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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

Instructions:

Answer 14 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Kinematic
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
The study of motion in one dimension

2. Displacement
When there is no acceleration
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

3. Distance
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
Start a problem by asking 'What is the object doing?' - 'What is causing it to do that?' - What direction is it moving in (if two find x and y components)? Is it moving at constant v (this includes v = 0)? Is it accelerating? Force? Energy change? Se
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)

4. Key words or hints that a kinematic equation must be used
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
If acceleration is present (Question contains terms such as: starts from rest - final velocity of - accelerates - comes to rest - etc.) - then you must use the three Kinematic equations
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

5. Constant speed or velocity
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.

6. Average speed
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
If acceleration is present (Question contains terms such as: starts from rest - final velocity of - accelerates - comes to rest - etc.) - then you must use the three Kinematic equations
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.

7. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy
Start a problem by asking 'What is the object doing?' - 'What is causing it to do that?' - What direction is it moving in (if two find x and y components)? Is it moving at constant v (this includes v = 0)? Is it accelerating? Force? Energy change? Se
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
When there is no acceleration
The study of motion in one dimension

8. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
Start a problem by asking 'What is the object doing?' - 'What is causing it to do that?' - What direction is it moving in (if two find x and y components)? Is it moving at constant v (this includes v = 0)? Is it accelerating? Force? Energy change? Se

9. The only time the average velocity equation can be used
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
When there is no acceleration

10. Velocity
Start a problem by asking 'What is the object doing?' - 'What is causing it to do that?' - What direction is it moving in (if two find x and y components)? Is it moving at constant v (this includes v = 0)? Is it accelerating? Force? Energy change? Se
When there is no acceleration
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
If acceleration is present (Question contains terms such as: starts from rest - final velocity of - accelerates - comes to rest - etc.) - then you must use the three Kinematic equations

11. Projectile Motion
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.

12. Acceleration
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)

13. Instantaneous speed
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.

14. Speed
When there is no acceleration
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
Start a problem by asking 'What is the object doing?' - 'What is causing it to do that?' - What direction is it moving in (if two find x and y components)? Is it moving at constant v (this includes v = 0)? Is it accelerating? Force? Energy change? Se

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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

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