Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

1. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object.

Which one of the following graphs best represents the variation with time t of the acceleration a
of the object?

A. a B. a

0 0
0 t 0 t

C. a D. a

0 0
0 t 0 t

(1)

2. A ball is released from rest near the surface of the Moon. Which one of the following quantities
increases at a constant rate?

A. Only distance fallen

B. Only speed

C. Only speed and distance fallen

D. Only speed and acceleration

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

3. Peter and Susan both stand on the edge of a vertical cliff.

V (Peter)

V (Susan)

Sea

Susan throws a stone vertically downwards and, at the same time, Peter throws a stone vertically
upwards. The speed V with which both stones are thrown is the same. Neglecting air resistance,
which one of the following statements is true?

A. The stone thrown by Susan will hit the sea with a greater speed than the stone thrown by
Peter.

B. Both stones will hit the sea with the same speed no matter what the height of the cliff.

C. In order to determine which stone hits the sea first, the height of the cliff must be known.

D. In order to determine which stone hits the sea first both the height of the cliff and the
mass of each stone must be known.
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

4. The diagram below shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object.

0
0 t

The area between the line of the graph and the time-axis represents

A. the average velocity of the object.

B. the displacement of the object.

C. the impulse acting on the object.

D. the work done on the object.

(1)

5. The diagram below shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object.

0
0 t

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

Which one of the following graphs shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the
object?

A. B.
a a

0 0
0 t 0 t

C. D.
a a

0
0 t

0
0 t
(1)

6. Which one of the following is a correct definition of displacement?

A. Distance from a fixed point

B. Distance moved from a fixed point

C. Distance from a fixed point in a given direction

D. Distance moved in a given direction

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

7. A car accelerates uniformly from rest. It then continues at constant speed before the brakes are
applied, bringing the car to rest.

Which of the following graphs best shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the
car?

A. a

0
0 t

B. a

0
0 t

C. a

0
0 t

D. a

0
0 t

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

8. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of a spaceship.

0
0 T t

The spaceship is at rest at t = 0.

The shaded area represents

A. the distance travelled by the spaceship between t = 0 and t = T.

B. the speed of the spaceship at t = T.

C. the rate at which the speed of the spaceship changes between t = 0 and t = T.

D. the rate at which the acceleration changes between t = 0 and t = T.

(1)

9. A particle moves from a point P to a point Q in a time T. Which one of the following correctly
defines both the average velocity and average acceleration of the particle?

Average velocity Average acceleration

displaceme nt of Q and P change in speed from Q to P
A.
T T
displaceme nt of Q and P change in velocit y from Q to P
B.
T T
distance between Q and P change in speed from Q to P
C.
T T
distance between Q and P change in velocit y from Q to P
D.
T T
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

10. Two stones, X and Y, of different mass are dropped from the top of a cliff. Stone Y is dropped a
short time after stone X. Air resistance is negligible.

Whilst the stones are falling, the distance between them will

A. decrease if the mass of Y is greater than the mass of X.

B. increase if the mass of X is greater than the mass of Y.

C. decrease whether the mass of X is greater or less than the mass of Y.

D. increase whether the mass of X is greater or less than the mass of Y.

(1)

11. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement s of a car. In which time
interval is the speed greatest?

0
0 A B C D t
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

12. A body starting from rest moves along a straight-line under the action of a constant force. After
travelling a distance d the speed of the body is v.

initial position
v

d
The speed of the body when it has travelled a distance from its initial position is
2

v
A. .
4

v
B. .
2

v
C. .
2

v
D. .
2 2
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

13. The graph shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of an object.

20

15

10
–2
a / ms

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
t/s

The object is at rest at time t = 0.

Which of the following is the velocity of the object at time t = 6.0 s?

A. 0.50 m s–1.

B. 2.0 m s–1.

C. 36 m s–1.

D. 72 m s–1.
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

14. An object is dropped from rest from a point several hundred metres above the surface of the
Earth at time t = 0. The object strikes the ground at t = T and air resistance is not negligible.

Which of the following sketch graphs best shows the variation with time t, of the speed v of the
object?

A. B.

v v

0 0
0 T t 0 T t

C. D.

v v

0 0
0 T t 0 T t
(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

15. Which of the following is a correct definition of average acceleration?

change in velocit y
A.
time taken

velocity
B.
time taken

change in speed
C.
time taken

speed
D.
time taken
(1)

16. An object has initial speed u and acceleration a. After travelling a distance s, its final speed is v.
The quantities u, v, a and s are related by the expression

v2 = u2 + 2as.

Which of the following includes the two conditions necessary for the equation to apply?

A. a has constant direction u and v are in the same direction

B. a has constant direction a, u and v are in the same direction

C. a has constant magnitude a has constant direction

D. a has constant magnitude u and v are in the same direction

(1)

17. A small steel ball falls from rest through a distance of 3 m. When calculating the time of fall, air
resistance can be ignored because

A. air is less dense than steel.

B. air resistance increases with the speed of the ball.

C. the air is not moving.

D. air resistance is much less than the weight of the ball.

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

18. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object moving along a straight
line.

0
0 t

Which graph shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the object?

a
A. a B.

0 0
0 t
0 t

a
a
C. D.

0
0 0 t
0 t

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

19. Two identical metal spheres are held above the ground as shown.

spheres

(not to scale)

ground

The separation between them is small compared to their distance above the ground. When the
spheres are released, the separation of the spheres will

A. remain constant.

B. decrease continuously.

C. increase continuously.

D. increase initially and then remain constant.

(1)

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Physics SL and HL MCQs Kinematics

20. A steel sphere is dropped from rest in oil. Which of the following graphs best represents the
variation with time of the speed of the sphere?

A. speed B. speed

0 0
0 time 0 time

C. speed D. speed

0 0
0 time 0 time
(1)

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