Motion: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P2.1 Motion, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 118 questions on Motion, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A teacher draws a velocity–time graph for a moving object. 30 20 Velocity (m / s) 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 Time (s) What is the acceleration of the object? Use the equati
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19 (6 marks): 19* A student draws a distance–time graph of their bicycle journey to school. 400 300 Distance 200 (m) 100 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Time (s) Describe and exp
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): The table shows the speed of a person walking and the speed of an aeroplane flying. Object Speed (m / s) Aeroplane 150 Person 1.5 What is the ratio of aeroplane
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Which value is a typical acceleration of a family car? 2.5 m / s2 A 25 m / s2 B 250 m / s2 C 2500 m / s2 D Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): A league is an old unit of distance. One league is approximately equal to 4800 m. What is 4 leagues in metres? 1.92 × 102 m A 1.92 × 103 m B 1.92 × 104 m C 1.92
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A toy train moves around a circular track at a constant speed. Which row describes the displacement of the train from its starting point and the velocity of the
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q22 (6 marks): 22* The velocity–time graph shows part of a train’s journey on a level straight track. 20 18 16 14 12 Velocity 10 (m / s) 8 6 4 2 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Ti
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Which value could be the speed of a person running? A 0.50 m / s B 5.0 m / s C 50 m / s D 500 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): A teacher calculates the average speed of a student swimming the length of a pool. The teacher measures: • the distance of one length of the pool • the time for
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A car travels at a constant speed. The car travels 32 km in 20 minutes. How long does it take the car to travel 128 km? A 60 minutes B 80 minutes C 100 minutes
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): A teacher draws a graph showing the relationship between time, t, and velocity, v. v t What information does the gradient tell us? A Acceleration B Distance tra
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): A cyclist starts at an initial velocity of 0.0 m / s and accelerates at 1.4 m / s2 for a distance of 20 m. What is the final velocity of the cyclist? Use the eq
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): The graph shows how the velocity of a car changes when the driver sees a hazard in the road at time = 0 seconds. 30 20 Velocity (m / s) 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Which statement about some typical values of speed is correct? A The speed of a car is greater than the speed of a jet plane flying. B The speed of a car is gre
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Put a ring around the value the student should use as the car’s acceleration. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b) (2 marks): In a crash, the change in velocity of a car is 18 m / s. The time for the crash is 0.15 s. Calculate the deceleration of the car. Use the equation: acceleration
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): An object moves in a circular path at a constant speed. Which description is correct? A All of the forces acting on the object are balanced. B The object moves
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): A train accelerates from 20 m / s to 40 m / s in a distance of 1200 m. What is the acceleration of the train? Use the Equation Sheet. 0.17 m / s2 A 0.50 m / s2
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(b) (4 marks): The gradient of a tangent drawn to the curved line of the graph gives the acceleration of the shuttlecock at that time. Draw a tangent to the curved line at 1.0
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(c) (3 marks): Use the graph to find the approximate distance travelled by the shuttlecock during the 2.5 s of the experiment. Distance = m [3]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Which answer shows 800 km / h converted into m / s? A 0.22 m / s B 13.3 m / s C 222 m / s D 13 333 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(a) (3 marks): The graph shows how the velocity of car A changes when the driver sees a hazard in the road at time = 0 seconds. u Velocity (m / s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (s) The b
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(i) (3 marks): The initial speed of the car is 18 m / s. Calculate the braking distance of car B. Use the Equation Sheet. Braking distance = m [3]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): The time taken for four students to run a race is recorded. Student Time taken (s) 1 21.5 2 21.6 3 21.0 4 21.5 What is the mean time taken by the students? A 16
