Motion graphsEdexcel International A Level Physics: Subtopic test

1. 1
   A cyclist rides along a straight road. Her displacement–time graph is a straight line rising from 0 m to 60 m in the first 10 s, then horizontal for 5.0 s, then a straight line falling back to 0 m over the next 15 s.

   (a)

   What is the velocity of the cyclist during the first 10 s?

   [1 mark]

   • A0.17 m s⁻¹
   • B6.0 m s⁻¹
   • C3.0 m s⁻¹
   • Dzero

   (b)

   What is the velocity of the cyclist during the final 15 s?

   [1 mark]

   • A+4.0 m s⁻¹, in the original direction
   • Bzero
   • C−60 m s⁻¹
   • D−4.0 m s⁻¹, opposite to the original direction

   (c)

   Calculate the average velocity and the average speed of the cyclist for the whole 30 s.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A tram moves along a straight track. Its velocity increases uniformly from rest to 16 m s⁻¹ in 8.0 s, stays constant for 20 s, and then decreases uniformly to rest in 16 s.

   (a)

   What is the acceleration of the tram during the final 16 s?

   [1 mark]

   • A+1.0 m s⁻²
   • B−16 m s⁻²
   • C−1.0 m s⁻²
   • Dzero

   (b)

   What is the total distance travelled by the tram?

   [1 mark]

   • A512 m
   • B352 m
   • C704 m
   • D320 m

   (c)

   Calculate the distance travelled by the tram while it is decelerating.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A steel ball is released from rest in a tall cylinder of oil. Its velocity increases from zero until the ball reaches a constant terminal velocity of 0.40 m s⁻¹. Its speed is measured at 0.20 s intervals from release and is 0, 0.15, 0.26, 0.33, 0.37 and 0.39 m s⁻¹ at times 0, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.0 s.

   (a)

   Describe how the acceleration of the ball changes during its fall and explain how this can be seen from its velocity–time graph.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Use the data to estimate the distance the ball falls in the first 1.0 s.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A car starts from rest on a straight road. Its acceleration–time graph is a horizontal line at 3.0 m s⁻² for the first 4.0 s, then a straight line falling uniformly to zero acceleration at 10 s. After 10 s the acceleration stays at zero.

   (a)

   Determine the maximum speed of the car. Justify your answer.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   A student says that the car is slowing down between 4.0 s and 10 s because its acceleration is decreasing. Evaluate this statement.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions