kinematics - motion in one dimension

distance (d)

the length of the path the object travels; how far an object goes

• scalar

• measured in meter (m)

• ex.) steps on a watch

time (t)

measured at an instant; when something happens

• measured in seconds (s)

• scalar

• ex.) school ends at 2:30pm

duration (Δt)

requires a beginning and an ending time; how long something lasts

• measured in seconds (s)

• scalar

• ex.) class is 83min long

position (_x^→)

where an object is 

• measured in meters (m)

• vector

• ex.) the car is 5m to the left of the house

speed (s)

how fast an object moves

• measured in m/s

• scalar

• ex.) 15mph

velocity (_v^→)

the rate at which an objects position changes

• measured in m/s

• vector

• ex.) 15mph north

scalar

quantities that only have magnitude

• values can only be positive

vector

quantities with magnitude and direction

• values can be positive or negative

• sign in front of the value tells the direction

• number is the magnitude

displacement (_Δx^→)

change in an objects position, from its initial position to its final position

• measured in meters (m)

• vector

acceleration (_a^→)

the rate of change in velocity; how quick an object moves

• measured in m/s²

• vector