Kinematics Flashcards
Define Kinematics
The study of motion.
Define motion
The change in an object’s location as measured by an observer.
Define scaler
A quantity that has only size, magnitude.
Define vector
A quantity that has both magnitude AND direction.
Define distance
(d) - The total length of a path traveled by an object in motion. It is measured in meters.
Define position
(d with arrow on top) It is the distance and direction of an object from a particular point of reference.
Define displacement
(delta d with an arrow) It is the change in position of an object.
What is needed for vector scale diagram?
Vector scale diagrams need to be drawn using a specific scale of your choice. It is represented by a directed line segment.
How are vectors added?
They are added TIP-TO-TAIL.
What does the slope on a position time graph represent?
The slope of a d/t graph represents velocity.
What does the area under an acceleration time graph represent?
The area under an a/t graph represents velocity.
What does the slope on a velocity time graph represent?
The slope of an a/t graph represents acceleration.
What does the area on a velocity time graph represent?
The area under a v/t graph represents displacement.
What does constant velocity mean?
Constant velocity means uniform motion. The object will be moving at the same speed which produces a straight-line on a d/t graph.
What does non-uniform motion mean?
Non-uniform motion means the object did not travel in a straight-line. This results in a curved d/t graph.
What is the independent value in any graph?
The independent value is always time.
What is the acceleration on Earth’s surface?
The acceleration is always 9.8 m/s squared [down].
What is the sum of the vectors?
The sum of the vectors is called a resultant vector.
What does a negative sign mean in physics?
A negative sign is physics means the opposite direction.
Why does a projectile make a parabolic motion?
The trajectory of a projectile is in a parabolic motion because the horizontal motion (x) and the vertical motion (y) are independent of each other.
What does the horizontal motion of projectile do?
The horizontal motion is constant since there is no force acting horizontally on the projectile.
What is the horizontal distance of a projectile called?
The horizontal distance of a projectile is the range.
What does the vertical motion do?
The vertical motion of a projectile accelerates due to gravity.
What factor does the horizontal and vertical motions of a projectile share?
They both share a common factor of time.
Define average velocity
Average velocity is the total displacement (change in position) divided by the total time taken.
Define instantaneous velocity
The instantaneous velocity of an object is the velocity at a specific moment in time.
How does one find the instantaneous velocity?
To find the instantaneous velocity, one draws a tangent line at the specific moment in time and determines it’s slope.
What is a tangent line?
A tangent line is a straight line that touches a curve at a single point and extends in the same direction as the slope of the curve at that point.
