GCSE Physics (AQA) chapter 3: Particle model of matter MCQs with answers

By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026

28 exam-style questions on Particle model of matter, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.

28 questions · 3 topics · 10 per test

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What chapter 3 covers

Ten Particle model of matter questions with answers

Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.

1. A liquid has a density of 800 kg/m³. What is the mass of 0.050 m³ of the liquid?

  1. A
    40 kg
  2. B
    16 000 kg
  3. C
    160 kg
  4. D
    6.25 × 10−5 kg
Show answer

Answer: A. m = ρV = 800 × 0.050 = 40 kg. Dividing 800 by 0.050 gives 16 000.

2. Air in a bicycle pump is compressed quickly by pushing the piston in. Which statement is correct?

  1. A
    the gas does work on the piston, so its temperature falls
  2. B
    the temperature stays constant because pV is constant
  3. C
    the internal energy decreases because the volume decreases
  4. D
    the force on the piston does work on the gas, increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules, so the temperature rises
Show answer

Answer: D. Doing work on a gas increases its internal energy. pV = constant only applies when the temperature is kept constant, which is not the case in a fast compression.

3. One beaker holds 100 g of water and another holds 200 g of water, both at 40 °C. Which statement is correct?

  1. A
    both have the same internal energy because they are at the same temperature
  2. B
    the particles in the 200 g of water move faster on average
  3. C
    the 100 g of water has more internal energy
  4. D
    the 200 g of water has more internal energy, even though the temperatures are the same
Show answer

Answer: D. Temperature relates to the average kinetic energy per particle. The larger mass has twice as many particles, so twice the internal energy.

4. How can a student find the volume of an irregularly shaped stone?

  1. A
    lower it into a displacement can full of water and measure the volume of water that overflows
  2. B
    measure its mass on a balance
  3. C
    measure its length, width and height with a ruler
  4. D
    weigh a measuring cylinder of water before adding the stone
Show answer

Answer: A. The stone pushes out a volume of water equal to its own volume. Length × width × height only works for a regular shape.

5. What is the internal energy of a system?

  1. A
    the temperature of the system
  2. B
    the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles in the system
  3. C
    the kinetic energy of the particles only
  4. D
    the energy stored in the nuclei of the atoms
Show answer

Answer: B. Internal energy includes both the kinetic energy of the moving particles and the potential energy stored in the forces between them.

6. Ice at 0 °C is heated and melts, staying at 0 °C. What does the energy supplied do?

  1. A
    it increases the kinetic energy of the particles, so the temperature rises
  2. B
    it is destroyed as the ice melts
  3. C
    it increases the internal energy by increasing the potential energy of the particles, without changing the temperature
  4. D
    it decreases the internal energy of the water
Show answer

Answer: C. During melting, energy breaks the bonds holding particles in place. Their potential energy rises but their kinetic energy (temperature) does not.

7. Which statement about a change of state is correct?

  1. A
    it is a chemical change that forms a new substance
  2. B
    it changes the mass of the substance
  3. C
    it cannot be reversed
  4. D
    it is a physical change, and the material recovers its original properties if the change is reversed
Show answer

Answer: D. Melting, boiling, freezing and condensing are physical changes. No new substance forms, and reversing the change gives back the original material.

8. What is the specific latent heat of vaporisation of a substance?

  1. A
    the energy needed to change 1 kg of it from liquid to vapour with no change in temperature
  2. B
    the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of it by 1 °C
  3. C
    the energy needed to change 1 kg of it from solid to liquid with no change in temperature
  4. D
    the energy needed to boil any mass of it
Show answer

Answer: A. Vaporisation is liquid to vapour; fusion is solid to liquid. Specific latent heat is always per kilogram at constant temperature.

9. A 2.0 kW kettle heats 1.2 kg of water from 20 °C to 100 °C. Assuming no energy is lost, about how long does it take? (c of water = 4200 J/kg °C)

  1. A
    50 s
  2. B
    200 s
  3. C
    250 s
  4. D
    400 s
Show answer

Answer: B. E = mcΔθ = 1.2 × 4200 × 80 = 403 200 J. t = E ÷ P = 403 200 ÷ 2000 ≈ 200 s. Using 100 °C instead of an 80 °C rise gives about 250 s.

10. How much energy is needed to turn 0.10 kg of ice at 0 °C into water at 20 °C? (Lf of ice = 334 000 J/kg; c of water = 4200 J/kg °C)

  1. A
    8.4 kJ
  2. B
    33.4 kJ
  3. C
    41.8 kJ
  4. D
    25.0 kJ
Show answer

Answer: C. Melting: E = mL = 0.10 × 334 000 = 33 400 J. Warming: E = mcΔθ = 0.10 × 4200 × 20 = 8400 J. Total = 41 800 J = 41.8 kJ.

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Ways to practise this chapter

Particle model of matter: questions students ask

How many Particle model of matter MCQs are there?

28, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 3 topics: Density and changes of state (AQA 4.3.1), Internal energy, specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (AQA 4.3.2), Particle model and pressure in gases (AQA 4.3.3). Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.

Is the GCSE Physics (AQA) chapter 3 test free?

Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.

How is the chapter test marked?

The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.

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