Kinematics of Translation (General Physics 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Kinematics of Translation (General Physics 1).

Kinematics

The branch of mechanics that describes motion in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration, without considering forces.

Dynamics

The study of forces and their relation to motion.

Translation

Motion in a straight line.

Displacement

The straight-line change in position from initial to final, with direction; Δx = x − x0.

Distance

The total length of the path traveled by an object.

Position

The location of an object in space at a given time.

Speed

The rate at which distance is traveled per unit time; a scalar quantity (speed = distance/time).

Velocity

The rate of change of position; displacement per unit time; a vector quantity.

Average Speed

Total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed.

Instantaneous Speed

The speed at a particular moment in time.

Average Velocity

Displacement divided by the total time elapsed.

Instantaneous Velocity

The limit of Δx/Δt as Δt → 0; dx/dt.

Relative Velocity

The velocity of a moving body as observed from a different frame of reference; may differ between observers.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity; a = Δv/Δt (instantaneous a = dv/dt).

Instantaneous Acceleration

The acceleration at a specific moment, given by dv/dt.

Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Motion with constant acceleration.

v = v0 + at

Velocity after time t for constant acceleration.

x = x0 + v0 t + 1/2 a t^2

Position after time t for constant acceleration.

v^2 = v0^2 + 2a(x − x0)

Relation between velocity, acceleration, and displacement for constant acceleration.

Free Fall

Motion under gravity with negligible air resistance; acceleration ≈ g = 9.81 m/s^2 downward, independent of mass.

Acceleration due to Gravity (g)

The constant downward acceleration of objects near Earth’s surface, g ≈ 9.81 m/s^2.

Projectile Motion

Motion of an object under gravity treated as two independent components: horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (uniform acceleration).

Horizontal Projectile

A projectile with initial motion mainly horizontal; horizontal component of velocity is constant (neglecting air resistance).

Vertical Projectile

A projectile with initial motion mainly vertical; vertical motion under gravity follows acceleration g.

General Projectile Motion

Projectile motion launched at an angle; horizontally and vertically decomposed into components; key quantities include range, time of flight, and maximum height.

Complementary Angles

Two projection angles that yield the same range for the same initial speed.

vx (horizontal component)

Initial horizontal velocity: vx = v0x; remains constant (neglecting air resistance).

vy (vertical component)

Initial vertical velocity: vy = v0y; changes with time as vy = v0y + gt.

Range

The total horizontal distance traveled by a projectile.

Time of Flight

Total time the projectile remains in the air.

Maximum Height

The highest vertical position reached during the flight; vy = 0 at the top.

Circular Motion

Motion along a circular path; characterized by centripetal acceleration toward the center and constant speed.

Centripetal Acceleration

a_c = v^2 / r; acceleration directed toward the center of the circular path.

Tangential Speed

Speed along the tangent to the circular path; for a circle, v = 2πr / T.

Period (T)

The time required to complete one full revolution in circular motion.

Centripetal Force

The inward force required to keep an object moving in a circle, F_c = m v^2 / r.

Velocity–Time Graph

A graph of velocity versus time; slope gives acceleration and area under the curve gives distance traveled.