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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. Projectile Motion
When there is no acceleration
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.
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.

2. 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
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
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.

3. Distance
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
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.
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

4. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy
When there is no acceleration
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
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.

5. Constant speed or velocity
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
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'.)
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. Displacement
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
The study of motion in one dimension
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

7. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
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'.)
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

8. Velocity
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.

9. Average speed
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.

10. Kinematic
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 total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
The study of motion in one dimension

11. Instantaneous speed
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
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means no acceleration.
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)

12. The only time the average velocity equation can be used
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
When there is no acceleration
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

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

14. Acceleration
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

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