M1 Kinematics

Mechanics 1 Kinematics Questions
Mechanics 1 Kinematics Answers

M1 Kinematics - Problems with vectors PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1. A particle P is moving with constant velocity (–3i + 2j)ms–1. At time t = 6 s P is at the point
with position vector (–4i – 7j)m. Find the distance of P from the origin at time t = 2 s.
(Total 5 marks)
2. [In this question, i and j are horizontal unit vectors due east and due north respectively and
position vectors are given with respect to a fixed origin.]
A ship S is moving along a straight line with constant velocity. At time t hours the position
vector of S is s km. When t = 0, s = 9i – 6j. When t = 4, s = 21i + 10j. Find
(a) the speed of S,

(4)
(b) the direction in which S is moving, giving your answer as a bearing.

(2)
(c) Show that s = (3t + 9) i + (4t – 6) j.

(2)
A lighthouse L is located at the point with position vector (18i + 6j) km. When t = T, the ship S
is 10 km from L.
(d) Find the possible values of T.

(6)
(Total 14 marks)
3. [In this question i and j are horizontal unit vectors due east and due north respectively.]
A hiker H is walking with constant velocity (1.2i – 0.9j) m s–1.
(a) Find the speed of H.

(2)
Edexcel Internal Review 1

A horizontal field OABC is rectangular with OA due east and OC due north, as shown in the
diagram above. At twelve noon hiker H is at the point Y with position vector 100 j m, relative to
the fixed origin O.
(b) Write down the position vector of H at time t seconds after noon.
(2)
At noon, another hiker K is at the point with position vector (9i + 46j) m. Hiker K is moving
with constant velocity (0.75i + 1.8j) m s–1.
(c) Show that, at time t seconds after noon,
HK = [(9 – 0.45t)i + (2.7t – 54)j] meters.

(4)
Hence,
(d) show that the two hikers meet and find the position vector of the point where they meet.
(5)
(Total 13 marks)
4. A particle P moves with constant acceleration (2i – 5j) m s–2. At time t = 0, P has speed u m s–1.
At time t = 3 s, P has velocity (–6i + j) m s–1.
Find the value of u.

(Total 5 marks)

5. A boat B is moving with constant velocity. At noon, B is at the point with position vector
(3i – 4j) km with respect to a fixed origin O. At 1430 on the same day, B is at the point with
position vector (8i + 11j) km.
(a) Find the velocity of B, giving your answer in the form pi + qj.
(3)
At time t hours after noon, the position vector of B is b km.
(b) Find, in terms of t, an expression for b.

(3)
Another boat C is also moving with constant velocity. The position vector of C, c km, at time t
hours after noon, is given by
c = (–9i + 20j) + t(6i + λj),
where λ is a constant. Given that C intercepts B,
(c) find the value of λ,

(5)
(d) show that, before C intercepts B, the boats are moving with the same speed.
(3)
(Total 14 marks)
6. A particle P of mass 2 kg is moving under the action of a constant force F newtons. When t = 0,
P has velocity (3i + 2j) m s–1 and at time t = 4 s, P has velocity (15i – 4j) m s–1. Find
(a) the acceleration of P in terms of i and j,

(2)
(b) the magnitude of F,

(4)
(c) the velocity of P at time t =6s.

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

7. [In this question the unit vectors i and j are due east and north respectively.]
A ship S is moving with constant velocity (–2.5i + 6j) km h–1. At time 1200, the position vector
of S relative to a fixed origin O is (16i + 5j) km. Find
(a) the speed of S,

(2)
(b) the bearing on which S is moving.

(2)
The ship is heading directly towards a submerged rock R. A radar tracking station calculates
that, if S continues on the same course with the same speed, it will hit R at the time 1500.
(c) Find the position vector of R.

(2)
The tracking station warns the ship’s captain of the situation. The captain maintains S on its
course with the same speed until the time is 1400. He then changes course so that S moves due
north at a constant speed of 5 km h–1. Assuming that S continues to move with this new constant
velocity, find
(d) an expression for the position vector of the ship t hours after 1400,
(4)
(e) the time when S will be due east of R,

(2)
(f) the distance of S from R at the time 1600.

(3)
(Total 15 marks)
8. [In this question the horizontal unit vectors i and j are due east and due north respectively.]
A model boat A moves on a lake with constant velocity (–i + 6j) m s–1. At time t = 0, A is at
the point with position vector (2i – 10j) m. Find
(a) the speed of A,

(2)
(b) the direction in which A is moving, giving your answer as a bearing.

(3)

At time t = 0, a second boat B is at the point with position vector (–26i + 4j) m.
Given that the velocity of B is (3i + 4j) m s–1,
(c) show that A and B will collide at a point P and find the position vector of P.
(5)
Given instead that B has speed 8 m s–1 and moves in the direction of the vector (3i + 4j),
(d) find the distance of B from P when t = 7 s.

(6)
(Total 16 marks)
9. [In this question, the unit vectors i and j are horizontal vectors due east and north respectively.]
At time t = 0, a football player kicks a ball from the point A with position vector (2i + j) m on a
horizontal football field. The motion of the ball is modelled as that of a particle moving
horizontally with constant velocity (5i + 8j) m s–1. Find
(a) the speed of the ball,

(2)
(b) the position vector of the ball after t seconds.

(2)
The point B on the field has position vector (10i + 7j) m.
(c) Find the time when the ball is due north of B.

(2)
At time t = 0, another player starts running due north from B and moves with constant speed
v m s–1. Given that he intercepts the ball,
(d) find the value of v.

(6)

(e) State one physical factor, other than air resistance, which would be needed in a
refinement of the model of the ball’s motion to make the model more realistic.
(1)
(Total 13 marks)
10. Two ships P and Q are travelling at night with constant velocities. At midnight, P is at the point
with position vector (20i + 10j) km relative to a fixed origin O. At the same time, Q is at the
point with position vector (14i – 6j) km. Three hours later, P is at the point with position vector
(29i + 34j) km. The ship Q travels with velocity 12j km h–1. At time t hours after midnight, the
position vectors of P and Q are p km and q km respectively. Find
(a) the velocity of P, in terms of i and j,

(2)
(b) expressions for p and q, in terms of t, i and j.

(4)
At time t hours after midnight, the distance between P and Q is d km.
(c) By finding an expression for PQ , show that
d 2 = 25t2 – 92t + 292.

(5)
Weather conditions are such that an observer on P can only see the lights on Q when the
distance between P and Q is 15 km or less. Given that when t = 1, the lights on Q move into
sight of the observer,
(d) find the time, to the nearest minute, at which the lights on Q move out of sight of the
observer.
(5)
(Total 16 marks)

11. A particle P moves in a horizontal plane. The acceleration of P is (–i + 2j) m s–2. At time t = 0,
the velocity of P is (2i – 3j) m s–1.
(a) Find, to the nearest degree, the angle between the vector j and the direction of motion of
P when t = 0.
(3)
At time t seconds, the velocity of P is v m s–1. Find
(b) an expression for v in terms of t, in the form ai + bj,

(2)
(c) the speed of P when t = 3,

(3)
(d) the time when P is moving parallel to i.

(2)
(Total 10 marks)
12. A small boat S, drifting in the sea, is modelled as a particle moving in a straight line at constant
speed. When first sighted at 0900, S is at a point with position vector (4i – 6j) km relative to a
fixed origin O, where i and j are unit vectors due east and due north respectively. At 0945, S is
at the point with position vector (7i – 7.5j) km. At time t hours after 0900, S is at the point with
position vector s km.
(a) Calculate the bearing on which S is drifting.

(4)
(b) Find an expression for s in terms of t.

(3)
At 1000 a motor boat M leaves O and travels with constant velocity (pi + qj) km h–1. Given that
M intercepts S at 1015,
(c) calculate the value of p and the value of q.

(6)
(Total 13 marks)

13. [In this question the vectors i and j are horizontal unit vectors in the directions due east and due
north respectively.]
Two boats A and B are moving with constant velocities. Boat A moves with velocity 9j km h–1.
Boat B moves with velocity (3i + 5j) km h–1.
(a) Find the bearing on which B is moving.

(2)
At noon, A is at point O, and B is 10 km due west of O. At time t hours after noon, the position
vectors of A and B relative to O are a km and b km respectively.
(b) Find expressions for a and b in terms of t, giving your answer in the form pi + qj.
(3)
(c) Find the time when B is due south of A.

(2)
At time t hours after noon, the distance between A and B is d km. By finding an expression for
AB ,
(d) show that d2 = 25t2 – 60t + 100.

(4)
At noon, the boats are 10 km apart.
(e) Find the time after noon at which the boats are again 10 km apart.
(3)
(Total 14 marks)
14. A particle P of mass 3 kg is moving under the action of a constant force F newtons. At t = 0, P
has velocity (3i – 5j) m s –1. At t = 4 s, the velocity of P is (–5i + 11j) m s–1. Find
(a) the acceleration of P, in terms of i and j.

(2)

(b) the magnitude of F.

(4)
At t = 6 s, P is at the point A with position vector (6i – 29j) m relative to a fixed origin O. At
this instant the force F newtons is removed and P then moves with constant velocity. Three
seconds after the force has been removed, P is at the point B.
(c) Calculate the distance of B from O.

(6)
(Total 12 marks)
15. A particle P moves with constant acceleration (2i – 3j) m s−2. At time t seconds, its velocity is
v m s−1. When t = 0, v = −2i + 7j.
(a) Find the value of t when P is moving parallel to the vector i.

(4)
(b) Find the speed of P when t = 3.

(3)
(c) Find the angle between the vector j and the direction of motion of P when t = 3.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)
16. Two ships P and Q are moving along straight lines with constant velocities. Initially P is at a
point O and the position vector of Q relative to O is (6i + 12j) km, where i and j are unit vectors
directed due east and due north respectively. The ship P is moving with velocity 10j km h–1 and
Q is moving with velocity (−8i + 6j) km h−1. At time t hours the position vectors of P and Q
relative to O are p km and q km respectively.
(a) Find p and q in terms of t.

(3)
(b) Calculate the distance of Q from P when t = 3.

(3)
(c) Calculate the value of t when Q is due north of P.

(2)
(Total 8 marks)

17. [In this question, the horizontal unit vectors i and j are directed due East and North
respectively.]
A coastguard station O monitors the movements of ships in a channel. At noon, the station’s
radar records two ships moving with constant speed. Ship A is at the point with position vector
(–5i + 10j) km relative to O and has velocity (2i + 2j) km h–1. Ship B is at the point with
position vector (3i + 4j) km and has velocity (–2i + 5j) km h–1.
(a) Given that the two ships maintain these velocities, show that they collide.
(6)
The coast guard radios ship A and orders it to reduce its speed to move with velocity (i + j) km
h–1.
Given that A obeys this order and maintains this new constant velocity,
(b) find an expression for the vector AB at time t hours after noon.
(2)
(c) find, to 3 significant figures, the distance between A and B at 1400 hours,
(3)
(d) find the time at which B will be due north of A.

