = 1
1.4 (s) 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.4 v2 - 02 = 2 × 10 × 605 1 AO2
4.5.6.1.5
v2 = 12 100 1
v = 110 (m/s) 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.5 work done = force × distance allow any correct rearrangement 1 AO1
4.5.2
or
W = Fs
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.6 s = 7500 (m) 1 AO2
4.5.2
W = 4000 × 7500 allow correct substitution using 1
incorrectly / not converted value
of s
W = 30 000 000 (J) allow correct calculation using 1
incorrectly / not converted value
of s
Total Question 8 13
How to answer it
Electric Super-Car Mechanics Study Guide
What this question tests
This multi-part question assesses your ability to recall standard physics equations, apply motion and work-done formulas to numerical problems, convert units (such as kilometres to metres), and reason logically about factors affecting vehicle battery range.
Factors Affecting Battery Range
✅ Correct Answers (Any 2)
- Capacity of the battery (energy/charge stored)
- Speed of the car
- Mass / weight of the car
- Terrain (uphill / downhill)
- Stopping at traffic lights / frequency of braking
- Condition of the road or tyre pressure
- Air temperature
- Streamlining (aerodynamics) of the car
💡 Key Knowledge
Range depends on how fast energy is consumed versus how much total energy is stored. Anything increasing power demand (like high speed or weight) or reducing energy storage reduces the travel distance.
❌ Common Errors
Avoid vague answers like "the weather" or "the road" without context. The mark scheme explicitly ignores "size of the battery" because physical size does not dictate energy storage capacity.
Equation Linking Acceleration, Change in Velocity, and Time
✅ Correct Answer
acceleration = change in velocity / time (taken)
Or using symbols: a = Δv / t (Also accepts a = (v - u) / t )
❌ Common Errors
Do NOT write a = v / t . Omitting the delta symbol (change in velocity) or initial velocity subtraction can lose the mark depending on strictness, so always write Δv / t .
Calculating Time Taken for Acceleration
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Step 1: State the equation and substitute values.
20 = 28 / t
Step 2: Rearrange for time ( t ).
t = 28 / 20
Step 3: Calculate the final value with units.
t = 1.4 s
🧠 Exam Technique
Always show your substitution clearly even for simple re-arrangements. This guarantees method marks if your final calculation slips up.
Calculating Final Velocity from Distance and Acceleration
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Step 1: Select the correct equation from the Physics Equations Sheet linking velocity, acceleration, and distance:
v² - u² = 2as
Step 2: Substitute the known values ( u = 0 , a = 10 , s = 605 ).
v² - 0² = 2 × 10 × 605
v² = 12 100
Step 3: Take the square root to find v .
v = √12 100 = 110 m/s
❌ Common Errors
Forgetting to square root at the final step and leaving the answer as 12100 is a very common trap. Always double-check your formula sheet to make sure you use v² rather than v .
Equation Linking Distance, Force, and Work Done
✅ Correct Answer
work done = force × distance
Or using symbols: W = Fs
💡 Key Knowledge
Work done is equal to the energy transferred when a force moves an object through a distance.
Calculating Work Done Against Air Resistance
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Step 1: Convert distance from kilometres to metres.
s = 7.5 km = 7500 m
Step 2: State the equation and substitute values ( F = 4000 N ).
W = 4000 × 7500
Step 3: Calculate the final answer.
W = 30 000 000 J (or 3.0 × 10⁷ J )
❌ Common Errors & Unit Traps
Failing to convert 7.5 km into metres ( 7500 m ) is the number one place students drop marks here. Examiners allow error carried forward (ECF) if you multiply by 7.5 instead, but you will miss out on top marks.
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy · 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.