Motion along a straight line: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.4.1.3 Motion along a straight line, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 108 questions on Motion along a straight line, as a list

June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q05.2 (3 marks): Determine the gravitational potential energy gained by the lift during the first 1.5 s of the motion. [3 marks] gravitational potential energy = J
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q05.4 (3 marks): Determine the velocity of the object when it reaches ground level. [3 marks] velocity = m s−1
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): An object falls from rest. Air resistance is negligible. When the object has fallen through a distance x, its velocity is v. How does v vary with x? [1 mark] A
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): Figure 7 shows a car and trailer moving at 25 m s−1 at a distance s from traffic lights. Figure 7 The driver applies the brakes so that the car and trailer stop
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q06.1 (1 mark): The boy experiences freefall when he steps off the platform. During which part of the jump does the boy’s acceleration begin to decrease? Tick () one box. [1 m
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Determine TPQ. Assume that the time for each full oscillation of the blade is 0.42 s. [2 marks] TPQ = s
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (1 mark): Determine s. The scale of the graph paper is shown on Figure 5. [1 mark] s = m
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q01.4 (2 marks): Determine the acceleration a of the trolley. [2 marks] a = m s−2
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): The graph shows the variation with time t of the acceleration of an object moving in a straight line. When t = 0 the speed of the object is 4.0 m s−1. What is t
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): A horse starts walking from point X on a circular track of circumference 60 m. The speed of the horse is a constant 2.0 m s−1. What is the horse’s displacement
June 2023, Paper 1, Q02.1 (2 marks): The average speed for one of these runs was 343 m s−1. Calculate, in s, the time taken for the car to complete the other run. [2 marks] time = s
June 2023, Paper 1, Q02.4 (2 marks): Scientists recommend that the average deceleration of the driver of the car should be less than 3g. Deduce whether the average deceleration is less than 3g. [2
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q01.2 (1 mark): Figure 1 shows images produced in an experiment in which a bouncing ball is illuminated by a stroboscope. The stroboscope flashes at a constant frequency. Figur
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q01.3 (3 marks): In order to find g, a graph is plotted with values of H h n − on the y-axis. Suggest what is plotted on the x-axis. Go on to explain how g is determined from th
June 2023, Paper 3A, Q01.4 (3 marks): Determine u0. [3 marks] u0 = m s−1
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q05.5 (2 marks): Calculate the time taken for the helicopter to reach its maximum height from the instant the blades stop rotating. [2 marks] time = s
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q05.6 (2 marks): When the helicopter makes contact with the surface it has a velocity of 2.2 m s−1. Calculate h. [2 marks] h = m
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): A girl kicks a football vertically upwards at time t = 0 Air resistance is negligible. What is the variation of the vertical component of velocity v of the foot
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q26 (1 mark): A ball is dropped from a height h. The ball hits the ground with a velocity v. The ball is now dropped from a height of 2h. Air resistance is negligible. What i
June 2022, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): A ball is thrown vertically upwards and returns to its original position 2.4 s later. The effect of air resistance is negligible. What is the total distance tra
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.4 (3 marks): Determine the acceleration of the cyclist 10.0 s after she begins to go down the hill. [3 marks] acceleration = m s−2
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (2 marks): It can be shown that 2s = gt2. Determine a value for g using Gmax and Gmin. [2 marks] g = m s−2
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): Show that the athlete and chair accelerate towards the platform at approximately 5 m s−2. [1 mark]
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Calculate the speed of the athlete when her right foot makes initial contact with the platform. [2 marks] speed = m s−1
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q04.4 (3 marks): Determine the distance travelled by the athlete between C and D. [3 marks] distance travelled = m
November 2021, Paper 1, Q05.5 (5 marks): Figure 10 shows the variations with time of the vertical velocity of a ball with and without air resistance. Figure 10 Discuss the features of the motion of the
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): A vehicle travels on a straight road, starting at time t = 0 The graph shows how its velocity varies with time. What is the distance of the vehicle from its sta
November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.1 (3 marks): The speed limit for the motorway between the two cameras is 22 m s−1. Determine whether the average speed of the car exceeded this speed limit. [3 marks]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.2 (2 marks): Markings called chevrons are used on motorways. The chevron separation is designed to give a driver time to respond to any change in speed of the car in front.