(2)
(Total 13 marks)

1. (−4i − 7 j) = r + 4(−3i + 2 j) M1 A1
r = (8i − 15 j) A1
r = 82 + (−15) 2 = 17 m M1 A1 ft
[5]
2 l i + 10 j – (9i – 6j)
2. (a) v= = 3i + 4 j M1 A1
4
speed is √ (32 + 42) = 5(km h–1) M1 A1 4
3
(b) tan θ = (⇒ θ ≈ 36.9°) M1
4
bearing is 37, 36.9, 36.87, … A1 2
(c) s = 9i – 6j + t (3i + 4j) M1

= (3t + 9)i + (4t – 6)j * cso A1 2
(d) Position vector of S relative to L is

(3T + 9) i + (4T – 6) j – (18i + 6j) = (3T –9)i + (4T –12) j M1 A1
(3T – 9)2 + (4T – 12)2 = 100 M1
25T2 – 150T + 125 = 0 or equivalent DM1 A1
(T2 –6T+5=0)
T =1, 5 A1 6
[14]
v = 1.2 2 + (– 0.9 ) = 1.5m s –1

2
3. (a) M1 A1 2
(b) (rH =)100j + t(1.2i – 0.9 j) m M1 A1 2
(c) (rK =)9i + 46j + t(0.75i + 1.8 j) m M1 A1
HK = rK – rH = (9 – 0.45t)i + (2.7t – 54)j

m Printed Answer M1 A1 4
(d) Meet when HK = 0

(9 – 0.45t)= 0 and (2.7t – 54) = 0 M1 A1
t = 20 from both equations A1
rK = rH = (24i + 82j) m DM1 A1 cso 5

[13]
4. –6i + j = u + 3(2i – 5j) M1 A1

⇒ u = –12i + 16j A1 cso
⇒ u = (–12) 2 + 16 2 = 20 M1 A1
[5]
8i + 11j − (3i − 4 j)
5. (a) v= or any equivalent M1A1
2.5
v = 2i + 6j A1 3
(b) b = 3i – 4j + vt ft their v M1A1ft

= 3i – 4j + (2i + 6j)t A1cao 3
(c) i component: –9 + 6t = 3 + 2t M1
t=3 M1A1
j component: 20 + 3λ = –4 + 18 M1
λ = –2 A1 5
(d) vB = √(22 + 62) or vC = √(62 + (–2)2) M1

Both correct A1
The speeds of B and C are the same cso A1 3
[14]
(15i − 4 j) − (3i + 2 j)
6. (a) a= =3i – 15j M1A1 2
4
(b) N2L F = ma = 6i – 3j ft their a M1A1

F =√(62 + 32) ≈ 6.71 (N) accept √45, awrt 6.7 M1A1 4
(c) v6 = (3i + 2j) + (3i – 1.5j)6 ft their a M1A1ft

= 21i – 7j (m s–1) A1 1
[9]
7. (a) Speed = √(2.52 + 62) = 6.5 km h−1 M1 A1 2

M1 needs square, add and √ correct components
(b) Bearing = 360 − arctan (2.5 / 6) ≈ 337 M1 A1 2

M1 for finding acute angle = arctan (2.5 / 6)

or arctan (6 / 2.5) (i.e. 67° / 23°).

Accept answer as AWRT 337.
(c) R = (16 − 3 × 2.5)i + (5 + 3 × 6)j M1

= 8.5i + 23j A1 2
M1 needs non-zero initial p.v. used + ‘their 3’ × velocity vector
(d) At 1400 s = 11i + 17j M1 A1

At time t, s = 11i + (17 + 5t)j ↓M1 A1 4
st
Allow 1 M1 even if non-zero initial p.v. not used here
(e) East of R ⇒ 17 + 5t = 23 M1
⇒ t = 6 / 5 ⇒ 1512 hours A1 2
A1 is for answer as a time of the day
(f) At 1600 s = 11i + 27j M1

s − r = 2.5i + 4j
Distance = √(2.52 + 42) ≈ 4.72 km M1 A1 3
1st M1 for using t = 2 or 4 (but not 200, 400, 6, 16 etc)
and forming s − r or r − s
[15]
8. (a) Speed of A = √(12 + 62) ≈ 6.08 m s–1 M1 A1 2
(b)
θ
6
1
tan θ = 1/6 ⇒ θ ≈ 9.46° M1 A1
Bearing ≈ 351 A1 3
(c) p.v. of A at time t = (2 – t)i + (–10 + 6t)j

p.v. of B at time t = (–26 + 3t)i + (4 + 4t)j B1 (either)
(E.g.) i components equal ⇒ 2 – t = –26 + 3t ⇒ t = 7 M1 A1
j components at t = 7: A: –10 + 6t = 32
B: 4 + 4t = 32 M1
Same, so collide at t = 7 s at point with p.v. (–5i + 32j) m A1 cso 5

(d) New velocity of B = 8 (3i + 4j) m s–1 B1

P.v. of B at 7 s = –26i + 4j + 1.6(3i + 4j) × 7 = 7.6i + 48.8j M1 A1
PB = b – p = 12.6i + 16.8j (in numbers) M1
Distance = √(12.62 + 16.82) = 21 m M1 A1 6
[16]
9. (a) Speed of ball = √(52 + 82) ≈ 9.43 m s–1 M1 A1 2

M1 Valid attempt at speed (square, add and squ.
root cpts)
(b) p.v. of ball = (2i + j) + (5i + 8j)t M1 A1 2

M1 needs non-zero p.v. + (attempt at veloc vector) x t.
Must be vector
(c) North of B when i components same, i.e. 2 + 5t = 10 M1

t = 1.6 s A1 2
(d) When t = 1.6, p.v. of ball = 10i + 13.8j (or j component = 13.8) M1 A1
↓
Distance travelled by 2nd player = 13.8 – 6 = 6.8 M1 A1
↓
Speed = 6.8 ÷ 1.6 = 4.25 m s-1 M1 A1 6
or [(2 + 5t)i +] (1 + 8t)j = [10i +] (7 + vt)j M1 A1
(pv’s or j components same)
↓
Using t = 1.6: 1 + 12.8 = 7 + 1.6v (equn in v only) M1 A1
↓
v = 4.25 m s–1 M1 A1
2nd M1 – allow if finding displacement vector
(e.g. if using wrong time)
3rd M1 for getting speed as a scalar (and final answer
must be as a scalar). But if they get e.g. ‘4.25j’, allow M1 A0
(e) Allow for friction on field (i.e. velocity of ball not constant) B1 1
or allow for vertical component of motion of ball
Allow ‘wind’, ‘spin’, ‘time for player to accelerate’,
size of ball
Do not allow on their own ‘swerve’, ‘weight of ball’.
[13]

10. (a) vP = {(29i + 34j) – (20i + 10j)}/3 = (3i + 8j) km h–1 M1 A1 2

(b) p = (20i + 10j) + (3i + 8j)t M1 A1ft
q = (14i – 6j) + 12tj M1 A1 4
(c) q – p = (–6 – 3t)i + (–16 + 4t)j M1 A1

↓
d2 = (–6 – 3t)2 + (–16 + 4t)2 M1
↓
= 36 + 36t + 9t2 + 16t2 – 128t + 256 M1
= 25t2 – 92t + 292 (*) A1 (cso) 5
(d) 25t2 – 92t + 292 = 225 M1

25t2 – 92t + 67 = 0 A1
↓
(t – 1)(25t – 67) = 0 M1
t = 67/25 or 2.68 A1
time ≈ 161 mins, or 2 hrs 41 mins, or 2.41 am, or 0241 A1 5
[16]
3
11. (a) tan θ = (θ = 56.3°) M1
2
angle between v and j = 90 + 56.3 ≈ 146° M1 A1 3
(b) v = 2i – 3j + (–i + 2j)t M1

= (2 – t)i + (–3 + 2t)j A1 2
(c) t = 3, v = –i + 3j M1
speed = √(12 + 32) = √10 or 3.16 m s–1 M1 A1 3
(d) v parallel to i ⇒ – 3 + 2t = 0 M1
⇒ t = 1.5 s A1 2
[10]
12. (a) Direction of v = (7i – 7.5j) – (4i – 6j) = 3i – 1.5j M1

↓
1.5
tan q = = 0.5 ⇒ q = 26.565… M1 A1
3
Bearing = 117 (accept awrt) A1 4

(b) v = (3i – 1.5j) ÷ 34 = 4i – 2j B1

s = (4i – 6j) + t(4i – 2j) M1 A1f.t. 3
5
(c) At 1015 s = (4i – 6j) + (4i – 2j) ( = 9i – 8.5j) M1 A1
4
m = 0.25 (pi + qj) B1
↓
s = m ⇒ p = 36, q = – 34 M1 A1, A1 6
[13]
3
13. (a) tanθ = ⇒ θ = 031° M1 A1 2
5
(b) a = 9t j B1
b = (–10 + 3t)I + 5t j M1 A1 3
(c) B south of A ⇒ – 10 + 3t = 0 M1
t = 3 13 ⇒ 1520 hours A1 2
(d) AB = b – a = (3t – 10)I + 5t i M1 A1

↓
d2 = b – a2 = (3t – 10)2 + 16t2 M1
= 25t2 – 60t + 100 (*) A1 4
(e) d = 10 ⇒ d2 = 100 ⇒ 25t2 – 60t = 0 M1

⇒ t = (0 or) 2.4 A1
⇒ time 1424 hours A1 3
[15]
1
14. (a) a= [(5i + 11j) – (3i – 5j)] = –2i + 4j M1 A1 2
4
(b) F = ma = –6i + 12j M1 A1

F = 180 ≅ 13.4 N (AWRT) M1 A1 4
[OR a = 20 ≅ 4.47 ⇒ F = 3 × 4.47 ≅ 13.4 N]

(c) t = 6 v = 3i – 5j + 6(–2i + 4j) [= –9i + 19j] M1 A1

At B: r = (6i – 29j) + 3(–9i + 19j) [= –21i + 28j] M1 A1ft
OB = (212 + 28 2 ) = 35 m M1 A1 6
[12]
15. (a) “v = u + at” : v = (−2 + 2t)i + (7 – 3t)j M1 A1

v parallel to i ⇒ 7 – 3t = 0 ⇒ t = 2 13 s M1 A1 4
(b) t = 3, v = 4i – 2j M1
|v| = √20 ≈ 4.47 m s−1 M1 A1 3
4
(c) 2
2
Angle = (arctan 4
), + 90° = 116.6° (accept 117°) M1, M1 A1 3
[or 180° − (arctan 4
2
)] [M1 M1 A1]
[10]
16. (a) p = 10tj B1

q = (6i + 12j) + (–8i + 6j)t M1 A1 3
(b) t = 3: p = 30j, q = –18i + 30j M1 A1

⇒ dist. apart = 18 km A1 3
Alt. (b)
PQ = q – p = (6 – 8t)i + (12 – 4t)j M1
t = 3: PQ = – 18i + 0j or |PQ|2 = (6 – 8t)2 + (12 – 4t)2 A1
Dist. = 18 km t = 3 → |PQ| = 18 A1
(c) Q north of P ⇒ 6 – 8t = 0 M1
t=¾ A1 2
[8]

