Chapter#2
SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Give a short response to the following questions.
Q1. In a park, children are enjoying a ride on Ferris wheel as shown. What kind of motion the
big wheel has and what kind of motion the riders have?
Ans: The motion of big wheel is rotatory around its own axis while that of the riders is circular around
the axis of the wheel.
The motion of a body around its own axis is called rotatory motion. Here the wheel is moving around
its own axis. Therefore, its motion is [Link] motion of a body around any axis outside its body is
called circular motion. Therefore, the riders sitting on chairs of the wheel are in circular motion.
Q2. A boy moves for some time, give two situations in which his displacement is zero but covered
distance is not zero?
Ans:Yes, the displacement can be zero even if the distance is not zero.
(i) Circular Motion:
If the boy moves along the circumference of a circle and returns to his starting point, his displacement
would be zero because displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final positions.
However, the covered distance would not be zero as he would have traveled the entire circumference of
the circle.
(ii) Back and Forth Motion:
If the boy moves back and forth along a straight path, starting and ending at the same point, his
displacement would be zero because he ends up at the same position where he started. However, the
covered distance would not be zero as he would have traveled the distance back and forth between the
two points.
Q3. A stone tied to string is whirling in circle, what is direction of its velocity at any instant?
Ans: A stone is tied to a string and it is moving in a circular path. The instantaneous velocity of stone is
acting as tangent to the circle. That is the direction of velocity is perpendicular to the direction of
centripetal force.
Q4. Is it possible to accelerate an object without speeding it up or slowing it down?
Ans: Yes, an object can be accelerated without speeding up or slowing down. We know that
acceleration is referred as the rate of change of velocity and the velocity is the speed in a particular
direction and is a vector quantity. So, if the velocity can change its direction (while keeping speed
constant), the object is accelerating.
Q5. Can a car moving towards right have direction of acceleration towards left?
Ans:Yes, it is possible to have acceleration opposing the direction of velocity.
If a car is moving towards the right, then the direction of velocity and acceleration is the same i.e.,
toward the right. We apply brakes on the car then its speed decreases and a deceleration is produced in
it. In this case the direction of velocity is towards the right but the direction of acceleration is towards
the left.
Q6. With the help of daily life examples, describe the situations in which:
1. acceleration is in the direction of motion.
2. acceleration is against the direction of motion.
3. acceleration is zero and body is in motion.
Ans: 1. Acceleration in the direction of motion:
Example: A car accelerating on a highway. The acceleration is in the same direction as the car's
motion, increasing its speed.
2. Acceleration against the direction of motion:
Example: A car braking to stop. The acceleration (deceleration) is opposite to the car's motion,
reducing its speed.
3. Acceleration is zero and body is in motion:
Example: A train moving at constant speed on a straight track. Since velocity is constant,
acceleration is zero.
Q8. How do different controls in a car influence its acceleration and deceleration and why are
these controls essential for safe driving?
Ans: Car controls that affect acceleration & deceleration are
Accelerator pedal - increases engine power → speeds up the car (positive acceleration).
Brake pedal – applies brakes → reduces speed or stops the car (deceleration).
Clutch pedal (manual cars) – disengages the engine from wheels for smooth gear changes.
Gear lever – selects appropriate gear to manage power & speed.
Handbrake – locks wheels to keep the car stationary when parked or on slopes.
These controls are essential because they let the driver adjust speed, respond to traffic, and maintain
control, ensuring smooth driving and preventing accidents.
Q9. If two stones of 10 kg and 1 kg are dropped from a 1 km high tower. Which will hit the
ground with greater velocity? Which will hit the ground first? (Neglect the air resistance)
Ans: Neglecting air resistance, both stones fall with the same acceleration due to gravity (≈ 9.8 m/s²).
Hence:
1. Velocity : both hit the ground with the same final velocity.
2. Time to hit : both reach the ground simultaneously.
The mass does not affect the free-fall motion in the absence of air resistance.
Q10. A 100 g ball is released from rest and another is thrown downward with 10 m/s velocity.
Which has greater acceleration (neglect air resistance)?
Ans: Both balls have the same acceleration of 9.8 m/s² (or −9.8 m/s² downward). The acceleration due
to gravity is independent of the object’s mass or initial velocity, so both experience the same
acceleration.