AP Physics A Summer basic vocab

Scalars

Quantities described only by a magnitude (numerical value)

Vectors

Quantities described by both a magnitude and a direction

Example of a vector

200 N to the right

Position

An object's location along a number line/graph

Distance (scalar)

The length of the path traveled

Displacement (vector)

Refers to an object's overall change in position

Speed (scalar)

rate of change of distance

Velocity (vector)

Refers to the rate at which an object changes its position

Acceleration (vector)

Defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity

α

alpha - angular acceleration

β

beta - radiation particle

Δ

delta - a change in quantity

ε

epsilon - permittivity, electromotive force

φ

phi - angle (alternate), flux

γ

gamma - radioactivity, relativity

λ

lambda - wavelength

μ

mu - coefficient of friction

π

pi - mathematical constant

θ

theta-angle (primary)

ρ

rho - density, resistivity

Σ

sigma - sum of quantities

τ

tau - torque

ω

omega - angular velocity

Tera

T - 10^12

Giga

G - 10^9

Mega

M - 10^6

Kilo

K- 10^3

deci

d - 10^-1

centi

c - 10^-2

milli

m - 10^-3

micro

μ - 10^-6

nano

n - 10^-9

SigFig rule 1

Nonzero digits are always significant

SigFig rule 2

All final/trailing zeros AFTER a decimal point are significant

SigFig rule 3

Zeros between two other significant digits are always significant

SigFig rule 4

Zeros solely used as placeholders are NOT significant