CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 2
4 v
Science in context guidance
• In order to calculate the speed of the cheetah
you would need to measure both distance and
time. Video footage would be the easiest way
to measure both. The cheetah would have to
be running perpendicular to the camera (at a t
fairly constant distance). A known distance v /ms–1
5 a
would need to be included in the video, for 30
example the distance between two landmarks,
or even the length of the cheetah itself. Most 20
modern cameras have a timecode function
that would allow you to measure the time
intervals between distance measurements. 10

• It is worth noting that this process would give

you the average speed between measurements 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 t / s
(rather than instantaneous speed). However,
the frame rate of modern cameras is high
b, c During first 10 s, acceleration a = ∆∆vt = 30
enough that for all but the fastest objects the 10

average speed would be accurate enough. = 3.0 m s−2

d  uring last 15 s, acceleration a = ∆∆vt
D
= ((30 – 15)) = −30
0 – 30
= −2.0 m s−2
Self-assessment questions 15

e From area under graph: 525 m

1 change in velocity ∆v = (18 − 0) = 18 m s−1
6
time taken ∆t = 6.0 s
so, acceleration a = ∆∆vt = 18 = 3.0 m s−2 Dots evenly spaced, then getting steadily
6.0
closer together
2 change in velocity ∆v = (11 − 23) = −12 m s−1
7 If l1 = length of first section of interrupt card,
time taken ∆t = 20 s t1 = time when first section enters light gate,
so, acceleration a = ∆∆vt = −12 = −0.60 m s−2 t2 = time when first section exits light gate,
20
l2 = length of second section of interrupt card,
The magnitude of the deceleration is 0.60 m s−2 t3 = time when second section enters light gate,
3 Rearranging the equation a = v –t u gives
a  t4 = time when second section exits light gate,
v = u + at then:
l1
so, after 1 s, v = 0.0 + (9.81 × 1) = 9.81 ≈ initial velocity u = = 0.05
t2 − t1 0.20 − 0.0
= 0.25 m s−1
9.8 m s−1 l2
final velocity v = = 0.05
t4 − t3 0.35 − 0.30
= 1.0 m s−1
b After 3 s, v = 0.0 + (9.81 × 3) = 29.4 m s−1 ≈
29 m s−1 Δt = t3 − t1 = 0.30 − 0.0 = 0.30 s
so, acceleration a = ∆∆vt = 1.00−.300.25 = 2.5 m s−2

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8  or first ticker-tape section, length l1 = 10 cm,

F 13 We know v, a and s and we want to know u,
time taken t1 = 5 × 0.02 = 0.10 s so we rearrange the equation v2 = u2 + 2as
so, initial velocity u = l1 0.10
= = 1.0 m s−1 into u2 = v2 − 2as, so initial speed, u =
t1 0.10
v 2 − 2as = ( 0.0 )2 − 2 × ( −6.5 ) × 50 = 650
 or second ticker-tape section, length
F
= 25.5 m s−1
l2 = 16 cm, time taken t2 = 5 × 0.02 = 0.10 s
l2 0.16  his is just over the speed limit.
T
so, final velocity v = =
t2 0.10
= 1.6 m s−1
14 a  t = 7.5 s; v = 220 m s−1
 ections of tape are adjacent, so time between
S
start of first section and start of final section, b  raw a tangent to the curve at point
D
Δt = time taken by first section = 5 × 0.02 = P. Read off two sets of values from the
0.10 s tangent to find the gradient. For example:
so, acceleration a = ∆∆vt = 1.60.−101.0 = 6.0 m s−2 at time t1 = 0 s, v1 ≈ 60 m s−1
at time t2 = 12 s, v2 ≈ 300 m s−1
9 a We know u, a and t and we want to know
so, approximately, acceleration
v, so we use the equation
velocity v = u + at = 0.0 + (2.0 × 10) a = ∆∆vt = 300 − 60
12 − 0
= 20 m s−2
= 20 m s−1
15 a 
The car is slowing down with constant
b We know u, a and t and we want to know (uniform) deceleration.
s, so we use the equation
b initial velocity v1 = 20 m s−1; final velocity
distance s = ut + 1
2
at2 = 0.0 + v2 = 8 m s−1
1
× 2.0 × 10 × 10 = 100 m
2 c acceleration a = ∆∆vt = 8 − 20
30 − 0
= −0.40 m s−2
c We know u, v and a and we want to know
d  isplacement of car = area under graph
d
t, so we rearrange the equation v = u + at
= (area of rectangle with side 8 m s−1 and
so that
length 30 s) + (area of triangle with side
time t = v − u = 24 − 0 = 12 s
a 2.0 12 m s−1 and base 30 s)
10 a We know u, v and t and we want to know = (8 × 30) + ( 12 × 12 × 30) = 420 m
a, so we use the equation e displacement of car, s = ut + 1
at2
2
acceleration, a = v − u = 20 − 4.0 = 0.16 m s−2
t 100 = (20 × 30) + ( 12 × (−0.40) × 30 × 30)
b average velocity, vavg = v + u = 20 + 4.0
2 2 = 600 − 180 = 420 m
= 12 m s−1
1 16 a 
Calculate distance fallen for each time
c We could use s = ut + 2
at2 but given that
1
using s = ut + 2
at2, with u = 0
we have worked out the average speed,
it is simpler to use distance, s = vavg × t Time / s 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
= 12 × 100 = 1200 m
Displacement / m 0 4.9 19.6 44.1 78.5
11 We know u, a and s and we want to know v, so
we use the equation
v2 = u2 + 2as
so, final velocity, v = u 2 + 2as

