AS Level · Physics 9702 · Mechanics & materials

Kinematics: AS Level Physics questions with answers

Free Kinematics questions for AS Level Physics (9702), part of Mechanics & materials. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Kinematics practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

The velocity of a car changes from 25 m s−1 north to 25 m s−1 east in 10 s. What is the magnitude of the average acceleration?

  1. A 3.5 m s−2
  2. B 0
  3. C 5.0 m s−2
  4. D 2.5 m s−2
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

A body falls through air and reaches terminal velocity. Which statement is correct at terminal velocity?

  1. A the weight is zero
  2. B the resultant force is zero
  3. C the drag is zero
  4. D the acceleration is g
Show answer

Answer: B

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which term is described by this statement?
“The distance moved in a particular direction.”

  1. A root-mean-square current
  2. B mass defect
  3. C displacement
  4. D acceleration
Show answer

Answer: C

Question 4Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

A velocity–time graph for a body is a straight line with negative gradient crossing the time axis. What happens at the crossing?

  1. A the body stops permanently
  2. B the body is at its starting position
  3. C the acceleration is zero
  4. D the body is momentarily at rest and reverses direction
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 5Structured · 7 marks

A ball is thrown horizontally at 18 m s−1 from the top of a vertical cliff of height 45 m. Air resistance is negligible.

(a)

Explain why the horizontal component of the velocity of the ball remains constant.

[1]
(b)

Calculate the time taken for the ball to reach the ground.

[2]
(c)

Use your answer to (b) to calculate the horizontal distance travelled.

[1]
(d)

Calculate the speed of the ball just before it hits the ground, and the angle its velocity makes with the horizontal.

[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)no horizontal force acts
no (resultant) horizontal force, so no horizontal acceleration B1
1
(b)3.03 s
s = ½gt2 with s = 45 C1
3.03 s A1
2
(c)54.5 m
18 × 3.03 = 54.5 m B1
1
(d)34.7 m s−1 at 58.8°
vy = g t = 29.7 m s−1 C1
speed = √(182 + 29.72) = 34.7 m s−1 A1
angle = tan−1(29.7/18) = 58.8° A1
3
Question 6Structured · 5 marks

A ball is thrown with velocity 12 m s−1 at 50° above the horizontal from a point 10 m above flat ground. Air resistance is negligible.

(a)

Calculate the maximum height above the ground.

[2]
(b)

Calculate the time taken to reach the ground.

[2]
(c)

Calculate the horizontal distance travelled.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)14.3 m
v2 = u2 + 2as with vertical component C1
14.3 m A1
2
(b)2.64 s
s = ut + ½at2 C1
2.64 s A1
2
(c)20.4 m
20.4 m B1
1

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in