Practice Problems
Vectors and Scalars (Honors)
Topics:
On this worksheet you will practice with the basic definitions of vector and scalar quantities used in introductory motion.
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The numerical values in this worksheet are randomly generated allowing students the opportunity to conveniently practice, and drill, common situations.
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Question 1
A bike messenger traveled 4 blocks North, 6 blocks East, 6 blocks South, and finally 8 blocks West in order to deliver a package in the traffic, congested city. If his trip took 44 minutes, what was the magnitude of his average velocity in blocks/minute?
2.4 x 10
1
2.83 x 10
0
5.45 x 10
-1
6.43 x 10
-2
9.09 x 10
-2
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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?
225.0 deg
144.7 deg
215.3 deg
135.0 deg
135.0 deg
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Question 3
The magnitude of an object's average velocity can ONLY equal the magnitude of its average speed when the object is
traveling in a
straight line
traveling in successive
directions that change by 90º
standing still
traveling in a circle
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Question 4
A scalar is a quantity that can be completely described by stating its
size
size and direction
direction
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Question 5
A family taking a vacation traveled 6 hours at 65 mph and then 4 hours at only 49 mph. What was their average speed during this trip?
55.4 mph
58.6 mph
53.6 mph
57.0 mph
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Question 6
Which quantity is NOT a scalar?
distance
acceleration
mass
time
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Question 7
Which description of an object's motion is more specific: moving at a constant speed or moving at a constant velocity?
constant velocity since it demands that the object not only move at a constant rate, but also maintain a constant direction
they are equivalent
constant speed since it demands that the object has to maintain a constant rate regardless of its direction of motion
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Question 8
A student warming up for practice travels one full circuit, 400 meters, around the track. Initially he jogs 88 meters at 1.5 m/sec, then runs 264 meters at 2.2 m/sec, and finally cools down by finishing the final 48 meters at 1.0 m/sec. What was his average speed?
2.35 m/sec
1.57 m/sec
1.90 m/sec
1.76 m/sec
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Question 9
What was the student's average velocity in
Question #8
?
cannot be determined
the same as his average speed
0 m/sec
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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 speed
B. instantaneous velocity
C. displacement
D. acceleration
B and D
C and D
B and C
A and C
A and D
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Question 11
Two 30.-newton forces act concurrently on an object. In which diagram would the forces produce a resultant with a magnitude of 30. newtons?
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Question 12
Which range of values correctly represents all possible values for the resultant in
Question #11
?
0 N ≤ R ≤ 60 N
0 N ≤ R ≤ 42.4 N
0 N ≤ R ≤ 30 N
a complete listing is not possible
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Question 13
On the ticker tape shown below, the position of an object is recorded every 0.1 seconds. How would the positions on the tape have changed if the object was traveling at a constant velocity?
the dots would have been equally spaced
the spacing between the dots would have decreased
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Question 14
In which diagram does the plane have the smallest 'ground speed'?
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