Chapter 63 – Units, Vectors, and Kinematics

There are 3 different systems of units: (MKS) – meter-kilogram-seconds

(CGS) – centimeter-grams-seconds
(FPS) – foot-pound-seconds

Other Metric Prefixes Includes:

Vectors and Scalars

Scalar – magnitude, but no direction
 ex. distance, speed, mass
Vector – magnitude and direction
 ex. displacement, velocity, force
Vector Representation – common notation includes an arrow or a boldface on top of the vector
Vector Addition

Vector Subtraction

Multiplying a Vector by a Scalar – simple multiplication

Kinematics
Displacement – a vector quantity that describes the change in position of the object
 takes both direction and magnitude into account
Velocity – the ratio of the displacement vector over the change in time
Average Velocity – the ratio of displacement over the change of time

Instantaneous velocity – the specific velocity at a single instant of time

Speed – distance travelled over a series of time
 a scalar unit (magnitude, but no direction)
Acceleration
Average Acceleration – the rate of change of an object’s velocity over a period of time
Instantaneous Acceleration – the acceleration at one point of a particle’s path
*** Note that acceleration and velocity may not be in the same vector direction ***
If an object is slowing down, the acceleration vector is opposite of its movement
5 Linear Motion Equations

Projectile Motion – When an object is travelling in projectile motion, the object has velocity and
position components of both the vertical and horizontal directions
 treat both components as independent from each other
Use the 5 linear equations for vertical motion
Since gravity doesn’t effect horizontal motion, regular velocity equations can be used instead (no
acceleration present in horizontal projectile motion)