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A2 Daily A Level Physics question

2026-01-22 OCR A Kinematics: suvat problems (Module 3) OCR-A Module 3.1.2 Motion — equations of motion for uniform acceleration (suvat) OCR-A Module 3.1.2 Motion — projectile motion and independence of perpendicular components

In a lab, one steel ball rolls off a bench horizontally while an identical ball is released from rest from the same height at the same instant. Air resistance is negligible. Which statement must be true?

  1. A They reach the floor at the same time because their vertical motion is identical. (correct)
  2. B The rolling-off ball lands sooner because its horizontal speed adds to its vertical fall.
  3. C The dropped ball lands sooner because having no horizontal motion makes it fall faster.
  4. D The rolling-off ball has a smaller downward acceleration, so it takes longer to hit the floor.

Answer

The correct answer is A.

Correct: A — They reach the floor at the same time because their vertical motion is identical. B is wrong because horizontal speed does not affect vertical motion or time to fall. C is wrong because having no horizontal motion does not increase the rate of vertical falling. D is wrong because, with air resistance negligible, both experience the same downward acceleration g.

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