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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

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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. Kinematic
The study of motion in one dimension
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)
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 slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)

2. Average speed
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
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)
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)

3. Instantaneous speed
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
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
The speed at an instant in time. Right now. Your speedometer reading when you glance it at.

4. 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'.)
When there is no acceleration
Shortest distance between the beginning and ending point in the problem. Is a vector quantity (has direction)

5. Speed
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.
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

6. Kinematics Problem Solving Strategy
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
The study of motion in one dimension
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

7. Constant speed or velocity
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)
A scalar quantity (no direction specified) that shows the rate that distance d is covered.
An example of motion in 2 dimensions (both x and y simultaneously)

8. How to calculate slope on a straight line graph
The total distance divided by the total time for the entire trip.
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.

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

10. Projectile Motion
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.
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)

11. Velocity
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.
A vector quantity consisting of magnitude and direction. Displacement x divided by time.
The slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)

12. Distance
Total distance traveled from start to finish - Is a scalar quantity (no 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 slope is the change in y divided by the change in x. (Otherwise known as 'the rise over the run'.)

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

14. Key words or hints that a kinematic equation must be used
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)
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

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AP Physics - Kinematics Vocab

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