Density: past paper questions
Real questions on density
The newest 20 of 41 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4[1]
As a metal ball falls through a liquid, it experiences a frictional force from the liquid that opposes the motion of the metal ball. Plan an experiment to determine the relationship between the density of a liquid contained in a measuring cylinder and the average speed of a metal ball falling through the liquid from th...
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(i)[2]
Show that the mass of water in the pool is approximately 6700 kg.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2022 · Q2a[2]
Fig. 2.2 shows the heavy block. 1.8 m 2 heavy block 2.0 m Fig. 2.2 The block is 2.0 m tall and has a cross-sectional area of 1.8 m 2 . Calculate the density of the material used to make the block. density =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2022 · Q2b(i)[2]
Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the block. gravitational potential energy =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2022 · Q2b(ii)[3]
The block is then dropped from rest onto the top of the concrete cylinder. Calculate the speed of the block just before it hits the concrete cylinder. speed =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q1b[4]
Describe how to determine the density of the liquid using the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.1.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q1c[2]
The density of the liquid is 780 kg / m 3 . Determine the volume of 0.65 kg of the liquid. volume =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7a(i)[1]
State the property of a liquid that makes it suitable for use in a hydraulic system.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7a(ii)[2]
Explain, in terms of molecules, why a liquid has this property.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7b[1]
Suggest one advantage of using oil as the liquid in a hydraulic press.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7c(i)[2]
Calculate the pressure of the oil due to this force. pressure =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7c(ii)[1]
The pressure of the atmosphere is 1.0 × 10 5 Pa. Calculate the total pressure of the oil in the pipe. total pressure =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7c(iii)[1]
The area of piston 2 that is in contact with the oil is 1.4 m 2 . Initially, the upper surface of piston 2 is level with point P. Calculate the force exerted on piston 2 due to the pressure calculated in (c)(ii). force =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7d(i)[1]
As piston 1 moves along the pipe: • • • the pressure of the oil in the pipe at point P remains constant piston 2 moves downwards the pressure of the oil at the upper surface of piston 2 increases. Explain why the pressure at the upper surface of piston 2 increases.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q7d(ii)[3]
The density of the oil is 900 kg / m 3 . The upper surface of piston 2 is now 0.50 m below the level of the pipe. Calculate the increase in the force exerted at the upper surface of piston 2 by the oil. [gravitational field strength g = 10 N / kg] increase in force =
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2020 · Q8c(v)[2]
The density of the air trapped in the depth gauge increases. The density of the water remains constant. Explain, in terms of the molecules of the water, why the density of the water remains constant. BLANK PAGE Question 9 starts over the page
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2020 · Q1a[3]
Calculate the total mass of the beaker and its contents. mass =
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2020 · Q1a[1]
The student is given a rectangular piece of card which is 20 cm long and 12 cm wide. The card represents the bridge. The length of the card does not change but the width is reduced during the experiment. She also has two identical wooden supports which are placed so that the gap between them is 16 cm. • • • She places...
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2020 · Q1b(i)[1]
Describe how the student uses this balance to find the mass of a coin to the nearest 0.1 g.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2020 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Each coin has a mass of 3.4 g. • • • She adds coins carefully, one at a time, onto her bridge until the bridge collapses. She records the number of coins that the bridge holds just before it collapses. She repeats this four more times. The number of coins needed is: 16 15 16 14 15 Find the average mass m in grams that...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This was reasonably well answered but a significant number of candidates struggled to determine the volume of the block. Common errors were the use of 1.8 (m2) as the volume or the use of the square of 2.0 (m).
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5054/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This part was well answered with many candidates knowing exactly what needed to be done. Sometimes the unit used was the newton (N).
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5054/22 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Candidates needed to realise that the final kinetic energy of the block just before it struck the pile, was equal to the original gravitational potential energy. Those who did realise this often continued and obtained a correct value for the speed of the block on impact.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5054/22 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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