AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 3

8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Investigate the relationship between mass and acceleration for a trolley using an apparatus setup with a string, pulley, and mass hanger, including identifying variables, calculating mean acceleration, interpreting a graph, and using Newton's second law.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part physics question about an investigation into trolley acceleration. Figure 5 shows a trolley on a bench connected via a string over a pulley to a mass hanger. Sub-questions cover identifying opposing forces, matching experimental variables, calculating mean acceleration from three values, interpreting a curved graph (Figure 6) showing acceleration against total mass, and calculating resultant force using F = ma.
Question text

03 A student investigated how changing the mass of a trolley affects the acceleration of

the trolley.

Figure 5 shows some of the equipment used.

Figure 5

03.1 The trolley in Figure 5 is not moving.

Which force prevents the trolley from moving?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Friction

Tension

Weight 11

The force pulling on the trolley was increased so that the trolley accelerated.

The force was then kept constant and different masses were put on the trolley.

For each different mass the acceleration of the trolley was measured.

03.2 Draw one line from each variable to the correct quantity.

[2 marks]

03.3 For one of the masses put on the trolley, the student recorded three values

of acceleration.

1.58 m/s2 1.53 m/s2 1.54 m/s2

Calculate the mean acceleration of the trolley.

[2 marks]

12 2

Mean acceleration = m/s

Figure 6 shows some of the results.

Figure 6

03.4 Describe the relationship shown in Figure 6.

[1 mark]

03.5 When the total mass of the trolley was 1.5 kg, the acceleration of the trolley

was 0.62 m/s2.

Calculate the resultant force acting on the trolley.

Use the equation:

resultant force = mass × acceleration

[2 marks]

Resultant force = N

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for question 3, detailing correct answers for each sub-question: 03.1 requires 'friction' (1 mark); 03.2 matches 'Independent variable' to 'Total mass of the trolley' and 'Dependent variable' to 'Acceleration of the trolley' (2 marks); 03.3 requires showing the mean calculation of 1.58, 1.53, and 1.54 to get 1.55 m/s² (2 marks); 03.4 accepts 'inversely proportional' or 'as mass increases acceleration decreases' (1 mark); and 03.5 requires multiplying 1.5 by 0.62 to give 0.93 N (2 marks).

Question 3

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 friction 1 AO3

4.5.6.2.2

RPA7

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.2 AO1

4.5.6.2.2

RPA7

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.3 1.58 + 1.53 + 1.54 1 AO2

3 4.5.6.2.2

RPA7

1.55 (m/s2) 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.4 the acceleration is inversely allow as the mass increases the 1 AO3

proportional to the mass acceleration decreases 4.5.6.2.2

RPA 7

allow negative correlation

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.5 F = 1.5 × 0.62 1 AO2

4.5.6.2.2

= 0.93 (N) 1

Total Question 3 8

How to answer it

Forces, Acceleration and Newton's Second Law Study Guide

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of Required Practical 7 (Investigating the effect of mass on acceleration), identifying variables, calculating mean values, interpreting graphical trends (inverse proportionality), and applying Newton's Second Law equation ( Force = mass × acceleration ).

Question 03.1

Stationary Forces on a Trolley

✅ Correct Answer

Tick the box for: Friction

1 mark

💡 Key Knowledge

  • When an object is stationary, opposing forces are balanced.
  • Friction between the trolley wheels and the bench (or air resistance) opposes any potential motion, keeping it still until the pulling force overcomes it.

❌ Common Errors

Students often incorrectly choose tension. Tension only exists in the string once the hanging mass pulls tight and a force is actively applied.

Question 03.2

Identifying Variables

✅ Correct Answers

  • Independent variable linked to: Total mass of the trolley (the variable you change)
  • Dependent variable linked to: Acceleration of the trolley (the variable you measure)
2 marks (1 mark per correct line)

🧠 Exam Technique

Remember definitions: The Independent variable is what I change. The Dependent variable is what you Detect or measure as a result.

Question 03.3

Calculating a Mean Acceleration

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Add all the values together:
    1.58 + 1.53 + 1.54 = 4.65
  2. Divide by the number of readings (3):
    4.65 ÷ 3 = 1.55 m/s²
2 marks (1 for working, 1 for final answer)

❌ Common Errors

Watch out for anomalous results! In this specific dataset, all three numbers are very close together so all are included. Always check if you need to discard an anomaly before dividing by the new count.

Question 03.4

Describing Graphical Trends

✅ Correct Answer

"The acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass" (Acceptable alternatives: "As the mass increases, the acceleration decreases" or "Negative correlation").

1 mark

💡 Key Knowledge

A curved downward graph that does not cross zero indicates inverse proportionality. Specifying "as one increases, the other decreases" is the safer, minimum-credit description if you aren't confident using the term inverse proportion.

Question 03.5

Using Newton's Second Law

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Equation: Resultant force = mass × acceleration

  1. Substitute the numbers:
    Force = 1.5 × 0.62
  2. Calculate the final value:
    Force = 0.93 N
2 marks (1 for substitution/working, 1 for correct value with unit)

🧠 Exam Technique

Always write out the formula as given in the question paper before substituting values. Double-check your calculator input to avoid simple multiplication slips.

Topics

Physics · Required Practicals · P5: Forces · Required Practicals

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.