Linear motion
Explore linear motion within motion. Describe position, velocity and acceleration using equations and graphs. A gradient measures a rate of change; an area can accumulate the change over time.
Specification outcomes (5)
- 3.1.2(a)(i) Apply equations of motion for constant acceleration in a straight line, including motion in a uniform gravitational field without air resistance.
- 3.1.2(a)(ii) Use techniques and procedures to investigate the motion and collisions of objects, including trolleys, air-track gliders, ticker timers, light gates or video analysis.
- 3.1.2(b)(i) Understand acceleration of free fall g.
- 3.1.2(b)(ii) Use techniques and procedures to determine the acceleration of free fall, including trapdoor and electromagnet arrangement or light gates with timers.
- 3.1.2(c) Explain reaction time, thinking distance, braking distance and stopping distance for a vehicle.
H156 v2.0 · May 2026
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PhysicsUK practice
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An athlete and racing wheelchair have a combined mass of $84.0\,\mathrm{kg}$. At the start of a straight training run, the wheelchair is already moving at $2.00\,\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}$. For the next $1.50\,\mathrm{s}$, the athlete produces a constant forward driving force of $420\,\mathrm{N}$. A constant rolling resistance of $84.0\,\mathrm{N}$ acts backward. After this $1.50\,\mathrm{s}$ push, the athlete stops producing a driving force. Assume the rolling resistance remains $84.0\,\mathrm{N}$ until the wheelchair stops. (a) Calculate the resultant force and acceleration during the push. [3] (b) Calculate: (i) the speed at the end of the push; (ii) the distance travelled during the push. [4] (c) Calculate the acceleration after the driving force is removed. [2] (d) Calculate: (i) the time taken to stop after the push; (ii) the distance travelled after the push. [3] (e) Calculate the total distance travelled from the start of the stated motion until the wheelchair stops. [1]
Matched by specification tags · 13 marks
Try this question now →A technician calibrates the spring bumper of a small instrument trolley. Figure 1 shows the force F needed to compress the spring by x from its natural length. The graph is a straight line through (0, 0), (0.020 m, 1.2 N), (0.040 m, 2.4 N) and (0.060 m, 3.6 N). The trolley has mass 0.60 kg. It is released from rest against the spring at compression 0.060 m on a horizontal track. A constant resistive force of 0.60 N opposes the motion as soon as the trolley moves. The spring's mass is negligible and its deformation is elastic. The trolley loses contact with the spring at its natural length. There are no other energy losses. (a) Use the gradient of the force-compression graph to determine the spring constant. [2] (b) Use the graph to calculate the work needed to compress the spring from its natural length to 0.060 m. [2] (c) Calculate the acceleration just after release, stating its direction relative to the bumper. [3] (d) Calculate the speed when the trolley loses contact with the spring. Account for the work done against resistance. [3] (e) Explain why a single constant-acceleration equation cannot describe the whole interval while the trolley is in contact with the spring. [2] (f) Calculate the distance travelled after losing contact before the trolley stops. Use a constant-acceleration equation for this part. [3]
Matched by specification tags · 15 marks
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