AQA · GCSE · Combined Science · Higher

Preventing mass-holder contact in a glider practical

Q01.1 2 marks

A student investigated acceleration using gliders, an air track and light gates. The air track reduces friction between the glider and the track to zero. Figure 1 shows the apparatus. The glider was released from rest and moved along the track. The mass holder hit the ground before the card passed through the second light gate.

Diagram of an air track experiment. A glider and card sit on an air track connected by a string over a bench pulley to a hanging mass holder. Two light gates are positioned above the track. An air blower is connected to the track by a hose. Labels identify the glider and card, light gates, string, bench pulley, mass holder and air blower. — Figure 1

Which two statements describe the effect this would have on the glider?

Tick two boxes.

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Marking points

1 Select that the acceleration would decrease to zero.
2 Select that the resultant force would decrease to zero.

Full-mark answer

Its acceleration would decrease to zero, and the resultant force on it would decrease to zero.

Why this answer loses marks

Its speed would increase and its acceleration would increase.

This confuses continuing motion with continuing acceleration. Once the mass holder has hit the ground, the pull has stopped, so the acceleration does not increase.

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