Physics Speed, Velocity & Acceleration Review

Questions and Answers

What is speed?

The rate of change in velocity

The speed AND direction of a moving body

Distance and direction of an object's change in position

The rate of motion (correct)

What is velocity?

The instrument for measuring speed

The speed AND direction of a moving body (correct)

The rate of motion

An object's change in position

What is acceleration?

An object's change in position

How far an object moves

The rate of motion

The rate of change in velocity (correct)

The formula for speed is ____.

distance/time Signup and view all the answers

The formula for acceleration is ____.

(change in velocity)/time Signup and view all the answers

What is the SI (metric) unit for speed?

Meters per second Signup and view all the answers

What is the SI (metric) unit for acceleration?

Meters per second squared Signup and view all the answers

An acceleration that is positive means you are speeding up.

True Signup and view all the answers

An acceleration that is negative means you are speeding up.

False Signup and view all the answers

An acceleration that is zero means your speed is not changing.

True Signup and view all the answers

What instrument measures the speed in a car?

speedometer Signup and view all the answers

What is instantaneous speed?

The rate at which an object is moving at a given moment in time Signup and view all the answers

If a car is turning left at a constant speed, it is not accelerating.

False Signup and view all the answers

If a car is moving forward at a constant speed, it is accelerating.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is faster - the speed of sound or the speed of light?

Speed of light Signup and view all the answers

What is motion?

An object's change in position relative to a reference point. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reference point?

A place or object used for comparison to determine if an object is in motion. Signup and view all the answers

What does distance refer to?

How far an object moves. Signup and view all the answers

What is displacement?

Distance and direction of an object's change in position from the starting point. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Speed, Velocity & Acceleration

Speed: Rate of motion quantifying how quickly an object changes position.
Velocity: Combines speed with direction, indicating the object's rate of motion towards a specific point.
Acceleration: Measures how quickly velocity changes; includes both changes in speed and direction.

Mathematical Formulas

Speed Formula: Calculated as distance divided by time (distance/time).
Acceleration Formula: Change in velocity over time ((change in velocity)/time).

Units of Measurement

Speed Unit: The International System (SI) unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).
Acceleration Unit: The SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).

Types of Acceleration

Positive Acceleration: Indicates an increase in speed; the object is speeding up.
Negative Acceleration: Signifies a decrease in speed; the object is slowing down.
Zero Acceleration: Reflects constant speed; no change in speed or direction.

Instruments and Concepts

Speedometer: Device used to measure the speed of a vehicle.
Instantaneous Speed: Speed of an object at a specific moment in time.
Motion: Describes an object's change in position relative to a reference point.
Reference Point: A location or object utilized to compare and determine if another object is in motion.

Key Comparisons

Distance vs. Displacement:
- Distance: Total movement regardless of direction.
- Displacement: Straight line measurement from starting position, including direction.

Questions to Consider

Is a car turning left at a constant speed accelerating? Yes, because it is changing direction.
Is a car moving forward at a constant speed accelerating? No, as there is no change in speed or direction.
What is faster, the speed of sound or the speed of light? The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound.

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Test your understanding of the key concepts in speed, velocity, and acceleration with this review flashcard quiz. Ideal for revising fundamental physics terms and formulas, each flashcard provides a clear definition to reinforce your knowledge.