Motion in straight line Flashcards
What are the characteristics of distance?
- a scalar quantity
- It refers to ‘how much ground’ an object has covered during its motion
- Measured in metres
What are the characteristics of displacement?
- vector quantity
- It refers to ‘how far out of place an object is’
- It is the object’s overall change in position (with reference to a starting position)
- Measured in metres
(apologies)
Vector quantities such as…
Vector quantities such as displacement are direction aware. (Displacement, being a vector quantity, must give attention to direction)
Scalar quantities such as…
Scalar quantities such as distance are ignorant of the direction
Characteristics of speed
- A scalar quantity
- Defined as the rate of change of distance
The formula for speed is?
Speed= distance ÷ Time taken
The formula for average speed is?
Average speed= total distance travelled ÷ total time taken
What is the unit of speed?
ms -¹
Characteristics of Velocity?
A vector quantity
Defined as the rate of change of displacement
What is the formula for velocity?
Velocity =
distance moved in stated direction ÷ time taken
What is the unit of velocity?
Unit of velocity = ms -¹
Characteristics of Acceleration
- A vector quantity
- Defined as the rate of change in velocity
What is the unit of acceleration?
ms -²
What does it mean when an object has a negative acceleration? And what is it said to be?
- When an object has negative acceleration, it means the object is slowing down since its velocity is decreasing with respect to time.
- The object is said to be decelerating.
Scalar quantity
No Direction. Scalars are quantities that are fully described by a magnitude (or numerical value) alone.
