Physics

Acceleration

the rate at which velocity changes

Average Speed

distance traveled divided by time during which motion occurs

Average Velocity

displacement divided by time over which displacement occurs

Dependent Variable

the variable that changes as the independent variable changes

Displacement

the change in position of an object against a fixed axis

Distance

the length of the path actually traveled between an initial and a final position

Independent Variable

the variable, usually along the horizontal axis of a graph, that does not change based on human or experimental action; in physics, this is usually time

Instantaneous Speed

speed at a specific instant in time

Instantaneous Velocity

velocity at a specific instant in time

Kinematics

the study of motion without considering its causes

Magnitude

size or amount

Position

the location of an object at any particular time

Reference Frame

a coordinate system from which the positions of objects are described

Scalar

a quantity that has magnitude (and possibly sign) but no direction

Speed

rate at which an object changes its location

Tangent

a line that touches another at exactly one point

Vector

a quantity that has both magnitude and direction

Velocity

the speed and direction of an object

2.1 Relative Motion, Distance, and Displacement

A description of motion depends on the reference frame from which it is described.

2.2 Speed and Velocity

Average speed is a scalar quantity that describes distance traveled divided by the time during which the motion occurs.

2.3 Position vs. Time Graphs

Graphs can be used to analyze motion.

2.4 Velocity vs. Time Graphs

The slope of a velocity vs. time graph is the acceleration.

Displacement (Equation)

Δd = df − d₀

Average Speed (Equation)

vavg = distance / time

Average Velocity (Equation)

vavg = Δd / Δt = (df − d₀) / (tf − t₀)

Position vs. Time Graph (Equation)

d = d₀ + v * t

Velocity vs. Time Graph (Equation)

v = v₀ + at

Average Acceleration (Equation)

aavg = Δv / Δt = (vf − v₀) / (tf − t₀)

Constant Acceleration (Equation)

v = v₀ + at

Displacement with Constant Acceleration (Equation)

d = d₀ + v₀ * t + 1/2 * a * t²

Velocity with Constant Acceleration (Equation)

v² = v₀² + 2a(d − d₀)

Projectile Range (Equation)

R = (v₀² * sin(2θ₀)) / g