Science: Full Practice Paper 15 Worksheet with Answers

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CE.S-T15 Science: Full Practice Paper 15

ISEB COMMON ENTRANCE CE.S-T15 · Calculator allowed · about 60 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

1

Which group of vertebrate animals typically has moist, permeable skin, and lays soft, jelly-covered eggs in water?

A) Fish
B) Amphibians
C) Reptiles
D) Birds

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

2

Which structure on the underside of a leaf allows carbon dioxide to diffuse into the leaf, and water vapour and oxygen to diffuse out?

A) Xylem
B) Phloem
C) Stomata
D) Chlorophyll

(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)

3

Complete the two missing words in these sentences about respiration.

(a)The type of respiration that uses oxygen to release energy from glucose, producing carbon dioxide and water, is called ______ respiration.(1)

(b)The type of respiration that releases energy from glucose without using oxygen is called ______ respiration.(1)

(Total for Question 3 is 2 marks)

4

Which part of a nerve cell (neuron) receives electrical impulses from other neurons and carries them toward the cell body?

A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Myelin sheath
D) Synapse

(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)

5

Ade investigates how the concentration of liquid fertiliser affects the growth of tomato seedlings. He plants five identical tomato seedlings, each in an identical pot of the same compost, and waters each seedling with 100 cm3 of a different concentration of fertiliser solution once a week for four weeks. He then measures the increase in height of each seedling.

Concentration of fertiliser solution (%): 0	5	10	15	20
Increase in height of seedling (cm): 4	9	14	18	11

(a)Identify the independent variable in Ade's investigation.(1)

(b)State one variable that Ade kept the same to make this a fair test.(1)

(c)Describe the pattern shown by the results.(1)

(d)Explain, in terms of osmosis, why growth was lower at 20% fertiliser concentration than at 15%.(1)

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

6

Describe the main job of each of these three components of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

7

A student uses a respirometer to measure the volume of oxygen used by a germinating pea seed. The respirometer shows that 3.6 cm3 of oxygen is used in 12 minutes. Calculate the rate of oxygen use, in cm3 per minute, using rate = volume / time.

(Total for Question 7 is 2 marks)

8

Priya investigates how temperature affects the activity of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat into fatty acids and glycerol. She adds a fixed volume of milk (containing fat), a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator (which is pink in alkaline conditions) and a fixed volume of sodium carbonate solution to each of five test tubes, then adds the same volume of lipase solution to each tube. She keeps each tube at a different temperature using a water bath, and records the time taken for the pink colour to disappear (as the fat is broken down into fatty acids, lowering the pH).

Temperature (deg C): 10	20	30	40	50
Time for pink colour to disappear (seconds): 340	210	95	260	480

(a)Identify the independent variable in Priya's investigation.(1)

(b)State one variable that Priya kept the same to make this a fair test.(1)

(c)Describe the pattern shown by the results.(1)

(d)Explain why the reaction was slower at 50 deg C than at 30 deg C.(1)

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

9

Alcohol is a depressant drug: it slows down the transmission of nerve impulses across synapses in the nervous system.

(a)State what is meant by a synapse.(1)

(b)State the general term for a chemical substance that carries a signal across a synapse.(1)

(c)Explain, using ideas about neurotransmitters, why alcohol slows down a person's reaction time.(1)

(d)Suggest one reason why it is illegal to drive after drinking more than a set amount of alcohol.(1)

(Total for Question 9 is 4 marks)

10

After eating a meal containing a lot of sugar, a healthy person's blood glucose concentration rises, but is then brought back down to a normal level within a few hours. Explain how the body controls blood glucose concentration after such a meal, using ideas about insulin.

(Total for Question 10 is 6 marks)

11

Which term describes a substance that is made up of only one type of atom?

A) Element
B) Compound
C) Mixture
D) Alloy

(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)

12

Which observation would confirm that a gas collected during an experiment is carbon dioxide?

A) It relights a glowing splint
B) It burns with a squeaky pop
C) It turns limewater cloudy (milky)
D) It turns damp blue litmus paper red

(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)

13

Complete the two missing words in these sentences about crude oil.

