SMA Physics

Concept Card: Acceleration & Uniformly Accelerated Motion 1. Definition & Mathematical Properties of Acceleration: Acceleration ($\vec{a}$) is defined as the time rate of change of velocity: $\vec{a} = \frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}$ It is a vector quantity with dimensions $[M^0 L^1 T^{-2}]$ and SI unit $\text{m/s}^2$. Average Acceleration ($\vec{a}_{\text{avg}}$): $\vec{a}_{\text{avg}} = \frac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t} = \frac{\vec{v}_f – \vec{v}_i}{t_f … Read more

Concept Card: Speed, Velocity & Types of Motion 1. Speed vs. Velocity: Speed ($v$): The rate at which distance is covered with respect to time. It is a scalar quantity ($v \ge 0$) with dimensions $[L T^{-1}]$ and SI unit $\text{m/s}$. Velocity ($\vec{v}$): The rate of change of the position vector with respect to time … Read more

Concept Card: Frame of Reference, Distance & Displacement in 1D Motion 1. Frame of Reference: A frame of reference is a coordinate system (Cartesian axes $x, y, z$) attached to an observer along with a calibrated clock to record the time coordinate $t$. Inertial Frame of Reference: A frame in which Newton’s First Law of … Read more