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FreeScienceLessons · AQA PhysicsNewton's Laws and F=ma
Cognito · AQA Physics 2026/27Terminal Velocity and Momentum
Key facts
Newton's Laws â fill in the table
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| 1st Law | |
| 2nd Law | |
| 3rd Law | |
| Inertia | |
| Inertial mass | |
Terminal velocity
- Falling object: weight (down) vs air resistance (up).
- Initially: weight > air resistance â accelerates downward.
- As speed increases: air resistance increases.
- Terminal velocity: weight = air resistance â resultant = 0 â constant velocity.
- On VT graph: curve that levels off horizontally at terminal velocity.
Stopping distances â fill in the table
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Thinking distance | |
| Braking distance | |
| Total stopping distance | |
Momentum â fill in the table
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Momentum | |
| Conservation of momentum | |
| Impulse | |
Exam questions â 4 questions · 12 marks
â¡ Extended questions included. Show all working for calculation questions. The AI marks against the real AQA mark scheme.
1 markTerminal velocityAQA 8463 P2 style
A skydiver jumps from a plane. Initially they accelerate. Eventually they reach terminal velocity. Explain why they stop accelerating.
A They run out of gravitational potential energy
B The air resistance force increases until it equals the weight â the resultant force becomes zero so acceleration stops
C Their mass increases as they fall through denser air
D The gravitational force decreases as they move closer to the ground
4 marksF=ma calculationAQA 8463 P2 style
A car of mass 1500 kg accelerates from 0 to 30 m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate (a) the acceleration and (b) the resultant force required. (4 marks)
Hint: (a) a = Îv/t. (b) F = ma. Show both steps clearly.
+40 XP
4 marksMomentum conservationAQA 8463 P2 Higher style
A 2000 kg car moving at 15 m/s collides with a stationary 1000 kg car. They stick together. Calculate their velocity after the collision. (3 marks)
Hint: Total momentum before = total momentum after. The cars stick together so use combined mass after.
+40 XP
1 markStopping distance factorAQA 8463 P2 style
A driver doubles their speed from 20 m/s to 40 m/s. Assuming the same braking force, what happens to the braking distance?
A It doubles
B It quadruples
C It stays the same
D It increases by 1.5 times
Quick recall flashcards
Module complete! ð
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