plumiElastic and inelastic collisions, Ek = p²/2m: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions
Edexcel International A Level Physics past-paper questions on 4.3.1.3 Elastic and inelastic collisions, Ek = p²/2m, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 24 questions on Elastic and inelastic collisions, Ek = p²/2m, as a list
- June 2025, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): In a nuclear fission reaction, a nucleus splits into a nucleus S, a nucleus T and several neutrons. S and T have the same kinetic energy. T has twice the mass o
- October 2024, Unit 4, Q6 (1 mark): An electron has a kinetic energy of 3.5 × 10–28 J. Which of the following gives the momentum of the electron in kg m s–1? 28 2 (3.5 10 ) A 31 2 9.11 10 31 2 B (
- October 2024, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): A moving trolley collides with a stationary trolley and they move off together. Frictional forces are negligible and the collision is inelastic. Which row of th
- June 2024, Unit 4, Q15(b)(ii) (5 marks): Deduce whether the collision was elastic. mass of each puck = 0.110 kg (5)
- January 2024, Unit 4, Q20(b)(ii) (3 marks): The kinetic energy of the alpha particle before the collision was 9.01 × 10 Deduce whether the collision was elastic. (3)
- October 2023, Unit 4, Q19(b) (3 marks): Deduce whether the collision was elastic. Your answer should include a calculation. (3)
- June 2023, Unit 4, Q14(b) (4 marks): Deduce whether the collision was elastic. mass of alpha particle = 6.64 × 10 –27 kg (4)
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q8 (1 mark): A non-relativistic particle of mass m has momentum p and kinetic energy Ek . A second non-relativistic particle of mass m 2 has momentum 2p. Which of the follow
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q14(b)(i) (3 marks): Deduce whether the values show an elastic collision. (3)
- October 2022, Unit 4, Q9 (1 mark): An object of mass m has momentum p and kinetic energy E. Which of the following is the mass of an object with momentum 2p and kinetic energy 4E? A 1 2 m B m C 2
- October 2022, Unit 4, Q16(b)(ii) (4 marks): Deduce whether the collision is elastic. speed of heel before collision = 5.0 m s –1 (4)
- June 2022, Unit 4, Q12(a) (1 mark): This collision was inelastic. State what is meant by inelastic. (1)
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): Which of the following is the kinetic energy of trolley X before the collision? A 0.5 J B 1 J C 2 J D 4 J
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q4 (1 mark): Which row of the table is correct for this collision? Momentum Elastic or inelastic collision A conserved elastic B conserved inelastic C not conserved elastic
- October 2021, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): Which row of the table identifies what happens to momentum and kinetic energy in an elastic collision? Momentum Kinetic energy A conserved conserved B conserved
- October 2021, Unit 4, Q3 (1 mark): A particle of mass m has kinetic energy Ek and momentum p. A second particle of mass 2m has kinetic energy 2Ek. Both particles are non‑relativistic. Which of th
- October 2021, Unit 5, Q13(b) (4 marks): A textbook states that the kinetic energy gained by the alpha particle when a nucleus of thorium‑228 decays is equal to 5.4 MeV. Comment on this statement. Your
- June 2021, Unit 4, Q7 (1 mark): A sphere travelling at speed v collides elastically with an identical sphere which is at rest. After the collision, both spheres move off at an angle θ to the d
- June 2021, Unit 4, Q12(a) (2 marks): The kinetic energy of a non-relativistic particle of mass m with momentum p is given by p2 Ek = 2m Derive this formula. (2)
- June 2021, Unit 4, Q12(b) (4 marks): A mercury ion with kinetic energy 6.42 × 10–15 J leaves a drift tube, as shown. drift tube drift tube path of mercury ion Calculate the momentum of the mercury
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): A particle of mass m has momentum p and kinetic energy Ek. A second particle of mass m/2 has momentum 2p. What is the kinetic energy of the second particle? A E
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q17(b)(ii) (3 marks): Deduce whether this was an elastic collision. (3)
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q13(b) (5 marks): Initially the spring was fully compressed. As the toy was released, the head accelerated upwards on its own until the spring was uncompressed. The head then pul
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q13(c) (2 marks): Determine whether kinetic energy was conserved as the head began to pull the base upwards. (2)
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