Motion, forces and energy — IGCSE Physical Science (0652) questions by topic
Motion, forces and energy questions in Physical Science move between multiple-choice reasoning and calculation, covering moments about a pivot, pressure from a solid resting on a surface, and power output from measured quantities. Identify, calculate, state, describe and find are the command words, with calculate and find both demanding a numerical answer worked from given values.
Marks run from 1 to 8 across 16 real questions set in 2023 papers. Because a moment or pressure calculation depends on picking out the right values from a diagram, submitting each worked answer for instant marking helps you catch a misread scale or a wrong time interval before it costs a whole calculation, rather than after the paper is finished.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is confusing moment with momentum, and reading the midway point between 10 and 12 as 10.5 rather than 11.
- Examiners also note candidates using the full 6-second graph duration instead of the 4 seconds during which the ball actually travelled, and choosing gravity instead of friction to explain why a slowing ball loses kinetic energy.
- Some candidates could correctly determine the moment by multiplying the 20 N force by the 0.80 m distance.
- The majority of candidates could calculate the volume of the rock from mass divided by density, according to the reports.
October–November 2023, Paper 21
The diagram shows a speed–time graph for a bus. At which labelled point is the bus moving with constant speed? [A speed–time graph. The curve rises with increasing speed (points A…
Answer this question and get it marked →A pivot is placed under the 50 cm mark of a uniform metre rule. A 40 g mass is placed at the 20 cm mark. [A uniform metre rule balanced on a pivot at the 50 cm mark. A 40 g mass…
Answer this question and get it marked →A solid cube of mass 50 kg rests on a horizontal surface. The length of each side of the cube is 50 cm. The gravitational field strength is 10 N / kg. What is the pressure on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student wishes to calculate his useful power output as he runs up some stairs. He measures the time he takes to run up the stairs. He can determine his power output if he knows…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which energy source is a store of gravitational potential energy? A coal B geothermal C hydroelectric D nuclear
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
The diagram shows a speed–time graph for a bus. At which labelled point is the bus moving with constant speed? [A speed–time graph. The curve rises with increasing speed (points A…
Answer this question and get it marked →A pivot is placed under the 50 cm mark of a uniform metre rule. A 40 g mass is placed at the 20 cm mark. [A uniform metre rule balanced on a pivot at the 50 cm mark. A 40 g mass…
Answer this question and get it marked →A solid cube of mass 50 kg rests on a horizontal surface. The length of each side of the cube is 50 cm. The gravitational field strength is 10 N / kg. What is the pressure on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student wishes to calculate his useful power output as he runs up some stairs. He measures the time he takes to run up the stairs. He can determine his power output if he knows…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which energy source is a store of gravitational potential energy? A coal B geothermal C hydroelectric D nuclear
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
A person hits a golf ball with a golf club. Fig. 1.1 shows the golf ball moving towards the hole on flat ground, where it falls in. Fig. 1.2 shows the distance–time graph for the…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student applies a force F to a beaker as shown in Fig. 3.1 (force F applied horizontally near the top of an upright beaker standing on a table). The beaker falls over as shown…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
A person hits a golf ball with a golf club. Fig. 1.1 shows the golf ball moving towards the hole on flat ground, where it falls in. Fig. 1.2 shows the distance–time graph for the…
Answer this question and get it marked →A student applies a force F to a beaker as shown in Fig. 3.1 (force F applied horizontally near the top of an upright beaker standing on a table). The beaker falls over as shown…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Fig. 6.1 shows an empty wheelbarrow. A vertical force of 20 N is needed to just lift the wheelbarrow off the ground; the force is applied 0.80 m from the pivot (the wheel).…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Fig. 6.1 shows an empty wheelbarrow. A vertical force of 20 N is needed to just lift the wheelbarrow off the ground; the force is applied 0.80 m from the pivot (the wheel).…
Answer this question and get it marked →