AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1: Kinematics

Scalars

Quantities that have only magnitude and no direction.

Vectors

Quantities that have both magnitude and direction.

Magnitude

The size or length of a vector.

Direction

The orientation of a vector in space.

Component Form

A vector expressed as r = ai + bj + ck, where i, j, and k are unit vectors.

Pythagorean Theorem

A method to find the length of a vector given its components.

Resultant Vector

The vector sum of two or more vectors, denoted as R = A + B.

Vector Addition

The process of determining a single vector from two or more vectors.

Tip to Tail Method

A geometric method of adding vectors by placing the tail of one vector at the tip of the other.

Inverse Tangent

Mathematical function used to find the angle of a vector based on its components.

Subtraction of Vectors

Adding a vector by reversing its direction, expressed as A - B = A + (-B).

Average Velocity

Total displacement divided by the time interval.

Displacement

The change in position of an object, represented as xf - xi.

Distance

The total length of the path traveled between two positions, a scalar quantity.

Instantaneous Velocity

The velocity of an object at a specific instant in time.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity over time, can be positive or negative.

Deceleration

Negative acceleration, where the velocity of an object decreases.

Projectile Motion

The motion of an object that is thrown or projected into the air under the influence of gravity.

Vertical Motion

Motion that occurs along the vertical axis, under the influence of gravity.

Horizontal Motion

Motion that occurs along the horizontal axis, independent of vertical motion.

Kinematics

The study of motion without considering the forces causing it.

Relative Velocity

Velocity of one object as observed from the frame of reference of another object.

Free Fall

The motion of an object falling under the influence of gravity alone.

Gravity's Acceleration (g)

Constant acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.8 m/s².

Motion in Two Dimensions

Motion analyzed using horizontal and vertical components.

Launch Angle

The angle at which a projectile is launched, impacting its range and trajectory.

Trajectory

The path followed by a projectile in motion.

Range

The horizontal distance traveled by a projectile.

Maximum Range

The maximum horizontal distance a projectile can achieve, ideally at a 45° launch angle.

Vector Resolution

Breaking a vector into its horizontal and vertical components.

Kinematic Equations

Equations that relate displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.

Optimal Launch Angle

The launch angle that provides the maximum range for a projectile, typically 45°.

Area Under Curve

Represents displacement in a Velocity vs. Time graph.

Average Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity over a time interval.

Slope of a Graph

Represents velocity in a Position vs. Time graph and acceleration in a Velocity vs. Time graph.

Units of Measurement

Standard quantities used to express physical quantities (e.g., meters, seconds).