Motion (Cambridge O Level Physics)

Exam Questions

4 hours44 questions
1a
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3 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows the speed-time graph for a car.

q1a

On Fig. 1.1, the labels W, X, Y and Z show the points when the car’s motion changed.

On Fig. 1.2, draw a line from each section of the graph to the correct description of the motion.

q1a2

1b
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3 marks

Calculate the distance that the car travels between 30 s and 60 s.

distance travelled = ...................................................... m

1c
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1 mark

State, using Fig. 1.1, whether the car accelerates or decelerates quicker. 

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2a
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3 marks

During part of a race, a skier travels a distance of 200 m in a time of 6.4 s.

Calculate the average speed of the skier.

 

 

average speed = ................................................ m/s

2b
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4 marks

Fig. 4.1 shows a speed–time graph for the skier in another part of the race.

 

IPRqRWuG_cie-2020-31-6

 Describe the motion of the skier at each point P, Q, R and S on the graph.

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3a
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3 marks

During a training flight, a fighter jet travelling at 300 m/s makes a turn to avoid bad weather. 

1-2-3a-e-velocity-turning-jet
Fig. 1.1
  

Compare the speed and velocity between points A and B in Fig. 1.1.

3b
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1 mark

The speed-time graph of a different test flight is presented to an analyst.

State how she uses the graph to determine the distance travelled during the test flight.

3c
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3 marks

The speed-time graph for the initial part of the fighter jet's test flight is shown in Fig 1.2:

1-2-3c-e-speed-time-accel-const-decel-1
Fig. 1.2
  
(i)
State the length of time for which the jet is travelling at constant speed.
[1]
 
(ii)
Calculate the distance covered by the jet during this time.
[2]
3d
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2 marks

For a brief time, the engine cuts out and the jet is in free fall.

Describe the shape and the gradient of the speed-time graph during this time.

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4a
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5 marks

An elevator in the Empire State Building is travelling at constant speed downward as it passes three levels.

This takes 5.0 seconds and each level has a height of 4.0 m. Calculate the speed of the elevator. State the correct units in your answer.

4b
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3 marks

From this constant speed, it takes the elevator 1.5 s to come to rest.

Calculate the deceleration of the elevator.

   
   

deceleration = ...................................................... m/s2 

4c
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4 marks

Once everyone has left the elevator, the cable breaks. A device which measures speed over time was found in the elevator when a team investigated the incident.

The data from this are shown in Fig. 1.1.

1-2-q4c-e-speed-time-freefall-stop

Fig 1.1

(i)
Calculate the gradient of the speed-time graph. 
[3] 
(ii)
When the elevator's cable completely snapped, the elevator is in freefall. Explain how the gradient shows this. 
[1]
4d
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2 marks

Describe the motion of the elevator after 5.0 s and explain how the graph shows this.

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5a
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3 marks

The UKTRA (UK tractor racing association) hold an annual race between tractors. The distance time graphs of two tractors are shown on Fig. 1.1. 

1-2-q5a-e-distance-time-a-b
Fig 1.1

Describe the motion of tractor B from a time of 0 s to 12 s.

5b
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2 marks

State which tractor has the greatest initial speed and explain how the graph shows this.

5c
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3 marks

Calculate the initial speed of tractor B.

5d
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1 mark

This year, the UKTRA racecourse is particularly treacherous. After 12 s, tractor A drives off a steep cliff and is briefly in free fall before landing. 

Describe the gradient of the distance-time graph of tractor A after 12 s and before landing.

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1a
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1 mark

Model trains move along a track passing through two model stations. Students analyse the motion of a train. They start a digital timer as the train starts to move. They record the time that it enters Station A and the time it enters Station B.

Fig 1.1 below shows the time on entering Station A and the time on entering Station B.

rt2e2Nqq_q1

Calculate the time taken from the train entering Station A to the train entering Station B.
State your answer in seconds.

 

time taken = ....................................................... s 

1b
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3 marks

A faster train takes 54 s to travel from Station A to Station B. The distance between the stations is 120 m.

Calculate the average speed of this train.

 

average speed = .................................................. m/s 

1c
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4 marks

Fig. 1.2 shows the speed-time graph for a train travelling on a different part of the track.

q1-c

Determine the total distance travelled by the train on this part of the track.

 

distance = ...................................................... m 

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2
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1 mark

Define acceleration.

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3a
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4 marks

Some cyclists are racing around a track. 

