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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

Instructions:

Answer 14 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
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. 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
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
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.

2. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy

3. Kinematic
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
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
The study of motion in one dimension

4. Projectile Motion
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
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)
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)

5. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph

6. Velocity
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
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
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

7. Average speed
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
When there is no acceleration

8. Instantaneous speed
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.
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 study of motion in one dimension

9. Acceleration
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no 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
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)

10. Distance
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
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)
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

11. Speed
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
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
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.

12. Displacement
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
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)
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

13. Constant speed or velocity
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
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)
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

14. The only time the average velocity equation can be used
When there is no acceleration
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The study of motion in one dimension