🔍 Unit 1: Kinematics — Pre-Unit Diagnostic

Assessment FOR Learning — Teacher Feedback (SPH3U)

📋 Not Graded — Descriptive Feedback Only

Purpose: Reviews Grade 10 prerequisite skills (algebra, trigonometry, SI units, basic motion) so your teacher can identify gaps before Unit 1 begins. Show all reasoning.

Reminder formulas (Grade 10): \( v = d/t \) (constant speed) | \( c^2 = a^2+b^2 \) | \( \sin\theta = \tfrac{\text{opp}}{\text{hyp}} \), \( \cos\theta = \tfrac{\text{adj}}{\text{hyp}} \), \( \tan\theta = \tfrac{\text{opp}}{\text{adj}} \)

Q1 — SI Units & Conversion prereq

Convert \(72 \text{ km/h}\) to m/s. Show your conversion factors.

Q2 — Algebra rearrangement prereq

Solve \( v^2 = v_0^2 + 2ad \) for \( a \) (rearrange symbolically), then evaluate when \( v = 30 \), \( v_0 = 10 \), \( d = 100 \).

Q3 — Pythagoras & Trigonometry prereq

A right triangle has legs of \(3\) m and \(4\) m. (a) Find the hypotenuse. (b) Find the angle (in degrees) between the hypotenuse and the 4 m leg.

Q4 — Significant digits prereq

A student measures distance as \(125\) m (3 sig figs) and time as \(4.0\) s (2 sig figs). State the speed with the correct number of significant digits and explain.

Q5 — Reading a graph SPH3U intro

A position–time graph is a straight line going from \((0,0)\) to \((10 \text{ s}, 50 \text{ m})\). Describe the motion (qualitatively) and calculate the velocity from the slope.

Q6 — Concept (multiple choice)

A car drives \(50\) km north then \(30\) km south in 2 hours. Which statement is true?

The displacement is 80 km north.
The displacement is 20 km north.
The average speed is 10 km/h.
The total distance equals the displacement.

Q7 — Vector vs. scalar

For each quantity, state whether it is a vector or a scalar and explain in one sentence: speed, velocity, distance, displacement, acceleration, time, mass.

Q8 — Free fall reasoning

A coin and a feather are dropped simultaneously in a vacuum chamber. Which hits the ground first? Justify using physics, not just intuition.