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Quizzes > Science > Physics

Take the Physics Motion Test Quiz

Ready to ace this motion test? Jump into our physics motion quiz today!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Physics Motion Test quiz on dark blue background

Calling all physics enthusiasts and curious minds! Dive into our motion test physics adventure with the Physics Motion Test Quiz: Challenge Yourself Now! Designed as a free online physics test, this interactive physics motion quiz lets you explore key concepts from velocity and acceleration to displacement in an engaging kinematics quiz format. Whether you're prepping for exams or simply love testing your knowledge, our motion quiz and acceleration test will push your limits and reveal your strengths. With instant feedback and detailed explanations, you'll uncover your mastery and identify areas for improvement. Ready to ace this motion test? Click to start now and see where you stand!

What is the SI unit of velocity?
s
m/s
m
N
Velocity measures how fast an object changes its position over time and is defined as displacement divided by time. The SI unit for distance is the meter (m), and for time is the second (s), so velocity uses meters per second. This unit standardizes calculations in physics and engineering. Wikipedia: Velocity
If an object moves 100 meters in 20 seconds, what is its average speed?
10 m/s
0.5 m/s
5 m/s
2 m/s
Average speed is calculated by dividing total distance traveled by total time taken. Here, the distance is 100 m and the time is 20 s, giving 100/20 = 5 m/s. Average speed does not include direction, only magnitude. Wikipedia: Speed
Which of the following quantities is a vector?
Displacement
Speed
Temperature
Distance
A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. Displacement specifies how far and in what direction an object has moved from its starting point. Speed and distance are scalars, which have only magnitude. Wikipedia: Displacement (vector)
What is the acceleration of an object that increases its velocity from 0 m/s to 10 m/s in 2 seconds?
5 m/s²
10 m/s²
2 m/s²
20 m/s²
Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity divided by the time interval. Here, ?v = 10 m/s and ?t = 2 s, so acceleration = 10/2 = 5 m/s². This is a constant acceleration problem. Wikipedia: Acceleration
If an object moves with constant velocity, what is its acceleration?
9.8 m/s²
Depends on velocity
0 m/s²
Cannot be determined
Constant velocity means the object's speed and direction do not change over time. Since acceleration measures change in velocity per unit time, zero change implies zero acceleration. This holds true in Newton's first law of motion. Newton's Laws
A car travels at a constant speed of 60 km/h for 2 hours. What distance does it cover?
60 km
180 km
120 km
30 km
Distance covered under constant speed is speed multiplied by time. Here, 60 km/h × 2 h = 120 km. This calculation assumes uniform motion without acceleration. Wikipedia: Distance
What does a horizontal line on a velocity-time graph represent?
Increasing speed
Zero acceleration
Constant distance
Reversing direction
A horizontal line on a velocity-time graph means the velocity remains constant over time. Constant velocity implies no change in speed or direction, which corresponds to zero acceleration. The area under the graph still gives displacement. Velocity - time graph
Which equation represents displacement under constant acceleration?
v = u + at
F = ma
s = vt
s = ut + 1/2 a t²
The formula s = ut + 1/2 a t² gives displacement (s) when initial velocity (u), acceleration (a), and time (t) are known under constant acceleration. The term ut accounts for initial motion and (1/2)at² for accelerated change. It is one of the standard kinematic equations. Kinematic equations
An object in free fall from rest falls for 3 seconds (ignore air resistance). Approximately how far does it fall?
44.1 m
88.2 m
9.8 m
29.4 m
In free fall starting from rest, displacement is given by s = 1/2 g t². Substituting g = 9.8 m/s² and t = 3 s gives 0.5 × 9.8 × 9 = 44.1 m. This neglects air resistance for simplicity. Wikipedia: Free fall
Which kinematic equation relates displacement, initial velocity, time, and constant acceleration but not final velocity?
v = u + at
s = ut + 1/2 a t²
v² = u² + 2as
s = (u+v)/2 × t
The equation s = ut + 1/2 a t² includes only the initial velocity (u), acceleration (a), time (t), and displacement (s). It does not require the final velocity (v). This is useful when v is unknown. Kinematic equations
A ball is thrown vertically upwards at 20 m/s. Ignore air resistance. How long does it take to reach its maximum height?
?1.02 s
?10.2 s
?2.04 s
?4.08 s
At maximum height the vertical velocity becomes zero. Using v = u - gt and setting v = 0 gives t = u/g = 20/9.8 ? 2.04 s. Air resistance is neglected for this ideal calculation. Wikipedia: Projectile motion
In a position-time graph, what does the slope represent?
Velocity
Acceleration
Time
Displacement
