PHYS 165 Module 3 Exam Physics: Portage
Learning | 2026/2027 Academic Year One-
Dimensional Kinematics & Motion Analysis
Abstract
This document constitutes the official PHYS 165 Module 3 Examination for the
2026/2027 academic year, administered through Portage Learning. The
examination encompasses 75 questions distributed across four foundational
domains of one-dimensional kinematics and motion analysis. The first domain
addresses displacement, velocity, and speed, evaluating the student's capacity
to distinguish between vector and scalar quantities, compute average and
instantaneous velocities, and interpret the significance of displacement versus
total distance traveled. The second domain focuses on acceleration and the
kinematic equations, requiring the application of the four standard uniformly-
accelerated-motion equations to solve for unknown quantities including final
velocity, displacement, and elapsed time under constant acceleration. The
third domain examines graphical analysis of motion, testing the interpretation
of position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs, including the
determination of displacement from the area under a velocity-time curve and
acceleration from the slope of a velocity-time curve. The fourth domain covers
free fall and acceleration due to gravity, emphasizing the behavior of objects
under the influence of Earth's gravitational field (𝑔 = 9.80 m/s2 ), including
objects dropped from rest, thrown vertically upward, and the symmetry of
ascent and descent trajectories. Each question is accompanied by a detailed
rationale, an analysis of incorrect distractors, and a reference to the relevant
course material or standard physics textbook. This examination assesses the
critical application of mathematical principles and proven methodologies to
understand the physics of one-dimensional motion.
Key Features
• ✓ Comprehensive exam format with 75 multiple-choice questions
, • ✓ Primary focus on 1D kinematics: displacement, velocity, acceleration,
and free fall
• ✓ Updated 2026/2027 physics curriculum standards
• ✓ Detailed rationales for each answer to enhance learning
• ✓ Coverage of graphical analysis and kinematic equations
Content Area Overview
Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Scalar vs. vector quantities,
displacement vs. distance,
Displacement, average velocity,
1-21 28%
Velocity & Speed instantaneous velocity, speed
calculations, coordinate
systems
Constant acceleration, four
Acceleration & kinematic equations,
Kinematic 22-39 problem-solving strategy, 24%
Equations variable isolation, units and
dimensional analysis
Position-time graphs,
velocity-time graphs,
Graphical
acceleration-time graphs,
Analysis of 40-57 24%
slope interpretation, area
Motion
under curve analysis, curved
graph interpretation
,Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Gravitational acceleration (𝑔),
objects dropped from rest,
Free Fall &
vertically launched objects,
Acceleration 58-75 24%
ascent-descent symmetry,
Due to Gravity
multi-step free-fall problems,
sign conventions
SECTION 1: DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY & SPEED (Questions 1-21)
Question 1
Which of the following quantities is a scalar quantity?
A) Displacement
B) Velocity
C) Acceleration
D) Speed
Rationale: Speed is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude only and no
direction. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration are vector quantities that
have both magnitude and direction. Scalar quantities are fully described by a
magnitude alone, while vector quantities require both magnitude and
direction for complete description.
Question 2
Which of the following quantities is a vector quantity?
A) Displacement
B) Speed
C) Distance
D) Time
, Rationale: Displacement is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude
(how far) and direction (which way). Speed, distance, and time are scalar
quantities. Displacement describes the change in position of an object,
including the direction from the starting point to the ending point.
Question 3
What is the difference between distance and displacement?
A) Distance is a vector; displacement is a scalar
B) Distance is the total path length traveled; displacement is the straight-
line change in position from start to finish
C) Distance and displacement are the same quantity
D) Distance includes direction; displacement does not
Rationale: Distance is the total length of the path traveled, regardless of
direction, and is a scalar. Displacement is the straight-line change in position
from the starting point to the ending point, including direction, and is a vector.
Distance can be greater than or equal to displacement, but never less.
Question 4
A person walks 3.0 km east, then 4.0 km north. What is the total distance
traveled?
A) 1.0 km
B) 5.0 km
C) 7.0 km
D) 9.0 km
Rationale: Total distance traveled is the sum of all path lengths: 3.0 km + 4.0
km = 7.0 km. Distance does not consider direction; it simply adds the
magnitudes of all segments of the path. Displacement would be the straight-
line distance from start to finish (5.0 km at an angle).
Question 5
Learning | 2026/2027 Academic Year One-
Dimensional Kinematics & Motion Analysis
Abstract
This document constitutes the official PHYS 165 Module 3 Examination for the
2026/2027 academic year, administered through Portage Learning. The
examination encompasses 75 questions distributed across four foundational
domains of one-dimensional kinematics and motion analysis. The first domain
addresses displacement, velocity, and speed, evaluating the student's capacity
to distinguish between vector and scalar quantities, compute average and
instantaneous velocities, and interpret the significance of displacement versus
total distance traveled. The second domain focuses on acceleration and the
kinematic equations, requiring the application of the four standard uniformly-
accelerated-motion equations to solve for unknown quantities including final
velocity, displacement, and elapsed time under constant acceleration. The
third domain examines graphical analysis of motion, testing the interpretation
of position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs, including the
determination of displacement from the area under a velocity-time curve and
acceleration from the slope of a velocity-time curve. The fourth domain covers
free fall and acceleration due to gravity, emphasizing the behavior of objects
under the influence of Earth's gravitational field (𝑔 = 9.80 m/s2 ), including
objects dropped from rest, thrown vertically upward, and the symmetry of
ascent and descent trajectories. Each question is accompanied by a detailed
rationale, an analysis of incorrect distractors, and a reference to the relevant
course material or standard physics textbook. This examination assesses the
critical application of mathematical principles and proven methodologies to
understand the physics of one-dimensional motion.
Key Features
• ✓ Comprehensive exam format with 75 multiple-choice questions
, • ✓ Primary focus on 1D kinematics: displacement, velocity, acceleration,
and free fall
• ✓ Updated 2026/2027 physics curriculum standards
• ✓ Detailed rationales for each answer to enhance learning
• ✓ Coverage of graphical analysis and kinematic equations
Content Area Overview
Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Scalar vs. vector quantities,
displacement vs. distance,
Displacement, average velocity,
1-21 28%
Velocity & Speed instantaneous velocity, speed
calculations, coordinate
systems
Constant acceleration, four
Acceleration & kinematic equations,
Kinematic 22-39 problem-solving strategy, 24%
Equations variable isolation, units and
dimensional analysis
Position-time graphs,
velocity-time graphs,
Graphical
acceleration-time graphs,
Analysis of 40-57 24%
slope interpretation, area
Motion
under curve analysis, curved
graph interpretation
,Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Gravitational acceleration (𝑔),
objects dropped from rest,
Free Fall &
vertically launched objects,
Acceleration 58-75 24%
ascent-descent symmetry,
Due to Gravity
multi-step free-fall problems,
sign conventions
SECTION 1: DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY & SPEED (Questions 1-21)
Question 1
Which of the following quantities is a scalar quantity?
A) Displacement
B) Velocity
C) Acceleration
D) Speed
Rationale: Speed is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude only and no
direction. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration are vector quantities that
have both magnitude and direction. Scalar quantities are fully described by a
magnitude alone, while vector quantities require both magnitude and
direction for complete description.
Question 2
Which of the following quantities is a vector quantity?
A) Displacement
B) Speed
C) Distance
D) Time
, Rationale: Displacement is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude
(how far) and direction (which way). Speed, distance, and time are scalar
quantities. Displacement describes the change in position of an object,
including the direction from the starting point to the ending point.
Question 3
What is the difference between distance and displacement?
A) Distance is a vector; displacement is a scalar
B) Distance is the total path length traveled; displacement is the straight-
line change in position from start to finish
C) Distance and displacement are the same quantity
D) Distance includes direction; displacement does not
Rationale: Distance is the total length of the path traveled, regardless of
direction, and is a scalar. Displacement is the straight-line change in position
from the starting point to the ending point, including direction, and is a vector.
Distance can be greater than or equal to displacement, but never less.
Question 4
A person walks 3.0 km east, then 4.0 km north. What is the total distance
traveled?
A) 1.0 km
B) 5.0 km
C) 7.0 km
D) 9.0 km
Rationale: Total distance traveled is the sum of all path lengths: 3.0 km + 4.0
km = 7.0 km. Distance does not consider direction; it simply adds the
magnitudes of all segments of the path. Displacement would be the straight-
line distance from start to finish (5.0 km at an angle).
Question 5
