FHSST Physics/Vectors/Summary

The Free High School Science Texts: A Textbook for High School Students Studying Physics.
Main Page - << Previous Chapter (Waves and wavelike motion) - Next Chapter (Forces) >>
Vectors
PGCE Comments - TO DO LIST - Introduction - Examples - Mathematical Properties - Addition - Components - Importance - Important Quantities, Equations, and Concepts

Summary of Important Quantities, Equations and Concepts

edit
Table 3.1: Summary of the symbols and units of the quantities used in Vectors
Quantity Symbol S.I. Units Direction
Displacement   m yes
Velocity     m.s−1 yes
Distance d m -
Speed v m.s−1 -
Acceleration   m.s−2 yes

Vector: A vector is a measurement which has both magnitude and direction.

Displacement: Displacement is a vector with direction pointing from some initial (starting) point to some final (end) point and whose magnitude is the straight-line distance from the starting point to the final point.

Distance: The distance traveled is the length of your actual path.

Velocity: Velocity is the rate of change of displacement with respect to time.

Acceleration: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

Resultant: The resultant of a number of vectors is the single vector whose effect is the same as the individual vectors acting together