Physics 12 Name: _________________

Vector Kinematics Practice Test

1. Vectors P and Q in the grid below represent velocities. Each side of each little square in the grid
represents a speed of 1m/s.

Let vectors P and Q represent the initial and final velocities respectively of a particle over a 4.0s time
interval. Find the magnitude of the average acceleration during this time interval. The spare bit of grid
is there for your convenience.

2. The vector v3 in the diagram below is equivalent to:

a. v1 + v3 = v 2 b. v1 + v 2 = v3 c. v1 − v 2 = v3 d. v 2 + v3 = v 2

3. A vehicle traveling north at 9.0m/s changes its velocity to 12m/s west. Which one of the following best
represents its change in velocity?

a. b. c. d.

W:\homedrive\Physics 12\Vector Kinematics\Physics 12 - vector kinematics practice test.doc

 4. Which of the following is a vector quantity?

a. Time b. Mass c. Speed d. Acceleration

5. A plane heads 42 degrees E of N at 275m/s. What is the component of its velocity that is directed
North?

6. A rock is thrown from a level field with an initial vertical component of 19.6m/s and a horizontal
component of 9.8m/s. If frictional forces are considered negligible, what is the horizontal speed of the
ball at the top of its path?

7. For question #6, what is the maximum height achieved by the rock?

8. For question #6, what is the distance from the launch point that the rock achieves?

9. The area under a velocity – time graph represents:

a. acceleration
b. change in direction
c. speed
d. displacement

10. A missile is fired horizontally from the top of a 78.4m building with an initial velocity of 50.0m/s Its
horizontal range will be:
a. 392m
b. 158.8m
c. 200m
d. 98m

W:\homedrive\Physics 12\Vector Kinematics\Physics 12 - vector kinematics practice test.doc

 11. A ball moving with an initial velocity of 100m/s north is given an acceleration of 10 m/s2 south. What
will its velocity be after 6.0s?

12. A car travels 10.0km due east and then 12km in a direction of 45 degrees N of W. What is the
magnitude of the cars displacement?

13. A plane heads north with an airspeed of 420km/h. However, relative to the ground it travels in a
direction of 7 degrees W of N. If the wind is blowing towards the Northwest (45 degrees N of W), what
is the wind’s speed?

14. What is the magnitude of the final displacement of a car which travels 10km S, 2km W, and then 5km at
30 degrees North of East?

15. A boat crosses a river and aims at right angles to the shore. The speed of the boat relative to the water is
15.0km/h but there is a current parallel to the shore of 12.0km/h. What is the speed of the boat relative
to the shore?
a. 3.0km/h b. 9.0km/h c. 19.2km/h d. 27.0km/h

16. An airplane with an airspeed of 420km/h is heading due north. If there is a wind blowing due east with
a speed of 120km/h, what is the direction of the plane relative to the ground?

W:\homedrive\Physics 12\Vector Kinematics\Physics 12 - vector kinematics practice test.doc

 17. A ball is thrown a long distance across a field. Its flight along a curved path through the air lasts at least
six seconds. Its velocity vector a t a particular instant is horizontal. Neglect air resistance. Two
seconds before that instant its velocity vector was most like which of the following?

a. b. c. d. e.

18. A ball is projected vertically with a velocity of 60m/s. How long will it be until the ball reaches the top
of its flight?

19. A ball is thrown downwards from the edge of a cliff 25meters high. If the initial velocity was 32m/s,
what is its speed when it hits the ground?

20. An aircraft with an airspeed of 250km/h heads 19 degrees east of north. When it encounters a wind, its
velocity relative to the ground becomes 260km/h due north. What is the velocity of the wind? (speed
and direction)

W:\homedrive\Physics 12\Vector Kinematics\Physics 12 - vector kinematics practice test.doc