Pressure in fluids and upthrust: Edexcel GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Physics exam question on Pressure in fluids and upthrust (specification points 15.7–15.17), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 92 questions on Pressure in fluids and upthrust, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): The pressure on the ground due to the water in the pool is 3500 Pa. The density of water is 103 kg / m3. The gravitational field strength, g, = 10 N / kg. Calcu
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Figure 2 shows part of the side and base of the pool. side base X Figure 2 The water in the pool causes a force on the base of the pool. Draw an arrow on Figure
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q1(b) (1 mark): A smaller pool has the same depth of water but has only half the area in contact with the ground. The pressure on the ground underneath the smaller pool is (1)
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q1(c) (2 marks): A small hole is made in the base of the large pool shown in Figure 1. The area of the hole is 1.5 mm2. The pressure at the base of the pool due to the water is
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q1(d) (1 mark): A bigger hole is made in the base of the same pool. Compare the force on the ground directly below the bigger hole with the force on the ground directly below t
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the reading on the newton meter is different in Figures 20a and 20b. (2)
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(ii) (4 marks): The density of the liquid is 1.4 × 103 kg / m3. Calculate the density of the block. Gravitational field strength, g, = 10 N / kg (4) density = kg / m3
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a) (1 mark): Figure 5 shows water coming out of holes in the side of a can. The holes are at different heights. A B water C D Figure 5 At which of these points is the pressu
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Use this estimate to calculate the area of the base of the shoe. (2) area of base of shoe = cm2
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one change that could be made to the squared paper so that the student can give a better estimate of the area of the base of the shoe. (1)
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): The total area of the base of a student’s shoes is 0.031 m2. The weight of the student is 680 N. Calculate the pressure that the student exerts on the ground. S
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(c) (2 marks): Figure 7 shows a person wearing snowshoes. snowshoe boots (Source: Pearson Asset Library) Figure 7 Snow shoes are designed for walking on deep, soft snow. Expla
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): The atmospheric pressure at 3000 m above the surface of the Earth, as shown in Figure 14, is (1) A 80 kPa B 70 kPa C 60 kPa D 50 kPa
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Use Figure 14 to describe how the atmospheric pressure depends on the height above the surface of the earth. (2)
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a) (1 mark): Figure 9 shows an object at the bottom of a beaker of water. water beaker X object Figure 9 Which diagram shows the direction of the force exerted by the water
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b) (3 marks): Figure 10 shows an ice skater standing on one skate. ice skate Figure 10 Calculate the force the skate exerts on the ice pressure of skate on ice = 4.8 × 10 Pa
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Using the graph, describe how atmospheric pressure changes with height above sea level. (2)
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): The top of Mount Everest is 8850 m above sea level. Using the graph, estimate the atmospheric pressure at the top of Mount Everest. (1) pressure = kPa
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c)(iii) (2 marks): On a different day, the pressure at sea level is 104 kPa and the pressure at a height of 2500 m is 74 kPa. Calculate the percentage change in pressure from sea
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(d) (2 marks): Figure 12 is a model representing molecules of the Earth’s atmosphere. top of atmosphere sea level Figure 12 Use Figure 12 to explain how the density of the air
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a) (1 mark): Figure 25 shows an object at the bottom of a beaker of water. water beaker X object Figure 25 Which diagram shows the direction of the force exerted by the wate
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b) (3 marks): Figure 26 shows an ice skater standing on one skate. ice skate Figure 26 Calculate the force the skate exerts on the ice. pressure of skate on ice = 4.8 × 10 Pa
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c)(i) (2 marks): Using the graph, describe how atmospheric pressure changes with height above sea level. (2)
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c)(ii) (1 mark): The top of Mount Everest is 8850 m above sea level. Using the graph, estimate the atmospheric pressure at the top of Mount Everest. (1) pressure = kPa
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c)(iii) (2 marks): On a different day, the pressure at sea level is 104 kPa and the pressure at a height of 2500 m is 74 kPa. Calculate the percentage change in pressure from sea
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(d) (2 marks): Figure 28 is a model representing molecules of the Earth’s atmosphere. top of atmosphere sea level Figure 28 Use Figure 28 to explain how the density of the air
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the pressure difference between inside and outside of the aeroplane. (1) pressure difference = Pa
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): The surface area of the window is 0.094 m2. Calculate the size of the force on the window due to the cabin air pressure of 80 000 Pa. Use the equation P = F A (
