Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2022 · Paper 13 · Question 7

A small glider moves along a horizontal air track as shown. At each end of the air track, the glider has a perfectly elastic collision with a fixed buffer. The glider moves at a constant speed between collisions. Which graph represents the variation with time t of the velocity v of the glider as it moves between the two buffers?

1. AGraph A: velocity v against time t, square wave with decreasing amplitude, alternating positive and negative, starting positive
2. BGraph B: velocity v against time t, square wave with decreasing amplitude, alternating positive and negative, starting positive
3. CGraph C: velocity v against time t, square wave of constant amplitude, alternating positive and negative, with decreasing period
4. DGraph D: velocity v against time t, square wave of constant amplitude, alternating positive and negative, with constant period

As printed in the paper