CIE IGCSE Physics (0625) - Motions

Question 1

What is the definition of speed?

Answer 1

Speed is the distance travelled per second.

Question 2

What is the formula for average speed?

Answer 2

Average speed = total distance ÷ total time

Question 3

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Answer 3

Speed is scalar (magnitude only); velocity is vector (magnitude and direction).

Question 4

What is a vector quantity?

Answer 4

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Question 5

What is a scalar quantity?

Answer 5

A quantity that has magnitude only.

Question 6

Is velocity a vector or scalar?

Answer 6

Vector

Question 7

Is speed a vector or scalar?

Answer 7

Scalar

Question 8

What does the gradient of a distance–time graph represent?

Answer 8

The speed of the object

Question 9

What does a horizontal line on a distance–time graph mean?

Answer 9

The object is stationary (at rest).

Question 10

What does a constant gradient on a distance–time graph indicate?

Answer 10

The object is moving at constant speed.

Question 11

How is acceleration calculated from a speed-time graph?

Answer 11

Acceleration = gradient = (change in velocity) ÷ (change in time).

Question 12

What does the area under a speed–time graph represent?

Answer 12

Distance travelled

Question 13

What is the formula for acceleration?

Answer 13

Acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time

Question 14

What is deceleration?

Answer 14

Deceleration is negative acceleration (decrease in velocity per second).

Question 15

What does a horizontal line on a speed–time graph mean?

Answer 15

The object is travelling at a constant speed

Question 16

What is the acceleration of free fall near the Earth’s surface?

Answer 16

Approximately 9.8 m/s²

Question 17

What is terminal velocity?

Answer 17

The constant speed reached when air resistance balances weight during a fall.

Question 18

How does air resistance affect falling motion?

Answer 18

It reduces acceleration and may lead to terminal velocity.

Question 19

What is the equation linking distance, speed, and time?

Answer 19

s = v × t

Question 20

What is the equation linking acceleration, velocity, and time?

Answer 20

a = (v - u) ÷ t

Question 21

How can you calculate distance from a speed–time graph?

Answer 21

By calculating the area under the graph.

Question 22

What is the unit of force?

Answer 22

Newton (N)

Question 23

How do you find resultant velocity with perpendicular vectors?

Answer 23

Use Pythagoras’ theorem (√(v₁² + v₂²)) or a scale vector diagram.

Question 24

What does a changing gradient on a distance–time graph mean?

Answer 24

Changing speed (acceleration or deceleration)

Question 25

What is the motion of an object with decreasing acceleration?

Answer 25

The object is still accelerating, but less quickly.

Question 26

How is the area under a speed-time graph calculated?

Answer 26

Using geometric shapes like triangles and rectangles and find the sum the areas of all the sections (triangles, rectangles).

Question 27

What is the formula for distance from speed-time graph?

Answer 27

Distance = area under the speed-time graph

Question 28

What is the direction of motion if speed is negative?

Answer 28

The object is moving in the opposite direction.

Question 29

What is the effect of air resistance on a falling object?

Answer 29

Acceleration decreases until terminal velocity is reached.

Question 30

What is the formula for final velocity if initial velocity and acceleration are known?

Answer 30

v = u + at

Question 31

What is the correct method to find average speed for a non-uniform journey?

Answer 31

Average speed = total distance ÷ total time

Question 32

How do you convert km to m?

Answer 32

Multiply by 1000 (1 km = 1000 m).

Question 33

How do you convert minutes to seconds?

Answer 33

Multiply by 60 (1 minute = 60 s).

Question 34

How do you calculate the gradient of a curve on a graph?

Answer 34

Draw a tangent at the point and calculate its gradient.

Question 35

What is the unit of force?

Answer 35

Newton (N).

Question 36

What is a tangent in the context of graphs?

Answer 36

A straight line that touches a curve at a point without crossing it.