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): On the same aeroplane, a different window has a smaller surface area. Explain how the force due to the air pressure inside the cabin on the small window differs
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(iv) (2 marks): Figure 6 shows a cross‑section through the aeroplane including one window. inside of aeroplane outside of aeroplane window X Figure 6 Draw an arrow on Figure 6
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface. Use data from Figure 7 to support your answer. (3)
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface. (1)
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): Compare the upthrust on the ball in seawater with the upthrust on the same ball in fresh water. (1)
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why there is less of the ball below the surface of the seawater than below the surface of the fresh water. (3)
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which of these is a unit of pressure? (1) A g/cm3 B J C kg/cm D Pa
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the pressure difference between inside and outside of the aeroplane. (1) pressure difference = Pa
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): The surface area of the window is 0.094 m2. Calculate the size of the force on the window due to the cabin air pressure of 80 000 Pa. Use the equation P = F A (
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(iii) (2 marks): On the same aeroplane, a different window has a smaller surface area. Explain how the force due to the air pressure inside the cabin on the small window differs
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(iv) (2 marks): Figure 23 shows a cross‑section through the aeroplane including one window. inside of aeroplane outside of aeroplane window X Figure 23 Draw an arrow on Figure
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface. Use data from Figure 24 to support your answer. (3)
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the average pressure that the donkey exerts on the ground. Use the equation pressure = force area (2) average pressure = Pa
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Figure 7 shows how the shape of a camel’s hoof is different from the shape of a donkey’s hoof. donkey hoof camel hoof Both diagrams are drawn to the same scale.
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Plot the two missing points on the graph. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit through the points on the graph. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which of the following equations represents the variation of pressure with depth of water below the surface? (1) A y = ax2 + b B y = mx C Y = mc – x D y = mx +
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(iv) (1 mark): Use the graph in Figure 10 to predict the pressure at the surface of the water. (1) pressure at the surface of the water = kPa
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c) (2 marks): The student repeats the investigation in part (b) using seawater and draws a graph of the results. The seawater is more dense than the water used in part (b). C
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the average pressure that the donkey exerts on the ground. Use the equation pressure = force area (2) average pressure = Pa
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Figure 24 shows how the shape of a camel’s hoof is different from the shape of a donkey’s hoof. donkey hoof camel hoof Both diagrams are drawn to the same scale
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): Plot the two missing points on the graph. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit through the points on the graph. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which of the following equations represents the variation of pressure with depth of water below the surface? (1) A y = ax2 + b B y = mx C Y = mc – x D y = mx +
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(iv) (1 mark): Use the graph in Figure 27 to predict the pressure at the surface of the water. (1) pressure at the surface of the water = kPa
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c) (2 marks): The student repeats the investigation in part (b) using seawater and draws a graph of the results. The seawater is more dense than the water used in part (b). C
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): The bottom of the tank has an area of 0.80 m2. The force on the bottom of the tank, due to the water, is 2400 N. Calculate the pressure, due to the water, on th
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): More water is added to the tank. Explain how the pressure on the bottom of the tank changes when more water is added to the tank. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Figure 9 shows an object on the bottom of the tank of water. tank object water X Figure 9 Draw an arrow on Figure 9 to show the direction of the force exerted b
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): An aeroplane descends from 6000 m to 2000 m. Use the graph to find the change in atmospheric pressure as the aeroplane descends. (2) change in pressure = kPa
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the atmospheric pressure is greater at 2000 m than at 6000 m. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(c) (2 marks): Figure 11 shows two drawings of the same person on a bed. Figure 11 Explain why the person exerts a different pressure on the bed when standing up than when lyi
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(i) (3 marks): The bottom of the tank has an area of 0.80 m2. The force on the bottom of the tank, due to the water, is 2400 N. Calculate the pressure, due to the water, on th
