vault backup: 2025-08-29 13:55:23

education/physics/PHYS2210/Unit 1.md

@@ -2,4 +2,15 @@ Motion in a straight line is one dimensionial.
 
 Kinematics or the physics of motion has 4 noteworthy parameters: time ($t$), position ($x$), velocity ($v$), and acceleration ($a$). 
 
-Kinematic problems have a start and end of motion.
+Kinematic problems have a start and end of motion.
+
+# Displacement
+
+Displacement is calculated with the formula:
+$$\Delta x = \text{x-value of final position} - \text{x-value of initial posiion}$$
+
+# Velocity
+Average velocity over a time interval $\Delta t$ is defined to be: **the displacement** (net change in position), **divided by** **the time taken**.
+
+$$ \bar{v} = \dfrac{\text{final position-initial position}}{\text{final time - initial time}} = \dfrac{x_2 - x_1}{t_2 - t_1} = \dfrac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$
+**Speed (m/s)** is defined to be the total distance traveled divided by the time taken. Speed and velocity are *not the same*.