1D Kinematics Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts of 1D kinematics including definitions, differences between terms, and details about graphs relating to motion.

What is needed to describe the motion of an object?

Its position relative to a reference frame.

Is position a scalar or vector quantity?

Position is a scalar quantity.

What does displacement indicate?

The change in position of an object; it is a vector quantity.

What is the definition of distance?

The magnitude or size of displacement between two positions.

How is time defined in physics?

As the interval over which change occurs.

What is the SI unit for velocity?

Meters per second (m/s).

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed has no direction and is a scalar; velocity includes direction and is a vector.

What are the SI units for acceleration?

Meters per second squared (m/s²).

What does a positive slope on a position-time graph indicate?

The object is moving away from the detector.

What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?

The total displacement of the object.

What happens to an object when it slows down?

Its acceleration is opposite to the direction of its motion.

What is the equation for displacement?

Δx = final position - initial position.

How is average velocity calculated?

Average velocity is displacement divided by the time interval over which that displacement occurred.

What indicates the speed change of an object over time?

Acceleration.

Describe instantaneous speed.

The magnitude of instantaneous velocity at a specific moment in time.

What does a zero slope on a position-time graph mean?

No change in position; the object is at rest.