AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Practice Quiz: Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration

Correct Answer: B

The provided content explicitly states in point 4 that 'Displacement is the change in an object's position.' Point 1 also describes this concept.

Correct Answer: C

Point 6 of the content states that 'Average velocity is the displacement of an object divided by the interval of time in which that displacement occurs.'

Correct Answer: D

Point 3 explains that when using the object model, 'the size, shape, and internal configuration are ignored.' Mass and charge are listed as extensive properties that are still considered.

Correct Answer: B

Point 8 states that an object is accelerating if the magnitude and/or direction of its velocity are changing. For an object in circular motion, the direction of velocity is continuously changing, therefore it is accelerating.

Correct Answer: C

Point 7 directly states: 'Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the interval of time in which that change in velocity occurs.'

Correct Answer: C

Point 9 explains that 'Calculating average velocity or average acceleration over a very small time interval yields a value that is very close to the instantaneous velocity or instantaneous acceleration.'

Correct Answer: A

Point 5 states that 'Averages of velocity and acceleration are calculated considering the initial and final states of an object over an interval of time.'

Correct Answer: C

According to point 8, an object is accelerating if its velocity's magnitude or direction changes. A satellite in orbit is constantly changing direction, so it is accelerating, even if its speed is constant. The other options describe situations with constant velocity (zero or non-zero).

Correct Answer: A

Point 3 describes the object model, where an object is 'treated as a single point' and its 'size, shape, and internal configuration are ignored.' This is precisely what is being done when modeling the Earth as a point for orbital mechanics.

Correct Answer: B

Displacement is the change in position (Point 4). Since the runner finished at the starting point, the change in position is zero. Average velocity is displacement divided by the time interval (Point 6). Since the displacement is zero, the average velocity for the full lap must also be zero.

Correct Answer: A

Point 6 defines average velocity using displacement ('displacement... divided by... time'). Point 7 defines average acceleration using the change in velocity ('change in velocity divided by... time'). This is the fundamental difference in their calculation.

Correct Answer: C

Point 8 states that an object is accelerating if the magnitude and/or direction of its velocity are changing. This means the velocity itself is changing. An object can accelerate by speeding up, slowing down, or just changing direction, so options A and B are not always true. While a changing position is implied, the most direct and necessary condition for acceleration is a changing velocity.

Correct Answer: C

Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by time (Point 7). If the average acceleration is zero, the numerator (change in velocity) must be zero. This means the final velocity minus the initial velocity is zero, so they must be equal. The object could have changed velocity during the interval and then returned to its initial velocity, so B is not necessarily true.

Correct Answer: B

This is a direct application of the concept in point 9, which states that 'Calculating... average acceleration over a very small time interval yields a value that is very close to the... instantaneous acceleration.'

Correct Answer: C

Point 1 states that displacement describes a change in an object's position, and Point 4 provides the formal definition: 'Displacement is the change in an object's position.'

Correct Answer: A

Point 8 indicates that an object is accelerating if the magnitude of its velocity changes. Slowing down is a change in the magnitude of velocity. Therefore, the car is accelerating.