(Kinematic) Physics

What is kinematics?

The branch of physics that describes motion without considering its causes (forces).

What is motion?

A change in an object’s position over time.

What is distance?

The total path travelled by an object.

What is displacement?

The straight-line change from the initial position to the final position.

Is distance a scalar or vector?

Scalar

Is displacement a scalar or vector?

Vector

Can displacement be zero while distance is not?

Yes

What is speed?

Distance travelled per unit time.

What is velocity?

Displacement per unit time.

Is speed a scalar or vector?

Scalar

Is velocity a scalar or vector?

Vector

SI unit of speed?

m/s.

SI unit of velocity?

m/s

Formula for average speed?

Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time.

Formula for average velocity?

Average Velocity = Displacement ÷ Time.

What is acceleration?

The rate of change of velocity.

Si unit for acceleration ?

M/s2

Formula for acceleration

Acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) I time

What does positive acceleration mean

Velocity increases

Negative acceleration

Velocity decreases

Uniform motion

Motion with constant velocity

What is the acceleration during uniform motion

O

What does s represent

Displacement

What does u represent

Initial velocity

What does v represent

Final velocity

What does a represent

Acceleration

What does t represent

Time

SUVAT Equation 1?

v =u+at

When is v = u + at useful?

Displacement is not needed

SUVAT Equation 2?

s = ut + ½at².

When is s = ut + ½at² useful?

When final velocity is unknown.

SUVAT Equation 3?

v² = u² + 2as.

When is v² = u² + 2as useful?

When time is unknown.

SUVAT Equation 4?

s = (u + v)/2 × t.

When is s = (u + v)/2 × t useful?

When acceleration is not needed.

What does the slope of a distance-time graph represent?

Speed

What does a horizontal distance-time graph mean?

The object is stationary.

What does a steeper distance-time graph indicate?

Greater speed.

What does the slope of a velocity-time graph represent?

Acceleration

What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?

Displacement

What does a horizontal velocity-time graph mean?

Constant velocity.

What is free fall?

Motion under the influence of gravity only.

What is the value of gravitational acceleration on Earth?

Approximately 9.8 m/s² (often rounded to 10 m/s²).

In free fall, do heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects (ignoring air resistance)?

No. They accelerate at the same rate.