College Physics I: 1-D Kinematics Vocabulary

Vocabulary and foundational concept flashcards derived from College Physics I lecture notes on 1-D Kinematics, graphical analysis, and vector properties.

Physics 205 Problem-Solving Steps

The essential initial procedure for motion problems: Step 1 is to establish an origin, and Step 2 is to establish a coordinate system.

Scalar

A pure numerical quantity that possesses magnitude only (and can be positive or negative), such as temperature, energy, distance, or average speed.

Vector

A physical quantity defined by both a magnitude (length or value) and a direction, represented visually by an arrow.

Tip to Tail Addition

A graphical method for adding two vectors by placing the starting point (tail) of the second vector at the arrow head (tip) of the first vector.

Distance

A scalar quantity representing the total path length traveled during motion, which depends directly on the path taken (analogous to an odometer reading).

Displacement

A vector quantity representing the straight-line change in position between two points or times ($\Delta x = x_f - x_i$), independent of the path taken.

1-D

The standard spatial orientation in which right and up represent positive directions ($+x, +y$), and left and down represent negative directions ($-x, -y$).

Slope of a Position vs. Time Graph

The rate of change calculated as $\frac{x_f - x_i}{t_f - t_i}$, which equals velocity.

Area Under a Velocity vs. Time Graph

The geometric region bounded by the velocity curve and the time axis, which equals total displacement ($\Delta x$).

Average Speed

A scalar quantity defined as the total distance traveled divided by total time ($\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{time}}$).

Average Velocity

A vector quantity defined as displacement divided by total time ($\frac{\text{Displacement}}{\text{time}} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$).

Change Vector (\Delta)

A vector representing the difference between a final quantity and an initial quantity, calculated as final minus initial (e.g., $\Delta x_{i,f}$ or $\Delta v_{i,f}$).