PHYS 204 EXAM / PHYS 204 FINAL
EXAM 2026/2027 PREP QUESTIONS
AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE EXAM
1. The motion of an object moving along a straight line is shown in an
acceleration-time graph. What is the change in velocity during the first 5
seconds if the acceleration is constant at -2.5 m/s²?
• A) 5 m/s
• B) 7.5 m/s
• C) -12.5 m/s
• D) -7.5 m/s
Answer: C) -12.5 m/s
Rationale: Change in velocity equals the area under the acceleration-time curve.
For constant acceleration, Δv = a × t = (-2.5 m/s²)(5 s) = -12.5 m/s. The negative
sign indicates the object is slowing down .
2. A driver steers a car traveling at constant speed. In which case is the
acceleration zero? (Assume level road)
• A) On a circular path
• B) On a straight line
• C) On a parabolic path
, • D) On an elliptical path
Answer: B) On a straight line
Rationale: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity (a vector quantity). Even
with constant speed, direction changes on curved paths produce acceleration.
Only straight-line motion at constant speed has zero acceleration .
3. Which particle has acceleration?
• A) A particle moving in a straight line with constant speed
• B) A particle moving around a curve with constant speed
• C) Both A and B
• D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B) A particle moving around a curve with constant speed
Rationale: A particle moving in a circle at constant speed has centripetal
acceleration directed toward the center of the circle. The velocity vector changes
direction, so there is acceleration. Straight-line constant speed motion has no
acceleration .
4. Can the equations of kinematics be used when acceleration varies with time?
• A) Yes, always
• B) No
• C) Yes, if average acceleration is used
• D) Only for constant acceleration
Answer: B) No
Rationale: The standard kinematic equations (v = v₀ + at, x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at², etc.)
are derived assuming constant acceleration. They cannot be used when
acceleration varies with time .
,5. A ball is fired horizontally at 260 m/s from a height of 52 m above a target. By
what vertical distance does it miss the center? (g = 9.80 m/s²)
• A) 5.0 cm
• B) 20 cm
• C) 39 cm
• D) 48 cm
Answer: B) 20 cm
Rationale: Time to reach target = distance/speed = 52/260 = 0.20 s. Vertical
displacement during this time: y = ½gt² = ½(9.80)(0.20)² = 0.196 m ≈ 20 cm. The
horizontal and vertical motions are independent .
6. A particle starts with initial velocity (-9.0 î + 15 ĵ) m/s and has constant
acceleration (2.0 î - 3.0 ĵ) m/s². What is the speed at t = 3.0 s?
• A) 3.0 m/s
• B) 6.0 m/s
• C) 6.7 m/s
• D) 11 m/s
Answer: C) 6.7 m/s
Rationale: v = v₀ + at = (-9.0 + 2.0×3.0)î + (15 - 3.0×3.0)ĵ = (-3.0î + 6.0ĵ) m/s. Speed
= √[(-3.0)² + (6.0)²] = √(9 + 36) = √45 = 6.7 m/s .
7. Which statement is true if car A's velocity exceeds car B's velocity at some
instant?
• A) Car A's acceleration is greater
• B) Car B's acceleration is greater
, • C) Accelerations cannot be determined from this information
• D) Both cars have the same acceleration
Answer: C) Accelerations cannot be determined from this information
Rationale: Velocity and acceleration are independent quantities. A higher velocity
at one instant does not imply higher acceleration. Acceleration depends on the
rate of change of velocity, not the velocity itself .
8. A rifle is aimed horizontally at a target 52 m away. The bullet's initial speed is
260 m/s. What is the time of flight?
• A) 0.10 s
• B) 0.20 s
• C) 0.30 s
• D) 0.40 s
Answer: B) 0.20 s
Rationale: Time = distance/speed = 52/260 = 0.20 s. Horizontal motion has
constant velocity since air resistance is neglected .
9. A ball and a bullet are dropped and fired horizontally simultaneously from the
same height. Which hits the ground first?
