AP Unit 1 - Variables

X

position (m)

d

distance: total length traveled (m)

v

velocity: speed with direction (m/s)

F

Force: causes acceleration if unbalanced (N)

m

mass: resistance to change in motion

g

gravitational field strength: m/s^2 or N/Kg

V avg

average velocity: total distance interval over total time interval (m/s)

a

acceleration: rate of change of velocity (m/s^2)

△x

displacement: final position-initial position (m)

k

spring constant: stiffness of spring (N/m)

μ

coefficient of friction: dependent on material only

△x (springs)

compression/stretch of spring from equilibrium

equilibrium

net force = zero; balanced forces

△t

time interval: tf - ti (s)

FN

normal force: force from a surface; always perpendicular to the surface (N)

F fs

static friction: force required to overcome friction and make an object move; force that prevents an object from slipping (N)

Fg

force of gravity acting on mass; weight of an object (N)

F fk

kinetic friction: friction between surfaces during motion; slows an object down (N)

F T

tension: always pulls (N)