High School Physics : Motion and Mechanics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Using Motion Equations

A crate slides across the floor for  until it comes to rest. If its initial velocity was , what was the deceleration on the crate?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The problem gives us initial velocity, time, and a final velocity (zero as it comes to rest). The formula for acceleration is:

We are given the initial and final velocities and the time. Using these values, we can solve for the acceleration. We should expect it to be negative, since the crate is slowing down.

Example Question #11 : Using Motion Equations

An apple falls from a tree that is  tall. How long does it take for the apple to hit the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We are given the initial velocity of the apple (zero because it starts from rest), the acceleration (gravity), and the distance traveled. Using these values and the right motion equation, we can solve for the time that the apple is in the air.

The best equation to solve this problem will be:

Keep in mind that the change in distance is the displacement, a vector. Since the apple is traveling downward, the displacement will be negative.

Using our known values, we can solve for the time.

Example Question #161 : High School Physics

An object starts at rest, and then accelerates at a rate of  for . What is the final velocity?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The formula relating velocity and acceleration is:

We are given values for the acceleration and time. We can also conclude that the initial velocity is zero. Using these values, we can solve for the final velocity.

Example Question #161 : High School Physics

A cannonball is fired horizontally from the wall of a castle 25m high with a speed of . How long until the cannonball hits its target on the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve this problem manipulate the motion equation  to solve for time. Note that since the cannon has no initial velocity in the y-direction, the initial velocity term disappears from the equation. Use .

Example Question #13 : Using Motion Equations

Peter starts from rest and runs down a hallway in 31 seconds. If his final velocity is , what was his acceleration?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can solve this question using the given initial velocity, final velocity, and time.

Example Question #92 : Linear Motion

Leslie rolls a ball out of a window from 10 meters above the ground, such that the initial y-velocity is zero. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We are given the initial velocity, acceleration, and distance traveled. Using the equation below, we can solve for the time.

The distance is negative, which makes since because the ball is traveling downward.

 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Distance, Velocity, And Acceleration

Derek rolls a ball along a flat surface with an initial velocity of . If it stops after 12 seconds, what was the total distance it travelled?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can solve this question by multiplying the average velocity by the time.

We are given the initial and final velocities and the time travelled.

Example Question #94 : Linear Motion

Peter starts from rest and runs down a hallway 31 seconds. If his final velocity is , how far did he run?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Using the given values for the initial velocity, final velocity, and time, we can solve for the distance. The distance will be the product of the average velocity and the time.

Example Question #95 : Linear Motion

Walter throws a disc from 1.5 meters above the ground with purely horizontal motion. If he throws it with an initial velocity of  and it stays in the air for 0.553 second, how far will it travel?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The horizontal velocity will determine how far the disc travels; gravity and vertical velocity will not affect the horizontal distance. We can solve by using the distance formula.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Distance, Velocity, And Acceleration

Julia throws a  rock at  above the horizontal, with an initial velocity of .

If she were throwing a  rock instead, how would this affect the total horizontal displacement?

Possible Answers:

It will travel half as far

It will travel  times as far

It will travel twice as far

It will travel  times as far

It will travel the same distance

Correct answer:

It will travel the same distance

Explanation:

The equation for horizontal distance travelled during parabolic (projectile) motion is:

The distance is related to the velocity and the flight time only. The mass of the projectile will not affect any of these variables, and therefore will not affect the distance travelled.

We can also analyze this formula in terms of the units and dimensional analysis.

There is no units for mass or  anywhere in the calculation, so mass will not be involved in determining the final answer.

A change in the mass will not change the distance travelled; the projectile will travel the same distance.

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