AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2023: Question 5

9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Evaluate and improve an experimental investigation into the effectiveness of different insulating materials on the rate of cooling of hot water in bottles.

Practise this question

Question

Question text

05 A student investigated how different insulating materials affect the energy transfer

from bottles of very hot water.

Figure 6 shows some of the equipment used.

Figure 6

05.1 To prevent spillages the student used a funnel to pour very hot water into each bottle.

Why did the student use the funnel?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Preventing spillages was a control variable.

To make the investigation valid.

Using the funnel was a safety precaution.21

05.2 Why did the student not use insulation for bottle A?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Bottle A was the control.

Bottle A was the fair test.

Bottle A was the independent variable.22

The student recorded how much the temperature of the water in each bottle changed

in five minutes.

05.3 What equipment could the student use to measure time?

[1 mark]

05.4 Table 4 shows the results.

Table 4

Start Final Temperature

Bottle Insulation temperature temperature change

in °C in °C in °C

A None 80 60 20

B 1 layer of paper 85 70 15

C 2 layers of card 90 75 15

D 3 layers of bubble wrap 23 80 70 10

Figure 6 is repeated below.

Figure 6

The student could not make a valid conclusion from the results about how

different insulating materials affect the energy transfer.

Explain two ways that the student could improve the investigation to be able to make

a valid conclusion.

Use Figure 6 and Table 4.

[4 marks]

05.5 Figure 7 shows the graph plotted by the student.

*23* Figure 7

The student should not have plotted a line graph.

What type of graph should the student have plotted?

Give a reason for your answer.

[2 marks]

Type of graph

Reason

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 using the funnel was a safety 1 AO3

precaution 4.1.2.1

RPA2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.2 bottle A was the control 1 AO3

4.1.2.1

RPA2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.3 stopclock / stopwatch allow clock / watch 1 AO3

ignore timer 4.1.2.1

– HYSICS – – RPA2

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.4 Level 2: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, given in 3–4 AO3

detail and logically linked to form a clear account. 4.1.2.1

RPA2

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance 1–2

is not clear and there is no attempt at logical linking.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

• use the same (start) temperature for each experiment

• use the same number of layers of insulation

use the same thickness of insulation

• so that temperature difference can be compared

• use the same volume of water

• so (total thermal) energy of water is the same (each time)

so the same area of the bottle surface is heated by the water

• use a lid for each bottle 15

• so evaporation is reduced / stopped

so energy loss from the water (surface) is reduced / stopped

• repeat the investigation and calculate mean values

• so anomalous results can be identified

or – HYSICS – –

so the effect of random errors is reduced

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.5 bar (chart / graph) 1 AO2

4.1.2.1

(type of) insulation is not allow one variable is not 1 RPA2

numerical values numerical values

allow one variable is not

continuous

or allow (type of) insulation is not

continuous

(type of) insulation is labels / allow one variable is labels /

categories categories

allow one variable is categoric

allow (type of) insulation is

categoric

16 MP2 dependent on scoring MP1

Total Question 5 9

How to answer it

Investigating Thermal Insulation & Cooling Rates

What this question tests

This question is based on AQA GCSE Physics Required Practical 2 (investigating thermal insulators). It assesses your understanding of:

Laboratory safety: Identifying practical precautions against hot liquid hazards.
Scientific terminology: Distinguishing between a control and a control variable.
Apparatus recall: Correctly naming standard timing equipment.
Evaluating validity: Spotting flaws in experimental design (uncontrolled variables) and suggesting improvements with scientific justifications.
Data presentation: Justifying the selection of a bar chart versus a line graph based on data types (categoric vs continuous).

Question 05.1

Using a Funnel with Hot Water

Safety Precautions in the Lab (1 Mark)

✅ Correct Answer

Tick the 3rd box:

"Using the funnel was a safety precaution."

❌ Common Errors

Ticking "preventing spillages was a control variable" — a control variable must be a measurable quantity kept constant (e.g. volume).
Confusing safety procedures with experimental validity.

Mark Scheme: 1 mark for selecting "using the funnel was a safety precaution".

Question 05.2

Purpose of Bottle A (No Insulation)

Scientific Variables & Experimental Controls (1 Mark)

✅ Correct Answer

Tick the 1st box:

"Bottle A was the control."

💡 Key Knowledge

A control is an untreated comparison baseline. Bottle A has no insulation so you can compare the insulated bottles against it to confirm that the insulation actually reduces the temperature drop.

Mark Scheme: 1 mark for selecting "bottle A was the control".

Question 05.3

Measuring Time

Standard Laboratory Instruments (1 Mark)

✅ Correct Answer

Any one of:

Stopwatch
Stopclock

❌ Common Errors

Writing just timer . The mark scheme explicitly states "ignore timer" because it is too vague. Always write stopwatch or stopclock in GCSE Physics.

Mark Scheme: Allow stopwatch / stopclock / clock / watch. Ignore timer [1 mark].

Question 05.4

Improving the Validity of the Investigation

Evaluating Experimental Flaws & Control Variables (4 Marks)

🧠 Exam Technique: How to get full 4 marks

This is a Level 2 question (3–4 marks). You must give two distinct improvements and explain each one with a scientific reason linked to a fair test:

Formula: [What to change / keep same] + [Why this improves validity]

✅ Acceptable Pairs (Choose any TWO)

Start Temperature:
• Improvement: Use the same starting temperature for all bottles (e.g. all at 80 °C).
• Reason: So the rate of cooling can be fairly compared (hotter objects cool faster).
Thickness / Layers:
• Improvement: Use the same number of layers / thickness for each material.
• Reason: So that only the type of material is being tested, not the thickness.
Water Volume:
• Improvement: Use the same volume of water in each bottle.
• Reason: So they all start with the same thermal energy store / same surface area is in contact with water.
Add a Lid:
• Improvement: Put a lid/stopper on each bottle.
• Reason: Reduces or stops energy loss via evaporation/convection from the open neck.
Repeats:
• Improvement: Repeat each test and calculate a mean.
• Reason: To identify anomalies / reduce the effect of random errors.

❌ Common Errors

Stating without explaining: Writing "use the same starting temperature and same volume" without explaining why will cap you at Level 1 (max 2 marks).
Missing evidence from the question: Looking closely at Figure 6 shows the liquid levels are different, and Table 4 shows start temperatures were 80 °C, 85 °C, and 90 °C!

Mark Scheme:
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, given in detail, and logically linked.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Points are stated simply without clear logical linking or relevance.

Question 05.5

Choosing the Correct Graph

Data Types & Graph Selection (2 Marks)

✅ Correct Answer

Type of graph: Bar chart (or bar graph) [1 mark]

Reason: Any one of the following [1 mark]:

The independent variable (type of insulation) is categoric / not continuous.
The types of insulation are names / labels / categories (not numerical values).

💡 Continuous vs Categoric

Continuous data: Can take any numerical value (e.g. time, temperature). Plotted as a line graph.
Categoric data: Values are words, names, or discrete categories (e.g. paper, card, bubble wrap). Must be plotted as a bar chart.

❌ Examiner Warning on Mark 2

The mark for the reason is dependent on getting the first mark right. If you write "Line graph" or "Pie chart", you automatically score 0/2. Also, simply saying "it's not numbers" is too vague—specify that the type of insulation (or the independent variable) is non-numerical.

Mark Scheme:
• MP1: bar (chart / graph) [1 mark]
• MP2: (type of) insulation is not continuous / is categoric / is labels / categories / not numerical values [1 mark, dependent on MP1].

Topics

Physics · Required Practicals · P1: Energy · Required Practicals

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.