Velocity and Acceleration
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More Lessons for High School Physics
Math Worksheets
Analyzing the difference between average speed and average velocity.
Using Derivatives to Find the Instantaneous Velocity in Physics
Instantaneous Velocity, Definition of Derivative
This video uses the definition of the derivative to find the instantaneous velocity of a particle.
A brief introduction to free fall problems in high school and honors physics
Interpreting Motion Graphs.
This video gives a little bit of information about interpreting the motion based on the position vs time graph, the velocity vs time graph, and the acceleration vs time graph. Interpreting Motion Graphs
Guidelines for interpreting position (displacement) and velocity graphs.
More Lessons for High School Physics
Math Worksheets
A series of free Online High School Physics Video Lessons.
In this lesson, we will learn
- how to calculate average velocity
- how to calculate instantaneous velocity
- how to calculate acceleration
- how to solve free fall problems
- how to draw and interpret graphs of motion
Average Velocity
The average velocity of an object over a given period of time is found by dividing the distance it has traveled by the time elapsed. Because velocity refers to the rate at which an object changes position, it is a vector quantity and direction matters. This differentiates average velocity from average speed. The formula for average velocity is (the change in x) / (the change in t) or (x2-x1) / (t2-t1).Analyzing the difference between average speed and average velocity.
Instantaneous Velocity
Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object in motion at a specific point in time. This is determined similarly to average velocity, but we narrow the period of time so that it approaches zero. If an object has a standard velocity over a period of time, its average and instantaneous velocities may be the same. The formula for instantaneous velocity is the limit as t approaches zero of the change in d over the change in t.Using Derivatives to Find the Instantaneous Velocity in Physics
This video uses the definition of the derivative to find the instantaneous velocity of a particle.
Acceleration
The acceleration of an object is the change in its velocity over a period of time, or the rate at which its velocity increases. The units for acceleration are distance/time2 (for example m/s2).Free Fall
An object is in free fall when gravity is the only force to move it through space. In reality, free fall is affected by variables such as wind resistance, but when physicists discuss free fall, they generally assume that it is taking place in a vacuum. The acceleration of an object in free fall is 9.8 m/s2.A brief introduction to free fall problems in high school and honors physics
Graphs of Motion
The two most commonly used graphs of motion are velocity (distance v. time) and acceleration (velocity v. time). In each case, time is shown on the x-axis. The graph of velocity is a curve while the graph of acceleration is linear. The slope of a line tangent to the graph of distance v. time is its instantaneous velocity. The slope of a line tangent to velocity v. time is its acceleration.Interpreting Motion Graphs.
This video gives a little bit of information about interpreting the motion based on the position vs time graph, the velocity vs time graph, and the acceleration vs time graph. Interpreting Motion Graphs
Guidelines for interpreting position (displacement) and velocity graphs.
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