Q: A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at $$4\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$ for $$3\ \mathrm{s}. $$What distance does it cover?

$$0.5 \times 4 \times 3^2$ = 18\ \mathrm{m}$$

Q: If an object is in free fall near the Earth’s surface, what is its acceleration?

$$10\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$\text{ downward}$$

Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between displacement and distance?

Accepted Answer

Displacement is a vector measuring the straight-line change in position, while distance is a scalar measuring the total path traveled.

Question 2

A car travels 60 meters east, then 80 meters west. What is the car’s displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$-20\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 3

Which of the following quantities is always positive?

Accepted Answer

Speed

Question 4

If an object’s velocity changes from $$10\ \mathrm{m/s} to$$ $$-5\ \mathrm{m/s} in$$ $$3\ \mathrm{s}$$, what is its average acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$-15/3 = -5\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a vector?

Accepted Answer

A quantity with magnitude and direction

Question 6

A ball is thrown straight up and comes back down. At the highest point, what is the ball’s velocity and acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Velocity is zero, acceleration is $$10\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$ downward

Question 7

Which of the following is true about the area under a velocity vs. time graph?

Accepted Answer

It represents the displacement.

Question 8

A runner moves with a constant acceleration of $$2\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$ from rest. What is the runner’s velocity after $$5\ \mathrm{s}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$10\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 9

If the slope of a position vs. time graph is constant and positive, what does this indicate about the object’s motion?

Accepted Answer

The object is moving at a constant positive velocity.

Question 10

A cyclist travels $$100\ \mathrm{m}$$ north in $$20\ \mathrm{s}$$, then $$100\ \mathrm{m}$$ south in $$20\ \mathrm{s}. $$What is the average velocity for the entire trip?

Accepted Answer

$$0\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Question 12

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at $$4\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$ for $$3\ \mathrm{s}. $$What distance does it cover?

Accepted Answer

$$0.5 	imes 4 	imes 3^2$ = 18\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a vector quantity?

Accepted Answer

Speed

Question 14

If an object is in free fall near the Earth’s surface, what is its acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$10\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$	ext{ downward}$$

Question 15

A velocity vs. time graph has a negative slope. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The object is accelerating in the direction opposite to its velocity.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the meaning of the delta symbol $$\Delta in $$physics equations?

Accepted Answer

It means the difference or change in a quantity.

Question 17

A student analyzes a position vs. time graph and finds the slope is zero. What does this mean about the object’s motion?

Accepted Answer

The object is at rest.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about kinematic equations?

Accepted Answer

They only apply when acceleration is constant.

Question 19

If velocity and acceleration are in opposite directions, what happens to the object’s speed?

Accepted Answer

It decreases.

Question 20

A force of $$5\ \mathrm{N}$$ pulls an object to the right and a force of $$3\ \mathrm{N}$$ pulls to the left. What is the net force?

Accepted Answer

$$2\ \mathrm{N} to $$the right

Vectors, Motion, and Kinematics: Foundations for Physics with Algebra

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards