AQA-style topic test · Particle Model of Matter · Foundation tier
Time allowed: 35 minutes
Total: Separate Physics 32 marks · Combined Science 27 marks (skip Question 05)
You need: a calculator, a ruler and the equation sheet.
Instructions: Answer all questions on paper. Show your working in calculations – you can get marks for working even if your final answer is wrong. Open the mark schemes only when you have finished the whole test.
Question 01
This question is about solids, liquids and gases.
01.1 In which state are the particles close together in a regular pattern, vibrating about fixed positions?
Tick (✓) one box.
☐ solid ☐ liquid ☐ gas [1 mark]
Mark scheme
solid (1)
01.2 Name the change of state when:
(a) a liquid turns into a solid
(b) a gas turns into a liquid. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
(a) freezing (1)
(b) condensing / condensation (1)
01.3 100 g of ice melts completely. What is the mass of the water produced? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
100 g – mass is conserved (1)
01.4 Melting is a physical change. What does this mean? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the material recovers its original properties if the change is reversed / no new substance is made (1)
Question 01 total: 5 marks
Question 02
A student finds the density of a small, irregular stone. She lowers the stone into a displacement (eureka) can full of water and collects the water that comes out in a measuring cylinder.
02.1 The stone displaces 60 cm³ of water. What is the volume of the stone? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
60 cm³ (1)
02.2 The mass of the stone is 150 g.
Calculate the density of the stone in g/cm³.
Use the equation: ρ = m ÷ V [2 marks]
Mark scheme
ρ = 150 ÷ 60 (1)
ρ = 2.5 g/cm³ (1)
02.3 Convert your answer to kg/m³. (1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³) [1 mark]
Mark scheme
2500 kg/m³ (1) – allow error carried forward from 02.2
02.4 Describe how the student could find the volume of a regular, cube-shaped block instead. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
measure the length, width and height with a ruler (1)
volume = length × width × height (1)
Question 02 total: 6 marks
Question 03
A beaker of ice at −10 °C is heated steadily until all the ice has melted and the water reaches 20 °C.
03.1 What is meant by the internal energy of a substance? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles (1)
03.2 While the ice is melting, its temperature stays at 0 °C even though it is still being heated. Explain why. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
the energy is used to break the bonds between the particles / change the state (1)
so the kinetic energy of the particles does not increase / the internal energy increases but not the temperature (1)
03.3 What is meant by the specific latent heat of fusion? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the energy needed to change 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid with no change in temperature (1)
03.4 Calculate the energy needed to melt 0.50 kg of ice.
Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 334 000 J/kg
Use the equation: E = m L [2 marks]
Mark scheme
E = 0.50 × 334 000 (1)
E = 167 000 J (1)
Question 03 total: 6 marks
Question 04
A sealed can contains air.
04.1 Explain how the air particles cause a pressure on the inside of the can. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
the particles are in constant random motion and collide with the walls of the can (1)
each collision exerts a force on the wall (1)
04.2 The can is heated. The volume of the can does not change.
Explain what happens to the pressure of the air inside the can. [3 marks]
Mark scheme
the pressure increases (1)
the particles gain kinetic energy / move faster (1)
so they collide with the walls more often / with more force (1)
Question 04 total: 5 marks
🔷 SEPARATE PHYSICS ONLY – Combined Science students skip Question 05
(Pressure and volume of a gas, pV = constant, is only in Separate Physics.)
Question 05
A syringe contains 60 cm³ of air at a pressure of 100 kPa. The end of the syringe is sealed. The plunger is pushed in slowly so the temperature stays the same.
05.1 In which direction does the force from the gas pressure act on the walls of the syringe? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
at right angles to the walls / perpendicular to the surface (1)
05.2 The volume is reduced to 30 cm³. Calculate the new pressure.
Use the equation: p V = constant [2 marks]
Mark scheme
100 × 60 = p × 30 (1)
p = 200 kPa (1)
05.3 Explain, in terms of particles, why the pressure increases when the volume decreases. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
the particles have less space / the same number of particles in a smaller volume (1)
so they collide with the walls more often (1)
Question 05 total: 5 marks
Question 06
A pan contains 2.0 kg of water at 20 °C. It is heated to 70 °C.
Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C
06.1 Calculate the energy transferred to the water.
Use the equation: ΔE = m c Δθ [3 marks]
Mark scheme
Δθ = 70 − 20 = 50 °C (1)
ΔE = 2.0 × 4200 × 50 (1)
ΔE = 420 000 J (1)
06.2 The water is heated by a 2000 W electric hob. Calculate the time taken, assuming all the energy goes into the water.
Use the equation: E = P t [2 marks]
Mark scheme
420 000 = 2000 × t (1)
t = 210 s (1) – allow error carried forward from 06.1
Question 06 total: 5 marks
END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 32 marks · Combined Science 27 marks.
Next: Particle Model – Higher test · Particle Model topic page · All topic tests