The slope of a displacement-time graph indicates how position changes over time, which is the definition of velocity. A steeper slope means higher velocity. A changing slope indicates acceleration. Position - time graph
An object accelerates at -4 m/s². If its velocity decreases from 20 m/s, what is its velocity after 3 seconds?
20 m/s
12 m/s
8 m/s
-8 m/s
Using v = u + at with u = 20 m/s and a = -4 m/s² over 3 s gives v = 20 + (-4×3) = 8 m/s. Negative acceleration indicates slowing down. The final velocity remains positive. Wikipedia: Acceleration
A car decelerates uniformly from 30 m/s to 10 m/s in 4 seconds. What is its acceleration?
-2.5 m/s²
2.5 m/s²
5 m/s²
-5 m/s²
Acceleration equals change in velocity over time: (v - u)/t = (10 - 30)/4 = -20/4 = -5 m/s². The negative sign denotes deceleration. This reflects a uniform slowing down. Wikipedia: Deceleration
Which graph illustrates constant acceleration?
A horizontal line on a velocity - time plot
A linear graph on a velocity - time plot
A curved graph on a displacement - time plot
A straight line on a displacement - time plot
Constant acceleration means velocity changes at a steady rate, producing a straight line on a velocity - time graph. A horizontal line would indicate zero acceleration. Curved or non-linear plots on other graphs denote variable acceleration. Acceleration graph
What is the key difference between speed and velocity?
Both include time
Velocity includes direction, speed does not
Neither include direction
Speed includes direction, velocity does not
Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object moves, without direction. Velocity is a vector quantity, specifying both magnitude and direction of motion. Directionality can affect displacement and motion analysis. Speed vs Velocity
A particle moves along the x-axis with acceleration a(t) = 6t. If its initial velocity at t=0 is 2 m/s, what is its velocity at t=3 s?
29 m/s
20 m/s
18 m/s
54 m/s
Velocity is found by integrating acceleration: v(t) = ?0 to t 6t dt + initial velocity. The integral of 6t is 3t², which at t=3 gives 27. Adding the initial 2 m/s yields 29 m/s. This accounts for time-varying acceleration. Wikipedia: Acceleration
How far does an object travel in the 5th second if it starts from rest with acceleration 2 m/s²?
16 m
5 m
25 m
9 m
Distance covered in the nth second is s(n) = s(t) - s(t-1). For constant acceleration, s(t) = ½ at². So s(5) = 25 m and s(4) = 16 m, giving 25 - 16 = 9 m in the 5th second. This isolates motion over that specific interval. Equations of motion
A car travels 100 m in 5 s under constant acceleration from rest. What is the acceleration?
10 m/s²
5 m/s²
4 m/s²
8 m/s²
With initial velocity zero, distance s = ½ a t². Rearranging gives a = 2s / t² = 2×100 / 25 = 8 m/s². This uses one of the core kinematic equations. Uniform acceleration is assumed. Kinematic equations
Two trains approach each other on parallel tracks at speeds of 40 m/s and 60 m/s. What is their relative speed?
20 m/s
120 m/s
100 m/s
200 m/s
Relative speed for objects moving in opposite directions is the sum of their speeds. Therefore, 40 m/s + 60 m/s = 100 m/s. This concept helps analyze encounters in one dimension. Wikipedia: Relative velocity
On a velocity-time graph, the area under the curve represents which quantity?
Displacement
Acceleration
Velocity
Time
The area under a velocity - time graph gives the change in position, or displacement, over the time interval. If velocity is always positive, this equals distance traveled. Negative areas indicate movement in the opposite direction. Velocity - time graph
A car starts from rest, accelerates at 3 m/s² for 4 s, then travels at that constant speed for another 2 s. What total distance does it cover?
72 m
48 m
36 m
60 m
During acceleration, distance = ½ × 3 × 4² = 24 m. After 4 s the speed is v = 3 × 4 = 12 m/s. Traveling 2 s at 12 m/s adds another 24 m. The total is 24 + 24 = 48 m. This uses piecewise motion analysis. Kinematics
A particle's position is given by x(t) = 5t³ - 2t + 1. What is its acceleration at t = 2 s?
15 m/s²
30 m/s²
60 m/s²
58 m/s²
Acceleration is the second derivative of position: x''(t) = d²x/dt². First derivative v(t) = 15t² - 2, then a(t) = d/dt[v(t)] = 30t. At t = 2 s, a = 30×2 = 60 m/s². This shows calculus applied to motion. Wikipedia: Acceleration
What is the physical quantity known as 'jerk' in motion analysis?
Rate of change of velocity
Rate of change of displacement
Rate of change of force
Rate of change of acceleration
Jerk (or jolt) is defined as the time derivative of acceleration, describing how acceleration changes with time. It is important in vibration analysis and ride comfort. The SI unit is m/s³. Wikipedia: Jerk (physics)
An object falls under gravity with air resistance proportional to velocity: dv/dt = g - (k/m)v. What is its terminal velocity?
k/m
?(mg/k)
k/mg
mg/k
Terminal velocity occurs when net acceleration is zero, so g - (k/m)v = 0. Solving for v gives v = mg/k. This balances gravitational force with drag. It applies under linear drag conditions. Wikipedia: Terminal velocity
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Kinematic Fundamentals -

