AP Physics 1 - Unit 1 Vocab

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Vectors

Quantities that have magnitude (how much) and direction (which way); examples include position, displacement, velocity, and force

Scalar

Quantities that only have magnitude; examples include mass and temperature

Position

Where an object is located compared to a relevant point

Displacement

Change in object’s position (vector)

Distance

How far an object has moved (scalar)

Velocity

Rate at which displacement occurs (vector); CAN be NEGATIVE if the object in question has moved in a negative direction (e.g., backwards or left)

Speed

How fast something moves (scalar); CAN ONLY be POSITIVE

Force

Push or pull on an object

Balanced Forces

Forces of equal magnitude but opposite direction

Free-Body Diagram

A diagram used to represent forces acting on an object