General Physics 1 – Measurements, Motion Graphs, Newton’s Laws, and Projectile Motion

A comprehensive set of 70 question-and-answer flashcards covering units, measurement, errors, motion graphs, Newton’s laws, and projectile motion for General Physics 1.

What is the SI base unit for mass?

Kilogram (kg)

Which SI base unit is used for measuring electric current?

Ampere (A)

What physical quantity is measured in kelvin?

Temperature

State the formula for converting 6,500,000 to scientific notation.

6.5 \times 10^6

Convert 18,560,000 into scientific notation.

1.856 \times 10^7

What two parts make up every physical quantity?

A numerical value and a unit of measurement

Define a fundamental (base) quantity.

A basic physical quantity that is independent of other quantities

Give three examples of SI derived units.

m/s (speed), m/s² (acceleration), N (force)

What is meant by a derived quantity?

A quantity obtained from the combination of fundamental quantities

Which is the only SI base unit that already contains a prefix?

Kilogram (kg)

What order of magnitude does the prefix ‘micro’ (µ) represent?

10^{-6}

What does the prefix ‘G’ (giga) stand for?

10^9

How many meters are in 1 kilometer?

1,000 meters

Define measurement in physics.

Assignment of a numerical value to an object's physical property using a defined unit

Differentiate accuracy and precision.

Accuracy is closeness to the true value; precision is closeness of repeated measurements to each other

What type of error is related to poor precision?

Random error

What type of error affects accuracy in the same direction each time?

Systematic error

Which graph shows position on the y-axis and time on the x-axis?

Position/Distance vs. Time graph

On a distance–time graph, what does the slope represent?

Speed

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

The object is stopped (zero speed)

How is constant speed displayed on a speed-time graph?

As a horizontal line above the time axis

If a speed-time graph slopes upward, what does this signify?

Acceleration (speed increasing)

In a speed-time graph, what does the area under the curve represent?

Distance travelled

State Newton’s First Law of Motion.

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force (Law of Inertia)

Which quantity is a measure of an object’s inertia?

Mass

Write the mathematical form of Newton’s Second Law.

F = ma

If a 5 kg object accelerates at 3 m/s², what net force acts on it?

15 N

State Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

For every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force

What is a free-body diagram (FBD)?

A sketch showing all the forces acting on a single object

Name the two forces that act on a stationary book resting on a table.

Gravitational force (weight) downward and normal force upward

When a car suddenly stops, why do passengers lurch forward?

Inertia keeps their bodies moving (Newton’s First Law)

Define projectile motion.

The motion of an object launched into the air under the influence of gravity alone

Describe the trajectory of an ideal projectile.

A symmetric parabolic path

Which two independent motions combine in projectile motion?

Horizontal constant-velocity motion and vertical uniformly accelerated motion

What is the horizontal acceleration of a projectile (neglecting air resistance)?

Zero (a_x = 0)

What is the vertical acceleration of a projectile near Earth’s surface?

g = 9.81 \text{ m/s}^2 downward

At what launch angle is the range of a projectile maximized (level ground, no air resistance)?

45°

Write the horizontal component of initial velocity for a projectile launched with speed v_i at angle\theta.

v{ix} = vi \cos \theta

What is the vertical component of initial velocity for the same projectile?

v{iy} = vi \sin \theta

At the highest point of a projectile’s trajectory, what is its vertical velocity?

Zero (v_{fy} = 0)

Provide the time-of-flight formula for a projectile launched and landing at the same height.

t = (2 v_i \sin \theta)/g

Write the range equation for a projectile on level ground.

R = (v_i^2 \sin 2\theta)/g

How does launching a projectile straight up (90°) affect its motion?

Gives maximum height but zero horizontal range

What is meant by ‘range’ in projectile motion?

Horizontal distance travelled before landing

Explain why horizontal and vertical motions of a projectile are independent.

Gravity acts vertically only, leaving horizontal motion unaffected (no horizontal force)

What kind of slope indicates a faster speed on a distance-time graph?

A steeper slope

If the distance-time graph shows a line sloping back toward the origin, what does it mean?