(a)Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that can be separated into fractions using ______ distillation.(1)

(b)This separation works because the different hydrocarbons in crude oil have different ______, so they condense at different heights (temperatures) in the fractionating column.(1)

(Total for Question 13 is 2 marks)

14

Which of these is a chemical property of a substance, rather than a physical property?

A) Melting point
B) Density
C) Flammability (whether it burns easily in air)
D) Electrical conductivity

(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)

15

Tomiwa investigates how the current used affects the mass of copper deposited during electrolysis. He sets up a circuit with a copper anode, a carbon (graphite) cathode, and copper sulfate solution as the electrolyte. He passes a different current through the circuit for exactly 10 minutes each time, then removes, dries and weighs the cathode to find the mass of copper deposited on it.

Current (A): 0.5	1.0	1.5	2.0
Mass of copper deposited (g): 0.10	0.20	0.30	0.39

(a)Identify the independent variable in Tomiwa's investigation.(1)

(b)State one variable that Tomiwa kept the same to make this a fair test.(1)

(c)Describe the pattern shown by the results.(1)

(d)Explain, in terms of charge and electrons, why a higher current deposits more copper in the same amount of time.(1)

(Total for Question 15 is 4 marks)

16

Calculate the relative formula mass (Mr) of sodium hydroxide, NaOH. (Relative atomic masses: Na = 23, O = 16, H = 1)

(Total for Question 16 is 2 marks)

17

Write a word equation for each of these reactions: sodium reacting with water; sulfuric acid reacting with potassium hydroxide (neutralisation); and ethanol burning completely in oxygen (combustion).

(Total for Question 17 is 3 marks)

18

Burning fossil fuels can release gases into the atmosphere that cause acid rain, which can damage limestone buildings and statues.

(a)State the name of one gas released by burning fossil fuels that causes acid rain.(1)

(b)State the main human activity that releases this gas into the atmosphere.(1)

(c)Explain how this gas causes rain to become acidic.(1)

(d)Explain why acid rain damages limestone buildings and statues.(1)

(Total for Question 18 is 4 marks)

19

Complete the two missing words in these sentences about the reactivity series.

(a)In a displacement reaction, a more reactive metal will ______ a less reactive metal from a solution of its compound.(1)

(b)This is an example of a ______ reaction, in which one substance takes the place of another in a compound.(1)

(Total for Question 19 is 2 marks)

20

Aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis, which requires large amounts of electrical energy and is expensive. Iron is extracted from its ore by heating with carbon (reduction), which is cheaper. Explain, using ideas about the reactivity series, why aluminium must be extracted using electrolysis rather than by heating with carbon, like iron.

(Total for Question 20 is 6 marks)

21

Which of these quantities is a vector quantity, meaning it has both a magnitude (size) and a direction?

A) Speed
B) Distance
C) Velocity
D) Energy

(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)

22

Which type of electromagnetic wave has a wavelength just longer than visible (red) light, and is commonly used in television remote controls?

A) Ultraviolet
B) Infrared
C) X-ray
D) Radio wave

(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)

23

Complete the two missing words in these sentences about energy.

(a)The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only ______ from one store to another, or from one place to another.(1)

(b)Energy that is not usefully transferred by a device is often wasted, transferred to the surroundings as ______ energy.(1)

(Total for Question 23 is 2 marks)

24

Sanjay investigates how the surface area of ice affects how quickly it melts. He takes four samples of ice, each with the same total mass but broken into a different number of pieces (giving each sample a different total surface area), and places each sample into an identical beaker at room temperature. He records the time taken for each sample to melt completely.

Number of pieces of ice: 1	2	4	8
Approximate total surface area (cm2): 24	30	38	48
Time to melt completely (minutes): 42	35	26	18

(a)Identify the independent variable in Sanjay's investigation.(1)

(b)State one variable that Sanjay kept the same to make this a fair test.(1)

(c)Describe the pattern shown by the results.(1)

(d)Explain why ice with a greater surface area melts more quickly.(1)

(Total for Question 24 is 4 marks)

25

Describe the safety job of each of these three parts found inside a standard UK three-pin electrical plug: the fuse, the earth wire, and the cable grip.

(Total for Question 25 is 3 marks)

26

A go-kart of mass 150 kg travels at a constant speed of 6 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy, using KE = 1/2 x mass x velocity².

