P2 04 Terminal Velocity
P2 04 Terminal Velocity
P2 04 Terminal Velocity
291 minutes
291 marks
Q1. The diagram shows a shuttlecock that is used for playing badminton.
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(2)
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(3)
(Total 5 marks)
Q2. A small object falls out of a balloon.
• The faster it falls, the bigger the force of ........................................... which acts on it.
Q3. A man’s car will not start, so two friends help him by pushing it.
By pushing as hard as they can for 12 seconds they make the car reach a speed of
3 metres per second.
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.............................................................................................. Answer ................ m/s 2
(2)
(b) Whilst pushing the car the two friends together do a total of 2400 joules of work.
Calculate their total power.
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(c) Another motorist has the same problem. The two friends push his car along the same
stretch of road with the same force as before.
It takes them 18 seconds to get the second car up to a speed of 3 metres per second.
What does this tell you about the mass of the second car?
(You can ignore forces of friction.)
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(2)
(d) On a flat stretch of a motorway a lorry driver changes into top gear. He then makes the
lorry go as fast as he can.
Explain why the speed of the lorry increases at first but then levels out.
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(3)
(Total 9 marks)
Q4. A sky-diver steps out of an aeroplane.
(a) Calculate the sky-diver’s average acceleration during the time from when she opens her
parachute until she reaches her slower steady speed. (Show your working.)
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(3)
(i) why the sky-diver eventually reaches a steady speed (with or without her parachute).
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(3)
(ii) why the sky-diver’s steady speed is lower when her parachute is open.
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(1)
(c) The sky-diver and her equipment have a total mass of 75kg. Calculate the gravitational
force acting on this mass. (Show your working.)
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Answer ........................................ N
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
Q5. Choose words from this list to complete the sentences below.
Q6. When a gun is fired, a very large force acts on the bullet for a very short time.
(a) An average force of 4000 newton acts for 0.01 seconds on a bullet of mass 50g.
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(2)
(ii) Calculate the percentage of its original kinetic energy the bullet still has when it
reaches its target.
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(4)
(Total 10 marks)
A librarian picks up the book from one shelf and puts it on a shelf 2 metres higher.
(a) Calculate the work done on the book. [Show your working].
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(3)
(b) The next person to take the book from the shelf accidentally drops it.
Use this information to calculate the mass of the book. [Show your working].
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(c) If the book was dropped from an aeroplane high in the sky, it would accelerate to
begin with. Eventually it would fall at a steady speed.
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(3)
(Total 9 marks)
Q8. A bouncy ball is dropped vertically from a height of 2.00 m onto the floor. The graph shows
the height of the ball above the floor at different times during its fall until it hits the floor after 0.64
s.
(a) What is the average speed of the ball over the first 0.64 s? Show clearly how you work out
your answer.
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(b) After it hits the floor the ball bounces back to a height of 1.25 m. It reaches this height 1.
16 s after it was dropped. Plot this point on the grid above and sketch a graph to show the
height of the ball above the floor between 0. 64 s and 1.16 s.
(3)
(c) (i) The ball bounces on the floor 0.64 s after being dropped. How long after being
dropped will it be before it bounces a second time?
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(1)
(ii) What distance will the ball travel between its first and second bounce?
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(1)
(d) The ball was held stationary before being dropped. On the graph and your sketch
marktwo other points X and X , where the ball is stationary, and in each case explain why
1 2
X ...............................................................................................................................
1
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X ..............................................................................................................................
2
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)
Q9. In bungee jumping, a fixed rubber cord is fastened to the jumper’s ankles.
The graph shows how the bungee jumper’s velocity changes during part of the
jump.
(a) Calculate the acceleration of the bungee jumper between 2 and 4 seconds. Show your
working.
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(3)
(b) Describe, in as much detail as you can, what happens to the bungee jumper after
4 seconds.
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(3)
(Total 6 marks)
Q10. When you transfer energy to a shopping trolley, the amount of work done depends on
theforce used and the distance moved.
Complete the table by using the correct units from the box.
joule (J) metre (m) newton (N)
Quantity Unit
force
distance (moved)
work done
(Total 2 marks)
Q11. When a bungee-jump is made the jumper steps off a high platform. An elastic cord from the
platform is tied to the jumper.The diagram below shows different stages in a bungee-
jump.Forces A, B and C are forces acting on the jumper at each stage.
moving down moving down moving down
large acceleration small acceleration slowing acceleration
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(1)
(i) diagram X;
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(ii) diagram Y;
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(iii) diagram Z.
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(3)
(c) The table gives results for a bungee cord when it is being stretched.
(3)
(ii) Use the graph to find the length of the cord before it was stretched.
Length .................... m
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
Q12. A hot air balloon called Global Challenger was used to try to break the record for travelling
round the world.The graph shows how the height of the balloon changed during the flight.
The balloon took off from Marrakesh one hour after the burners were lit and climbed rapidly.
(b) Several important moments during the flight are labelled on the graph with the
letters A,B, C, D, E and F.
At which of these moments did the following happen?
(i) The balloon began a slow controlled descent to 2500 metres. ........................
(ii) The crew threw out all the cargo on board in order to stop
a very rapid descent. .......................
(a) Arrows X and Y show two forces acting on the sky-diver as he falls.
X ..........................................................
Y ..........................................................
(2)
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(b) After some time the sky-diver pulls the rip cord and the parachute opens.
Force X has
Force Y has
(c) The graph below shows how the height of the sky-diver changes with time.
(i) Which part of the graph, AB, BC or CD shows the sky-diver falling at a
constant speed?
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(1)
Distance .............................. m
(1)
Time .................................... s
(1)
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Q14. A racing driver is driving his car along a straight and level road as shown in the diagram
below.
