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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2026-05-05 OCR A Foundations of Physics (M2) Module 2.1.2 Mathematical skills — algebra; ratios, fractions and percentages; inverse proportion (OCR A Physics A)

A commuter cycles the same 2.4 km route on two days. On day 2 the average speed is 20% higher than on day 1. Assuming the distance is unchanged and the ride is steady on both days, which statement about the time taken on day 2 compared with day 1 must be true?

  1. A It is about 17% less than on day 1. (correct)
  2. B It is 20% less than on day 1.
  3. C It is 20% more than on day 1.
  4. D It is the same as on day 1.

Answer

The correct answer is A.

Correct: A — It is about 17% less than on day 1. A Time for a fixed distance varies inversely with average speed, so t2/t1 = 1/1.20 ≈ 0.83, i.e. about 17% less. B This assumes the same percentage change carries over directly to time, ignoring the inverse relationship (time does not drop by 20% when speed rises by 20%). C Increasing speed for a fixed distance cannot increase the time; this reverses the dependency. D If speed changes and distance is fixed, time must change; it cannot stay the same.

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