AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2023: Question 1

7 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Investigate the extension of a spring, calculate weight and spring constant, and identify the correct force-extension graph.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part physics question about a spring investigation. Figure 1 shows a spring before and after a mass is hung from it next to a metre rule. Questions 01.1 to 01.5 ask students to determine extension, state a safety precaution, calculate weight, identify the correct force-extension graph in Figure 2, and calculate the spring constant.
Question text

01 A student carried out an investigation to determine the spring constant of a spring.

Figure 1 shows the spring before and after a mass was hung from the end of

the spring.

Figure 1

01.1 What is the extension of the spring in Figure 1?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

1.5 cm

3.5 cm

13.5 cm 3

01.2 Give one safety precaution the student should have taken during this investigation.

[1 mark]

*0021.*3 The student hung a mass of 0.050 kg from the spring.

gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg

Calculate the weight of the 0.050 kg mass.

Use the equation:

weight = mass × gravitational field strength

[2 marks]

Weight = N

01.4 The weight of the mass applies a force to the spring.

The student added more masses and recorded the extension of the spring.

Which graph in Figure 2 shows the relationship between the force applied to the

spring and the extension of the spring?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Figure 2

01.5 A force of 2.0 N was applied to a different spring.

*03* The extension of the spring was 0.080 m.

Calculate the spring constant of the spring.

Use the equation:

force

spring constant =

extension

[2 marks]

Spring constant = N/m

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 1 detailing answers for parts 01.1 through 01.5, including correct values for extension (1.5 cm), acceptable safety precautions, weight calculation (0.49 N), the correct graph option (middle graph starting from origin), and spring constant calculation (25 N/m).

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 1.5 cm 1 AO1

4.5.3

RPA6

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 any one from: 1 AO1

• clamp the stand to the desk 4.5.3

• wear safety goggles / glasses RPA6

• stand up / away from

apparatus

• limit the total mass used

• have masses over the base of

the stand

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 W = 0.050 × 9.8 1 AO2

4.5.1.3

W = 0.49 (N) do not accept 0.50 (N) alone 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 1 AO1

4.5.3

RPA6

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 2.0 1 AO2

k =

0.080 4.5.3

RPA6 7

k = 25 (N/m) 1

Total Question 1 7

How to answer it

Investigating Springs Study Guide

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of required practical work involving springs (Hooke's Law), data reading from a metre rule, calculating weight (force), and applying the spring constant equation. It tests recall of practical safety, graph interpretation, and basic calculation skills (AO1 and AO2).

Part (01.1) - Reading Extension from a Metre Rule

What is the extension of the spring in Figure 1? [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answer

1.5 cm

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Extension is the increase in length from the original (unstretched) position.
  • Before position pointer = 10.0 cm
  • After position pointer = 11.5 cm
  • Calculation: 11.5 cm - 10.0 cm = 1.5 cm
🎯 Mark: 1 mark for ticking 1.5 cm.

Part (01.2) - Practical Safety Precautions

Give one safety precaution the student should have taken during this investigation. [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answers (Any one of):

  • Clamp the stand to the desk (to stop it toppling over).
  • Wear safety goggles / glasses (in case the spring snaps).
  • Stand up / away from the apparatus.
  • Limit the total mass used (to prevent exceeding the limit of proportionality).
  • Have masses over the base of the stand (for stability).

🧠 Exam Technique

Learn standard practical safety hazards and precautions by heart. For stretched springs, the main risks are falling heavy masses and the spring snapping or the stand toppling over.

🎯 Mark: 1 mark for any valid, specific safety precaution.

Part (01.3) - Calculating Weight

Calculate the weight of the 0.050 kg mass. Use equation: weight = mass × gravitational field strength [2 marks]

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify values: Mass ( m ) = 0.050 kg, Gravitational field strength ( g ) = 9.8 N/kg.
  2. Substitute into equation: Weight = 0.050 × 9.8
  3. Calculate final value: 0.49 N

❌ Common Errors

Do NOT write 0.50 N! Students often round 0.49 to 0.50 incorrectly. The exact calculator value must be shown or rounded properly to 2 significant figures ( 0.49 ).

🎯 Marks: 1 mark for substitution ( 0.050 × 9.8 ), 1 mark for correct answer ( 0.49 N ).

Part (01.4) - Force-Extension Graphs

Which graph in Figure 2 shows the relationship between the force applied and the extension? [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answer

The middle graph (showing a straight line passing directly through the origin, indicating direct proportionality).

💡 Key Knowledge

Hooke’s Law states that extension is directly proportional to the force applied, provided the limit of proportionality is not exceeded. On a graph, direct proportionality is shown by a straight line through (0,0).

🎯 Mark: 1 mark for selecting the correct graph box.

Part (01.5) - Calculating Spring Constant

Calculate the spring constant for a force of 2.0 N and extension of 0.080 m. Use equation: spring constant = force / extension [2 marks]

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify values: Force = 2.0 N, Extension = 0.080 m.
  2. Substitute into equation: k = 2.0 / 0.080
  3. Calculate final value: 25 N/m

🧠 Exam Technique & Units

Always double-check your units. Here, extension is already given in metres (m), and force in Newtons (N), giving the standard unit for spring constant: N/m .

🎯 Marks: 1 mark for correct substitution ( 2.0 / 0.080 ), 1 mark for correct answer ( 25 N/m ).

Topics

Physics · Required Practicals · P5: Forces · Required Practicals

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.