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A-LevelPhysicsKinematicsOct/Nov 2010Paper 1 Q71 Mark

A student throws a ball in the positive direction vertically upwards. The ball makes an elastic collision with the ceiling, rebounds and accelerates back to the student's hand in a time of 1.2 s. Which graph best represents the acceleration of the ball from the moment it leaves the hand to the instant just before it returns to the hand?

AGraph showing acceleration starts constant positive, then drops to constant negative, then a brief positive spike, then constant negative until 1.2s.
BGraph showing acceleration starts constant positive, then drops to constant negative until 1.2s.
CGraph showing acceleration starts constant negative, then rises to constant positive, then a brief negative spike, then constant positive until 1.2s.
DGraph showing acceleration starts constant negative, then a brief positive spike, then constant negative until 1.2s.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is D: Graph showing acceleration starts constant negative, then a brief positive spike, then constant negative until 1.2s.

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Physics Question

Topic

This multiple-choice question tests Kinematics in A-Level Physics (syllabus code 9702). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics Oct/Nov 2010 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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