    Grasp the core concepts of velocity, acceleration, and displacement as the foundation for solving motion test physics problems.

  2. Differentiate Motion Quantities -

    Identify and distinguish between instantaneous vs. average velocity and positive vs. negative acceleration in various scenarios.

  3. Calculate Motion Parameters -

    Apply formulas to compute velocity, acceleration, and displacement values accurately within the physics motion quiz context.

  4. Analyze One-Dimensional Motion -

    Break down linear motion situations to determine how objects move and change position over time.

  5. Interpret Motion Graphs -

    Read and create position-time and velocity-time graphs to visualize object movement and predict future behavior.

  6. Apply Kinematics Equations -

    Use the primary kinematic equations to solve real-world problems in this online physics test and improve problem-solving speed.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Displacement vs. Distance -

    Displacement is a vector measuring the shortest path between start and end points, while distance is the total ground covered - a scalar value. For example, walking 5 m east then 5 m west gives zero displacement but 10 m distance (HyperPhysics, Georgia State University). Remember the mnemonic "D is scalar, Δ with arrow is vector" to avoid mixing them up on your motion test.

  2. Velocity and Speed -

    Average velocity (v_avg = Δx/Δt) incorporates direction, whereas speed denotes only how fast an object moves (Khan Academy). In a kinematics quiz, a negative velocity indicates motion opposite to your chosen positive axis. Instantaneous speed can be found from the slope of a position - time curve at a specific moment, so practice reading graphs carefully.

  3. Acceleration Basics -

    Acceleration (a = Δv/Δt) measures the rate of change of velocity over time (University Physics, OpenStax). For instance, a car accelerating from 0 to 20 m/s in 5 s has an acceleration of 4 m/s². Use the memory aid "VOT" (Velocity Over Time) to recall the formula quickly during your online physics test.

  4. Key Kinematic Equations -

    For constant acceleration, master the five core equations: v = v₀ + at, Δx = v₀t + ½at², v² = v₀² + 2aΔx, Δx = vt - ½at², and v_avg = (v₀ + v)/2 (MIT OpenCourseWare). These formulas are essential for success in any motion test physics scenario. A great study tip is to create flashcards with each equation and its variables to quiz yourself repeatedly.

  5. Interpreting Motion Graphs -

    Position - time and velocity - time graphs visualize kinematic relationships and are invaluable on a physics motion quiz (University of Colorado Boulder). The slope of a p - t graph yields velocity, while the area under a v - t graph gives displacement. Practice sketching uniform and non-uniform motion curves to build rapid graph-reading skills.

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