Momentum: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An object moves in a straight line. The energy in the kinetic store of the moving object is $90\text{ J}$. The momentum of the object is $60\text{ kg m}\mathrm{/}\text{s}$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  The momentum of a car changes from $10000\text{ kg m / s}$ to $15000\text{ kg m / s}$ in a time of $8.0\text{ s}$. What is the resultant force acting on the car?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equation gives the momentum change of an object?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Diagram 1 shows a ball X of mass $0.15\text{ kg}$ travelling horizontally with a velocity of $2.1\text{ m/s}$ towards ball Y travelling at $0.4\text{ m/s}$ in the opposite direction. Diagram 2 shows the velocities of the balls immediately after they collide.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which expression can be used to determine the impulse on a tennis ball?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A ball is at rest on the ground. A boy kicks the ball. The boy's boot is in contact with the ball for a time of $0.040\text{ s}$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  An object has a mass of $20\mathrm{k}\mathrm{g}$. Its velocity changes from $6\mathrm{m}\mathrm{/}\mathrm{s}$ to $10\mathrm{m}\mathrm{/}\mathrm{s}$. Which impulse has acted on the object?

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• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  When a particle rebounds from a wall, a force is exerted on the wall. What causes this force?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured8 marks

  State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A drag car is a racing car that is powered by a rocket engine. A drag car accelerates uniformly from rest until it reaches the finishing line. The engine is then switched off and a parachute opens.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A girl holds a rubber ball out of a window of a tall building. The mass of the ball is $0.20\text{ kg}$. The ball is at rest $10\text{ m}$ above a concrete path.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 42Structured8 marks

  Define ‘impulse’ in words.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured5 marks

  A cricket ball is travelling at a speed of $25\text{ m/s}$ horizontally through the air. The mass of the ball is $0.14\text{ kg}$. A player catches the ball and the ball comes to rest.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 2.1 shows a golfer about to hit a golf ball with a golf club. The initial momentum of the golf ball is zero. Define momentum.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  A balloon of mass $15\text{ g}$ is glued to a straw. The straw is threaded onto a horizontal string, as shown in Fig. 3.1. The balloon is filled with air and then the air is released.

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• Question 7May/June 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is not correct?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a boy throwing a ball at an object in a fairground. The ball has a mass of $190\text{ g}$ and travels horizontally with a constant speed of $6.9\text{ m/s}$. Calculate the momentum of the ball.

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• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  An object of mass $1.2\text{ kg}$ is moving with a velocity of $2.0\text{ m / s}$ when it is acted on by a force of $4.0\text{ N}$. The velocity of the object increases to $5.0\text{ m / s}$ in the same direction. For which period of time does the force act on the object?

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 41Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows a side view of part of a concrete track at a skateboard park.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 42Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Define momentum.

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 41Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 2.1 shows two identical trolleys, P and Q, held at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. A load is fixed to trolley P. There is a compressed spring between trolley P and trolley Q. The trolleys are released. As the spring expands, it pushes the trolleys apart.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 42Structured6 marks

  A student catches a cricket ball. The speed of the ball immediately before it is caught is $18\text{ m/s}$. The mass of the cricket ball is $160\text{ g}$.

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• Question 2May/June 2025, paper 43Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 2.1 shows a space vehicle which consists of a capsule and a nose cone. The space vehicle is moving at a velocity of $7800\text{ m/s}$. The mass of the space vehicle is $840\text{ kg}$.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 43Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 3.1 shows two children balanced on a seesaw.

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