• A) The ball
• B) The bullet
• C) Both hit at the same time
• D) Depends on the bullet's speed
Answer: C) Both hit at the same time
EXAM 2026/2027 PREP QUESTIONS
AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE
ACCURATE EXAM
1. The motion of an object moving along a straight line is shown in an
acceleration-time graph. What is the change in velocity during the first 5
seconds if the acceleration is constant at -2.5 m/s²?
• A) 5 m/s
• B) 7.5 m/s
• C) -12.5 m/s
• D) -7.5 m/s
Answer: C) -12.5 m/s
Rationale: Change in velocity equals the area under the acceleration-time curve.
For constant acceleration, Δv = a × t = (-2.5 m/s²)(5 s) = -12.5 m/s. The negative
sign indicates the object is slowing down .
2. A driver steers a car traveling at constant speed. In which case is the
acceleration zero? (Assume level road)
• A) On a circular path
• B) On a straight line
• C) On a parabolic path
, • D) On an elliptical path
Answer: B) On a straight line
Rationale: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity (a vector quantity). Even
with constant speed, direction changes on curved paths produce acceleration.
Only straight-line motion at constant speed has zero acceleration .
3. Which particle has acceleration?
• A) A particle moving in a straight line with constant speed
• B) A particle moving around a curve with constant speed
• C) Both A and B
• D) Neither A nor B
Answer: B) A particle moving around a curve with constant speed
Rationale: A particle moving in a circle at constant speed has centripetal
acceleration directed toward the center of the circle. The velocity vector changes
direction, so there is acceleration. Straight-line constant speed motion has no
acceleration .
4. Can the equations of kinematics be used when acceleration varies with time?
• A) Yes, always
• B) No
• C) Yes, if average acceleration is used
• D) Only for constant acceleration
Answer: B) No
Rationale: The standard kinematic equations (v = v₀ + at, x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at², etc.)
are derived assuming constant acceleration. They cannot be used when
acceleration varies with time .
,5. A ball is fired horizontally at 260 m/s from a height of 52 m above a target. By
what vertical distance does it miss the center? (g = 9.80 m/s²)
• A) 5.0 cm
• B) 20 cm
• C) 39 cm
• D) 48 cm
Answer: B) 20 cm
Rationale: Time to reach target = distance/speed = 52/260 = 0.20 s. Vertical
displacement during this time: y = ½gt² = ½(9.80)(0.20)² = 0.196 m ≈ 20 cm. The
horizontal and vertical motions are independent .
6. A particle starts with initial velocity (-9.0 î + 15 ĵ) m/s and has constant
acceleration (2.0 î - 3.0 ĵ) m/s². What is the speed at t = 3.0 s?
• A) 3.0 m/s
• B) 6.0 m/s
• C) 6.7 m/s
• D) 11 m/s
Answer: C) 6.7 m/s
Rationale: v = v₀ + at = (-9.0 + 2.0×3.0)î + (15 - 3.0×3.0)ĵ = (-3.0î + 6.0ĵ) m/s. Speed
= √[(-3.0)² + (6.0)²] = √(9 + 36) = √45 = 6.7 m/s .
7. Which statement is true if car A's velocity exceeds car B's velocity at some
instant?
• A) Car A's acceleration is greater
• B) Car B's acceleration is greater
, • C) Accelerations cannot be determined from this information
• D) Both cars have the same acceleration
Answer: C) Accelerations cannot be determined from this information
Rationale: Velocity and acceleration are independent quantities. A higher velocity
at one instant does not imply higher acceleration. Acceleration depends on the
rate of change of velocity, not the velocity itself .
8. A rifle is aimed horizontally at a target 52 m away. The bullet's initial speed is
260 m/s. What is the time of flight?
• A) 0.10 s
• B) 0.20 s
• C) 0.30 s
• D) 0.40 s
Answer: B) 0.20 s
Rationale: Time = distance/speed = 52/260 = 0.20 s. Horizontal motion has
constant velocity since air resistance is neglected .
9. A ball and a bullet are dropped and fired horizontally simultaneously from the
same height. Which hits the ground first?
• A) The ball
• B) The bullet
• C) Both hit at the same time
• D) Depends on the bullet's speed
Answer: C) Both hit at the same time
