Non-uniform motion
3.2What the syllabus asks of you
- show a qualitative understanding of frictional forces and viscous/drag forces including air resistance (no treatment of the coefficients of friction and viscosity is required, and a simple model of drag force increasing as speed increases is sufficient)
- describe and explain qualitatively the motion of objects in a uniform gravitational field with air resistance
- understand that objects moving against a resistive force may reach a terminal (constant) velocity
Read the notes first
Chapter 3: Non-uniform motion
Drill this topic
Every question on Non-uniform motion, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
76 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A0.81 N
B1.5 N
C1.8 N
D2.0 N
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
ADrop a solid steel object of the same dimensions from the same height.
BDrop the object from a greater height.
CThrow the object downwards from the same height with an initial velocity 0.5v.
DThrow the object upwards from the same height with an initial velocity 0.5v.
Mark scheme
3May / June 2026 · Paper 13 · Q5Show mark scheme →
Aspeed / acceleration
Bacceleration / speed
Cdistance fallen / speed
Dspeed / distance fallen
Mark scheme
4May / June 2026 · Paper 14 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Athe resultant force acting on the skydiver
Bthe velocity of the skydiver
Cthe distance between the skydiver and the ground
Dthe weight of the skydiver
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aair resistance upwards (longer arrow) and weight downwards (shorter arrow)
Bweight downwards only
Cair resistance upwards (shorter arrow) and weight downwards (longer arrow)
Dair resistance upwards and weight downwards (equal length arrows)
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 3
C2 only
D3 only
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aair resistance upwards, weight downwards, air resistance arrow longer than weight arrow
Bweight downwards only
Cair resistance upwards, weight downwards, air resistance arrow shorter than weight arrow
Dair resistance upwards, weight downwards, air resistance arrow equal in length to weight arrow
Mark scheme
8May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q20Show mark scheme →
AGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the air.
BGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the parachutist.
CGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the air.
DGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the parachutist.
Mark scheme
9May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: a increases from 0, curving to a horizontal asymptote
BGraph B: a decreases linearly from a positive value to 0
CGraph C: a is constant (horizontal line)
DGraph D: a decreases from a positive value, curving to 0
Mark scheme
10May / June 2025 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AThe drag forces on the spheres are equal.
BThe resultant forces on the spheres are equal.
CThe velocities of the spheres are equal.
DThe weights of the spheres are equal.
Mark scheme
11May / June 2025 · Paper 14 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Afalling with non-uniform acceleration and increasing speed
Bfalling with non-uniform acceleration and decreasing speed
Cfalling with uniform acceleration and increasing speed
Dfalling with uniform acceleration and decreasing speed
Mark scheme
12Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AX: time, Y: acceleration
BX: time, Y: height above surface
CX: distance moved, Y: kinetic energy
DX: distance moved, Y: velocity
Mark scheme
14Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q7Show mark scheme →
ABall X reaches a greater maximum height and in a longer time than ball Y.
BBall X reaches a greater maximum height and in a shorter time than ball Y.
CBall Y reaches a greater maximum height and in a longer time than ball X.
DBall Y reaches a greater maximum height and in a shorter time than ball X.
Mark scheme
15Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
ATerminal velocity was reached in air.
BThe acceleration in air was decreasing with increasing time.
CThe distance travelled in water was greater than the distance travelled in air.
DThe rate of change of velocity in air was constant.
Mark scheme
16Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aat the start just after the tennis ball is released
Bwhen the tennis ball is halfway to its highest point on the way up
Cwhen the tennis ball is at its highest point
Dwhen the tennis ball is halfway from its highest point on the way down
Mark scheme
17May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q3Show mark scheme →
Aair resistance decreases; resultant force decreases
Bair resistance decreases; resultant force increases
Cair resistance increases; resultant force decreases
Dair resistance increases; resultant force increases
Mark scheme
18May / June 2024 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AThe acceleration decreases to produce a steady speed.
BThe acceleration increases as the speed increases.
CThe air resistance decreases as the speed increases.
DThe resultant force increases as the speed increases.
