Define a vector quantity.
A vector quantity is one that has magnitude and direction.
Define speed.
Speed is distance per unit time.
Define displacement.
Displacement is the distance moved in a stated direction.
Define acceleration.
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Define instantaneous speed.
Instantaneous speed refers to the speed at any given instant.
State the value of the prefix “p” (pico-).
10^-12
State the value of the prefix “n” (nano-).
10^-9
State the value of the prefix “u” (micro-).
10^-6
State the value of the prefix “m” (milli-).
10^-3
State the value of the prefix “c” (centi-).
10^-2
State the value of the prefix “k” (kilo-).
10^3
State the value of the prefix “M” (mega-).
10^6
State the value of the prefix “G” (giga-).
10^9
State the value of the prefix “T” (tera-).
10^12
Define a scalar quantity.
A scalar quantity is one that had magnitude but not direction.
What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?
The displacement.
What does the gradient of a displacement-time graph represent?
The velocity.
What does the gradient of a velocity-time graph represent?
The acceleration.
What was Aristotle’s idea of motion?
Aristotle assumed that heavier objects would fall faster than lighter ones.
- What was the misconception of Aristotle’s ideas of motion, which were overturned by Galileo? 2.Which famous experiment helped him determine this?
- Aristotle’s misconception was that ‘heavier objects fell faster than lighter ones’. 2. Galileo carried out an experiment where he dropped balls of similar shape, but of different material and mass. He realized that all the balls landed at the same time, and determined that they all had the same acceleration of free fall, whatever the mass.
Describe an experiment set up that can be used to determine the acceleration of free fall. List the apparatus required, and how it is used. State the required measurements, and an appropriate method on determining the acceleration.
The trapdoor and electromagnetic method. Apparatus: Electromagnet, steel ball, timer, and a trapdoor. There is a switch in the electromagnet circuit that causes the timer to go on when the circuit is closed, and likewise the timer stops when the circuit breaks due the ball going through the trap door. The required measurements can be determined from the equation s=ut+1/2at^2
