Question 1: Define acceleration and state its SI unit.

Answer: Acceleration is the rate at which an object changes its velocity, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).

Question 2: Explain the difference between constant acceleration and variable acceleration.

Answer: Constant acceleration occurs when an object’s velocity changes at a steady rate, while variable acceleration changes at a non-uniform rate over time.

Question 3: What is the formula to calculate acceleration when initial velocity, final velocity, and time are known?

Answer: a = (v - u) / t, where a is acceleration, v is final velocity, u is initial velocity, and t is time.

Question 1: A car accelerates from 0 m/s to 25 m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate its acceleration.

Answer: a = (25 - 0) / 10 = 2.5 m/s²

Question 2: An object accelerates at 4 m/s² for 5 seconds, starting from rest. What is its final velocity?

Answer: v = u + at = 0 + (4)(5) = 20 m/s

Question 1: Describe a basic experiment to measure the acceleration of a toy car rolling down an inclined plane.

Answer: Set up an inclined plane at a fixed angle, release the toy car from rest, measure the time taken to travel known distances, and calculate acceleration using s = ut + ½at². Variables include the angle of incline (independent), distance covered (dependent), and initial velocity (zero). Safety precautions involve ensuring the area is clear, handling the inclined plane carefully, and supervising students during the experiment.

Question 1: A cyclist accelerates uniformly from 5 m/s to 15 m/s over a distance of 200 metres. Calculate the acceleration.

Answer: Using v² = u² + 2as, rearranged as a = (v² - u²) / (2s): a = (15² - 5²) / (2 × 200) = (225 - 25) / 400 = 200 / 400 = 0.5 m/s²

Question 2: Describe what a positive acceleration indicates about an object's motion.

Answer: A positive acceleration indicates that the object’s velocity is increasing over time.

Question 1: Explain how understanding acceleration is important in designing safe vehicle braking systems.

Answer: Understanding acceleration allows engineers to determine the deceleration rate needed for vehicles to stop within a safe distance. This informs the design of brake systems, ensuring they can produce sufficient negative acceleration (deceleration) to stop vehicles effectively and safely under various conditions.

Question 2: Identify a technological application that relies on the principles of acceleration and briefly describe its operation.

Answer: Airbags in cars deploy rapidly during a collision, which involves rapid deceleration (negative acceleration) to reduce impact force and protect occupants.