AP Physics Vocabulary and Kinematic Equations

A complete set of vocabulary and kinematic equation flashcards based on AP Physics notes.

Displacement ($\Delta x$)

A straight line route from origin to destination.

Distance

Tracks every meter of the winding road, which displacement does not care about.

Velocity

How quickly and in what direction you are approaching your destination.

Speed

Tells you how fast your speedometer is spinning.

Acceleration

The rate at which the speedometer's reading and direction changes, described as the "velocity of velocity".

Graphs at Uniform Acceleration

Graphs depicting position vs. time, velocity vs. time, and acceleration vs. time for a constant acceleration of $a = 2\,m/s^2$.

Velocity-Time Equation

$v = v_0 + at$; used when position/displacement ($\Delta x$) is not needed.

Position-Time Equation

$x = x_0 + v_0 t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$; used when final velocity ($v$) is unknown.

Velocity-Displacement Equation (Time Independent)

$v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a(x - x_0)$; used when time is not given or needed.

Average Velocity "Shortcut" Equation

$x - x_0 = \frac{1}{2}(v_0 + v)t$; used when acceleration is unknown but both velocities are given.