Mark scheme
19Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q5Show mark scheme →
A[acceleration-time graph: starts at positive value at t=0, decreases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then negative dip between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
B[acceleration-time graph: starts at positive value at t=0, decreases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then large negative dip between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
C[acceleration-time graph: starts at negative value at t=0, increases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then positive spike between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
D[acceleration-time graph: starts at negative value at t=0, increases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then large positive spike between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
Mark scheme
20Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 3
C2 and 4
D3 and 4
Mark scheme
21Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AIt decreases to 9.81 m s–2.
BIt decreases to zero.
CIt increases to 9.81 m s–2.
DIt remains constant at 9.81 m s–2.
Mark scheme
22Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aair resistance / resultant force
Bair resistance / weight
Cupthrust / resultant force
Dupthrust / weight
Mark scheme
23May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: F increases with v, starting from origin, curving upwards
BGraph B: F increases with v, starting from origin, curving to a plateau
CGraph C: F starts at zero, rises to a peak then decreases to zero
DGraph D: F starts high and decreases with v towards zero
Mark scheme
24May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Amagnitude of acceleration increases; magnitude of total resistive force decreases
Bmagnitude of acceleration decreases; magnitude of total resistive force decreases
Cmagnitude of acceleration increases; magnitude of total resistive force increases
Dmagnitude of acceleration decreases; magnitude of total resistive force increases
Mark scheme
25May / June 2023 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe heavier ball has a larger acceleration than the lighter ball.
BThe heavier ball has a smaller deceleration than the lighter ball.
CThe heavier ball is falling at the same speed as the lighter ball.
DThe heavier ball is falling at a larger speed than the lighter ball.
Mark scheme
26Feb / March 2023 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: velocity–time graph showing a straight line through the origin with positive constant gradient
BGraph B: velocity–time graph showing a horizontal line at constant non-zero velocity
CGraph C: velocity–time graph showing a curve with increasing positive gradient starting from the origin
DGraph D: velocity–time graph showing a curve with decreasing positive gradient starting from the origin, approaching a constant velocity
Mark scheme
27Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe raindrop takes more time than the snowflake to reach terminal velocity.
BThe raindrop takes more time than the snowflake to reach the ground.
CThey reach the same terminal velocity.
DThey take the same amount of time to reach the ground.
Mark scheme
28Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
Mark scheme
29Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q7Show mark scheme →
AShe cycles into a wind.
BShe cycles over rougher ground.
CShe sits more upright on the bicycle.
DShe starts to travel downhill.
Mark scheme
30Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AZ is the viscous force on the bubble, Y is the weight of the bubble and X = Y + Z.
BZ is the viscous force on the bubble, Y is the weight of the bubble and X > Y + Z.
CZ is the weight of the bubble, Y is the viscous force on the bubble and X = Y + Z.
DZ is the weight of the bubble, Y is the viscous force on the bubble and X > Y + Z.
Mark scheme
31May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A: downward arrow and rightward arrow
BDiagram B: downward arrow and leftward arrow
CDiagram C: rightward arrow only
DDiagram D: upward arrow and downward arrow
Mark scheme
32May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
Mark scheme
33May / June 2022 · Paper 13 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Avelocity-time graph A
Bvelocity-time graph B
Cvelocity-time graph C
Dvelocity-time graph D
Mark scheme
34Feb / March 2022 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Agraph A: straight line through origin
Bgraph B: curve with decreasing gradient reaching terminal velocity
Cgraph C: curve with decreasing gradient
Dgraph D: curve with increasing gradient
Mark scheme
35Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AGraph of a against s: a decreases from a maximum at s = 0 towards zero as s increases
BGraph of a against s: a increases from zero at s = 0, curving towards a constant value
CGraph of a against s: a is constant (horizontal line) for all s
DGraph of a against s: a increases linearly from zero at s = 0
Mark scheme
36Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
37May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aacceleration / force of air resistance
Bacceleration / time
Cvelocity / force of air resistance
Dvelocity / time
Mark scheme
38May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Amass M diameter D
Bmass 4M diameter D
Cmass M diameter 2D
Dmass 4M diameter 2D
Mark scheme
39May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q15Show mark scheme →
Agravitational potential energy to thermal energy
Bgravitational potential energy to kinetic energy of the stone
Ckinetic energy to gravitational potential energy of the stone
Dkinetic energy of the stone to thermal energy
Mark scheme
40May / June 2021 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Aupthrust → viscous drag → weight
Bviscous drag → upthrust → weight
Cviscous drag → weight → upthrust
Dweight → upthrust → viscous drag
Mark scheme
41Feb / March 2021 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Adirection of velocity: downwards; magnitude of velocity: decreases
Bdirection of velocity: downwards; magnitude of velocity: increases
Cdirection of velocity: upwards; magnitude of velocity: decreases
Ddirection of velocity: upwards; magnitude of velocity: increases
Mark scheme
42Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aacceleration at t = Y: decreasing; acceleration at t = Z: g
Bacceleration at t = Y: decreasing; acceleration at t = Z: 0
Cacceleration at t = Y: constant; acceleration at t = Z: g
Dacceleration at t = Y: constant; acceleration at t = Z: 0
Mark scheme
43Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe balloon decelerates continuously.