(a) The driver pushes the accelerator pedal as far down as possible. The car does not
accelerate above a certain maximum speed. Explain the reasons for this in terms of the
forces acting on the car.
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(4)
(b) The racing car has a mass of 1250 kg. When the brake pedal is pushed down a constant
braking force of 10 000 N is exerted on the car.
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(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the car when it is travelling at a speed of 48 m/s.
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(iii) When the brakes are applied with a constant force of 10 000 N the car travels a
distance of 144 m before it stops. Calculate the work done in stopping the car.
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(12)
(Total 16 marks)
Q15. A driver is driving along a road at 30 m/s. The driver suddenly sees a large truck parked
across the road and reacts to the situation by applying the brakes so that a constant braking
force stops the car. The reaction time of the driver is 0.67 seconds, it then takes another 5
seconds for the brakes to bring the car to rest.
(a) Using the data above, draw a speed-time graph to show the speed of the car from the
instant the truck was seen by the driver until the car stopped.
(5)
(b) Calculate the acceleration of the car whilst the brakes are applied.
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(3)
(c) The mass of the car is 1500 kg. Calculate the braking force applied to the car.
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Answer = .................................... N
(3)
(d) The diagrams below show what would happen to a driver in a car crash.
(i) Explain why the driver tends to be thrown towards the windscreen.
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(ii) During the collision the front end of the car becomes crumpled and buckled. Use this
information to explain why such a collision is described as “inelastic”.
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(iii) The car was travelling at 30 m/s immediately before the crash. Calculate the energy
which has to be dissipated as the front of the car crumples.
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(8)
(Total 19 marks)
Q16. (a) When a car is driven efficiently the engine gives a constant forward pull on the car as
the car accelerates to its maximum speed. During this time frictional forces and air
resistance oppose the forward motion of the car. The sketch graphs below show how the
car’s speed increases when only the driver is in the car, and when the driver has a
passenger in the car.
(i) How does the acceleration of the car change with time?
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(1)
(ii) What conclusion can be made about the resultant (net) forward force on the car as
its speed increases?
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(1)
(ii) On the graph, draw a line to show how you would expect the car’s speed to vary if it
carried three passengers.
(1)
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Answer .....................................................
(2)
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Answer .................................. N
(2)
(iii) The manufacturer of the car claims a top speed of 110 miles per hour. Explain why
there must be a top speed for any car.
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(2)
(Total 9 marks)
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(2)
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(c) The manufacturer of the car claims a top speed of 110 miles per hour. Explain why there
must be a top speed for any car.
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(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Q18. (a) A shopping trolley is being pushed at a constant speed. The arrows represent the
horizontal forces on the trolley.
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(1)
(ii) Which one of the distance-time graphs, K, L or M, shows the motion of the trolley?
Draw a circle around your answer.
(1)
(b) Complete the sentence by crossing out the two words in the box that are wrong.
Acceleration is the rate of change of
(1)
(c) Three trolleys, A, B and C, are pushed using the same size force. The force causes each
trolley to accelerate.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)
##
The table shows the braking distances for a car at different speeds and kinetic energy. The
braking distance is how far the car travels once the brakes have been applied.
5 10 40
12 15 90
20 20 160
33 25 250
45 30 360
(a) A student suggests, “the braking distance is directly proportional to the kinetic energy.”
(i) Draw a line graph to test this suggestion.
(3)
(ii) Does the graph show that the student’s suggestion was correct or incorrect? Give a
reason for your answer.
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(1)
(iii) Use your graph and the following equation to predict a braking distance for a speed
of 35 metres per second (m/s). The mass of the car is 800 kilograms (kg). Show
clearly how you obtain your answer.
kinetic energy = ½ mv 2
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(iv) State one factor, apart from speed, which would increase the car’s braking distance.
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(1)
(b) The diagram shows a car before and during a crash test. The car hits the wall at
14 metres per second (m/s) and takes 0.25 seconds (s) to stop.
(i) Write down the equation which links acceleration, change in velocity and time taken.
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(1)
(iii) In an accident the crumple zone at the front of a car collapses progressively. This
increases the time it takes the car to stop. In a front end collision the injury to the car
passengers should be reduced. Explain why. The answer has been started for you.
By increasing the time it takes for the car to stop, the ...................................
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(2)
(Total 11 marks)
Q20. The apparatus shown is used to compare the motion of a coin with the motion of a piece of
paper as they both fall.
(a) When the tube is filled with air the coin falls faster than the piece of paper. Why?
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(1)
(b) The air in the tube is removed by the vacuum pump. The tube is turned upside
down.State two ways in which the motion of the coin and piece of paper will change
compared to when there was air in the tube.
1 .................................................................................................................................
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(2)
(Total 3 marks)
Q21. The diagram shows an orbiter, the reusable part of a space shuttle. The data refers to a
typical flight.
(a) (i) What name is given to the force which keeps the orbiter in orbit around the Earth?
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(1)
(ii) Use the following equation to calculate the kinetic energy, in joules, of the orbiter
while it is in orbit.
kinetic energy = ½ mv 2
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(iii) What happens to most of this kinetic energy as the orbiter re-enters the Earth’s
atmosphere?
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(1)
(i) Give the equation that links acceleration, time and velocity.
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(1)
(ii) Calculate the deceleration of the orbiter. Show clearly how you work out your answer
and give the unit.
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Deceleration = ...............................
(2)
(c) (i) Give the equation that links acceleration, force and mass.
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(1)
(ii) Calculate, in newtons, the force needed to bring the orbiter to a halt. Show clearly
how you work out your answer.
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Q22. (a) Two skydivers jump from a plane. Each holds a different position in the air.
