AQA AS Level Physics Paper 2, November 2021: Question 27
1 mark · Medium difficulty · Multiple Choice
Identify the correct statement regarding the initial accelerations of spheres X and Y upon release.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
27 What is true about the accelerations of the spheres at the instant they are released?
[1 mark]
A The acceleration of X is less than that of Y.
B The acceleration of X is greater than that of Z.
C The acceleration of X is the same as that of Y.
D The acceleration of Y is less than that of Z.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
27 C The acceleration of X is the same as that of Y.
How to answer it
Initial Accelerations of Free-Falling Spheres
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of free fall, gravitational field strength, and Newton's Second Law. Specifically, it tests whether you recognise that all objects in a uniform gravitational field experience the exact same acceleration (free-fall acceleration, g ) regardless of their mass, size, or composition, provided air resistance is negligible at the instant of release.
Question 27 Analysis
✅ Correct Answer
C — The acceleration of X is the same as that of Y.
💡 Key Knowledge
- Acceleration in free fall is given by Newton's Second Law: a = F / m = (m × g) / m = g .
- Mass ( m ) cancels out completely from the equation.
- At the instant of release ( t = 0 ), velocity is zero, meaning air resistance/drag is zero. Therefore, only gravity acts on the spheres.
🧠 Exam Technique
Do not let differing properties (like sphere sizes, materials, or masses represented by X, Y, and Z) distract you. In standard AS Physics mechanics questions involving free fall, gravitational acceleration g is constant for all objects near the Earth's surface (~9.81 m s⁻²).
❌ Common Errors
- The Mass Trap: Students often incorrectly assume that heavier spheres accelerate faster because they experience a larger gravitational force ( F = mg ). They forget that a larger mass also requires a larger force to accelerate ( F = ma ), meaning inertia and weight scale proportionally.
Topics
Physics · 3.4 Mechanics and materials
Question and mark scheme from the AQA AS Level Physics examination, Paper 2, November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.