Question 1

Which of the following best describes the point particle model used in kinematics?

Accepted Answer

It represents an object by a single point, focusing only on its position in space.

Question 2

A ball rolls on a tabletop. Which coordinate system is most appropriate to describe its motion?

Accepted Answer

A two-dimensional coordinate system with perpendicular axes.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a choice you make when setting up a coordinate system for a motion problem?

Accepted Answer

The mass of the object being studied.

Question 4

The average Earth-Sun distance is $1.496 	imes 10^9$ m. Which SI prefix could be used to express this distance more compactly?

Accepted Answer

Giga (G)

Question 5

The diameter of an E. coli bacterium is $1 	imes 10^{-6}$ m. What is this length in micrometers ($\mu$m)?

Accepted Answer

$1 \mu$m

Question 6

Which of the following quantities is a vector?

Accepted Answer

Displacement

Question 7

A student measures the length and width of a rectangle as $2.0$ m and $3.0$ m. What is the correct area, using significant digits?

Accepted Answer

$6.0$ m$^2$

Question 8

Which statement about scientific notation is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is used to represent numbers as a multiple of a power of ten.

Question 9

Which SI prefix corresponds to a power of $10^{-3}$?

Accepted Answer

Milli (m)

Question 10

If you choose a coordinate system with the origin at the starting point of a runner and the positive x-axis pointing east, what does a negative x-coordinate represent?

Accepted Answer

A position west of the origin.

Question 11

Which of the following is a scalar quantity?

Accepted Answer

Time

Question 12

A position vs. time graph for a falling ball shows a curve. What does the slope of the tangent to this curve at any point represent?

Accepted Answer

The ball's velocity at that instant.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Displacement has direction, distance does not.

Question 14

Why is it important to use a standard system of units in physics?

Accepted Answer

To ensure measurements can be compared and communicated universally.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a valid SI unit prefix?

Accepted Answer

Deca (da)

Physics 5A Lecture 2: Representing Motion (Kinematics Foundations)

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