Rotational dynamics: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

Every AQA A-Level Physics exam question on 3.11.1 Rotational dynamics, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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Q01.1
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.2
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.3
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
1 mark3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.4
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.1
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.2
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
1 mark3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.3
June 2025 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.1
June 2024 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.2
June 2024 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
6 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.1
June 2024 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.2
June 2024 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
3 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.3
June 2024 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.1
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.2
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.3
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q01.4
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
1 mark3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.1
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.2
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.3
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
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Q02.4
June 2023 · Paper 3 Engineering physics
2 marks3.11.1 Rotational dynamics
The whole paper ↗

All 70 questions on Rotational dynamics, as a list

June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (2 marks): Determine t1. [2 marks] t1 = s
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (2 marks): Determine the number of anticlockwise revolutions made by the rotor between t1 and t2. [2 marks] number of revolutions =
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (1 mark): The moment of inertia of the rotor about the axis of rotation is 9.60 × 10−2 kg m2. Calculate the angular impulse on the rotor between t = 0 and t2. [1 mark] an
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (3 marks): Another way of quickly stopping the motor is to use a disc brake. The motor is brought to rest by switching off the power supply and then forcing two brake pads
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (3 marks): The moment of inertia I of any rolling object about its axis of rotation is given by I = Amr2 where A is a constant that depends on the shape of the object m is
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (1 mark): Explain why the hollow sphere Q has a greater moment of inertia about its axis of rotation than the solid sphere P. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (3 marks): Figure 5 shows all four objects at rest at the top of a slope. They are released at the same time and roll down the slope without slipping. Figure 5 Deduce the
June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (3 marks): Figure 1 shows a propeller unit fixed to the centre of the turntable. The propeller unit consists of a motor-driven propeller and a battery. The propeller and t
June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (6 marks): Figure 2 shows an arrangement used to determine the moment of inertia of the turntable. Figure 2 A small steel mass is held by an electromagnet above the top su
June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (3 marks): The total angular displacement of the platform is 2.52 rad during the movement of the bucket. Show that ωmax is about 0.9 rad s−1. [3 marks]
June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (3 marks): Torque must be applied to the platform to change its angular velocity and to overcome friction at the platform bearing. Show that the torque applied to the plat
June 2024, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (2 marks): Deduce whether the maximum power applied to the platform occurs at the same time of 2.1 s. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (2 marks): One equation used in translational dynamics is: force = mass × acceleration State in words the equivalent equation used in rotational dynamics. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (2 marks): State and explain which plate has the greater moment of inertia about its axis of rotation. [2 marks] An electric motor drives a machine that punches out plates
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (2 marks): A new flywheel with a greater moment of inertia is fitted in place of the original flywheel. The motor torque is constant and the same as before. Sketch on Figu
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (1 mark): Explain one difference between your graph and the original graph. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (2 marks): Explain why the torque applied to the axle varies as the operator pushes downwards on the pedal. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (2 marks): The wheel is rotating at a high angular speed. The operator is told not to use the pedal to stop the rotation of the wheel suddenly. Explain, with reference to
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (2 marks): The connecting link breaks. At this instant the angular speed of the wheel is 13.8 rad s−1. It takes 15.0 s for the wheel to come to rest. The frictional torque
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.4 (2 marks): Figure 4 also shows a tool being sharpened by pressing it on the edge of the rotating wheel. The tool applies a tangential force F on the wheel. A torque of 3.1
June 2023, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.5 (3 marks): Three motors E, F and G were available to drive the wheel in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows how the torque T varies with angular speed ω for each motor. Figure 5 The
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (2 marks): Determine the mean angular velocity of the rotor during the 12 s period. [2 marks] mean angular velocity = rad s−1
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (1 mark): Calculate the power output of the driving mechanism during the first 2 s shown in Figure 2. [1 mark] power output = W
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (3 marks): Calculate the maximum torque applied by the driving mechanism to the rotor during the 12 s period. [3 marks] maximum torque = N m
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (1 mark): Calculate the magnitude of the angular impulse on the rotor between t = 2.0 s and t = 7.0 s. [1 mark] angular impulse = N m s
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.5 (1 mark): Which graph best shows the variation of the torque T applied to the rotor for the 12 s period? Tick () one box. A copy of Figure 2 is provided to help you. [1
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (3 marks): Calculate the minimum angular speed of the flywheel when the tram leaves stop A so that the tram reaches stop B using only energy stored in the flywheel. [3 mar
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (2 marks): Between stops C and D the tram travels downhill. Suggest two advantages of keeping the flywheel connected to the driving wheels when the tram travels downhill.
June 2022, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (6 marks): The same tram is to be used on a track where the stops are further apart, so the flywheel system needs to be modified. Discuss the design features of the flywhe
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (3 marks): Explain why the moment of inertia about the axis of rotation decreases when his knees are moved towards his chest. Go on to explain the effect this has on his a
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (1 mark): Calculate the angular speed ω of the gymnast in position 1. [1 mark] ω = rad s−1