A B
Adapted from Progress with Physics by Nick England, reproduced by permission of Hodder Arnold
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(2)
The diagram shows the direction of the forces acting on one of the skydivers.
Adapted from Progress with Physics by Nick England, reproduced
by permission of Hodder Arnold
(b) In the following sentences, cross out in each box the two lines that are wrong.
skydiver will
(1)
(c) How does the area of an opened parachute affect the size of force Y?
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(1)
(Total 7 marks)
Q23. (a) The diagram shows the horizontal forces that act on a moving motorbike.
(i) Describe the movement of the motorbike when force A equals force B.
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(2)
(ii) What happens to the speed of the motorbike if force B becomes smaller
than force A?
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(1)
(b) The graph shows how the velocity of a motorbike changes when it is travelling along a
straight road.
(i) What was the change in velocity of the motorbike in the first 5 seconds?
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(1)
(ii) Write down the equation which links acceleration, change in velocity and time taken.
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(1)
(iii) Calculate the acceleration of the motorbike during the first 5 seconds.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
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Acceleration = .............................................
(3)
Describe and explain what might happen to the car when the brakes are applied.
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(2)
(d) Name three factors, other than weather conditions, which would increase the overall
stopping distance of a vehicle.
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(3)
(Total 13 marks)
Q24. The diagram shows a sky-diver in free fall. Two forces, X and Y, act on the sky-diver.
(a) Complete these sentences by crossing out the two lines in each box that are wrong.
(b) The size of force X changes as the sky-diver falls. Describe the motion of the sky-diver
when:
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(2)
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(1)
(Total 5 marks)
Q25. The diagram shows the forces on a small, radio-controlled, flying toy.
Use the equation in the box to calculate the weight of the toy.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
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Weight = .................................................
(3)
(ii) Complete the following sentence by drawing a ring around the correct line in the box.
bigger than
the same
the weight of the
as
toy.
smaller
than
(1)
(b) When the motor inside the toy is switched off, the toy starts to accelerate downwards.
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(1)
(ii) What is the direction of the resultant force on the falling toy?
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(1)
(iii) Does the momentum of the toy increase, decrease or stay the same?
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)
The chart shows the ‘thinking distance’ and the ‘braking distance’ needed to stop the car.
Calculate the total stopping distance of the car.
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(b) The graph shows how the braking distance of a car driven on a dry road changes with the
car’s speed.
The braking distance of the car on an icy road is longer than the braking distance of the
car on a dry road.
(i) Draw a new line on the graph to show how the braking distance of the car on an icy
road changes with speed.
(2)
(ii) Which two of the following would also increase the braking distance of the car?
The table shows the reaction times of three people driving under different conditions.
Reaction timein
Car driver Condition
seconds
The graph lines show how the thinking distance for the three drivers, A, B and C, depends
on how fast they are driving the car.
(i) Match each graph line to the correct driver by writing A, B or C in the box next to the
correct line.
(2)
(ii) The information in the table cannot be used to tell if driver C’s reaction time is
increased by being tired or by listening to music.
Explain why.
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(2)
(Total 9 marks)
(i) How many hours does it take for the count rate to fall from 300 counts per minute to
150 counts per minute?
Q27. (a) The diagram shows an aircraft and the horizontal forces acting on it as it moves
along a runway. The resultant force on the aircraft is zero.
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(1)
(ii) Describe the movement of the aircraft when the resultant force is zero.
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(1)
(b) The aircraft has a take-off mass of 320 000 kg. Each of the 4 engines can produce a
maximum force of 240 kN.
Use the equation in the box to calculate the maximum acceleration of the aircraft.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
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Acceleration = ...............................................
(3)
(c) As the aircraft moves along the runway to take off, its acceleration decreases even though
the force from the engines is constant.
Explain why.
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(2)
(Total 7 marks)
Q28. (a) The diagram shows a steel ball-bearing falling through a tube of oil.The
forces, L and M, act on the ball-bearing.
What causes force L?
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(1)
(b) The distance – time graph represents the motion of the ball-bearing as it falls through the
oil.
(i) Explain, in terms of the forces, L and M, why the ball-bearing accelerates at first but
then falls at constant speed.
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(3)
(ii) What name is given to the constant speed reached by the falling ball-bearing?
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(1)
Show clearly how you use the graph to work out your answer.
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Q29. The diagram shows the horizontal forces acting on a car of mass 1200 kg.
(a) Calculate the acceleration of the car at the instant shown in the diagram.
Write down the equation you use, and then show clearly how you work out your answer
and give the unit.
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Acceleration = .............................
(4)
(b) Explain why the car reaches a top speed even though the thrust force remains
constant at 3500 N.
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(3)
The two vehicles have the same mass and identical engines.
Explain why the top speed of the car is higher than the top speed of the van.
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(4)
(Total 11 marks)
Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the following sentences.
air resistance.
(1)
air resistance.
(1)
bigger than
(c) When the skydiver jumps from the aircraft, force J is the same as
smaller than
accelerates downwards.
(2)
(Total 4 marks)
Q31. A cyclist travelling along a straight level road accelerates at 1.2 m/s for 5 seconds.The 2
(a) Use the equation in the box to calculate the resultant force needed to produce this
acceleration.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
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(b) The graph shows how the velocity of the cyclist changes with time.
(i) Complete the following sentence.
The velocity includes both the speed and the ........................of the cyclist.
(1)
(ii) Why has the data for the cyclist been shown as a line graph instead of a bar chart?
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(1)
(iii) The diagrams show the horizontal forces acting on the cyclist at three different
speeds. The length of an arrow represents the size of the force.
A B C
Which one of the diagrams, A, B or C, represents the forces acting when the cyclist
is travelling at a constant 9 m/s?
