Skip to main content
O-LevelPhysicsKinematics5054/22 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q715 Marks

A bus leaves a bus-stop at time t = 0 and travels along a horizontal road until it reaches a second bus-stop. Fig. 7.1 is the distance-time graph for the bus between t = 0 and t = 60s. [Figure 7.1] The road on which the bus is travelling is straight except for a short, curved section. The bus travels around this circular curve between t = 21 s and t = 24 s.

  1. (a)Describe how the motion of the bus between t = 0 and t = 10s differs from its motion between t = 35s and t = 40 s.[3]
  2. (b)Determine:
  3. (b)(i)the maximum speed of the bus during these 60s maximum speed =[3]
  4. (b)(ii)the average speed of the bus between leaving the first bus-stop and arriving at the second bus-stop. average speed =[2]
  5. (c)(i)State how velocity differs from speed.[1]
  6. (c)(ii)There are three periods during the 60s when there is a non-zero resultant force acting on the bus. Complete the statements to indicate these three time periods and state the direction of the resultant force in that period. 1. Between t = .......... and t = .......... the direction of the resultant force is .......... 2. Between t = .......... and t = .......... the direction of the resultant force is .......... 3. Between t = .......... and t = .......... the direction of the resultant force is ..........[4]
  7. (d)During the journey, the air resistance acting on the bus varies.
  8. (d)(i)State why the air resistance changes during the journey.[1]
  9. (d)(ii)On Fig. 7.1, mark and label with an M a time when the air resistance is a maximum value.[1]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] (a) (between t = 0 and t = 10 s) it is accelerating or speed/ velocity increasing
  2. [1] (a) between t = 35 s and t = 40 s, it is decelerating or speed/ velocity decreasing
  3. [1] (a) magnitude of acceleration less than magnitude of deceleration or between t = 0 and t = 10 s starts from rest/zero speed or between t = 35ms and t = 40 s it finishes at rest/ with zero speed
  4. [1] (b)(i) two pairs of co-ordinates from the straight-line section
  5. [1] (b)(i) appropriate division using candidate's coordinates
  6. [1] (b)(i) 11.7 ≤ speed < 12.0 m/s
  7. [1] (b)(ii) total distance / total time or (distance =) 390 (m) and 39 (s) ≤ (time =) < 40 (s)
  8. [1] (b)(ii) 9.7 to 10.0 m/s
  9. [1] (c)(i) it/velocity has a direction or is a vector or depends on displacement (rather than distance)
  10. [1] (c)(ii) answers need not be in this order 1 0 and 10 (s) and forwards / in the direction of movement
  11. [1] (c)(ii) 2 21 (s) and 24 (s)
  12. [1] (c)(ii) perpendicular to the motion / to the direction of movement
  13. [1] (c)(ii) 3 35 (s) and 40 (s) and backwards / opposite to the direction of movement
  14. [1] (d)(i) speed (of bus) varies / changes / decreases / increases
  15. [1] (d)(ii) any time on Fig. 1.1 from 10 s < t < 35 s labelled M

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Kinematics, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Structured question, 15 marks.
Source
O-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2020 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 7.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Physics questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep