Physics Prelim

Displacement

A measure of the change in position of an object, represented as a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction.

Vector Quantity

A quantity that requires both a magnitude and a direction for its complete description.

Speed

A scalar quantity that measures the rate at which an object moves over distance.

Velocity

A vector quantity that represents the time rate of displacement.

Relative Velocity

The velocity of an object as measured by a moving observer, calculated as the difference between the object's velocity and the observer's velocity relative to the ground.

Average Speed

The total distance travelled divided by the time interval.

Average Velocity (vav)

The total displacement (s) divided by the time interval (t), expressed as vav = s/t.

Instantaneous Speed

The speed of an object at a particular instant of time.

Instantaneous Velocity

The velocity of an object at a specific instant of time.

Acceleration

The rate at which an object changes its velocity, represented as a vector quantity.

Average Acceleration a(average)

The change in velocity (Δv) during a time interval (Δt), expressed as a(average) = Δv/Δt.

Constant Acceleration

A condition where the acceleration of an object remains the same, allowing the use of specific motion formulas.

SUVAT Formulas

Equations used to describe motion under constant acceleration, including v = u + at, s = 1/2(u + v)t, and s = ut + 1/2at².

Instantaneous Velocity from Graph

Can be determined by calculating the gradient of a displacement versus time graph.

Instantaneous Speed from Graph

Can be determined by calculating the gradient of a distance versus time graph.

Displacement from Velocity Graph

The area under a velocity versus time graph represents the displacement of an object during a time interval.

Distance from Speed Graph

The area under a speed versus time graph represents the distance travelled by an object.

Instantaneous Acceleration from Graph

Can be found by calculating the gradient of a velocity versus time graph.