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(3)
(Total 8 marks)
Q32. The miners working in a salt mine use smooth wooden slides to move quickly from one level
to another.
Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the miner when he moves 15 m
vertically downwards.
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(b) Calculate the maximum possible speed that the miner could reach at the bottom of the
slide.
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(c) The speed of the miner at the bottom of the slide is much less than the calculated
maximum possible speed.
Explain why.
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(3)
(Total 8 marks)
Q33. (a) The diagram shows the forces acting on a parachutist in free fall.
The parachutist has a mass of 75 kg.
Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.
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Weight = ....................................................
(3)
(b) In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly
and using specialist terms where appropriate.
The graph shows how the vertical velocity of a parachutist changes from the moment the
parachutist jumps from the aircraft until landing on the ground.
Using the idea of forces, explain why the parachutist reaches a terminal velocity and why
opening the parachute reduces the terminal velocity.
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(6)
To test this hypothesis the student made three model parachutes, A, B and C, from one
large plastic bag. The student dropped each parachute from the same height and timed
how long each parachute took to fall to the ground.
(i) The height that the student dropped the parachute from was a control variable.
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(1)
(ii) Use the student’s hypothesis to predict which parachute, A, B or C, will hit the
ground first.
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(2)
(Total 12 marks)
Q34.A car has an oil leak. Every 5 seconds an oil drop falls from the bottom of the car onto the road.
(a) What force causes the oil drop to fall towards the road?
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(1)
(b) The diagram shows the spacing of the oil drops left on the road during part of a journey
Describe the motion of the car as it moves from A to B.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(3)
(c) When the brakes are applied, a braking force slows down and stops the car.
(i) The size of the braking force affects the braking distance of the car.
State one other factor that affects the braking distance of the car.
...............................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) A braking force of 3 kN is used to slow down and stop the car in a distance of 25 m.
Calculate the work done by the brakes to stop the car and give the unit.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Q35.A car has an oil leak. Every 5 seconds an oil drop falls from the bottom of the car onto the road.
(a) What force causes the oil drop to fall towards the road?
........................................................................................................................
(1)
(b) The diagram shows the spacing of the oil drops left on the road during part of a journey
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(3)
(c) When the brakes are applied, a braking force slows down and stops the car.
(i) The size of the braking force affects the braking distance of the car.
State one other factor that affects the braking distance of the car.
...............................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) A braking force of 3 kN is used to slow down and stop the car in a distance of 25 m.
Calculate the work done by the brakes to stop the car and give the unit.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
but
weight / force of gravity / downwards force balanced by friction / air
resistance / drag / upwards force
gains 2 marks
latter increases with speed
M2. • gravity
• accelerates
• friction
gains 1 mark
but 0.25 or ¼
gains 2 marks
2
(b) evidence of or
gains 1 mark
but 200
gains 2 marks
2
but
second car has 1.5 times bigger mass
or
second car has mass of 1200 kg
gains 2 marks
2
##
(a) evidence of or
gains 1 mark
units metres per second per second or (metres per second squared or m/s²)
for 1 mark
3
(ii) idea
a bigger resistance/friction/drag at any given speed (credit a bigger drag (factor))
for 1 mark
1
M5. gravity
newtons
balanced
each for 1 mark
[3]
M6. (a) any evidence of: momentum = mass × velocity (words, symbols or numbers)
appropriate re-arrangement mass as 0.05kg
each gains 1 mark
but 800
gains 4 marks
4
but idea that friction with air/air resistance is high (at high speed)
gains 2 marks
2
final k.e.
initial k.e.
either initial or final k.e. correctly calculated (i.e. 16000; 10240)
each gains 1 mark
but (0.8)2
gains 3 marks
but 64%(credit 0.64)
gains 4 marks (also credit e.c.f)
4
[10]
ideas that
this increases as speed increases
forces eventually balance
each for 1 further mark
9
[9]
(d) X at 0.64 s, 0 m
1
1 mark for
2 marks for
= 2 marks
3
(5 – 6 seconds) the bungee jumper starts moving (accelerating) upwards(in the opposite
direction)
max 2 marks if no correct indication of time
1
[6]
M10. newton or N
metre or m
joules or J
all three correct 2 marks
two or one correct 1 mark
[2]
(b) (i) only force A acts / force A > air resistance / gravity / weight
for 1 mark
1
2+ points wrong
gains 0 mark
(ii) 26.5(hours)
for 1 mark
1
(b) (i) F
for 1 mark
1
(ii) D
for 1 mark
1
(iii) B
for 1 mark
1
[5]
(iii) Y
1
(b) force X has increased force Y has stayed the same the speed of the sky-diver
will stay the same
for 1 mark each
3
(c) (i) CD
1
or 500/50 or d/t
gets 1 mark
2
[14]
(b) (i) F = ma
10 000 = 1250a
a=8
m/s 2
(iii) W = Fd
W = 10 000.144
W = 1 440 000
J
for 1 mark each
4
[16]
M15. (a) Each scale optimum
Else both half size
Straight line joining 30,0 to 30,0.67 to 0, 5.67
any 5 for 1 mark each
5
(b) 6
Else a = 30/5
gets 2 marks
Else a = v/t
gets 1 mark
3
(c) 9000
Else F = 6 × 1500
gets 2 marks
Else F = ma
gets 1 mark
3
W = F.d or 9000 × 75
