Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the cause of the motion. It focuses on describing how objects move through space and time.

Scalars vs Vectors:

• Scalar: A quantity with only magnitude (e.g., speed, distance, time, mass)
• Vector: A quantity with both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, displacement, force)

Key Quantities:

• Displacement (Δx): Change in position (vector)
• Velocity (v): Rate of change of displacement (vector)
  • v = Δx/Δt
• Speed: Magnitude of velocity (scalar)
• Acceleration (a): Rate of change of velocity (vector)
  • a = Δv/Δt

Frame of Reference:

A coordinate system from which motion is observed and measured. Motion is relative to the chosen frame of reference.

Key Kinematic Equations

Equations with constant acceleration (simplifies algebraic equations)

• v = v₀ + at
• x = x₀ + v₀t + ½at²
• v² = v₀² + 2a(x - x₀)

Equations with calculus

• a=dv/dt
• v=dx/dt

Variables: