PHY 150 PROJECT ONE SUPPLY DROP
PLAN – EXAM QUESTION BANK WITH
EXPLANATIONS
The PHY 150 Project One Supply Drop Plan applies two-dimensional kinematics to
accurately deliver a payload from a moving aircraft. The initial scenario requires
calculating the drop distance by treating horizontal and vertical motions
independently. From a height of 2,650 meters, the payload takes approximately
23.26 seconds to impact, during which the plane's horizontal velocity of 111.76 m/s
carries it 2,599.5 meters forward. The project then explores a modified scenario
introducing a 13-mph headwind, which reduces the effective horizontal velocity and
necessitates releasing the payload farther from the target to compensate. Finally,
the plan evaluates a ground-based catapult launch, analyzing projectile range and
launch angle to achieve a 400-meter target distance, demonstrating fundamental
principles of projectile motion.
SECTION 1: KINEMATICS FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–40)
1. Which of the following is the correct SI unit for acceleration?
A) m/s
B) m/s²
C) N
D) J
,Correct Answer: B – Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, measured in
meters per second squared (m/s²).
2. In the vertical motion equation y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at², what does the term "a"
represent?
A) Initial velocity
B) Final velocity
C) Acceleration
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: C – In this kinematics equation, "a" represents the constant
acceleration acting on the object.
3. What is the acceleration due to gravity (g) in SI units?
A) 9.8 m/s
B) 9.8 m/s²
C) 32.2 ft/s²
D) 9.8 km/s²
Correct Answer: B – The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s².
4. Which kinematic equation is used to find the time for a payload to fall from a
known height with zero initial vertical velocity?
A) v = v₀ + at
B) x = v₀t + ½at²
C) v² = v₀² + 2ax
D) y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at²
,Correct Answer: D – The equation y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at² is used with y₀ = initial
height, v₀ = 0, and a = g to solve for time.
5. A payload is dropped from rest. Its initial vertical velocity is:
A) 9.8 m/s
B) 0 m/s
C) 4.9 m/s
D) Depends on the plane's speed
Correct Answer: B – When dropped from rest, the initial vertical velocity is 0 m/s.
6. The horizontal motion of a dropped payload is independent of its:
A) Horizontal velocity
B) Vertical motion
C) Mass
D) Time of flight
Correct Answer: B – Vertical and horizontal motions are independent of each other
in projectile motion.
7. What is the standard conversion factor from miles per hour (mph) to meters per
second (m/s)?
A) 0.44704
B) 2.23694
C) 1.60934
D) 0.62137
, Correct Answer: A – 1 mph = 0.44704 m/s.
8. A plane flying at 250 mph has a horizontal velocity of approximately:
A) 111.76 m/s
B) 250 m/s
C) 400 m/s
D) 89.5 m/s
Correct Answer: A – 250 mph × 0.44704 = 111.76 m/s.
9. If a payload is dropped from a height of 2,650 m, the time to reach the ground
(ignoring air resistance) is approximately:
A) 16.4 s
B) 23.3 s
C) 30.1 s
D) 45.0 s
Correct Answer: B – Using y = ½gt², t = √(2y/g) = √(5300/9.8) ≈ 23.26 s.
10. Which variable is typically represented by "v₀" in kinematics equations?
A) Final velocity
B) Initial velocity
C) Average velocity
D) Velocity squared
Correct Answer: B – The subscript "0" denotes the initial value of a quantity.
PLAN – EXAM QUESTION BANK WITH
EXPLANATIONS
The PHY 150 Project One Supply Drop Plan applies two-dimensional kinematics to
accurately deliver a payload from a moving aircraft. The initial scenario requires
calculating the drop distance by treating horizontal and vertical motions
independently. From a height of 2,650 meters, the payload takes approximately
23.26 seconds to impact, during which the plane's horizontal velocity of 111.76 m/s
carries it 2,599.5 meters forward. The project then explores a modified scenario
introducing a 13-mph headwind, which reduces the effective horizontal velocity and
necessitates releasing the payload farther from the target to compensate. Finally,
the plan evaluates a ground-based catapult launch, analyzing projectile range and
launch angle to achieve a 400-meter target distance, demonstrating fundamental
principles of projectile motion.
SECTION 1: KINEMATICS FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–40)
1. Which of the following is the correct SI unit for acceleration?
A) m/s
B) m/s²
C) N
D) J
,Correct Answer: B – Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, measured in
meters per second squared (m/s²).
2. In the vertical motion equation y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at², what does the term "a"
represent?
A) Initial velocity
B) Final velocity
C) Acceleration
D) Displacement
Correct Answer: C – In this kinematics equation, "a" represents the constant
acceleration acting on the object.
3. What is the acceleration due to gravity (g) in SI units?
A) 9.8 m/s
B) 9.8 m/s²
C) 32.2 ft/s²
D) 9.8 km/s²
Correct Answer: B – The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s².
4. Which kinematic equation is used to find the time for a payload to fall from a
known height with zero initial vertical velocity?
A) v = v₀ + at
B) x = v₀t + ½at²
C) v² = v₀² + 2ax
D) y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at²
,Correct Answer: D – The equation y = y₀ + v₀t + ½at² is used with y₀ = initial
height, v₀ = 0, and a = g to solve for time.
5. A payload is dropped from rest. Its initial vertical velocity is:
A) 9.8 m/s
B) 0 m/s
C) 4.9 m/s
D) Depends on the plane's speed
Correct Answer: B – When dropped from rest, the initial vertical velocity is 0 m/s.
6. The horizontal motion of a dropped payload is independent of its:
A) Horizontal velocity
B) Vertical motion
C) Mass
D) Time of flight
Correct Answer: B – Vertical and horizontal motions are independent of each other
in projectile motion.
7. What is the standard conversion factor from miles per hour (mph) to meters per
second (m/s)?
A) 0.44704
B) 2.23694
C) 1.60934
D) 0.62137
, Correct Answer: A – 1 mph = 0.44704 m/s.
8. A plane flying at 250 mph has a horizontal velocity of approximately:
A) 111.76 m/s
B) 250 m/s
C) 400 m/s
D) 89.5 m/s
Correct Answer: A – 250 mph × 0.44704 = 111.76 m/s.
9. If a payload is dropped from a height of 2,650 m, the time to reach the ground
(ignoring air resistance) is approximately:
A) 16.4 s
B) 23.3 s
C) 30.1 s
D) 45.0 s
Correct Answer: B – Using y = ½gt², t = √(2y/g) = √(5300/9.8) ≈ 23.26 s.
10. Which variable is typically represented by "v₀" in kinematics equations?
A) Final velocity
B) Initial velocity
C) Average velocity
D) Velocity squared
Correct Answer: B – The subscript "0" denotes the initial value of a quantity.
