Kinematics Terminology

Scalar

Quantities that are fully described by a magnitude (or numerical value) alone

Vector

Quantities that are fully described by both a magnitude and direction

Projectile

Any object propelled through the air by an initial external force

Distance

Scalar quantity that refers to how much ground an object has covered during its motion

Speed

Scalar quantity that refers to how fast an object is moving

Position

The exact location an object is located

Displacement

Vector quantity that refers to how far out of place an object is; its overall change

Velocity

Vector quantity that refers to the rate at which the position of an object changes

Average velocity

Vector quantity where total displacement is divided by total time taken

Instantaneous velocity

The speed and direction of an object at an exact moment in time

Acceleration

Vector quantity that is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity

Jerk

The rate at which an object's acceleration changes over time