17. (a) At time t rA = (–5 + 2t)i + (10 + 2t)j B1

rB = (3 – 2t)i + (4 + 5t)j B1
i components equal when –5 + 2t = 3 – 2t ⇒ t = 2 h M1 A1
t = 2: rA = –i + 14j; rB = –i + 14 j ⇒ collide M1 A1 6
(b) New rA = (–5 + t)i + (10 + t) j
(c) ⇒ AB = rB – rA = (8 – 3t)i + (–6 + 4t)j M1 A1 2
t = 2: AB = 2i + 2j, ⇒ dist. = √(22 + 22) ≈ 2.83 km M1 M1 A1 3

(d) B north of A ⇒ 8 – 3t = 0 ⇒ t = 8/3 ⇒ time 1440 hours
[11]

1. This proved to be a tricky opening question for many of the candidates. The most popular
approach was to find the starting position and then use it to find the position vector at t = 2.
Errors in sign were fairly common at some stage of the working. A significant minority did not
use a valid method at all, some just multiplying the given velocity vector by 2 or using a time of
6 only, and others becoming confused with constant acceleration formulae. A number of
candidates failed to find the magnitude of their position vector to obtain the distance as
required; there were follow through marks available for this even if the vector had been
determined incorrectly. A few found the distance from the starting point rather than from the
origin. Nevertheless, there were a fair number of entirely correct solutions.
2. There was some confusion in parts (a), (b) and (c) over which vectors were velocities and which
were displacements, with some even using acceleration. In the first part, many did not
appreciate the distinction between velocity and speed and in part (b) many were unable to
convert an appropriate angle into a bearing. The third part tended to be well-answered but a few
used ‘verification’ at t = 0 and t = 4 and scored nothing. Part (d) was a good discriminator and
the less able were often unable to make much progress. The majority of candidates who used
Pythagoras to find the magnitude of the relative position vector and equated it to 10 scored at
least 3/6 but many often lost the accuracy marks due to poor algebra. There were a number of
other methods seen which used the fact that the lighthouse was on the path of the ship and that
the speed of the ship was 5 km/h and these received full credit.
3. Most candidates were able to gain the first six marks and most seemed to know that, in part (c),
they needed to perform a subtraction on rH and rK although some were unsure which way round
to do it. Another common error was to equate the position vectors and then fudge the answer.
This received no credit.
In part (d) many candidates assumed that the hikers would meet and equated just one pair of
components to produce t = 20. If they then used just one hiker to find 24i + 82j they scored only
2 out of 5, if they used both hikers, they scored full marks. There were a number of other ways
of obtaining t = 20, some spurious, but provided that the candidate verified that both hikers were
at the point with position vector 24i + 82j at t = 20, they could score all of the marks.
4. Most candidates realised that they needed to apply v = u + a t and many arrived at 12i – 16j but
then failed to go on and find the speed, losing the final two marks. This showed a lack of
understanding of the relationship between speed and velocity. A small minority found
magnitudes at the start and then tried to use v = u + at, gaining no marks. Some candidates lost
the third mark because of errors in the manipulation of negative numbers.
5. There was some evidence that a number of weaker candidates were unable to complete this
question but it wasn’t clear whether they ran out of time or simply couldn’t do it.
In parts (a) and (b) some candidates confused the use of position vectors and velocity vectors.
(a) This was well answered by most candidates. Where errors did occur they often involved
adding the position vectors, not dividing by the time or miscalculating the time or else
doing the subtraction incorrectly or the wrong way round.
Particular examples:
errors in dividing by 2.5, particularly the j-component of the vector.
errors in time, using 2.3 or 4.5 hours.

some candidates changed the time into minutes, others into seconds.
not enough care was taken in looking at the compatibility of length and time units.
use of inappropriate formulae to solve the problem.
A few candidates clearly did not know how to deal with it at all.
(b) This was often correct. Errors that did occur were usually in the position vector, either
using 8i + 11j or else leaving it out completely. Also some candidates used a position
vector for v. A few candidates found the speed or velocity. However for those who had an
answer to part (a) most were successful in carrying it correctly forward into this part.
(c) Most knew they had to equate the position vectors but a number did not then go on to
equate coefficients of i and j. Those that did were largely successful in getting the right
values out.
Others tried to solve the equation for by crossing out all the ‘t’s or all the ‘i’s and ‘j’s.
Some tried to divide vectors whilst others just substituted in random values for t.
(d) Relatively few got full marks here. Most, who got part (a) correct ,were able to get the
first mark. Common errors seen were finding the position at t = 3 and then using
Pythagoras, or else using v × t. Some candidates just stated that the vectors were the
same. Many of those who did carry out the correct calculations either left it at that,
without making a statement, or else declared that the velocities rather than the speeds
were equal. There were a few instances where 6i + 2j was taken as the second speed, with
no obvious connection to their previous work, using the fact that the speeds must be
equal! A few also guessed λ in part (d) and then placed this value at the end of a page of
incomprehensible working in part (c).
6. In part (a) most candidates knew the method and it was often fully correct but a number failed to
find the magnitude of the force in the second part, with some, subtracting the squares of the
components instead of adding them. Part (c) was well answered.
7. As always the vector question proved to be challenging for many weaker candidates. A number
did not attempt it at all. For those who did, most found the speed correctly in part (a), but
answers to part (b) were very variable: many chose the wrong vector to use (the position vector,
not the velocity); others could not find the correct bearing from the acute angle obtained from
their diagrams. Most with any understanding of the topic could complete parts (c) and (d),
though there was quite a lot of confusion about the 24 hour clock (with e.g. values for t of 1600
or 200 being used [instead of 2 etc]). In part (e) some equated the j component to zero, rather
than to the value obtained from part (c); others obtained t as 1.2 correctly but could not put it
back into the context of the question as a time of day. Those who got as far as part (f) could
usually make a good attempt (though a number used t = 4 rather than 2), and a number of
correct final answers were seen.
8. Part (a) was generally well answered, most knowing how to calculate a ‘speed’ from a
‘velocity’. In part (b), most calculated an angle, but as often as not failed to give any indication
which angle it was in relation to the data; they then often failed to deal with the angle correctly
to find the correct bearing. Candidates should be encouraged to show clearly their working and,

if they are calculating an angle, which angle in a figure it is. In part (c), most correctly equated
the two general position vectors to find a value of t, but some failed to make the full check to
ensure that the value of t obtained produced equality for both coordinates (hence implying a
collision). Part (d) proved to be more discriminating. Several could not find the new velocity of
B correctly (given its magnitude and direction though with the direction not given in the form of
a unit vector); however, a number of candidates did manage to pick up the method marks here
by proceeding correctly with what they thought the velocity was.
9. The question proved again to be a good discriminator. The calculations involved were relatively
simple, though a correct solution did require a proper understanding of the physical situation.
Part (a) was generally well done, though not universally: some evidently did not know the
meaning of the word ‘speed’. Part (b) was mostly correct. In part (c) a significant minority
equated the j components, rather than the i components. In part (d), many got to the end result,
apparently correctly, though the working presented often proved to be very challenging to
decipher. Others used the wrong vectors or distances involved. In part (e) presentation was
again somewhat inadequate, with some effectively stating one of the assumptions (e.g. the field
being smooth), rather than saying that the opposite would be a factor needing to be taken into
account (i.e. friction). Again some relevant responses were given, but also a number of
irrelevant (or unclear) ones.
10. This was probably the most discriminating question on the paper with only the top grade of
candidates tending to complete the whole question successfully. Most could make a good
attempt at part (a), and the writing down of the two position vectors in part (b) was generally
well done. Parts (c) and (d) were however more taxing. Several could not start part (c) at all by
subtracting the two position vectors; others could not progress because they failed to collect
expressions for the components before finding the modulus of this vector. In part (d), several
successfully restarted even though they had not reached the given answer in part (c). Many
offered well presented answers to the solution of the quadratic equation. Some however failed to
equate the d of the given expression to 15 (some using 15.1 or 16).
11. Part (a) was found to be the hardest part of this question: most could find a relevant acute angle
but very few could convert this to the angle required in the question. In part (b), several failed to
give their answers in the required form ‘ai + bj’, collecting together the i and j components. In
part (c), most could find the velocity (as a vector) but many then stopped, not appreciating the
difference between ‘velocity’ and ‘speed’. In part (d), the majority found the correct method,
but a significant minority equated the i component of the velocity to zero.
12. The vector question was found to be quite difficult by a number of candidates. In part (a), many
failed to realise that they had to find the direction of motion, and simply tried to find a direction
associated with one or other of the position vectors given. Part (b) was generally better done:
even those who did not realise how to tackle part (a) could still find the velocity in part (b). In
part (c), there was often considerable confusion about the times involved: many used a value for
t in minutes rather than hours, and several effectively assumed that S and M had been moving
for the same time. The interpretation of the actual times (‘0900’, ‘1015’ etc) caused a number of
problems for many. Hence although many could adopt a correct general approach, fully accurate
answers to this part were seen only by the better candidates. The standard of presentation here

was also not good: many very scrappy answers were presented with little or no explanation
given for what was being attempted and working strewn all over the paper.
13. Once again vector work proved to be challenging for many at this level. Quite a few failed to
find the correct angle for the bearing required in part (a). In part (b), most could make a
reasonable attempt to write down expressions of the two position vectors at a general time t. In
part (c) however, clear methods were not seen very often and many failed to realise that they
had to equate the i components of the position vectors. In part (d), many appeared to be fudging
their working to produce the given answer, and clear methods finding an expression for the
vector AB or the vector BA, and then finding its magnitude, were not that common.
However, a number managed to produce a good solution in part (e) even where they had
struggled with the vector work earlier in the question. A number who successfully completed all
the vector work lost a mark or two by failing to give their answers to parts (c) and (e) as a
specific time, rather than just the value of a variable t: interpreting the results obtained from the
algebra in terms of the original context of the question was expected here.
14. As always vector work proved to be challenging to many of the weaker candidates. Most could
cope reasonably well with parts (a) and (b), and it was pleasing to see that only a minority this
time failed to understand the significance of the demand to find the ‘magnitude’ of the force in
part (b). Part (c) however was beyond many and several could not make a start at all here. There
was some confusion between displacements and velocities, and some tried to use constant
acceleration equations in vector form, often with little success. However, the question was by no
means impossible and a number of the more able candidates scored full marks here.
15. Vectors once again proved the most challenging part of the paper for many candidates. Further,
many failed to explain their work clearly so that it was not always easy to give candidates credit
for correct methods even when the final answers were wrong. In part (a), very few seemed
able to write down an expression for the velocity at a general time t, or then use this to find
when the particle was moving parallel to i. Some partially recovered themselves in part (b),
perhaps feeling more comfortable with a numerical value of t to use; however, a very large
proportion of candidates simply found the velocity of P, failing to appreciate the distinction
been ‘velocity’ and ‘speed’. In part (c) several attempted to find an angle, but as often as not,
simply found an acute angle for the direction of their velocity vector, failing to realise that with
a vector such as 4i – 2j, an obtuse angle would be involved.
16. Most were successful in doing part (a) correctly. In part (b) there was a similar problem to that
of understanding the meaning of ‘magnitude’ in qu. 3 in that many assumed that the ‘distance’
of P from Q was 18i instead of 18 km: again the problem of interpreting vectors properly caused
some problems. Answers to part (c) were rather variable: several were completely correct, but a
fair proportion of candidates tried to equate the j components.
17. No Report available for this question.

