Lesson 4.5.5.2

4.5.5.2 Atmospheric pressure Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.5.5.2, Atmospheric pressure: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 5: Forces, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. How is the Earth's atmosphere best described?

    • Thin air layer
    • Vacuum layer
    • Thick solid layer
    • Liquid ocean

  2. What creates atmospheric pressure on a surface?

    • Solar radiation
    • Wind speed
    • Earth magnetic field
    • Air molecule collisions

  3. What happens to the density of the atmosphere as altitude increases?

    • Stays constant
    • Decreases
    • Increases
    • Fluctuates wildly

  4. As height above ground increases, atmospheric pressure:

    • Decreases
    • Doubles
    • Stays the same
    • Increases

  5. Why does atmospheric pressure decrease with increasing altitude?

    • Stronger gravity
    • Higher temperature
    • More molecules
    • Less air above

  6. How does the number of air molecules above a surface change with height?

    • Decreases with height
    • Remains constant
    • Increases with height
    • Becomes zero instantly

  7. Compared with the size of the Earth, how thick is the atmosphere?

    • Thin
    • Thick
    • Equal
    • Infinite

  8. In a simple model, how does the air above a surface behave?

    • Sealed vacuum container
    • Static liquid layer
    • Column of weight
    • Solid rigid plate

  9. Why is atmospheric pressure lower at the top of a mountain?

    • Greater air density
    • Stronger gravity
    • Less weight of air
    • Higher temperature

  10. What is the physical definition of atmospheric pressure?

    • Mass per unit volume
    • Weight per unit mass
    • Energy per unit time
    • Force per unit area

  11. Where is atmospheric pressure greatest on Earth?

    • Mountain peaks
    • Troposphere edge
    • Sea level
    • Stratosphere

  12. At which location is atmospheric pressure at its maximum?

    • A deep cave
    • Sea level
    • Mount Everest
    • An aeroplane

  13. If more air molecules collide with a surface each second, the pressure on that surface:

    • Decreases
    • Increases
    • Stays the same
    • Becomes zero

  14. What happens to air molecules as altitude increases?

    • Heavier
    • Further apart
    • Closer together
    • More numerous

  15. What is the primary cause of atmospheric pressure at ground level?

    • Weight of air
    • Solar radiation
    • Earth rotation
    • Wind speed

  16. How does a flexible weather balloon volume change as it rises?

    • Increases
    • Stays constant
    • Fluctuates
    • Decreases

  17. What is the surface pressure effect of having fewer air molecules above?

    • Lower pressure
    • No change
    • Maximum pressure
    • Higher pressure

  18. Which property of the Earth's atmosphere changes with altitude?

    • Gravity
    • Composition
    • Molecular mass
    • Density

  19. Why is the Earth's atmosphere described as thin?

    • Low mass
    • Few molecules
    • Small depth
    • High temperature

  20. What is the effect of air molecules being further apart at high altitude?

    • Constant force
    • Higher pressure
    • Lower pressure
    • Increased temperature

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