FHSST Physics Vectors:Summary

Summary of Important Quantities, Equations and Concepts

Table 3.1: Summary of the symbols and units of the quantities used in Vectors Quantity Symbol S.I. Units Direction Displacement $\overrightarrow{s}$ m yes Velocity $\overrightarrow{u}$ $\overrightarrow{v}$ m.s-1 yes Distance d m - Speed v m.s-1 - Acceleration $\overrightarrow{a}$ 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