Linear and Angular Motion | AQA A-Level Physical Education (7582)

Linear and Angular Motion

  • 61 questions
  • 4 subtopics
  • Paper 2: Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport
  • Paper 2

Linear and Angular Motion is examined in Paper 2, Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport.

It covers forces acting in linear motion, Vectors: displacement, velocity, acceleration and momentum, impulse and force–time graphs in sprinting and angular motion and conservation of angular momentum.

Sample questions from Linear and Angular Motion

Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.

  1. Forces acting in linear motion

    How does gravity affect a long jumper once airborne?

    Show the answer
    Gravity pulls the jumper downwards throughout the flight, bringing the jumper back to the ground. The vertical component of take-off velocity decides how long the jumper stays airborne.
  2. Forces acting in linear motion

    When is low friction an advantage in sport?

    Show the answer
    Low friction lets skaters, skiers and curlers glide over ice or snow. Waxed skis and sharpened blades reduce friction to increase speed.
  3. Vectors: displacement, velocity, acceleration and momentum

    A swimmer completes a 100 m race in a 50 m pool in 50 s, finishing at the starting wall. State the average speed and the average velocity.

    Show the answer
    The average speed is 2.0 m s⁻¹. The average velocity is zero, because the displacement is zero.
  4. Vectors: displacement, velocity, acceleration and momentum

    A 100 kg rugby player runs at 8 m s⁻¹. Calculate the player's momentum.

    Show the answer
    The momentum is 800 kg m s⁻¹. Momentum = 100 kg × 8 m s⁻¹ = 800 kg m s⁻¹.
  5. Impulse and force–time graphs in sprinting

    Describe the force–time graph for a sprinter at the start of a race.

    Show the answer
    The positive area is much larger than the negative area. The net impulse is positive, so the sprinter accelerates.
  6. Impulse and force–time graphs in sprinting

    How can impulse be used to reduce the force of landing?

    Show the answer
    A longer contact time spreads the change in momentum over a longer period. The peak force on the body is then reduced, lowering the risk of injury.
  7. Angular motion and conservation of angular momentum

    Apply Newton's third law to angular motion.

    Show the answer
    For every torque there is an equal and opposite torque. A diver lifting the legs into a pike in flight brings the upper body down to meet them.
  8. Angular motion and conservation of angular momentum

    What factors affect moment of inertia?

    Show the answer
    Moment of inertia increases with the mass of the body. Moment of inertia also increases the further the mass is distributed from the axis of rotation.

The 4 subtopics

One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.

Subtopic What it covers Questions
Forces acting in linear motion Linear motion, weight and gravity with a worked example, friction and the factors affecting it, air resistance, internal muscular force and the forces on a sprinter. 15
Vectors: displacement, velocity, acceleration and momentum Vector quantities, displacement, velocity and acceleration with worked examples, momentum in rugby, and velocity–time graphs. 15
Impulse and force–time graphs in sprinting Impulse and momentum, force–time graphs for the start, middle and end of a sprint, worked impulse calculations, and safe landings and catches. 14
Angular motion and conservation of angular momentum Torque, Newton's laws applied to rotation, angular displacement, velocity and acceleration, moment of inertia, and conservation of angular momentum in diving and skating. 17
Linear and Angular Motion is 61 of the 2,084 questions in the guide.Get the guide, £8

How the guide is worked

Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.

  1. Step 1 · Closed book

    Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.

  2. Step 2 · Open book

    Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.

  3. Step 3 · Closed book again

    Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.

Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.

Nearby topics

All 33 topics Guide overview

AQA A-Level Physical Education Active Recall Guide

Every topic, not just this one. 2,084 questions with their answers.

£8 GBP
Get the guide

Digital PDF, sent to the email address on your order.