Representing Motion - AP Physics 1

1. Determine the velocity from a position-time graph.

   Velocity = slope of the line. Rise over run gives velocity value.

2. What does a negative slope on a velocity-time graph indicate?

   Negative acceleration (deceleration). Velocity decreasing over time.

3. State the formula to calculate displacement with constant acceleration.

   $\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2$. Kinematic equation combining initial velocity and acceleration.

4. What is the definition of speed?

   Speed is the magnitude of velocity. Scalar quantity without direction.

5. State the formula for average speed.

   Average speed = $\frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}}$. Total path length divided by elapsed time.

6. State the unit of displacement in SI units.

   Meters (m). Standard SI unit for distance and position.

7. What is represented by the slope of a velocity-time graph?

   The slope represents acceleration. Rate of change of velocity.

8. What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?

   The area represents displacement. Velocity times time equals displacement.

9. Define displacement.

   Displacement is the change in position of an object. Vector quantity showing straight-line distance and direction.

10. What does a horizontal line on a position-time graph represent?

    Constant position; no motion. Zero velocity means stationary object.

11. What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface?

    $9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$ downward. Standard gravitational acceleration near Earth's surface.

12. What is relative velocity?

    Velocity of an object as observed from another moving object. Motion measured from moving reference frame.

13. What does a horizontal line on a velocity-time graph represent?

    Constant velocity; zero acceleration. No change in velocity over time.

14. What is the formula for uniform circular motion velocity?

    $v = \frac{2\pi r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period.

15. What is the formula for average velocity?

    $v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$. Change in position divided by change in time.

16. What is the unit of acceleration in SI units?

    Meters per second squared ($\text{m/s}^2$). Rate of change of velocity per unit time.

17. What does it mean if an object has zero displacement?

    The object returned to its initial position. Final position equals starting position.

18. Determine the acceleration from a velocity-time graph.

    Acceleration = slope of the line. Slope of velocity-time graph gives acceleration.

19. State the equation for motion with initial velocity and acceleration.

    $x = x_0 + v_i t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2$. Complete kinematic equation with all terms.

20. What does a parabolic curve on a position-time graph signify?

    Constant acceleration. Quadratic time dependence indicates constant acceleration.

21. What does the term 'deceleration' refer to?

    Negative acceleration. Acceleration opposite to velocity direction.

22. What is the equation for motion under constant velocity?

    $x = x_0 + vt$. Position equals initial position plus velocity times time.

23. What does a slope on a position-time graph indicate?

    The slope indicates velocity. Slope equals change in position over time.

24. What is the formula for acceleration?

    $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$. Change in velocity divided by change in time.

25. What is the formula for velocity squared in terms of acceleration and displacement?

    $v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x$. Time-independent kinematic equation.

26. What is instantaneous velocity?

    Velocity at a specific moment in time. Velocity at one specific instant.

27. Identify the unit of velocity in SI units.

    Meters per second ($\text{m/s}$). Rate of change of position per unit time.

28. State the formula for centripetal acceleration.

    $a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$. Acceleration directed toward circle center.

29. What does the term 'instantaneous speed' refer to?

    The speed at a specific moment in time. Speed measured at one instant.

30. What is uniform motion?

    Motion with constant velocity. Speed and direction remain constant.

31. What indicates an object is accelerating?

    A change in velocity. Velocity magnitude or direction changes.

32. Identify the meaning of a negative velocity.

    Motion in the opposite direction. Indicates movement opposite to positive direction.

33. What does a steeper slope on a position-time graph mean?

    A steeper slope indicates higher velocity. Greater slope means faster speed.

34. What is the significance of zero velocity?

    The object is at rest. No motion occurring at that instant.

35. When is an object in free fall?

    When only gravity is acting on it. Air resistance is negligible compared to gravity.

36. Define terminal velocity.

    The constant velocity reached when drag force equals gravitational force. Drag force balances gravitational force.

37. What does a curve on a position-time graph indicate?

    Changing velocity; acceleration. Non-linear position indicates changing velocity.

38. What is the formula to find the final velocity with constant acceleration?

    $v_f = v_i + a t$. Kinematic equation for uniformly accelerated motion.

39. Identify the relationship between velocity and speed.

    Velocity is speed with direction. Velocity includes directional information.

40. Find the displacement from a velocity-time graph.

    Displacement = area under the curve. Area calculation gives total displacement.

Study these flashcards