Position is an object's location in space , relative to a reference point .

Define displacement .

Displacement is the change in an object's position .

Why is position a vector quantity?

Position is measured relative to a reference point , which gives it a direction as well as a magnitude.

True or False? An object's displacement depends on the route it takes between its start and finish positions.

False. Displacement is the difference between the starting and finishing positions, regardless of the route taken.

When a problem describes something as an object , which properties are ignored?

Size Shape Internal configuration

In physics, an object can be modeled as a point .......... or a point .......... .

In physics, an object can be modeled as a point mass or a point charge .

Speed is the distance traveled by an object per unit time .

Velocity is the displacement of an object per unit time (the rate of change of its position).

Why is an object's average speed often different from the magnitude of its average velocity?

Average speed uses the total distance traveled along the route, while average velocity uses the displacement from start to finish; these differ when the route is not a straight line.

True or False? An object moving at a constant speed must have a constant velocity.

False. If the object changes direction , its velocity changes even though its speed stays constant.

What does a negative velocity indicate?

The object is traveling in the opposite direction to the direction chosen as positive.

Calculating the average velocity over a very small time interval gives a value close to the .......... velocity.

Calculating the average velocity over a very small time interval gives a value close to the instantaneous velocity.

Define acceleration .

Acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity .

Name two ways an object's velocity can change to give an acceleration.

A change in the magnitude of the velocity (its speed) A change in direction

What is the difference between average and instantaneous acceleration?

Instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific instant of time Average acceleration describes a whole period , using the change in velocity over the time interval

True or False? A negative acceleration always means an object is slowing down.

False. The sign only shows the direction of the acceleration vector; a falling ball has a negative (downward) acceleration but is speeding up .

A ball is thrown vertically upward. How does its acceleration change during its flight, if air resistance is ignored?

It does not change; the acceleration is constant in magnitude and downward , because the only force acting is weight .

At the instant a ball thrown vertically upward changes direction, its speed is .......... .

At the instant a ball thrown vertically upward changes direction, its speed is zero .

AP®PhysicsCollege BoardPhysics 1: Algebra-BasedFlashcardsUnit 1: KinematicsDisplacement, Velocity & Acceleration

Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based): Flashcards

1/22

0Still learning

Know0

FrontDisplacement
Define position.

Was this flashcard helpful?

Cards in this collection (22)

Define position.
Position is an object's location in space, relative to a reference point.
Define displacement.
Displacement is the change in an object's position.
Why is position a vector quantity?
Position is measured relative to a reference point, which gives it a direction as well as a magnitude.
State the equation for displacement.
$∆ x = x - x_{0}$
- $∆ x$ = displacement (m)
- $x$ = final position (m)
- $x_{0}$ = initial position (m)
True or False?
An object's displacement depends on the route it takes between its start and finish positions.
False.
Displacement is the difference between the starting and finishing positions, regardless of the route taken.
When a problem describes something as an object, which properties are ignored?
- Size
- Shape
- Internal configuration
In physics, an object can be modeled as a point .......... or a point ...........
In physics, an object can be modeled as a point mass or a point charge.
Define speed.
Speed is the distance traveled by an object per unit time.
Define velocity.
Velocity is the displacement of an object per unit time (the rate of change of its position).
State the equation for average velocity.
${\vec{v}}_{avg} = \frac{∆ \vec{x}}{∆ t}$
- ${\vec{v}}_{avg}$ = average velocity (m/s)
- $∆ \vec{x}$ = displacement (m)
- $∆ t$ = time interval (s)
How is average speed calculated?
$average speed = \frac{total distance traveled}{total time taken}$
Why is an object's average speed often different from the magnitude of its average velocity?
Average speed uses the total distance traveled along the route, while average velocity uses the displacement from start to finish; these differ when the route is not a straight line.
True or False?
An object moving at a constant speed must have a constant velocity.
False.
If the object changes direction, its velocity changes even though its speed stays constant.
What does a negative velocity indicate?
The object is traveling in the opposite direction to the direction chosen as positive.
Calculating the average velocity over a very small time interval gives a value close to the .......... velocity.
Calculating the average velocity over a very small time interval gives a value close to the instantaneous velocity.
Define acceleration.
Acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity.
Name two ways an object's velocity can change to give an acceleration.
- A change in the magnitude of the velocity (its speed)
- A change in direction
State the equation for average acceleration.
${\vec{a}}_{avg} = \frac{∆ \vec{v}}{∆ t}$
- ${\vec{a}}_{avg}$ = average acceleration (m/s²)
- $∆ \vec{v}$ = change in velocity (m/s)
- $∆ t$ = time interval (s)
What is the difference between average and instantaneous acceleration?
- Instantaneous acceleration is the acceleration at a specific instant of time
- Average acceleration describes a whole period, using the change in velocity over the time interval
True or False?
A negative acceleration always means an object is slowing down.
False.
The sign only shows the direction of the acceleration vector; a falling ball has a negative (downward) acceleration but is speeding up.
A ball is thrown vertically upward. How does its acceleration change during its flight, if air resistance is ignored?
It does not change; the acceleration is constant in magnitude and downward, because the only force acting is weight.
At the instant a ball thrown vertically upward changes direction, its speed is ...........
At the instant a ball thrown vertically upward changes direction, its speed is zero.

Sign up to unlock flashcards

By signing up you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Previous:Scalars & VectorsNext:Representing Motion