Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a vector and a scalar quantity?

Accepted Answer

A vector has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar has only magnitude.

Question 2

Given the coordinate axis shown, what does a negative value for position indicate?

Accepted Answer

The object is located to the left of the origin.

Question 3

In three dimensions, the position vector $$\mathbf{r} is $$given by:

Accepted Answer

$$\mathbf{r} = x + y + z$$

Question 4

Which of the following is a scalar quantity?

Accepted Answer

Time

Question 5

A student walks 5 meters east, then 5 meters west, ending up at their starting point. What is their displacement?

Accepted Answer

0 meters

Question 6

If a car moves from position $$x_i = -6 m to$$ $$x_f = -4 m$$, what is its displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$+2 m$$

Question 7

Which equation correctly defines displacement in one dimension?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta x = x_f - x_i$$

Question 8

A runner travels 3 km north, then 3 km south, returning to the starting point. What is the total distance traveled and the displacement?

Accepted Answer

Distance: 6 km, Displacement: 0 km

Question 9

Which of the following quantities is a vector?

Accepted Answer

Velocity

Question 10

The average velocity $$\bar{v} is $$defined as:

Accepted Answer

$$\bar{v} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$

Question 11

If the slope of a position vs. time graph is negative, what does this indicate about the velocity?

Accepted Answer

The velocity is negative.

Question 12

Which equation gives the average acceleration $$\bar{a}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\bar{a} = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$$

Question 13

A car is moving in the positive x-direction and slows down. What is the sign of its acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Negative

Question 14

For constant acceleration, which equation gives the velocity at time $$t$$?

Accepted Answer

$$v = v_0$ + at$$

Question 15

An elevator moves downward at 10 m/s and slows down at a steady rate of 2 m/s$$^2$$ until it stops. How far does it travel before stopping?

Accepted Answer

$$25 m$$

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the signs of vector components?

Accepted Answer

The sign indicates the direction along the axis.

Question 17

If you have more unknowns than independent equations in a motion problem, what can you conclude?

Accepted Answer

You cannot solve the problem without additional information.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct kinematic equation for position under constant acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$x = x_0$ + v_0$ t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2$

Question 19

A ball is thrown straight up with an initial velocity of $$v_0. $$What is its velocity at the highest point?

Accepted Answer

$$0$$

Describing Position, Vectors, and Motion in Physics

Study Guide - Practice Questions