Distance, Speed and Acceleration

Question 1

What is a vector quantity - definition?

Answer 1

a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Question 2

what is a scalar quantity - definition?

Answer 2

a scalar is a quantity that has only magnitude.

Question 3

Is speed a scalar or vector quantity?

Answer 3

Scalar

Question 4

Is acceleration a scalar or vector quantity?

Answer 4

Vector

Question 5

Is velocity a scalar or vector quantity?

Answer 5

Vector

Question 6

What is speed?

Answer 6

The distance travelled in unit time.

Question 7

What is velocity?

Answer 7

The displacement per unit time in a specified direction.

Question 8

What is acceleration?

Answer 8

The rate of change of velocity per unit time.

Question 9

what are the units for speed

Answer 9

m/s

Question 10

what are the units for distance

Answer 10

m

Question 11

what are the units for time

Answer 11

s

Question 12

what are the units for acceleration

Answer 12

m/s2
metres per second squared

Question 13

what are the units for velocity

Answer 13

m/s in direction (e.g. east)

Question 14

What is reaction time (in driving)?

Answer 14

The time it takes for a driver to react to a stimuli and start applying the brakes.

Question 15

What is thinking distance?

Answer 15

The distance a vehicle travels during the time that it takes for the driver to react and apply the brakes.

Question 16

What is braking distance?

Answer 16

The distance a vehicle travels under the braking force, after the brakes are applied, until it comes to a complete stop.

Question 17

What is overall stopping distance?

Answer 17

The thinking distance plus the braking distance.

Question 18

What factors affect thinking distance? (5)

Answer 18

• speed
• alcohol/drugs
• tiredness
• visibility
• distractions (e.g. mobile phones)

Question 19

What factors affect braking distance? (5)

Answer 19

• speed
• condition of tires
• weather (icy or wet road)
• mass of the car
• worn/new brakes

Question 20

What are the purpose of speed limits in urban areas

Answer 20

To reduce stopping distance to reduce risk of collisions, and to reduce impact

Question 21

What are the purposes of seat belts (2)

Answer 21

The protect people in the event of a collision by reducing the force experienced by their bodies. According to Newtons’ first law they would continue to move at the constant speed of the car unless acted upon by a force.

Question 22

How does increase in speed affect stopping distance?

Answer 22

It increases it