Forces in action: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P2.3 Forces in action, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 124 questions on Forces in action, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which force is a non-contact force? A Drag B Friction C Magnetic D Tension Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which row shows the minimum number of forces needed to stretch an object and the minimum number of forces needed to bend an object? Minimum number of forces Min
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which statement describes the gravitational field between two planets? A It can be attractive or repulsive and depends on the mass of the planets. B It can be a
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Two children want to play on a seesaw. A B 300 N Pivot 450 N Child A sits 3.0 m from the pivot. What distance from the pivot will child B need to sit to balance
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a) (2 marks): Suggest one risk for this investigation and how the risk can be reduced. Risk: How the risk can be reduced: [2]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (1 mark): The student records this data when adding a weight: Original length of the rubber band = 5.0 cm New length of the rubber band after the weight is added = 14.0 c
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c) (2 marks): The student sketches a graph of the results of the investigation. Force 0 Extension The student removes the weights from the rubber band. The rubber band return
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(d)(i) (2 marks): The first spring has a spring constant of 50 N / m. Calculate the energy transferred in stretching when this spring is extended by 0.18 m. Use the equation: ene
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(d)(ii) (4 marks): The second spring has a spring constant of 48 N / m. Calculate the force needed to stretch this spring by 0.18 m. Use the Equation Sheet. Write your answer to 2
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the maximum mass of passengers allowed in the lift. Use the equation: gravitational force = mass × gravitational field strength Mass = kg [4]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which force is a contact force? A Electrostatic B Friction C Gravity D Magnetic Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): An astronaut has a mass of 80 kg. Calculate the weight of the astronaut on the Moon. Use the Equation Sheet. The gravitational field strength on the Moon is 1.6
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): The force–extension graph for a rubber band, during loading and unloading, is shown. Loading Force Unloading Extension Which row describes the behaviour of the
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): A gardener lifts a load of 210 N using a wheelbarrow. Force 210 N Pivot 60 cm 40 cm What is the minimum force the gardener exerts to lift the load in the wheelb
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A spring is stretched by a load but does not return to its original length when the load is removed. Which statement correctly describes the spring? A The force
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): A basket of flowers hangs at the end of a horizontal pole attached to a vertical wall. The basket weighs 8 N and hangs from a point on the pole 40 cm away from
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c) (4 marks): A student writes a summary about gravitational fields. The student has made two mistakes in their summary. Gravitational Fields All matter has a gravitational f
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the missing value of the mean extension for a load of 100 N to a suitable degree of accuracy. Mean = cm [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(a)(ii) (2 marks): Plot the missing value on the graph for a load of 100 N. Draw a line of best fit. 500 400 300 Load (N) 200 100 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 Extension (cm) [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the gradient of the graph. Show your workings on the graph. Gradient = N / cm [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(a)(iv) (1 mark): Use your answer to (a)(iii) to determine the spring constant for the spring. Spring constant = N / cm [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(b) (2 marks): When the engineer repeats the experiment, they use the same method and the same equipment. The engineer says the results show that the experiment is reproducibl
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q24(c) (2 marks): Identify one possible hazard for this experiment and the precaution the engineer should take. Hazard Precaution [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): The arrows on these scale diagrams represent forces acting on an elastic band. In which diagram will the elastic band stretch? A B C D Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): A large rock on the dwarf planet Pluto has a mass of 200 kg and a weight of 124 N. What is the gravitational field strength on Pluto? Use the Equation Sheet. A
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the missing value of the mean extension for a load of 100 N to a suitable degree of accuracy. Mean = cm [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): Plot the missing value on the graph for a load of 100 N. Draw a line of best fit. 500 400 300 Load (N) 200 100 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 Extension (cm) [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the gradient of the graph. Show your workings on the graph. Gradient = N / cm [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(iv) (1 mark): Use your answer to (a)(iii) to determine the spring constant for the spring. Spring constant = N / cm [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b) (2 marks): When the engineer repeats the experiment, they use the same method and the same equipment. The engineer says the results show that the experiment is reproducibl
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(c) (2 marks): Identify one possible hazard for this experiment and the precaution the engineer should take. Hazard Precaution [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): A student investigates the gears on their bicycle. The larger cog has 60 teeth and the smaller cog has 20 teeth. If the larger cog rotates once, how many times
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(i) (1 mark): Which letter represents where the spring has elastic deformation? [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which letter represents where the spring obeys Hooke’s Law? [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which letter represents the elastic limit of the spring? [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a)(iv) (1 mark): Which letter represents where the graph is non-linear? [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b) (1 mark): State the minimum number of forces that need to be applied to the spring in order to stretch it. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the force exerted by the spring when it is extended by 0.15 m. Use the equation: force exerted by a spring = spring constant × extension Force = N [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the energy transferred when the spring is extended by 0.15 m. Use the Equation Sheet. Energy transferred when stretching = J [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain what happens to the seesaw when both students lift their feet off the ground. [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the distance from the pivot that student B sits to balance the seesaw when student A sits 0.6 m from the pivot. Use the equation: moment of a force =
