WJEC A Level Physics
WJEC A Level Physics Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter Exam Questions
Free WJEC A Level Physics exam questions for Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers units and vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws and momentum, work and energy, stress and strain, stellar radiation and particle physics.
Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter exam questions
7 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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A-Level Physics Flashcards for 2027 Onwards
Every answer is written in mark scheme wording, so you learn exactly what examiners give marks for. Then test yourself with the questions on this page.
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About WJEC A Level Physics Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter
Unit 1 of WJEC A Level Physics, Motion, Energy and Matter, is the first AS unit. It covers SI units, vectors, moments and density, the equations of motion and projectiles, Newton's laws and momentum, work, energy and power, the behaviour of solids under stress, using radiation to investigate stars, and the particle model of matter with quarks and leptons. It mixes mechanics with an introduction to astrophysics and particle physics. Examiners test suvat and projectile calculations, momentum conservation, the Young modulus, black body radiation with Wien's and Stefan's laws, and balancing particle interactions using conservation laws.
What you need to know
- 1.1 SI base units and homogeneity, scalars and vectors, resolving and adding vectors, density, moments and the principle of moments, and centre of gravity.
- 1.2 Displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, the suvat equations, interpreting motion graphs, free fall and projectile motion.
- 1.3 Newton's laws, free-body diagrams, momentum, force as rate of change of momentum, conservation of momentum, and elastic and inelastic collisions.
- 1.4 Work as force times displacement in the direction of the force, kinetic, gravitational and elastic potential energy, conservation of energy, power and efficiency.
- 1.5 Hooke's law, stress, strain and the Young modulus, elastic and plastic deformation, and the behaviour of ductile, brittle and rubber-like materials explained by their structure.
- 1.6 Continuous and line spectra, black body radiation, Wien's displacement law, Stefan's law and the inverse square law to find stellar properties, and multiwavelength astronomy.
- 1.7 Quarks and leptons, hadrons as baryons and mesons, the quark composition of protons (uud) and neutrons (udd), and conservation of charge, baryon number and lepton number with the four forces.
Common mistakes in Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter
- Using a speed-time graph area to find displacement when velocity changes sign. Areas below the time axis represent displacement in the opposite direction.
- Using the diameter instead of the radius for cross-sectional area. A = pi r^2, so halve the diameter first.
- Applying Wien's law with temperature in degrees Celsius. Wien's law requires kelvin.
- Saying a neutron has no quarks because it has no charge. A neutron is udd; the charges +2/3, -1/3 and -1/3 add to zero.
- Stating the weak force only acts on leptons. The weak force acts on both quarks and leptons and is responsible for beta decay.
Try three Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter exam-style questions
1. A car moving at 4.0 m s-1 accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m s-2 for 5.0 s. Calculate its final velocity and the distance travelled. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
v = u + at = 4.0 + 2.0 x 5.0 = 14 m s-1; s = ut + 1/2 at^2 = 20 + 25; = 45 m.
2. Explain how the surface temperature and luminosity of a star can be used to find its radius. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Find surface temperature from the peak wavelength using Wien's law; luminosity from measured intensity and distance using the inverse square law; use Stefan's law P = 4 pi r^2 sigma T^4 to calculate r.
3. Use conservation laws to show that the reaction p + p to p + p + pi0 is possible. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Charge: +2 before and +2 after; baryon number: 2 before and 2 after (pion has baryon number 0); lepton number: 0 before and after, so all conserved.
Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter FAQs
What does WJEC A Level Physics Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter cover?
Basic physics, kinematics, dynamics, energy concepts, solids under stress, using radiation to investigate stars, and particles and nuclear structure.
Is Unit 1 an AS or A2 unit?
Unit 1 is an AS unit assessed by a written exam.
Which practicals link to Motion, Energy and Matter?
Typical practicals include determining g, measuring the Young modulus of a wire, and investigating force-extension behaviour of materials.
