Physics Position VS. Time Notes (Motion Basics)

Displacement

Change in the position of the object.

Displacement symbol

d

Displacement unit

m (meters)

If given cm or any other measurement than m (for displacement), what do we do?

Convert to m (meters)

Key phrase in displacement

“How far did the object go?”

Velocity

How fast an object is moving

Velocity symbol

v

Velocity unit

m/s (meters per second)

When we say “change in something,” we’re referring to…

the slope

If given mph or any other unit than m/s (for velocity), what do we do?

Convert to m/s (meters per second)

Key phrase in velocity

How fast did the object go?

Time

How long it takes an object to do something

Time symbol

t

Time unit

s (seconds)

If given hours/minutes or any other unit than s (seconds) (for time), what do we do?

Convert to s (seconds)

Key phrase in time

How long did it take?

Acceleration

Change in velocity over time

Acceleration symbol

a

Acceleration unit

m/s² (meters per second squared)

What’s on the y-axis on a POSITION - TIME GRAPH

distance (m)

What’s on the x-axis on a POSITION - TIME GRAPH

time (s)

Meaning of the y-intercept on a POSITION - TIME GRAPH

starting position of the object

Meaning of the slope on a POSITION - TIME GRAPH

velocity of an object

A big change in position over a small change in time results in…

Big slope = big velocity

A small change in position over a big change in time results in…

Small slope = small velocity

What’s on the y-axis on a VELOCITY - TIME GRAPH

velocity

What’s on the x-axis on a VELOCITY - TIME GRAPH

time

Meaning of the y-intercept on a VELOCITY - TIME GRAPH

Starting velocity of the object

Meaning of the slope on a VELOCITY - TIME GRAPH

Acceleration of the object

Meaning of the area under the curve on a VELOCITY - TIME GRAPH

the displacement of the object (change in distance)

Slope on a POSITION - TIME GRAPH =

change y / change x OR m/s OR velocity

Constant velocity - moving away from origin

Constant velocity - moving towards the origin

Origin = …

When position of distance is 0m

What is the slope of a horizontal line

0

On a horizontal line, what is the velocity?

Velocity is 0 b/c slope is 0 and slope = velocity

0 velocity means…

Standing still/stopped

Experiencing acceleration - Non-constant velocity - Speeding up away from origin

Experiencing acceleration - Non-constant velocity - Slowing down away from origin

Experiencing acceleration - non-constant velocity - speeding up towards the origin

Experiencing acceleration - non-constant velocity - slowing down towards the origin