Kinematics Review Guide

Speed is

• Distance divided by time

• Displacement divided by time

• Time divided by displacement

• Time divided by distance

Answer explanation

Which of the following are scalar?

• Velocity

• Force

• Temperature

• Displacement

Answer explanation

Only temperature lacks a direction. (we use something else to measure the direction of heat)

Which of the following a vector?

• Speed

• Displacement

• Distance

• Mass

Answer explanation

Only displacement has direction

What is true about displacement?

• You always start at 0 meters

• You cannot rely on the distance alone to get it.

• Distance and displacement will always be the same.

• It will always be positive.

Answer explanation

You only measure the difference and direction between the final spot and the initial spot for displacement.

You go East 4 meters and then go back to where you start. Your total distance is:

• 4 meters

• 0 meters

• 8 meters

• We need more information.

Answer explanation

You add up both distances to get the total distance.

You go East 4 meters and then go back to where you start. Your total displacment is:

• 4 meters

• 0 meters

• 8 meters

• We need more information.

Answer explanation

Your final and initial spot are the same.

You run laps around a circle with a circumference of 200 meters.

You run three total laps, finishing where you start.

What is your displacement?

• 200 meters

• 400 meters

• 600 meters

• 0 meters

Answer explanation

Your final and initial spot are the same.

You run laps around a circle with a circumference of 200 meters.

You run three total laps, finishing where you start.

What is your total distance?

• 200 meters

• 400 meters

• 600 meters

• 0 meters

Answer explanation

Your total distance is added up with each lap. Each lap is a distance of 200 meters.

You start at 0 meters and travel right 2 meters. What is your displacement?

• +2 meters

• -2 meters

• 0 meters

• 2 meters North

Answer explanation

To the right means that your displacement is positive. The difference between your final and initial spot is 2 meters

You start at 0 meters and travel left 2 meters. What is your displacement?

• +2 meters

• -2 meters

• 0 meters

• 2 meters North

Answer explanation

To the left means that your displacement is negative. The difference between your final and initial spot is 2 meters