Dynamics: past paper questions
Real questions on dynamics
The newest 20 of 141 written questions, plus 159 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(iii)[3]
The balloon has weight 19 N. Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the balloon. acceleration = m s –2
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
Thrusters A and C are now switched off and the spacecraft is stationary. Thruster B is activated at time t 1 , producing a constant force on the spacecraft until the fuel runs out at time t 2 . As the fuel is used, the total mass of the spacecraft decreases. On Fig. 2.2, sketch the variation of speed of the spacecraft...
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(i)[2]
State the principle of conservation of momentum.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[2]
Show that the mass of the payload is 230 kg. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iii)[3]
Calculate the magnitude of the change in velocity of the carrier. change in velocity = m s –1
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
On Fig. 3.2, draw labelled arrows to show the directions of the forces acting on the pulley.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
Determine T. T = N
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(i)[2]
calculate the gain in gravitational potential energy ΔE P ΔE P = J
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[1]
State and explain whether the collision is elastic or inelastic.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
Calculate the change in momentum of the ball during the collision with the ground. change in momentum = kg m s –1
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Determine the average force on the ball during the collision with the ground. force = N
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[2]
State the principle of conservation of momentum.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
velocity v v = m s −1
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
the percentage of the total initial kinetic energy of the two objects that is transferred to other forms of energy during the collision. percentage = %
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[1]
A graph is plotted of 1 1 on the y-axis against on the x-axis. I n Determine expressions for the gradient and y-intercept. gradient =
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
Define force.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Show that the average resultant force F acting on truck R between time t = 0 and t = 15 s is –1.2 × 10 4 N.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3b(iii)[3]
An identical truck S has the same initial momentum as truck R. Truck S experiences a constant force equal to the force F in (b)(ii). State and explain whether truck S will take more, less or the same amount of time to come to rest as truck R.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · February/March 2025 · Q1b[2]
Describe how the forces acting on the ball cause its acceleration to be centripetal.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[1]
Define linear momentum.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates gave the correct definition of force, often using the exact wording from the syllabus ‘rate of change of momentum’. A significant number gave ‘mass times acceleration’ which is a valid way to calculate the resultant force acting on an object, but is not the definition of force. Candidates should be able to recall the definitions of the key quantities within the syllabus.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)
There were a significant number of errors made in this ‘show that’ question. Candidates should ensure they begin with an explicit statement of the equation being used, including the subject. Candidates frequently omitted the powers of ten (104) in the first step of their working, or incorrectly gave their powers as 10-4 instead of 104. It was also common for candidates to substitute the values of...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Only a few candidates were able to provide a fully correct explanation. A large number of candidates incorrectly stated that as the force and momentum was the same for both trucks, the time to come to rest for both trucks would also be the same. Very few candidates explained that truck S and truck R would have the same change in momentum to come to rest. Many candidates focussed on explaining th...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q3(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
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