| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | AS Paper 1 (AS Paper 1) |
| Session | Specimen |
| Marks | 5 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Travel graphs |
| Type | Multi-stage motion with velocity-time graph given |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 Part (a) is a direct gradient calculation from a graph (1 mark). Part (b) requires calculating area under a speed-time graph to find distance, then solving for T—a standard kinematics application with straightforward arithmetic across 4 marks. Both parts are routine AS-level mechanics with no problem-solving insight required. |
| Spec | 3.02b Kinematic graphs: displacement-time and velocity-time3.02c Interpret kinematic graphs: gradient and area3.02d Constant acceleration: SUVAT formulae |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 15(a) | Finds correct acceleration | AO1.1b |
| (b) | Identifies 5T as the distance | |
| travelled after the first 15 seconds | AO3.4 | B1 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| implied) | AO3.1b | M1 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| for the first 15 secs | AO1.1b | A1 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| mathematical models applied | AO2.2a | A1 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Q | Marking Instructions | AO |
Question 15:
--- 15(a) ---
15(a) | Finds correct acceleration | AO1.1b | B1 | 0.5 m s2
(b) | Identifies 5T as the distance
travelled after the first 15 seconds | AO3.4 | B1 | Distance at constant speed = 5T
Distance in first 15 secs =
1 1
× (3 + 8) × 10 + × (8 + 5) × 5
2 2
= 55 + 32.5 = 87.5
5T + 87.5 = 120
So T = 6.5
Uses the information given to form
an equation to find T
(award mark for either trapezium
expression separate, totalled or
implied) | AO3.1b | M1
Correctly calculates the distance
for the first 15 secs | AO1.1b | A1
Deduces the values of T from the
mathematical models applied | AO2.2a | A1
Total | 5
Q | Marking Instructions | AO | Marks | Typical SolutionThe graph shows how the speed of a cyclist varies during a timed section of length 120 metres along a straight track.
\includegraphics{figure_15}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Find the acceleration of the cyclist during the first 10 seconds. [1 mark]
\item After the first 15 seconds, the cyclist travels at a constant speed of 5 m s⁻¹ for a further $T$ seconds to complete the 120-metre section.
Calculate the value of $T$. [4 marks]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA AS Paper 1 Q15 [5]}}