Objectives - Kinematic Concepts

The Minds On Physics program consists of 15 modules. Each module covers a different topic and consists of a varying number of assignments. Every assignment addresses one or two objectives. The objectives for the Kinematic Concepts module are listed below.

  • Assignment 1:
    • The student should understand the distinction between a vector and a scalar.
    • The student should be able to identify basic quantities which are vectors and scalars.
  • Assignment 2:
    • The student should be able to distinguish between the quantities distance and displacement in terms of their definition and their distinction as scalars and vectors.
    • The student should be able to apply the distinction between distance and displacement to a physical scenario in order to determine the displacement and the distance of a moving object.
  • Assignment 3:
    • The student should be able to distinguish between the quantities speed and velocity in terms of their definition and their distinction as scalars and vectors.
    • The student should be able to apply the distinction between speed and velocity to a physical scenario in order to determine the speed and the velocity of a moving object.
  • Assignment 4:
    • The student should understand the definition of acceleration and be able to apply their understanding of the essential features of accelerated motion to the analysis of simple motion scenarios.
    • The student should be able to apply their understanding of the vector nature of acceleration to the analysis of simple motion scenarios.
  • Assignment 5:
    • The student should be able to analyze an oil drop representation (ticker tape) and classify a motion as a constant velocity motion, an accelerated motion and as slow or fast.
    • The student should be able to analyze an oil drop representation (ticker tape) and describe the direction of the velocity and acceleration vectors.
  • Assignment 6:
    • The student should be able to use the average speed equation to perform simple computations and solve word problems.
  • Assignment 7:
    • The student should be able to use the average acceleration equation to perform simple computations and solve word problems.
  • Assignment 8:
    • The student should be able to analyze position-time data and make judgments about and determinations of velocity and acceleration values.
    • The student should be able to analyze velocity-time data and make judgments about and determinations of velocity and acceleration values.