A | B |
Direction | The distance-independent relationship between two points in space that specifies the location of either with respect to the other May be indicated by terms such as: north, south, positive, negative, up, or down |
Time | the duration of an action or an event. |
instantaneous speed | The speed of an object at specific moment. |
average speed | The total distance traveled divided by the total time of travel; the average of two instantaneous speeds. |
constant speed | A speed that does not change, such as a steady speed; no acceleration. |
Acceleration | The rate at which an object changes its velocity, meaning there is a change in speed, direction, or both |
freefall | The condition of a falling object which experiences no friction and gravity is the only force acting on the object. A freefalling object always accelerates at the same rate and all objects in freefall accelerate at the same rate as each other. The rate of acceleration is 9.8 m/s2 downward near the surface of the earth. |
Gravity | a force field produced by an object's mass, which attracts other masses. Used to define down here on earth |
Precision | The degree of exactness with which an operation is performed or a measurement stated. |
Accuracy | Freedom from mistake or error; degree of conformity of a measure to a standard or a true value |
independent variable | The factor in an experiment that the researcher chooses to vary at specific intervals; is plotted on the x-axis. |
dependent variable | The factor whose value changes as the result of a change in the independent variable and is plotted on the y-axis. |
Slope | Refers to the degree of inclination or steepness of a line on a graph. Determined by dividing the rise by the run of the line. |
model | A simplified description of a physical system intended to capture the essential aspects of the system in a sufficiently simple form. A description or analogy used to help visualize something (as an atom) that cannot be directly observed |
hypothesis | An assumption to be tested; a statement of a problem to be solved, expressed as a question |
Theory | A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena |
unit | A specific measure of quantity (length, time, heat, etc.) used as a standard of measurement |
observation | An act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence; often involving measurement with instruments. |
Experiment | An operation carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis, or to illustrate a known law |
Law | A statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions. |
standard | Set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality |
Three ways to accelerate | speed up, slow down, change direction |
Three types of acceleration | positive, negative, zero |
a=(vf-vi)/t | formula for acceleration(m/s^2) |
vf | final or ending velocity(m/s) |
vi | initial or starting speed(m/s) |
t | time(s) |
d=(1/2)at^2 | the distance a falling object will fall due to gravity (acceleration due to gravity is sometimes rounded to 10m/s^2)(distance measured in meters) |
air resistance | the resistance that air provides on an object as it moves through trying to separate the air. |