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the mass of student A. Use the equation: gravitational force = mass × gravitational field strength Mass = kg [3]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which sentence is correct when a lever is used as a force multiplier? A The effort force and load force are both situated at the pivot. B The effort force is cl
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Which row describes properties of electric fields and gravitational fields? Electric fields Gravitational fields A attractive only attractive only B attractive
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): A student investigates moments using a beam placed on a pivot as shown in the diagram. The student holds the beam. 20 cm 20 cm 40 cm 100 N 10 N 30 N What happen
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): The elastic band obeys Hooke’s Law. correct incorrect Reason [1]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): The elastic band undergoes plastic deformation. correct incorrect Reason [1]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): There is a linear relationship between force and extension for the elastic band. correct incorrect Reason [1]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (2 marks): A spring has a spring constant of 28 N / m. Calculate the work done stretching this spring by 0.20 m. Use the Equation Sheet. Work done = J [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): 0.090 J of energy is transferred when stretching a spring. The spring constant of the spring is 50 N / m. What is the extension of the spring? Use the Equation
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which is a contact force? A Electrostatic B Gravity C Magnetism D Upthrust Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): All objects have a gravitational field that causes attraction. Which property affects the gravitational field strength of an object? A Charge B Mass C Specific
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A student with a weight of 500 N sits on the left-hand side of a see-saw, 0.8 m from the pivot point. Another student then sits on the right-hand side of the pi
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(c) (3 marks): The swimmer has a mass of 75 kg. Calculate their weight. Use the equation: gravitational force = mass × gravitational field strength Weight = N [3]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a) (2 marks): The climber has made a mistake when recording their results. Identify the mistake and suggest how it could be corrected. Mistake: Correction: [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the spring constant for the rope. Give your answer to two significant figures. Use the equation: force = extension × spring constant Spring constant =
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the energy transferred when the rope is stretched with a force of 40 N. Use the Data Sheet. Energy transferred in stretching = J [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(iii) (1 mark): A 200 N force is attached to the rope. Suggest what extension the rope would have if it does not exceed its elastic limit. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(c) (2 marks): When a force of 500 N is applied, the rope exceeds its elastic limit. Explain what this means. [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): The graph shows how a copper wire behaves when it is stretched. Force Q P Extension Which row in the table describes part P and part Q on the graph? Part P Part
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A decorator uses a screwdriver as a lever to open a tin of paint. The edge of the tin acts as a pivot. 0.7 cm 30 cm 150 N Pivot What is the clockwise moment of
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a)(i) (1 mark): Explain why the student found it difficult to measure the extensions shown in the table. [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest how the student could change the experiment to produce extensions that are easier to measure. [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): One point has been incorrectly plotted. Circle the incorrectly plotted point and then plot it in the correct place. [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between the number of springs in parallel and their extension. [2]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(c) (5 marks): Use the graph to calculate the spring constant for a single spring. Use the equation: force exerted by a spring = extension × spring constant Spring constant =
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(d) (1 mark): A manufacturer has a choice of three different springs to use in a mattress for a bed as shown in the table. Mattress spring Spring Constant (N / m) R 6000 S 90
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): The energy stored in a stretched spring is 5 J. What is the energy stored in the spring when the extension doubles? Use the Data Sheet. A 5 J B 10 J C 20 J D 25
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which force is not a contact force? A Air resistance B Friction C Gravitational D Tension Your answer [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A girl, of weight 400 N, is standing on the end of a horizontal diving board. 1.6 m X 400 N Calculate the moment of the girl’s weight about point X. Use the equ
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): Gears can be used to transmit forces. Wheel A Wheel B Wheel A is turned clockwise. Which statement explains how these gears transmit forces? A Wheel B has a big
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a) (1 mark): What is the minimum number of forces needed to stretch a spring? [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): Which newton-meter would be best to use to measure a force of about 11 N? Explain your answer. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain what could happen if a 50 N weight was put on newton-meter A. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(b)(iii) (2 marks): Which newton-meter has the largest spring constant? Explain your answer. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(c) (2 marks): Another student suggests that an elastic band could be used instead of a spring in a newton-meter. Look at the force-extension graph for an elastic band. Force
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(d) (3 marks): A spring has a spring constant of 30 N / m. Calculate the energy transferred when the spring is extended by 4.0 cm. Use an equation from the data sheet to help
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): On which planet’s surface would an astronaut have the greatest weight? Surface Explanation [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which property of a planet affects its gravitational field strength? [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which row in the table correctly describes gravitational fields? Type of field Strength of field A Attractive Greater for massive objects B Attractive Less for
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A student sets up a balance using a ruler and a pivot. 40 cm 60 cm Pivot 5 N 5 N Which statement is correct? A There is a resultant turning force anti-clockwise
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19 (6 marks): 19* A student stretches two different springs and measures their extensions for different forces. They plot the results on a graph. 6 Spring A 5 Spring B 4 Forc