BThe balloon falls at a constant speed and then decelerates.
CThe balloon falls at a constant speed.
DThe balloon initially accelerates and then reaches a constant speed.
Mark scheme
44Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AU upward (long), W downward (short), V downward (long)
BU upward (long), W downward (short), V downward (short)
CU upward (long), V downward (short), W downward (long)
DV upward (short), U upward (long), W downward (long)
Mark scheme
45May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
A$\sqrt{\dfrac{k}{mg}}$
B$\dfrac{k}{mg}$
C$\sqrt{\dfrac{mg}{k}}$
D$\dfrac{mg}{k}$
Mark scheme
46May / June 2020 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
Mark scheme
47Feb / March 2020 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AGraph 1 is acceleration against time and graph 3 is resultant force against time.
BGraph 1 is acceleration against time and graph 4 is resultant force against time.
CGraph 3 is acceleration against time and graph 1 is velocity against time.
DGraph 3 is acceleration against time and graph 2 is velocity against time.
Mark scheme
48Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Av constant, a constant
Bv constant, a decreasing
Cv increasing, a constant
Dv increasing, a decreasing
Mark scheme
49Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AGraph A
BGraph B
CGraph C
DGraph D
Mark scheme
50Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: v₀ decreasing linearly from a positive value to zero as E increases
BGraph B: v₀ decreasing from a positive value towards zero as E increases
CGraph C: v₀ decreasing from a positive value towards a non-zero constant as E increases
DGraph D: v₀ constant as E increases
Mark scheme
51Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AThe snowflake accelerates.
BThe snowflake decelerates.
CThe snowflake is stationary.
DThe snowflake moves at a constant velocity.
Mark scheme
52May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
Mark scheme
53May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Athe acceleration of a firework rising to a maximum height and falling to the ground
Bthe acceleration of a skydiver leaving an aircraft, falling, opening a parachute and falling to the ground
Cthe speed of a javelin as it leaves an athlete's hand, falls and sinks into the ground
Dthe speed of a high jump athlete leaving the ground, jumping over a bar and descending to the ground
Mark scheme
54May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q16Show mark scheme →
AGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the air.
BGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the parachutist.
CGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the air.
DGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the parachutist.
Mark scheme
55May / June 2019 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: v increases linearly from 0 with t
BGraph B: v decreases linearly from a maximum to 0 with t
CGraph C: v increases from 0 and approaches a constant value with t
DGraph D: v increases from 0 with increasing gradient with t
Mark scheme
56Feb / March 2019 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AThe ball lands with a horizontal velocity less than v after more than T seconds.
BThe ball lands with a horizontal velocity less than v after T seconds.
CThe ball lands with a horizontal velocity v after more than T seconds.
DThe ball lands with a horizontal velocity v after T seconds.
Mark scheme
57Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
Ahorizontal component: constant; vertical component: constant
Bhorizontal component: constant; vertical component: increases at a constant rate
Chorizontal component: decreases to zero; vertical component: increases at a constant rate
Dhorizontal component: decreases to zero; vertical component: increases to a maximum value
Mark scheme
58Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aacceleration when ball is rising: g − F/m; acceleration when ball is falling: g − F/m
Bacceleration when ball is rising: g − F/m; acceleration when ball is falling: g + F/m
Cacceleration when ball is rising: g + F/m; acceleration when ball is falling: g − F/m
Dacceleration when ball is rising: g + F/m; acceleration when ball is falling: g + F/m
Mark scheme
59Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
Mark scheme
60Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: v increases from 0 and asymptotically approaches a constant value.
