Velocity and Acceleration Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the principles of velocity, acceleration, and their real-world applications based on the Grade 11 Physics Module.

Velocity

The rate of change of displacement with respect to time; a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction.

Speed

A scalar quantity measured as distance divided by time, which does not require a direction.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity over time, occurring when an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.

Vector Quantity

A measurement that includes both a magnitude (number) and a direction, such as velocity or displacement.

Scalar Quantity

A measurement that has magnitude only and no direction, such as speed or distance.

Deceleration

Also known as negative acceleration, it occurs when an object is slowing down, resulting in a negative value in the acceleration formula.

Velocity Formula

$\text{Velocity} = \frac{\text{Displacement}}{\text{Time}}$, often written as $v = \frac{d}{t}$ with a directional vector.

Acceleration Formula

Determined by the equation $a = \frac{v_f - v_i}{t}$ where $v_f$ is final velocity, $v_i$ is initial velocity, and $t$ is time.

Meter per second squared $(m/s^2)$

The standard metric unit for measuring acceleration.

Average Velocity (Tesla Example)

The result of a car traveling $80\,km$ South in $1\,h$, which is $80\,km/h$ South.

Velocity of the Harbor Ferry

The calculation for a ferry traveling $1500\,m$ East in $300\,s$, resulting in $5\,m/s$ East.

Average Velocity (Canada Geese Example)

The calculation for a flock flying $250\,km$ North over $5\,h$, resulting in $50\,km/h$ North.

Race Car acceleration calculation

A car accelerating from rest ($0\,m/s$) to $30\,m/s$ in $4\,s$, resulting in $7.5\,m/s^2$.

City Bus deceleration calculation

A bus slowing from $20\,m/s$ to a complete stop ($0\,m/s$) in $5\,s$, resulting in $-4\,m/s^2$.

Flight Takeoff acceleration

The average acceleration of a jet increasing from $0\,m/s$ to $80\,m/s$ in $20\,s$, which is $4\,m/s^2$.

Automotive Engineering Application

Designing safety systems like ABS and airbags based on deceleration rates.

Aviation Application

Calculating runway length and fuel efficiency using acceleration requirements.

Sports Science Application

Analyzing an athlete's "burst" speed or acceleration to improve performance.

Space Exploration Application

Using precise vector calculations for escape velocity and orbital shifts.