Physics A.1 Kinematics

Velocity

a vector quantity that describes the rate of change of an object's

position with respect to time. It is measured in meters per second (m/s) and

is given by the equation v = Δx / Δt, where Δx is displacement and Δt is time.

Acceleration

a vector quantity that describes the rate of change of velocity

with respect to time. It is measured in meters per second squared (m/s2) and

is given by the equation a = Δv / Δt, where Δv is change in velocity and Δt is

time.

Displacement

a vector quantity that describes the change in position of an

object, measured from the starting point to the end point in a straight line. It

is typically measured in meters (m).

Distance

a scalar quantity that describes the total path length travelled by

an object, irrespective of direction. It is typically measured in meters (m).

Instantaneous velocity

the velocity of an object at a specific instant in time.

It is the limit of the average velocity as the time interval approaches zero and

is given by v = dx/dt, where x is position and t is time.

Average velocity

the total displacement of an object divided by the total

time taken. It is a vector quantity and is given by the equation v= Δx /

Δt, where Δx is the total displacement and Δt is the total time.

Average acceleration

the change in velocity of an object divided by the

time over which the change occurs. It is a vector quantity and is given by the

equation a = Δv / Δt, where Δv is the change in velocity and Δt is the

time.

Equations of motion

mathematical formulas that describe the kinematic

relationships between displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time for

objects moving in a straight line with constant acceleration.

Projectile motion

the motion of an object thrown or projected into the air,

subject to only the acceleration of gravity. The motion is described by

analysing the horizontal and vertical components separately.