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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2026-03-14 OCR A Linear motion with g=9.81 (M3) OCR-A Module 3.1.2 Motion (AS) — Free fall and acceleration of free fall g OCR-A Module 3.1.2 Motion (AS) — Equations of motion under constant acceleration (qualitative)

Which statement must be true when a small ball is thrown straight up from a balcony and later caught at the same height by the thrower? Ignore air resistance and take g = 9.81 m s^-2 downward.

  1. A Its average speed for the whole journey is zero.
  2. B Its average velocity for the whole journey is zero. (correct)
  3. C It takes longer to fall back down than to rise up.
  4. D Its acceleration is zero at the highest point.

Answer

The correct answer is B.

Correct: B — Its average velocity for the whole journey is zero. A Average speed is total distance divided by time, which is positive because the ball travels up and then down. B This is correct because the displacement between start and finish is zero, so average velocity is zero. C With constant downward acceleration and no air resistance, time up equals time down. D The acceleration remains 9.81 m s^-2 downward at all times, including at the top; only the instantaneous velocity is zero there.

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