Kinematics: past paper questions
Real questions on kinematics
The newest 20 of 202 written questions, plus 112 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[1]
Define acceleration.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(i)[1]
Determine the acceleration of the rocket. acceleration = m s –2
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Show that the height of the rocket above the surface of the Earth at a time of 20 s after launch is 3.2 km.
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 → - 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1e[1]
On Fig. 1.1, draw, and label with the letter A, the position of the shadow on the screen when the shadow has its maximum positive acceleration.
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q1[6]
On a bench, a steel ball of radius r is used to compress a spring by a distance x. The ball is held at rest in this position, as shown in Fig. 1.1. ball bench P Fig. 1.1 The ball is released and rolls along the bench. At a fixed point P, the ball has speed v. The speed of the ball at P is determined using one light gat...
See it on the paper → - 9702/53 · October/November 2025 · Q1[6]
On a bench, a steel ball of radius r is used to compress a spring by a distance x. The ball is held at rest in this position, as shown in Fig. 1.1. ball bench P Fig. 1.1 The ball is released and rolls along the bench. At a fixed point P, the ball has speed v. The speed of the ball at P is determined using one light gat...
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
Define acceleration.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(i)[2]
Calculate the time taken for object A to reach the ground. time = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Use your answer in (b)(i) to calculate u. u = m s −1
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1c(i)[2]
State and explain whether the time taken for object B to reach the ground is less than, the same as or greater than the time in (b)(i).
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
Define velocity.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[3]
building (b) In an experiment, two objects A and B are released from the side of a building, as shown in Fig. 1.1. A 10.0 m 3.0 m s –1 Fig. 1.1 (not to scale) Object A is released from rest at a height of 10.0 m above horizontal ground. Object B is released with an initial upward velocity of 3.0 m s −1 at a height h ab...
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q1c(i)[2]
State and explain whether the time taken for object B to reach the ground is less than, the same as, or greater than the time taken in the first experiment.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q1c(ii)[2]
By considering energy, state and explain whether the speed at which object B reaches the ground is less than, the same as, or greater than in the first experiment.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(i)[2]
Calculate the angular speed of the rear wheel. angular speed = rad s –1
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Calculate the period of rotation of the small cog. period = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(iii)[1]
Show that the distance moved by point X on the chain during one full rotation of the small cog is 0.24 m.
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(iv)[2]
Use the information in (b)(iii) to determine the angle through which the large cog rotates during one full rotation of the small cog. angle = rad
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[2]
The chain of the bicycle in (b) is moved onto a smaller cog fixed to the rear wheel. The speed of the bicycle does not change. Explain, without calculation, the effect of this change on the angular speed of the pedals.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates calculated the acceleration using an appropriate equation of constant acceleration, indicating this subject is generally well understood. Weaker candidates often attempted to find a time using an inappropriate method such as t = 180/13 and so could make no progress.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Many of the stronger candidates correctly understood that the object must have a constant non-zero magnitude of acceleration. Sometimes candidates contradicted themselves by stating that the object was accelerating, but with a constant velocity. Only the strongest candidates correctly stated that the initial speed of the object must be zero. Some candidates stated that the object was moving in a s...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/22 Q1(b) (Cambridge)
In general, candidates found this part of the question to be challenging. Many candidates did not realise that the acceleration was equal to the gradient of the velocity–time graph and that they could compare the magnitudes of the accelerations by comparing the magnitudes of the gradients at the two stated times. Some candidates incorrectly interpreted the graph as being an acceleration–time graph...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/22 Q1(c)(i) (Cambridge)
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