Kinematics: Motion, Reference Frames, and Equations of Motion

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental physics terms, reference frames, scalar and vector classifications, and kinematic equations from the lecture transcript.

Motion

The state of an object when its position changes with time with respect to a specified reference point.

Inertial Frame

A frame of reference that is at rest or moving with constant velocity, in which Newton's laws hold without modification.

Non-Inertial Frame

An accelerating frame of reference in which special corrections, called pseudo forces, are necessary to describe motion.

Scalars

Physical quantities having magnitude only, such as distance, time, mass, speed, and work.

Vectors

Physical quantities having both magnitude and direction, such as displacement, velocity, and force.

Resultant

A single vector that represents the combined effect of two or more vectors acting together.

Vector Addition

The process of combining two or more vectors to find a resultant vector using graphical methods like the triangle method or parallelogram method.

First Equation of Motion

The kinematic formula $v = u + at$, where $u$ is initial velocity, $v$ is final velocity, $a$ is constant acceleration, and $t$ is time.

Second Equation of Motion

The kinematic formula $s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$, where $s$ is displacement, $u$ is initial velocity, $a$ is constant acceleration, and $t$ is time.

Third Equation of Motion

The kinematic formula $v^2 = u^2 + 2as$, relating final velocity ($v$), initial velocity ($u$), constant acceleration ($a$), and displacement ($s$).

Fourth Equation of Motion

The formula $u + \frac{a}{2}(2n - 1)$, derived from $S_n - S_{n-1}$, which calculates the non-cumulative displacement specifically during the $n\text{th}$ second of motion where $n$ is a positive integer.

Accelerated Motion

Motion in which the velocity of an object increases or changes with time.