GCSE & IGCSE physics practice

SUVAT (v² − u² = 2as) questions and answers

At GCSE, the "SUVAT" equation you need is $v^2 - u^2 = 2as$ , linking initial speed $u$ , final speed $v$ , acceleration $a$ and distance $s$ for uniform acceleration. It's on the equation sheet. Use it when there's no time in the question. Deceleration means $a$ is negative.

8 questions · Foundation tier · Every answer is checked as you type it, with a full worked solution. Updated 27 Oct 2026.

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Where suvat (v² − u² = 2as) comes up

GCSE (AQA)	Physics and Combined Science, Foundation and Higher: (final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distance, given on the equation sheet.
Cambridge IGCSE (0625)	Not in the 2026 to 2028 syllabus: Cambridge uses a = Δv ÷ Δt and speed–time graphs instead.

The method

List s, u, v and a, and mark the unknown.
Substitute into v² − u² = 2as.
Rearrange: a = (v² − u²) ÷ 2s, s = (v² − u²) ÷ 2a, v = √(u² + 2as).
Starting from rest: u = 0. Coming to a stop: v = 0 (and a is negative).

SUVAT (v² − u² = 2as) questions

Try each one before looking at the hint. If you're stuck, the AI tutor can talk you through it step by step.

Warm-up

Question 1Warm-upFoundation

A car accelerates from rest to 10 m/s over 25 m. Calculate its acceleration.

m/s²

Question 2Warm-upFoundation

A cyclist starts from rest and accelerates at 2 m/s² for 16 m. What is the final speed?

m/s

Exam-style

Question 3Exam-styleFoundation

A car travelling at 20 m/s brakes with a deceleration of 4 m/s² until it stops. Calculate the braking distance.

Question 4Exam-styleFoundation

A stone is dropped from a height of 20 m. Calculate its speed when it hits the ground, to 3 significant figures. ( $a = 9.8$ m/s², ignore air resistance)

m/s

Question 5Exam-styleFoundation

A car speeds up from 5 m/s to 15 m/s with an acceleration of 2 m/s². How far does it travel while speeding up?

Question 6Exam-styleFoundation

A ball is thrown straight up at 14 m/s. How high does it go? (Deceleration 9.8 m/s², ignore air resistance)

Challenge

Question 7ChallengeFoundation

A plane must reach 80 m/s to take off and can accelerate at 4 m/s² from rest. What is the shortest runway it needs?

Question 8ChallengeFoundation

A car stops in 32 m with a deceleration of 4 m/s². How fast was it going when the brakes were applied?

m/s

Common mistakes

Forgetting to square the speeds.
Using a positive acceleration for something slowing down.
Forgetting the square root when finding v.

Stuck on one of these?

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Sources

The questions are our own. The “where it comes up” notes are from each board's published specification, checked on 27 October 2026:

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