The object is moving back toward the starting point (negative direction)

How can average speed be found from a distance-time graph with several segments?

Connect origin to final point; the slope of that line is average speed

What is meant by ‘systematic error’?

Consistent deviation in measurements due to faulty equipment or bias

Give one example of a random error.

Variations in reaction time when starting/stopping a stopwatch

Which is more important in measurement, accuracy or precision?

Depends on context, but ideally both high accuracy and high precision are desired

On a dartboard, darts clustered together but far from the bullseye demonstrate what?

High precision, low accuracy

What does the unit prefix ‘nano’ (n) mean?

10^{-9}

Convert 0.003 m to millimeters.

3 mm

How many newtons make 1 kilonewton?

1,000 N

What physical concept links force and motion?

Force causes changes in motion (acceleration)

What force opposes motion between surfaces in contact?

Friction

State the net-force equation for a box pushed with 40 N while 15 N friction opposes.

F_{net} = 40 \text{ N} – 15 \text{ N} = 25 \text{ N}

Calculate the acceleration of a 10 kg box with a net force of 25 N.

a = F/m = 25 \text{ N} / 10 \text{ kg} = 2.5 \text{ m/s}^2

What is an inertial reference frame?

A frame in which Newton’s laws hold (not accelerating)

Why does a heavier bowling ball have more inertia than a tennis ball?

It has greater mass, resisting changes in motion more

In projectile motion, what happens to horizontal velocity during flight (no air resistance)?

It remains constant

Give an everyday example of Newton’s Third Law.

Walking: feet push ground backward, ground pushes you forward

What is meant by ‘slope’ in a graphing context?

Ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal change (run)

Which quantity does the area under a speed-time graph represent?

Distance traveled

If an object’s speed decreases on a speed-time graph, what is its acceleration sign?

Negative (deceleration)

Define luminous intensity and give its SI unit.

Brightness of a light source; unit is candela (cd)

What is the SI base unit for amount of substance?

Mole (mol)

Name two factors that can cause systematic errors in measurements.

Instrument calibration error and consistent observer bias

Describe what a steep line on a velocity-time graph indicates.

Large acceleration magnitude

What key feature distinguishes a speed-time graph of an object at rest?

Line lies on the time axis (speed = 0)

Why is the kilogram symbol written in lowercase?

SI unit symbols are lowercase unless named after a person; ‘gram’ is not from a person

What is the SI base unit for mass?

Kilogram (kg)

Which SI base unit is used for measuring electric current?

Ampere (A)

What physical quantity is measured in kelvin?

Temperature

State the formula for converting 6,500,000 to scientific notation.

6.5 \times 10^6

Convert 18,560,000 into scientific notation.

1.856 \times 10^7

What two parts make up every physical quantity?

A numerical value and a unit of measurement

Define a fundamental (base) quantity.

A basic physical quantity that is independent of other quantities

Give three examples of SI derived units.

m/s (speed), m/s² (acceleration), N (force)

What is meant by a derived quantity?

A quantity obtained from the combination of fundamental quantities

Which is the only SI base unit that already contains a prefix?

Kilogram (kg)

What order of magnitude does the prefix

10^{-6}

What does the prefix

10^9

How many meters are in 1 kilometer?

1,000 meters

Define measurement in physics.

Assignment of a numerical value to an object's physical property using a defined unit

Differentiate accuracy and precision.

Accuracy is closeness to the true value; precision is closeness of repeated measurements to each other

What type of error is related to poor precision?

Random error

What type of error affects accuracy in the same direction each time?

Systematic error

Which graph shows position on the y-axis and time on the x-axis?

Position/Distance vs. Time graph

On a distance

Speed

What does a horizontal line on a distance

The object is stopped (zero speed)

How is constant speed displayed on a speed-time graph?

As a horizontal line above the time axis

If a speed-time graph slopes upward, what does this signify?

Acceleration (speed increasing)

In a speed-time graph, what does the area under the curve represent?

Distance travelled

State Newton

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force (Law of Inertia)

Which quantity is a measure of an object

Mass

Write the mathematical form of Newton

F = ma