Kinematics describes motion using position, velocity, and acceleration — without considering forces. It covers 1D and 2D motion including free fall and projectile motion.
Displacement Δx: change in position (vector). Velocity v = Δx/Δt; instantaneous velocity = dx/dt. Acceleration a = Δv/Δt. Kinematic equations (constant a): v = v₀ + at, Δx = v₀t + ½at², v² = v₀² + 2aΔx. Graphs: position-time (slope = velocity), velocity-time (slope = acceleration, area = displacement).
Horizontal: constant velocity (ax = 0). Vertical: constant acceleration (ay = -g). Components are independent. Launch at angle θ: v₀x = v₀cosθ, v₀y = v₀sinθ. Time of flight, maximum height, range derived from these. At highest point: vy = 0, vx unchanged. Air resistance ignored on AP Physics 1.
Speed is a scalar — the magnitude of how fast something moves (always positive or zero). Velocity is a vector — includes both the rate of motion and the direction. Average speed = total distance/time, while average velocity = displacement/time. An object moving in a circle at constant speed has changing velocity (because direction changes), so it is accelerating. This distinction is fundamental in AP Physics and leads to the concept of centripetal acceleration.
Book a Trial + Diagnostic session. Get a personalized Learning Path with clear milestones, tutor match, and a plan recommendation — all within 24 hours.
Book Trial + Diagnostic →