Projectile motionEdexcel International A Level Physics: Subtopic test

1. 1
   A ball is kicked horizontally at 12 m s⁻¹ from the edge of a flat roof that is 20 m above level ground. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s⁻².

   (a)

   How long does the ball take to reach the ground?

   [1 mark]

   • A2.0 s
   • B4.1 s
   • C1.7 s
   • D1.4 s

   (b)

   How far from the base of the building does the ball land?

   [1 mark]

   • A12 m
   • B20 m
   • C24 m
   • D49 m

   (c)

   Calculate the vertical component of the ball's velocity just before it hits the ground.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A footballer kicks a ball from level ground with an initial speed of 20 m s⁻¹ at 30° above the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s⁻².

   (a)

   What is the velocity of the ball at the highest point of its flight?

   [1 mark]

   • Azero
   • B20 m s⁻¹ horizontally
   • C10 m s⁻¹ vertically
   • D17 m s⁻¹ horizontally

   (b)

   What is the maximum height reached by the ball?

   [1 mark]

   • A20 m
   • B5.1 m
   • C10 m
   • D15 m

   (c)

   Calculate the time the ball is in the air before it returns to the ground.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A footballer takes a free kick 20 m from the goal line, kicking the ball with an initial speed of 18 m s⁻¹ at 35° above the horizontal. The crossbar of the goal is 2.44 m above the ground. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s⁻².

   (a)

   Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity of the ball and the time taken for the ball to travel 20 m horizontally.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Determine whether the ball passes above the crossbar when it reaches the goal line.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A student drops a ball from rest at a height of 1.5 m above a floor. At the same instant an identical ball is rolled horizontally at 2.0 m s⁻¹ off the edge of a table whose top is also 1.5 m above the floor. Air resistance is negligible and the acceleration of free fall is 9.81 m s⁻².

   (a)

   Determine the time each ball takes to reach the floor, the horizontal distance travelled by the rolled ball and the speed of each ball just before impact.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   A student predicts that the rolled ball will take longer to reach the floor than the dropped ball because it travels further. Evaluate the student's prediction.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions