Linear Motion Flashcards
(31 cards)
Distance
The total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction. It’s a scalar quantity (only magnitude, no direction).
Displacement
The shortest straight-line distance between the starting and ending points of an object’s path, with direction. It’s a vector quantity.
Speed
The rate at which an object covers distance. It’s calculated as distance divided by time and is a scalar quantity (e.g., 50 m/s).
Accerelation
The rate of change of velocity per unit time. It indicates how quickly an object’s speed or direction changes and is a vector quantity.
Velocity
The rate of change of displacement per unit time, which includes direction. It’s a vector quantity (e.g., 60 m/s north).
SI Unit for Time
The second (s) is the base unit for measuring time in the International System of Units (SI).
SI Unit for Displacement
Meter (m), representing the distance in a specific direction.
SI Unit for Speed
Meters per second (m/s), showing how many meters an object travels in one second.
SI Unit for Velocity
Meters per second (m/s), including both magnitude and direction of motion.
SI Unit for Acceleration
Meters per second squared (m/s²), representing the change in velocity per second.
How to convert between m / s to km / h
Multiply by 3.6. (Example: 10 m/s = 10 × 3.6 = 36 km/h).
How to convert from km / h to m / s
Divide by 3.6. (Example: 36 km/h = 36 ÷ 3.6 = 10 m/s).
Define a Vector Quantity
A quantity that has both magnitude and direction (e.g., force, velocity, displacement).
Define a scalar quantity
A quantity that has only magnitude, with no direction (e.g., distance, speed, time).
Is distance vector or scalar
Scalar
Is displacement vector or scalar
Vector
Is speed vector or scalar
Scalar
Is acceleration vector or scalar
Vector
Is velocity vector or scalar
Vector
Is force vector or scalar
Vector
Is time vector or scalar
Scalar
Compare distance and displacement
Distance is the total path length (scalar), while displacement is the shortest path with direction (vector).
What is acceleration due to gravity
9.8 m /s^2
Compare average speed and average velocity
Average speed is the total distance divided by time (scalar), while average velocity is total displacement divided by time (vector).