Motion Flashcards Preview

Physical Science > Motion > Flashcards

Flashcards in Motion Deck (35)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What is a frame of reference?

A

A system of objects that are at rest with respect to each other. Motion is determined by the observer’s position within or outside the system.

2
Q

What is the origin?

A

A determined position from which other positions are measured.

3
Q

What is a vector?

A

A vector represents a measurement that has both magnitude and direction. Vectors are arrows with the length representing magnitude and the tip representing direction.

4
Q

What is a scalar?

A

A measurement that only has magnitude.

5
Q

What is distance?

A

The separation between two points. Unit for distance is meter. Distance is a scalar.

6
Q

What is displacement?

A

Measurement of the change of position. Unit for displacement is meter. Displacement is a vector.

7
Q

What is position?

A

The distance of a point measured from the origin. Unit for position is meter. Position is a vector.

8
Q

What is average speed?

A

Speed measures the distance travel in a given time. Unit for speed is m/s. Speed is a scalar.

9
Q

What is velocity?

A

Velocity measures the change in position in a given time. Unit for velocity is m/s. Velocity is a vector.

10
Q

What is acceleration?

A

Acceleration measures the change in velocity in a given time. Unit for acceleration is ㎨ Acceleration can occur if the speed changes, the direction of motion changes or both change.

11
Q

What is a resultant vector?

A

Vectors add head to tail in any order. The resultant vector is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last.

12
Q

If an object starts from rest, what information does that statement provide?

A

The starting velocity is 0 m/s.

13
Q

If an object comes to a stop, what information does that statement provide?

A

The final velocity is 0 m/s.

14
Q

If an object is in free fall, what information does that statement provide?

A

Gravity is the only force acting on the object. Acceleration is 9.8 ㎨.

15
Q

If an object is moving with constant velocity, what information does that statement provide?

A

The acceleration of the object is 0 ㎨.

16
Q

On a position-time graph, the what are the x-axis and y-axis labels?

A

The x-axis is time in seconds, and the y-axis is position in meters.

17
Q

On a position-time graph, what variable does the slope determine?

A

The slope of a position-time graph is the object’s velocity.

18
Q

On a position-time graph, if the slope is positive, what does that convey about the object’s motion?

A

The object is moving in the positive direction.

19
Q

On a position-time graph, if the slope is a horizontal line, what does that convey about the object’s motion?

A

The object is not moving. Its velocity is 0 m/s.

20
Q

On a position-time graph, if the slope is negative, what does that convey about the object’s motion?

A

The object is moving in the negative direction.

21
Q

On a velocity-time graph, what are the variables on the x-axis and y-axis?

A

The x-axis is time in seconds, and the y-axis is velocity in m/s.

22
Q

On a velocity-time graph, what variable does the slope measure?

A

The slope of a velocity-time graph is the object’s acceleration.

23
Q

On a velocity-time graph, what does a positive slope indicate?

A

The object is accelerating.

24
Q

On a velocity-time graph, what does a horizontal line indicate?

A

The object is moving with a constant velocity and is not accelerating.

25
Q

On a velocity-time graph, what does a negative slope indicate?

A

The object is decelerating.

26
Q

When graphing motion using a motion detector, how is direction indicated?

A

The motion detector is at the origin. Motion away from the detector is positive (increasing position), and motion towards the detector is negative (decreasing position).

27
Q

What is the unit for acceleration?

A

meters per second squared (㎨)

28
Q

What is the unit for velocity?

A

meters per second (m/s)

29
Q

What is the unit for time?

A

seconds (s)

30
Q

What is the unit for position?

A

meters (m)

31
Q

What is the unit for displacement?

A

meters (m)

32
Q

What variable is found by calculating the area under a velocity-time graph?

A

displacement

33
Q

What variable is found by calculating the area under an acceleration-time graph?

A

velocity

34
Q

What is deceleration?

A

Acceleration in a direction opposite velocity

35
Q

A student walks 15 m to the east, then turns and walks 25 m to the west. What distance did the student walk? What is the student’s displacement?

A

The distance is 40 m.

The displacement is 10 m west.