AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 6
11 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Calculate elastic and gravitational potential energy changes, identify governing equations, and explain energy dissipation for an oscillating toy hanging from a spring.
Practise this questionQuestion
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
How to answer it
Energy Changes & Transfers in an Oscillating Spring Toy
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of mechanical energy stores (elastic potential, kinetic, gravitational potential) during vertical oscillation, calculating elastic and gravitational potential energy, rearranging formulas, and identifying the mechanisms that cause energy dissipation in an open mechanical system.
Elastic Potential Energy Calculation
Calculate elastic potential energy stored in the stretched spring (2 marks)
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify known values:
Spring constant k = 5.6 N/m
Extension e = 0.35 m - Substitute values into the given equation:
Ee = 0.5 × k × e²
Ee = 0.5 × 5.6 × (0.35)²
Ee = 0.5 × 5.6 × 0.1225 [1 mark] - Calculate final value:
Ee = 0.343 J (or 0.34 J ) [1 mark]
🧠 Exam Technique
Always square only the extension first! Follow the order of operations: compute (0.35)² before multiplying by the spring constant and 0.5.
❌ Common Errors
- Forgetting to square the extension: 0.5 × 5.6 × 0.35 = 0.98 J scores only 0 marks.
- Squaring the entire product (0.5 × 5.6 × 0.35)² .
Gravitational Potential Energy Equation
Identify the correct formula linking Ep, m, g, and h (1 mark)
✅ Correct Answer
Tick box 3: Ep = mgh
💡 Key Knowledge
Gravitational potential energy depends directly on three factors:
- m = mass (kg)
- g = gravitational field strength (N/kg)
- h = vertical height (m)
🧠 Exam Technique
This equation is on the Physics Equation Sheet provided with your exam. Always verify with the sheet before ticking the box to avoid silly misreading slips.
Rearranging to Find Mass
Calculate the mass of the toy using gravitational potential energy (3 marks)
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- State equation & substitute values:
Ep = m × g × h
0.294 = m × 9.8 × 0.60 [1 mark] - Rearrange to make mass (m) the subject:
m = 0.294 / (9.8 × 0.60)
m = 0.294 / 5.88 [1 mark] - Calculate final numerical value:
m = 0.050 kg (or 0.05 kg ) [1 mark]
🧠 Exam Technique: Substitution First
AQA awards a mark for substituting known values into the un-rearranged equation. Write down 0.294 = m × 9.8 × 0.60 straight away to secure 1 mark even if you make an algebraic mistake later.
❌ Common Errors
- Calculator bracket error: Typing 0.294 ÷ 9.8 × 0.60 gives 0.018 because the calculator multiplies by 0.60 instead of dividing by it! Always use brackets: 0.294 ÷ (9.8 × 0.60) .
- Inverting the division: (9.8 × 0.60) ÷ 0.294 = 20 kg . Always check whether your mass seems reasonable for a small toy!
Energy Store Changes During Motion
Tracking how energy shifts as the toy moves upward
06.4 Extension Decreases (A → B)
Correct Box: Elastic potential energy decreases.
Because Ee ∝ e² , when the extension ( e ) gets smaller, the energy in the elastic store must decrease.
06.5 Toy Slows Down (B → C)
Correct Box: Kinetic energy decreases.
Because Ek = ½mv² , kinetic energy depends on speed. When speed decreases, kinetic energy decreases.
06.6 Toy Rises (B → C)
Correct Box: Gravitational potential energy increases.
As the toy moves higher against gravity ( h increases), energy is transferred into its gravitational potential store.
💡 Core Principle: Conservation of Energy
As the toy moves from Position A (lowest, maximum stretch) to Position C (highest point):
- A to B: Elastic potential energy decreases → converted into kinetic energy (speeds up) and gravitational potential energy (rises).
- B to C: Kinetic energy decreases (slows down) → converted into more gravitational potential energy until it momentarily stops at C.
Energy Dissipation & Damping
Reasons why the toy eventually stops bouncing (2 marks)
✅ Correct Answers (Choose Two)
- Air resistance opposes the motion of the toy. [1 mark]
- Energy is transferred to the surroundings. [1 mark]
❌ Disqualifying Misconceptions
- "Energy is destroyed": Violates the fundamental Law of Conservation of Energy! Energy can never be created or destroyed, only transferred.
- "Gravitational field strength decreases": g stays constant (~9.8 N/kg) near Earth's surface.
- "The spring loses its elasticity": The spring remains elastic; it doesn't change material properties during normal bounces.
🧠 Top Examiner Insight
Whenever a mechanical system "slows down and stops", work is being done against resistive forces (air resistance/friction), causing mechanical energy to dissipate as thermal energy into the surroundings.
Topics
Physics · P1: Energy · P5: Forces
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.