How to Solve Kinematics Problems Step by Step
FAQs on Kinematics Practice Paper: Key Questions and Answers
1. What is kinematics in physics?
Kinematics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion.
Key concepts include:
- Displacement
- Velocity
- Acceleration
- Time
- Motion in one and two dimensions
2. What are the main equations of motion in kinematics?
The main equations of motion (also called kinematic equations) relate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time for an object moving with constant acceleration:
- v = u + at
- s = ut + (1/2)at2
- v2 = u2 + 2as
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
s = displacement
t = time
3. What is the difference between distance and displacement?
Distance is the total length of the path traveled, while displacement is the shortest straight-line distance between the initial and final positions of an object.
- Distance is a scalar quantity (only magnitude).
- Displacement is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).
- Displacement can be zero even if distance is not.
4. How is average velocity different from instantaneous velocity?
Average velocity is the total displacement divided by the total time taken, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a specific moment.
- Average velocity = Total displacement ÷ Total time
- Instantaneous velocity = Slope of the displacement-time graph at a point
5. What are the types of motion studied in kinematics?
Kinematics studies several types of motion, mainly:
- Linear motion: Straight-line motion (one-dimensional)
- Projectile motion: Two-dimensional curved path (parabolic)
- Circular motion: Motion along a circular path
6. What is acceleration and how is it calculated?
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes with time. It is calculated as:
- Acceleration (a) = Change in velocity (Δv) ÷ Time taken (Δt)
7. Can displacement ever be greater than distance?
No, displacement can never be greater than distance because displacement is the shortest path between two points, while distance is the actual path taken.
- Displacement ≤ Distance always
- If the path is straight and unidirectional, displacement = distance
- For any other path, displacement < distance
8. What is a velocity-time graph and what does its slope indicate?
Velocity-time graphs show how velocity changes over time. The slope of this graph gives the acceleration of the object.
- Positive slope: Increasing velocity (acceleration)
- Negative slope: Decreasing velocity (deceleration)
- Zero slope: Constant velocity
9. What are the units of displacement, velocity, and acceleration?
Displacement is measured in metres (m), velocity in metres per second (m/s), and acceleration in metres per second squared (m/s2). These SI units are standard for solving kinematics problems in both CBSE and competitive exams.
10. Why is kinematics important for students?
Learning kinematics is important because it forms the base for more advanced topics in physics like dynamics, mechanics, and forces.
- Helps in solving real-life motion problems
- Essential for exams (CBSE, JEE, NEET)
- Fundamentals for engineering and science courses






