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest the equipment the student uses to measure the distance travelled by the car on the ramp. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest the equipment the student uses to measure the time it takes the car to roll down the ramp. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): State the time the car starts to move. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the time the car reaches the bottom of the ramp. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (1 mark): Describe how the acceleration of the car will change if the ramp is made steeper. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(iv) (1 mark): Draw a line on the graph to show the acceleration of the car if the ramp is made steeper. [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(c) (2 marks): Velocity and speed are different quantities. Complete the sentence about velocity. Use words from the list. acceleration direction energy force magnitude Veloci
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a) (3 marks): A teacher drops a ball from a height of 2.1 m. The ball hits the floor after 0.6 s. Calculate the average speed of the ball as it falls. Use the equation: dista
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): The velocity–time graph shows how the velocity of four different vehicles changes. B A Velocity C D Time Which vehicle has the greatest acceleration? Your answe
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Four athletes run a race in different times. Athlete Time taken (s) 1 21.5 2 21.6 3 4 21.5 Mean 21.4 What is the time taken by athlete 3? A 21.0 s B 21.1 s C 21
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): One mile is equal to 1609 metres. How many miles are there in 5000 metres? A 0.3218 miles B 0.6782 miles C 2.108 miles D 3.108 miles Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which sentence correctly describes an object when it is moving in a circle at a constant speed? A The object is accelerating as its velocity is changing. B The
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): A scientist draws a velocity–time graph for an object. What is the distance travelled by the object in 15 s? 8.0 6.0 Velocity 4.0 (m / s) 2.0 0.0 0 5 10 15 20 T
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): A teacher drops a ball from a height of 2.1 m. The ball hits the floor after 0.6 s. Calculate the average speed of the ball as it falls. Use the equation: dista
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): A vehicle is travelling at 30 m / s. The vehicle travels 75 m while decelerating to a stop. What is the deceleration of the vehicle? Use the Equation Sheet. 2.5
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): A bird flies at an average speed of 5.0 m / s for 240 s. What is the distance travelled by the bird? Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time A 0.8 m
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): Here are 4 displacement–time graphs, P, Q, R and S. P Q Displacement Displacement 0 0 Time Time R S Displacement Displacement 0 0 Time Time Which displacement–t
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (1 mark): Here are 4 velocity–time graphs, W, X, Y and Z. W X Velocity Velocity 0 0 Time Time Y Z Velocity Velocity 0 0 Time Time Which velocity–time graph shows them swi
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a) (4 marks): Describe how the students will take the measurements they need to be able to calculate the mean speed of a car. [4]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(i) (1 mark): Which toy car, A or B, has the greater acceleration? Explain your answer. Car Reason [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use the graph to calculate the acceleration of car B. Acceleration = m / s2 [3]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): What is a good estimate for the speed of an Olympic sprinter? A 1 m / s B 3 m / s C 10 m / s D 30 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(e) (3 marks): Student D pedals the bicycle on a level surface. They start from rest and reach a velocity of 6 m / s. Estimate the acceleration of student D on the bicycle. Us
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): There are 1609 m in a mile. Which of these is approximately the same speed as 56 miles per hour? A 25 m / s B 29 m / s C 52 m / s D 90 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Velocity–time graphs are drawn for four different objects. A B Velocity Velocity 5 5 (m / s) (m / s) 0 0 10 20 Time (s) 10 20 Time (s) –5 –5 C D Velocity Veloci
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a) (4 marks): Describe how the students will take the measurements they need to be able to calculate the mean speed of a car. [4]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Which toy car, A or B, has the greater acceleration? Explain your answer. Car Reason [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use the graph to calculate the acceleration of car B. Acceleration = m / s2 [3]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(b)(ii) (4 marks): Calculate the mean speed of the metal through the copper tube. Write your answer to 2 significant figures. Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time M
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): A student does an experiment to measure the acceleration in free fall of an object. Which of their results is closest to the accepted value? 8.8 m / s2 A 9.8 m
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which row in the table correctly identifies a scalar and a vector? Scalar Vector A Displacement Distance B Displacement Velocity C Distance Speed D Speed Veloci
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Four velocity–time graphs are shown for a moving ball. A B Velocity Velocity 0 0 Time Time C D Velocity Velocity 0 0 Time Time Which graph shows the ball being
