1.2 Kinematics

Question 1

Terminal velocity

Answer 1

The terminal velocity is the constant, maximum velocity of an object when the resistive forces on it are equal and opposite to the ‘accelerating’ force (e.g. pull of gravity).

Question 2

Displacement

Answer 2

The displacement of a point B from a point A is the shortest distance from A to B, together with the direction. Unit: m

Question 3

mean velocity

Answer 3

Total Displacement / Total time taken
Unit: ms-1

Question 4

Mean speed

Answer 4

total distance travelled / total time taken
unit: ms-1

Question 5

instantaneous speed

Answer 5

Instantaneous speed = rate of change of distance
Unit: ms-1

Question 6

Instantaneous velocity

Answer 6

The velocity of a body is the rate of change of displacement.
Unit: ms-1

Question 7

Mean acceleration

Answer 7

change in velocity / time taken
unit; ms-2

Question 8

Instantaneous acceleration

Answer 8

The instantaneous acceleration of a body is its rate of change of velocity. Unit: m s-2