Hailstones are small balls of ice - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 2
Hailstones are small balls of ice. Hailstones form in clouds and fall to the ground.
Figure 3 shows different-sized hailstones.
Which force causes the hailstones to... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Hailstones are small balls of ice - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which force causes the hailstones to fall to the ground?
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Answer
The force that causes the hailstones to fall to the ground is the gravitational force. This force acts downwards on the hailstones due to the Earth's gravity.
Step 2
Which force increases as the hailstones accelerate?
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Answer
As the hailstones accelerate, the force that increases is air resistance. This force works against the motion of the hailstones as they fall.
Step 3
Which of the following statements is true at terminal velocity?
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Answer
At terminal velocity, the statement that is true is that the resultant force on the hailstones is zero. This means that the upward force from air resistance equals the downward gravitational force.
Step 4
Estimate the terminal velocity for a hailstone with a diameter of 80 mm.
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Answer
To estimate the terminal velocity for a hailstone with a diameter of 80 mm, we refer to Figure 4. From the graph, we see that at a diameter of 80 mm, the terminal velocity is approximately 40 m/s.
Step 5
Give one reason why a hailstone with a large diameter has a greater terminal velocity than a hailstone with a smaller diameter.
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Answer
A hailstone with a large diameter has a greater terminal velocity because it has a greater weight. The larger mass leads to a greater gravitational pull, which allows it to overcome air resistance more effectively.
Step 6
What is the magnitude of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5?
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Answer
The magnitude of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5 is 0.48 N. This is calculated by subtracting the upward force of air resistance from the downward gravitational force.
Step 7
What is the direction of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5?
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Answer
The direction of the resultant force on the hailstone in Figure 5 is upwards. This indicates that the upward force of air resistance is greater than the downward force of gravity at that moment.
