Practise 36 exam-style questions on Density of materials for AQA GCSE Physics. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
36 questions
1–6 marks each
Instant marking
No sign-up needed
20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
A concrete block has a mass of 57.6 kg and a volume of 0.024 m³.
Calculate the density of the concrete.
Model answer
ρ = m ÷ V ρ = 57.6 ÷ 0.024 ρ = 2400 kg/m³
Explanation
The mass is in kilograms and the volume in cubic metres, so dividing gives the density directly in kg/m³. Each cubic metre of this concrete has a mass of 2400 kg.
Mark scheme
1 mark
ρ = 57.6 ÷ 0.024
an answer of 2400 (kg/m³) scores 2 marks
1 mark
2400 (kg/m³)
Question 2
2 marks
When finding the density of an object, a student repeats her volume measurement several times and calculates a mean.
Explain why she does this.
Model answer
Each reading may be slightly too high or too low because of random errors, such as reading the meniscus or water splashing. Taking a mean of several readings reduces the effect of these random errors, so the result is closer to the true value.
Explanation
Repeating does not remove systematic errors, but it does reduce random errors and lets you spot anomalous readings. A fair test is about controlling variables, which is a different idea.
Mark scheme
1 mark
to reduce the effect of random errors
allow to identify anomalous results
1 mark
so the mean is closer to the true value / more accurate
do not accept 'to make it a fair test'
Question 3
3 marks
The air inside a hot air balloon is heated by a burner.
Explain, using the particle model, why the density of the air inside the balloon decreases when it is heated.
Model answer
When the air is heated, its particles gain kinetic energy and move faster. They spread out further apart, so the air expands and some of it is pushed out of the balloon. There is now less mass of air in the same volume, so the density of the hot air is lower than the density of the cooler air outside.
Explanation
Density depends on how closely particles are packed. Heating a gas spreads its particles out, reducing its density - which is why the hot air balloon rises through the denser, cooler air around it.
Mark scheme
1 mark
the air particles gain kinetic energy / move faster
1 mark
the particles spread out further apart / the air expands (and some escapes from the balloon)
1 mark
so there is less mass of air in the same volume / the same mass takes up a larger volume, so the density decreases
Question 4
4 marks
An oil drum holds 0.20 m³ of oil. The density of the oil is 850 kg/m³. Gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg
Calculate the weight of the oil.
Model answer
m = ρ × V = 850 × 0.20 = 170 kg W = m × g = 170 × 9.8 W = 1666 N
Explanation
First use the density equation to find the mass, then weight = mass × gravitational field strength. Mass is measured in kilograms and weight, a force, in newtons.
Mark scheme
1 mark
m = 850 × 0.20
an answer of 1666 (N) scores 4 marks
1 mark
m = 170 (kg)
1 mark
W = 170 × 9.8
allow ecf from an incorrect mass
1 mark
1666 (N)
allow 1670 N or 1700 N; allow ecf
Ready to try the rest? Every answer you write is marked against the mark scheme, so you can see exactly where the marks are.
Ctrl + Enter to check
AI TutorHints first, answers after you try
Hi! Stuck? Ask me for a hint and I’ll help you work it out. Once you’ve checked your answer I can explain exactly where the marks are.
