4. 1 - Linear Motion Flashcards
what is a scalar quantity?
when measurements are described in terms of size/ magnitude
give examples of scalars.
mass
distance
speed
what is a vector quantity?
when measurements are described in terms of size/magnitude and direction
give examples of vectors.
weight
acceleration
displacement
velocity
momentum
how are vectors drawn?
using arrows
- length of arrow = magnitude
(longer the arrow, bigger the size)
- direction is shown by line of application, point of application and arrow head
define mass
the quantity of matter the body possesses
(Kg)
scalar
define weight
the gravitational force exerted on a given mass due to gravity
(N - newtons)
vector (it has size and direction - acting downwards from the centre of mass)
how do you calculate weight?
Mass (kg) x Gravity (9.8) = Weight (N)
define distance.
the path a body takes as it moves from the starting to the finishing position
(metres)
scalar
what do distance and displacement describe?
the extent of a body’s motion
- they tell us how far a body has travelled
define displacement.
the shortest route in a straight line between the starting and finishing position
(metres)
vector
define speed
the rate of change of distance
(m/s)
scalar
how is speed calculated?
speed (m/s) = Distance (m) / Time (s)
define velocity.
is the rate of change of displacement
(m/s)
vector
how is velocity calculated?
velocity (m/s) = displacement (m) / Time (s)
what does a straight flat line show on a distance time graph?
no distance travelled
- performer is stationary
e.g: netballer taking a shot
what does a straight diagonal line mean on a distance time graph?
line is constant
- the performer is travelling at the same speed
- distance run is changing at a constant rate
e.g: middle of a long distance race
what does a curved line that gradually gets steeper mean on a distance time graph?
more distance is being covered in a certain amount of time
- the performer must be accelerating
e.g: 20m at the start of a 100m race
what does a curved line that is steep but starts to level off mean on a distance time graph?
less distance is travelled in a certain amount of time
- deceleration is occurring
e.g: when the performer crosses the finish line
how do you calculate the gradient of a graph?
change in y axis / change in x axis
what does a straight flat line mean on a velocity time graph?
gradient is constant
- performer is travelling at a constant velocity
what does a curved line that gets steeper mean on a velocity time graph?
the gradient increases (it gets steeper)
- performer is accelerating (or moving with increasing velocity)
how would you find the gradient of a velocity time graph?
change in velocity / time
what does a curved line that decreases mean on a velocity time graph?
gradient decreases
- performer is decelerating (or moving with a decreasing velocity)
what does it mean if the line goes below the x axis on a velocity time graph?
there has been a change in direction
define acceleration.
the rate of change of velocity
(m/s^-2) or (m/s/s)
vector
what happens to acceleration when velocity increases or decreases?
increase in velocity: positive acceleration
decrease in velocity: negative acceleration
how do you calculate acceleration?
acceleration (m/s/s) = change in velocity (m/s) / time (s)