Lesson M7.5.1

M7.5.1 Motion under gravity and projectiles Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Maths, Unit 17

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson M7.5.1, Motion under gravity and projectiles: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Maths (9MA0), Unit 17: Kinematics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What standard numerical value for acceleration due to gravity is used in A-level maths?

    • 9.81 m s^-2
    • 9.8 m s^-2
    • 10 m s^-2
    • 9.8 m s^-1

  2. In standard projectile motion, what is the horizontal component of acceleration assuming air resistance is ignored?

    • Variable
    • Zero
    • -9.8 m s^-2
    • 9.8 m s^-2

  3. What path shape does an idealized projectile trace through a vertical plane in uniform gravity?

    • Hyperbola
    • Catenary
    • Parabola
    • Ellipse

  4. Which trigonometric function is used to resolve the initial velocity into its horizontal component u_x?

    • tan theta
    • cosec theta
    • cos theta
    • sin theta

  5. Which trigonometric function resolves the initial velocity into its vertical component u_y?

    • cos theta
    • tan theta
    • sin theta
    • sec theta

  6. At the maximum height of a symmetrical projectile flight, what is the vertical component of velocity?

    • 9.8 m s^-1
    • Zero
    • Equal to u
    • Maximum

  7. What term describes the total horizontal distance travelled by a projectile from launch to landing?

    • Displacement
    • Amplitude
    • Apex
    • Range

  8. If air resistance is neglected, what happens to the horizontal speed of a projectile during flight?

    • Decreases steadily
    • Increases steadily
    • Decreases then increases
    • Stays constant

  9. A particle is projected horizontally at 10 m s^-1 from a high cliff. What is its initial vertical velocity?

    • 9.8 m s^-1
    • 10 m s^-1
    • 0 m s^-1
    • -9.8 m s^-1

  10. A ball is thrown straight up at 14 m s^-1. What is its velocity after 1 second? (g = 9.8)

    • 4.2 m s^-1
    • 23.8 m s^-1
    • 14.0 m s^-1
    • 9.8 m s^-1

  11. A stone is dropped from rest and hits the ground after 3 seconds. What is impact speed?

    • 29.4 m s^-1
    • 9.8 m s^-1
    • 44.1 m s^-1
    • 19.6 m s^-1

  12. What is the time of flight for a particle projected vertically upwards with speed u?

    • 4u / g
    • 2u / g
    • u / g
    • u / 2g

  13. Which kinematic equation is best used to find maximum height without knowing the time of flight?

    • v = u + at
    • s = 0.5(u + v)t
    • v^2 = u^2 + 2as
    • s = ut + 0.5at^2

  14. A projectile has initial speed u and angle theta. What is the formula for maximum horizontal range on level ground?

    • u sin(2theta) / g
    • u^2 sin(theta) / g
    • u^2 sin(2theta) / g
    • 2u^2 sin(theta) / g

  15. At what launch angle is the maximum horizontal range achieved for a projectile on level ground?

    • 60 degrees
    • 30 degrees
    • 45 degrees
    • 90 degrees

  16. A ball dropped from 19.6 m hits the ground. How long does it take to fall?

    • 4 seconds
    • 1 second
    • 1.41 seconds
    • 2 seconds

  17. What is the shape of the Cartesian equation of trajectory for a projectile in terms of x and y?

    • Exponential
    • Cubic
    • Linear
    • Quadratic

  18. A particle is projected vertically upwards with 29.4 m s^-1. What is the maximum height reached?

    • 44.1 metres
    • 88.2 metres
    • 14.7 metres
    • 29.4 metres

  19. When modelling motion under gravity near the Earth, what is assumed about acceleration?

    • Decreasing
    • Zero
    • Increasing
    • Constant

  20. What represents the vertical displacement of a projectile at time t?

    • ut
    • ut + 0.5gt^2
    • ut - 0.5gt^2
    • gt^2

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