gets 1 mark
gets 1 mark
(ii) decreases
for 1 mark
1
gains 1 mark
1
ms –2
gains 1 mark
1
else working
gains 1 mark
2
(iii) air resistance/frictional forces increase with speed;till frictional force = max forward
engine force;when acceleration is zero
(incorrect statement – 1 mark)
M17. (a) 3
gains 1 mark
m/s 2
gains 1 mark
N
gains 1 mark
else working
gains 1 mark
2
(ii) K
1
(b) velocity
1
(c) C
1
brakes worn
accept faulty brakes
accept
accept m/s = 2
(ii) 56
accept –56
1
not 2.19 12
transferred to heat
ignore extras of sound and light
accept changed to heat
accept lost due to friction
1
accept a =
or correct rearrangement
do not accept
(ii) 2
ignore + or – signs
m/s 2
1
accept m/s/s or ms 2
M22. (a) B
(iii) go up
1
in a straight line
accept any appropriate reference to a direction
constant velocity gains 2 marks
‘not accelerating’ gains 2 marks
terminal velocity alone gets 1 mark
1
(ii) acceleration =
accept or
or a =
do not accept
1
(iii) 4
or their (b)(i) ÷ 5
allow 1 mark for correct substitution
2
m/s 2
• increased speed
• more streamlined
if candidates give three answers that affect stopping distance but
not specific to increase award 1 mark only
3
[13]
(ii) gravity
accept any way of indicating the correct answer
1
downwards / falls
accept towards the Earth / ground
this may score in part (b)(ii) if it does not score here and there is no
contradiction between the two parts
1
newtons
accept N
do not accept n
accept Newtons
1
(ii) down(wards)
accept towards the ground
accept ↓
do not accept south
1
(iii) increase
velocity is increasing
can only credit second mark if answer is increase
or it is accelerating
accept speed for velocity
accept is moving faster
1
accept an answer in terms of resultant force downwards
mention of weight/ mass increasing negates second mark
1
[8]
top line – C
accept 1.2
middle line – B
accept 0.9
bottom line – A
accept 0.7
2
M27. (a) (i) a single force that has the same effect as all the forces combined
accept all the forces added / the sum of the forces / overall force
1
(b) 3
allow 1 mark for correct substitution into transformed equation
accept answer 0.003 gains 1 mark
answer = 0.75 gains 1 mark
2
m/s 2
(iii) 0.15
accept an answer between 0.14 – 0.16
an answer of 0.1 gains no credit
allow 1 mark for showing correct use of the graph
2
[7]
ie
allow 1 mark for a correct transformation but clearly substituting an
incorrect value for force
eg =
3
m/s 2
the resultant force is now equal to zero and thereforethere is no further acceleration
1
(c) the car and van will reach top speed when the forward
force equals the drag force
accept air resistance / frictional / resistive force for drag force
1
the drag force at any speed is smaller for the car than
for the van
1
therefore the car’s drag force will equal the forward force
at a higher speed
1
allow converse throughout
[11]
M30. (a) gravity
1
accelerates downwards
1
correct order only
[4]
M31. (a) 96
allow 1 mark for correct substitution
ie 80 × 1.2
2
newton or N
allow Newton
do not allow n
1
(iii) C
1
(b) 17or
or
allow 1 mark for a statement or figures showing KE = GPE
3
or
newton(s) / N
do not accept n
1
(b) Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Written Communication
(QWC) as well as the standard of the scientific response. Examiners should also refer to
the Marking Guidance, and apply a ‘best-fit’ approach to the marking.
Level 1 (1-2 marks)There is a brief attempt to explain why the velocity / speed of the
parachutist changes.or the effect of opening the parachute on velocity/speed is given.
examples of the physics points made in the response to explain first terminal
velocity
air resistance and weight become equal but at a lower (terminal) velocity
6
(ii) C
reason only scores if C is chosen
1
(b) accelerating
accept speed / velocity increases
1
• speed / velocity
• (condition of) brakes / road surface / tyres
• weather (conditions)
accept specific examples, eg wet / icy roads
accept mass / weight of car friction is insufficient
reference to any factor affecting thinking distance negates this
answer
1
(ii) 75 000
allow 1 mark for correct substitution, ie 3000 × 25 provided no
subsequent step shown
or allow 1 mark for an answer 75
or allow 2 marks for
75 k(+ incorrect unit), eg 75 kN
2
joules / J
do not accept j
an answer 75 kJ gains 3 marks
for full marks the unit and numerical answer must be consistent
1
[8]
(b) accelerating
accept speed / velocity increases
1
• speed / velocity
• weather (conditions)
accept specific examples, eg wet / icy roads
accept mass / weight of car friction is insufficient
reference to any factor affecting thinking distance negates this
answer
1
(ii) 75 000
allow 1 mark for correct substitution, ie 3000 × 25 provided no
subsequent step shown
or allow 1 mark for an answer 75
or allow 2 marks for
75 k(+ incorrect unit), eg 75 kN
2
joules / J
do not accept j
an answer 75 kJ gains 3 marks
for full marks the unit and numerical answer must be consistent
1
[8]
E3. Paper I3
Good answers calculated the acceleration as 0.25 m/s/s and the power as 200 watts. Weaker
candidates in (a) got change in speed over time or 3/12 and gave the answer 4. In (c) many
candidates noted the second car was heavier but could not suggest its mass. In (d) very few
candidates noted that air resistance increases with speed until it equals the driving force and the
bus then travels at a constant speed.
Paper H5
Parts (a) and (b) were correctly answered by an encouragingly large number of candidates,
though a minority gained the second mark for a quantitative response in (b).
(c) More able candidates gained full marks for this part of the question, though some lost
marks because they used an incorrect value for the acceleration and/or quoted the wrong
unit.
(d) This part of the question was poorly done by the majority of even the more able
candidates. Answers simply stating that the lorry reaches a top speed or, slightly better,
that it reaches a terminal velocity were common. Very few referred to air resistance
increasing with speed or attempted to explain the initial acceleration and eventual steady
speed in terms of unbalanced and balanced forces respectively.
