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A-LevelPhysicsDynamicsMay/June 2017Paper 1 Q71 Mark

A rubber ball is dropped onto a table and bounces back up. The table exerts a force F on the ball. Which graph best shows the variation with time t of the force F for the short time that the ball is in contact with the table?

Agraph showing force F increasing linearly with time t from 0, then decreasing linearly to 0.
Bgraph showing force F increasing from 0, curving upwards, reaching a maximum, then curving downwards and decreasing to 0.
Cgraph showing force F increasing from 0, curving downwards, reaching a maximum, then curving upwards and decreasing to 0.
Dgraph showing force F increasing linearly with time t from 0, then decreasing linearly to 0, but with a sharper peak.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is C: graph showing force F increasing from 0, curving downwards, reaching a maximum, then curving upwards and decreasing to 0.

📋 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 2017 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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