The Physics Question Bank

Course: Combined Science + Separate Physics  |  Tier: Foundation + Higher  |  Equation sheet: given in the exam

The equation

acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken    a = Δv / t

Quantity	Symbol	Unit
acceleration	a	metres per second squared (m/s²)
change in velocity	Δv	metres per second (m/s)
time	t	seconds (s)

Rearranged: Δv = a × t  |  t = Δv ÷ a  |  Δv = final velocity − initial velocity

Use FIFA for every answer

• F – Formula: write the equation as it appears on the sheet.
• I – Insert: put in the numbers (convert to standard units first).
• F – Fix: rearrange to make the unknown the subject.
• A – Answer: calculate and always give the unit.

Foundation: aim for Q1–8.   Higher: aim for Q4–10. Most questions need rearranging.

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Questions

Q1 (F) A car speeds up from rest to 20 m/s in 8 s. Calculate its acceleration.

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F: a = Δv / t
I: a = (20 − 0) ÷ 8
F: a is already the subject – no rearranging needed
A: 2.5 m/s²

Q2 (F) A sprinter accelerates from rest at 4 m/s² for 2.5 s. Calculate her speed at the end.

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F: a = Δv / t
I: 4 = Δv ÷ 2.5
F: Δv = 4 × 2.5 = 10 m/s
A: starting from rest, final speed = 10 m/s

Q3 (F) A train accelerates at 0.5 m/s². How long does it take to increase its velocity by 15 m/s?

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F: a = Δv / t
I: 0.5 = 15 ÷ t
F: t = 15 ÷ 0.5
A: 30 s

Q4 (F) A lift starts from rest and accelerates at 1.5 m/s² for 800 ms. Calculate its speed at the end.

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Convert first: 800 ms = 0.8 s
F: a = Δv / t
I: 1.5 = Δv ÷ 0.8
F: Δv = 1.5 × 0.8
A: 1.2 m/s

Q5 (F) A car accelerates from rest to 108 km/h at 3.0 m/s². How long does this take?

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Convert first: 108 km/h = 108 000 m ÷ 3600 s = 30 m/s
F: a = Δv / t
I: 3.0 = 30 ÷ t
F: t = 30 ÷ 3.0
A: 10 s

Q6 (F/H) A car travelling at 25 m/s brakes with a deceleration of 5 m/s². How long does it take to stop?

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F: a = Δv / t
I: −5 = (0 − 25) ÷ t
F: t = −25 ÷ −5
A: 5 s
Deceleration is a negative acceleration.

Q7 (F/H) A cyclist accelerates at 0.8 m/s² for 5 s and reaches 9 m/s. What was her starting speed?

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F: a = Δv / t
I: 0.8 = Δv ÷ 5
F: Δv = 0.8 × 5 = 4 m/s
A: starting speed = 9 − 4 = 5 m/s

Q8 (F/H) In an old TV tube, an electron starts from rest and accelerates at 2.0 × 10¹⁵ m/s² for 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ s. Calculate its final speed.

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F: a = Δv / t
I: 2.0 × 10¹⁵ = Δv ÷ 1.5 × 10⁻⁹
F: Δv = 2.0 × 10¹⁵ × 1.5 × 10⁻⁹
A: 3.0 × 10⁶ m/s

Q9 (H) A 1200 kg car has a resultant forward force of 3000 N. How long does it take to speed up from 10 m/s to 25 m/s?

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Step 1 – acceleration
F: F = m a
I: 3000 = 1200 × a
F: a = 3000 ÷ 1200 = 2.5 m/s²
Step 2 – time
F: a = Δv / t
I: 2.5 = (25 − 10) ÷ t
F: t = 15 ÷ 2.5
A: 6 s

Q10 (H) A passenger jet needs to reach 72 m/s from rest to take off. Its average acceleration is 2.3 m/s². Calculate the time taken, to 2 significant figures.

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F: a = Δv / t
I: 2.3 = 72 ÷ t
F: t = 72 ÷ 2.3
A: 31.3… = 31 s (2 s.f.)