AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Higher tier · Forces › Forces and motion › Describing motion along a line
Practise Acceleration and velocity–time graphs. 18 exam-style questions plus unlimited generated ones on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
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A bus accelerates from 4.0 m/s to 13 m/s in 6.0 s. Calculate the acceleration of the bus. Use the equation: acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
1.5 m/s2
A scooter accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m/s2 from rest for 5.0 s. Calculate its final velocity. Use the equation: acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
10 m/s
A trolley of mass 2.0 kg accelerates uniformly from rest to 3.0 m/s in 4.0 s. Calculate the acceleration of the trolley.
0.75 m/s2
Sample questions
Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.
Question 1Easy4 marks
(a) A bus accelerates from 4.0 m/s to 13 m/s in 6.0 s. Calculate the acceleration of the bus. Use the equation: acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken[2]
(b) What is the acceleration of an object falling freely near the Earth’s surface?[1]
(c) What is meant by an object decelerating?[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: 1.5 m/s2
a = (13 − 4.0) ÷ 6.0
1.5 (m/s2)
(b)Answer: 9.8 m/s2
9.8 (m/s2)
(c)Answer: It is slowing down.
it is slowing down / its velocity is decreasing
Question 2Medium6 marks
(a) A cyclist accelerates uniformly from 2.0 m/s to 8.0 m/s over a distance of 40 m. Calculate the acceleration of the cyclist. Use the Physics Equations Sheet.[3]
(b) A stone is dropped from rest from a bridge 20 m above a river. Air resistance is negligible. acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s2 Calculate the speed of the stone when it reaches the water. Use the Physics Equations Sheet.[3]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: 0.75 m/s2
8.02 − 2.02 = 2 × a × 40
60 = 80 a
a = 0.75 (m/s2)
(b)Answer: 19.8 m/s
v2 − 0 = 2 × 9.8 × 20
v2 = 392
v = 19.8 (m/s)
Question 3Hard9 marks
An aircraft must reach an airspeed (its speed relative to the air) of 72 m/s to take off. The aircraft accelerates uniformly from rest along the runway at 2.4 m/s2.
(a) On a day with no wind, calculate the minimum length of runway needed. Use the Physics Equations Sheet.[3]
(b) Calculate the time taken for the aircraft to reach take-off speed.[2]
(c) On another day a steady wind of 12 m/s blows towards the front of the aircraft (a headwind). The airspeed of the aircraft is then 12 m/s greater than its speed relative to the ground. The acceleration relative to the ground is still 2.4 m/s2. Calculate the minimum length of runway needed on this day.[3]
(d) Suggest why aircraft take off into the wind.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)Answer: 1080 m
722 − 0 = 2 × 2.4 × s
5184 = 4.8 s
s = 1080 (m)
(b)Answer: 30 s
t = 72 ÷ 2.4
30 (s)
(c)Answer: 750 m
speed relative to the ground needed = 72 − 12 = 60 (m/s)
602 = 2 × 2.4 × s
s = 750 (m)
(d)Answer: They reach take-off airspeed in a shorter distance.
a shorter runway / less time is needed to reach the take-off airspeed