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a)(i) (1 mark): State the total distance travelled by the student to their friend’s house. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the total time it takes the student to get to their friend’s house. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the student’s average speed during their journey. Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time Average speed = m / s [3]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a)(iv) (2 marks): State which section of the journey, A–F, is where the student travels fastest. Explain your answer. Section Explanation [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a)(v) (1 mark): Suggest what happens at sections B and D on the journey. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b) (1 mark): Suggest which equipment the student can use to measure the time and distance on their journey. Time Distance [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): A stopwatch is used by a student for timing how long it takes a toy car to travel down a ramp. The student repeats the experiment four times during a lesson, us
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): State the total distance travelled by the student to their friend’s house. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the total time it takes the student to get to their friend’s house. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the student’s average speed during their journey. Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time Average speed = m / s [3]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(iv) (2 marks): State which section of the journey, A–F, is where the student travels fastest. Explain your answer. Section Explanation [2]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(a)(v) (1 mark): Suggest what happens at sections B and D on the journey. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q16(b) (1 mark): Suggest which equipment the student can use to measure the time and distance on their journey. Time Distance [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a) (1 mark): Explain why the athlete’s velocity is not constant. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(c) (3 marks): After the lap, the athlete slows down from a velocity of 5 m / s to a velocity of 1 m / s. The deceleration of the athlete is 0.4 m / s2. Calculate the time tak
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): The van brakes and decelerates at a constant rate: • The initial speed of the van is 18 m / s. The deceleration of the van is 1.5 m / s2. • Calculate the time t
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): A cyclist travels 750 m in 50 seconds. Calculate the speed of the cyclist. Use the equation: speed = distance / time A 0.015m / s B 15 m / s C 37.5 m / s D 375
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Look at the distance-time graph. A B Distance C D 0 Time Which line shows the largest average speed? Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A girl runs twice around a 400 m circular track. What is the final displacement of the girl from her starting point? A 0 m B 200 m C 400 m D 800 m Your answer [
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19(a) (2 marks): Explain why the velocity of the toy car is different from its speed as it travels around the track. [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a) (1 mark): Suggest the equipment used to measure the height of the balcony and the time taken for the paper ball to reach the ground. Height Time taken [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the data in the table to calculate the mean, median and mode of their results. Mean = Median = Mode = [3]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(ii) (1 mark): The results are not very precise. Explain how you can tell from the data in the table. [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest a possible source of error in the experimental method and how it could be improved. Source of error Improvement [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): The speed of the wind is measured to be 5.555 m / s. What is 5.555 m / s written to 2 significant figures? A 5.5 m / s B 5.55 m / s C 5.56 m / s D 5.6 m / s You
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A car travels at a speed of 60 mph (miles per hour). 1 mph = 0.45 m / s. Convert 60 mph into m / s (metres per second). A 0.45 m / s B 7.5 m / s C 27 m / s D 13
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a) (1 mark): Suggest the equipment used to measure the height of the balcony and the time taken for the paper ball to reach the ground. Height Time taken [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the data in the table to calculate the mean, median and mode of their results. Mean = Median = Mode = [3]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (1 mark): The results are not very precise. Explain how you can tell from the data in the table. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest a possible source of error in the experimental method and how it could be improved. Source of error Improvement [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q18 (6 marks): 18* A toy car moves randomly on a table. 3 m distance travelled 0.6m B A It moves from position A to position B in 0.5 minutes, covering a distance of 3.0 m. Th
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b) (4 marks): The boy dives vertically into the swimming pool. The water in the pool is 3.2 m below the diving board. Calculate the velocity of the boy when he enters the wat
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): A car travels at a speed of 70 mph (miles per hour). 1 mile is approximately 1600 metres. Convert 70 mph into m / s (metres per second). A 2.6 m / s B 31 m / s
