Csec Physics Motion Past Paper Questions Cheat Sheet

May 2017 Q4

For a popular amusement park ride, patrons board a carriage at the top of a high tower and

are subjected to a wild ride of 'terror'.

Name and state the Newton's Law which applies if the

(i) carriage is moving horizontally at a constant speed in a straight line

(ii) carriage is in free fall

(b) (i) (i) Calculate the length of time that the carriage in Part (a) is allowed to

free fall if it reaches a speed of 64.8 km h-' from rest. Use g : 10 ms-21

(ii) Determine the distance the carriage falls in (b) (i)

Total 15 marks
SOLUTION

(a) (i) For carriage moving horizontally at a constant speed in a straight line: Newton’s first law of motion
applies: Everybody continues in a state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an
external force to act differently.

(ii) Carriage is in free fall: Newton’s second law of motion applies: The rate of change of momentum is
proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction in which the force acts.

(b) (i)

(ii)
May 2016 Q2

(b) (i) State Newton’s third law of motion (3 marks)

(ii) A Caribbean airplane on its way from the Piarco International Airport to the Grantley

Adams International Airport flies horizontally in mid-flight.

With the aid of a diagram, and using Newton’s third law of motion, explain how

this happens (4 marks)

(c) (i) Define the term ‘linear momentum’. (2 marks)

(ii) An 8 kg ball travelling to the east at 10 ms–1, collides with a 2 kg ball travelling to the west with a velocity
of 5 ms–1. After the collision, they move together. Determine the final velocity of the balls. Assume that there
are no resistive forces. (4 marks)

Total 15 marks
SOLUTION

(a)

(b) (i) If a body A, exerts a force on body B, then body B will exert an equal and opposite force on body A. i.e.
to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Jan 2016 Q1

(b) Use the graph to determine EACH of the following:

(i) The acceleration during the interval AB (4 marks)

(ii) The velocity of the motorcar after 70 seconds (with the aid of dotted lines) (1 mark)

(iii) The total distance travelled over the 80 second period (9 marks)

(c) From your graph, describe the velocity of the vehicle over the period BC (1 mark)

(d) This question investigated how velocity varied with time. Define the term ‘velocity’. (3 marks)

Q2

(b) Complete the following statements.

(i) Kinetic energy is defined as (1 mark)

(ii) The potential energy of a body is defined as

(iii) The formula for the change in gravitational potential energy is

(iv) Waterfalls are commonly found across the Caribbean. Describe the energy changes

taking place in a waterfall.

(1) (a)

(b) (i)
(2) (a)
May 2015 Q4

(a) State Newton’s three laws of motion. (6 marks)

(b) In a crash test, a car travelling at a constant velocity of 26 m s–1 crash into a wall and is brought to rest. (6
marks)

(i) Calculate the initial momentum of a 70 kg test dummy in the car before the crash. (3 marks)

(ii) Calculate the average force exerted on the dummy by the seatbelt during the crash if the duration of the
collision is 0.1 seconds. (3 marks)

(iii) With the removal of all protective features, the dummy was subjected to another crash test with the same
initial speed. This time it was subjected to a ‘lethal’ decelerating force of 45 000 N. Calculate the duration of
this collision. (3 marks)

SOLUTION

(a) Newton’s three laws of motion:

1. A body will continue in a state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an external
force to act differently.

2. The rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction
in which the force acts.

3. If an object A exerts a force on object B then object B will exert an equal but opposite force on object A i.e.
to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

(b) (i)

(ii)

(iii)
May 2014 Q2 (b)

(i) Gravitational potential energy of the ball at the point of release, A (3 marks)

(ii) Final velocity of the ball on reaching the ground 1.56 seconds later (assume no loss of energy as the ball
falls). (3 marks)

(iii) Ball’s momentum when it hits the ground. (2 marks)

[Acceleration due to gravity, g, = 9.8 m s–2]

(i)

(ii)

(iii)
June 2013 Q4

(a) (i) State the law of conservation of linear momentum

(ii) Describe a situation that demonstrates the law of conservation of linear momentum

(b) A truck of mass 1250 kg, heading north crossed the median on the jasper highway, then slammed head on at
25ms-1 into 625kg car heading south at 30ms-1

(i) What was the initial momentum of the truck

(ii) What was the initial momentum of the car

(iii) Assuming the car and trust move as one following the collision, what is the speed and direction of the wreck
right after the collision
SOLUTION

(a) (i) When two or more bodies collide, the total momentum of the bodies before collision is equal to the total
momentum of the bodies after collision provided no external forces are acting on the bodies.