November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.3 (4 marks): The chevron separation is based on the response time, not on the time taken for a car to stop. The brakes of a car are applied when its speed is 31 m s−1 and th
November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.4 (1 mark): Suggest why the chevron separation on motorways does not take into account the distance travelled as a car comes to rest after the brakes are applied. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Small water drops leave a tap with zero velocity at intervals of 0.20 s. They then fall freely 0.80 m to reach a horizontal surface. How far has a drop fallen w
November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q03.1 (2 marks): Figure 3 shows a golf ball at rest on a horizontal surface 1.3 m from a hole. Figure 3 A golfer hits the ball so that it moves horizontally with an initial velo
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): The diagram shows how the speed v of an object varies with time t. Which graph shows the variation of distance s with t for the object? [1 mark] A B C D A B C D
June 2019, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Two cars P and Q leave from the same point and travel in the same direction. Q leaves at time t = 0 and P leaves one second later. The figure shows the velocity
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q03.5 (2 marks): Figure 6 shows a stream of photons of light, emitted from the Sun, incident on a solar sail. A solar sail is an experimental spacecraft that uses photons of lig
June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.1 (3 marks): Determine the force decelerating the vehicle 2.0 s after entering the escape lane. [3 marks] force decelerating the vehicle = N
June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.2 (3 marks): Deduce whether a lane of length 85 m is long enough to stop the vehicle, assuming that the engineer’s graph is correct. [3 marks]
June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.4 (3 marks): An alternative to an escape lane containing gravel is an escape lane that consists of a ramp. An escape ramp is a straight road with a concrete surface that has
June 2018, Paper 1, Q01.5 (1 mark): Discuss whether an escape lane containing gravel or an escape ramp would provide the safer experience for the driver of the vehicle as it comes to rest. [1 mark
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): Table 1 gives measurements made with the light gates as shown in Figure 1. Table 1 Time to pass through first light gate / s Time to pass through second light g
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Two further sets of readings, A and B, are taken each with the light gates in different positions along the air track. Assume the acceleration is the same in ea
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (2 marks): Additional values for the acceleration of the air-track glider are obtained by further raising the end of the air track by using a stack consisting of identical
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.4 (1 mark): It can be shown that, for the apparatus used by the student, g is equal to where h is the thickness of each block used in the experiment. The student obtains a
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.5 (1 mark): Explain how you could find out, without drawing another graph, whether the data presented in the graph in Figure 2 support the suggestion that a is directly pro
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A girl is bouncing on a trampoline. Assuming that air resistance is negligible, her acceleration [1 mark] A is zero when she is at maximum height. B is constant
June 2017, Paper 1, Q06.4 (3 marks): In practice, for safety reasons there is a friction brake in the pulley that provides a resistive force to reduce the acceleration to 25% of the maximum possibl
June 2017, Paper 1, Q06.5 (2 marks): It takes 12 s to remove the blocks from the lower trolley and reload the upper trolley. Calculate the number of blocks that can be transferred to the lower leve
June 2017, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Which row gives two features of graphs that provide the same information? [1 mark] Feature 1 Feature 2 A Gradient of a displacement–time graph Area under a velo
June 2017, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): Which graph best represents the velocity–time graph for a ball that is dropped from rest and bounces repeatedly? [1 mark] A B C D
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (3 marks): A maximum is detected each time the mirror travels a distance equal to half a wavelength of the light. In one measurement 2.37 × 105 maxima are recorded as the
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (2 marks): Figure 10 is a graph that the gravimeter could produce to show how the distance travelled by the mirror varies with time as it falls. Figure 10 Determine the gr
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q03.5 (1 mark): State what this gradient represents. [1 mark]
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q01.6 (2 marks): The aircraft lands on the runway travelling at a speed of 68 m s–1 with the deflector plates acting. Calculate the distance the aircraft travels along the runwa
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): The velocity–time graph for a falling object is shown. Which of the following shows the corresponding acceleration–time graph? [1 mark] A B C D
