Introduction
Kinematics is the study of motion. It focuses not on the forces that cause motion, but on the relationships between position, velocity, acceleration, and time. For example, given a ball rolling on a surface, kinematics can tell you its velocity at certain points, how far it travels in a given time, or its acceleration. In AP Physics 1, kinematics problems typically assume constant acceleration and use simple algebraic relationships known as the kinematic equations.
Summary of Kinematic Equations
1. v = v₀ + a·t
2. x = x₀ + v₀·t + ½·a·t²
3. v² = v₀² + 2·a·(x - x₀)
4. x = ½·(v + v₀)·t
2. x = x₀ + v₀·t + ½·a·t²
3. v² = v₀² + 2·a·(x - x₀)
4. x = ½·(v + v₀)·t
These four equations describe motion under constant acceleration and allow you to predict position, velocity, or time based on known variables.