(8.0 )
2
= − 2 × 1.0 × 18 = 100 = 10 m s−1
12 We know u, v and a and we want to know s, so
we rearrange the equation v2 = u2 + 2as, so that
2 2 ( 0 )2 − (30 )2 900
distance, s = v 2−au =
2 × ( −7 )
=
14
= 64.3 m ≈ 64 m

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b Graph is a parabola through the origin. percentage uncertainty in g = 2 × 3 = 6%

or largest value of g = 9.94 m s−2 giving an
80 absolute uncertainty of 0.58 m s−2 and a
percentage uncertainty of 90..36
58
× 100 = 6%
70
19 a 
h/m
60
2.0
Displacement / m

50
1.5
40
1.0
30
0.5
20
0
10 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 t2 / s2

0 b Because s = 12 at2 the gradient is 12 g, the

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
Time/ s acceleration of free fall, g ≈ 1.6 m s−2
c I n 2.5 s, stone falls 30.6 m ≈ 31 m. Check
c  his object is not falling on the Earth,
T
using
perhaps on the Moon
1
s = ut + at2 = 0 + ( 12 × 9.81 × 2.5 × 2.5)
2 20 Drop an object towards the sensor, but
≈ 31 m
take care not to break it. A better method
d time taken = 2.86 s ≈ 2.9 s is to use a sloping ramp with a trolley;
Check by rearranging, remembering that gradually increase the angle of slope.
u = 0, so that time t = 2.86 s ≈ 2.9 s Deduce the value of the acceleration when
the ramp is vertical.
We know s and a, and that u = 0, and we
17 a 
need to find t. Fx = 17.3 N ≈ 17 N; Fy ≈ 10 N
21 a 
Rearrange s = ut + 12 at2, remembering that b vx = 1.7 m s−1; vy = −4.7 m s−1
u = 0,
c ax = −5.2 m s−2; ay = −3.0 m s−2
so that time t = 2sa = 29×.81
0.8
≈ 0.40 s
b We know s and a, and that u = 0, and we d Fx = 77.3 N ≈ 77 N; Fy = 20.7 N ≈ 21 N
need to find v. 22 The stone’s displacement now is s = −25 m
Use v = u + 2as so that impact velocity, v
2 2
Substituting in s = ut + 1 at2 gives
2
= u 2 + 2as = ( 0 )2 + 2 × 9.81× 0.8 = 15.7 −25 = 20t + 12 × (−9.81) × t2
≈ 4.0 m s−1 so, 4.9t2 − 20t − 25 = 0 or approximately 5t2 −
18 a 
Using the method in the worked example, 20t − 25 = 0, which can be simplified to
calculate the average speed of the steel t2 − 4t − 5 = (t − 5)(t + 1) = 0
ball = s = 2.10 = 3.134 m s−1 so, time taken to reach the foot of the cliff = 5 s
t 0.67
(i.e. 1 s more). Accurate answer is 5.08 ≈ 5.1 s.
Then find the values of v and u In solving the quadratic equation, you
final speed, v = 2 × 3.134 m s−1 = 6.268 m s−1 will have found a second solution, t = −1 s.
initial speed, u = 0.0 m s−1 Obviously, the stone could not take a negative
time to reach the foot of the cliff. However,
Substitute these values into the equation
this solution does have a meaning: it tells us
for acceleration
that, if the stone had been thrown upwards
a = v − u = 6.268 = 9.36 m s−2 ≈ 9.4 m s−2
t 0.67
from the foot of the cliff at the correct speed, it
would have been travelling upwards at 20 m s−1
b Air resistance; delay in release of ball as it passed the top of the cliff at t = 0 s.
c  ercentage uncertainty in time = 0.02/0.67
p
× 100 = 3%

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Use v = u + at to calculate v, remembering

23 a   e know the vertical distance travelled
W
that a = −9.81 m s−2 when the projectile hits the ground = 0 m so,
rearrange s = ut + 12 at2 to find t
Velocity
30 20.19 10.38 0.57 −9.24 −19.05 0 = 28.3t + 12 × 9.81t2 = 28.3t + 4.905t2
/ m s−1
Time so, t = 0 (when the projectile is launched) or
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 t = 5.77 s (when it returns to the ground)
/s
Assume horizontal velocity is constant,
b uhor = 40 × cos 45° = 28.3 m s−1
30 so, horizontal distance s = ut = 28.3 × 5.77
25 = 163 m ≈ 160 m
20
15 Exam-style questions
Velocity / m s–1

10 1 A
 (Take care to change 200 km h−1 into m s−1
5 and 1.4 km into 1400m.)[1]
0 2 C[1]
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 Time / s
–5 3 C[1]
–10 4 Using v2 = u2 + 2as[1]
–15 (v 2 − u 2 )
distance s = 2a [1]
–20
(302 − 102 )
= [1]
2 × 4.0
c 3.1 s = 100 m[1]
24 a 
Horizontal speed remains constant after 5 Using v = u + at[1]
being thrown (ignoring air resistance), so:
final velocity = 50 − 0.50 × 100 [1] = 0[1]
horizontal velocity = st = 124..00 = 3.0 m s−1
Using s = ut + 12 at2[1]
b  or vertical distance, use s = ut + 12 at2,
F distance travelled =
remembering that u = 0 50 × 100 − 0.5 × 0.50 × 1002[1]
s = ut + 1
2
at2 = 0 + 1
2
× (−9.81) × 4.0 × 4.0 = 2500 m[1]
= −78.5 m, so height of cliff is 78.5 m Train slows to rest and covers a distance of
2500 m[1]
vertical component of velocity =
25 a 
8 × sin 40° = 5.14 ≈ 5.1 m s−1 6 a  Using s = ut + 12 at2[1]
s = 20t − 0.5 × 9.8t2 = 20t − 4.9t2[1]
b vertical component of velocity = 0 m s−1
v−u
b  ubstituting values of t in the equation
S
c Rearrange v = u + at, so that time t = a gives[1]
0 − 5.14 after 2.0 s, displacement = 20.4 m ≈ 20 m[1]
= = 0.524 ≈ 0.52 s
−9.81 after 6.0 s, displacement = −56.4 m ≈
d  orizontal component of velocity
h −56 m[1]
= 8 × cos 40° = 6.13 ≈ 6.1 m s−1 c Substituting s = 0 gives[1]
e  ssume horizontal component of velocity
A 0 = 20t − 4.9t2[1]
is constant and use
t = 20
4.9
[1]
distance s = ut + 12 at2 = 6.1 × 0.52 + 0
= 3.21 ≈ 3.2 m t = 4.08 s ≈ 4.1 s[1]
26 First, calculate the time taken for the projectile 7 a 
distance travelled at constant speed
to return to the ground. = speed × time[1]

initial vertical velocity, uver = 40 × sin 45° = 40 × 20 = 800 m[1]

