O Level Physics 5054 · Motion, forces and energy · 1.2

Motion: past paper questions

112 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Calculate, Describe, State, Determine, Explain

Real questions on motion

The newest 20 of 112 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[2]
There are no external forces acting on the object. Describe two features of the motion of the object that are a consequence of Newton’s first law.
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5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
the speed of the car at time t = 0 speed = m / s
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5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(ii)[2]
the distance travelled by the car between the driver seeing the obstruction at t = 5.7 s and the car beginning to slow down distance = m (ii)
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5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(iii)[3]
the distance travelled by the car between t = 0 and t = 11.2 s. distance = m
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
The student uses the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.3. 100 cm 90 cm view from above 0 cm two metre rules side by side marble stopper 90 cm bar of clamp boss height h Fig. 3.3 The distance between the bench and the bottom side of the rule at the 90 cm mark is h. The ramp is initially arranged with height h = 4.0 cm above the...
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
The procedure in (b)(i) is repeated for heights h = 6.0 cm, 8.0 cm, 10.0 cm and 12.0 cm. All results are recorded in Table 3.1. Complete Table 3.1, finding the average time t av for each value of h. Include the results from (b)(i) in the table. Give all values to a suitable number of decimal places. t 1 / s t 2 / s t 3...
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(iii)[1]
On the grid provided in Fig. 3.4 on page 13, plot a graph of t av / s on the y-axis against h / cm on the x-axis.
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(iv)[1]
Describe the relationship between h and t av .
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(i)[2]
Use your graph to find t av when h = 7.0 cm. Show on the graph how you find t av for h = 7.0 cm. t av = s (c) (i)
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5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3c(ii)[2]
The average speed v of the marble is given by: v = 0.90 t av Find the average speed v of the marble when h = 7.0 cm. Give the unit of your answer. average speed v = unit ĬÑĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞù·Ā×
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5054/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[2]
On Fig. 1.1, plot the distance–time graph for the ball. Draw a suitable line. 140 120 100 80 distance / cm 40 20 0 0 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 time / s 60
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5054/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[2]
Calculate the average speed of the ball between time t = 0 and time t = 0.40 s. speed = cm / s
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5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q9a(i)[3]
Calculate the speed of an object at the equator as it moves in a circular path around the axis of rotation. speed = m / s
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5054/22 · October/November 2024 · Q9a(ii)[2]
Explain why the speed around the axis of rotation of an object on the Earth decreases as the distance of the object from the equator increases. (ii)
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5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(i)[2]
On Fig. 1.2, mark: • • with the letter P one point where the ball accelerates with the letter Q one point where the ball has constant speed.
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5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Determine the speed of the ball at point X on Fig. 1.2. Show your working. speed = m / s
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5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[1]
The speeds of the ball at A, B, C and D are v A , v B , v C and v D respectively. Arrange these four speeds from slowest to fastest. slowest fastest
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5054/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2c(ii)[2]
Calculate the time taken for the aircraft to reach the maximum speed. time = s
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5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
State how Fig. 1.2 shows that, during the collision, trolley B has a uniform acceleration.
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5054/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(ii)[1]
Describe how the graph in Fig. 1.2 shows that the magnitude (size) of the acceleration of trolley B is larger than the magnitude of the deceleration of trolley A.
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What examiners said

Stronger candidates were able to calculate the orbital period of Venus about the Sun. The most common error was to divide the distance of Venus from the Sun by its orbital speed, instead of the circumference of the orbit of Venus by the orbital speed.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q9(a) (Cambridge)

Most candidates gave a correct explanation as to why speed is a scalar quantity.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q9(b) (Cambridge)

Only stronger candidates were able to explain that the velocity of Venus as it orbits the Sun changes because its direction of motion is continually changing.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q9(c)(i) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

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Practise motion

In the syllabus

1.2 Motion

Define speed as distance travelled per unit time and define velocity as change in displacement per unit time
Recall and use the equation distance speed = time s v= t
Recall and use the equation total distance travelled average speed = total time taken change in velocity acceleration = time taken ∆v a= ∆t State what is meant by, and describe examples of, uniform acceleration and non-uniform acceleration Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs Determine from the shape of a distance–time graph when an object is: (a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed (c) accelerating (d) decelerating Determine from the shape of a speed–time graph when an object is: (a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed (c) moving with constant acceleration (d) moving with changing acceleration State that the acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is approximately constant and is approximately 9.8 m / s2 Calculate speed from the gradient of a distance–time graph Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to determine the distance travelled for motion with constant speed or constant acceleration Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph

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