Vectors and projectiles: Edexcel International A Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Physics exam question on Vectors and projectiles (specification points 4–7), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 84 questions on Vectors and projectiles, as a list

June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3 (1 mark): The diagram shows a ball of mass m moving at speed v along a horizontal table. v The ball leaves the table. The time taken between the ball leaving the table an
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q7 (1 mark): The forces acting on a helicopter are shown. The helicopter is represented by the dot. 14 500 N 200 N Not to scale 15 000 N Which of the following expressions g
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q12(a) (2 marks): At the end of the path, the magnitude of the displacement from the start is less than the distance travelled by the person. Describe why the displacement is les
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q13 (3 marks): In a game of basketball, points are scored by throwing a ball so that it falls through a hoop. The rules state that the distance d between the hoop and the floo
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q18(b) (2 marks): A student pulls sphere A, so the string is at an angle of 38° to the vertical, as shown. The student then releases sphere A. 38 direction of acceleration Determ
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3 (1 mark): A physical quantity can be either a scalar or a vector. Which row of the table is correct for acceleration and work done? Acceleration Work done A scalar scalar
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q12 (3 marks): A person on skis slides down a slope. The slope is at an angle of 14° to the horizontal. The initial speed of the person is 7.1 m s −1, as shown. –1 7.1 m s 14
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q18(a) (5 marks): The engine of the submarine produced a horizontal force of 70 N. The drag force on the submarine was 43 N at an angle of 25° to the horizontal, as shown. 70 N N
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q19(a)(i) (3 marks): Show that the projectile was vertically above the ship about 30 s after launch. You should ignore the effects of air resistance. (3)
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q19(a)(ii) (4 marks): Determine the height above sea level of the projectile as it passed over the ship. You should ignore the effects of air resistance. (4) Height above sea level =
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q19(b) (4 marks): The scientists launched several more projectiles. Each projectile was launched at the same speed but at a different angle to the horizontal. As the launch angle
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which row of the table gives two vector quantities? A acceleration weight B displacement kinetic energy C strain velocity D Young modulus mass
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): Two boats, A and B, are pulling a ship. Each boat is attached to the ship by a rope, as shown. A forwards 31 ship 27 B The force from boat A on the ship is FA .
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q11 (2 marks): Two forces act on an object. The forces are perpendicular, as shown. 1200 N Not to scale 2300 N Determine the magnitude of the resultant force using a scaled ve
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q15(b)(ii) (5 marks): After passing over the bar, the athlete moves through a vertical distance of 1.4 m before he lands. Calculate the velocity of the athlete as he lands. (5) Magni
October 2024, Unit 4, Q2 (1 mark): Which of the following is not the unit of a vector quantity? A kg m–3 B m s–2 C N C –1 D N s
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which of the following expressions gives a vector quantity? A density × volume B force × distance moved in direction of force C mass × velocity D power × time Q
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(a) (2 marks): Show that the vertical component of the stone’s initial velocity is about 5 m s –1. that the horizontal component is about 4 m s (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(b) (3 marks): Show that the greatest height above the surface of the water reached by the stone is about 3 m. (3)
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q17(c) (4 marks): The inside of the tyre is 0.8 m in diameter and is 3.9 m from the side of the water, as shown. Not to scale 6.3 m s–1 55 child 1.25 m tyre 0.8 m surface of wate
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q19(b)(ii) (4 marks): There is a force on the wheel from the wire of 800 N. The angle between the force from the cable and the 800 N force from the wire is 150°. Determine the magnit
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): State one control variable for this investigation. (1)
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which row of the table only contains vector quantities? A acceleration momentum weight B density time work done C displacement mass velocity D force kinetic ene
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q12(a) (3 marks): Show that the time taken for the dart to reach the dartboard is about 0.14 s. (3)
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q12(b) (2 marks): Calculate the horizontal distance D travelled by the dart. (2) D =
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): A quantity is either a scalar or a vector. Which row of the table is correct? Scalar Vector A energy momentum B displacement acceleration C time mass D velocity
