Non-uniform motion — Paper 1 · A Level Physics 9702

8 A football is dropped from the top of a tall building. Which acceleration-time graph best represents the motion of the football through the air? A B acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time C D acceleration acceleration 0 0 0 time 0 time

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2008

8 The diagram shows a velocity-time graph for a vehicle. 16 velocity 14 / m s–1 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 time / s The vehicle, moving at 4.0 m s–1, begins to accelerate at time = 0. What is the vehicle’s acceleration at time = 3.0 s? A 0.67 m s–2 B 1.0 m s–2 C 1.3 m s–2 D 2.0 m s–2

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2010

14 The diagram shows a velocity-time graph for a vehicle. 16 velocity 14 / m s–1 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 time / s The vehicle, moving at 4.0 m s–1, begins to accelerate at time = 0. What is the vehicle’s acceleration at time = 3.0 s? A 0.67 m s–2 B 1.0 m s–2 C 1.3 m s–2 D 2.0 m s–2

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2010

7 A body is released from rest and falls vertically in air of constant density. Which statement about the motion of the falling body is correct? A As it accelerates, its weight decreases so that its acceleration decreases until it travels with constant velocity. B It accelerates initially at 9.8 m s–2 but the drag force increases so its acceleration decreases. C Its velocity increases at a constant rate until its velocity becomes constant. D The drag force of the air increases continually and eventually the velocity decreases. Space for working

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2013

7 The graph shows how velocity v varies with time t for a bungee jumper. v Q P R 00 t At which point is the bungee jumper momentarily at rest and at which point does she have zero acceleration? jumper with zero jumper at rest acceleration A Q P B Q R C R Q D R R

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2013

7 The graph shows how the velocity v of a firework rocket changes with time t. At which point on the graph does the rocket have the greatest acceleration? v C B A D 00 t

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2013

11 The graph shows the variation with time of the speed of a raindrop falling vertically through air. speed 0 0 time Which statement is correct? A The acceleration decreases to produce a steady speed. B The acceleration increases as the speed increases. C The air resistance decreases as the speed increases. D The resultant force increases as the speed increases.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2014

9 The graph shows how the speed v of a sprinter changes with time t during a 100 m race. 12 v / m s–1 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 t / s What is the best estimate of the maximum acceleration of the sprinter? A 0.5 m s–2 B 1 m s–2 C 3 m s–2 D 10 m s–2

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2014

8 The curved line PQR is the velocity-time graph for a car starting from rest. velocity R Q P S 0 0 5 time / s What is the average acceleration of the car over the first 5 s? A the area below the curve PQ B the area of the triangle PQS C the gradient of the straight line PQ D the gradient of the tangent at Q

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2015

7 A car is travelling at constant velocity. Its brakes are then applied, causing uniform deceleration. Which graph shows the variation with distance s of the velocity v of the car? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 s 0 s 0 s 0 s

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/12 Feb/March 2016

11 An object falls freely from rest in a vacuum. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of the object. v 0 0 t Which graph, using the same scales, represents the object falling in air? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/12 Feb/March 2016

7 A tennis ball is released from rest at the top of a tall building. Which graph best represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the ball as it falls, assuming that the effect of air resistance is not negligible? A B a a 00 00 t t C D a a 00 00 t t

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2016

10 A sphere falls from rest through the air. The graph shows the variation with time of the sphere’s velocity. velocity P 00 time Which diagram shows the forces acting on the sphere when it is at the velocity corresponding to point P on the graph? A B C D air resistance air resistance air resistance weight weight weight weight

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2016

8 A stone is released from rest and falls a long distance in air. Which graph could show the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the stone? A B a a 0 0 0 t 0 t C D a a 0 0 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2017

8 A sky-diver falls from a stationary balloon at time t = 0. As the sky-diver falls, her speed and the air resistance increase until the force of the air resistance is equal to her weight. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the displacement s for the motion of the sky-diver? A B C D s s s s 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2018

