Chapter 2: Kinematics

acceleration

the rate of change in velocity; the change in velocity over time

acceleration due to gravity

acceleration of an object as a result of gravity

average acceleration

the change in velocity divided by the time over which it changes

average speed

distance traveled divided by time during which motion occurs

average velocity

displacement divided by time over which displacement occurs

deceleration

acceleration in the direction opposite to velocity; acceleration that results in a decrease in velocity

dependent variable

the variable that is being measured; usually plotted along the y-axis

displacement

the change in position of an object

distance

the magnitude of displacement between two positions

distance traveled

the total length of the path traveled between two positions

elapsed time

the difference between the ending time and beginning time

free-fall

the state of movement that results from gravitational force only

independent variable

the variable that the dependent variable is measured with respect to; usually plotted along the -axis

instantaneous acceleration

acceleration at a specific point in time

instantaneous speed

magnitude of the instantaneous velocity

instantaneous velocity

velocity at a specific instant, or the average velocity over an infinitesimal time interval

Kinematics

the study of motion without considering its causes

model

simplified description that contains only those elements necessary to describe the physics of a physical situation

position

the location of an object at a particular time

scalar

a quantity that is described by magnitude, but not direction

slope

the difference in y-value (the rise) divided by the difference in x-value (the run) of two points on a straight line

time

change, or the interval over which change occurs

vector

a quantity that is described by both magnitude and direction

y-intercept

the y-value when = 0, or when the graph crosses the y-axis

acceleration of free-falling objects (gravity)

-9.8m/s² (negative when upward is positive)

Slope of a graph of displacement (x) vs time (t)

velocity (v)

Slope of a graph of velocity (v) vs time (t)

acceleration (a)

Kinematic Equation given only position, initial position, average velocity, and time (constant acceleration)

Kinematic Equation given only average velocity, velocity, and initial velocity (given constant acceleration)

Kinematic Equation given only velocity, initial velocity, acceleration (constant) and time

Kinematic Equation given only position, initial position, initial velocity, time, and constant acceleration

Kinematic Equation given only velocity, initial velocity, constant acceleration, position, and initial position

The 6 Basic Problem Solving Steps for Physics