M1 Kinematics – Projectiles PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1. At time t = 0, a particle is projected vertically upwards with speed u m s–1 from a point 10 m
above the ground. At time T seconds, the particle hits the ground with speed 17.5 m s–1. Find
(a) the value of u,

(3)
(b) the value of T.

(4)
(Total 7 marks)
2. A ball is projected vertically upwards with speed 21 m s–1 from a point A, which is 1.5 m above
the ground. After projection, the ball moves freely under gravity until it reaches the ground.
Modelling the ball as a particle, find
(a) the greatest height above A reached by the ball,

(3)
(b) the speed of the ball as it reaches the ground,

(3)
(c) the time between the instant when the ball is projected from A and the instant when the
ball reaches the ground.
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

1. (a) v2 = u2 + 2as ⇒ 17.52 = u2 + 2 × 9.8 × 10 M1 A1

Leading to u = 10.5 A1 3
(b) v = u + at ⇒ 17.5 = –10.5 + 9.8T M1A1ft

6
T = 2 (s) DM1A1 4
7
Alternatives
u+v  17.5 + −10.5 
s=  T ⇒ 10 =  T M1A1ft
 2   2 
20
=T DM1A1 4
7
1 2
OR s = ut + at ⇒ −10 = 10.5t − 4.9t 2 M1A1ft
2
6  5
Leading to T = 2 ,  −  Rejecting negative DM1A1 4
7  7
(b) can be done independently of (a)
1
s = vt − at 2 ⇒ −10 = −17.5t + 4.9t 2 M1A1
2
6 5
Leading to T = 2 , DM1
7 7
5
For final A1, second solution has to be rejected. leads
7
to a negative u. A1 4
[7]
2. (a) v2 = u2 + 2as ⇒ 02 = 212 – 2 × 9.8 × h M1A1

h = 22.5 (m) A1 3
(b) v2 = u2 + 2as ⇒ v2 = 02 + 2 × 9.8 × 24 or equivalent M1A1

(= 470.4)
v ≈ 22 (m s–1) accept 21.7 A1 3
(c) v = u + at ⇒ –√470.4 = 21 – 9.8t or equivalent M1A2(1,0)

– 1 each error
t ≈ 4.4 (s) accept 4.36 A1 4
[10]

1. There were various approaches that could be applied successfully to answer this question. Those
who fully understood the implications of projecting from above ground level could achieve full
marks by the most direct method although sign errors were not uncommon. Another popular
approach was to split the motion into two stages (to and from the highest point) in both part (a)
to find the initial velocity, and in part (b) to find the whole time. Although this required more
working, there tended to be fewer sign errors. Premature approximation occasionally led to
inaccuracy in the final answer. The weakest candidates sometimes only considered motion to or
from the highest point. It should be noted that the rubric requires g = 9.8 to be used and not
9.81, which was penalised.
2. Successful candidates used appropriate formulae and took care over signs. A significant number
used energy methods.
In part (a), many candidates were able to get to the answer using only one equation but many
used two or even more and there were many sign errors. These comments apply also in the
second and third parts, where candidates often “dived in” and used the first formula that came to
mind instead of stopping to think – all three parts could be done using only one equation.
Candidates sometimes lost marks due to over–accurate answers being given after using g as
9.8m s–2.

M1 Kinematics - by graphical methods PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1. Two cars P and Q are moving in the same direction along the same straight horizontal road. Car
P is moving with constant speed 25 m s–1. At time t = 0, P overtakes Q which is moving with
constant speed 20 ms–1. From t = T seconds, P decelerates uniformly, coming to rest at a point X
which is 800 m from the point where P overtook Q. From t = 25 s, Q decelerates uniformly,
coming to rest at the same point X at the same instant as P.
(a) Sketch, on the same axes, the speed-time graphs of the two cars for the period from t = 0
to the time when they both come to rest at the point X.
(4)
(b) Find the value of T.

(8)
(Total 12 marks)
2. An athlete runs along a straight road. She starts from rest and moves with constant acceleration
for 5 seconds, reaching a speed of 8 ms–1. This speed is then maintained for T seconds. She then
decelerates at a constant rate until she stops. She has run a total of 500 m in 75 s.
(a) Sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate the motion of the athlete.

(3)
(b) Calculate the value of T.

(5)
(Total 8 marks)
3. A small ball is projected vertically upwards from ground level with speed u m s–1. The ball
takes 4 s to return to ground level.
(a) Draw a velocity-time graph to represent the motion of the ball during the first 4 s.
(2)
(b) The maximum height of the ball above the ground during the first 4 s is 19.6 m. Find the
value of u.
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

4. A car is moving along a straight horizontal road. The speed of the car as it passes the point A is
25 m s–1 and the car maintains this speed for 30 s. The car then decelerates uniformly to a speed
of 10 m s–1. The speed of 10 m s–1 is then maintained until the car passes the point B. The time
taken to travel from A to B is 90 s and AB = 1410 m.
(a) Sketch, in the space below, a speed-time graph to show the motion of the car from A to B.
(2)
(b) Calculate the deceleration of the car as it decelerates from 25 m s–1 to 10 m s–1.
(7)
(Total 9 marks)
5. A car is moving along a straight horizontal road. At time t = 0, the car passes a point A with
speed 25 m s–1. The car moves with constant speed 25 m s–1 until t = 10 s. The car then
decelerates uniformly for 8 s. At time t = 18 s, the speed of the car is V m s–1 and this speed is
maintained until the car reaches the point B at time t = 30s.
(a) Sketch a speed–time graph to show the motion of the car from A to B.
(3)
Given that AB = 526 m, find
(b) the value of V,

(5)
(c) the deceleration of the car between t = 10 s and t = 18s.

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

6.
v (m s –1)
5
O 3 7 t (s)
The figure above shows the speed-time graph of a cyclist moving on a straight road over a 7 s
period. The sections of the graph from t = 0 to t = 3, and from t = 3 to t = 7, are straight lines.
The section from t = 3 to t = 7 is parallel to the t-axis.
State what can be deduced about the motion of the cyclist from the fact that
(a) the graph from t = 0 to t = 3 is a straight line,

(1)
(b) the graph from t = 3 to t = 7 is parallel to the t-axis.

(1)
(c) Find the distance travelled by the cyclist during this 7 s period.
(4)
(Total 6 marks)
7. A train is travelling at 10 m s–1 on a straight horizontal track. The driver sees a red signal 135 m
ahead and immediately applies the brakes. The train immediately decelerates with constant
deceleration for 12 s, reducing its speed to 3 m s–1. The driver then releases the brakes and
allows the train to travel at a constant speed of 3 m s–1 for a further 15 s. He then applies the
brakes again and the train slows down with constant deceleration, coming to rest as it reaches
the signal.
(a) Sketch a speed-time graph to show the motion of the train.

(3)
(b) Find the distance travelled by the train from the moment when the brakes are first applied
to the moment when its speed first reaches 3 m s–1.
(2)

(c) Find the total time from the moment when the brakes are first applied to the moment
when the train comes to rest.
(5)
(Total 10 marks)
8.
speed
(m s –1)
O 4 20 25 time (s)
A sprinter runs a race of 200 m. Her total time for running the race is 25 s. The diagram above is
a sketch of the speed-time graph for the motion of the sprinter. She starts from rest and
accelerates uniformly to a speed of 9 m s–1 in 4 s. The speed of 9 m s–1 is maintained for 16 s
and she then decelerates uniformly to a speed of u m s–1 at the end of the race. Calculate
(a) the distance covered by the sprinter in the first 20 s of the race,
(2)
(b) the value of u,

(4)
(c) the deceleration of the sprinter in the last 5 s of the race.

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

9. A man is driving a car on a straight horizontal road. He sees a junction S ahead, at which he
must stop. When the car is at the point P, 300 m from S, its speed is 30 m s–1. The car continues
at this constant speed for 2 s after passing P. The man then applies the brakes so that the car has
constant deceleration and comes to rest at S.
(a) Sketch, in the space below, a speed-time graph to illustrate the motion of the car in
moving from P to S.
(2)
(b) Find the time taken by the car to travel from P to S.

(3)
(Total 5 marks)
10. A train starts from rest at a station A and moves along a straight horizontal track. For the first
10 s, the train moves with constant acceleration 1.2 m s–2. For the next 24 s it moves with
constant acceleration 0.75 m s–2. It then moves with constant speed for T seconds. Finally it
slows down with constant deceleration 3 m s–2 until it comes to rest at a station B.
(a) Show that, 34 s after leaving A, the speed of the train is 30 m s–1.
(3)
(b) Sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate the motion of the train as it moves from A to B.
(3)
(c) Find the distance moved by the train during the first 34 s of its journey from A.
(4)
The distance from A to B is 3 km.
(d) Find the value of T.

(4)
(Total 14 marks)

11. A car starts from rest at a point S on a straight racetrack. The car moves with constant
acceleration for 20 s, reaching a speed of 25 m s–1. The car then travels at a constant speed of
25 m s –1 for 120 s. Finally it moves with constant deceleration, coming to rest at a point F.
(a) In the space below, sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate the motion of the car.
(2)
The distance between S and F is 4 km.
(b) Calculate the total time the car takes to travel from S to F.
(3)
A motorcycle starts at S, 10 s after the car has left S. The motorcycle moves with constant
acceleration from rest and passes the car at a point P which is 1.5 km from S. When the
motorcycle passes the car, the motorcycle is still accelerating and the car is moving at a constant
speed. Calculate
(c) the time the motorcycle takes to travel from S to P,

(5)
(d) the speed of the motorcycle at P.

(2)
(Total 12 marks)
12. Two trains A and B run on parallel straight tracks. Initially both are at rest in a station and level
with each other. At time t = 0, A starts to move. It moves with constant acceleration for 12 s up
to a speed of 30 m s−1, and then moves at a constant speed of 30 m s−1. Train B starts to move in
the same direction as A when t = 40, where t is measured in seconds. It accelerates with the
same initial acceleration as A, up to a speed of 60 m s−1. It then moves at a constant speed of
60 m s−1. Train B overtakes A after both trains have reached their maximum speed. Train B
overtakes A when t = T.
(a) Sketch, on the same diagram, the speed-time graphs of both trains for 0 ≤ t ≤ T.
(3)
(b) Find the value of T.

(9)
(Total 12 marks)

13. A racing car is travelling on a straight horizontal road. Its initial speed is 25 m s–1 and it
accelerates for 4 s to reach a speed of V m s–1. It then travels at a constant speed of V m s–1
for a further 8 s. The total distance travelled by the car during this 12 s period is 600 m.
(a) Sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate the motion of the car during this 12 s period.
(2)
(b) Find the value of V.

