AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Higher), June 2022: Question 1

13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

State factors affecting an electric car's range, recall and apply equations for acceleration, uniform acceleration, and calculate work done against air resistance.

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Question

Question text

01 Figure 1 shows an electric super-car.

Figure 1

01.1 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 01.2 and 01.3.

01.2 Write down the equation which links acceleration (a), change in velocity (Δv) and time

taken (t).

[1 mark]

01.3 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]

4 Time taken = s

01.4 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

*03* Use the Physics Equations Sheet to answer questions 01.5 and 01.6.

01.5 Write down the equation which links distance (s), force (F) and work done (W).

[1 mark]

01.6 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 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 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 battery

• speed

• mass / weight allow terrain

• uphill / downhill

• stopping at traffic lights ignore ‘the road’ only

• condition of the road ignore ‘weather’ only

• (air) temperature

• (incorrect) tyre pressure allow efficiency of engine

• streamlining of the car

allow anything that would use

charge from the battery

anything that will reduce the

energy stored

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 acceleration = change in allow any correct rearrangement 1 AO1

velocity/time (taken) 4.5.6.1.5

Δv v - u

a = allow a =

t t

do not accept a =

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 28 1 AO2

20 = 4.5.6.1.5

t = 1

1.4 (s) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 v2 (- 02) = 2 × 10 × 605 1 AO2

4.5.6.1.5

v2 = 12 100 1

v = 110 (m/s) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 work done = force × distance allow any correct rearrangement 1 AO1

4.5.2

W = Fs

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.6 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 1 13

How to answer it

Forces, Acceleration, and Work Done (Electric Super-Car)

What this question tests

This 13-mark question assesses fundamental mechanics: recalling and applying the equations for acceleration ( a = Δv / t ), uniform acceleration ( v² - u² = 2as ), and work done ( W = Fs ). It also tests practical knowledge of factors affecting electric vehicle range and essential calculation skills, including unit conversions ( km → m ) and algebraic rearrangement.

Part 01.1 • 2 Marks

Factors Affecting Battery Range

Suggest two factors that affect the distance an electric car can travel before needing to recharge

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any Two)

Battery capacity / charge stored (or energy stored / battery efficiency)
Speed of the car (driving faster increases air resistance)
Mass or weight of the car (passengers/cargo)
Terrain (driving uphill vs downhill)
Driving style (e.g. frequent stopping at traffic lights / harsh braking)
Road conditions (e.g. wet or icy surfaces)
Ambient temperature (extreme cold reduces chemical battery efficiency)
Tyre pressure (under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance)
Streamlining / aerodynamics

Award 1 mark per valid independent factor (up to 2 marks).

❌ Common Errors & Examiner Traps

Too vague: Writing just "the road" or "the weather" receives 0 marks. You must specify: road surface/condition or air temperature.
Size vs Capacity: Writing "size of the battery" is ignored—focus on capacity or energy stored.

Part 01.2 • 1 Mark

Acceleration Equation Recall

Write down the equation linking acceleration (a), change in velocity (Δv), and time taken (t)

✅ Correct Equation

Word equation:

acceleration = change in velocity / time taken

Symbol form:

a = Δv / t or a = (v - u) / t

1 mark for the correct relationship or valid rearrangement.

❌ Examiner Pitfall

Do NOT write a = v / t .

Acceleration requires a change in velocity. You must write either Δv , (v - u) , or use full words: change in velocity.

Part 01.3 • 3 Marks

Calculating Time from Acceleration

Calculate the time taken for the speed to change from 0 m/s to 28 m/s with acceleration = 20 m/s²

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Identify variables:
a = 20 m/s² , Δv = 28 - 0 = 28 m/s
Substitute into formula:
20 = 28 / t [1 mark]
Rearrange for t:
t = 28 / 20 [1 mark]
Calculate final answer:
t = 1.4 s [1 mark]

🧠 Exam Technique

Substitute first: AQA marks substitution before rearrangement. Even if your final arithmetic goes wrong, substituting 20 = 28 / t secures the first method mark!
Always double-check that you divide 28 ÷ 20 and not 20 ÷ 28 .

Part 01.4 • 3 Marks

Uniform Acceleration Formula

Calculate final velocity given a = 10 m/s², s = 605 m, and initial velocity u = 0 m/s

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Select equation from sheet:
v² - u² = 2as
Substitute the given values:
v² - 0² = 2 × 10 × 605 [1 mark]
Simplify to find v²:
v² = 12 100 [1 mark]
Square root to find v:
v = √12 100 = 110 m/s [1 mark]

❌ Common Error: Forgetting the Square Root

A classic error is stopping at 12 100 . Remember that the formula gives you v² , not v . You must take the square root ( √ ) to get the final velocity.

Part 01.5 • 1 Mark

Work Done Equation Recall

Write down the equation linking distance (s), force (F), and work done (W)

✅ Correct Equation

Word equation:

work done = force × distance

Symbol equation:

W = Fs

1 mark for any correct rearrangement (e.g. F = W / s).

💡 Physics Concept

Work done is energy transferred mechanically. 1 Joule of work is done when a force of 1 Newton moves an object through a distance of 1 metre in the direction of the force.

Part 01.6 • 3 Marks

Calculating Work Done (with Unit Conversion)

Calculate work done against air resistance: Force = 4000 N, Distance = 7.5 km

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Convert distance to standard units (metres):
s = 7.5 km = 7.5 × 1000 = 7500 m [1 mark]
Substitute into W = Fs:
W = 4000 × 7500 [1 mark]
Calculate final answer:
W = 30 000 000 J (or 3 × 10⁷ J / 30 MJ ) [1 mark]

❌ The Unit Conversion Trap

Students frequently calculate 4000 × 7.5 = 30 000 J . This earns at most 2 out of 3 marks via error-carried-forward.

Always inspect units: distance in standard SI formulas must be in metres (m), not kilometres (km).

Topics

Physics · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Higher), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.