Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes kinematics?

1. Study of force and acceleration

2. Study of motion without regard to forces

3. Study of energy transfer

4. Study of static equilibrium

The correct answer is: Study of motion without regard to forces

The definition of kinematics focuses on the description of motion. Specifically, kinematics examines how objects move, including aspects such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration, without considering the forces that cause this motion. This clear distinction is essential in the study of physics, as it allows for an understanding of motion in terms of the parameters of space and time, independent from the dynamics of forces that may be acting on the object. Other areas of study, such as dynamics, delve into the relationship between forces and the resulting motion, differentiating it from kinematics. The study of energy transfer relates more to dynamics and thermodynamics rather than kinematics. Static equilibrium, on the other hand, refers to objects at rest and involves forces balancing to maintain this state. In this context, none of these other subjects align with the essence of what kinematics encapsulates, thus reinforcing that focusing on motion alone characterizes this field accurately.