Fig.2.1 shows the speed-time graph for one cyclist.

 
feb-march-2018-32-q2
(i)
Tick the box that represents the cyclist travelling at constant speed.
square A
square B
square C
square D
[1]
(ii)
Calculate the distance travelled by the cyclist in the first 5 seconds.
  
distance = ..................................................... m [3]
3b
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5 marks

The length of the track is 250m. 

 Another cyclist goes around the track four times (four laps). This takes 80.0 seconds.

 
(i)

Calculate the average speed of this cyclist.

 

average speed = ................................................. m/s [4]

(ii)

A friend of the cyclist starts a stopwatch at the beginning of the race.

 
Fig.2.2 shows the reading on the stopwatch when the cyclist has gone around the track once.

Fig.2.3 shows the reading on the stopwatch when the cyclist has gone around the track twice.

feb-march-2018-32-q2b

Calculate the time taken for the cyclist to go around the track during the second lap.

 

time = ....................................................... s [1]

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4a
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5 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows the speed–time graph of a person on a journey.

 

On the journey, he walks and then waits for a bus. He then travels by bus. He gets off the bus and waits for two minutes. He then walks again. His journey takes 74 minutes.

may-june-2020-42-q1

For the whole journey calculate:

  

(i)
the distance travelled

 

 

distance = ......................................................... [3]

 

(ii)
the average speed.

 

 

average speed = ......................................................... [2]

4b
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2 marks

State and explain which feature of a speed–time graph shows acceleration.

4c
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2 marks

State and explain the acceleration of the person at time = 40 minutes.

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5a
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2 marks

A person on roller skates makes a journey. Fig. 1.1 shows the speed-time graph for the journey.

18-32-1a

The graph shows three types of motion.

Complete the table to show when each type of motion occurs. Use the letters shown on Fig. 1.1. Add a letter to each of the blank spaces. The first row is done for you.

  

motion
start of motion end of motion
acceleration W X
deceleration    
constant speed    

5b
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3 marks

Calculate the distance travelled between 60 s and 100 s.

 
 
distance = ..................................................... m 
5c
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1 mark

The size of the acceleration is greater than the deceleration.

Describe how Fig. 1.1 shows this.

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6a
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4 marks
Fig. 1.1 shows a water tank that is leaking. Drops of water fall from the tank at a constant rate.
screenshot-2022-10-19-at-17-19-29

A student uses a stopwatch to determine the time between two drops hitting the ground.


He sets the stopwatch to zero. He starts the stopwatch when the first drop hits the ground.

He stops the stopwatch after a further 30 drops have hit the ground.


The reading on the stopwatch is recorded and shown in Fig. 1.2.

screenshot-2022-10-19-at-17-22-03
(i)
State the time taken for 30 drops to hit the ground.
  
  

 time = ...................................................... s [1]

   
(ii)
Calculate the average time between two drops hitting the ground.
  
  

 time = ...................................................... s [2]

   
(iii)
Explain why the student measures the time for 30 drops to hit the ground instead of measuring the time for one drop to hit the ground.

[1]

6b
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1 mark

Fig. 1.1 shows that the drops get further apart as they get close to the ground.


State why the drops get further apart.

6c
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3 marks

In another experiment the student determines the speed of a falling weight at different times. The speed–time graph for his results is shown in Fig. 1.3.

screenshot-2022-10-19-at-17-39-35

Calculate the distance fallen by the weight in the first 1.5 s.

 
  
distance = ...................................................... m 

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7a
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4 marks

A lorry is travelling along a straight, horizontal road.
Fig. 1.1 is the distance-time graph for the lorry.

AEsqWWTi_q1

Using Fig. 1.1, determine:

 
(i)

the speed of the lorry at time t = 30 s

 

 

speed = ...........................................................[2]

(ii)

the average speed of the lorry between time t = 60 s and time t = 120 s.

 

 

average speed = ...........................................................[2]

7b
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2 marks

At time t = 30s, the total resistive force acting on the lorry is 1.4 × 104 N.

 
(i)

Using Fig. 1.1, determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the lorry at time t = 30 s.

 

 

acceleration = ...........................................................[1]

(ii)

Determine the forward force on the lorry due to its engine at time t = 30 s.

 

 

forward force = ...........................................................[1]

7c
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2 marks

Describe the motion of the lorry between time t = 60 s and time t = 130 s.

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8a
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3 marks
A student reviews some data about athletes and footballers.
  

An athlete runs 12 km in 1.5 hours.

Calculate the athlete’s average speed in km/h.

 
 
average speed = ...................................................... km/h 
8b
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5 marks

Fig. 2.1 shows the speed-time graph for a footballer for the first 15.0 seconds of a game.

screenshot-2022-10-27-at-12-39-32
(i)
Use the graph in Fig. 2.1 to calculate the distance travelled by the footballer during the first 4.0 seconds.
  
  
distance = ...................................................... m [3]
 
(ii)
Use the graph in Fig. 2.1 to determine when the footballer is moving with greatest acceleration.
   
