Definitions Flashcards
Scientific Notation
The way scientists easily handle every large number/small number
Directly proportional
The rate of increase/decrease in one variable is the same as the rate of increase/decrease in the other variable
Aim
The answer to the investigative question/what you are trying to find out
Hypothesis
Your prediction of the outcome of your investigation
Independent variable
Variable that you change/what you are testing/the variable against what you measure
Dependent variable
Variable that changes as a result of the changes you make. Usually what you measure
Controlled variable
All other variables and conditions that are kept the same
Observation
A change that can be seen, heard, felt, tasted/smelt
Vector quantity
A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
Scalar quantity
A physical quantity that has magnitude only
Bearing
Given as an angle from 0° to 360° and is the angle clockwise from North
Resultant Vectors
A single vector that has the same effect as two/more acting together
Position
The place where an object is located (vector)
Distance
The length of the path travelled (scalar)
Displacement
A change in position (vector)
Average speed
The rate of change of distance (scalar)
Instantaneous speed
The speed at which an object moves at a particular moment in time
Average velocity
The rate of change of position/displacement (vector)
Instantaneous velocity
The velocity at which an object moves at a particular moment in time
Acceleration
Defined as the rate of change of velocity/change in velocity per unit time
Linear Motion
Motion in a straight line on a level surface
