PhysicsLAB Practice Problems
Description of Motion - Scalar vs Vector Quantities

Topics: On this worksheet you will practice will practice the basic definitions of introductory motion.

Page Directions The numerical values in this worksheet are randomly generated allowing students the opportunity to conveniently practice, and drill, common situations.

Before beginning any given worksheet, please look over all of the questions and make sure that there are no duplicate answers shown for the same question. If duplicates are present simply refresh the page until every answer is unique.

In order to check an answer (even when you are just starting the worksheet on Question 1) it is necessary to omit any questions that you have not answered. Once you start submitting answers, the page may be checked as many times as necesasary without changing the randomized answers. Relevant scoring will be provided at the top of the page only when you answer all of the questions on your original submission.



Question 1  A bike messenger traveled 4 blocks North, 5 blocks East, 6 blocks South, and finally 9 blocks West in order to deliver a package in the traffic, congested city. If his trip took 39 minutes, what was the magnitude of his average velocity in blocks/minute?
Question 2  If the messenger in Question #1 could have traveled directly to his destination, what would have been the direction of his net displacement?
Question 3  The magnitude of an object's average velocity can ONLY equal the magnitude of its average speed when the object is
Question 4  A scalar is a quantity that can be completely described by stating its
Question 5  A family taking a vacation traveled 5 hours at 65 mph and then 4 hours at only 49 mph. What was their average speed during this trip?
Question 6  Which quantity is NOT a scalar?
Question 7  Which description of an object's motion is more specific: moving at a constant speed or moving at a constant velocity?
Question 8  A student warming up for practice travels one full circuit, 400 meters, around the track. Initially he jogs 78 meters at 1.5 m/sec, then runs 234 meters at 2.2 m/sec, and finally cools down by finishing the final 88 meters at 1.0 m/sec. What was his average speed?
Question 9  What was the student's average velocity in Question #8?
Question 10  During a 30 minute period of time, one car moves at a constant velocity of 45 mph, N, while a second car moves at a constant velocity of 45 mph, W. During this time interval, the cars would have the same
A. instantaneous speedB. instantaneous velocityC. displacementD. acceleration
Question 11  A moving van completes its journey of 585 kilometers in 9 hours. Approximately how far should it have traveled 6.5 hours after beginning its trip?


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