(ii) For a launching rocket, the momentum of the rocket in the upward direction is equal to the momentum of the
extruded burnt fuel in a downward direction.

(b) (i)

(ii)

(iii)
Jan 2013 Q6

(b) A football is kicked from rest looping over the head of a goalkeeper who is 40m away

(i) Describe the energy changes taking place in the ball from when it was kicked to when it hit the ground
behind the goalkeeper (assuming no energy loss)

(ii) After 1s, the ball of mass m, kg and velocity v ms-1 is located h, m from the ground

Derive an expression in terms of m, h, and v for the difference between the potential and kinetic energy of the
ball

(iii) During a game, the ball of mass 0.43kg hit the head of one of the players head was 7ms, what momentum
was transferred to the player

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 N kg

(i) When the ball is kicked, it is given kinetic energy. As it moves towards the goalkeeper the kinetic energy is
converted into potential energy as it rises. At the highest point the kinetic energy is minimum and the potential
energy is maximum. The potential energy decreases to zero and kinetic energy to a maximum on striking the
ground.

(ii)

(iii)
June 2012 Q2 B

(a) Complete Table 2 which relates the physical quantities and their derived SI units.

(ii) State TWO fundamental quantities and their corresponding SI units.

SOLUTION

(a) (i)

(ii)
May 2011 Q1

(a) Plot on page 3, a graph of velocity (V) versus time (t). (7 marks)

(b) From the graph, calculate the slope, p (4 marks)

(c) What quantity does the slope, p, represent (1 mark)

(d) For the next minute, the vehicle’s velocity was constant, then for the final minute, the

vehicle decelerated uniformly to a stop on reaching the stadium.

(i) Continue the velocity-time graph on page 3, to show this information and use

the graph to determine the total distance travelled

ii) Calculate the average velocity of the taxi for the complete journey.

(iii) If the total mass of the loaded taxi was 1 500 kg, determine the momentum of the vehicle when it is
travelling at constant velocity

(e) (i) Define the term ‘displacement’. (2 marks)

(ii) Complete Table 2 by ticking (√) the appropriate column that represents the quantity, given in the table
SOLUTION

(a)

(b)

(c) The slope of a velocity vs time graph is equal to the acceleration.

(d) (i)

(ii)

(iii)
(e) (i) Displacement is the distance moved in a specific direction.

(ii)
Jan 2011 Q1

A popular sprinter of mass 60 kg, was running a 100 m race. Her velocity was measured over a 10.0 s period.
The results are recorded in Table 1

(a) Define the following terms:

Velocity (2 marks)

Acceleration (2 marks)

(b) Use the results from Table 1 to plot a graph of Velocity versus Time on page 3. (7 marks)

(c) Determine the slope of the graph over the first 6.0 s of the race. (4 marks)

(d) How is the slope of the graph related to the acceleration of the sprinter (2 marks)

(e) Calculate the resultant force acting on the sprinter after 6.0 s. (3 marks)

(f) Using the graph drawn on page 3, determine how far from the finish line the sprinter would be after 10.0 s. (5
marks)
SOLUTION

(a) (i) Velocity is the rate of change of displacement.

(ii) Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

(d) Slope of a velocity vs time graph is equal to the acceleration.

(e)

(f)
May 2010 Q2

(a) Define EACH of the following terms.

(i) Velocity

(ii) Acceleration
(iii) Linear momentum

(b) In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt of Jamaica reclaimed his title as the world’s fastest man. He
completed the 100 m final in a world record time of 9.69 s. He accelerated uniformly from rest for the first 6.5
seconds, covering 60 m before coasting at maximum speed to the finish.

