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Lesson 10 of 11

8 min

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Here are the eight rules first. Use them if a question feels hard.

Describing Motion Around Us: eight rules, from position to circular motion
IdeaThe rule
Where it isPosition is distance and direction from a reference point. Right of the point is positive. Left is negative.
Distance and displacementDistance is the whole length of the path. Displacement is the change in position, with a direction.
Speed and velocityAverage speed is total distance divided by time. Average velocity is displacement divided by time.
AccelerationAcceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time taken. Its unit is metre per second squared.
Steady and changing motionUniform motion covers equal distances in equal times, however short. Otherwise the motion is non-uniform.
Reading a graphOn a position-time graph, the slope is the velocity. On a velocity-time graph, the slope is the acceleration. These shapes are for motion in one direction.
Area under the lineThe area under a velocity-time line is the displacement. For constant acceleration, v = u + at and s = ut + ½at².
Round and roundIn uniform circular motion, the speed is constant. The direction of the velocity keeps changing. So the motion is accelerated.

P is 30 m right of S. Q is 90 m right of S. What is P's position if Q is the reference point?

  • +60 m
  • −60 m
  • −120 m

A cyclist rides 90 m right, then 20 m back. What are the distance and displacement?

  • 110 m and 110 m
  • 70 m and 110 m
  • 110 m and +70 m

A bus goes 150 m out and 150 m back. It takes 30 s. What is its average velocity?

  • 10 m/s
  • 0
  • 5 m/s

A cart goes from 4 m/s to 13 m/s in 6 s. What is its acceleration?

  • 1.5 m/s²
  • 9 m/s²
  • 2.2 m/s²

In successive seconds an object covers 2, 4, 6 and 8 m. What kind of motion is it?

  • Uniform, with a steady speed
  • At rest, with no change of place
  • Non-uniform, and speeding up

A velocity-time graph is a straight line that falls to zero. What is happening?

  • Speeding up at a steady rate
  • Slowing down at a steady rate
  • At rest with no acceleration

A car starts at rest. It speeds up steadily to 12 m/s in 4 s. How far does it go in those 4 s?

  • 48 m
  • 12 m
  • 24 m

A stone whirls in a circle at a steady 5 m/s. Is its acceleration zero?

  • Yes, since the speed of the stone is steady
  • No, since the velocity keeps turning
  • Yes, since the stone keeps returning to its start

A car moves 60 m to the right in 5 s. What is its average velocity?

  • 12 m/s
  • 300 m/s
  • 0.08 m/s

A bus moves to the right and slows down. Which sign fits its acceleration?

  • Negative
  • Positive
  • Zero

This is Chapter 4 of your Class 9 book, Exploration. It is called Describing Motion Around Us. Read it this week.

Next is Exploring Mixtures and their Separation. It changes the question again. Now you ask what a thing is made of.

Reveal every answer to finish this lesson.