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Flashcards in Chapter 1 Deck (11)
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1
Q

distance

A

a scalar quantity that refers to “how much ground an object has covered” during its motion
distance does not include directional information

2
Q

displacement

A

a vector quantity that refers to “how far out of place an object is”; it is the object’s net change in position
displacement includes a direction and magnitude.
∆x = x_2 - x_1

3
Q

average velocity

A

displacement divided by time elapsed
average velocity is proportional to displacement and includes the same directional information (a vector quantity)
average velocity = ∆x/∆t

4
Q

speed

A

a scalar quantity that refers to “how fast an object is moving”
speed does not include directional information, and can be thought of as the rate an object covers a distance

5
Q

uniform motion

A

a time interval in which average velocity remains unchanged

in this special case, there is no difference between average and instantaneous measurements

6
Q

instantaneous velocity

A

a vector quantity that implies the limit of the average velocity (∆x/∆t) as t approaches 0, or the derivative of an objects position with respect to time

7
Q

Can speed ever be negative?

A

No, it is a magnitude

8
Q

Can velocity ever be negative?

A

Yes, velocity is a vector

9
Q

Acceleration

A

The rate at which velocity changes, a vector

10
Q

Give an example of units for velocity

A

m/s

11
Q

Given example for units of acceleration

A

m/s per s or m/s^2