BGraph B: v increases linearly from 0.
CGraph C: v is constant from t = 0.
DGraph D: v decreases from a maximum and asymptotically approaches a constant value.
Mark scheme
61May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
Agraph of s against t: curve starting at origin with increasing gradient
Bgraph of s against t: curve starting at origin, gradient decreasing to zero, s approaching constant value
Cgraph of s against t: curve starting at origin with increasing gradient, becoming very steep
Dgraph of s against t: curve starting at origin with decreasing gradient, approximately straight line
Mark scheme
62May / June 2018 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: s-t curve starting at origin, increasing with increasing gradient
BGraph B: s-t curve starting at origin, increasing with decreasing gradient
CGraph C: s-t curve starting at origin, increasing with decreasing gradient, approaching a constant value
DGraph D: s-t straight line through origin
Mark scheme
63Feb / March 2018 · Paper 12 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Ag, zero, mg
Bzero, mg, mg
Czero, zero, mg
Dzero, mg, zero
Mark scheme
64Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: a increases from 0, curving to approach a constant value as t increases.
BGraph B: a decreases linearly from a positive value to 0 as t increases.
CGraph C: a is constant (horizontal line) as t increases.
DGraph D: a decreases from a positive value, curving towards 0 as t increases.
Mark scheme
65Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AW + D = U
BW > U + D
CW – U = D
DW < D + U
Mark scheme
66May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aheight: X, speed: Y, resultant force: Z
Bheight: X, speed: Z, resultant force: Y
Cheight: Y, speed: Z, resultant force: X
Dheight: Z, speed: Y, resultant force: X
Mark scheme
67May / June 2017 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
AU upward, W downward small, D downward large
BU upward, W downward small, D downward large
CU upward, D downward small, W downward large
DU upward, D upward small, W downward large
Mark scheme
68Feb / March 2017 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
ADiagram A
BDiagram B
CDiagram C
DDiagram D
Mark scheme
69Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: a increases linearly from 0 with t
BGraph B: a is constant (horizontal line)
CGraph C: a decreases from a maximum towards 0 with t
DGraph D: a increases from 0 and levels off with t
Mark scheme
70Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Azero speed t_1, maximum speed t_2, zero acceleration t_1
Bzero speed t_1, maximum speed t_2, zero acceleration t_2
Czero speed t_2, maximum speed t_1, zero acceleration t_1
Dzero speed t_2, maximum speed t_1, zero acceleration t_2
Mark scheme
71Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
Aupthrust and viscous drag upwards, weight downwards
Bviscous drag upwards, weight downwards
Cupthrust upwards, weight downwards
Dupthrust and viscous drag upwards, weight downwards
Mark scheme
72Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 13 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: a increases linearly from 0 with t
BGraph B: a is constant (horizontal line)
CGraph C: a decreases from a maximum value towards 0 as t increases
DGraph D: a increases from 0 and levels off to a constant value
Mark scheme
73May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q7Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: a decreases from a maximum value towards zero as t increases
BGraph B: a decreases from a maximum value and tends to a non-zero constant as t increases
CGraph C: a increases from zero towards a constant value as t increases
DGraph D: a is constant as t increases
Mark scheme
74May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Aair resistance (upward arrow, longer than weight) and weight (downward arrow)
Bweight only (downward arrow)
Cair resistance (upward arrow, shorter than weight) and weight (downward arrow)
Dair resistance (upward arrow, equal in length to weight) and weight (downward arrow)
Mark scheme
75May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q16Show mark scheme →
AGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the air.
BGravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the parachutist.
CGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the air.
DGravitational potential energy is converted into thermal energy of the parachutist.
Mark scheme
76Feb / March 2016 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AGraph A: straight line through origin with same gradient as vacuum graph
BGraph B: curve starting at origin, gradient decreasing to horizontal asymptote
CGraph C: curve starting at origin with decreasing gradient, not reaching horizontal
DGraph D: curve starting at origin with increasing gradient
Mark scheme