EXAM QUESTIONS

AQA TRILOGY

PARTICLE MODEL
OF MATTER

Q1-6 FOUNDATON

Q3-9 HIGHER

MARK SCHEME AT THE END OF

ALL THE QUESTIONS

Page 1 of 25
Q1.
Two large semi-precious stones are discovered.

A student is asked to find out what material each of the two stones is made of.

The student does this by determining the density of the material of each stone.

Figure 1 shows the two stones.

Figure 1

(a)  The student wants to measure the volume of stone A. Stone A cannot be measured
using a metre rule as the stone is an irregular shape.

Describe how the student could determine the volume of stone A by putting it into
water.

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(3)

The student makes measurements of stone B using a metre rule.

The measurements of stone B are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

(b)  Which piece of equipment could the student use to get a more accurate
measurement of the length of stone B?

Page 2 of 25
 Tick one box.

Electronic balance

Microscope

Newtonmeter

Vernier callipers

(1)

(c)  Use the following equation to calculate the volume of stone B in cm3

volume = length × width × height

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___________________________________________________________________

Volume = _______________ cm3

(1)

(d)  The mass of stone B is 56 grams.

Use your answer from part (c) to calculate the density of stone B in g/cm3

Use the following equation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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Density = _______________ g/cm3

(2)

(e)  The student calculates the density of the material stone A is made of as 5.2 g/cm3

The student looks up the density of some materials in a text book.

Figure 3 shows this information.

Figure 3

Page 3 of 25
 What material is stone A made of?

Tick one box.

Amber

Cubic Zirconia

Garnet

Haematite

(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
The diagram shows a model of the particles in a gas and in a liquid.

(a) Complete the diagram to show the arrangement of particles of the same substance
as a solid.
(2)

(b) What is the name of the process when a substance changes from a gas to a liquid?

Tick one box.

Page 4 of 25
 Condensing

Evaporating

Freezing

Melting

(1)

(c) The substance in the diagram has a:

• melting point of 98 °C
• boiling point of 883 °C

What is the state of the substance at 20 °C?

Tick one box.

Gas Liquid Solid

(1)

(d) What type of change is a change of state?

Tick one box.

Chemical

Kinetic

Permanent

Physical

(1)

(e) Which two statements are correct about the particles when a liquid turns into a gas?

Tick two boxes.

Particles are bigger

Particles are lighter

Particles have more chemical energy

Particles have more kinetic energy

Page 5 of 25
 Particles move faster

(2)

(f) Which two quantities are needed to calculate the energy required to turn a liquid
into a gas with no change in temperature?

Tick two boxes.

Mass of the liquid

Specific heat capacity of the gas

Specific latent heat of vaporisation

Time the liquid is heated

(2)

(g) A mass of 2.0 kg of water is heated.

The temperature increase of the water is 80 °C

The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J / kg °C

Calculate the change in thermal energy when the water is heated.

Use the equation:

change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Change in thermal energy = ____________________ J

(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Q3.
Figure 1 shows solid ice on a car’s rear window.

Figure 1

Page 6 of 25
 © Captive cookies/iStock/Thinkstock

The glass window contains an electrical heating element.

(a) Use the particle model in Figure 2 to describe how the heating element causes the
arrangement of the ice particles to change as the ice melts.

Figure 2

You should include a description of how the particles are arranged in the solid ice
and in the water.

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Page 7 of 25
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)

(b) A car manufacturer tests different heating elements by measuring how long it takes
ice to melt.

During the test some variables must be controlled.

Identify two control variables in the car manufacturer’s test.

Tick two boxes.

The colour of the car

The current in the heating

element

The mass of ice

The size of the car

The time taken for the ice to

melt
(2)

(c) Some of the energy supplied by the heater causes the ice to melt without the
temperature of the ice increasing.

What is the name given to this energy supplied by the heater?

Tick one box.

Latent heat of freezing

Latent heat of fusion

Latent heat of vaporisation

(1)

(d) When the heater is supplied with 120 J of energy each second, the internal energy
of the ice increases by 45 J each second.

