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Gravity mass and weight - Exam Questions.docx

Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.

AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 2 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER

Exam Practice: Gravity, mass and weight

Gravity, mass and weight · Forces · Lesson 2 of 20 · 14 marks · 15 minutes

Name

Date

 

Instructions

• Answer all the questions.

• Write your answers in the spaces provided.

• The marks for each question are shown in brackets - use this as a guide to how much to write.

• The answers are on separate pages at the back. Attempt every question before you look at them.

• Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write.

Question 1 CALCULATE (2 marks)

A person has a mass of 60 kg. Gravitational field strength = 9.8 N/kg. Calculate the weight of the person. Use the equation: weight = mass × gravitational field strength

(Total for Question 1 = 2 marks)

Question 2 EXPLAIN (3 marks)

An astronaut travels from Earth to the Moon. Explain what happens to the astronaut's mass and weight.

(Total for Question 2 = 3 marks)

Question 3 USE THE GRAPH (4 marks)

The graph shows how the weight of objects on a planet depends on their mass. (a) Describe the relationship between weight and mass. (b) Use the graph to calculate the gravitational field strength of the planet.

(Total for Question 3 = 4 marks)

Question 4 CALCULATE (3 marks)

A rock has a weight of 12 N on a planet. Its mass is 3.0 kg. Calculate the gravitational field strength of the planet.

(Total for Question 4 = 3 marks)

Question 5 EXPLAIN (2 marks)

A newtonmeter is used to measure the weight of an object. State what the newtonmeter actually measures and the unit used.

(Total for Question 5 = 2 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER = 14 MARKS

 

Answers and mark scheme

Check your answer only once you have written one.

Question 1 (2 marks)

60 × 9.8 = 588 N

• Correct substitution 1 mark

• 588 N 1 mark

Question 2 (3 marks)

The mass stays the same because it is the amount of matter. The weight decreases because the gravitational field strength on the Moon is less than on Earth.

• Mass unchanged 1 mark

• Weight decreases 1 mark

• Moon has a weaker gravitational field 1 mark

Question 3 (4 marks)

(a) Weight is directly proportional to mass (a straight line through the origin). (b) Gradient = 18.5 ÷ 5.0 = 3.7 N/kg

• Straight line through the origin 1 mark

• Directly proportional 1 mark

• Uses the gradient 1 mark

• 3.7 N/kg (accept 3.5 to 3.9) 1 mark

Question 4 (3 marks)

g = W ÷ m = 12 ÷ 3.0 = 4.0 N/kg

• Rearranges to g = W ÷ m 1 mark

• Correct substitution 1 mark

• 4.0 N/kg 1 mark

Question 5 (2 marks)

The force (weight) acting on the object due to gravity, in newtons.

• Force or weight 1 mark

• In newtons 1 mark