Kinematics

Definition

Kinematics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of objects without considering the forces causing the motion. It focuses on parameters such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In two-dimensional kinematics, motion can be decomposed into horizontal and vertical components.
2. Projectile motion is a common example where an object moves in a curved trajectory under the influence of gravity.
3. The horizontal component of a projectile's velocity remains constant if air resistance is neglected.
4. The vertical component of a projectile's velocity changes due to gravitational acceleration, typically -9.8 m/s².
5. The maximum height and range of a projectile can be calculated using initial velocity and angle of projection.

Review Questions

• What are the horizontal and vertical components of velocity for a projectile?
• How does gravitational acceleration affect the vertical motion of a projectile?
• Explain how to determine the range of a projectile given its initial velocity and angle.

Related terms

Displacement:

A vector quantity that refers to an object's overall change in position.

Velocity:

A vector quantity that describes the rate at which an object changes its position; includes both speed and direction.

Acceleration: A vector quantity that describes the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time.