Q: Which equation correctly defines speed?

$$s = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time elapsed}}$$

Question 1

A runner jogs 15 m east in 2 s, then 9 m west in another 2 s. What is the runner's average velocity for the entire trip?

Accepted Answer

$$1.5\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 2

Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes between distance and displacement?

Accepted Answer

Distance is the total length traveled regardless of direction, while displacement is the straight-line change in position with direction.

Question 3

A car travels 50 m forward in 10 s, then 30 m forward in 20 s. What is the car's average velocity from start to finish?

Accepted Answer

$$2.67\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 4

If an object moves from $$x_0 = 0$$\ \mathrm{m}$$ to x_f = 20$$\ \mathrm{m}$$ in $$\Delta t = 5\ \mathrm{s}$$, what is its average velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$4\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 5

Which equation correctly defines speed?

Accepted Answer

$$s = \frac{	ext{distance}}{	ext{time elapsed}}$$

Question 6

A baseball player runs from third base to home plate, a distance of $$18.5\ \mathrm{m}$$, in $$2.5\ \mathrm{s}. $$What is their average speed?

Accepted Answer

$$7.4\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 7

A person walks 20 m east, then 4 m west, ending up 16 m to the right of their starting point. If the backward walk was at $$2\ \mathrm{m/s}$$, how long did they walk backwards?

Accepted Answer

$$2\ \mathrm{s}$$

Question 8

Which of the following is true about velocity?

Accepted Answer

Velocity can be negative, indicating motion opposite to the positive direction.

Question 9

A runner covers 60 m in 12 s, then needs to finish a 100 m race in a total of 20 s. What must their average velocity be for the remaining distance?

Accepted Answer

$$5\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 10

Which step is NOT part of the recommended problem-solving strategy for constant velocity problems?

Accepted Answer

Guess the answer based on intuition.

Question 11

An object moves with a constant velocity of $$v = -4\ \mathrm{m/s}$$ for $$t = 3\ \mathrm{s}. $$What is its displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$-12\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 12

Which of the following best describes average velocity when there is no acceleration?

Accepted Answer

It is calculated as $$v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}.$$

Question 13

A cyclist travels 10 m north, then 10 m south in 4 s. What is their average speed and average velocity?

Accepted Answer

Average speed: $$5\ \mathrm{m/s}$$, Average velocity: $$0\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 14

Which of the following is a scalar quantity?

Accepted Answer

Speed

Question 15

A car moves at $$30\ \mathrm{m/s}$$ for $$20\ \mathrm{s}$$, then at $$50\ \mathrm{m/s}$$ for $$10\ \mathrm{s}. $$What is the total distance traveled?

Accepted Answer

$$1100\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 16

If an object moves with constant velocity, which equation should be used to find displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta x = v \Delta t$$

Question 17

A student walks 12 m east, then 5 m west, then 7 m east. What is their total displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$14\ \mathrm{m}$$\ east

Question 18

Which scenario best illustrates the difference between speed and velocity?

Accepted Answer

A car drives 100 km north, then 100 km south, ending up at its starting point.

Question 19

A sprinter runs 40 m in 5 s, then 60 m in 10 s. What is their average speed for the entire run?

Accepted Answer

$$6.67\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a property of scalar quantities?

Accepted Answer

They can be negative.

Distance, Displacement, Speed, and Velocity: Foundations of Kinematics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards