ASU PHY 121 Question and answers
correctly solved 2025
(RQ 1) In the study of physics, what distinguishes a scalar from a vector? -
correct answer ✔A scalar is specified with a single number, but a vector is
specified using both a magnitude and a direction.
(RQ 2) Describe the position versus time graph for an accelerating object. -
correct answer ✔The position versus time graph for an accelerating object is
a parabola. The parabola opens upward if the acceleration is positive, and it
opens downward if the acceleration is negative.
(RQ 2) Given a position versus time graph, how do you find a velocity versus
time graph and an acceleration versus time graph? - correct answer ✔The
velocity versus time graph is obtained by taking the slope of the position
versus time graph. The acceleration versus time graph is obtained by taking
the slope of the velocity versus time graph.
(RQ 2) How do you find the total distance traveled given a velocity versus time
graph? - correct answer ✔The total distance traveled is the area under the
velocity versus time graph.
(RQ 3) Suppose that you toss a rock upward so that it rises and then falls
back to the earth. If the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/sec^2, what is the
rock's acceleration at the instant that it reaches the top of its trajectory (where
its velocity is momentarily zero)? Assume that air resistance is negligible. -
correct answer ✔The rock has a downward acceleration of 9.8 m/s^2.
(RQ 3) What shape do we expect for a graph showing the position of a
motorcycle versus time if the motorcycle is speeding up with a constant
acceleration? - correct answer ✔The position versus time graph is parabolic.
, (RQ 3) Suppose that an object is moving with constant nonzero acceleration.
Describe the change in velocity with respect to time. - correct answer ✔In
equal times its velocity changes by equal amounts.
(RQ 3) Suppose that a car traveling to the west (the -x direction) begins to
slow down as it approaches a traffic light. Describe the acceleration and
velocity in the x direction. (Positive, negative, etc) - correct answer ✔Its
acceleration is positive but its velocity is negative.
(RQ 4) If you set the cruise control of your car to a certain speed and take a
turn, the speed of the car will remain the same. Is the car accelerating? -
correct answer ✔Yes (radial acceleration)
(RQ 4) An object has a position given by r = [2m + 1 m/s)t] i + [3m - 3
(m/s^2)t^2] j, where quantities are in SI units. What is the speed of the object
at time = 2.00 ? And how do you find it? - correct answer ✔12 m/s.
Uncertain.
(RQ 4) An object has a position given by r = [2m + 2 m/s)t] i + [3m - (1
m/s^2)t^2] j, where all quantities are in SI units. What is the magnitude of the
acceleration of the object at time t=2s? How do you find it? - correct answer
✔2 m/s^2 (Second derivative)
(RQ 5) A player kicks a soccer ball in a high arc toward the opponent's goal.
When the soccer ball reaches its maximum height, how does its speed at this
point compare to its initial speed? Assume air resistance is negligible. -
correct answer ✔The speed at its highest point is less than its initial speed.
(RQ 5) A football player kicks a football in a field goal attempt. When the
football reaches its maximum height, what is the relationship between the
direction of the velocity and acceleration vectors? Assume air resistance is
correctly solved 2025
(RQ 1) In the study of physics, what distinguishes a scalar from a vector? -
correct answer ✔A scalar is specified with a single number, but a vector is
specified using both a magnitude and a direction.
(RQ 2) Describe the position versus time graph for an accelerating object. -
correct answer ✔The position versus time graph for an accelerating object is
a parabola. The parabola opens upward if the acceleration is positive, and it
opens downward if the acceleration is negative.
(RQ 2) Given a position versus time graph, how do you find a velocity versus
time graph and an acceleration versus time graph? - correct answer ✔The
velocity versus time graph is obtained by taking the slope of the position
versus time graph. The acceleration versus time graph is obtained by taking
the slope of the velocity versus time graph.
(RQ 2) How do you find the total distance traveled given a velocity versus time
graph? - correct answer ✔The total distance traveled is the area under the
velocity versus time graph.
(RQ 3) Suppose that you toss a rock upward so that it rises and then falls
back to the earth. If the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/sec^2, what is the
rock's acceleration at the instant that it reaches the top of its trajectory (where
its velocity is momentarily zero)? Assume that air resistance is negligible. -
correct answer ✔The rock has a downward acceleration of 9.8 m/s^2.
(RQ 3) What shape do we expect for a graph showing the position of a
motorcycle versus time if the motorcycle is speeding up with a constant
acceleration? - correct answer ✔The position versus time graph is parabolic.
, (RQ 3) Suppose that an object is moving with constant nonzero acceleration.
Describe the change in velocity with respect to time. - correct answer ✔In
equal times its velocity changes by equal amounts.
(RQ 3) Suppose that a car traveling to the west (the -x direction) begins to
slow down as it approaches a traffic light. Describe the acceleration and
velocity in the x direction. (Positive, negative, etc) - correct answer ✔Its
acceleration is positive but its velocity is negative.
(RQ 4) If you set the cruise control of your car to a certain speed and take a
turn, the speed of the car will remain the same. Is the car accelerating? -
correct answer ✔Yes (radial acceleration)
(RQ 4) An object has a position given by r = [2m + 1 m/s)t] i + [3m - 3
(m/s^2)t^2] j, where quantities are in SI units. What is the speed of the object
at time = 2.00 ? And how do you find it? - correct answer ✔12 m/s.
Uncertain.
(RQ 4) An object has a position given by r = [2m + 2 m/s)t] i + [3m - (1
m/s^2)t^2] j, where all quantities are in SI units. What is the magnitude of the
acceleration of the object at time t=2s? How do you find it? - correct answer
✔2 m/s^2 (Second derivative)
(RQ 5) A player kicks a soccer ball in a high arc toward the opponent's goal.
When the soccer ball reaches its maximum height, how does its speed at this
point compare to its initial speed? Assume air resistance is negligible. -
correct answer ✔The speed at its highest point is less than its initial speed.
(RQ 5) A football player kicks a football in a field goal attempt. When the
football reaches its maximum height, what is the relationship between the
direction of the velocity and acceleration vectors? Assume air resistance is
