PHY C3: Uniformly Accelerated Linear Motion

What are Graphs in Kinematics useful for?

Representing changes during object motion and providing useful information.

What are the three possible graphs in Kinematics?

Displacement-time (s-t) graph, Velocity-time (v-t) graph, Acceleration-time (a-t) graph.

How is information obtained from Kinematics graphs?

Direct reading of a point, the gradient of the graph, and the area under the graph.

What does the Gradient of an s-t graph represent?

Instantaneous velocity.

What does the Gradient of a v-t graph represent?

Instantaneous acceleration.

What does the Gradient of an a-t graph represent?

No physical significance.

What does the Area under a v-t graph represent?

Change in displacement (Δs = ∫v dt).

What does the Area under an a-t graph represent?

Change in velocity (Δv = ∫a dt).

What does the Area under an s-t graph represent?

No physical significance.

What is a Problem-Solving Technique for Kinematics Graphs?

Be able to convert graphs from one form to another to fully analyse object motion.

What is Uniformly Accelerated Motion?

The motion of an object whose velocity is increasing at a steady rate.

What are the Kinematics Equations (Formulas)?

1. v = u + at

2. s = ½ (u+v)t

3. 3. s = ut + ½ at²

4. 4. v² = u² + 2as

What are the conditions for applying Kinematics Equations?

They apply only to motion in a straight line with constant acceleration.

What is the Problem-Solving Technique for Vector Quantities in Kinematics?

Define the positive direction. All quantities then take reference from this defined direction for their sign conventions.