CAIE IGCSE Physics 1.2.13 Motion of objects falling in a uniform
Practise explaining falling motion with gravity, air resistance, resultant force and terminal velocity.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Physics 0625
Exam points
- link increasing air resistance to decreasing acceleration as a falling object speeds up
- explain terminal velocity using balanced weight and air resistance with zero acceleration
- compare falling motion with and without air resistance using speed-time graph shapes
1.2.13—Motion of objects falling in a uniform question 1
[Maximum number: 3]
The same ball is dropped from an aeroplane. Air resistance acts on the ball.
Explain how the vertical motion of the ball changes, from when it is dropped to just before it hits the ground.
Use the idea of forces in your answer.
any three from:
- (initially there is acceleration due to) an unbalanced force OR resultant force OR downward force OR weight OR gravitational force acting on the ball
- as speed increases the air resistance increases
- (as air resistance increases) resultant force downwards decreases
OR acceleration decreases
- (eventually) ball falls with constant speed when air resistance = weight OR ball falls with terminal velocity when air resistance = weight
B3
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