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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2026-07-15 OCR A Kinematics (M3) 3.1.2(a)(i) 3.1.2(b)(i)

A student throws a small ball straight up and it returns to her hand at the same height. Air resistance is negligible. At the highest point of its flight, which statement must be true?

  1. A Velocity is zero and acceleration is zero.
  2. B Velocity is zero and acceleration is upward.
  3. C Velocity is zero and acceleration is downward and equal in magnitude to g. (correct)
  4. D Velocity is non-zero but acceleration is zero.

Answer

The correct answer is C.

Correct: C — Velocity is zero and acceleration is downward and equal in magnitude to g. A The ball’s velocity is momentarily zero at the top, but gravity still acts so acceleration is not zero. B Acceleration due to gravity is downward, not upward. C At the top the instantaneous velocity is zero while acceleration remains a constant g downward. D If acceleration were zero at the top, the ball would continue at constant velocity rather than change direction.