Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between kinematics and dynamics?

Accepted Answer

Kinematics describes motion without considering its causes, while dynamics explains why motion occurs.

Question 2

An object moves from $$x_0 = -3.2$$\ \mathrm{m}$$ to x = +7.2$$\ \mathrm{m}$$. What is its displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta x = +10.4\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 3

A car travels 3 km east, then 4 km west, and finally 2 km east. What is the total distance traveled and the displacement?

Accepted Answer

Distance = 9 km, Displacement = 1 km east

Question 4

Which of the following equations correctly defines average velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{ave} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$

Question 5

A runner completes one lap around a 400 m track in 50 s, ending at the starting point. What is the runner’s average velocity?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

A ball rolls in the positive direction of an x-axis for 25 seconds at a constant speed of 1.5 m/s. Then the ball rolls in the negative direction for 12 seconds at a constant speed of 2.0 m/s. What is the average velocity of the ball?

Accepted Answer

$$+0.36\ \mathrm{m/s}$$

Question 7

Which of the following statements about average speed and average velocity is correct?

Accepted Answer

Average speed is a scalar and average velocity is a vector.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

$$a_{ave} = \frac{-5 - 10}{3} = -5\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$

Question 9

A cyclist moves in the negative direction with increasing speed. What is the direction of the acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Negative

Question 10

Which of the following best describes instantaneous velocity?

Accepted Answer

The velocity of an object at a specific instant of time.

Question 11

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly to $$20\ \mathrm{m/s} in$$ $$5\ \mathrm{s}. $$What is its average acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$a_{ave} = \frac{20 - 0}{5} = 4\ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$

Question 12

A person walks 5 m east, then 3 m west, and finally 2 m east. What is the displacement from the starting point?

Accepted Answer

$$4\ \mathrm{m}$$\ east

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct SI unit for acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{m/s^2$}$$

Question 14

A car moves in the positive direction with decreasing speed. What is the direction of its acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Negative

Question 15

If an object’s position changes from $$x_0 = 1.7$$\ \mathrm{m}$$ to x = 6.1$$\ \mathrm{m}$$, what is the magnitude and direction of its displacement?

Accepted Answer

$$+4.4\ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the sign of displacement?

Accepted Answer

A positive displacement means the object moved to the right or up relative to the origin.

Kinematics Variables: Definitions, Applications, and Practice

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