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (2 marks): The gymnast stays in the tuck for 1.2 s. Determine the number of complete rotations performed by the gymnast when in the tuck during the dismount. [2 marks] num
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (4 marks): The gymnast repeats the exercise. The height of the bar remains unchanged. State and explain two actions the gymnast can take to complete more rotations during
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (3 marks): The yo-yo accelerates uniformly as it falls from rest. The string remains taut and has negligible thickness. mass of yo-yo = 9.2 × 10−2 kg radius of axle = 5.0
November 2021, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (3 marks): The yo-yo falls further until all the string is unwound. The yo-yo then ‘sleeps’. This means the yo-yo continues to rotate in a loose loop of string as shown in
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (1 mark): State what is meant by the moment of inertia of an object about an axis. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (4 marks): A student does an experiment using the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 A solid disc pulley of mass M and radius R is supported in bearings which have negl
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (3 marks): The student repeats the experiment using a spoked pulley of the same mass and radius, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 Compare the acceleration of the load in thi
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (1 mark): State the condition necessary so that the law of conservation of angular momentum applies to a rotating system. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (3 marks): Figure 3 shows two shafts, A and B, rotating freely about the same axis. Table 1 gives information about the two shafts. Figure 3 Table 1 Shaft A Shaft B Angula
November 2020, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (3 marks): Table 2 gives information about two clutches, C and D. C and D provide different constant frictional torques during slipping at the clutch discs. Table 2 Clutch
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (2 marks): When the punch reaches the metal sheet, the rotational speed of the arms is 2.9 rev s−1. At this speed the rotational kinetic energy of the rotating parts is 10
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (2 marks): The total mass of the screw, punch and arms is the same as the total mass of the two balls. Explain why the moment of inertia of the screw, punch and arms about
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (3 marks): During the punching of the metal sheet, the rotating parts of the fly-press are brought uniformly to rest from an initial rotational speed of 2.9 rev s−1 in a t
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (3 marks): For thicker or stiffer metal sheets the rotational kinetic energy at 2.9 rev s−1 is not enough to punch out the shape. The distance from the axis of rotation to
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.5 (1 mark): Which of the following is the SI unit for angular impulse? Tick () one box. [1 mark] N m s−1 N s N m s kg m2 s−2
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (1 mark): State what is represented by the area between the curve and the angle axis for a turning moment diagram. [1 mark]
June 2019, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (6 marks): The diesel engine or the electric motor may be used to drive a machine that has a low moment of inertia and that requires an almost constant torque. Discuss why
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (1 mark): State the law of conservation of angular momentum. [1 mark]
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows an orbiting satellite fitted with two small instrument pods attached to the ends of telescopic arms. The arms can be extended or retracted by a m
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (3 marks): The satellite is initially rotating slowly about its axis with the arms fully extended. The arms are slowly retracted so that the instrument pods move closer to
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (3 marks): The satellite is initially rotating at 1.3 rad s−1 with the telescopic arms fully extended. When fully retracted the instrument pods are at a radius of 0.74 m f
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (1 mark): State one function of a flywheel. [1 mark]
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (3 marks): A student does an experiment to determine the frictional torque acting at the bearings of a steel flywheel. The flywheel has a radius of 0.075 m and is perfectl
June 2018, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (3 marks): The student goes on to determine the moment of inertia of the flywheel. The magnet is removed and the flywheel is made to spin. Measurements show that the flywh
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1 (2 marks): There is an analogy between quantities in rotational and translational dynamics. Complete Table 1, stating in words the quantities in rotational dynamics that a
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (1 mark): The load is at a distance of 35 m from the axis of rotation. Show that the total moment of inertia of the jib, and the trolley and load, about the axis of rotat
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (2 marks): Figure 2 shows the variation of angular speed of the jib as it turns through an angle of 4.7 rad (270°) in a total time of 95 s. The trolley and load remain at
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (3 marks): At time X in Figure 2 the motor that is driving the jib is disengaged. A constant braking torque is then applied to bring the jib to a standstill from its maxim
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (1 mark): Calculate the input torque. [1 mark] torque = N m
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (2 marks): Gear C rotates four times for every one revolution of gear B. Deduce whether it is possible for the torque on gear C to be greater than one quarter of the input
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (2 marks): It takes 2.1 s for the empty basket to reach an angular speed of 76 rad s–1. The torque on gear C is a constant 0.054 N m during this time. Frictional losses ar
June 2017, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.4 (3 marks): The gears are made from polymer (plastic). An early version of this salad spinner suffered from damaged gear teeth. Explain with reference to angular impulse wh
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.1: Figure 1 shows a satellite with three solar panels folded in close to the satellite’s axi for the journey into space in the hold of a cargo space craft. Just be
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.2 (3 marks): Figure 1 shows a satellite with three solar panels folded in close to the satellite’s axi for the journey into space in the hold of a cargo space craft. Just be
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.3 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows a satellite with three solar panels folded in close to the satellite’s axi for the journey into space in the hold of a cargo space craft. Just be
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q01.4 (2 marks): Figure 1 shows a satellite with three solar panels folded in close to the satellite’s axi for the journey into space in the hold of a cargo space craft. Just be
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.1 (2 marks): Figure 3 shows an experiment to determine the moment of inertia of a bicycle wheel One end of a length of strong thread is attached to the tyre. The thread is w
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.2 (3 marks): Figure 3 shows an experiment to determine the moment of inertia of a bicycle wheel One end of a length of strong thread is attached to the tyre. The thread is w
Specimen, Paper 3 Engineering physics, Q02.3 (2 marks): Figure 3 shows an experiment to determine the moment of inertia of a bicycle wheel One end of a length of strong thread is attached to the tyre. The thread is w

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