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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.
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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. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
When there is no acceleration
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

2. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)

3. Distance
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
The study of motion in one dimension
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)

4. The only time the average velocity equation can be used
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
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
When there is no acceleration

5. Speed
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
The study of motion in one dimension
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
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

6. Instantaneous speed
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
When there is no acceleration
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

7. Constant speed or velocity
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

8. Average speed
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
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
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.

9. Acceleration
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
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)

10. Key words or hints that a kinematic equation must be used
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
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
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)

11. Displacement
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
When there is no acceleration
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

12. Velocity
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
The study of motion in one dimension
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

13. Kinematic
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The study of motion in one dimension
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

14. Projectile Motion
The study of motion in one dimension
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.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)

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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

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