plumiScalars and vectors: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.3
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ03.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ03.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ07.1
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 74 questions on Scalars and vectors, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): A ramp is inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal. A block of weight 240 N is pushed up the ramp by a 25.0 N force. This force acts parallel to the ramp. The b
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q05.1 (4 marks): Determine the extension of Q. [4 marks] extension = m
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): A mass m is suspended from a point P by a light string. A force F acts horizontally on m so that the string makes an angle θ to the vertical position. The syste
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.1 (4 marks): Figure 4 is a force diagram drawn to scale. It represents the magnitudes and directions of the tensions T1 and T2 in the cable when O is at rest in the position
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A force of magnitude F acts on a box of mass m that moves along a frictionless slope. The slope is at an angle α to the horizontal and the force acts at an angl
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (3 marks): The vertical force PV is 762 N. The resultant of PH and PV is 912 N. Determine v1. [3 marks] v1 = m s−1
- 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 2024, AS Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): A mass is held stationary by two cables X and Y. The tension in X is 390 N. What is the tension in Y? [1 mark] A 145 N B 380 N C 390 N D 460 N
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q31 (1 mark): Three non-parallel coplanar forces act on a body. Which is not required for the forces to be in equilibrium? [1 mark] A The sum of the forces in any direction m
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Which is a pair of vectors? [1 mark] A weight and work B force and energy C displacement and momentum D acceleration and power
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): A heavy uniform trapdoor is hinged to the floor. It is held open by a rope as shown. Which arrow shows the direction of the reaction force of the hinge on the t
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): Figure 5 is a simplified diagram of the bow string showing the forces acting on P. The tension in the string is T and the string makes an angle of 75° to the ho
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q09 (1 mark): P and Q represent displacements. What is the resultant displacement when P and Q are added? [1 mark] A B C D
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q03.2 (2 marks): Calculate the tension in the horizontal cable C when the gate is closed. [2 marks] tension = N
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q03.3 (2 marks): Pulley M is pulled to the left as the gate is opened. Explain why this increases the tension in the horizontal cable C. [2 marks]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): An aeroplane flies horizontally at 150 m s−1 along a bearing 60° east of north. How far north from its starting position is the aeroplane after one hour? [1 mar
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.1 (1 mark): Figure 8 shows a cyclist going up a hill. Figure 8 The angle θ of the slope of the hill is constant. The total mass m of the cyclist and bicycle is 65 kg. Write
- 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, Q21 (1 mark): Which is a scalar quantity? [1 mark] A force B kinetic energy C momentum D velocity
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): The diagram shows a vector diagram of two forces acting on an object. The diagram is drawn to scale. The magnitude of the smaller force is 5.0 N. What is the ma
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (4 marks): Determine, using a scale diagram, θ and the magnitude of U. [4 marks] θ = ° magnitude of U = N
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): Calculate the tension in the wire when W is 1.0 N. [2 marks] tension = N It can be shown that 2 3 EAy W k y x = + where E = Young modulus of the metal A = 1.11
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): Show that the magnitude of F is approximately 70 N. [1 mark]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.5 (4 marks): At bends on motorways the road is sloped so that a car is less likely to slide out of its lane when travelling at a high speed. Figure 7 shows a car of mass 120
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q03.2 (1 mark): Later, the golf ball lands in a sandpit. The golfer hits the ball, giving it an initial velocity u at 35° to the horizontal, as shown in Figure 4. The horizonta
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q03.1 (2 marks): In Figure 6 the camera is stationary. The tension in A is 430 N and A makes an angle of 35° to the horizontal. B makes an angle of 12° to the horizontal. Calcul
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (3 marks): The camera is moved horizontally to the right to a new stationary position. The tension in A is now different from that in Figure 6. Deduce whether the tension
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q17 (1 mark): Which row describes charge and impulse? [1 mark] Charge Impulse A scalar scalar B scalar vector C vector scalar D vector vector
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): An object is in equilibrium when acted on by three coplanar forces. Which free-body diagram is correct? Each diagram is drawn to scale. [1 mark] A B C D A B C D
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q05.2 (3 marks): The test vehicle hits a steel safety barrier at an angle of 20°, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 Calculate the component of the momentum of the test vehicle in a
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q04.5 (2 marks): A student measures the angle θ when the apparatus in Figure 3 is at equilibrium. The student records θ as 7°. Discuss whether this measurement is consistent wit
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q03.1 (4 marks): Show that the downward force F exerted by the clamp on the loaded cage is about 6 × 104 N. [4 marks]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): A uniform picture is suspended from a string which passes over a smooth nail. The tension in the string is T and the weight of the picture is 20 N. What is T? [
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): Which row contains vector quantities only? [1 mark] A acceleration mass B displacement momentum C energy force D distance speed
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q05.2 (3 marks): Determine the tension in each rope that supports the acrobats. [3 marks] tension = N
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Three coplanar forces F1, F2 and F3 act on a point object. Which combination of forces can never produce a resultant force of zero? [1 mark] F1 / N F2 / N F3 /
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.4 (2 marks): A small rubber ball coated with a conducting paint carries a positive charge. The ball is suspended in equilibrium from a vertical wall by an uncharged non-cond
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): State two necessary conditions for the beam to be in equilibrium. [2 marks] Condition 1 Condition 2
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (4 marks): The weight of the beam is 12 000 N Calculate the tension T1 in cable AB and the tension T2 in cable AC. [4 marks] T1 = N T2 = N
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): A car’s engine produces a useful output power of 6.5 × 104 W The car of mass 950 kg is moving up a hill at a steady speed. The slope of the hill is 12° to the h
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): An aircraft is flying due north through still air with a speed v The aircraft enters a region where the wind is blowing with a speed u from a direction which ma
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): The forces acting on the ladder are in equilibrium. Draw an arrow on Figure 7 to show the direction of the resultant force from the ground acting on the ladder.
