Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
The difference between speed and velocity
20 practice questions
Practice questions
1–3 of 3 · Hard
Question 1
4 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A cyclist travels in a straight line and accelerates from an initial velocity of to a final velocity of in 3.0 seconds. Calculate the cyclist’s acceleration. Explain what the negative and positive signs of velocity indicate, and describe what happens to the cyclist’s motion over this time.
Question 2
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A hiker takes a trip starting at point X, walking 2.0 km east to point Y, then 1.5 km north to point Z, all in a total time of 45 minutes.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the hiker’s average speed for the journey. Give your answer in km/h.
(b)[3 marks]Calculate the hiker’s average velocity for the journey. Give your answer as a magnitude in km/h and a compass direction from X to Z (to the nearest degree).
Question 3
4 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →The velocity–time graph below shows the motion of a motorbike travelling in a straight line for 12 s. Use this information to answer the questions.
Velocity–time graph for a motorbike (a)[2 marks]Describe the motion of the motorbike from 0 to 2 seconds, and from 2 to 6 seconds.
(b)[2 marks]Calculate the acceleration of the motorbike from 6 to 10 seconds.