Jenna Mattinson

Per 2, AP Physics 1
October 18th 2014
Velocity & Acceleration Concept Summary Assignment
Terms needed to know to understand the following:
Position- Position is where the object is in respect to the reference frame. Position is
represented with the variable X. X0 is the beginning position at time 0. Position is
graphed on a position time graph and using that graph will help find out the velocity
and/or acceleration and differential if this particular problem will be a constant
acceleration or a constant velocity model. If the xvst graph is a linear graph, then it
will be a constant velocity, if the xvst graph is a parabula then it will be a constant
acceleration model.
Model- A model is a representation of the situation, a model doesnt tell us
everything but it helps us better understand what is happening.
Velocity- Velocity is how it is moving measured with respect to a reference frame
(rate of change in position(speed and direction)). Velocity is represented with the
variable V. V0 is velocity at time zero. Velocity is graphed on a vvst graph which helps
us see if it is a constant velocity model or a constant acceleration model. If the
velocity vs time graph is horizontal, it is constant velocity. If the velocity vs time
graph is linear, then it is constant acceleration model because the velocity is
constantly changing.

Acceleration- Acceleration is how the motion changes measured with respect to a

reference frame, it is the rate of change in velocity. Acceleration is represented by
variable a. If the acceleration is constant it is shown as a horizontal line.
Variables- Variables are used much so like logos and symbols. A variable should not
be known just for the word but for tons of definitions and ideas. IE. When you see
CA you instantly think of California and the beach and palm trees and Hollywood,
etc. This is exactly how it should be with X, V, and A.

Equations- Equations are used to describe the situation and help us find out the
missing pieces whether its t, x, a, v, anything. Each equation should be read similar
to the following:

If the acceleration is constant, then the final position of the object is equal to onehalf the acceleration of the object multiplied by the time it has been moving squared
plus the initial velocity times time plus the original position, to find its position.

To find time, it is equivalent to the initial velocity being subtracted from the current
velocity divided by the acceleration.
Diagrams- Diagrams are used to help us better understand the problem and
visualize what is happening.
For example, Mr. Van is running in the positive direction at 5 m/s and there is a car
trying to catch him going at 3 m/s with an acceleration of 6m/s/s, the car is 20 m
behind Mr. Van, at what time will the car catch him.

How does this effect our everyday lives?

Constant Velocity:
It is the dreaded run day in Michaels PE class. They are doing the 2 minute run and
they have to run 600 meter to get an A. Michael wants to keep a constant velocity to
achieve his A, what velocity does he need to run at to get an A?
Step 1: Diagram

Step 2: Graphs

Using the position time graph, since it is a linear line, we can use its slope to find the
velocity. Since we want our answer to be m/s we will take the 2 minutes and
convert it to 120 seconds. Now we take two coordinates, (0,0) and(120,600), (6000)/(120-0), our velocity is distance over time, so we get 5 m/s. This will be constant
so our graph will look like:

Constant Acceleration:
Michael is walking and sees Jessica and wants to catch up to her, she is walking at a
constant velocity of 2 m/s and is 10 m in front of him. Michael accelerates in the
positive direction by 5 m/s/s. He went from 0m/s to catch up to Jessica. How long did
that take him?
Step 1- Diagram

Step 2- Graphs
From these graphs, we can see that they will
intersect at some time, but how can we find
that time. We must use an equation.

For domain of Constant Velocity Model you need 4 things:

1. Constant velocity reference frame
2. Object has constant velocity
3. Object is described as a particle(mass but no dimension)
4. Non-relativistic speed(V<<Speed of light)
For domain of Constant Acceleration Model you need 4 things:
1. Constant velocity reference frame
2. Object has constant acceleration
3. Object is described as a particle(mass but no dimension)
4. Non-relativistic speed(V<<Speed of light)
Domain of Constant Velocity is equivalent to the Domain of Constant Acceleration
Model if A=0.
These models relate in which they both effect one another and without one the
answer would come out differently. Also if there is 0 acceleration there can be
velocity and if there is 0 velocity there can be acceleration. With constant velocity
and constant acceleration the common misconception is that velocity and
acceleration dont effect eachother and that acceleration is just the vroom factor
and is used to speed up an object and nothing else not even slow down. In a greater
context these models are used to measure any number of objects and can help us
predict collisions and problems and can be used to make cars, robots, or anything
and make them have faster reflexes. Soon I will be learning to drive and knowing
constant velocity and constant acceleration I will better predict if I am too far to
make the yellow light, if I will be able to stop before the cross walk, if I will have to
California stop because my acceleration is not great enough for me to stop before
the crosswalk, and more. Constant velocity and constant acceleration is vital in life.