1-D Kinematics

Scalars: quantities described by magnitude (or value) alone

Vectors: quantities described by both magnitude and direction
Distance: scalar quantity on how much ground an object has covered in
motion
Displacement: vector quantity, distance + direction away from objects
original position (after motion) => opposite directions cancels
Speed: scalar quantity describing how fast an object is moving over a
period of time
o Speed = Distance / Time
o Instantaneous: the speed of an object at a given moment
o Average: speed of an object over a period of time
Velocity: vector quantity referring to rate of which an object changes its
position (opposite velocity do cancel out)
o Velocity = Displacement / Time
Acceleration: vector quantity, rate at which object is changing its
velocity
o Average acceleration = (velocity2 velocity1) / time
o Common Units: m/s2, mi/hr/s, km/hr/s

Kinematic Equations
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Kinematic equations: equations to represent motion

o Unknown parameters could be determined from physics principles
and mathematical equations
o Only for objects with either: zero or constant acceleration
o 4 Basic variables, if three are determined, the one left can be
calculated
The equations:
o d = ( vi * t ) + ( * a*t2) ---> the Classics
o vf = vi + a*t ---> from definition of acceleration
o vf2 = vi2 + 2 * a*d
o d = [(vi + vf) / 2] * t ---> from definition of average-velocity [v = (v i
+ vf) / 2]
d: displacement
t: time
a: acceleration
vi: initial velocity
vf: final velocity
Problem solving strategy
o Construct a diagram of physical situation
o Identify & list given information in variable form
o Identify & list the unknown information in variable form
o Identify & list equation needed to determine unknown information
o Substitute known values into equation, solve

Check answer for its reasonability & correctness

Freefall
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Free fall: state of motion where only gravitys force affects the object
o All free-falling objects: have no air resistance & accelerates at 9.8
m/s2 downward on Earth (acceleration of gravity)
o Acceleration of gravity (g): acceleration of any object moving
under sole influence of gravity
o Local variations occurs due to: latitude, altitude, local geological
structure, etc.
o P-t graph is always downward curve; v-t graph always downward,
linear line
Equations
o Vf = g * t
o d = (gt2) / 2

Notes:
-

Delta: change in
90 degree turned M: sum

2D Motion & Force

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Vector diagrams: shows vector quantities, thus both magnitude and

direction
o Free-body diagrams: vector diagrams representing forces affecting
an object
o Important characteristics:
Scale is listed (ex. 1 cm = 4 m)
Vector arrows drawn in specific direction (need a tail &
head)
Magnitude & direction shown (20 m & 30 degree West of
North)

Example:

Vector arrows angles: rotates counterclockwise in reference to a

direction

o Ex.
Vector arrows length: represents magnitude of vector, a scale must be
present

Ex.

Vector addition: Pythagorean Theorem & Head-to-Tail Addition

o Pythagorean Theorem, used when vectors form a right-triangle:
find magnitude
Sine, Cosine, and Tangent functions: find direction

Ex.
Determined angle isnt always the vector direction

Head-to-Tail addition: used when vector diagram does not form

right-triangle
General steps:

Draw a vector sheet in relation to a set scale

o Label magnitude & direction of each vectors
Draw a resultant from start to end of the vectors
Measure the magnitude & direction with ruler &
compass

Ex.