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.
1 of 5
Start with one question on forces and Newton's second law. Stuck? Take a hint. No sign-in needed.
5 more like this — free accountGoogle, Microsoft or email. No card needed.
AS content is usually taught in Year 12. The full A Level adds the Year 13 content. Sitting AS exams or mocks? See the AS Level Maths checklist.
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 |
| 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, one with its full mark scheme open. 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 7-day 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.
Every question here has a full worked solution. See them all →
Two forces of magnitudes $10 \text{ N}$ and $F \text{ N}$ act on a particle in equilibrium with a third force $R \text{ N}$. The angle between the $10 \text{ N}$ force and the $F \text{ N}$ force is $120^{\circ}$. Given that $F$ can vary, find the minimum possible magnitude of $R$.
Mark scheme: in the 7-day 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.
Revision notes: Forces and Newton's laws · Connected particles and pulleys · Resolving forces, equilibrium and inclined planes · Friction
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 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
| AQA 7357 | Paper 2: June 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
| OCR H240 | Paper 3: June 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
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; 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.
Stretch yourself: original algebra problems at Senior level (ages 16 to 18), with hints and full solutions: Problem S93 · Problem S28 · Problem S92 · Problem S27. All 22 →
Applying for maths at university? Taking STEP? STEP-style problems: Mechanics. STEP preparation →
Thinking about an EPQ? Maths EPQ ideas that use this topic: Kepler's third law from Newton · Air resistance and the best launch angle · Moments in a shelf or simple bridge · all 93 ideas
Free, no sign-up. Then try every topic for 7 days, no card needed.
Take the free diagnostic
A Level Math Revision