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A-LevelPhysicsDynamicsMay/June 2016Paper 1 Q71 Mark

A tennis ball is released from rest at the top of a tall building. Which graph best represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the ball as it falls, assuming that the effect of air resistance is not negligible?

Agraph showing acceleration starting at a positive maximum at t=0 and decreasing, tending towards zero over time.
Bgraph showing acceleration starting at a positive maximum at t=0 and decreasing, tending towards a constant non-zero positive value over time.
Cgraph showing acceleration starting at zero at t=0 and increasing, tending towards a constant non-zero positive value over time.
Dgraph showing a constant positive acceleration from t=0.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is A: graph showing acceleration starting at a positive maximum at t=0 and decreasing, tending towards zero over time.

📋 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 Dynamics in A-Level Physics (syllabus code 9702). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Physics May/June 2016 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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