= 28.3 m s−1

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change in speed b i   v2 = u2 + 2as leading to

b acceleration = [1]
time taken v2 = 2 × 9.81 × 1.2[1]
(50 − 25 ) v = 4.85 m s−1 ≈ 4.9 m s−1[1]
= = 1.25 m s−2[1]
20
distance travelled = average speed × time ii v2 = 2 × 9.81 × 0.8[1]
taken[1] v = 3.96 m s−1 ≈ 4.0 m s−1[1]
average speed = (25 +2 50 ) = 37.5 m s−1[1] iii v = u + at leading to
distance travelled = 37.5 × 20 = 750 m[1] 4.85 = −3.96 + a × 0.16[1]

c  must travel an extra 50 m; its additional

B a = 55.1 ≈ 55 m s−2[1]
speed is 10 m s−1[1] Upwards direction[1]
so, time required = 50
10
= 5 s[1] Tangent drawn at t = 0.7 s and gradient of
11 a 
graph determined[1]
d −1
 onsider car A: it travels at 40 m s for
C
25 s[1] a = 0.8 (±0.2) m s−2[1]
total distance travelled 40 × 25 = 1000 m[1] b  cceleration is constant from t = 0 to
A
8 vertical component of velocity = v sin 30°[1]
a  about t = 0.5 s[1]
= 5.6 sin 30° = 2.8 m s−1[1] Acceleration decreases from t = 0.5 s[1]
Using s = ut + 12 at2 with a = −g and s = 0[1] Gradient constant from t = 0 to t = 0.5 s
and decreases from t = 0.5 s[1]
t = 2.8
4.9
= 0.57 s[1]
c Area under the graph used[1]
b  orizontal component of velocity =
h
Correct method, e.g. trapezium rule or
v cos 30°[1]
squares counted[1]
= 5.8 cos 30° = 4.85 m s−1 ≈ 4.9 m s−1[1] distance = 0.20 ± 0.01 m[1]
horizontal distance = speed × time[1]
d  andom errors: the points are either side
R
= 4.85 × 0.57 = 2.77 m ≈ 2.8 m[1] of the line[1]
9 0.2 = 12 × 9.81 × t2[1]
a 
Systematic errors: the whole line is shifted
t = 0.202 s ≈ 0.20 s[1]
 up or down[1]
b v2 = u2 + 2as; 2.912 = 1.922 + 2a ×
i  v2 = u2 + 2as; 0 = v2 − 2 × 2 × 140[1]
12 a 
0.25[1] 23.7 ≈ 24 m s−1[1]
a = 9.56 m s−2 ≈ 9.6 m s−2[1] v 23.7
b t == = 0.39 s[1]
ii Air resistance[1] s 60
The reaction time is approximately 0.3 s,
Acts in the opposite direction to
so the driver was alert.[1]
the velocity and so reduces the
100000
acceleration[1] c 100 km h−1 = 60 × 60 = 27.8 m s−1
i  Ball travels upwards (or reverses
10 a  ≈ 28 m s−1[1]
direction) on bouncing.[1] The driver was not speeding, as the speed
ii In both cases, the ball is accelerating of 24 m s−1 is less than the speed limit.[1]
due to gravity only.[1] 13 a 
Constant gradient[1]
iii Initial height of the ball above the
b i 1.55 (±0.05) s[1]
ground.[1]
ii Area under graph calculated between
iv Ball does not bounce as high as initial
t = 0 and t = 1.55 s[1]
position. or (Kinetic) energy is lost
(as heat/internal energy) during the 1.55
= 15 × = 11.6 ≈ 12 m[1]
bounce.[1] 2
iii Area between t = 1.55 s and t = 4.1 s[1]
31.8 ≈ 32 m; accept error carried
forward from time in i[1]

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c i 
The initial speed of the ball or the v2 = u2 + 2as; 202 = 0 + 2 × 9.81 × s[1]
14 a 
hot-air balloon is 15 m s−1[1] s = 20.4 ≈ 20 m[1]
ii The acceleration is in the opposite
b v = u + at; 20 = 0 + 9.81 × t[1]
direction to the initial speed of the
ball. or The acceleration due to gravity t = 2.04 ≈ 2.0 s[1]
is downwards and the ball initially c distance = 80 × 2.04 = 163 m ≈ 160 m[1]
rises.[1]

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