Unit 1.2 Definitions

• Displacement - shortest straight distance from point A to B
• Mean speed = total distance travelled / total time taken
• Instantaneous speed - rate of change of distance
• Mean velocity = total displacement / total time taken
• Instantaneous velocity - the rate of change of displacement
• Mean acceleration = change in velocity / time taken
• Instantaneous acceleration - rate of change of velocity
• Terminal velocity - a constant, maximum velocity of an object when the resistive forces are equal and opposite to the acceleration forces