AS Level Physics chapter 2: Kinematics MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
30 exam-style questions on Kinematics, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. A car travels at constant velocity along a straight road and then brakes with constant deceleration until it stops, and stays at rest. Which describes its displacement–time graph?
A
a straight line of positive gradient, then a straight line of negative gradient down to the time axis
B
a straight line of positive gradient, then a horizontal line
C
a curve of increasing gradient, then a horizontal line
D
a straight line of positive gradient, then a curve whose gradient decreases to zero, then a horizontal line
Show answer
Answer: D. Constant velocity gives a constant gradient. While braking the velocity (gradient) falls steadily to zero, so the line curves over; at rest the displacement stays constant. Displacement does not fall back to zero, because the car never reverses.
2. The time t is eliminated between v = u + at and s = ½(u + v)t by substituting t = (v − u)/a into the second equation. Which equation results?
A
v2 − u2 = as
B
v2 − u2 = 2as
C
v2 + u2 = 2as
D
v − u = 2as
Show answer
Answer: B. s = ½(u + v)(v − u)/a = (v2 − u2)/2a, so v2 − u2 = 2as. Losing the factor ½ gives the first option.
3. A projectile is fired at an angle to the horizontal. Ignoring air resistance, which quantity stays constant during the flight?
A
vertical velocity
B
horizontal velocity
C
speed
D
kinetic energy
Show answer
Answer: B. No horizontal force acts, so the horizontal component of velocity is constant. The vertical component changes under gravity, so speed and KE vary.
4. The displacement–time graph of a trolley is a straight line from a displacement of 40 m at t = 0 to a displacement of −20 m at t = 8.0 s. What is the velocity of the trolley?
A
−7.5 m s−1
B
−2.5 m s−1
C
5.0 m s−1
D
7.5 m s−1
Show answer
Answer: A. Velocity = gradient = (−20 − 40) ÷ 8.0 = −7.5 m s−1; the negative sign shows motion towards and past the reference point. −2.5 m s−1 uses only the final displacement.
5. To measure g, a ball is released from rest above two light gates, one 0.82 m vertically below the other. The ball passes the upper gate at 2.00 m s−1 and the lower gate at 4.50 m s−1. What value of g do these results give?
A
3.8 m s−2
B
9.9 m s−2
C
12.3 m s−2
D
19.8 m s−2
Show answer
Answer: B. v2 = u2 + 2gh gives g = (4.502 − 2.002) ÷ (2 × 0.82) = 16.25 ÷ 1.64 = 9.9 m s−2. Using (v − u)2 gives 3.8; forgetting the 2 gives 19.8.
6. The velocity of a cyclist increases uniformly from zero to 12 m s−1 in 4.0 s and then stays at 12 m s−1 for a further 6.0 s. What distance does she travel in the 10 s?
A
48 m
B
72 m
C
96 m
D
120 m
Show answer
Answer: C. Area under the velocity–time graph = triangle + rectangle = ½ × 4.0 × 12 + 6.0 × 12 = 24 + 72 = 96 m. Using 12 × 10 = 120 m forgets that the first part is a triangle.
7. On a velocity–time graph, the area between the line and the time axis represents
A
acceleration
B
displacement
C
speed
D
force
Show answer
Answer: B. Area = velocity × time = displacement. The gradient gives acceleration.
8. The velocity of an object changes uniformly from +8.0 m s−1 to −4.0 m s−1 in 6.0 s. What is its displacement from its starting point at the end of the 6.0 s?
A
4.0 m
B
12 m
C
16 m
D
20 m
Show answer
Answer: B. The velocity reaches zero after 4.0 s. Area above the axis = ½ × 4.0 × 8.0 = 16 m; area below = ½ × 2.0 × 4.0 = 4.0 m. Displacement = 16 − 4.0 = 12 m; 20 m is the distance travelled, not the displacement.
9. The displacement–time graph of an object is a horizontal straight line above the time axis. What does this show?
A
the object is at rest, some distance from the reference point
B
the object is moving with constant acceleration
C
the object is moving with constant velocity
D
the object is returning to the reference point
Show answer
Answer: A. Velocity is the gradient of a displacement–time graph. A horizontal line has zero gradient, so the object is stationary at a fixed displacement.
10. A velocity–time graph is a straight line with negative gradient crossing the time axis. What does the crossing point represent?
A
the object stops permanently
B
the object momentarily stops and reverses direction
C
the object has zero acceleration
D
the displacement is zero
Show answer
Answer: B. Velocity changes sign at the axis: the object is instantaneously at rest and then moves the other way. The acceleration (gradient) is constant and non-zero.
30, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 1 topics: Equations of motion. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the AS Level Physics chapter 2 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
