IGCSE · Physics 0625 · Topic

Motion, Forces & Energy: IGCSE Physics questions and answers

10 free IGCSE Physics Motion, Forces & Energy questions written in the style of Cambridge Physics papers: 5 multiple-choice and 5 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 3 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.

This topic covers Physical quantities & measurement, Motion, Mass & weight, Density, Effects of forces, Turning effect & centre of gravity, Momentum, Energy, work & power, Energy resources, Pressure, Pendulums & timing. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Motion, Forces & Energy paper with a fresh set every time.

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Motion, forces & energy sub-topics

Motion, forces & energy practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

A car accelerates uniformly from 72 km/h to 108 km/h in 6.0 s.
What is its acceleration?

  1. A 1.7 m/s²
  2. B 5.0 m/s²
  3. C 6.0 m/s²
  4. D 8.3 m/s²
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

A tall, empty lorry is parked on a slope.
1    A wider wheelbase makes the lorry less likely to topple.
2    Loading heavy boxes on the floor of the lorry makes it more stable.
3    The lorry topples if its centre of gravity is directly above the base.
Which statements are correct?

  1. A 1, 2 and 3
  2. B 1 and 2 only
  3. C 1 only
  4. D 2 only
Show answer

Answer: B

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 mark

Why does a student time 20 oscillations of a pendulum rather than one?

  1. A to reduce the effect of reaction time on the measured period
  2. B to keep the length constant
  3. C to increase the period
  4. D to increase the amplitude
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 4Multiple choice · 1 mark

What is the unit of the spring constant?

  1. A N/m
  2. B m/N
  3. C kg/m
  4. D N m
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 5Multiple choice · 1 mark

A box of weight 80 N rests on an area of 0.05 m². What pressure does it exert on the floor?

  1. A 0.000625 Pa
  2. B 4 Pa
  3. C 16 Pa
  4. D 1600 Pa
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 6Structured · 4 marksA* challenge

A uniform plank of weight 200 N and length 4.0 m rests on a pivot 1.0 m from one end. A box rests on the short end to keep it horizontal.

(a)

State where the weight of the uniform plank acts.

[1]
(b)

Calculate the weight of the box.

[2]
(c)

Calculate the upward force of the pivot on the plank.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)at its centre
at the centre of the plank, 2.0 m from either end B1
1
(b)200 N
200 × 1.0 = W × 1.0 C1
200 N A1
2
(c)400 N
400 N (sum of downward forces) B1
1
Question 7Structured · 10 marks

A trolley A of mass 0.50 kg moves at 3.0 m/s along a horizontal track towards a stationary trolley B of mass 0.30 kg. The trolleys collide and stick together.

(a)

State the principle of conservation of momentum.

[2]
(b)

Calculate the speed of the trolleys immediately after the collision.

[3]
(c)

Show that kinetic energy is not conserved in the collision, and state what happens to the energy lost.

[3]
(d)

Explain why a spring buffer between the trolleys would reduce the force on each trolley.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)total momentum before = total momentum after; no external force
the total momentum of a system remains constant B1
provided no external (resultant) force acts B1
2
(b)1.88 m/s
momentum before = 0.50 × 3.0 = 1.50 kg m/s C1
(0.50 + 0.30) v = 1.50 C1
v = 1.88 m/s A1
3
(c)before 2.25 J; after 1.41 J; transferred to thermal / sound
KE before = 2.25 J C1
KE after = 1.41 J (less) C1
energy transferred to the thermal store of the trolleys / surroundings (and sound) B1
3
(d)longer collision time; same change of momentum so smaller force
the collision lasts longer B1
the change of momentum is the same, so the force (= change of momentum ÷ time) is smaller B1
2
Question 8Structured · 6 marks

A car of mass 1500 kg travels along a straight, horizontal road at 25 m/s. The driver sees a hazard. After a delay of 0.7 s the brakes are applied and the car decelerates uniformly at its maximum deceleration of 8 m/s² until it stops.

(a)

Sketch the speed–time graph for the car from the moment the driver sees the hazard until it stops. Label the values on both axes.

Fig. 8.1
[3]
(b)

Determine the total distance travelled from the moment the driver sees the hazard until the car stops.

[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)horizontal line at 25 m/s to 0.7 s; straight line down to 0 at 3.83 s
horizontal line at 25 m/s for 0.7 s B1
straight line sloping down to zero B1
reaching zero at 3.83 s B1
3
(b)56.6 m
distance at constant speed = 25 × 0.7 = 17.5 m C1
distance while decelerating = area = ½ × 25 × 3.13 = 39.1 m C1
56.6 m A1
3
Question 9Structured · 4 marks

A car A of mass 1400 kg moving at 16.0 m/s collides with a stationary car B of mass 1900 kg. The cars stick together.

(a)

Calculate the momentum of car A before the collision.

[2]
(b)

Calculate the speed of the cars immediately after the collision.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)22400 kg m/s
p = mv C1
22400 A1
2
(b)6.79 m/s
Total momentum conserved C1
6.79 A1
2
Question 10Structured · 3 marks

A student wants to measure the thickness of one sheet of paper with a ruler.

(a)

Explain why measuring one sheet with the ruler is not accurate.

[1]
(b)

Describe how she can find an accurate value.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)too thin compared with ruler precision
the sheet is much thinner than the smallest division on the ruler (1 mm) B1
1
(b)measure a stack and divide
measure the thickness of a large stack (e.g. 100 sheets) B1
divide by the number of sheets B1
2

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What is in IGCSE Physics Motion, Forces & Energy?

In the 0625 syllabus, Motion, Forces & Energy covers Physical quantities & measurement, Motion, Mass & weight, Density, Effects of forces, Turning effect & centre of gravity, Momentum, Energy, work & power, Energy resources, Pressure, Pendulums & timing.

Where can I get Motion, Forces & Energy questions with mark schemes?

This page has 10 Motion, Forces & Energy questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Motion, Forces & Energy paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.

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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