Units and Kinematics

Question 1

Vector

Answer 1

Quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Examples: displacement, velocity, force, acceleration, momentum, electric field strength, and magnetic field strength.

Question 2

Scalar

Answer 2

Quantity that has only magnitude. Examples: mass, length, time, density, energy, and temperature.

Question 3

Name the common trigonometric relationships.

Answer 3

sin θ = opposite/ hypotenuse – sin 30 = 1/2
cos θ = adjacent/ hypotenuse – cos 60 = 1/2
tan θ = opposite/ adjacent

Question 4

How do you find the magnitude of a vector?

Answer 4

Use the Pythagorean Theorem. Also use the theorem to find the components of a vector, particularly while working with projectile motion.

Question 5

Displacement

Answer 5

Vector quantity describing the straight line distance between the initial and final position.

Question 6

Velocity

Answer 6

A vector quantity describing displacement over time. v = Δx/ Δt.

Question 7

Instantaneous Velocity

Answer 7

At a single instant in time, v = lim Δx/ Δt, Δt –> 0

Question 8

Speed

Answer 8

A scalar quantity describing the actual distance traveled over time, s = d/ Δt

Question 9

Acceleration

Answer 9

A vector quantity describing the change in velocity over the change in time, a = Δv/ Δt.

Question 10

Instantaneous Acceleration

Answer 10

At a single instant in time, a = lim Δv/ Δt, Δt –> 0

Question 11

Which five equations describe motion with constant acceleration?

Answer 11

v = v0 + at
Δd = v0t + (at^2)/2
vf^2 - v0^2 = 2aΔd
v = (v0 + vf)/ 2
Δd = vt = ((v0 + vf)/ 2) t