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): A girl jogs at 2.0 m s–1 in a straight line for 30 seconds, turns around and returns to her starting point 20 seconds later. What is her average velocity and av
Specimen, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): What is the relationship between the distance y travelled by an object falling freely from rest and the time x the object has been falling? [1 mark] A y is prop
Specimen, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): An object falls freely from rest. After falling a distance d its velocity is v. What is its velocity after it has fallen a distance 2d? [1 mark] A 2 v B 4 v C 2
Specimen, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): The velocity of a vehicle varies with time as shown by the following graph. Which graph below represents how the resultant force F on the car varies during the
Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.1 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows a system that separates two minerals from the ore containing them using an electric field. Figure 1 The crushed particles of the two different mi
Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.4 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows a system that separates two minerals from the ore containing them using an electric field. Figure 1 The crushed particles of the two different mi
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q01.6 (3 marks): This question is about measuring the acceleration of free fall g. A student undertakes an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall. Figure 1 shows a
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q01.8 (3 marks): This question is about measuring the acceleration of free fall g. A student undertakes an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall. Figure 1 shows a
June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(d) (3 marks): In one particular descent, the descent module has its speed reduced to 5.5 m s–1 by parachutes. The descent module also releases its empty tanks and shield to r
June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q5 (6 marks): A fully-loaded lorry transporting water starts from rest and travels along a straight road. Figure 7 is a graph showing how the speed of the lorry varies with t
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that the speed of the ball is about 4 m s–1 just before it strikes the ground. [3 marks]
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): The ball is released at time t = 0. It hits the ground at time tA and is caught at time tB. On Figure 1, sketch a velocity–time graph for the vertical motion of
June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the average acceleration during the 4.6 s time interval. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [2 marks] acceleration = m
June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): The athlete in Figure 2 slides horizontally through the sand a distance of 0.35m before stopping. Calculate the time taken for the athlete to stop. Assume the h
June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): On Figure 5, sketch the velocity-time graph you would expect to see for steel ball B. Assume air resistance is negligible. Figure 5 (3 marks) velocity 0 0 time
January 2013, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): When P and Q are released from rest and allowed to fall freely through a vertical distance of 1.0m, they each take 0.45s to do so. Justify this time value and e
January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c) (2 marks): Calculate the time taken for the diver to fall 54m. Ignore the effects of air resistance. time = s (2 marks)
January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a) (3 marks): The snowboarder travels 1.5m from B to C in a time of 0.43s and her velocity down the slope at C is 5.0ms–1. Calculate her velocity down the slope at B. velocit
June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b) (3 marks): Galileo then imagined that the track was changed, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 The slope beyond B was now horizontal. On the axes below, sketch a speed – time
June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate her average acceleration over this distance. answer = ms–2 (2 marks)
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): The cyclist begins at rest at A and accelerates uniformly to a speed of 6.7ms–1 at B. The distance between A and B is 50m. Calculate the time taken for the cycl
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): On the axes below, sketch the velocity-time graph for the horizontal motion of the aircraft as it accelerates from zero to its maximum horizontal velocity. (2 m
January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(c) (1 mark): State how a velocity-time graph could be used to find the maximum acceleration. (1 mark) Turn to page 10 for the next question
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State which feature of a displacement-time graph represents the velocity. (1 mark)
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): On the axes below, draw the shape of the velocity-time graph for the ball between t0 and t2. The starting point is labelled X. (3 marks) t0 t1 t2 velocity X 0 t
