Density and pressure: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Density and pressure (specification points 5.3–5.7), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 94 questions on Density and pressure, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): The pressure of the water acts on these bubbles. The diagrams show the forces that cause this pressure. Which diagram correctly shows how the pressure of the wa
June 2025, Paper 1, Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): The diagram shows the air bubbles rising to the surface of the water in a container. container water bubbles Explain why the bubbles increase in volume as they
June 2025, Paper 1, Q7(b) (3 marks): A teacher does a demonstration using an inflated balloon and a board with many sharp nails. balloon balloon board with sharp nails board with sharp nails The te
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student could accurately measure the mass of the dice. (2)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): The measuring cylinder gives volume in units of cm3. Using the diagram, determine the volume of the dice. (2) volume = cm3
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): The dice has a mass of 9.2 g. Calculate the density of the dice using the formula density = mass volume Give a suitable unit. (3) density = unit
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the student should use laboratory equipment to accurately measure the mass of the ring. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): The table shows the student’s measurements of the mass of the ring. Mass in g 6.411 6.408 6.410 6.426 6.412 One of the student’s measurements is an anomaly. Dra
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the mean mass of the gold ring. (3) mean mass = g
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(iv) (1 mark): The student is given a value for the density of gold. Which of these formulae should be used to calculate the volume of the gold ring? (1) A volume = density ÷
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b) (4 marks): The student does not know if the ring is made of pure gold. The student suggests that they could also measure the volume of the ring using a displacement method
November 2024, Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure, density, gravitational field strength and height. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the pressure from the water at a point 38 m below the surface of the water. [density of sea water = 1030 kg/m3] (2) pressure = kPa
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q5(a) (5 marks): The student decides to measure the mass and the volume of each rock. Describe a method the student could use to accurately determine the mass and the volume of
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking density, mass and volume. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): After looking at the data, the student concludes that one of the rocks may be made of a different material from the others. Using the data from the table, justi
November 2023, Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength, g. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q11(a)(ii) (4 marks): The total pressure at point X is 117 kPa. The pressure of the trapped gas is 12 kPa. Calculate the height of the liquid above point X. [density of liquid = 1.36
June 2023, Paper 1, Q5(a) (4 marks): Describe a method you could use to find the pressure a person exerts on the ground when standing on two feet. (4)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q5(b) (3 marks): The total area of contact of the camel’s feet with the ground is 1300 cm2. The mass of the camel is 660 kg. Calculate the pressure this camel exerts on the grou
June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b) (4 marks): The diagram shows a part of the knee called the patella. The patella has been removed from a person’s knee. The patella is a small, irregularly shaped bone that
June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(c) (4 marks): A scientist finds the volume and mass of a patella. The mass of the patella is 17 g. The volume of the patella is 13 cm3. Calculate the density of the patella.
June 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a) (2 marks): The pressure difference is linked to the difference in height of the two surfaces of the liquid by the formula pressure difference = density × g × height differ
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and g. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (3 marks): Atmospheric pressure at the surface of the reservoir is 100 kPa. Calculate the total pressure at the bottom of the reservoir. [for water, density = 1000 kg / m3
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure, force and area. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (4 marks): Calculate the area of the camera lens. Give a suitable unit. (4) area = unit
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(c) (2 marks): Sea water has a density of 1030 kg / m3. Explain how the design of the dam would need to be changed to hold the same depth of sea water safely. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the increase in pressure on the balloon when it has reached a depth of 25 m in the water. [for water, density = 1000 kg/m3] (2) pressure increase = Pa
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): At the surface, the atmospheric pressure on the balloon is 1.0 × 105 Pa. Show that the total pressure on the balloon at a depth of 25 m is 3.5 × 105 Pa. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the equipment the student could use to measure the mass of the balloon. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest how the student could improve the reliability of their data. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): The table shows the student’s results. Mass of empty balloon in g 15.00 Mass of balloon when full of air in g 15.61 Volume of air in cm3 490 Calculate the densi
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c) (3 marks): Describe how the volume of the balloon full of air could be measured using a large beaker and some water. You may use a diagram to help your answer. (3)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength, g. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): The pressure difference between the surface of the water and the water at the bottom of the bottle is 2300 Pa. Calculate the depth of water in the bottle. Give
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw a line on diagram 2 to show the path of the water leaving the bottle from hole A. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the path of the water leaving the bottle from hole A. (2)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(b)(iii) (3 marks): Hole C is at the same depth in the bottle as hole B but on the opposite side of the bottle. Explain the shape of the path of the water leaving the bottle from h
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(b)(iv) (1 mark): Suggest why there is a hole in the cap of the bottle. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): The bottom of the ice cube is 0.041 m below the surface of the water. The density of water is 1000 kg/m3. Show that the pressure difference between the bottom o
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure, force and area. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(iv) (2 marks): The area of the base of the ice cube is 0.0017 m2. Calculate the upward force on the bottom of the cube from the water due to the pressure difference. (2) upwar
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(v) (2 marks): Explain why the ice cube will accelerate upwards when force X is removed. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (4 marks): Describe how to determine the density of a hailstone. Assume that hailstones are spherical. (4)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): The mean volume of a hailstone is 1.1 cm3. The mean mass of a hailstone is 0.94 g. Calculate the mean density of a hailstone. Give the unit. (3) density = unit
