Motion in 1D: Position, Distance, and Displacement

These flashcards cover essential terms related to motion in one dimension, including definitions and important concepts.

Position

The specific location of an object relative to a defined origin.

Displacement

The change in position of an object; it is a vector and has both magnitude and direction.

Distance

The total path length traveled by an object, a scalar quantity that does not include direction.

Origin

A reference point from which position, distance, and displacement are measured.

Scalar

A physical quantity that has only magnitude and no direction, such as distance.

Vector

A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as displacement.

Final Position (xf)

The position of an object after a certain amount of time or after a displacement has occurred.

Initial Position (xi)

The starting position of an object before any displacements occur.

Equation of Motion

xf = xi + d, which states that the final position equals the initial position plus the displacement.

Coordinate System

A system for representing points in space, which defines positive and negative directions.

Positive Displacement

Displacement measured in the direction considered 'forward' or 'positive' in a chosen coordinate system.

Negative Displacement

Displacement measured in the opposite direction of the chosen positive direction in a coordinate system.

Graphical Vector Addition

Combining two or more displacement vectors to find a resultant position or displacement visually.

Problem Solving in Physics

The process of applying concepts and equations to determine unknown values in a situation involving motion.

Total Distance Traveled

The sum of all distances covered, regardless of direction, during a motion.