Motion in a Straight Line Cheat Sheet

Key Definitions

• Displacement: Change in position; vector quantity. ✅

• Distance: Total path length traveled; scalar quantity. ✅

• Speed: Distance traveled per unit time; scalar. ✅

• Velocity: Displacement per unit time; vector. ✅

• Acceleration: Change in velocity per unit time; vector. ✅

Important Concepts

Kinematics

• Uniform Motion: Constant speed; no acceleration.

• Non-uniform Motion: Varying speed; involves acceleration.

Graphs

• Position-Time Graph: Slope = velocity. ✅

• Velocity-Time Graph: Slope = acceleration; area = displacement. ✅

Key Formulas

• v: final velocity ✅

• u: initial velocity ✅

• a: acceleration ✅

• t: time ✅

s = ut + 0.5at²

• s: displacement ✅

v² = u² + 2as

• Relates velocity, acceleration, and displacement. ✅

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistake: Confusing speed with velocity; speed is scalar, velocity is vector. ⚠️

Memory Tricks

Tip: "SUVAT" —

• S: Displacement

• U: Initial velocity

• V: Final velocity

• A: Acceleration

• T: Time

Key Diagrams

Position-Time Graph:
|  v
|  /
| /
|/_________ t

Velocity-Time Graph:
|  a
| /
|/_________ t