AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2024: Question 7
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Investigate the density of an irregular metal ring using a measuring cylinder, accounting for errors, string displacement, resolution, zero error on a balance, and calculating mass from density and volume in kg.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
07 Figure 11 shows a measuring cylinder containing some water, which a student used
to measure the volume of a metal ring.
Figure 11
07.1 When measuring the volume, the student’s eye was in line with the level of the water.
Which type of error would have been caused if the student’s eye was not in line with
the level of the water?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Random error
Systematic error
Zero error 23
07.2 The student tied a piece of thick string to the metal ring and lowered the ring into
the water.
Suggest one reason why the student should have used thin string instead of
thick string.
[1 mark]
*22* 24
Table 2 shows the results.
Table 2
Volume of water Volume of water and ring Volume of ring
in cm3 in cm3 in cm3
5.0 5.4 0.4
07.3 The true volume of the ring was 0.44 cm3.
Even without using the string, the measuring cylinder could not give an accurate value
for the volume of the ring.
Give one reason why.
[1 mark]
07.4 The student used a balance to measure the mass of the ring.
After the ring was removed from the balance, the reading on the balance was 0.02 g.
How could the student use the readings from the balance to determine the correct
mass of the ring?
[1 mark]
07.5 The student determined that the density of the ring was 21 500 kg/m3.
The volume of the ring was 0.44 cm3.
*24* Calculate the mass of the ring.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
Give your answer in kg.
[4 marks]
Mass = kg
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 7
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
07.1 random error 1 AO3
4.3.1.1
RPA5
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.2 thin string would affect the allow thin string would displace 1 AO3
volume measurement less (than less water (than thick string) 4.3.1.1
thick string) RPA5
ignore absorption of water by
string
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.3 the measuring cylinder could not 1 AO3
be used to measure to 2 dp 4.3.1.1
or RPA5
the resolution of the measuring allow the resolution is 0.1 cm3
cylinder is 0.2 cm3
ignore the resolution is too low
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.4 subtract 0.02 g from the ignore zero the balance 1 AO3
measured value 4.3.1.1
– – – RPA5
AO /
Spec. Ref.
07.5 0.44 cm3 = 4.4 × 10–7 m3 1 AO2
4.3.1.1
RPA5
m allow a correct substitution of an 1
21 500 = –7
4.4 × 10 incorrectly / not converted value
of V
m = 21 500 × 4.4 × 10–7 allow a correct rearrangement of 1
an incorrectly / not converted
value of V
m = 0.00946 (kg) allow an answer consistent with 1
or an incorrectly / not converted
m = 9.46 × 10-3 (kg) value of V
Total Question 7 8
How to answer it
Study Guide: Density, Equipment Limitations & Errors
What this question tests
This question assesses your practical skills (Required Practical 5: Density), understanding of measurement errors, instrument resolution, and application of the density equation ( density = mass / volume ) with complex unit conversions.
Identifying Types of Error
✅ Correct Answer
Random error (tick the top box)
💡 Key Knowledge
Not lining your eye up with the water level causes a parallax error (reading from too high or too low). In GCSE Physics, human reading errors that vary unpredictably each time are classified as random errors.
🧠 Exam Technique
Read the question carefully and select only one box as instructed. Do not confuse random errors with zero errors (which are systematic).
Choosing Equipment to Reduce Experimental Impact
✅ Correct Answer
Thin string would affect the volume measurement less than thick string (or would displace less water).
💡 Key Knowledge
When lowering an object into a measuring cylinder using a string, the string itself goes underwater and displaces water. Thicker string takes up more volume, making your final volume reading falsely high.
❌ Common Errors
Students often incorrectly claim that thin string "doesn't absorb water" or "has no volume". Always focus on the magnitude of the displacement relative to the object being measured.
Limitations of Measuring Equipment (Resolution)
✅ Correct Answer
The measuring cylinder could not be used to measure to 2 decimal places (or the resolution of the measuring cylinder is 0.2 cm³ ).
💡 Key Knowledge
Resolution is the smallest change in a quantity that an instrument can detect. Looking at Figure 11, the scale increments go up in 0.2 cm³ steps, meaning it cannot accurately measure a true volume given to 2 decimal places like 0.44 cm³ .
🧠 Exam Technique
Use the data given in the stem! The prompt tells you the true volume is 0.44 cm³ , whereas the cylinder's scale forces readings to larger increments.
Accounting for Zero Errors
✅ Correct Answer
Subtract 0.02 g from the measured value.
💡 Key Knowledge
If a balance reads 0.02 g with nothing on it, it has a positive zero error. Every subsequent mass measurement will be 0.02 g too heavy, so you must subtract this baseline value.
❌ Common Errors
Do not write "zero the balance" as your primary method if the question asks how to use existing readings to determine the correct mass. The question states the reading after removal was 0.02 g .
Density Calculation & Standard Form Conversion
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Recall the formula: density = mass / volume (or m = ρ × V )
- Convert volume to SI units (m³):
Given volume = 0.44 cm³
Since 1 m = 100 cm , 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³ ( 10⁶ cm³ ).
0.44 cm³ = 0.44 × 10⁻⁶ m³ = 4.4 × 10⁻⁷ m³ - Substitute values into the rearranged equation:
mass = 21 500 kg/m³ × (4.4 × 10⁻⁷ m³) - Calculate final answer:
mass = 0.00946 kg (or 9.46 × 10⁻³ kg )
✅ Final Answer
Mass = 0.00946 kg (or 9.46 × 10⁻³ kg )
❌ Major Calculation Traps
Forgetting to convert cm³ to m³ is the #1 place students lose marks here. Because density is given in kg/m³ , your volume must be in m³ before multiplying!
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P3: Particle Model of Matter · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.