Physics 101 (One Dimensional Motion Vocab)

Dimension

a measurable extent of some kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height.

Frame of Reference:

the view of the person or object observing the motion.

Distance:

total path traveled. Units are meters

Displacement:

Change in final and initial position. Vector, unites are meters

Speed:

The distance an object travels in one unit of time

Velocity:

Speed in a given direction. Speed plus direction.

Average:

Single number taken as a representative of a list of numbers, usually sum of numbers divided by how many numbers there are.

Instantaneous:

measured at a particular instant

Acceleration:

the rate of change in velocity

Slope:

rise/run

Area

the region bounded by the shape of an object

Magnitude

Refers to the general quantity or distance.

Scalar:

magnitude (size or number) only. Ex: mas, time, distance, speed

Vector:

magnitude AND Direction

Ex: displacement, velocity, force

Uniform:

remaining the same in all cases

Horizontal:

parallel to the plane of the horizon; at right angles to the vertical.

Vertical:

at right angles to a horizontal plane

Free Fall:

motion under the influence of gravity

Mass;

the quantity of matter in a physical body

MOTION:

the phenomenon in which an object changes its position in respect of space and time.