All Flashcards
What is a frame of reference?
A frame of reference is the perspective from which motion is observed and described.
Define 'position' in physics.
Position is an object's location relative to a fixed point.
What is a scalar quantity?
A scalar quantity has only magnitude (e.g., distance, speed, mass).
Define a vector quantity.
A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction (e.g., displacement, velocity, acceleration).
What is displacement?
Displacement is the change in position of an object; it's a vector quantity.
Define 'distance' in physics.
Distance is the total path length traveled by an object; it's a scalar quantity.
What is speed?
Speed is how fast an object is moving; it's a scalar quantity (distance/time).
Define 'velocity'.
Velocity is speed with a direction; it's a vector quantity (displacement/time).
What is acceleration?
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity; it's a vector quantity.
What is an inertial reference frame?
A frame where Newton's first law holds true (objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by a force).
What are the key differences between scalar and vector quantities?
Scalar: Magnitude only, added arithmetically. | Vector: Magnitude and direction, added using vector rules.
Differentiate between displacement and distance.
Displacement: Change in position (vector), direction matters. | Distance: Total path traveled (scalar), no direction.
What are the differences between speed and velocity?
Speed: How fast an object is moving (scalar). | Velocity: Speed with a direction (vector).
Compare and contrast velocity vs. time graphs and position vs. time graphs.
Position vs. Time: Slope = Velocity, Y-intercept = Initial displacement. | Velocity vs. Time: Slope = Acceleration, Area under curve = Displacement, Y-intercept = Initial velocity.
How does average and instantaneous acceleration differ?
Average Acceleration: Change in velocity over a time interval. | Instantaneous Acceleration: Acceleration at a specific moment in time.
What is the effect of a non-zero slope on a position vs. time graph?
Indicates the object is moving with a certain velocity.
What is the effect of a curved line on a position vs. time graph?
Indicates the object is accelerating.
What is the effect of a zero slope on a position vs. time graph?
Indicates the object is at rest.
What is the effect of a non-zero slope on a velocity vs. time graph?
Indicates the object is accelerating.
What is the effect of the area under a velocity vs. time graph?
Represents the displacement of the object.
What is the effect of a positive acceleration on a moving object?
If the velocity is positive, the object speeds up. If the velocity is negative, the object slows down.
What is the effect of a negative acceleration on a moving object?
If the velocity is positive, the object slows down. If the velocity is negative, the object speeds up.