E4. This question was poorly answered. Some candidates were able to show the relationship
between change in speed and time. Even fewer candidates were able to give 40 m/s as the
change in speed and arrive at the correct answer of 8 ms-2 . Very few candidates knew the
correct units.
Part (b) was poorly answered. Most answers referred to an upwards force. Good answers
referred to acceleration due to gravity and resistance due to drag/air resistance which increased
with speed leading to balanced forces. In (b)(ii) only a few candidates noted increased
resistance/drag. Incorrect answers referred to the larger surface area of the parachute.
In (c) few candidates knew that the acceleration due to gravity was approximately 10 ms -2 and
were unable to get the correct answer 750N.
E5. This recognition item was generally answered well, though not infrequently, joules were
thought to be the units of force.
E6. In section (a) many candidates were content simply to calculate the change in momentum
from the formula provided, for which simple calculation no credit was available at this level. Only
a minority stated that momentum was mass x velocity and/or calculated velocity by dividing
change in momentum by mass. Of this minority, fewer still correctly used the mass as 0.05kg.
In (b)(i) most candidates correctly referred to friction with the air, air resistance or drag, though
seldom added that this was very great at high speeds. Some candidates simply wrote down all
the possibilities they could think of, usually including gravity (which would marginally change the
direction of the bullet and increase its speed), presumably in the hope that something they wrote
would be correct. The pre-Newtonian notion that things slow down because a force is no longer
acting on them was also fairly common.
In (b)(ii) many candidates correctly used the formula ½mv though fewer correctly calculated a
2
value for the initial kinetic energy consistent with their answer to part (a). Very few correctly
worked the question through, however, and fewer still realised they could proceed directly to the
answer via (0.8) × 100.
2
E7. (a) This was generally well answered, although a minority of candidates gave 3 (ie. 6/2) as
their answer.
(b) Again, a number of candidates were unable to rearrange F = ma and calculated 9.8/6.
(c) Fully correct and clearly stated responses were surprisingly rare, though most candidates
gained some credit by referring to the downwards/(initially) accelerating force of gravity
and the opposing air resistance/friction/drag. The increase of the latter with speed until it
equalled weight/gravity was mentioned far less often.
E8. The calculation of average speed was well done, but the sketches of the graph were poor for
a number of reasons. Too many lines were haphazardly drawn and almost none showed any
bend at the top of the bounce, yet the point was usually marked as X and it was explained that
2
this was were the ball was stationary. Only about half of the candidates were able to plot the top
of the bounce correctly. Many joined the top of the bounce to the point of the bounce by a
straight line. The shape of the graph of the falling ball did not appear to have helped candidates.
Although most candidates labelled X and X correctly, poor English hampered many from
1 2
gaining marks for points they were unable to write about clearly.
Only the most able candidates were able to calculate the time and distance between bounces.
(a) Many candidates found this difficult. The numbers ‘30’, ‘15’ and ‘2’ appeared often but few
candidates could work out what to do with them.
(b) Candidates usually gained at least one mark for correctly stating that the bungee jumper
‘goes up’. Few candidates appreciated the significance of the gradient between 4 and 5
seconds and between 5 and 6 seconds, or what had happened when the velocity was
zero. Many candidates were unclear about the difference between velocity and
acceleration.
Higher Tier
(a) Many candidates produced the correct answer, although the means of achieving the
answer was not always clear. it should be remembered that because candidates were
asked to show their working, then an incorrectly stated relationship resulted in no marks
being awarded, even if the figures were manipulated successfully and produced the
correct answer.
(b) Candidates usually gained at least one mark for correctly stating that the bungee jumper
‘goes up’. Few candidates appreciated the significance of the gradient between 4 and 5
seconds, the negative velocity values between 5 and 6 seconds, or what happened when
the velocity was zero. Many candidates seemed unable to relate the changes seen in the
graph to the sequence of events in the bungee jump.
E10. The majority of candidates knew the correct units for each of the quantities.
E13. Almost all candidates gained marks for parts of this question, few gained all the marks
available.
(a) In (i)Y was attributed to weight/gravity by most candidates to gain a mark, far fewer were
able to identify X as air resistance/drag/friction. A surprising number did come up with the
non-syllabus answer of upthrust. A minority incorrectly identified the forces as a push and
a pull. In part (ii)few could explain why X acted in an upward direction. In (iii)X was often
given as the bigger force to gain the mark whilst in (iv)a clear statement that the sky-diver
would accelerate downwards was far less common.
(b) Many had force X increasing to gain the mark, fewer had force Y staying the same and
fewer again the speed staying the same.
(c) Very few candidates failed to gain some marks. Throughout this part errors were carried
forward so that a mistake in an early part of the question was only penalised once. In
(i)most correctly picked CD, in (ii)and (iii)most had 500 and 50 and went on in (iv)to a
correct speed of 10m/s
E14. In part (a) there were few completely correct answers. The idea of resistive forces
increasing with speed was often missed. Many did manage to arrive at a point where forward
and backward forces were equal and opposite leading to zero net force, zero acceleration and
so steady speed. The concept of friction opposing motion was acceptable for one mark, but
where mentioned it was sometimes linked to the tyres/wheels, which is the driving force, and so
did not gain the mark. The calculations in part (b) were pleasingly well done by the candidates.
Some candidates lost the unit work in part (i) with units such as m/s . Surprisingly very few
–2
candidates applied the principle of ‘conservation of energy’ to answer part (iii) after part (ii).
E16. Part (a) was a good start to the question with the vast majority of candidates scoring marks.
