Pressure: past paper questions
Real questions on pressure
The newest 20 of 48 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
The student: • • • • • uses the 100 cm 3 measuring cylinder to measure a volume V = 70 cm 3 of water places a finger under the hole at the bottom of the can and pours the water into the can from the measuring cylinder removes the finger and, at the same time, starts the stopwatch records the time t 1 when the volume of...
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
The student repeats (a)(i) and records the time t 2 shown in Fig. 3.3. s 1/100 S 0 : 21 :84 Fig. 3.3 Record t 2 and find the average time t av of t 1 and t 2 . Give your answer to the nearest 0.1 s. t 2 = s min
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(iii)[2]
The average rate of flow R is given by: R = 30 cm 3 t av Calculate R and give the unit of your answer. R = unit
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[1]
The student repeats (a)(i) and (a)(ii) for values of V = 100 cm 3 , 90 cm 3 , 80 cm 3 , 60 cm 3 and 50 cm 3 . The volume of water collected in the measuring cylinder underneath the can is 30 cm 3 for each value of V. The readings are shown in Table 3.1. • complete the headings, with units, in the top row of the table •...
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[4]
You do not need to start your axes at (0,0). Draw the curve of best fit. (c) On the grid provided in Fig. 3.4, plot a graph of t av on the y-axis against V on the x-axis.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3d[1]
Suggest why times t 1 and t 2 for values of V below 50 cm 3 are not measured.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3e[1]
On your graph, sketch the line you would expect to see if the small hole in the can is made slightly bigger. Label this line L. Fig. 3.4
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[2]
The beaker exerts a pressure on the horizontal surface. Determine an expression for the pressure in terms of the gravitational field strength g, m and r. pressure =
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Define ‘pressure’.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(iii)[2]
Calculate the pressure on the base of the pool due to the water. pressure = Pa
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4a(i)[3]
the total pressure in the liquid at the bottom of the tube total pressure = Pa
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4a(ii)[2]
the force exerted on the inside surface of the bottom of the tube. force = N
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(i)[3]
Describe what happens in the inverted tube when the sheet of glass is removed. Question 4 continues over the page.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(ii)[2]
This equipment is used to make a measurement that is used to calculate atmospheric pressure. Describe the measurement made and then used in the calculation of atmospheric pressure. You may draw a diagram to help your description.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(i)[2]
Calculate the pressure exerted by the finger on the drawing pin. pressure = Pa
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Compare the force exerted by the finger on the drawing pin with the force exerted by the drawing pin on the wooden board.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4a(iii)[2]
Explain why the drawing pin goes into the wooden board but not into the finger.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(i)[2]
Explain why the water emerges from each hole in a direction at right angles to the surface of the bag.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4b(ii)[1]
The holes at A and B are the same size. Explain why the water emerges faster from the hole at A than from the hole at B.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · May/June 2023 · Q3a(i)[1]
Describe why rotating the tube changes the pressure of the gas in the sealed end.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The answers given to this question varied widely. Many candidates used the correct equation to deduce the pressure due to the liquid but not all of these candidates then added on the atmospheric pressure.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q4(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Although there were some candidates who did not know what to do here, many others realised that the defining equation for pressure was involved. The form of the equation required here was F = pA which comes from rearranging the equation that is given in the syllabus. The rearrangement was not always conducted successfully and the incorrect F = p / A was often seen.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates gave answers that suggested that the inverted tube was empty and described the flow of the liquid into the tube. Only stronger candidates answered this correctly.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/22 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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