MCAT Physical : Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Physical

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Example Questions

Example Question #184 : Newtonian Mechanics And Motion

A child throws a ball straight up into the air. He throws the ball with an initial velocity of . Assume there is no air resistance.

What is the vertical acceleration of the ball when it is at its peak height?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

At its peak height, the ball will have a velocity of ; however, the acceleration on the ball due to gravity is constantly experienced by the baseball. As a result, while in the air, the ball will always have a vertical acceleration of 

Example Question #361 : Mcat Physical Sciences

A ball is thrown straight up into the air. When the ball is at the top of its flight, what is its acceleration?

Possible Answers:

It depends on the initial velocity of the ball

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Near the earth's surface (neglecting air resistance), all objects in free-fall accelerate downwards at . This occurs even when the object's velocity is zero, for example when it is at the top of its flight.

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