(i) Calculate his average speed for the first 6.5 s.

(ii) What was his maximum speed

(iii) What was his acceleration during the first 6.5 s

(iv) a) What MAJOR form of energy did BOLT possess when he crossed the finish line

(b) Calculate the value of this energy if his mass was 86 kg

(a) (i) Velocity is the rate of change of displacement.

(ii) Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

(iii) Linear momentum is the product of mass and linear velocity.

(b) (i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv) (a) He possessed kinetic energy.

a) (i) Complete the following table, by inserting the correct quantity, formula and unit.

(ii) State the ‘law of conservation of linear momentum’.

(b) (i) “BIG CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY”

“Two trucks of equal mass collided head-on at the same speed on the busy East West Highway. They both
remained stationary on impact.”

Explain this crash in terms of conservation of linear momentum. Assume the masses of other contents of the
trucks are equal.

(ii) A police recruit, while training, shot at a stationary target of mass 5.0 kg, with a bullet of mass 0.1 kg. The
target was mounted on low-fiction wheels and as soon as the bullet struck the target, the target with the
embedded bullet sped off with a velocity of 6.0 m s–1.

Calculate the velocity of the bullet just before it hit the stationary target.
SOLUTION

(a) (i)

(ii) The law of conservation of linear moment states that in the absence of external forces, total momentum of a
system of bodies is constant. For bodies undergoing collision, the total momentum before collision is equal to
the total momentum after collision, provided no external force is acting.

(b) (i) The linear momentum is conserved in the crash. The total momentum before collision is zero since the
momentum of each truck is equal and opposite. After collision, the momentum is zero since the velocity of each
truck is zero.

(ii)
May 2009 Q2

(a) (i) Give the difference between a 'vector quantity' and a 'scalar quantity'.

(ii) Complete Table 2 by writing EACH of the physical quantities from the list below in the appropriate column:
Mass, Momentum, Displacement, Heat Capacity, Temperature, Half-Life, Upthrust.

b) A taxi reaches a traffic police officer while travelling at 30m s- 1 on the highway. The officer immediately
signals the taxi which decelerates uniformly and comes to a complete stop in 5 s. (Assume zero reaction time.)

(i) In the space below, draw a velocity-time graph to represent the motion of the taxi from the moment the
officer signals, to when the taxi comes to a stop

(ii) Determine the distance travelled by the taxi from the time the police signals until the taxi stops.

(iii) If the speed limit is 80 km h- 1 determine whether or not the driver should receive a speeding ticket.
May 2009 P3 Q2

(a) State Newton· s first and second laws of motion. Use these laws to explain how a satellite remains in orbit
around the earth.
May 2009 Q2

(a) Explain what is meant by the terms 'velocity' and 'acceleration'.

(i) Calculate the reaction time of the driver.

(iii) What is the average speed of the car between B and C

(iv) If the mass of the car is 750 kg, find the braking force that slows the car between Band C.

May 2006 Q1
May 2005 Q2

(a) (i) State the principle of conservation of energy. (2 marks)

(ii) Define the term 'potential energy' (1 mark)

(iii) Give ONE example of a body possessing potential energy. (1 mark)

(iv) Define the term 'kinetic energy (1 mark)

(v) Give ONE example of a body possessing kinetic energy. (1 mark)

(b) At a football match between two college teams, the referee ordered a free kick. The ball of mass 1.5 kg was
placed at rest. The kick was about to be taken by an eager footballer. What was the potential energy of the ball
just before the kick was taken (1 mark)

(c) The footballer kicked the ball and it was caught by the opposing goalkeeper, 4 meters above the ground. The
hall was travelling at 10 ms-1

(i) Calculate the potential energy of the ball just before it was caught. (3 marks)

(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy of the ball just before it was caught. (3 marks)

(iii) After the ball was caught, what was the kinetic energy converted into (2 marks)

Total 15 marks