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q06.1 (1 mark): The tension in the wire when the trolleys are moving is T. Draw and label arrows on Figure 9 to represent the magnitudes and directions of any forces and compon
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q03.3 (1 mark): Calculate the force that gravity exerts on the wheelchair and its user parallel to the slope. [1 mark] force parallel to the slope = N
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q05.2 (1 mark): The cables that support each mast are at an angle of 65° to the horizontal. Calculate the tension in each supporting cable so that there is no resultant horizon
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Which row correctly states whether momentum, mass and velocity are scalar or vector quantities? [1 mark] Momentum Mass Velocity A scalar scalar vector B vector
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q01.4 (2 marks): When an aircraft lands, its jet engines exert a decelerating force on the aircraft by making use of deflector plates. These cause the air leaving the engines to
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): Which is a scalar quantity? [1 mark] A momentum B weight C power D moment
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Two forces of 6 N and 10 N act at a point. Which of the following could not be the magnitude of the result? [1 mark] A 16 N B 8 N C 5 N D 3 N 1 9
- June 2015, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (2 marks): Indicate with ticks () in Table 1 which of the quantities are vectors and which are scalars. [2 marks] Table 1 Velocity Speed Distance Displacement vector scal
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a) (2 marks): The angle of the track at B is 25º to the horizontal. Calculate the component of the weight of the car and passengers acting along the slope when the car and pa
- June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the glider is about 6100N. (2 marks)
- June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the angle between this resultant force and the horizontal. angle degrees (2 marks)
- January 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the component of the weight of the snowboarder and snowboard acting down the slope. weight component = N (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i): State two vector quantities. vector quantity 1 vector quantity 2
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): State two scalar quantities. scalar quantity 1 scalar quantity 2 (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Name the two forces B and C that also act on the helicopter. B C (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): The force vectors are also shown arranged as a triangle in Figure 1b. State and explain how Figure 1b shows that the helicopter is moving at a constant velocity
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c) (3 marks): The lift force, A, is 9.5kN and acts at an angle of 74° to the horizontal. Calculate the weight of the helicopter. Give your answer to an appropriate number of
- January 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q1(c) (2 marks): The angle of the cable to the horizontal is one of the factors that affects the horizontal force exerted by the sail on the ship. State two other factors that w
- June 2011, PHYA4 Section A (old spec), Q1 (1 mark): Which line, A to D, in the table shows correctly whether the moment of a force, and momentum, are scalar or vector quantities? moment of force momentum A scalar
- January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): On Figure 4, mark and label the forces that act on the ball when in this position. (2 marks)
- January 2011, PHYA4 Section B (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The mass of the ball is 4.8 × 10–4kg. By considering the equilibrium of the ball, determine the value of θ. answer = degrees (3 marks)
- January 2011, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(iv) (4 marks): By calculation or scale drawing, find the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the cannonball just before it hit the ship. velocity = ms–1 direction = (4
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the component of the weight acting along the slope is about 0.06N. (2 marks)
- June 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Assume the tension in each of the four lifting cables is the same. Calculate the tension in each cable when the container is lifted at constant velocity. answer
- January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity. (1 mark)
- January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): State two examples of a scalar quantity and two examples of a vector quantity. scalar quantities vector quantities (3 marks)
- January 2009, PHYA2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of this force. horizontal component of force kN vertical component of force kN (2 marks)
- January 2009, PA02 (2008 spec), Q4(b) (7 marks): 4 (b) Figure 2 shows the forces acting on a uniform ladder, AB, resting against a smooth vertical wall. The angle between the ladder and the wall is 30°. Figure
- June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q1(a) (4 marks): 1 (a) (i) State two conditions necessary for an object to be in equilibrium. 1 (a) (ii) For each condition state the consequence if the condition is not met. (4
- June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q2(b) (2 marks): 2 (b) The mass of the sledge is 4.5 kg. Calculate the component of W, 2 (b) (i) parallel to the slope, 2 (b) (ii) perpendicular to the slope, (2 marks)
- June 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q2(c) (2 marks): 2 (c) State the values of F and R. F R (2 marks)
- January 2008, PA02 (2008 spec), Q5(c) (2 marks): (c) After taking off, the aircraft climbs at an angle of 22° to the ground. The thrust from the engines remains at 1.9 × 10 5 N. Calculate (i) the horizontal co
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.