(Total for Question 26 is 2 marks)

27

Sound waves and light waves are both types of wave, but they transfer energy in different ways.

(a)State whether sound waves are transverse or longitudinal waves.(1)

(b)State whether light waves are transverse or longitudinal waves.(1)

(c)Explain the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave, in terms of the direction of vibration.(1)

(d)Explain why sound cannot travel through a vacuum (for example, through space), but light can.(1)

(Total for Question 27 is 4 marks)

28

Freya investigates how the angle of a solar panel affects the voltage it generates. She sets up a solar panel connected to a voltmeter, and shines a lamp on it from a fixed distance, tilting the panel to a different angle to the light each time. She records the voltmeter reading for each angle.

Angle between panel and the direction of the light (degrees): 30	50	70	90
Voltmeter reading (V): 0.9	1.5	2.0	2.4

(a)Identify the independent variable in Freya's investigation.(1)

(b)State one variable that Freya kept the same to make this a fair test.(1)

(c)Describe the pattern shown by the results.(1)

(d)Explain why the solar panel generates a higher voltage when it faces the light directly (at 90 degrees).(1)

(Total for Question 28 is 4 marks)

29

A tractor's tyre exerts a force of 6000 N on the ground through a contact area of 0.3 m2. Calculate the pressure the tyre exerts on the ground, using pressure = force / area. Give your answer in pascals (Pa).

(Total for Question 29 is 2 marks)

30

In 1971, an astronaut on the Moon dropped a feather and a hammer at the same time from the same height, and they landed on the surface at exactly the same moment. On Earth, if you drop a feather and a hammer from the same height at the same time, the hammer lands first. Explain why the feather and hammer fall at the same rate on the Moon, but not on Earth.

(Total for Question 30 is 6 marks)

Mark scheme · CE.S-T15 Science: Full Practice Paper 15

Question 1

B1 B cao
Answer: B) Amphibians

Question 2

B1 C cao
Answer: C) Stomata

Question 3

(a) B1 aerobic cao
(a) Answer: Aerobic
(b) B1 anaerobic cao
(b) Answer: Anaerobic

Question 4

B1 B cao
Answer: B) Dendrite

Question 5

(a) B1 the concentration of the fertiliser solution oe
(a) Answer: The concentration of the fertiliser solution.
(b) B1 any one of: the type/size of pot; the type/amount of compost; the volume of solution used (100 cm3); the starting size of the seedling; the light/temperature conditions oe
(b) Answer: For example, the volume of solution given to each seedling (100 cm3).
(c) B1 as the concentration of fertiliser solution increases from 0% to 15%, the increase in height increases, but at 20% concentration the increase in height decreases (compared with 15%) oe
(c) Answer: As the concentration of fertiliser solution increases from 0% to 15%, the increase in height increases, but at 20% the increase in height decreases compared with 15%.
(d) B1 the 20% fertiliser solution has a lower water concentration outside the root hair cells than inside them, so water moves out of the root cells, by osmosis, instead of being taken up, which dehydrates and damages the plant's cells, reducing growth oe
(d) Answer: The 20% fertiliser solution has a lower water concentration outside the root cells than inside them, so water moves out of the root cells by osmosis instead of being taken up, dehydrating and damaging the plant and reducing growth.

Question 6

B1 red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, bound to haemoglobin oe
B1 white blood cells help to defend the body against pathogens/infection, for example by engulfing microorganisms or producing antibodies oe
B1 platelets help the blood to clot at a wound, to prevent excessive bleeding and stop pathogens entering the body oe
Answer: Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, bound to haemoglobin. White blood cells help defend the body against pathogens, for example by engulfing microorganisms or producing antibodies. Platelets help the blood to clot at a wound, preventing excessive bleeding.

