Physics-Unit 1

Position

A location in space (a measurement)

Often given relative to a reference point

• Variable: Xi

• Unit: Meter

• Scalar Unit: Magnitude only (this means number)

Distance

The amount of space traveled through to get from starting position to ending position

• Variable: D

• Unit: Meter

• Scalar Unit

Displacement

The distance between the starting point and ending point. This includes direction!

• Variable: Triangle X

• Unit: Meter

• Vector Unit: magnitude and direction

Displacement = end point-start point

Speed

The rate that distance is being traveled at

• Variable:S

• Unit: Meters/second

• Scalar Units

Average Speed

The total distance an object travels divided by the total time it takes to get there

• Variable: S

• Unit: Meters/second

• Scalar Units

Instantaneous Speed

Rate of travel at one specific point

Velocity

The Rate of change for displacement of an object (speed+direction)

• Variable: V

• Unit: Meters/second

• Vector Unit

Average Velocity

The total displacement of an object divided by the total time needed for that displacement

• Vector Unit

Acceleration

The rate velocity is changing

• Variable: a

• Unit: Meters/seconds²

• Vector Unit