1. Motion

Question 1

Define a vector quantity.

Answer 1

A vector quantity is one that has magnitude and direction.

Question 2

Define speed.

Answer 2

Speed is distance per unit time.

Question 3

Define displacement.

Answer 3

Displacement is the distance moved in a stated direction.

Question 4

Define acceleration.

Answer 4

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Question 5

Define instantaneous speed.

Answer 5

Instantaneous speed refers to the speed at any given instant.

Question 6

State the value of the prefix “p” (pico-).

Answer 6

10^-12

Question 7

State the value of the prefix “n” (nano-).

Answer 7

10^-9

Question 8

State the value of the prefix “u” (micro-).

Answer 8

10^-6

Question 9

State the value of the prefix “m” (milli-).

Answer 9

10^-3

Question 10

State the value of the prefix “c” (centi-).

Answer 10

10^-2

Question 11

State the value of the prefix “k” (kilo-).

Answer 11

10^3

Question 12

State the value of the prefix “M” (mega-).

Answer 12

10^6

Question 13

State the value of the prefix “G” (giga-).

Answer 13

10^9

Question 14

State the value of the prefix “T” (tera-).

Answer 14

10^12

Question 15

Define a scalar quantity.

Answer 15

A scalar quantity is one that had magnitude but not direction.

Question 16

What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?

Answer 16

The displacement.

Question 17

What does the gradient of a displacement-time graph represent?

Answer 17

The velocity.

Question 18

What does the gradient of a velocity-time graph represent?

Answer 18

The acceleration.

Question 19

What was Aristotle’s idea of motion?

Answer 19

Aristotle assumed that heavier objects would fall faster than lighter ones.

Question 20

1. What was the misconception of Aristotle’s ideas of motion, which were overturned by Galileo? 2.Which famous experiment helped him determine this?

Answer 20

1. 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.

Question 21

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.

Answer 21

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