Question 7

M1 correct substitution: rate = 3.6 / 12 oe
A1 0.3 cm3/min cao
Answer: 0.3 cm3/min

Question 8

(a) B1 the temperature (of the water bath) oe
(a) Answer: The temperature of the water bath.
(b) B1 any one of: the volume of milk used; the volume/concentration of lipase solution used; the volume of sodium carbonate solution used; the number of drops of indicator used oe
(b) Answer: For example, the volume of milk used in each tube.
(c) B1 as temperature increases from 10 to 30 deg C, the time taken decreases (the reaction gets faster), but above 30 deg C the time taken increases again (the reaction slows down) oe
(c) Answer: As temperature increases from 10 to 30 deg C, the time taken decreases, but above 30 deg C the time taken increases again.
(d) B1 50 deg C is above lipase's optimum temperature; at temperatures this high the enzyme's molecules vibrate too much, breaking the bonds holding its shape, so its active site changes shape (it denatures) and no longer fits the fat molecules as well, reducing the rate of reaction oe
(d) Answer: 50 deg C is above lipase's optimum temperature; the enzyme's active site changes shape (denatures) and no longer fits the fat molecules as well, reducing the rate of reaction.

Question 9

(a) B1 the small gap between two neurons (nerve cells), across which a nerve impulse is transmitted oe
(a) Answer: The small gap between two neurons across which a nerve impulse is transmitted.
(b) B1 neurotransmitter cao
(b) Answer: Neurotransmitter
(c) B1 alcohol slows the release/action of neurotransmitters at synapses, so it takes longer for a nerve impulse to be transmitted from one neuron to the next, slowing the transmission of impulses through the nervous system and increasing reaction time oe
(c) Answer: Alcohol slows the release and action of neurotransmitters at synapses, so impulses take longer to pass from one neuron to the next, slowing the nervous system and increasing reaction time.
(d) B1 alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgement/coordination, making it harder for a driver to react quickly to hazards, which increases the risk of causing an accident oe
(d) Answer: Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgement, making it harder for a driver to react quickly to hazards, increasing the risk of an accident.

Question 10

Level 1 (1-2): Basic, isolated statement(s) about glucose or insulin, with little or no reference to how blood glucose concentration is returned to normal.
Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant ideas about insulin lowering blood glucose concentration are given, but the explanation of where insulin comes from and how it acts on cells is incomplete or not fully linked.
Level 3 (5-6): A clear, logically linked explanation that the rise in blood glucose concentration is detected by the pancreas, which releases insulin into the blood, and that insulin causes cells (such as liver and muscle cells) to take up glucose from the blood and/or convert it into glycogen for storage, lowering blood glucose concentration back to normal.
Indicative content:
- After the meal, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases, rising above the normal level.
- This increase in blood glucose concentration is detected by the pancreas.
- The pancreas responds by releasing (secreting) the hormone insulin into the blood.
- Insulin travels in the blood to target cells, such as liver and muscle cells.
- Insulin causes these cells to take up more glucose from the blood, and to convert glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles.
- As glucose is removed from the blood into cells and storage, the blood glucose concentration falls back down towards its normal level.

Question 11

B1 A cao
Answer: A) Element

Question 12

B1 C cao
Answer: C) It turns limewater cloudy (milky)

Question 13

(a) B1 fractional cao
(a) Answer: Fractional
(b) B1 boiling points cao
(b) Answer: Boiling points

Question 14

B1 C cao
Answer: C) Flammability (whether it burns easily in air)

Question 15

(a) B1 the current (used in the circuit) oe
(a) Answer: The current used in the circuit.
(b) B1 any one of: the time the current was passed for (10 minutes); the concentration/volume of copper sulfate solution used; the type/size of electrodes used oe
(b) Answer: For example, the time the current was passed for (10 minutes).
(c) B1 as the current increases, the mass of copper deposited increases, roughly in direct proportion to the current oe
(c) Answer: As the current increases, the mass of copper deposited increases, roughly in direct proportion to the current.
(d) B1 a higher current means more charge (electrons) flows through the circuit each second; more charge means more copper ions are reduced (gain electrons) at the cathode each second, depositing more copper in the same amount of time oe
(d) Answer: A higher current means more charge flows through the circuit each second, so more copper ions are reduced at the cathode each second, depositing more copper in the same time.

Question 16

M1 correct sum: 23 + 16 + 1 oe
A1 40 cao (no unit required)
Answer: 40

Question 17

B1 sodium + water -> sodium hydroxide + hydrogen oe
B1 sulfuric acid + potassium hydroxide -> potassium sulfate + water oe
B1 ethanol + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water oe
Answer: sodium + water -> sodium hydroxide + hydrogen; sulfuric acid + potassium hydroxide -> potassium sulfate + water; ethanol + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water.

