PHYSICS CONNECTION
Resolve a launch velocity before analysing a projectile
Resolving the launch velocity separates a projectile into two simpler motions. The two components share time, even though their accelerations differ.
ux = u cos θ uy = u sin θ
Follow the reasoning
- Identify the axis from which the angle is measured.
- Resolve the initial velocity onto horizontal and vertical axes.
- Combine the final components if the resultant velocity is required.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 2
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 3(a)–(d)
Resolve projectile velocity and connect its motion with energy and momentum.
Question 4
Connect free fall and projectile motion with energy and velocity components.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
No PhysicsUK question linked yet. New eligible questions appear here as the bank grows.
Specification outcomes (4)
- 2.3.1(c) Use a vector triangle to determine the resultant of any two coplanar vectors by calculation or by scale drawing.
- 2.3.1(d) Resolve a vector into two perpendicular components, Fx = F cos θ and Fy = F sin θ.
- 3.1.3(a) Understand independence of vertical and horizontal motion of a projectile.
- 3.1.3(b) Analyse two-dimensional motion of a projectile with constant velocity in one direction and constant acceleration in a perpendicular direction.