Physics: Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration Definitions

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of velocity?

Measure of distance traveled in a given period of time with a direction. (correct)

Measure of distance traveled in a given period of time without direction.

An object moving at a constant speed.

The rate at which velocity is changing.

What does constant velocity refer to?

An object accelerating.

The total distance traveled.

An object moving at a constant speed and in a constant direction. (correct)

An object's speed that is changing direction.

What is instantaneous velocity?

The velocity of an object at a specific instant.

How do you calculate average velocity?

Total distance traveled divided by total time taken. Signup and view all the answers

What does terminal velocity represent?

The top speed an object can reach. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of speed?

Measure of the distance traveled in a given period of time. Signup and view all the answers

Define constant speed.

An object moving at a constant speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is instantaneous speed?

The speed of an object at a specific instant. Signup and view all the answers

What is average speed?

Total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. Signup and view all the answers

What is acceleration?

The rate at which velocity is changing. Signup and view all the answers

What is constant acceleration?

A moving object that is not changing speed or direction. Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate average acceleration?

The change in velocity divided by the change in time. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative acceleration?

When an object is slowing down. Signup and view all the answers

What are vectors?

Quantities represented by an arrow that has both direction and magnitude. Signup and view all the answers

Define magnitude in physics.

The size or length of something. Signup and view all the answers

What are scalars?

Quantities with just magnitude alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is distance in terms of scalars?

Measurement of the actual path covered. Signup and view all the answers

What is displacement?

The straight line distance between two points. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pythagorean theorem?

c^2 = a^2 + b^2 Signup and view all the answers

What is a resultant vector?

The result of vector addition a + b. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Velocity

Defined as the measure of distance traveled over time, including direction.

Constant Velocity

Occurs when an object maintains the same speed and direction throughout its motion.

Instantaneous Velocity

The specific velocity of an object at a particular moment in time.

Average Velocity

Calculated by taking the total distance traveled and dividing it by the total time taken for that distance.

Terminal Velocity

The maximum speed achieved by an object as it falls through a fluid, where gravitational force is balanced by drag.

Speed

A scalar quantity that indicates how fast an object is moving, measured as distance over time.

Constant Speed

Describes motion at unchanging speed, with no variations over the time period considered.

Instantaneous Speed

Refers to the speed of an object at a specific moment in time, equivalent to instantaneous velocity when direction is included.

Average Speed

Determined by dividing total distance traveled by the total time taken, similar to average velocity but direction is not considered.

Acceleration

Represents the rate of change of velocity, encompassing increases or decreases in speed and changes in direction.

Constant Acceleration

Characterizes a motion where the object's speed and direction remain unaltered over time.

Average Acceleration

Calculated by changing the velocity and dividing it by the time taken for that change.

Negative Acceleration

Indicates a slowing down of an object, often referred to as deceleration.

Vectors

Quantities that possess both magnitude and direction, represented visually by arrows.

Magnitude

The measure of size or length of a physical quantity, often used in conjunction with vectors.

Scalars

Quantities that are defined only by their magnitude, lacking any directional component.

Distance (Scalar)

Measurement of the actual path traveled by an object, expressed as a scalar quantity.

Displacement (Vector)

The shortest straight-line distance between two points, characterized by both distance and direction.

Pythagorean Theorem

A fundamental relation in Euclidean geometry, expressed as ( c^2 = a^2 + b^2 ), used for calculating the lengths in right triangles.

Resultant Vector

The composite outcome when two or more vectors are added together, resulting in a single vector.

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Description

This quiz covers key definitions related to speed, velocity, and acceleration. Each flashcard presents a term along with its precise definition, enhancing your understanding of essential physics concepts. Perfect for anyone studying physics fundamentals.