Kinematics Flashcards
What is distance?
Measure of how far an object travels
Distance is a scalar quantity.
What is the SI unit of distance?
m
What is displacement?
Measure of how far something is from its starting position; the change in position is the shortest path between two points
Displacement is a vector quantity.
What is the SI unit of displacement?
m
What is speed?
The distance travelled every second; rate of change of distance
Speed is a scalar quantity.
What is the formula for average speed?
Average speed = total distance / time taken
What is the speed if an object travels 20 m in 1 second?
20 m/s
What is velocity?
Similar to speed but also describes the direction; rate of change of displacement
Velocity is a vector quantity.
What is the SI unit of velocity?
m/s
Can velocity be negative?
Yes
What is relative velocity?
V = V + Vr
Where V0 is the velocity of the observer and v is the velocity of the object.
What is acceleration?
Rate of change of velocity; describes how much an object’s velocity changes every second
Acceleration is a vector quantity.
What is the SI unit of acceleration?
m/s²
What is the formula for average acceleration?
Average acceleration = change in velocity / time taken
How is change in velocity calculated?
Change in velocity = final velocity - initial velocity
What is uniform acceleration?
Rate of change of velocity remains constant over time
What is the acceleration due to gravity?
g = 9.81 m/s²
What is non-uniform acceleration?
Acceleration of an object varies over time
What is negative acceleration?
Slowing down or accelerating in the negative direction
What is the definition of instantaneous value in physics?
Value of speed, velocity, or acceleration of an object at any given point in time.
What are the kinematic equations used for?
To describe any object moving with constant/uniform acceleration.
List the four kinematic equations.
- v = u + at
- s = ut + (1/2)at²
- v² = u² + 2as
- s = vt - (1/2)at²
In the equation v = u + at, what do the variables represent?
- v - final velocity
- u - initial velocity
- a - acceleration
- t - time interval
True or False: An object falling in a gravitational field without air resistance has an acceleration of g = 9.81 m/s².
True