Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Equations of motion

Equations of motion — practice question

Fig. 2.1 presents the velocity-time graph of an object travelling along a straight line.
(a(i))[1]

Determine an expression, in terms of $u$, $v$ and $t$, for the area below the graph.

(a(ii))[1]

State the quantity whose value is given by the area under the graph.

(b)

A ball is kicked at $15\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ at an angle of $60^{\circ}$ to the horizontal ground. It then hits a vertical wall at the instant when the ball’s path becomes horizontal, as shown in Fig. 2.2. Take air resistance to be negligible.

(b(i))[3]

Using the vertical motion of the ball, calculate the time needed to reach the wall.

(b(ii))[1]

Explain why the ball’s horizontal velocity component remains unchanged as it travels to the wall.

(b(iii))[1]

Show that, on reaching the wall, the ball has a horizontal velocity of $7.5\,\text{m s}^{-1}$.

(c(i))[2]

The mass of the ball in (b) is $0.40\,\text{kg}$. It stays in contact with the wall for $0.12\,\text{s}$ and rebounds horizontally at a speed of $4.3\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Use the result from (b)(iii) to calculate the change in momentum of the ball due to the collision.

(c(ii))[1]

Calculate the size of the average force exerted on the ball by the wall.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Area under velocity-time graph = $ut + \tfrac{1}{2}(v-u)t$ or an equivalent form

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