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): More water is added to the tank. Explain how the pressure on the bottom of the tank changes when more water is added to the tank. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a)(iii) (1 mark): Figure 24 shows an object on the bottom of the tank of water. tank object water X Figure 24 Draw an arrow on Figure 24 to show the direction of the force exerte
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): An aeroplane descends from 6000 m to 2000 m. Use the graph to find the change in atmospheric pressure as the aeroplane descends. (2) change in pressure = kPa
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the atmospheric pressure is greater at 2000 m than at 6000 m. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c) (2 marks): Figure 26 shows two drawings of the same person on a bed. Figure 26 Explain why the person exerts a different pressure on the bed when standing up than when lyi
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q10(a) (1 mark): Figure 25 shows four identical metal cans, each filled with water to the same level. Each can has three tubes. Water comes out of each tube. Which of these show
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q10(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the gas supply pressure. Use an equation selected from the list of equations at the end of the paper. (3) pressure of gas supply = N/m2
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): The measurement is repeated using a U‑tube of larger cross-sectional area. Explain why the value of h does not change. (2)
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q10(c) (6 marks): Figure 28 shows a cross-section of a boat floating in water and the same boat with a load inside. water line load boat boat with a load inside Figure 28 The boa
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which arrow shows where the pressure on the object is greatest? (1) air sea A B D C Figure 1 A B C D
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Figure 2 shows two blocks of stone resting on the bottom of the sea. Both blocks have the same height. Area Y is 4 times bigger than area X. Y X Figure 2 What i
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): The meter shows the depth of the diver below the surface of the water. State the depth shown on the meter in Figure 3. State the unit. (2) depth = unit =
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State how the pressure of the water on the diver changes as the diver swims down from the surface of the lake. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): State why the total pressure on the diver is greater than just the pressure due to the water above the diver. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(c) (2 marks): An aeroplane takes off from the ground. State two factors that affect the pressure of the atmosphere on the aeroplane as the aeroplane goes higher in the atmosp
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(c) (3 marks): Figure 17 shows a bicycle pump with a closed end. handle piston air Figure 17 The area of the piston is 2 cm2. A force of 28 N is applied to the piston. Calcula
June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the area of the top surface of the block. (2) area of the top surface of the block = m2
June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): The density of water is 1000 kg/m3. Calculate the distance, h, between the top of the block and the surface of the water. Gravitational field strength, g, is 10
June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why there is an upthrust produced by the water on the block. (2)
June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(iv) (6 marks): The crane raises the block until it is high enough out of the water to be loaded on to a lorry. The block moves upwards at a constant speed even though the lift
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(a) (1 mark): Figure 3 shows a diver swimming in a lake. air surface of lake water 20 m diver Figure 3 The pressure on the diver is due to both the water above him and the Ea
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b) (3 marks): A balloon is filled with helium when it is on the ground. The balloon is released and it rises through the atmosphere. Explain what happens to the size of the b
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(c) (3 marks): Figure 4 shows a container of length 6.0 m and width 2.0 m resting on a floor. The weight of the container is 15 000 N. 6.0 m 2.0 m container floor Figure 4 Cal
June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(c) (3 marks): Figure 13 shows a diagram of a device for lifting heavy loads. L K piston Z piston Y oil metal tube Figure 13 The metal tube is filled with oil. The piston Y is
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph to estimate the atmospheric pressure at 3000 m above sea level. (1) atmospheric pressure = kPa
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use the graph to estimate the atmospheric pressure at 6000 m above sea level. (1) atmospheric pressure = kPa
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest a reason why the atmospheric pressure decreases with height above sea level. (1)
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(b) (2 marks): Figure 15 shows different water levels in two similar water containers with taps. water level tap tap A B Figure 15 Explain why the water runs out of the tap of
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(c) (2 marks): 10 m of sea water exerts the same pressure as the atmosphere. A submarine is at a depth of 50 m below the surface of the sea. Calculate how many times greater t
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(d) (6 marks): Figure 16 illustrates an effect that can be explained using the ideas of pressure, force and area. thumb head of drawing pin tip of wood drawing pin Figure 16 E

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