# A rowing boat moves along a straight river at a constant velocity. The rowers then stop rowing. Explain why the boat decelerates and eventually comes to rest.

> Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) — 2.2 Forces and motion · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. When the rowers stop rowing, the driving force (from the oars/water) is removed / becomes zero
2. There is still a resultant force acting on the boat (friction / water resistance / drag) in the opposite direction to motion
3. The resultant force is in the opposite direction to the boat's motion, so the boat decelerates
4. The boat eventually stops because the resultant force has reduced the velocity to zero / the boat comes to rest when all kinetic energy has been transferred away by friction

## Key terms

- [constant velocity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/constant-velocity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-rowing-boat-moves-along-a-fee807db) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.