Between .............................. s and .............................. s.
  
Give a reason for your answer.
[2]
8c
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3 marks

Another footballer has a mass of 72kg.

Calculate the weight of this footballer.

 
 
weight = ...................................................... N 

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9
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3 marks

An aircraft flies at a constant height.

Air drag and the force from the aircraft’s engines together produce a force on the aircraft of 36 kN due north, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

The wind produces a force of 12 kN towards the east.

q1-cie-ol-physics-paper-2-2021-sq

Fig 1.1

Draw a scale drawing to show the resultant force acting on the aircraft.

Use your drawing to determine the size of the resultant force and the angle between the resultant force and north.

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10a
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3 marks

Fig. 1.1 is the speed-time graph for a stone as it falls to the ground.

q1-cie-ol-physics-specimen-paper-2-sq

Fig. 1.1

(i)

On Fig. 1.1, mark:
• a letter X to indicate a point where the rock is moving with a constant speed
• a letter Y to indicate a point where the rock is decelerating.

[2]

 

(ii)
At time t = 0, the acceleration of the stone is equal to the acceleration of free fall.
 Give the name of the force accelerating the stone at time t = 0

[1]

10b
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3 marks

The weight of the stone is 4.0 N.
 
As the stone falls, the force F of air resistance acting on the rock changes.

(i)
State the value of F at time t = 0.

F = ......................................................  N [1]

(ii)
State the value of F at time t = 10.0 s.

F = ......................................................  N [1]
 

(iii) Suggest why F changes between t = 0 s and t = 10.0 s

 [1]

10c
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5 marks
(i)
Using Fig. 1.1, determine the acceleration of the rock at time t = 4.0 s. State the unit of your answer.

 You will need to draw a tangent to the graph in Fig. 1.1 and show your working. 

acceleration = ..................................... unit = .......... [3]
 

(ii)
The mass of the stone is 408 g.

Determine the force F of air resistance acting on the rock at time t = 4.0 s. 
 
Show your working.

F = ......................................................  N [2]

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1a
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3 marks

A student drops a ball from a high window.

The mass of the ball is 0.12 kg.

Calculate the weight of the ball.


weight = .................................................... N

1b
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2 marks

Fig. 3.1 shows the speed of the ball while it is falling. The points S, T, U, V and W are shown on the graph.

graph

Draw one line from each section of the graph to the correct description of the motion.


One has been drawn for you.

   
graph-q
1c
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3 marks

Determine the distance fallen by the ball in section U – V of the graph.


distance = .................................................... m 

1d
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1 mark

State the distance fallen by the ball in section V – W of the graph.

   
distance = .................................................... m 

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2a
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2 marks

A rocket is launched vertically upwards from the ground. The rocket travels with uniform acceleration from rest. After 8.0 s, the speed of the rocket is 120 m/s.

Calculate the acceleration of the rocket.

 

 
acceleration = ........................................................ m/s2 

2b
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6 marks
(i)
On Fig. 1.1, draw the graph for the motion of the rocket in the first 8.0 s.
 
graph2

[1]

(ii)
Use the graph to determine the height of the rocket at 8.0 s.    
 
 
 
 
height = .....................................................  [2]

   

(iii)
From time = 8.0 s to time = 20.0 s, the rocket rises with increasing speed but with decreasing acceleration.
   
From time = 20.0 s to time = 25.0 s, the rocket has a constant speed of less than 200 m / s.
  
On Fig. 1.1, draw the graph for this motion. 
  [3]

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3a
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5 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a speed-time graph for a student who is running.

18p3-1a

Fig. 1.1

(i)
Describe the movement of the student, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
[2]
 
(ii)
Calculate the distance travelled by the student between 80s and 100s.
 
 
 
distance travelled = .......................................................m [3]
3b
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3 marks

An athlete runs 630 m in 130 s on a flat section of a road and then 254 m in 40 s on a downhill slope.


Calculate the average speed for the total distance run by the athlete.

 

average speed = ...................................................m/s 

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4a
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5 marks

A train of mass 5.6 × 105 kg is at rest in a station.

At time t = 0 s, a resultant force acts on the train and it starts to accelerate forwards.

Fig. 1.1 is the distance-time graph for the train for the first 120 s.

