Kinematics and Dynamics - Key terms
ACCELERATION:
A change in velocity.
DYNAMICS:
The study of why objects move as they do; compare with kinematics.
FORCE:
The product of mass multiplied by acceleration.
HYPOTHESIS:
A statement capable of being scientifically tested for accuracy.
INERTIA:
The tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion, and of an object at rest to remain at rest.
KINEMATICS:
The study of how objects move; compare with dynamics.
MASS:
A measure of inertia, indicating the resistance of an object to a change in its motion—including a change in velocity.
MATTER:
The material of physical reality. There are four basic states of matter : solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
MECHANICS:
The study of bodies in motion.
RESULTANT:
The sum of two or more vectors, which measures the net change in distance and direction.
SCALAR:
A quantity that possesses only magnitude, with no specific direction. Mass, time, and speed are all scalars. The opposite of a scalar is a vector.
SPEED:
The rate at which the position of an object changes over a given period of time.
VACUUM:
Space entirely devoid of matter, including air.
VECTOR:
A quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction. Velocity, acceleration, and weight (which involves the downward acceleration due to gravity)are examples of vectors. Its opposite is ascalar.
VELOCITY:
The speed of an object in a particular direction.
WEIGHT:
A measure of the gravitational force on an object; the product of mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. (The latter is equal to 32 ft or 9.8 m per second per second, or 32 ft/9.8 m per second squared.)