IGCSE Physics Past Papers by Topic: Forces and Motion
IGCSE Physics Past Papers by Topic: Forces and Motion
Focusing your revision on specific topics is one of the most effective ways to improve your IGCSE Physics grade. This guide compiles IGCSE Physics past paper questions on forces and motion from both Cambridge and Edexcel exam boards, helping you master this fundamental topic through targeted practice.
Why Focus on Forces and Motion?
Forces and motion is a core topic in IGCSE Physics that appears in every exam. Understanding this topic well helps you with:
- Multiple exam questions - Forces and motion questions appear across all papers
- Foundation for other topics - Understanding forces helps with energy, momentum, and mechanics
- High marks potential - Well-structured questions allow you to show clear understanding
- Real-world applications - Easier to understand when you can relate to everyday examples
Key Concepts in Forces and Motion
Before tackling past papers, ensure you understand:
Motion
- Speed, velocity, and acceleration
- Distance-time and velocity-time graphs
- Equations of motion (v = u + at, s = ut + ½at²)
Forces
- Types of forces (weight, friction, tension, normal force)
- Resultant forces
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Free-body diagrams
Momentum
- Conservation of momentum
- Impulse and force-time graphs
- Collisions and explosions
Past Paper Questions by Sub-Topic
Speed and Velocity
Questions typically test:
- Calculating average speed from distance and time
- Distinguishing between speed and velocity
- Interpreting distance-time graphs
- Converting between units (m/s to km/h)
Common Question Format: “A car travels 120 km in 2 hours. Calculate its average speed.”
Acceleration
Key question types:
- Calculating acceleration from velocity and time
- Using acceleration equations
- Interpreting velocity-time graphs
- Finding distance from velocity-time graphs
Common Question Format: “A car accelerates from rest to 30 m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate its acceleration.”
Forces and Newton’s Laws
Frequently tested areas:
- Identifying forces in different situations
- Calculating resultant forces
- Applying Newton’s first law (balanced forces)
- Applying Newton’s second law (F = ma)
- Understanding Newton’s third law (action-reaction pairs)
Common Question Format: “A box of mass 5 kg is pushed with a force of 20 N. Calculate its acceleration.”
Momentum
Typical questions cover:
- Calculating momentum (p = mv)
- Conservation of momentum in collisions
- Impulse and force-time graphs
- Explosions and recoil
Common Question Format: “Two objects collide. Calculate their velocity after collision using conservation of momentum.”
How to Use Topic-Specific Past Papers
- Start with Basics - Ensure you understand fundamental concepts first
- Practice Regularly - Do 2-3 questions daily rather than cramming
- Review Solutions - Understand the method, not just the answer
- Identify Patterns - Notice how similar questions appear across years
- Time Yourself - Practice under exam conditions
Accessing Forces and Motion Past Papers
Find topic-specific past papers through:
- Tutopiya Resources Platform - Filter past papers by topic
- Cambridge Past Papers - Search by topic code
- Edexcel Past Papers - Topic-specific question banks
- AI Practice Tool - Generate similar questions for extra practice
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Speed and Velocity - Remember velocity includes direction
- Forgetting Units - Always include units in your answers
- Incorrect Graph Reading - Practice reading gradients and areas
- Missing Forces - Draw free-body diagrams to identify all forces
- Sign Errors - Be careful with positive and negative directions
Related Topics
Forces and motion connects to:
- Energy - Work done by forces, kinetic and potential energy
- Pressure - Force per unit area
- Waves - Motion of wave particles
- Electricity - Electric forces and fields
Additional Resources
Master Forces and Motion
Practice topic-specific past papers and get expert help from IGCSE Physics tutors.
Topic-focused practice for better results
Past paper questions are compiled for educational purposes. Always refer to official exam board sources for current syllabus requirements.
Written by
Tutopiya Editorial Team
Educational Content Specialists
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