Photo AI
The aeroplane is high above the Earth’s surface - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 10
The aeroplane is high above the Earth’s surface. The atmospheric pressure outside the aeroplane is 23 000 Pa. The air pressure inside the aeroplane is 80 000 Pa. (i... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The aeroplane is high above the Earth’s surface - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2023 - Paper 2
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
(iii) Explain how the force due to the air pressure inside the cabin on the small window differs from the force on the larger window.
Answer
The force on a window due to air pressure is calculated using the same formula:
However, since the smaller window has a reduced area, the force exerted on it will also be less compared to the larger window, given that the pressure remains constant. Therefore, the greater the surface area of the window, the greater the force exerted by the air pressure.
Step 4
(iv) Draw an arrow on Figure 23 to show the direction of the resultant force due to the air pressure inside the cabin on the window at point X.
Answer
The arrow should point outward from the inside of the aeroplane to the outside, indicating that the force due to the pressure inside the cabin pushes against the window.
Step 5
(i) Describe how the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface.
Answer
As altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This is due to the fact that the density of air decreases with height, leading to fewer air molecules above that point, consequently exerting less weight and pressure. According to data shown in Figure 24, we observe that pressure decreases steadily as you rise in altitude.
Step 6
(ii) Suggest one reason why the atmospheric pressure changes with height above the Earth’s surface.
Answer
One reason for the change in atmospheric pressure with height is that as you go higher, there is a decrease in the amount of air above a given point, leading to lower pressure due to the reduction in weight of the air column.