Linear Motion Objectives

Key Questions

• What variables affect an object's movement?

• How do forces govern motion?

• How is motion described, measured, and analyzed?

What You Should KNOW

• The slope of a graph has physical significance.

• SI units are the standard.

• Inertia: Objects stay at rest or constant velocity unless acted upon by a force.

• Forces cause acceleration (speeding up or slowing down).

• Linear motion involves constant velocity or acceleration.

• Free fall near Earth's surface accelerates due to gravity.

• Friction causes deviations from theoretical motion.

What You Should BE ABLE To

• Select and use formulas to calculate velocity, displacement, acceleration, or time.

• Construct and interpret motion graphs (d vs. t, v vs. t, a vs. t), including slope and area under the curve.

• Describe motion in equilibrium vs. non-equilibrium.

• Describe the role of forces in changing motion.

• Collect, analyze, and evaluate data quality for objects in motion.

• Convert between units.

• Estimate length and velocity.

• Plot a graph and determine slope using Excel.

What You Should UNDERSTAND

• Universal motion states: equilibrium or acceleration.