Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing concepts, definitions, formulas, and graphs for speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Motion

When an object changes its position, which is dependent on the reference point.

Reference point

An indicator that orients you; the place from where you measure, record, or witness an event.

Distance ($d$)

How far an object has moved, measured in units such as $\text{m}$, $\text{in}$, $\text{ft}$, or $\text{mi}$.

Displacement ($\Delta x$)

Distance and direction of an object's change in position; calculated as the difference (subtraction) from starting to ending point.

Speed ($s$)

The distance an object travels per unit of time, calculated as $\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$.

Speed triangle

A visual formula organizer showing distance ($d$) divided by speed ($s$) times time ($t$).

Average speed

Total distance traveled divided by total time traveled.

Instantaneous speed

The speed at any given point in time, such as the speed shown on a speedometer.

Velocity ($v$)

The speed of an object and the direction of its motion.

Velocity formula

The equation $v = \frac{d}{t}$, where $v$ is velocity, $d$ is distance, and $t$ is time.

Slope (on a distance vs. time graph)

Calculated as $\frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$, which represents speed.

Distance vs. time graph: constant speed away

A graph showing an object moving at a constant speed away from the reference point.

Distance vs. time graph: constant speed towards

A graph showing an object moving at a constant speed coming towards the reference point.

Distance vs. time graph: speeding up

A graph showing an object speeding up due to the line becoming steeper.

Distance vs. time graph: slowing down

A graph showing an object slowing down due to the line leveling out.

Distance vs. time graph: not moving

A graph showing an object not moving, represented by a flat horizontal line.

Distance vs. time graph: constant speed, stopping, then speeding up

A graph illustrating an object traveling at a constant speed, stopping, and then speeding up.

Acceleration ($a$)

Rate of change of velocity over time, occurring when an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.

Positive acceleration

Acceleration that occurs when an object speeds up.

Negative acceleration

Acceleration that occurs when an object slows down.

Acceleration formula

The mathematical formula $a = \frac{v_f - v_i}{t}$, where $a$ is acceleration, $v_f$ is final velocity, $v_i$ is initial velocity, and $t$ is time.

Slope (on a velocity vs. time graph)

Calculated as $\frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} = \frac{\text{velocity}}{\text{time}}$, which represents acceleration.