8 A mass is placed on a frictionless slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal. The mass is then released. What is its acceleration down the slope? A 4.9 m s–2 B 5.7 m s–2 C 8.5 m s–2 D 9.8 m s–2

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2018

9 A parachutist falls vertically from rest at time t = 0 from a hot-air balloon. She falls for some distance before opening her parachute. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the speed v of the parachutist? A B v v 0 0 0 t 0 t C D v v 0 0 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2018

11 A rigid, hollow sphere is immersed deep in water and released from rest. It experiences an upthrust which propels it towards the surface of the water. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of its upward velocity v? A B v v 0 0 0 t 0 t C D v v 0 0 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2018

10 A stone is dropped from a tall building. Air resistance is significant. The variation of distance fallen with time is shown by the dashed line. A second stone with the same dimensions but a smaller mass is dropped from the same building. Which line represents the motion of the second stone? A B distance path of first stone C D 0 0 time

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2019

8 A skydiver jumps from an aeroplane and falls vertically through the air. Which graph shows the variation with time t of the skydiver’s vertical velocity v? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2019

8 A tennis ball is released from rest at time t = 0 and falls through air for a long time. Which graph of its displacement s against time t best represents the motion of the ball? A B C D s s s s 00 00 00 00 t t t t

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2019

10 A positively charged oil droplet falls in air in a uniform electric field that is vertically upwards. The droplet has a constant terminal speed v0 and the electric field strength is E. The magnitude of the force due to air resistance acting on the droplet is proportional to the speed of the droplet. Which graph shows the variation with E of v0? A B C D v0 v0 v0 v0 0 0 0 0 0 E 0 E 0 E 0 E

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2019

9 The resultant force F on a raindrop of mass m falling vertically with velocity v is given by the equation F = mg – kv 2 where k is a constant and g is the acceleration of free fall. The falling raindrop eventually reaches a constant (terminal) velocity. Which graph shows the variation of the terminal velocity of the raindrop with mass m? A B terminal terminal velocity velocity 0 0 0 m 0 m C D terminal terminal velocity velocity 0 0 0 m 0 m

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2020

9 An object falls from a tall building. The graph shows how the velocity of the object changes with time t. velocity 0 0 Y Z t The acceleration of free fall is g. What describes the acceleration of the object at times t = Y and t = Z? acceleration acceleration at t = Y at t = Z A decreasing g B decreasing 0 C constant g D constant 0

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2020

9 The graph shows how quantity P varies with quantity Q for a body falling vertically downwards in a uniform gravitational field with air resistance. P 0 0 Q Which pair of quantities could be represented by P and Q ? P Q A acceleration force of air resistance B acceleration time C velocity force of air resistance D velocity time

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2021

9 An object falls freely from rest in a vacuum. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of the object. v 0 0 t Which graph, using the same scales, represents the object falling in air? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/12 Feb/March 2022

9 A stone S and a foam rubber ball R are identical spheres of equal volume. They are released from rest at time t = 0 and fall vertically through the air. Both reach terminal velocity. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the speed v of the stone and of the rubber ball? A B C D v R v S v v S R and S R S R 0 0 0 0 0 t 0 t 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2022

5 A particle accelerates from rest. The graph shows the variation of the velocity v of the particle with time t. v 0 0 t Which graph shows the variation of the velocity v with the acceleration a of the particle? A B C D v v v v 0 0 0 0 0 a 0 a 0 a 0 a

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/11 Oct/Nov 2022

9 A snowflake and a raindrop are in still air. They both fall from rest at the same time and from the same height, far above the ground. The snowflake and raindrop contain the same mass of water. Assume that there is no evaporation or melting. Also assume that, for a given speed, the drag force acting on the snowflake is greater than the drag force acting on the raindrop. Which statement about the snowflake and raindrop is correct? A The raindrop takes more time than the snowflake to reach terminal velocity. B The raindrop takes more time than the snowflake to reach the ground. C They reach the same terminal velocity. D They take the same amount of time to reach the ground.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/11 Oct/Nov 2022