In part (b) many candidates did the two calculations correctly and then ran into trouble with
explaining the top speed of a car. Candidates did not appear to be familiar with the syllabus
statements on this topic.
E17. Parts (a) and (b) were quite well answered, the main loss of marks being due to unit errors
or omissions. Part (c) was not well answered and there was little evidence of candidates being
familiar with the syllabus statements on this topic.
E18. In part (a) many candidates were unaware that an object can continue at a constant speed
if opposing forces are balanced, and that a straight line graph of proportionality would result. In
part (b) only a minority of candidates knew the definition of acceleration. In part (c), most
candidates identified trolley C as having the smallest acceleration but many candidates did not
correctly link the greater mass as being the cause for the smallest acceleration. Candidates
need reminding that imprecise answers such as ‘because it’s got more stuff in it’ are not
acceptable.
E19. The graph in part (a)(i) was well approached. Most candidates chose sensible scales, and
there were only occasional errors in plotting. There were still a significant number of dot-to-dot
lines drawn. Answers to part (a)(ii) were often imprecise, a common reason being ‘strong
correlation’ and other statements sounding pertinent. Reference to the line being straight and
through the origin were less frequent. In part (a)(iii) many candidates calculated 490 Id correctly,
and many went on to use this information to obtain the braking distance. Some candidates failed
to show how they had obtained their answer and so were unable to score credit if the answer
was outside tolerance. Part (a)(iv) was generally correct but there were two types of answer
which did not score. Firstly there were many answers like ‘mass’ or ‘friction’ which did not
speci1_ whether it was greater or smaller to increase the braking distance. Secondly there were
answers relating to the driver, commonly with reference to alcohol or drugs. Parts (b)(i) and (b)
(ii) were generally correct. In part (b)(iii) the better candidates often made a comment about
smaller deceleration but then failed to relate this to a reduced force on the car or passengers.
Some candidates tried to explain how the crumple zone absorbs the energy but rarely in a credit
worthy manner.
E20. This question was not well answered. Most answers showed a clear lack of understanding
in pan (a) and only a few candidates referred correctly to differences in air resistance. In (b)
more candidates were successful but too many linked gravity with vacuum. Common answers
included ‘they will weigh the same in a vacuum’ and ‘there’s no gravity in a vacuum’.
E21. This question was well answered. However, it was disappointing that a substantial minority
of candidates could not recall the equations correctly or complete a calculation without error
even when they had written the equation. A common error in part (a)(ii) was to leave the speed
in km/s rather than converting to mis. Most candidates had the right idea in part (a)(iii), but not all
were specific enough to gain credit. In part (b)(ii) many candidates were able to work out the
deceleration For those that did not, a common error was to use the orbital speed in the
calculation. A number of candidates either omitted, or did not know, the correct unit for
acceleration. In part (c)(ii) most candidates who had previously calculated the correct
deceleration went on to calculate the correct force. A number of candidates failed to make the
link between parts (b) and (c) and in the absence of any stated value for acceleration chose to
use 10 m/s . 2
E22. This question was generally well answered but most candidates managed to get at least
one part of (b) wrong. Very few candidates realised that force X would stay the same in part (b)
(iv). In part (c) many candidates failed to make a link between area and force Y.
E23. Although in part (a) the stem of the question clearly stated that the motorbike was moving,
and the artwork reinforced this image of movement, many candidates incorrectly stated that the
motorbike would be stationary. This was often followed by a statement that the motorbike would
go backwards. In part (b) few candidates were able to recall the equation for acceleration or the
correct unit. There were very few correct calculations. In part (c) most candidates were able to
describe and explain what would happen to a car braking on an icy road and also give factors
that could cause stopping distance to increase. However a number of candidates used imprecise
language which meant that answers could not gain credit.
E24. (a) There were many mistakes in this part of the question and almost total lack of
understanding in part (b). The word ‘acceleration’ made only rare appearances and the link
between it and resultant force seemed a mystery to all but a few candidates.
(b) In part (b)(ii) many candidates managed to suppress their common sense model of the
skydiver in favour of answers which suggested the skydiver was hovering motionless in
mid air.
E25. (a) (i) Most candidates were able to use the data and equation provided to produce a
numerical value for the weight of the toy but there were few responses which stated
the correct unit.
(ii) Most of the candidates were aware that the forces involved would need to be
balanced to enable the toy to hover.
(b) (i) Most candidates were able to explain the term ‘acceleration’ however, there were
many references to ‘move’, ‘increase’ etc without any elaboration.
(ii) This was question was generally answered correctly however, there were a number
of incorrect references to ‘south’.
(iii) Half of the candidates understood that the momentum would increase but few could
give a valid reason why.
E26. (a) Most candidates were aware that the stopping distance of 53 metres could be found
by adding the thinking distance and the braking distance. However, a significant number of
responses were noted where the candidates had multiplied the figures together, producing
a stopping distance of 570 metres. Candidates with this answer did not seem to appreciate
that this was an unrealistic value.
(b) (i) There were some excellent attempts at good quality curves. However, significant
numbers of candidates were careless, did not start at (0, 0) and many had lines
below the original curve, or cutting through it.
(ii) The majority of candidates scored both marks with few candidates unable to score at
least one mark.
(c) (i) The vast majority of candidates were able to correctly match the conditions to the
graph lines.
(ii) Many candidates achieved credit by identifying that the data for Driver C was derived
from the adverse effects of two conditions and that further tests would be required to
determine the relative effects of either condition to the driver’s reaction time.
E27. (a) (i) There were very few correct answers. Many candidates said it was the
accelerating force, but ignored that it may equal zero.
(ii) A very common error here was to suggest that a zero resultant force meant that the
plane was stationary (despite the question stating that the plane was moving).
