Topic 1.1: Kinematics Questions

A go-kart accelerates uniformly from rest at 3.0 m s⁻² for 4.0 s in a straight line.

Calculate its final speed.

On a velocity–time graph, state what physical quantity is given by the area between the line and the time axis.

Identify which one of the following is a vector quantity: distance, speed, displacement, time. Justify your choice.

A cyclist accelerates uniformly from rest and reaches 9.0 m s⁻¹ after 6.0 s. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration.

Outline why an object falling through air does not keep accelerating at g all the way down.

An object moves with a constant acceleration of 3.0 m s⁻² for 5.0 s, so its acceleration–time graph is a horizontal line at 3.0 m s⁻².

State what is meant by the **terminal velocity** of a falling object.

Outline the difference between the average velocity of an object over a time interval and its instantaneous velocity.

State what is represented by the gradient of a displacement–time graph.

Distinguish between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity, giving one example of each from kinematics.

A cyclist accelerates uniformly from 4.0 m s⁻¹ to 10 m s⁻¹ in 3.0 s.

Determine the distance travelled during this time using the equation that does not involve the acceleration.

A football is kicked from level ground and follows a curved path through the air.

Air resistance is negligible.

State the magnitude and direction of the ball's acceleration at the highest point of its flight.

Two cyclists, P and Q, travel along the same straight road.

On a displacement–time graph, P's line is steeper than Q's line and both lines are straight.

Deduce which cyclist is travelling faster, and justify your answer.

A steel bolt and a plastic button, of very different masses, are released from rest at the same instant from the same height. Air resistance is negligible.

Describe how the acceleration of an object can be obtained from its velocity–time graph.

A remote-controlled boat speeds up and slows down as it crosses a pond.

Which quantity is the rate of change of the boat's position?

Calculate the displacement over this time.

State what is meant by the displacement of an object.

A delivery drone flies along a winding route between two rooftops.

Which statement describes the drone's instantaneous velocity at one moment during the flight?

A runner's watch records only the total length of her route and the time she took.

Which quantity can she work out from these two readings alone?