November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(a) (1 mark): What is improved by adjusting the balance to give a reading of zero before the object is placed on it? (1) A accuracy of the measurement B precision of the meas
November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(b) (1 mark): What is improved by repeating the measurement? (1) A accuracy of the measurement B precision of the measurement C reliability of the measurement D validity of t
November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Draw a circle around the anomalous reading in the table. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the mean mass of the object. (3) mean mass = g
November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): State what other measurement the student would need to make to determine the density of the object. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure, force and area. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): The cylinder has an internal surface area of 1.13 m2. Calculate the force exerted on the walls of the cylinder by the propane gas. (3) force = N
November 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the pressure exerted by the propane gas acts equally in all directions. (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a) (3 marks): Calculate the pressure difference between the bottom of piston X and the bottom of the oil. [density of oil = 820 kg/m3] (3) pressure difference = Pa
June 2021, Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the extra pressure on the oil due to the mass. (2) extra pressure = Pa
June 2021, Paper 1, Q10(b)(iii) (3 marks): The oil transfers the same extra pressure to piston Y. Calculate the force acting upwards on piston Y due to the extra pressure. (3) force = N
January 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a) (4 marks): This is the student’s method.  use a balance to find the mass of the bottle and stopper  completely fill the bottle with water  insert the stopper and dry th
January 2021, Paper 1, Q11(b) (3 marks): The student empties the bottle and then dries it. He refills the bottle with the unknown liquid. He measures the mass of the full bottle and stopper as 143.8 g.
January 2021, Paper 1, Q11(c) (3 marks): Another student uses a measuring cylinder to find the volume of the unknown liquid. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using each method to find the vo
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, gravitational field strength and density. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(iii) (2 marks): The depth of the fizzy water in the glass is 22 cm. The density of the fizzy water is 1080 kg/m3. Calculate the pressure difference at the bottom of the glass d
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(iv) (1 mark): Calculate the pressure of the gas in the bubble when the bubble is at the bottom of the glass. [atmospheric pressure = 101 000 Pa] (1) pressure = Pa
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the name of the apparatus that the teacher should use to measure the mass of the container. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): The table shows the teacher’s results. mass of container in g 75 mass of container + liquid nitrogen in g 149 volume of liquid nitrogen in cm3 88 Calculate the
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(b)(iv) (1 mark): State the formula linking density, mass and volume. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(b)(v) (3 marks): Calculate the density of the liquid nitrogen. Give a suitable unit. (3) density = unit =
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): Describe how the student should measure the mass of the liquid. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b) (2 marks): Describe how the student should use a measuring cylinder to obtain an accurate measurement of the liquid’s volume. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c) (3 marks): The table gives the values of the densities for some liquids. Liquid Density in g/cm3 brine 1.23 glucose 1.44 olive oil 0.82 pure water 1.00 sodium hydroxide 1.
January 2020, Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength (g). (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): The bottom of the ship is 15.8 m below the surface of the sea. Show that the pressure acting on the bottom of the ship is approximately 260 kPa. [density of sea
January 2020, Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the bottom of the ship is deeper below the surface of the sea when the ship is fully loaded with cargo. (2)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (4 marks): The squares on the paper have a side length of 2 cm. Estimate the area of the student’s foot in contact with the ground. (4) area = cm2
January 2020, Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure, force and area. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q4(b)(iii) (3 marks): The weight of the student is 520 N. Calculate the pressure the student exerts on the ground when she is standing on both feet. Give the unit. (3) pressure = uni
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): State the formula linking density, mass and volume. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): The brass mass has a mass of 454 g. The density of brass is 8.46 g/cm3. Calculate the volume of the brass mass. Give the unit. (3) volume = unit
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): The total pressure at the bottom of the can is 110 kPa. Atmospheric pressure is 101 kPa. Calculate the pressure difference due to the oil. (1) pressure differen
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q2(c) (3 marks): Calculate the height of the oil in the can. [density of oil = 960 kg/m3] (3) height = m
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a) (5 marks): The scientist wants to calculate the density of a rock sample. She needs to measure the mass and the volume of the rock. Describe how to obtain accurate measure
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking density, mass and volume. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Rock X has a mass of 32 g and a volume of 12 cm3. Calculate the density of rock X. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. (3) density = g/cm3
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(iii) (2 marks): Rock X is made from the same material as one of the samples in the table. Explain which material rock X is made from. (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q11(a) (3 marks): One side of the manometer has some trapped gas. The other side is left open to the atmosphere. The difference in pressure can be calculated using this formula.
June 2019, Paper 2, Q9(a)(i) (4 marks): The mass of the ice cube is 3.7 g and its area of contact with the ground is 2.6 × 10–4 m2. Calculate the pressure the ice cube exerts on the ground. (4) pressu
June 2019, Paper 2, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): The ice cube melts and becomes a puddle with a larger cross‑sectional area. Explain how the pressure of the ice cube on the ground changes when it melts. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking density, mass and volume. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of the ball. (2) volume = cm3
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking pressure difference, height, density and gravitational field strength. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the increase in pressure at this depth. [density of water = 1000 kg/m3] (2) increase in pressure = Pa

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