Practice Motion and Kinematics: Physics Unit 1.
This unit covers speed and velocity, acceleration, motion graphs and projectile motion — essential concepts for Physics. Use our interactive study games to test your understanding, or review questions in traditional format below.
Pick a mode. Play.
Answer questions as fast as you can. 2 minutes on the clock. Build streaks for bonus points!
Don't want to play?
Review the questions traditionally. Click to expand.
Questions loading...
Focus on understanding.
Focus on understanding core concepts before memorizing details. Use the game modes to test yourself repeatedly — spaced repetition is proven to boost long-term retention.
This unit covers speed and velocity, acceleration, motion graphs and projectile motion — essential concepts for Physics. Use our interactive study games to test your understanding, or review questions in traditional format below.
Key Concepts Breakdown
1 Speed and Velocity
Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object moves, while velocity is a vector that includes both speed and direction. Students must be able to calculate average speed and average velocity using distance/displacement over time. The distinction between scalar and vector is frequently tested.
Key Points
- Speed = total distance ÷ total time (scalar, always positive)
- Velocity = displacement ÷ time (vector, can be negative)
- Displacement is the straight-line change in position, not total path length
- An object can have constant speed but changing velocity (e.g., circular motion)
A car travels 60 km east in 1 hour, then 60 km west in 1 hour. Find its average speed and average velocity.
Total distance = 120 km, total time = 2 hours, so average speed = 60 km/h. However, total displacement = 0 km (the car returned to its start), so average velocity = 0 km/h. This is a classic exam trap — speed and velocity give different answers when the path doubles back.
2 Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time and is a vector quantity. Students must be able to calculate acceleration and recognize that deceleration is simply negative acceleration (acceleration opposing the direction of motion). An object can accelerate even without changing speed if its direction changes.
Key Points
- Acceleration = (final velocity − initial velocity) ÷ time, a = Δv/t
- Units are m/s² (meters per second squared)
- Negative acceleration means slowing down only if it opposes the direction of motion
- Constant acceleration allows use of kinematic equations: v = v₀ + at, d = v₀t + ½at²
A ball starts from rest and reaches 20 m/s in 4 seconds. What is its acceleration?
Using a = Δv/t: a = (20 − 0) / 4 = 5 m/s². Since the ball started from rest, v₀ = 0, which simplifies the calculation. You could also find displacement using d = v₀t + ½at² = 0 + ½(5)(4²) = 40 m.
3 Motion Graphs
Students must be able to interpret and sketch position-time (d-t) and velocity-time (v-t) graphs. The slope of a d-t graph gives velocity; the slope of a v-t graph gives acceleration; and the area under a v-t graph gives displacement. These relationships are the most common motion graph questions on exams.
Key Points
- Slope of position-time graph = velocity (flat line = at rest, steep line = fast)
- Slope of velocity-time graph = acceleration (flat line = constant velocity)
- Area under velocity-time graph = displacement (count rectangle/triangle areas)
- A curved d-t graph means changing velocity (acceleration present)
A v-t graph shows a straight line from v = 0 at t = 0 to v = 10 m/s at t = 5 s. Find the acceleration and the displacement.
Acceleration = slope = (10 − 0) / (5 − 0) = 2 m/s². Displacement = area under the line, which forms a triangle: ½ × base × height = ½ × 5 × 10 = 25 m. Both values come directly from reading the graph geometrically — no separate formula needed.
4 Projectile Motion
Projectile motion involves an object moving under gravity alone after launch, with horizontal and vertical motion treated as completely independent. Horizontally, velocity is constant (no acceleration); vertically, the object accelerates downward at g = 9.8 m/s² (often rounded to 10 m/s²). Students must be able to separate components and solve for time, range, and peak height.
Key Points
- Horizontal: x = v_x × t (constant velocity, no acceleration)
- Vertical: use kinematic equations with a = −9.8 m/s² (downward)
- At maximum height, vertical velocity = 0
- Time in the air is determined by the vertical component only
A ball is launched horizontally at 15 m/s from a cliff 45 m high. How long does it take to hit the ground, and how far from the base of the cliff does it land?
Use vertical freefall to find time: 45 = ½(10)t², so t² = 9, t = 3 s. Then use horizontal motion: x = v_x × t = 15 × 3 = 45 m. The key step is using the vertical equation to find time first, then plugging that time into the horizontal equation.
Questions, answered.
What is Motion and Kinematics?
Motion and Kinematics is Unit 1 of Physics, covering speed and velocity, acceleration, motion graphs and projectile motion.
How to study for Physics Unit 1?
Start with the Quick Summary above, review the Key Concepts, then test yourself with our interactive study games. Aim for 80%+ accuracy before moving on.
How many questions are in this unit?
This unit has 28+ review questions across 5 different game modes.