Use the following equation to calculate the efficiency of the heater.

Efficiency =

Page 8 of 25
 Give your answer to two decimal places.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Efficiency = ____________________
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

Q4.
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising
information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

The information in the box is about the properties of solids and gases.

Solids:
• have a fixed shape
• are difficult to compress (to squash).
Gases:
• will spread and fill the entire container
• are easy to compress (to squash).

Use your knowledge of kinetic theory to explain the information given in the box.

You should consider:

• the spacing between the particles
• the movement of individual particles
• the forces between the particles.

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Page 9 of 25
 Extra space ____________________________________________________________

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(Total 6 marks)

Q5.
Diagram 1 shows the energy transferred per second from a badly insulated house on a
cold day in winter.

Diagram 1

Page 10 of 25
(a) (i) When the inside of the house is at a constant temperature, the energy
transferred from the heating system to the inside of the house equals the
energy transferred from the house to the outside.

Calculate, in kilowatts, the power of the heating system used to keep the
inside of the house in Diagram 1 at a constant temperature.

1 kilowatt (kW) = 1 kilojoule per second (kJ/s)

______________________________________________________________

Power of the heating system = ___________________________ kW

(1)

(ii) In the winter, the heating system is switched on for a total of 7 hours each day.

Calculate, in kilowatt-hours, the energy transferred each day from the heating
system to the inside of the house.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Energy transferred each day = ___________________________ kWh

(2)

(iii) Energy costs 15 p per kilowatt-hour.

Calculate the cost of heating the house for one day.

______________________________________________________________

Cost = _______________
(1)

(iv) The heating system is switched off at midnight.

The graph shows how the temperature inside the house changes after the
heating system has been switched off.

Time of day

Draw a ring around the correct answer in the box to complete the sentence.

Between midnight and 6 am the rate of energy transfer from

Page 11 of 25
 decreases.

the house decreases then stays constant.

increases.

Give the reason for your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Diagram 2 shows how the walls of the house are constructed.
Diagram 3 shows how the insulation of the house could be improved by filling the
air gap between the two brick walls with plastic foam.

Diagram 2 Diagram 3

U-value of the wall = 0.7 U-value of the wall = 0.3

The plastic foam reduces energy transfer by convection.

Explain why.

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
The picture shows a person taking a hot shower.

Page 12 of 25
 (a) When a person uses the shower the mirror gets misty.

Why?

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(3)

(b) The homeowner installs an electrically heated mirror into the shower room.

When a person has a shower, the heated mirror does not become misty but stays
clear.

Why does the mirror stay clear?

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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q7.
According to kinetic theory, all matter is made up of small particles. The particles are
constantly moving.

Page 13 of 25
Diagram 1 shows how the particles may be arranged in a solid.

Diagram 1

(a) One kilogram of a gas has a much larger volume than one kilogram of a solid.

Use kinetic theory to explain why.

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(4)

(b) Diagram 2 shows the particles in a liquid. The liquid is evaporating.

Diagram 2

(i) How can you tell from Diagram 2 that the liquid is evaporating?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) The temperature of the liquid in the container decreases as the liquid
evaporates.

Page 14 of 25
 Use kinetic theory to explain why.

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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q8.
An electric immersion heater is used to heat the water in a domestic hot water tank.
When the immersion heater is switched on the water at the bottom of the tank gets hot.

(a) Complete the following sentence.

The main way the energy is transferred through the copper wall of the water tank is

by the process of ________________________________________ .

(1)

(b) The immersion heater has a thermostat to control the water temperature.

When the temperature of the water inside the tank reaches 58°C the thermostat
switches the heater off. The thermostat switches the heater back on when the
temperature of the water falls to 50°C.

Graph A shows how the temperature of the water inside a hot water tank changes
with time. The tank is not insulated.

Page 15 of 25
 Time in hours

(i) The temperature of the water falls at the fastest rate just after the heater
switches off.

Explain why.

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______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) To heat the water in the tank from 50°C to 58°C the immersion heater transfers
4032 kJ of energy to the water.

Calculate the mass of water in the tank.

Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg°C

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Mass = _______________________________ kg
(3)

(iii) An insulating jacket is fitted to the hot water tank.

Graph B shows how the temperature of the water inside the insulated hot
water tank changes with time.

Page 16 of 25
 Time in hours

An insulating jacket only costs £12.

By comparing Graph A with Graph B, explain why fitting an insulating jacket

to a hot water tank saves money.

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______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q9.
The figure below shows a simple model of the three states of matter.

(a) What is the correct equation to work out the density of a material?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) A student explains density to his teacher using the particle model in the figure
above.

His teacher says there are limitations to the model.

Page 17 of 25
 Give two limitations of the particle model in the figure above.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

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(2)

(c) When the gas in a container with a fixed volume is heated, the pressure increases
as the temperature increases.

Explain why the pressure increases.

Use the model in the figure above to help you.

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(4)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 18 of 25
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)  (use a) displacement / eureka can filled with water
1

collect the water that is displaced (by the stone)

1

measure volume of water with a measuring cylinder

1

or

(use a) measuring cylinder of water (1)

take a start and end level of the water (in the measuring cylinder) (1)
allow idea of measure how far water has risen
from original level

calculate volume of water rise (1)

(b)  Vernier callipers

1

(c)  11.2 (cm3)

allow 11
1

(d) 
allow ecf from part (c)
1

5(.0)(g/cm3)
1
an answer of 5(.0) scores 2 marks

(e)  haematite
1
[8]

Q2.
(a) (approximate same size particles as each other and as liquid and gas) touching
do not accept particles that overlap
1

regular arrangement (filling the square)

1

(b) condensing
1

(c) solid
1

Page 19 of 25
 (d) physical
1

(e) particles have more kinetic energy

1

particles move faster

1

(f) mass of the liquid

1

specific latent heat of vaporisation

1

(g) 2 × 4 200 × 80
1

672 000 (J)

an answer of 672 000 (J) scores 2 marks
1
[11]

Q3.
(a) Level 3 (5–6 marks):
A clear, logical explanation containing accurate ideas presented in the correct order
with links between ideas.

Level 2 (3–4 marks):

Key ideas presented with some linked together to form a partial explanation.

Level 1 (1–2 marks):

Fragmented ideas, some may be relevant, insufficient links to form an explanation.

0 marks:
No relevant content.

Indicative content
• current in the wire causes heating
• increases temperature of the metal wires / ice

Solid
• arrangement of particles is regular
• particles vibrate about a fixed position

Melting
• internal energy of the ice increases, increasing the temperature to
melting
point
• so (as the temperature increases) particles vibrate faster
• eventually particles vibrate fast enough to break free from the (strong)
bonds
• therefore the arrangement of particles becomes irregular

Liquid
• arrangement of particles is irregular
• particles movement (translational) is random
6

Page 20 of 25
 (b) The current in the heating element
1

The mass of ice

1

(c) latent heat of fusion

1

45 / 120 = 0.375
1

0.38
allow 0.38 with no working shown for 2 marks
allow 0.375 with no working shown for 1 mark
1
[11]

Q4.
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Written
Communication (QWC) as well as the standard of the scientific response. Examiners
should also apply a ‘best-fit’ approach to the marking.

0 marks
No relevant content.

Level 1 (1–2 marks)

Considers either solid or gas and describes at least one aspect of the particles.

or

Considers both solids and gases and describes an aspect of each.

Level 2 (3–4 marks)

Considers both solids and gases and describes aspects of the particles.

or

Considers one state and describes aspects of the particles and explains at least one
of the properties.

or

Considers both states and describes an aspect of the particles for both and explains
a property for solids or gases.

Level 3 (5–6 marks)

Considers both states of matter and describes the spacing and movement / forces
between the particles. Explains a property of both solids and gases.

examples of the points made in the response

extra information

Solids

• (particles) close together

• (so) no room for particles to move closer (so hard to compress)

Page 21 of 25
 • vibrate about fixed point
• strong forces of attraction (at a distance)
• the forces become repulsive if the particles get closer
• particles strongly held together / not free to move around (shape is fixed)
any explanation of a property must match with the given
aspect(s) of the particles.