(4)
(c) Find the acceleration of the car during the initial 4 s period.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

1. (a) Shape (both) B1

Cross B1
Meet on t-axis B1
Figures 25, 20, T, 25 B1 4
 t + 25 
(b) For Q: 20   = 800 M1 A1
 2 
t = 55 DM1 A1
 T + 55 
For P: 25   = 800 M1 A1
 2 
solving for T: T =9 DM1 A1 8
[12]
2. (a)
First two line segments B1

Third line segment B1
8, 75 B1 3
1
(b) × 8 × (T + 75) = 500 M1 A2 (1,0)
2
Solving to T = 50 DM1 A1 5
[8]

3. (a)
or
shape B1
values B1 2
1
(b) 19.6 = × 2 × u M1 A1
2
u = 19.6 A1 3
[5]
4. (a)
v
25
10
O
30 90 t
shape B1
25, 10, 30, 90 B1 2
1
(b) 30 × 25 + (25 + 10)t + 10(60 − t ) = 1410 M1A1A1
2
7.5t = 60
t = 8 (s) DM1A1
25 − 10 7
a= = 1.875 (m s–2) 1 M1A1 7
8 8
[9]
5. (a)
v
25
O 10 18 30 t
2 horizontal lines B1
Joined by straight line sloping down B1
25, 10, 18, 30 oe B1 3

1
(b) 25 × 10 + (25 + V ) × 8 + 12 × V = 526 M1A1A1
2
Solving to V = 11 DM1A1 5
(c) “v = u + at” ⇒ 11 = 25 – 8a ft their V M1A1ft

a = 1.75 (m s–2) A1 3
[11]
6. (a) Constant acceleration B1 1
(b) Constant speed / velocity B1 1

(a) and (b) Accept ‘steady’ instead of ‘constant.
Allow ‘o.e.’ (= ‘or equivalent’) within reason! But must have
idea of constant.
‘constant speed and constant acceleration’ for (a) or (b) is B0
(c) Distance = ½ (2 + 5) × 3, + (4 × 5) M1 A1, B1

= 30.5 m A1 4
M1 for valid attempt at area of this trap. as area of a trap.
Or this trap. as = triangle + rectangle, i.e. correct formula used
with at most a slip in numbers.
B1 for area of rectangle as 5 × 4
Treating whole as a single const acceln situation, or whole as a
single trapezium, is M0.
If assume that top speed is 5.1 or 5.2, allow full marks on f.t.
basis (but must be consistent)
[6]
10
7. (a)
3
12 27
Shape 0 < t < 12 B1
Shape t > 12 B1
Figures B1 3
(b) Distance in 1st 12 s = ½ × (10 + 3) × 12 or (3 × 12) + ½ × 3 × 7 M1

= 78 m A1 2

(c) either
distance from t = 12 to t = 27 = 15 × 3 = 45
∴ distance in last section = 135 – 45 = 12 m B1ft
½ × 3 × t = 12, M1 A1ft
⇒t=8s A1
hence total time = 27 + 8 = 35 s A1 5
or Distance remaining after 12 s = 135 – 78 = 57 m B1ft
½ × (15 + 15 + t) × 3 = 57 M1 A1ft
⇒t=8 A1
Hence total time = 27 + 8 = 35 s A1
8. (a) Distance = ½ × 4 × 9 + 16 × 9 or ½ (20 + 16) × 9 M1

= 162 m A1 2
(b) Distance over last 5 s = ½(9 + u) × 5 M1
162 + ½(9 + u) × 5 = 200 M1 A1ft
⇒ u = 6.2 m s–1 A1 4
(c) 6.2 = 9 + 5a M1 A1ft

a = (–) 0.56 m s–2 A1 3
[9]
30
9. (a)
O 2 T t
Shape B1
Figs (2, 30) B1 2
(b) 300 = ½ (2 + T) × 30 M1 A1
⇒ T = 18 s A1 3
Or
If t is time decelerating (and clear from working):
300 = 30 × 2 + ½ .30.t M1 A1
⇒ t = 16 s ⇒ total time = 18 s A1 3
[8]

10. (a) After 10 s, speed = 1.2 × 10 = 12 m s–1 B1

After next 24 s, v = “u + at” = 12 + 0.75 × 24 = 30 m s–1 M1 A1 3
300
(b)
12
T
10 34 t
Shape 0 ≤ t ≤ 34 B1
Shape t ≥ 34 B1
Figures B1
1 1
(c) Distance = × 10 × 12, + (30 + 12) 24 B1, M1 A1
2 2
= 60 + 504 = 564 m A1 4
1
(d) Distance travelled decelerating = × 30 × 10 B1
2
1
564 + 30T + × 30 × 10 = 3000 M1 A1 ft
2
⇒ T = 76.2 s A1 4
[11]
v
25
11. (a)
t
20 140 T
Shape B1
Figs B1 2

1
(b) (T + 120) × 25 = 4000 M1 A1
2
 1 1 
or 2 .20.25,+120.25 + 2 (T − 140).25 = 4000
 
T = 200 s A1 3
1
(c) Car: .20.25, + 25(t – 20) = 1500 M1 A1, A1
2
→ t = 70 s M1
Hence motorcycle travels for 60s A1 5
0+v
(d) 1500 =   .60 M1
 2 
v = 50 ms–1 A1 2
[12]
v
B
60
12. A
30
12 40 T t
(a) Shape for A B1
Shape for B with parallel slope B1
Figures B1 3
1
(b) Distance moved by A = 2
× 12 × 30, + 30(T – 12) B1, M1 A1
B accelerates for 24 s B1
1
Distance moved by B = 2
× 24 × 60, + 60(T – 64) B1, M1 A1
1 1
2
× 12 × 30, + 30(T – 12) = 2
× 24 × 60, + 60(T – 64) M1
⇒ T = 98 s A1 9
[12]

13. (a)
v
V
25
4 12 t
B1 (shape)
B1 (figs) 2
(b) 600 = 8V, + ½ (25 + V).4 M1 A1, A1

⇒ V = 55 A1 4
55 − 25
(c) a = = 7.5 m s–2 M1 A1 2
4
[8]

1. A large number of entirely (or almost) correct solutions were seen to this question. Most
candidates drew their velocity-time graphs correctly and included appropriate annotations, with
the most common error being that the lines drawn did not cross. This did not deny candidates
access to full marks in the rest of the question though and many went on to solve the problem
correctly. Most realised that they needed to equate the expressions for area under the graph to
800 for both P and Q. Attempts to use constant acceleration formulae over the whole distance
were occasionally seen and scored no marks although a few used this approach in a valid way
for the separate parts of the motion. Most commonly, a combination of rectangles and triangles
were used to represent area rather than the area of a trapezium which made the subsequent
algebra more difficult, and there were occasional errors seen in simplification. A relatively
common error was to calculate a correct time for Q (t = 30) but to misinterpret this as the time
when they both came to rest leading to errors in the motion of P.
2. In part (a) the speed-time graph was almost universally correct. Most candidates realised, in the
second part, that the area under the graph was equal to the distance travelled and were able to
calculate the correct area of 20 for the first part of the motion. Errors in the interpretation of T
caused most of the problems in the calculations of the other areas. Comparatively few used an
area of a trapezium which provided the neatest solution.
3. Only a relatively small number of candidates had a correct graph in part (a). There was a whole
variety of incorrect attempts seen. Many of the graphs were curved and in some cases the path
that the ball would take in the air was drawn. Of those who had a straight line many were
reluctant to go below the t-axis into negative velocities and drew a speed-time graph instead.
Part (b) was more successfully answered but a common error was to use a wrong time value.
Students generally used constant acceleration formulae rather than the area under their graph.
4. The speed-time graph in part (a) was well drawn with sufficient detail although a few candidates
went beyond 90 on the t-axis. In the second part most tried to equate the area under their graph
to 1410 but there were occasional errors and inconsistent use of the unknown time within the
equation. Some found the area of the triangle to be 60 (correctly) but then used this as a distance
in a constant acceleration formula to find the deceleration. The final two marks required the use
of an appropriate value of t (i.e. not 38) and this was usually achieved although some, using the
correct time value of 8, lost a mark by giving the deceleration as a negative value. More
inexplicably, a few calculated the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle rather than the gradient.
Those who tried to use constant acceleration formulae for more than one stage of the motion at a
time received no credit; such attempts were only very rarely seen.
5. This question was well answered by many candidates.

(a) Almost all drew a graph with the correct relevant sections, and most labelled the
significant values on the axes.
(b) A few candidates tried to apply the constant acceleration formulae to more than one
section of the motion at a time, showing a complete lack of understanding of the problem
and received no credit.. However, most tried to equate the area under the graph to the
given distance, many successfully, but there were errors seen. These included treating the
first two sections as a single trapezium (despite having five sides), using a wrong value
for at least one of the dimensions, omitting a part (e.g. using just a triangle rather than

either a trapezium or triangle and rectangle for the middle section), and omitting the ‘1/2’
from the triangle area formula. Those candidates who approached the problem
systematically and who made good use of brackets tended to complete the simplification
correctly and reach the required answer of 11 m s–1.
(c) Many recognised a valid approach here by either using v = u + at (or a combination of
other constant acceleration formulae) or using the fact that the gradient represents the
acceleration.
Some candidates who did not gain any credit in (b) because of an invalid method often
managed to achieve two out of the three available marks here by following through with
their wrong V value. The many candidates who produced fully correct solutions thus far
sometimes failed to achieve the final mark by giving their answer as negative when the
(positive) deceleration was required.
6. The question was generally well answered and proved to be a reasonably friendly opening
question. Most recognised the significance of the straight lines in parts (a) and (b), though some
simply stated in part (a) that the cyclist was ‘accelerating’ (without mentioning the constancy).
In part (c), most attempted to find the area under the graph. Some weaker candidates assumed
that the whole area was that of a single trapezium; and some made errors in find the area of the
rectangle on the right hand side (with e.g. 5 × 7 instead of 5 × 4 seen).
7. Some very good answers were seen to this question with many fully correct (or all but correct)
answers. Nearly all could draw a good sketch for the speed-time graph, with values
appropriately put on the axes. A few made errors in part (b), finding only the area of the triangle
under the speed time graph for that section of the motion, though many then recovered and
correctly answered part (c). A few incorrectly assumed that the deceleration in the final part of
the motion was the same as the deceleration in the first part. Generally though it was very
pleasing to see this part of the syllabus so well mastered.
8. This proved to be a good source of marks for many candidates, with full marks often being
obtained. Constant acceleration equations appeared to be generally well known. Mistakes, if
they occurred, tended to be in part (b) where some failed to take the full area under the graph
into consideration (perhaps only considering the area of a triangle) and then fudging their
answer obtained in relation to the sign.
9. This was generally found to be a straightforward first question and most could make good
attempts at the whole question. The sketching of the graph was generally well done. The second
part was also often fully correct, though some found only the time during the deceleration
period and forgot to add in the initial 2 seconds to get the total time. A few however thought
that they could use constant acceleration equations for the whole time period.

