AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 5
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Calculate the temperature change of air in a fire piston given the energy transferred, mass, and specific heat capacity, and identify the effects of compression on volume, particle distance, collision frequency, pressure, and particle speed.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05 A student investigated how the pressure in a fixed mass of air varies with the volume
of the air.
Figure 10 shows the equipment used.
Figure 10
When the plunger was pushed slowly into the syringe, the temperature of the air
stayed the same.
05.1 How did pushing the plunger in affect the volume of air in the syringe?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The volume decreased.
The volume stayed the same.
The volume increased. 23
05.2 How did pushing the plunger in affect the distance between the air particles in
the syringe?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The distance decreased.
The distance stayed the same.
The distance increased.
05.3 How did pushing the plunger in affect the frequency of collisions between the air
particles and the syringe walls?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The frequency of collisions decreased.
The frequency of collisions stayed the same.
The frequency of collisions increased.
05.4 How did pushing the plunger in affect the air pressure in the syringe?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The air pressure decreased.
The air pressure stayed the same.
The air pressure increased. 24
A fire piston is a special type of syringe that can be used to start fires.
Figure 11 shows a fire piston.
*23* Figure 11
The plunger is pushed quickly downwards and compresses the air.
When the air is compressed quickly, the temperature of the air increases.
05.5 How does an increase in temperature affect the mean speed of the air particles inside
the syringe?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The mean speed of the particles decreases.
The mean speed of the particles does not change.
The mean speed of the particles increases.25
05.6 When the air is hot enough, a small piece of cotton wool in the piston
catches fire.
The energy transferred to the air in the piston is 0.0130 J.
The mass of air in the piston is 2.60 × 10–8 kg.
specific heat capacity of air = 1010 J/kg °C
*24* Calculate the temperature change of the air.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
[3 marks]
Temperature change = °C
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 5
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
05.1 the volume decreased 1 AO1
4.3.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.2 the distance decreased 1 AO1
4.3.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.3 the frequency of collisions 1 AO1
increased 4.3.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.4 the air pressure increased 1 AO1
4.3.3.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.5 the mean speed of the particles 1 AO1
increases 4.3.3.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.6 0.0130 = 2.60×10–8 × 1010 × Δθ 1 AO2
4.1.1.3
0.0130 4.3.2.2
∆θ = –8 1
(2.60 × 10 × 1010)
Δθ = 495 (°C) allow a correct answer given to 1
more than 3 s.f.
Total Question 5 8
How to answer it
Pressure in Gases and Specific Heat Capacity Study Guide
This question assesses your understanding of the particle model of matter, specifically how changing the volume of a fixed mass of gas affects particle spacing, collision frequency, pressure, and temperature. It also tests your ability to apply the specific heat capacity equation ( E = m c Δθ ) using standard form values.
Parts 05.1 to 05.4: Investigating Gas Pressure and Volume
Core Particle Model Relationships
✅ Correct Answers
- 05.1: The volume decreased.
- 05.2: The distance decreased.
- 05.3: The frequency of collisions increased.
- 05.4: The air pressure increased.
💡 Key Knowledge
- Pushing a syringe plunger inward crowds the same number of air particles into a smaller physical space.
- Because space is reduced, the average distance between particles decreases.
- Particles are moving constantly; in a smaller volume, they hit the walls more frequently per second.
- Pressure is defined by the total force exerted by particles colliding with unit area. More frequent collisions equal higher pressure.
Part 05.5: Temperature and Particle Speed
Understanding Thermal Energy
✅ Correct Answer
The mean speed of the particles increases. (1 mark)
💡 Key Knowledge
- Temperature is directly proportional to the mean (average) kinetic energy of the particles in a gas.
- If energy is transferred to the gas by rapidly compressing it, the internal energy increases, causing particles to move faster.
Part 05.6: Specific Heat Capacity Calculation
Applying the Energy Equation
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Step 1: Recall the formula
E = m × c × Δθ (found on your Physics Equations Sheet). - Step 2: Substitute known values
0.0130 = (2.60 × 10⁻⁸) × 1010 × Δθ - Step 3: Rearrange to solve for Δθ
Δθ = 0.0130 / ((2.60 × 10⁻⁸) × 1010) - Step 4: Calculate final answer
Δθ = 495 °C
❌ Common Errors & Exam Technique
- Standard Form Traps: Forgetting how to input numbers like 2.60 × 10⁻⁸ into a calculator correctly. Always use your calculator's EXP or ×10 button rather than typing out all the zeros.
- Rearranging Mistakes: Students often multiply instead of dividing when isolating Δθ . Check that your units cancel logically.
- Significant Figures: The mark scheme accepts answers given to more than 3 significant figures, provided your rounding at 3 s.f. or above is accurate.
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy · P3: Particle Model of Matter
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.