Chapter 2 Motion inOneDirection2章在一个方向上的运动.docVIP

Chapter 2 - Motion in One-Direction Definitions of words youll hear a lot… Frame of reference - before solving any physical problems, you need to consider the frame of reference. The frame of reference is a choice of coordinate axes that defines the starting point for measuring necessary quantities. Ill often say pick where your origin will be and choose a positive direction; each of these things make up your frame of reference. Displacement - the displacement of an object is defined as its change in position. We will use to represent the displacement of an object. This is not the same thing as the distance traveled. displacement = the change in position Displacement is measured in meters (m). Vector - a vector is a quantity that is characterized by both a magnitude and a direction. Vectors are denoted in bold font or as letters with an arrow over the letter. (Example: or ) Scalar - a scalar is a quantity that is characterized by only magnitude, not direction. (Example: time or speed) Average Speed - the average speed of an object is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed. average speed = total distance/total time Average speed is a scalar quantity and it is measured in meters per second (m/s). Average Velocity - the average velocity of an object is defined as the displacement divided by the total time elapsed. We will use to represent average velocity. average velocity = displacement/total time Average velocity is a vector quantity and it is measured in meters per second (m/s). Instantaneous Velocity - the instantaneous velocity of an object is defined as the limit of the average velocity as the time interval goes to zero. We will use to represent instantaneous velocity. We will usually be lazy and refer to this as the velocity. Instantaneous velocity is a vector quantity and it is measured in meters per second (m/s). You drive from here to Atlantic City. The total distance traveled is 70 miles. You drive th