AQA-style topic test · Particle Model of Matter · Higher tier
Time allowed: 40 minutes
Total: Separate Physics 35 marks · Combined Science 28 marks (skip Question 06)
You need: a calculator, a ruler and the equation sheet.
Instructions: Answer all questions on paper. Show your working in calculations. Give answers to an appropriate number of significant figures. Open the mark schemes only when you have finished the whole test.
Question 01
A student heats 0.20 kg of a solid wax with a 100 W heater. She records the temperature every 60 s. Table 1 shows her results.
| Time (s) | 0 | 60 | 120 | 180 | 240 | 300 | 360 | 420 | 480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature (°C) | 40 | 60 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
01.1 The wax melts between 120 s and 420 s.
Calculate the specific latent heat of fusion of the wax. Assume all the energy from the heater is transferred to the wax. [3 marks]
Mark scheme
E = 100 × 300 = 30 000 J (1)
30 000 = 0.20 × L (1)
L = 150 000 J/kg (1) – allow 1.5 × 105 J/kg
01.2 Explain why the temperature does not change between 120 s and 420 s. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
energy is used to break the bonds between particles / increase the potential energy of the particles (1)
so the kinetic energy of the particles (and the temperature) does not increase (1)
01.3 The accepted value is lower than the student’s value. Explain why. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
some energy from the heater is transferred to the surroundings / the beaker, not the wax (1)
so the energy used in the calculation is more than the energy that actually melted the wax, making L too large (1)
Question 01 total: 7 marks
Question 02
A metal cube has sides of length 2.0 cm and a mass of 70 g.
02.1 Calculate the density of the metal in kg/m³. [3 marks]
Mark scheme
V = 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 = 8.0 cm³ (1)
ρ = 70 ÷ 8.0 = 8.75 g/cm³ (1)
ρ = 8750 kg/m³ (1) – allow 8800 kg/m³
02.2 The side of the cube was measured with a ruler that has a resolution of 1 mm.
Suggest why this could make the value of the density inaccurate. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
1 mm is a large fraction of 2.0 cm, so the uncertainty in the volume is large (it is cubed) (1)
allow: use vernier callipers / a micrometer
02.3 Explain, using the particle model, why a gas is much less dense than a solid of the same substance. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
the particles in a gas are much further apart (1)
so there is less mass in the same volume (1)
Question 02 total: 6 marks
Question 03
03.1 0.50 kg of ice at 0 °C is melted and the water is then heated to 20 °C.
Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 334 000 J/kg
Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C
Calculate the total energy needed. [4 marks]
Mark scheme
energy to melt = 0.50 × 334 000 = 167 000 J (1)
energy to heat = 0.50 × 4200 × 20 (1)
= 42 000 J (1)
total = 209 000 J (1) – allow 2.1 × 105 J
Question 03 total: 4 marks
Question 04
A car tyre contains air at a fixed volume.
04.1 How is the temperature of a gas related to its particles? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of the particles (1)
04.2 On a cold morning the pressure in the tyre is lower than on a hot afternoon. Explain why. [4 marks]
Mark scheme
at a lower temperature the particles have less kinetic energy / move more slowly (1)
so they collide with the walls of the tyre less often (1)
and each collision exerts a smaller force (1)
so the pressure (force per unit area) is lower (1)
Question 04 total: 5 marks
Question 05
05.1 Describe how a student could find the density of a small irregular stone and the density of a liquid. Include the equipment used and how the measurements would be used. [6 marks]
Mark scheme
Level 3 (5–6 marks): a clear, logical method for both the stone and the liquid, which would allow valid results, including how density is calculated.
Level 2 (3–4 marks): a method for one object is described clearly, or both are described with some missing steps.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): simple, disconnected statements about measuring mass or volume.
0 marks: no relevant content.
Indicative content:
Stone: measure the mass on a balance; fill a displacement can to the spout; lower the stone in on a thread; collect the displaced water in a measuring cylinder; the volume of water = volume of stone; read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level.
Liquid: place an empty measuring cylinder on a balance and zero it; pour in a known volume (e.g. 50 cm³); record the mass of the liquid.
Both: density = mass ÷ volume; repeat and calculate a mean.
Question 05 total: 6 marks
🔷 SEPARATE PHYSICS ONLY – Combined Science students skip Question 06
(pV = constant and doing work on a gas are only in Separate Physics.)
Question 06
A sealed syringe contains 50 cm³ of air at 120 kPa. The plunger is pushed in slowly until the volume is 30 cm³. The temperature stays constant.
06.1 Calculate the new pressure of the air. [3 marks]
Mark scheme
p1V1 = p2V2: 120 × 50 = p × 30 (1)
p = 6000 ÷ 30 (1)
p = 200 kPa (1)
06.2 When a bicycle pump is pushed in quickly, the air inside gets warmer. Explain why. [3 marks]
Mark scheme
work is done on the gas (by pushing the plunger) (1)
which transfers energy to the gas / increases its internal energy (1)
so the kinetic energy of the particles increases and the temperature rises (1)
06.3 State the direction of the net force produced by the gas pressure on the walls of the syringe. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
at right angles to the walls / perpendicular to the surface (1)
Question 06 total: 7 marks
END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 35 marks · Combined Science 28 marks.
Next: Particle Model – Foundation test · Particle Model topic page · All topic tests
