Average Speed, Average Velocity, and Acceleration

Flashcards covering key concepts of average speed, average velocity, and acceleration in physics.

Average Speed

Describes, in average, how fast an object moves during its motion; always positive and calculated as distance traveled divided by time.

GUESS Method

A problem-solving method consisting of Given, Unknown, Equation, Solve, and Substitute.

Average Velocity

The rate at which an object changes position; can be zero, positive, or negative, and is calculated as displacement divided by time.

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes; can be positive, negative, or zero and is calculated as change in velocity divided by time.

Displacement

The change in position of an object, which can be used to calculate average velocity.

Instantaneous Velocity

Velocity of an object at a specific moment in time.

Magnitude

The size or amount of a quantity; in motion, it refers to speed or velocity.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as velocity.

SI Units of Acceleration

Measured in meters per second squared (m/s²), indicating how quickly velocity changes.

Negative Acceleration

Occurs when an object is slowing down; represented by a negative value for acceleration.

Positive Acceleration

Occurs when an object is speeding up; represented by a positive value for acceleration.

Time Interval

The duration over which motion or change occurs, used to calculate speed and acceleration.

Distance

The total length of the path traveled by an object, irrespective of direction.

Changing Velocity

Occurs when an object changes speed, direction, or both.

Zero Velocity

When an object is at rest or not changing its position over time.