Motion Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of motion, including scalar and vector quantities, kinematics definitions, and graphical interpretations based on the GYAN VRIDDHI INSTITUTE science sheet.

Distance

A scalar quantity representing the actual path length covered by an object between two points; it can never be zero or negative for a moving body.

Displacement

A vector quantity representing the shortest length between the initial and final positions of an object; it can be positive, negative, or zero.

Wait/Mass Distinctions

While mass is a scalar, weight is classified as a vector quantity.

Ratio of Displacement to Distance

The numerical value of the ratio of displacement to distance is always equal to or less than $1$.

Uniform Motion

The state of a body when it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time.

Average Speed

A concept that arises specifically when the speed of an object is non-uniform.

Velocity

The speed of a body in a particular direction; it is considered variable or non-uniform if either the speed or the direction of motion changes.

Retardation

The negative acceleration of a body, with the SI unit identified as $m/s^2$ (or $m/s^{-2}$).

Distance-Time Graph Slope

The slope calculated from this graph represents the speed of the body.

Velocity-Time Graph Slope

The slope calculated from this graph represents the acceleration of the body.

Conversion Factor ($km/h$ to $m/s$)

To convert velocity from kilometers per hour to meters per second, the value is multiplied by $\frac{5}{18}$; for example, $36\,km/h$ is equivalent to $10\,m/s$.

Odometer

The specific device fitted in an automobile to measure the distance travelled by it.

Rectilinear Motion

The type of motion possessed by a car moving along a straight road.

Circular Path Displacement

For a body moving along a circular path of radius $r$, the displacement after completing half a revolution is $2r$.

Circular Path Velocity Direction

For a body moving at constant speed along a circular path, the direction of the velocity is always along the tangent to the circle.

Acceleration of a Free-Falling Body

A body falling freely under the action of gravity exhibits uniform acceleration.

Velocity at Maximum Height

When a body is thrown vertically upwards, at its maximum height, the velocity is zero but the acceleration is not zero.

Scalar Quantity

A physical quantity that has only magnitude and can be added arithmetically, such as distance, mass, or time.

Vector Quantity

A physical quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction, such as displacement, velocity, or acceleration.

Uniform Velocity Graph

For uniform motion, the speed-time graph is a straight line parallel to the time axis.

Uniformly Retarded Motion Graph

The velocity-time graph for this motion is a straight line inclined to the time axis, showing a decrease in velocity over time.

Rest

The state of a body whose position with respect to its surroundings does not change.