Physics Unit 3 Study Guide
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Know your vocab terms (10 words)
Know the SI units of measure for the following variables
o Distance
o Displacement
o Velocity
o Speed
o Acceleration
o Time
Know how to utilize the Kinematics Formulas to solve problems
o Be able to identify which variables are given
o Pick the correct formula
o Solve for the correct unknown value
o Write your answer with correct units
Know that an object’s acceleration in the y-direction -9.8 m/s2 regardless of whether it is
thrown up at an angle or launched horizontally
Know that an object’s acceleration in the x-direction is 0 m/s2 regardless of whether it is
thrown up at an angle or launched horizontally
Know that when an object is launched “horizontally” its initial velocity in the y-direction is 0
m/s
Know the following for symmetrical projectiles (when an object starts and lands at the same
HEIGHT)
o Time going up to max height is equal to time coming back down from max height Tup
= Tdown
o The horizontal displacement (displacement in the x-direction) is half the total
displacement of the entire projectile
o An object’s velocity at its maximum height is 0 m/s
Know the following for non-symmetrical projectiles
o You need two charts – one from beginning to max height, one from beginning to end
o An object’s velocity at its maximum height is 0 m/s
o To find the maximum height use the charge (beginning to max height) and add the
displacement to the starting height
Know how to add vectors visually (head to tail)
Know how to add vectors algebraically using trigonometry
o Pythagorean Theorem
o Sine, Cosine, Tangent
Know how to find the resultant of two vectors (the sum) – both magnitude (numerical value)
and direction (angle)
o When they are at 90 degree angles with one another
o When they are at different angles from one another
Know the relationship between the following things (refer to virtual lab)
o Launch angle and horizontal distance
o Launch angle and maximum height
o Initial velocity and horizontal distance
o Initial velocity and maximum height
Know which angle will give you the maximum horizontal displacement
Know which angle will give you maximum vertical displacement
Know which angles will project the same horizontal displacement (Ex: 30 o and 60o)