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): The computer calculated a value of 3.10ms–1 for the velocity of the card as it travelled through the light gate. Calculate a value for the acceleration due to g
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the average acceleration of the train. answer = ms–2 (2 marks)
June 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the distance the train moves while accelerating from rest to 58ms–1. answer = m (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q3(a) (6 marks): Describe the procedure the student should follow, including the measurements he should make, when using this arrangement. Explain how he should use the measurem
January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): What value does this result give for the acceleration of the cylinder down the slope, assuming the acceleration is constant? answer = ms–2 (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the time for the Lunar Module to slow to the required horizontal velocity of 150ms–1. Assume the mass remained constant. answer = s (2 marks)
January 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q5(c) (2 marks): When the Lunar Module was 1.2 m from the lunar surface, the rocket was switched off. At this point the vertical velocity was 0.80ms–1. Calculate the vertical ve
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a) (2 marks): Explain why using an inclined plane rather than free fall would produce data which is valid when investigating the motion of a falling object. (2 marks)
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(c) (2 marks): In this experiment, the following data was obtained. A graph of the data is shown below it. time/pendulum swings distance travelled/m 1 0.29 2 1.22 3 2.70 4 4.8
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(d) (3 marks): Each complete pendulum swing had a period of 1.4s. Use the graph on page 6 to find the speed of the trolley after it had travelled 3.0m. answer = ms-1 (3 marks)
June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q4(d) (2 marks): As she accelerates upwards again from position A, she is in contact with the trampoline for a further 0.26 s. Calculate the average acceleration she would exper
January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i) (3 marks): Show that the horizontal velocity of the ball between positions D and G in Figure 1 is about 45ms–1. (3 marks)
January 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the horizontal acceleration of the ball between A and D. answer = ms–2 (1 mark)
June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the time taken by the cyclist to travel this distance. answer s (3 marks)
June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the time taken, to, by the ball to fall to the liquid surface from the point where it is released. Give your answer to an appropriate number of signif
June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the velocity, νo, of the ball on reaching the liquid. answer m s –1 (2 marks)
January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (5 marks): Draw a graph of speed on the y-axis against time on the x-axis on the grid provided. (5 marks)
January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): State and explain what feature of the graph shows that the car’s deceleration was uniform. (2 marks)
January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (4 marks): Use your graph to calculate the distance the car travelled after the lights turned red to when it stopped. Answer m (4 marks)
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(a) (3 marks): 1 (a) With reference to the graph describe, without calculation, how the acceleration of the falling object changes over the first 16 s. You may be awarded addi
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(c) (3 marks): 1 (c) Use the graph to determine the acceleration of the object 5.0 s after it was released. (3 marks)
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(d) (2 marks): 1 (d) Show that the distance fallen in the first 16 s is approximately 430 m. (2 marks)
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q5(a) (2 marks): 5 (a) Passenger A steps on the moving walkway and walks 20 m along its surface. The time taken to walk this distance is 8.0 s. Calculate, 5 (a) (i) the velocity
January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q5(b) (3 marks): 5 (b) Figure 4 shows a passenger B who is not on the walkway and is initially level with passenger A. Figure 4 passenger A passenger B 1.5 m s –1 1.0 m s –1 Pas
June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q3(a) (3 marks): 3 (a) Describe the motion of the car for the 50 s period. You may be awarded additional marks to those shown in brackets for the in your answer. (3 marks)
June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q3(b) (4 marks): 3 (b) The mass of the car is 1200 kg. Calculate for the first 20 s of motion, 3 (b) (i) the change in momentum of the car, 3 (b) (ii) the rate of change of mome
June 2008, PA10 (2008 spec), Q1(a) (3 marks): 1 (a) Calculate the speed and kinetic energy of the car before the brakes are applied. (3 marks)
January 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q5(a) (3 marks): (a) Calculate (i) the initial acceleration of the aircraft, (ii) the minimum length of runway required, assuming the acceleration is constant. (3 marks)

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