10. This proved to be a good source of marks for many. The general principles were well known as
well as interpretation of different quantities on the graph in relation to the data (e.g. that the
slope of the speed-time graph is the acceleration, that the area under the graph is the distance
travelled). Graphs were however not always very well drawn; examiners are generally as
accommodating as they can be in marking sketches, and certainly they do not expect highly
accurate drawings, but the sketches given were as often as not rather poorly drawn. Parts (b) and
(c) were also generally well done.
Some took the time at constant speed to be ‘T + 34’ rather than just T; others made small slips in
solving the questions; but generally good work, and resulting high marks, were often seen here.
11. Parts (a) and (b) were generally well done, though a number of weaker candidates still used
equations for constant acceleration for the whole motion in part (b). In part (c) some correct
solutions were seen but the presentation of the solutions was very often extremely poor with
little or no explanations explicitly offered for the calculations performed. Candidates must be
encouraged to make their working clear and not to leave it to the examiner to try to guess the
method being adopted. In part (d) a number effectively assumed that the motion of the motor
cyclist was one of constant motion (hence dividing the distance by the time).
12. Most candidates were able to sketch the speed-time graphs reasonably well: several spent too
long in trying to produce an accurate diagram on graph paper, though some who did not do so
had graphs where the gradients of the two sloping parts were nowhere near parallel. In part (b),
a fairly common misunderstanding (or misreading) of the data given assumed that the trains
were level at the time when B reached its maximum speed. Most had some idea that the areas
under the two graphs must be equal; but the algebraic manipulation required to set up a correct
equation for T and then solve it was too demanding for the majority of candidates.

M1 Kinematics - Uniform acceleration formulae PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
1. A ball is projected vertically upwards with a speed of 14.7 ms–1 from a point which is 49 m
above horizontal ground. Modelling the ball as a particle moving freely under gravity, find
(a) the greatest height, above the ground, reached by the ball,
(4)
(b) the speed with which the ball first strikes the ground,
(3)
(c) the total time from when the ball is projected to when it first strikes the ground.
(3)
(Total 10 marks)
2.
Two particles A and B have mass 0.4 kg and 0.3 kg respectively. The particles are attached to
the ends of a light inextensible string. The string passes over a small smooth pulley which is
fixed above a horizontal floor. Both particles are held, with the string taut, at a height of 1m
above the floor, as shown in the diagram above. The particles are released from rest and in the
subsequent motion B does not reach the pulley.

(a) Find the tension in the string immediately after the particles are released.
(6)
(b) Find the acceleration of A immediately after the particles are released.
(2)
When the particles have been moving for 0.5 s, the string breaks.
(c) Find the further time that elapses until B hits the floor.
(9)
(Total 17 marks)
3. A particle of mass 0.8 kg is held at rest on a rough plane. The plane is inclined at 30° to the
horizontal. The particle is released from rest and slides down a line of greatest slope of the
plane. The particle moves 2.7 m during the first 3 seconds of its motion. Find
(a) the acceleration of the particle,

(3)
(b) the coefficient of friction between the particle and the plane.
(5)
The particle is now held on the same rough plane by a horizontal force of magnitude x newtons,
acting in a plane containing a line of greatest slope of the plane, as shown in the diagram above.
The particle is in equilibrium and on the point of moving up the plane.
(c) Find the value of X.

(7)
(Total 15 marks)

4.
Two particles A and B have masses 5m and km respectively, where k < 5. The particles are
connected by a light inextensible string which passes over a smooth light fixed pulley. The
system is held at rest with the string taut, the hanging parts of the string vertical and with A and
B at the same height above a horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 4. The system is released
1
from rest. After release, A descends with acceleration g .
4
15
(a) Show that the tension in the string as A descends is mg .
4
(3)
(b) Find the value of k.

(3)
(c) State how you have used the information that the pulley is smooth.
(1)
After descending for 1.2 s, the particle A reaches the plane. It is immediately brought to rest by
the impact with the plane. The initial distance between B and the pulley is such that, in the
subsequent motion, B does not reach the pulley.
(d) Find the greatest height reached by B above the plane.

(7)
(Total 14 marks)

5. Three posts P, Q and R, are fixed in that order at the side of a straight horizontal road. The
distance from P to Q is 45 m and the distance from Q to R is 120 m. A car is moving along the
road with constant acceleration a m s–2. The speed of the car, as it passes P, is u m s–1. The car
passes Q two seconds after passing P, and the car passes R four seconds after passing Q. Find
(i) the value of u,
(ii) the value of a.

(Total 7 marks)
6. A particle P moves with constant acceleration (2i – 5j) m s–2. At time t = 0, P has speed u m s–1.
At time t = 3 s, P has velocity (–6i + j) m s–1.
Find the value of u.

(Total 5 marks)
7. A small ball is projected vertically upwards from ground level with speed u m s–1. The ball
takes 4 s to return to ground level.
(a) Draw a velocity-time graph to represent the motion of the ball during the first 4 s.
(2)
(b) The maximum height of the ball above the ground during the first 4 s is 19.6 m. Find the
value of u.
(3)
(Total 5 marks)
8. A train moves along a straight track with constant acceleration. Three telegraph poles are set at
equal intervals beside the track at points A, B and C, where AB = 50 m and BC = 50 m. The
front of the train passes A with speed 22.5 m s–1, and 2 s later it passes B. Find
(a) the acceleration of the train,

(3)

(b) the speed of the front of the train when it passes C,

(3)
(c) the time that elapses from the instant the front of the train passes B to the instant it passes
C.
(4)
(Total 10 marks)
9. A stone is thrown vertically upwards with speed 16 m s–1 from a point h metres above the
ground. The stone hits the ground 4 s later. Find
(a) the value of h,

(3)
(b) the speed of the stone as it hits the ground.

(3)
(Total 6 marks)
10. In taking off, an aircraft moves on a straight runway AB of length 1.2 km. The aircraft moves
from A with initial speed 2 m s–1. It moves with constant acceleration and 20 s later it leaves the
runway at C with speed 74 m s–1. Find
(a) the acceleration of the aircraft,

(2)
(b) the distance BC.

(4)
(Total 6 marks)
11. A stone S is sliding on ice. The stone is moving along a straight horizontal line ABC, where AB
= 24 m and AC = 30 m. The stone is subject to a constant resistance to motion of magnitude 0.3
N. At A the speed of S is 20 m s–1, and at B the speed of S is 16 m s–1. Calculate
(a) the deceleration of S,

(2)
(b) the speed of S at C.

(3)

(c) Show that the mass of S is 0.1 kg.

(2)
At C, the stone S hits a vertical wall, rebounds from the wall and then slides back along the line
CA. The magnitude of the impulse of the wall on S is 2.4 Ns and the stone continues to move
against a constant resistance of 0.3 N.
(d) Calculate the time between the instant that S rebounds from the wall and the instant that S
comes to rest.
(6)
(Total 13 marks)
12. Two cars A and B are moving in the same direction along a straight horizontal road. At time
t = 0, they are side by side, passing a point O on the road. Car A travels at a constant speed of
30 m s–1. Car B passes O with a speed of 20 m s–1, and has constant acceleration of 4 m s–2.
Find
(a) the speed of B when it has travelled 78 m from O,

(2)
(b) the distance from O of A when B is 78 m from O,

(4)
(c) the time when B overtakes A.

(5)
(Total 11 marks)
13. A particle P is moving with constant acceleration along a straight horizontal line ABC, where
AC = 24 m. Initially P is at A and is moving with speed 5 m s–1 in the direction AB. After 1.5 s,
the direction of motion of P is unchanged and P is at B with speed 9.5 m s–1.
(a) Show that the speed of P at C is 13 m s–1.

(4)

The mass of P is 2 kg. When P reaches C, an impulse of magnitude 30 Ns is applied to P in the

direction CB.
(b) Find the velocity of P immediately after the impulse has been applied, stating clearly the
direction of motion of P at this instant.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)
14. A particle P of mass 2 kg is moving with speed u m s–1 in a straight line on a smooth horizontal
plane. The particle P collides directly with a particle Q of mass 4 kg which is at rest on the same
horizontal plane. Immediately after the collision, P and Q are moving in opposite directions and
the speed of P is one-third the speed of Q.
(a) Show that the speed of P immediately after the collision is 1

5
u m s–1.
(4)
After the collision P continues to move in the same straight line and is brought to rest by a
constant resistive force of magnitude 10 N. The distance between the point of collision and the
point where P comes to rest is 1.6 m.
(b) Calculate the value of u.

(5)
(Total 9 marks)
15. A small ball is projected vertically upwards from a point A. The greatest height reached by the
ball is 40 m above A. Calculate
(a) the speed of projection,

(3)
(b) the time between the instant that the ball is projected and the instant it returns to A.
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

16. A competitor makes a dive from a high springboard into a diving pool. She leaves the
springboard vertically with a speed of 4 m s−1 upwards. When she leaves the springboard, she
is 5 m above the surface of the pool. The diver is modelled as a particle moving vertically under
gravity alone and it is assumed that she does not hit the springboard as she descends. Find
(a) her speed when she reaches the surface of the pool,
(3)
(b) the time taken to reach the surface of the pool.

(3)
(c) State two physical factors which have been ignored in the model.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
17. A ball is projected vertically upwards with a speed u m s−1 from a point A which is 1.5 m above
the ground. The ball moves freely under gravity until it reaches the ground. The greatest height
attained by the ball is 25.6 m above A.
(a) Show that u = 22.4.

(3)
The ball reaches the ground T seconds after it has been projected from A.
(b) Find, to 2 decimal places, the value of T.

(4)
The ground is soft and the ball sinks 2.5 cm into the ground before coming to rest. The mass of
the ball is 0.6 kg. The ground is assumed to exert a constant resistive force of magnitude
F newtons.
(c) Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of F.

(6)
(d) State one physical factor which could be taken into account to make the model used in
this question more realistic.
(1)
(Total 14 marks)

18. An aircraft moves along a straight horizontal runway with constant acceleration. It passes a
point A on the runway with speed 16 m s–1. It then passes the point B on the runway with
speed 34 m s–1.
The distance from A to B is 150 m.
(a) Find the acceleration of the aircraft.

(3)
(b) Find the time taken by the aircraft in moving from A to B.

