Physics Test Unit 2 Questions

Of the quantities displacement, velocity, and acceleration; which can be negative?

All can be negative

What does slope on a velocity vs. Time graph represent?

Acceleration

What are the three parts of a car that are used to cause acceleration?

Accelerator (gas pedal), break, steering wheel

What is the difference between a scalar and vector quantity?

Both have a magnitude (amount) but a vector quantity also has a direction. Scalar quantities do not have direction

Can an object have a negative acceleration and still be speeding up? If yes, give an example

If an object is initially heading in the negative direction, a negative acceleration is needed to make it go faster.

What is the rule for whether an object is speeding up or slowing down during acceleration based on the signs of initial velocity and acceleration?

If initial velocity and acceleration have the same sign, the object will speed up. If initial velocity and acceleration have different signs, the object will slow down

Distinguish between instantaneous an average velocity

Instantaneous velocity is how fast in object is moving at an instant (infinitely small period) of time. The average is over some longer period of time

Give examples of scalar and vector quantities

Scalar - time, temperature, distance, speed. Vector - displacement, velocity, acceleration, force.

What are three ways an object can accelerate?

Speed up, slow down or change direction

What does it mean to say that motion is relative?

The motion of an object must be measured against (relative to) a different objects. You cannot put the ruler on the object you are measuring.

What object do we usually measure the motion of an object relative to?

Usually (for most of our ordinary, everyday experiences) the surface of the earth. If you are measuring the movement of the earth you cannot do this. You must measure relative to something like the sun.

What does slope on a position (displacement) vs. time graph represent?

Velocity

Distinguish between velocity and acceleration

Velocity is how fast you are moving in a certain direction and acceleration is the rate at which the velocity is changing