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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. Distance
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)
The study of motion in one dimension
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no direction)
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.

2. Speed
When there is no acceleration
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.
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

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

4. Projectile Motion
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
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

5. Acceleration
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.
The study of motion in one dimension
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)

6. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph

7. The only time the average velocity equation can be used
If the same speed is maintained over the entire trip. Constant speed/velocity means 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
When there is no acceleration
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)

8. Instantaneous speed
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 total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
The study of motion in one dimension

9. 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
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
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

10. Displacement
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)
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)

11. 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
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
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.

12. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy

13. 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
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
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
When there is no acceleration

14. Average speed
Speeding up - slowing down or changing direction)
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
The study of motion in one dimension