Unit 3: Acceleration

Velocity(v)

is a physical vector quantity; both magnitude and direction are needed to define it, plus is measured in meters per second (m/s)

d = 1/2(at^2)

displacement = 1/2(acceleration)(time squared)

Displacement(d)

is a vector quantity that refers to "how far out of place an object is"; it is the object's overall change in position. ( difference between your final and initial positions. )

Free fall

is any motion of a body where its weight is the only force acting upon it.

Average Acceleration

is the change in velocity divided by an elapsed time.

Weight(w)

is the force of gravity on the object and may be defined as the mass times the acceleration of gravity, w = mg. Since the weight is a force, its SI unit is the newton(N)

Acceleration (a)

is the rate of change of velocity of an object, plus is the net result of any and all forces acting on the object, as described by Newton's Second Law. The SI unit for acceleration is the metre per second squared (m/s^2). { a = (v final - v initial)/ (t final - t initial)}

Gravity(g)

the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface (9.8 m/s^2 or 10 m/s^2)

v = at

velocity = acceleration x time

Constant Velocity

when an object travels the same distance every second

Constant Accleration

acceleration in which the velocity of moving object does not change in a particular period of time.

Motion Graphs or Diagrams

are a pictorial description of an object in motion. They show an object's position and velocity at the start, end, and several spots in the middle, along with acceleration (if any).

Average Velocity

as the displacement divided by the time.

Velocity vs Time graph

a lot like the graphs of position vs. time, but instead of position in meters on the y-axis, velocity is listed as m/s on the y-axis and the slope represents acceleration.