Gases

• (particles) far apart

• space between particles (so easy to compress)
• move randomly
• negligible / no forces of attraction
• spread out in all directions (to fill the container)
[6]

Q5.
(a) (i) 5(.0)
1

(ii) 35 or their (a)(i) × 7 correctly calculated

allow 1 mark for correct substitution, ie 5 or their (a)(i) × 7
provided no subsequent step shown
2

(iii) 525(p)
or
(£) 5.25
or
their (a)(ii) × 15 correctly calculated
if unit p or £ given they must be consistent with the
numerical answer
1

(iv) decreases
1

temperature difference (between inside and outside) decreases

accept gradient (of line) decreases
do not accept temperature (inside) decreases
do not accept graph goes down
1

(b) air (bubbles are) trapped (in the foam)

do not accept air traps heat
foam has air pockets is insufficient
1

(and so the) air cannot circulate / move / form convection current

air is a good insulator is insufficient
no convection current is insufficient
answers in terms of warm air from the room being trapped
are incorrect and score no marks
1
[8]

Page 22 of 25
Q6.
(a) any two from:

• water evaporates
accept steam / water vapour for water molecules
accept water turns to steam

• water molecules / particles go into the air

• mirror (surface) is cooler than (damp) air

accept the mirror / surface / glass is cold

• water molecules / particles that hit the mirror lose energy

accept water molecules / particles that hit the mirror cool
down

• cooler air cannot hold as many water molecules / particles

2

(causes) condensation (on the mirror)

accept steam changes back to water (on the mirror)

or
particles move closer together
1

(b) mirror (surface) is warm

mirror is heated is insufficient
1

(rate of) condensation reduced

accept no condensation (happens)
1
[5]

Q7.
(a) there are strong forces (of attraction) between the particles in a solid
accept molecules / atoms for particles throughout
accept bonds for forces
1

(holding) the particles close together

particles in a solid are less spread out is insufficient
1

or

(holding) the particles in a fixed pattern / positions

but in a gas the forces between the particles are negligible

accept very small / zero for negligible
accept bonds for forces
1

so the particles spread out (to fill their container)

Page 23 of 25
 accept particles are not close together
gas particles are not in a fixed position is insufficient
1

(b) (i) particles are (shown) leaving (the liquid / container)

accept molecules / atoms for particles throughout
accept particles are escaping
particles are getting further apart is insufficient
1

(ii) accept molecules / atoms for particles throughout

accept speed / velocity for energy throughout

particles with most energy leave the (surface of the) liquid

accept fastest particles leave the liquid
1

so the mean / average energy of the remaining particles goes down

1

and the lower the average energy (of the particles) the lower the
temperature (of the liquid)
1
[8]

Q8.
(a) conduction
1

(b) (i) there is a bigger temperature difference between the water and the
surrounding air
accept the water is hottest / hotter
1

so the transfer of energy (from hot water) is faster

accept heat for energy
ignore temperature falls the fastest
1

(ii) 120
allow 1 mark for converting kJ to J correctly, ie 4 032 000

or

correctly calculating temperature fall as 8°C

or

allow 2 marks for correct substitution, ie 4 032 000 = m × 4200 × 8

answers of 0.12, 19.2 or 16.6 gain 2 marks

answers of 0.019 or 0.017 gain 1 mark

3

(iii) water stays hot for longer

1

Page 24 of 25
 so heater is on for less time
accept so less energy needed to heat water
1

so cost of the jacket is soon recovered from) lower energy costs / bills
accept short payback time
1
[9]

Q9.
(a) density = mass / volume
1

(b) any two from:

• no forces shown between spheres

• atoms / molecules / ions are not solid spheres
• not all the same size.
2

(c) at higher temperatures particles have more kinetic energy

1

(so) the (average) speed of the particles increases

1

(so there are) more frequent collisions with the wall of the container
1

which apply a greater force on wall of container (so pressure rises)

1
[7]

Page 25 of 25