AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers acceleration, a = Δv/t, velocity-time graphs, area under the graph, uniform acceleration, free fall and terminal velocity.
4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration exam questions
3 question packs of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration
This AQA GCSE Physics section covers acceleration, the rate of change of velocity, and velocity-time graphs. You need a = Δv / t, the equation v^2 minus u^2 = 2 a s, and the acceleration of free fall near the Earth's surface. Higher tier only content includes finding distance from the area under a velocity-time graph. You also need to estimate the magnitude of everyday accelerations and explain terminal velocity. It is examined on Paper 2, and examiners love v-t graph interpretation and multi-step calculations.
What you need to know
- Acceleration a = Δv / t, where a is acceleration in m/s^2, Δv is change in velocity in m/s and t is time in s. This must be memorised. An object that slows down is decelerating.
- Estimating accelerations Estimate the magnitude of everyday accelerations, for example a car pulling away might accelerate at around 2 to 3 m/s^2.
- Velocity-time graphs The acceleration can be calculated from the gradient of a velocity-time graph. A horizontal line is constant velocity; a steeper line is greater acceleration; a negative gradient is deceleration.
- Area under the graph (Higher tier only) The distance travelled (or displacement) can be calculated from the area under a velocity-time graph. Count squares or split into rectangles and triangles.
- Uniform acceleration equation v^2 minus u^2 = 2 a s, where v is final velocity, u is initial velocity and s is distance in m. This is on the equation sheet.
- Free fall Near the Earth's surface any object falling freely under gravity has an acceleration of about 9.8 m/s^2.
- Terminal velocity An object falling through a fluid initially accelerates due to gravity. Eventually the resultant force will be zero and the object will move at its terminal velocity, as drag (air resistance) increases with speed until it equals weight.
Common mistakes in 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration
- Calculating acceleration as final velocity / time. Use change in velocity (final minus initial).
- Forgetting to square root in v^2 minus u^2 = 2 a s when finding v.
- Saying air resistance stops increasing once the skydiver opens the parachute. Drag increases suddenly, the skydiver decelerates, and drag then falls until it equals weight again at a lower terminal velocity.
- Finding distance from the gradient of a velocity-time graph. Gradient gives acceleration; area gives distance.
- Using units of m/s for acceleration. Acceleration is in m/s^2.
Try three 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration exam-style questions
1. A car accelerates from 5.0 m/s to 25 m/s in 8.0 s. Calculate its acceleration. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
a = (25 minus 5.0) / 8.0; = 2.5 m/s^2.
2. A ball is dropped from rest and falls 20 m. Calculate its speed when it hits the ground. Take acceleration = 9.8 m/s^2 and ignore air resistance. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
v^2 = u^2 + 2 a s = 0 + 2 x 9.8 x 20 = 392; v = square root of 392; = 19.8 m/s (20 m/s).
3. Explain why a skydiver reaches terminal velocity. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
At first weight is greater than air resistance so there is a resultant downward force and she accelerates; as speed increases air resistance increases; eventually air resistance equals weight; resultant force is zero so she falls at constant (terminal) velocity.
4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.5 Acceleration cover?
It covers acceleration and deceleration, velocity-time graphs, the equation v^2 minus u^2 = 2 a s, free fall and terminal velocity, plus (Higher tier) distance from the area under a v-t graph.
Which acceleration equations do I need?
Memorise a = Δv / t. The equation v^2 minus u^2 = 2 a s is on the equation sheet, so focus on choosing and rearranging it correctly.
What should I know about velocity-time graphs?
Gradient gives acceleration and, for Higher tier, area under the line gives distance travelled. Practise describing each section of a graph.
