Space time
and motion
IB Physics
KINEMATICS
,“The only time we fail as
scientists, is when we stop
trying .”
- ARNOLD
, Describing motion
In kinematics, the motion of an object can be described using vectors and
scalars.
A vector quantity is a physical quantity that has both magnitude and
direction. An example is displacement, which is the change in an object's
position relative to its initial position. For example, if you walk 50 m west, you
displacement is 50 m in the westward direction.
A scalar quantity, on the other hand, has magnitude only and no direction.
example is distance. If you walk between two points separated by 50 m, your
distance travelled is simply 50 m, regardless of direction.
Remember that the magnitude of any physical quantity must be express
with the correct SI unit (e.g., metres for displacement or distance).
and motion
IB Physics
KINEMATICS
,“The only time we fail as
scientists, is when we stop
trying .”
- ARNOLD
, Describing motion
In kinematics, the motion of an object can be described using vectors and
scalars.
A vector quantity is a physical quantity that has both magnitude and
direction. An example is displacement, which is the change in an object's
position relative to its initial position. For example, if you walk 50 m west, you
displacement is 50 m in the westward direction.
A scalar quantity, on the other hand, has magnitude only and no direction.
example is distance. If you walk between two points separated by 50 m, your
distance travelled is simply 50 m, regardless of direction.
Remember that the magnitude of any physical quantity must be express
with the correct SI unit (e.g., metres for displacement or distance).