(b) To gain full marks here, candidates had to rearrange the equation and substitute the
correct values – remembering to convert kN into newtons, and to include the effect of all 4
engines. They also had to quote the correct units. Each of these tasks provided a
substantial number of errors and only the better candidates did everything correctly.
(c) This question was poorly answered with the majority of candidates scoring no marks.
Candidates stating that the “resultant” force was increased as the plane gained speed.
While the idea of forces acting against motion was appreciated, few tried to explain that
these increased with an increase in speed. Many candidates thought the plane was lifting
into the air and answered in terms of ‘because it is lifting off the ground, it doesn’t need to
accelerate’.
E28. (a) This was well answered, the favourite wrong answers were: gravitational potential
energy and mass.
(b) (i) In general physics terms the idea of balanced and unbalanced forces seemed to be
quite well understood. However candidates often missed the first mark by talking
about gravity / weight/ L accelerating the ball-bearing with no reference to Force M.
The idea that Force M increases with the speed of the ball-bearing was understood.
A few candidates said that L reduced with time. Too many candidates lost the last
mark by stating ‘the forces start to balance / equal out / equal without stating that
when the ball falls at constant speed, Force L = Force M. A reasonable number of
better answers talked about zero resultant force.
These better responses often included correct statements about the resultant force
at the various stages in the fall, as well as higher level descriptions of how the
acceleration starts off large and reduces to zero.
(ii) Surprisingly only just over half the candidates could give the correct answer.
Afrequent incorrect response was ‘optimum speed’.
(iii) There were many well presented calculations using data correctly drawn from the
graph. Most wrong answers were due to candidates not realising the need to use the
straight line part of the graph. A smaller number of candidates obtained a wrong
answer because they took values from a single point on the graph. Too few
candidates (even when giving the correct answer) showed how they obtained the
values used. Quite a number of candidates failed to read the scale on the graph
correctly and subsequently calculated the wrong answer.
E31. (a) Many candidates were able to perform the calculation correctly but few candidates
were able to supply the correct unit. There were many instances where the candidates
substituted 1.2 m/s 2 into the equation and then went on to either use 1.2 or 1.2 × 2 in
2
their calculation.
(b) (i) It was disappointing that very few candidates gave the correct answer to this
question, the majority of the incorrect answers being mass, acceleration, momentum
and time.
(ii) Again there were very few correct answers. Most candidates thought that the use of
a line graph was to improve the presentational appearance of the data and to make
the data easier to understand.
(iii) Most candidates scored at least 2 marks, generally for choosing C and then stating
that the forces were equal or the arrows were the same length.
E32. (a) This question was well done with nearly all of the students scoring both marks.
(b) This question was not well answered for a variety of reasons. Some students simply did
not know where to start, whilst others tried using momentum. Also, many realised the need
to use the equation for kinetic energy, but were then unable to transform it or failed to
square root; 300 was a common incorrect answer. Few students stated that GPE = KE
although they used their answer from part (a) in the calculation. Only a tenth of students
were able to complete the calculation and give an answer with an appropriate number of
significant figures.
(c) Most students scored one mark for mentioning friction, but very few students were able to
give a complete explanation to score all three marks. The idea that work would be done
against friction was hardly ever mentioned. A significant number of students thought that
the reduced maximum speed was due to the change in angle of the slide and the slide
becoming horizontal.
E33. (a) Most students achieved two marks by calculating the correct numerical value. Less
than a fifth of students scored the third mark by stating the correct unit; the most common
error was to state that the weight was measured in kilograms.
(b) This was the Quality of Written Communication (QWC) question on the paper which
required the students to demonstrate their ability to use good English, organise their
information clearly and use specialist terms where appropriate. Many students were able
to supply some basic information as physics points, but often their responses lacked either
the structure and organisation or the logical sequencing to achieve Level 2 and score three
or four marks.
(c) (i) This question was answered well. The main errors were the height at which the
parachute was dropped (which was in the stem of the question,) or to state the
dependent variable.
(ii) Of the three parachutes illustrated, the correct choice of parachute C was made by
the vast majority of students, but there was less success in giving the reason in
terms of a comparison of the relative surface areas and relative rates of descent.
E34.(a) Most students gave a correct answer. The only common incorrect responses seen were
gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy.
(b) This was well answered with most students gaining at least two marks. Most students
identified that the car was accelerating and that the distance between the oil drops was
increasing. Fewer students appreciated that the oil drops falling at regular time intervals
was also relevant to confirming that the speed was increasing.
(c) (i) Over half of the students gave a relevant factor. Students failing to gain the mark
usually gave thinking time / distance or a factor that affects thinking distance.
(ii) Very few students were able to complete all the steps required in order to gain all
three marks. Many students failed to change the 3 kN value to 3000 N, but some of
these students went on to give an answer of 75 with the unit kJ and so did score full
marks. However it was more common for the answer 75 to have no unit attached or
an incorrect one, N/m being common.
E35.(a) Most students gave a correct answer. The only common incorrect responses seen were
gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy.
(b) This was well answered with most students gaining at least two marks. Most students
identified that the car was accelerating and that the distance between the oil drops was
increasing. Fewer students appreciated that the oil drops falling at regular time intervals
was also relevant to confirming that the speed was increasing.
(c) (i) Over half of the students gave a relevant factor. Students failing to gain the mark
usually gave thinking time / distance or a factor that affects thinking distance.
(ii) Very few students were able to complete all the steps required in order to gain all
three marks. Many students failed to change the 3 kN value to 3000 N, but some of
these students went on to give an answer of 75 with the unit kJ and so did score full
marks. However it was more common for the answer 75 to have no unit attached or
an incorrect one, N/m being common.