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q13(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that the time taken for a ball to reach the ground is about 0.7 s. (2)
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q13(a)(ii) (2 marks): The ball lands on the ground at a horizontal distance of 17.89 m from the machine. Calculate the velocity of the ball as it is projected from the machine. (2) V
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q13(b) (3 marks): The initial velocity of the ball, as it is projected from the machine, can be increased. Explain how increasing the initial velocity would affect the angle at w
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q14(a) (4 marks): A person keeps the cable stationary by applying a force F of 121 N. Determine the magnitude of the tension T in the cable using a scaled vector diagram. (4) T =
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is a vector quantity? A efficiency B kinetic energy C power D weight
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q14 (4 marks): A sportsman hits a ball with a bat. The ball leaves the bat at a speed of 37 m s–1 at an angle of 53° to the horizontal, as shown. 37 m s–1 53° sportsman Calcul
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is a scalar quantity? A displacement B moment of a force C power D weight
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q6 (1 mark): A soap bubble is being blown by the wind. The free-body force diagram shows the forces acting on the bubble. P is the force of the wind, W is the weight of the
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q11 (3 marks): A stone is projected horizontally from a cliff. The initial horizontal velocity of the stone is 3.8 m s –1. The initial height of the stone is 12 m, as shown. –
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which of the following quantities is a vector? A energy B mass C momentum D power
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q7 (1 mark): Two forces, X and Y, act at a point. Which of the following vector diagrams shows the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the two forces? X X Y Y result
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q15(a) (3 marks): Show that the ball travelled the distance to the wall in about 0.8 s. (3)
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q15(b) (4 marks): Deduce whether or not the ball went over the wall for this attempt. (4)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q3 (1 mark): Which of the following is a scalar quantity? A force B momentum C velocity D work
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q16(a) (4 marks): Determine the magnitude of the tension in the string by using a scaled vector diagram. (4) Tension =
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q16(b) (5 marks): The student wants to determine the tension T in the string. She attaches a mass holder to the string. The student adds known masses to the mass holder until the
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(a) (2 marks): Show that the vertical component of the ball’s initial velocity was about 30 m s–1. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(b) (3 marks): Show that the time taken by the ball to reach the ground was about 7 s. You should ignore the effects of air resistance. (3)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(c) (3 marks): The hole is a horizontal distance of 250 m from the starting point of the ball, as shown. 52 m s–1 hole 41° 250 m Deduce whether the ball landed within 5.0 m of
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (2 marks): The student derived the following equation for the relationship between D and H 2 2 v 2 D = g H where v is the horizontal velocity of the sphere at the end of t
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(c)(i) (6 marks): Plot a graph of D2 on the y‑axis against H on the x‑axis. Use the additional column of the table for your processed data. (6)
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): The gradient of the graph is equal to 2 2 v g Determine the value of v using your graph. (3) v = m s–1
June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(c)(iii) (2 marks): The student used a light gate and data logger to measure v. The measured value was 1.98 m s–1. Comment on the value of v determined using your graph. (2)
June 2022, Unit 4, Q17(b) (5 marks): The athlete finally releases the sphere with a velocity of 28 m s –1 at an angle of 40° to the horizontal. She releases the sphere at a height of 1.5 m above th
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): Physical quantities may be vectors or scalars. Which row of the table is correct? Force Mass Acceleration A scalar vector scalar B scalar scalar vector C vector
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows a student during a parachute jump on a windy day. The vertical component of her velocity is 5.0 m s−1. The horizontal component of her velocit
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(a) (2 marks): Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the motorcycle's initial velocity as it leaves the ramp. (2) Horizontal component = Vertical component =
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(b) (4 marks): Deduce whether the rider lands on the other side of the river. The effects of air resistance can be ignored. (4)
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q18(c) (3 marks): Explain how air resistance would affect the jump. (3)
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): A tennis ball is moving through the air. The diagram shows the horizontal and vertical components of its velocity. 13.2 m s–1 22.6° 5.5 m s–1 velocity Which of
