Kinematics Parameters

1.1       SOME DEFINITIONS

(a)     Distance: Distance between two points is the length of actual path travelled by the particle. It is a scalar quantity.

Unit : m(metre)

(b)       Displacement: Displacement is change in position vector  of a particle. It is a vector quantitiy.

Unit :  m(metre)

Velocity: Velocity is the rate of change of position vector. It is a vector quantity.

Unit : ms^–1 (metre per second)

(d)     Acceleration: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Unit : ms^–2 (metre per second²)

(e)     Average speed: Average speed is total distance travelled divided by total time taken.

(f)      Average velocity: Average velocity is total displacement divided by total time taken. The direction of average velocity is direction of displacement.

(g)     Average acceleration : Average acceleration is total change in velocity divided by total time taken. The direction of average acceleration is direction of change in velocity.

(h)       Uniform velocity: A particle with uniform velocity undergoes equal displacements in equal intervals of time however small the intervals may be.

(i)      Uniform acceleration: A particle with uniform acceleration undergoes equal changes in velocity in equal intervals of time, however small the intervals may be.