1D Motion and Kinematics

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, 1D motion concepts, vectors and scalars, and metric unit conversions based on the lecture notes.

Physics

The study of the laws that govern the universe.

Mechanics

The study of motion.

Kinematics

The branch of mechanics that describes the motion of objects without necessarily discussing what causes the motion.

1-Dimensional Kinematics

Motion in a straight line (also known as 1-D motion).

Velocity

A measurement of how fast something is moving during a certain period of time in a certain direction, mathematically given by $v = \frac{d}{t}$.

Average Velocity

The velocity of an object calculated over a measurable time interval.

Instantaneous Velocity

The velocity of an object measured over a tiny time interval.

Speed

The magnitude (size or amount) of velocity that describes how fast an object is moving without providing information about direction.

Relative Speed

Speed that adds or subtracts depending on the observer's frame of reference.

Magnitude

The size or amount of a physical quantity.

Scalar Quantities

Quantities in physics that have magnitude (size or amount) only, such as speed, time, and temperature.

Vector Quantities

Quantities in physics that possess both magnitude and direction, such as velocity and acceleration.

System of International Units (SI Units)

The standard metric units (such as meters, seconds, and kilograms) adopted as the convention for all scientific research.

Metric Prefix

A multiplier written directly alongside a unit symbol with no space between to represent a power-of-ten scale.

Mega- (M)

A metric prefix representing a multiplier of $1{,}000{,}000$ or $10^6$.

Kilo- (k)

A metric prefix representing a multiplier of $1000$ or $10^3$.

Centi- (c)

A metric prefix representing a multiplier of $0.01$, $\frac{1}{100}$, or $10^{-2}$.

Milli- (m)

A metric prefix representing a multiplier of $0.001$, $\frac{1}{1000}$, or $10^{-3}$.

Conversion Factor

The mathematical relationship between two different units used to convert a quantity from one unit to another.