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IGCSE · 1 · structured

Motion, forces and energy · Question 7

Motion, forces and energy · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
demanding
Marks
9
Topics
2
Answer
Complete
Car on a level road with the forward force and the resistive force markedmass = 1200 kgforward force 4500 Ntotal resistive forcedirection of travellevel road
Fig. 7.1A car on a straight, level road, labelled mass = 1200 kg, with a faint arrow above it showing the direction of travel to the right. A long horizontal arrow points forwards from the front of the car and is labelled forward force 4500 N. A shorter horizontal arrow points backwards from the rear of the car and is labelled total resistive force, with no value given.
structured9 marks

A car of mass 1200 kg starts from rest on a straight, level road. It reaches a speed of 24 m/s in 8.0 s. The forward force produced by the engine during this time is 4500 N.

  1. (a)

    State State the equation linking acceleration, change in velocity and time taken.

    1 mark
  2. (b)

    Calculate Calculate the acceleration of the car.

    2 marks
  3. (c)

    Calculate Calculate the resultant force acting on the car.

    2 marks
  4. (d)

    Determine Determine the total resistive force acting on the car during this time.

    2 marks
  5. (e)

    Explain The car later travels along the same road at a constant speed of 30 m/s. Explain, in terms of the forces acting, why the speed is constant.

    2 marks
Ready to self-mark?Reveal the detailed answer guide
Answer overviewKey answer: a = Δv / Δt, in words or symbols, with symbols defined or standard a = 24 / 8.0 a = 3.0 m/s² (unit required)
01

(a)

1 mark

State State the equation linking acceleration, change in velocity and time taken.

How to approach it

Answer the command word directly and use precise physical vocabulary. Include only the distinct features or facts that earn marks, without burying them in unrelated background information.

  1. 1

    a = Δv / Δt, in words or symbols, with symbols defined or standard

02

(b)

2 marks

Calculate Calculate the acceleration of the car.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    a = 24 / 8.0

  2. 2

    a = 3.0 m/s² (unit required)

03

(c)

2 marks

Calculate Calculate the resultant force acting on the car.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    F = ma = 1200 × 3.0

  2. 2

    F = 3600 N (unit required)

04

(d)

2 marks

Determine Determine the total resistive force acting on the car during this time.

How to approach it

List the given quantities with units, identify the required quantity, write the governing relationship before substituting, and keep extra digits until the final line so rounding does not distort the result.

  1. 1

    recognises resistive force = forward force − resultant force

  2. 2

    4500 − 3600 = 900 N

05

(e)

2 marks

Explain The car later travels along the same road at a constant speed of 30 m/s. Explain, in terms of the forces acting, why the speed is constant.

How to approach it

State the outcome first, then link cause to effect with the relevant physical principle. Each link in the reasoning should be explicit enough to earn its own marking point.

  1. 1

    the resultant force on the car is zero

  2. 2

    because the forward force from the engine is equal in size to the total resistive force (and opposite in direction)

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