(2)
(c) Find, to 3 significant figures, the speed of the aircraft when it passes the point
mid-way between A and B.
(2)
(Total 7 marks)
19. A post is driven into the ground by means of a blow from a pile-driver. The pile-driver
falls from rest from a height of 1.6 m above the top of the post.
(a) Show that the speed of the pile-driver just before it hits the post is 5.6 m s–1.
(2)
The post has mass 6 kg and the pile-driver has mass 78 kg. When the pile-driver hits the top of
the post, it is assumed that `there is no rebound and that both then move together with the same
speed.
(b) Find the speed of the pile-driver and the post immediately after the pile-driver has
hit the post.
(3)
The post is brought to rest by the action of a resistive force from the ground acting for 0.06 s.
By modelling this force as constant throughout this time,
(c) find the magnitude of the resistive force,

(4)
(d) find, to 2 significant figures, the distance travelled by the post and the pile-driver
before they come to rest.
(4)
(Total 13 marks)

1. (a) ( ↑ )v 2 = u 2 + 2as
0 = 14.7 2 − 2x 9.8 x s M1 A1
s = 11.025 (or 11 or 11.0 or 11.03) m A1
Height is 60 m or 60.0 m ft A1ft 4
(b) ( ↓ )v 2 = u 2 + 2as
v2 = (–14.7)2 + 2 × 9.8 × 49 M1 A1
v = 34.3 or 34 m s -1
A1 3
(c) ( ↓ )v = u + at
34.3 = −14.7 + 9.8t M1 A1
t =5 A1 3
OR
( ↓ )s = ut + 12 at 2
49 = −14.7t + 4.9t 2 M1 A1
t =5 A1 3
[10]
2. (a) ( ↓ )0.4 g − T = 0.4a M1 A1

( ↑ )T − 0.3 g = 0.3a M1 A1
solving for T DM1
T = 3.36 or 3.4 or 12g/35 (N) A1 6
(b) 0.4 g − 0.3 g = 0.7 a DM1

a = 1.4 m s -2 , g/7 A1 2
(c) ( ↑ )v = u + at
v = 0.5 x 1.4 M1
= 0.7 A1 ft on a
( ↑ )s = ut + 12 at 2
s = 0.5 x 1.4 x 0.52 M1
= 0.175 A1 ft on a
( ↓ )s = ut + 12 at 2
1.175 = − 0.7t + 4.9t 2 DM1 A1 ft
4.9t 2 − 0.7t − 1.175 = 0
0.7 ± 0.7 2 + 19.6 x 1.175
t= DM1 A1 cao
9.8

= 0.5663..or − ...
Ans 0.57 or 0.566 s A1 cao 9
[17]
1 2 1
3. (a) s = ut + at ⇒ 2.7 = a × 9 M1 A1
2 2
a = 0.6 (m s–2) A1 3
(b)
R = 0.8g cos30°(≈ 6.79) B1

Use of F = μR B1
0.8g sin 30° – μR = 0.8 × a M1 A1
(0.8g sin 30° – μ 0.8g cos30° = 0.8× 0.6)
μ ≈ 0.51 accept 0.507 A1 5
(c)
↑ R cos30° = μR cos60° + 0.8g M1 A2 (1,0)

(R ≈ 12.8)
→ X = R sin 30°+μR sin 60° M1 A1
Solving for X, X ≈ 12 accept 12.0 DM1 A1 7
Alternative
R = X sin 30° + 0.8× 9.8sin 60° M1 A2 (1,0)
μR + 0.8g cos60° = X cos30° M1 A1
µ 0.8 g sin 60° + 0.8 g cos 60°
X=
cos 30° – µ sin 30°
Solving for X, X ≈12 accept 12.0 DM1 A1
[15]

1
4. (a) N2L A: 5mg – T = 5m × g M1 A1
4
15
T= mg * cso A1 3
4
1
(b) N2L B: T – kmg = km × g M1 A1
4
k=3 A1 3
(c) The tensions in the two parts of the string are the same B1 1
1 1
(d) Distance of A above ground s1 = × g × 1.2 2 = 0.18 g (≈ 1.764 ) M1 A1
2 4
1
Speed on reaching ground v = g × 1.2 = 0.3 g (≈ 2.94 ) M1 A1
4
For B under gravity (0.3g )2 = 2 gs 2 ⇒ s 2 =

(0.3)2 g = (≈ 0.441) M1 A1
2
S = 2s1 + s2=3.969 ≈ 4.0 (m) A1 7
[14]
1
5. 45 = 2u + a 2 2 ⇒ 45 = 2u + 2a M1 A1
2
1 2
165 = 6u + a6 ⇒ 165 = 6u + 18a M1 A1
2
eliminating either u or a M1
u = 20 and a = 2.5 A1 A1
[7]
6. –6i + j = u + 3(2i – 5j) M1 A1

⇒ u = –12i + 16j A1 cso
⇒ u = (–12) 2 + 16 2 = 20 M1 A1
[5]
7. (a)
or

shape B1
values B1 2
1
(b) 19.6 = × 2 × u M1 A1
2
u = 19.6 A1 3
[5]
8. (a) AB: 50 = 2 × 22.5 + ½ a.4 M1 A1

⇒ a = 2.5 m s−2 A1 3
(b) v2 = 22.52 +2 × 2.5 × 100 M1 A1ft

⇒ v ≈ 31.7(2) m s−1 A1 3
NB note slight changes to scheme: dependency now in (c) and
new rule on accuracy of answers.
M1 for valid use of data (e.g. finding speed at B by spurious
means and using this to get v at C is M0.
Accept answer as AWRT 31.7
(c) vB = 22.5 + 2 × 2.5 = 27.5 (must be used) M1
31.72 = 27.5 + 2.5t OR 50 = 27.5t + ½ × 2.5t 2 M1 A1ft

OR 50 = ½ (27.5 + 31.72)t
⇒ t ≈ 1.69 s A1 4
OR 31.72 = 22.5 + 2.5T OR 100 = 22.5t + ½ × 2.5T2 M1 A1ft
⇒ T ≈ 3.69 ↓
⇒ T ≈ 3.69 − 2 = 1.69 s M1 A1 4
OR 50 = 31.7t − ½ × 2.5t2 M2 A1ft

Solve quadratic to get t = 1.69 s A1 4
In (b) and (c), f.t. A marks are for f.t. on wrong a and / or
answer from (b).
(c) M1 + M1 to get to an equation in the required t (normally
two stages, but they can do it in one via 3rd alternative above)
Ans is cao. Hence premature approx (-> e.g. 1.68) is A0.
But if they use a 3 sf answer from (b) and then give answer to
(c) as 1.7, allow full marks. And accept 2 or 3 s.f. answer or
better to (c).
[18]
9. (a) Distance after 4 s = 16 × 4 – 1

2 × 9.8 × 42 M1 A1

= – 14.4 ⇒ h = (+) 14.4 m A1 3
(b) v = 16 – 9.8 × 4 M1 A1
= –23.2 ⇒ speed = (+) 23.2 ms–1 A1 3
[6]
10. (a) ‘v = u + at’: 74 = 2 + a x 20 ⇒ a = 3.6 m s–2 M1 A1 2
(b) ‘v2 = u2 + 2as’: 742 = 22 + 2 × 3.6 × AC

or ‘s = ut + ½at2’: AC = 2 × 20 + ½ × 3.6 × 202 M1 A1ft
⇒ AC = 760 m A1
Hence BC = 1200 – 760 = 440 m B1ft 4
[6]
11. (a) 162 = 202 – 2 × a × 24 ⇒ a = 3 m s–2 M1 A1 2

(b) v2 = 202 – 2 × 3 × 30 M1 A1ft
v = √220 or 14.8 m s–1 A1 3
(c) 0.3 = m × 3 ⇒ m = 0.1 kg (*) M1 A1 2
(d) 0.1(w + √220) = 2.4 M1 A1ft

w = 9.17 A1
↓
0 = 9,17 – 3 × t M1 A1ft
t ≈ 3.06 s A1 6
[13]
12. (a) v2 = 202 + 2 x 4 x 78 ⇒ v = 32 m s–1 M1 A1 2
(b) B: 32 = 20 + 4t ⇒ t = 3 s M1 A1ft
↓
A: Distance = 30 x t = 90 m M1 A1 4
(c) 30T = 20T + ½ .4.T2 M1

↓
2T2 – 10T = 0 M1 A1
↓
⇒ t = (0 or) 5 s M1 A1 5
[11]

13. (a) ‘v = u + at′: 9.5 = 5 + 1.5a ⇒ a = 3 M1 A1

↓
Hence v2 = 52 + 2 × 3 × 24 M1
= 169 ⇒ v = 13 m s–1 (*) A1 4
(b) ‘I = mv – mu’ : –30 = 2(v – 13) ⇒ v = (–) 2 m s–1 M1 A1

In direction of CA (o.e.) A1 3
[7]
14. (a) u
2 kg 4 kg
v w
CLM: 2u = –2v + 4w M1 A1
↓
Using w = 3v (⇒ 2u = –2v + 12v) and solve M1
⇒ v = 15 u (*) A1 cso 4
(b) 10 = 2a ⇒ a = 5 m s–2 B1
0 = 251 u2 – 2 × 5 × 1.6 M1 A1f.t.
↓
–1
→ u = 20 m s M1 A1 5
[9]
15. (a) 02 = u2 – 2 × 9.8 × 40 M1 A1

⇒ u = 28 ms–1 A1 3
(b) –28 = 28 – 9.8 × t M1 A1
⇒ t = 5.7 or 5.71 s A1 3
[6]
16. (a) “v2 = u2 + 2as” : v2 = 42 + 2 × g × 5 M1 A1

v ≈ 10.7 m s−1 (accept 11 m s−1) A1 3
(b) “ v = u + at ” : −10.7 = 4 – gt M1 A1 ft
14.7
t= = 1.5 s A1 3
g
(c) Air resistance; ‘spin’; height of diver;

hit board again or horizontal component of velocity (any two) B1 B1 2

[8]
17. (a) v2 = u2 + 2as: 0 = u2 – 2 × 9.8 × 25.6 M1 A1

u2 = 501.76 ⇒ u = 22.4 (*) A1cso 3
(b) –1.5 = 22.4T – 4.9T 2 M1 A1

4.9T 2 – 22.4T – 1.5 = 0
22.4 ± 22.4 2 + 4 × 1. × 4.9)
T= M1
9.8
= 4.64 s A1 4
(c) Speed at ground v = 22.4 – 9.8 × 4.64 M1

v = –23.07 A1
2 2
(or v = 22.4 + 2×9.8×1.5, v = 23.05)
2 2
v = u + 2as: 0 = 23.072 + 2 × a × 0.025 M1 A1 ft
(→ a = –10644.5)
F – 0.6g = 0.6a M1
F = 6390 N (3 sf) A1 6
(d) Air resistance; variable F; B1 1

[14]
18. (a) 342 = 162 + 2 . a . 150 M1 A1

⇒ a = 3 m s–2 A1 3
34 − 16
(b) hence t = =6s M1 A1 2
a
(c) v2 = 162 + 2.3.75
⇒ v ≈ 26.6 m s–1 M1 A1 2
[7]
19. (a) “v2 = u2 + 2as”: V 2 = 2 . 9.8 . 1.6 M1

⇒ V = 5.6 m s–1 A1 2
(b) 78 . 5.6 = 84 . v M1 A1
⇒ v = 5.2 m s–1 A1 3

(c) 84 . 5.2 = F . 0.06 – 84g . 0.06 M1 A1 A1

⇒ F = 8103.2 N A1 4
“F = ma”: 8103.2 – 84g = 84a ⇒ a = 86.67 M1 A1
(d) “ v2 = u2 + 2as”: 5.22 = 2 . 86.67 . s M1
⇒ s ≈ 0.156 m, or 0.16 m to 2 s.f. A1 2
[11]

