AP Physics 1: Unit 1 - 4 Variables

x

position (m)

v

velocity: speed with direction; displacement over time (m/s)

Vavg

average velocity = total displacement over total time interval (m/s)

∆x

displacement = final position - initial position; how far an object ends from its starting position (m)

d

distance: total length traveled (m)

a

acceleration: rate of change of velocity (m/s²)

g

gravitational field strength; all objects with mass create a gravitational field (m/s² or N/kg)

∆t

time interval = tf - ti (s)

F

force: a push or pull; causes acceleration if unbalanced (N)

m

mass: resistance to change in motion (kg)

µ

coefficient of friction: dependent on materials only

k

spring constant: stiffness of spring (N/m)

∆x (springs)

compression/stretch of spring from equilibrium (m)

Ffs

static friction: the force that must be overcome to make an object move; the type of friction that prevents an object from slipping (N)

Ffk

kinetic friction: the friction between surfaces during motion; slows an object down (N)

Fg

force of gravity acting on mass; weight of an object (N)

FN

normal force: force from a surface; always perpendicular to the surface (N)

FT

force of tension: always pulls (N)

Equilibrium

net force = zero; balanced forces (no symbol)