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Look at the distance-time graph for a journey to school. 800 700 600 500 Distance 400 (m) 300 200 100 0 0 40 80 120 160 200 Time (s) What is the average speed f
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A car travels at 72 km / h. How fast is this in metres per second (m / s)? A 1.2 m / s B 20 m / s C 120 m / s D 1200 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): How far did the dog move in the park? Distance = m [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): How long was the dog in the park? Time = s [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(iii) (1 mark): Name a piece of apparatus the student could use to accurately measure the distance the dog moved. [1]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): Which section of the graph shows the greatest speed? Tick (3) one box. A B C D Explain your answer. [2]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): Which section of the graph shows zero speed? Tick (3) one box. A B C D Explain your answer. [2]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(c) (2 marks): The student draws a velocity-time graph for a boat accelerating. Velocity 20 (m / s) 0 40 Time (s) Acceleration is the gradient of a velocity-time graph. Calcul
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a) (6 marks): A student investigates the average speed at which a trolley with different loads travels down a ramp. Look at the diagram of her experiment. Load Trolley 2.0 m
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(b) (4 marks): For one experiment the trolley starts from rest and reaches a final speed of 2 m / s. The ramp length is 2.0 m. Calculate the acceleration of the trolley. Accel
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Look at the motion graphs. A B Velocity Velocity (m / s) (m / s) 2 4 0 0 12 12 Time (s) Time (s) C D Velocity Velocity (m / s) (m / s) 24 12 0 0 12 24 Time (s)
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Plot the results on the graph and draw a line of best fit. Two results have been plotted for you. 4 3 Final 2 speed (m / s) 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 Angle of ramp (°)
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(ii) (3 marks): Describe the pattern shown by the results. Use data from the table or graph in your answer. [3]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(iv) (2 marks): The student made a mistake when recording one of his results. Identify the mistake and explain what he should have done. [2]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a)(v) (2 marks): The student thinks this data shows that his results are reproducible. He is not correct. Explain why. [2]
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b)(i) (5 marks): The mean final velocity for the ramp at a 40° angle is 3.51 m / s. The distance from the top of the ramp to the light gate at the bottom is 1.0 m. Calculate the
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which row in the table shows realistic speeds? Speed (m / s) Road cyclist Gale force Sound in air wind A 40 12 1 000 B 6 24 340 C 20 6 760 D 15 55 250 [1] Your
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): An object travelled 800 m in 40 seconds. Use the equation: distance travelled (m) = speed (m/s) × time (s) What is the speed of the object? A 0.05 m/s B 20 m/s
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): Which is a scalar? A Acceleration B Displacement C Force D Speed Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q19 (6 marks): 19* Four students run in different races. Student Race distance (m) Time (s) A 50 6 B 100 15 C 100 14 D 200 31 Use the information in the table to describe and
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(d)(ii) (3 marks): A car accelerates from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 4 seconds. Calculate the acceleration of the car. Use the equation: Acceleration = Change in speed ÷ Time taken Answer
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Estimate the typical cruising speed of a jet airliner. A 25 m/s B 250 m/s C 2 500 m/s D 25 000 m/s Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(a) (2 marks): A car starts from rest and accelerates at 3 m/s2. Use the equation: Acceleration = Change in velocity ÷ Time taken Calculate the velocity of the car after 4 s.
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Look at the velocity-time graph of an object. 8 7 6 5 Velocity (m / s) 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 4 5 3 Time (s) What is the distance travelled by the object in 5s? A 0.63
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Two cars head towards each other on a road. 15 m / s 25 m / s P Q What velocity does the driver of car Q see car P travelling towards him at? A 10 m/s B 15 m/s
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Which graph shows a bouncing ball? A B Height Velocity 0 0 Time Time C D Height Velocity 0 0 Time Time Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain how she could use this measurement to find the depth of the well. [3]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q23(a)(ii) (2 marks): It takes 2.2 seconds for the stone to drop from rest and splash into the water at the bottom. What is the speed of the stone when it hits the water? Answer = m/
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (miles per hour) in about 9 seconds. Use the relationship: 1 m/s = 2.24 mph Estimate the acceleration for this car in m/s2. 1

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