Question 18

(a) B1 sulfur dioxide oe (accept nitrogen oxide/nitrogen dioxide)
(a) Answer: Sulfur dioxide (accept nitrogen oxide/nitrogen dioxide)
(b) B1 burning fossil fuels, e.g. in power stations or vehicle engines oe
(b) Answer: Burning fossil fuels, for example in power stations or vehicle engines.
(c) B1 the gas dissolves in water droplets/moisture in clouds, reacting with water (and oxygen in the air) to form a dilute acid, which falls as acid rain oe
(c) Answer: The gas dissolves in water droplets in clouds, reacting with water and oxygen to form a dilute acid, which then falls as acid rain.
(d) B1 limestone is made of calcium carbonate, which reacts with (is neutralised/dissolved by) acids, so acid rain gradually reacts with and wears away (erodes) the limestone oe
(d) Answer: Limestone is made of calcium carbonate, which reacts with acids, so acid rain gradually reacts with and wears away the limestone.

Question 19

(a) B1 displace cao
(a) Answer: Displace
(b) B1 displacement cao
(b) Answer: Displacement

Question 20

Level 1 (1-2): Basic, isolated statement(s) about reactivity or extraction method, with little or no reference to why the extraction method differs between the two metals.
Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant ideas about the reactivity series are given, but the explanation of why carbon can or cannot displace a metal from its oxide is incomplete or not fully linked.
Level 3 (5-6): A clear, logically linked explanation that aluminium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot displace (reduce) aluminium from aluminium oxide, meaning electrolysis must be used instead; iron is less reactive than carbon, so carbon can displace (reduce) it from its oxide, allowing the cheaper reduction method to be used.
Indicative content:
- Metals can be arranged in a reactivity series; a more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from a compound.
- Carbon can be used to extract a metal from its oxide by reduction (removing the oxygen) only if carbon is more reactive than that metal.
- Aluminium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon is not reactive enough to displace or remove oxygen from aluminium oxide; heating aluminium oxide with carbon would not extract the aluminium.
- Because of this, aluminium must instead be extracted by electrolysis, in which electrical energy is used to decompose molten aluminium oxide into aluminium and oxygen.
- Iron, in contrast, is less reactive than carbon, so carbon is reactive enough to displace iron from iron oxide, extracting iron by the cheaper reduction method, for example in a blast furnace.
- Electrolysis requires large amounts of electrical energy to melt the ore and drive the reaction, making it a much more expensive method than reduction with carbon, which is why it is only used when reduction with carbon is not possible.

Question 21

B1 C cao
Answer: C) Velocity

Question 22

B1 B cao
Answer: B) Infrared

Question 23

(a) B1 transferred cao
(a) Answer: Transferred
(b) B1 thermal (heat) cao
(b) Answer: Thermal (heat)

Question 24

(a) B1 the surface area of the ice (or the number of pieces it is broken into) oe
(a) Answer: The surface area of the ice (the number of pieces it is broken into).
(b) B1 any one of: the total mass of ice used; the starting temperature of the ice; the room temperature; the type/size of beaker used oe
(b) Answer: For example, the total mass of ice used in each sample.
(c) B1 as the surface area of the ice increases, the time taken to melt completely decreases oe
(c) Answer: As the surface area of the ice increases, the time taken to melt completely decreases.
(d) B1 a greater surface area means more of the ice is in direct contact with the warmer surroundings at once, so thermal energy is transferred into the ice at a faster rate, causing it to melt more quickly than the same total mass with a smaller surface area oe
(d) Answer: A greater surface area means more of the ice is in contact with the warmer surroundings at once, so thermal energy transfers into it faster, melting it more quickly.