18p4-1a

(i)
Use Fig. 1.1 to determine:
 
1.
the average speed of the train during the 120 s
  
 
average speed = ...........................................................[1]
  
2.
the speed of the train at time t = 100 s.
 
 
 speed = ...........................................................[2]

 

(ii)

Describe how the acceleration of the train at time t = 100 s differs from the acceleration at time t = 20 s.

[2]

4b
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3 marks
(i)
The initial acceleration of the train is 0.75 m/s2.
 
Calculate the resultant force that acts on the train at this time.
 
 
resultant force = ...........................................................[2]
 
(ii)
At time t = 120 s, the train begins to decelerate.

State what is meant by deceleration.
[1]

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5a
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1 mark

A rocket is stationary on the launchpad. At time t = 0, the rocket engines are switched on and exhaust gases are ejected from the nozzles of the engines. The rocket accelerates upwards.

Fig. 1.1 shows how the acceleration of the rocket varies between time t = 0 and time t = tf.

q2

Define acceleration.

5b
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3 marks

On Fig. 1.2, sketch a graph to show how the speed of the rocket varies between time t = 0 and time t = tf.

4i-g5bAB_q1

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6a
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2 marks

A student watches a car race around a track. He uses a stopwatch to measure the time for the car to make one lap of the track.

The student forgets to reset the stopwatch at the start of the race. Fig. 1.1 shows the time on the stopwatch at the start and the time after going around the track once.

 
MMf7ZTs1_q1a
 

Calculate the time the car takes to go around the track once, in seconds.
 

 
time = ....................................................... s 
6b
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4 marks

The length of the track is 4.0 km. The car goes around the track 20 times. The car takes 26 minutes and 40 seconds to complete the 20 laps.

Calculate the average speed of the car in m / s.

  

 

average speed = .................................................. m / s 

6c
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5 marks

Fig. 1.2 shows a speed-time graph for the car during part of the race.

q1c
 
(i)

State the section of the graph that shows the greatest acceleration.

...........................................................................................................................................

Explain your answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

[2]

(ii)

Calculate the distance travelled by the car during the first 2.5 seconds.

 

 

distance = ...................................................... m [3]

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7a
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2 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows the speed-time graph for a vehicle accelerating from rest.

5zo2H9IN_q1

Calculate the acceleration of the vehicle at time = 30s.

 

 

acceleration = ...........................................................

7b
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3 marks
Without further calculation, state how the acceleration at time = 100 s compares to the acceleration at time = 10 s. Suggest, in terms of force, a reason why any change has taken place.
7c
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3 marks

Determine the distance travelled by the vehicle between time = 120 s and time = 160 s.

 

 

distance = ........................................................... 

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8a
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1 mark

Define acceleration.

8b
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6 marks

Fig. 1.1 shows two speed–time graphs, A and B, and two distance–time graphs, C and D.

q1

Describe the motion shown by:

 
(i)
graph A
[2]
 
(ii)
graph B
[2]
 
(iii)
graph C
[1]
 
(iv)
graph D
[1]

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9a
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4 marks

Extended

Fig. 1.1 shows the axes of a distance-time graph for an object moving in a straight line.

 

n7OtmRNT_q1a

(i)

On Fig. 1.1, draw between time = 0 and time = 10 s, the graph for an object moving with a constant speed of 5.0 m/s. Start your graph at distance = 0 m.

State the property of the graph that represents speed.

[2]

(ii)

Between time = 10 s and time = 20 s the object accelerates. The speed at time = 20 s is 9.0 m/s.

Calculate the average acceleration between time = 10 s and time = 20 s.

 

 

acceleration = ...........................................................[2]

9b
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5 marks

Fig. 1.2 shows the axes of a speed-time graph for a different object.

q1b
(i)

The object has an initial speed of 50 m/s and decelerates uniformly at 0.35 m/s2 for 100 s.

On Fig. 1.2, draw the graph to represent the motion of the object.

[2]

(ii)

Calculate the distance travelled by the object from time = 0 to time = 100 s.

 

 

distance = ...........................................................[3]

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10a
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5 marks

Fig. 2.1 shows students getting onto a school bus.

cie-2019-1

A student describes part of the journey.

The bus accelerates from rest at a constant rate for 10 s. It reaches a maximum speed of 10 m/s.

The bus maintains a constant speed of 10 m/s for 60 s.

The bus then decelerates at a constant rate for 15 s, until it stops.

On Fig. 2.2, draw the speed-time graph for this part of the journey made by the bus.

 

3PsBbzcz_cie-2019-2

10b
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3 marks

On another part of the journey, the average speed of the bus is 7.5 m/s.

Calculate the distance the bus travels in 150 s.

 
 

distance = ..................................................... m 

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