Grade 10 Physical Sciences · Mechanics

Define vector and motion terms

Give the exact meaning of motion words like displacement, velocity and acceleration, or sort a quantity as a vector or a scalar (speed is a scalar).

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Vectors and Scalars PhysicsMiss Martins Maths and Science

Motion in one dimension: Frame of reference and position Grade 10 PhysicsMiss Martins Maths and Science

Displacement and Distance: Motion in One DimensionMiss Martins Maths and Science

Velocity and speed: Motion in One DimensionMiss Martins Maths and Science

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Question 3.1 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

A ball is projected vertically upwards from the top of a building that is

5

m high. Ignore the effects of friction.

The table below shows the magnitude of the velocity of the ball at THREE different times during its motion. Diagram for this question

3.1 Define the term free fall.(2)

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

More past paper questions: define vector and motion terms

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3. Question 3.1 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
A hot-air balloon moves vertically downwards at a constant velocity of $3, 4$ m·s $^{- 1}$ . When the balloon is $15$ m above the ground, a small ball is dropped from the balloon. Refer to the diagram below.

The ball strikes the ground and bounces vertically upwards. The hot-air balloon continues to move downwards at the same constant velocity.

Ignore the effects of air friction acting on the ball.
3.1 Define the term free fall.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of free fallMotion during which the only force acting is gravitational force.
  
  OR
  
  Motion under the influence of gravitational force only.
  2 marks · Define vector and motion terms
4. Question 3.1 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Ball A is dropped from rest from the top of a building $15, 2$ m high.

After ball A has fallen $3, 2$ m, a second ball B is projected vertically upwards from the ground. After a while, the two balls strike the ground at the SAME time.

Ignore the effects of air resistance.
3.1 Define the term free fall.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of free fallMotion under the influence of gravity/weight/gravitational force only.
  
  OR
  
  Motion in which the only force acting is the gravitational force.
  2 marks · Define vector and motion terms
5. Question 3.1 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
A ball of mass $0, 5$ kg is thrown vertically upwards from the top edge of a building which is $15, 3$ m high. The ball reaches a maximum height of $5, 89$ m above the top of the building. The ball strikes the ground and bounces vertically upwards, reaching a maximum height at point $P$ , as shown in the diagram below.

Ignore the effects of air friction.
3.1 Define the term free fall.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of free fallMotion under the influence of gravitational force only.
  
  OR
  
  Motion in which the only force acting is gravitational force.
  2 marks · Define vector and motion terms
6. Question 3.1 · May/June 2022 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
A small disc, C, is thrown vertically upwards at a speed of $15$ m·s $^{- 1}$ from the edge of the roof of a building of height $30$ m. AFTER $0, 5$ s, a small ball B is shot vertically upwards from the foot of the building at a speed of $40$ m·s $^{- 1}$ in order to hit disc C, as shown in the diagram below.

Ignore the effects of air resistance.
3.1 Explain the term projectile.(2)
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Definition of a projectileAn object which has been given an initial velocity and then it moves under the influence of the gravitational force only / is in free fall.
  2 marks · Define vector and motion terms

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