Bennett Mechanical Test Velocity and Gravity 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A ball is dropped from rest. Approximately how fast is it falling after 3 seconds (ignoring air resistance)?
- About 10 m/s
- About 20 m/s
- About 30 m/s (Correct answer)
- About 90 m/s
Correct answer: About 30 m/s
Velocity equals g times time, so 9.8 m/s² × 3 s ≈ 30 m/s.
Question 2: Two balls of different mass are dropped together in a vacuum. Which hits the ground first?
- The heavier ball
- The lighter ball
- They land at the same time (Correct answer)
- The denser ball
Correct answer: They land at the same time
In a vacuum all objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass.
Question 3: What is the difference between speed and velocity?
- They are identical
- Velocity includes direction, speed does not (Correct answer)
- Speed includes direction, velocity does not
- Velocity is always larger
Correct answer: Velocity includes direction, speed does not
Velocity is a vector with magnitude and direction, while speed is only magnitude.
Question 4: A car travels 100 meters in 5 seconds at constant speed. What is its velocity?
- 5 m/s
- 20 m/s (Correct answer)
- 50 m/s
- 500 m/s
Correct answer: 20 m/s
Velocity equals distance divided by time, 100 m ÷ 5 s = 20 m/s.
Question 5: An object thrown straight up has what velocity at the highest point of its path?
- Maximum velocity
- Zero velocity (Correct answer)
- Constant downward velocity
- Increasing velocity
Correct answer: Zero velocity
At the peak the object momentarily stops before gravity pulls it back down.
Question 6: Gravity on Earth causes objects to accelerate at approximately what rate?
- 1.6 m/s²
- 9.8 m/s² (Correct answer)
- 32 m/s²
- 100 m/s²
Correct answer: 9.8 m/s²
Standard gravitational acceleration near Earth's surface is about 9.8 m/s².
Question 7: If a runner increases speed from 2 m/s to 8 m/s in 3 seconds, what is the acceleration?
- 1 m/s²
- 2 m/s² (Correct answer)
- 3 m/s²
- 6 m/s²
Correct answer: 2 m/s²
Acceleration is change in velocity over time, (8−2)/3 = 2 m/s².
Bennett Mechanical Test Velocity and Gravity 2
A ball is dropped from rest.
Approximately how fast is it falling after 3 seconds (ignoring air resistance)?