Kinematics is the study of motion without considering its causes. This chapter covers concepts such as displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, and the graphical representation of motion. It also explains the equations of uniformly accelerated motion, the difference between scalar and vector quantities, and how to interpret distance-time and velocity-time graphs. The MCQs below will help students strengthen their understanding of these key concepts.
1. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
- A. Velocity ✅
- B. Speed
- C. Distance
- D. Time
Explanation: Velocity has both magnitude and direction, unlike speed.
2. Displacement can be zero when:
- A. The initial and final positions are the same ✅
- B. The object moves in a straight line
- C. The object accelerates
- D. The object moves with constant speed
Explanation: Displacement depends on initial and final positions, not the path taken.
3. The SI unit of acceleration is:
- A. m/s² ✅
- B. m/s
- C. m²/s
- D. N/kg
Explanation: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity per unit time.
4. Which graph shows uniform motion?
- A. Straight line on a distance-time graph ✅
- B. Curved line on a distance-time graph
- C. Straight line on a velocity-time graph with slope
- D. Horizontal line on a velocity-time graph at zero velocity
Explanation: Uniform motion means constant speed, shown as a straight line in a distance-time graph.
5. Which of the following represents uniformly accelerated motion?
- A. A straight sloping line on a velocity-time graph ✅
- B. A horizontal line on a distance-time graph
- C. A vertical line on a velocity-time graph
- D. A wavy line on a distance-time graph
Explanation: Uniform acceleration appears as a straight slope in a velocity-time graph.
6. The first equation of motion is:
- A. v = u + at ✅
- B. s = ut + ½at²
- C. v² = u² + 2as
- D. a = (v – u) / t
Explanation: The first equation of motion relates velocity, initial velocity, acceleration, and time.
7. What does the slope of a distance-time graph represent?
- A. Speed ✅
- B. Acceleration
- C. Displacement
- D. Time
Explanation: Slope of distance-time graph gives the speed of the object.
8. The area under a velocity-time graph represents:
- A. Displacement ✅
- B. Speed
- C. Acceleration
- D. Time
Explanation: Area under velocity-time graph gives displacement.
9. Which equation of motion is derived from the relation between displacement and time?
- A. s = ut + ½at² ✅
- B. v = u + at
- C. v² = u² + 2as
- D. a = (v – u) / t
Explanation: This equation calculates displacement under uniform acceleration.
10. In uniform circular motion, speed is constant but:
- A. Velocity changes ✅
- B. Acceleration is zero
- C. Displacement is zero
- D. Motion is non-accelerated
Explanation: Velocity changes due to continuous change in direction.
11. If a car goes from 0 to 20 m/s in 5 seconds, its acceleration is:
- A. 4 m/s² ✅
- B. 2 m/s²
- C. 5 m/s²
- D. 10 m/s²
Explanation: a = (20 – 0) / 5 = 4 m/s².
12. The SI unit of displacement is:
- A. Meter ✅
- B. Second
- C. m/s
- D. m/s²
Explanation: Displacement is measured in meters.
13. The third equation of motion is:
- A. v² = u² + 2as ✅
- B. v = u + at
- C. s = ut + ½at²
- D. a = (v – u) / t
Explanation: The third equation relates velocity and displacement under constant acceleration.
14. Instantaneous speed is:
- A. Speed at a particular moment ✅
- B. Total distance divided by total time
- C. Always equal to average speed
- D. Speed during uniform motion only
Explanation: Instantaneous speed is measured at a specific point in time.
15. The slope of a velocity-time graph gives:
- A. Acceleration ✅
- B. Speed
- C. Displacement
- D. Distance
Explanation: Slope of velocity-time graph indicates acceleration.