1. This question was generally well done and often a useful source of marks for weaker candidates.
Virtually all used a valid method to find the greatest height although not all added on the ‘49’ to
take account of the starting level. Those who did often failed to give their answer to an
appropriate degree of precision (2 or 3 significant figures having used g = 9.8). Part (b), which
involved finding the velocity at ground level, was also largely successfully completed although
there was occasional confusion about which figure for height to use. To find the time of flight in
part (c), many candidates split the motion into up/down stages and were largely successful.
Those who tried to use the whole motion sometimes made sign errors.
2. In parts (a) and (b), most were able to make a reasonable attempt at two equations of motion,
but there were errors in signs and solutions. This was not helped by the fact that T was asked for
first rather than a and some candidates lost marks due to trying to solve for T first rather than
the easier route of solving for a. A few attempted the whole system equation and these solutions
were in general less successful than those who used two separate equations to start with. In the
last part, too many candidates were unable to visualise the situation clearly and then deal with it
in a methodical fashion. If they failed to find both the velocity of A on impact with the ground
and the distance that it had travelled they were unable to progress any further. Only the more
able students managed correct solutions. Of those that managed to progress in part (c), there
were sign errors which caused problems. Many chose to split the motion of B into two parts and
these were usually quite successful provided that the extra distance travelled by B in the upward
direction was taken into account.
3. Part (a) had a very high success rate and all three marks were regularly scored but the second
part was found to be more challenging. Most were able to resolve perpendicular to the plane to
find the reaction and use it to find the limiting friction. However, all too often there were
omissions from the equation of motion parallel to the plane, either the mass x acceleration term
and/or the weight component or else g was missing. Part (c) was a good discriminator and
candidates needed to realise that this was a new system and that there was no acceleration.
Those who failed to appreciate this and used their friction force from part (b) scored no marks.
The majority of successful candidates resolved parallel and perpendicular to the plane (although
a sizeable minority resolved vertically and horizontally) but even then a correct final answer
was rarely seen due to premature approximation or else it was given to too many figures.
4. Part (a) was reasonably well done by the majority of students, with good use of the printed
answer to correct sign errors etc. but there was less success in the second part, with omission of
m and/or g from some terms. The mark in part (c) was very rarely scored and candidates should
be aware that if they give a ‘list’ of answers they will not be awarded the mark, even if the
correct answer appears in their list. The final part was a good discriminator and led to this
question being the worst answered question on the paper. Consideration of two stages to the
motion was required, with two distinct accelerations. Many completely omitted the motion
under gravity and found the distance moved by A and either gave that as their answer or else just
doubled it.
5. This was a more difficult question 1 than usual, in that neither u nor a could be found directly
from the given information and it was necessary to set up a pair of simultaneous equations.
Many were able to write down an equation for the motion from P to Q but then struggled to find
another one. By far the most common error was to say that the average velocity over an interval
was equal to the actual velocity at one end of it. Those candidates who produced two correct

equations invariably produced the correct answers. A few candidates found the acceleration but
then forgot to find the value of u.
6. Most candidates realised that they needed to apply v = u + a t and many arrived at 12i – 16j but
then failed to go on and find the speed, losing the final two marks. This showed a lack of
understanding of the relationship between speed and velocity. A small minority found
magnitudes at the start and then tried to use v = u + at, gaining no marks. Some candidates lost
the third mark because of errors in the manipulation of negative numbers.
7. Only a relatively small number of candidates had a correct graph in part (a). There was a whole
variety of incorrect attempts seen. Many of the graphs were curved and in some cases the path
that the ball would take in the air was drawn. Of those who had a straight line many were
reluctant to go below the t-axis into negative velocities and drew a speed-time graph instead.
Part (b) was more successfully answered but a common error was to use a wrong time value.
Students generally used constant acceleration formulae rather than the area under their graph.
8. A good number of fully correct solutions were seen here. The formulae for constant acceleration
were generally well known and accurately used. Mistakes sometimes arose from confusing B
and C in part (b). In part (c), quite a few chose to use a method involving a quadratic equation in
t, though they were often successful and accurate in doing this, even though simpler solutions
were available via other approaches. The most common error was to use a prematurely rounded
answer for the speed at C, which then led to an inaccurate answer in part (c) (1.68 instead of
1.69).
9. For candidates who realised the most efficient method (using a single constant acceleration
equation in both parts), this was a relatively easy first question, though several failed to take
account of the appropriate signs in the equations. However, probably more than 50% of the
candidates chose to make the question considerably more complex by dividing the motion up
into two or three parts, considering the motion to the highest point, and then down to the ground
(or in even more stages). Some succeeded in getting to the correct answers, but often there were
accuracy errors en route. Many also made unjustified assumptions about the motion (e.g. that
the highest point was reached after precisely 2 seconds or that initial speed was zero). Some
candidates fared slightly better in part (b), but again were evidently sometimes confused about
which distance was which, and whether the ball had a non-zero or zero initial velocity.
10. The question was generally well answered, though by no means fully correctly by all. Some
launched straight into using their standard equations without quite understanding the actual
situation: e.g. a number found only the distance AC, failing to deduce the distance BC; and some
appeared to assume that the point C was beyond the end B of the runway. However, most could
make good progress with most of this question. It was also slightly disappointing to see a
number of candidates unable to handle accurately the units involved, e.g. taking 1.2 km as 1.2
m.

11. Most could make good attempts at the first three parts of the question, though a misreading of
the information (confusing ‘AC’ and ‘BC’ was not uncommon). In part (d) the most common
mistake was to confuse signs again (similar to qu.1) in writing down the impulse-momentum
equation, but most could then go on to use their result in an appropriate way to get a value for
the time.
12. This was a good source of marks for many with many fully correct solutions seen. The first two
parts were very well done. In part (c), some equated speeds rather than distances; also some
failed to realise that one needed to use a general expression (in an unknown T) for A as well as
B. A number of candidates used a ‘trial and error’ approach, somehow plucking a value of ‘5’
out of the air and verifying that it ‘worked’. Such an approach is not to be encouraged as it can
scarcely apply to more complex problems where there might be more than one solution to the
relevant equations and one may not know if the one discovered is the appropriate one.
13. Part (a) was well done by the great majority of candidates, though some reached the required
answer by finding the distances involved in the separate stages of the motion, thus making the
problem longer than necessary. In part (b) most realised that they had to write down an
impulse-momentum equation; however, many failed to deal correctly with the signs in the
equation and realising the relative directions of the impulse and the initial velocity. As a result,
answers of v = 28 m s–1 were quite frequent. For those who successfully found the final
velocity correctly, nearly all could identify the direction as well.
14. Most could form a correct conservation of momentum equation and could make an attempt to
interpret the data about the speeds after the collision by putting the two speeds in terms of a
single unknown. Several however found their unknown to be 0.6u without apparently realising
that they had found the speed of Q rather than P. It was pleasing to see most candidates keeping
the letter u in their working all the time. In part (b) several correct answers were seen; most
correctly obtained the deceleration, but a number failed to use the correct sign for their
acceleration term in their equation to find u (simply riding roughshod over the fact the u2 was
coming out to be negative).
15. Although most candidates made some attempt at this question, and many obtained the ‘correct’
numerical answer in part (a), the majority failed to provide a fully convincing solution to the
problem. Many used the equation ‘v = u + 2as’ somewhat unthinkingly by equating their ‘u’
(which in the absence of any indication to the contrary was assumed to be the initial speed) to 0
(which is then not the solution to the problem set). In part (b) a number only found the time to
the highest point and therefore again failed to understand the mechanics of the situation; some
also approximated their answers prematurely, e.g. by finding the time to the highest point to 3
s.f., and then simply doubling this rounded answer. On the whole, however, part (b) was
generally done better than part (a).

16. The equations for constant acceleration were well known and generally applied appropriately.
Mistakes did however tend to arise with candidates failing to allow for the different directions
of motion at different stages so that the sign used with the velocity had to be carefully taken into
consideration. A significant number of candidates also insisted on making the question quite a
lot longer than necessary by splitting the motion up into separate parts (e.g. to the highest point
and then down) and doubling (or more) the number of calculations required. Some candidates
also lost a mark by failing to round their answers ‘appropriately’, i.e. by giving their answer to 2
or 3 significant figures where they had used g as 9.8. In part (c) an appeal to air resistance was
frequently correctly given, though quite a number also incorrectly stated that the mass/weight of
the diver had been ignored in the model.
17. Part (a) was generally well done, though weaker candidates tended to make mistakes with the
signs and then ended up having to take the square root of a negative number. In part (b), there
were often sign errors and/or failure to appreciate the final vertical displacement from the initial
position (some took this to be the total distance travelled, both up and down). Others split the
motion up into two parts, finding the time to the highest point and then the time down. Some
though simply found the time for one part of the motion only. Part (c) proved to be much more
demanding. Several used the value 22.4 still for the initial speed in this part of the motion. A
failure to convert 2.5 cm into metres was not uncommon; and almost all failed to take any
account of the weight in writing down the equation of motion to find the resistive force.

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Mechanics 1 Kinematics Questions

Mechanics 1 Kinematics Answers

(a) the speed of S,

(b) the direction in which S is moving, giving your answer as a bearing.

(c) Show that s = (3t + 9) i + (4t – 6) j.

(d) Find the possible values of T.

A hiker H is walking with constant velocity (1.2i – 0.9j) m s–1.

(a) Find the speed of H.

Edexcel Internal Review 1

(c) Show that, at time t seconds after noon,

HK = [(9 – 0.45t)i + (2.7t – 54)j] meters.

Find the value of u.

Edexcel Internal Review 2

At time t hours after noon, the position vector of B is b km.

(b) Find, in terms of t, an expression for b.

c = (–9i + 20j) + t(6i + λj),

where λ is a constant. Given that C intercepts B,

(c) find the value of λ,

(a) the acceleration of P in terms of i and j,

(b) the magnitude of F,

(c) the velocity of P at time t =6s.

Edexcel Internal Review 3

(a) the speed of S,

(b) the bearing on which S is moving.

(c) Find the position vector of R.

(e) the time when S will be due east of R,

(f) the distance of S from R at the time 1600.

(a) the speed of A,

(b) the direction in which A is moving, giving your answer as a bearing.

Edexcel Internal Review 4

Given that the velocity of B is (3i + 4j) m s–1,

(d) find the distance of B from P when t = 7 s.

(a) the speed of the ball,

(b) the position vector of the ball after t seconds.

The point B on the field has position vector (10i + 7j) m.

(c) Find the time when the ball is due north of B.

(d) find the value of v.

Edexcel Internal Review 5

(a) the velocity of P, in terms of i and j,

(b) expressions for p and q, in terms of t, i and j.

At time t hours after midnight, the distance between P and Q is d km.

(c) By finding an expression for PQ , show that

d 2 = 25t2 – 92t + 292.

Edexcel Internal Review 6

At time t seconds, the velocity of P is v m s–1. Find

(b) an expression for v in terms of t, in the form ai + bj,

(c) the speed of P when t = 3,

(d) the time when P is moving parallel to i.

(a) Calculate the bearing on which S is drifting.

(b) Find an expression for s in terms of t.

(c) calculate the value of p and the value of q.

Edexcel Internal Review 7

(a) Find the bearing on which B is moving.

(c) Find the time when B is due south of A.

(d) show that d2 = 25t2 – 60t + 100.

At noon, the boats are 10 km apart.

(a) the acceleration of P, in terms of i and j.

Edexcel Internal Review 8

(b) the magnitude of F.

(c) Calculate the distance of B from O.