A Level Maths · Mechanics · Year 12 and 13
Forces and Newton's laws is the heart of the mechanics section. A clear force diagram is worth drawing even when the question does not ask for one: it is where most method marks start.
AS content is usually taught in Year 12. The full A Level adds the Year 13 content.
A block of mass $5\text{ kg}$ is pulled along a horizontal surface by a horizontal force of $30\text{ N}$. The coefficient of friction is $\mu = 0.4$. Find the acceleration of the block. Take $g = 9.8\text{ m s}^{-2}$.
Then practise: skills to practise · open forces and newton's laws practice questions.
Every board examines the same A Level Maths content, set by the Department for Education. Only the paper it appears on and the section numbering differ.
| Board | Specification reference | Examined in |
|---|---|---|
| AQA 7357 | AQA section R | Paper 2, Section B |
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Edexcel topic Mechanics 8 | Paper 3, Section B |
| OCR A H240 | OCR reference 3.03 | Paper 3, mechanics section |
Three examples from the question bank. Every question comes with a step-by-step mark scheme (M, A and B marks) once you start practising.
A car of mass $1200\text{ kg}$ experiences a driving force of $3600\text{ N}$ and resistance $600\text{ N}$. Find its acceleration.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour free trial.
An ice skater of mass $60 \text{ kg}$ decelerates uniformly from $8 \text{ m s}^{-1}$ to rest in $4$ seconds. Find the magnitude of the constant resistive force acting on the skater.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour free trial.
A particle of mass $2 \text{ kg}$ is pressed against a rough vertical wall by a force $P$ acting at an angle of $30^{\circ}$ to the upward vertical. The coefficient of friction is $0.4$. Find the minimum value of $P$ to prevent the particle sliding down the wall.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour free trial.
Questions are original and written in the style of Edexcel 9MA0, and cover content that AQA and OCR examine too. They are not past-paper questions.
These skills sit in the Mechanics unit of the UK A Level practice engine. Pick any mix of them, set the difficulty, and check each answer against its mark scheme.
Forces and Newton's laws can come up on these papers (from each board's paper structure). We haven't mapped individual questions yet, so open a recent paper and look for it.
| Board | Recent papers that can test it |
|---|---|
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Paper 3: June 2024, June 2023, June 2022 |
| AQA 7357 | Paper 2: June 2023, June 2022, November 2021 |
| OCR H240 | Paper 3: June 2024, June 2023, June 2022 |
Papers are © the exam boards; each page links to the official question paper and mark scheme. All A Level Maths past papers →
Yes. Forces and Newton's Laws is part of the A Level Maths content that every board examines: AQA section R, Edexcel Mechanics 8, OCR 3.03. It is assessed in AQA Paper 2, Section B; Edexcel Paper 3, Section B; OCR A Paper 3, mechanics section.
Both. The AS content, usually taught in Year 12, is: Force diagrams, weight, tension, thrust and normal reaction; Newton's first, second and third laws in one dimension; Connected particles, including pulleys. The full A Level adds: Resolving forces in two dimensions and on inclined planes; Friction, the coefficient of friction and limiting equilibrium; Equilibrium of a particle under several forces.
Every force acting on the object, drawn from the object with its direction: weight mg, normal reaction, tension or thrust, friction opposing the motion, and any applied force. Label each one, then resolve.
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