| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2015 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 11 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Constant acceleration (SUVAT) |
| Type | Two vehicles: overtaking or meeting (graph-based) |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a standard M1 kinematics question involving two particles with constant acceleration. Students must interpret a velocity-time graph, use the area under the graph to find distances, and solve equations. While it requires multiple steps and careful bookkeeping of two trains, the techniques are routine (finding accelerations from gradients, using trapezium areas, solving linear/quadratic equations). Slightly easier than average due to the visual aid of the graph making the problem setup clear. |
| Spec | 3.02b Kinematic graphs: displacement-time and velocity-time3.02c Interpret kinematic graphs: gradient and area3.02d Constant acceleration: SUVAT formulae |
**Question 8:**
**Reading from graph:**
- Train A: $u_A = 0$, $v_A = 5.8$ at $t = 8$ → $a_A = \frac{5.8}{8} = 0.725 \ \text{ms}^{-2}$
- Train B: $u_B = 1$, $v_B = 5$ at $t = 8$ → $a_B = \frac{4}{8} = 0.5 \ \text{ms}^{-2}$
But I would need the actual mark scheme document to provide official mark allocations and guidance notes.8 Two trains, $A$ and $B$, are moving on straight horizontal tracks which run alongside each other and are parallel. The trains both move with constant acceleration. At time $t = 0$, the fronts of the trains pass a signal. The velocities of the trains are shown in the graph below.\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{01338c87-302c-420f-a473-39b0796ccaed-18_633_1077_475_424}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find the distance between the fronts of the two trains when they have the same velocity and state which train has travelled further from the signal.
\item Find the time when $A$ has travelled 9 metres further than $B$.
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{01338c87-302c-420f-a473-39b0796ccaed-20_2288_1707_221_153}
\end{center}
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA M1 2015 Q8 [11]}}