Question 25

B1 the fuse contains a thin wire that melts (breaks) if too large a current flows through it, cutting off the current and protecting the appliance and wiring from overheating or catching fire oe
B1 the earth wire provides a low-resistance path to earth; if a fault causes the case of the appliance to become live, a large current flows to earth through this wire instead of through a person touching it, which also causes the fuse to blow and disconnect the supply oe
B1 the cable grip clamps/holds the cable firmly in place where it enters the plug, so the wires cannot be pulled loose, which could expose live wires and cause a shock oe
Answer: The fuse melts and breaks the circuit if too much current flows, protecting against overheating. The earth wire gives a safe path to earth if a fault occurs, preventing the case becoming live and helping the fuse to blow. The cable grip holds the cable firmly so the wires cannot be pulled loose.

Question 26

M1 correct substitution: KE = 0.5 x 150 x 6² oe
A1 2700 J cao
Answer: 2700 J

Question 27

(a) B1 longitudinal cao
(a) Answer: Longitudinal
(b) B1 transverse cao
(b) Answer: Transverse
(c) B1 in a transverse wave, the vibrations are at right angles (perpendicular) to the direction the wave travels; in a longitudinal wave, the vibrations are parallel to (along) the direction the wave travels oe
(c) Answer: In a transverse wave, vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel; in a longitudinal wave, vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel.
(d) B1 sound is caused by vibrating particles, which need a medium (a solid, liquid or gas) to pass the vibration from particle to particle, but a vacuum contains no particles, so sound cannot travel through it; light is an electromagnetic wave and does not need particles/a medium to travel, so it can travel through a vacuum oe
(d) Answer: Sound needs particles to pass vibrations from one to the next, and a vacuum has no particles, so sound cannot travel through it. Light does not need particles to travel, so it can cross a vacuum.

Question 28

(a) B1 the angle between the solar panel and the direction of the light oe
(a) Answer: The angle between the solar panel and the direction of the light.
(b) B1 any one of: the distance between the lamp and the panel; the brightness/power of the lamp used; the size/type of solar panel used oe
(b) Answer: For example, the distance between the lamp and the panel.
(c) B1 as the angle between the panel and the light increases towards 90 degrees (facing the light directly), the voltage generated increases oe
(c) Answer: As the angle between the panel and the light increases towards 90 degrees, the voltage generated increases.
(d) B1 when the panel faces the light directly, the same amount of light energy is spread over a smaller area of the panel (the light intensity on the panel is greater), so more light energy is absorbed by the panel each second, generating a higher voltage oe
(d) Answer: When the panel faces the light directly, the light intensity on the panel is greater, so more light energy is absorbed each second, generating a higher voltage.

Question 29

M1 correct substitution: pressure = 6000 / 0.3 oe
A1 20000 Pa cao (accept 20 kPa)
Answer: 20000 Pa (20 kPa)

Question 30

Level 1 (1-2): Basic, isolated statement(s) about gravity or air resistance, with little or no reference to why the Moon and Earth situations differ.
Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant ideas about air resistance or a vacuum are given, but the explanation linking the presence or absence of air resistance to the difference in falling rate is incomplete or not fully linked.
Level 3 (5-6): A clear, logically linked explanation that gravity accelerates all objects at the same rate regardless of mass, so in the absence of air (a vacuum, as on the Moon) both objects fall together, but on Earth air resistance affects the feather (large surface area, small weight) far more than the hammer (small surface area, large weight), slowing the feather and causing the hammer to land first.
Indicative content:
- Gravity causes all objects to accelerate towards the ground at the same rate, regardless of their mass, when no other force is acting on them.
- The Moon has no (or negligible) atmosphere, so there is no air resistance acting on falling objects there.
- With no air resistance, gravity is the only force acting on the feather and the hammer, so both accelerate at the same rate and land at the same time, as seen in the 1971 demonstration.
- On Earth, air resistance (a type of drag/friction) acts on any object moving through the air, opposing its motion.
- Air resistance depends on an object's surface area (and shape) relative to its weight; the feather has a large surface area for its very small weight, so air resistance has a much bigger effect on it, quickly reducing its acceleration.
- The hammer has a small surface area for its much larger weight, so air resistance has very little effect on it, and it continues to accelerate at close to the rate due to gravity alone.
- Because the feather is slowed much more by air resistance than the hammer, the hammer reaches the ground first on Earth, even though both would land together in a vacuum.

Science: Full Practice Paper 15 - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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CE.S-T15 Science: Full Practice Paper 15

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