Question 1

Which of the following best describes the particle model in physics?

Accepted Answer

It treats a moving object as if all its mass is concentrated at a single point.

Question 2

A runner jogs along a straight track. At $$t = 0 s$$, she is at $$x = 10 m. At$$ $$t = 5 s$$, she is at $$x = 40 m. $$What is her average velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$
\frac{40\ \mathrm{m} - 10\ \mathrm{m}}{5\ \mathrm{s} - 0\ \mathrm{s}} = \frac{30\ \mathrm{m}}{5\ \mathrm{s}} = 6\ \mathrm{m/s}
$$

Question 3

Which of the following statements about displacement and distance is correct?

Accepted Answer

Displacement can be negative, but distance is always positive.

Question 4

A car moves from $$x = -20 m to$$ $$x = 30 m in$$ $$10 s. $$What is its displacement and average velocity?

Accepted Answer

Displacement: $$50 m$$, Average velocity: $$5 m/s$$

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a correct SI unit pairing?

Accepted Answer

Speed: kilometer (km)

Question 6

A scientist measures the length of a table as $$2.30 m $$and its width as $$1.2 m. $$What is the area, reported with the correct number of significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$2.8 m$^2$$

Question 7

Convert $$0.00052 m to $$scientific notation, expressing the correct number of significant figures.

Accepted Answer

$$5.2 	imes 10$$^{-4}$$ m

Question 8

A cyclist starts $$3$$ miles east of a water tower and ends $$2$$ miles west of the tower after $$0.5$$ hours. What is her displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$-5$$ miles

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a falsifiable scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A theory that can be disproven by experiment if it is incorrect.

Question 10

A motion diagram shows an object’s position at equal time intervals. If the spacing between dots increases, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The object is speeding up.

Question 11

A student walks $$10 m $$east, then $$10 m $$west, and finally $$5 m $$east. What is the total distance traveled and the displacement?

Accepted Answer

Distance: $$25 m$$, Displacement: $$5 m $$east

Question 12

Which of the following numbers has the greatest number of significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$4.321 	imes 10^3$

Question 13

A biologist measures the mass of a sample as $$0.0520 kg. $$How many significant figures does this measurement have?

Accepted Answer

4

Question 14

A car travels $$120 km in$$ $$2$$ hours. What is its average speed in m/s? (1 km = 1000 m)

Accepted Answer

$$16.7 m/s$$

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a coordinate system used to describe position?

Accepted Answer

A number line with an origin and positive/negative directions

Question 16

If a measurement is reported as $$0.00340 m$$, how many significant figures does it have?

Accepted Answer

3

Question 17

A student converts $$5 km to $$miles using the approximate conversion $$1 km$$ $$\approx 0.62 mi. $$What is the result, with the correct number of significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$3.1 mi$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the difference between speed and velocity?

Accepted Answer

Speed is a scalar and measures how fast an object moves; velocity is a vector and includes direction.

Question 19

A motion diagram shows a car’s position at $$t = 0 s as$$ $$x = 23 m. If $$the car undergoes a displacement of $$\Delta x = -50 m$$, what is its final position?

Accepted Answer

$$-27 m$$

Question 20

Which of the following is the correct formula for average velocity?

Accepted Answer

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

Physics for Life Sciences I – Lecture 1 (Sections 1.1–1.5) Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards