Rectilinear and Curvilinear Motion Flashcards (10 cards)

What defines rectilinear motion in terms of dimensions and path?

Motion along a straight line in one dimension.

What is the position vector of a point in a reference frame?

The vector from the origin to that point.

What is the formula for displacement vector between times $t_1$ and $t_2$?

$\Delta\vec r=\vec r(t_2)-\vec r(t_1)$.

What is a particle in terms of size and motion capabilities?

An infinitely small object with mass that can translate but not rotate.

What is the formula for average velocity in one dimension?

$v_{avg}=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$

How is average speed different from average velocity?

Average speed is total distance over time and always positive; average velocity is displacement over time and can be positive or negative.

What is the formula for instantaneous acceleration in vector form?

$\vec a(t)=\frac{d\vec v}{dt}=\frac{d^2\vec r}{dt^2}$

What does negative acceleration indicate about a particle's motion direction and speed?

It means slowing down if moving positive, speeding up if moving negative.

What is the equation for velocity under constant acceleration?

$v=v_0+at$

What does integrating acceleration over time represent?

The change in velocity.