10 free AS Level Physics Mechanics & Materials questions written in the style of Cambridge Physics papers: 6 multiple-choice and 4 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 4 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.
This topic covers Physical quantities & units, Kinematics, Dynamics, Forces, density & pressure, Work, energy & power, Deformation of solids. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Mechanics & Materials paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Mechanics & Materials paper →A ball is thrown horizontally with speed 15.0 m s−1 from the top of a cliff 20 m high. Air resistance is negligible.
What is the speed of the ball as it hits the ground below?
Answer: C
A stationary object explodes into two fragments of masses 1.0 kg and 5.0 kg, which move apart in opposite directions.
What is kinetic energy of the 1.0 kg fragmentkinetic energy of the 5.0 kg fragment?
Answer: C
Which property of a material is measured by the stress at which it breaks?
Answer: C
What is the pressure 5.0 m below the surface of water due to the water alone? (ρ = 1000 kg m−3, g = 9.81 m s−2)
Answer: C
Which estimate is most reasonable for the mass of an adult?
Answer: B
A motor lifts a 50 kg load through 12 m in 20 s. What is the useful power output? (g = 9.81 m s−2)
Answer: B
A copper wire of length 1.80 m and diameter 0.52 mm hangs vertically. A load is added so that the tension is 60 N. The Young modulus of the metal is 1.1 × 1011 Pa.
Define the Young modulus.
Calculate the stress in the wire.
Calculate the extension of the wire.
Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the wire.
A second wire of the same metal and length has half the diameter. The same tension is applied. Determine the ratio energy stored in second wireenergy stored in first wire.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | stress ÷ strain (in the region where Hooke’s law applies) stress ÷ strain B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 2.83 × 108 Pa A = π × (0.52×10−3)2 ÷ 4 = 2.12 × 10−7 m2 C1 2.83 × 108 A1 | 2 |
| (c) | 4.62 × 10−3 m strain = stress ÷ E C1 4.62 × 10−3 A1 | 2 |
| (d) | 0.139 J ½Fx C1 0.139 A1 | 2 |
| (e) | 4 extension × 4 (area ÷ 4) C1 ratio 4 A1 | 2 |
A car of mass 1200 kg travels at a constant speed of 25 m s−1 along a straight horizontal road. The useful output power of the engine is 30 kW.
Define power.
Calculate the total resistive force acting on the car.
The car now climbs a slope inclined at 4° to the horizontal at the same speed, with the same resistive force. Calculate the output power now required.
Calculate the gain in gravitational potential energy per second on the slope.
The efficiency of the engine is 30%. Calculate the input power on the level road.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | rate of doing work work done per unit time B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 1200 N P = Fv C1 F = 1200 N A1 | 2 |
| (c) | 50.5 kW component of weight along slope = 1200 × 9.81 × sin 4° = 821 N C1 total force = 2020 N C1 P = 50.5 kW A1 | 3 |
| (d) | 20500 W height gained per second = 25 sin 4° C1 20500 J s−1 A1 | 2 |
| (e) | 100 kW 30/0.30 = 100 kW B1 | 1 |
A ball is thrown horizontally at 18 m s−1 from the top of a vertical cliff of height 25 m. Air resistance is negligible.
Explain why the horizontal component of the velocity of the ball remains constant.
Calculate the time taken for the ball to reach the ground.
Use your answer to (b) to calculate the horizontal distance travelled.
Calculate the speed of the ball just before it hits the ground, and the angle its velocity makes with the horizontal.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | no horizontal force acts no (resultant) horizontal force, so no horizontal acceleration B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 2.26 s s = ½gt2 with s = 25 C1 2.26 s A1 | 2 |
| (c) | 40.6 m 18 × 2.26 = 40.6 m B1 | 1 |
| (d) | 28.5 m s−1 at 50.9° vy = g t = 22.1 m s−1 C1 speed = √(182 + 22.12) = 28.5 m s−1 A1 angle = tan−1(22.1/18) = 50.9° A1 | 3 |
A wire of length 1.7 m and diameter 0.57 mm extends by 0.9 mm when a tensile force of 118 N is applied. Calculate the Young modulus of the material.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 873000000000 Pa A = πd2/4 C1 stress = F/A C1 strain = e/L C1 873000000000 A1 | 4 |
In the 9702 syllabus, Mechanics & Materials covers Physical quantities & units, Kinematics, Dynamics, Forces, density & pressure, Work, energy & power, Deformation of solids.
This page has 10 Mechanics & Materials questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Mechanics & Materials paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →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