AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 2

11 marks ยท Low Demand difficulty ยท Short Answer

Calculate weight, work done, total forward force, and acceleration of a train, and identify contact forces and distance-time graphs representing constant speed.

Practise this question

Question

Question 2 with parts 02.1 to 02.6 relating to trains. Part 02.1 asks to calculate weight using mass 75000 kg and g = 9.8 N/kg. Part 02.2 asks to calculate work done by one engine with force 850000 N over 80 m. Part 02.3 asks to calculate the total forward force of four engines. Part 02.4 is a multiple-choice tick-box question asking which is a contact force among electrostatic, frictional, and gravitational. Part 02.5 asks to select which of three distance-time graphs (linear, curving upwards, curving downwards) represents constant speed. Part 02.6 asks to calculate acceleration over 150 seconds from 16 m/s to 25 m/s using the given equation.

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 2 showing 11 total marks: 02.1 gives W = 75000 x 9.8 = 735000 N (2 marks); 02.2 gives W = 850000 x 80 = 68000000 J (2 marks); 02.3 gives 4 x 850000 = 3400000 N (2 marks); 02.4 gives frictional force (1 mark); 02.5 selects the straight-line distance-time graph through the origin (1 mark); 02.6 calculates change in velocity as 25 - 16 = 9 m/s, acceleration as 9 / 150 = 0.06 m/s^2 (3 marks).

How to answer it

Forces, Work Done & Motion of a Train

๐Ÿ“‹ What this question tests

This question assesses core foundational concepts in AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2 (Topic 5: Forces):

  • Calculating weight: Using W = m ร— g with gravitational field strength.
  • Work done by a force: Applying W = F ร— s along a distance.
  • Resultant force: Combining multiple identical forces acting together.
  • Types of forces: Distinguishing contact forces from non-contact forces.
  • Distance-time graphs: Recognising graphical shapes representing constant speed.
  • Calculating acceleration: Evaluating change in velocity ( ฮ”v = v - u ) and using a = ฮ”v / t .

Question 02.1

Calculate the weight of coal in one truck

๐Ÿ“ Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Given equation: weight = mass ร— gravitational field strength
  2. Identify values: Mass m = 75 000 kg , g = 9.8 N/kg
  3. Substitute: Weight = 75 000 ร— 9.8
  4. Calculate: 735 000 N
Marks: 1 mark for substitution, 1 mark for correct final value (2 marks total).

๐Ÿง  Exam Technique & Guidance

  • Check your units: Mass is already in kilograms ( kg ), so no unit conversion is needed.
  • Always write out your substitution clearly so you secure the method mark even if you miskey a number on your calculator.

Question 02.2

Calculate work done by one engine

๐Ÿ“ Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Given equation: work done = force ร— distance moved
  2. Identify values: Force F = 850 000 N , Distance s = 80 m
  3. Substitute: W = 850 000 ร— 80
  4. Calculate: 68 000 000 J (or 6.8 ร— 10โท J )
Marks: 1 mark for substitution, 1 mark for correct final value (2 marks total).

โŒ Common Errors

  • Counting the zeros: Large numbers are prone to keystroke errors. Double-check that you typed 4 zeros for 850 000 and 1 zero for 80.
  • Multiplying by 4: The question specifically asks for the work done by one engine, not all four!

Question 02.3

Calculate the total forward force of four engines

๐Ÿ“ Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Recognise total: There are 4 engines, each exerting 850 000 N forward.
  2. Calculation: 4 ร— 850 000
  3. Answer: 3 400 000 N (or 3.4 ร— 10โถ N )
Marks: 1 mark for multiplying by 4, 1 mark for correct answer (2 marks total).

๐Ÿ’ก Key Knowledge

When multiple identical forces act in the same direction along the same line, their resultant is found simply by adding them together (or multiplying by the number of engines).

Question 02.4

Identify another contact force

โœ… Correct Answer

Tick: Frictional force

Marks: 1 mark for ticking the correct box.

๐Ÿ’ก Contact vs Non-Contact Forces

  • Contact forces: Objects must physically touch. Examples: friction, tension, normal reaction force, air resistance.
  • Non-contact forces: Act at a distance without physical contact. Examples: gravitational, electrostatic, magnetic.

Question 02.5

Distance-time graph representing constant speed

โœ… Correct Answer

Tick: The 1st graph (straight diagonal line sloping upwards from the origin)

Marks: 1 mark for the correct sketch graph.

๐Ÿง  Graph Interpretation

  • On a distance-time graph, speed is represented by the gradient (slope).
  • Constant speed: Constant gradient → a straight diagonal line.
  • Curving upwards: Gradient increasing → accelerating.
  • Curving downwards (flattening): Gradient decreasing → decelerating.

Question 02.6

Calculate acceleration of the train

๐Ÿ“ Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Step 1: Find change in velocity (ฮ”v)
    ฮ”v = final velocity - initial velocity
    ฮ”v = 25 - 16 = 9 m/s
  2. Step 2: Apply the acceleration formula
    acceleration = (change in velocity) / time
    a = 9 / 150
  3. Step 3: Calculate final value
    a = 0.06 m/sยฒ
Marks: 1 mark for calculating ฮ”v = 9, 1 mark for substitution (9 / 150), 1 mark for 0.06 (3 marks total).

๐Ÿง  Examiner Insights & Error Avoidance

  • Subsequent marks (Error Carried Forward): The mark scheme explicitly states that if you calculate an incorrect change in velocity (e.g. adding them instead of subtracting), you can still get the subsequent 2 marks for dividing your number by 150!
  • Do NOT just use 25: A frequent mistake is taking only the final velocity ( 25 / 150 ). Always calculate v - u first.

Topics

Physics ยท P5: Forces

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.