Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion: past paper questions

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graph shows how the momentum of a motorcycle changes with time. What is the resultant force on the motorcycle?

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• Question 10May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The mass of a fully grown African elephant is approximately four times the mass of an average car. The maximum speed of an African elephant is $40\text{ km}$ per hour. What is a reasonable estimate of the maximum momentum of a fully grown African elephant?

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• Question 12Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  A rocket has a weight of $W$ and an initial acceleration of $a$ as the rocket leaves the ground vertically. The acceleration of free fall is $g$. Which expression gives the initial upward force exerted on the rocket due to the engine?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes the weight of an object?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two blocks, of mass $0.20\text{ kg}$ and $0.50\text{ kg}$, are connected by a light inextensible string that passes over a frictionless pulley. The blocks are initially held stationary. The block of mass $0.20\text{ kg}$ rests on a rough horizontal surface.

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• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the definition of linear momentum?

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graph shows the variation of the momentum $p$ with time $t$ for a car. What is the resultant force on the car at $t=10\text{ s}$?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about mass is correct?

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• Question 12May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is not a requirement of a pair of forces that obey Newton’s third law of motion?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Two objects X and Y form an isolated system. X and Y collide and then separate. The mass of X is greater than the mass of Y. Which statement about the collision is correct?

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The forces acting on an object are in equilibrium at one instant. Which quantity related to the object's motion must have zero magnitude at this instant?

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• Question 11May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two blocks K and L slide towards each other along a horizontal frictionless surface. The diagram shows the momentum of the two blocks just before they collide. During the collision, the blocks are in contact with each other for a time of $0.084\text{ s}$.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A high-altitude balloon is stationary in still air. A solid sphere is suspended from the balloon by a string, as shown in Fig. 2.1. The volume of the balloon is $7.5{\text{ m}}^3$.

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• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes the mass of an object?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Define linear momentum.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State the conditions for a system to be in equilibrium.

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  An object of mass $m$ has a constant acceleration due to a constant resultant force $F$. In a distance $s$, the speed of the object is increased from $u$ to $v$. What is the relationship between $s$, $m$, $F$, $u$ and $v$?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Define momentum.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  State the principle of conservation of momentum.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Two spheres are released from rest at equal heights above the ground. Both spheres reach terminal velocity. One sphere has a larger density than the other sphere.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A golf club hits a golf ball. The graph shows how the force $F$ on the ball varies with time $t$. Which graph shows how the velocity $v$ of the ball varies with time $t$?

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement defines force?

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• Question 10May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What is meant by the mass and by the weight of an object on the Earth?

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• Question 10May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four forces, all in the same plane, act on an object. What could describe the motion of the object?

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a reasonable estimate of the momentum of a family car travelling at $25\text{ kilometres per hour}$?

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A small ball is dropped from rest from height $h_1$ above the ground and falls vertically downwards. The ball collides with the ground and bounces back vertically upwards, reaching a maximum height $h_2$. Fig. 4.1 shows the ball just before and just after hitting the ground.

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Each diagram illustrates a pair of forces of equal magnitude. Which diagram gives an example of a pair of forces that is described by Newton’s third law of motion?

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Newton’s third law describes two forces that are equal in magnitude and form a pair. Which description of the two forces in such a pair is not correct?

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 21Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A block is pulled in a straight line along a rough horizontal surface by a varying force $X$, as shown in Fig. 3.1. Air resistance is negligible. Assume that the frictional force exerted on the block by the surface is constant and has magnitude $2.0\text{ N}$.

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 22Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A block is pulled by a force $X$ in a straight line along a rough horizontal surface, as shown in Fig. 3.1. Assume that the total resistive force opposing the motion of the block is $0.80\text{ N}$ at all speeds of the block.

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