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6 (1 mark): A block of wood is stationary on a frictionless ramp as shown. The block is held in place by a string. The weight of the block is W. The force applied to the bl
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q16(a) (3 marks): Show that the rock would reach its maximum height about 3 s after the explosion. (3)
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q16(b) (6 marks): The rock moves in the direction of a hill. The side of the hill is at 20° to the horizontal, as shown. rock explosion 50 m s–1 hill side 40° 20° After a certain
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is a scalar quantity? A weight B momentum C terminal velocity D kinetic energy
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q10 (1 mark): Two forces F1 and F2 act on an object, as shown. F1 F2 Which of the following is a correctly drawn scaled vector diagram for the resultant R of the forces F1 an
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q14(a) (5 marks): Deduce whether the skier reaches the flat surface before landing. You may ignore any effects of air resistance. (5)
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of the following is a vector quantity? A density B kinetic energy C momentum D viscosity
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q13(a) (3 marks): Show that the initial speed of the ball is about 17 m s−1. (3)
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q13(b) (5 marks): After travelling a horizontal distance of 22.0 m the ball reaches the goal. 3.00 m To score, the ball must be more than 3.00 m above the ground when it reaches
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q17(b) (6 marks): When m is equal to 0.55 kg, the value of P is 8.5 N. Calculate the value of θ, and the extension of the spring in the force meter. (6) θ = Extension of the spri
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following units is only used with vector quantities? A J B m C N D W
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): A car travels north with a velocity of +50 m s−1. While still travelling north, the car slows to a velocity of +20 m s−1. Which of the following is the change o
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q5 (1 mark): Two forces P and Q act on an object as shown. P Q Which of the following is a correctly drawn, scaled, vector diagram for the resultant R of forces P and Q? P P
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): The flare was launched to the right from the launch position marked × on the boat in the diagram below. Complete the diagram to show the path taken by the flare
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q17(a)(ii) (3 marks): The maximum height of the flare above the launch position was 42 m. Show that the flare was launched at a speed of about 60 m s−1. (3)
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q17(a)(iii) (4 marks): The flare was visible from a maximum distance of 8 km. A rescue boat was 8.2 km from the boat in distress. Determine whether the flare travelled a sufficient di
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q17(b) (1 mark): State one assumption you made in (a)(iii). (1)
January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q3 (1 mark): The diagrams below show the velocity of an object before and after a force is applied. The magnitude of the velocity did not change. before after Which of the f
January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q15(b) (2 marks): Kinetic energy is conserved as the ball bounces off the ramp. The ball bounces at an angle of 70° to the vertical. State expressions for the horizontal and vert
January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q15(c) (4 marks): Point A is 0.86 m vertically above the ground and 1.23 m horizontally from the end of the ramp as shown. 70° A 0.86 m 1.23 m Deduce whether the ball will bounce
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Quantities in physics are classified as either vectors or scalars. Which of the following units could only be used for a scalar quantity? A m sí B m sí C kg m
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): A ball rolls off a table with a horizontal velocity of 1.2 m sí. The ball takes 0.9 s to reach the ground and lands a distance s from the table as shown. s Whi
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): A student walked 12 km on a bearing of 135 and then walked 20 km on a bearing of 340 as shown. 20 km Diagram to scale N ° N ° 12 km Which of the followi
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q14(a)(i) (2 marks): Show that the vertical component of the velocity at launch is about 80 m sí. (2)
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q14(a)(ii) (4 marks): The vertical component of the velocity at launch depends on both the initial velocity of the firework and ș, the angle between the initial velocity and the hori
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q14(b) (2 marks): A student wanted to estimate the maximum diameter of the firework after exploding. The student estimated: • the time taken between seeing the firework explode a
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): A drop of water slides off a leaf as shown. Add to the diagram to show the position of the drop at regular intervals of time. The first two positions have been
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the following is a vector quantity? A work done B time C temperature D displacement

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