A Level Maths · Mechanics · Year 12 and 13
Kinematics is the study of motion: displacement, velocity and acceleration. Year 12 uses suvat and graphs in one dimension and calculus for variable acceleration; Year 13 adds vectors and projectiles.
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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 train accelerates uniformly from $5 \text{ m s}^{-1}$ to $V \text{ m s}^{-1}$ over a period of $10$ seconds. The total distance travelled during this acceleration is $150 \text{ m}$. Find the value of $V$.
Then practise: skills to practise · open kinematics 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 P, Q | Paper 2 |
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Edexcel topic Mechanics 6, 7 | Paper 3, Section B |
| OCR A H240 | OCR reference 3.01, 3.02 | 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 particle accelerates from rest with a constant acceleration of $2.5 \text{ m s}^{-2}$ for $4$ seconds. It then travels at a constant velocity for $10$ seconds. Find the total distance travelled by the particle.
Mark scheme: in the 7-day free trial.
A boat travels from a point with position vector $(-\mathbf{i} + 5\mathbf{j}) \text{ km}$ to a point with position vector $(7\mathbf{i} - 10\mathbf{j}) \text{ km}$ in $2$ hours. Find its constant velocity vector.
Every question here has a full worked solution. See them all →
A motorcycle starts from rest, accelerates uniformly to $30 \text{ m s}^{-1}$ in $20$ seconds, maintains this speed for $t$ seconds, and then decelerates uniformly to rest in $15$ seconds. The total distance covered is $1500 \text{ m}$. Find the total time for the journey.
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.
Full question sets with mark schemes: projectiles questions (20) · variable acceleration questions (20)
Revision notes: Units, modelling and kinematics graphs · Constant acceleration (suvat) · Variable acceleration in one dimension · Kinematics in two dimensions with vectors · Projectiles
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.
Kinematics 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. Kinematics is part of the A Level Maths content that every board examines: AQA section P, Q, Edexcel Mechanics 6, 7, OCR 3.01, 3.02. 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: SI units and modelling assumptions; Displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, including the area under a velocity-time graph; The constant acceleration (suvat) formulae, including vertical motion under gravity; Variable acceleration using differentiation and integration. The full A Level adds: Kinematics in two dimensions using vectors; Projectiles.
Only when the acceleration is constant. If acceleration depends on time, for example a = 3t − 2, differentiate or integrate instead.
Stretch yourself: original calculus and functions problems at Senior level (ages 16 to 18), with hints and full solutions: Problem S131. All 24 →
Formulas in this topic: SUVAT equations. All formulas A–Z
Applying for maths at university? Taking STEP? STEP-style problems: Mechanics. STEP preparation →
Thinking about an EPQ? Maths EPQ ideas that use this topic: Air resistance and the best launch angle · Modelling a skydiver · Modelling a school evacuation · all 93 ideas
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