Chapter 2: Kinematics

Question 1

What is the gradient of a displacement-time graph?

Answer 1

The gradient of a displacement-time graph of an object give the velocity of the object

Question 2

What is the gradient of a velocity-time graph?

Answer 2

The gradient of a velocity-time graph of an object gives the acceleration of the object

Question 3

What is the area under the velocity-time graph?

Answer 3

The area under the velocity-time graph gives the displacement of the object

Question 4

Define ‘distance’

Answer 4

Distance is the total length of a path taken by a moving object irrespective of the direction of movement

Question 5

Define ‘displacement’

Answer 5

Displacement is the distance measured in a straight line in a stated direction from a reference point

Question 6

Define ‘speed’

Answer 6

Speed is the distance travelled by an object in one second or the rate of change of distance.

Question 7

Define ‘velocity’

Answer 7

Velocity is the change in displacement of an object in one second, or the rate of change of displacement. It is a vector quanity and the SI unit is metre per second (m/s or ms^-1)

Question 8

Define ‘acceleration’

Answer 8

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity. It is a vector quantity and has the SI unit of m/s^2 or ms^-2

Question 8

What is meant by uniform acceleration/deceleration?

Answer 8

When there is uniform acceleration or deceleration, the change in velocity is the same for each passing unit of time

Question 9

How to calculate acceleration

Answer 9

acceleration = change in velocity / time taken = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time taken

a = (v -u) / t or v = u + at

Question 10

What is meant by non-uniform acceleration/deceleration?

Answer 10

When there is non-uniform acceleration or deceleratio, the change in velocity is different for each passing unit of time

Question 11

Define ‘gravity’

Answer 11

Gravity is a force of attraction that exists between objects with mass. This force of gravity pulls objects near Earth and causes them to acclerate towards Earth.