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the effort force needed to lift the rock is less than the load force. [2]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(ii) (4 marks): The effort force needed to lift the rock is 100 N. Calculate the load force. Load force = N [4]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a) (3 marks): At P the extension of each spring is 0.2 m. The spring constant of each spring is 40 N / m. Calculate the total elastic potential energy stored in the springs a
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b) (2 marks): At Q the ball is released and has maximum kinetic energy. The springs have no extension at Q. The kinetic energy of the ball at Q is less than the value of the
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(d) (1 mark): A student investigates how the mass of the ball affects its speed at Q. Describe one factor the student should control in their investigation. [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): On the Moon the gravitational field strength is 1.6 N / kg. Calculate the gravity force for an 80 kg astronaut. Use the equation: gravity force = mass × gravita
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the spring constant for the spring. Use the equation: force = spring constant × extension Spring constant = N / cm [3]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two ways that the student could improve and develop their method to find the spring constant. [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(b) (2 marks): The spring constant of a different spring is 40 N / m. Calculate the energy stored in the spring when it is stretched 0.20 m. Use an equation from the data shee
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the moments of the 2 N weight and the 3 N weight about the pivot. Use the equation: moment = force × distance from pivot Moment of 2 N weight = N cm M
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which way will the metre rule rotate when it is released by the student? [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which of the pairs are contact forces? A Air resistance and gravity B Friction and gravity C Magnetism and normal contact force D Normal contact force and air r
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): A student plots a force-extension graph for a material. Q Force P Extension Which row in the table correctly identifies part P and part Q of the graph? Part P P
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a) (4 marks): Calculate the moment of the boy standing on the diving board. Gravitational field strength on Earth = 10 N / kg. Moment = N m [4]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): A student puts different weights on four balances. A B 3 N 3 N 3 N 4 N C D 4 N 4 N 4 N 3 N Which balance will give a clockwise moment? Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): On Mars the gravitational field strength is 4.0 N / kg. How much would a 60 kg person weigh on Mars? Use the equation: weight = mass × gravitational field stren
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): A student sets up two cogs. Cog A has 10 teeth and cog B has 20 teeth. A B Cog A is turned 2 times. How many times does cog B turn? A 0.5 times B 1 time C 2 tim
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Which one of the following uses of forces causes a rotation? A Lowering a book vertically from a shelf B Opening a door C Lifting a book vertically onto a shelf
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a) (3 marks): Describe how the student can use this equipment to determine the spring constant of the spring. [3]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(c) (2 marks): Describe how to change the shape of an object. Use the idea of forces in your answer. [2]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(d) (2 marks): Describe the differences between elastic and plastic deformation. [2]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which one of the following uses of forces causes a rotation? A Lowering a book vertically from a shelf B Opening a door C Lifting a book vertically onto a shelf
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): On the Moon, a 10 kg mass has a weight of 16 N. What is the gravitational field strength on the Moon? A 1.6 N / kg B 6.0 N / kg C 26 N / kg D 160 N / kg Your an
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): A student investigates cogs and gears. Cogs A and C have 10 teeth. Cog B has 20 teeth. A B C Cog A is turned 5 times. How many times does cog C turn? A 5 times
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): A spring stretches by 2.0 cm when a force is added. The spring constant is 60 N / m. Calculate the energy transferred to the spring when it is stretched. A 0.01
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): Calculate the spring constant of the spring. Spring constant = N / m [3]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q18(b) (2 marks): The student continues to load the spring until it passes its elastic limit. Complete the force-extension graph and label the elastic limit. Force (N) 9 8 7 6 5
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): What is the gravitational field strength at the Earth’s surface? A 10 N/kg B 16 N/kg C 50 N/kg D 230 N/kg Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Cog X has 16 teeth and cog Y has 8 teeth. X Y Cog X is turned around two times. How many times does cog Y turn around? A 1 B 2 C 4 D 8 Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): What is the smallest number of forces needed to bend an object? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows the relationship between force and extension for a spring. Force D C B A Extension Which letter on the graph shows the elastic limit of the sp
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): In which situation does the force cause a rotation? A Bouncing on a trampoline B Hitting a nail with a hammer C Pushing a friend on a swing D Sitting on a chair
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a) (1 mark): Objects can interact in many ways. Pairs of forces arise when objects interact. Write down one type of force involved when objects interact. [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the clockwise and anti-clockwise moments around the pivot when the seesaw is horizontal. Clockwise moment = Nm Anti-clockwise moment = Nm [3]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate where Child A should sit to balance the seesaw. Answer = [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): A diver stands on a diving board. He weighs 400 N. Pivot 0.8 m What is the moment of the force provided by the diver around the pivot? A 320 Nm anti-clockwise B
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): A man lifts a load using a wheelbarrow. effort 0.4 m pivot 1.2 m 300 N What is the effort needed to lift the load using the wheelbarrow? A 100 N B 120 N C 250 N
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a)(i) (2 marks): Plot the values on the graph. Some have been done for you. 12 10 8 Weight 6 (N) 4 2 0 0 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 Extension (m) [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best-fit on the graph. [1]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe and explain the shape of the graph. [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(b) (3 marks): Calculate the spring constant for the 0 – 6 N part of the graph. Use the equation: Force = Spring constant × Extension Answer = N/m [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(c) (2 marks): Calculate the work done in stretching the wire to 0.04 m. Answer = J [2]

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