AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure from air molecule collisions, and why pressure and density decrease with altitude.
4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure is a physics only section of AQA GCSE Physics, examined on Paper 2. It explains that the atmosphere is a thin layer of air round the Earth that gets less dense with increasing altitude, and that atmospheric pressure is created by air molecules colliding with surfaces. You need to explain why atmospheric pressure decreases with height above the surface. Examiners mostly set short explanation questions using the particle model and the idea of the weight of air above a surface.
What you need to know
- The atmosphere The atmosphere is a thin layer (relative to the size of the Earth) of air round the Earth. The atmosphere gets less dense with increasing altitude.
- Cause of atmospheric pressure Air molecules colliding with a surface create atmospheric pressure. The pressure acts at right angles to the surface.
- Number of molecules and altitude The number of air molecules, and so the weight of air, above a surface decreases as the height of the surface above ground level increases.
- Pressure decreases with height As height increases there is always less air above a surface than there is at a lower height, so atmospheric pressure decreases with an increase in height.
- Link to fluid pressure This is the same idea as pressure increasing with depth in a liquid: the greater the weight of fluid above a point, the greater the pressure.
Common mistakes in 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure
- Saying there is 'no air' at the top of a mountain. There is less air, so lower density and lower pressure.
- Saying air pressure only pushes down. It acts in all directions, at right angles to any surface.
- Explaining lower pressure at altitude only with 'it is colder'. The key idea is fewer molecules and less weight of air above.
- Forgetting to link density to collisions: fewer molecules per unit volume means fewer collisions per second with a surface.
Try three 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure exam-style questions
1. Explain how air molecules create atmospheric pressure. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Air molecules move randomly and collide with surfaces; each collision exerts a force, and the total force per unit area is the pressure.
2. Explain why atmospheric pressure is lower at the top of a mountain than at sea level. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
There is less air above the surface at the top of the mountain; so the weight of air above is smaller; and the air is less dense so there are fewer molecular collisions per second with a surface.
3. Describe how the density of the atmosphere changes with altitude. (1 mark)
Show the mark scheme answer
Density decreases as altitude increases.
4.5.5.2 Atmospheric Pressure FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.5.2 Atmospheric pressure cover?
It covers what the atmosphere is, how air molecule collisions cause atmospheric pressure and why pressure and density decrease with altitude.
Is atmospheric pressure on Combined Science?
No, it is physics only and is assessed on the separate AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2.
What are the key words for atmospheric pressure answers?
Use 'collisions of air molecules', 'force per unit area', 'less air (weight of air) above' and 'less dense at higher altitude'.