7 A cyclist in still air pedals as hard as she can. She reaches a maximum speed. However, after a certain time her maximum speed increases. What could be a possible cause for this? A She cycles into a wind. B She cycles over rougher ground. C She sits more upright on the bicycle. D She starts to travel downhill.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2022

6 The graph shows the variation with time t of the displacement s of an object. s 0 0 t Which graph represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the object? A B a a 0 0 0 t 0 t C D a a 0 0 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 Feb/March 2023

9 The velocity–time graphs of four different objects are shown. Which graph represents an object falling from rest through a long distance in the Earth’s atmosphere? A B velocity velocity 0 0 0 time 0 time C D velocity velocity 0 0 0 time 0 time

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 Feb/March 2023

9 A small ball is held at the surface of liquid oil in a container. The ball is released from rest and falls through the oil. The ball has velocity v. A viscous (drag) force F acts on the ball. Which graph could show the variation with v of F? A B C D F F F F 0 0 0 0 0 v 0 v 0 v 0 v

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9702/11 May/June 2023

9 A box in air slides with increasing speed down a rough slope from point P to point Q. P box Q The slope surface exerts a constant frictional force on the box. As the box moves from P to Q, there are changes to the magnitudes of its acceleration and the total resistive force acting on it. Which row describes the changes? magnitude of magnitude of total resistive acceleration force A increases decreases B decreases decreases C increases increases D decreases increases

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2023

9 Two balls of identical shape and size but different masses are falling through the same liquid. The sum of the drag force and upthrust acting on each ball is equal to its weight. Which statement about the two balls is correct? A The heavier ball has a larger acceleration than the lighter ball. B The heavier ball has a smaller deceleration than the lighter ball. C The heavier ball is falling at the same speed as the lighter ball. D The heavier ball is falling at a larger speed than the lighter ball.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/13 May/June 2023

9 A toy parachute is dropped from a bridge and falls vertically through the air. The graph shows the distance travelled by the parachute against time. Which region of the graph shows when the parachute is at terminal velocity? 9 C C D D distance 8 travelled 7 / m 6 B 5 4 3 2 1 A 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 time / s

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/11 Oct/Nov 2024

8 The graph shows how a quantity Y varies with a quantity X for an object falling vertically at its terminal velocity towards the surface of the Earth. Y 0 0 X Which quantities could X and Y represent? X Y A time acceleration B time height above surface C distance moved kinetic energy D distance moved velocity

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/12 Oct/Nov 2024

8 The graph shows the variation of velocity with time for a stone that falls from a bridge into a lake and sinks to the bottom of the lake. velocity 0 0 time What can be deduced about the motion of the stone? A Terminal velocity was reached in air. B The acceleration in air was decreasing with increasing time. C The distance travelled in water was greater than the distance travelled in air. D The rate of change of velocity in air was constant.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/13 Oct/Nov 2024

12 A stone is released from rest and falls a long distance in air. Which graph could show the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the stone? A B a a 0 0 0 t 0 t C D a a 0 0 0 t 0 t

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9702/12 May/June 2025

8 A skydiver is falling vertically with terminal velocity when their parachute opens fully. Which statement describes the motion of the skydiver for the first few seconds after the parachute opens fully? A falling with non-uniform acceleration and increasing speed B falling with non-uniform acceleration and decreasing speed C falling with uniform acceleration and increasing speed D falling with uniform acceleration and decreasing speed

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9702/14 May/June 2025

8 A sphere falls from rest through the air. The graph shows the variation with time of the sphere’s velocity. velocity P 0 0 time Which diagram shows the forces acting on the sphere when it is at the velocity corresponding to point P on the graph? A B C D air resistance air resistance air resistance weight weight weight weight

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9702/11 Oct/Nov 2025