Kinematics Overview - NPHY-171E

These flashcards cover key concepts in kinematics including definitions, formulas, and equations related to position, distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Position

The location of an object with respect to an origin, represented on an axis.

Distance

The total length of the actual path taken by an object.

Displacement

The change in position of an object, calculated as (\Delta x = x_f - x_i).

Average Speed

The rate of change of total distance; calculated as (v_{av} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}}).

Instantaneous Speed

The rate of change of position at a specific point in time; expressed mathematically as (v = \lim_{\Delta t \to 0} \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}).

Average Velocity

The rate of change of displacement; calculated as (\mathbf{v}_{av} = \frac{\Delta \mathbf{x}}{\Delta t}).

Instantaneous Velocity

The rate of change of position at a specific moment; represented as (\mathbf{v} = \lim_{\Delta t \to 0} \frac{\Delta \mathbf{x}}{\Delta t}).

Average Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity; expressed as (\mathbf{a} = \frac{\Delta \mathbf{v}}{\Delta t}).

Instantaneous Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity at a specific point in time; given by (a = \lim_{\Delta t \to 0} \frac{\Delta \mathbf{v}}{\Delta t}).

Velocity Equation

The equation relating final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration, and time, given by (\mathbf{v}_f = \mathbf{v}_i + \mathbf{a}t).

Equations of Motion

Formulas that describe the relationship between distance, time, and velocity, including (\Delta \mathbf{x} = \mathbf{v}_i t + \frac{1}{2} \mathbf{a} t^2).