Physics: One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Motion, Velocity, Acceleration, and Vectors

Comprehensive vocabulary review flashcards covering one-dimensional and two-dimensional kinematics, scalar vs. vector quantities, velocity and acceleration equations, motion graphs, data tables, and vector addition methods.

Scalar

A physical quantity that has only magnitude (size or numerical amount) and no direction.

Vector

A physical quantity that possesses both a magnitude and an associated direction, commonly represented by an arrow pointing along its path.

Acceleration ($a$)

The rate at which an object changes its velocity over time, calculated using the formula $a = \frac{v_f - v_i}{t}$.

Initial Velocity ($v_i$)

The starting velocity of an object at the beginning of an observed time interval ($t = 0\,\text{s}$).

Final Velocity ($v_f$)

The concluding velocity of an object at the end of an observed time interval.

Deceleration

A negative acceleration that occurs when an object slows down over time, such as a sprinter slowing from $8\,\text{m/s}$ to a complete stop over $5\,\text{s}$ ($a = -1.6\,\text{m/s}^2$).

Slope of a Velocity vs. Time Graph

The steepness of the line plotted on a velocity-time coordinate system ($\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$), which is numerically and physically equal to the acceleration of the object.

Constant Acceleration

A steady rate of change where velocity increases or decreases by identical amounts in each successive second, such as a skateboarder accelerating at $3\,\text{m/s/s}$ down a hill.

Velocity vs. Time Coordinate Grid

A Cartesian plane with time ($t$) on the horizontal axis and velocity ($\vec{v}$) on the vertical axis used to graph linear motion and compute acceleration.

Velocity Equation

The constant-velocity kinematic formula defined as $v = \frac{x_f - x_i}{t}$.

Position ($x$)

The location of an object at any specific moment along a reference frame, measured in meters ($\text{m}$).

Initial Position ($x_i$)

The starting point or coordinate of an object before motion is measured, expressed in meters ($\text{m}$).

Final Position ($x_f$)

The ending coordinate of an object at the conclusion of a motion period, expressed in meters ($\text{m}$).

Velocity ($v$)

The vector rate of change of position with respect to time, measured in meters per second ($\text{m/s}$).

Vertical Intercept on a Position vs. Time Graph

The point where the plotted line intersects the vertical position axis at $t = 0\,\text{s}$, representing the object's initial position ($x_i$).

Negative Velocity

Movement occurring in the negative direction along a coordinate axis, indicating that position is decreasing over time.

Distance

A scalar measurement representing the full path length traveled by an object, regardless of changes in direction.

Displacement

A vector quantity representing an object's overall change in position from its start point to its finish point ($\Delta x = x_f - x_i$).

Magnitude

The numerical quantity, length, or size of a physical measurement, independent of which way it points.

Direction

The spatial path along which an object points or travels, designated by signs ($+$ or $-$) or compass/spatial orientations.

One-Dimensional Number Line Axis

A single linear coordinate line centered at origin $0$ with positive integers to the right and negative integers to the left, used to track 1D position and displacement.

Rest

A state of remaining stationary where an object's speed and velocity are equal to $0\,\text{m/s}$.

Examples of Scalars

Physical parameters having magnitude without directional information, such as distance, speed, time, and mass.

Examples of Vectors

Physical quantities requiring both an amount and a spatial direction to describe completely, such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Scale

A geometric ratio connecting drawing units to physical real-world distances, such as $1\,\text{cm} = 50\,\text{m}$.

Position vs. Time Data Table

A systematic tabulation of recorded clock times and corresponding spatial positions used to identify patterns and calculate speed or initial position.

Net Displacement

The overall resultant vector representing the total displacement of all combined motions, directed from the initial start point to the final end point.

Tip-to-Tail Method

A graphical vector addition procedure where the tail of each subsequent vector arrow connects directly to the pointed head of the previous arrow.

Cardinal Directions

Standard planar directional bearings used in vector problems consisting of North (pointing up), South (pointing down), East (pointing right), and West (pointing left).

Spatial Relative Directions

Direction terms defined relative to linear motion axes: Up, Down, Left (Backwards), and Right (Forwards).

Zero Net Displacement

The outcome of a round trip journey where an object ends at its original starting point ($x_f = x_i$), producing a net displacement of zero despite a positive distance traveled.

Two-Dimensional Motion

Motion spanning two perpendicular axes simultaneously (such as horizontal East-West and vertical North-South), resolved by analyzing distance and displacement independently on each axis.