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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2026-03-18 OCR A Kinematics (M3) OCR-A Module 3.1.1 Kinematics: projectile motion — independence of horizontal and vertical components OCR-A Module 3.1.2 Motion with constant acceleration: use of proportional reasoning with equations of motion

In a lab, a small steel ball rolls off a horizontal bench 1.0 m high with negligible air resistance. If the launch speed is doubled while the height stays the same, which statement about the time to hit the floor and the horizontal distance travelled is correct?

  1. A Time to hit the floor doubles; horizontal distance doubles.
  2. B Time to hit the floor is unchanged; horizontal distance doubles. (correct)
  3. C Time to hit the floor halves; horizontal distance doubles.
  4. D Time to hit the floor is unchanged; horizontal distance is unchanged.

Answer

The correct answer is B.

Correct: B — Time to hit the floor is unchanged; horizontal distance doubles. The vertical motion (and so time of flight) depends only on height and g, so it is unchanged; horizontal distance x is proportional to horizontal speed v (x = v × t), so doubling v doubles x. A is wrong because the time of flight does not depend on horizontal speed. B is correct as explained. C is wrong because the time of flight does not halve when the horizontal speed is increased; it is set by the vertical drop. D is wrong because while the time is unchanged, the horizontal distance increases in direct proportion to the launch speed.

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