Chapter 1: Motion in 1D and 2D

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental 1D and 2D kinematics concepts, including uniform and nonuniform motion, vector and scalar quantities, displacement, velocity, acceleration, and projectile motion.

Kinematics

The branch of physics dedicated to the study of motion.

Uniform Motion

Motion that occurs at a constant speed in the same direction.

Nonuniform Motion

Motion that involves a change in speed, a change in direction, or a change in both.

Scalar Quantity

A physical measurement that involves only size or magnitude without a specified direction (e.g., $15\,\text{km}$, $12\,\text{km/h}$, $2.5\,\text{min}$).

Vector Quantity

A physical measurement that involves both magnitude (size) and direction relative to a reference point (e.g., $15\,\text{km}\text{ [E of Ottawa]}$, $12\,\text{km/h}\text{ [N]}$).

Vector Notation

A symbolic representation consisting of a variable with a small arrow placed above it and the direction stated in square brackets after the unit (e.g., $\vec{d} = 11\,\text{m [W]}$).

Distance ($\Delta d$)

A scalar quantity describing the entire length of the path travelled by an object.

Position ($\vec{d}$)

A vector quantity indicating the separation and direction of an object relative to a reference point (typically the starting point).

Displacement ($\Delta\vec{d}$)

A vector quantity representing the change in position or the straight-line distance from an initial position to a final position ($\Delta\vec{d} = \vec{d}_2 - \vec{d}_1$).

Average Speed ($v$)

A scalar quantity defined as the total distance covered divided by the total time ($v = \frac{\Delta d}{\Delta t}$), with the SI unit of metres per second ($\text{m/s}$).

Average Velocity ($\vec{v}$)

A vector quantity determined by calculating total displacement divided by total time ($\vec{v} = \frac{\Delta\vec{d}}{\Delta t}$).

Acceleration ($\vec{a}$)

A vector quantity representing the rate of change of velocity with respect to time ($\vec{a} = \frac{\Delta\vec{v}}{\Delta t} = \frac{\vec{v}_2 - \vec{v}_1}{\Delta t}$), measured in units of $\text{m/s}^2$.

Slope of a Position-Time Graph

The graphical feature representing velocity ($\vec{v}$); a positive slope indicates motion forward or away from the reference point.

Instantaneous Velocity ($\vec{v}_{\text{inst}}$)

The velocity of an object at a specific instant in time, found by drawing a tangent line to a curve on a position-time graph and determining its slope.

Projectile

An object propelled or thrown into the air that moves under the influence of no external force other than the downward force of gravity.

Trajectory

The characteristic parabolic path traced out by a projectile moving through the air.

Independence of Perpendicular Components

The principle stating that the horizontal ($x$-direction) and vertical ($y$-direction) components of a projectile's motion act independently of each other.