Ch 3: Kinematics in Physics Lesson Plans

1. What is Kinematics? - Studying the Motion of Objects

Kinematics is a branch of classical mechanics that is concerned with the study of the motion of objects or systems, without considering the forces involved or the causes of the motion. Explore the languages of science, learn about the definition of kinematics, and be able to tell what factors are considered under kinematics.

2. Scalars and Vectors: Definition and Difference

Scalars are quantities that only have magnitude while vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Learn about the definition of scalar and vector quantities, and understand the difference between the two through relevant examples.

3. Distance and Displacement in Physics: Definition and Examples

Distance measures the length traveled by an object regardless of start and end-point, whereas displacement is the change in the object's position relative to the starting and ending points. Explore the definition and examples of distance and displacement in physics, as well as the uses and calculations for both.

4. Speed and Velocity: Difference and Examples

Speed and velocity are strongly related but distinct concepts. Explore the relationship between these two popular physics concepts with the help of key definitions, formulas, and examples, and discover more about each individual value.

5. Acceleration: Definition, Equation and Examples

Acceleration is the measure of how fast an object's velocity changes. Learn about the definition and examples of acceleration, understand its equation, and practice solving problems involving acceleration.

6. Uniformly-Accelerated Motion and the Big Five Kinematics Equations

Understanding uniformly accelerated motion and the big five kinematics equations is an important part of gaining a complete knowledge of math and science. Learn what the big five kinematics equations are, identify the associated variables, and solve a uniformly accelerated motion problem.

7. Representing Kinematics with Graphs

Visual learners often find using graphs to represent kinematics easier than using algebra. Learn about the x/y graph and how to set it up to represent displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

8. Ticker Tape Diagrams: Analyzing Motion and Acceleration

In physics, a ticker tape diagram is a tool that uses marks on a tape to record and measure an object's movements. Learn how to use ticker tape diagrams to analyze motion and acceleration, and work example problems to better understand how to interpret a ticker tape diagram's results.

9. What are Vector Diagrams? - Definition and Uses

Vector diagrams are used to illustrate vectors and they can also aid in vector operations. Learn about the definition of a vector diagram, how to use this in adding and subtracting vectors, and see some examples in using vector diagrams.

10. Using Position vs. Time Graphs to Describe Motion

Motion can be explained adequately in the form of graphs for clarity. Learn how using position versus time graphs can help make kinematics problems easier to read, understand, and solve.

11. Determining Slope for Position vs. Time Graphs

Determining slope for position vs. time graphs are important foundations of physics. Using examples, learn the relationship between slope and velocity and how to solve average velocity and speed problems.

12. Using Velocity vs. Time Graphs to Describe Motion

A velocity vs. time graph is an effective way to describe the motion of objects and particles. Learn about how a velocity vs. time graph is set up, explore the meaning of shape and lines on these graphs, and discover how it describes the motion and direction of an object under consideration.

13. Determining Acceleration Using the Slope of a Velocity vs. Time Graph

Acceleration occurs when the speed of an object moving in a straight line motion changes. Learn to determine the acceleration of an object using the slope of a velocity versus a time graph and by solving a practice problem.

14. Velocity vs. Time: Determining Displacement of an Object

A velocity vs. time graph can help you determine the displacement of an object. Learn why showing units on a graph is a necessity and deepen your understanding by studying multiple example graphs showing velocity vs. time.

15. Understanding Graphs of Motion: Giving Qualitative Descriptions

Understand graphs of motion means learning how to understand qualitative descriptions of factual data. Learn how to make qualitative observations while looking at graphs and the seven basic shapes of graphs that you should familiarize yourself with.

16. Free Fall Physics Practice Problems

In physics, objects in free fall can be mathematically calculated. Learn about this physics math, including the types of free fall questions and the big five kinematic equations, then practice answering them.

17. Graphing Free Fall Motion: Showing Acceleration

To investigate straight-line motion with constant acceleration, one could use free falling kinematics. This lesson explores the basics of free fall motion, including position and velocity vs. time and how to graph these concepts of acceleration.

18. The Acceleration of Gravity: Definition & Formula

In physics, kinematics is the study of objects' motions without regard for the forces that cause the motion. Learn about the acceleration of gravity, including its definition and formula. Explore kinematics, gravity and free fall, and gravity vector to understand how gravity relates to free falling objects.

19. Projectile Motion: Definition and Examples

Projectile motion is a two-dimensional motion of an object thrown in the air. Explore water-balloon physics and the definition of projectile motion, and learn how to solve projectile motion problems through examples.

20. Projectile Motion Practice Problems

Projectile motion is the path that a launched object follows through the air. Learn the equations used to solve projectile motion problems and solve two practice problems.

21. Kinematic Equations: List & Example

Kinematic equations are used to represents objects in motion. Learn about kinematics, review the five main kinematics equations, and discover how to solve a sample kinematics problem.

22. Uniform Circular Motion: Definition & Mathematics

Uniform circular motion is a state of motion in a circle occurring at a consistent speed. Explore acceleration, centripetal force, and centrifugal force, and practice calculating the mathematical equations that express this physics concept.