AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2025: Question 10

11 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Calculate the maximum speed of a toy car launched by a compressed spring to 2 significant figures, describe energy store changes along a vertical loop, and identify measurements required to find speed using a light gate.

Practise this question

Question

Question 10 is divided into three parts. Figure 12 shows a launcher mechanism where a hand pulls back a handle compressing a spring to launch a toy car along a track. Part 10.1 gives spring compression = 0.075 m, spring constant = 64 N/m, and mass of car = 0.052 kg, asking for the maximum possible speed to 2 significant figures for 6 marks. Part 10.2 shows Figure 13, a toy car moving along a track into a circular loop from point A at the bottom, through point B at the top, to point C exiting the loop, asking to describe the changes in energy stores for 3 marks. Part 10.3 asks to select two boxes representing measurements needed to determine the speed of the car using a light gate.

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 10. 10.1 allocates 6 marks: 1 mark for substitution into E_e = 0.5 * 64 * 0.075^2, 1 mark for E_e = 0.18 J, 1 mark for substituting into kinetic energy equation 0.18 = 0.5 * 0.052 * v^2, 1 mark for rearranging v^2 = 0.18 / (0.5 * 0.052), 1 mark for calculating v = 2.631... m/s, and 1 mark for rounding to 2 significant figures (2.6 m/s), with alternative method using F=ke, F=ma, and v^2-u^2=2as. 10.2 awards 3 marks: kinetic energy decreases from A to B (1), gravitational potential energy increases from A to B (1), and gravitational potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases from B to C (1). 10.3 awards 2 marks for ticking 'Length of the toy car' and 'Time for the toy car to pass the light gate'. Total marks = 11.

How to answer it

Toy Car Launcher & Loop-the-Loop Physics

WHAT THIS QUESTION TESTS

This question evaluates your ability to apply core Energy concepts from Paper 1:

  • Multi-step energy calculations: Calculating elastic potential energy ( Ee ) and equating it to kinetic energy ( Ek ) to find maximum speed.
  • Mathematical skills: Formula rearrangement, square roots, and rounding correctly to 2 significant figures.
  • Qualitative energy transfers: Explaining shifts between kinetic and gravitational potential energy stores around a vertical loop.
  • Practical experimental methods: Knowing exactly how a light gate and datalogger measure instantaneous speed ( speed = length ÷ time ).
QUESTION 10.1 • 6 MARKS

Calculating Maximum Launch Speed

Elastic Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy Conversion

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Calculate Elastic Potential Energy (Ee)
Formula: Ee = 0.5 × k × e²
Substitute: Ee = 0.5 × 64 × (0.075)² [1 mark]
Ee = 0.5 × 64 × 0.005625 = 0.18 J [1 mark]
Step 2: Equate to Kinetic Energy (Ek)
Assuming maximum speed (100% transfer, no energy dissipated):
Ek = 0.5 × m × v²
Substitute values: 0.18 = 0.5 × 0.052 × v² [1 mark]
Step 3: Rearrange for v²
v² = 0.18 ÷ (0.5 × 0.052)
v² = 0.18 ÷ 0.026 = 6.923... [1 mark]
Step 4: Solve for v and Round to 2 s.f.
v = √(6.923...) = 2.631... m/s [1 mark]
Round to 2 significant figures: 2.6 m/s [1 mark]

❌ Common Errors & Traps

  • Forgetting to square the compression: Calculating 0.5 × 64 × 0.075 instead of 0.075² causes immediate loss of marks.
  • Forgetting the final square root: Leaving the answer as 6.9 m/s (which is v² , not v ).
  • Ignoring significant figure instructions: Leaving the final answer as 2.63 or 2.631 forfeits the final mark entirely. Always check the required precision!
  • Arithmetic errors with 0.5: Dividing by 2 instead of multiplying when rearranging 0.5 × m .

💡 Key Knowledge

The question specifies the "maximum possible speed". This means you must assume an ideal closed system where all energy stored in the spring's elastic potential store is transferred directly to the car's kinetic store without any being dissipated as thermal energy to the surroundings.

🧠 Exam Technique

Even if you make an arithmetic mistake finding Ee , write down the substitution clearly for the second step. The mark scheme allows error carried forward (ECF) for the rearrangement, calculation, and rounding if your method is clearly shown.

QUESTION 10.2 • 3 MARKS

Energy Store Changes in the Vertical Loop

Tracking Changes from Position A to B to C

✅ Model Answer (Full Marks)

  • From A to B: The kinetic energy of the car decreases [1 mark] and its gravitational potential energy increases [1 mark].
  • From B to C: The gravitational potential energy decreases and the kinetic energy increases [1 mark].
Mark Scheme Note: You can state: "Kinetic energy is transferred to gravitational potential energy from A to B" to gain both mark 1 and mark 2 together.

🧠 Exam Technique & Examiner Commentary

  • Break the journey into two halves: Notice the question says from A to B, and then to C. Structure your answer in two clear sentences: one for upward motion (A → B) and one for downward motion (B → C).
  • Read the instructions: The question states "Ignore the effects of friction and air resistance". Do not waste time talking about thermal energy or energy dissipation to the surroundings.
  • Use standard shorthand: Using Ek for kinetic energy and Ep (or GPE) for gravitational potential energy is fully accepted.
QUESTION 10.3 • 2 MARKS

Measuring Speed with a Light Gate

Required Measurements

✅ Correct Checkbox Selections

  • ☑ Length of the toy car [1 mark]
  • ☑ Time for the toy car to pass the light gate [1 mark]

💡 Why These Two?

A light gate works as an electronic timer:

  • The infrared beam is broken when the front of the car enters the gate.
  • The beam is restored when the rear of the car leaves.
  • This records the exact time taken ( t ) for the length of the car ( d ) to cut the beam.
  • The computer calculates speed using: speed = distance ÷ time = length of car ÷ time .

❌ Distractor Traps

  • Total length of the race track: This would give the average speed across the whole track if timed from start to finish, not the instantaneous speed at the gate.
  • Mass of the toy car: Mass affects acceleration and momentum, but the sensor only measures kinematic variables (distance and time).

Topics

Physics · P1: Energy · P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 1 (Higher), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.