Mass and weight: past paper questions
Real questions on mass and weight
The newest 14 of 14 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · May/June 2025 · Q9b(i)[1]
State the name of the inward force. (i)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2a(i)[2]
Calculate the initial gravitational potential energy of the ball. gravitational potential energy = J
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(i)[1]
The position of the 20 g mass when the rule is as close to balance as possible is shown in Fig. 3.2. 80 81 20 g 83 84 Fig. 3.2 Using Fig. 3.2, determine the distance d of the centre of the 20 g mass from the pivot when the metre rule is as close to balance as possible. d = cm
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Describe the technique the student uses to balance the metre rule with the 20 g mass.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(iii)[1]
• The student repeats the procedure for values of mass m = 30 g, 40 g, 50 g and 60 g. Table 3.1 shows the results. Add your value of d for mass m = 20 g in (a)(i) to Table 3.1. Calculate 1 / d for each mass m, and record all values in Table 3.1. Give your answers to an appropriate number of significant figures. 1 1 d c...
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q8b(ii)[2]
An object has a weight of 37 N on the surface of Mercury. Calculate its weight on the surface of the Earth. Show your working. weight = N
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q3a(i)[1]
Explain why the lamina experiences this downward force.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q3a(ii)[2]
Calculate the weight of the lamina on Earth. weight = N
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2022 · Q5c[2]
Explain what prevents electrons in an atom from escaping.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2022 · Q1b[2]
Mass and weight have different units. State two other differences between mass and weight.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q8c(i)[1]
The gravitational field strength is 10 N / kg. Calculate the weight of the ladder. weight =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q8c(ii)[1]
State what is meant by centre of mass.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2021 · Q8c(iii)[1]
The centre of mass of the ladder is not halfway along its length. State what this shows about the ladder.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2019 · Q9a(i)[1]
mass
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were many good answers to this question but a small number of candidates misunderstood what was required and wrote about forces acting on the lamina that were neither its weight nor a force that acted downwards.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates were able to answer this question and calculated a correct value for the weight. A common error was to use the mass in grams rather than in kilograms. This led to an answer that was a thousand times too large. Even so, the working out sometimes allowed partial credit to be awarded.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Few candidates knew that the force of attraction between negatively charged electrons and the positive nuclear charge was responsible for the electrons in an atom not escaping. Partial credit was given for a statement that opposite charges attract.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5054/21 Q5(c) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.