Chapter 3: Motion Along a Straight Line

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to Chapter 3 on motion along a straight line.

Position

Where an object is located relative to a chosen frame of reference.

Displacement

The change in position of an object, which is a vector quantity.

Distance traveled

The total length of the path taken between two points, a scalar quantity.

Average velocity

Displacement divided by the time during which it takes place.

Instantaneous velocity

The velocity of an object at a specific instant, typically defined as the limit of average velocity as the time interval approaches zero.

Speed

The magnitude of velocity, a scalar quantity without direction.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity, measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).

Average acceleration

The change in velocity over the time interval during which that change occurs.

Instantaneous acceleration

The acceleration of an object at a specific point in time.

Free fall

The motion of an object under the influence of gravitational force alone.

Gravity

The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.

Kinematics

The branch of physics that describes the motion of objects without considering the causes of motion.

Constant acceleration

A situation where the acceleration of an object remains the same throughout the motion.

Frame of reference

A coordinate system used to define the position of an object.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Scalar

A quantity that has magnitude only and no direction.

Total displacement

The vector sum of all individual displacements over a given time period.

Elapsed time

The difference between the ending time and the beginning time of an event.

Magnitude of displacement

The absolute value of displacement, always positive.

Velocity-time graph

A graph that shows the relationship between the velocity and time of an object.

Position-time graph

A graph that shows the relationship between the position of an object and time.

Acceleration due to gravity (g)

The acceleration experienced by an object when falling freely under the influence of gravity.

SI unit for displacement

Meter (m), the standard unit of length in the International System of Units.

Magnitude of average velocity

The absolute value of the average velocity, which is a scalar quantity.

Air resistance

The forces that work against the motion of an object through the air.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Three physical laws that together form the foundation for classical mechanics.

Velocity from acceleration

The final velocity can be calculated from the initial velocity and the acceleration over a period of time.

Velocity of free fall

In free fall, an object accelerates at approximately 9.8 m/s² towards Earth.

Position from average velocity

The position of an object can be derived from multiplying the average velocity by time.

Determining maximum height

To find the maximum height in free fall, set final velocity to zero and solve for displacement.

Kinematic equations

Equations that relate displacement, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time.

Two-body pursuit problem

A problem in kinematics where two objects are moving and one is trying to catch the other.

Total distance traveled vs displacement

Total distance is never less than displacement, and it is always a positive value.

Instantaneous speed

The speed of an object at a specific instant in time, the absolute value of instantaneous velocity.

Magnitude of acceleration

The absolute value of acceleration, also expressed as meters per second squared.