Physics numericals are graded heavily on method, not just the final number — examiners want to see the right formula chosen, the right values substituted, and the right units carried through. These 15 examples model that process.
1. A car starts from rest and reaches 20 m/s in 5 s. Find its acceleration.
a = (v−u)/t = (20−0)/5 = 4 m/s².
2. A ball is dropped and falls for 3 s. Find its velocity (g = 10 m/s²).
v = u + gt = 0 + 10(3) = 30 m/s.
3. A car travels at 15 m/s for 8 s. Find the distance covered.
s = vt = 15 × 8 = 120 m.
4. A body accelerates from 5 m/s to 15 m/s over 40 m. Find the acceleration.
Using v² = u² + 2as: 225 = 25 + 2a(40) → 200 = 80a → a = 2.5 m/s².
5. A stone is thrown upward at 20 m/s. Find the time to reach maximum height (g = 10 m/s²).
At max height, v=0. t = (v−u)/(−g) = (0−20)/(−10) = 2 s.
6. Find the force needed to accelerate a 10 kg object at 3 m/s².
F = ma = 10 × 3 = 30 N.
7. A 5 kg object experiences a net force of 20 N. Find its acceleration.
a = F/m = 20/5 = 4 m/s².
8. Two forces, 8 N and 6 N, act in opposite directions on an object. Find the net force.
Net force = 8 − 6 = 2 N (in the direction of the larger force).
9. A 2 kg object rests on a table. Find the normal force (g = 10 m/s²).
Weight = mg = 2 × 10 = 20 N. Normal force = 20 N (balances weight).
10. Find the work done lifting a 4 kg object 2 m (g = 10 m/s²).
W = mgh = 4 × 10 × 2 = 80 J.
11. Find the kinetic energy of a 3 kg object moving at 6 m/s.
KE = ½mv² = 0.5 × 3 × 36 = 54 J.
12. A machine does 500 J of work in 10 s. Find its power.
P = W/t = 500/10 = 50 W.
13. Find the current through a 10 Ω resistor with 5 V across it.
I = V/R = 5/10 = 0.5 A.
14. Find the resistance if a 12 V source drives 3 A through a circuit.
R = V/I = 12/3 = 4 Ω.
15. Find the power dissipated by a resistor carrying 2 A at 6 V.
P = VI = 6 × 2 = 12 W.
Use Calvo's scientific calculator to verify each step — small unit or sign errors are the most common way marks are lost in physics numericals, so it's worth checking your arithmetic separately from your method.