AP Physics Summer Work

Scalar

A quantity that has magnitude but no direction.

Distance

The total length traveled by an object, independent of the direction.

Speed

How fast or slow an object is moving; the total distance traveled in a certain time.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Displacement

Change in the position of an object; it is relative to an axis and does not depend on the path taken.

Velocity

How fast the position of an object changes; the rate of change of displacement, describing speed with direction.

Force

The interaction between two objects, either a push or pull.

Net Force

The sum of all forces acting upon an object, determining if the object accelerates.

Acceleration

Change in velocity; the rate at which an object’s velocity changes.

Constant Velocity

State in which the acceleration is 0, indicating no change in the motion of the object.

Constant Acceleration

Condition where the rate at which the velocity of an object changes remains constant.

Negative Velocity

Indicates direction rather than speed; it means the object is moving in the opposite direction.

Balanced Forces

Condition in which the net force is 0, indicating no change in motion.

Unbalanced Forces

Condition where the net force is greater than 0, leading to a change in velocity or acceleration.

Specific Acceleration Description

Describing acceleration as 'speeding up/slowing down in the positive/negative direction.'